Li Chengwen

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Li Chengwen (李承文)
Alias(es)	Eldest Young Master; First Young Master
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Li Family; Li Family Sword-Forging Courtyard
Occupation/Role	Eldest son of Master Li; overseer of the Sword-Forging Courtyard and participant in the Li Family’s business affairs
Status	Alive; actively directing the Qingyang Prefecture weapons order 39
First Appearance	Chapter 9

Appearance

Li Chengwen is a round-faced, heavily built young master whose weight is a source of personal insecurity. He is initially described in brocade robes, with a bulging belly; after following Shen Chu’s dietary advice and working intensively in the courtyard, he becomes visibly slimmer. 9 33 35

• Chubby, round-faced build; he later refers to himself as weighing 280 jin. 9 39
• Usually presents himself as a wealthy young master in brocade clothing. 9
• His confidence after the business trip is reflected in cleaner, more decisive movements and a more spirited demeanor. 29

Personality

Li Chengwen is forthright, emotional, and quick to act. He openly scolds Steward Li over the forging crisis, physically lashes out at Little Six after discovering the sabotage, and nearly rushes to confront Li Jiwu without evidence. 9 38

He craves Master Li’s approval, having long felt overshadowed by Li Jiwu. Master Li’s willingness to take him on a business trip moves him to tears, while his father’s dismissal of Zhao Dezhu’s embezzlement leaves him feeling estranged and determined to prove his worth through the government order. 18 31

Despite his impulsiveness, Chengwen develops into a more capable leader. He learns to cultivate the Sword-Forging Courtyard’s masters, assigns labor across the production chain, replaces compromised workers after suspected sabotage, and personally monitors progress. 13 35 36

He is generous toward those he trusts. He hosts banquets for the craftsmen, doubles Shen Chu’s wages when Shen stays to help, funds extra meals during the rushed order, and provides manpower, materials, and money when Shen Chu proposes remaking the missing blades. 18 34 35 37 39

Background & Story Role

Early management of the Sword-Forging Courtyard

When Han Tieshan leaves the courtyard with his followers, Chengwen initially blames Steward Li for endangering the Zhao Family order. Steward Li appeases him with Sun Ping’s newly forged Low-Grade Short Blade, which Chengwen presents to Master Li as proof that the courtyard can endure without Han. Master Li approves of his handling of the crisis. 9 10

Following Steward Li’s advice, Chengwen begins regularly visiting the Sword-Forging Courtyard. He brings food and drink, speaks with the craftsmen, and orders additional help for workers struggling under heavy workloads, gradually building goodwill among the masters. 13

Steward Li’s death deeply affects Chengwen. Although he often scolded the steward, Chengwen considers him the trusted support who made it possible for him to maintain standing within the Li Family. 13 14

Business trip and return

Master Li agrees to take Chengwen on a business trip, giving him the recognition he had wanted for years. Chengwen eagerly accepts the opportunity, interpreting it as proof that his father still values him. 18

Before departing, Chengwen leaves the Sword-Forging Courtyard under Zhao Dezhu’s care. Shen Chu cautiously urges him to remain safe, but Chengwen is too excited about the trip to recognize the political danger behind Zhao’s appointment. 20

The trip substantially improves Chengwen’s confidence. He returns having helped secure a long-term weapons-supply contract with the Qingyang Prefecture government, though he inadvertently reveals that his elder sister assisted with the negotiation. 29

After learning that Zhao Dezhu embezzled funds and vanished during his absence, Chengwen demands action from Master Li. His father chooses to prioritize the government order instead, prompting Chengwen to resolve to prove himself through the courtyard’s performance. 31

Qingyang Prefecture weapons order

Chengwen gives Shen Chu a piece of Silver-Veined Meteorite Iron obtained during the Qingyang trip. Shen Chu later forges it into a longsword for him; Chengwen treasures the finished weapon and rewards Shen Chu. 30 32 33

When the government raises the order from 500 to 1,500 standard long sabers without extending the deadline, Chengwen rallies the courtyard with promises of doubled wages and further rewards. He rejects Li Jiwu’s proposal to outsource the work, instead making a military pledge to complete it internally with sufficient quality and quantity. 33 35

He organizes the courtyard’s production into specialized teams, personally oversees the work, and responds to accidents by replacing workers in critical positions with trusted men. These measures halt further injuries and allow the first batch to pass inspection. 35 36 37

Li Jiwu’s scheme escalates when Little Six is caught applying Brittle Iron Powder to finished blades and a separate batch goes missing. Chengwen is enraged by Little Six’s confession implicating Li Jiwu, but Shen Chu restrains him because no direct evidence connects his brother to the plot. 38

With delivery approaching, Chengwen fully supports Shen Chu’s plan to remake the lost weapons, committing workers, materials, money, food, and Vitality Pills to sustain the emergency effort. The courtyard catches up to schedule before the planned inspection. 39

Equipment / Items

• Silver-Veined Meteorite Iron longsword — A longsword forged by Shen Chu from the rare meteorite iron Chengwen brought back from Qingyang Prefecture. Chengwen receives it with evident delight and rewards Shen Chu for the work. 30 32 33
• Vitality Pills — Purchased from Renhe Hall to restore Shen Chu’s stamina during the emergency remanufacturing effort. 39

Relationships

• Master Li — Father. Chengwen desperately seeks his approval, earns praise for the Qingyang business contract, but remains hurt by Master Li’s repeated preference for Li Jiwu and refusal to pursue Zhao Dezhu’s case. 18 29 31
• Li Jiwu — Younger brother and principal rival. Chengwen resents being overshadowed by him; their conflict intensifies as Li Jiwu covertly sabotages Chengwen’s weapons order. 9 35 38
• Shen Chu — Trusted bladesmith and adviser. Chengwen treats him warmly, gifts him valuable forging material, relies on his judgment during the weapons crisis, and supports his emergency production plan without reservation. 11 30 33 39
• Sun Ping — Low-grade weapon forger within Chengwen’s courtyard. Chengwen recognizes his value after the Low-Grade Short Blade breakthrough and celebrates the successful first batch of government blades alongside him. 10 37 39
• Steward Li — Former steward of the Sword-Forging Courtyard. Though Chengwen frequently reprimands him, he trusts Steward Li deeply and grieves for him after his death. 9 13 14
• Li Yu — Younger sister who assists Chengwen during the Qingyang business trip. Chengwen wants to complete the government order partly to repay her support and prove himself worthy of her faith. 29 31
• Madam Liu — A figure aligned with Li Jiwu’s efforts to undermine Chengwen’s standing. She helps arrange his removal from the courtyard through the business trip and encourages Li Jiwu’s schemes against the government order. 16 34 36

Notable Quotes

“I will make sure the order for the Qingyang Prefecture government is done perfectly, so Father can see who is truly looking out for the family!” 31

“If you need people, you'll have people; if you need materials, you'll have materials; if you need money, you'll have money!” 39