After the first operation, the next stretch of time should have been fairly quiet.
Han Xiao returned to the repair shop and considered how to find buyers.
The Folding War Blade seemed to have a good market, and Han Xiao wanted more Thirteenth Bureau agents to know about him as a mechanic. After thinking it over, he called Li Yalin and asked her to spread the word around the bureau. After much persuasion, Han Xiao offered her a twenty percent discount in the future and successfully talked her into recommending—or, uh, promoting—his work.
There was one problem, though. Han Xiao made his machinery at the repair shop, but its lathes and equipment were limited. With Lü Qian watching, it was also inconvenient for him to produce things in bulk. After thinking it over, he decided to "come clean" with Lü Qian.
"Sister Qian, I need to talk to you."
Lü Qian trembled all over and lamented inwardly. This day has finally come. Oh well, I've already prepared myself for it!
"There's something I want to tell you. I actually..."
Lü Qian spun around, her expression gentle but resolute. She bowed deeply and stammered, "I-I'm sorry. You're a good person."
An awkward silence fell.
The two stared at each other.
The corner of Han Xiao's eye twitched. I wasn't planning to pursue you, but why am I so annoyed that you were in such a hurry to turn me down?
"...You misunderstood. I want to renovate the repair shop and build a separate new room next to it. I'll work in there from now on. My friends will pay for the renovations, so it's basically a free expansion for the shop. What do you think?"
It was a misunderstanding! Lü Qian swayed, so embarrassed that her heart nearly exploded. She forced herself to remain calm and said, "Mm, good, very good. I agree."
With that, she covered her face, turned, and fled.
Waaah, that was so embarrassing!
Han Xiao looked helpless. He doubted Lü Qian had even heard what he said.
Han Xiao submitted a request to build a workshop to Feng Jun, who passed it on to the higher-ups.
The Thirteenth Bureau placed great importance on him, so such a reasonable request was quickly approved. A construction crew from the Engineering Department came to expand the repair shop.
Two days later, a new mechanical workshop stood next to the repair shop. The Thirteenth Bureau had kindly provided the basic equipment on loan to Han Xiao. At Han Xiao's request, the workshop had a basement for conducting secret research and serving as a warehouse.
Li Yalin's promotion was highly effective. Within days, quite a few agents had asked to order Folding War Blades. Han Xiao did not meet the customers personally, instead having Li Yalin pass the orders on to him.
Although his customers were all Thirteenth Bureau agents, there was no knowing what was in their hearts, so Han Xiao remained cautious.
Batches of alloy materials were delivered to Han Xiao's workshop. Over several days, he forged dozens of Folding War Blades and sold every one of them, earning a considerable amount of experience. Han Xiao raised [Basic Mechanical Affinity] to its maximum level and gained another potential point.
The agents were well informed. Thanks to Li Yalin's sales pitch, they soon learned that her team had recruited a mechanic named Han Xiao, who offered custom machinery and repair services.
Orders flew in like snowflakes, more than Han Xiao could handle. He produced around a few dozen blades a day, earning a substantial amount of experience each day. More experience gradually accumulated on his panel, and his own wallet slowly filled up.
In his previous life, making and selling machinery had been how mechanic-class players progressed, and competition in the market had been fierce. Now, however, Han Xiao had a near monopoly: anyone who wanted a Folding War Blade could only buy it from him. A monopoly could bring huge profits, and it allowed him to earn his first pot of gold outright.
Han Xiao only planned to sell two kinds of machinery: High Combustion Ammunition and Folding War Blades. He had only sold Li Yalin a Light Power Arm out of consideration for their relationship.
Folding War Blades sold well, but Han Xiao was not optimistic. Although they were popular for the time being, most people were only buying them to try something new. Their uses were limited, and so was their customer potential. Besides, the technology behind them was far too rudimentary. A knowledgeable mechanic could tinker with one and work out the blueprint, and even secrecy measures would be no help. Knockoffs would probably appear before long.
Han Xiao only intended to make some quick money from the Folding War Blades. By comparison, he placed greater importance on the prospects of [High Combustion Ammunition]. It worked well, was inexpensive, and was a consumable, so it could cultivate a steady customer base.
High Combustion Bullets were inherently difficult to reverse-engineer. Their key component was the combustible gas inside the bullet, which would leak out and burn as soon as the bullet was opened, making it impossible to preserve stably. Without the refinement formula in the blueprint, they were nearly impossible to copy... at least, it would be difficult with Stardragon's current level of technology.
Han Xiao planned to build up a stockpile before finding an opportunity to introduce the High Combustion Bullets. He used the money he earned from the Folding War Blades to buy large quantities of bullet materials and made them whenever he had spare time each day. Box after box of High Combustion Bullets gradually accumulated in the underground warehouse.
One day, Old Man Lü and Old Man Gao were matching wits over a game of chess at the entrance to the repair shop again. Han Xiao had just completed a batch of orders. Seeing them, he walked over to Old Man Gao and asked with a smile, "Is the prosthetic comfortable to use?"
"Not bad." Old Man Gao smiled and rolled up his sleeve. He was wearing the prosthetic, which had been covered with a layer of artificial silicone skin. It looked almost like the real thing.
"Glad you like it. If it ever malfunctions, just come find me and I'll fix it for you."
Old Man Gao nodded and said with a faint smile, "I heard from Old Man Lü that you joined the Thirteenth Bureau?"
"That's right."
"You're young and already accomplished. Keep at it and do your part for the country," Old Man Gao encouraged him.
Han Xiao chuckled inwardly. Old Man Gao still thought Han Xiao didn't know his identity.
There was no need to hide the fact that he worked for the Thirteenth Bureau. Although ordinary Stardragon civilians had no contact with that level of affairs in their daily lives, they still knew the Thirteenth Bureau existed and considered it a promising place to work.
Han Xiao said a few words in response, privately wondering when Old Man Gao would come clean with him. When the time came, should he humor Old Man Gao and act a little surprised?
Just then, Feng Jun strode over, his expression serious. "A word in private," he said to Han Xiao.
As Han Xiao's contact, Feng Jun always had a squad with him, keeping watch on the area around the repair shop for suspicious people. He was worried that the Germinal Organization would discover Han Xiao.
Old Man Gao naturally knew Feng Jun. Seeing him come to find Han Xiao in person, he couldn't help wondering what had happened.
Han Xiao followed Feng Jun aside. Feng Jun got straight to the point. "The Research and Development Department has its eye on you!"
Han Xiao narrowed his eyes. "Tell me more."
"The Research and Development Department is responsible for developing all kinds of new weapons, and it has the authority to conduct risk inspections on new weapons used by agents. They believe there are risks associated with the Folding War Blade and want you to hand over its blueprint so they can check it for errors. That falls under their authority, so other departments can't intervene."
So it's my blueprint they're after!
Checking for risks? That's just an excuse.
Han Xiao snorted. As long as he handed over the blueprint for "inspection," the Research and Development Department could mass-produce Folding War Blades by tomorrow and turn his blueprint into an achievement of their own.
From Feng Jun, Han Xiao had learned about the Thirteenth Bureau's internal situation. Like the Internal Affairs Department, the Research and Development Department belonged to the hardline faction and was very unfriendly toward him.
The Research and Development Department was steeped in bureaucracy and had produced no new inventions or equipment in years. Its funding had dwindled year after year, and in the eyes of the agents, its standing was even lower than the Logistics Department's. Desperate for an achievement to shore up its position, it had set its sights on the ready-made blueprint for the Folding War Blade.
Once the Research and Development Department had the blueprint, all it needed to do was write a report to the higher-ups, and it could "turn" the blade into its own invention and achievement.
"What happens if I refuse?"
Feng Jun smiled bitterly. "The Research and Development Department will blacklist you and put it on your record, which will affect your promotion prospects. But you're different from ordinary agents. The bureau places great value on the intelligence you possess, so there probably won't be any major problems. The Research and Development Department can't force you."
"Good. I won't hand over the blueprint." Han Xiao shook his head.
Although the market for Folding War Blades would eventually become saturated, they could still bring him profits for now. Han Xiao would not hand them over without a fight.
Feng Jun was not surprised at all. During the time they had spent together, he had gained a basic understanding of Han Xiao's character: he was the type who responded to neither persuasion nor pressure.
Old Man Gao made a phone call. After learning what had happened, his face darkened.
"Those bastards are drawing salaries for doing nothing! They're no good at getting things done, but they're more than capable of ruining them!"
Old Man Gao placed great importance on Han Xiao. Thanks to his efforts, the Thirteenth Bureau and Han Xiao had established a good working relationship. Yet for the sake of its own achievements, the Research and Development Department had acted on its own without regard for the bigger picture, bullying Han Xiao because he was alone and vulnerable and trying to seize his blueprint. It was outright robbery. Most importantly, it could offend Han Xiao and bring all his careful efforts to nothing.
Old Man Gao was furious.
"How dare they!"