Chapter 1: Starting with double harvest, relying on steamed buns to build a team

In a corner of Jiao Tu Zhen, a rare wisp of cooking smoke rose.

A large iron pot with a broken mouth, dug out from some unknown ruin, was set over the fire.

Steam rose from the pot, giving off a smell mixed with wild vegetables and coarse grain.

Though not delicious, it was enough to make anyone drool wildly.

Around the pot stood a circle of yellow‑skinned, thin refugees staring at the food, most of them elderly, weak, women and children.

Chen Wen wiped the sweat from his forehead.

He glanced at the porridge in the pot, almost overflowing.

He silently muttered in his heart:

"System."

A semi‑transparent, ancient‑looking panel appeared before his eyes:

【Cow Horse System】

Host: Chen Wen

Level: 1 (87/100)

Current multiplier: 2x

Effect: Labor efficiency slightly increased, harvest doubled (limited to one's own labor output)

Skill: None

Status: Light injury (left shoulder scabbed), full stomach

"Brother Wen, Brother Wen! Today's porridge seems a bit more than yesterday's!"

A half‑grown boy named Zhang Cheng.

He came over and whispered, his eyes full of admiration.

Chen Wen smiled and said nothing.

More? It's far more than just a bit.

He alone went to dig wild vegetables, searching the corners of granaries others missed!

His efficiency was far higher than others'!

This is the effect of the system's efficiency boost!

He puts what he finds into the pot!

In the end, it mysteriously turns into double portions!

This is the effect of the system's harvest doubling.

Relying on this mysteriously obtained 'Cow Horse' ability.

He actually, in this man‑eating wasteland,

managed to pull together this small group of people, temporarily staving off starvation.

"Don't rush, line up, everyone gets a share!"

A somewhat capable-looking older woman named Wang Ru voluntarily helped maintain order.

She had been an itinerant doctor, knowing a bit of herbal medicine.

After Chen Wen rescued her, she became the 'logistics chief' here.

Chen Wen handed out porridge while listening to their chatter about news they'd gathered.

"Alas, I heard there was another battle to the north, many died……"

"What a murderous world—when will there be an end……"

"Young Brother Chen, you're truly kind‑hearted; without you, we old bones would have……"

Chen Wen listened, his eyes dimming slightly.

He recalled that half a month ago, he too had been a stray dog in this chaotic age.

Memory flashed back——

A battlefield of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, the Later Jin's trampled in the mud.

Khitan cavalry chased the fleeing troops like herding sheep.

His mother Liu Shi, scattered in the chaos, gave a desperate look, and his little sister Chen Wansheng screamed hoarsely: "Brother——!"

He himself had taken a slash to the shoulder, luckily fleeing to Jiao Tu Zhen, starving to the point his chest stuck to his back.

Like a wild dog, he foraged in the ruins……

Just as he was frantically digging at a stove.

Hoping to find something to eat.

A 'ding' sounded in his mind!

【Cow Horse System】 activated!

The half‑piece of moldy cake he dug out instantly turned into a whole piece!

(Memory ends)

From that day on, he knew.

Relying solely on himself, in this chaotic age it's hard to even survive, let alone find family.

He needed some 'power'.

Thus

He began consciously using this 'two‑fold' ability.

To attract and gather the scattered refugees struggling to survive like him.

He went to fetch water, and the water he brought back always doubled;

He went to look for food, and whatever he found always doubled.

Just like today's pot of gruel.

"Aunt Wang..."

Chen Wen lowered his voice, speaking to Wang Ru, who was helping.

"These days, we still need to trouble everyone to inquire more."

"My mother and little sister…… my mother is frail."

"My little sister is only twelve; I really can't put my mind at ease."

Wang Ru sighed, nodding:

"Don't worry, Brother Chen."

"You have given us the grace of saving our lives!"

"Everyone remembers."

"Anyone who has fled here from the north, from the direction of Bian Liang!"

"We will ask carefully."

Just then!

That half-grown boy Zhang Cheng just now.

He came running back from outside like a mud monkey, panicking.

He shouted, out of breath:

"Brother Wen! Brother Wen! Something's wrong!"

Everyone's eyes instantly focused on him.

Chen Wen's heart gave a sudden jolt.

He stood up:

"What's there to panic about? Speak slowly!"

Zhang Cheng swallowed, his face filled with fear:

"At the east of the village…… another group has come!"

"It's…… it's the group of defeated soldiers led by Hu Biao of 'One Gust'!"

"They're vicious! They're looting and beating people over there!"

"It looks like they're heading our way!"

Just as his words fell.

The crowd gathered around the pot instantly stirred.

The atmosphere of fear instantly spread.

"Hu Biao? That murderer!"

"They have several dozen people, and they have knives..."

"We're done for…… our little food will surely not be saved..."

Chen Wen's heart also sank instantly.

He had heard of Hu Biao's reputation.

He was the leader of a sizable band of defeated soldiers nearby.

He bullies the weak and fears the strong, specializing in robbing refugees like them.

Trouble has come!

He glanced at the little gruel left in the pot.

He also glanced at the panicked crowd beside him.

The old, weak, women, and children who survived only thanks to his bit of "superpower."

A huge pressure instantly seized him.

But immediately after.

That force, since the system descended,

has been buried deep in his heart as ruthless determination!

It surged up again!

Before, he was alone and could only run.

Now.

He now has a group of people behind him who need his protection.

He can't run away!

His gaze turned sharp.

He swept his gaze over everyone.

His voice was calm and steady, not like that of a twenty-something young man:

"Don't panic! Hide the remaining food! Those who can grab a weapon, follow me!"

He bent over.

He pulled out a hard wooden stick from the firewood pile, one end sharpened and quite sturdy.

He gripped it tightly in his hand.

【Cow Horse System】

Level1(87/100)

Current multiplier: 2x

……fighting, does that count as 'labor'?

Strength, could it also double?

Chen Wen licked his slightly chapped lips, and a hint of dangerous yet anticipatory light flickered in his eyes.