Chapter 109: The Fertile Wilds Restored · Hearts of the People Return

Time flies like a white colt passing through a gap.

Since Chen Wen took up his post and entered this Linhe County town.

In the blink of an eye, summer had given way to autumn, and several months of time flowed by.

The land once shrouded in despair and deathly silence now seemed infused with a new soul.

The most striking change first met the eye: the boundless fields beyond the city.

The summer harvest had already been stored away, and the golden waves of wheat were replaced by a heavy joy.

The gentle autumn sun shone on the banks of the Lin Shui River, once swallowed by flood and mired in mud.

Yet now the vast land had been drained, dried, and carefully cultivated.

Millet and bean sprouts lush and thriving, their growth pleasing, spreading a verdant carpet to the horizon.

And contrasting with the distant, reinforced, towering, thick dike of the Lin Shui River—guarding the good fields like a silent beast—made a pleasing scene.

Canals crisscrossed, their water murmuring.

This was another precious legacy left by the work-for-relief program, ensuring irrigation convenience.

On the field ridge, farmer Wang Lao Shuan bent over to check the millet sprouts' growth.

His rough palms gently stroked the full heads, his face showing irrepressible, almost devout joy.

By his side followed a half-grown boy, no longer the sallow, thin figure of spring.

His cheeks flushed red, he curiously watched his father's actions.

Dad, how much can this year's millet yield?

The boy asked, looking up.

Wang Lao Shuan straightened his back, squinting at the azure sky.

He then gazed at the vibrant green expanse, his voice choked:

How much? Silly boy, look at these heads!

Look at these stalks! I've farmed all my life and never seen crops so vigorous!

It's all thanks to Lord Chen Qing Tian's blessing!

If he hadn't repaired the river dikes, distributed the ownerless wasteland, and lifted the taxes,

and given us seeds… we father and son would likely have starved to death in some ditch!

His voice wasn't low; nearby farmers working the fields heard it and rose in agreement.

Yes! Lord Chen Qing Tian is our reborn parents!

This land is strong! It's as if all the stored fertility of the past has been unleashed!

I've heard Lord Chen is a star deity incarnate; wherever he stays, the earth god shares his glory!

In the farmers' simple words lay their deepest gratitude to Chen Wen and near‑mythic reverence.

They naturally did not understand that the Widespread Twofold Ability Granting had, when initially repairing the dikes and dredging the river,

not only boosted efficiency, but also the inherent power of the 'Heaven rewards diligence' rule.

It also subtly improved soil vitality and stimulated crop potential.

They only knew that following Lord Chen meant land to till, food to eat, and hope.

Within the county town, changes were equally earth‑shattering.

The streets, while still not bustling, had become much cleaner.

Shops on both sides had reopened in considerable number—grain stores, cloth shops, ironworks, and general stores all did business.

Even a new tea house had opened.

The numbness and sallowness on people's faces were replaced by a healthy flush and busyness.

Although many still wore ragged clothes, their eyes now shone and their steps had strength.

Children's laughter began to echo in the lanes and alleys, infusing this reborn town with lively vigor.

At the county government gate, no longer a dreaded portal avoided by the populace, people often gathered.

Sometimes to view newly posted edicts, sometimes to pay the greatly reduced land tax as mandated by law.

Sometimes to ask the village chief or the government clerks for help mediating disputes.

Wang Ru's surveillance system and Zhang Cheng's administrative framework.

Although still immature, they could basically maintain the county's fair and efficient operation.

That day happened to be a small market day.

Farmers from the four surrounding villages brought their own produce—vegetables, eggs, or woven baskets—to trade for salt, iron, needles, and thread.

Heads thronged the market, the sounds of haggling and acquaintances greeting each other never ceasing.

Though noisy, it was full of the breath of life.

Chen Wen, accompanied by Zhang Cheng and Shi Dun, dressed in casual attire, walked among the market stalls.

He startled no one, merely observing and listening in silence.

Old Li Tou, how much for your eggs?

Three cash each, laid by my own hens, fresh as can be!

Yo, that's one cash more than last month!

Hehe, my boy's appetite is growing, so I need to save a few more cash to buy cloth for clothes! Besides, these days, who wouldn't spare an egg to eat?

Hearing such talk, Chen Wen's mouth curled up in a barely perceptible arc.

The townsfolk began to reckon the gain or loss of a single cash, and to worry about their children's clothing.

This was exactly the sign of life returning to normal, the most precious sight in troubled times.

Brother Wen, look over there.

Shi Dun suddenly gave a low-voiced reminder, gesturing with his eyes toward the market's edge.

Chen Wen followed the direction he pointed and saw several elderly people with white hair.

With the support of a young scholar, they were walking toward the county office, seemingly holding something in their hands.

Many townspeople saw this and spontaneously joined in, the crowd growing larger.

Chen Wen felt a stir in his heart, and he quickly led Zhang Cheng and Shi Dun back to the county office.

They had just taken their places in front of the hall when the group of elders and townspeople also arrived at the office gate.

The leading elder, white-haired and bent, strove to straighten his back.

He held a wooden tablet covered in red cloth, and with the young scholar's support, he tottered forward a few steps.

Facing the county hall, he spoke loudly:

"I, Li Maocai, the village gentry of Sanlitun in Linhe County, together with the elders of the whole county, am grateful for the great kindness of Commissioner Chen, the Pacification Envoy, who has renewed us!"

"You, Sir, have eliminated corrupt officials, quelled bandits, repaired waterworks, restored farming, and given life to myriad commoners!"

"Such grace and virtue are as vast as heaven and earth; we have nothing to repay, so we present this 'Myriad Peoples Umbrella' as a token of our hearts, wishing you, Sir, noble rank for ten thousand generations, and enduring blessings!"

Saying this, he lifted the red cloth to reveal a finely crafted large umbrella.

The ribs were sturdy, and the canopy was densely covered with signatures or red handprints in many colors.

It was the most sincere and humble respect and blessings of tens of thousands of Linhe's common folk.

"May you, Sir, enjoy noble rank for ten thousand generations!"

The crowd behind shouted in unison, their voices rolling like waves, filled with sincere feeling.

Chen Wen stood before the hall, gazing at the umbrella that bore the hearts of the myriad people.

Looking down at the excited, grateful, hopeful faces below.

Even though his will was steadfast, his heart surged and a hot rush rose to his throat.

He quickly stepped down from the stairs, personally helped up Elder Li, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his voice calm and strong:

"Elders and folks, please rise!"

"Chen Wen, entrusted by the Imperial Court and the Military Commissioner, came to Linhe; all I have done is my duty, and I dare not accept such great affection from you all!"

"Linhe's present state is not my alone; it is the result of those here and all the county's people working together in unity and hard labor!"

"This 'Myriad Peoples Umbrella' I feel unworthy to accept, but it truly belongs to every elder who has shed sweat and blood for Linhe's rebirth!"

He took the heavy umbrella and raised it high:

"This umbrella is the testament of our united official and civilian hearts!"

"Chen Wen hereby swears to faithfully fulfill his duties, together with all of you."

"Let Linhe County know no famine or banditry, so that our descendants may forever enjoy peace!"

"We wish to follow you, Sir!"

"Lord Chen the Just!"

The cheers again shook the heavens and earth, many townspeople moved to tears.

At this moment when the people's hearts turned and the sound surged like a tide.

Chen Wen clearly felt within his sea of consciousness.

The originally impressive golden vortex of Fortune Momentum suddenly blazed with light and began to spin rapidly!

The vortex's volume visibly expanded by a layer, its color becoming deeper and more substantial.

As if turning from illusion to substance, it held a mighty yet gentle power.

This power came from the land's return, from the gathering of the people's hearts, and from the restoration of order.

The fertile fields were restored, the people's hearts returned.

Linhe County.

This once-abandoned land, now in Chen Wen's hands, has burst forth with vitality far surpassing before.

And Chen Wen himself.

Also, upon this newly fertile soil, he has drawn unprecedented nourishment.

This lays the firmest foundation for him to face the greater storms ahead.