Chapter 152: The Foundation of Agricultural Governance

The next morning, the sky was just lightening.

Outside Luochuan City, the fields were still veiled in a thin mist, the air filled with the fresh scent of soil and grass.

Chen Wen changed into a simple hemp garment, accompanied by Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, and several agriculture bureau clerks.

He walked out of the city and headed straight for the largest planned state farm area.

He did not display the pomp of a defense commissioner, bringing only the necessary guards to scatter around for watch.

The purpose of this trip was to see the actual state of spring plowing with his own eyes.

Moreover, he wanted to personally light the first fire of 'Deep Roots, Solid Foundation' on this land that nurtured hope.

Among the fields, a bustling scene was already underway.

Countless farmers, like diligent ants, were scattered across the vast fields.

Strong laborers shouted at the livestock, guiding the newly made curved-shaft plow.

The plowshare broke the moist soil, turning up deep-brown waves of mud.

Women, children, and the elders followed behind, carefully scattering selected wheat seeds into the furrows and lightly covering them with soil using their feet or a simple rake.

Order was orderly, and efficiency was higher than Chen Wen had expected.

Obviously, the prior work of Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru had been quite solid.

The promotion of new farm tools, the organization of refugees, and the distribution of seeds had all begun to show results.

'Lord, look…'

Zhang Cheng pointed at the bustling scene before them, his tone carrying a hint of pride not easily noticed.

'Last winter we already organized the populace to deeply plow the frozen soil; now that spring has thawed it, the earth is loose and ready for tilling.'

'At this pace, more than seventy percent of the official and state farm fields within Luochuan County can finish sowing within half a month.'

Wang Ru added from the side.

'Agriculture bureau clerks patrol daily, recording each plot's progress and checking tool usage and loss.'

'If there are disputes or laziness, they can be dealt with promptly.'

She held a ledger densely filled with various data.

Chen Wen nodded, but his gaze fell on a few people gathered not far away.

They were pointing at the fields and discussing something.

They were a few minor officials in low-rank uniforms and several elderly locals with white hair and beard, presumably respected farmers of the area.

'What are they arguing about?' Chen Wen asked.

An agriculture bureau chief clerk who had accompanied him hurried forward to answer.

'My lord, they are disputing the course of the irrigation canal on that slope ahead.'

'Clerk Li thinks it should detour west, where the soil is more stable, but it would cost more labor and time;'

'Old Man Zhao believes it should go straight through the eastern hillock, a shorter route that would bring water to the fields faster, but he worries the hill might collapse in the rainy season and clog the canal.'

Chen Wen stepped forward.

Those few were arguing heatedly when they unexpectedly saw Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru, the actual heads of civil affairs for the three counties.

Accompanying a young man of remarkable bearing, they were startled, immediately ceased their argument, and bowed in salute.

'No need for excessive courtesy.'

Chen Wen waved his hand and asked amiably.

'I just heard you debating the canal's route; each side has merit. Have you conducted a detailed on‑site survey of the soil and stone in both places?'

The young clerk surnamed Li and the old farmer called Old Man Zhao both looked somewhat uneasy.

Clerk Li replied.

'My… my lord, I only gave it a rough look.'

Old Man Zhao also murmured.

'This old man is relying merely on past experience…'

Chen Wen understood clearly.

This is where the bottleneck of efficiency lies—incomplete information and slow decision‑making.

Often it is not that the people below lack diligence, but that they are limited by means and energy, unable to achieve the optimum.

He turned and whispered to Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru: 'Let's start right here.'

Zhang Cheng understood at once and solemnly addressed the several agriculture bureau clerks and the old farmers, including Old Man Zhao.

'You few, step forward. The lord has an important task to entrust to you.'

The few were both startled and doubtful, cautiously stepping forward.

Chen Wen swept his gaze over them; these people were the most direct executors and advisors of agricultural policy.

Their efficiency directly affects the yield of tens of thousands of mu of land.

He hesitated no longer, his mind stirred, and his consciousness sank into the light‑blue system interface.

He did not choose the more costly 'Concentrated Bestowal,' but locked onto the 'Broad Bestowal' option.

He set the target range to the seven or eight core agricultural personnel before him.

Then, without hesitation, he activated 【Broad Bestowal: 8x Efficiency】!

An invisible ripple spread from Chen Wen as its center, quietly enveloping the clerks and old farmers before him.

To outsiders, there was no unusual phenomenon.

But as the caster, Chen Wen could clearly feel his mental strength surging like a released flood.

A portion of it swiftly faded, bringing a slight dizzy sensation and a mild weakness in his limbs.

He privately estimated that, in his current condition, maintaining this scale of 'Broad Bestowal' for two hours would probably be the limit.

And the few who had received the endowment instantly felt an earth-shaking change!

The young Li clerk felt that his previously somewhat chaotic thoughts suddenly became exceptionally clear.

In his mind, the topographic map, soil records, and past hydrological data of that slope seemed to have been sorted out, clear and orderly.

A few details previously overlooked now clearly surfaced—the middle section of the western detour route.

One area of soil appeared firm, but underneath seemed to be an ancient riverbed, full of sand and stone, making digging canals extremely prone to leakage!

As for the eastern hill, he suddenly recalled that during last year's survey, he had noticed several clumps of specific drought-resistant shrubs on the hilltop.

Their well-developed root systems might help stabilize the soil?

Old Man Zhao was equally shocked.

He felt his murky old eyes become unusually clear, able to see the grasses, rocks, and their textures on the distant slope distinctly.

Decades of farming experience were like ignited lamp oil; previously many vague, intuitive judgments.

Now they all have clear basis.

He recalled the soil structure of the eastern hill: beneath the topsoil lies a dense clay layer.

As long as the slope is observed during excavation, the risk of collapse is far smaller than imagined!

As for the western line, he vaguely recalled hearing from older folks years ago that...

During summer floods, the groundwater level in that area would surge……

Several other clerks and old farmers also had their own insights, some having better ideas for labor allocation.

Others suddenly understood the details of using a new type of plow.

"Sir!"

Li clerk was the first to react, his voice trembling with excitement.

He didn't have time to ponder why his thoughts suddenly became sharp; he only felt inspiration gushing forth.

"Subordinate... subordinate has thought of a possible leakage risk on the western line, and perhaps a feasible reinforcement method on the eastern line!"

"I earnestly request, Sir, to allow subordinate to immediately lead people for an on-site survey; within half... no, the time it takes to burn an incense stick, I will surely give Sir a definite plan!"

Old Man Zhao also hurriedly said.

"Sir, this old man also feels the eastern line might be better, the clay layer on that hill……"

Looking at this group of subordinates who seemed to have suddenly opened their mental apertures, eyes shining, eager to solve the problem.

Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock deep in each other's eyes.

Although they had not experienced it themselves, seeing these people's state changes, they knew the Sir's 'Heaven-bestowed Power' had taken effect!

"Approved."

Chen Wen suppressed the slight fatigue from mental exertion, his face showing a satisfied expression.

"Then as you said, go quickly to survey. I want the fastest and most reliable plan."

"Yes!"

Li clerk and Old Man Zhao, et al., were like injected with chicken blood, immediately summoning several helpers and strong young men.

Grabbing their tools, they sprinted toward the slope, their movements so swift they seemed like different people from before.

Chen Wen continued to patrol the other fields in the company of Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru.

Wherever he went, he no longer lightly employed the 'Extensive Endowment'.

Instead, he carefully inquired, and after discovering the key point of the problem,

would he then apply a small-scale 'Extensive Endowment' effect to the minor foreman or technical backbone responsible for that area.

The effect was immediate.

Those endowed with ability, whether clerk or old farmer, could always quickly grasp the core of the problem.

They proposed feasible solutions, and the efficiency of organizing manpower also greatly increased.

What originally might have taken half a day of wrangling to decide can now be settled with a few sentences;

What originally required repeated urging to complete can now be efficiently advanced without much prompting.

The entire vast spring plowing site seemed to have been infused with an intangible vitality, operating more smoothly and efficiently.

The techniques for using the new farming tools spread and were understood more quickly.

The follow-up planning of the waterworks was continually optimized and adjusted during on-site inspection.

Even the labor rotation and rest arrangements became more reasonable.

Zhang Cheng followed beside him, the more he watched, the more astonished and excited he became.

He whispered to Wang Ru.

"Qingyu, do you see? This truly is divine skill!"

"If the Sir's power could remain stationed, what worry is there that agricultural policies will not prosper and granaries will not be full?"

Wang Ru lightly nodded, her beautiful eyes shimmering with unusual color.

She looked ahead at Chen Wen's back, not particularly burly, yet seeming to contain boundless power and wisdom.

She said softly.

"Sir, you are truly a heaven-sent person to us, to settle this chaotic age."

The inspection lasted nearly two hours.

When Chen Wen felt his mental fatigue gradually deepening, preparing to end this inspection.

The Li clerk and Old Man Zhao, et al., who had been sent earlier to inspect the canals, came running back drenched in sweat.

Their faces bore an uncontainable joy.

"Sir! It's confirmed!"

Li clerk excitedly reported.

The soil on the eastern line's small hills is more stable than expected; we only need to make the canal wall slopes gentler.

Furthermore, by reinforcing with the root systems of the locally growing 'Iron Wire Grass', there is absolutely no danger of landslide!

This plan saves at least three hundred laborers compared to the western line, and shortens the construction period by five days!

Good!

Chen Wen's face showed a genuine smile.

This is not merely the saved labor and time.

It is also the first significant achievement of successfully applying 'Ability Granting' in the agricultural field.

He raised his gaze; across the vast fields, countless farmers continued to toil diligently.

But in his perception, the 'vitality' of this land is burgeoning at an unprecedented speed.

He seemed to be able to see that, when autumn arrives, this place will be a scene of abundant harvest, with fruits laden and granaries full!

The foundation is being solidified bit by bit from this most basic soil.

He gently exhaled, feeling a slight emptiness inside from the expenditure, yet also a sense of strength from seeing hope.

【Growth Progress Bar: 0%→0.3%】

A barely perceptible yet genuine change quietly appeared on the light screen deep within his consciousness.