Chapter 238

The undercurrents surging within Bianliangcheng and the dense war clouds on the borders could not completely halt the implementation of the new dynasty's orders at the grassroots level.

On the contrary, after Chen Wen stabilized the court situation with an iron fist and conciliatory measures while holding the capital, the new policies he personally promoted—aimed at pacifying the people and restoring production—began to seep into the soil of the surrounding regions like spring rain, quietly sprouting vitality.

Moreover, Chen Wen's unique Ability Granting ability was no longer confined to the battlefield; it began to be applied in a more refined and strategic manner to construction projects concerning the nation's livelihood.

That day, Chen Wen, accompanied by Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru, traveled lightly and came once again to the canal dock outside Bianliangcheng.

Compared with the grim atmosphere when he left the capital a month earlier, the dock now appeared bustling and full of vitality.

On the wide river surface, grain and merchant ships shuttled back and forth, their masts standing like a forest;

on the dock, the chant of laborers shouldering sacks and pushing wheelbarrows rose and fell;

most of the riverside warehouses had opened for business, with clerks busily tallying goods, the clack of abacuses ringing out.

The core of this change was precisely Chen Wen, who, against opposition, prioritized restoring and strengthening the management of grain transport.

"Your Majesty, since the Order to Unblock Grain Transport was issued and the Minister of Works, Zhao Shangshu, personally supervised it, the blocked waterways have been cleared and the damaged docks repaired."

Zhang Cheng pointed at the busy river surface, his tone carrying a hint of relief.

"More importantly, you ordered a thirty percent reduction in the previous levies on grain ships and severely punished the extortion and exploitation by clerks along the route."

"Now, not only can grain and cloth from Jiangnan reach the capital more smoothly, but the commercial routes of Hebei and Shandong have also become much more active."

"The price of food on the market has dropped by a full twenty percent compared to last month, and popular sentiment has greatly stabilized."

Chen Wen gave a slight nod.

Grain transport is the lifeline of Bian Liang; opening it up is like injecting blood into the weak capital.

He swept his gaze over the laborers shouting their chants, drenched in sweat, and said to Wang Ru beside him;

"Minister Wang, during your previous inspection tour, you reported that the grain transport laborers were being exploited layer upon layer, living in hardship."

"How is the situation now?"

Wang Ru, still dressed today in a simple, elegant outfit conducive to movement, stepped forward upon hearing this and replied respectfully;

"Your Majesty, I have recently conducted another covert inspection, and the situation has greatly improved."

"The Imperial Court has established a dedicated Grain Transport Office, which uniformly recruits and manages laborers, sets clear loading and unloading fees, and has the government disburse them directly, eliminating the middlemen contractors' skimming."

"Although it remains arduous, the laborers' earnings now suffice to barely support their families, and their faces show more smiles."

"Many laborers who had fled abroad due to the war, upon hearing the news, are now returning in succession."

She paused, then added.

"However, since the grain transport has just been reopened, affairs are complicated; the newly established Grain Transport Office suffers from insufficient staff, and its work efficiency still has room for improvement—I have urged them to make swift improvements."

"Efficiency..."

Chen Wen repeated the word, his eyes seeming lost in thought.

He pondered for a moment, then said to Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru;

"You two, follow me."

He did not display imperial pomp, but walked like an ordinary official toward a berth at the dock where a large batch of grain sacks was being unloaded.

The person in charge of loading and unloading here was a newly appointed squad leader of the Grain Transport Office; seeing several dignified figures approach, although he did not recognize Chen Wen, he recognized Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru, two high officials frequently appearing in the court and surveillance system, and hurried forward to salute, his expression somewhat tense.

"No need for excessive courtesy."

Chen Wen waved his hand, his gaze falling on the laborers who were hauling the heavy grain sacks from the ship onto the dockside warehouse.

"How long will it take to finish unloading this ship's grain today?"

The squad leader hurriedly replied;

"Sir, this ship carries about five hundred dan; given the current manpower and pace, it should be finished around the latter part of the night."

He wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"It's not that the brothers aren't exerting themselves; it's just that the grain is too heavy, and even though the distance isn't long, making several trips back and forth leaves them exhausted..."

Chen Wen nodded, then asked no further.

He seemed to stroll casually near this berth, his gaze sweeping over the laborers working hard, feeling the tenacity they exuded in struggling for a livelihood.

Immediately, his heart stirred slightly, his mental power highly focused, and the vast Fortune Momentum vortex within his body seemed to tremble lightly as well.

An intangible, gentle force, like water ripples, spread silently from him as its center, precisely enveloping the more than thirty laborers working at this berth and the squad leader responsible for coordination and command.

"Broad Granting"—an eightfold increase in efficiency!

He did not choose to expend a greater "Concentrated Granting," because this was not a battlefield requiring extreme explosive power; instead, he needed a force capable of steadily and sustainably boosting overall work efficiency.

At the moment this force descended, the laborers who were carrying the grain sacks first exhibited a slight hesitation in their movements.

Immediately, they were astonished to find that the heavy sacks originally bending their waists and backs on their shoulders now seemed much lighter all at once!

It was not that the sacks had truly become lighter, but rather that their strength seemed to have increased dramatically in an instant!

The weight that originally required gritting one's teeth to lift now felt considerably easier.

More importantly, the sensation of fatigue that came on quickly also noticeably weakened!

Their steps became light and steady, and their breathing grew much more even.

Not only the laborers, but also the squad leader responsible for coordination and command felt his mind become unusually clear.

The complicated dispatching work before his eyes seemed to instantly become orderly and well-organized.

Which positions needed extra manpower, which transport routes could be optimized, how to avoid personnel congestion... various thoughts poured in, yet they remained neat and orderly.

He subconsciously began to adjust his command, and the entire unloading process visibly became smoother and more efficient!

"Huh? Strange, why do I feel so energetic today?"

An old laborer couldn't help muttering a sentence, his feet kicking up dust as he shouldered the grain sack.

"Yeah, I don't feel as tired!"

Someone nearby echoed.

But they merely found it strange, did not investigate further, and simply thought they were in good shape today, or that the new court's rules had truly brought good fortune.

Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru stood behind Chen Wen; although they could not directly perceive the effect of Ability Granting, they were both keen-minded and immediately noticed the significant change in the scene's atmosphere and efficiency.

The laborers' spirits were refreshed, their moving speed noticeably increased, the whole process orderly, forming a stark contrast with the other berths nearby.

The two exchanged a glance, each seeing deep shock and sudden understanding in the other's eyes.

His Majesty is employing his unfathomable, godlike methods again!

Moreover, this time it is being applied to people's livelihood construction!

After about two hours, the grain ship that originally would have taken until late night to unload has already discharged over half its cargo!

At this rate, everything will be finished before nightfall!

The squad leader, both surprised and delighted, ran over to report this unexpected joy to Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru.

"Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, it's amazing! Today the workers for some reason are extra diligent, efficiency extraordinarily high! If this continues, we'll surely finish before dark!"

Zhang Cheng stroked his beard, smiled, gave Chen Wen a meaningful look, and said to the squad leader:

"This is His Majesty's benevolent governance, moving heaven above and pleasing the people below, thus your spirits are full and your efficiency naturally high."

"Work well, the imperial court will not shortchange those who exert effort."

"Yes, yes, yes! Surely it's thanks to His Majesty's great fortune!"

The squad leader hastily cupped his hands toward the imperial city, his face full of gratitude and awe.

Leaving the dock, on the road back to the imperial city, Chen Wen said to Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru:

"The matter of grain transport concerns the capital's lifeline and requires perseverance."

"The rectification of officialdom must not be relaxed."

"Minister Wang."

"I am here."

Your Censorate must strengthen cooperation with Qian Gui's Inspection Bureau; for officials who, in implementing the new policies, outwardly comply while secretly violating, or who are corrupt and harm the people, regardless of rank, once found guilty, they shall be severely punished without mercy!

"I want the benefits of this new policy to truly reach the people's heads, not to fatten the private purses of those parasites!"

I understand!

Wang Ru responded solemnly.

She knew well that His Majesty's personal demonstration today was not only to boost efficiency, but also to show her and Zhang Cheng a possibility—a possibility of using extraordinary power for state governance, benefiting all the people.

This made her burden heavier, yet her conviction grew firmer.

Chen Wen sat in the slightly swaying carriage, closing his eyes to nurture his spirit.

Although the scope of the recent Wide Grant was small and its duration brief, it still consumed a considerable amount of his spirit.

However, he could clearly feel that, with grain transport flowing smoothly, grain prices stable, laborers' livelihoods improving, thread after thread of weak but pure thought representing 'peaceful living and contented work' was flowing from the dock direction, from the streets and alleys of Bianliangcheng, into the Fortune Momentum vortex within his body.

This vortex seemed to have grown and solidified a bit more.

Although the Growth Progress Bar did not jump immediately, he knew the foundation was being gradually reinforced.

The feedback from agricultural construction, though not as immediately effective as battlefield carnage, is enduring and profound, the true cornerstone of the dynasty's long-lasting peace.

Of course, he also understood that the modest effects so far were still far from enough to reverse the declining trend of the entire chaotic era.

The threats from Northern Han and Hebei loom imminent;

The Iron Crow Army's 'Blood Moon' plan hangs over them like a sword suspended above;

The regional military governors still watch and wait...

The effects of the new policy are merely a spark in the darkness.

But he believes that, as long as the direction is correct and perseverance is maintained, this spark will eventually become a prairie fire.

And now, he needs to first handle the impending storm.