Chapter 61: A Thousand Li of Fertile Land Begins with the Plow (Part 2)

Under the dual effect of the new policies and ability granting, Jiao Tu Zhen sprouted like seedlings nourished by spring rain, bursting with astonishing vitality.

The construction boom spread from the city walls to every corner of the town, even radiating to the surrounding fields and wilderness.

The Land Reclamation Bureau's improved plow was quickly prototyped by the blacksmith shop in a few samples.

Chen Wen deliberately selected several diligent farmers, after granting them about twice the strength and stamina.

Let them try the new plow in the specially designated test field.

The effect was immediate.

The curved plow beam indeed saved considerable effort, and the sharper iron plowhead dug far deeper than the old wooden and stone tools.

The farmers endowed with ability worked with great vigor; one person with one plow could till nearly three times the land area per day compared to before.

This news spread like wings, quickly throughout the Land Reclamation Bureau, and all the farmers eagerly awaited the prompt distribution of the new plows.

Zhao Lao Nian's wrinkles blossomed into smiles as he squatted all day on the field ridge.

Gazing at the deeply tilled land exuding earthy fragrance, it seemed as if he saw golden wheat waves.

The Construction Bureau's results were even more pronounced.

Under the leadership of Shi Dun and those several "Opening Aperture" apprentices, not only did the city wall repair progress rapidly, but they also took great interest in Chen Wen's proposed "Simple Water Wheel."

Chen Wen did not directly give detailed drawings, but merely outlined the basic principle.

—using chain wheels and scrapers to lift water from low to high places.

He again granted Shi Dun and the core artisans an emphasis on spatial imagination and manual ability (about double).

For several days, the Construction Bureau's shed rang with clinks, filled with lively discussion and trial sounds.

After several failures and wasting some materials, a crude but basically viable wooden water wheel was actually cobbled together by them!

When this water wheel was successfully installed by the mountain stream and, under the pedal of several strong laborers (temporarily granted twice the strength), it splashed the creek water up a slope nearly a person's height, the whole Jiao Tu Zhen was in an uproar!

This means that large tracts of previously unirrigable slopes could become fertile farmland!

The improvement in water resource utilization efficiency is undoubtedly revolutionary for agriculture.

People gathered around the creaking water wheel, as if beholding a divine artifact, their admiration for Shi Dun and the Construction Bureau overflowing.

Shi Dun's dark face was full of pride; he knew that without the leader's hand, which seemed able to turn stone to gold, none of this would be possible.

The Internal Affairs Bureau's work also gradually got on track.

After Wang Aunt and others were granted the ability to process information efficiently, the Information Card Ledger System ran ever more smoothly.

The recording and calculation of Contribution Points became clear and transparent, greatly stimulating the townspeople's initiative.

Now, without prompting, people will voluntarily seek work, because every effort is visible and tangible, able to concretely improve life.

Even several half-grown children spontaneously organized to help sweep streets and collect manure for fertilizer, also earning a few Contribution Points.

A "work more, gain more; diligence brings wealth" atmosphere is taking shape.

Qian Gui of the Inspection Bureau was also not idle.

He used his merchant experience and connections to select several quick-witted, articulate youths, beginning to form the initial investigation network.

Chen Wen's granting to them was more cautious, mainly enhancing observation, memory, and adaptability (about double).

These "Scouts" were sent to nearby villages and towns, even attempting to infiltrate the scattered remnants of Liu Du Tou's troops to gather intelligence.

Although they currently bring back no earth-shattering intelligence.

But at least it lets Jiao Tu Zhen no longer be a sealed island, giving it some perception of outside disturbances.

This day, Chen Wen stood on the preliminarily repaired city wall watchtower, overlooking the whole town.

The clinking of hammering, the farmers' shouts, the water wheel's creaks, children's laughter… wove together into a melody full of hope.

Compared to the lifeless wasteland of Jiao Tu Zhen a month ago, it is simply heaven and earth apart.

He could clearly feel that, with the advancement of various constructions, as the townspeople's lives stabilized and they looked forward to the future with hope.

The golden thread of Fortune Momentum in his mind had noticeably grown stronger, its rotation speed increased slightly, exuding a warm, vigorous aura.

【Growth Progress Bar: 15%】

The progress increased again.

Chen Wen clearly realized that this down-to-earth, people-benefiting construction and development brought a "growth" far more solid and profound than merely winning a battle.

This is not only a personal ability increase, but also the consolidation of the entire faction's foundation.

"Boss, Qian Gui has news from his side."

Zhang Cheng walked up to the watchtower and reported in a low voice.

His injury, aided by the faint life energy Chen Wen occasionally passed through, recovered quickly and he could now act normally.

"Oh? How so?" Chen Wen withdrew his gaze.

"After Liu Du Tou retreated to his lair, seriously injured and unable to recover, several of his commanders, vying for power and profit, have already clashed internally several times, temporarily unable to mobilize troops against us. However……"

Zhang Cheng paused, his face turning somewhat grave.

"The Mountain Leopard side seems to have some movement, having absorbed part of Liu Du Tou's scattered forces, its strength has increased somewhat."

"Moreover, Qian Gui's people returning from the east said that several villages there have suffered disaster……"

"It's not bandits; reportedly it's a 'Mountain Sprite' disturbance, extremely eerie, with people and livestock missing, causing panic."

"Mountain Sprite?" Chen Wen frowned slightly.

In chaotic times, supernatural oddities often occur frequently.

But combining earlier clues from the Iron Crow Army, he instinctively felt this "Mountain Sprite" was not without cause.

The external environment remains unfavorable.

Jiao Tu Zhen's rapid development will inevitably arouse the wariness and covetousness of neighboring forces.

And the so-called "Mountain Sprite" to the east is likely related to the Iron Crow Army, a potential major threat.

"Tell Qian Gui to keep investigating, especially the news of the eastern 'Mountain Sprite,' the more detailed the better."

Chen Wen instructed.

Moreover, the training of the Civil Militia Bureau cannot slack; the newly recruited able-bodied must quickly form combat capability.

Our time may be short.

"Understood!" Zhang Cheng replied solemnly.

Peaceful days are fleeting.

Jiao Tu Zhen must take advantage of this precious respite to grow stronger more quickly.

Chen Wen gazed eastward, his eyes deep.

He knew that farming to accumulate strength was to better face future storms.

And when the storm truly arrives, he and his force initially armed with 'ability'.

It will surely make all enemies pay a heavy price.

The fertile land has initially taken shape, and the sharp sword must be constantly honed.