[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-watching-the-immortals-fall":3,"chapter-watching-the-immortals-fall-watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-244":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Watching the Immortals Fall",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2260117,4410,"Chapter 244: Year After Year, Abundance","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-244",244,"\u003Cp>During the Leitaisaiqijian , the finals date for the Tian Dao Hui was already set, drawing even more people to Zhongzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a few days, sand and dust flew outside Zhongxing County, waves of grit rising one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Visiting friends, receiving guests, watching matches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most here had heard of how that rustic cultivator from the Tian Shu Academy lost to Yan Hao, who broke through during the match, and were deeply curious about the protagonist of the rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Families with daughters among the minor clans were already scheming endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then everyone heard that after winning his challenge, Ji You saw no one willing to step forward, so he returned to Fengzhou to prepare for the autumn harvest, leaving people stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The idea of autumn harvest seemed like a forgotten term to cultivators, yet now it was tied to the Tian Dao Hui, making everyone feel strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the other twenty-odd participants of the Tongxuan realm, this act was nothing short of mockery—as if he were certain no one would dare challenge him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the Tian Dao Hui, a grand gathering of immortal sects and noble families across the Nine Provinces—how could a rustic cultivator possibly dominate them all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet subsequent events proved that indeed, no one posted a challenge against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, two carriages had already entered Fengzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fengzhou borders Zhongzhou to the north and south; Zhongxing County lies just a step away from Fengzhou’s border—distance is not far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You and Kuangcheng sat atop the carriage, feeling the smooth road beneath them, their hearts at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fengzhou official road had been fully repaired days ago; he came not only to prepare for the autumn harvest but also to inspect this road—and now, it was indeed excellent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could see pedestrians moving along the wide road, and near villages, small markets had appeared; though stalls were few, crowds were plentiful, and their comings and goings brought comfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because markets, as a commercial form, arise only when there is surplus—more than enough to eat, more than enough to use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than a year ago, every household in Fengzhou had people starving to death, let alone having any surplus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The markets naturally forming near villages can be gently guided and maintained by the government.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once they grow larger, consolidate them together to stimulate economic flow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Regarding the policy for refugees, keep it as before: allocate land, let them settle and establish livelihoods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And as previously mentioned, build schools—even adults can enroll; skip the fluff, focus only on teaching literacy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jinsong, Wen Zhengxin, Pei Ruyi, and Ban Yangshu sat in the lead carriage, watching Ji You and Kuangcheng gaze out the window, unable to resist exchanging glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning home to farm during the Tian Dao Hui was truly abstract—only he could pull it off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knew what gossip was swirling in the Xianxian Garden right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this behavior perfectly matched his identity as a rustic cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All cultivators under heaven spoke of family background; even those with talent who entered immortal sects couldn’t hold their heads high if their families lacked prestige.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this unruly disciple never treated it as something shameful—and yet he was strong enough that no one dared laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only remaining issue now is continuity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noble families endure not through one person’s strength, but through generations of inheritance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many noble families in Qingyun Realm have declined due to lack of successors; thus, in their eyes, the Ji family’s rise is urgent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they also heard that twenty-eight noble daughters sent him letters, all of which were returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, with Ji You’s current reputation, being selective is normal—but the problem is he refused without even seeing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You is no virtuous man who resists temptation; such caution raises suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss Yuan of Yu Danzong doesn’t seem jealous at all—yet despite the Tian Dao Hui being the perfect opportunity, he has no thoughts of taking a concubine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You turned his head at the sound, raised a finger to his lips in a hushing gesture, and looked toward the carriage following behind on the right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four exchanged glances, then turned their eyes toward the neighboring carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That carriage had joined them after departing from the Xianxian Garden; inside sat Wei Rui, granddaughter of the Wei Chancellor, who had specifically stepped down before departure to greet them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jinsong frowned: “Why shush? I’ve told you for ages about continuing the bloodline—you never take it seriously.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng held his breath: “Teacher Cao, better say less.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once a teacher, always a father—my unruly disciple’s parents are gone; if I don’t care about this, who will?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Having children isn’t decided by one person alone, but I trust Brother Ji has his own understanding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You replied, recalling the unyielding sword qi in his arms yesterday, thinking: I know it must have hurt terribly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying this, he quietly gazed toward Fengzhou Prefecture, a scene forming in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was at the gate of Ji Zhai: warm sunlight, clear sky, a stunningly beautiful girl hanging a wooden sign that read: “Cao Jinsong and Dogs Not Allowed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the carriage hurried along, it entered Fengzhou Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before them stretched endless golden wheat fields, stretching a thousand li; when the autumn wind passed, countless stalks bowed together, then slowly rose again, rolling in layered waves, their golden shimmer rippling all the way to the foot of a distant hill, merging with the clouds on the horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Cao Jinsong was still earnestly explaining the importance of continuity, but noticed Kuangcheng and Ji You pretending to watch the wheat, their responses growing fewer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially after entering Fengzhou Prefecture, the two fell completely silent, their eyes constantly flicking toward the neighboring carriage, as if on guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the carriage slowed and stopped; Ji You and Kuangcheng leapt down first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of yesterday’s sudden rain, the ground in Fengzhou still glistened with damp black sheen; puddles in low spots floated a few ginkgo leaves, their golden edges slightly curled, like half-folded fans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping on the wet ground, they saw crowds gathering at the town’s grain yard, apparently discussing the autumn harvest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the left of Fengzhou Prefecture’s government office, many carriages stood parked, used to transport grain between farmlands and the prefectural city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This year’s harvest in Fengzhou will be extremely high; every household in the prefecture had uniformly rented grain carts, fully prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once surplus grain accumulates, animal husbandry can develop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Cao Jinsong and the other three emerged from the carriage, their feet touching the ground, all simultaneously raising their heads to look at Wei Rui’s carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You and Kuangcheng had been watching that carriage all along, so even though they knew who was inside, a faint, uncertain curiosity lingered in their hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, the carriage curtain lifted slightly; Wei Rui appeared, her delicate embroidered shoes touching the ground, her eyes curiously scanning the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this was where she would one day marry in—she had long wanted to come, but Fengzhou was vast, and the roads had not yet been repaired; as a woman, she could hardly make the journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seeing her, Cao Jinsong and the other three continued staring at the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because they heard voices still inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a round-faced woman stepped down from the carriage, followed by a narrow-faced woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing them, Cao Jinsong, Wen Zhengxin, Pei Ruyi, and Ban Yangshu all froze—they recognized these two as the personal maidservants of the Little Inspector of Lingjian Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling Ji You’s constant attention to the two carriages, the four held their breath, thinking: How could the unruly disciple (Brother Ji) have lured the Inspector’s maidservants home?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does the Little Inspector of Lingjian Mountain even know? If not, this could be fatal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to the four’s surprise, after stepping down, the two did not look around like Wei Rui; instead, they turned and gazed back at the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, under everyone’s gaze, the Little Inspector of Lingjian Mountain slowly emerged from behind the curtain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had risen early to dress, Buzhiweihejinzhang , now wearing a wide-sleeved white robe embroidered with silver-threaded Tanhua , draped with a gauze cloud-shoulder, her jade-like face glowing like newly fallen snow, brows like distant mountains veiled in ink, eyes lifting slightly as she surveyed the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lingzhou lies at the southernmost tip of the Nine Provinces; Fengzhou lies at the northernmost—distance alone makes them as far apart as heaven and earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Little Inspector of Lingjian Mountain, she should have had no connection to this place, nor any desire to visit Fengzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet her mood now mirrored Wei Rui’s—filled with familiarity, her eyes darting about, cold and proud yet strangely endearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After glancing around twice, Yan Shuyi suddenly turned her head, her small face stern as she fixed her gaze on Cao Jinsong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu remained silent, but their peripheral eyes also flicked toward Cao Jinsong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivators have keen senses; the two carriages were close, and they had heard Cao Jinsong’s endless lecturing all the way…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jinsong, Wen Zhengxin, and the other three stood frozen, eyes wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, the moment Yan Shuyi’s stunningly beautiful, coldly proud face appeared from the carriage, they had held their breath—their minds instantly blanked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could accept the maidservants being brought here—perhaps Ji You truly had a clear Dao-heart (or boundless audacity), extraordinary ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Little Inspector of Lingjian Mountain herself appearing here? That was beyond their comprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the next leader of Lingjian Mountain, the most powerful woman under heaven—utterly unrelated to this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Yan Shuyi withdrew her gaze, glanced at the plaque above the gate inscribed with “Ji Zhai,” her expression curious; her eyes flickered as she stepped forward, reaching the gate and glancing at Ji You before crossing the threshold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not bad—she knew to come home herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You watched Yan Shuyi walk inside, filled with admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why is the Little Inspector of Lingjian Mountain here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jinsong and the other three turned to Kuangcheng, their faces still pale with shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng pursed his lips: “Didn’t you all wonder why Miss Yuan, who doesn’t seem jealous, had Ji You so cautious about taking a concubine? That’s because Miss Yuan isn’t the primary wife.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ji You’s primary wife is… Miss Yan of Lingjian Mountain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, memories from the past flooded into everyone’s minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, during Ji You’s battle with Chen Ruiyang, the Little Inspector of Lingjian Mountain had suddenly risen from her seat upon seeing Cao Jinsong, and even arranged his seat directly before her own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was another detail they had missed: until Cao Jinsong sat down, Yan Shuyi did not resume her own seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, during Lingjian Mountain’s Dao Inquiry, Ji You was assigned the highest-ranked courtyard, with guards stationed specifically for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Zhengxin and Pei Ruyi recalled the slippers and socks discarded in Brother Ji’s room, and the Little Inspector of Lingjian Mountain appearing precisely opposite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deeper still, Cao Jinsong remembered the day news arrived of the Little Inspector’s breakthrough—Ji You had grinned as if he’d found silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All past confusion now flashed into clarity, fitting perfectly into one most plausible answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even as they understood, they still could not easily accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Apprentice, come speak with me privately!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Back to ‘apprentice’ again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Apprentice, listen—what exactly is going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You glanced at Yan Shuyi strolling in the courtyard: “I don’t even know where to begin—perhaps we just happened to meet once by chance, and both felt we suited each other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jingsong glanced at him, thinking: Your explanation is too plain and unadorned—she’s not just any woman, she’s the next Abbess of Spirit Sword Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Cao had always been proud of Ji You, believing no so-called prodigies in the world could match him—but the Little Abbess of Spirit Sword Mountain was different; she was a true prodigy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So even though he was her own sect’s wayward disciple, he still couldn’t understand what the Little Abbess saw in this fellow—it felt like his own little mud pig had rooted up a jade cabbage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I already did.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At the Heavenly Book Academy—you asked why I was smiling like I’d found silver, and I said it was because she broke through, and I never lie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jingsong: “？？？”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Cao Jingsong, Wen Zhengxin, Pei Ruyi, and Ban Yangshu were among the few Ji You trusted; besides, though the Little Abbess was stubborn, she secretly wanted others to know she was the rightful wife—so Ji You never intended to hide it from them. He simply hadn’t found a good moment—now that they knew, it saved trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately Gongshu Chou hadn’t come—this was something he absolutely couldn’t know, because such a prestige-boosting event, he’d surely write into his book, even if it cost him his life just to leave his name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The story would then become: In the past, Gongshu Chou had fought a bloody battle with the Little Abbess of Spirit Sword Mountain’s husband—and held his own…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the Little Abbess was strolling through the courtyard, walking from end to end, observing every detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Rui’s expression mirrored his—she kept glancing around intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You’s return had been a last-minute decision; Qiu Zhong didn’t know. When he heard the noise, he rushed out and immediately ordered food prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having lived long, Qiu Zhong naturally had more experience—he instantly sensed that Yan Shuyi’s demeanor as she surveyed the courtyard, and her haughty expression, were nearly identical to his own mistress’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So during the banquet, he subtly probed with questions like “Where is your family from?” and “How many people are in your household?”—making Cao Jingsong and the other three shudder in alarm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They never imagined the Little Abbess of Spirit Sword Mountain would be placed in such a setting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the meal was eaten with constant, silent gasps of chilled air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meal, the three couldn’t help gathering to whisper for a long while—their conversation likely consisted of “Shocking,” “Unbelievable,” “Inconceivable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Qingyun’s world, marriages always emphasized social parity; Cao Jingsong worried Ji You might be mistreated in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Little Abbess had always been cold and aloof, radiating an aura of superiority over all under heaven—her lack of laughter was no exaggeration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t until the next morning that they saw Ji You and Yan Shuyi by the lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had been talking about something, then Ji You reached out and pinched her delicate cheek before floating away, leaving them stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterwards, the Little Abbess mechanically summoned her sword qi, then settled down, leaning against the stone railing by the lake, her feet gently swaying—her entire being radiating delight…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, the Little Abbess sensed their presence and turned to look at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they saw her flushed lips, all four fell silent, feeling the world had gone mad…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You hadn’t returned specifically to bring Yan Shuyi home to meet the family—autumn harvest remained his primary goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So from the next day onward, he plunged into a routine of leaving early and returning late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, he went to Fengzhou Prefecture, reviewing this year’s refugee registry, the number of land plots and houses allocated, and the newly compiled Yellow Registers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For many years, Fengzhou’s population had been sharply declining—so the phrase “vast land, sparse people” carried blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this year, Fengzhou’s population had stabilized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though native residents hadn’t increased, they’d stopped decreasing, while the number of relocated refugees kept rising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While walking the streets, Ji You had already heard no fewer than three different accents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides these concerns, he deliberately chose a day to gather all the lords of the foreign cultivation estates for tea and conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the tea gathering, the eyes of these estate lords were deeply complex, yet remarkably submissive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This spring, we opened up much new land—cultivation area has tripled. This autumn harvest is a major task, and we’ll need full cooperation from every cultivation estate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, of course—whatever Master Ji says, we follow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then Ji hereby thanks you all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t mention it—we’re family. We only hope Master Ji will continue to guide and support us in the future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many disciples marginalized by their clans, who had come from elsewhere, found this scene baffling. After Ji You left, they couldn’t help asking why they were so courteous to a mere Tongxuan cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The estate lords remained silent, only sighing quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You’s timing was excellent—or rather, he’d deliberately chosen the perfect moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he’d initially lured lower-tier cultivators into the joint harvest team with tax exemptions, the estate lords had strongly objected—there had been unrest during spring planting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, these estate lords had planned to renegotiate terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, the promised doubling of elixirs, or replacing Yunzhou spirit stones with Snowland Demon Stones for settling their disciples’ “waste fees.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But yesterday, they received news from Zhongxing Commandery: he had defeated a direct disciple of Spirit Sword Mountain’s Heavenly Sword Peak—a cultivator who had merged with the Dao mid-battle—and single-handedly suppressed every prodigy in that realm. His entry into the Hall of Sages was now certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And such a person, once he emerged, was extremely likely to become an Elder of a heavenly sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could demand more now—but they’d die terribly later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You had once lured them with spiritual herbs to keep them quiet, and Cao Jingsong had worried he was raising tigers that would turn on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d said then: “It depends on whether my cultivation advances faster than these tigers grow.” Now, the answer was becoming clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, this was abstract—these estate lords still couldn’t accept that someone like him could emerge from Fengzhou’s barren land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Ji You was busy everywhere, Yan Shuyi wandered with Wei Rui, viewing golden autumn leaves and wind-blown wheat waves, reading slogans painted on walls, and watching cultivation estate disciples chat with commoner girls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Yan Shuyi insisted she was just strolling, Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu sensed she observed everything with unusual intensity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when seeing vast golden fields, they could glimpse faint admiration in their Abbess’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the younger generation, Yan Shuyi was the strongest in the world—so few could inspire her admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While it might be true that lovers see beauty in all, Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu believed anyone else would react the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This year’s grain surplus will be substantial—enough to feed the entire province. After harvest, all land under government control and Ji Zhai ’s land will be unified into granaries and left untouched.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After the seven heavenly sects and the imperial court collect their taxes, the people of the other eight provinces will struggle to survive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s establish a trading house. After tax collection, sell grain at low prices—half sale, half donation—to help the people of the other eight provinces survive winter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Next spring, we’ll dig canals and build dams to further liberate productivity, then hire people from the other eight provinces under employment contracts to begin livestock and husbandry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eat grain this year, eat meat next year—Old Kuang, how many children do you think I can save this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 29th day, farming zone outside Fengzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Civilians, led by Fengzhou Prefecture officials, had arrived and begun inventorying the impromptu harvest plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the roads, carts were numerous, and smiles abundant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng watched them and couldn’t help speaking: “Qing Yu Nian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You paused, then smiled: “Qing Yu Nian…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After returning from the farmland, Kuangcheng wrote Ji You an ink scroll bearing the characters “Junzi,” and handed it to him: “The people of Fengzhou wanted to build you a temple—I stopped them, as you asked. This is for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You glanced at it and waved it off: “No thanks. I’m a petty man—I don’t deserve ‘Junzi.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng froze, then stared at him intently: “Brother Ji, you once told me that in life, people seek profit or emotional value—but I still don’t know what you seek.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why overthink it? As long as I can sleep, that’s enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, speaking of sleep—I heard Old Qiu subtly pressuring Miss Yan about having a child today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You lowered his voice: “How did he do it? Tell me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng pursed his lips: “He took Qiu Ru for a long walk and told Miss Yan how wonderful a child would be—anyone not foolish could tell what he meant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s only because Old Qiu doesn’t know who Yan Shuyi really is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You murmured: “What was her reaction?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng fell silent, then said: “She looked like she wanted to kill you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought my back felt chilly all day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You stayed with Kuangcheng for a while but refused the “Junzi” scroll, then returned to his courtyard to find Yan Shuyi glaring at him fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu stood beside her, eyes darting, barely suppressing their smiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, their Abbess had been secretly pressured to bear a child—she’d been utterly flustered. They’d never seen her like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why the sour expression? Looks like you were pressured to have a child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Shuyi’s eyes instantly turned icy—sword qi erupted through the courtyard, making Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu scramble backward, eyes filled with pity, thinking: When it comes to bravery, only the son-in-law dares this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one wouldn’t dare strike hard, and the other’s body was too tough—blows were useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You rubbed his throbbing hand, thinking: If you won’t be the first to try, be careful someone else takes you first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3587,"2026-06-19T15:28:41.422Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","988e3445125f9d39b5754b9c85d58514c445e4ad8a79ab25cb3ae49fb0dc37ee","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-245","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-243",430,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwatching-the-immortals-fall-cover.jpg"]