Chapter 152: Chapter 149: An Unforeseen Event
By now, it was mid-May.
The Spirit Grain in the fields was nearly ripe. As far as the eye could see, a vast expanse of gold stretched out. A gentle breeze swept through, creating waves of shimmering gold.
Perhaps because they had used the newly improved method for planting Spirit Grain, this year’s crop was growing exceptionally well.
So much so that many Low Tier Loose Cultivators came specifically to Dawan Village, standing on tiptoe to peer toward the Spirit Fields, hoping to steal the secret to increasing their yield.
For many bottom-rung Cultivators, their family’s small plot of Spirit Field was their largest source of income.
How could they not be tempted by a method that could drastically increase their Spirit Grain output?
But this was, of course, just a fantasy.
They were only now coming to peek when the Spirit Grain in the fields was already grown and nearly ready for harvest.
How could they possibly learn anything?
The real essence of the method had been completed long ago, during the seed selection and seedling cultivation stages.
Of course,
if they were persistent enough, tirelessly coming to stare at the Spirit Fields being cultivated, they might learn a thing or two to take back with them.
But that would undoubtedly take a great deal of time.
As for such tenacious individuals, Shen Changchuan wasn’t too concerned.
He would just let them be.
Shen Changchuan didn’t care about the tiny profit that came from monopolizing that bit of knowledge.
At this moment,
thanks to the great success of the commercial district in the eastern part of the village,
the entire village had become incredibly prosperous and lively, with Cultivators coming and going.
This made the nearby Demon Beasts too scared to even set foot in the area.
It also meant that Dawan Village’s Spirit Fields no longer had to worry about Demon Beasts coming down from the mountains to cause trouble, as they had in the past.
But while this was a good thing,
Shen Changchuan couldn’t help but sigh quietly to himself.
’Even without the harassment from Demon Beasts,’
’what does it matter that the Spirit Grain across all twelve mu of Spirit Fields is thriving?’
’When it’s finally time to harvest, the most I’ll get is just over two hundred Spirit Stones.’
’And that’s not even counting the one hundred Spirit Stones I have to turn over to the family.’
This income...
It was far too little!
Over the past three months of Cultivation, Shen Changchuan had consumed over one thousand Spirit Stones just to restore his Magical Power alone!
As his strength increased,
Dawan Village’s twelve mu of Spirit Fields were finding it harder and harder to keep up with his needs.
’Has it really only been a year since I took up my post?’
Looking at the current scene,
Shen Changchuan recalled arriving a year ago, dirt-poor, with his grandfather and a large group from the Han Family in tow.
Back then, he treated Dawan Village’s twelve mu of Spirit Fields as a priceless treasure, and even his attempts at reform were cautious, terrified that one wrong move would lead to a total loss.
At that time, he tried to make every Spirit Stone count for two.
But now, look at him.
In just over a year,
he no longer gave a second thought to the two hundred Spirit Stones produced annually by these twelve mu of Spirit Fields!
In just one year, more than twenty thousand Spirit Stones had passed through his hands!
’The change is just too immense!’
It was such a drastic change that Shen Changchuan couldn’t help but feel as if the world had been turned upside down.
’Ever since leaving Tian Nan City and coming here, I’ve practically been riding the winds of fortune.’
’Though there were many unexpected coincidences involved, it was also inextricably linked to my own hard work!’
Thinking about his achievements over the past year,
Shen Changchuan couldn’t help but feel a sense of comfort and satisfaction.
Although during this year of rapid growth,
he had been like a pig in a whirlwind, so to speak.
But being able to fly,
was also inextricably linked to his own efforts.
His achievements,
were almost impossible to replicate.
If it had been anyone else, it was unlikely they could have done a better job.
This filled Shen Changchuan’s heart with a sense of deep contentment.
But soon,
he came down from this high of self-satisfaction.
’Things may look like they’re booming right now, but it’s like being fried in hot oil!’
Amidst his joy and excitement,
Shen Changchuan did not become arrogant or lose his reason.
’Right now, Dawan Village might be bringing me huge profits,’
’but there’s always the possibility that news could leak.’
’If the people in Tian Nan City find out, someone will definitely come to snatch this ripe peach!’
’With my current status, I have no way of protecting it.’
The thoughts flashed through Shen Changchuan’s mind,
and a trace of worry rose in his heart.
This worry,
he’d had it for three months.
But now,
as the June harvest time for the Spirit Grain drew near,
Shen Changchuan finally remembered something that made this worry even more urgent,
or rather, made it an impending reality!
’Not long after the Spirit Fields are harvested, the Transportation Envoy’s men, who come to collect Dawan Village’s tribute, will be arriving, won’t they?’
’With Dawan Village’s current development and superficial prosperity, can I really hide the profits I’m making from them?’
’No, I’m afraid it will be very difficult!’
’They only need to take one look at the business being done at the temporary merchant stalls in the east of the village to guess that Dawan Village’s income is far more than just one or two hundred Spirit Stones!’
Shen Changchuan’s heart sank.
He could already imagine,
once the news got back to Tian Nan City,
how many greedy, covetous eyes it would attract!
Shen Changchuan’s eyes narrowed slightly,
his mind racing.
Fortunately,
though the crisis was pressing,
Shen Changchuan was not without a plan.
’Perhaps I should borrow someone else’s power? If I can just stall for two or three years, I probably won’t have to worry about this anymore.’
In his mind,
a figure flashed past.
Come to think of it,
he was still handling a matter for that person.
He even had a communication token from them.
Maybe,
he could use their name as a deterrent.
A glint flashed in Shen Changchuan’s eyes.
After a long period of thought,
he had a rough plan in mind,
and he let out a long, audible sigh of relief.
....
Shen Changchuan hadn’t expected
that he would run into such big trouble right after coming out of seclusion.
Fortunately, after careful consideration, he had found a temporary solution to this major problem.
"Jin Cheng, organize the intelligence from this period and bring it to me."
Shen Changchuan sat in the main hall,
speaking directly to Han Jincheng, the guard captain standing watch outside the door.
"As you command!"
Han Jincheng cupped his fists and withdrew.
Not long after Shen Changchuan had started to rest his mind,
his grandfather, Han Qinhu, walked in from outside, holding a book.
"Grandfather, why did you trouble yourself to come in person again?"
Shen Changchuan quickly stood up,
and welcomed Han Qinhu to a seat.
"That boy Jin Cheng is always on guard duty in the surrounding courtyards. Where would he find the time to go out and gather intelligence?"
"I’m basically the one who handles this, so I know the details much better."
"Everything that’s happened recently is more or less recorded in here."
"If there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask me."
Shen Changchuan nodded,
took the book filled with records, opened it, and began to browse through it page by page.
After a good while,
Shen Changchuan’s expression grew solemn, his brow tightly furrowed.
