Chapter 1066: Chapter 1065: Maximizing Seed Advantage
After a month of not seeing each other, the relationship between Liu Qingyan and Kong Lan has progressed nicely, or rather, Liu Qingyan seems to be able to make friends with anyone.
"I must thank Miss Kong for mediating for me while I traveled around; the villagers trusted me immediately," Liu Qingyan said.
"Oh, it was nothing. Miss Liu, with your selfless service and benevolent heart, willingly traveling through mountain villages to treat the sick and needy, I merely said a few words, it’s the least I could do," Kong Lan replied.
At this time, Liu Qingyan had already prescribed medicine for all the patients in the mountain village. The witch doctors would handle the preparations, so Liu Qingyan could step back while the village chief and elders took the villagers away, leaving space for a conversation among a few people.
In a small shelter at the east end of the village, several people sat around the table, with some dried fruit and tea brought by villagers placed on the table.
"Lu Lang, you’ve been cultivating for a long time, have you made much progress?" Liu Qingyan asked with a smile.
"Of course!" Lu Zheng nodded, "This is Lingxi’s unique Grotto Heaven, cultivation speed is top-notch."
Liu Qingyan covered her mouth and chuckled, while Kong Lan looked confused.
Lu Zheng not only lacked any charm of scholarly elegance but seemed entirely unabashed about relying on Si Lingxi, and his manner of speaking was rather frivolous and crude.
What on earth did Si Lingxi and Liu Qingyan see in him?
Kong Lan found herself completely unable to understand.
She initially judged that there must be a very significant, private, unknown reason for Si Lingxi to be with Lu Zheng, so after they went to the Divine Fire Grotto Heaven for secluded cultivation, she deliberately approached Liu Qingyan to see if she could discover the truth.
After a month, she not only failed to uncover any truth but grew to like Liu Qingyan more.
Although in her eyes Liu Qingyan’s cultivation was still quite weak, her Merit Golden Light was nothing to ignore, plus with her Tushan Celestial Fox Bloodline, her potential was immense and her future achievements might not be less than her own.
Moreover... Liu Qingyan was truly kind-hearted and beautiful, never idle a day. With winter approaching, illnesses among mountain villagers increased, and with few healers around, she immediately descended the mountain to help people in need.
One day, tentatively, Kong Lan said, "Young Master Lu is truly fortunate to have you as his wife."
"Lu Lang’s favor towards Qingyan is Qingyan’s blessing." Despite being kind, Liu Qingyan wasn’t naive, aware that Kong Lan had issues with Lu Zheng, she explained, "My medical skills owe much to Lu Lang’s help."
Kong Lan: ???
Meeting again today, Lu Zheng’s carefree demeanor only made Kong Lan more curious.
Not mentioning her own Palace Master, even Liu Qingyan wasn’t the type of gaudy and common banshee with a promiscuous nature. Given that, what captivating quality was hidden beneath Lu Zheng’s very ordinary and carefree exterior?
Kong Lan didn’t look directly at Lu Zheng, with a speculative gaze that flashed briefly, then she picked up the teacup beside her and drank it in one go, quietly listening to the three of them chatting.
Unfortunately, of the three, it was mainly Liu Qingyan speaking, recounting her recent medical journeys and the joy of harvest due to abundant agricultural produce in passing villages and towns.
Liu Qingyan smiled, "Speaking of which, the abundant harvests of corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, not only can they be used as food but the excess can also be stored as feed for livestock."
Yes, the mountain villagers of Phoenix Mountain raised cattle, sheep, dogs, pigs, and even some tribes specialized in raising snakes, yet no household raised poultry, whether chickens, ducks, or geese, all were absent.
Although Si Lingxi might not care, some taboos should still be noted, for apart from Si Lingxi, Phoenix Mountain had demons of chickens, ducks, and geese that had awakened intelligence.
"By the way, speaking of these crops..." Kong Lan glanced at Lu Zheng, asking Si Lingxi, "Should we keep it secret? Although eventually, it can’t be hidden, keeping it secret for a while longer will give us more advantages over other factions."
Si Lingxi shook her head, "No need, just let it be."
"Alright." Kong Lan nodded, glancing at Lu Zheng again.
Lu Zheng smiled slightly, highlighting the difference in perspective between a faction leader and senior management under a faction. Kong Lan’s cultivation likely surpassed most independent faction leaders, but her perspective did not look beyond Phoenix Mountain.
Her recent glance hoped Lu Zheng would persuade Si Lingxi.
"Miss Kong, not obstructing actually benefits all of Phoenix Mountain’s tribes," Lu Zheng said.
"Oh?" Kong Lan, maintaining her graceful posture, raised an eyebrow and gazed boldly at Lu Zheng, asking solemnly, "Young Master Lu, what do you mean?"
"It’s simple." Lu Zheng shrugged, "Isn’t there conflict between Phoenix Mountain and the external tribes?"
"Of course," Kong Lan nodded, feeling Lu Zheng was stating the obvious, "With these high-yield crops, Phoenix Mountain’s territory will no longer suffer food shortages, plus we could raise livestock, strengthen our people, grow our population, widening the gap with other tribes, isn’t that a good thing?"
"Yes, it is a good thing." Lu Zheng nodded, "And those factions, those tribes would just watch from the sidelines?"
"They wouldn’t dare!" Kong Lan’s eyes radiated fierce determination, with a flash of menacing blue eye shadow.
"But as I understand, as long as inter-tribal conflicts don’t go overboard, you generally don’t interfere, right?" Lu Zheng asked.
"Indeed, we can’t manage everything," Kong Lan acknowledged with a nod.
"Given that, do you think those tribes, for these high-yield crops, might repeatedly harass, steal, and plunder?"
Lu Zheng smiled, "In such cases, wouldn’t deaths occur? Wouldn’t conflicts intensify? Could it eventually lead to mortal feuds, potentially involving you? Would you then be able to manage it?"
Kong Lan squinted, now understanding Lu Zheng’s point, her brows raised, "Are you suggesting we give those high-yield crops to them, so everyone has enough to eat and drink, hence avoiding conflict?"
Hearing the dissatisfaction in Kong Lan’s tone, Lu Zheng chuckled, shaking his head, "Why give them away? Lingxi says let it be, you suggest keeping it secret temporarily, but neither is the optimal solution."
"Then what is the optimal solution?" Kong Lan asked.
"This year is likely too late, and seed supply is insufficient, perhaps this year expand planting further," Lu Zheng suggested.
"Come next year’s Harvest Festival, on the day of the feast, invite surrounding factions and tribes to gather, showcase our high-yield crops and bountiful harvest, then inform them seeds are limited, first come first serve."
Kong Lan’s eyes widened, breathless for a moment.
"After all, these crops will spread, an unstoppable trend, so rather than guarding against them being taken, or naturally spreading over time, why not maximize our advantage while we still have it?"
Lu Zheng smiled, "Limited seed supply, gradual planting and spread, will take years—do you think they are willing to wait that long?"
