Chapter 244: Abundance Year After Year
During the arena competition, the final date for the Tiandao Conference had already been set, attracting even more people to Zhongzhou.
Within a few days, sand and dust flew outside Zhongxing County, and waves of dust rose.
Visiting friends, meeting guests, watching battles.
Most of the people there had already heard that the private cultivator from the countryside, from Tianshu Academy, had defeated Yan Hao, who had broken through just before the competition, and they were extremely curious about the protagonist of the rumors.
Smaller Worldly Sect with daughters were even more full of schemes.
However, everyone later heard that after Ji You successfully took the arena, seeing that no one was willing to challenge him, he returned to Feng Province to prepare for the autumn harvest, which made people feel a bit dazed.
The autumn harvest, for cultivators, seemed to be a term not heard for many years, but now it was linked to the Tiandao Conference, making people feel strange.
And this kind of behavior, in the eyes of the other twenty-plus Tong Xuan Realm participants, was no different from a mockery, as if he had determined that no one dared to challenge him in this arena.
This was the Tiandao Conference, a grand event in Kyushu where Immortal Sects and Worldly Sect gathered. How could such a private cultivator suppress all the heroes?
But subsequent facts proved that no one really sent him a challenge to the arena.
At this moment, two carriages had already entered Feng Province.
Feng Province and Zhongzhou bordered each other to the north and south, and Zhongxing County was only a step away from the Feng Province border, so the distance was not far.
Ji You and Kuang Cheng were sitting in the carriage at this time, feeling the flatness of the road, and their hearts were filled with comfort.
The official road in Feng Province had been completely repaired a few days ago. His purpose in coming this time, besides preparing for the autumn harvest, was also to inspect this official road. Now it seemed, it was indeed good.
They could see pedestrians already coming and going on the wide road, and small-scale markets had appeared near the villages. Although there were not many stalls, there were many people, and the coming and going made them feel gratified.
Because the commercial form of a market is only generated when there is an abundance of food and resources.
And more than a year ago, every household in Feng Province had people who would starve to death, let alone have any surplus.
“The markets naturally gathered by nearby villages can be slightly guided and maintained by the government.”
“When they grow larger, move them together and merge them to allow the economy to circulate.”
“Regarding the policy for displaced people, it remains the same as before: distribute land to them and let them settle down and start businesses.”
“And that thing mentioned before, building schools, where adults can also enroll. There's no need to teach superficial stuff, just focus on teaching literacy.”
Cao Jinsong, Wen Zhengxin, Pei Ruyi, and Ban Yangshu were sitting in the leading carriage, looking at Ji You and Kuang Cheng, who were gazing out the window, and couldn't help but exchange glances.
Going home to farm during the Tiandao Conference break was indeed a bit abstract, and only he could do it.
In Xianxian Garden now, who knows what kind of discussions are going on.
However, this was very consistent with his identity as a private cultivator from the countryside.
All cultivators under heaven spoke of Family background. Some from humble origins, even if they entered an Immortal Sect due to talent, could not hold their heads high if their Family was not prominent.
Yet this wicked Disciple never treated it as something difficult to speak of, and he was so strong that no one even dared to laugh.
Now the only problem remaining was the continuous lineage.
The Worldly Family stands firm not by the ability of one person, but by generations of Legacy.
Many Worldly Sect in Qingyun World declined due to a lack of successors, so in their view, the growth of the Ji Family was imminent.
However, they also heard another thing: twenty-eight young ladies from Worldly Sect sent him letters, but they were returned. Indeed, with Ji You's current reputation, it was normal to be selective, but the problem was that he refused without even meeting them.
Ji You was definitely not a gentleman who could sit unmoved by beauty. Such caution made people suspicious.
“Fairy Yuan from Dan Sect isn't very prone to jealousy. The Tiandao Conference was clearly a good opportunity, yet he had no thoughts of taking concubines.”
“?”
Ji You turned his head at the sound, made a shushing gesture, and looked at the carriage following on the right rear side.
The four exchanged glances and couldn't help but look at the adjacent carriage.
That carriage had driven out from Xianxian Garden to meet them, and seated inside was Wei Rui, the granddaughter of Wei Xiang. Before setting off, she had specifically gotten out of the carriage to greet them.
Cao Jinsong frowned at the sound: “Shush what? How long have I been telling you about the continuation of the Bloodline? You just don’t take it seriously.”
Kuang Cheng held his breath at this moment: “Cao Instructor, it’s better to say less.”
“A teacher for a day is a father for life. My wicked Disciple’s parents have passed away. If I don’t worry about this, who else will?”
“Having children isn’t something one person decides, but I believe Brother Ji knows what he’s doing.”
“I know what I’m doing.”
Ji You replied, recalling the Sword Qi that couldn't dissipate in his arms yesterday, and thought to himself, 'I know that must be very painful.'
After saying this, he calmly looked in the direction of State Prefecture, and a scene began to emerge in his mind.
That was at the entrance of Ji Village, the sun was gentle, the sky was clear, and a stunningly beautiful girl hung a wooden sign at the door, which read: 'Cao Jinsong and dogs are not allowed inside.'
As they hurried along, the carriage entered State Prefecture.
Looking out, golden wheat fields stretched endlessly for thousands of miles. When the autumn wind swept by, millions of wheat ears bowed in unison, then slowly raised their heads, creating layers of waves. The golden ripples extended to the foot of a small mountain in the distance, merging with the flowing clouds in the sky.
Meanwhile, Cao Jinsong was still earnestly explaining the importance of continuous lineage, but he found that Kuang Cheng and Ji You were pretending to look at the wheat fields, and their responses became fewer and fewer.
Especially after entering State Prefecture, the two simply stopped talking, their eyes constantly on the adjacent carriage, as if they were wary of something.
Before long, the carriage slowly stopped, and Ji You and Kuang Cheng were the first to jump off the footboard.
Because there had been a sudden rain yesterday, the ground in Feng Province was still glistening with wet, dark light. In the low-lying areas, pools of water floated with a few ginkgo leaves that had been knocked down by the rain. The edges of the golden leaves were slightly curled, very much like half-folded round fans.
As the two stepped onto the wet ground, they saw that people had already begun to gather in the city's grain field, seemingly discussing the autumn harvest.
Many carriages were also parked on the left side of the State Prefecture government office, all used for transporting grain between the agricultural areas and the prefectural city.
This year, Feng Province's yield would be extremely high. All the large and small residences in Feng Province had uniformly rented grain carts and were fully prepared.
Once there was a surplus of grain, animal husbandry could develop.
At this moment, Cao Jinsong and the other three successively emerged from the carriage. After their feet touched the ground, they all instinctively raised their heads and looked towards Wei Rui's carriage.
Ji You and Kuang Cheng had been looking at this carriage all the way, so even if they knew who was inside, there was still a trace of uncertain curiosity in their hearts.
The next moment, a corner of the carriage curtain was lifted, and Wei Rui appeared from the carriage. A pair of exquisite small embroidered shoes stepped onto the ground, and after landing, she looked around with curiosity.
After all, it was the place she would marry into in the future. She had actually wanted to come a long time ago, but Feng Province was vast, and the roads had not been repaired before, making it difficult for a woman like her to come here.
After the four of Cao Jinsong saw her, they continued to gaze at the carriage.
Because they heard sounds from inside the carriage.
Before long, a round-faced girl got out of the carriage, followed closely by a melon-seed-faced girl.
Upon seeing these two, Cao Jinsong, Wen Zhengxin, Pei Ruyi, and Ban Yangshu were all stunned, for they recognized these two.
They were the personal maids accompanying the Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain.
Recalling Ji You's constant attention to these two carriages and his expressions while in the car, the four couldn't help but hold their breath, thinking to themselves, 'How did this wicked Disciple (Ji *Shidi* (Junior Brother Ji)) abduct Master Jian's maids home?'
Did the Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain know about this? If she didn't, wouldn't it be deadly?
However, what surprised the four was that after the two got out of the car, they did not look around like Wei Rui, but instead turned to look at the carriage. Before long, in everyone's sight, the Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain slowly emerged from behind the curtain.
She had gotten up early today to dress up, not knowing what she was nervous about. She was wearing a wide-sleeved long gown with a white background embroidered with silver silk Epiphyllum, covered with a cloud shoulder of smoke-gauze. Her jade-like face was as moist as fresh snow, her eyebrows like distant mountains holding ink, and her eyes lightly scanned her surroundings.
Lingzhou is in the extreme south of Kyushu, and Feng Province is in the extreme north of Kyushu; in terms of distance, it can be considered the ends of the earth.
As the Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain, she should have had no connection with this place in her life, nor would she have thought of visiting Feng Province.
But her mood at this moment was the same as Wei Rui's; she felt a strong sense of closeness to this place, her eyes darting around, with a hint of cuteness in her cold arrogance.
After glancing around twice, Yan Shuyi suddenly looked back, shushing with a small face towards Cao Jinsong.
Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu remained calm, but their peripheral vision was also wary of Cao Jinsong.
Cultivators have keen senses, and the two carriages were not far apart, so they heard Cao Jinsong's earnest advice all the way. Cao Jinsong, Wen Zhengxin, and the other two were stunned in place, their eyes wide.
In fact, when Yan Shuyi's stunningly beautiful and aloof face peered out from the carriage, they had already held their breath, and their minds instantly went blank.
That the personal maids of the Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain were abducted here, they could actually accept. One could only say that Ji You was truly enlightened in the Dao Heart (boldly lustful), with extraordinary abilities.
But for the Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain herself to appear here was something they simply could not comprehend.
She was the next generation's sect master of Lingjian Mountain, the most powerful woman in the world, completely unrelated to this place.
At this moment, Yan Shuyi withdrew her gaze, looked at the words 'Ji Village' on the door plaque, and showed a curious expression. With a slight turn of her eyes, she stepped forward, and when she reached the door, she gave Ji You a wary glance, then stepped over the threshold.
Not bad, she knows to come home.
Ji You looked at Yan Shuyi walking inside, his heart filled with admiration.
“Why is the Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain here?”
The four of Cao Jinsong turned to look at Kuang Cheng, their faces still showing lingering shock.
Kuang Cheng pursed his lips: “Didn’t you all wonder before why Fairy Yuan isn’t a jealous person, yet Brother Ji has always been cautious about taking concubines? That’s because Fairy Yuan isn’t the main wife.”
“?”
“Brother Ji’s main wife is—Fairy Yan of Lingjian Mountain.”
At this moment, memories of the past flooded into everyone's minds like a tide.
For example, during Ji You's battle with Chen Ruiyang, when the Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain saw Cao Jinsong, she suddenly sat up from her seat.
She even arranged Cao Jinsong's seat in front of her.
There was a detail at the time that they hadn't noticed: Yan Shuyi only sat back down after Cao Jinsong had taken his seat.
In addition, when Lingjian Mountain held the Dao Inquiry, Ji You's assigned courtyard was higher than anyone else's, and there were even special guards watching over it.
Wen Zhengxin and Pei Ruyi also recalled the shoes and socks left in Ji *Shidi* (Junior Brother Ji)'s room, and the Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain who happened to appear directly opposite.
Going deeper, Cao Jinsong also remembered that on the day the news of the Young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain's successful Realm breakthrough arrived, Ji You smiled as if he had picked up silver.
All the past confusions seemed to be illuminated at this moment, fitting into the most appropriate answer.
But even if they understood this, they found that they still couldn't easily accept it.
“My dear Disciple, please step aside and speak!”
“‘Dear Disciple’ again?”
“Dear Disciple, please listen to your Master’s question: what exactly is going on?”
Ji You glanced at Yan Shuyi, who was leisurely strolling in the courtyard, and pondered, “I don’t know where to begin. It was probably an accidental encounter, and we just found each other compatible.”
Cao Jinsong looked at him, thinking, *Your explanation is too simple and unadorned. That’s not an ordinary woman; that’s the next sect master of Lingjian Mountain.*
Cao Instructor had always been proud of Ji You, believing that all the so-called Prodigies in the world couldn't compare to him. But Lingjian Mountain’s Master Jian was different; she was a true Prodigy.
So even for his own troublesome Disciple, he still didn't understand what Master Jian saw in this guy. It felt like his Family's little wild boar had rooted up a jade cabbage.
“Why didn’t you say so before?”
“I did say so before.”
“When?”
“At Tianshu Academy, you asked me why I was smiling as if I had picked up silver. I said it was because she broke through, and I was happy. I never lie.”
Cao Jinsong: “???”
Actually, Cao Jinsong, Wen Zhengxin, Pei Ruyi, and Ban Yangshu were among the few people Ji You trusted. Moreover, although Master Jian was stubborn, she actually wanted people to know that she was the main wife, so Ji You hadn't intended to hide it from them. He hadn't said anything before because there hadn't been a suitable opportunity, but now that they knew, it saved him trouble.
It was also fortunate that Gongshu Chou hadn't come. This matter definitely couldn't be let known to him, because he would likely write such a face-enhancing event into his books, even if it cost him his life, he'd have to leave a name.
The story would then become: Gongshu Chou once fought tooth and nail with Lingjian Mountain’s Master Jian’s husband, neither gaining the upper hand. At this moment, Master Jian was strolling around the courtyard, walking from beginning to end, examining everything meticulously.
And Wei Rui’s expression was similar to hers, constantly looking around.
Ji You’s return was a last-minute decision, and Qiu Zhong didn't know. Hearing the commotion, he came out to greet them and immediately ordered food to be prepared.
Having lived a long time, Qiu Zhong naturally had more experience. He immediately felt that Yan Shuyi, whether it was her expression while surveying the courtyard or her proud demeanor, greatly resembled his own mistress.
So, at the banquet, he subtly inquired about many questions regarding “where the young lady lives” and “how many people are in the young lady’s Family,” which made the four of Cao Jinsong feel a chill down their spines.
They never dreamed that Lingjian Mountain’s Master Jian would be placed in such a scenario.
Thus, that meal was truly filled with one gasp of cold air after another.
After the meal, the three couldn't help but gather together, whispering for a long time. The content of their conversation was probably “shocking,” “unbelievable,” and “incredible.”
Marriage in Qingyun World has always emphasized matching social status, and Cao Jinsong was still worried that Ji You would be bullied in the future.
Master Jian had always been cold, with an air of looking down on the world, and it was true that she rarely smiled.
It wasn't until the next morning that they saw Ji You and Yan Shuyi by the lake.
The two talked about something, then Ji You reached out and pinched her delicate cheek, then floated away, leaving them stunned.
Afterward, Lingjian Mountain’s Master Jian routinely activated her Sword Qi, then descended on her own, leaning against the stone railing by the lake, her feet gently swaying, her whole body exuding joy. A moment later, Master Jian sensed their presence and turned to look at them.
Upon seeing her crimson lips, the four fell silent, feeling that this world was a bit crazy. Ji You’s return this time wasn't specifically to introduce Yan Shuyi to his Family; the autumn harvest was still his primary goal.
So, from the second day onwards, he entered a busy schedule, leaving early and returning late.
First, he went to Feng Province to check this year's register of displaced people, the number of fields allocated and houses built, and the yellow register compiled this year.
For many years, Feng Province's population had been sharply declining, so the term “vast land, sparse population” actually carried a bloody connotation.
But starting this year, Feng Province’s population began to stabilize.
Although the number of native residents did not increase, it at least did not decrease, and the number of relocated displaced people was continuously increasing.
While strolling through the streets, Ji You had already heard no fewer than three different accents.
Besides worrying about these matters, he also specifically chose a day to gather the Villa Masters of those foreign Immortal Villas in Feng Province, where they drank tea and chatted.
During the tea session, the Immortal Villa Masters’ gazes were extremely complex, yet they appeared very docile.
“This spring, we have newly cultivated a lot of land, and the planting area has tripled compared to before. So this autumn harvest is a big task, and all the Immortal Villas will need to cooperate well then.”
“No problem, no problem. For the autumn harvest, Young Master Ji’s word is law, naturally.”
“Then I, Ji, thank you all very much here.”
“It's nothing, we're all Family. We just hope that Young Master Ji will support us more in the future.”
Many Disciples who were marginalized by their Sect and came from other places were quite puzzled by this scene. After Ji You left, they couldn't help but ask why they had to be so polite to a person who was merely in the Tong Xuan Realm.
The Immortal Villa Masters remained silent about this, only sighing slightly.
Ji You’s timing was excellent, or rather, the timing he specifically chose was very appropriate.
Initially, when he used tax offerings as an excuse to attract lower-level cultivators to join the joint harvest team, these Immortal Villa higher-ups had strong opinions, and there was a period of unrest during the spring plowing.
And this time, these Immortal Villa Masters had actually planned to negotiate terms again.
For example, doubling the previously promised Medicinal Pills, and changing the Spirit Stones used to settle the living expenses of the Villa’s Disciples from Cloud Province Stones to snowy region demon stones.
But just yesterday, they received news from Zhongxing County that he had defeated a direct Disciple of Lingjian Mountain’s Tianjian Peak who had achieved Integration Realm during battle at the Tiandao Conference, single-handedly suppressing all the Prodigies of an entire Realm, and his entry into Xianxian Holy Land was already a certainty.
And such a person, after coming out, was highly likely to become an Elder of an Immortal Sect.
They could certainly ask for more now, but they would also die terribly later.
When Ji You initially tempted them with Spirit Medicine to prevent them from causing trouble, Cao Jinsong had worried it was like raising a tiger to suffer later.
He had said at the time that it depended on whether his cultivation speed was faster or if these tigers grew faster. Now, the answer was gradually becoming clear.
This matter was actually very abstract; these Immortal Villa Masters still couldn't accept that such a person would emerge from the barren land of Feng Province.
While Ji You was busy, Yan Shuyi and Wei Rui strolled around together, seeing the golden autumn leaves and the swaying wheat fields, the various slogans painted on the walls, and even Immortal Villa Disciples chatting with common Family girls in common Family homes.
Although Yan Shuyi was stubborn and always said she was just casually looking around, Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu could feel that she was watching with extraordinary seriousness.
Especially when they saw the vast golden fields, they could vaguely sense a hint of admiration in their Master Jian’s eyes.
Among the younger generation, Yan Shuyi was the strongest in the current era, so there were very few people she could admire.
While it was true that lovers see beauty in their beloved's eyes, in Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu's view, it would be the same even with someone else.
“This year’s grain surplus should be abundant, enough to feed the entire province. So after the autumn harvest, the land under the jurisdiction of various local governments,”
“and the land under Ji Village’s name, will all be uniformly collected into the granary and temporarily untouched.”
“After the Seven Great Immortal Sects and the imperial court have paid their taxes, the people of the other eight provinces will likely have a very difficult time.”
“We will establish a trading company. After the tax payments are completed, we will sell grain at low prices to the people of the other eight provinces, half-selling and half-donating,”
“which should allow them to survive the winter.”
“When spring comes next year, we will start digging canals and building dams to further liberate productivity, and then recruit some people from the other eight provinces under the guise of employment to start livestock farming.”
“This year, we eat grain; next year, we eat meat. Old Kuang, how many children do you think I can save this time?”
On the 29th, in the agricultural area outside Feng Province.
People had already arrived here under the guidance of Feng Province, beginning the inventory for the impromptu harvest plan.
Many carriages arrived along the road, and there were also many smiles carried along.
Kuang Cheng looked at them at this moment and couldn't help but say, “Qing Yu Nian.”
Ji You was stunned for a moment, then raised the corners of his mouth: “Qing Yu Nian—””
After returning from the agricultural area, Kuang Cheng wrote a piece of calligraphy for Ji You, with the two characters ‘Junzi’ (gentleman) on it, and handed it to Ji You: “The people of Feng Province wanted to build a temple for you. I stopped them as per your wishes. Take this.”
Ji You glanced at it and waved his hand in refusal: “Forget it, I’m a petty person; I don’t deserve the two characters ‘Junzi’.”
Kuang Cheng was slightly taken aback after hearing this and couldn't help but gaze at him: “Brother Ji told me before that people in this world seek nothing more than profit and emotional value, but I still don’t know what you are seeking?”
“There’s not that much to it. Being able to sleep well is enough.”
“Uh, speaking of sleeping, I heard Old Qiu subtly urging Fairy Yan to have a baby today?”
“?”
Ji You lowered his voice: “How did he urge her? Tell me.”
Kuang Cheng pursed his lips: “He probably took Qiu Ru around for a long time, telling Fairy Yan how wonderful it was to have a child and so on. Anyone not foolish could understand what he meant.”
“That’s also because Old Qiu doesn’t quite know who Yan Shuyi is.”
Ji You said faintly: “What was Yan Shuyi’s reaction?”
Kuang Cheng was silent for a moment before speaking: “Like she wanted to beat you to death.”
“No wonder I felt a chill down my spine all day today.”
Ji You stayed with Kuang Cheng for a while, but he never accepted those two characters ‘Junzi’. Then he returned to his courtyard and saw Yan Shuyi looking at him with a fierce expression.
Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu stood nearby, their eyes wandering, barely suppressing the corners of their mouths.
Today, Master Jian was subtly urged to have a baby, and she was completely flustered. It was the first time they had seen Master Jian like that.
“Why does your expression seem unhappy, like you’ve been urged to have a baby?”
“?”
Yan Shuyi’s eyes instantly turned cold. A roar of Sword Dao immediately erupted in the small courtyard, causing Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu to continuously back away, their eyes filled with pity. They thought, *When it comes to bravery, it still has to be the Young Master.*
However, one was unwilling to strike hard, and the other’s physical body was too strong, so fighting was pointless.
Ji You, shaking his faintly aching hand, thought, *If you don’t dare to be the first to try, then be careful not to be the first one eaten by others.*