"Old God of War, you don't seem familiar with this place? It's fine, we're just looking around. The main event is the upcoming battle."
Upon hearing this, Huo Qing couldn't help but flex his fists, looking forward to the upcoming fight.
However, he quickly realized something. "Prime Minister Chu, while I'd love to fight those guys, it seems to me this fight won't happen."
Chu Chen looked at him with confusion. "Why won't it happen?"
Huo Qing smiled and said, "Think about it. Those guys must have been watching you for a long time and know you're with me."
"They're probably still watching now, looking for an opportunity to strike. But because they're worried I'm here, they haven't made a move."
Chu Chen nodded. It was possible those people would act this way, being in a foreign land and easily becoming hesitant.
Chu Chen thought for a moment, then said with some hesitation, "If that's the case, what should we do? We can't just split up. Those guys could attack at any moment, and that wouldn't be safe."
Huo Qing smiled, immediately having an idea.
"Don't worry, Prime Minister Chu, I have a way."
Chu Chen was delighted.
"Old God of War, tell me quickly, what's the plan? Don't leave me hanging."
Huo Qing waved his hand and smiled, "Prime Minister Chu, I can't tell you yet, or it won't work.
"Here's what you do: continue on to where you're going. I have something to take care of. I'll come back for you after I'm done."
Hearing this, Chu Chen was stunned.
"Old God of War, that won't do! If you leave, what if they attack me directly?"
Huo Qing laughed heartily and whispered, "Prime Minister Chu, don't worry, those people aren't capable of that. Just wait for me to find you."
Chu Chen could only nod with a wry smile. "Since the Old God of War says so, I'll trust you. Please don't let me down."
Huo Qing laughed heartily and waved his hand, "Don't worry, I won't."
Chu Chen glanced at the Old God of War again, unable to figure out what he was planning. He could only proceed on his own.
Along the way, Chu Chen observed the surrounding fields. Seeing the farmers working with enthusiasm and smiling faces, Chu Chen felt happy too.
However, as he walked further, Chu Chen increasingly felt the air around him growing colder.
He couldn't help but be startled. Was someone about to attack him?
Thinking of this, Chu Chen paused and scanned his surroundings. He found nothing unusual, and of course, he didn't see the Old God of War.
"I really wonder what trick the Old God of War is up to this time. But since he has a plan, I'll let him improvise."
Chu Chen shook his head with a helpless wry smile. At the same time, he placed the Ascending Dragon Pill into his inner pocket.
As soon as he needed it, he could take it immediately and deal with all those guys.
However, he hadn't figured out how to deal with that grandmaster.
With the Old God of War gone, he would have to act alone. Should he just go back like this?
Chu Chen was somewhat unwilling. If he didn't eliminate these people this time, who knew what dangers might arise in the future.
He disliked living in such constant worry. If there was danger, his usual approach was to eliminate it as much as possible.
It's easy to be a thief for ten years, but how can you guard against a thief for ten years?
When the Old God of War left, he seemed to have a plan. He wasn't acting impulsively. Had he discovered something then?
Thinking of this, Chu Chen couldn't help but feel a hint of anticipation.
After about another quarter of an hour, Chu Chen leisurely walked into a farm and observed the situation in the fields.
Several farmers were working in the field, their efforts were fervent, sweat beaded on their foreheads, but their faces were filled with joy.
Seeing Chu Chen walk in, a farmer quickly approached him.
"Young brother, judging by your distinguished demeanor, you must be from the imperial city. What brings you to our fields?"
Chu Chen cupped his hands towards the farmer and smiled, "Brother, I'm just here to look around. I've been interested in farming since I was young, but due to family circumstances, I never had the chance."
Hearing this, the farmer couldn't help but laugh.
"Brother, you're quite amusing, being interested in farming."
"But it's true, you from wealthy families wouldn't have had the chance to work in the fields since childhood, so it's natural to be interested in things you haven't experienced."
Chu Chen smiled slightly. He hadn't expected the farmer to say that, but he quickly recovered.
"Yes, brother, what are you planting in your fields, and what's the yield like?"
"We're planting wheat, and the yield has increased significantly compared to before, at least by half."
"Some fields were already very fertile, and now the yield has nearly doubled."
The farmer's face showed a hint of joy. Chu Chen could tell that his joy was genuine.
Chu Chen thought for a moment and smiled, "Brother, what has led to such a high harvest? Can you tell me your secret recipe?"
The farmer immediately nodded and smiled, "Of course, it's the curved-shaft plow invented by Prime Minister Chu, and the waterwheel has also helped.
"We never had such good technology before. Farming required two or three oxen. We didn't have that many oxen, so we had to rent them at high prices from the gentry."
"But now it's better. We only need one-third of the manpower to plow the land, and irrigation is also very convenient.
"Farming is less labor-intensive, so we naturally planted a few more mu of land. This year's taxes have also been reduced by ten percent, and we have a lot more surplus grain."
Hearing this, Chu Chen's face lit up with joy.
Even a random farmer he found in the field said this, which meant his measures had benefited the common people and were effective.
Chu Chen then asked, "Brother, now that you have surplus grain, do you feel more at ease?"
The farmer nodded repeatedly. "Naturally. When the harvest was good before, we felt a little more comfortable, but if the harvest was poor, we'd worry.
"It's different now. Even if the harvest is slightly worse, it's enough to pay the grain tax and feed the whole family. The remaining grain can be sold.
"I still owed the gentry a few taels of silver. I paid it all off this year. The way the gentry looked at me then, I held back from smiling."
Chu Chen couldn't help but smile. He hadn't expected such an amusing anecdote. It was quite novel.