Hyperdimensional Player

Chapter 340 Let everyone in the world have enough to eat! The Birth of a Farmer (Part Two)

"Son."

"Langzhou is just ahead." (Later, in Changde, Hunan)

The voluptuous and alluring figure of the Good Mother was veiled, and compared to the past, she was more charming, like a ripe peach. Now dressed as a Central Plains person, with a little disguise, she looked just like the wife and concubine of a foreign merchant traveling in the Central Plains during the Tang Dynasty. Beside her were the youthful and beautiful Water Maiden and Fire Maiden, also dressed as women, as if they were concubines serving the first wife.

"Ah."

Duncan, dressed in black, rode along with an air of nobility. He was guarded by disguised Ming Cult experts. He looked at the grains and vegetables planted along the way with a hint of appreciation in his expression. He looked up at the Good Mother in front of him and said softly, "Tell me, who rules this place?"

Duncan has been traveling in this world for almost a year, and this is the first time he has seen such a peaceful and prosperous place.

The faces of everyone along the roadside were filled with the joy of a bountiful harvest. The joy of ordinary people at the very bottom of society actually touched his heart, causing the bottleneck in his path to the Dao Realm to loosen slightly.

After a moment of recollection, the kind mother said softly, "This place is under the jurisdiction of the Wuping Army."

"The current military governor is Zhou Xingfeng."

"He was from Wuling in Langzhou. As a young man, he was a rogue and often broke the law. He was exiled to Jingjiang Army as a soldier. Later, he fought bravely and was promoted to the rank of general."

The Good Mother was in charge of the missionary work of the Great Ming Zunjiao and had some knowledge of the warlords all over the world.

From the late Tang Dynasty to the present, there have been some figures in the Central Plains who showed compassion for the common people. Among them, Zhou Xingfeng was one of the most representative figures in the late Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.

However, his strength was far inferior to that of other warlords, and he did not receive much attention in history.

Zhou Xingfeng came from the lower class of society and knew the hardships of the common people. Therefore, he worked hard and was selfless. He did not give any official position to his relatives.

All those employed were honest and upright, resulting in a clean and efficient government that benefited both officials and the people.

He lived a simple life, saving money and living frugally. His wife, Yan, personally led the family in agricultural production and paid taxes on time.

Over the course of four or five years, society remained stable, production developed, and granaries were full.

Experience has shown that as long as the rulers don't act recklessly, the people can live a good life in three to five years at most. After all, they don't ask for much; as long as they have enough to eat and don't starve, no one will revolt.

Zhou Xingfeng was born a local ruffian and had worked as a household head in the countryside in his early years.

There are many anecdotes and stories about him.

This also involves a folk saying: "A virtuous wife in the family will prevent unexpected disasters."

Zhou Xingfeng was branded with characters on his face in his early years for committing a crime.

After he took charge of Hunan, his subordinates advised him to use medicine to remove the tattoos so as not to be ridiculed by the imperial envoys.

But Zhou Xingfeng disagreed, saying, "Ying Bu, a great general of the Han Dynasty, was also branded and called 'Branded Bu,' but he was still a hero in the eyes of the world. Why should I care about that?"

However, he was not a perfect person. He often granted official titles indiscriminately, leading to the proliferation of high-ranking honorary titles such as Minister of Works and Grand Protector.

Even more so, in the villages and streets of Langzhou, there were countless powerful figures who called themselves Sikong or Taibao.

However, he did not use the money he obtained from indiscriminately bestowing official titles and ranks for his own enjoyment. Instead, he governed Hunan and other places quite well.

Zhou Xingfeng's wife, Yan, was quite famous and was known for her virtue throughout Jingnan.

She had advised them against indiscriminate killing.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xingfeng angrily replied, "This is an external affair, not something a woman from the inner quarters like you can interfere with."

Yan was very unhappy when she heard this, and said to him, "Our family are tenant farmers in the village. Because of your high status, we are no longer focused on farming. I need to go back and supervise you."

She returned to her hometown and lived there permanently, only entering the city with her tenants when it was time to pay the annual rent. She said, "Taxes are the property of the government. If the commander exempts his own family from taxes, how can he set an example for his subordinates?"

Zhou Xingfeng went to the countryside to see Yan Shi and advised her not to suffer so much.

Upon hearing this, Madam Yan said, "Now that you are in a position of power and status, have you forgotten the suffering you endured in the past?"

Zhou Xingfeng then forcibly brought Yan back to his residence.

But Madam Yan insisted on leaving, saying, "Let me be frank, your methods are too harsh, and you will surely lose the hearts of the people in the future. If trouble arises, I can easily escape in the countryside."

Zhou Xingfeng then restrained himself and stopped killing indiscriminately.

Ouyang Xiu once wrote: "I met a farmer's son from Wuling. He was poor and unruly in his youth, but he was often boastful and arrogant. After he settled in Wuling, he became frugal and self-disciplined, and he was brave and decisive in killing."

A local proverb says: "A virtuous wife in the family will prevent misfortune from befalling the household."

Zhou Xingfeng's wife, Yan, can be considered virtuous. Xingfeng was frugal in his personal conduct and kind to the people, and was undoubtedly a remarkable man from Hunan. However, he applied the law too harshly, leaving no room for maneuver, which created a crisis in his immediate vicinity.

Lady Yan was able to be mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace. She returned to her hometown to farm, performing menial tasks despite being a noblewoman, and reminiscing about her humble days while living in a wealthy household. She was both a good wife and a good influence on society, achieving two good things at once.

Lady Yan's reputation was somewhat like that of a beggar version of Empress Ma in Jingzhou; only she could persuade Zhou Xingfeng to commit murder.

Talent!
Duncan only heard about Zhou Xingfeng's deeds from Shanmu, and immediately classified him as a top talent.

Unlike the group of demons and monsters around him, this was a true talent capable of becoming a high-ranking official.

The mother seemed to sense Duncan's admiration for Zhou Xingfeng and said softly, "Your Majesty."

"If we could subdue Zhou Xingfeng."

"With the support of the Wuping Army, we should be able to quickly take over Jingzhou and other places when we start an uprising."

"but."

At this point, the kind mother changed the subject and said cautiously, "He is not liked by the Taoist sect and has offended many forces in the Buddhist and Taoist sects."

Oh?
Hearing what the kind mother said, Duncan showed a hint of curiosity and asked, "Tell me what it is?"

After carefully considering her words, the kind mother slowly said, "After Zhou Xingfeng came to power, he vigorously rectified the licentious shrines (that is, shrines not included in the sacrificial rites), and ordered the demolition of all those that had contributed to the people in previous generations."

"Although his actions were for the benefit of the people, they cut off other people's path to wealth."

All the sacrificial rites in the entire Jingnan region were cleansed.

Zhou Xingfeng's standard was very simple: only those who had rendered meritorious service to the people in previous generations were worthy of incense offerings and sacrifices. As for all the other miscellaneous things, fox spirits and wild ghosts, whether they belonged to Buddhism, Taoism, or witchcraft, he wanted them all removed.

Therefore, he offended many people, and historically, he died suddenly from illness the following year.

He even suppressed the missionaries of the Ming Cult.

Shanmu once wanted to develop followers in Jingzhou, but because of Zhou Xingfeng's presence, the missionary work was not going smoothly and she had to put it aside for the time being.

Treat equally.

Zhou Xingfeng and others suppressed Buddhism and Taoism. He was a fellow believer of Emperor Shizong of Zhou, Chai Rong. During the Three Wu and One Zong persecutions of Buddhism, he also purged Buddhist forces in Hunan.

Duncan saw that the area was well-governed, but he had received a lot of money and food to help the disaster victims when he cleaned up the Buddhist temple.

The benevolent mother seemed to know more, and transmitted her voice, "As far as I know, there are quite a few people who want to take his life."

oh?
Is the world really this chaotic?

Finally, we have someone who gets things done, and they have to be held at gunpoint?

Upon hearing this, a hint of murderous intent flashed in Duncan's eyes, and he said calmly, "Whoever wants to take his life, give me a list tomorrow."

"I will send someone to handle this later."

This is the kind of talent Duncan needs. Anyone who wants to take his life should first ask Duncan if he agrees.

Buddhism?

If you really anger him, he might just destroy Buddhism again.

Only a major purge can restore the framework of Chinese Buddhism; otherwise, Buddhism will become a scourge.

The group gradually entered the city.

The local government was honest and upright, and no one accepted bribes. Ordinary people could sell their goods without being harassed by petty officials, which was completely different from other places Duncan had been to.

During his tenure in Chu, Zhou Xingfeng learned from the lessons of his predecessors' downfall, corrected their mistakes, and worked diligently to govern the state.

Zhou Xingfeng believed that the primary reason for the downfall of his predecessor was "disregard for the people's welfare." Therefore, he paid special attention to the suffering of the people and took the initiative to open granaries to provide disaster relief during the "Great Famine in Hunan," which enabled countless people to survive.

He "pays close attention to civil affairs and eliminates all the excessive taxes levied by the Ma family," while also supervising agriculture and sericulture. His governance of the people is also "simple and efficient," making it "very convenient for the people."

He believed that past rulers were extremely extravagant, so he himself lived a simple life, wearing coarse clothes and eating simple food, and advocated frugality.

He made frugality a criterion for selecting officials, stating that "when appointing officials, one must choose those who are honest and upright." His subordinates, such as the strategist Li Guanxiang, were well aware of this and competed to be "frugal."

Zhou Xingfeng came from a farming family. His son-in-law had applied for an official position but was refused and was ordered by Zhou to return to his hometown to farm.

What works first and what works next.

It wasn't that there weren't corrupt officials here, but because of Zhou Xingfeng's words and deeds, the officials below followed suit and imitated him, so much so that the place was surprisingly clean and efficient for several years.

However, this kind of rule, which relies on force and fear, is difficult to sustain. Historically, his rule collapsed rapidly after his death.

This person is highly skilled in martial arts, adept at using dual swords, and exudes a strong aura of killing intent, employing strict techniques.

His method of "killing all dissidents" was not uncommon during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. However, he was indeed ruthless in killing people, and he almost wiped out the former subordinates of the previous military governors.

If used well, this kind of person can be a powerful weapon.

Zhou Xingfeng killed officials, powerful figures, and arrogant soldiers, but there were no reports of him abusing or killing ordinary people.

However, he applied the law harshly, a typical example of using severe punishments in chaotic times; criminals were frequently sentenced to death. Only after his wife's persuasion did he soften his stance. This man's fondness for the death penalty actually instilled a great deal of stability in the region.

He may not be considered to have the grand vision and ambition of a founding emperor, but his talent surpasses that of most regional officials in history.

During his rule over the Chu region, whenever the various barbarian tribes in the southwestern streams and caves invaded, he would resort to force to strike them down. After the battle, he would adopt a policy of appeasement, granting many barbarian chieftains official positions such as Grand Protector and Minister of Works, thus properly managing relations with the barbarians.

It's a case of giving a beating followed by a sweet treat; don't refuse a toast only to face the consequences.

Great talent!

This person is fit to be used by me!
The methods Zhou Xingfeng used were remarkably similar to the policies Duncan employed when conquering the Norse barbarians.

This made Duncan even more eager to meet this person in person.

He was ruthless in killing.

The application is strict.

He also knew how to care for the common people; no matter which dynasty he lived in, he would be a first-rate outstanding person.

However, Duncan's trip was not for Zhou Xingfeng. He was going to Long State for someone much more important, someone who was virtually unknown throughout the world.

"Lord."

Yun Zhike appeared outside the inn, dressed as an ordinary merchant. Upon seeing Duncan, he immediately went forward to greet him.

He seemed to recognize the Good Mother and the other Ming Cult masters. In an instant, his pupils shrank, and his eyes were filled with wild joy.

With the Ming Cult's submission, our great cause can be accomplished!
With the Ming Cult as an aid, Duncan's chances of seizing power increased, and hundreds of thousands of followers rose up in rebellion, capable of shaking up the world in an instant.

Duncan was unaware of Yun Zhike's thoughts, nor did he intend to send ordinary people to their deaths. He simply dismounted and asked calmly, "Have you found that person?"

Yun Zhike bowed respectfully and said, "Yes."

"Yuan Zhiping is currently working under Zhou Xingfeng, the military governor of Wuping. However, he conceals his identity and only sends his disciples to serve in the government. Others are unaware of his existence."

Duncan nodded calmly and asked, "How's the gift preparation going?"

Yun Zhike turned around and clapped his hands. Soon, his subordinates presented boxes one by one, including a blood coral worth a thousand gold pieces, a rare treasure from Meichuan.

He respectfully opened a box and said, "It's ready."

When the kind mother and others saw the prepared gifts, their pupils shrank, because these gifts were simply too precious.

Even a peerless master like the Good Mother couldn't help but be moved.

The first box contained a luminous pearl, as large as a fist, adorned with numerous treasures, all of considerable value. The second box contained martial arts manuals, with the supreme secret techniques at the top: the Everlasting Youth Technique, the Blood God Technique, the Blood Child Immortal Body, the Heavenly Demon Technique, and even Duncan's own compilation of the Heavenly Demon's Random Thoughts.

These are all supreme secret techniques that can be used to break through to the Dao realm. The good mother was extremely excited at just a glance, because even the Vajra Indestructible Body, the Great Clumsy Hand, and the Yoga Method were only second-rate martial arts manuals.

Anyone who obtains these, while not guaranteed to attain enlightenment, should have no problem becoming a martial arts master of their time.

The third box contained rare treasures from Baoxuan Cave Heaven. The most eye-catching item was a thousand-year-old ginseng, along with pills refined by Medicine King Valley to increase cultivation and prolong life.

"Let's go then."

Duncan glanced at it and said calmly, "Let's go visit that farmer's descendant that Master Yun mentioned can 'feed the people of the world'."

So, young master, you didn't come here for Zhou Xingfeng after all?

The kind mother looked surprised, thinking to herself, "A descendant of the farming family?"

"The Hundred Schools of Thought?"

Duncan's trip to Jingnan was only a bonus for Zhou Xingfeng; his real target was someone else.

soon.

Led by Yun Zhike, the group arrived in the countryside and soon saw many busy farmers, all dressed as ordinary people. The person they were looking for was currently working in the mud in the field, and even picked up a wisp of soil and put it in his mouth, as if he could taste the nutrients of the land.

"Grandmaster."

Yun Zhike hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to the farmers working in the fields. Only then did the Ming Cult experts realize that this person actually had the cultivation of the Innate Realm, and his martial arts were in no way inferior to Shan Mu and the others.

The old farmer in the field looked up. He looked to be about fifty years old. His skin was dark from the wind and sun, and his face was full of wrinkles. He looked older than others. He looked like any other old farmer in the countryside. However, when he stood up, his hunched back straightened, making him appear more robust than the average person.

He seemed to recognize Yun Zhike, and looked quite surprised. He glanced at Yun Zhike, then looked at Duncan, who was surrounded by the crowd and had a distinguished status.

It has been a long time since anyone has shown such respect for rural traditions.

After all, they were a genuine group of farmers.

Duncan dismounted himself, without using any martial arts techniques, and waded through the mud, his feet covered in it. He walked down the ridge to the old farmer's side. The farmer's martial arts were high, though his aura was well-concealed and difficult to discern. Duncan, without any airs of a king, squatted down beside the farmer, examining the rice in his hands. His voice was gentle, tinged with respect, as he asked, "Is this the grain that Yun Wangji spoke of, capable of feeding the entire world?"

Duncan once made a promise to someone: he would make sure everyone in the world had enough to eat.

The old farmer looked somewhat flattered. He hurriedly got up, wanting to bow, but was stopped by Duncan. He looked at Duncan, who was squatting in the mud examining the grain, and his expression gradually calmed down. He said in a low voice, "It is not this."

"This is rice grown in the Central Plains."

"The grain that Master Yun mentioned should be the Champa rice that I brought back from Wu and Yue."

"but."

"If the two are alternated, there can be two seasons a year, which is enough to make the granaries of the world full."

Champa rice.

Upon hearing this, Duncan seemed to have a vague recollection of it, wondering where he had seen it in a past life. After thinking about it carefully, he could vaguely recall some details.

The population of the Song Dynasty was extremely large, far exceeding that of the previous dynasties.

One very important factor is Champa rice, also known as early rice, which is said to have originated from the Kingdom of Champa (later Vietnam) and is named after it.

The combination of Champa rice and late rice forms a double-cropping system, which greatly increases the yield of grain.

This should be the best quality seed that can be found in this era.

This gave rise to the proverb, "When Suzhou and Huzhou are prosperous, the whole country is well-fed."

This rice variety has "long ears without awns, small grain size, and can grow in any location," making it particularly suitable for planting in high fields (dry land), thus solving the problem of traditional rice's dependence on water resources.

It is drought-resistant, early-maturing, and matures in nearly half the time of traditional rice, making it extremely high-yielding, with a yield of 300-600 jin per mu (Song Dynasty unit), far exceeding the 150 jin of millet in the north. Its high yield directly led to the population of the Song Dynasty exceeding 100 million, and indirectly spurred the birth of a highly developed handicraft industry.

achievement!
A great achievement!
After learning about the characteristics of Champa rice from the master farmer, Duncan was overjoyed. Even the bottleneck in his long-standing Dao Realm was broken through. His true essence circulated rapidly throughout his body, giving him the illusion of the Five Elements returning to their origin.

Duncan slightly raised his hand, and the servants behind him immediately presented the prepared gift.

The King of Kings has always been generous.

Faced with such a generous gift, the old farmer remained calm. His wrinkled eyes stared at Duncan, like a steadfast and unyielding pine tree. He slowly said, "I once learned from Master Yun that you made a child's promise to bring peace to the world and ensure that everyone has enough to eat."

"I wonder if this matter is true or false?"

Duncan nodded calmly and said, "That is indeed true."

Upon hearing this, the old farmer was completely satisfied. Ignoring the rare treasures, rare herbs, and unparalleled martial arts techniques around him, he respectfully bowed to Duncan and said, "This disciple of the Farmer's School is willing to serve you with utmost loyalty!"

As soon as he made that gesture, the many skilled men dressed as farmers around him followed suit and bowed in respect.

These farmers' traditional cultivation methods are quite unique, called "Abundant Harvest of Five Grains." They correspond to the Five Elements and follow the cycle of the four seasons, relying on the twenty-four solar terms to operate their extraordinary skills. It is not something that can be mastered in three to five years. Their cultivation method is very slow, but it is steady and reliable. With each abundant harvest of the five grains, they can increase their cultivation level by one point.

If one can cultivate to the extreme, one can also enter the Dao and attain enlightenment, but it will not be the realm of the Daoist school, but rather the inheritance of the ancient Shennong clan.

Farmers revere Xu Xing as their ancestor.

During the pre-Qin period, Xu Xing had dozens of disciples who lived extremely simple lives, wearing ordinary coarse cloth clothes and making a living by making straw sandals and weaving mats.

They had no land and lived a nomadic life.

These people came to Teng from Chu not to pursue high-ranking official positions and generous salaries, but to obtain a piece of land so that they could settle down and engage in farming.

The peasant school was quite influential at the time, so much so that Chen Xiang, a disciple of Confucianism, and his brother Chen Xin also abandoned Confucianism and became disciples of Xu Xing.

"The agricultural class originated from the officials in charge of agriculture and grain. They sowed the hundred grains, encouraged farming and sericulture, and ensured sufficient food and clothing. Therefore, the first of the eight policies was food, and the second was goods. Confucius said, 'What is most important is the people's food,' which is their strength. But the ignorant people, thinking that they had nothing to do with the sage king, wanted to make the ruler and his ministers farm together and to distort the order between superiors and inferiors."

The following sentences mean that the farmers believe they do not need to serve the sage king and want the ruler and his subjects to work the land together, which would disrupt the hierarchical order.

The peasant ideology aimed to get even the high-ranking kings and nobles to do farm work, but some believed this would disrupt the hierarchical order.

Prioritizing the people's food supply is the core idea of ​​farming families.

Simply put, it means farming well, having enough to eat and wear, and ensuring everyone has enough to eat.

Duncan helped the old farmer up and said with a smile, "I hope you will take up the position of Grand Minister of Agriculture in the future."

"With your help, how fortunate are the people of the world."

He disliked money and did not seek extraordinary achievements.

So the person before me is a gentleman. When discussing righteousness with a gentleman, Duncan should make a name for himself. From this day forward, the Farmer's School of Thought has become a prominent school of thought in our time.

These people are more useful than Zhou Xingfeng because they truly have the ability to feed the people of the world.

………………

(End of this chapter)