Pre-Qin Mythology: Starting with the River God

In fact, let alone spirits, even Qu Wan on the altar was stunned by Quan Ming's actions, because the will of Chu was almost equivalent to the military power of generals or the power of court officials in the Chu state.

"A Celestial Being?"

"Why do this...?"

He asked himself if he could ever bear to take off the magistrate's robes and hand over the token representing the magistrate's power.

Silence.

The Chu officials surrounding the altar dared not speak, their heads bowed as they looked around.

Dou Lian swallowed hard, looking at the stunned soldiers, his gaze towards Quan Ming gradually becoming more convinced, and he continued his duty to maintain order during the sacrificial ceremony.

The powerful figures stared intently at that moment, yet remained silent, their eyes filled with trust in Quan Ming and a touch of heartache.

Those in power clenched their fists...

Their son, Gongzi Quan, truly sacrificed so much for them!

hum!

Dao Tian also sensed everything that was happening here.

In fact, Daotian should have bestowed the will of Chu from the very beginning to reward Quanming for his merit in accepting the order and suppressing Zhishui. However, Daotian did not do so because Quanming had been trying to communicate with Daotian, hoping that Daotian would allow his rule, which was different from his own.

Dao Tian agreed.

In an instant, a massive will of Chu, carrying the decree of the King of Chu, the faith of the powerful, the needs of Qu Wan, the respect of the Chu soldiers, and the astonishment of the Chu ministers, descended from the sky!

Chu Di’s Will +6230

Although we are spending more than we earn, it doesn't matter.

Moreover, Quan Ming raised his hand again...

Will of Chudi-6230

This Chu will instantly flew out, transforming into a spiritual cloud that flew towards Quan's farmland. As if feeling it wasn't enough, Quan Ming allocated enough of his remaining Chu will to make up ten thousand, bringing a grand spiritual rain to Quan...

Will of Chudi-3770

The rain drizzled down, irrigating the golden millet fields.

It seemed to strike the hearts of everyone, nourishing their minds and bodies.

As you can imagine...

Because Quan Ming bestowed the will of Chu, this year will surely be a bumper harvest for Quan!

hiss!

Horses neighed, and two blue horses pulled a covered carriage, which slowly descended from the sky with the help of a servant. The ceremony had ended. Thanks to the blessing of Quan Ming's will of the myriad paths of Chu, the land of Quan was full of vitality, and the emotions in the hearts of the people of Quan were boiling...

Quan Ming raised his hand to stop the Quan people who were about to speak but were holding back.

"Fellow clansmen..."

"The autumn harvest is approaching, which concerns our livelihoods and work afterward, as well as our winter rest and recuperation. Please return to Quan County to rest and wait patiently. This way, I can discuss with the county magistrate how to distribute the grain, how much to keep for ourselves, and how much to pay as tax..."

"Rest assured, I have already blessed the farmland with my divine authority."

"With increased grain production, we can also secure more food for everyone... Of course, I, a single deity, cannot defy fate. What I have done is only a small supplement. The rest requires everyone to work diligently with me to reap a greater harvest."

"Let's go back first."

Quan Ming persuaded the people of Quan, who naturally took Quan Ming as their leader. The elders among them stepped forward and, under the guard of Chu soldiers, began to return to Quan County.

Dou Lian, the young general, bowed to Quan Ming: "Immortal Quan, I will personally escort you back to the city. You can rest assured."

"Thank you for your trouble."

Quan Ming nodded, his gaze bidding farewell to Dou Lian.

After the others left reluctantly, Quan Ming looked at Qu Wan.

Qu Wan raised his hand and arranged for people to see the Chu officials off. After there was no one else on the shore, he spoke to Quan Ming from a distance, expressing his thoughts and some policies related to the autumn harvest.

Quan Ming agreed to all of this.

In fact, Qu Wan was indeed talented, otherwise he would not have been valued by Qu Xia, the Minister of Chu.

The autumn harvest has been an important political event for thousands of years, with too many precedents. As long as Qu Wan is determined to do it well, there are many references to follow, so there are few places where he will make mistakes.

After Qu had finished speaking, Quan Ming then made his proposal—

"The magistrate is right, and the arrangements are appropriate."

"After the autumn harvest, the remaining grain is barely enough for the people to get through the winter and carry out winter planting and storage."

"...But please hear me out."

Quan Ming's expression turned serious.

At this moment, Qu Wan seemed to be teaching his uncle, Qu Xia, about politics.

Quan Ming pointed into the distance, towards Quan Mountain in Quan Di, which is part of the Jing Mountain range.

Qu Wan was puzzled.

Quan Ming had already spoken up: "Your arrangement is good, but you have forgotten what the King of Chu once said: 'The State of Quan relies on the Jing Mountains and takes lacquer trees and silkworms as its name. So the people of Quan are settled in Quan and engaged in production. Lacquer is transported by ship down the Quan River to supply the royal family of Chu.'"

"It seems the county magistrate did not make any arrangements for this matter, nor did he reserve the necessary resources."

"this……"

Qu Wan was only focused on completing the autumn harvest and delivering more grain to demonstrate his talent. He didn't think about anything beyond the harvest, or rather... he didn't consider Quan Ren as a Chu person. He was only concerned with the present and forgot about tomorrow's plans. He didn't prepare any opportunities for Quan Ren to develop and treated him as a slave to labor.

In fact, Quan Ming was very polite.

The grain left by Qu Wan was barely enough to get through the winter. Next spring, they would need to ask the State of Chu for help. In the process, Quan Ming would have to ask for help... This was like digging a pit for Quan Ming for the coming year. How could Quan Ming not see it?

But Quan Ming considered this a trivial matter, a petty scheme, nothing surprising.

He cares about things in the long term.

How should people with rights develop, instead of spending their whole lives as farmers begging for food, or even slaves who are not called slaves?

Therefore, it is proposed that the attitude of the other party must be corrected, especially for a county magistrate who has the intention of achieving political results!

Qu Wan also had a temper, especially when faced with others refuting his policies, as if he were a political enemy. He bowed to Quan Ming and retorted, "Quan has only recently been incorporated into the State of Chu, and it was the first 'county' established by Chu. The people of Quan have not yet submitted to the government... It is not appropriate to use heavy policies... Immortal Quan, regarding the lacquer trees and silkworms, why not wait until next year, when the people of Quan have adapted to the lifestyle of Chu, before making arrangements?"

Upon hearing this, Quan Ming scoffed.

He bluntly stated, "If that's the case, what use are you?"

"Well……"

Qu Wan coughed incessantly, choked by Quan Ming's words, his face flushed with anger.

Quan Ming saw that Qu Wan still didn't understand.

He elaborated, saying, "Magistrate Qu, no matter how good the autumn harvest is, it's nothing more than mediocre. Anyone could have done the same thing... Aren't you the most outstanding young talent in the Qu family? Is this all the insight and ability you have?"

"Ha... Ridiculous."

"Could it be that Qu Xia entrusted you with managing this territory simply to humiliate me?!"

Qu Wan glared, and said angrily, "Quan Xian, you..."

Quan Ming raised his hand, and a wave splashed on his face, interrupting Qu Wan's words. At the same time, he said with dissatisfaction, "There are still seven days until the autumn harvest. I'll give you seven days to come up with a detailed policy on how to develop the lacquer trees and silkworms in Quan County. If you can't come up with one, you should go back to the Qu family and study under Qu Xia for a few more years before coming back."

After saying that, Quan Ming whispered to his servant, "Let's go."

The servants drove the covered carriage away on the wind, and the water spirits and terracotta servants in the distance followed behind, drifting with the current...

Qu Wan, his face still wet with tears, looked utterly defeated.

"I……"

He gritted his teeth and said, "...Is my ability so unworthy of the attention of a powerful immortal?!"

"Speak to Mo Ao about important matters, and listen to Quan Xian about minor ones... What can I do!"

"what!"

Qu Wan sat helplessly on the ground, his eyes filled with the humiliation of a young man and a hint of resentment... The armored soldiers guarding him around him did not dare to step forward, but soon, he silently stood up.

"Return to Quan County."

"……promise!"

……

……