Naruto: I, the villain template, was hailed as a savior.

Chapter 109 The nation depends on its people, and the people depend on grain for their lives. When life is exhausted, the root is uprooted, and when the root is uprooted, the foundation collapses!

"Uncle Qiuyu".

On the street, Yun Chuan casually asked Qiu Yu as he walked alongside her, glancing at the shops on both sides, "What are your predictions for the harvest from those 'experimental fields'?"

"Wasn't it you who first proposed this hydroponics technology? Of course, it's excellent."

A hint of helpless smile lingered on Qiu Yu's face as she turned to the man beside her, Lord Yun Chuan, and explained, "We use artificially controlled conditions such as suitable nutrients, sunlight, water, and air to carry out dense planting and vertical cultivation."

"Depending on the different growth stages of different crops, the yield of those crops can be increased several times to more than ten times. However, the biggest problem we are facing now is still cost."

He paused for a moment, then sighed and said, "The nutrient solution and machinery required for hydroponics are currently far too expensive."

"The final price per kilogram of grain produced is almost the same as the price of grain we import from outside, and if we take other costs into account..."

He didn't say anything more.

It's clear that the immense pressure he felt was from expending so much energy and resources only to take such a small step.

This is why Qiuyu didn't want to take Yunchuan to see the experimental field. On the one hand, she didn't want Yunchuan to do those "dirty and tiring jobs," and on the other hand, she was worried and even afraid that he would be disappointed when he saw the results.

Only under Yun Chuan's strong insistence did Qiu Yu have no choice but to take him to the experimental field.

Yun Chuan understood his meaning perfectly well, but he simply chuckled and shook his head.

"I understand your concerns, but this is just the first step. Everything is difficult at the beginning, and initial investment is necessary."

Yun Chuan patted the man beside him, whose face was full of worry, his expression and tone gradually changing from gentle to serious: "No matter what, we must keep our food supply in our own hands and absolutely cannot rely too much on imports from other countries!"

"How can I allow others to sleep soundly beside my bed?"

"We who fight for peace will inevitably become enemies with the five great powers in the future, but we will never compromise with them!"

"In this way, they will never allow us, as a small country, to compete with them for resources. The first to stand up will be the Land of Fire, which is the largest food exporter."

"Once the Daimyo of the Land of Fire tears off the mask of goodwill and orders those merchants to stop exporting grain to us, even if we have the greatest abilities, we can only wait to die."

The nation depends on its people, and the people depend on grain for their lives. When life is exhausted, the root is uprooted, and when the root is uprooted, the foundation collapses!

Therefore, even if they have to start from scratch and spend countless resources and energy, they must ensure their own food security.

Even without relying on imports, we can guarantee independent supply.

Otherwise, if their food supply is cut off, it would be tantamount to cutting off their lifeline, leaving them no choice but to kneel down and await execution.

"...So there was such an important reason? I'm sorry, I was short-sighted and narrow-minded."

Qiu Yu remained silent for a long time, then finally took a breath, suppressed her unease, scratched her head, and said with a simple smile, "We will do our best to improve it as soon as possible."

Seemingly sensing his anxiety, Yun Chuan shook his head and smiled, his tone softening again: "No rush. Everyone has their own expertise; haste makes waste. As for the nutrient solution..."

"You could try talking to the head of the newly established research institute and the biological research department. They should be able to develop a new nutrient solution formula that reduces costs while still ensuring efficacy."

"Just say that I sent you to find Shennong, that's all."

Academy of Sciences? Biological research and development department?

Upon hearing these two unfamiliar terms, Qiu Yu's expression clearly froze for a moment.

How much did he miss while he was locked in his room?

"As for the problem of not having enough manpower..." Yun Chuan smiled and looked away from the bustling street in front of him, saying calmly, "If you can spare some time, you can find time to set up an agricultural class."

"Aren't you helping some residents with hydroponics? Why not try teaching them those techniques as well? Giving a man a fish is not as good as teaching him how to fish."

For example, Mei Yu has already started teaching people navigation and espionage techniques. Now, many promising young people have emerged under her command who are capable of supporting themselves. Before long, they will be able to be separated into captains and intelligence personnel.

Yun Chuan strongly suspected that he was indulging in his own comfort zone, which was why he wanted to quit his job and stop spending all his time at sea, so that he could share his responsibilities and tasks with his other disciples.

However, Yun Chuan was happy to see it happen.

"Uncle Qiuyu, I trust you, but ultimately, one person's plan is limited, while two people's plans are more effective."

Thinking of this, Yun Chuan turned to look at Qiu Yu, who had a blank expression, and said with a meaningful smile, "If you can train some talented young people, I can also let you set up an agricultural research and development department in the future."

Establish an agricultural research and development department?

Doesn't that make him a minister?!

Upon hearing this, Qiu Yu instinctively shuddered, her weary heart suddenly ignited as if set ablaze, and she blurted out, "Really?"

But he quickly realized what was happening, stopped in his tracks, and said seriously, "Lord Yun Chuan, please rest assured, I will do my utmost and will absolutely not let you down!"

"I mean what I say." Yun Chuan simply nodded slightly and patted his arm with a smile.

The pursuit of a better life and future is an instinct inherent in everyone.

What's more, it's Qiu Yu, who used to be from the "lower class".

Gratitude has its limits, and favors can always be repaid.

Humans are creatures that live for something.

What is the ultimate purpose of getting ahead and standing out from the crowd? What is the purpose of risking one's life?

Some people do it to gain someone's approval, like Nagato; others do it to fulfill lofty ideals, like Yahiko.

Some people do it to maintain the warmth of their home, like the plum rains; others do it to gain status and power, like the autumn rains.

As long as someone can give them hope for the future, they are willing to grit their teeth and fight for it.

Yun Chuan is the one who can give them a chance.

"Boss, um, I have another question."

Seeing Yun Chuan beside him engrossed in chatting with Qiu Yu, Ya Yan, who had been hesitant to speak the whole way, finally couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "What are those hydroponics and vegetable greenhouses you were talking about?"

Yun Chuan turned to look at him and laughed, "I thought you could hold it in a little longer."

Upon hearing this, realizing that his restless desires along the way had been observed, Yahiko scratched the back of his head and shamelessly laughed, "Didn't you say, boss, that seeking knowledge is a very good habit?"

These were the words Yun Chuan said to him when he was first rescued.

And he always remembered what Yun Chuan had once said.

True ignorance is not a lack of knowledge, but a refusal to acquire knowledge.

Compared to his initial ignorant and fearless foolishness, Yahiko now seems much more mature, at least he no longer uses ignorance as a reason for fearlessness.

If there are questions beyond my understanding, I will no longer rush to deny or argue as before, but will instead use my shamelessness to ask for guidance.

However, Yun Chuan did not rush to answer his question. Instead, he looked at the greenhouse that was faintly visible in front of him and chuckled, "Instead of wasting my breath explaining to you, why don't you go and see for yourself?"

At this moment, he had changed into a loose black robe, his face shrouded in shadow by the hood.

In the rainy country where the weather is often cloudy and rainy, his attire was not unusual and did not attract much attention.

Otherwise, given Yun Chuan's notoriety in Dawn City, if he were to swagger around on a busy street like this, he would be surrounded by residents within minutes.

After all, most of the people here are refugees who have been displaced and forced into exile due to war. Providing them with a peaceful place free from the turmoil of war is no less than a life-saving favor.

As long as their own survival is not at stake, most people feel grateful to Yunchuan to some extent.

When it comes to one's own survival, it depends on one's own awareness and character.

However, Yun Chuan was not so naive as to think that everyone would be grateful. As long as most people could honestly abide by the rules he set, he would not care what they were thinking.

As for those ungrateful wretches who wolf down the food in Yun Chuan's pot, only to think about selling Yun Chuan for a good price after they've eaten their fill...

There are two more chapters to go. The extra chapter is a bonus chapter for donations. Thanks to the generous donations from our generous patrons, we've accumulated enough chapters to become a Hall Master!

(End of this chapter)