Don't farm, cultivate immortality!

The village chief was completely stunned; how could even the prefect have come?

The highest-ranking official he had ever met was this tax official, but compared to the prefect, the tax official was nothing.

What exactly happened in the village that even the prefect has come?

"Village chief, don't worry, let's go inside first and talk in detail."

It was only after Zhuang Xing dismounted and helped the village chief that the village chief's trembling legs were able to steady themselves somewhat.

"You all need to be careful not to let the villagers think we're here to bully them," the prefect instructed the officials around him.

"Understood, sir." The officials bowed.

The prefect left in a hurry and didn't bring many men with him, so he only ordered twenty skilled men to accompany him in case of any accidents.

But even if the twenty burly officers and soldiers on horseback with swords did nothing, they still inspired fear.

Winter is not a good time to go out, and when pedestrians saw this, they all went back into their homes and closed their doors and windows tightly.

Upon entering the village, all was quiet.

Only the old hunter saw it and, instead of avoiding it, came forward to ask what had happened.

Zhuang Xing noticed that the old hunter's hand was subtly gripping the skinning knife at his waist, and he only relaxed slightly when he saw Zhuang Xing.

Zhuang Xing invited him to come inside the village chief's house. Once inside, they sat by the small stove, and together with the prefect, Zhuang Xing slowly explained what they had come up with.

"So that's how it is..." The village chief patted his chest. He had almost had a heart attack when he heard that the prefect had arrived.

He looked at Zhuang Xing. He had never imagined that Zhu He's son could be connected with such a powerful figure.

Although the Taoist priests of Xuanqing Temple were already very powerful in his mind, the authority they gave him was far less than that of the officials. Even knowing the purpose of the officials, he was still somewhat uneasy. Such important figures could have his head chopped off with just a word.

And for such an important figure to treat Zhu He's son with such deference... it's truly... unbelievable... like a dream...

“Those children planted a lot of wheat this year. I’ll go and call them over right now, and make sure they hand over the wheat seeds to the prefect,” the village chief said.

“Hey, we’re not robbers, we’re not here to steal anything,” the prefect said. “Let’s invite them over first and talk things over. I’d like to learn more about the wheat.”

“I’ll go call them,” Zhuang Xing said. “I’ve known them longer.”

"Then I'll leave it to Master Zhuang Xing." The prefect moved closer to the stove; he was truly freezing.

"I'll go make tea for the prefect!" Upon seeing this, the village chief hurriedly ran out to find someone to boil water.

Zhuang Xing also went out to ask the old hunter if any monsters had come this year and if anything had happened in his home. Knowing that the village and his home were safe, he felt relieved.

Although he had returned to his hometown, he still had important business to attend to. He did not go home, but instead went to the outskirts of the village to find the house that Bai Yu and the others had built.

Chapter 129 Priceless Treasure and the Gift of a Horse (Part 2)

When Zhuang Xing arrived at the bamboo houses, he was surprised to find that they had changed into this state.

Unlike in spring, many straws were laid out beside the bamboo house, probably for warmth, because this winter was really cold.

In addition to the bamboo house, there is now a fence and a wooden house outside the bamboo house.

Yes, it's a house, not that simple tent-like thing we left behind, but a place that can truly be called a house.

They brought a lot of bricks and stones, and even made their own stone mill; there were traces of their labor everywhere.

During the year they spent living down the mountain, each of them lived their lives earnestly.

"Zhuang Xing?"

Bai Yu, who had been carrying firewood back from outside with others, was stunned when she saw Zhuang Xing.

Zhuang Xing was also taken aback when he saw her.

In just one year, no, less than a year, Bai Yu has changed a lot.

Her hair is even shorter now, probably because it's easier to do chores now, and washing short hair is less of a hassle.

Her skin also got tanned. She worked outdoors all year round, exposed to the sun and wind, so it was impossible for her to have any fair skin.

Those hands became stronger, and the people around her, like her, changed a lot.

However, they were all dressed in clean clothes, without any dirt or mess, and took good care of themselves.

How to put it? The feeling they gave Zhuang Xing was that they had grown up, or rather, become more reliable.

"Did you go out to chop firewood?" Zhuang Xing asked.

"Hmm." Bai Yu nodded and put down the firewood she was carrying. "Because it's very cold this year, I wanted to go outside and cut more firewood. If I don't use all the extra firewood, I can sell it to my neighbors."

"How are you doing in the village?" Zhuang Xing asked.

"There's nothing good or bad about it," Bai Yu said. "We've just settled down, and there are still many things to do. It just feels like there's always something to do every day."

"Isn't that very tiring?"

"It's tiring, but... I don't know why, I feel more fulfilled than when I was on the mountain," Bai Yu said. "The kitchen is all built now. It's rare for you to come back, and although we don't have anything fancy to offer you, would you like to come in and sit down?"

"No need to sit," Zhuang Xing shook his head. "I wanted to ask you how your harvest was this year. How much wheat did you plant?"

Bai Yu paused for a moment, as if to ask something.

But those wheat seeds were given to her by Zhuang Xing, and she also learned how to use the stone mill from Zhuang Xing.

After thinking about it, she didn't ask anything else, but simply answered Zhuang Xing's questions.

"The harvest is very good," Bai Yu said. "This year we only planted wheat, and we even dug a cellar specifically to store the wheat."

"You didn't grind a lot of wheat into flour, did you?" Zhuang Xing asked.

"I only ground some flour for myself," Bai Yu said. "There was too much wheat harvested, and I don't know how long it would take to grind it all. I plan to build a few more stone mills next year, and after I make money from the flour, I will go to Yidu to buy a few horses and mules to pull the stone mills."

"So, most of the wheat is just stored in cellars, right?" Zhuang Xing said.

“That’s right,” Bai Yu said. “Do you want wheat? There’s plenty of wheat. If you want some, just take it.”

“It’s not that I want wheat,” Zhuang Xing said. “Come with me first, someone wants to see you.”

"See me? Who wants to see me?"

"Prefect of Yidu".

...

Zhuang Xing took Bai Yu to the village chief's house and explained to her on the way why he had come back.

“No wonder it’s so cold this year…it turns out there was a snow disaster…” Bai Yu said.

“That’s why we need wheat, a grain that can survive the winter. By the way, do you grow winter wheat in your fields? I should have taught you how to plant it,” Zhuang Xing said.

As long as the winter wheat seedlings grow to a certain size before the snowfall, they can survive the winter. Before Bai Yu came down the mountain, Zhuang Xing also entrusted them to help manage that winter wheat field.

"I planted some, but because it was too cold, I didn't plant too many," Bai Yu said. "Speaking of which, what kind of person is the Prefect? ​​Is he scary?"

Are you scared?

"A little bit."

"Don't worry, the prefect just wants to find enough food to get through the winter and provide some help for the snow disaster in the south. I personally think the prefect is very kind."

"Is that so..."

"Just tell the prefect about the wheat, isn't that what you're best at?"

“That’s true.” Bai Yu patted her face. “This is the only thing I’m good at talking about.”

Zhuang Xing opened the door and, under the watchful eyes of the officials, led Bai Yu into the room.

"Your Excellency, this is my friend, Bai Yu."

"Greetings, Your Excellency the Prefect." Bai Yu bowed.

The prefect scrutinized Bai Yu. Her hair was cut so short, and her hands were calloused. She didn't look like a woman at all.

Although Dayu did not have the custom of foot binding, and women were not allowed to leave their homes before marriage, the prefect had never seen a woman dressed like this before.

“When I was on the mountain, I asked Bai Yu to help me plant wheat. If the Prefect has any questions, just ask her,” Zhuang Xing said.

The prefect then summoned Bai Yu and inquired in detail about how Bai Yu had taken care of the wheat that year, how the harvest was, and whether he had encountered any disasters.

Bai Yu answered them one by one. After all, she was the one who farmed the land herself, and even Zhuang Xing wouldn't dare to say that he knew more about these things than she did.

"Where is that wheat field? Take me to see it." The prefect stood up.

"Please follow me, Your Excellency." Bai Yu led the way.

The group arrived outside the village and looked out into the fields. There were about ten acres of land covered with wheat seedlings.

Even with the snow covering the ground, the wheat seedlings still stood firmly in the soil, showing no signs of withering or freezing.

The prefect exhaled white mist from his mouth and nose. He walked into the field, squatted down, and stroked a small seedling with his hands trembling almost.

Afterwards, Bai Yu led the prefect to their bamboo house and opened the cellar.

The cellar was filled with wheat seeds, golden wheat, which flowed out like gold dust when the cellar door was opened.

The prefect picked up the wheat seeds with his hands and was so moved that he shed two lines of tears.

He had only heard Zhuang Xing mention it before, but seeing the actual product today, he was finally certain that this was exactly the grain that Dayu needed most right now.

At noon that day, the prefect tasted noodles made from flour and baked flatbread in the kitchen here.

By the afternoon, the prefect had composed himself.

"I must set off for the capital immediately and bring this item there!"

"I hope that a few people who have cultivated wheat seeds can accompany me to the capital."

"We are willing to travel with the Prefect."

Bai Yu led a few people forward. There weren't many, but Zhuang Xing recognized them all; they were the same small team that had helped her sell chestnuts at the canteen entrance back then.

The cute girl with braided pigtails who was in charge of packing chestnuts, the boy who roasted chestnuts and fanned the firewood, and Bai Yu who was debating with the Taoist priest.

The four of them stood together, just like back then, yet not quite back then.

"Alright." The prefect nodded and instructed the rest of the men, "Yu Kuai, you and three others stay here. The rest of you will come back to Yidu with me."

"Once I get back, I will immediately send someone here to learn the techniques related to stone mills and wheat. These wheat seeds must be protected!"

"It's too late this year to promote the wheat seeds, but once I go to the capital to report to the Emperor, there will surely be a special decree."