Chapter 26 I Want the Whole World to Plant This
The next day.
At noon.
Outside Taoyuan Village, people began to appear one after another. They were all adult males.
Chen Zhiyuan led Wang Shan and the other bailiffs to stand under the big tree at the entrance of the village. They let the people who came line up in an orderly manner and continued to distribute clean water.
Setting the recruitment location at Taoyuan Village was originally the first test. The county town was 40 miles away from here. Basically, it could screen out a large number of refugees who wanted to come here for free meals. Those who could walk here at least had a certain amount of physical strength.
Looking at the beef bones in the big pot at the intersection and the round potatoes, the smell of meat had already drifted out for several miles. It wasnât just the people who came for the test who kept looking around.
Even Wang Shan and a few other bailiffs glanced inside from time to time and swallowed their saliva.
âChief, arenât you going too far? Thereâs still meat on the beef bones. We usually donât get to eat such good food. Also, we havenât even seen this potato before. It smells really good. Can we let our brothers satisfy their cravings later first?â
Wang Shan took a few steps forward and came to Chen Zhiyuanâs side. He said with a cheeky smile.
âYeah, Chief Chen, it smells so good. Let us try it first.â
âChief Chen, if you donât say anything, weâll take it that you agree.â
âHahaâ¦â
A few bailiffs who came with Wang Shan also started to jeer. However, they were just saying it. No one took a step forward.
âDonât worry. If you guys choose the people well for me, Iâll definitely let you eat first later. This potato is a novelty. If you guys donât eat it, Iâm afraid the others wonât dare to eat it.â
Chen Zhiyuan turned around and smiled at the bailiffs.
âChief, itâs good that you said that. You guys heard it. I told you that it wouldnât be wrong to follow Chief Chen. There will definitely be benefits when you come. Now that you know what I said was correct, right?â
Wang Shan raised his voice even louder, and he shouted loudly, âRemember to be more energetic. Those who canât lift the 20-pound stone lock, we donât want them. Those who faint at the sight of blood, we canât keep them. This mission can only be successful. There canât be any mistakes!â
Chen Zhiyuan listened to Wang Shanâs voice behind him. His impression of him was getting better and better. After he gave a rough description, he came up with a more detailed standard, especially the point where one would faint at the sight of blood. Even he hadnât thought about it at the moment.
When the time came, it would be a good choice for him to settle down and let Wang Shan be his assistant.
âDonât worry, Chief Chen and Brother Wang. We all understand.â
A few bailiffs walked down and began to test the men in line one by one. Able to lift the 20-pound stone lock and not fainting at the sight of blood was a hard standard.
Very soon, those who passed were pulled to one side, while those who failed were pulled to the other side.
After the meal, the unqualified ones still had one more chance to try.
Seeing that the sun was already above their heads, Chen Zhiyuan gave the order and began to distribute bowls and chopsticks to everyone to start eating.
The bailiffs took the lead and rushed to the big pot, asking the women of Taoyuan Village who were fetching the food to give them more. It would be best if there was a bone in
âChief Chen, this is too delicious. Iâve lived for thirty years, but this is the first time Iâve eaten something like this⦠Damn it, Qian Sanâer, thatâs the ox bone in my bowl. Donât snatch it!â
âIndeed, itâs really delicious. Brother Wang, why donât you come down and have a taste?â
The bailiffs took big mouthfuls of the food in their bowls and opened their mouths to entice Wang Shan, who was standing next to Chen Zhiyuan.
Wa
âYou guys eat first. Iâll be right back!â
Wang Shan smiled at the people below and then said to Chen Zhiyuan, âChief, when you said that you would give 200 catties of food, do you mean these?â
âYes, I have these most. Why? Canât I?â
Chen Zhiyuan shifted his gaze away from the bailiff who was fighting for the food and looked at the crowd.
âSure, itâs good enough that thereâs something to eat these days. I just want to say, isnât this a little too good for them?â
âThatâs just how you feel right now. I feel that Iâve let these people down, exchanging 200 catties of potatoes for one life. After everyone has tasted it and knows that this thing can be eaten, I will let everyone grow this in Taoyuan Village. In the future, I will let the whole world plant this thing. The yield of this thing is much higher than our current grain, so there wonât be so many people who will starve to death.â
Chen Zhiyuan said with a sigh.
âChief Chen, what you said just now was a bit dangerous. It would be a big crime if someone with motives heard it.â
Wang Shan also looked at the crowd, indicating something.
However, his heart was in turmoil. There was no one else in the world who could make people do something except the emperor. Chief Chen was a bit too ambitious.
âWerenât you the only one who heard these words just now? Are you a person with a motive?â
Chen Zhiyuan turned his head and looked at Wang Shan.
âHaha, I, Wang Shan, donât dare to say that Iâm open and aboveboard, but Iâm definitely not a despicable person. Chief Chen, youâre doing good for the people of the world. If thereâs anything that I can help with, why would I mind risking my life once?â
Wang Shanâs eyes flashed with a bright light, indicating his thoughts.
âIsnât that enough? iâll leave this place to you. Itâs about time for me to prepare to make a bet with Military Governor Zhao. If I win the bet, Old Wang, weâll have a good start.â
Chen Zhiyuan walked towards his own thatched cottage and said to Wang Shan without turning his head back.
âChief, donât worry. I will definitely pick 500 good soldiers for you to fight!â
Wang Shan cupped his fists and bowed solemnly.
In the small courtyard, Lu Shuxue and Wu Qiushui were still playing with the wooden card in their hands. When they saw Chen Zhiyuan come in, the two of them hurriedly stood up and bowed.
âLadies, thereâs no need to be so polite. I just came in to see if this thing can attract the interest of gamblers.â
Chen Zhiyuan quickly waved his hand to let the two of them sit down, and he asked.
âThis wooden card is a new thing, and the rules are fair and interesting. As long as the stakes are enough, there will definitely be people willing to play.â
After Lu Shuxue finished speaking, she said to Chen Zhiyuan, âConstable Chen, Iâve also completed the task you gave me. Now, Qiu Shui only needs to get half of it to figure out what card the other party is holding. If you bring her out, Iâm sure she wonât lose.â
âThank you, Miss Lu. With your words, Iâm relieved.â
Chen Zhiyuan bowed solemnly to Lu Shuxue and then looked at Wu Qiushui. âMiss Wu, thank you for your trouble. Iâll protect you from behind. You donât have to be afraid no matter who you bet with.â
âMm⦠Iâll work hard. I wonât let you down, Constable Chen!â
Wu Qiushui was startled by Chen Zhiyuanâs serious look. Then, she took a deep breath and answered seriously as well.
âMiss Wu, letâs change our clothes and leave now. Weâll go into the town to check out the situation first.â
âOkay.â
Then, the two of them walked into the house.
Soon, a young master came out of the house, followed by a servant.
Lu Shuxue, who was standing outside the house, saw the two of them and immediately burst into laughter.
âSister Lu, can you stop laughing? Itâs my first time pretending to be a man, and I even have a beardâ¦â
Wu Qiushuiâs face was full of grievances, and she was complaining so much that Lu Shuxue almost couldnât straighten her back.
âIâm sorry, Iâm sorry, but, hahaâ¦â
SOL
Lu Shuxue couldnât hold it in anymore.
However, Chen Zhiyuan was very satisfied. This was the effect he wanted.
A young lady thought that she had learned a gambling technique that was unparalleled in the world. She pretended to be a man and led her follower everywhere to find people to challenge. It was obvious to other people that she was a woman in disguise. There were many challengers, yet she had never lost!
This was how reputation would start building!
Military Governor Zhao, that older gambler who loved gambling, would have no choice but to come and take a look.