Lu Tu also took this opportunity to assess Liu Hong's overall abilities. As is well known, interrogation not only tests a person's character but also their ability to handle situations and make decisions.

If Liu Hong can do better in this regard, then it means that Lu Tu can entrust him with important responsibilities afterward, since the more talented people under his command, the better.

Lu Tu glanced at the sky, estimating that it was almost dawn, and went straight to the training ground to practice his Fangtian Halberd.

After all, he had only learned the Song family's spear technique, and for now he could only try to integrate the spear technique into the halberd technique.

As a former king of soldiers in the Dragon Kingdom, Lü Tu was skilled in the use of various cold weapons. After all, when carrying out missions under the most difficult conditions, there were often no suitable weapons available.

Therefore, his basic skills are very solid, and he is first-class in both physical flexibility and suppleness.

With his mastery of the Song family's spear techniques, Lü Tu quickly wielded the halberd with incredible skill, the sound of which could be faintly heard throughout the training ground.

Before long, people began to appear around the drill ground. They were villagers who had gotten up early to work. They lived near the drill ground and came here to relieve themselves at the large latrine.

Upon seeing Lü Tu, he exclaimed in surprise, "Lord Lü, you're up so early practicing your martial arts? That's incredibly diligent!"

"That's right! He gets up even earlier than us. He's already so talented, but he still works so hard. We need to step up our game too!"

"Great! I'm going to move a few more bricks today and try to get an advanced award!"

This "advanced" award was a concept that Lü Tu had previously proposed to Xiao Zhong, suggesting that he add this award to the "excellent" award, specifically to reward the villagers for their labor. After all, each person could receive an extra 5 jin of millet per day, which would invisibly enhance everyone's enthusiasm for labor and significantly increase productivity.

Lu Tu wanted to laugh but had to hold it in. He never usually got up this early, but he never expected that he would be regarded as a role model by these people on such a rare occasion.

It seems that power can really make people lose their minds. If you believe all the praise from others, you will inevitably become arrogant and gradually become detached from the masses.

But this was not what Lü Tu thought. After all, he had received a proper education in his previous life, and he could still be considered to be able to stick to his original intentions.

Before long, Xiao Zhong also arrived at the training ground. He watched with puzzlement as Lü Tu finished performing a complete set of spear techniques. As Lü Tu finished his move, Xiao Zhong was the first to applaud.

In an instant, thunderous applause filled the entire training ground, and everyone's face was filled with admiration.

"Lord Lü, you are truly amazing! With such outstanding martial arts skills, those Wuhuan people will probably treat you like an ancestor from now on!"

"Of course! I think Lord Lü could take on ten Wuhuan dogs!"

"More than ten, I think Lord Lü's halberd is so powerful, he could take on 50 of them!"

"I think an adult could take on 100 of them!"

Seeing that they were praising him more and more like a god, Lü Tu waved his hand and said, "Please excuse my rudeness, everyone. You should go back to your business."

Even Lu Tu didn't know that his impulsive decision this morning had inadvertently boosted the confidence of many villagers.

At this moment, Xiao Zhong came to Lü Tu's side and quietly handed him a letter: "My lord, another letter has arrived from Huai Shuo. I should have given it to you yesterday, but you looked tired."

Lu Tu nodded, took the letter, opened it, and asked, "Have you read this letter?"

"I've seen it. I'm afraid that if something unexpected happens, your absence will delay the battle."

“You did a good job. From now on, if I’m not in the village, you will discuss and make decisions with my wives.”

"Yes, sir!"

Xiao Zhong is, after all, Nangong Huiyu's junior brother, and his loyalty is beyond question. Moreover, his ability to have such opinions shows that he is willing to take responsibility.

The view that Lu Tu found most annoying in his life was that he would rather do nothing than make a mistake.

On the contrary, Lü Tu prefers the kind of personality that is more suited to big occasions and can stand up and take on pressure from all sides at critical moments. Such a person with leadership qualities is naturally rare, but Xiao Zhong already has some of them.

"Mr. Xiao, Huai Shuo is also heading north today to attack the Wuhuan. Do you think this is true or false?"

Xiao Zhong shook his head: "I think it's mostly unbelievable. After all, Zhao Wuyou of Huai Shuo has been trading salt and iron with the Wuhuan tribe. I think their attack was a pretense, and their real purpose was to make trade."

Lu Tu nodded: "You think the same way I do. Zhao Wuyou, that scoundrel, would never do something so risky. But I suspect there's a deeper reason."

What's the reason?

"Zhao Wuyou should know that the Second Princess, Prince Duan, and Ye Qingyu of the Shence Army are in Wuchuan City. He wants to win their favor through this performance, so that he can at least extricate himself from the crisis."

Xiao Zhong responded, "That's highly likely. In conclusion, since Zhao Wuyou's actions this time were all fake, we'll just ignore them."

"right."

Xiao Zhong suddenly said, "My lord, I observed the celestial phenomena tonight, and it seems that this year's rainfall may be less than in previous years."

Lu Tu asked curiously, "You watch this kind of thing?"

Xiao Zhong waved his hand and laughed, "I know a little bit."

Regarding this issue, Lü Tu also became serious: "Although we are guarding Xisha Lake, we still need to plan ahead and make sure we have all the necessary measures."

"Sir, do you have any good ideas?"

The best solution would naturally be to build a reservoir, but building a reservoir is not suitable for the current situation in Kuishan Village. After all, dispersing the water in Xisha Lake would only make the water loss more severe.

Suddenly, Lü Tu thought of something: why not follow the example of the South?

It wouldn't be impossible to turn this place into a Jiangnan-like region in the north, would it?

Lu Tu patted Xiao Zhong's arm: "Mr. Xiao, are you familiar with the water-based crops grown in the south?"

"The South can grow much more than the North, but when it comes to crops grown along waterways, rice is the most important..."

Lu Tu chuckled: "You forgot, there's lotus root!"

Xiao Zhong was pleasantly surprised: "My lord, you also know about lotus root?"

Lu Tu was speechless: "Let's get serious. Mr. Xiao, you've traveled all over the country, do you know where the nearest lotus root is?"

“Lotus roots are grown south of Longcheng. I lived in Longcheng for a year before and often went to the lake to admire the lotus flowers. Moreover, the planting time for lotus roots in the north is around May, which is the perfect time right now.”

Lotus root has a huge yield. If it can be planted in Kuishan Village, fish can be raised in it, which will greatly increase grain production, effectively improve the soil, and reduce the loss of water from Xisha Lake. This is a win-win situation that Lu Tu never thought of before!