Chapter 24 The wisdom and ingenuity of the people with grand visions even extended to utilizing the heavens and earth…

Human intelligence and wisdom can even extend to utilizing the power of heaven and earth.

The magistrate was amazed by Lin Fengzhi's ingenious ideas and also astonished by her and Shengkuan's efficiency. After the shaman of Suiju and the corpse he wanted to throw into the river were properly disposed of, the magistrate involuntarily approached the water-powered millstone.

He stared at the heavy millstone spinning automatically under the impact of the flowing water, constantly calculating in his mind the benefits Lin Fengzhi might bring him, and continuously elevating her importance level. He didn't believe in ghosts or gods, but since their first encounter, Lin Fengzhi's every action had spoken of her extraordinary nature.

The magistrate's mind was once again filled with the thought of seeing Lin Fengzhi descend from the Xiangjun spirit at the Xiangjun Temple. If he were to recommend Lin Fengzhi to the First Emperor, he wouldn't lose out, regardless of whether the First Emperor regarded her as a sorcerer or a rare talent.

Moreover, it is evident that Lin Fengzhi is not like the alchemists of the world who love to make elixirs. Compared to ordinary alchemists, Lin Fengzhi cares more about her people. People with such attachments should not bring disaster upon Xu Fu.

Yes, the news that the First Emperor had summoned Xu Fu in Langya and intended to give him three thousand boys and girls and three large ships to sail out to sea in search of the elixir of immortality had already spread throughout the Qin Dynasty.

Although Xu Fu died for unknown reasons, the First Emperor's order to dock his ships in the harbor and to summon young boys and girls in Langya was indeed true.

The magistrate hesitated for a moment, then remembered that Lin Fengzhi was a Chu shaman, and not just a shaman, but a great shaman. Having served in Qianling County for four years, the magistrate had witnessed firsthand the methods of Chu shamans.

At that time, a member of a certain barbarian tribe fell ill. The tribe's shaman bound the sick person and drove poisonous insects into the patient's mouth and nose. The magistrate heard them call these poisonous insects "Gu," which were said to be the best among many poisonous creatures that had fought each other.

They danced and prayed for the patient. The magistrate, however, felt a chill run down his spine. The worm burst through the patient's skin, and the patient's face briefly regained its luster before turning ashen.

It's hard to say whether to save someone or just give them a quick death.

Even the county magistrate dared not imagine that if Lin Fengzhi were to pull such a stunt in front of the First Emperor, his entire clan would be forced to endure the sweltering heat of summer, their necks likely to feel cold to the touch.

The magistrate was caught in a dilemma.

The rushing water splashed onto Lin Fengzhi's clothes. She took two steps back and bumped into An, who had already composed herself.

An's back was slightly hunched for some reason. She patted Lin Fengzhi's arm and said, "Good child, good child."

"Grandmother, is everything alright at the weaving room?" Lin Fengzhi lowered her head slightly. She was backlit, and her hair shone with the color of sunlight, like a deity in Anxin's heart. Her face was not clear, but she was warm enough.

An Xin felt a jolt, inexplicably recalling what Lin Fengzhi had said that day when she asked her for phoenix-patterned fabric to make sacrificial robes for Qi.

She said she wanted everyone to have clothes to wear and to have enough to eat and good meat to eat.

She spoke beautifully, but what was even more moving was her step-by-step progress in achieving her goals.

Sheng Kuan suddenly interjected, "At such a young age, you have grasped the essence so clearly. The Mohist ancestor said, 'Do not do anything that is sufficient to provide for the people, but do not do anything that increases expenses and is detrimental to the people.' You have not only done it, but you have also improved the lives of the Ke Luo people. It is truly remarkable."

An then realized that she had inadvertently spoken her true feelings. She actually agreed with Sheng Kuan's words. She had lived for more than sixty years, living numbly on this land year after year, but this was the first time she had met someone like Lin Fengzhi.

Lin Fengzhi instilled in her hope for life and a deep appreciation for its preciousness. She felt treated as a "human being," not a barbarian, not a tribal leader, but an equal "human being." Qi, Xiaoshui, and even the rest of the tribe likely sensed this as well, which is why they gradually gathered around Lin Fengzhi.

Like a sunflower yearning for the sun.

Yong had learned many characters and read "Mozi" these days, so he had some knowledge and knew what Shengkuan was talking about. He immediately retorted: "Frugality benefits the people. The Great Shaman is not frugal, but open up new sources and creates new things."

Shengkuan agreed wholeheartedly, looking at Yong with newfound respect: "Indeed."

The Mohists were concerned with the basic needs of the common people and always cared about their lives. Sheng Kuan was deeply influenced by the Mohist school; he was kind-hearted and often helped the poor, making friends with many commoners and chivalrous individuals. Looking at Lin Fengzhi and the water-powered millstone, he finally made a decision in his heart.

Lin Fengzhi neither agreed nor disagreed, nor did she feel proud or happy about the two people's praise.

In her view, her knowledge, abilities, and skills would be meaningless if they were not used to improve people's living conditions.

Although the Mohist school had a strong populist character, it lacked effective strategies and actions to improve people's lives. In fact, the Mohists should have been capable of doing so. Lin Fengzhi also discovered this while collaborating with Sheng Kuan on water-powered millstones: even in the Qin Dynasty, the Mohists' accumulation of knowledge in mathematics, physics, and engineering was quite advanced. They could have easily created more agricultural tools or machinery to improve productivity and efficiency.

Unfortunately, the Mohist school followed an upper-class approach, and after joining the Qin Dynasty, it focused more on the military industry. Afterwards, it gradually disappeared.

Upon hearing this, the magistrate also extricated himself from his dilemma. He was well-versed in the works of various schools of thought and had connections with disciples of Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, and Mohism. He said, "If the disciples of the agricultural school heard of your grand aspirations, they would probably be willing to work themselves to death in the fields."

Lin Fengzhi smiled and said, "Don't mention it. They've already worked hard enough to increase hemp production. They spend all day in the fields and teach my people how to cultivate the land. It's really hard work."

The magistrate also laughed. He had heard from Chen Ming that the peasant disciples, under some kind of spell cast by Lin Fengzhi, had invited many fellow disciples and elders to come over as if they were friends.

Perhaps the sunlight was too dazzling, for tears welled up in An's cloudy eyes. An wiped them away with her rough hands, and gently grasped Lin Fengzhi's outstretched arm, the hand that could hold a bow and arrow steady. She answered Lin Fengzhi's question: "It's nothing serious. Xiao Shui went to the weaving room to keep an eye on things. Anyone who acted suspiciously has been locked up. There are also many workers helping out."

“Since they have helped us, we should reward them properly. In addition, those in the clan who participated in this matter today should also be rewarded. As for the specifics, I will leave it to you, Madam.”

An nodded: "I know."

The magistrate nodded to himself, thinking that Lin Fengzhi's clear distinction between rewards and punishments was one of her strengths.

He thought that Lin Fengzhi was different, and he should give her more trust.

After thinking it through, the magistrate stepped forward and said to Lin Fengzhi, "Great Shaman, let's talk in private."

Although Lin Fengzhi had her doubts, she followed the magistrate's advice and walked along the riverbank for a while, avoiding the gaze and inquiries of others.

The stream flows gently, and all things vie for spring's favor.

"To be honest, I originally came for ramie." Listening to the fish leaping and birds chirping, the magistrate's mood gradually relaxed, and he explained to Lin Fengzhi, "The oblique loom is indeed much more efficient than the waist loom, but correspondingly, the consumption of ramie and kudzu has also skyrocketed. If we consider next month's orders, the production of ramie and kudzu in Qianling County may not be enough to support them."

Lin Fengzhi had considered this point.

After accepting the help of Zhao Shi and the county magistrate, the weaving workshop expanded from one room to three, and the number of slanted looms produced also increased. Under the guidance of skilled female workers, beginners were able to master the slanted looms much faster. As mentioned before, the production efficiency of the waist loom and the improved slanted loom were incomparable.

A sturdy, durable, and wide-width piece of cloth can be woven in three days using a slant loom, while it would take at least half a month to weave using a waist loom.

The number of people needed for processes such as hemp harvesting, retting, boiling, and separating fibers is increasing, and Lin Fengzhi has already recruited some people from nearby tribes to work.

The consumption of silk and hemp was astonishing. Even with the contributions of Qu He, Zhao Shi, and the county magistrate, it was difficult to keep up with the operation of the oblique looms.

"But after walking around the lands of the Korlos today, I realized that I had indeed underestimated you."

The clan was thriving and had a large population. Because of the need to transport the cloth out, the road from the clan's territory to the county town was tamped down. Rice and hemp were planted along both sides of the road, and thanks to the guidance of professionals (farmers), they grew vigorously.

Even the houses they lived in gradually became more complete, instead of simple ones.

"These achievements are also inseparable from the support of the county magistrate. If it weren't for you, the county magistrate, paving the way for the sale of the cloth and selling this Xiangjun cloth to Sichuan and the county seat, no matter how much I wove, it would be useless." Lin Fengzhi gave the county magistrate a small compliment.

Xiangjun Cloth was the name given by the county magistrate to the cloth woven on the oblique loom. Originally, it was just for convenience, but now it has truly become a brand.

The magistrate smiled briefly, then quickly composed himself and said seriously, "I observe that the Great Shaman acts decisively and skillfully, and also possesses ingenious ideas. He is destined for great things in the future. I wish to send the Great Shaman to the highest ranks as soon as possible. I wonder what the Great Shaman thinks?"

What constitutes a great stroke of luck? What does it mean to rise to prominence? Lin Fengzhi lowered her eyes in thought. Suddenly, a thought struck her: what was a great stroke of luck in feudal society? Aside from ascending to the throne, it seemed only being appointed as a prime minister or a marquis. But who was involved in being appointed as a prime minister or a marquis?

Naturally, it is the First Emperor, who now holds absolute power.

Lin Fengzhi suddenly raised her head.

As expected, the magistrate stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the river flowing eastward, and said, "His Majesty made an eastern tour this year, and now it seems he has arrived at the old Chu territory. He stayed in Langya for three months before that, and summoned a sorcerer named Xu Fu."

Lin Fengzhi calmed her excitement and could almost guess what the magistrate was going to say next.

Xu Fu and the First Emperor—wasn't that a successful scam? She remembers it all.

"If Xu Fu was able to thrive under His Majesty's rule, then the Great Shaman must have gained favor with His Majesty based on his actions at the Xiangjun Temple and at the water-powered millstone today."

"I would like to recommend the Great Shaman. I wonder if the Great Shaman is willing to embark on this path to high office?"

For some reason, the magistrate concealed Xu Fu's fate.

Lin Fengzhi was of course willing. She hadn't forgotten that she had transmigrated in front of the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum before, and she would do anything to get to Mount Li.

The magistrate's suggestion was like a godsend, a godsend. Lin Fengzhi couldn't have been happier.

-

In the dead of night, an urgent edict was issued from the First Emperor's temporary palace.

The emperor summoned Meng Yi, a high-ranking official, to an audience. Meng Yi dared not delay, donned his outer robe, and rode into the palace immediately with the palace attendant who delivered the imperial edict.

The next day, Meng Yi set off from Sishui to the southwest.

A note from the author:

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