Chapter 209, exclusively published on Jinjiang Literature City: Not a monster, but a celestial messenger...
The officials quickly set up ten large iron pots at the entrance and, in front of everyone, washed and chopped cabbages and radishes, then poured them into the pots with water to start stewing.
In addition to radishes/cabbage, it also contains sweet potato starch, cured meat or salted fish, and lard from the by-product trade.
As the broth in the pot bubbled and steamed, the rich, meaty aroma quickly spread throughout the entire street.
"Gurgle—"
"Slurp—"
"Gulp."
Stomachs growled, and the sound of people unconsciously swallowing saliva came from all directions. The people stared intently at the large pot in front of them, their gazes burning as if they wanted to pierce through the iron pot.
If it weren't for the officials standing in front of them, the viewers in the live stream might have even suspected that they would have just rushed over and snatched it.
Liu Wenchi felt quite saddened upon seeing this.
When the beasts attacked, the city obtained a lot of meat, but most of it was given to the garrison. The cured meat and sausages that families had stockpiled earlier were also eaten up long ago, and the people in the city had not tasted meat for a long time.
Knowing that everyone was getting impatient, Liu Wenchi didn't waste any more words and announced loudly, "From now on, a large pot of food will be cooked every seven days, and everyone can come and get a portion."
The types of ingredients used may vary each time, depending on the by-products and surplus grains in the supplies, but they are always rich stews with some oil, enough to satisfy the people's appetites.
"Now, nutritional supplements, salt and sugar, and communal meals—whoever wants one first can line up!"
Finally, the most crucial sentence was uttered, and the crowd quickly stirred, with countless people rushing towards the direction they had already spotted.
The officials quickly stepped forward to maintain order.
"Don't push, don't push, there's enough for everyone!"
"Do not push or shove anyone around you! Anyone found causing harm will be immediately disqualified from receiving supplies!"
The stern warnings managed to calm the crowd down and stop them from pushing and shoving. Occasionally, they would help someone who was about to trip, but their pushing and shoving did not slow down at all.
Soon, the first group of people at the front of the line received their share of nutritional supplements/salt, sugar, and stew.
Leaving the former aside for now, the latter is the focus of everyone's attention at this moment.
A large spoonful of soup was poured into a bowl, with more vegetables than soup. The people quickly blew on it and eagerly poured the food into their mouths, even though it was so hot that they spit it out. They were so amazed by the taste that their pupils dilated in shock.
Anyone who has eaten communal meals knows that while the taste isn't terrible, it's certainly not great.
The mutated radish and cabbage have a superior flavor. Even though it's difficult to control the heat and seasoning due to the large-scale cooking method, the original flavor of the vegetables is already delicious enough!
After stewing, the radish loses all its spiciness and fishy smell, and tastes sweet and refreshing. The radish pieces are soft but not mushy, and melt in your mouth with just a touch of your tongue. Even toothless elderly people can eat it without any difficulty.
The mutated cabbage is even more amazing. Not only is it sweeter than radish, but every leaf is also full of meaty flavor. The slightly firm cabbage stalks are stewed until soft while retaining a certain crispness, making them quite chewy.
There are also sweet potato noodles, which I've never tried before. They have a smooth yet chewy texture, and when they soak up the broth, they taste even better than regular noodles.
Many people had never had such a delicious stew on their tables before the disaster, and they ate it until their faces turned red.
"Mmm! It's so delicious!"
"These radishes are so fresh and sweet, they taste so much better than the ones I used to buy at the vegetable stall!"
"Cabbage is also delicious, it's crisp and sweet."
"What is that slippery, noodle-like thing? It's so slippery, it slid right down my throat before I even took a bite."
"Ah! There's a slice of cured meat in my bowl!"
As soon as the word "meat" was uttered, the surrounding crowd, whose mouths were greasy from eating, immediately turned to look.
Upon seeing this, the disaster victim, fearing that the meat would be snatched away, quickly picked it up and stuffed it into his mouth. Reluctant to swallow it immediately, he held it in his mouth, repeatedly sucking on the meat and savoring its flavor.
No one else could pry the meat out of his mouth, so all they could do was cast envious and jealous glances at him and keep rummaging through their own bowls, trying to find any meat slices.
If someone is lucky enough to find one, it will inevitably attract a lot of envious people.
Liu Wenchi and the others also took a small bowl to try, and exclaimed, "The taste is indeed excellent." No wonder the people ate without even looking up.
Liu Ziming really liked the mutated radish in the stew, thinking that if all mutated crops tasted this good, they would have gotten a great deal from their transaction with Lu Xuan.
After finishing his stew, Magistrate Zhao wiped his mouth and said to Lu Xuan with a smile, "The people are able to receive these supplies today thanks to Young Master Lu's generosity. On behalf of the people of the city, I would like to express my gratitude to Young Master Lu."
Liu Ziming, who was standing not far from Magistrate Zhao, paused slightly, looked up at Magistrate Zhao, and pursed his lips.
Lu Xuan glanced at Magistrate Zhao, and gave a cryptic smile. "There's nothing to thank me for. It's just a transaction where each of us gets what we need."
Viewers who were secretly mooching off the disaster victims' communal meals couldn't help but roll their eyes and complain:
Does this guy surnamed Zhao really think nobody knows the bullshit he spouted yesterday?
[Thank you, streamer? I don't see any gratitude from him at all! His eyes are practically oozing calculation!]
[Yesterday they even tried to use moral blackmail to get the streamer to take the supplies for free! What a joke! The streamer has absolutely no morals!]
[Pfft, I'm not sure if the person above is a fan or a hater of the streamer.]
[Anchor: As long as I have no morals, no one can morally blackmail me!]
[Actually, Magistrate Zhao only wanted to obtain more supplies for the people of the prefectural city, so he can't be entirely called a villain.]
[Regardless of the reason, the streamer's supplies didn't fall from the sky. This guy surnamed Zhao trying to get something for nothing is shameless! Tsk!]
I just want to know if Liu Wenchi will really be swayed by that guy surnamed Zhao.
[Probably not. Didn't he warn that guy surnamed Zhao not to cause trouble yesterday?]
He'd better maintain this attitude, otherwise the streamer might as well just walk away and make them regret it!
Why are you leaving? Are you going to abandon your debts?
[Just come and collect it next time you harvest, or just take it! Ideally, take the greenhouse too!]
"Then let's not do it. Even if the government really did something wrong, the common people are always innocent. Without warm houses, who knows how many people will starve to death. It's too tragic."
Because there was more than one set of supplies to be distributed, almost no one left the scene. Instead, many more people who were not well-informed arrived late, and the streets became increasingly crowded.
While the audience was enthusiastically discussing the matter, Liu Wenchi took advantage of the large crowd to announce the construction of the greenhouse.
When the people learned that the government had acquired new superior seeds and was going to build warm houses to protect against the cold and heat, they were immediately excited.
Liu Wenchi said, "Anyone who is willing to help build the greenhouse can register at the government office. However, the payment for building the greenhouse, including the subsequent repair of the city wall, will no longer be paid with food rations, but will be replaced with cooling patches or ready-made pills."
The excited crowd paused, looking somewhat suspicious.
They understand pills, but what are cooling patches?
As usual, Liu Wenchi took a small amount of cooling and warming patches and had a few people try them on the spot.
The amazing experience of a single patch making one's upper body feel cool/warm has once again broadened people's horizons, prompting them to exclaim in amazement.
Liu Wenchi also stated that in addition to the cooling patches, the government office also has better bio-suits, but the number of bio-suits is limited, and those who want them must find a way to exchange them with resources.
In the past, people struggled to even get enough to eat, let alone exchange goods for other things.
With nutrient solutions and communal meals, wild vegetables or game obtained in the wild could be preserved.
With more than a month to go before the hottest season, families with many members might be able to afford a new bio-suit if they put in the effort.
If you really can't find a replacement, getting more cooling patches is a good thing.
Whether it's the nutritional supplements, the cooling patches, or the bio-clothing, it's clear to anyone with eyes that these are not things that ordinary people could afford.
Someone in the crowd shouted at Lu Xuan, who hadn't spoken yet, "Did this young master bring all these supplies? We heard that you flew down from the sky. May we ask if you are a celestial messenger sent by the gods to save us?"
The other people were in an uproar.
"Flew down from the sky? There really is such a person!? I thought it was nonsense."
"These supplies from the government office are indeed extraordinary, unlike anything from ordinary objects. Could they really have been brought by a celestial messenger?"
"That must be it! Some people said before that it was some kind of demon, but would a demon give us so many treasures? It must be a celestial envoy!"
"Celestial Envoy!"
"Celestial Envoy!"
Faced with the increasing number of voices calling him "Immortal Envoy," Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow, his face showing no sign of tension or hesitation. Instead, he nodded frankly and said, "If you say so, then so be it. These supplies are indeed from outer space."
When you're out in the world, you give yourself your own identity.
"Fairy Envoy" sounds much better than "Demon".
Many people in Yunlu Village believe that he has already become an immortal, and it wouldn't be a problem for him to come out and serve as an immortal messenger.
The viewers in the live stream accepted it well, and many even started playing role-playing games with great enthusiasm.
The streamer is a celestial messenger, and we are the immortals; in other words, the streamer is our underling!
"Work hard, little brother! I have high hopes for you! When you've achieved your goals and returned to the Immortal Realm, I'll make you my gatekeeper."
[Upstairs, you're really daring.]
Seeing that the people were filled with gratitude and excitement for Lu Xuan, and that many of them even knelt down and kowtowed to Lu Xuan like the relatives and friends at the clinic before, Liu Wenchi did not try to correct or stop them at all.
However, Judge Zhao noticed that the people were even more respectful towards Lu Xuan than when they were facing him, and he couldn't help but frown.
·
A residential house in the south of the city.
"Dad! I'm back! I brought back stew!" A middle-aged man excitedly opened the door, carrying a small basket of supplies.
The old man, whose face was pale, coughed twice and struggled to sit up from the wooden bed.
Was he delirious from his illness? How could he hear his son talking about stew?
But soon, he smelled a rich aroma of meat, which made him instantly alert.
What does it taste like?
The middle-aged man carefully placed the supply basket on the table, took out a stew covered with a cloth, sat down by the bed, and grinned, "Dad, look, stew! It's from the government office. We can get one every seven days. This is yours. Eat up, and then we'll go to the clinic."
The old man, smelling the fragrant stew, couldn't help but swallow. With his son feeding him, he didn't bother to ask any questions and quickly finished the hot dish.
After a long absence, the old man, feeling full, burped. His furrowed brows finally relaxed, and he regained some strength. He turned to his son and asked, "Tell me in detail, why did the government office serve stew?"
He glanced at the basket on the table again. "Today shouldn't be the day for rations, right?"
The middle-aged man learned that his father was asleep and hadn't heard the official's announcement, so he excitedly and patiently told him what had happened.
"The clinic has medicine now, Dad. Let me help you get dressed. Let's hurry to the clinic to get some medicine and cure your illness. Then you can come with me to get supplies next time."
Knowing that her illness would be a burden on her son, the old woman did not refuse the suggestion to go to the clinic. While putting on her shoes, she continued to ask, "Is that nutritional supplement really that magical? You can feel full after just a couple of bites?"
The son exclaimed excitedly, "I had a bite on the way back, and I was almost full after eating the stew. Then I had another bite of the nutritional supplement and I was stuffed! It's definitely the right one. With the nutritional supplement, we don't have to worry about going hungry anymore!"
Upon hearing this, the old man was both excited and somewhat reproachful, saying, "I'm already full from the stew, why would I need nutritional supplements? It's such a waste."
The middle-aged man laughed and said, "Our father and I will each receive eight portions. The prefect already gave us a little extra, so it won't matter if we're short a bit. Father, let's go to the clinic quickly. You're old, so I got an extra portion of candy. I'll give you some candy to sweeten your mouth after you finish your medicine."
The old man was happy inside, but said aloud, "Why would someone my age eat candy?"
...
Similar conversations were also occurring in other parts of the city.
Elderly people who are frail and have difficulty breathing often find their breath restored after eating stew.
When pregnant or postpartum women who are feeling unwell eat sugar, their pale complexions seem to regain some color.
The child ate the sweet candy and smiled after months of separation.
Patients with various health problems who had to endure their illnesses because the clinic had no medicine were also gradually leaving their homes and heading to the clinic, supported by their relatives.
Some people were injured and scarred during animal attacks. It's okay to have injuries on the body, but for young people who are not yet married, scars on their faces can make it difficult to get married.
When I was starving, I didn't have the mind to think about these things, but now that I see a glimmer of hope to survive, I can't help but reconsider getting treatment.
These people originally just wanted to try their luck and ask if it could be cured. Unexpectedly, when they went to the clinic, they found that there was indeed medicine that could treat the symptoms. Moreover, it was said that as long as they applied it a few more times, the scars could be completely removed without leaving any trace in at most half a month!
"It doesn't even leave a trace. It truly lives up to its reputation as a divine medicine provided by the celestial envoy!"
"Just a few pounds of wild vegetables or a few ounces of meat in exchange for a dose of ointment, it's such a great deal!" The patient's eyes lit up with excitement.
·
While the people in the city were overjoyed with the new supplies and the new clinics that had medicine, spreading the name of Lu Xuan as the celestial messenger further and further, Liu Wenchi and other officials had already left the city to select locations for the greenhouses.
Lu Xuan told them that in addition to the high temperatures of summer, there would still be two months of continuous heavy rain this year.
To avoid flooding, the greenhouse had to be built at a high altitude, similar to that of the city.
At the same time, it should also take into account the advantages of being flat and easy to cultivate, and being less likely to be attacked by concentrated forces during the extreme cold season.
Area is also important, of course.
The additional acreage in the second round should also be taken into account, so there should be at least 20,000 mu of open land suitable for planting.
After selecting the location, the government officials and their men went around the streets in the south of the city to announce that people should come to work outside the city the next morning.
·
"So, the construction of greenhouses in Luochuan City will begin tomorrow?" Lei Yan asked from the other end of the communicator.
Lu Xuan nodded, "After I finish building the greenhouse for them and wait for the garrison general to return to trade the remaining weapons and hoverboards, I will move on to the next location."
Lu Qing was a little worried: "The supplies you traded out will only be recouped after they harvest the grain. Do you have enough supplies? If not, your brother-in-law and I have some more here."
Lu Xuan: "No need, I trade according to inventory, there won't be any shortage. How are you doing at home?"
Lu Qing smiled and said, "We're doing fine."
Her life is very regular now.
Lu Miaomiao helps with the housework. Every day, besides occasionally chatting with the women in the village who have free time and preparing some clothes for the unborn baby, she also uses the treatment device from time to time to look at the baby's ultrasound image and see the baby stretching its limbs in her belly.
I'm more than five months pregnant and have already made a preliminary determination of the baby's gender.
Modern hospitals, including some compassionate healers from ancient times, would not disclose the sex of the fetus to patients. However, the Lu family possessed a treatment device that immediately confirmed that Lu Qing's baby was a boy.
Lu Chen has been frequently talking about "How is my eldest nephew doing today?" and "How is my eldest nephew doing after he came out?" He has clearly transformed from a brother-obsessed person to a nephew-obsessed person.
Lei Yan said, "The village has been relatively quiet these past two days. Cheng Ming and the others couldn't stay still, so they changed into their diving gear and went to the beach. By the time you come back, I estimate that each household will have a lot more seafood."
Lu Xuan nodded. "Tell them to be careful and not to go into deep waters. If they encounter big storms and something happens to me, there will be no one to rescue them."
Lei Yan: "Don't worry, they know what's good for them."
After talking for a while, they hung up the phone. Lu Xuan put on the holographic helmet, played some holographic games, and then went to sleep.
·
The wilderness two miles outside Luochuan City.
Materials for building greenhouses were piled up like mountains on the open ground. The 50,000 able-bodied men and women who had been summoned were divided into hundreds of teams under the leadership of the officials. Each team received a portion of the materials, carefully carried them on their backs, and went to their designated locations to begin building the greenhouses.
Because of the large area and the lack of pre-cultivated land, in addition to building the greenhouse, they also need to clear away debris on the ground, including scattered trees and stones. The efficiency is slower than in Yangshan County. It is estimated that it will take at least two or three days to complete the construction.
Lu Xuan did not interfere with the construction process. He just felt that since the people in the city said he was a celestial messenger, he should at least show some traces of the celestial messenger's work.
Upon learning that he intended to demonstrate the miracles, Liu Wenchi was taken aback and asked, "How...how are you going to demonstrate that?"
Zhang Tongzhi, Liu Ziming, and others couldn't help but show their anticipation, while Zhao Tongpan was somewhat doubtful.
Lu Xuan said, "I can help turn the soil."
Everyone: "???"
A hint of disdain flashed in Judge Zhao's eyes. Turning over the ground is nothing special, isn't it something anyone can do?
Lu Xuan seemed oblivious to the suspicion in everyone's eyes and said calmly, "The ground may shake slightly during the tilling process. I would appreciate it if you could inform the people in advance to avoid them mistaking it for an earthquake and causing unnecessary panic."
Everyone was even more puzzled.
How does turning over the soil relate to an earthquake?
However, Liu Wenchi vaguely realized that what Lu Xuan meant by turning over the land was probably not the same as what they remembered, so he quickly waved to Liu Ziming and told him to go and inform the surrounding people.
After confirming that the message had been properly delivered, Lu Xuan went to the first batch of greenhouses that had been built.
Not far behind him, officials and commoners craned their necks, while Zhao Tongpan stood with his hands behind his back, his face full of a look of anticipation, as if to say, "I'll see what tricks you're going to pull."
Then, Lu Xuan really put on a great show for him.
The earth-based superpower, which had only been shown to the villagers of Yunlu Village, was being displayed to outsiders for the first time.
The ground trembled slightly at first, then the hard ground began to crack, the soil churned, and the roots of weeds and stones were dug out.
Everyone present: "!!!"
God, a deity has appeared!
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