Chapter 391: The Ten Crows' Calamity (Part 1) [Two-in-One]
The winter snow has long since melted, and the weather is gradually warming up.
To pray for a bountiful harvest in the new year, common people would offer sacrifices to Jumang, the god of spring, hoping for good fortune. Although last year's harvest was not particularly good, there was still a small bumper crop, which undoubtedly gave the common people a boost of confidence and greater hope for this year, making the ceremonies even more solemn.
Shen Tang's makeshift troupe is finally not so shabby anymore.
Everyone was dressed in new clothes and looked energetic.
As the saying goes, "Once is unfamiliar, twice is familiar, three or four times is familiar, and Shen Tang has become very skilled at presiding over this kind of sacrifice."
Unlike last year, this year a formally dressed young man with a somewhat familiar face appeared behind Shen Tang.
Judging from his position, the young man is slightly above Shen Jun's subordinates. He is either Shen Jun's newly promoted confidant, a young man whom Shen Jun highly values, or a promising member of his clan who wants to use this occasion to make the young man look good.
The onlookers speculated in their hearts.
The officials and bureaucrats in the administrative office were not so curious.
They all knew Lin Feng's identity, that he was the prized student of the clerk Chu Yao, far more favored than another disciple, Tu Rong. Shen Jun keeping Lin Feng by his side was most likely just to promote a young man, nothing more…
Some glanced at Chu Yao and the others with complicated thoughts—how could they not have some complaints about a young man surpassing them so quickly? However, everyone's expressions were solemn and their posture dignified, showing no sign of dissatisfaction whatsoever.
As the chief priest, Shen Tang is required to lead the people in worshipping Jumang, reciting an agricultural poem or article in front of the altar, and conveying their wishes to the heavens, praying for a bountiful harvest this year.
Having had experience before, Shen Tang was not intimidated at all.
"By the God of Spring, your humble servant, Prefect Shen Youli, along with all the officials under your jurisdiction, offer this prayer, wishing the Prefect of He a bountiful harvest and good fortune in the new year. May the God of Spring bestow His benevolent protection—"
Shen Tang paused slightly at this point.
The reason for last year's bumper harvest.
She roughly figured it out.
This is inextricably linked to the incantation used in the spring plowing ceremony. The incantation's effect brings forth a spring rain, nourishing the land. The planted seeds are then nourished by the energy of heaven and earth, leading to a small harvest in the autumn. This year, the same process will be followed.
In this world where people are forced to sell their children for a single grain of rice, food is extremely precious; it is the lifeblood of ordinary people.
If it could lead to high grain yields, I believe the common people would do it without hesitation, even if it meant using their blood to nourish the land.
May you sow a single grain in spring and reap ten thousand grains in autumn!
As the words were spoken, Shen Tang was already mentally prepared for his spiritual energy to be completely drained from his dantian. Besides Jiang Sheng, Chu Yao and the others were also ready to intervene at any time to prevent their lord from falling into a coma due to the depletion of his spiritual energy during such an important occasion as the spring plowing ceremony.
result--
No response?
Shen Tang blinked blankly.
He raised his hand and touched the location of his dantian, dumbfounded.
Last time it was a case of "unintentional planting yielding unexpected results," but this time it's "deliberate planting failing to produce flowers"? For a moment, Shen Tang felt the atmosphere become incredibly heavy. She quickly composed herself—comforting herself not to be too greedy.
Last year's bumper harvest helped her through a difficult time, which is a blessing that most people can only envy. How can she expect to have such a good harvest every year?
Or perhaps this incantation actually has a cooldown period, requiring over a year to cool down after each use? To ease the tension, Shen Tang racked his brains and recited another poem. Only Jiang Sheng remained bewildered, not understanding why his lord had changed the blessing at the last minute.
"The wheat grows as tall as a person, its branches spreading so far that the ground is invisible. Each husk contains more than ten stalks, and each stalk bears five or six ears. The grains are large and firm, three times more abundant than last year. The carts are laden with harvested wheat, and calves line up one after another... This is all thanks to the benevolence of Heaven, whose timely rains have vanquished thieves and pests, and the fields are now lush and bountiful. Alas, you people, do not forget the blessings of Heaven..."
Shen Tang read the entire passage of "Harvesting Wheat" from beginning to end.
Suppress the slight disappointment in my heart.
well--
Miracles never happen twice.
Shen Tang composed herself and was about to ask the assistant priest Lin Feng to offer incense when a sudden dizziness caused her to stagger forward, her legs feeling as if they no longer belonged to her. Her once abundant and solid dantian was now a turbulent sea, as if a force from the outside was pulling her in, sucking her in like a whale or a bubbling gulp, until she vanished completely. The words she wanted to utter turned into a furious internal curse: "Damn it!"
Gu Chi and the others already had experience.
As long as the spring plowing and sacrificial rites were not over, unexpected things were bound to happen, and the outcome was exactly as they had predicted. However, when they took action, they realized that the situation was far more serious than they had imagined. That incantation was "incredibly greedy," like an unfillable hole.
Fortunately, this year's lineup is more impressive than last year's.
Chu Yaowen finished his work, and Jiang Sheng also had a literary palace.
With the help of these two enormous power banks, they barely managed to hold on. Everyone looked like they had survived a disaster, while Jiang Sheng's face clearly said, "What happened?" Chu Yao and the others told him to keep an eye on their lord during the spring plowing ceremony, as there might be a problem with his literary energy. They urged him to act quickly to help, lest their lord be harmed by the backlash of the Word Spirit. They called this "a lack of literary energy"?
Zhao Feng, who was watching the sacrificial ceremony: "???"
This scene... damn, it feels so familiar.
That was the case last year.
This must be a unique feature of Fugu City.
Several veteran officials trembled inwardly, but with last year's events as a precedent, they managed to keep their composure—if the God of Spring was truly angered, last year would not have been a bumper harvest, and this year would likely be the same… Don't panic, stay calm.
With Lin Feng's help, Shen Tang regained her balance.
Her face was pale, and she took a couple of breaths before recovering.
"Lingde, go and offer incense."
Lin Feng looked at his lord with concern. Seeing that she could still stand firmly, he gritted his teeth and did as she was told.
As the smoke curled upwards, the voice from last year echoed in her ears once more, beginning with the familiar lines: "Shennong made plows and hoes to benefit the world; Yao commanded his four sons to respectfully instruct the people on the seasons; Shun commanded Houji to prioritize food in governance..."
Unlike Shen Tang and the others whose dantian were emptied, Lin Feng's dantian was filled, with a towering, gigantic palace appearing and disappearing amidst the clouds and mist. She didn't need to look closely to be certain that it was the "Agricultural" Palace she had seen before.
What secrets are hidden inside this magnificent palace?
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Lin Feng suddenly woke up.
The first thing I saw was the teacher's concerned gaze.
"Are you feeling unwell?" Chu Yao asked.
Lin Feng shook his head: "No—"
His literary flair inexplicably increased significantly.
She thought she had fainted, but in reality she was just dazed and absent-minded. Although there were some setbacks, the spring plowing ceremony still proceeded smoothly. As the chief officiant, Shen Tang drove the oxen to the fields to plow and sow the seeds of grain, while the other officials worked together.
Shen Tang followed the whole process last year.
Due to the special circumstances this year, we can only go through the motions.
It wasn't that she wanted to be lazy, but her physical strength was simply too much. She was panting heavily after just a few steps, her legs feeling like two noodles. She said, "If I don't have a bumper harvest this year, it would really be a waste of all the suffering I've endured..."
Several power banks were also drained dry.
They sat on the ridges of the field to rest, completely disregarding their appearance.
Jiang Sheng could no longer hold back his words until this moment.
What just happened?
Shen Tang glanced at Zhao Feng, who was helping in other fields, and changed her words: "To put it simply, my way of the scholar is related to farming. Using incantations can nourish a small area and increase the chances of a good harvest, but this has its advantages and disadvantages—each incantation requires a huge amount of literary energy, and even with you added this year, we are still in such a mess..."
Jiang Sheng: "..."
How big is Heyin County?
Covering such a large area would consume the full literary energy of several top scholars, and that would only increase the probability of a bumper harvest. If there were other uncontrollable external factors, such as locusts flying in from other places, all the hard work would be in vain.
Looking at it this way, it really is a useless thing.
but--
Our lord possesses the Imperial Seal.
In other words, is this actually the way of the feudal lords?
It's still very weak now, but once it gains momentum, its potential will be immeasurable. Jiang Sheng understood immediately, but still complained, "Why weren't you informed beforehand?"
Qi Shan smiled and said, "Didn't I already say that?"
Jiang Sheng felt annoyed whenever he saw him.
I only refrained from offending him out of consideration for my colleague.
"You call that informing me?"
Qi Shan said, "That's not because I'm afraid of being overheard. With your intelligence, I'm sure you'll understand..."
Some things can only be said implicitly, not directly.
He mentioned everything that was both explicit and implicit.
Jiang Sheng was speechless for a moment, then asked, "Is there anything else you're hiding from me?"
Qi Shan replied decisively, "No."
Jiang Sheng snorted coldly: "Then it is."
Qi Shan: "..."
Surrounded by enemies on all sides, life is really too difficult.
He often argued with Chu Wuhui, frequently exchanged hurtful words with Gu Wangchao, and was an old enemy of Jiang Xiandeng. Only his "cousin" Kang Jishou could offer him some warmth.
As for the lord? ??
Haha, who collected all these people?
It's not even our own lord yet.
Qi Shan sneered, "Yes, there is."
Jiang Sheng looked as if he had known all along, and Qi Shan said, "This matter concerns our lord, you certainly don't know about it yet."
Upon hearing that their criticism was directed at her, Shen Tang, fearing she would become an innocent bystander, got up, dusted herself off, and left. She hadn't gone far when she heard Jiang Sheng speak.
"I am naturally aware of that matter concerning my lord..."
Qi Shan dared to gamble with Kang Shi.
This guy must still be misunderstanding.
Jiang Shengwei was slightly angry: "...To bring up the lord's private flaws in public, Qi Yuanliang, you're really something!"
Qi Shan: "..."
Shen Tang: "???"
Her...private defect?
How come I didn't know?
She took three steps back.
What private defects do I have?
Jiang Sheng suddenly became the target of public criticism.
He was being stared at by everyone, including his enemy Qi Yuanliang, who was there to see him make a fool of himself. The one with the brightest eyes was none other than the lord who had told him the secret. Jiang Sheng frowned—if Qi Yuanliang, as a "newcomer," knew the secret, there was no reason why the other elders wouldn't. His lord's expression earlier hadn't seemed like a joke either. He considered his options and set up a spell to prevent the conversation from leaking out.
He isolated himself from everyone except Shen Tang.
The two began to whisper to each other.
"Didn't you say earlier that you were..."
Shen Tang said, "I did say that before."
Jiang Sheng finished speaking the remaining words: "...Heavenly eunuch."
Shen Tang wished she could jump up and down and change her mind.
Enraged, he retorted, "I never said that!"
Jiang Sheng: "...???"
His words could block the transmission of sound, but they couldn't block Gu Chi's mind-reading. The latter was already laughing like a hen hiccuping, becoming increasingly unrestrained. Seeing this, Jiang Sheng realized he had misunderstood and looked at the others.
Gu Chi looked at Jiang Sheng helplessly. Their lord's hints and suggestions were so obvious, and the rest of them would occasionally give him pointers, but Jiang Sheng just couldn't get it. He suppressed a laugh and said, "My lord, my lord is a genuine woman. How can you say she's a eunuch?"
Qi Shan added casually, "You didn't recognize your beautiful wife back then, and you don't recognize the master you serve today. Your eyesight is poor."
Everyone: "..."
Jiang Sheng gritted his teeth: "...Qi! Yuan! Liang!"
What happened next is unknown to outsiders; even the officials in the government office only saw a few people fighting in a distant place.
To be precise, it was Qi Shan and Jiang Sheng who fought, while the others tried to break it up.
After that, Jiang Sheng had a fever for a few days.
Numerous cooling and heat-clearing herbs failed to suppress the fire, and the old doctor Dong at the clinic repeatedly warned him that he was not young anymore and that excessive liver fire was detrimental to his health. Within two days, Jiang Sheng, in a fit of rage, went and hired two puppies to specifically attack Qi Shan's cat.
Shen Tang: "..."
Because of the brawl sparked by Qi Shan's provocation, the group's appearance was deemed unsuitable for the meat distribution ceremony. Shen Tang had no choice but to have the meat delivered to their respective residences. He then confined the two individuals for three days each, deducted half a month's salary, and ordered them to write self-criticisms.
The two of them then quieted down for a while.
only--
I've heard that the cat and dog alliance in Fugu City is now irreconcilable.
With allies joining Chu Wuhui, his lowly dog was no longer so easily bullied and unable to fight back. The two factions fought back and forth, making quite a spectacle of it. Qi Shan, relying on Su Shang's powerful reproductive ability, saw her cat's power expand day by day.
Surprisingly, they didn't fall behind.
"...These two are at most five years old combined, no more than that." Shen Tang couldn't help but complain to Gu Chi, "Each of them is incredibly cunning on their own, and when they're together, they're practically brainless..."
Gu Chi was optimistic and laughed, "This kind of commotion is better than a real fight. Yuanliang and Xian Deng have quite a grudge..."
Shen Tang's mother sighed, "Perhaps, we can only turn hostility into friendship when they actually cooperate on the battlefield."
Gu Chi had no hope of that.
It's normal for subordinates to have occasional conflicts and disagreements; it would be abnormal for them to be all loving and harmonious like a family. Even Gu Ren's twelve sworn brothers had their disagreements. As long as the struggle doesn't escalate to the point of causing death or disregarding the overall situation, it's just considered a bit of fun. After all, the last time two scholars disregarded decorum and fought was between Qi Shan and Chu Yao.
Such a lively scene is truly rare!
Every performance we see is one less we can witness.
Gu Chi even privately "advised" Qi Shan (stirred things up), asking, "Do you have any like-minded close friends?"
"What are you doing?" Qi Shan suspected he hadn't finished holding it in.
"Isn't this because I'm afraid you'll be 'isolated and helpless'?"
Qi Shan remained silent for a while.
but--
He covered his face and said, "Never mind, I want to live for another two years."
His so-called "close friends" were all just as secretly planning things as Gu Chi. If they came, it was hard to say whether they would be there to bolster his own reputation or to add soil to his grave.
To some extent—
His enemies and his "closest friends" overlapped to a great extent.
Gu Chi: "..."
Qi Shan's survival until now is truly thanks to his scholarly ways, especially his "exquisite calligraphy and painting." To paraphrase the lord, as long as Qi Shan has enough aliases, he's not afraid of them being exposed.
He Yin's days were just as dull as last year.
Shen Tang, this corporate slave, has endless work every day, and his buttocks are inseparable from the mat.
A day is defined as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.
The only things that kept Shen Tang from being distracted by the changing scenery, the growing prosperity of Fugu City, the stumbling but steady progress of Yu Zi's literary talent, the continuous improvement of Bai Su and Lü Jue's cultivation levels, and the transformation of Lu Xiaoniangzi from a helper to a permanent resident all silently reminded Shen Tang that time had not stopped, but was slowly and steadily passing by.
One day, Shen Tang was surprised to find that her clothes had shrunk by a size again, and that her spring clothes had been changed into summer clothes. Only then did she realize that it was already midsummer.
Following closely behind, an imperial decree issued by the royal court also caused a great uproar in Fugu City, with everyone displaying different expressions.
A new volume has started! (#^.^#)
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(End of this chapter)
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