Chapter 12 Aiding the enemy? No, this is my KPI!
The honey trap failed miserably, and Yun Zhan secluded himself for two days. Mainly, he was too ashamed to face Yan Linye. Every time he saw the other's all-knowing gaze, he felt like he could dig a three-bedroom apartment out of the ground with his toes.
Just as he was pondering whether he should move to another planet, Yan Linye invited him to go with him to the manor outside the city to check on the spring planting.
Yun Zhan initially wanted to refuse, but then he thought, how could he find new assassination opportunities if he always stayed in the villa? So he reluctantly agreed.
Upon arriving at the field and seeing the bustling agricultural scene before him, Yun Zhan, a modern-day office worker who was not physically active, surprisingly felt a little... curious.
Then he stopped laughing.
In the fields, farmers worked in groups of several, chanting as they laboriously pulled a heavy, straight-shafted plow. The plow was heavy and deep, requiring two or three people to pull with all their might, while another person pushed and assisted from behind, just to barely plow through the hardened soil. Each person was drenched in sweat, panting heavily, yet progress was pitifully slow.
"This is too much trouble!" Yun Zhan stared in disbelief, instinctively complaining, "With such low efficiency, how long will it take to plow like this?"
Yan Linye stood beside him, sighed upon hearing this, and looked worried: "Yes, the straight-plow is difficult to turn, plowing is laborious, inefficient, and people's lives are very difficult."
Yun Zhan felt a pang of unease looking at the farmers. Although he had come to assassinate Yan Linye, whether as an emperor or as a person from later generations, seeing the people suffering so much still touched him.
At that moment, a term instantly popped into his mind—the curved-shaft plow! This was an amazing farming tool! Lightweight, flexible, and could be operated by one person and one ox, with incredibly high efficiency!
A thought flashed through my mind like lightning.
What if he... "invented" the curved plow? How much labor would that have freed up? How much would it have increased grain production?
"System! System!" he shouted excitedly in his mind, "Quick! Open the shop, do you have the blueprints for the curved plow?"
[Searching... "Illustrated Guide to the Development and Improvement of Ancient Agricultural Tools" found, requiring 500 points. Host does not have enough points.]
"500! You might as well rob me!" Yun Zhan winced, but looking at the farmer in front of him, he gritted his teeth and said, "I'll pay on credit! Give me credit first!"
[This system does not offer credit. Furthermore, please note that if this item is successfully created, it will significantly improve agricultural efficiency and strengthen the target's power base. Nature of action: Seriously aiding the enemy. Implementation is not recommended.]
"What do you know? This is called playing the long game!" Yun Zhan retorted. "Don't you understand gaining trust? I'm making a strategic investment for the ultimate victory!"
The system was completely speechless after he did that.
Since the system doesn't allow credit, Yun Zhan had no choice but to rely on himself! Relying on his memory and understanding, he found a twig and started drawing on the ground.
Yan Linye was originally looking after the farmland when he noticed Yun Zhan squatting on the ground drawing strange symbols. Curious, he came over and asked, "Yun Zhan, what are you drawing?"
"Great stuff!" Yun Zhan didn't even look up, focusing on reconstructing the structure of the curved plow from his memory. "This is called a curved plow! It's much better than this clunky thing you're using now!"
As he drew, he explained to Yan Linye, "Look, by changing the straight shaft to a curved shaft, it becomes much more flexible when turning! With this, one person and one ox can work faster and with less effort than three or four people can now!"
Yan Linye initially found it amusing, but the more he listened, the brighter his eyes became. He was already interested in farming, and upon hearing Yun Zhan's explanation, combined with the simple map on the ground, he immediately realized its immense value!
"Yun Zhan, is this thing... truly so miraculous?" Yan Linye's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible excitement.
"Of course! Why would I lie to you!" Yun Zhan clapped his hands triumphantly after finishing the last stroke. "Find a skilled carpenter and blacksmith, make one based on this and see for yourself!"
Yan Linye stared intently at Yun Zhan, his eyes filled with complex emotions. This extraordinary fellow, Yun Zhan, actually knew such ingenious ways of improving agricultural tools?
He immediately gave the order to find the best craftsmen on the estate. Yun Zhan communicated with the craftsmen, using gestures and halting movements. A few days later, the first curved plow, improved based on Yun Zhan's "blueprints," was born!
On the day of the trial, almost everyone in the village came to watch. When they saw an ox pulling a light, curved plow, turning nimbly in the field, easily breaking through the soil, and plowing out straight and deep furrows, everyone was astonished!
"My God! This...this is too fast!"
"One person and one cow were all it took?!"
"This plow is so useful!"
The farmers surrounded the new plow, touching and examining it repeatedly, their faces beaming with excitement and joy. Their eyes were filled with gratitude as they looked at Yun Zhan, as if he were a savior descended to earth to rescue them from suffering.
Looking at this scene, and then at Yun Zhan beside him who was a little embarrassed by the gratitude shown to him by everyone, Yan Linye was filled with excitement. He knew that if this plow could be promoted throughout the world, it would save countless lives and bring lasting benefits!
"Yun Zhan, you've done a great service!" Yan Linye couldn't help but pat him on the shoulder, his tone sincere.
Yun Zhan felt a surge of joy, believing he had done something truly remarkable. Just then, the system notification sounded:
[Ding—Host behavior detected: Providing key technology to a crucial figure in a hostile faction, significantly enhancing agricultural productivity in their territory, constitutes serious aid to the enemy. According to the rules, 300 points will be deducted.]
"What?!" Yun Zhan's smile froze instantly, and he screamed inwardly, "Points deducted?! And 300?! Xiao Qi, are you crazy! I was clearly doing a good deed!"
[The rules have been correctly determined. The host's actions have objectively enhanced the target force's war potential and public morale, while increasing the host's own survival difficulties.]
"Bullshit!" Yun Zhan jumped up and down in anger. "I am still the Emperor of Dayin! All the people in this world are my subjects! How can improving the lives of my own people and raising the agricultural level of Dayin be considered aiding the enemy?"
[...] The system seemed speechless at his sophistry.
Yun Zhan pressed his advantage, continuing to employ his talent for sophistry: "Besides! What's your system called? 'The Tyrant's Self-Saving System,' right? Let me ask you this: I improve people's livelihoods, let the people live a good life, prevent public resentment from boiling over, and prevent the country from perishing. Isn't that saving myself from the root? Does your system only encourage me to kill people, but not to be a good emperor to save myself? Your logic doesn't make sense!"
The more he talked, the more convinced he became of his point: "I'm doing this indirectly to save myself! You should reward me! Why should I lose points?!"
[...Logic chain being reorganized...] The system's electronic voice seemed to be filled with static. [...Unable to completely refute the host's viewpoint. Ding—Side quest 'Improving People's Livelihood' activated. The host successfully promoted the curved plow, benefiting the people, and received a points reward: 300 points. Current points: 600 points.]
Yun Zhan: "!!!"
Not only did he not lose any points, he actually gained 300? He almost roared with excitement! Indeed, knowledge is power! It's like points!
"That's more like it!" Yun Zhan breathed a sigh of relief, then became smug again. "See? That's called negotiation skills! You have to know how to bargain with the boss... no, with the system too!"
[…Host, please note that the main quest 'Assassinate Yan Linye' remains the highest priority.] The system reminded you, somewhat frustrated.
"Okay, okay!" Yun Zhan waved his hand, in an extremely good mood, and suddenly felt...
This seems like a good idea?
It allows you to help people, earn points, and avoid the fear of carrying out flawed assassinations.
As for Yan Linye...
Yun Zhan stroked his chin, looking at the "chosen one" gleaming in the sunlight. The assassination attempt could wait; there were other ways to earn points anyway.
He scurried over and started discussing with the old carpenter whether the plow could be improved, completely forgetting his tragic status as a "skull reserve".
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