Protect Our Clan Leader

“Wang Juan, greeting the Family Head.” Wang Juan, along with some of the principals from the farm, welcomed the arrival of Wang Shouzhe.

She was only around twenty-six or seven years old, but she carried herself with poise and efficiency. Even the old ancestor Xiaohan had been consistently singing her praises.

“Dispense with the formalities.” Wang Shouzhe waved his hand dismissively. “I am primarily here to inspect the development and advancements in technology in the terraced fields. Wang Juan, lead the way.”

Initially, his plan had been to develop the large terraces within the span of a year or two. However, recent flooding had resulted in a large number of displaced refugees.

Therefore, establishing terraced farm fields has become an imperative task at hand. Dredging rivers and constructing embankments wouldn’t require so many workers. Even if the Wang Clan was wealthy, they couldn’t afford to support so many idle people.

“Yes, Family Head.” Without any unnecessary words, Wang Juan led the way straight away towards the experimental terraced fields.

The large experimental site was situated on the northern slope of the Prosperous Farm.

The northern slope, facing the south, received abundant sunlight. It has a mild gradient and offered extensive space for development.

There were a great number of terraces constructed upon the northern slope. As it was currently the time for wheat to head and fill the grain, upon Wang Shouzhe’s glance over the fields, he saw an ocean of green stretching out before him in countless layers, varying in height – a truly spectacular sight.

“Reporting to the Family Head,” Wang Juan led Wang Shouzhe all the way and reported, “This experimental terraced field area measures about three hundred acres, currently planted with our Royal Clan No.19 wheat variety. Since we have a better control over irrigation, it helps in more precise cultivation. Therefore, these crops are growing very well, and the quality of the wheat produced might be even better.”

“The main challenges in terrace cultivation lie in the difficulties of development, irrigation, and transportation.” Wang Juan stated concisely, “Firstly, regarding transportation, as the terraced fields vary in height, transportation costs are high. Often, manual labour is required to carry the loads. In response to this, following the Family Head’s instruction, I have constructed cement roads like ribbons threading through the terraces. This way, we can utilise oxcarts, horse-drawn carriages, or rickshaws for transportation. Despite requiring significant short-term investment, it greatly reduces the labour required for long-term transportation.”

Upon checking, Wang Shouzhe saw a winding cement road meandering upwards among the elevated and intricate terraces, reaching the very top of them.

“Additionally, as per the Family Head’s request for an experimental monorail transport vehicle, I have also built one.” Wang Juan said, “At the highest point of the terraces, there is a winch. The torque generated by oxen can be used to drive the winch gear, pulling the monorail transport vehicle to the highest point. Once loaded with grains, the transport vehicle can slide downwards due to its own weight. This makes the harvesting process even faster than in ordinary fields.”

As she spoke, Wang Juan looked at Wang Shouzhe with admiring eyes. Truly, as the Family Head, he was full of brilliant and ingenious ideas.

The monorail transport vehicle was a product that Wang Shouzhe had requested craftsmen to experiment with over the years. It was not suitable for flat terrain, but rather for places with significant elevation differences. On Earth, it would have been used in mountainous orchards.

The problem, however, was the high demand for iron. Even the mere construction of a monorail required a substantial amount of iron.

For this reason, in recent years, Ping’an Town had been purchasing crude iron in large quantities from foreign merchants, not minding the premium prices.

After all, Ping’an Town had a massive demand for crude iron – it seemed to be needed everywhere.

“And what about irrigation?” Wang Shouzhe queried.

“We have planted a large number of Water-Storage Trees at high altitudes to maintain a certain water level. In addition, we have also excavated and cemented a water storage reservoir. The water from this reservoir can effectively irrigate all the terraced fields, and the surplus water can flow into the canal leading to the river.” Wang Juan explained, “I also wish to seek the Family Head’s guidance. I plan to construct a large water storage reservoir at the top of the cliff in Fallen Eagle Gorge, taking advantage of its natural depression, and establish water channels in the air to connect all the water storage reservoirs in the terraces. In case of water shortage during droughts, we would employ a water pumping system at the bottom of the Fallen Eagle Gorge, enabling us to draw water up to the top.”

This plan?

Wang Shouzhe was quite startled by it. It seemed a bit ambitious, didn’t it? This girl’s mind seemed to be even more imaginative than his.

However, she had always proved herself to be smart and hardworking, with a strong foundation in academics.

When she used to tutor Wang Licui, Wang Shouzhe had seen her devotion first-hand.

It was clear that she had worked diligently during her younger days at the Clan School.

It was after that when he began noticing her.

“Family Head.” Wang Juan said, “I have surveyed a great deal of terrain and have drawn up an initial set of blueprints. Although the initial investment will be massive, once successful, we would be able to convert all the hillside areas around Prosperous Farm into terraces and solve the problem of irrigation during droughts.”

Her final sentence convinced Wang Shouzhe: “Just prepare a detailed plan along with some initial budget estimates, and then come see me.”

“Yes, Family Head” Wang Juan’s eyes sparkled with excitement. She felt lucky to have met a family head who allowed her to fully utilise her abilities.

“Also, prepare a plan for large-scale development of terraced fields,” Wang Shouzhe added as an instruction.

The biggest issue with terrace fields lay in the investment it required. If you were to cultivate ordinary grains, you could end up bankrupting the Wang Clan. However, if one were to sow the Royal Clan No.19 Wheat variety, it would prove profitable over a long-term duration.

“Yes, Family Head.”

…

In the dead of night, within the estuary of the Eastern Sea.

A large cargo ship, after enduring all sorts of stormy weather, arrived at the relatively calm estuary.

Inside a ship’s cabin.

Wang Zongchang finished the last bit of his account books. After careful inspection, he found no mistakes. Only then did he stretch his back, feeling somewhat relaxed.

They were about to arrive at Donggang soon, and he had now completed a large part of his mission. He got up and went out of the cabin, onto the ship’s bow to get some fresh air.

On this day, the moon shone brightly with numerous stars densely scattered across the sky.

Suddenly, a scolding voice came from the cabin, “Little Zheng, have you gone mad? How dare you tamper with this!”

“Get out of the way or die!” A violent voice roared.

“clang, clang, clang.”

A series of sounds of knives and swords striking resonated.

“Don’t you fear sir… Ah~” A scream echoed.

“I need power, I need revenge. Boss, I’m sorry!”

“I repeat, anyone who stands in my way will die,” The voice roared incessantly.

Several crew members, instinctively, rushed over.

“Boom, boom, boom!”

As soon as they reached the cabin door, they were thrown back, landing on the deck. Their necks had been sliced open, and they’d met their end.

From the cabin, a young man smeared in blood rushed out. He held a steel knife in his hand with savage determination on his face, while his eyes emerged vicious and crimson.

He dashed towards the ship’s railing unquestionably, ready to jump into the sea.

“Father, sister! I got the power!” The young man’s eyes shimmered with red light. He yelled a bit unclearly, “Wait for me, wait for me! I’ll surely avenge you.”

The place was nearing the port. As long as he could escape into the sea, he was free to go anywhere in the vast world.

Suddenly!

A white sword aura cut through the night sky, targeting the young man.

Although the young man’s state was peculiar, his reaction was exceedingly quick, waving the knife to parry.

“Clang!”

A loud sound of metallic collision sounded.

The young man seemed to have hit an invisible wall, stumbling back a few steps. His bloodshot eyes looked at the person in surprise and terror, roaring, “Who are you? How dare you stand in my way.”

A gallant young man in Profound Martial garb, wielding a broad-bladed battle sword, his face as cold as water said: “Rascal, you’ve murdered and yet you still want to run? Surrender immediately, and come with me to Donggang to face your punishment.”

This gallant young man was obviously Wang Zongchang, who had come to take a breather at the bow, but he hadn’t expected to encounter this situation.

As an ally of the Chen Clan of Donggang, he wouldn’t stand by and do nothing.

“Anyone who stands in my way will die!” The bloodshot young man roared wildly, charging at Wang Zongchang.

“Dare to resist.” Wang Zongchang’s face turned cold, his slight shift in figure made him appear like willow catkins wafting in the wind under the dark night sky.

The family skill of the Wang Clan, the “Willow Catkin Body Method,” he had seemingly cultivated it to a masterstroke level.

With a flick of his wrist, the sword light flickered and slashed out. It was the Wang Clan Xuan Yuan Sword Technique, which was concise, profound and powerful.

…