When you get down to it, feudal corvée labor is nothing but the exploitation of the common people’s labor by the court—no payment, yet they work you to death. Building roads, digging rivers, building dams, various infrastructure projects, and jobs like watching over the homes of officials, and serving as soldiers all fall under the conscription duties of enlisted males, which the government can allocate with confidence. According to the regulations of the Great Tang, an adult male’s corvée duty should only last twenty days a year, but incidents of extended labor demands are all too common. After all, the roads and cities built are the achievements of the officials, and it costs the government nothing to mobilize the people for corvée labor—it’s all unpaid work. Using free labor indiscriminately is deemed sensible. So, every year when the labor notification arrives, it fills the local people with dread, and the Lin Family Manor is naturally no exception. After Lin Clan Leader finished notifying the matter, he downed the tea in his cup and called Lin Mengbo to continue on their way, as he had to notify the next family. Within a mile, he had to notify all 103 households. After sending off Lin Clan Leader and Lin Mengbo, Lin Wanwan sighed deeply. The accomplishments of ancient officials unavoidably rest on the backs of exploited commoners, whether by money or labor, it’s all fleecing the common folk. Although Lin Wanwan owned the Space-Time Gate, she was helpless in this regard, as she wasn’t transported back in time as Wu Zetian. Three days later, Lin Wanwan sent Kun Lun to deliver a leaflet filled with insights to Xiao Chong at the county government. Upon receiving the leaflet, Xiao Chong felt Lin Wanwan was truly his soulmate, her ideas coinciding with his own. Whether it was the design of Ta Mountain Dam being thicker in the middle and thinner at the sides, or her thought on slightly tilting the base of the dam by five degrees to hold the riverbed—all seemed as though written while looking at his blueprints. Some even gave him new inspiration. As Xiao Chong looked at the leaflet, he couldn’t help but smile; could there really be such coincidences in the world? My thoughts just happen to be what you conceive too? "Wanwan, oh Wanwan, what kind of master could have taught a student like you?" Xiao Chong showed Lin Wanwan’s leaflet to his staff Xiao Ce, who was greatly surprised and couldn’t help asking, "Zifang, have you shown the draft designs to your cousin, Miss Lin?" Xiao Chong laughed freely and said, "It’s merely that great minds think alike. The points she mentions are quite sound and can certainly serve as references during construction." Xiao Ce returned the leaflet to Xiao Chong, unable to suppress his amazement, "It’s incredible, both of you are too extraordinary." Xiao Chong stroked his chin and said, "When we’re free, let’s visit this cousin of mine; perhaps we’ll find pleasant surprises." Xiao Ce laughed, "I wouldn’t dare disobey." The two discussed some other political affairs, then a household slave responsible for the estate requested to see him from outside the study. "Come in," Xiao Chong put down the scroll in his hand and looked at the visitor. "I humbly wish my lord well." "Is it about new crops harvested from the fields?" With a sunburned face, the farm overseer lifted his head slightly to look at Xiao Chong, proudly saying, "Yes, my lord. Following your planting methods with meticulous care, this winter’s cabbage, radishes, and winter wheat yield three times as much as we harvested back in Jinling! It’s truly a bumper crop—a good omen!" Xiao Ce clapped his hands in delight, "Excellent! Zifang, every step you’ve taken along this path has been very steady! You’re right, Lin Wanwan and her mentor are indeed mysterious with the power to make the extraordinary from the ordinary." Xiao Chong was also very pleased, as he had used his estate as an experimental farm and now the success was truly a reason for celebration. "What about potatoes? My cousin said they yield abundantly." Xiao Chong asked. The overseer replied, "To my lord, the potatoes aren’t ready for harvest yet; they’re expected around January or February. According to master’s instructions, we have spread ashes on the roots, and their growth looks promising, likely not to fall short compared to cabbages." Xiao Chong nodded in satisfaction, asked the overseer a few more questions, and then sent him off to receive his reward. Pressing against the study desk, Xiao Chong stood tall and said, "Brother Shi Heng, let’s go together to check out the fresh produce the overseer brought." Xiao Ce agreed happily, "Alright." With a great harvest in Xiao Chong’s estate, the Lin Family Manor was naturally not far behind. Seeing their yield increased by three or four times compared to previous years made everyone cry tears of joy. Unfortunately, their land was too small; it amounted to no more than a small plot next to their house. If they had as much land as Lin Wanwan, they could eat well into spring. But now, they can’t bear to eat their harvest themselves. Winter vegetables are precious and sell well in town, so naturally, they intend to sell it and trade for staple grains, such as millet. Lin Wanwan’s land yield was the best among everyone, thanks to smuggling in modern fertilizers. Given that Lin Wanwan had previously thrown all sorts of things into the field, this time it wasn’t surprising anymore. Regarding fertilizers, Lin Wanwan had no interest in turning them into a business, so when curious clansmen asked, she casually named a high price, scaring them off. Thinking to themselves, Wanwan still has the demeanor of a major landowner, to willingly use such costly substances in the fields—the crops won’t even cover the money spent on fertilizers. It’s better for them just to use manure! Currently, there’s a horse in the clan, and its daily manure is gold for farmers—not a bit should be wasted. The news about someone planting new seeds and innovating farming methods that led to a bumper crop spread quickly. Matters in the fields always concern the farmers the most, needing no announcement, it’s shared by word of mouth. Naturally, the local gentry of Mao County isn’t deaf or blind. This time, to ensure Xiao Chong’s success was legitimate, many families sent spies to inspect his estate in person. Once they confirmed the abundant harvest, they couldn’t sit still and began planning an attack. One path led directly to Xiao Chong at the county government, another headed to Hou Tao Lin Family and Lin Wanwan’s residence. Unfortunately, there were no males in Lin Wanwan’s household, so she refused all requests to meet. The gentry’s influence was vast, and each one cunningly tenacious; she didn’t want entanglement with them. Lin Wanwan didn’t think her mere twenty-two years of experience could outmaneuver these seasoned gentry. On the contrary, she felt she might expose herself. Instead, it was better not to meet at all. Anyway, with Lin clan members and Xiao Chong ahead of her, she could easily assume the role of a detached shopkeeper. Follow current novᴇls on novel_fіre.net Lin Wanwan invested significantly in Hou Tao Lin Family, of course expecting them to shield her from troubles. Whether it was seed grains, vegetables, building docks, loaning grains, or opening school canteens, she didn’t hesitate—not out of randomness but understanding clearly that to have others firmly on your side requires sufficient benefits! Ideals of aspirations or family doctrine pale in comparison to practical offerings of grains or loans—for impoverished farmers, tangible assistance speaks volumes.