75: Chapter 74 The Great Cultivation Era

At dawn, after having breakfast with his father, Jiang Hanwen led Song Shuming and others, a group of seven, on a patrol of the Medicine Field.

Although he had been resting at home, progress hadn't slacked off; besides the crucial monthly stipend awaiting his final decision, all other projects, whether the construction of highlands or ponds, were completed.

Ponds were built into the ground, reflecting the blue sky like precious gems embedded in black armor.

On the dark soil, Jiang Hanwen watched the fertilizer fruits bloom, nodding in satisfaction.

These fertilizer fruits were an improved version; though they absorbed more fertile soil, they offered twice the previous potency, proving remarkably effective for important Spiritual Plants, almost like a walking Spirit Rain Technique.

Song Shuming and the others exchanged glances; in a month, something seemed to have changed in Chief Steward Jiang, an indescribable transformation, as if he had become more refined, or perhaps more amiable, even benevolent?

The patrol continued to its end.

"Chief Steward Jiang, what other areas do you think we need to improve?" Song Shuming asked with a smiling bow, a stark contrast to his hostile demeanor in the past.

Since they had done such a good job, how could he not reward them?

Jiang Hanwen cleared his throat, and everyone looked on expectantly.

"The efficiency this time is high, and I am very satisfied.

The monthly stipend you six have proposed should also be—"

Mid-sentence, Jiang Hanwen suddenly stopped, curiously looking into the distance.

Everyone followed his gaze.

In the distance, a dark figure rapidly approached, covering the distance in a few heavy strides, arriving before them.

It was Xiang Jie!

The strong wind generated by his sprint rustled everyone's clothes, making their coattails flap.

"Commander Xiang, what's wrong? You're running so frantically!" The dark-faced Lei He grumbled unhappily, feeling as if his plans were being interrupted just as they were about to materialize.

The monthly stipend system they had longed for was about to be finalized, and everyone was ready to buckle down and Cultivate Spiritual Plants with all their might. Why was he causing trouble now?

Jiang Hanwen looked at Xiang Jie, whose chest was heaving, and then remembered that three months had passed; the time must be up.

"Has the Master begun?" he asked.

Xiang Jie nodded:

"All the Black-Robed Guardians have been dispatched and will take over within a month. Those who cannot be immediately replaced will serve as deputies.

Here, Fourth Commander is in charge, and he is already on his way."

Jiang Hanwen nodded. From today onwards, the Zhuang family would undergo a complete transformation, ushering in an era of great Cultivation.

"Chief Steward Jiang, Commander Xiang, stop speaking in riddles! What exactly is going on?!"

Lei He, impatient by nature, wanted to shout but dared not raise his voice in front of Jiang Hanwen, his dark face flushed red.

"What's the rush? Chief Steward Jiang will tell us!" Song Shuming restrained his colleague. He saw a hint of helplessness mixed with sympathy in Jiang Hanwen's eyes, and a bad premonition suddenly arose in his heart. Could something big be about to happen?

"Whew~"

Taking a deep breath, Xiang Jie also looked at the six with sympathetic eyes.

"The Master has decreed that from today onwards, all stewards of the Zhuang family, except for the female dependents in the back courtyard, must reach Mortal Shedding seventh-level. Those who haven't will be replaced by Black-Robed Guardians, with a one-month transition period.

Furthermore, every three months, subordinates can initiate a sparring match. The capable will rise, the mediocre will fall; everything will be based on strength."

As soon as his words fell, Lei He and the others felt their world collapse.

They hadn't received the lucrative monthly stipend they were hoping for, but instead, they were met with the Master's sharp blade!

At their age, their Qi and blood were beginning to decline. All six of them were at Mortal Shedding sixth-level, none meeting the standard. Only Wu Shen, being younger, had some hope, but even he only had a month left!

Suddenly, they realized why Jiang Hanwen had proposed rebuilding the Tianyuan Residence on his first day at the Council Hall and emphasized expanding its scale.

Chief Steward Jiang must have received word early on but found it difficult to tell them directly, so he obliquely hinted at the importance of Cultivation.

But what about them? Not only did they fail to grasp this meaning, they even privately mocked Chief Steward Jiang for constantly engaging in unprofitable ventures.

Summer insects cannot speak of ice; how ridiculous it was not to know their own foolishness!

This time, they were truly convinced, absolutely and utterly, but it was too late.

With the current trend, did they still have a chance?

The usually steady Song Shuming, without waiting for a signal from his colleagues, was the first to step forward this time:

"Chief Steward Jiang, I'm not clear about other areas, but the Medicine Field is different.

The Black-Robed Guardians are undeniably strong, but when it comes to cultivating Spiritual Plants, no matter how incompetent we may be, we have twenty more years of experience than them.

If they replace us, will it affect the output of Spiritual Plants? There are over four hundred people in the Medicine Field; this is a serious matter, wouldn't you agree?"

Before Jiang Hanwen could speak, Xiang Jie explained:

"Elder Song, the Master considered the situation you described two years ago.

For special cases like the Medicine Field, if they cannot be replaced, you will serve as deputies, handling specific affairs, and they will not interfere."

Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. It was just a title; if it was given, so be it, as long as they remained the actual Elders.

"Although there's no practical difference for you, however—" Xiang Jie's tone shifted, and everyone's hearts, which had just relaxed, tightened again.

"From now on, seven-tenths of your monthly stipend will go to them. This is punishment for your lack of ambition."

Seven-tenths. Everyone calculated in their minds. Currently, twenty taels a month, seven-tenths meant fourteen taels of silver cut, leaving six taels.

This was higher than the four taels of an ordinary medicine farmer but far lower than their current income.

Moreover, if the monthly stipend reform meant forty taels of silver a month, cutting seven-tenths would be twenty-eight taels of silver, and their losses would be even greater; that would be devastating.

Xiang Jie's words were like a knife carving flesh, making their hearts bleed!

Lei He grabbed Jiang Hanwen's clothes, saying emotionally:

"Chief Steward Jiang, I, Lei He, will follow your lead from now on. Please, I beg you to plead with the Master. I am forty-eight this year; I can't take this anymore!"

The others' eyes lit up. "That's right!" The Master's trust in Chief Steward Jiang was evident to all; if he pleaded, it would surely work!

"Chief Steward Jiang, please be merciful! We will all listen to you from now on!"

"Yes, we'll all listen to you!"

Aside from Song Shuming and Wu Shen, the other three Elders grasped at this last straw of hope, looking at Jiang Hanwen expectantly.