Early the next morning, Xiangyang County was already buzzing with whispers.
"The young master... summoned the elders?"
"Didn't he just recover from a fever?"
"I heard he even asked the blacksmith to make strange farming tools last night!"
In the center of the Yang residence's main hall, ten old men with beards longer than their tempers sat stiffly in rows. These were the local elders and minor landowners, the real power in the county behind the smiling curtains of tradition.
Old Zhang stood respectfully at the side, eyes darting nervously. No one knew what the young master was going to say—not even him. Frankly, he was still trying to wrap his head around the sudden change in Yang Xu.
But Yang Xu didn't seem nervous at all.
No, he strolled into the hall like an emperor-in-training, wearing a slightly oversized robe, eyes sharp, posture straight.
"Esteemed uncles," he began, smiling like a fox who just found a henhouse with no locks. "You must be wondering why this humble nephew called you here so early."
The elders glanced at each other. One of them, Elder Wu, stroked his beard and chuckled. "Young master, we are merely humble villagers. Please, speak your mind."
Yang Xu clasped his hands behind his back. "From this day forward, Xiangyang County will not be the same. I've decided—we will begin a full-scale development of our county."
Elder Zhang blinked. "...Development?"
"Yes!" Yang Xu grinned. "Clean water for every home, a centralized grain storage to end hunger, roads that even horses will thank us for! A school—yes, an academy! And eventually... electricity."
"Electric... what?" someone muttered.
"Forget that for now," Yang Xu waved. "The point is—we will not remain a backward village while the world moves forward. If Heaven has granted me this position and this brain"—he tapped his temple—"then I shall not waste it."
Elder Wu coughed. "Young Master, forgive me... but roads and granaries? That takes manpower. Silver. Labor."
"Correct!" Yang Xu smiled again. "And that is why I am instituting a new reward system. Anyone who contributes—laborers, thinkers, craftsmen—will receive silver, food bonuses, and even land-use privileges."
The elders' eyes sharpened.
Yang Xu's voice lowered, becoming serious. "I won't lie. This path will be new and strange. But if we stay the same... we will wither like dry bamboo."
Ding!
[System Notification: Public Satisfaction +8]
[First Local Reform Initiative Detected. Minor Gift Package Unlocked.]
You received:
- Blueprint: Brick Kiln (Basic)
- Skill Scroll: Efficient Agricultural Rotation
- 20 System Coins
- Happiness Tracker Activated (Xiangyang County)
Yang Xu almost let out a laugh. This system was too generous—it gave rewards just for bold speeches? At this rate, he could become rich by talking all day!
He straightened up and looked the elders in the eye.
"I do not ask for blind obedience. I only ask that you give me a year. If, by then, life in Xiangyang has not improved, you may kick me out and take over yourselves."
The room went silent.
Then, one by one, the elders stood and bowed.
"We shall follow the young master's lead."
Yang Xu exhaled slowly, feeling the tide turn.
---
Later that afternoon, in the privacy of his study, Yang Xu sat cross-legged in front of the floating interface.
[Happiness Index: 8/100]
[Population: 5,020]
[Skilled Talents: 0]
[Available Coins: 70]
[Available Blueprints: Sanitation System, Grain Storage, Brick Kiln]
[Talent Voucher x2 Available]
"Time to recruit some help."
He activated one of the talent vouchers.
A golden light spun through the air before resolving into a card-like projection.
Talent Recruited: Lin Bao
Age: 32
Background: Former construction supervisor, demoted and exiled
Specialty: Civil engineering, brick-making, and terrain surveying
Loyalty: 70/100
Traits: Honest, Slightly Cynical, Hard-working
Yang Xu whistled. "Not bad. With you, we'll get those kilns built in no time."
And then he activated the second voucher.
Talent Recruited: Chu Yueran
Age: 19
Background: Disguised as a man; real identity: youngest daughter of Chu clan, exiled due to political marriage gone wrong
Specialty: Arithmetic, management, and economic reform
Loyalty: 55/100
Traits: Proud, Intelligent, Suspicious of men
Yang Xu stared at the screen.
"...Well then."
A smirk crept across his face
"This is going to be interesting."