Chương 85: Taming the Oxen

"Well said, Brother Fang! As expected of Brother Fang, the great cultivator who slew the Heavenly Demon!" Qin Hao's praise came from the heart. But since he was not good at flattery, he always used the same line: Brother Fang, as expected of Brother Fang. Li Sanshui chimed in with his own praise, "The City God is truly the City God. With such foresight, even if you did not cultivate immortality and instead became an official, you would surely make a name for yourself in the Great Sheng court."

This praise was sincere. Though he had not known Fang Cheng long, and though he disagreed with many of the City God's views, in certain areas like vision, decisiveness, and calm under pressure, Fang Cheng far exceeded ordinary men. Fang Cheng could see Li Sanshui's sincerity. He did not kick him this time. Instead, he patted his shoulder approvingly.

"Alright, Ah Hao. Do as I said." Fang Cheng patted Qin Hao's shoulder as well, then took out the storage ring Old Tang had given him and handed it to Qin Hao. Qin Hao looked at the Immortal Crystals inside and gasped. There were over a thousand top-grade Immortal Crystals. Converted to mortal currency, it was enough to feed White Flower City's current population for hundreds of years without working.

"Brother Fang, as expected of Brother Fang! With this money, I can start thinking about developing other industries." Qin Hao was ecstatic.

"Go for it." Fang Cheng encouraged him. Qin Hao nodded happily and left to carry out his orders. After Qin Hao left, Fang Cheng smiled at Li Sanshui.

"Magistrate Li, we are both smart men, are we not?"

"You flatter me, City God." Li Sanshui clasped his hands.

"Just give the order. I will do my best to cooperate."

"Hmm..." Fang Cheng nodded.

"Shuili City and Dongyang City have been devastated. They will not recover anytime soon. The people in the villages around those cities will have nowhere to go..."

"I understand, City God." Li Sanshui nodded.

"I can send people to bring those villagers here. But City God, the Yamen is already short-staffed. I cannot spare any more men. Squad Leader Zhang's City Patrol has plenty of people. Could you have him lend me a few..."

"No." Fang Cheng shook his head.

"The City Patrol is a separate system. You two should remain separate. Here is what you do: recruit a new team of your own, specifically for public relations and propaganda. As for salaries, you can work that out with Qin Hao. As for training, Magistrate Li, just pass on a bit of your silver-tongued skills. That will be enough."

"You flatter me again, City God." Li Sanshui clasped his hands once more. Fang Cheng did not waste any more words. He told Li Sanshui to get on it, then left the Yamen and flew toward the reclaimed land south of the city. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.... Fang Cheng hovered over the southern wasteland. The land had been cleared much faster than before he left. More than double the area. And despite the speed, the land was well organized.

There were fields of grain, plots of vegetables, and a small patch of his beloved sweet potatoes. He landed at the edge of the field and saw a group of men working vigorously. Whips cracked as they drove the "oxen" and "horses" in the fields, eliciting cries of pain.

"Hey!" Fang Cheng landed before them. The men stopped and looked up. Most of them were former male workers from the Xiangshi City workshops. They recognized Fang Cheng.

"The City God is here to inspect!" They bowed respectfully. Fang Cheng waved his hand and pointed at the two-legged "oxen" in the fields.

"What is this about?" Li Zhuangniu stepped forward.

"My lord, these are criminals brought in by Squad Leader Zhang. Ever since White Flower City prospered, thieves and pickpockets have been flocking here. These damned thieves steal money, grain, cloth, even finished goods from the textile factory. Some have even stolen children's clothes. Disgusting. Squad Leader Zhang caught them and brought them here to learn the hard work of the laboring people. To teach them that stealing is wrong."

"Oh, I almost forgot." Fang Cheng patted his head. He had given Squad Leader Zhang those orders before leaving. He looked at the hundred or so criminals in the fields. Squad Leader Zhang had been busy.

"Let them work. But why the whips?" he asked Li Zhuangniu. Li Zhuangniu sighed.

"We tried being nice. But these criminals will not work unless you give them a few good lashes." Fang Cheng nodded.

"True. These people are used to getting something for nothing. The whip motivates them to understand the value of labor. But be careful not to kill them."

"Don't worry, City God." Li Zhuangniu patted his chest.

"They may look small, but they are tougher, more enduring, and more explosive than real oxen and horses. When real oxen get tired, they stop. These people keep going even when exhausted. The reason we have been able to clear the land so fast is all thanks to these criminals. The human body is naturally more resilient than any other beast. That is the treasure nature has given us. No wonder the spirit beasts in the Everlasting Mountains must first become human before they can become immortals."

Fang Cheng was surprised.

"Zhuangniu, you sound so refined. Did you learn that from Li Shuyan?" Li Zhuangniu grinned sheepishly.

"Yeah. Every day, a few of us go to Mr. Li's lectures. We have learned a lot."

"Haha... Good. Very good." Fang Cheng laughed.

"Li Shuyan has done well. Even laborers need education. Use science and technology to guide agricultural production." He patted Li Zhuangniu's shoulder and praised the other men for their hard work. Then he walked into the fields and faced the hundred or so criminals.

"Were you all caught for theft? Anyone innocent?" Immediately, over a dozen hands shot up.

"Me! Me! I am innocent! I never steal! Please let me go home! If I am lying, may lightning strike me dead!" Fang Cheng opened his Heavenly Eye and looked at them. Every single one was lying. Hmph. A bunch of liars. They clearly had not been reformed enough. They needed more labor. Fang Cheng moved swiftly, using his Fifth Level speed. In an instant, he had beaten all of them black and blue.

"City God, have mercy!"

"My lord, I have seen the error of my ways!" Fang Cheng snorted and ordered Li Zhuangniu, "Watch these dozen closely. Make them work until midnight tonight."

"Should we not follow the principle of harmony with nature?" Li Zhuangniu asked. Fang Cheng replied, "No. These stubborn fools need harsh discipline. However, if any criminal shows genuine remorse and works hard, you can give them extra rest. Our goal is to make them understand the hardship of labor and truly repent. Not just to work for the sake of working."

"Understood." Li Zhuangniu clasped his hands. Then he turned to the beaten criminals and shouted, "You heard him! Get up! Stop playing dead! You are working until midnight tonight!"

"No! No! No!" The criminals wailed.

"My lord, I am sorry! The City God's beating has enlightened me! Please, forgive me!" Li Zhuangniu snorted.

"Do not try that with me. Talk is cheap. Repentance must be proven through action. If anyone slacks off at midnight, my whip will not recognize you! All of you, get up!"