Chapter 27

The experimental agricultural fields are now thriving. The rice planted directly in the fields has taken root, sprouted, and grown tender leaves. From a distance, the paddy fields are a sea of green. The corn has also sprouted and is now over an inch tall. Notably, the germination rate of the corn planted this time is very high, with almost all the corn kernels taking root and sprouting. The melon seedlings have also emerged from the soil, growing tender leaves. The most significant change, however, is in the sweet potatoes. This highly adaptable crop is showing excellent growth, with several vines over three inches long and dozens more under three inches. In about a month and a half, some of these vines can be cut and replanted to expand the sweet potato cultivation area. Soybeans, on the other hand, are the slowest to change, with some not even breaking through the soil yet.

During this period, Roshizhengliang discovered wild ginger and sugarcane in the territory. He immediately transplanted these crops to the experimental fields. Sugarcane, in particular, is a member of the grass family and is native to tropical and subtropical regions. It is rich in sugar and water, and also contains various vitamins, fats, proteins, organic acids, calcium, and iron, which are beneficial to human metabolism. Sugarcane not only adds sweetness to food but also provides the body with necessary nutrients and calories. According to Tōgō Heiji, sugarcane was introduced to Japan from China (supposedly during the Tang Dynasty), and it is now widely cultivated in many parts of Japan. In more prosperous areas like Hakata, there are sugar workshops that use sugarcane to produce sugar. Sugar is a luxury item in this era, affordable only by wealthy daimyos and the emperor.

Under Roshizhengliang's guidance, Matsukiko and the six people she recruited have gradually become proficient in managing the experimental fields. During this time, they have also learned many modern field management techniques from Roshizhengliang and have started applying them to their own fields. Roshizhengliang has been particularly sympathetic to these women who have lost their husbands and are raising children alone, providing them with meticulous guidance.

The rabbit enclosure in the experimental fields has also become a playground for the children in the territory. There are currently 15 wild rabbits in the enclosure, but Roshizhengliang cannot immediately confirm how many are male and how many are female. After school each day, several children come to the fence to watch the rabbits through the wooden slats. Of course, the children are not allowed into the experimental fields to prevent them from mistaking crops for weeds and feeding them to the rabbits. The only exception is the little girl Tamakiko, whom Roshizhengliang has taken in to see the rabbits a few times (she is very clingy).

A completely enclosed bamboo cage has been added at the edge of the rabbit enclosure. The cage is about 3 meters high and 6 meters long and wide, and currently houses 7 residents—mountain pheasants. These pheasants were caught alive by experienced hunters with great difficulty. They are still young and have not yet reached the age to lay eggs, so they need to be raised for a while longer. Thinking of the sunny-side-up eggs from his previous life, Roshizhengliang feels a pang of hunger. These pheasants must be kept in a fully enclosed cage to prevent them from flying away. To be honest, Roshizhengliang had never seen chickens that could fly so far and so high before, and at first, he thought they were some kind of mutant birds.

Recently, 23 more refugees have joined the territory, including 8 young men and 6 boys over 8 years old. Roshizhengliang instructed Tōgō Heiji to properly settle these refugees and allocate them land and food according to the territory's standards. The 8 young men immediately joined the ashigaru (foot soldiers) as spear ashigaru, using iron spears if available and bamboo spears if not. The children who meet the requirements for the patrol team have been integrated into the morning training group, with the 18 people (Sahachirō and Kizō have been promoted to pages) being reorganized into 3 teams of 6 for training and taking turns patrolling the village during the day.

The training of the ashigaru, under the strict supervision of Tsuda Masahide, has shown initial results. The formation marching is starting to look proper, and the spear formations are becoming more familiar. The archer ashigaru, composed of skilled hunters, have significantly improved their accuracy after a month and a half of intensive training. The only issue is that their bows and arrows are too outdated, making them less effective against enemies wearing armor.

The current population of the territory is 153 people, including 4 samurai (Roshizhengliang, Tōgō Heiji, Ōnishi Kunitoshi, and Tsuda Masahide) with 3 tachi (long swords) and 1 katana (samurai sword); 29 spear ashigaru with 22 iron spears and 7 bamboo spears; 11 archer ashigaru with homemade bows and arrows; and 18 patrol team members with bamboo short spears.

The education in the territory has also become regular. The initial resistance from the residents has turned into support, and some even request to send their children under 6 years old to the territory school. Roshizhengliang is open to this. In the morning, the unique singing (in Mandarin) and reading have become a part of the residents' daily lives. Kikihime has stood out among the students, and Roshizhengliang has started entrusting her with some teaching and organizational tasks, as he cannot always handle everything himself as the territory grows.

After 22 days, his body has fully adapted, and Roshizhengliang silently recited in his mind, a gray game interface appearing in his mind.

Name: Roshizhengliang

Physical Attributes:

Leadership: 62 (62), system adjustment complete. Higher leadership makes it easier to command subordinates.

Strength: 76 (76), system adjustment complete. Strong strength is essential for self-protection.

Politics: 66 (66), system adjustment complete. Political skills are a boost to survival.

Wisdom: 84 (83), system adjustment complete. High wisdom allows you to achieve much with little effort.

Charisma: 80 (80), system adjustment complete. High charisma makes it easier to be accepted and supported.

Skills:

Sword and Blade: Arai Blade (1st rank sword and blade secret technique, significantly increases defense. Proficiency: Beginner. Requires a small amount of stamina to use)

Konggang Force (3rd rank sword and blade secret technique, concentrates strength in the arms, significantly increases attack. Proficiency: Intermediate. Requires a small amount of stamina to use)

Ribu Yissun (3rd rank sword and blade secret technique, allows counterattacks against close enemies. Proficiency: Beginner. Requires a small amount of stamina to use)

Continuous Slash (3rd rank sword and blade secret technique, performs multiple slashes, significantly increases attack. Proficiency: Advanced. Requires a small amount of stamina to use)

Kiriotoshi (4th rank sword and blade secret technique, slightly more powerful than Continuous Slash. Proficiency: Beginner. Requires a moderate amount of stamina to use)

Spear:

Hikioroshi (2nd rank spear secret technique, nullifies the opponent's attack. Proficiency: Beginner. Requires a small amount of stamina to use)

Firearms: None

Bow and Arrow: None

Ninjutsu:

Tonkō (3rd rank ninjutsu secret technique, allows stealth and hiding based on the environment. Proficiency: Unskilled. Requires a small amount of stamina to use)

Stamina: 80 (100). Abundant stamina is the foundation for handling all problems.

Physical Condition: Good. Note: Overusing skills can lead to fainting.

Reputation: 95 (100). Reputation reflects the degree of support from the residents.

Equipment: None

Title: Swordsman

Roshizhengliang clearly understood that when he first arrived, his body was in an adaptation phase (similar to being sick), and his physical attributes were at a low level. As his body adapted, his physical attributes gradually recovered. Now, he is almost fully recovered, and attributes like leadership, strength, politics, and wisdom will be difficult to significantly improve without continuous training. Reputation, on the other hand, changes with the loyalty of the residents, and a higher reputation indicates greater support from the residents.

"Your Highness, Your Highness..." Just as Roshizhengliang was carefully examining his physical attributes, a hurried voice called out from behind him.

Roshizhengliang closed the attribute interface and turned around. It was Ōnishi Kunitoshi, who was panting as he climbed up the hill, shouting as he ran.

"Your Highness, we found them," Ōnishi Kunitoshi said excitedly as he approached Roshizhengliang.

"Found them?" Roshizhengliang's eyes lit up, and he stared at Ōnishi Kunitoshi.

"Yes, Your Highness. As you instructed, we tracked them for half a day and finally found them," Ōnishi Kunitoshi panted.

"Good, very good! Summon Tōgō Heiji and Tsuda Masahide to my residence for a meeting," Roshizhengliang said excitedly, clenching his fists and instructing the two pages beside him.

"Yes, Your Highness," the two pages bowed and hurriedly ran down the hill to inform Tōgō Heiji and Tsuda Masahide.

"Let's go, Kunitoshi. We'll wait for them at my residence," Roshizhengliang said, leading the way down the hill.

"Yes, Your Highness," Ōnishi Kunitoshi bowed respectfully.