Chapter 26

Plandar's main food crop is very similar to wheat on Earth, a crop with a high starch content, which the locals call "Kadar." However, for convenience, Tang En decided to treat it as wheat.

Although wheat doesn't require as much water as rice, the soil in the fields was already clearly cracked. But the wheat was already half a foot tall, and it was precisely the time when it needed water. How could the yield be high if it continued like this?

"It's the month of Joy now, and it's about to be the month of High Summer. The temperature is rising, and it's normal for the soil to be dry, right?"

Fiona, after all, was born into a noble family and had never farmed, so she couldn't see the problem.

"That's not how it works. The Emerald River is right next to us, but the fields are so dry. This is very abnormal... Wait, haven't you dug any irrigation canals?"

Tang En directed his last question to the farmer beside him.

"Irrigation canals? What are those?"

The farmer looked puzzled.

"Dig a canal to bring water from the Emerald River for irrigation."

Tang En was very surprised. Even if the differences between the two worlds were huge, how could they not know such basic things? Even the stupidest farmer would know to fetch water from the river during a drought. How could they not think of digging a canal?

A civilization that has developed for so many years shouldn't still be at the mercy of the weather...

"Oh, I see, but my lord, that's impossible."

At this moment, Elsa interjected, "The land on the other side of the Emerald River is slightly lower than here. Digging a water channel won't work."

"Ah, I see!"

Tang En suddenly understood and then frowned. This world didn't have water pumps or sprinklers. Although there was more convenient magic, mages wouldn't deign to stay in the fields as rainmakers.

Suddenly, Tang En clapped his hands, "Right, water wheels! How could I forget that?"

"Water wheels?"

Hearing another unfamiliar term from Tang En, Fiona and Elsa were once again puzzled.

As mentioned earlier, the main power in this world is held by the Enlightened, those who can awaken their talents and become professionals, such as warriors and mages.

With these Enlightened, ordinary people's development of the basic forces of the world, or the development of physics, has stagnated. When faced with difficult problems, either the warrior-type Enlightened would use brute force to solve them, or the mages would use magic. Ordinary people rarely thought about how to solve problems on their own.

Don't believe it? Look at the natives of this world. Gnomes and goblins, without magic, had already developed nuclear bombs ten thousand years ago!

Now, gnomes and goblins are so weak because they blew up their homeland and their technology tree!

As a result, other races have risen to prominence.

The strength of individuals limits the growth of the group, an undeniable fact.

Danny, a member of the militia, whose father was a miller, used animal power instead of wind power in his mill, which was inefficient and required feeding the animals, increasing costs. If they had a water wheel, they could save a lot of money.

"Water wheels use the power of water to lift it to a higher place, and then use the water's own gravity to let it flow into the fields... Forget it, explaining it to you is a waste of time."

Tang En saw their puzzled expressions and knew he was wasting his effort. He would go back and discuss it with Brian. Dwarves and gnomes often interact, and he might understand the benefits.

"Don't worry, I'll find a way to solve this problem. Water will soon be available for irrigation, and you don't need to worry."

Tang En smiled at the farmer, "Trust me, the harvest this year will be very good."

"We believe you..."

The farmer said, looking at Tang En hesitantly, as if he had something to say but didn't dare to.

"What's wrong? Is there another problem?"

The farmer mustered the courage to ask, "My lord, we saw the notice on the bulletin board this morning. You announced a tax reduction of 5%, is that true?"

So efficient?

Tang En looked at Fiona with surprise. Fiona looked proud, seemingly expecting his praise.

Tang En收回视线，冲着农户笑道：“当然是真的了。”

Fiona's face stiffened, and she stomped her foot in frustration, "This guy!"

"Great! Really great!"

The farmers cheered, each pulling the rough hands of the others, tears of excitement streaming down their faces.

Just 5%... Just a 5% tax reduction... They were so excited.

Tang En felt a complex mix of emotions. Farmers, no matter which world they come from, are so simple. All they want is to have enough to eat and a little extra money. Sadly, even this humble wish is hard to achieve.

"You trust me, so I will bring you a happy life."

Tang En promised them very seriously and solemnly, "In the coming days, you will see changes in Ellington. I promise you will witness the rise of Ellington."

Elsa blinked, her heart full of excitement. At this moment, she felt Tang En was truly charismatic!

Yilaya, on the other hand, thought very simply. She believed Tang En was a good person, so everyone would like him. That's how children think.

After walking around the fields and noting the situation, they headed southwest towards Ellington. After a short walk down a small slope, they saw the Emerald River.

On the west side of the Emerald River, there was a dense forest, with tall trees spreading towards the mountains, forming an endless sea of trees, which was the Emerald Forest, the territory of the elves.

On the east side was Ellington's territory. The riverbank was covered with large areas of vegetation and moisture-loving shrubs, as well as some relatively sparse and low trees, forming a stark contrast to the other side.

"Right here!"

Yilaya waved her small hands happily, "There are so many mint plants here."

Tang En took a deep breath. The fresh air was filled with the scent of mint, invigorating his spirit. Looking around, he saw the riverbank densely covered with mint, which reassured him and sparked other ideas.

The climate here was so suitable for mint growth that it could be cultivated as an economic crop in Ellington, encouraging everyone to plant it.

Then, he could set up essential oil extraction equipment to process mint into various products like mint spices, mint candies, mint soaps, mint toothpaste, and mint soda...

Perhaps, these mints could earn him a fortune?

Tang En's eyes sparkled with gold. To him, this field of mint was not just an anonymous plant but a field of shiny gold coins!

"These mint plants... What's so good about them?"

Elsa asked curiously, "They smell nice in small amounts, but when a large area matures, the whole area is filled with that smell, which is quite overwhelming."

"Haha, what's so good about them?"

Tang En laughed and patted Elsa's head, "Elsa, do you believe me when I say these mint plants will bring a lot of money to Ellington in the future?"

Elsa hesitated, but Yilaya said without hesitation, "I believe anything Big Brother says!"

"Oh? You're not afraid I might be lying to you?"

"Not afraid! Because Big Brother is a good person!"

"Good person..."

Tang En touched his nose, "Hmm... Big Brother will buy you lollipops in the future."

"Lollipops? What are those?"

"Wait and see... Fiona?"

Tang En noticed that Fiona seemed to be in a daze and called her name curiously.

"You said these mint plants can make money?"

Fiona turned around, and Tang En was stunned. He thought he was already quite money-minded, but Fiona's reaction was even more exaggerated!

She was already in a state of frenzy!

"My lord! What can these mint plants do? Can they speed up meditation? Or do they have special effects for mages? Can they restore magic power? Or can they be used as special spell components?"

Fiona fired off a series of questions, assuming subconsciously that the mint plants had special effects for mages since she knew Tang En was a mage.

"None of that... None of that..."

Tang En wiped his cold sweat, "They are just ordinary plants..."

"Ordinary plants?"

"Yes, very ordinary, just with a special scent."

Fiona immediately lost interest, "Just that..."

For the people of Plandar, the value of something lies in whether it has any effect on the Enlightened.

For example, magical metals are so valuable because they can effectively contain elemental power, and the equipment made from them can significantly enhance combat power.

Certain herbs are expensive because they can be refined into various potions by alchemists, which can enhance combat power or heal injuries.

An ordinary plant with just a special scent could make money?

Fiona scoffed at the idea. Even if Tang En was a powerful mage, she thought he was just boasting.

Don't forget, the Golden Rose family started in business, and her business acumen was far sharper than Tang En's.

"You don't believe me?"

Tang En snorted, "Dare to bet with me?"

"What kind of bet?"

Tang En smiled, "If these mint plants can make money, you'll work for me for the rest of your life. How about that?"

"That's no problem!"

Fiona's heart skipped a beat, but she said nonchalantly, "But, what exactly does 'make money' mean?"

Tang En thought for a moment and raised one finger.

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