Transmigrated into a female county magistrate during a famine, leading her country to prosperity

Dusk falls.

When it was time to get off work, each manager told everyone to count the tools and get ready to go to work.

But today's laborers were obviously a little absent-minded. They left out several tools when counting them, and it took them a full quarter of an hour to complete the count.

When the laborers walked out of the dam together, Shen Zheng and Mr. Qiao also finished their work successfully.

Eight people worked together to assemble all the labor-saving tools within one day.

Looking at those tools, big and small, everyone in the Ministry of Works felt like they were dreaming.

"Were these...faked by us?"

jack?

Pulley block transporter?

Any one of them is a tool that can be recorded in history, but they are all lined up to be released today?

As expected... as long as you follow Lord Shen, a fool can become a genius.

"Thank you for your hard work today." Shen Zheng rubbed his waist and handed over the tool drawings. "Take these drawings back to the Ministry of Works. You can make more in the future, or pass them on to local government offices so that labor-saving tools can be popularized in the Great Zhou."

Looking at the blueprint that was so close, no one dared to reach out to take it.

"Shen, Master Shen, this is too valuable. We..."

We want to, but we're embarrassed to ask...

"I told you to take it, so just take it." Old Qiao helped Shen Zheng stuff the blueprints into their hands. "Lord Shen has so many great ideas in his head. If the Ministry of Industry doesn't hurry up and make them this time, it won't be long before something new comes out. What will you do then? You'll just be left staring in frustration!"

It was a thin stack of drawings, but it felt heavy to the touch.

Everyone in the Ministry of Works was so eager to worship Shen Zheng that they hurriedly thanked him, "Thank you, Lord Shen! Thank you, Lord Shen! We will return to the Ministry of Works immediately and give the blueprints to the Minister for his review!"

Several people retreated while talking, and just as they were about to disappear, Old Qiao shouted at the top of his voice: "Remember to have someone come and help me install the fan tomorrow! Do you hear me?"

"I heard—"

The shouts were quickly blown away by the evening breeze.

After washing his hands, Mr. Qiao walked towards the carriage. After two steps, he turned back to look at Shen Zheng: "What's wrong? Aren't you going home?"

"You go back first." Shen Zheng looked at Zeng Tongshi who was walking over with tools in his arms. "Master Zeng and I still have some things to discuss. We'll go back later. Please tell the doorman to leave the side door open."

"Oh... okay." Old Qiao nodded, sensibly not asking any more questions. "Then you should come back early and be careful when doing things. No matter what, your safety is the most important thing."

......

The dusk is like ink, filling the entire sky bit by bit.

Hua Duo held a glass lantern and stood on the edge of the field with Shen Zheng. The evening breeze blew past with the fragrance of rice leaves.

The Yulin Guards hid in the dark, blending into the night. Zeng Tongshi walked over, holding his official robe, one step deep and one step shallow.

Looking at the endless rice fields before him, he asked in confusion, "Master Shen, the laborers all said they heard that strange cry near the dam. Why are we looking for it in these rice fields?"

This rice field belongs to the people living in the suburbs of Beijing and is hundreds of steps away from the river dam.

According to Zeng Tongshi's idea, he would rather wait at the river dam and "sit back and wait". Now that they have left the river dam, it is not only dark, but also there is no guard to protect them.

If Lord Shen were to be put in danger, he would have ten heads to chop off.

Shen Zheng squatted down, pushed aside the rice leaves beside the embankment, and motioned Hua Duo to hold the lamp closer.

"It's summer now, so I suspect it could survive both on land and in the water. If it's a vegetarian, it might eat rice leaves or roots. If it's a meat eater..."

She looked at the insects and snails in the rice paddies. "It's likely... hunting these little things."

Zeng Tongshi was immediately convinced by her. "I almost forgot that you are not only a genius in construction, but also have unparalleled achievements in farming. So, tell me, what should I do now? I'll listen to your advice..."

"Moo-moo-moo"

Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by a strange roar.

Zeng Tongshi's hair stood on end, and he stood there motionless. "Shen, Shen, Shen Lord, they are talking about... this sound, right? I have never heard it before, it's so weird..."

Compared to his fear of facing a formidable enemy, Shen Zheng's brows were furrowed.

She had heard correctly yesterday.

The "monster" that Li Gong mentioned was indeed a bullfrog, which is a complete invasive species in today's Great Zhou.

As a carnivorous animal, the bullfrog's diet covers almost all small animals native to the Great Zhou Dynasty. For example, the tiger frog in the rice field, which is called the frog by the people, cannot survive more than three rounds in the mouth of a bullfrog.

Bullfrogs not only prey on these small animals, but will even attack their larvae and eggs, leaving them no living space at all.

This is not even the worst.

Worst of all, bullfrogs have a huge impact on the ecological balance.

Not only does it destroy the roots of aquatic plants, its excrement can also cause eutrophication of water bodies. It is known as the "biochemical mother walking in rice fields."

And yesterday...someone actually caught bullfrogs and brought them into the city.

Who is it?

Rich businessman?

Hube?

Or... someone with ulterior motives?

Suppressing these thoughts, Shen Zheng asked Hua Duo to light a few more lamps.

No matter who catches the bullfrogs, she cannot allow them to reproduce endlessly and destroy the ecological environment in the suburbs of Beijing.

Catch him first!

The sound of night insects gradually rises, and the night is as thick as ink.

"Master Shen, why isn't it barking anymore..." Zeng Tongshi silently took two steps towards Shen Zheng. "Do you think it will suddenly rush over and attack us? Don't be afraid... I, I will protect you."

Seeing him trembling all over, Shen Zheng sighed lightly, "If you are afraid, Master Zeng, please go to the road and wait for me, so that you don't make too much noise and scare that thing away."

Zeng Tongshi stiffened his neck and forced himself to stare at the rice field: "No, I'm not afraid! I'll stay with you!"

Since we can only hear the sound but not see the object, it means that the thing is not big and is likely hidden in the rice field.

Since he was not that big, he figured he could still fight.

"...Okay." Shen Zheng's persuasion was fruitless. She took the two lamps from Hua Duo and walked deeper into the field along the ridge. "Follow me. No matter what you see or hear, don't scream suddenly."

"well......"

After walking on the ridge of the field for about half a minute, Shen Zheng suddenly stopped beside an old tree.

Zeng Tongshi covered his mouth and watched her every move silently.

She held the lamp and looked at the tree trunk for a moment, then raised her hand and whispered, "Dagger."

Huaduo took off the dagger from his waist and gently placed it in her palm.

Shen Zheng took the dagger but did not unsheathe it. Instead, she tapped the tree trunk lightly with the scabbard.

The dull "knock knock" sound echoed in the night, and Zeng Tongshi felt creepy and swallowed his saliva.

The chirping of insects around suddenly stopped.

Zeng Tongshi was just curious when he saw her take out an oil-paper bag from her sleeve. She opened the bag and looked at it in the light - it contained crushed grains and fish intestines.

"Gulu——"

Smelling the fishy stench of the shredded fish intestines, Zeng Tongshi's admiration for Shen Zheng increased several levels.

Lord Shen's courage...seems to be beyond praise.