If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

"Gentlemen, Lord Village Chief, you are being too kind. Although my Zhou family are outsiders, we are still considered part of the village. Since my father passed away, we have been fortunate to receive the help of the villagers. Otherwise, I, Zhou Wu, would not be where I am today. That is why I have taken the liberty of inviting you all to this gathering. I won't say anything more; there will be plenty of fish today."

Muramasa has already played the bad cop, and now it's Zhou Wu's turn to play the good cop.

As soon as Zhou Wu finished speaking, the women came out in pairs, carrying pots of stewed fish. The villagers, who were already starving, were now eyeing the fish pieces in the pots with great eagerness.

Each table was also served a large bowl of steamed white and brown rice. Although it was just brown rice mixed with some white rice, it was already a rare treat, as many people couldn't even afford thin porridge.

All that could be heard at each table was the hushed sound of eating and drinking. Zhou Wu, as the host, was eating and drinking with the village chief at the main table, and even secretly poured the village chief a bowl of wine, which made the village chief's soul tremble with excitement.

"It's been so long since I've had a drink. Just the smell of it makes me feel energized."

In this era, it's rare to find a man who doesn't drink. It's just a matter of whether he has less money or more. In the early years when the village was doing well, the men would drink a little, since they all did heavy physical labor and a little alcohol was quite refreshing. The village head was a prime example of this.

However, the harvest from the land over the years has been so poor that people can't even get enough to eat, let alone drink alcohol. That's why the village chief was so excited by a bowl of wine that he was trembling all over.

A large bowl of brown rice mixed with white rice, topped with a spoonful of fish broth, is absolutely delicious.

"His dad, his dad, what's wrong?"

Just as everything was peaceful, a piercing sound suddenly rang out. At one of the tables, a middle-aged man was clutching his neck, seemingly unable to breathe, his face flushed red. A woman beside him was crying and shouting, but she was helpless.

"Step aside."

Just when everyone was at a loss for what to do, Zhou Wu pushed through the crowd and began to help the man.

Upon seeing that the man was choking, Zhou Wu immediately performed the Heimlich maneuver, hugging him from behind and repeatedly compressing his chest. Soon, the man expelled the object stuck in his throat.

"Hoo~~~~ Ah~~~"

The man greedily inhaled the air, and everyone around him was relieved to see that he had returned to normal.

"Thank you, Scholar Zhou, thank you, Scholar Zhou. No wonder everyone says you are a miracle doctor."

The man's wife, overjoyed and weeping, came to Zhou Wu to express her gratitude. Her words and the events of the day further proved that the rumors circulating in the village recently, that Zhou Xiucai was a miracle doctor, were indeed true.

"Hmph, I told you long ago that Scholar Zhou's medical skills are superb, but you people just wouldn't believe me."

At this moment, Grandpa Zhang stepped forward. Ever since Zhou Wu cured his diarrhea, Grandpa Zhang had always supported Zhou Wu, no matter the occasion.

From then on, Zhou Wu's reputation as a divine healer spread throughout the village.

------

"Village Chief, what brings you here today?"

Zhou Wu was a little curious. Usually, he was the one who asked the village chief for help, and this was the first time the village chief had taken the initiative to invite him.

"Old woman, go pour me a glass of water."

Tea didn't exist in this era, but I heard that in big cities, the wealthy liked to prepare drinks with spices. However, in the countryside, there weren't so many fancy things; a simple glass of water was more thirst-quenching than anything else.

"Eh."

"Scholar, I've called you here today because there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Muramasa seemed somewhat hesitant as he spoke.

"If you need anything from the village head, just let me know. I've done my best."

Having lived two lives, Zhou Wu immediately understood from the village head's expression that the village head wanted something from him. However, to Zhou Wu, the interactions between the village head and the villagers were very simple and pure, without any of the deceit and scheming or complicated interpersonal relationships. Therefore, he would definitely help if he could.

"I've decided to put you in Muramasa's position."

It took the village half a day to muster up the courage to speak up.

"What did the village head say? He wants me to be the village head?"

"Yes."

"No, no, Lord Muramasa, what kind of joke is this? No, no, I am so young and an outsider, I am not qualified to command respect. Moreover, it is precisely because Lord Muramasa is highly respected that the villagers can live in harmony. Please do not make such jokes again."

Zhou Wu thought he had misheard. How could he suddenly be made the village head? Zhou Wu couldn't accept it at all.

"Scholar, listen to me. As the village head, I should lead everyone to a better life. But Niujia Village has been getting worse year by year. I really can't do anything about it. Besides, I'm getting old. You are young, but I can see that it is because you are young that you have the drive and can lead everyone to have enough to eat."

After Muramasa finished speaking, he seemed much more relaxed, but he just stared straight at Zhou Wu.

"Lord Village Chief, there's no need for further words. You should remain the Village Chief. As for leading the villagers to prosperity, since I am a member of the village, it is my duty."

"Since that's the case, you can stop calling yourself Village Chief from now on. Since you're being so polite, just call me Master Ox."

Ushimura Masami couldn't persuade Zhou Wu otherwise, so he had no choice but to settle for second best.

"Okay, Mr. Niu."

"Scholar, do you have any good ideas for the development of our village?"

"Uncle Niu, I do have a few ideas for the development of our village."

In fact, the village's natural conditions are quite good. The villagers are poor despite having a gold mine, simply because they lack the necessary knowledge, understanding, and awareness. But for Zhou Wu, it's a completely different story.

"Oh, tell me quickly."

"Uncle Niu, we live right next to the sea, which has inexhaustible fishery resources. Why don't we make use of them?"

"Scholar, to tell you the truth, before your fishing net appeared, the villagers could only rely on collecting fish during the monthly low tide. On weekdays, they could only fish, and the harvest was meager. By the way, I forced Niu Er to tell me about the fishing net. Don't blame him, but rest assured, I will keep it a secret without your consent and I will not let you hand it over."

“What are you saying, Uncle Niu? It’s just a fishing net. I don’t care about it at all. As long as it can help everyone live a better life, I’m willing to contribute my fishing net.”

Zhou Wu was right. To outsiders, a fishing net was indeed like a magical artifact, but to Zhou Wu, it was really just a fishing net.

"Scholar, would you be willing to share your fishing net?"

Happiness came so suddenly that when Uncle Niu heard Zhou Wu's words, he was so excited that he almost fainted.

"Uncle Niu, it's just a fishing net. I have many more ways to make everyone live a good life. I can't say we'll become rich and powerful, but it's definitely possible for every family to have surplus grain and everyone to have spare money."

"really."