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

The village notice board was already crowded with villagers.

"The Niujia Village Wharf Reconstruction Project is now recruiting carpenters, stonemasons, laborers, and cooks. Three meals a day will be provided, and wages will be paid monthly. Those interested should register at the village office."

Most of the villagers were illiterate. It was only when a storyteller read it out that everyone realized it was a job posting. Not only were meals provided, but more importantly, there was also a generous wage.

. . . .

Grandpa Niu was having lunch at home. A bowl of thick white rice porridge and a salted fish were the perfect combination for him.

“I’m telling you, you old man, you’re just a worthless person. The scholar sent so much rice, you could have had enough plain rice every day, but you insist on eating plain porridge.”

His wife kept nagging beside him, but Grandpa Niu was also helpless. It wasn't that he didn't want to eat, but he didn't know if it was because he was getting old or what. Although the white rice was fragrant, he could only eat a few bites, but he could drink two bowls of rice porridge.

"Knock knock~~~"

Who is it?

"Knock knock~~~~"

"What are you banging on? Are you holding a funeral?"

Old Mrs. Niu put down her bowl and chopsticks and was about to open the door when the knocking started. She immediately began to curse, but when she opened the door, the cursing stopped abruptly.

Large beads of sweat appeared on the old woman's head and then streamed down her wrinkled face. It was clear that she was flustered and even a little scared.

"What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything?"

When Uncle Niu's wife didn't move for a while, he turned his head and froze in place.

The entrance was now surrounded by a crowd, all staring at Master Niu with bloodshot eyes.

"What... what are you doing..."

. . .

"Uncle Niu, I can endure hardship."

"Please accept me, Master Niu."

"Uncle Niu, I can cook."

"Lord Muramasa, I am a carpenter."

Damn, they were looking for a job! That scared the hell out of me!

"Line up and register one by one. Old woman, go and call a few people to help. I can't do it alone."

"Eh."

The construction team, originally planned to have around 300 people, ended up having 400. Zhou Wu and Master Niu had discussed this beforehand and were willing to take extra care of them.

"This is the design plan for the new dock."

Zhou Wu spent two days drawing up the design for the dock. When everyone looked at the drawings, they were all stunned by the scale of the new dock.

"This...this, isn't the dock a bit too big?"

“That’s right, scholar. Didn’t you say you only needed twenty boat seats? I counted them, and there are at least fifty.”

Niu Ye felt that it was a waste to build fifty berths when there were only twenty ships. Even though they had money now, they couldn't afford to waste it like that.

"Everyone, I originally thought of building a new dock based on the number of our existing ships, but then I thought about it and realized that the future development of our Niujia Village will definitely depend more on the sea. So we need to plan for the dock with a long-term vision. Maybe in less than a year, our fifty berths will not be enough."

“I think what the adults say makes sense. I am mainly in charge of marine trade. Let me share some of my humble opinions. Although our village is currently well-off, it is all windfall and not a long-term solution. Marine trade can be said to be the pillar industry of our village, and the profits are very considerable. Therefore, I personally suggest that vigorously developing marine trade should be the key task.”

Deng Yuanliang strongly supported Zhou Wu's work and also expressed some of his own opinions. After listening, everyone felt that what he said made a lot of sense. Niujia Village was not short of money now, but all of that money was the spoils of war plundered from the Khmer army by the mountain bandits. This wealth could only be used up more and more.

"I agree."

"I agree."

The temporary committee of Niujia Village, consisting of Zhou Wu, Deng Yuanliang, Niu Er, and Niu Ye, unanimously approved the construction of the new wharf. The shipyard was also working overtime to catch up on the work, as it was related to the livelihood of most of the villagers in Niujia Village.

------

The capital city, the imperial palace.

In stark contrast to the darkness outside the palace after the curfew, the palace was brightly decorated, and a victory banquet was being held for the victorious return of the crown prince.

Although there were some minor hiccups during the Crown Prince's expedition, Emperor Li Tiancheng was generally very satisfied, so he drank a few extra cups during the banquet.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince has fought against three kingdoms single-handedly this time, displaying extraordinary bravery. It is truly a blessing for our Great Dragon Kingdom. This old minister toasts Your Highness."

The white-haired old man stood up shakily, raised his wine cup and toasted Crown Prince Li Junren. This man was none other than Zhuang Ying, the powerful Left Chancellor of the court. Unlike the Right Chancellor, who was a radical, the Left Chancellor had been by Li Tiancheng's side since before he became emperor, so he was a more shrewd and cunning man.

"Left Prime Minister, you're making the Crown Prince arrogant."

Anyone could see that the emperor had no intention of blaming the prince at this moment; it was obvious that everyone's flattery of the crown prince made him, as the father, even happier.

"You are too kind, Prime Minister. You have offended my great dragon, though you will surely be punished."

"Good, good, the Crown Prince actually has such a spirit, he is truly a hero."

The Crown Prince has always been perceived as a well-behaved and conventional figure. To put it bluntly, he is neither good at literature nor martial arts, but he is outstanding in terms of moral character and is definitely the most gentle and kind among all the princes.

But the Crown Prince's sudden remark surprised everyone, and they all secretly marveled at how the Crown Prince had suddenly become both literate and skilled in martial arts.

"I dare not take credit; this is not what I said."

"Oh, who said that?"

Not only were others curious, but Li Tiancheng's originally droopy eyelids widened as he stared intently at the Crown Prince.

"Zhou Wu, commander of the Qingyang Legion."

"It's him."

It was Zhou Wu again. Recently, this little-known figure, Zhou Wu, seemed to be appearing more frequently in the upper echelons of the empire. Even the Sage Li Tiancheng, who was standing to the side, squinted his eyes, seemingly deep in thought. However, this was just a minor incident, and soon everyone continued drinking and making merry.

------

The following day, the imperial court bestowed different rewards upon the meritorious officials who had participated in the expedition. The Crown Prince's contribution was undoubtedly the greatest, but since he was already the highest-ranking official below the emperor, the rewards were mostly honorary titles and material incentives.

The soldiers who accompanied the army were basically able to be promoted one and a half ranks. Zhou Wu and the Qingyang Army were also promoted. Zhou Wu was promoted to the eighth rank of Qingyang Army Commander and given the title of Xuanjie Xiaowei. He went directly from the ninth rank to the eighth rank, winning three ranks in a row. Niu Er also replaced Zhou Wu's original position and was given the title of Pei Rong Fuwei, which was the ninth rank.

The military pay and benefits of the Qingyang Army were originally borne by Zhou Wu privately, but now, thanks to his official appointment in the capital, Zhou Wu no longer needs to pay out of his own pocket. Of course, whether Zhou Wu himself is willing to provide benefits to everyone is another matter.