It had only been a short while since he last came, but the plantation in the southern part of the city had already changed significantly.

All the fields were well divided, with waist-high fences clearly separating each plot. The fields stretched out endlessly, and the paths were wide enough for spirit-powered carts to zip around. Many plots already had small shelters built over them, giving the entire plantation an organized and orderly appearance.

At this time, most of the seedlings planted had already sprouted, creating a vibrant green that looked full of life at a glance.

Of course, there were still some issues here and there, but Lin Qinghen didn’t mind the small things. He’d turn a blind eye to minor disruptions.

He knew that some people were using their plots to plant other types of spirit plants, but he didn’t really care about that. If the people thought they’d make better profits by planting something else, they were free to choose. As long as each plot delivered the portion he required, that was enough.

For Lin Qinghen, it was a win-win situation. Plus, he understood that words alone weren’t always effective; sometimes people had to try things out to learn for themselves.

Among the known Yellow-Tier spirit plants, the types he provided were definitely the best in terms of cost-effectiveness. Some people wouldn’t appreciate it until they tried other options.

Aside from this, there were a few fields in the plantation that stood out awkwardly, with patches of withered seedlings looking ashy and lifeless.

Today, Lin Qinghen was here specifically because of this.

Some people had tried building multiple layers of frames to grow more plants. Yesterday, Yu Yinyin had told Lin Qinghen that, since everyone was unfamiliar with it, things didn’t go smoothly on their first try. After setting up the frames, many of the seedlings had withered and died.

Some people from the Alchemist Association had seen this and, being hot-headed, scolded the farmers. Their general message was that this was the consequence of not following instructions. Die Meng found out about it afterward and immediately went to inform Lin Qinghen.

Lin Qinghen went to check it out today. He knew there was one person who had been the first to try, with the others following his lead. They all failed, but this person had persisted the longest.

The person responsible for this plot seemed a bit embarrassed when he saw Lin Qinghen, as if he’d disappointed him somehow. He had barely managed to greet him with a “Master Lin” before he heard Lin Qinghen call him by name and say, “It’s alright, don’t be nervous.”

The man was pleasantly surprised. “Master Lin remembers me?”

Lin Qinghen replied, “Of course, I remember.”

Even more surprising, he knew exactly where the man lived in the city and had a rough idea of his family’s situation.

Lin Qinghen didn’t need to prepare in advance. Just one look, and he remembered.

Everyone had signed the agreement with him personally. No matter how busy he was back then, he made it a point to handle this himself, refusing to delegate it to anyone else.

With his photographic memory, Lin Qinghen saw it as a chance to understand the people of Lei City on a deeper level.

The man hadn’t expected Lin Qinghen to remember a small figure like him. Not only that, but Lin Qinghen wasn’t scolding him like others did, which made him visibly excited.

The people of Lei City all knew that Master Lin was different from the others. He was approachable and kind. Even though he’d ruined the whole field, Lin Qinghen wasn’t mad.

“Sigh, alright, I won’t experiment anymore. I’ll just follow Master Lin’s instructions,” he said, scratching his head in embarrassment. “I got greedy and ended up ruining the healthy seedlings.”

Lin Qinghen didn’t respond immediately; he had already turned to examine the frames he’d built.

Though a bit crude, it was well-structured. Walking closer, Lin Qinghen thought it resembled the greenhouses from his past life. It was neat and clearly made with care.

“Your idea is good,” Lin Qinghen told him after taking a look, “but there are a few things I want to point out, which are why it failed. First, it’s too crowded; the nutrients won’t be enough.”

He grabbed a twig and drew small squares in the dirt, showing him the spacing. Each plant needed to be at a suitable distance from the next.

Then Lin Qinghen touched the soil on the frame to check its depth.

“The proportions are correct, but there isn’t enough soil on top. You need at least this thickness to support the spirit plants’ growth.” Lin Qinghen gestured, drawing a line on the frame. “I’d recommend building a maximum of two layers. If you go to three or more, the soil won’t keep up, and it’ll be difficult to manage in the later stages.”

High-level Yellow-Tier spirit plants require energy to maintain. Attempting to grow twice as much with two layers would also take a significant investment.

Lin Qinghen knew his plants well. A single touch and he could sense if things were off.

However, he hadn’t come to supervise everyone directly from the start. He wanted people to try on their own, to come up with ideas, and learn from their mistakes. This way, they would be more willing to listen to advice, especially after they understood the basics, which would allow him to help them improve further.

“Reinforce it as well, and consider switching to a sturdier material. This one isn’t good enough.” Lin Qinghen shook the frame. “When you get further along, you’ll see that the root systems of these spirit plants are strong. The watering solution will trigger a reaction, and if the frame isn’t stable, it’ll collapse as the roots invade.”

Switching to sturdier materials would cost more, and Lin Qinghen would cover that expense himself.

He explained this openly.

The man listened intently, noting everything down. Lin Qinghen gave him a look and added, “Don’t worry. When you signed the alliance oath, I told you that if you made a mistake, you could start over. But fixing all these issues will take a lot of extra effort, and there’s still a chance of failure. Do you still want to try?”

The man, a middle-aged laborer with muscles, was a full head taller than Lin Qinghen. Now, he looked down humbly, seeking Lin Qinghen’s advice. “Does Master Lin want me to try?”

“I certainly do.”

“Then I’ll give it a shot!” He grinned. “I’ve spent half my life working for others in nearby gardens, always following orders. Now that I finally have a piece of land to manage on my own, I want to do things my way.”

Because of Lin Qinghen’s visit, quite a few curious onlookers had gathered around, watching their conversation. Lin Qinghen’s attitude was visible to everyone.

“Then go ahead and try. I’ll come back in a few days to check on you,” Lin Qinghen smiled at him. “If you have any issues, Die Meng will back you up.”

His words weren’t just for the man in front of him but for everyone.

“Thank you, Master Lin!”

Mu Jiu, watching from not far away, shook his head and glared at his subordinates.

“You all are too impulsive, rushing to scold people. In the end, you’re just making things easier for Lin Qinghen.” He shook his head, sighing. “Look at him – this is how you win people over.”

The people of Lei City used to fear Lin Qinghen like a ghost, but now they couldn’t wait to welcome him.

But Lin Qinghen was more than just kind on the surface.

As he left the field, Yin Jiuxiao overheard him instructing his men in a low voice, “Keep an eye on him. If he needs anything, assist him with a good attitude. Fulfill any reasonable requests. He’s already gaining more trust in our side among the major powers in Lei City, which is a rare advantage.”

“When he produces something useful, invite him to join Die Meng at the first opportunity.”

Creative talents like this needed to be firmly on his side.

Lin Qinghen was also aware of what most of the onlookers were thinking. Initially, few dared to experiment, preferring a cautious approach, waiting to see if others succeeded before copying them.

But Lin Qinghen knew it wasn’t that simple.

The growth of spirit plants involved many unstable factors, and various details needed to be handled properly. It wasn’t just a matter of casually building frames and adding more soil to double the crop yield; copying appearances wouldn’t work.

In a way, it was almost like having proprietary techniques.

“Patents” weren’t limited to just this. He hadn’t only visited this one person today but had also checked on several other “rebels” who were doing things differently. They each had their own unique ideas.

One person, rather than focusing on planting, was trying to improve farm tools.

This man was an alchemist, though his talent was limited, currently only a Yellow-Tier Two Star. He usually crafted basic spiritual devices to make ends meet. Living alone, he hoped to grow spirit plants for additional income but could only afford a small plot.

Unwilling to settle for small gains, he wanted to make more money by tackling a larger plot, so he started experimenting with tool modifications as a way to help himself farm.

Lin Qinghen wasn’t skilled in crafting spiritual devices, but after personally checking it out, he saw that this man had real potential and innovative ideas.

This approach was clearly moving toward automation. Although still just a budding idea, it was beyond Lin Qinghen’s expectations.

“Great, keep it up,” Lin Qinghen praised after observing his work. “I’ll reach out to the Alchemist Association in Lei City. If you need anything, you can ask them or contact someone from Die Meng anytime.”

Upon hearing this, the man’s eyes widened. “You don’t think it’s unrealistic?”

“Of course not. I think it’s fascinating.” Lin Qinghen looked at him, his eyes full of encouragement. “Keep going; I believe in you.”

Lin Qinghen seemed to have a natural talent for inspiring others. After a few words, and a bit of advice based on his past life experience, the man looked at him with a new admiration.

For Lin Qinghen, these people were his most valuable gains during the time he had left things in the hands of external development forces. They were also critical for the next phase of his plan.

Lei City had indeed been stirred up, but it was still a collection of small, family-run farms, each minding their own business. If he wanted a transformation, he needed the advanced to lead the way for the rest.

Originally, Lei City had been a stagnant pool. Initially, Lin Qinghen couldn’t see who the “advanced” individuals were, but now he’d found them. They were the ones stepping up under these circumstances.

Next, he would “cultivate” these people like spirit plants, giving them a chance to incubate their ideas, using them to inspire others.

Lin Qinghen knew that the household-based contracting system was just the most basic structure. There was much more needed. His next step would be to shift away from individual families toward a more advanced production model, forming an actual industry within Lei City.

Farming couldn’t remain so scattered. Better, more stable, and more efficient methods would inevitably lead to centralized operations.

The current situation was just a beginner’s phase. It was a gentle start, allowing everyone to get a taste of the benefits. Later on, people would naturally start believing in what he said, just like the old saying of “boiling a frog slowly in warm water.”

Lin Qinghen was already familiar with the process from his experience with poverty alleviation. He planned to start with the basics of farming, then introduce a farmers’ cooperative—though adjusted for the Spirit World context.

The foundation would be solidly built, uniting everyone more effectively and refining their roles to boost efficiency. And as for the “hook” to get everyone willingly on board? That would come from the improved yields and profits from his “patented” techniques.

With Lei City’s entire production chain clarified, only then would this place see true, steady development.

Lin Qinghen had already explained his ideas to Yu Yinyin and Lin Yunsi. They seemed to understand part of it but didn’t fully grasp the concept.

It was understandable, as this was a long-term plan, and he would take it slow. They didn’t have his experience, so not getting it right away was normal.

But Yin Jiuxiao understood.

Lin Qinghen sometimes found him impressive, with a sharper understanding than most people. Yin Jiuxiao could grasp even this.

“If this is what you’re thinking, then the Lang Clan will be useful,” he said, not only comprehending but also offering new ideas. “I think I know how to arrange them.”

Author’s Note:

Lin Qinghen: From Xiaogang Village to Huaxi Village, the responsibility of a poverty alleviation officer. Who understands?

Yin Jiuxiao: [raises hand]