A daily intelligence report; in chaotic times and famine years, grain is plentiful.

"Even if you can grow something here, it won't be enough for the autumn harvest."

"Yes, it was a wasted trip."

Complaints continued.

Many villagers echoed this sentiment, their excitement gradually fading and replaced by disappointment.

Chen Mo didn't rush to explain; he simply raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"Fellow villagers, don't rush to start cultivating the land today."

These words only deepened everyone's confusion.

"Then why did you call us here? Isn't this ridiculous?"

"Old Master Li, please say a few words."

Some people threw down their farm tools in frustration.

"Merva, what exactly is your plan?"

Li Laogen couldn't guess what Chen Mo was thinking.

Chen Mo glanced at everyone and said, "There are plenty of wild vegetables and mushrooms around here. Now, everyone, split into groups of two or three and go out to find something to eat. Don't go too far, and come back here before noon."

He naturally had his own plans.

Let everyone find food first. Firstly, this will solve the immediate problem of food rations. Secondly, it will also be an opportunity to observe the group's efficiency and character.

In this way, we can see who really wants to follow Chen Mo to fill their stomachs and who is just here to fish in troubled waters.

Based on his previous survey, this valley has more than 30 acres of wasteland suitable for growing potatoes; with some effort, it could be expanded to about 50 acres.

What's important about this place isn't how much land it has, but its seclusion.

Chen Mo's words sparked another round of discussion among those present.

"Just looking for wild vegetables?"

"I came here because I heard I could farm. Chen Mo, you don't have any other options either, do you?"

Seeing the doubts on everyone's faces again, Li Laogen quickly smoothed things over: "Everyone, please calm down. Right now, being able to fill our stomachs is more important than anything else."

Seeing that Li Laogen said so, the villagers gradually put away their doubts.

"Oh well."

"Let's go over there."

The group formed teams and scattered in different directions, heading towards various parts of the valley.

"Uncle Li, you have difficulty moving around, Dazhu and I will take care of your things."

Chen Mo said calmly.

"Mova, do you have your own plans?"

Li Laogen knew very well that Chen Mo's plan was not that simple.

Chen Mo nodded slightly and said, "Uncle Li, don't worry, I'll go with Dazhu to find something to eat first."

After saying that, he pulled Sun Dazhu and walked into the valley.

This valley is rarely visited by people; no one comes here on ordinary days.

There are still plenty of wild vegetables and mushrooms in the mountains and forests.

"Brother Mo, with so many people, relying solely on wild food might not last until the autumn harvest."

Sun Dazhu said in a low voice.

"I know."

Chen Mo bent down to pick wild mushrooms and said, "Now we'll see if they can hold on."

Upon hearing this, Sun Dazhu suddenly realized what was going on.

Their precious grain reserves certainly cannot be so easily distributed to others.

However, if they can recruit reliable people to join them and find more food together, they can unite closely.

It's hard to go from luxury to frugality. If we give them good food from the beginning, they will probably be more satisfied in the future.

Time passed quickly, and when Chen Mo returned to the meeting point, he saw that all of the dozen or so people who had been there earlier had finished collecting samples.

Since these people haven't left, it means they're quite reliable and can endure hardship.

"Dazhu, take the things out."

Chen Mo turned his head and said.

Sun Dazhu nodded, then took out the iron pot he had hidden beforehand, along with some salt, and began to cook.

Just now, he also took a wooden bucket and went to a mountain stream two miles away to fill it with water.

Lunch can be taken care of now.

"We've really gained a lot from this place."

"Yes, we've finished harvesting today. What will we do for meals afterwards?"

The expressions on everyone's faces were not as solemn as before, but they were still not completely at ease.

Lunch was easy to prepare; although it was just plain soup and water, it was still considered a delicious meal these days.

The villagers gradually developed more trust than their initial skepticism.

"Chen Mo, everyone's full now, what should we do?"

Someone asked.

Chen Mo asked everyone to sit down, his expression gradually becoming serious.

"As everyone can see, although there are plenty of resources here, we certainly can't survive until autumn by just digging for wild vegetables, let alone hand over those two hundred catties of grain."

This one sentence made everyone tense again.

"Even if we planted the land now, we wouldn't be able to get two hundred catties of grain, let alone Chen Mo, who has to pay three hundred catties."

Someone sighed.

"The Wang family must be colluding with the officials to exploit us. It's better not to pay the grain. Anyway, this place is so secluded, so why don't we all bring our families and hide for a while?"

"That's what someone nearby suggested."

This statement drew many echoes of his words.

"Everyone, please be quiet."

Chen Mo raised his hand.

The villagers shut their mouths and looked at Chen Mo.

"Leaving aside whether or not we can deliver the grain, our most urgent task is to cultivate this wasteland."

Chen Mo continued.

"But what can be grown in this place?"

Li Laogen remained quite puzzled.

"Yes, this place is so barren, and there's no water nearby. Ordinary crops definitely won't survive. Besides, we've run out of seeds..." someone else added.

"Ordinary crops certainly can't be grown, but we can grow another kind of food."

Chen Mo reached into his robes.

"What food?"

Li Laogen immediately asked out of curiosity.

Chen Mo gave Sun Dazhu a look, and the latter immediately took out a bag from the bushes next to him and opened it.

Dozens of sprouted potatoes appeared before everyone.

"What is this?"

Someone asked in confusion, "I've never seen anything like it."

"These potatoes are now being used as staple food by many people outside."

Chen Mo picked up a potato and placed it in front of everyone.

The village is relatively isolated, and most people have never seen this kind of foreign food before. They held it in their hands and weighed it carefully.

"This stuff isn't picky about the land; it can be grown even in barren soil. It can be harvested in three or four months, and the yield is quite good. Plus, it's very filling."

Chen Mo explained.

These potatoes are not only hardy, but also do not require seeds.

He and Sun Dazhu had previously planted quite a few vegetables in their secret vegetable garden and had already gained successful experience.

"Does such a wonderful thing really exist?"

"If we can really grow it well, then we won't have to worry about our food reserves today..."

"Chen Mo, where did you get all this stuff?"

Someone asked in confusion.

"This is what I got from a merchant in town, by exchanging all my savings."

Chen Mo made up an excuse.

He certainly won't reveal all the details now.

However, these villagers in front of me seem to be quite reliable.

"Don't worry, I've eaten quite a lot of this stuff, and it tastes pretty good."

Chen Mo continued.

Seeing that Chen Mo had said this, everyone was completely relieved.

"These are all my trump cards, Chen Mo's trump cards. I'm bringing them out today because I consider everyone to be in the same boat. If you all want to survive and not be conscripted into the army, we have no choice but to work together."

Chen Mo's gaze hardened.

The villagers' eyes also became more solemn.

"We may have to endure some tough times ahead. If you don't want to keep going, you can leave now."

After Chen Mo finished speaking, he looked around at everyone.

This is the final test...