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

The Chen family used to be ordinary farmers. Thanks to Chen Mo's hard work, they finally started to live a good life, but they were constantly targeted by the Wang family.

If others find out that we have suddenly received this money, not only will the Wang family not let it go, but it may also bring more trouble.

"Father, don't worry. Now everyone in town thinks that General Zhao killed the tiger. I'm just General Zhao's handyman, so it shouldn't be too publicized."

Chen Mo said.

However, he knew that while he could fool others, the Wang family was still keeping an eye on him.

I hope so.

Chen Dashan frowned, his face serious.

It's certainly unsettling to keep this money hidden at home.

If the Wang family comes looking for trouble again, then we'll be in big trouble.

"Father, I'm planning to build a secret room in the house, just in case."

Chen Mo suddenly made a suggestion.

"A locked room?"

Chen Dashan was slightly taken aback, then nodded.

"You're right. We have so many good things hidden at home now, we can't let anyone find them easily."

"I've checked it out myself. The soil under the woodshed is easier to dig up. I'll start tonight. Let's not let Ling'er know about this yet," Chen Mo said.

"Okay, then Dad will lend you a hand too."

Chen Dashan nodded slowly.

Seeing the support in his father's eyes, Chen Mo felt a warmth in his heart.

As night fell, the father and son began to secretly work in the woodshed, trying to hide the money before anyone discovered it.

The next day.

After a long and tiring day last night, Chen Mo was so sleepy that he could barely keep his eyes open.

Because he was still thinking about the money he had just received, he didn't sleep very well.

[Daily information has been updated. Please select:]

【1. There are plenty of river shrimp in Qingshui and Hetan (they are very easy to catch)】

[Second: Not far south of the village's fields, there are about fifty wild wheat plants (easy to obtain, but located next to the Wang family's fields)]

【Three: Thirty miles to the northwest, deep in a valley, lies a small salt well. Mining there is of moderate difficulty (unauthorized salt mining is extremely risky)】

Chen Mo was still asleep when the system message appeared.

After a while, Chen Mo finally came to his senses.

"Salt wells?"

He suddenly sat up and looked at the system options in front of him.

Salt mining?

This stuff is much more precious than grain.

These days, salt is more useful than silver.

Ordinary people don't have much spare money to buy salt, and even Chen Mo's family uses salt sparingly.

Not to mention the huge profits from selling smuggled salt; once you control these salt wells, you'll have even more confidence in the future.

In chaotic times, many merchants made their fortunes by selling smuggled salt.

Moreover, the Shannan area is not near the sea, so it would be impossible to mine sea salt. Since there is such a salt well, it is of course impossible to let it go.

However, Chen Mo also knew that making salt was not as simple as digging for wild vegetables or hunting. Without the right tools and methods, even if he found a salt well, it would be a waste of time.

Moreover, illegally mining salt is a capital offense, and he has just gotten on the good side of General Zhao, so he can't take the risk.

But now that this information has come up, if we give up now, it may be difficult to encounter it again in the future.

"Why don't we note down the location first, and then go and mine it when we have the chance?"

Chen Mo silently considered his options and ultimately chose this piece of information.

The location of the salt well appeared clearly in my mind.

This matter is not the most important one for now; Chen Mo has more pressing matters to attend to.

He also had to speed up the process of fulfilling his promise to General Zhao the day before yesterday.

The most important thing right now is to get the whole village involved in land reclamation.

Most of the people who remain in the village now are poor farmers; those who have money and land have long since moved to the town.

Chen Mo was confident that he could recruit everyone to join the pioneering team.

Yesterday, when Chen Mo returned the cart to Li Laogen, he asked the old man to gather the villagers at the ancestral hall at Chenshi (7-9 AM) today.

When Chen Mo arrived at the ancestral hall, most of the villagers had already come.

This is where the village usually holds its major meetings.

The first two times were due to grain requisition, so the villagers present all looked somewhat uneasy.

Life is already difficult enough; what more decrees are the government going to issue?

"The whole village was just summoned a few days ago, what's the matter today?"

"Who knows? It's definitely not going to be anything good."

The crowd continued to discuss the matter.

When Chen Mo passed by, no one present noticed him at all.

"Mowa, you've arrived. Wait a little longer, most of the villagers have already arrived."

Upon seeing Chen Mo, Li Laogen revealed a peaceful smile.

When Chen Mo returned the stroller yesterday, he also gave Li Laogen a lot of food.

With Chen Mo leading them through the reclamation efforts these past few days, Li Laogen still trusts Chen Mo completely.

Seeing that almost everyone in the village had arrived and the time had come, Li Laogen stood in front of the ancestral hall and said to the crowd below, "Fellow villagers, the reason I have gathered you here today is to discuss the matter of reclaiming wasteland."

"Clearing wasteland? Where is there any land left to clear?"

"I heard it was Chen Mo who led the charge, didn't we say that before?"

"Does he really have that ability?"

The villagers continued to discuss it.

Most of the people present were there to watch the spectacle, their faces showing a numb expression.

This famine, coupled with the exploitation by the Wang family and their gentry, had already made their lives miserable.

"What exactly is Chen Mo up to? I heard he was fighting the Wang family to the death a while ago, and now he actually has the nerve to lead everyone in clearing land?"

"Who knows? Maybe they're using the guise of land reclamation to try and plunder something from us."

"But I heard that the families who followed him in clearing the land have been doing quite well lately."

Just as they were discussing, Chen Mo slowly walked over to Li Laogen's side.

Before long, the noise in the room gradually subsided, and all eyes were on Chen Mo.

"I asked Mr. Li to call everyone here today because of one thing."

Chen Mo said loudly.

"I have been entrusted by Lieutenant General Zhao to lead eighty households in the village to reclaim wasteland and pay grain taxes on time. Whether we can live a good life in the future depends on this."

As soon as he finished speaking, an uproar broke out in the crowd.

"Chen Mo, what do you mean by that? Hasn't the Wang family always been the ones collecting the grain tax? Why are you stepping in now?"

"It's still under the name of Lieutenant General Zhao, how could that be..."

Many people stood up and expressed their doubts.

Chen Mo, observing the restless crowd, remained calm and replied, "Previously, the Wang family colluded with the government to demand two hundred catties of grain from each household. Who among you can produce that?"

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent again.

It's simply impossible to come up with the 200 jin of grain tax.

Many people in the village have already made preparations to join the army.

"The Wang family said that the government was going to collect 200 catties, but that's a lie. General Zhao told me personally that each household in the village only needs to pay 150 catties before winter, and the rest is yours."

This statement immediately drew surprise and a barrage of insults.