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

"Brother, if we really help Wang Mang, won't the villagers beat us to death..."

Zhang Shi's voice trembled as he spoke.

"Otherwise what? The Wang family wants to take our child to the capital, can you bear to do that?"

Zhang Yan sighed.

The children in my family are only a few years old. If they are taken to the Wang family, it would be like pushing them into a fire.

"Should we pack up and run?"

Zhang Shi was silent for a moment, then suddenly blurted out this sentence.

"Why run away? We don't have any money. We'll die anyway if we go to another place."

Zhang Yan was well aware of his situation.

In these chaotic times, it's really hard to find a safe place; a village is already considered a good place.

Moreover, now that everyone in the village is following Chen Mo in reclaiming wasteland, there is a glimmer of hope for their future.

However, the Wang family threatened to make them traitors.

"We can't just let the Wang family bully us. They deliberately lied to us before, took our land, and are now lending us money at exorbitant interest rates. When will they ever pay it all back?"

Zhang Shi was very dissatisfied.

"They're just using us as pawns. They might kill us to cover their tracks after it's all done!"

"How could I not know?" Zhang Yan asked, looking worried. "I can only take it one step at a time..."

"Hey, what's wrong with you guys?"

At this moment, the elderly mother went out.

To avoid worrying his family, Zhang Yan feigned composure and said, "It's nothing, let's eat."

The next day.

Before dawn, all the able-bodied men in the village began to assemble.

The Zhang brothers, looking exhausted and filled with trepidation, mingled with the crowd and headed towards Black Wind Ridge.

Along the way, the villagers chatted and laughed, discussing their recent harvest.

Seeing this, Zhang Yan felt even worse.

Although I sometimes like to take shortcuts, I just can't bring myself to do anything really bad.

After taking many detours, the group finally arrived at the valley, where Chen Mo was already waiting.

"Today, it's the same as always: continue cultivating new land."

Chen Mo continued to assign tasks.

"Also, the fishing was quite successful yesterday, so I plan to go again. Everyone who went yesterday, come with me."

After he finished speaking, the crowd cheered.

The Zhang brothers stood there, stunned and at a loss.

"Zhang Yan, Zhang Shi, what are you still standing there for? Come on."

Chen Mo suddenly appeared in front of them.

Zhang Yan's heart tightened; he hadn't expected Chen Mo to call out their names directly.

"Chen Mo, Brother Mo...can we still go today?"

Zhang Yan's eyes darted away, avoiding Chen Mo's gaze.

He thought that he had lost Chen Mo's trust after questioning him to his face yesterday, but he didn't expect Chen Mo to invite the two of them.

"Go ahead, you two brothers are both good swimmers, so do a good job today and you'll get a bigger share."

Chen Mo said calmly.

Seeing that Chen Mo's tone contained no hint of accusation, Zhang Yan felt even more uneasy.

"Okay, don't worry, Brother Mo, we'll definitely do a good job."

Zhang Shi quickly struck up a conversation and pulled Zhang Yan away.

Chen Mo frowned slightly as he watched the two brothers' actions, then turned to arrange other matters.

"Brother, come on, don't just stand there."

Zhang Shi gave his brother another push, afraid that Chen Mo would notice something amiss.

Zhang Yan snapped out of his daze, suppressed his inner turmoil, and caught up with the others.

When it was time to fish, Zhang Yan was still absent-minded, but recalling what happened yesterday, he did not slack off and worked together with everyone to pull the net.

Today's harvest is even greater than yesterday's.

When it was time to divide the fish, everyone became even more excited.

The Zhang brothers stood out from the crowd, looking somewhat out of place.

"Zhang Yan, Zhang Shi, you can take these big fish back with you."

Chen Mo suddenly walked over and handed them several fish.

Zhang Yan was slightly taken aback. Looking at the fish in his hand and then at Chen Mo's sincere eyes, he felt even more guilty.

"Brother Mo!"

Zhang Yan suddenly called out to Chen Mo, who was about to leave.

"What's wrong? Is there something else?"

Chen Mo looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Zhang Yan opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

"It's nothing, just thank you, Brother Mo."

He forced a smile and then turned his head away.

"No need to thank me. Just work hard from now on and make sure everyone has enough to eat."

Chen Mo said calmly, then turned and left.

Zhang Yan held the fish in his hand, his mind in turmoil.

After much deliberation, he finally took the first step...

Sunset West Mountain.

The setting sun casts its rays on the mountain path of Black Wind Ridge.

The villagers, carrying their tools and the fish they had just received, walked down the mountain with smiles on their faces.

The Zhang brothers mingled in the crowd, keeping their heads down and not saying much.

The two exchanged glances from time to time, both seeing the tension and unease in each other's eyes.

"Brother, what do we do now?"

As soon as they stepped out of the field, Zhang Shi grabbed Zhang Yan.

"Do as I say."

Zhang Yan replied in a low voice, then looked around to make sure no one was paying attention before taking out a piece of gravel from his pocket and scratching a mark on a tree trunk by the roadside.

They walked at the back of the group, marking the way down the mountain.

The night is getting darker.

The Zhang brothers ate breakfast early, reassured their family, and then sat anxiously in the courtyard, waiting for Wang Mang to appear.

Before long, Wang Mang, accompanied by several of his men, arrived at the Zhang family's gate once again.

"How is it?"

Wang Mang asked with a fierce expression.

"Let's go."

Zhang Yan picked up his tools and slowly stood up.

Zhang Shi looked helpless and followed closely behind.

"You're smart enough not to try anything funny, or I'll sell your whole family to pay off my debts."

Wang Mang waved his hand smugly.

"Lead the way quickly."

"This way."

Zhang Yan slowly closed the door and walked towards Black Wind Ridge.

The village was pitch black.

Carrying torches, the group finally arrived at the foot of the mountain.

"Where are the marks you made?"

Wang Mang looked at Zhang Yan with a suspicious expression.

It's the middle of the night now, and if you get lost in Black Wind Ridge, you might run into a wild animal, which would be troublesome.

"Here."

Zhang Yan held up a torch and shone it on the mark on the tree trunk.

"Come with me."

As he spoke, he led everyone up the mountain.

The mountains and forests were pitch black. Even though they were using torches to scout ahead, they were still moving very slowly. It was already past midnight, and they still hadn't reached their destination.

Wang Mang immediately asked urgently, "Where is it? Don't lead me on a roundabout way."

"Brother Mang, I already told you, that place is very secluded, and it's a bit of a walk to get there."

Zhang Yan said helplessly.

Half an hour later, Zhang Yan led the group through a patch of weeds and arrived at an open area.

"This is it."

Zhang Yan pointed ahead and said.

But it was pitch black in front of me, and I couldn't tell if it was a field or not.

Wang Mang stepped forward to take a look and held up his torch to confirm.

There were indeed a few crops in the distance, and compared to other places, this area was more open, so it must be farmland.

"That kid Chen Mo actually hid the farmland in this godforsaken place."

Wang Mang's tone still carried a hint of doubt.

"Are you sure you're not lying to me?"

He grabbed Zhang Yan by the collar.

"Really, there isn't any. You can see for yourself."

Zhang Yan broke free, then bent down, pulled a plant from the ground, and placed it in front of Wang Mang.

Wang Mang looked at it by the light of the torch and found that it was a wheat seedling.

"Wheat can actually be grown here? What on earth is Chen Mo up to?"

Wang Mang was filled with doubt.

"Burn it! Burn it all!"