With the high monks of Pujiu Temple acting as guarantors, Zhao Sheng's outreach work became infinitely easier to promote.
It took mere days for a massive wave of cotton farmers to line up and ink their contracts with him. Almost overnight, a grand "New Agricultural Movement" kicked off with a roar. The landscape hummed with activity as the people began conditioning the earth. Winter plowing, winter irrigation, and the meticulous application of winter fertilizer spread across the land.
The rural areas to the west of Puzhou City were suddenly transformed into a portrait of bustling joy and renewed purpose.
Unfortunately, the villages to the east were still suffering.
Tianzun's field of vision hadn't expanded that far yet, leaving that side of the region as parched and dry as a sun-bleached bone. The eastern cotton farmers watched the lush, wet scenes to the west and felt as if their souls had been struck by a critical blow of ten thousand points.
What they didn't realize, however, was that as the farmers to the west were saved, countless tiny motes of light began to rise from their bodies.
These shimmering points of gratitude drifted upward, slowly infusing into the Great Box. As the energy pooled, the borders of Li Dao Xuan's vision began to creep outward, inch by painful inch. It didn't take long for the east to finally fall under his protective gaze.
"Four Sea Dragon Kings, descend!"
With that silent command, the entirety of Puzhou began to bask in Tianzun's grace. As the rain swept across the plains, the earth pulsed with a vibrant, emerald life.
The cotton farmers, now fueled by a manic level of motivation, threw themselves into their preparations with everything they had.
It was during this surge of productivity that a massive Gao Village warship docked at the ancient Yongji Ferry terminal.
Dressed in elegant white robes accented with striking red trimmings and adorned with a curated selection of fine jewelry, Gao Yiye stepped off the gangplank. She looked every bit the image of dignified nobility as her feet touched the soil of Shanxi for the first time.
Trailing closely behind her were her ever-present personal secretaries, Qiu Ju and Dong Xue, as well as her stoic bodyguard, Zheng Gouzi.
No sooner had the group disembarked than Flat Rabbit came scurrying out from the shadows like a startled jackrabbit, laughing loudly.
"Gouzi! Gouzi! You're finally here! I swear, without you around to annoy, I felt like a piece of me was missing."
Zheng Gouzi gave him a flat, unimpressed look.
"How about you greet the Saintess first, you bumbling idiot?"
Gao Yiye let out a soft, melodic giggle.
"Oh, don't worry about the formalities. I've never been one for stuffy rules anyway."
Flat Rabbit grinned, elbowing his friend.
"See, Gouzi? The Saintess herself doesn't even care. Why are you so uptight?"
Zheng Gouzi couldn't help but crack a smile at that.
After a moment, Flat Rabbit tilted his head curiously.
"By the way, what brings the Saintess all the way to Shanxi? Is there some divine business to attend to?"
Gao Yiye pouted her lips slightly, looking thoughtful.
"Tianzun said that Puzhou is famous for its cotton. Apparently it's one of the most renowned production centers in the Central Plains. He wants us to secure these resources, establish a large-scale cotton base, and move our supporting textile industries over here as well."
Flat Rabbit scratched his head.
"Wait, does Gao Village even need more cotton? The village storehouse is literally overflowing with the stuff. No matter how much we pluck from it, it never seems to run out."
At the mention of "plucking" from the storehouse, Gao Yiye's cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink.
Tianzun had always known she was "borrowing" cotton from the village reserves. Moreover, as the village's logistics management improved and every item entering or leaving the warehouse was meticulously tracked, San Shier and Tan Liwen had caught on to her actions as well.
But knowing was one thing. Blaming her was another.
Nobody held a grudge. In fact, San Shier would quietly report the missing quantities to Tianzun, who would then secretly manifest more cotton to replenish what she had taken, ensuring the ledger books always balanced.
They were all essentially conspiring to spoil her rotten.
It was enough to make a girl blush.
Standing behind her, Qiu Ju's eyebrows shot up in a sharp arc as she snapped at Flat Rabbit.
"The cotton in the storehouse is a gift from Tianzun. Relying on divine handouts to run our textile industry forever is incredibly unhealthy. Tianzun said that from now on, we need to be self-sufficient. We shouldn't be making the Old Man worry about hauling cotton down from the heavens every time we need a new shirt. That's why Puzhou is so vital."
Flat Rabbit stuck his tongue out.
"Alright, alright, I get it. So the Saintess is here to take over the farming and weaving business?"
Gao Yiye smiled.
"Not me. I don't know the first thing about running a factory. Qiu Ju is the one in charge of the operation. I'm just here to keep her company and show some support."
Of the four head secretaries originally purchased back in Chengcheng County, Chun Hong was currently at the Gao Village cloth shop, organizing the women's cooperatives.
Xia Yu was back in Chengcheng, managing the embroidery workshops and using fine art to drain the silver from the pockets of Xi'an's wealthy elite.
Now, it was Qiu Ju's turn to stand on her own and command a sector.
Gao Yiye had long since considered the four of them her closest friends. There was no way she would miss Qiu Ju's big debut.
Zheng Gouzi smiled at Flat Rabbit.
"Now that the Saintess is here, it's time for you to fall back into line and resume your duties as her guard. Come on, let's get the duo back together."
Flat Rabbit laughed and took his position beside Zheng Gouzi.
The two of them stood like twin pillars, one on each side, exactly one step behind Gao Yiye. With the Saintess in the lead, her two secretaries following like refined handmaidens, and a hundred fully armed guards bringing up the rear, the procession was a sight to behold.
It was a far more intimidating display than Zhao Sheng's group.
People saw Zhao Sheng in a sedan chair and assumed he was just some wealthy country squire. But seeing Gao Yiye's entourage, most people assumed she was the wife of a high-ranking imperial official, someone far above the rank of a local gentry or minor magistrate.
When the massive column arrived at Puzhou, it nearly gave Qiu Qianfan, the Zhizhou, a heart attack.
After receiving a frantic report about a mysterious, high-status woman entering his city, he scrambled out of his yamen. He hid a safe distance away at first, observing her through the crowds, his mind racing with confusion.
Who is this woman? Where did she come from? And why is that idiot underling of Xing Honglang's, the one called Rabbit something, acting as her guard? He's technically an imperial military officer now that they've surrendered. Serving as a woman's bodyguard... where is the decorum?
A subordinate whispered in his ear,
"Sir, if she's the wife of a much higher official, it would make sense. Look at that posture, that grace. She's at least a second-rank Lady of Mandate. No, wait... maybe even first-rank..."
Qiu Qianfan thought about it, and his eyes went wide.
Of course! She has to be a Lady of Mandate!
He quickly straightened his official robes, smoothed out the wrinkles, and stepped out from his hiding spot to greet her.
"Ah, greetings, Madame. I am Qiu Qianfan, the Zhizhou of Puzhou. May I ask who you..."
Gao Yiye offered a polite, practiced smile.
"This humble girl is of the Li Clan of Longxi."
"The Li Clan of Longxi?"
Those five words hit Qiu Qianfan like a physical blow.
Surely not that Li Clan? The legendary lineage? Were there still descendants roaming around?
It seemed impossible, but looking at her regal bearing and the sheer power of her escort, it didn't seem like an exaggeration at all.
He shifted his gaze toward Flat Rabbit, begging for an explanation.
Flat Rabbit suppressed a smirk.
"The Li Clan has a long-standing business relationship with our Chief... I mean, General Xing. They are our most vital partners in Shaanxi. She's come to Puzhou for a change of scenery, to relax a bit, and perhaps conduct some business on the side. General Xing ordered me to personally oversee her safety."
Qiu Qianfan let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"I see, I see."
Flat Rabbit continued, his tone turning business-like.
"Didn't you tell our General Xing to build more factories and hire more refugees? Well, all of that depends entirely on the wealth and expertise of the Shaanxi Li Clan."
Qiu Qianfan's understanding deepened instantly.
He didn't see a mysterious woman anymore.
He saw the Goddess of Wealth herself.