Chapter 32: A Sudden Brawl?

The distribution of farmland continued for several days. Once it was certain that everyone had received their plots, a great weight lifted from Lin Qian’s heart, as if a heavy stone had finally been set down. However, the next set of problems followed in rapid succession.

The idle land outside Chunping City was vast. Some plots bordered water sources, while others were quite distant. To irrigate the latter, farmers had to carry water on their shoulders for miles. This back-and-forth travel was not only time-consuming but also highly inefficient. The fields near the water, being tended with great diligence, already showed tender sprouts just days after sowing. In contrast, those further away struggled with the grueling task of hauling water, leaving vast stretches of land unplanted. Irrigation had become the greatest challenge.

"My Lord! My Lord! It’s a disaster!"

Lin Qian was sitting in the City Lord’s Mansion, watching Ning Lan study and practice martial arts alongside his friends. Even Ye Huang found it curious. Previously, Ning Lan wouldn't look at a book; the moment he laid eyes on the teachings of the sages, he would inevitably drift off to dreamland. Yet now, the children sat firmly in place. Though the ancient texts remained dry and tedious, none of them uttered a sound. They all sat with furrowed brows, staring at the obscure and difficult characters, forcing themselves to persist.

Just as he was about to provide a concise explanation of the content, the grain registrar of Chunping City came running in, breathless and frantic.

"What has happened?"

Seeing the expression on the man's face and the smear of black mud on his forehead, Lin Qian seemed to grasp the situation immediately.

"My Lord! It’s a disaster! They have started fighting over the water source!"

"What is going on?"

Lin Qian did not act rashly, nor did he offer a reprimand. He knew this problem would arise sooner or later—and the sooner, the better.

"The people with land near the water have dammed the source. They fear that if the water seeps into the ground too slowly, it will affect the growth of their crops. But by doing this, those with land further away find it even harder to fetch water. They started arguing over this, and now... now they are actually fighting."

Only seven or eight days ago, these same people had stood together on the city walls to defend Chunping, and yet today, they were at each other’s throats. Lin Qian nodded and ordered the stableman, "Bring my horse!"

"Ying Zhao, come with me!"

Ying Zhao was the Chief of Guards for the City Lord’s Mansion, responsible for the safety of the entire household and acting as captain of Lin Qian’s personal guard. He mounted his horse without a word. Seeing this, Ye Huang’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. "I am coming too!"

With both Lin Qian and Ye Huang leaving, the children could no longer sit still. After exchanging glances, they snuck to the stables, saddled their own horses, and followed closely behind as the adults departed the city gates.

Out in the fields, there were no farmers laboring hard. Instead, these usually honest and hardworking folk were brandishing various weapons—rakes, pitchforks, and some even wielding shoulder poles—glaring at one another with murderous intent.

"Release the water, damn you!"

The one speaking was Jin Jun, a sturdy young man among the citizens of Chunping. His eyes were fierce, as if he could devour his opponent whole.

"And if I don’t? If I tear down the dam I’ve built, you might find it easier to get water, but what about my land? Won't my crops be drowned by the excess?"

"Whoever prevents me from tending my land properly and denies me the chance to earn a title is my enemy!"

Hearing Zhao Qianying’s retort, Jin Jun erupted in fury. "You say I’m the one preventing you from getting a title? If you don't release the water, what are we supposed to do with our land?"

Jin Jun sneered. "My stance is the same: whoever stands in the way of me earning a title by next autumn is my mortal enemy!"

Zhao Qianying scoffed, mocking him. "What nonsense are you spouting? Do you really think you are a match for me?"

"Don't forget, when the Northern Martial Army attacked the city, I personally slaughtered three of their Dragon Cavalry soldiers!"

Zhao Qianying laughed aloud. "Hah! Those were just three hairy brutes! Do you really think that makes you something special?"

"If you aren't convinced, let's settle this. You really think I can't beat you?"

The air grew thick with tension, and a confrontation became inevitable. Zhao Qianying was boiling with rage, and Jin Jun could no longer restrain himself. With a roar, they charged at each other! The two factions, unable to reach a peaceful resolution, decided that only the strength of their fists would prevail.

In the blink of an eye, Jin Jun struck first, landing a heavy blow on the other man’s face, and the rest swarmed in behind him. The scene descended into chaos.

Just as both sides were bruised, battered, and red-faced from the brawl, a sudden, thunderous shout froze everyone in their tracks.

Zhao Qianying immediately snapped out of it and cursed, "Which spineless coward went to report us? Don't let me find out who you are!"

Jin Jun also sneered, "What good is running to the City Lord? This is a world where the strong prey on the weak. Whoever has the stronger fist makes the rules!"

As the two were about to clash again, they saw Lin Qian in the distance, mounted on his horse. He reached for his saddle hook and drew a large boxwood bow. He pulled the string back until it formed a full moon.

*Swish! Swish! Swish!*

Three arrows were fired simultaneously, each aimed at a different target. The first arrow knocked the shoulder pole from Zhao Qianying’s hand. The second arrow struck the pitchfork from Jin Jun’s grasp! The third arrow landed precisely in the space between their feet, forcing both men to stumble backward.

Jin Jun gasped, his breath catching in his throat. Like Zhao Qianying, he had been on the battlefield and had witnessed the true carnage of war. Stunned by Lin Qian’s god-like skill, he fell to his knees in a panic. The rest of the crowd, seeing this, knelt down one after another.

"My Lord!"

Lin Qian rode up to them and smiled slightly. "What’s this? Are you all trying to spare me the trouble of worrying about your water problems by resolving it yourselves?"

Hearing this, the men were terrified, their hearts pounding in their chests. The legends of this City Lord, passed down by those who had witnessed his prowess during the battle, painted him as a man of true, formidable iron.