Human Genius? Sorry, I’m a Deviant

Chapter 294: The Theory of Conquering the Central Plains

On the other side.

Su Zhan left the capital, the center of power in Daxia.

Su Zhan continued southward, stepping into a vast, seemingly endless expanse of flat plains.

The Central Plains.

The sky here seemed exceptionally high and distant.

The earth stretched out in all directions, merging with the horizon.

The air was filled with the fragrance of soil.

It was completely different from the urban clamor of the capital.

An ancient aura, bearing the weight of countless dynasties' rise and fall, surfaced here.

Standing here, one could deeply understand what the Central Plains meant.What the orthodox land was.

Daxia's claim to orthodoxy over this land was not without reason.

Its core foundation lay, first and foremost, in this extreme topography—flat and open, indefensible yet incredibly fertile for thousands of miles.

In ancient times, this meant unparalleled potential for agricultural production.

The flat terrain facilitated reclamation and irrigation, and the fertile alluvial soil nurtured astonishing fertility.

Whoever controlled the Central Plains controlled the era's most crucial strategic resource: grain.

Abundant grain meant the ability to support a massive population and army, signifying national strength.

This was the oldest cradle of Daxia civilization, where the earliest farming villages passed the torch from generation to generation on this land.

Thus, since ancient times, there has been the saying about "aspiring to the Central Plains."

It became synonymous with contending for the world and establishing orthodoxy.

Su Zhan was still dressed in his tattered, vagrant attire, walking alone along a small path by the fields.

Walking on the straight field roads.

What Su Zhan saw was not the traditional image of farming with faces to the soil and backs to the sky.

It was modern agricultural production filled with a sense of technology.

An irrigation system evenly sprayed a fine mist of water containing faint spiritual energy.

In the distance, several harvesters moved steadily through golden waves of wheat.

Wherever they passed, wheat stalks were neatly cut, threshed, and bundled in one smooth process.

Almost no human figures could be seen in the entire production process.

Only occasionally, on the ridges or in control stations, could one or two technicians be seen remotely monitoring data via tablets.

A middle-aged farmer with dark skin noticed him.

The farmer put down his tools, took out two still-steaming white steamed buns and a bottle of clean mineral water from a nearby insulated box, and quickly walked over.

"Brother, on a journey? Lookin' at ya, you've suffered quite a bit, haven't ya?"

The middle-aged farmer spoke with a thick Central Plains accent, stuffing the food and water into Su Zhan's hands. "Take it, fill your belly a bit! These days, it ain't easy for anyone."

Su Zhan was momentarily stunned, ultimately just giving a slight nod. "...Thank you."

The farmer waved his hand, giving an honest, simple smile. "What's to thank? When you're out and about, who doesn't hit a rough patch? There's a relief station in a town about twenty li ahead."

Su Zhan silently broke the steamed bun open and, with the plain water, ate it bit by bit.

Here, what he felt was not worldly contempt, but a simple kindness rooted in the land.

This kindness was insignificant, yet profoundly important.

Su Zhan sat down on the field ridge, eating slowly.

Seeing that he didn't seem in a hurry to leave, the middle-aged farmer was happy to take a breather too. He sat down on a toolbox nearby, pulled out a cigarette, but didn't light it, just rubbing it between his fingers.

Su Zhan swallowed the soft bite of steamed bun, gazing at the thriving wheat fields under the care of automated machinery before him. "Old brother, you folks here... life is really good. This land, these crops, they look reassuring just to see."

The farmer gave an honest, simple smile, his face brimming with a sense of satisfaction as he pointed at the orderly working machines in the fields.

"Yeah, thanks to the officials, farming ain't like it used to be.

These iron fellas do all the work, saves worry and effort.

What we do now is mainly keep an eye on these machines, make sure they don't break down.

The harvests are good too. After paying the public grain, what's left is enough for the family to eat and drink, and we can even save quite a bit!

Life really is getting better and better. Heard the officials are still researching some new grain seeds, said the yield can go even higher.

We common folks, we just want stability, to be full and clothed!"

Su Zhan merely gave a silent nod to this.

The farmer smacked his lips, a smile in his eyes. "To be honest with ya, brother, my boy, he just got into the Jinling Institute of Technology down south the year before last.

Studying something called... machinery or whatnot.

Says he'll be designing these big fellas in the future.

Our family's been digging in the dirt for generations, finally got a university student.

Even though there's no hope of awakening that Life Soul thing, as long as he can get an education and have a skill, his mother and I are satisfied!"

The farmer pulled out an old but clean phone, skillfully swiped a few times, and leaned over to show Su Zhan a photo on the screen—a group photo of him and a bespectacled young man. "See, this kid. When he comes back on break, he even helps me tune the machines. Talks all knowledgeable, much better than his old man!"

Su Zhan cooperatively nodded.

The farmer put his phone away, his face showing the usual parental worry. "It's just this marrying a wife business that's a headache.

Young girls these days, their demands are high.

Gotta have a house and car in the city.

His mother and I are thinking, save for another couple years, gotta scrape together a down payment for him in the city, get this lifelong matter settled!

So you see, young man, as long as you're willing to work, life has hope.

Our generation suffers and toils, isn't it all so the kids can have a better life?

Don't lose heart either. Find a proper job, take it slow, life will get better eventually.

Then marry a wife, have a kid, and your heart will settle!"

Su Zhan could only nod. "Mm, old brother... good fortune. It will... it will all be fine."

The farmer looked at Su Zhan's destitute appearance. "Young man, seeing you so young, how'd you end up like this?

Listen to an old brother's advice. These days, as long as you're willing to put in the effort, you can always manage a bite to eat.

Go move bricks at a city construction site, carry packages at a logistics warehouse, even wash dishes at a restaurant! Anything's better than wandering around aimlessly like this!"

Su Zhan lowered his head and said nothing.

The farmer took it as the young man being thin-skinned or having some unspeakable difficulty. He sighed, his tone gentler. "Sigh, old brother knows, everyone hits rough patches, encounters obstacles.

Whatever it is, if you don't say, I won't ask more.

But people gotta look forward.

With all your limbs intact, you can always find a way to live.

You're so young, you've got a long road ahead. Can't just give up on yourself like this!"

Su Zhan listened silently, stuffing the last bite of steamed bun into his mouth and swallowing it with the water. "Thank you, old brother. I... understand. I'll find something to do."

He stood up, brushing the dust off his pants.

He thanked him again.

Then, hoisting that bulging woven plastic sack onto his back, he continued along the small path by the fields, heading south.

Behind him lay that fertile land symbolizing a stable foundation.

And that kind, simple farmer.

Ahead lay his future, filled with unknowns.

Su Zhan gained an even clearer understanding of the fragmentation of the world he was in.