West Mountain Observatory, seemingly nestled halfway up the mountain, was heavily guarded when Zhang Jian appeared at the steps wearing the Junior Fourth Grade official attire of the Minister of Agriculture.
A number of Daoist temples surrounded the area.
Many female members of noble families came here to burn incense and make wishes.
In front of the mountain, carriages were as plentiful as dragons, alongside many vendors and young hunters, porters, and peddlers, trading in fur goods and various handicrafts nearby.
Zhang Jian had already found what he needed for this trip.
Before him, within several flowerbeds at the West Mountain Observatory, wild tomatoes were scattered all over, seemingly planted as decorative elements within the gardens.
Zhang Jian ordered his men to find the observatory master, a frosty Kun Dao with a plump figure, wielding a duster in her hand, her hair as black as clouds bound by a hair crown, known as Daoist Priestess Jing Yue.
Upon learning of Zhang Jian's intentions, she casually spoke with the Imperial Guard beside her, allowing Zhang Jian to freely pick these 'wildflower' fruits.
She then left calmly; the Kun Dao appeared to possess a unique personality, exuding an aura of detachment from fame and gain!
Zhang Jian did not hesitate, collecting some wild small tomatoes and preserving their seeds, planning to find another piece of land to experiment with using magic, hoping to start easy and make progress. If they could open an avenue with these wild small tomatoes, he believed other crop issues could soon be resolved.
However, Zhang Jian did not intend to complete this task alone. Specializing in varied arts, he planned to recruit the Phoenix Spirit as an assistant.
The Mountain God sect's numerous magic techniques provided excellent benefits in promoting the growth of crops and enhancing fruit sizes, skills at which mountain deities excel.
Of course, Zhang Jian did not underestimate such trivial matters. In his view, understanding the intricacies and principles could indeed allow for the observation of the godly powers of mediation creation from myth.
Yet, upon leaving the West Mountain Observatory, Zhang Jian suddenly felt inexplicably affected, his eyes revealing some surprise.
He sensed a familiar figure appearing at the foot of the mountain, but Zhang Jian did not investigate further. After collecting some matured wild small tomatoes, he left with his men.
"Why is he here?"
At this moment, in a corner, a tall figure dressed as a typical wealthy idle person gazed distantly at Zhang Jian and his group.
This was a handsome and robust man with a majestic demeanor, hiding great power within, clearly an extraordinary individual.
His eyes carried a hint of hesitation.
Zhang Jian's appearance made him slightly wary.
But he did not retreat; instead, he emerged calmly and with dignity from his hiding place, stepping into a nearby Daoist temple known as Xuanyang Temple, making and repaying wishes like any common devout man in the mortal world.
Yet this scene did not escape Zhang Jian's gaze.
In a litter at the mountain foot, Zhang Jian's gaze wavered.
That was An Ruming!
The commander of the Divine Strategy Army!
He had seen him several times!
An Ruming's purpose was evidently within the West Mountain Observatory.
What was within the West Mountain Observatory?
Aside from a few emaciated royal princesses, commandery princesses, and consorts.
For a man of An Ruming's status, if he fancied a princess or commandery princess, there was no need for such stealth, as he could openly present himself.
"This General An is playing with fire!"
This thought crossed Zhang Jian's mind.
Regardless if it's a sinful consort or a voluntarily secluded concubine, they all belonged to the Emperor, and the Emperor's women were not to be trifled with.
Zhang Jian could imagine if this blew up, it would turn into a ticking time bomb, potentially subverting all of Haojing City if mishandled.
Currently, An Ruming commanded an entire army, the Divine Strategy Army, allegedly numbering fifteen thousand, each highly skilled!
...
At the Champion Scholar's Mansion, after returning, Zhang Jian personally fetched a hoe to plow in a corner beside the mansion, his actions immediately drawing attention from everyone within the mansion.
Qi Yuhua, upon hearing the news, came over with her young daughter. Dressed in a red gown, she resembled a blooming peony, gazing at Zhang Jian in slight astonishment, unable to resist asking.
"Husband, what are you doing?"
"Planting some special fruits!"
Zhang Jian replied with a smile, raising his head.
Seeing this, Qi Yuhua added, "Husband, you are under the Wenqu star, a gentleman stays far from the kitchen, let the steward instruct someone to do this instead!"
Nearby, a young servant quickly nodded, saying.
"My Lord, you can instruct me to do anything!"
He was Zhang Fu, Zhang Lu's brother, of similar stature, evidently from the same lineage, though possessing a more delicate appearance than Zhang Lu.
After Zhang Lu enlisted, Zhang Fu came from their hometown in Fengyang to the Champion Scholar's Mansion to replace him.
"It's just a minor matter!"
Zhang Jian dismissed their recommendations.
He casually retrieved some mature wild tomato seeds, pale yellow and shriveled. He slightly employed the Rejuvenation Technique to stimulate part of their vitality, bypassing the soaking process, and planted them in this patch of fertile black soil.
This small corner under his feet was sunny, moisturized, and with suitable temperatures, Zhang Jian believed he could cultivate another batch of wild small tomatoes.
Otherwise, he'd have to increase the budget, establish a small Rune Array to control the temperature and simulate sunlight.
For a Yin Spirit Venerable, this wasn't a daunting task; once thoroughly explored, even solutions could be found. The only remaining challenge was amplifying the latent trait representing size within the wild small tomatoes.