Chapter 136: The Spring Festival Gala (4)

"Through the collective efforts of all the Block People, we have conquered a series of challenges, surpassing ourselves. The rewards we have reaped and the joy of our achievements remind us that as long as we strive, everything will yield a return..."

"The prosperity of our motherland is held up by all of you..."

"..."

"I express my heartfelt gratitude to you all—thank you, fellow Block People, for your contributions to the development of our shared motherland!"

"I offer my deepest respect to all the people!"

Mo Fangyuan spoke with the seasoned ease of a veteran orator. Over the past two years, he had matured significantly, mastering the art of rhetoric until every tactic was second nature.

Playing on emotions, shifting topics, inciting polarization—he had it all down to a science.

"And here, I wish to express even deeper respect for a specific group of people."

Seeing the people gazing at him with rapt attention, Mo Fangyuan flashed a smile that had long since become muscle memory.

"They are the representatives of the vast working masses, the vital force behind the growth of the Block Kingdom! Their contributions to the great cause of the Block People, and their inherent spirit of tenacity, struggle, and indomitable perseverance, shall be immortal..."

With his practiced delivery, combined with his status, fame, and natural charisma, Mo Fangyuan easily ignited the passion in the hearts of his audience once more.

"They put the development of the motherland first! They infuse their passion and hard work into the great cause of our nation. They are simple yet extraordinary, ordinary yet not mediocre. Just like us, they take root on the front lines, giving of themselves without regret or complaint..."

"All for the sake of a better tomorrow for our motherland, so that our children may not be slaughtered by monsters..."

Hearing this, many began to tear up. What do we work for? For a better life? No! For the glorious future of the motherland!

Sensing that the groundwork had been laid, Mo Fangyuan opened the floor.

"They use their advanced strength to inspire those around them, composing a brilliant score for their own lives... Now, let us welcome the advanced individuals to the stage with the warmest applause to receive their awards!"

The atmosphere exploded in that instant. People cheered and applauded, welcoming the individuals who had yet to appear.

Many envied those who were named advanced individuals and achieved such honors, yet they felt no jealousy or resentment toward them, for they knew it was well-deserved.

"Greetings everyone! Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The first to take the stage was a farmer well past his prime. Having spent years working under the harsh sun and through storms, his eyes were squinted, his skin rough, dark, and sallow. Being the center of attention made him visibly nervous.

Many looked at his plain, perhaps even slightly unsightly face, but no one cared.

His Majesty the King himself was not particularly handsome, yet everyone revered and loved him.

"Do not judge a person by their appearance" was a great truth passed down by the ancestors of the Block People.

In the eyes of the Block People, beauty was unimportant; competence was what mattered most.

They revered the wise, not the beautiful. They sought to judge by talent, not by looks.

"Perhaps you do not know who he is, so let me tell you! His name is Yuan Pingxin, a glorious farmer. The 'Nine-Nine Irrigation and Farming Method' of the Block Kingdom was invented by him!"

Can’t show off in front of others? No problem! With the King’s legendary-tier support, you’ll be forced to look impressive even if you don't want to!

"So that's..."

"This?!"

"It was actually him!"

A stir ran through the crowd, with gasps of astonishment echoing throughout.

The "Nine-Nine Irrigation and Farming Method" was a technique used to this day in the Block Kingdom, involving the irrigation of crops using water source blocks.

The specific method involved converting irrigation from multiple water sources into a single, distributed water block per field, and dividing the farmland into large grids based on the maximum irrigation range of the water source—meaning one small plot of farmland occupied a 9x9 area. That was the origin of the "Nine-Nine Irrigation and Farming Method."

This invention seemed simple, but in reality, it was incredibly difficult, as it required breaking through the barriers of conventional thought to venture into an unexplored path.

The first step of any innovation is always arduous and difficult.

The application of this method greatly reduced the difficulty of farmland management, decreased the amount of water consumed in creating farmland, increased planting density, and most importantly, boosted food production...

From that time on, the neat, orderly, and large-scale farmlands outside the city became a beautiful sight of the Block Kingdom, where people would go for walks when tired.

And the creator of all this was the plain, unassuming old man on the stage.

Facing the exclamations from the crowd below, Mo Fangyuan stood quietly to the side, leaving the applause and flowers to Yuan Pingxin.

Yuan Pingxin was truly worthy of respect for discovering the "Nine-Nine Irrigation and Farming Method" through his own research.

"Old Man Yuan was born before the founding of the Block Kingdom, in those hard times. He endured countless disasters and faced countless storms. He forged ahead in the face of difficulties, dedicating his precious youth to the development of the Kingdom and creating the great invention of the 'Nine-Nine Irrigation and Farming Method'..."

"Now, well past his prime, he should be enjoying his life, yet he continues to devote himself entirely to the Kingdom’s development, dragging his aging body to face the food issues of the realm... He is a credit to the advanced! A credit to the individual! A credit to the nation!"

Mo Fangyuan raised his right hand, once again swept up in an emotional fervor.

Standing at the center of the stage, receiving flowers and praise, Yuan Pingxin remained motionless like a towering giant, gazing kindly at the people below. The crowd responded with respect and admiration, though he himself was thinking: *Am I really that great? I don't see it.*

He couldn't even figure it out himself.

"And now, let us invite Old Man Yuan to receive the medal for the 'Year 3 Annual Advanced Individual of the Block Kingdom'!" the male host announced.

"Congratulations, Old Man Yuan. This is what you deserve."

Mo Fangyuan smiled, handing a golden hoe engraved with 'Year 3 Annual Advanced Individual of the Block Kingdom' to Yuan Pingxin, and kindly inquired about his health.

This scene was watched by those looking up from below.

"I wish I could be treated like that by His Majesty," said a fifteen-year-old girl, holding her boyfriend's hand with envy.

"I also want to be treated that way by His Majesty," the boy, still holding her hand, replied in a daze as he looked at Mo Fangyuan and Yuan Pingxin on the stage.

"Then let's start working hard from now on! Let's strive to stand up there and receive an award in our lifetime!"

"Yes!"

Such scenes were playing out repeatedly throughout the crowd.

"..."

"Next, we invite scientific researcher Fang Zhi to the stage to receive his award!"

"Next, we invite carpenter Lu Qi to the stage to receive his award!"

"Next, we invite miner Shi Bufang to the stage to receive his award!"

"Next, we invite construction worker Wang Dachui to the stage to receive his award!"

"..."