Chapter 22
Ever since he had a goal, Fu Li's life had been very fulfilling.
Orpheus would bring things down from the surface world and share what he had seen and heard.
Adonis would also occasionally join in.
However, his enthusiasm only lasted three minutes. He'd run off to play before working for long.
Fu Li had asked him why he didn't go for reincarnation.
Adonis told him that the place of judgment had an enormous number of people.
Everyone was queuing up.
He needed to wait ten years before he could reincarnate.
Fu Li was dumbstruck upon hearing this. A ten-year waiting period.
Seeing his shock, Adonis burst out laughing.
"That's why they say the Underworld is truly busy. Everyone is in their respective positions, and the work is still piled as high as mountains, leaving large numbers of people waiting."
This work efficiency in the Underworld was indeed very characteristically Greek.
"So," Fu Li summarized, "during the long years of waiting for reincarnation, everyone is actually quite bored?"
"Bored is an understatement!" Adonis spread his hands dramatically.
"They're so idle they're panicking! The Blissful Fields have nice scenery, but even the finest scenery gets dull after looking at it for a hundred years. And you can't leave freely. Every day, besides strolling, chatting, and reminiscing about the past, it's just daydreaming. Some heroes have nearly told their adventure stories so many times they're worn out. Even they themselves don't want to hear them anymore."
He leaned closer to Fu Li and lowered his voice, carrying a hint of instigation, "Little flower, think about it. If you could give them something to do, even just farming, they'd probably be more than eager!"
These words streaked across Fu Li's mind like a bolt of lightning.
That's right!
Before, he'd only thought of relying on himself, this "flower," and limited tools to slowly accumulate. The efficiency was too low.
But the one thing the Blissful Fields had in abundance was idle people!
These souls waiting for reincarnation had plenty of time. And due to the special nature of the Blissful Fields, they were more stable than ordinary wandering spirits.
If he could mobilize them...
"Adonis," Fu Li's voice trembled slightly with excitement, "if I provide the seeds and techniques... well, mainly verbal guidance, and then ask friends in the Blissful Fields to help reclaim a small plot of land, the crops grown would have their profits split. Would they be willing?"
Adonis's eyes lit up.
"Split? How would we split it?"
"They contribute the labor and care. I contribute the techniques and startup resources. The harvested crops would be taken by Orpheus to the surface to sell. The money earned, the majority goes to the cultivators. I'd only take a small portion. How about as a technical guidance and intermediary fee?"
Fu Li cautiously proposed the plan.
He didn't know the economic rules of the Underworld, and even less whether these former heroes and virtuous people would be interested in farming and making money.
Adonis excitedly slapped his thigh.
"Brilliant! Fu Li, you're a genius! They'll definitely be willing! Don't underestimate the tedium of waiting. Having something new to do, and also... well, although money in the Underworld doesn't have much use, just the joy of labor alone is attractive enough! I'll go tell them!"
Adonis truly lived up to his reputation as the social king of the Blissful Fields. His ability to take action was astonishing.
Within a few days, he had brought a group of enthusiastic Blissful Fields residents to the edge of Hades's garden.
The land here was relatively open, and it was close to Fu Li, convenient for technical guidance.
The people who came were all sorts, and their numbers were not small.
It was clear the Blissful Fields residents were indeed nearly moldy from waiting.
Dozens of people came all at once.
They gathered curiously around Fu Li, this strange lily that could talk and direct farming, asking questions all at once.
"Little lily, can the soil of the Underworld really grow things?"
"Does it need watering? Can the water from the Styx be used?"
"Will living people actually buy the things that grow?"
"How is the split calculated? I'm strong. I can reclaim two furrows of land!"
It was Fu Li's first time dealing with so many clients at once. His petals were almost curling up from nervousness.
He explained as clearly as he could:
"The soil here is quite special. It needs to be improved first."
"We can collect some rotted plant debris. In general, we need to increase the nutrients. As for water, it's best not to use water from the main branch of the Styx. It's too corrosive. We can draw from some tributaries or collect condensation dew..."
"As for loosening the soil, my roots can replace manual labor so everyone doesn't get too tired."
"For every batch of crops harvested, the cultivator gets seventy percent. I take ten percent as the seed and technique fee. The other twenty percent goes to Orpheus, as his hard work fee for traveling back and forth to the surface to sell?"
Fu Li looked toward Orpheus, who was off to the side.
Orpheus stood leaning against something with his arms crossed. Hearing this, he nodded.
"Fine. Twenty percent is enough to cover my ferry fare to Charon and some other arrangements."
"What about me, what about me?" Adonis raised his hand. "I'm the one who built the bridge!"
Fu Li smiled. "You also take ten percent. Consider it the project initiator's bonus?"
"Deal!"
Adonis beamed with joy.
The plan was settled just like that.
At first, it was only a small-scale experiment.
Fu Li directed a few of the most patient souls to reclaim a few small experimental plots at the edge of the garden.
They sowed seeds of plants adapted to shady environments that Orpheus had brought from the surface. Their growth became the top priority.
Although Fu Li couldn't move, his developed root system became a unique asset.
He could sense which patch of soil needed more humus, which seedling needed its position adjusted to absorb more of the Underworld's faint glimmers of light.
The effect on the plants' growth was very pronounced.
And so, a strange sight appeared in the Blissful Fields.
A group of souls that had once commanded the wind and clouds now rolled up their sleeves and took up crude tools to diligently reclaim wasteland outside the King of the Underworld's garden. From time to time, they would gather in front of a lily flower to humbly seek advice.
"Little Teacher Flower, do you think this one should be harvested now?"
"Advisor Fu Li, the leaves of the vegetables over here are turning a bit yellow. What are they lacking?"
"Lord Fu Li, do you think watering it with tales of a warrior's adventures would make it tougher?"
Put away that intense desire to recount your "back in my day" stories! It's still just a seedling!
Fu Li was run ragged with busyness but felt a long-missed sense of fulfillment and joy.
The great success of the experimental fields wasn't just one-sided.
The "Underworld Special Supply" crops produced, once brought to the surface by Orpheus, were unexpectedly wildly popular!
The audience was those nobles on the surface seeking thrills and the rich who loved curiosities.
Later, it even expanded to occult enthusiasts who wanted to try a "taste of the Underworld."
The Underworld's name wasn't welcome, but the Underworld's food was greatly welcomed.
After eating it, everyone, without exception, said they were getting an early taste of the Underworld's flavor.
Fu Li was speechless every time he heard Orpheus relay this.
Forget it. As long as it's popular.
Anyway, they were the ones footing the bill.
The only regret was that supply couldn't meet demand. Every time, they sold out on the way to Athens.
Orders came like snowflakes through Orpheus.
More residents of the Blissful Fields came upon hearing the news, their enthusiasm surging.
The area of reclaimed land grew larger and larger, and the variety of things planted increased as well.
Of course, all of this went on with the tacit approval of the two brothers, Thanatos and Hypnos. The idle people of the Blissful Fields finally had things to do. They wouldn't drag others into listening to their legendary tales anymore.
The spirits also came to them to pour out grievances less often.
Moreover, they were quite interested in the things Fu Li was creating. Occasionally, they would also join in.
And derived no small amount of enjoyment.
Every time Orpheus returned, he would bring back heavy money pouches.
Mainly drachma silver coins, but also some precious items obtained through barter.
These coins and items were divided according to the proportions agreed upon beforehand.
Fu Li's share soon became a small pile.
He was finally no longer a completely penniless plant of the Underworld!
With money, the next step was solving the mobility problem.
Fu Li had always relied on others to manually move him. Every time, they had to dig up the soil. This was very inconvenient.
It wasn't a long-term solution.
He needed to "walk" to the ferry point of the Styx on his own to see Charon.
He needed a flowerpot.
Fu Li requested a Blissful Fields resident who had been a skilled craftsman when alive.
He asked that, based on his description, a special flowerpot be made.
The flowerpot had holes at the bottom, convenient for his roots to stretch out and absorb nutrients.
The inner walls of the pot were carved with fine grooves that could store some water.
Most crucially, three small, flexible wheels were installed under the flowerpot!
Who would have thought the Ancient Greeks could understand his words and actually make it using locally sourced materials?!
The flowerpot itself wasn't large. It just barely fit his roots. His petals and leaves could stretch out freely.
Fu Li used the soft fabric given to him by enthusiastic Blissful Fields residents to make a lining. It was comfortable and insulating.
When this mobility flowerpot was completed, Fu Li was so excited his petals were trembling.
He could finally move!
Although it wasn't fast and required him to carefully manipulate his root tendrils to push the wheels, this was autonomous movement!
"Congratulations, Fu Li!" Adonis circled the flowerpot several times. "Now you're truly the most special potted plant in the Underworld!"
Orpheus also showed a rare hint of a smile.
"Very creative. Do you need me to push you part of the way? The road to Charon's ferry point isn't short."
"No, I want to try on my own."
Fu Li took a deep breath. He carefully gathered his roots, steadied the soil, activated his root tendrils, and pushed against the inner wall of the flowerpot.
The flowerpot wobbled slightly and slowly rolled forward a short distance.
"It works!"
Fu Li cheered.
"Be careful on the way," Adonis urged. "Although most areas of the Underworld are relatively safe, places far from the Blissful Fields always have wandering, lost spirits."
"I'll be careful."
Fu Li said gravely.
He had long ago asked Orpheus all about the route to the Styx ferry point.
Now he was setting out to find Charon.