Zhao Muyun pondered.

Steelmaking requires coke, and coke requires coal mines.

Currently, the main coal mines are located between Yanzhou and Qiwushan, and the journey to Xijing is very long.

"Use what you have first."

He made a decision: "Prioritize the supply of field artillery and explosive shells. In addition, the purification of the fire oil must be accelerated—I want to stockpile 5,000 catties of 'clear oil' and 3,000 catties of 'oil paste' before autumn."

"yes!"

It was nearly noon when Zhao Muyun left the workshop, and he rode his horse through the city.

Xijing City is much more prosperous than it was a year ago.

People who had fled during the war gradually returned to their hometowns, markets reopened, and workshops sprang up everywhere.

The new plows and waterwheels promoted by the Agricultural Promotion Office have already shown positive results.

But Zhao Muyun knew that this prosperity was like walking on thin ice.

Li Jingang controls the Central Plains and commands at least 500,000 troops; Yang Yan of Jiannan defends his position in a strategic location; the Northern Di, though defeated, have not declined; and the attitude of Lingnan is ambiguous.

Surrounded by powerful enemies on all sides, the Great Yin Dynasty had barren lands in Hedong and Longyou, except for the plains within the pass. It was simply impossible for the population and food to support more soldiers.

The army has now expanded to 150,000, which is already the maximum possible number of troops.

Back in the backyard of the Grand Commander's Mansion, Huan Naxue took her daughter Zhao Xue out. Yin Yao was about to give birth, and only Bai Ruolan was waiting for her.

She wasn't dressed in fancy clothes, just a plain-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a wooden hairpin that Zhao Muyun had given her in her hair.

He carved it himself.

“Husband.” Bai Ruolan handed over the account book. “The grain reserves for April have been verified. There are currently 850,000 shi of grain in stock. If we do not launch a major military campaign, it can support the entire army for a year.”

"But if war breaks out in the autumn, 200,000 shi of grain should be reserved to provide relief to the newly occupied lands."

Zhao Muyun took it and carefully read the entries.

The handwriting in the ledgers was neat and the entries were clear, with even the losses and rodent infestations in each warehouse clearly marked.

When Bai Ruolan served as the finance official in Shuozhou, Zhao Muyun taught her to use Arabic numerals for bookkeeping.

She then spread this method to hundreds of shopkeepers in the Bai family.

"Thank you for your hard work," he said softly.

Bai Ruolan shook her head: "I only manage domestic affairs, and I am far inferior to my husband."

She paused, "But... this morning I received letters from three gentry families, offering 5,000 shi of grain and 300 able-bodied men, requesting one of their sons to join the new army."

Zhao Muyun sneered: "When Xijing was in danger, these people stayed indoors. Now that things are looking up, they're trying to take advantage of the situation."

Should we refuse?

“No.” Zhao Muyun closed the ledger. “Accept the grain and laborers, and their sons can join the new army—but they will start as soldiers and have no special privileges. Tell them that under my command, fame and fortune are earned on horseback.”

Bai Ruolan understood: "I understand. Would you like to rest for a while, my husband?"

"Is the rest you're talking about a proper one?" Zhao Muyun smiled mischievously and suddenly picked Bai Ruolan up in his arms.

"Husband, no..."

Soon after, the room was filled with the sounds of violent collisions, which continued for a long time...