After the bandits withdrew from Dongning Province and returned to the grasslands, the entire Dongning Province forests became peaceful.

However, during this period, the Prince's guards did not immediately return to the city, but continued to fight in the mountains and forests.

After repelling the grassland bandits, the operation to eliminate the bandits can now be officially put on the agenda.

Under the attack of five elite infantry battalions—the Divine Might Battalion, the Divine Might Battalion, the Divine Valor Battalion, the Divine Resilience Battalion, and the Divine Protection Battalion—most of the bandits in the mountains and forests of Dongning Prefecture, Shuangcheng Prefecture, and Xiande Prefecture were wiped out.

A combination of suppression and appeasement is needed!

A multi-pronged approach!

Before winter arrived, the banditry in Dong Ninh province was basically eradicated, and the province returned to a rare period of peace and tranquility.

Meanwhile, in Dongning City, the people inside the city were also preparing food for the winter.

The residents living in the city were mostly staff members under the Prince Xin's command, so they were not too worried or afraid about the winter.

On the contrary, in some communities outside the city, the migrants who had just moved from places like Huaibei were somewhat afraid of winter.

After all, they were newcomers and had not yet grown any crops on the reclaimed land.

By working for the Prince's Palace, they earned some food and money, which was barely enough for them to get through the winter.

However, just to be on the safe side, some villagers still went hunting in the mountains under the guidance of the old hunter.

Pheasants and rabbits also became a source of meat during the winter.

Dong Ninh Province is sparsely populated and rich in natural resources from its mountains and forests.

There was enough food for the people to live on.

As October arrived, the sky turned a hazy yellow, and with the biting wind blowing, snowflakes finally began to fall.

Snowflakes, as fine as goose feathers, fluttered down.

In a short time, the entire ground was covered in white.

Construction has also ceased at some construction sites.

Construction teams and building crews stopped working.

However, the Dongning Manufacturing Bureau and the Dongning Steel Plant were still in production.

The coal stove and coal briquettes were still running.

With the arrival of winter, the sales of coal stoves and coal briquettes have increased significantly.

With the widespread adoption of coal stoves and heated brick beds, winter warmth can be guaranteed.

With these measures in place, the people of Dongning are quite satisfied.

The first snow of winter fell for three or four days straight, and there was no sign of it stopping.

The entire city of Dongning was a vast expanse of white snow.

This is usually the case in winter.

Before we knew it, the end of the year had arrived!

As another New Year arrived, Li Xin summoned officials of all ranks to his palace for a meeting.

Inside the Prince Xin's Mansion, a coal stove was burning, and a heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed) was also lit.

The entire room was warm and cozy, like springtime.

A small square table was placed on the heated kang (a traditional Chinese bed-stove).

The small square table was set with food and drinks, which looked quite pleasant.

In winter, there's not much else to do, so all you can do is have a drink indoors.

Newly brewed wine, green as ants; a small red clay stove, glowing with warmth!

This life is truly delightful!

"Your Highness,"

Sitting opposite Li Xin, Liu Jingxuan, the prefect of Dongning, said, "To date, Dongning Province has a registered population of over 493,400."

The vast majority of them were migrants who came from places like Huaibei.

Currently, these people have been resettled in various counties and districts under the jurisdiction of Dongning Prefecture and Shuangcheng Prefecture, and their dugouts have been basically completed, which should ensure that they can get through the winter.

"Uh-huh."

Li Xin nodded, picked up his small wine cup, drank the steaming hot wine, and said, "It seems that this year has been very fruitful!"

With a population of 500,000, all affairs in Dongning can develop steadily!

Next year, the Prince's Guard will continue to expand!

We aim to build an elite force of over 20,000 people!

"Then, even if the elite cavalry of the steppe bandits invade again, we won't have to be afraid!"

The goal for next year is to have over 20,000 standing troops!

This goal is achievable!

Now, Li Xin needs to consider how these more than 500,000 people will get through this winter.

Mr. Liu,

Looking at Liu Jingxuan, Li Xin instructed, "With so many people, their eating, drinking, sanitation, clothing, food, shelter, and transportation are also important matters!"

In Dongning Prefecture, we still need to go down to the grassroots level more often to see if the people need any help.

People who arrived early could find work and earn money, and there was plenty of food available.

Those who arrive late will likely not fare so well.

Inform the local community organizations that Qingyu Commercial Bank will provide interest-free loans to the residents of each community.

If needed, one can take out a loan to purchase grain.

It's not too late to pay it back next year when I have more money.

Most importantly, we must not let the people go hungry or freeze.

"Your Highness, please rest assured,"

Liu Jingxuan nodded and said, "Dongning Prefecture has already introduced some policies, and governments at all levels are implementing them."

We are doing our best to resolve any difficulties the people face.

"Don't just try, make sure!"

Li Xin instructed, "These people have traveled thousands of miles from their homes to come to Dongning. We must not let them feel disappointed!"

He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world!

If we alienate the people, how can we maintain our foothold in Dongning Province?

"Your Highness's teachings are indeed correct!"

Liu Jingxuan quickly agreed.

After drinking for a while, Li Xin looked at Liu Jingxuan and asked, "How much revenue does Dongning Prefecture have this year?"

Nowadays, the people living in Dong Ninh province experience very little pressure.

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