The eight people arrived in Beiyuan one after another.
Fortunately, since Mengzhou and Beizhou are close by, I have at least heard about and seen the changes in Beizhou.
The other four people from the other two states thought they had entered another world after entering the Northern State.
What Huang Kun and Bai Fengchang saw was that the whole nation was mobilized for war and the roads were clear.
What Wei Zhuang and Gu Tianyang saw was a harmonious and prosperous society.
Even though the people here are still thin, there is light in their eyes.
Everyone was in a hurry, with smiles on their faces, a joy born from the struggle to make a living.
When they arrived, they thought the folk tales were exaggerated, but after seeing it with their own eyes, they realized that Beizhou, under Xiao Zhixing's leadership, had become a dreamland.
Busy farmhouses, students coming and going, and bustling vendors create a scene reminiscent of a prosperous era.
They couldn't help but stop and take a look, to investigate why the Northern State had changed so much in just one year.
However, due to the tight schedule, they had to suppress their eagerness and rush to Kitahara.
Upon arriving here, they encountered even more novel things, which overwhelmed them with wonder. They were like country bumpkins visiting the city, amazed by everything they saw.
After a night's rest, the Four States Conference was held in the small hall of the new prefectural governor's office.
"Gentlemen, you have come from afar. I will not waste your time with my long talk. Thanks to His Majesty's trust in entrusting me with the military and political affairs of the four states, I feel a great responsibility and dare not slack off. Therefore, I have convened this meeting of the four states to discuss with you all a plan to benefit the people."
Xiao Zhixing gestured for them to look at the freshly printed meeting documents in front of them.
"Let me put it simply. You have all witnessed the changes in my Northern State, and you probably already have an impression of them."
"Beizhou has set a good example for everyone. All its policies are beneficial to the country and the people. The first one is the land reclamation plan. I don't need to elaborate on the benefits of this plan."
"Secondly, basic medical care..."
"Thirdly, there is elementary education..."
"Finally, I must emphasize that since the North borders two countries, the defense of the border cannot be compromised. Therefore, I hope that you will help me strengthen our military."
No one spoke. The other three governors listened and flipped through the memorials, pondering the implications.
Xiao Zhixing took a sip of tea and smiled, "Of course, the policies in this memorial are merely suggestions from me. If you do not wish to adopt them, I will not force you."
They dared not truly believe her words, especially Wei Zhuang and Gu Tianyang.
Since she was giving them such serious advice, she certainly wouldn't allow them to be perfunctory.
Gu Tianyang looked around and decided to speak first. "Your Highness, the current situation in Beizhou proves that these policies are the best possible policies. However, I must also tell you the truth."
Xiao Zhixing gestured for him to speak boldly.
“Take my Xia Prefecture as an example. There is little arable land there, and it lacks rain. It is mainly desert and Gobi. The entire prefecture’s population is fed by just a few oasis fields. So the first plan of military farming is not feasible.”
"As for elementary schools, just like in the Northern State back then, there's a shortage of teachers."
Xiao Zhixing toyed with a short folding fan in his hand and nodded, "I am somewhat aware of the situation in Xia Prefecture. As for this, I will think of a way to solve the water problem for you. If it is possible..."
Gu Tianyang's eyes shone brightly, and he leaned forward with delight. "If Your Highness can help solve this age-old problem in Xia Prefecture, you will be a great benefactor to the entire Xia Prefecture."
Li Wenxiu smiled and handed him a memorial.
Xiao Zhixing tapped him with his fan, "Let's see if this method will work?"
Gu Tianyang eagerly opened the fold-out page, “…Karez?”
"Yes, I call it the Karez well."
That was a great invention for solving the water problem in Northwest China. The landscape of Xia Prefecture is similar to that of Northwest China, with high mountains to the west and north, covered with countless snow-capped peaks, which are the best sources of water.
Gu Tianyang's eyes grew brighter and brighter as he looked at the folded page, his gaze glued to it, unwilling to look away.
Xiao Zhixing laughed, "I can also provide you with cement. Let's dig a few sections to test it out. If it works, we'll both have done a great service."
Gu Tianyang carefully put away the precious folded page, bowed deeply, and said, "Whether it succeeds or not, on behalf of all the people of Xia Prefecture, I thank Your Highness for your great kindness."
Xiao Zhixing continued, "As for the matter of establishing junior teachers for elementary schools, it just so happens that the first batch of accelerated elementary teachers in my Northern Prefecture are about to graduate and start their posts. I will send one hundred people to teach there for a year, and you can select some more people to send to the Northern Prefecture, where I will help train them."
"You don't need to worry about their salaries; Beizhou can afford to support them right now."
Gu Tianyang immediately expressed his deepest gratitude.
Of course, Xiazhou will definitely make its own response and won't let Beizhou bear the entire burden.
As for the venue, for such a meritorious act, there are plenty of people willing to provide the space free of charge.
Xiao Zhixing waved his hand to indicate that he didn't care, then turned to Wei Zhuang and asked, "Lord Wei, regarding the implementation of several policies in Ningzhou, do you have any suggestions?"
Wei Zhuang had been silently listening to her conversation with Gu Tianyang. Upon hearing this, he said, "Your Highness, I also have some difficulties. Although Ningzhou is not short of water and people, it is short of land."
“Ningzhou has a large elevation difference, with many ravines and hills, and is mostly barren land. How can I, your humble servant, cultivate it?”
Xiao Zhixing raised an eyebrow. "Didn't I give Nian Chenghan a technique for terraced field transformation?"
Ningzhou's topography is somewhat similar to the Loess Plateau, but it has ample sunshine and rainfall, and the soil is of the highest quality sandy soil, making it ideal for growing dryland crops such as corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and watermelons.
She also wanted to wait until they opened up some terraced fields and then send them some corn seeds free of charge.
Judging from Wei Zhuang's expression, he didn't even know about this?
Wei Zhuang was speechless and somewhat embarrassed. He remembered that Nian Chenghan had come to him personally a while ago, saying that he had important matters to discuss, but he had brushed it off.
Xiao Zhixing gave him a brief, indifferent look, without blaming him much. "Those terraced fields can turn a hillside into farmland. Even if you grow low-yield millet, it's enough to feed many more people."
"Lord Wei, this is a policy that benefits the people. I hope that you can cooperate more with Nian Chenghan to bring benefits to the people."
Wei Zhuang's cheeks flushed slightly, and he hurriedly agreed. Xiao Zhixing's glance made him feel flustered.
After saying this casually, Xiao Zhixing scanned the crowd and said, "I never take matters of public concern lightly, nor do I allow my subordinates to do so. Let me give you all a piece of advice: if you are an official who does not serve the people, you might as well go home and grow millet!"
"I will keep in mind the Prince's teachings."
Xiao Zhixing then said to Wei Zhuang, "You are the most mature and experienced elder among us. You have worked diligently to protect the people of Ningzhou for so many years without any merit or demerit. I hope that we can do more good things for the people of Ningzhou together in the future."
Wei Zhuang was filled with shame and bowed deeply, saying, "This humble official understands, thank you Your Highness."
Xiao Zhixing concluded by discussing military matters.
"The fruits of victory need to be protected by strong military equipment. I do not want the northern lands to become fish and meat in the eyes of the northern barbarians and the northern frontier."
"Therefore, I have decided to expand the army in the four states! The total number of soldiers should be at least one million."
Everyone gasped in shock.
What does Your Highness want to do?
The entire Great Sheng Dynasty did not have a million soldiers!
This...this...how can His Majesty sleep soundly if he finds out?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
