Chapter 562: Salt Production, Silkworm Rearing, and Grain Cultivation (Part 2) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
Shen Tang said, "Humans, unless they are immortals who have abstained from grains and live on wind and dew, even martial artists with the strength of a 20th-rank Marquis cannot go without grains. Food is the most important thing for people, so how is farming an unrespectable job?"
Ning Yan tried to explain.
"My lord, it has nothing to do with dignity, but rather..."
Shen Tang knew that Ning Yan's understanding was still based on preconceived notions, so she smiled and interrupted her: "Tu Nan, don't be impatient, it was my fault for not explaining clearly. The cultivation of spirit words is different from the farming you know. One person's strength can even supply an army of a thousand."
One person's strength...
Supplying an army of a thousand?
Ning Yan's first reaction upon hearing this was that it was absurd, but being a smart person, her second reaction was that she thought of Shen Tang's heroic deeds of leading a lone army deep into the heart of Shiwu for more than a month, causing chaos and managing to escape unscathed.
Outsiders only thought Shen Tang was bold, venturing into enemy rear areas without getting lost and achieving remarkable victories, without ever considering the issue of logistics and supplies. Even if they did, they would most likely guess that she was relying on the enemy for food, using the enemy's grain to solve her own crisis.
As for how she was able to perform such a miraculous operation, accurately locating the enemy's stronghold and promptly raiding their grain depot to ensure a continuous food supply...
That remains to be seen.
Without knowing the truth, taking supplies from the enemy is the most logical course of action, but Shen Tang's words gave Ning Yan another idea—
Among the army, there were those who could speak and conjure food.
Completely self-sufficient!
Without the constraints of food and fodder supply, this thousand-strong forced march had no more worries about the rear, and its mobility was fully maximized.
No wonder the enemy couldn't even catch a glimpse of them.
So the truth is right here!
In an instant, her heart pounded like a drum.
Her hands trembled slightly with excitement from within her sleeves.
What is it about in military campaigns?
The ability of the two commanders to direct the overall situation, the wisdom of their strategists, the combat strength of their armies, the size of their troops, or the power of their weapons.
These are all factors that determine the outcome of a war, but ultimately, it comes down to the strength of the two sides and whose supply lines are the most stable and secure. Once one side runs out of supplies and is besieged by the enemy, the outcome is no longer in doubt.
This demonstrates its importance.
For a time, Ning Yan's mind was filled with thoughts of war and logistics.
Shen Tang coughed lightly, pulling her back to reality: "Wars always come to an end. We didn't train them to serve as granaries for the army for their entire lives... But from birth to death, people can't live without food. If we had the assistance of spiritual words, allowing one-tenth of the population to farm for a year, collect their taxes, and have enough surplus to feed their families and have a surplus every year, we wouldn't have to rely on the weather for our livelihood..."
"No more starving corpses lying everywhere, no more desolate land stretching for miles." He was more serious than ever before. "This is what I want."
Ning Yan was taken aback upon hearing this.
This is probably what makes Shen Tang different from others.
If the power of words were beneficial to agriculture, almost everyone's first reaction would be that with such a powerful tool, fighting would be a breeze. But what Shen Tang thought about was how many common people would no longer have to starve. Wars kill people, and she hoped that more people would live because of it.
Ning Yan managed to breathe steadily.
"Our lord is benevolent and kind."
Newcomer Liao Jia was filled with awe.
Not for any other reason than that Shen Tang has this sentiment.
The already high level of favorability increased even further.
He couldn't help but think to himself, "What incredible luck Qi Yuanliang had to find such a minor saint..."
Yes, this is the standard by which Qishan chooses its master.
Liao Jia even mocked his naiveté.
He's full of wicked ideas, yet he wants to find a saint to be his lord and advisor? Isn't he afraid that their ideologies will clash and they'll part ways?
Isn't this self-torture?
When Liao Jia first heard of Shen Tang's good reputation, he didn't believe it. Then he gradually became skeptical, and finally he was half-believing and half-doubting until Shen Tang's words truly dispelled his doubts. Gu Chi naturally overheard his entire thought process, which he had completely let slip.
Gu Chi: "..."
Our lord is truly "a great menace".
After Ning Yan sat down, Xun Zhen spoke: "My lord, apart from you and your virtuous wife, there are no other examples of such literary talents. How to cultivate them still needs to be explored. I suggest that we first collect books on the spirit of words related to the seasons, the seasons, agriculture, and farming tools."
Although the same incantation may have different effects depending on individual understanding, it is definitely right to study incantations in a targeted manner.
You can also take a test at the same time.
What exactly is the connection between Shen Tang and Lin Feng's ability to materialize words? Is it because of their gender, or because of their respective paths of feudal lords/scholars? Shen Tang's path of feudal lords is inherently related to agriculture, so materializing words is plausible. Lin Feng's "Essential Techniques for the Common People" is also fundamentally about agriculture, and given that "Essential Techniques for the Common People" is a monumental work on agriculture, this effect is logically consistent.
besides--
What about the others?
If we learn these agricultural-related spiritual words and cultivate ourselves in this direction, can we achieve the same effect?
These are still unknown.
Shen Tang: "Yes, this needs to be arranged."
Last night's dream gave her confidence.
This will definitely succeed!
Because of the farmers!
Because of the Farmhouse Academy!
Even more so because of the flourishing of diverse schools of thought!
However, nurturing and developing fish takes time, and those tiny fry, barely even beginning their education, are clearly not yet of use. For now, Shen Tang and Lin Feng can only work overtime to ensure the initial operation of the plan runs smoothly. If sericulture and textiles can develop into a distinctive industry, Longwu County will have an additional source of income. Shen Tang's mind was racing with calculations.
Then everyone discussed how to improve the plan and how to allocate manpower to launch several projects simultaneously.
Liao Jia thought it was none of his business.
After all, he's still a newcomer.
The site visit will take three to five months, during which time the team will also familiarize themselves with the environment.
Who knew—
"Is Shao Mei familiar with Chi Yan?"
Liao Jia humbly replied, "I know a little bit about it."
Upon hearing this, Shen Tang nodded, raised his hand and assigned him a group of men, instructing him to find and level wasteland and plan the construction of salt fields.
With the help of brave and skilled warriors, the project will proceed quickly.
After completing the preliminary preparations, try to attract seawater.
If that doesn't work, the salt fields will be converted into farmland.
Liao Jia was speechless for a moment: "..."
Isn't this a bit too fast?
Shen Tang didn't think so; in fact, she felt there were too few people, not enough to go around. After the morning meeting, she hurriedly led a group to inspect the abandoned salt wells, bringing along a former official who had been in charge of them. If the abandoned salt wells could be put back into use, all the better; if not, they would dig new ones. Digging salt wells was a challenge given the current level of technology, and a major reason for the high cost of well salt.
but--
The Martial Arts Warrior is really useful.
Shen Tang once couldn't understand why people only wanted to use such useful and versatile martial artists to fight.
What a waste of resources! What a waste of resources!
“Wen Shi, please wait a moment.”
As the morning meeting ended, Chu Yao called out to Xu Quan with a smile.
"Does the clerk have any instructions?"
Chu Yao said, "I have something to discuss."
Who should I buy silkworm eggs from?
Xu Jie.
Who can I buy mulberry leaves from?
Xu Jie.
Who can I buy large quantities of coarse salt from?
It was Xu Jie who explained it.
Although he was not in the Longwu government office, Xu Wenzhu's shadow was everywhere, and his cousin Xu Quan was the best mouthpiece!
Xu Quan, who originally intended to find Zhao Wei, had to change his mind.
"good."
Zhao Wei, who had been waiting anxiously with his gun in hand, saw Qi Shan and Liao Jia leaving their shift together from afar. It wasn't that Qi Shan wanted to get close to this man; it was simply because his lord had asked him to mentor the newcomers and familiarize them with the environment. For example, to take Liao Jia to the military camp to allocate manpower.
Since Liao Jia didn't even know which way the military camp gate was, and the others weren't familiar with him, Qi Shan, who had recommended Liao Jia, naturally became the most suitable candidate.
Zhao Wei: "Sir, are you off duty so early?"
Liao Jia boarded the carriage provided by the government office.
"No, I still have to go to the military camp."
Zhao Wei's eyes lit up: "Can I go?"
She was Liao Jia's nominal bodyguard.
Liao Jia looked at Qi Shan, and Qi Shan nodded.
"able."
Now that Zhao Wei is gone, it's easier to bring her into our fold, isn't it? I just hope that when Dayi sees his daughter on the battlefield one day, he won't lose his composure.
The military garrison was located outside the city.
From afar, one could see rows of flags fluttering in the wind.
Zhao Wei had often sneaked into military camps with her father, but no matter how much Zhao Feng doted on his daughter, he wouldn't let her run around freely. She was always being watched, and the places she could go were extremely limited. This time, she was going to an unfamiliar military camp, and her anticipation was immense.
The military camp flags, apart from Shen Tang's name "Shen," also bear the surnames of the various camp commanders, making them easily identifiable.
【white】
Zhao Wei murmured, "This surname is rare."
After thinking for a while, I couldn't think of any famous martial arts master surnamed Bai. The carriage was marked with the official seal, so it got green lights all the way.
"Go see the commander of this camp first."
Coincidentally, the commander was in the camp.
Bai Su, dressed in armor, had just returned.
"Why is the chief clerk here? Has the lord given any instructions?" Bai Su was on duty at the military camp today and did not attend the morning meeting.
Qi Shan had Liao Jia bring over the transfer order signed by Shen Tang and said, "His surname is Liao, Liao Jia, Liao Shaomei. The lord has ordered him to allocate one hundred men, at least twenty low-ranking officials, to go to the wasteland to develop salt fields. Is it convenient for Commander Bai?"
Bai Su confirmed that the transfer order was correct.
He then said, "Of course it's convenient."
Breaking the stereotype that women cannot possess both literary and martial prowess, Liao Jia immediately recognized the martial artist before her, who was the same height as herself, as a genuine woman. Zhao Wei, on the other hand, did not recognize her, as she was captivated by Bai Su's heroic and beautiful face.
She had seen far too many burly, rough-and-tumble martial artists.
Even someone with slightly delicate features would be like Xu Quan.
She had never seen a "man" like Bai Su before, who was both handsome and strong, and whose appearance perfectly matched her aesthetic!
Bai Su put away the order: "Come with me."
Although her battalion had expanded to three thousand men, in broad daylight, apart from those responsible for basic defense, less than half were present; the rest were either cultivating or doing manual labor. Looking across the vast training ground, only five or six hundred people were diligently practicing their thrusting and slashing techniques.
Bai Su beckoned to her deputy, who was leading the training.
Coincidentally, it was someone I knew.
"How could it be you?"
Isn't this the young man surnamed Lu?
Bai Su noticed Zhao Wei, glanced at her face, then her gaze drifted to the spear on Zhao Wei's back, finally settling on Zhao Wei's hands peeking out from her sleeves. Her fingers and palms were calloused from martial arts training. Judging by appearance, she was also a trained martial artist, and a young woman at that.
She asked, "Zhizong, do you know him?"
"I met them when they were apprehending criminals a couple of days ago."
\(￣︶￣*\))
I'm going to the First Affiliated Hospital for another checkup tomorrow. They keep saying my D2 level is high, but I don't know if they'll be able to find out the cause...
(End of this chapter)
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