Chapter 659: Movements from All Sides (Part 1) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
Although Shen Tang was eager to see Shen Zhi, Shen Zhi was currently still in Ru Yao, and it would take some time for her to travel back and forth. Sharpening the axe before chopping wood was essential; besides a few necessary tasks, Shen Tang transferred surplus manpower to cultivate the wasteland, keeping them for future use.
"Justice, there is one more thing it needs from you—"
Luan Xin respectfully said, "Please speak, my lord."
"The wasteland within the territory of Longwu County has been fully reclaimed in the past two years. Commoners within the territory can contract land from the county government for cultivation based on the number of people in their families..." Shen Tang mentally prepared his words, trying to express his meaning tactfully.
Luan Xin looked at her gently, waiting for her to continue.
"...Because of the continuous absorption of refugees, there is not much arable land left in the territory. The cotton matter is related to the common people of the three counties to keep warm and get through the winter next year. It is urgent and cannot be delayed." Shen Tang stood up and pointed to the map screen behind the council hall. "Sibao County is depleted of people and its fields are abandoned. If cotton is to be planted on a large scale, this area will definitely be the first place to be considered."
Luan Xin asked, "What does the lord mean?"
After laying the groundwork, Shen Tang was finally able to reveal his plan: "If we want to plant cotton on a large scale, high-quality cotton seeds are essential. Currently, the only people capable of doing this are you and Lingde. Lingde will be staying in Sibao County for a short period of time, but the officials there can't be enough people to help her. There are some things that you and your clerks will need to assist her with and make things easier for her."
If necessary, one must obey the orders of Lin Feng.
I'm finally done talking.
She planned to have Luan Xin lead a group of officials from the Household Department to assist Lin Feng in preparing enough cotton seeds before planting next year. It would be even better if the cotton seeds could be improved during this period.
Obtaining a large quantity of high-quality cotton seeds requires repeatedly using literary energy to stimulate their growth and determine the optimal growing environment and planting methods. This is not something that two people can accomplish alone. The clerk in the Household Affairs Department is a suitable professional and should be able to help.
However, she worried that having Luan Xin assist Lin Feng would cause resentment in the latter—after all, Lin Feng was too young and didn't have any impressive achievements to convince others. Shen Tang's reasoning with him was intended to dissuade Luan Xin from overthinking the situation.
Luan Xin understood now and was speechless: "Lin Hucao possesses extraordinary abilities. Assisting her in completing this great feat will benefit future generations and save countless common people from the suffering of hunger and cold. This is an honor I could never have hoped for in my life. My lord need not worry."
Alas, how could Shen Tang not worry?
Her suggestion is tantamount to having a seasoned professional, a former second-in-command at a large company, assist a newbie who has only been in the workforce for four years. The crucial point is that this newbie is relatively unknown, and the seasoned professional is someone who switched jobs. Who would feel comfortable with that?
She was once a corporate slave herself, so she can deeply empathize with people.
If speaking frankly could prevent many misunderstandings, why should she be stingy with her words? Seeing Luan Xin's sincere response, she felt relieved. Thinking about what she was about to say, Shen Tang crossed her hands into fists, her thumbs twirling incessantly: "There's one more thing—cough cough, it's that we're currently short of people, especially high-level martial artists capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks..."
Luan Xin looked at Shen Tang, who had a reserved expression.
He immediately said, "My lord, please speak frankly."
Shen Tang loosened his fist, scratched his nose with his right index finger, and said somewhat embarrassedly, "What I mean is that there are still a few martial artists from Wen Yan Gong's former subordinates who haven't 'redeemed themselves' yet. Since they're idle anyway, why don't you persuade them to help out for a couple of months?"
Relying on low-level martial artists to move mountains and clear land would be incredibly inefficient, and they didn't have many mid- to high-level martial artists on their side. Even if they devoted all their resources to production and construction, the overall efficiency would still be low. Therefore, Shen Tang set his sights on those few idlers.
It's only natural for prisoners of war to work.
Luan Xin: "..."
Shen Tang whispered, "Is it alright to leave this matter to you?"
Luan Xin: "..."
Just as Luan Xin was pondering how to persuade Qiu Cheng tactfully without being beaten to death, news of Qiu Cheng's defeat and suicide spread far and wide. Xu Jie was the first among them to receive the news, and the tension finally eased. He asked, "Is there any news about Wen Shi?"
His voice trembled as he asked this question.
Although it is said that brave warriors are destined to die on the battlefield, Xu Jie still hoped that his cousin would not be among those who died on the battlefield.
The attendant said, "Young master has been injured and is still recovering."
Even though he was seriously injured, it didn't stop Xu Quan from causing trouble.
Upon hearing that his idol, Gongxi Choudou, had suffered a military defeat, he became depressed and even went on a hunger strike, displaying an attitude of "I don't believe it, I don't believe it." But when he heard that his idol had a close relationship with his lord, he instantly recovered, clamoring to hop on one leg to Xiaocheng to see his idol. His fanatical and devout demeanor made him look like he was worshipping a god. His attendant's expression was indescribable: "It's said that General Zhao's daughter couldn't stand it anymore, so she knocked him unconscious, carried him back, and tied him to the bed before he calmed down..."
Upon hearing this, Xu Jie felt extremely ashamed.
I wish I didn't have such an embarrassing cousin.
After a long while, Xu Jie put on his cloak and returned to his study. Looking at the vast expanse of snow, he uttered, "It's good that everyone is alright..."
"The young master's abilities are improving rapidly, so the parents can rest assured."
"Safe?"
Xu Jie looked in the direction of Longwu County and shook his head.
"I can't rest easy, and I'm increasingly worried about him."
His attendants held an umbrella for him and followed closely behind.
"I don't understand."
Xu Jie said calmly, "Longwu, Sibao, and Minfeng, whom you mentioned, Shen Jun holds the power of three prefectures. For someone like our lord, that's already a considerable threat. How old is Shen Jun? Even Gongxi Chou was defeated by him..."
The attendant said, "...However, Lord Shen is, after all, a scholar with a literary heart, and in terms of threat, he is not as strong as a martial artist with a fighting spirit. Furthermore, that Gongxi Chou has not submitted to Lord Shen, so in general..."
Xu Jie countered, "How do you know they haven't submitted?"
Attendant: "If you had submitted, why would you have left?"
Xu Jie didn't answer, but looked towards Tianhai, as if asking himself, or perhaps his attendant: "By now, our lord should know the news, right? I wonder how much longer our lord can tolerate this 'close friend' of his..."
"Are the parents worried that Duke Zhaode will take military action against Lord Shen?"
Therefore, Xu Jie was bound to run into Xu Quan.
"Indeed, there is this concern. Because of that 'evil schemer' Qi Yuanliang, Qin Gongsu has been on guard against Longwu County for the past few years... If our lord also feels threatened, then eliminating the threat before it grows too powerful would be the best course of action..."
Attendant: "But the tyrant Zheng Qiao is still alive."
Xu Jie was relieved: "Yes, Zheng Qiao is still alive."
Thankfully, Zheng Qiao is still alive.
Otherwise, if Shen Tang attacked Sibao County, it would have been the perfect opportunity for Wu Xian and his allies to eliminate their greatest threat. However, Zheng Qiao was alive, making this possibility extremely slim. In a sense, Zheng Qiao was Shen Tang's shield, buying her enough time.
As for Qiu Cheng's death?
Xu Jie didn't care at all.
Even if he knew there was something fishy about Qiu Cheng's death—whether it was a power struggle between noble families, a fratricidal conflict, or someone using him as a tool—on the surface, Qiu Cheng had committed suicide. A coward who had already lost the war and taken his own life was not worth Xu Jie's attention.
"I wonder if Lord Shen is willing to join forces to fight against the tyrant..." This battle has been going on for too long, and the Xu family's business has become more and more difficult year by year.
Xu Jie smiled and said, "Shen Jun?"
"It will come naturally."
"If he doesn't come, Zheng Qiao will fall, and he'll be next!"
(*￣3￣)╭
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(End of this chapter)
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