Chapter 4343. Seaside
Raindrops fell from the early morning sky.
Braving the light rain, citizens of Donglin City gathered on the beach by the sea and formed a long line.
Looking down from a high place, the number was far beyond expectations.
"Zoe, how many people do you think there are?" Lodel asked his adjutant at the top of the Executive Hall.
"At least thirty thousand, and possibly more than forty thousand!" Zoe said slightly absentmindedly.
Lowe was also thinking. He thought that with a population of only 12,000 ten years ago, having 20,000 ten years later was already quite good.
A population of over 30,000 cannot possibly be the result of normal growth.
Bai Lu's administration was very efficient, and he completed the population census in about half an hour. He returned to the Administration Office and reported to Lovi: "Lord, after verification, the total population of the territory is 47,256."
“How many people do you actually have?”
"The actual number of people under his control is 16,513."
"Tell me why there are so many foreign populations."
"There is plenty of food, a suitable climate, and personal safety is guaranteed. It is easy to attract outsiders. Lord Ai Xin has never restricted immigration." Bai Lu was prepared to explain to Lovey.
"Have you ever thought about what would happen if there is not enough food in the winter?" Lowe questioned.
".Lord Ai Xin asked us to use those vacant wastelands to grow black potatoes, and almost all of them have been used up." Bai Lu carefully looked at Lowe's expression.
This was a blatant violation of the lord's interests. If wheat was planted on land that had been used to grow black potatoes, the harvest would be very poor.
Luo Wei breathed a sigh of relief. "By next spring at the latest, I will select a group of immigrants and issue them temporary household registration. You can spread the news first."
“Does temporary household registration require the distribution of land?”
"Yes! After paying taxes for a certain number of years, your temporary household registration can be converted to formal household registration and you can become my subject."
"Your kindness will be remembered by the people forever." Bai Lu bowed deeply.
After explaining everything in one breath, Luo Wei waved his hand, signaling Bai Lu to leave.
When the rain outside stopped a little, he went out to the beach. He scooped up a handful of sea water and felt it in his palm. He even tasted it with the tip of his tongue.
"Mossofi, how do you get salt?"
"Generally, we use firewood to boil seawater to get coarse salt. The refined salt that the lord eats is obtained by processing mineral salt. The price difference between the two is hundreds or even thousands of times."
"Are there any salt mines in our territory?"
"No, our refined salt is purchased through Duke Dafen's trading channels."
Suddenly, a delicate hand pushed away the bamboo hat on Mosuofei's head and it accidentally slipped to the ground.
Green ivy flew out yawning, "Master housekeeper's head is so comfortable. I want to sleep here every day in the future."
"Madam, my head is not a place for you to sleep." Mosuofei bent down angrily and picked up the hat.
After taking a short walk on the beach, Lovi asked Mosofi to tell everyone that they would set out at noon.
"Ms. Zhute, do you choose to work in Donglin City or Donggang City?"
"I'd better go to Donggang City." Zhu Te looked hesitant: "Can my family go with us? I have a younger sister."
"Okay." Lowe agreed.
There were a lot of things that Exus needed to pack, so Xiqi volunteered to help.
It is worth mentioning that Xiqi did not travel alone, but was accompanied by a caravan of twenty people.
Lin Xia didn't have much to bring. Since Luo Wei promised to provide food along the way, she only brought some clothes and daily necessities in her backpack.
Luo Wei was curious about Lin Xia's backpack: "Did you weave this yourself?"
"Yes, the bamboo basket is very light." Lin Xia shook her shoulders and said with a bit of pride in her voice.
"You can ask the people in your tribe to weave more large ones. They will probably sell very well." Lovey suggested on a whim.
"Actually, a lot of people can make them. We sold them before, but not many people bought them." Lin Xia shook her head disappointedly.
Lovey couldn't believe it. Such a useful handicraft didn't have much sales. Could it be that the people were too poor?
Time passes by quietly without anyone noticing.
At noon, after a simple lunch, everyone set off on their journey home.
"My lord, am I not hospitality enough? Why don't you stay a few more days?" Before leaving, Bai Lu half-knelt down again and kissed the back of Lovey's hand.
"I am very satisfied with the hospitality of Donglin City. But I have been delayed for too long along the way and want to go back early." Lovi looked at the beautiful girl of the Deer Clan with strange mood as she stood up.
I always feel that this hand-kissing etiquette is very awkward.
Is this forcing him to replace all his subordinates with beautiful girls?
"Take care." Bai Lu stood by the road, quietly waiting for the team to leave.
Next, there will be a seven-day journey.
Lovi looked down at the parchment map. If we walked along the coast, we would have to go a long way. If we took a boat and went in a straight line, we might be able to reach the destination in a day or two.
Why not take a boat? It is because of the ocean current and wind direction. In the case of upstream and headwind, taking a boat is not as reliable as walking.
Besides, the sea is dangerous.
Even if the ship is sailing in shallow water close to the shore, the possibility of being attacked by sea beasts cannot be ruled out.
For the sake of his life, he should just walk. Lovi sighed and put away the parchment map.
As you move along the coastline, surprises occasionally occur.
A large stranded fish fell on the beach, barely breathing. It had no power to turn over, let alone return to the ocean. The guards cheered collectively, and the logistics personnel gathered around spontaneously.
Lodel only left a few people behind symbolically without any instructions or warnings.
It's undoubtedly safe here.
From Donglin City to Donggang City, there are villages and small towns everywhere along the way, and wild animals are rarely seen.
Taking advantage of some free time on the road, Luo Wei talked to Xiqi about business matters and asked her what products were selling well.
"Wine! High-quality red wine is in short supply. If it tastes a little better, the price can increase several times." Xiqi said confidently.
"Besides red wine?" Lowe continued to ask.
"In addition to red wine, there are refined salt, honey, silk clothes, boots, clocks, and slaves." At the end, Xiqi paused for a long time, carefully studying Lovey's expression.
"Don't look at me, I don't sell slaves." Lovey immediately made his attitude clear.
"I know that the slave trade has always been bloody and dirty. No noble with a conscience would touch it."
The topic suddenly came to a halt. After a period of silence, Lowe waved his hand to let Xiqi leave.
Yes, he would not trade slaves, but for the future development of his territory, he might have to deal with slave traders.
There is no point in talking about this topic too early, and it will also damage your positive image.
So Lowe chose to avoid it temporarily.
(End of this chapter)
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