Chapter 905 Chapter 905, Helper
After the beginning of spring, the temperature rose, the ice and snow on the Yunlian Mountain began to melt, and the source of the Dan River was regained. The Dan River, which runs through the entire Ganzhou Wei and has been dry for more than ten years, began to be nourished by snow water again.
After Xiao Yeyang and Daohua personally went to Shiqukou, the Wang family moved to Ganzhou Wei.
Ganzhou Wei is a vast area with few people. Wang Qi looked at the map several times and after obtaining Xiao Yeyang's consent, he finally established a village on land in the southeast of Ganzhou Wei.
Wang Qi took the 1,100 taels of silver donated by Xiao Yeyang, drew a layout of the village, and then packed up his things to report to Ganzhou City.
When Xiao Yeyang met Wang Qi, he did not ask him to do anything immediately. Instead, he gave him two days and asked Zhang Da to help him familiarize himself with the people and things in the garrison.
During this time, Wang Qi discovered that there were actually craftsmen tinkering with the tuff that Madam Xiao had dug back from Shiqukou. He couldn't help but sigh to Zhang Da beside him, "Master Xiao really dotes on Madam Xiao."
Zhang Da: "Sir, Madam Xiao is not an ordinary boudoir lady. I heard Dong Yuanxuan mention that the method of making glass seems to be something Madam Xiao learned from a storybook."
A look of surprise crossed Wang Qi's face, as if he was a little bit unbelieving.
Zhang Da smiled and said, "Sir, when I first heard about it, I didn't quite believe it. But when I thought about the molds for making honeycomb coal and the idea of transforming the sloped hills into terraced fields, which were all Madam Xiao's ideas, I felt that this must be true."
"For example, high-yield corn seeds, potato seeds, and cotton seeds are all cultivated by Madam Xiao. Now, the people of Ganzhouwei are most grateful to two people."
"One is Lord Xiao, who led the troops to recapture the Dan River; the other is Madam Xiao, who runs the Four Seasons Grain Shop and sells high-yield grains, which has saved the people from hunger."
Wang Qi listened carefully. He didn't know much about Madam Xiao, and all his impressions came from what his clansmen had told him.
However, after listening to Zhang Da's words, he had a different opinion.
Although the etiquette and laws in Xiliang are not as strict as those in other inland provinces, women basically stay at home to take care of their husbands and children and manage household chores. It is rare to find a woman like Madam Xiao who can make a name for herself.
This also shows from the side that Lord Xiao is indulgent towards Madam Xiao.
Zhang Da continued, "Sir, when you have time, you can go and see the terraced fields outside the city. I heard from Dong Yuanxuan that Madam Xiao seems to be busy diverting water to the terraced fields recently, hoping to grow rice."
Wang Qi became interested: "No one in Ganzhouwei has ever grown rice. I'd like to take a closer look."
Afterwards, Zhang Da took Wang Qi to see other places in the garrison.
At the same time, on the other side, Xiao Yeyang accompanied Daohua to Qingyang Ranch.
Today, the Qingyang Ranch is no longer as barren as it was when I first arrived. It is now covered with lush grass and herds of cattle and sheep.
Daohua and Xiao Yeyang rode in a carriage across the pasture and arrived at the Dan River.
Looking at the trickling Dan River, Daohua smiled and said, "I made the right choice to buy this ranch and the hill across the way."
Five sloping mountains are connected together, and the cultivated land covers more than 100,000 acres.
Xiao Yeyang smiled and said, "It's not the right decision. The land and hillsides close to the Dan River have increased in price this year. If you buy now, you will have to spend at least half as much money."
Daohua looked surprised: "It's increased so much?"
Xiao Yeyang: "The court has a rule that no taxes are collected in the first three years of land reclamation. Now everyone is planting high-yield crops, and they can have a harvest in the same year. The finances of Ganzhou Wei have been tight, so Uncle Dong proposed to raise the price of land."
"But even though the price has increased, compared to other provinces, the land here is still very cheap."
Daohua: "But the living standards of the people here are not as high as those in other places?"
Xiao Yeyang: "Don't worry, the price increase is still affordable for the people."
Daohua nodded, said nothing more, and crossed the bridge with Xiao Yeyang to the other side.
The rice fields on the bottom layer of terraces have all been converted into paddy fields. At this moment, the tenants have completed irrigation and are soaking the fields and applying fertilizers.
In the fields next to it, the seedlings have already broken through the soil and are growing lushly, which is very pleasing to the eye.
Daohua smiled and said to Xiao Yeyang, "We don't need to transport rice from the capital this year."
Xiao Yeyang asked the officials in charge of the military farms to study hard here, while he pulled the rice flowers and said, "Didn't you plant some medicinal herbs? Take me to see them. If they are growing well, I will let the military households plant some as well."
"Aside from food, weapons, and supplies, the biggest military expense is the medicine used to treat injuries and illnesses. If we can be self-sufficient, we can save a lot of money."
Daohua took Xiao Yeyang to see the medicinal fields, and the officials who followed took careful notes.
After returning from visiting the terraced fields, the next day, Xiao Yeyang took Wang Qi to Jinweiwei.
On the way, Xiao Yeyang looked at Wang Qi and asked, "How much do you know about the commanders of the nine garrisons in Xiliang?"
Wang Qi replied, "Sir, except for the Ganzhou Guard, the commanders of the other eight guards were all promoted by the commander of Weidu."
"Among the eight, Commander Pang of the Lanwu Guard was excluded because of his straightforward character, which displeased Lord Wei. Lord Zhu of the Jinwei Guard, a rare official who cared about the people, disagreed with Lord Wei on many occasions, and was therefore not taken seriously."
"The other five people almost all follow Lord Wei's lead."
Xiao Yeyang raised his eyebrows and glanced at Wang Qi.
He had a general idea of these things from the news sent back by Jinling Guard. Although Wang Qi had never entered the officialdom, he was very familiar with the situation in Xiliang.
"There are four garrisons bordering Western Liao: Ganzhou Garrison, Jinwei Garrison, Jianzhou Garrison, and Xintun Garrison. The military garrison of Ganzhou Garrison has been completed, and the one of Jinwei Garrison is under construction."
"This time, we came out not only to observe the border troops training of Jinweiwei, but also to implement the military town construction plan of Jianzhouwei and Xintunwei."
"You should know that Wei Hongcai probably doesn't want me to stay in Xiliang, nor does he want to change the situation in Xiliang. We may encounter obstacles after arriving in Jianzhouwei and Xintunwei."
Upon hearing this, Wang Qi's face turned serious. He knew that persuading the commanders of Jianzhou Guard and Xintun Guard not to hinder the construction of the military town should be the first test that Xiao Yeyang gave him.
In the blink of an eye, more than a month passed and it was May.
The day before Dragon Boat Festival, Xiao Yeyang returned to Ganzhou City.
“I’m back!”
Daohua stood at the door to greet Xiao Yeyang with a smile. Seeing that he had become darker and thinner, she felt a little distressed: "Can you rest for a few days after coming back this time?"
Xiao Yeyang walked inside with the rice flowers in his hand, smiling and nodding, "The military towns of Jianzhouwei and Xintunwei have begun to be built, and people have been left there to watch the border troops train. I can rest at home for a while."
Hearing this, Daohua immediately said happily: "Then I must make up with you."
The two returned to the room, and Daohua personally helped Xiao Yeyang wash up: "Mr. Wang, did I help you this time when I went out?"
Xiao Yeyang nodded. "This Wang Qi is a good strategist. After weighing the pros and cons, the commanders of Jianzhou Guard and Xintun Guard no longer dared to hinder the construction of the military town."
"This man is quite insightful when it comes to domestic affairs. No wonder the Wei family suppressed the Wang family for decades. He is truly a remarkable figure."
Daohua smiled and said, "I'm glad he can help you. People in the capital despise the bitter cold in Xiliang and are unwilling to come here. There are so many things going on here, how can you handle it all by yourself?"
"I'll feel more at ease knowing someone can help you handle the tedious tasks and unnecessary social engagements. As for you, just keep the army in your hands. As for the rest, just focus on the overall direction."
Xiao Yeyang smiled and hugged Daohua in his arms: "You still care about me."
Daohua smiled and hit him.
On the other side, Wang Qi also returned to his residence in the garrison. As soon as he entered the gate of the garrison, he found that the ground of the garrison seemed to be a little different. It was much smoother than before.
"Sir, you're back!"
Seeing Zhang Da coming over, Wang Qi immediately asked, "What's going on on the ground?"
Zhang Da quickly smiled and said, "Sir, do you still remember the cement that Madam Xiao wanted? It was already there within two days of you leaving with Master Xiao. The ground in the garrison has been repaired, and it's much better to walk on than before. Now the cement has been used to build the city walls and roads."
Wang Qi was stunned: "Mrs. Xiao is really not talking nonsense."
(End of this chapter)
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