Chapter 775: Abandoned Land
Translator: Endless?antasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Lan Ruozhu grew increasingly excited as he discussed things with Su Binglan. She had provided him with an idea, and he devised a solution.
Su Binglan noticed her brother’s excitement and smiled, saying, “You’re right. The climate and soil differ everywhere, so the things we produce differ, too, We can build factories to produce products based on the local conditions.
“l found a large area of hawthorn in the Black Mountain Forest at the border province. We can use them to make cakes, candy, and other snacks. We can also produce fresh milk and make cheese there.”
Su Binglan always had many food ideas. If she could implement them, the food culture of this era would continuously advance, and the commoners could eat various fresh foods.
“That’s perfect!” Lan Ruzhu clapped excitedly.
“Don’t get too excited, Brother. I still have plenty of arrangements to make,”
Su Binglan said helplessly.
“Yes, of course. I’ll help you with whatever I can, Sister.”
Lan Ruozhu had just eaten lunch, but he became hungry again after listening to his sister talk about food. He could imagine the place he governed to be the most prosperous of all with its delicacies.
Lan Ruozhu’s heart raced as he thought of it. He wanted to show off his skills immediately. Still, Su Binglan knew more about agriculture than him. She could not help but laugh when she saw her brother’s excitement.
Su Binglan was happy to see her brother become more proactive after he recovered. She said mysteriously, “Brother, maybe there’s silver and iron ore hidden in these places.”
Lan Ruozhu was stunned. “Did you notice any?”
“Not yet.” Su Binglan shook her head. “l might discover something if I have time to inspect these places.”
She had passed certain places along her journey to Dingzhou from the border. She felt some mountain ranges were somewhat peculiar and suspected there were mineral deposits inside.
However, she was in a hurry to reach her brother and did not stop to investigate those areas. Still, she had a hunch about the mineral deposits. If she used her spiritual energy to probe these areas, she should be able to see if her suspicions were correct.
Lan Ruozhu held Su Binglan’s hands in excitement and almost burst into tears. He was proud to have a sister like her. Now, the two could solve many problems in one go.
If there were indeed silver mines in these mountain ranges, the siblings would have a large amount of it. With food and silver, Lan Ruozhu could feel more troops, and it would be easier to become king.
“l believe you will find out soon enough, Sister, but don’t pressure yourself.
Remember that I’m here for you.”
“There’s no pressure at all, Brother.” Su Binglan also wanted to help her brother in return.
The siblings had a long, secret conversation in the study. When afternoon arrived, Lan Ruozhu arranged for his trusted general, Ji Xingye, and a few guards to stay by Su Binglan’s side.
They helped to inspect some of the rural land around the prefecture. There were large amounts of abandoned land in the towns and villages beside Dingzhou Prefecture City.
After two days of observation, Su Binglan made plans for Ji Xingye. The latter had a strange feeling when he saw Su Binglan. He felt as if he was looking at
Lan Ruobing instead.
The princess had raised him and many others to help her brother.
Furthermore, these people were loyal to the deceased royal’s mansion.
Lan Ruozhu had told Ji Xingye to listen to Su Binglan’s orders, but he felt slightly doubtful. Perhaps he even distrusted Su Binglan. After two days of working beside her, Ji Xingye’s opinion of Su Binglan changed.
The latter was highly knowledgeable, and Ji Xingye could not help but admire her. He also felt Su Binglan resembled Lan Ruobing whenever he spoke to her.
Su Binglan said, “Count the number of soldiers stationed in the prefecture and divide them into three groups. They will take turns resting or doing fieldwork.’
Ji Xingye was stunned to hear that. ‘Is she rotating them?’
The soldiers would train for a month and might be unable to rest even once. Most of the time, they would stay in the military camp. Even the patrolling soldiers would be on constant patrols.
Dingzhou was not the only place like this, but the armies of various places were, too. Ji Xingye wondered why Su Binglan would want to change their routine. Moreover, Lan Ruozhu trusted her and seemed to agree with her arrangements.
Su Binglan was unaware of Ji Xingye’s thoughts at that moment. She continued, “Every soldier and their family will receive five acres of land. 1 will distribute seeds and teach them how to plant and harvest them.
“Gather teams of five, twenty, and a hundred. You can also assign a leader for each team. Everyone will have a strict code. If anything happens, it’ll compromise the team.”
Su Binglan did that to prevent spies from sneaking into the teams. It was also to help them supervise each other.
“I will build a factory around here. Whichever soldier’s family performs well will receive priority to work in the factory with monthly salaries and bonuses. However, those who perform poorly will be fired immediately. Such interest binding will prevent people from rebelling.”
Ji Xingye grew increasingly astounded as he listened. Indeed, such a management method was stringent, and Ji Xingye would not have to worry about the soldiers misbehaving.
Of course, the families of the soldiers stationed in Dingzhou could only stay for the convenience of control.
Su Binglan continued, “I’ve taken a look around and found many fruit trees in the mountains of this village. I can use those fruits to make fruit juice. So, I can build a juice and fruit canning factory here.”
She also realized most of the villagers only stayed idle at home. They seemed to have no jobs and were malnourished. However, this place would prosper if she could revitalize its economy.
To do that, she had to help these people earn money first. She would create job opportunities for everyone, and they could buy daily necessities.
Ji Xingye had read many books as Lan Ruobig taught him prior to her death. He quickly understood what Su Binglan’s intentions and his eyes widened in excitement..
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