Chapter 776: Farming Tools
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The soldiers would significantly benefit if they followed Su Binglan’s methods. Then, they might no longer need to rely on military pay to live. The soldiers could earn extra income, and their families would have jobs.
Many soldiers did not have much to eat even after receiving a retirement pension. There were also family members of soldiers who had sacrificed their lives. Those who were not capable could not eat their fill.
It was as Su Binglan said. Everyone could eat their fill and wear warm clothes if the village prospered.
They could work while they were young and robust to earn money. Then, they could use the money to help their families. They might even become wealthy.
Many soldiers only had one thought when they first joined the army, and it was to not starve to death. At least they had some food in the military camp. Everyone just wanted to survive.
Ji Xingye looked at Su Binglan excitedly. He said, “I thank you on the soldiers’ behalf, Miss Su.’
Ji Xingye knew Su Binglan was the prince’s adopted sister, making her resemble a princess. However, she wanted to keep a low profile and not announce it to the public.
He knew to be respectful to Su Binglan and felt she possessed a similar righteousness and compassion as Lan Ruobing.
Su Binglan said, “No need to thank me. I’ve also opened a factory in Su Teng Village and plan to hire a group of people from the family members of retired soldiers to work there.
“You can count the number of soldiers who had to retire due to severe injuries. Also, tally the families of the soldiers who have perished. Jot down all the details of these families and give me a copy.”
“Yes, Miss Su!” Ji Xingye excitedly replied. He knew this would mean his soldiers’ safety.
Even if some of them had sacrificed themselves, someone was around to care for their families. Lan Ruozhu had done his best for these soldiers, but there were too many generals. He felt powerless, even if he wanted to help more. Nonetheless, everyone would benefit as long as they followed Su Binglan.
When Ji Xingye returned, he called his two subordinates and asked them to tabulate the statistics. “Miss Su is being considerate of everyone. She says we should split everyone into groups.”
” Right away, sir!”
The soldiers were shocked and in disbelief when they heard Ji Xingye’s words.
“Did I misshear?”
“General Xingye said it himself. How could you have misheard him?”
“Isn’t Princess Lan Ruobing already—”
“Hush! You cannot speak so haphazardly. Miss Su is Prince Ruozhu’s adopted sister. It’s good that she cares for us.”
“Miss Su is one of the commoners. She understands commoners better and is willing to help everyone. She’s an excellent princess.”
Most felt grateful when they heard the news.
“When we’re busy during the farming season, we’ll take turns resting and farming. I heard the yields of grain the higher-ups distribute will be very high.”
“Don’t forget about the factory. Our families will benefit if we remain loyal to Prince Ruobing. Those who work in the factory can earn about two hundred copper a month. The bonus is more than the salary, so we might earn one to two silver a month.
“l heard there’s a tofu factory in Su Teng Village. Those who work there received a ten silver bonus for the New Year’s celebrations.’
“Where did you hear that from?”
“One of my aunts who married a Su Teng villager told me that when she came home during the first lunar month. My mother felt tempted to move there, but she was worried about me and stayed here.”
“So it’s true.”
Everyone grew increasingly excited as they chatted.
“The prince also said the families of the soldiers will receive special care. The new factory will give priority to these people. It’s also a guarantee for everyone.”
Most became emotional as they chatted with each other. Some could not control their emotions, and tears fell. It was easy for soldiers to develop camaraderie because they had experienced life-threatening scenarios together.
They would never forget their comrades who had sacrificed their lives during the war. If possible, the soldiers wanted everyone to live with peace and prosperity.
The soldiers remembered Lin Erishi being only sixteen when he joined the military. He joined because his family did not have enough to eat. He was always talkative and would tell many exciting stories.
He saved his monthly salary and gave it to his mother, elder brother, sister-in-law, and nephew.
Lin Ershi’s elder brother had gotten severely injured on the battlefield but was lucky enough to survive. However, Lin Ershi could do nothing about it except join the army.
However, the other soldiers saw him getting shot down by an enemy’s arrow. Many more soldiers experienced such things. Those who were lucky to continue living felt their hearts ache for their fallen comrades.
Now that Su Binglan had started implementing her plans, it would help these soldiers live better lives. At that moment, the soldiers wanted to do their best to protect Dingzhou and be loyal to the prince.
Su Binglan knew nothing about their conversations as she was busy planning and arranging farming matters. Still, it was not yet time for spring farming. She looked at the climate and soil here, knowing she could plant crops in advance.
The seeds in her pocket dimension were also highly adaptable to the environment.
Su Binglan busied herself all night. During breakfast the following day, she gave a blueprint to her brother.
“What’s this, Sister?”
“That’s a blueprint for a farming tool. It can significantly reduce everyone’s labor when farming.”
In modern times, people used machines to sow seeds during farming. However, machines did not exist in the ancient era, and the people only used ancient weapons such as spears and arrows.
Su Binglan tried her best to design a convenient and labor-saving farming tool to make it easier for everyone to farm. She remembered her parents pulling ropes with all their might when plowing during the spring harvest.
The Su family did not have cows or bison at that time, either. Shen Qiuhua and Su Fengmao would be exhausted every night. She even remembered seeing strangulation wounds on her father’s shoulders. That was why Su Binglan knew how difficult it was for everyone.
“I’ll get someone to forge it immediately,” Lan Rouzhu said while looking at the blueprint.
Su Binglan asked, “Do you have a large weapon-forging factory?”
Immediately after, she thought of something and added, “It’s better to open one that specializes in producing farming tools. We can sell them at more affordable prices to villagers.”
Lan Ruozhu said, “l can see how much you love the people. I’m sincerely proud to have such a kindhearted and capable sister like you.”
Su Binglan smiled. “I can tell you care for them, too.”
She knew her brother had been working hard for his people and had done much for them. The commoners agreed that he was an excellent prince..
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