Chapter 787 - 787: Logistics
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Lan Ruozhu understood Su Binglan’s intentions when he looked at her blueprints. Her drawings included a top, bottom, and flat view of the military training grounds.
Lan Ruozhu could almost picture the military academy as he looked at the blueprints. “Sister, your drawings are so detailed.”
Su Binglan also included detailed explanations and measurements in her drawings so Lan Ruozhu could comprehend them without asking.
Immediately after, Lan Ruozhu ordered his people to gather a group of builders from the surrounding villages. He wanted to build the academy as soon as possible.
Later, Su Binglan and Lan Ruozhu then went to the site to check it out. They found that the villagers had already started building the academy. With so many people working together, Lan Ruozhu believed they could complete it
quickly.
Su Binglan thought of something and said, “Brother, we can build a similar academy at the edge of the border province if this one works well. It’ll also deter the nomads and bandits from causing trouble there.
“It was chaotic at the border province before you occupied it. The bandits at the border would fatten up their horses and sheep during the autumn harvest. Then, they would rob and kill whoever they encountered.
“The bandits robbed the grain and crops the villagers had worked so hard to grow. I was outraged when I heard about it.”
Lan Ruozhu knew about the situation at the border province. “l know, Sister. I was furious, too. Don’t worry. I’ve stationed troops there so no one can enter the border.’
Su Binglan believed in her brother. Some of the villagers who lived there got injured and even died. Many moved away just to survive. As a result, the border province became desolate.
Su Binglan suggested, “If the border becomes stable, we can open a college and some factories there. Then, those who left will have a reason to return.’
“There’s another way to get the villagers to return,” Lan Ruozhu added, “That is to give each of them two acres of land. I’ll exempt them from taxes for the first three years and even give everyone grain seeds.”
After planting the high-yield potatoes and sweet potatoes, Lan Ruozhu could distribute the seeds to the people in the border provinces. He believed that area would develop as well.
“Brother, people can’t see the border province’s value yet. Soon, they’ll know it can become an important economic hub. It’ll be a place where all countries can trade.’
Lan Ruozhu imagined it to be a prosperous place. Still, he had something more to discuss with Su Binglan. “Sister, 1 forgot to tell you that I want to build a caravan.’
“You mean a merchant caravan?”
“That’s right. I want caravans in various places. Although they look like caravans, they’re actually soldiers.”
Lan Ruozhu wanted caravans outside of his jurisdiction. That way, the soldiers in them could report any news or war.
“I’d like each caravan to accommodate a hundred men. The Shadow Guards we trained will be the leaders. We will then train a group as we did with the Shadow Guards.
“We’ll do the same everywhere. Although it looks like a standard caravan, those inside can carry out assassination missions if need be.”
Su Binglan raised a brow, thinking, ‘A hundred men in each location, huh? We should have ten thousand in total for each location. We’ll also need a large number of horses.’
“Brother, it’s a massive investment. Dingzhou doesn’t have enough silver.” Su Binglan removed a hundred thousand silver from her pocket dimension as she spoke and gave them to Lan Ruozhu, saying, “Take these for now.”
She had more than enough silver because her businesses earned very quickly. Additionally, she had shares in all of the Su family’s businesses. The wine sales were astounding, and the profit margin was substantial.
Lan Ruozhu did not expect his sister to give him so much silver. He waved and said, “No, Sister. Take these back. I don’t need them now since I still have the ones you left me last time.
“I was just wondering if you had any suggestions for the caravans. I also wanted to see if it’s even possible to build that many.”
Su Binglan responded, “1 need time to consider it. I have another idea. We can do transportation and logistics.”
“What do you mean, Sister?”
“It means to build logistic points in various places. If the commoners have something they want to send to their relatives, they can use our services. We’ll charge them a delivery fee and quickly send it to the corresponding area.
“For example, we’ll have a hub in Su Teng Village and Dingzhou. If a villager wants to send a parcel to the prefecture, they can give us the address and let us handle the rest. Merchants will want to use this service more than others.’ Lan Ruozhu was stunned. “We can do that? Will it even work?”
“It won’t cost much for people to send things. You’ll realize how big the profit margin is after this model works.” Su Binglan smiled mysteriously. Although she had just thought of it, she wanted to do it.
However, she had many other things to do, so it was better to write it down first and let her brother handle it.
Lan Ruozhu said, “All right. Write down your plans in detail, and I’ll arrange for the caravans to do it.’
Su Binglan nodded. “Brother, we’ll also have the upper hand in transporting necessities during a war.”
Lan Ruozhu was excited when he heard that. “That’s perfect!”
Su Binglan responded, “The men in the caravans will seem like ordinary delivery people, but they can instantly carry out crucial missions when needed.’
If that were the case, Lan Ruozhu’s army would have a higher chance of winning if an internal war broke out in Chu Country. He could even avoid a fierce battle with the enemy.
“Oh, we can also plan a river shipping route. It’s similar to the trade caravans. Besides, the canal is the most convenient place to buy and sell goods. However, each route will require a lot of people. How many do you think we’ll need if we use them as backup soldiers?”
Lan Ruozhu understood his sister’s intentions. He thought his sister was exceptionally talented and genuinely admired her..
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