Although Chen Tang couldn't wait to see Chen Zhi, Chen Zhi was still in Ru Yao, and it would take some time to go back and forth. Sharpening the knife does not delay the chopping of wood. In addition to a few necessary tasks, Chen Tang transferred the extra manpower to open up the wasteland and kept it for use.
"Justice, there is one more thing I need from you—"
Luan Xin said respectfully, "My lord, please speak."
"The wasteland in Longwu County has been reclaimed in the past two years. Common people in the county can contract land from the county government for farming according to the number of people in their family..." Chen Tang prepared a speech in his mind, trying to express his meaning in a tactful way.
Luan Xin looked at her gently, waiting for what to come.
"… Because we have been absorbing refugees, there are not many farmlands left in the territory. The cotton issue is related to the people of the three counties to keep warm in the winter next year. It is urgent and cannot be delayed." Chen Tang stood up and pointed to the map screen at the back of the meeting hall. "Sibao County has a declining population and abandoned farmland. If cotton is to be planted on a large scale, this place will definitely be the first choice."
Luan Xin asked, "What does the lord mean?"
After laying the groundwork, Chen Tang finally spoke of his plan: "If we want to grow cotton on a large scale, high-quality cotton seeds are essential. Now the only people who can do this are you and Lingde. Lingde will have to stay in Sibao County for a short period of time, but she can't get the people in her office to come over. There are some things that require the assistance of you and your office staff. Please make it convenient for her."
If necessary, you must obey Lin Feng's dispatch orders.
Finally finished.
She planned to let Luan Xin lead a group of Hucao officials to assist Lin Feng and try to prepare enough cotton seeds before planting next year. During this period, it would be better if the cotton seeds could be optimized.
To obtain a large number of high-quality cotton seeds, it is necessary to use Wen Qi to stimulate the growth of cotton seeds over and over again, and to test the best growth environment and planting methods for cotton seeds. This is not something that can be accomplished by just two people. The Hucao Office Clerk is also a professional counterpart and should be able to help.
But she was also worried that letting Luan Xin assist Lin Feng would make him unhappy - after all, Lin Feng was too young and he didn't have any impressive achievements to convince people. Chen Tang's "reasoning" was to hope that Luan Xin wouldn't think too much.
Luan Xin understood what he heard and was speechless: "Lin Hucao has extraordinary abilities. Assisting her to accomplish this feat will benefit future generations and save countless common people from starvation. This is the honor that Xin has been looking for in this life. My lord, there is no need to worry."
Alas, how could Chen Tang not worry too much
Her proposal is equivalent to asking a career elite who used to be the second-in-command of a large company to help a semi-newbie who has just entered the workplace for four years. The key is that this semi-newbie has no reputation and the career elite is a job-hopper. Who would feel comfortable with this
She was also a workplace slave and can empathize with others.
If speaking a few more words can save a lot of misunderstandings, why should she be stingy with her words? Seeing Luan Xin's sincere response, she was relieved. Thinking of what to say next, Chen Tang crossed his hands into fists, and kept circling his thumbs: "There is one more thing - ahem, we are short of people at the moment, especially high-level warriors who can split mountains and shatter rocks..."
Luan Xin looked at Shen Tang who looked reserved.
He opened his mouth and said, "My lord, please speak frankly."
Chen Tang unclenched his fist, scratched his nose with his right index finger, and said a little embarrassedly: "What I mean is that there are still a few warriors in Wen Yangong's old subordinates who have not yet 'redeemed themselves'. They are idle anyway, so why don't you persuade them to help with the work for two months?"
Relying on low-level warriors to move mountains and open up wasteland would be pitifully inefficient, and there were not many mid- and high-level warriors on his side. Even if all were invested in production and construction, the overall efficiency would still be low. So, Chen Tang targeted those idlers.
Isn't it natural to make prisoners work
Luan Xin: “…”
Chen Tang whispered: “I’ll leave this to you, okay?”
Luan Xin: “…”
Just when Luan Xin was thinking about how to persuade him tactfully without being beaten to death, the news that Qiu Cheng committed suicide after his defeat spread everywhere. Xu Jie was the first one among them to receive the news, and the tense nerves finally loosened. He asked again: "Is there any news about Wen Shi?"
When he asked this question, his voice trembled.
Although brave warriors are destined to die on the battlefield, Xu Jie still hopes that his cousin will not be among those who die on the battlefield.
The attendant said, "My dear, you are injured and are still recovering."
Even though he was seriously injured, it did not stop Xu Quan from making trouble.
When he heard that his idol Gongxichou was defeated in a battle, he became depressed and refused to eat or drink and went on a hunger strike, saying, "I don't believe it, I don't believe it." When he heard that his idol had a close relationship with his master and was revived on the spot with full health, he clamored to jump on one leg to Xiaocheng to see his idol. His fanatical and pious attitude made people who didn't know him think he was going to worship a god. The attendant's expression was hard to describe: "It is said that it was General Zhao's daughter who couldn't stand it anymore, so she knocked him unconscious and carried him back, and tied him to the couch before he calmed down..."
Xu Jie felt extremely ashamed when he heard this.
I wish I didn’t have such a shameful cousin.
After a long while, Xu Jie put on his cloak and went back to his study. Looking at the vast snow, he said, "It's good that everyone is alright..."
"My dear husband, your ability is improving rapidly, so parents can rest assured."
"Reassurance?"
Xu Jie looked towards the direction of Longwu County and shook his head.
"I can't feel at ease. I worry more about him."
The attendant held an umbrella for him and followed him closely.
"I don't understand."
Xu Jie said calmly: "Longwu, Sibao, and Minfeng you mentioned, Lord Chen holds three counties in his hands, which is already a big threat to the existence of the lord. How old is Lord Chen? Even Gongxichou was defeated by him..."
The attendant said: "... But, Lord Shen is a scholar after all, and he is not as threatening as a warrior. Besides, Gong Xichou did not submit to Lord Shen. Generally speaking..."
Xu Jie asked back: "How do you know he didn't surrender?"
Attendant: "If you surrender, why would you leave?"
Xu Jie did not answer, but just looked in the direction of Tianhai, as if he was asking himself, or as if he was asking his attendant: "By now, the lord should have known the news, right? I wonder how long our lord can tolerate this 'friend of his'..."
"The parents are worried that Lord Zhaode will mobilize troops against Lord Shen?"
In this way, Xu Jie is bound to meet Xu Quan.
"I do have this worry. Because of that 'evil plotter' Qi Yuanliang, Qin Gongsu has been on guard against Longwu County in recent years... If the lord also feels a sense of crisis, then it would be the best strategy to kill him before the threat becomes too big..."
Attendant: "But the tyrant Zheng Qiao is still alive."
Xu Jie was relieved: "Yes, Zheng Qiao is still alive."
Fortunately, Zheng Qiao is still alive.
Otherwise, if Shen Tang attacked Sibao County, it would be the best time for Wu Xian and others to eliminate the threat. Unfortunately, Zheng Qiao was alive, so this possibility was very small. To some extent, Zheng Qiao was still a shield for Shen Tang, buying her enough time.
As for Qiu Cheng’s death
Xu Jie didn't care at all.
Even though he knew there was something fishy about Qiu Cheng's death, whether it was a dispute between noble families, a quarrel between brothers, or someone using someone else's knife to kill someone, Qiu Cheng committed suicide on the surface. A coward who had already been defeated and committed suicide was not worth Xu Jie's attention.
“I wonder if Mr. Shen is willing to join us in defeating the tyrant…” This war has lasted too long, and the Xu family’s business has become more and more difficult year by year.
Xu Jie smiled and said, “Mr. Chen?”
"It will come naturally."
"If you don't come, Zheng Qiao will fall, and he will be the next one!"