Chapter 606

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The fragrance of the soil drifted freely in the spring breeze. Sparrows chirped loudly on the treetops in the fields, and the beautiful pastoral scenery was fully visible.

The three carefully observed the process of using the grain seed drill, then smiled and returned to the field.

Fei Ji then asked, “Your Highness, what can this grain seed drill plant?”

“Wheat, barley, sorghum, millet, beans, early rice, rapeseed, and flax can all be planted with it,” Xiao Ming said, looking around at the beautiful scenery.

Since coming to this world, he had never so seriously appreciated the original beauty of this world. Now that he had resolved the southern threat, he could finally enjoy his life in this world with peace of mind.

As for Prince Yan, Prince Zhao, and Prince Liang, they were merely meat on his chopping block. It was only a matter of time before they were carved up.

“So many,” Fei Ji stroked his beard, his eyes narrowing in a smile.

First, there were potatoes, then sweet potatoes, and now the emergence of the seed drill reduced the labor needed for cultivation. The state’s agriculture was now flourishing, and he believed that in a few years, the state would likely have more food than it could consume.

Pang Yukun was pleased, but he also thought of an important question: “Your Highness, Wei has many people but little land, while Youzhou has few people but much land. As a result, the amount of land each common person receives will inevitably be different. This subordinate is wondering if we should transfer some common people from densely populated prefectures and counties to Youzhou?”

Xiao Ming nodded, “What Chief Grand Secretary Pang said is also what I am thinking. However, not everyone is willing to leave their homeland. Wei has just been recaptured, and the people’s hearts are still unstable. If we act rashly, it might cause civil unrest. Therefore, I believe it would be better to introduce some policies that benefit the common people in densely populated prefectures and counties, for example, offering compensation for relocating to Youzhou, or even more land.”

“Your Highness’s deep consideration, that is indeed a method,” Pang Yukun said.

Xiao Ming said, “Youzhou is secondary; what I am primarily concerned about is the land outside Shanhai Pass.”

“The land outside Shanhai Pass?” Fei Ji looked confused.

“I’ve read many historical records these days and found that the continuous troubles in the north for thousands of years have all been because, even when the barbarian tribes of the grasslands were driven away, no dynasty ever sent people to settle on that land,” Xiao Ming said.

As the saying goes, if you don’t occupy a place, others will. The scourge of the northern grasslands has never ceased for this very reason.

One barbarian tribe of the grasslands left, and the north would soon be occupied by another tribe. This cycle continued, and the people of Great Yu Empire never constituted the majority on this land.

So, in Xiao Ming’s view, the most important thing after defeating the barbarians was to relocate Han people to this land to settle and multiply. Otherwise, in a few decades, another grassland tribe might rise.

After all, land not dominated by Great Yu Empire people would inevitably be occupied by foreign tribes.

“Your Highness, the north is harsh and cold. Who would be willing to go and live in those barren lands?” Pang Yukun stated a current fact.

Xiao Ming sighed. He said, “Never mind, I just brought it up. It will probably take some more years to defeat the barbarians, but you should keep this issue in mind now.”

Not having a solution now doesn’t mean there won’t be one in the future. Next, he would encourage the people of Great Yu Empire to have more children. When a water jar is full, it overflows. When the population increases, people will naturally be willing to settle in the north.

No longer mentioning this matter, Xiao Ming said, “Now that we have the grain seed drill, you should also find a way to promote it to merchants. Manufacturing this thing requires a lot of steel and manpower. If it can sell for a good price, it’s worth establishing a separate workshop for its production.”

Pang Yukun voluntarily took on this task. He said, “Your Highness, leave this matter to me. Elder Fei Ji will surely be very busy dealing with the affairs of Wei.”

Fei Ji smiled. Although the two often argued due to differing ideas, they had always cooperated well in government affairs.

The three talked as they walked towards the government office, now they just needed to wait for good news from the Southern Expeditionary Army.

March 6th, Haizhou City.

The Battle of Chuzhou ended, and Lu Fei led his army straight to Haizhou City in Wei. During this period, intelligence from the Secret Guard continuously arrived, confirming his suspicion: in the Battle of Jinling City and the Battle of Chuzhou, Wei’s main forces had all been annihilated. The remaining cities only held scattered remnants of troops.

After receiving intelligence from the Secret Guard in the city that there were only 8,000 defenders in the city, he launched an attack. In just one day, Haizhou City fell.

On March 9th, after three days of rest, the Southern Expeditionary Army left 2,000 men in the city to maintain order and set off for Suzhou. On March 13th, Suzhou City was captured.

At the same time, Ye Qingyun, after leaving 10,000 men to guard Jinling City, led 20,000 men to march rapidly towards Binzhou, which was only a day’s journey away.

On March 14th, Binzhou City fell. Then, on March 20th, Shouzhou City was captured by Ye Qingyun.

On March 25th, Sizhou City fell. On April 2nd, Taizhou City fell. On April 10th, Yaozhou City fell.

On April 20th, Ye Qingyun led the Dengzhou army and converged with Lu Fei outside Shouzhou City. Shouzhou City was the last city in Wei. Capturing this city would mean the entire territory of Wei would be incorporated into the state.

“Ye Qingyun, why do you have so few men left?”

Lu Fei roughly estimated Ye Qingyun’s forces, finding only about 10,000 men remaining.

Ye Qingyun rolled his eyes, “You’re overthinking it. These soldiers weren’t killed in battle; I left them in the captured prefectures and counties to maintain order. Aren’t you doing the same?”

“I thought you were unskilled and had lost all your men in battle,” Lu Fei chuckled, scratching the back of his head.

Ye Qingyun and Lu Fei had known each other for a long time, being veteran officials of the state. Because of this, they spoke casually to each other and often bickered.

Glancing at Shouzhou City, Ye Qingyun said, “Are you attacking or me?”

Lu Fei thought for a moment, “Neither of us will attack. Let Luo Hong attack. After all, the Luo family is a famous military family in the Great Yu Empire. Now that the tiger has fallen into the plains, he should be given some opportunities, shouldn’t he?”

Ye Qingyun was startled for a moment. He said, “Indeed. I heard that the firearms division fought very fiercely in these recent battles.”

“Yes, exactly. Because of that, we can’t bully them,” Lu Fei said.

Ye Qingyun nodded, “Alright, I won’t compete with Luo Hong. The brothers of the firearms division also need some settlement fees in Qingzhou, so this juicy piece of meat is for them.”

“Bah, feigning generosity! Who doesn’t know you took Jinling City? When it’s time to distribute rewards, you, Ye Qingyun, will be rolling in wealth!” Lu Fei complained.

Ye Qingyun’s face was full of smiles, completely unconcerned by what Lu Fei said. Just as Lu Fei said, he and his soldiers were now excited.

He had already counted the treasury of Jinling City. This time, the state had truly struck it rich.