Chapter 62: Reclaiming Wasteland

  Jia Yu said: "Ah Qin..." He only called out the name, and then stopped. Li Qin is now a military marquis, not some high-ranking official, but he is the leader of their new organization. Although he is his sister's husband, when it comes to the leader, one must show respect. It's fine to call him Ah Qin in private, but doing so in public isn't good.

  Jia Xian said: "Jun Hou, how is this inscription I wrote?"

  Li Qin nodded and said: "Can you be sure that the common people will understand? They are illiterate, is what you've written clear enough?"

  Jia Xun looked around at the people and thought to himself, "It's straightforward enough, they should be able to understand it." He was a clever man and naturally understood that Li Qian had asked him to write the inscription in plain language so that it could be passed from mouth to mouth among the common people, making the name of Fu Jiao Fortress known far and wide. So he wrote it very simply, believing that even illiterate women and children would be able to understand it when they heard it read aloud.

  The people around nodded at the same time, and Xu Xiaoni took the lead: "I understand what I heard, that is to say, our Fu Jiao Bao is good, and it's different from other places."

  People on the city wall said one after another: "Right, our Fu Jiao Lou is different from other places."

  Li Qin nodded and said, "Everything should be done early rather than late. Today is definitely not enough, but starting from tomorrow, after dinner every day, Mr. Jia will teach you all to read and write. First, let's learn to write each of your names, then memorize this inscription together. Everyone must learn it by heart, don't be lazy!"

  The common people laughed and said loudly: "We don't slack off. Whatever we do, we're afraid of having nothing to do, but we never slack off."

  Feng Cheng also said on the side: "Jun Hou, this stone tablet will be erected at the city gate, and I'll order someone to engrave it tomorrow. I think there are people among us who can do this job."

  Li QIN nodded and said: "This matter is very important, I'll leave it to you to handle. You're in charge, I have no worries!"

  Feng Cheng was overjoyed, his mouth couldn't close, today he received Li Qin's praise again, making him feel very important, if he didn't work hard, he would betray Li Qin's trust.

  After chatting for a while, Li Qin had someone go back to the village to bring over a few sheep. Today they would have a good meal, it was the first banquet after the establishment of Fu Jiao Fortress, and it had to be done properly.

  Taking advantage of the busy people, Li Qin led the crowd to circle around the city wall, looking at the construction of the city wall while taking a glance at the surrounding terrain.

  To say that the people of this era are really working hard, the walls may not be built high, but they are exceptionally solid, and the moat outside is also dug deep and wide. Of course, such a castle can withstand thousands of people's siege for a short time, it's still unrealistic, but if there are enemy troops coming, with a number of no more than two thousand, it can still withstand several days, and that's under the condition of not causing much damage to one's own side.

  Li QIN stood on the northern wall, pointing to the vast plain and said: "As for land, we have as much as we want here, and it's all fertile. Tell me, how much land do we need to open up to support these people? I mean, the grain produced in a year should be enough for two years of eating."

  When it comes to fighting, there are only a few people around him who can say much about the art of war, but when it comes to farming, everyone can say a lot. After all, food is heaven for the common people, they don't understand anything else, and how can they not understand things related to their rice bowl? There aren't any aristocratic figures here who don't get their hands dirty.

  Li Tian had the most say, saying: "This is barren land, it can't be compared to fertile land. In the first year, grain production will definitely not be high, about one stone of grain per mu of land. If you eat thin porridge with some vegetables, that's fine, but if you eat dry food, a strong laborer needs two stones of grain per month, while others need only one and a half stones."

  Li Qindao said: "Yes, our place can't compare to the rich and fertile land inside the pass, it's a barren land. This year if we can harvest one dan of grain per mu of land, that would be enough."

  Jia Xun said, "It's like planting millet, which can be planted for most of the year. Inside the pass, there is little land and many people, but here we have a lot of land and few people. From March to May, we can plant continuously without using up all the land. With so much land, it's no problem even if we open up 10,000 mu or 10,000 qing!" As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and pointed towards the vast plain that stretched as far as the eye could see.

  Li Qin nodded silently. In the extracurricular books he read in school, there was a book called "Tiangong Kaiwu". He had seen the chapter about millet, but at that time, he just took a casual look and didn't take it to heart. Now that he thinks about it, he can't remember much. However, millet can be planted as early as late March and as late as late May, which he does recall.

  That is to say, if millet is planted, although the yield is low, it requires slightly less manpower and animal power. For example, the people of Baofang can first plant 1,000 mu, then plant another 1,000 mu, and open up as much wasteland as possible.

  Li QIN smiled and said: "Fortunately, we have a lot of land here, so we don't need to calculate like in Guan Nei. However, I'm afraid the seeds I brought back won't be enough if we open up more land!"

  He brought back 400 dan of seeds, which cannot be said to be a small amount. However, if we are to engage in large-scale production, exerting our utmost efforts to open up new land, and considering the population that will arrive later, then it cannot be said to be excessive. If everything is averaged out and distributed per capita, it won't be too much, not to mention the newly opened wasteland has a low yield.

  Dian Wei stepped forward and said, "Young master, the person I injured last time is very wealthy, he's a businessman. Even if his family doesn't have any seeds, he can buy some. Why not ask for his help?" He paused, then continued, "I'll go apologize to him and let him beat me up to vent his anger, otherwise he might not be willing to help!"

  Dian Wei said that Liu Sheng was a big businessman who made a living by buying and selling, if he was willing to help, he would certainly solve the major problem.

  Li QIN was deeply moved, Di Wei's kind of person, for the livelihood of Fu Jiao Bao, actually willing to bow his head and admit his mistake, although the mistake was on him, but for someone like him, admitting mistakes is not easy, it shows that he is indeed thinking for himself.

  Li QIN nodded and said: "He will definitely help, tomorrow we go together, Liu brother is a good man, won't refuse to help because of small things, no fight no acquaintance!"

  Dian Wei and Liu Bei's matter was not a small thing, Dian Wei ate the head sheep of Liu Bei's family and broke Liu Bei's leg, this is a major grievance that can lead to fighting to the death, wanting to resolve it is indeed not easy.

  Li Qin looked at the crowd and said, "But the matter of opening up wasteland and farming... someone has to take care of it." His gaze shifted to Feng Cheng's face and stopped there.

  Feng Cheng knew that he was not good at anything else and could only do some auxiliary work. If he wanted to gain a foothold in Fu Jiao Fort, he had to work hard. Seeing Li Qin looking at him, he hastily said: "This matter can be handled by the subordinate, if the military marquis trusts the subordinate, the subordinate guarantees that this year will open up 200,000... no, 300,000... um, 500,000 mu of new land!"

  Li Qin smiled and said, "No need to be so hard on yourself, just do your best, our village can't just open up wasteland, we have to do other things too!"

  Feng Cheng hurriedly said, "Recruit more people then, as long as there's enough food, and add a few more thatched huts, it'll be almost enough. Now the weather is warming up, the house can be built slowly, first priority is to open up the land."

  Jia Yu smiled and said: "These words are well said, everything has its urgency and patience, you also have some insight!" He rarely did not call Feng Cheng a mediocre person.

  At this time, a villager came running and said respectfully: "General, dinner is ready!"

  Li QIN waved his hand and said: "Go, everyone go eat, today only talk about happy things, annoying things wait until tomorrow to say it's not late!"

  Everyone burst out laughing and went down from the city wall to join in the revelry with the townspeople.

  This was the first big feast in Jianbao, but the new residents of the fort were all very reserved, just silently eating and drinking, not saying much. However, Li Qin's acquaintances came one after another to talk to him, using this opportunity to show off their close relationship with Li Qin.

  It wasn't until nightfall that Li Qin returned to Fu Jiao Village. The new arrivals had no place to live, so they set up grass sheds outside the castle. Li Qin brought back valuable items to the village, while a large number of camels and horses were driven into the castle walls, where temporary stables were set up.

  The next morning, Li Qin called the horsemen from Long County and paid them their wages. He asked who was willing to stay here, but many of the horsemen were hesitant and no one immediately agreed, saying they had to go home first before making a decision, and then left together.

  Li Qin again gathered everyone and instructed them carefully, then took Dian Wei with him to enter the city to see Liu Sheng. Of course, he also had to pay his respects to County Magistrate Tang Jie first. He had been away from Fuping for so long, and now that he was back, he had to show some respect by presenting gifts.

  Li Qin went to the county government office first, wanting to see Tang Jie, but the bailiffs told him that Tang Jie had gone to receive guests and had left two days ago, and was expected to return today.

  Li Qin had no choice but to take Dian Wei to see Liu Sheng.

  The two had just arrived at the Liu residence and hadn't even entered the door when a large group of Liu Sheng's servants rushed out, each holding a club, wanting to settle accounts with Dian Wei. Yesterday, Liu Zhongyan returned first, he not only wanted to tell Liu Sheng about what happened in Long County, but also had to mention Dian Wei, whose appearance was different from ordinary people, naturally attracting the attention of others. When Liu Zhongyan described him, Liu Sheng knew who he was, and the servants naturally knew too!

  Upon seeing the swarming servants, Dian Wei curled his lip and said in a low voice: "A bunch of useless little chicks..."

  Li Qindao said: "You be more careful, use your energy to deal with the enemy, don't be rough on our own people." He made a fist at the servants and shouted loudly: "My brother Liu is at home, I have important news to tell him, I must see him immediately!"

  The servants rushed towards Dian Wei, but not at him, and said in succession: "Li Lang has come, you... Ah, my master has invited him, but he..."

  Li Qinxin turned around and saw Dian Wei holding up the gift for Liu Sheng with both hands, while lowering his head. Li Qinxin immediately gave a big thumbs up in his heart, good, knows what's important, considers the overall situation, not a rash person!

  ——

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