Chapter 711: Food Reserve
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Binglan and Lan Ruozhu chatted while grinding the glutinous rice. Su Binglan wanted her brother to know the commoners better. That way, he would become an excellent future emperor and know how to care for them.
Lan Ruozhu felt many things after using the stone mill and listening to his sister. He knew he was blessed to be born into the deceased royal’s mansion and could live a luxurious life.
After gaining some knowledge about the life of a commoner, he knew what to do. He planned to bring forth a more peaceful and prosperous era.
Lan Ruozhu wanted the people to have cotton clothes for the winter and food in the summer. Then, everyone could eat full meals and have warm clothes. He wanted the people to live in peace and contentment.
That was the most vigorous emotion in his heart. In the past, he only wanted to become emperor to take revenge, protect his sister, and make her the most honorable person.
But now, he wanted to give the people the peaceful lives they deserved. Lan Ruozhu did not want people to experience wars. He considered many things at this moment, and his heart was full of emotions.
Lan Ruozhu asked, “Sister, when will the spring plowing occur?”
Su Binglan poured the glutinous rice paste into the bucket and said, “It’s usually during February and March. If it rains heavily, the villagers will plant crops and vegetables afterward.
“But if it doesn’t rain, they will gather water from the river to irrigate the land before cultivating. It’s more cumbersome that way, and the villagers will be busier.’
Su Binglan remembered how hard her parents had worked during the spring plowing. He also knew the villagers could use less effort and have a good harvest when the weather was good.
However, the crops might die if there was a drought or flood during that season. It would make things difficult for the villagers, and some would not have enough to eat.
Autumn was dry last year, which made the villagers anxious. That was why Su Binglan had used her Soul Powers to cause thunder and rain. That night, she heard cheers and praise throughout the village.
When they heard the rain, they ran out of their houses and stood in the rain. Su Binglan still remembered that time. Therefore, she knew the villagers needed good weather for their autumn harvests.
Although she built the tofu factory, the foundation of the villagers’ lives was still food. Therefore, Su Binglan had prepared a high yield of crops and planned to let Chief Su distribute them to everyone.
If the villagers could mass-produce crops, Dingzhou would prosper with more food. When Su Binglan went to the prefecture last time, she realized not every place was as fortunate as Su Teng Village.
Many counties, towns, and villages were relatively barren. Moreover, Dingzhou would not struggle because it had enough food, even if it faced a war.
Back then, the emperor gave Dingzhou to his brother as a fief because it was barren and desolate. However, Su binglan wanted to make this place the granary of the world.
Su Binglan’s blood boiled as she considered these things.
Lan Ruozhu said, “I’ll reduce taxes a little more so everyone can have better food and wear better clothes during harsher seasons.”
Su Binglan added, “Brother, you’ve already reduced the taxes several times.
Father and Mother said we don’t have to pay much for grain. The people of Dingzhou can keep the grain for themselves. If you want peace for Dingzhou, it’ll need money, food, and military strength.”
She knew the deceased royal’s palace stored plenty of gold and silver. It had more than the national treasury because she and her brother had prepared it for emergencies.
The siblings also had military strength because Su Binglan had trained an army for Lan Ruozhu. The most vital resource for the prefecture was still food.
Lan Ruozhu nodded. “We do need to store more food.’
After some thought, Su Binglan said, “There’s plenty of empty land in
Dingzhou. You can issue a decree to support everyone in reclaiming the empty land.
“Everyone will have a corresponding amount of grain per acre if they want to reclaim the land. Then, the empty land will belong to them. We can also make the first three years tax-free.”
Lan Ruozhu excitedly said, “That’s an excellent idea, Sister.”
He considered how to encourage people to reclaim Dingzhou!s empty land. No one would be willing if it were just tax relief. After all, clearing the land was not easy.
Sometimes, the land might not be fertile. Then, the people could not grow crops. Therefore, many might not be willing, even if there were a policy.
However, many people would be willing to farm if Lan Ruozhu had his sister’s help. He said, “You’re still the best at farming, Sister. However, there are places where crops don’t grow.”
There would always be fertile and nonfertile land. Of course, the fertile ones would be more expensive.
Su Binglan smiled confidently, saying, “You don’t have to worry about that. My sweet potatoes, potatoes, and rice have high yield and are easy to grow.”
However, Lan Ruozhu still had some concerns. “The main problem we face now is the seeds since we don’t have that many.”
Even the deceased royal’s mansion might be unable to purchase enough seeds. Everyone knew Dingzhou had plenty of wastelands. It would require tons of seeds to make a difference.
Su Binglan had even considered that possibility. She would not have mentioned it to her brother if she did not. She said, “Don’t worry. The people can plant sweet potatoes, potatoes, and rice in spring and autumn.
“l can distribute these seeds to the surrounding villages to cultivate. By then, we can produce several thousand pounds of crops per acre. Imagine how many potatoes and sweet potatoes we can produce in this area.
“The deceased royal’s mansion will purchase these large quantities and then distribute them to those who want to reclaim the land. We won’t need to produce much. Just one acre per person will do.
“Don’t forget about the rice they can plant in early spring. The yield will be high, too.”
Lan Ruozhu knew what sweet potatoes and potatoes were because he had eaten them. Su Binglan had told him how easy they were to grow last time. Everyone could eat their fill if the people of Dingzhou planted such things.
Lan Ruozhu would have been skeptical if someone else were to tell him this. However, he trusted his sister. “You always have a way, Sister.”
He had always known how intelligent his sister was. Still, he did not expect her to know about farming. It made him excited just thinking about it.
Su Binglan thought of something and said, “Oh, the surrounding villages have even planted rapeseeds, which they use to extract oil. They have plenty of rapeseeds, so you can buy and distribute them to those with land..”