Chapter 774: Expanding the Army...
Translator: Endlessæantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The carriage behind Su Binglan had sweet potato seeds in it. She had placed more seeds in her pocket dimension but used the carriage as a cover to hide her powers from others. Otherwise, the seeds from Su Teng Village would arouse suspicion.
Meanwhile, Lan Ruozhu received news that his sister and the two Sacrificials had entered the prefecture. He was ecstatic and wished to run to her. However, he remembered still needing to be in disguise.
The prefecture guards had already received his instructions. When Su Binglan arrived at the prefecture’s entrance, they quickly let her through. Soon after, Lan Ruozhu went to greet her, “Sister, you’re finally here.”
Lan Ruozhu had returned to the prefecture a few days after the Lantern Festival. He looked forward to his sister visiting the prefecture. He would only feel at ease when he saw Su Binglan was doing well.
“Brother, how are you? Are you tired or troubled by anything?” Su Binglan had visited the prefecture to help Lan Ruozhu settle some issues.
Lan Ruozhu felt her concern and felt warm, saying, “Don’t worry, Sister, it’s just a small issue. I’ m fine as long as you’re in good health.”
Lan Ruozhu was in good health now, and he could eat and sleep well. Besides handling government affairs, he also practiced martial arts. After finally finding his long-lost sister, Lan Ruozhu wanted to do everything he had planned to do before losing her.
He wanted to protect the people he cared about.
“Let me check your pulse.” Su Binglan said before noticing Lan Ruozhu’s excellent complexion. Still, she only felt at ease after checking his pulse.
Lan Ruozhu said, “You checked my pulse during the Lantern Festival. I was fine, right?”
Su Binglan countered, “That was then, but I need to check again.” Since she insisted, Lan Ruozhu could only look at her helplessly before stretching his wrist toward her.
“Brother, you’ve been seriously lacking sleep recently,” Su Binglan said after checking his wrist pulse.
Lan Ruozhu knew his sister was highly skilled in medicine. However, he did not expect her to know he had trouble sleeping just by taking his pulse. He cleared his throat and scratched his nose awkwardly.
Su Binglan noticed it and asked, “What are you worried about?”
Lan Ruozhu saw her severe expression and could only tell her, “It’s about the military funding and rations. Many soldiers had gotten severely injured in last year’s war, so we had no choice but to expand the army temporarily.
“We need a lot of money to pay the families of the injured and dead soldiers. We also need to expand the army again. We had enough time to prepare for the last war, but if we fight again soon, we’ll face even more ration problems.
“There were also snowstorms in several places in Dingzhou last winter. I had already tasked people to distribute food to the victims. Now, there’s not much food left here.’
Lan Ruozhu could not visit Su Teng Village in time for the New Year celebrations because he had to deal with these issues. He did not tell Su Binglan about it because he did not want her to worry.
After all, Lan Ruobing had sacrificed much for him. Now that she had reincarnated in Su Binglan and had a peaceful life, Lan Ruozhu did not want her to worry about such things.
Still, he knew he would risk facing his sister’s scolding if he avoided telling her about these issues. Since Su Binglan would find out about it sooner or later, he decided to tell her now.
Su Binglan frowned when she heard about it. She asked, “Did you increase the number of soldiers yet?”
Lan Ruozhu nodded, saying, “Yes, we have. We’ve also occupied all the areas from Dingzhou to the border. The border will be our territory, so you can do whatever you want there. I’ve already stationed troops there.”
Su Binglan was stunned. She had only mentioned occupying the border to her brother last year. She did not expect him to do it so quickly. Although it was barren and most kings did not like such areas, it could become a treasure if Su Binglan could develop it.
She sincerely praised Lan Ruozhu, “You’re amazing, Brother.”
Lan Ruozhu felt a sense of accomplishment. After some thought, he said, “Sister, the land from Dingzhou to the border is mainly saline-alkalized. It’s not suitable for crop growth. The nomads there often attack the border provinces. They will rob all the harvested grain there.
“Bandits and refugees occupy these places. It’ll take much effort to govern them. Since the kings and leaders dislike such places, they won’t waste resources and troops to fight for such territories.
“That’s why it was relatively easy for me to occupy that area. Still, 1 know how bright and intelligent you are. Since you said such places are beneficial, then surely you’ll make them beneficial.”
Su Binglan confidently said, “Don’t worry, Brother. I will make these lands some of the wealthiest out there. By then, we’ll have to build defensive walls at the perimeters. Anyone who wants to seize what we have will only be wasting their time.’
At that moment, she knew what her brother had used the silver for. Indeed, it was challenging to raise an army. The military funds were sufficient for a short period, not in the long run.
After some thought, Su Binglan said, “You don’t have to worry. Since there’s no war now, the idle soldiers can work the fields and plant crops. After all, spring is coming soon.
“There are so many wastelands and saline-alkalized lands from Dingzhou to Bianzhou. We can let the local officials register and distribute these lands. Each soldier will have an acre’s worth.
“We can also distribute seeds and arrange for people to teach everyone how to grow vegetables and food.”
Most thought crop growth on saline-alkalized land was simply impossible, but not Su Binglan. Her pocket dimension had vegetables and crop seeds that were especially suited for growing in saline-alkalized land.
“We can give the soldiers shifts for farming and guarding the border. That way, some can tend to the crops while the rest stand guard.”
Lan Ruozhu nodded and clapped, saying, “You’re brilliant, Sister. That’s a perfect idea. When we do that, the soldiers can defend the city while cultivating crops. They can be a self- sufficient army by eating the food they grow and selling the extra for funds.”
The soldiers under Lan Ruozhu’s care would not starve if they could harvest their own food. Then, the army would be prepared for any war.
Lan Ruozhu asked, “Sister, can we build a factory here and hire the locals to
work there? That way, everyone can live and work in peace while generating profits..”