In the main hall of the Governor’s Residence in Wuyan City, Zhang Jing sat in the seat of honor while Cheng Yu stood to his left.
“Zhongde.”
After listening to Cheng Yu’s report, Zhang Jing’s expression turned grave.
“You mean to say that if we have three million civilians to settle, we’ll need six million shi of grain just for seed stock?”
To Zhang Jing, this information was nothing short of a bombshell.
Six million shi of grain—and that was only the seed grain.
People often say that unless you manage a household yourself, you never realize how expensive daily necessities are.
But this was absurdly expensive.
A single large mu of farmland required twenty-four jin of seed grain (equivalent to twelve jin per modern mu).
“My lord, that is indeed the case.”
Cheng Yu replied solemnly:
“The grain we have collected over the past several days amounts to less than eight million jin. Even if we set aside nothing for planting, it would only sustain us until March of next year.”
“Then we’ll buy grain.” Zhang Jing rubbed his temples.
“What is the current grain price in the Central Plains? And roughly how much wealth do we possess?”
“My lord,” Cheng Yu replied, “the realm is in chaos and warlords have risen everywhere. A month ago, one shi of grain sold for two hundred coins. By now it is likely three hundred coins per shi, though I do not know the exact current price.”
“…”
Zhang Jing remained silent.
The entirety of Yan Province was now under the Yellow Turban Army’s control.
The merchants who had once operated there had all become ordinary civilians.
Naturally, Cheng Yu had no reliable way of knowing current market prices.
“According to the statistics I have compiled over the past several days,” Cheng Yu continued, “our army possesses wealth equivalent to 470,000 jin of gold, or roughly 4.7 billion copper coins.”
“Most of it was seized from the great clans and noble families throughout the province.”
“If all of it were spent on grain purchases, it would be enough to solve Yan Province’s immediate crisis.”
“My only concern is that the warlords beyond our borders may blockade the mountain passes. If that happens, the grain may never reach us.”
Cheng Yu had already calculated the figures.
If all their wealth were used to buy grain, and grain could actually be purchased, they could acquire at least ten million shi.
The problem was that they had offended nearly everyone.
It was easy to foresee that very few people would be willing to sell grain to them.
“I was too reckless…”
Listening to Cheng Yu’s concerns, this words surfaced in Zhang Jing’s mind.
If he were merely looking after himself, it would be one thing.
But now he was responsible for millions of civilians who needed to be fed.
Given his nature, abandoning them was not an option.
“As for grain supplies,” after a moment of thought, Zhang Jing spoke again.
“I have two solutions.”
“The first is simply to offer higher prices. There will always be merchants whose greed outweighs their caution and who are willing to trade with us.”
Zhang Jing understood merchants well enough.
As long as the profits were high enough, taking risks was perfectly normal.
If direct trade failed, there were always middlemen.
And if pushed too far…
well, then there were less conventional methods of acquisition.
“As for the second solution,” Zhang Jing continued, “a rare commodity commands a high price.”
“Two days ago, while reading ancient texts, I came across two techniques.”
“One can refine poisonous mountain salt into pure blue-white salt, removing its toxins and bitterness while making it as white as snow.”
“Such a thing exists in this world?”
Surprise flashed across Cheng Yu’s eyes.
Yet he did not doubt it.
After all, his lord had even improved the traction trebuchet, and his knowledge far surpassed Cheng Yu’s own.
“The second item is called Warm Fragrant Jade…”
Warm Fragrant Jade.
The name came from the phrase warm jade and gentle fragrance.
In more familiar terms— it was soap.
Zhang Jing refused to believe that these two products, which were essentially technological miracles for this era, could not be exchanged for grain.
“Zhongde,” after explaining, Zhang Jing looked toward Cheng Yu.
“If we possess these two goods, can we acquire grain?”
“If they are truly as my lord describes,” a gleam appeared in Cheng Yu’s eyes.
“Then the grain shortage facing the people of Yan Province will certainly be resolved.”
“Good.”
Zhang Jing nodded.
“Once the army reorganization is complete, I will produce both items myself.”
“Do you have any other urgent matters?”
“My lord is wise.”
A faint smile appeared on Cheng Yu’s face as he shook his head.
“As long as the other provinces are willing to trade with us, the remaining problems are of little concern.”
Originally, he had intended to bring up the issue of draft oxen.
However, the shortage of oxen was not unique to Yan Province.
Draft animals were scarce throughout the realm.
That problem could only be addressed later through trade with other provinces and commanderies.
“Then we shall focus on reorganizing the army first.”
Zhang Jing nodded slightly.
“Before the reorganization begins, we must first establish control over the cities and passes.”
“Once we take over the passes, the soldiers can assist in repairing the walls and fortifications.”
……………
An hour later, the two men finally completed their plans for the army’s reorganization and designated seven major strongholds and twelve defensive passes.
The seven strongholds were:
Fenggao and Liangfu in Taishan Commandery;
Lucheng in Jibei Commandery;
Linyi, Dong’e, and Fan County in Dong Commandery;
And finally Kangfu in Rencheng Kingdom.
The twelve passes served as extensions of these seven strongholds.
They included:
Ren County and Zhu’a Pass east of Lucheng;
Mou County east of Fenggao;
Cheng County southwest of Liangfu;
Cangting Ford, Renping Ford, and Qinting Ford in Dong Commandery;
Nanping Pass and Xiaqiu Pass near Kangfu;
And finally, the defenses surrounding Wuyan, the main headquarters:
Wenyang Pass,
Shouzhang Pass,
and Yuncheng Pass.
If properly defended, the four commanderies of Yan Province could at least be considered a reasonably impregnable fortress.
“Liao Hua!”
After Cheng Yu departed, Zhang Jing pondered for a moment before summoning Liao Hua.
“I have an important mission for you.”
“If you complete it successfully and return, I will entrust one of the major strongholds to your command.”
“Please give your orders, my lord! This subordinate would die ten thousand deaths without hesitation!”
Liao Hua’s face immediately lit up with excitement as he clasped his fists respectfully.
He had not expected another opportunity to present itself so soon after his recent promotion.
“Good.”
Zhang Jing’s expression turned serious.
“To the west of Dong Commandery, within the branches of the Taihang Mountains, there is currently a group of our fellow believers from the Way of Great Peace struggling to survive.”
“Your mission is to bring those comrades back to Dongping.”
Naturally, Zhang Jing coveted the Heishan Army.
After all, they belonged to the same broader movement.
It only made sense to merge the organizations.
“This subordinate will not fail your trust, my lord!”
Liao Hua’s eyes brightened.
He immediately understood.
The lord was sending him to persuade another force to surrender and join them.
“Go.”
Patting Liao Hua on the shoulder, Zhang Jing encouraged him:
“Take plenty of brothers with you. Don’t let our army appear weak.”
“Whether this mission succeeds or fails, I will still credit you with merit.”
“This subordinate obeys!”
Liao Hua saluted loudly before quickly departing.
“Zhang Yan of the Heishan Army…”
Watching Liao Hua’s retreating figure, Zhang Jing raised an eyebrow and muttered to himself:
“Why is his surname Zhang as well?”
The thought left him somewhat speechless.
He suddenly realized that there seemed to be quite a few people surnamed Zhang within the Way of Great Peace.
…………….
Meanwhile, in a side hall, Cheng Yu summoned Xue Fang.
Perhaps because he found him particularly capable and easy to work with, Xue Fang had not been among the officials recently assigned to govern the various counties.
As a result, Cheng Yu entrusted him with the critical task of purchasing grain.
“Military Adviser,” Xue Fang said with a bitter smile, “given our current reputation, acquiring grain will not be easy.”
“Those warlords will almost certainly forbid their merchants from trading with us.”
“Just go and make contact.”
Cheng Yu took a sip of tea and replied calmly:
“When the time comes, I will offer them a price they cannot refuse.”
“Well then.”
Seeing Cheng Yu’s confidence, Xue Fang stopped arguing.
“I’ll head out immediately and begin contacting grain merchants throughout the provinces as quickly as possible.”
— The end of the Chapter–
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