Late March, Yan Province.
Wuyan, Dongping State.
What Zhang Jing had not expected was that, aside from Tao Qian, all the neighboring warlords around Yan Province were surprisingly reasonable and courteous.
After his letters were delivered, responses came back quickly.
Yuan Shu even sent him a personal reply, stating that Zhang Yuheng truly had a keen eye for talent.
When he, Yuan Gonglu, ascended the throne in the future, he would certainly reward Zhang with high office and noble rank.
In a sense, Yuan Shu had painted Zhang Jing a grandiose promise of his own.
Zhang Jing then wrote back once more.
He felt that having a pen pal like Yuan Shu in this era was actually quite enjoyable.
“Lord.” With a solemn expression, Cheng Yu reported, “Based on the replies from the three parties, our army is still short roughly 2.3 million shi of seed grain.”
“In my opinion, we should send another letter to Tao Qian. If he still refuses to respond, we should dispatch troops to plunder Xu Province again. Otherwise, the autumn harvest will be adversely affected.”
Seed grain was the foundation of everything.
A shortage in it would affect the entire agricultural system, so Cheng Yu naturally wished to secure as much as possible.
Once April arrived, Yan Province would no longer be suitable for sowing.
“Zhongde.” Zhang Jing spoke thoughtfully, “Another raid on Xu Province would not be advisable. I have my own calculations regarding this matter. Continue applying pressure on Tao Qian instead.”
If he launched a large-scale invasion of Xu Province now, he was concerned about those three brothers famed for their loyalty and righteousness.
Besides, Tao Qian had at most two years left to live.
Even if he did not die, it would still be better than letting Xu Province fall into Liu Bei’s hands.
If Tao Qian truly passed away, Zhang Jing could take advantage of the ensuing chaos to seize both Qing and Xu Provinces, giving himself a secure and stable rear area.
As for Liu Bei— Zhang Jing would rather let him remain with Gongsun Zan and continue fighting Yuan Shao.
As long as Gongsun Zan remained alive, it would benefit Zhang Jing as well.
“Understood, Lord.” Cheng Yu glanced at Zhang Jing but asked no further questions.
“Zhongde.” Zhang Jing continued, “How much seed grain has already been planted by our forces?”
“Approximately 4.3 million shi.” Cheng Yu immediately provided an estimate.
After all, ever since entering the service of the Qihuo Army, this had been the most important task under his responsibility.
“Four point three million shi!” Zhang Jing’s eyes lit up, and a smile appeared on his face.
“That is already quite a substantial amount. The cultivated farmland now exceeds twenty million mu.”
“After the autumn harvest, tax revenues should surpass ten million shi of grain.”
“That is not bad at all.”
Ten million shi sounded like an enormous figure.
In reality, however, it was not particularly impressive.
Zhang Jing remembered that in later generations, a single village grain depot could store over a thousand metric tons of grain.
Converted into the measurements of this era, a thousand tons amounted to roughly thirty-three thousand shi.
Modern China’s strategic grain reserves stood at around seven hundred million tons.
That was approximately twenty-six billion shi by the standards of this age.
A difference of more than two thousand times.
Yet his population already exceeded three million people.
Even with fifteen million shi in annual tax revenue, if next year’s harvest proved poor, those three million people would still be left starving.
Their territory simply lacked the capacity to withstand major disasters.
Moreover, next year would bring a once-in-a-century locust plague, and Yan Province would happen to be one of the hardest-hit regions.
Of course, Zhang Jing could not openly speak of such things.
For now, he could only focus on the present.
Once they had over ten million shi of grain and the common people possessed surplus food reserves, he would think of ways to deal with the coming locust disaster.
“Your Lordship’s wisdom is unmatched.”
Cheng Yu bowed respectfully, a faint smile appearing on his face.
He too believed the amount was already considerable, though he certainly would not complain about having more.
After all, many of the people under their rule were currently operating under a policy of receiving only half the normal allocation of seed grain, while quite a few households had not received any at all.
“Zhongde.” The smile faded from Zhang Jing’s face as he spoke sternly:
“After you return, reserve a deficit of two million shi in seed grain. Release all the remaining seed grain for distribution. I trust Yuan Shu will not deceive me. Otherwise, I shall show him no mercy.”
“Above all, do not let the people miss the spring planting season.”
“Understood, Lord!” Cheng Yu immediately bowed and accepted the order.
When it came to the ruthlessness his lord spoke of, Cheng Yu believed it completely.
No one understood better than he did that the man before him was far less gentle and upright than he appeared on the surface.
Soon afterward, Cheng Yu departed in haste.
He knew that the common people who had yet to receive seed grain were still waiting anxiously in the fields.
The local officials were equally eager.
Only after the order arrived could they open the granaries, distribute the allotted seed grain, organize manpower, and assist the people in completing the spring planting.
This would also be the last distribution of seed grain.
No matter how much grain remained afterward, none would be released again.
“Two million shi of seed grain…”
After Cheng Yu departed, Zhang Jing could not help but feel a pang of heartache.
He had exhausted nearly every method available to him, yet he still could not gather enough seed grain.
Two million shi of seed grain.
That amount could sow ten million mu of fertile farmland.
It would yield roughly six million shi in tax revenue.
Even Zhang Jing could not take such a loss lightly.
“Looks like I’ll have to write another letter to Tao Qian.”
Taking a deep breath, Zhang Jing made up his mind.
After all, he had distributed an additional three hundred thousand shi of seed grain, and that shortfall had to be made up before the spring planting season ended.
At the same time, he grumbled inwardly:
Everyone else gave me grain, but you’re the only one who didn’t.
Are you taking my goodwill for granted?
………………
Two days later, Yan Province.
Xiaqiu County, Rencheng State.
Located in the northern part of Rencheng State and bordering both Lu State and Dongping, Xiaqiu derived its name from the many hills scattered throughout the region.
In later generations, the area would be known as Mount Zi.
“Mount Zi… only seventy meters above sea level?”
Zhang Jing looked up at what was supposedly a “towering peak.”
No matter how hard he tried, he simply could not associate it with a mountain.
In fact, he did not even need to tilt his head upward to see its summit.
“Luo Shi pays his respects to my lord!”
At that moment, a general clad in armor hurried over with a squad of soldiers.
His expression was tense as he dropped to one knee and cupped his fists respectfully.
“Forgive me, my lord, for failing to welcome you from afar.”
“Clatter—”
The soldiers accompanying him likewise knelt on one knee, their faces filled with excitement and reverence.
“We pay our respects to our lord!”
“Rise.”
Zhang Jing helped Luo Shi to his feet with one hand.
Looking toward the rolling hills ahead, he asked, “Tell me, how many warhorses are currently stationed in Xiaqiu?”
Mount Zi was indeed not very tall.
But it was covered in hills.
The grass and water resources were also relatively abundant.
Naturally, it had become an ideal place for grazing horses, a recommendation Cheng Yu had made long ago.
Actually raising horses in stables was out of the question.
They could barely feed the people as it was.
Free-range grazing was the only viable option.
Moreover, Xiaqiu was one of the Twelve Passes.
Five thousand troops were stationed here, and since there was no ongoing warfare, caring for the horses had become one of their primary responsibilities.
Aside from those currently in use, ninety percent of the Qihuo Army’s warhorses were kept on Mount Zi.
Zhang Jing himself had grown restless after remaining idle for so long and decided to come inspect them personally.
After all, in a few months, he intended to establish a cavalry force.
If he did not see the horses with his own eyes, he would never feel completely at ease.
“My lord.” Luo Shi respectfully followed behind Zhang Jing as he answered, “Xiaqiu originally possessed three hundred warhorses. After the horses captured from the Xiongnu and Yuan Shu were brought here, the total reached five thousand six hundred and thirty-nine.”
“However, during the past half month…”
“Nearly two hundred warhorses have died here for reasons unknown.”
After speaking, Luo Shi’s expression grew somewhat nervous.
“Have you consulted the physicians?” Zhang Jing frowned slightly.
The losses were larger than he had expected.
“We have.” Luo Shi nodded emphatically.
“Not only did we consult the physicians, but even the brothers from the Inspectorate came several times to investigate. None of them were able to determine the cause.”
“Mm.” Only then did Zhang Jing nod slightly.
Looking toward the herd grazing in the distance, he asked:
“And these horses—are they still in good health?”
— The end of the Chapter–
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