After the beginning of spring, the temperature rose, the ice and snow on Yunlian Mountain began to melt, and the source of the Dan River was regained, running through the entire Ganzhou Wei. The Dan River, which had been depleted for more than ten years, began to be nourished by snow water again.

After Xiao Yeyang and Daohua personally visited Shiqukou, the Wang family moved to Ganzhou Wei.

Ganzhou Wei was vast and sparsely populated. Wang Qi read the map several times, and after seeking Xiao Yeyang's consent, he finally settled on building a village in the southeastern part of Ganzhou Wei.

Wang Qi received the one hundred taels of silver funded by Xiao Yeyang, and after drawing the layout of the village, he packed up and reported to Ganzhou City.

When Xiao Yeyang saw Wang Qi, he did not ask him to do anything immediately. Instead, he gave him two days to let Zhang Da take him to familiarize himself with the people and things of the guard station.

During this period, Wang Qi discovered that there were actually craftsmen tinkering with the tuff that Mrs. Xiao dug back from Shiqukou. He couldn't help but sigh to Zhang Da beside him: "Master Xiao really dotes on Mrs. Xiao."

Zhang Da: "Sir, Mrs. Xiao is not an ordinary boudoir woman. I heard Dong Yuanxuan mention it. It seems that the method of making glass is what Mrs. Xiao learned from the storybook."

A look of surprise flashed across Wang Qi's face, as if he didn't believe it.

Zhang Da smiled and said: "Sir, when I first heard about it, I didn't really believe it, but when I thought about the molds for making briquettes and the idea of ​​transforming slopes into terraced fields, it was Mrs. Xiao who came up with it, and I thought it should be true.

of."

"Mrs. Xiao is cultivating high-yield corn seeds, potato seeds, and cotton seeds. Today, there are two people in Ganzhou Wei who are most grateful."

"One is Mr. Xiao, who led the troops to retake Danhe; the other is Mrs. Xiao. The high-yield grains sold in the Four Seasons Grain Shop she opened helped the people not go hungry."

Wang Qi listened carefully. He didn't know much about Mrs. Xiao, and all his impressions came from what his clan members conveyed.

But after listening to Zhang Da's words, he had a different view.

Although the etiquette and laws here in Xiliang are not as strict as in other inland provinces, women basically stay at home to look after their husbands, raise their children, and take care of the housework. Women like Mrs. Xiao who can achieve a reputation are rare.

This can also be seen from the side, Mr. Xiao’s connivance towards Mrs. Xiao.

Zhang Da continued: "Sir, when you have time, you can go and take a look at the terraced fields outside the city. I heard from Dong Yuanxuan that Mrs. Xiao seems to be busy diverting water into the terraced fields during this period to plant rice."

Wang Qi became interested: "No one has planted rice here in Ganzhou Wei, so I want to take a closer look."

After that, Zhang Da took Wang Qi to see other places in the guardhouse.

At the same time, on the other side, Xiao Yeyang accompanied Daohua to Qingyang Ranch.

Today's Qingyang Ranch is no longer as barren as it was when we first came here. It is now lush with lush pastures and herds of cattle and sheep.

Daohua and Xiao Yeyang rode a carriage through the pasture and arrived in front of the Dan River.

Looking at the trickling Dan River, Daohua smiled and said: "I bought the right pasture and the slope mountain opposite."

Five sloping mountains stretch into a continuous area, and the cultivated fields amount to more than 100,000 acres.

Xiao Yeyang smiled: "I didn't buy it right. This year, the prices of the land and hills adjacent to the Dan River have increased. If you buy it now, you will spend at least half the money."

Daohua looked surprised: "It's increased so much?"

Xiao Yeyang: "The imperial court has rules. No taxes are collected in the first three years of land reclamation. Now everyone is planting high-yielding grain seeds, which can be harvested that year. The finances of Ganzhou Wei have been tight, so Uncle Dong proposed to increase the land price."

price."

"But even if the price has increased, compared with other provinces, land here is still very cheap."

Daohua: "But the living standards of the people here are not as high as those in other places?"

Xiao Yeyang: "Don't worry, the price increase will still be affordable to the people."

Daohua nodded, said nothing more, crossed the bridge with Xiao Yeyang, and came to the other side.

On the bottom terrace, all the rice flowers have been turned into paddy fields. At this moment, the tenants have completed irrigation, are soaking the fields, and fertilizing.

In the field next to it, the seedlings have broken out of the ground and are growing lush and green, which is very gratifying.

Daohua smiled and said to Xiao Yeyang: "This year we no longer need to transport the rice from the capital."

Xiao Yeyang asked the officials responsible for managing the military fields around him to study hard here, while he pulled the rice flowers: "Didn't you plant medicinal materials? Take me to see if they grow well, I will also ask the military households to plant some.

."

"Besides food, wages and weapons, the biggest expense for the army is medicinal materials for healing wounds and illnesses. If it can be self-sufficient, it can save a lot of money."

Daohua took Xiao Yeyang to see the medicinal field, and the officials who followed carefully recorded it.

......

After returning from seeing the terraced fields, Xiao Yeyang took Wang Qi to Jinweiwei the next day.

On the way, Xiao Yeyang looked at Wang Qi and asked: "How much do you know about the commanders of the nine guard posts in Xiliang?"

Wang Qi replied: "Sir, except for the Ganzhou Guard, the commanders of the other eight guard posts were all promoted by the commanders of Weidu."

"Among the eight people, Commander Pang of Lan Wuwei was excluded because of his straightforward personality, which did not please Master Wei; Master Zhu of Jin Weiwei was a rare official who loved the people and had many disagreements with Master Wei, so he was also excluded.

Not taken seriously."

"Almost all the other five people follow Mr. Wei's lead."

Xiao Yeyang raised his eyebrows and glanced at Wang Qi.

He had a rough idea of ​​these things through the news sent back by the Jin Ling Guards. Although Wang Qi was not an official, he knew a lot about the situation in Xiliang.

"There are a total of four guard posts bordering Xiliao. Ganzhou Guard, Jinwei Guard, Jianzhou Guard, Xintun Guard, Ganzhou Guard's military town has been built, and Jinwei Guard's is under preparation."

"We came out this time not only to see the training of the frontier troops of Jinwei Guard, but also to implement the military town construction plan of Jianzhou Guard and Xintun Guard."

"You should know that Wei Hongcai doesn't really want me to stay in Xiliang, nor does he want to change the situation in Xiliang. After arriving at Jianzhou Guard and Xintun Guard, we may encounter obstacles."

Hearing this, Wang Qi's face straightened. He knew that convincing the commanders of Jianzhou Guard and Xintun Guard not to hinder the construction of the military town should be Xiao Yeyang's first test for him.

......

In the blink of an eye, more than a month has passed and time has entered May.

The day before the Dragon Boat Festival, Xiao Yeyang returned to Ganzhou City.

"Back!"

Daohua smiled and stood at the door to greet Xiao Yeyang. Seeing that he had lost some weight, she felt a little distressed: "Can I rest for a few days when I come back this time?"

Xiao Yeyang pulled Daohua inside and nodded with a smile: "The military towns of Jianzhou Guard and Xintun Guard have begun to be built, and people have been left there to watch the border troops drill. I can stay at home.

Take some rest."

Hearing this, Daohua immediately said happily: "Then I have to make up for it with you."

The two returned to the room, and Daohua personally served Xiao Yeyang to wash up: "Mr. Wang, can I help you when you go out this time?"

Xiao Yeyang nodded: "This Wang Qi... is a good strategist. After weighing the pros and cons, the commanders of Jianzhou Guard and Xintun Guard no longer dare to hinder the construction of the military town."

"In terms of domestic affairs, this man is quite insightful. No wonder the Wei family has suppressed the Wang family for decades. He is indeed an extraordinary figure."

Daohua smiled and said: "It's good if he can help you. People in the capital dislike the bitter cold in Xiliang and are unwilling to come here. There are so many things here, how can you do it alone?"

"I feel more at ease if you have someone to help you deal with the tedious things and unnecessary entertainment on official business. As long as you have the army in your hands, and the rest, just focus on the general direction."

Xiao Yeyang smiled and held Daohua in his arms: "You still love me."

Daohua smiled and punched him.

On the other side, Wang Qi also returned to the guardhouse's residence. As soon as he entered the gate of the guardhouse, he found that the floor of the guardhouse seemed a little different, much smoother and smoother than before.

"Sir, you are back!"

Seeing Zhang Da coming over, Wang Qi immediately asked: "What's going on on the ground?"

Zhang Da quickly smiled and said: "Sir, do you still remember the cement that Mrs. Xiao wanted to get? Not two days after you left with Mr. Xiao, the cement was made. The floor of the guardhouse has been repaired, and it is much better to walk on than before.

Now the cement has been used to build city walls and roads."
Chapter completed!