Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 285 Dahan Ranch
"Good news! Good news! Governor Liu led his army to capture Qiangyin County, killing more than 11,000 Xianbei cavalrymen and the leader of the Xianbei Yilan tribe. Qiangyin County was recovered!"

One after another, messengers ran around and shouted in the major county towns of Yanmen, as well as in Luwei County, Fenyang County, Meng County, Yangqu County, Langdiao County and other places that Liu He actually controlled.

There are a total of 19 county towns under the jurisdiction of Liu He, plus the Pingcheng County and Qiangyin County that had just been recovered. Now the population has exceeded 600,000, accounting for more than 70% of the actual controlled population of Bingzhou.

All of a sudden, the vast majority of the more than 600,000 people were overjoyed, and many even cried with joy.

In the fields, on the streets, and in the restaurants, people were talking about this matter excitedly.

"I didn't expect that Lord Liu has only been on the Northern Expedition for a short time. It has only been more than half a month since the day he left Yinguan City. I didn't expect that he would recover two counties so quickly. My Yanmen County has become complete again."

"I'm happy. In my life, apart from getting married and becoming a father, today is the happiest day for me. Let's go and have a drink!"

"The Zuiyunlou in the east of the city has released a new kind of wine. It is said that it is brewed with grains shipped from Youzhou. Let's go and have a few drinks!"

"You guys go drink, I won't join in the fun. Lord Liu has worked so hard, we can't fall behind. Although there is not much wasteland, the government has issued a notice that forest land cannot be cut down indiscriminately and mountains cannot be burned for farming. So let's go dig a few more ditches, dig the land, weed more, and harvest more food in the future. If Lord Liu's army needs it, we can also provide tangible support!"

"Yeah, you're right, I'll go too!"

"I don't farm, but I'm a merchant from Yanzhou. Pingcheng and Qiangyin counties are good. I plan to mobilize some supplies over there. Even if I lose money, I will help Lord Liu and my compatriots over there!"

"Okay! Who says that we merchants are born to be menial? We are also passionate and have backbone. I support you. I will take part in the shipment this time!"

This situation occurs in every place in these 19 counties.

Soon, the sentiment spread further, to other counties, shires, and even states, but the farther away, the lower the sentiment.

The root of all this, or the initiator, was now on the city wall of Qiangyin County, looking at the water not far to the northwest.

Yanze, called Daihai in Liu He's previous life, is an important saltwater lake in the north. It is not small in size, as large as fourteen or fifteen West Lakes.

Although a saltwater lake is not surrounded by lush greenery and dense trees like a freshwater lake, it is not lifeless either.

Liu He could see clearly from his position on the city wall that the salt lake was surrounded by lush vegetation, with herds of cattle, sheep and horses grazing or running around, creating a lively scene.

Although there are continuous small hills around the salt lake, there are still large areas of grassland in the middle. Moreover, even on those hills, because the mountains are not high and the slopes are not steep, there are still many cattle and sheep that run up the hills to find food.

Not only the area near Yanze, but even the area around Qiangyin County, and even to the southeast, all the way to Pingcheng County, the area within hundreds of miles can be called grassland.

"Brother, what are you thinking about?"

Liu He was awakened from his thoughts and looked over. It turned out that Zhang Yong and Cui Jun had climbed up the city wall.

"So it's Mingwei and Zhouping. I was wondering if it would be good or bad if all this vast grassland was reclaimed and turned into farmland."

Zhang Yong was stunned, then laughed, "Haha, big brother, the people of Qiangyin County have always been engaged in farming, supplemented by grazing and animal husbandry, and there is nothing wrong with that."

Liu He shook his head.

"I used to think so, or should I say, I never thought about this issue before. I just thought that everything would be fine as usual, so I wouldn't have to worry about it. But now that I see this scene, I feel that this shouldn't be the case."

"Oh? Then how do you think Qiangyin County will develop in the future?"

Zhang Yong asked curiously.

Liu He did not answer directly, but asked Cui Jun instead.

"What do you think, military advisor?" Cui Jun said with a smile, "My lord, you already have the answer in your mind, right?"

Liu He laughed loudly: "Haha, the one who knows me best is none other than my military advisor."

Zhang Yong was not stupid. After looking at the reactions of the two people, he quickly understood.

"Could it be that Big Brother wants to raise livestock here?"

Liu He looked determined and said, "That's right. Although I am not proficient in farming, I am far behind Brother Daozhun and Mr. Zhan Qingyuan, but I also know that this salt lake is full of salt, and the surrounding soil must be the same. Some plants can adapt to this soil, but food cannot."

Cui Jun also affirmed: "Yes, Qiangyin County has always been the poorest county in Yanmen. In addition to being too close to the Xianbei, it also has a lot to do with the soil quality."

"I understand. If it can grow grass and trees, then it can be used for grazing. But if it is used for farming, the yield will be very low. It is clear which is better."

Zhang Yong quickly figured this out.

But then he frowned again.

"But the Han people have always been mainly engaged in farming. It's okay to raise a pig and a few chickens and ducks at home, but raising and grazing livestock on such a large scale is not our forte. The Xianbei people are good at it, but if we leave it to them, let alone whether they can be completely trusted, language communication is a big problem. After all, those ordinary Xianbei people can't speak Chinese."

Cui Jun just laughed.

"How could our Han Dynasty not have someone who is good at herding? They are both far away and near."

Zhang Yong didn't seem to understand what Cui Jun meant, but after thinking about it, he quickly figured it out.

"Oh, yes, that Mr. Zhao Kui! How could I have forgotten about him? Damn it, damn it."

Seeing that Zhang Yong and Cui Jun also agreed with his idea, Liu He no longer hesitated.

He had already investigated Zhao Kui's attributes a long time ago, and it was after seeing his attributes that Liu He suddenly had this idea.

Because although Zhao Kui's attributes are very average and not outstanding, he has a very outstanding special attribute - Good Shepherd!
“Good Herdsman: When raising livestock, the reproduction rate and the chance of producing excellent breeds will increase.”

With such a talent, Liu He dared to make such an attempt with confidence.

"Issue an order immediately. Anyone who raises livestock in Qiangyin County, whether it's in captivity or grazing, can choose any of the four types of livestock: cattle, sheep, horses, or donkeys, in addition to the tax exemptions mentioned above. The government will sell the young animals at 90% of the market price."

The reason why it was set at 90% of the market price, rather than lower, was mainly to prevent some unscrupulous merchants from buying at low prices in Qiangyin County and then selling them elsewhere. If it was set at 90%, then the merchants would not make much money from this trick after adding the cost of the round trip, but for ordinary people, it was still a big discount.

Cui Jun added: "It is better to set a limit. First, our army is under too much pressure. Second, if there are too many animals, some unscrupulous merchants will still have the opportunity to profit from it. Third, the territory of Qiangyin County is limited. If we really raise too many livestock, I am afraid we will not be able to bear it."

Liu He nodded and said, "That's right. Let the military advisor handle this matter. I have sent people to transfer Gong Wei and Guang Yuan. I think they will arrive soon. After the three of you have discussed it together, you can issue it. As for Mr. Zhao Kui, let him temporarily take over the position of deputy agricultural minister of Yanmen County, and then allocate a sum of money to him, and let him decide what to raise and how to raise it. As for whether this 'temporary position' can be converted to a permanent position, it depends on his performance."

"Here!"

Zhang Yong and Cui Jun followed the order and went down the city wall, but Liu He was still looking at the grassland in the distance.

"Qiangyin County, Yanze, I will make you my first ranch! Although this one alone cannot provide too many war horses for my army, I believe that there will be a second and a third soon! Sooner or later, the soldiers and people under my rule will have livestock to work with, meat to eat, and donkeys and horses to provide them with power when they travel. If this can really be achieved, unifying the world without bloodshed will not be empty talk!"

Liu He's eyes suddenly became extremely firm.

(End of this chapter)