What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 212 The Empress got another good thing out of Su Mo!
The emperor was not allowed to leave the palace easily.

There are two reasons.

First, the court officials feared the emperor might be assassinated; second, they feared the emperor knew too much about things outside the palace!
For a powerful empress who seized power through force, none of this was a problem.

Su Mo refused to become an official in the court, but he humbly sought advice from those less knowledgeable, and the result was the same!

Su Mo had already left the Fu family courtyard by then.

He went to the fiefdom of Gufeng Mountain.

The position of Lingtai Lang, a fifth-rank official in the Imperial Observatory, was replaced by members of the Tianmu Sect, which shows how deeply the Tianmu Sect had infiltrated the imperial court.

If this is the case in the imperial court, imagine how it is in local government!

Without a doubt, a bloody storm will rage in the imperial court, and a major purge will be launched.

Regardless of whether they have any connection with the Heavenly Mother Cult, everyone is absolutely on edge, fearing that they might get involved!

The main force responsible for the purge, the ones wielding the blade, must have been the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Phoenix Cry Division.

Su Mo, holding the positions of both commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and captain of the Phoenix Cry Division, doesn't really need to worry too much about getting into trouble.

However, Lin Moyin and Nangong Sheyue both suggested that Su Mo go to Gufeng Mountain to settle the newly relocated villagers.

Su Mo readily agreed to the suggestion and was too lazy to get involved in this mess.

Unfortunately, those in the imperial court are often not in control of their own destiny; many times, it's not something you can simply avoid.

Upon arriving at Lonely Peak Mountain, they saw that Liu Siyun had not returned to the restaurant, but instead was leading the servants of her mansion and directing the villagers, who looked like refugees, to cut down trees, dig stones, cut grass, and level the ground, working enthusiastically.

On the flat ground beside the foot of the mountain, there were many large iron pots set up.

The thick, steaming porridge was bubbling in the pot, glistening with oil, and you could even see large meat bones and wild vegetables inside, with a very rich aroma.

Further away, many mountain dwellers hid behind rocks and in the bushes, watching the situation with obvious concern.

Su Mo ignored the mountain people.

As long as they continue to live on Lonely Peak Mountain, they will have to pay taxes, similar to the rent they used to pay.

In fact, the mountain people had nowhere else to go, and they had to pay rent and taxes in other places as well.

He called Liu Siyun over: "How is the situation?"

Liu Siyun smiled and said, "It's alright."

"These are all new households that have fled to the capital. Sister Lin selected households that are mainly composed of able-bodied adults and young children."

“They all know it’s for building houses for themselves, and they’re working really hard at it.”

After pausing, Liu Siyun continued, "Most of the villagers are honest, but I have also observed quite a few cunning and deceitful people who bully others by taking advantage of their strength."

"Such people should be severely punished as a warning to others."

Su Mo nodded slightly: "With more than two thousand people, it's inevitable that there will be such cunning people among them."

Then he asked, "The cold in the mountains is even greater than outside. Have you prepared enough things to keep warm?"

It would be best if the villagers froze to death as soon as they arrived.

At night, the temperature on the mountain can drop to minus seven or eight degrees Celsius.

It would be even worse if it got windy and rainy.

For ordinary people who lack ways to keep warm, this is no joke.

Liu Siyun pointed to several vehicles not far away and said solemnly, "It has already been purchased, mainly straw quilts, and each person will also be given a set of cotton-padded coats for warmth..."

"The procurement of various supplies cost a total of over 1,700 taels of silver..."

As she spoke, she turned to look at the mountain people who were spying on her: "I think these mountain people and hunters should not be left unattended."

“Mountain people are wild and difficult to discipline. If left unchecked, coupled with the limited prey and land in the mountains, they will inevitably clash with the villagers sooner or later.”

Under the farming conditions of the Great Wu Dynasty, the yield of millet and rice per mu of superior fields was between 1.5 and 2 shi.

Excluding rent, and assuming two harvests a year, it would take four or five acres of land to support one person.

The situation is even more severe in rural and mountainous areas, where ten acres are needed to support one person.

Although Gufeng Mountain looks large, the actual arable land is only a little over 10,000 mu.

The mountain people originally had to hunt to survive, but now there are three hundred more households and more than two thousand people, so food is definitely far from enough.

Su Mo pondered for a moment and said, "I have already considered this."

"Once the villagers are settled, we will gather the mountain people and settle them as well."

That white snake spirit was called the Mountain Goddess by the mountain people, and she held considerable prestige among them. If she were to appear, it would be much easier to subdue the mountain people.

Hearing this, Liu Siyun frowned: "Young master's fiefdom is not enough to support so many people."

"The young master can't keep subsidizing it forever."

Su Mo smiled and said, "A mere three or four thousand people, nothing to brag about."

"Don't underestimate Lonely Peak Mountain just because it's not big. It will be easy for it to support 10,000 people in the future."

Liu Siyun was instantly stunned.

Su Mo then added, "There's no need to rush to build houses for the villagers."

"Let me draw a map of Lonely Peak Mountain and then we'll make some plans."

Liu Siyun looked at Su Mo with surprise and doubt: "Young master, you can also draw maps?"

Su Mo nodded: "I know a little."

Liu Siyun understood the significance of Su Mo's "slight knowledge" and hesitated for a moment: "Now that the temperature is dropping day by day, if the house is not built as soon as possible, when the temperature drops even further, cotton-padded clothes and straw will probably not be enough to keep warm."

Su Mo thought for a moment and then said, "Dig a hole!"

"It doesn't need to be too big, seven or eight feet is enough. Cover it with wooden boards and straw underneath, which should be able to temporarily protect it from the cold."

As he spoke, Su Mo picked up a dry twig and began to draw on the ground.

"This is Gufeng Mountain and the Great River, let's start digging from here..."

"Dig towards the river; it can be converted into an irrigation canal later, saving us a lot of trouble!"

"The excavated soil was used to fill in potholes, compact the ground, and connect the official road."

Liu Siyun frowned: "The mountain is frozen solid now, making it extremely difficult to dig."

"And this will definitely take a lot of effort, and it may take a whole winter to work, so that there won't be enough time to plant crops in the spring of next year."

Su Mo laughed and said, "Then let's support them for now and see if what those guys are saying about 'work relief' is reliable."

"Anyway, it's only two thousand people, it's not like we can't afford to support them."

Lonely Peak Mountain is our own territory.

Su Mo had played a lot of management simulation games before, and he was really into them.

It's rare to have a hands-on opportunity now, and I'm really itching to try it out.

If every household in the town builds a house here and there, it will be a mess.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder sufferers who reread texts will find this unacceptable!

Taking advantage of these few days of free time, away from the turmoil in the imperial court, we thoroughly investigated the terrain of Gufeng Mountain, drew up a topographical map, and properly settled the villagers and mountain dwellers.

The huge villas near Wulongtan Hot Spring also need to be built.

The thought of drawing a geomantic map gave Su Mo a headache.

Charcoal pencils are definitely out of the question, and I'm not used to using calligraphy brushes. The paper here doesn't look right either.

Should we get the pencil out?

Pencils are easy to make; graphite is readily available, and you can simply crush it and mix it with clay.

However, it is not suitable for writing on that kind of Xuan paper.

We can't possibly manufacture paper again, can we?

Now that paper has been invented, should we develop movable type printing?

What the hell!
Isn't this just like going to ancient times to unlock the technology tree?

This is completely contrary to my original intention of enjoying a life of luxury in ancient times!
Gufeng Mountain is neither too big nor too small, covering an area of ​​several miles. Its terrain is complex and varied. If he were to draw a map by himself, it would take forever.

By the time I've traversed the entire Lonely Peak Mountain and obtained a topographical map, it'll probably be too late.

Many of the artisan soldiers had some knowledge of culture.

Or should we teach them how to draw topographic maps?

But it seems a bit difficult for those artisans who have just escaped illiteracy! Just as Su Mo was struggling with this dilemma.

Suddenly, a graceful figure wrapped in a white cloak walked slowly towards them.

Following behind was a pale-faced, beardless old eunuch—An Wu.

Su Mo stared in astonishment at the sudden appearance of Leng Xixi.

He had already fled to Lone Peak Mountain to avoid trouble, yet she still came knocking on his door?

Su Mo sighed, instructed Liu Siyun to assign tasks to the villagers, and then went to greet Leng Xixi.

"Lord Leng, what brings you to this solitary mountain?"

Leng Liuxi smiled sweetly: "This concubine wished to visit your fiefdom, my lord. Perhaps you do not welcome me?"

As she spoke, she turned to look at the villagers who were busy at work, her eyes lighting up slightly: "These villagers are working so hard? Why aren't there any supervisors?"

Su Mo smiled and said, "They're working for themselves, how could they dare to slack off?"

"As long as we find ways to motivate them, the supervisor is unnecessary."

"Of course, those who cheat and shirk their responsibilities should be singled out as examples to show others the consequences of such behavior!"

As he spoke, Su Mo suddenly remembered something, and his eyes lit up: "Lord Leng, could you do me a favor?"

Leng Liuxi was slightly taken aback, thinking that Su Mo wanted to borrow laborers and corvée labor from her to speed up the construction of the territory.

Since Su Mo rarely asked for help, the Empress naturally wouldn't refuse. She chuckled and said, "What do you need my help with, my lord?"

Su Mo chuckled: "This subordinate has carefully planned out the fiefdom."

"However, I am not familiar with the terrain of Gufeng Mountain, so I would like to borrow some mapmakers from you to draw a map of Gufeng Mountain so that it will be easier to plan."

Leng Liuxi was surprised that Su Mo needed this kind of help, and her eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Feng shui masters, regardless of the dynasty, were highly valued talents and considered a strategic resource.

Maps are indispensable for military campaigns.

Private possession of maps is a capital offense!

She thought for a moment and said, "My lord wants a map of Lonely Peak Mountain, so there's no need to have a geomancer redraw it."

"Wannian County should have a map of Gufeng Mountain. When I return, I will have Wannian County send it to you."

Su Mo waved his hand and explained, "I have seen the map of Wannian County. The map I need to draw is not that kind of map."

Leng Liuxi was immediately taken aback: "Not that kind of map?"

"Are there many types of maps?"

Su Mo had no choice but to continue explaining: "The map that Lord Leng mentioned is just a simple map with markings of mountains, rivers, and the like."

"Such maps are of little use and may even mislead people."

The Empress's eyebrows twitched slightly involuntarily.

"My lord is right!"

"From what I understand, when the army is on the move, maps can only help the general to get a general idea of ​​the terrain, but they have many shortcomings. A guide who is familiar with the local terrain is still needed to guide the troops."

Su Mo nodded and smiled, "Of course!"

"For example, as military texts say, a camp should be located near water and in an open area."

"But sometimes, what seems like a suitable place to set up camp on a map is not actually the case. If the camp is located in a low-lying area with the riverbed on top, the enemy could breach the riverbank and flood the entire army."

A cold glint flashed in the Empress's eyes.

Su Mo paused, then continued, "The map I require must include scale, elevation, and other details."

"Hmm... Ideally, you should be able to replicate the terrain using a sand table while looking at a map."

Leng Liuxi was taken aback and looked at Su Mo suspiciously: "Sand table?"

Another new term!

Based on past experience, new terms are basically equivalent to valuable information; the question is whether we can extract Su Mo's valuable information!

Su Mo frowned and looked at the Empress: "Does Lord Leng not know about the sand table?"

He also didn't know when the sand table appeared.

But why didn't the Great Wu Dynasty produce something so simple?

As expected, Leng Liuxi shook her head: "I have never heard of what a sand table is."

Su Mo couldn't help but wonder: "How do the court's generals practice troop deployment and large-scale military drills?"

The Empress looked at Su Mo in bewilderment: "Just study military strategy books thoroughly."

"Large-scale military drills also occur. The two armies are deployed separately and fight with wooden spears and swords... There are also drills with real weapons, but such drills result in many casualties and are very rare."

Su Mo was speechless.

It turns out that Da Wu's troop deployment and military exercises are still in their primitive stages.

Isn't this just empty talk?
Exercises should strive for realism and take into account all possible scenarios. How effective can a mere, formulaic exercise with clearly laid-out troop deployments be?
Once on the battlefield, all sorts of situations arise. How can a general who only knows theory deal with them?
Of course, those famous generals would naturally adapt to changing circumstances based on their past experience.

But this experience was gained at the cost of countless lives!

If it were Su Mo instead, I really wouldn't want to part with her.

Once my private army is established, I will definitely engage in various realistic combat simulations.

Sweating more in peacetime means bleeding less in wartime!

He stopped discussing the issue with Leng Xixi, knowing full well that if he continued, she would definitely press for details.

He immediately changed the subject, saying, "Since Lord Leng is willing to give me the map of Lonely Peak Mountain, why not borrow some more geomancers? After all, I only need to draw maps of Lonely Peak Mountain!"

"One hundred is not too much, fifty is not too little! This subordinate can pay the service fee!"

The Empress was speechless for a moment, and couldn't help but roll her eyes at Su Mo: "My lord, you really dare to say that!"

"Not a hundred! Not even fifty!"

"Ten at most!"

Leng Liuxi paused, then said, "However, my lord must tell me the method of making the sand table."

Su Mo smiled wryly: "It's about shrinking the terrain to a small area according to a certain scale and height, so as to have a clearer understanding of the terrain."

"Um……"

Su Mo didn't want to say much, but his damn keyboard warrior tendencies kicked in again, and he couldn't help but add: "Generals can use sand table battlefields, with flags representing troops, to improve their strategic vision and practice troop deployment and combat tactics."

Leng Liuxi was dumbfounded.

Su Mo is indeed a master of military strategy!
He even lied to me, saying I didn't understand military strategy!

Hmph! Luckily, I don't believe him!

However, this sand table seems to be of great use in large-scale military operations.

She couldn't help but ask urgently, "Anything else?"

"How is a sand table constructed?"

Su Mo waved his hand: "This subordinate will not waste his breath. Anyway, when the geomancers come, I will have to teach them how to draw contour lines and such."

"Once they learn, they will naturally be able to build sand tables. Then the adults can just ask them."

The Empress's beautiful eyes widened instantly, and she blurted out, "My lord, are you going to teach them the sand table technique?"

Su Mo rolled her eyes: "Nonsense! Otherwise, how could they have drawn the terrain map of Lone Peak Mountain that I requested?"

The Empress was silent for a moment, then looked at Su Mo very seriously: "Actually, there are quite a few geomancers in the court."

"I think one hundred geomancers would be acceptable!"

Without giving Su Mo a chance to back out, she immediately turned to An Wu and instructed, "An Banban, did you hear what Young Master Su said?"

An Wu: "This old servant will go back immediately and find a hundred geomancers for Lord Su, not one less!"

Su Mo...

It's freezing cold here; no one gets up early unless there's a profit to be made!

If you give yourself ten geomancers, some will be reluctant, but once they hear you teach them the techniques, you'll immediately have a hundred geomancers.

This is truly terrifying, even for Commander Su!

(End of this chapter)