He originally intended to surrender to Wei, so why did he end up restoring Han?

Chapter 97 Lu Wan's Self-Reflection

汉代普通士兵每人每天的口粮大约在1.5—2升（汉制）左右。汉代1升约等于现在的200毫升，为方便计算，取中间值每人每天1.75升。一年按365天计算，一名士兵一年的口粮为1.75×365=638.75升，十二万士兵一年所需口粮638.75×120000=76650000升。

汉代100升为1石，换算成石为76650000÷100=766500石。

What does this mean? Normally, the yield of each plot of land varies. Generally, dry land yields about 1 to 2 shi (1 shi equals 1 hu) per mu (a unit of land area), while paddy fields yield relatively more, about 2 to 3 shi per mu. Assuming the ratio of dry land to paddy fields in Xuzhou is 6:4, then on average, each mu produces 1.9 shi of grain. Dividing 766500 by 1.9, we can calculate that Xuzhou needs at least 403421 mu of land specifically for supplying grain and fodder.

If Xuzhou also wanted to maintain a certain number of cavalry, the figure would be even more staggering. Cavalry can't be managed with just one horse; at least one more horse would be needed for transport, ensuring the cavalry had sufficient horsepower for attack when needed. If Xuzhou only maintained 10,000 cavalry, with each cavalryman riding two horses, that would be 20,000 horses. Each horse would need approximately 6-8 liters of hay and 2-3 liters of grain per day. Again, taking the average, that's 7 liters of hay and 2.5 liters of grain per day.

一匹马一年所需草料为7×365=2555升，2万匹马一年所需草料为2555×20000=

51100000升，换算成石为51100000÷100=511000石；一匹马一年所需穀物为2.5×365=

912.5升，2万匹马一年所需穀物为912.5×20000=18250000升，换算成石为18250000÷100=182500石。马匹一年总共需要的饲料（草料和穀物）为511000+

182500 = 693500 stones.

Applying the data from above, it would take another 365000 mu of land to support these horses. Adding these two figures together, Xuzhou would need to prepare 768421 mu of land specifically for these 120,000 troops and 20,000 warhorses, which is equivalent to 51253 hectares in modern metric units.

This is the most idealized calculation result, and it doesn't even take into account the costs of converting Liu Bei's soldiers into a professional army. To enhance the combat effectiveness of these professionals, the training will be even more rigorous. Such high-intensity training requires additional nutrition, which means an additional 20% increase in food consumption on top of the original data. This would raise the annual food consumption of these elite troops to 1752000 shi (a unit of dry measure). This doesn't even include the fact that this army of 120,000 will also need a certain number of auxiliary troops, and these troops will need to be equipped with a large amount of weaponry and equipment, as well as corresponding craftsmen to specially craft their equipment.

Warhorses need protein supplements during combat, otherwise they will lose weight after just a few battles. In addition, warhorses require a professional team to take care of their daily lives, which is another considerable expense.

After this round of calculations, Lu Wan concluded that Xuzhou absolutely could not support these people without the premise of phased development in agriculture.

Because besides these people, there are so many other people in Xuzhou who work in other industries and have families to support. We can't let ordinary people starve just to support the army.

Cao Cao was able to spare more than 100,000 troops to march south after unifying the entire north. When Shu Han was destroyed, the entire country only had 100,000 soldiers. It is simply impossible to support so many people with just the land of Xuzhou.

Lu Wan could only offer two solutions: First, as he had discussed with Liu Bei, expand the army gradually, step by step, instead of immediately exploiting them with decrees. Later, as the territory grew, the army's training level could be improved little by little.

The second task was to have Mi Zhu find a way to trade with other feudal lords and buy more grain. Mi Zhu was initially happy about this task; managing large-scale grain transactions was always a lucrative position, offering both financial rewards and connections. However, after seeing the purchase volume, he immediately told everyone else in the room to leave and close the door behind them, leaving only Mi Zhu and Lu Wan.

As soon as the door closed, Mi Zhu immediately turned hostile: "Lu Wenyuan, are you deliberately messing with me? Buying millions more shi of grain? Where am I supposed to get that much money for you? Let's not even talk about whether Xuzhou can afford that much right now. Who would be so foolish as to sell so much grain? If you really want this grain, take me to the market and sell me, and see how many jin you get in return!"

"You don't understand the world of aristocratic families. Some of them have been accumulating a lot of grain since the time of Emperor Guangwu's restoration. Rather than letting it rot, it's better to buy it all. As long as the grain isn't moldy, it's acceptable. A little stale grain just doesn't taste good." Lu Wan quickly reassured Mi Zhu, indicating that she didn't mean to put pressure on him.

Mi Zhu said with some helplessness, "I know. All the grain we bought before was sent to Xuzhou to feed the refugees. Now there isn't enough grain available for trade elsewhere. To be honest, grain prices are generally rising now, and our army has already spent a lot more of its budget to maintain the previous purchase volume."

"What if our army were to use a large amount of its wealth to trade for grain, on top of what we've already done? Or what if we simply sold off salt and iron in exchange for grain? Would that be enough to get us a sufficient amount of grain?"

Mi Zhu immediately stood up, swallowed hard, and said, "You surnamed Lu, what are you trying to do—I advise you to calm down and think of another way. Do you know how many people will starve to death if you continue like this?"

Lu Wan's sudden influx of funds will absolutely drive the grain market in other vassal states into a frenzy. First, grain prices will skyrocket, making it unaffordable for the people under other vassal states. The result will either be either turning them into beasts capable of anything for food, or leaving them as kind-hearted people who die of starvation.

If there is a 10% shortage in grain production, the price will not only rise by 10%, but will rise to an astronomical price that 10% of people cannot afford.

Lu Wan quickly waved her hand to indicate that she absolutely had no intention of harming Liu Bei's reputation: "Of course it's not just targeting one family! If we only targeted one family, the local people would absolutely hate us. Our army is diversifying its targets and buying grain from multiple warlords, so these problems shouldn't be so obvious."

"Even so, it won't work. The entire Han Dynasty only produces so much grain in a year. You don't know how people in other places view us: a bunch of starving gluttons. Our army has only swept away the old grain in the market, and these people have already started giving us nicknames. If you invest such a huge amount of money, our lord's reputation will be ruined."

Mi Zhu thought for a moment, then softened his tone slightly: "Xuzhou is facing a difficult situation right now. There's no need to rush the construction of various industries. Take it slow; the wheat harvest is about to begin. Can we wait until our army has recovered for a while and completely absorbed the existing territory and displaced people before discussing military expansion?"

Others might not know, but Lu Wan did. Yuan Shao would be arriving in two years. If they didn't find a way to increase their strength now, how would they fight Yuan Shao in the future? How would they compete with Cao Cao for territory?

"The tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease. If I could, I would wish that we didn't have to recruit a single soldier, but how is that possible?"

"In this chaotic world, if we are too weak, we will soon be swallowed up by other warlords. If Xuzhou cannot maintain its military advantage, then the better we develop, the more they will feast when they invade."

"Wen Yuan, let me be frank. Xuzhou should rest and recuperate now. All industries should stabilize and take a break. Only in this way can Xuzhou truly develop. Look at how many projects Xuzhou has started recently. First, we started construction in Peinan, then we expanded the army by 10,000, and now we are building a defense line in Taishan County."

"Lord Liu trusts you, and all your requests have been fulfilled. In return, can't you consider his needs? What does our lord need? It is to save the country and its people! Now, in your pursuit of expanding the army, you disregard the lives of people in other regions. Even if you conquer the world, what will be left of the Han Dynasty? Nothing!"

Mi Zhu truly cared about Liu Bei's army, because it was not only where he had invested all his resources, but also the ruler of his hometown; he had truly placed all his hopes on it. Mi Zhu was very sensitive to these unstable factors; he didn't want to see a tragedy like Cao Cao's massacre of Xuzhou repeat itself, whether he was the one massacring others or being massacred himself.

Lu Suo now truly understood that Xuzhou simply didn't have the resources to revitalize the region. If they wanted to increase grain production, they had to focus their efforts on their own efforts. Seeing that Mi Zhu's anger had subsided somewhat, Lu Wan began to inquire about the spinning machines they had discussed earlier.

Mi Zhu took a deep breath through his nose and said, word by word, "The progress is going relatively smoothly, but some parts are prone to damage. The craftsmen are trying to find a way to improve it, so that it won't take half a day to repair."

Fearing she might displease Mi Zhu again, Lu Wan tentatively asked, "Do you know of a place where rice can be harvested twice a year?"

"—Is that so?!"

As dawn broke, the gentle golden light first bathed the towering banks of the Sui River in Xiapi. The wide Sui River, no longer the desolate scene of the past, was now covered with a continuous line of boats. Barges, tugboats, and small boats, one after another, flowed like the blood in the pulse of the times. The boatmen's shouts, the merchants' cries, the porters' heavy footsteps, and the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore intertwined to create a vibrant symphony of canal transport. Fully laden grain ships arrived from all over, unloading mountains of sacks;

They also loaded Xuzhou's salt, iron, paper, and books onto ships and sent them to all corners of the world along the river. This river was no longer just clear water; it was a source of wealth and vitality that nourished the entire city of Xuzhou.

Stepping through the bustling docks into the city, the markets lining the main street were already buzzing with activity. The irresistible aroma of steamed buns and roasted meat permeated the air, whetting the appetites of onlookers. Silk shop assistants deftly unfurled bolts of newly arrived brocade, their shimmering sheen resembling a veil of rosy light. At the bookstores, scholars and writers thronged, no longer engaging in idle chatter, but passionately discussing the quality and price of newly released classics; the air itself seemed to be filled with the fresh scent of ink. The clanging of metal echoed from the depths of the alleyways, as dozens of newly opened blacksmith shops worked tirelessly day and night, forging purchased cast iron into farm tools and weapons. Sparks flew, steam rose, and each hammer blow embodied their hopes for the future.

The scene outside the city was even more magnificent. Fields once barren from war were now meticulously restored, crisscrossed by paths like a chessboard. Newly constructed canals brought water from the Sui River, shimmering silver in the sunlight and nourishing the fertile soil. Lush green rice seedlings grew strong, their leaves rippling in the wind like waves. Farmers toiled among them, their faces glistening with sweat but radiating a contented glow. Further away, newly built paper mills and massive salt warehouses lined the riverbanks, the white steam rising from the high walls of salt mounds forming the most reassuring horizon outside Xiapi.

Even the soldiers patrolling the city walls had their armor polished to a gleaming shine, their steps firm, their eyes sharp yet full of confidence. Their presence, far from appearing menacing, provided the most solid guarantee for this vibrant and thriving place.

Throughout Xiapi, from the river to the city, from the marketplace to the countryside, the air was filled with the roar of activity and the hustle and bustle of life. The air was scorching, and the air was thick with the smells of earth, sweat, grain, and metal—a smell of hope and vigorous growth, the bursting forth of a massive organism after it has hungrily absorbed its nutrients, a powerful life force that seemed about to burst forth.

This city is so beautiful that it would leave anyone who visits in awe. The residents of Xiapi are also amazed at how Xiapi changes every day, making one want to open the window in the early morning and shout, "Good morning, Xiapi!"

Lu Wan is finally able to calm down and consider future development plans. What Mi Zhu said to him earlier has made him think: Is he doing this to satisfy his own ideas, or is he really working for Liu Bei, or is he actually on the side of the people?

Just as Lu Wan was dealing with her own route issues, Chen Deng also returned to Xiapi from Guangling.

After the initial acute attack, Chen Deng's condition seemed to have improved. Even he himself thought he was cured, but Lu Wan didn't believe it at all. Neither the characteristics of the parasitic disease nor Chen Deng's recovery ability could allow him to improve in such a short time.

It's entirely possible that this situation arose because the parasites' activity had decreased during this period, giving Chen Deng the illusion that his health had improved. Therefore, when Chen Deng expressed that he could return to his post, Lu Wan immediately rejected the proposal and, to ensure that Chen Deng could recuperate, even specially arranged for him to be transported back to Xiacun by fast boat.

The search for a doctor has also made progress. Famous doctors from all over have heard that there is a difficult patient here who requires extremely high medical skills to treat. Whoever can cure this patient will be directly recruited into Liu Bei's staff.

This really hit their sweet spot. If he could cure such a complicated case, his job security issue would be resolved. Even if he wasn't there for the job security, the fact that he could cure patients and save lives, and that he could cure those that others couldn't, would prove that he was the best doctor in the world. So they all rushed to Xiapi, Xuzhou.

Liu Bei naturally held these people in high esteem, immediately arranging the best accommodations for them. In this day and age, everyone has their moments of illness, and having a doctor come to treat you when you're sick—regardless of whether they can cure you, at least you're being considerate.

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