Chapter 128: The Youzhou Conference

“Ah? Then I have wronged you, my lord. I hope you will pardon me,” Liu Yao said with a smile. “The fourth month of the year has already arrived, the time for spring plowing is upon us. It would be best for the common folk to return home quickly; if they delay, it will be bad for the spring sowing.”

“Master, you should enter the city first. Otherwise, these villagers will not leave,” Ju Shou said helplessly. He had tried earlier to persuade the people, but they stubbornly refused to depart, and there was little he could do.

Hearing this, Liu Yao’s heart stirred. He could not help but admire the simplicity and sincerity of the people of this era. If one treated them well, they would naturally repay that kindness.

Without further ado, Liu Yao turned and called out, “Good people, I thank you for your support of me, Liu Yao. However, this is the time for spring plowing. Please return home quickly.”

Then, turning to the army, he shouted, “Troops, follow me into the city.” With that, Liu Yao entered Jixian amidst the grateful and admiring gazes of the people.

At the General’s Mansion of Youzhou, Liu Yao was momentarily taken aback upon seeing the residence, but soon forced a wry smile. Given his current status, such a mansion was indeed necessary. After settling Diao Chan, Cai Yan, and Liu Xin comfortably, he immediately issued orders to convene a meeting, summoning all the important officials currently stationed in Jixian.

In the council hall, Liu Yao sat at the head of the table. To his left were Cai Yong, Ju Shou, Tian Feng, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, Jia Xu, Chen Lin, Gu Yong, and the two officers Mo Tian and Ma Jun.

To his right were Zhao Yun, Zhang Fei, Tai Shi Ci, Gao Shun, Zhang He, Cang Ba, Hua Tuo, and Ou Feng. As for Ma Chao and Ma Dai, they were still mere children and not yet qualified to attend such meetings.

Liu Yao glanced around and noticed several missing faces. He asked, “Ju Shou, where are Han Sheng, Zhou Cang, Pei Yuanshao, Zitai (Tian Chou), Zhongde (Cheng Yu), and Yuanbo (Gao Lan)? Why are they not here?”

“Your Majesty,” Ju Shou reported, “Zitai received the imperial appointment you sent and left for Liaodong half a month ago. Yuanbo went to assist him, for there are still the Wuhuan tribes in Liaodong, and it requires a capable general to manage the region.”

Liu Yao suddenly recalled that he had recently sent the official documents by courier. Naturally, Tian Chou had gone to Liaodong. Although Gao Lan was not skilled in battlefield tactics, his martial abilities were unquestionable. Having the two of them stationed there formed a strong combination.

“As for Han Sheng, although we defeated the Wuhuan, the Xianbei still remain. Last autumn, the Xianbei raided our Youzhou Shanggu borders. I dispatched Ziyi and Zhongde with fifty thousand troops to counterattack, dealing the Xianbei a crushing defeat. Now Han Sheng has replaced Ziyi and, along with Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao, guards the region. Zhongde continues to assist Han Sheng there,” Ju Shou explained calmly.

“The Xianbei!” Liu Yao frowned at the name and asked, “Ju Shou, what is the current situation with the Xianbei?”

“Your Majesty, over the years, under the leadership of the Xianbei king Tanshihuai, they have grown increasingly powerful, having mostly occupied the former lands of the Xiongnu. Their population numbers two to three million, making them the strongest among the various nomadic tribes. However, four years ago, Tanshihuai passed away after a long illness. His son, Helian, succeeded him, but Helian is far inferior to his father in every way. With Han Sheng guarding Shanggu, the Xianbei will never dare set foot in Youzhou.”

The mention of Tanshihuai stirred Liu Yao’s thoughts. Tanshihuai was indeed a remarkable figure. In his youth, brave and wise, he was chosen as the tribal leader. He established his royal court in Gaoliu and Beitan Han Mountain, raiding towns along the southern border, resisting the Dingling to the north, repelling the Fuyu to the east, and advancing against the Wusun to the west, fully reclaiming the Xiongnu’s former territories. His domain spanned over fourteen thousand li east to west and seven thousand li north to south.

Such achievements illustrated his exceptional capabilities. Fortunately, he had died of illness; had he lived, the Xianbei would have been a truly formidable obstacle.

The Xianbei had never been a unified people. Under Tanshihuai’s leadership, they were temporarily consolidated, but upon his death, Helian’s ascension led to fragmentation. Helian was poor in martial skill, intellect, and, most critically, spirit. Thus, under his rule, the Xianbei became insignificant and no longer a threat.

Turning his attention away from the Xianbei, Liu Yao asked Ju Shou, “Ju Shou, how has Youzhou developed over the past year?”

“Your Majesty, I have followed your directives to continuously recruit displaced people. Youzhou’s population has now reached seven million,” Ju Shou reported.

“So many!” Liu Yao exclaimed in surprise. He had expected four or five million would be excellent, but this exceeded his expectations. Frowning with concern, he asked, “Ju Shou, does Youzhou have enough grain to feed all these people? And where will they all live?”

“Your Majesty, there is no need to worry. Last year, Youzhou enjoyed favorable weather and timely rains. Thanks to your initiative to cultivate vast tracts of wasteland and distribute them to the people, as well as your invention of water wheels and other farming tools that have been widely manufactured and distributed throughout Youzhou, this year’s grain production alone reached ten million dan. Additionally, I have been purchasing grain continuously from major producing regions like Xuzhou and Yizhou. Even with seven million people, or even ten million, the supply is sufficient. Our grain reserves can sustain Youzhou for three years,” Ju Shou said with a smile.

“As for housing, I followed your previous suggestion and selected four open plots of land around Jixian. The displaced people have been assigned to build new walled towns there. Their wages are paid daily in grain. This arrangement not only solves the housing problem for the displaced but also adds four fortified towns around Jixian, effectively encircling it for protection.”

Liu Yao was struck by this. Ten million dan of grain was an immense quantity. The entire Han Empire produced only about thirty million dan per year. This meant Youzhou’s production alone accounted for one-third of the empire’s total, despite its population being only about one-sixth of the Han.

Regarding the four towns, Liu Yao recalled he had casually mentioned the idea of satellite towns in conversation with Ju Shou, but had since forgotten. Remarkably, Ju Shou had taken the suggestion to heart and acted upon it.

Cai Yong, Guo Jia, and Jia Xu—newcomers to Youzhou—were also stunned upon hearing the figure of ten million dan. They looked at Liu Yao with growing admiration. If Liu Yao truly restored the Han Empire someday, such grain production would ensure no one would ever starve again. If such yields were possible in the barren lands of Youzhou, the fertile Central Plains would surely be even more bountiful.

Liu Yao then asked with some concern, “Ju Shou, is it not risky to have the displaced people build these towns? What if they cause unrest?”

“Your Majesty need not worry,” Ju Shou assured him. “First, we provide the people with daily grain rations not only sufficient for their needs but with surplus as well. For people who have long suffered hunger, this is a tremendous benefit. Moreover, we have clearly stated that these towns will be their future homes. With a stable place to settle, the displaced will be motivated to work diligently and avoid trouble.”