Three Kingdoms: Ten Times Speed, Diao Chan Says I'm Too Fast

There is no residence for Zao Zhi.

Guided by Zao Zhi, Duan Yu arrived at the main hall.

At this time, Zao Zhi's wife, Lady Chu, was still tidying up the house with her maids and clearing away the unfinished dinner.

The two children, who hadn't eaten enough, stood in a corner of the hall, their eyes lingering on the food being served.

“My lord, this…” Zao Zhi said somewhat embarrassedly, “My home is small and I haven’t had time to tidy it up yet.”

Duan Yu glanced around the hall.

Zao Zhi's wife, Lady Chu, immediately stepped forward.

He straightened up and introduced his wife, saying, "My lord, this is my humble wife."

After saying that, he winked at his wife.

Although Zao Zhi's wife was not from a wealthy or noble family, she was from the Chu family of Yangdi, a prominent and well-known household.

Therefore, etiquette and manners are naturally not lacking.

She looked like a girl from a modest family, dressed simply, and stepped forward to bow.

"Take the children and tidy up this place, then you can go downstairs," Zao Zhi said to his wife.

Duan Yu glanced at the unfinished food and the two children's unhappy expressions, then smiled and said, "To be honest, Daoyan, I haven't eaten either."

Zao Zhi was taken aback.

Zao Zhi's wife reacted faster, saying, "General, please wait a moment. I will go to the kitchen to prepare some new food."

Duan Yu smiled and waved his hand, saying, "No need to trouble Madam. Just eat whatever you have. I'm not picky."

"This..." Madam Chu hesitated for a moment.

“My lord… this is rather impolite,” Zao Zhi said.

"Daoyan, you're too kind. As I said, there's no former general or governor of Liangzhou here today, so just treat me as your friend."

Duan Yu turned around and glanced at Tie Shitou behind him, saying, "Shitou, go and bring in everything we prepared before we came."

Zao Zhi invited Duan Yu to sit in the main seat.

Duan Yu did not ask Zao Zhi's wife and children to leave, but instead had them sit together in the hall.

It was just like a regular family dinner.

A moment later, Tie Shitou brought in several of Duan Yu's personal guards and the gifts that had been prepared earlier.

"Don't mind me, Daoyan. I inquired about your family situation before I came."

As Duan Yu spoke, he took out the gifts he had prepared in advance one by one.

There were jewelry, jade ornaments, silks, and satins prepared for Zao Zhi's wife.

There were also some personal accessories and fabrics prepared for the two children.

Watching Duan Yu personally take out the gifts one by one.

Then he handed it over to his wife and children. Standing to the side, Zao Zhi couldn't really say he didn't dare to move.

Given Duan Yu's status and current position, why would he invite a mere county official like Duan Yu?

Even if it were an act, it couldn't be faked to this extent.

After distributing the gifts, Duan Yu sat down again.

The food was nothing special, just the usual dinner.

After receiving the gifts, Zao Zhi's two children and wife were no longer as reserved as before.

During the meal, Duan Yu talked about family matters from his time in Jinyang.

After the meal, Zaozhi's wife took the two children to the inner quarters.

Only Zao Zhi and Duan Yu remained in the hall.

"My lord, I gave a brief overview of the important matter of military farms today in the county government."

"I have not yet explained the key point of this matter."

After putting down her chopsticks, Zao Zhi looked up at Duan Yu.

Duan Yu treated him as a national hero, and he would certainly repay him as a national hero.

Since I am going to repay this kindness, I must first learn some skills.

Duan Yu put down his chopsticks and bowl and listened attentively: "Dao Yan, please tell me."

Zao Zhi nodded and said, "My lord, I have never been to Liangzhou and am not familiar with the situation there."

"But I believe that the first problem with land reclamation, whether it is military reclamation or civilian reclamation as I have mentioned before, is land conversion."

"Although Liangzhou is sparsely populated, apart from the cold areas, there is not much land left that can be cultivated."

"Even if there is land, it is likely to be barren land. If Your Majesty wishes to cultivate land for military purposes, the first thing you need is land."

Duan Yu nodded.

That's right.

Although Liangzhou is a vast area, it is mostly mountainous and sandy, and there is not much good land that can be cultivated.

Moreover, these lands were generally in the hands of powerful clans and gentry.

The key is how to reclaim these lands from the hands of powerful clans and gentry.

If things go wrong, they may face the consequences of their subordinates falling apart and even losing morale.

“Your Excellency should understand what I mean,” Zao Zhi said.

Duan Yu nodded and said, "I understand what Dao Yan means."

"However, Daoyan need not worry about these issues for the time being. At least within the three prefectures of Hanyang, Jincheng, and Longxi, Daoyan can do as he pleases."

Jincheng County was completely destroyed last year and is now facing a reshuffle.

The powerful clans and gentry of Hanyang Commandery had already submitted to him, or had completely sided with him.

There aren't any major problems in Longxi either.

As for the remaining counties, we can only proceed step by step.

"To be honest, Daoyan, after I fought against the Western Qiang in Liangzhou last year, I have already started to promote mulberry planting and silkworm breeding in the Western Qiang. However, I cannot explain these things to you in a short time."

"Once Daoyan arrives in Liangzhou, he will naturally understand the situation there."

"When does Daoyan plan to depart? I will send someone to escort Daoyan to Liangzhou."

"Or should Daoyan wait until I return to Liangzhou before we go back together?"

Zao Zhi shook his head and said, "It will probably take you a year or two to suppress the rebellion, my lord."

"This time cannot be wasted. I have received your kindness, my lord, and I should do my best to repay it."

"I will tidy up my home in the next two days and then head to Liangzhou first."

Upon hearing Zao Zhi's words, Duan Yu smiled happily.

"Good, good, I knew I hadn't misjudged Dao Yan."

As he spoke, Duan Yu summoned Tie Shitou.

Tie Shitou, who had been guarding outside the hall, went inside.

"Shi Tou, tomorrow you will stay here with two hundred personal guards. Once Dao Yan has finished preparing, escort him to Hanyang."

"Remember, you must escort Daoyan's entire family safely to Hanyang. If anything goes wrong on the way, I will ask for your help."

"only!"

Tie Shitou nodded seriously with a solemn expression.

With the recruitment of Zao Zhi, the problem of land reclamation in Liangzhou was basically solved.

Duan Yu was no longer worried about the strategy of relocating millions of people to Liang.

With food and land, the migration of people to Liang could be completed smoothly.

This is one of the biggest decisions and directions for Liangzhou's future.

After bidding farewell to Zao Zhi's residence, Duan Yu left the city and returned to his military camp.

.............

The next morning, Duan Yu mustered his troops and headed straight for Yingyin.

Zhu Jun and Huangfu Song also set off with Duan Yu.

Bo Cai had already been destroyed, but Yingyin was suddenly captured by the Yellow Turban rebels.

This kind of thing is inherently illogical.

Therefore, Zhu Jun and Huangfu Song both planned to go to Yingyin to take a look.

And there is another important reason for this.

The eunuch Zuo Feng has already said that Zhang Rang's hometown is in Yingyin. If they don't go, Zhang Rang might say something to the emperor.

So whether it's just a formality or for some other reason, the two of them have to make the trip.