Famine and exile: I brought the Spirit Spring to save the entire Marquis's mansion.

The Huo family army continued to grow, soon reaching 30 men. Meanwhile, wealthy families and merchants from all walks of life were quietly transporting supplies, hoping to gain wealth and glory.

The former Yangguan General's Mansion was renamed Dingxi Prince's Mansion, and Yangguan became the military command headquarters.

In mid-March, officials from ten cities in Northwest China gathered at Yangguan to receive spring planting seeds.

Sang Ning and Huo Chang'an moved all the food out of the space ahead of time.

The grains were so large and plump that they were unprecedented, and the governors of the ten cities were moved to tears.

"With seeds like these, how can we not grow good grains? The biggest problems in Northwest China are water and food shortages and severe cold."

Coal was distributed before the New Year, and this winter, no one died from the cold. Now we have so many top-quality grains—something we never dared to dream of before!

In the past, who would have imagined that the coal used by the wealthy would one day be available to the poor?

The Northwest cannot produce high-quality grain, and every year they have to buy grain seeds from outside. However, due to insufficient funds, how much can they buy? Most of the time, they still use inferior grain seeds.

This has led to the Northwest becoming impoverished year after year, turning it into a bitterly cold place in the eyes of people from the inland areas.

"I hope this year will bring favorable weather and a good harvest, so that such good seeds won't go to waste!"

Good weather and abundant harvests depend on the will of Heaven.

It's time to draw out the spiritual spring water.

Sang Ning thought.

After three years of drought, the people urgently need to store up grain and cannot rely solely on relief.

Huo Chang'an was busy reorganizing the army and mining iron and salt mines.

The task of developing agriculture fell to Sang Ning.

She began to travel to various cities, adding the spring water to the waterwheels she used to irrigate the land.

What the people saw was the image of a matriarch who tilled the fields with them, and they were deeply moved.

The Prince of Dingxi was popular among the soldiers.

Princess Dingxi is popular among the people.

With the couple working together, the cities in Northwest China gradually got back on track.

However, Sang Ning discovered a terrible problem: her spiritual spring water was not regenerating and was gradually decreasing!

The spring pool wasn't very big to begin with, only slightly larger than the old Moon Spring. After being used for some time, it has shrunk by half!

She couldn't bear to draw water to irrigate the fields anymore; she wanted to save the rest for drinking!

This year's harvest should be secure, but in the future, we'll still have to rely on the weather.

That's just the climate in the Northwest, there's nothing you can do about it.

Unless we divert water from the South to the North and build the Grand Canal! But that's definitely not realistic right now.

Fortunately, as long as there is no more drought, the multiple diversions of the Shatu River will be sufficient.

It would be best to find drought-resistant and infertile-soil-tolerant crops.

Cotton seeds have been distributed and planting has begun in various places. She also planted pomegranate and cantaloupe seeds that Bai Yi and Xu Wude brought back into her space.

If only we could find some millet and sweet potatoes.

Bai Yi came to find Sang Ning.

He went to Talas and his skin became rougher, but he didn't look any older. This was because he was full of energy and his whole personality changed.

It's not as serious and rigid as before.

In his words, he used to be like a frog in a well, only after going out did he realize how big the world is and how wonderful it is outside.

He seemed to have unlocked his inner energy, radiating vitality from head to toe.

"Your Highness, are the crops listed on that piece of paper you gave me really suitable for planting in our Northwest?"

Sang Ning scratched his head.

The common people call her Princess, and she doesn't seem to mind. But why does it feel so awkward when Bai Yi calls her that?

They're just too familiar with each other!

"Stop calling me Princess, shall we?"

“That won’t do. Rules are rules. You have to adapt. In the future, we may have to use different titles.” Bai Yi said meaningfully.

Sang Ning stopped worrying about it.

"Yes, those crops have high yields, strong adaptability, and are drought-resistant and alkali-tolerant, especially sweet potatoes, which are perennial plants. If they are introduced to Dongyang, they will definitely solve the national food shortage problem."

"Then I am willing to travel to foreign lands again and bring back these crops!"

"You've become addicted to going out? This isn't something you can return in a few months. It's farther than Talas, not only a journey of 108,000 miles, but also crossing oceans. It might take several years!"

Oh, there's also the possibility of dying out there and never coming back!

"I am not afraid!" Bai Yi said firmly.

"Bai Yi, think it through. If you stay here, you can be granted a title for your meritorious service in driving out the Liao. Even if you do nothing for the rest of your life, you can live a peaceful life."

They're all friends, and Sang Ning didn't want him to go.

Going to Talas and coming back is already a huge risk.

Not every time is this lucky.

If she remembered correctly, sweet potatoes originated in South America and were introduced from the Philippines. At that time, information was scarce and trade routes had not yet been opened. The dangers and difficulties of going to a country she had never known before can be imagined.

"Bai Yi, listen to me, we'll talk about this later."

“Your Highness, I have done nothing of merit. It was merely an act of atonement.”

Yes, atonement.

His negligence led to the massacre of so many people; he could never repay such a debt.

"Bai Yi..."

“Your Highness, my mind is made up. Please make the arrangements. In the rest of my life, I only wish to do what I can for the people of Dongyang.”

Seeing Sang Ning's admiring yet hesitant expression, Bai Yi smiled.

"Your Highness, there's no need for that. Actually, I really enjoy seeing the local customs and culture; it makes my heart feel free."

Why not do something that makes you happy and serves the people at the same time?

Furthermore, I found some books from Yue Buyuan and learned that some people had already walked that road, so they weren't completely ignorant of it.

Once we reach the border of Dongyang, I believe the local people will know more. I will make thorough preparations before setting off, so don't worry!

What else could Sang Ning say?

"If you leave, who will be the governor of Liangzhou?"

"More and more talented people are coming to join us. Anyone can be a prefect, but such a significant and difficult mission as sending someone to a foreign land must be done by a capable person."

"I think I'm a good fit." Bai Yi feigned narcissism.

Sang Ning smiled too.

"Alright! Who are you taking? I bet Xu Wude never wants to go out again, right?"

"Wrong. When he came back, he said he would never go out again, but now he says he'll go as long as he's not killed!"

And then there's Lu Minghao. You don't know, everyone hates that Talas woman he brought back. They say she's from the Western Liao, and Lu Minghao's tired of explaining. He's actually thinking of taking her on another trip!"

Sang Ning seemed to understand.

They've got a travel addiction! Although the journey was arduous, the fun was also there.

Adventure, novelty, excitement, and liberation of one's true nature.

Once a person has experienced this feeling, they can no longer stay at ease!

She even wanted to go with them!

What was Southeast Asia like at that time?

Sang Ning was in the middle of a fantasy when reality shattered it.

Li Yuzhi came to find her.

"Ning'er, Fourth Brother has sent people to urge us several times. Shall we go back?"

"The wedding dress and phoenix coronet are all ready," she whispered in Sang Ning's ear.

“He said if you don’t come back soon, he’ll come to pick you up in person.”