The strongest devouring system in the Three Kingdoms

This idea is excellent, but also very threatening. After all, the autonomous region only has more than 20,000 cavalrymen, and cannot afford to lose them, especially the reserve cavalrymen. Chen Er and Xi Zhicai did not intend to let them enter the main battlefield, but to let them be responsible for protecting the grain and supplies. Chen Er really relied on the elite cavalry under Zhao Yun's command, as well as the barbarian cavalrymen he had hired.

Speaking of these barbarian cavalry, Xi Zhicai couldn't help but admire his lord's unique vision. Indeed, after bringing these barbarian families to Yuyang and providing them with a better life, coupled with the considerable wages he could earn, the loyalty of these barbarian mercenary cavalry to Chen Er skyrocketed. Chen Er did not mistreat these mercenary cavalry; their families were allocated land in Yuyang. If they really didn't want to farm, they could be allocated pastureland to use their skills in herding.

Although life is still a bit tough, it's much better than before. More importantly, the hardships we endure now are filled with hope. Once the hardship is over, there will truly be sweetness to come.

"Yelü Qi, how many cows do you have now?" Chen Er casually asked a mercenary cavalryman he had deliberately gotten to know. Hearing the leader of the autonomous region ask such a question, Yelü Qi was very nervous, but he quickly calmed down. Once he started talking about his family's situation, Yelü Qi immediately rattled off a long string of words: "My lord, my family currently raises three cows and a dozen sheep. With the care of my two children and my wife, the cows and sheep are growing well. I also rent out the cows to help families who don't have oxen for plowing. This way, I can not only earn a little money, but also save on fodder for a few days. My family isn't exactly rich, but we're comfortably well-off."

Upon hearing Yelü Qi's words, Chen Er, who had only asked casually, immediately became interested. There were even cattle for rent? It seemed that Chen Er's capitalist ideas had some influence after they spread. At least there must be more than one person like Yelü Qi. Many of them were influenced by the vehicle rental merchants in the city to do what they did. Some of the capitalist economic ideas in the city were due to Westerners, and some were due to Chen Er deliberately having these messages spread to stimulate the economic development of the territory.

The world is not lacking in intelligent people; what it lacks is the decisive blow to break free from constraints. In the current autonomous region, especially in the Youzhou area, it can be said that the initial seeds of capitalism have already sprouted. Hiring laborers to earn money for their own handicraft factories has become a new choice for many nobles of Yuyang.

Of course, centralized management of agriculture is still somewhat difficult, after all, agricultural production is really not easy in this era of low productivity.

“That’s pretty good!” Chen Er said to Yelü Qi. Then he asked several other mercenary cavalrymen who were resting. They asked the same question and shared similar experiences, which immediately led them to tell Chen Er about the changes in their homes.

After visiting the barbarian cavalry, Chen Er entered the Youzhou cavalry camp. Along the way, he greeted all the soldiers, welcoming whoever he wanted. Chen Er disliked these formalities and said to everyone, "I am here to visit you all and to see the soldiers who fell behind during the march."

"Brothers, after we completely defeat the Turks, I will provide each of you with a wife. What do you say?" Chen Er said to the soldiers, who were still unmarried. Although they had captured quite a few barbarian women in the previous battles, the sheer number was still insufficient for all the soldiers to enjoy a comfortable life together.

"Long live our lord!" Upon hearing Chen Er's words, all the soldiers stood up and shouted Chen Er's name loudly.

Of course, Chen Er also established a rule that those who already have wives in their families cannot take another wife for the time being. This is an honor, but also a crisis. However, for soldiers who have been fighting for many years, getting married and having children is just to continue the bloodline of their families.

The soldiers in the distance heard the cheers coming from the cavalry camp. They knew without a doubt that their lord was boosting the army's morale. But why was their lord there instead of coming to them? However, ten minutes later, when news from the cavalry camp arrived, the entire camp erupted in a frenzy, like a pot of boiling water. Having been single for years, now finally having a chance to find love—how could they not be excited?

Most importantly, Chen Er increased the distribution of spoils this time. For this second campaign, Chen Er decided to give 80% of all spoils to the soldiers who participated in the battle, according to their merits and contributions on the battlefield. Of the remaining 20%, 10% went to Chen Er, and 10% was given to the fallen soldiers as an extra subsidy. No generals objected to this, and no soldiers complained. After all, Chen Er was the lord, and it was not unreasonable for him to enjoy 10% alone. The families of the fallen brothers would also receive 10%, which was compensation beyond the pensions. This was enough to prove the extremely high welfare of the autonomous region's army. He had taken care of the soldiers' affairs after their deaths, allowing them to go to the battlefield without any worries.

On a day in July 2188, the Northern Expeditionary Army of the Autonomous Region arrived at Baideng Trade City. Although Chen Er had already begun his campaign, Baideng Trade City had never been closed. Looking at the trade city in front of him, Chen Er nodded. It had been a long time since he last came to the trade city, and the city walls had changed quite a bit. As one of the main people in charge of the trade city, Zhao Yun stepped forward to introduce everything about the trade city to everyone.

With the main army stationed outside the city, Chen Er, Xi Zhicai, and others followed Zhao Yun into the trading city. Entering through the south gate, they walked all the way to the government office in the city center. It was clear that Tian Feng and his men had put a lot of effort into the city's construction; the entire city was very well planned, designed entirely according to the dual functions of commerce and military defense. After touring the entire city, Chen Er seemed to have some new thoughts about his future capital. However, the most important issue now was still resolving the problems on the grasslands, and Chen Er was clear about this priority.

"Zilong, the army will rest in the trading city for a day, and will set off north at sunrise the day after tomorrow!" After visiting the city, Chen Er said to Zhao Yun, "We are about to enter the grasslands. Although our army is still strong, the grasslands are, after all, the domain of nomadic peoples. It is better to be careful. Let the soldiers rest and relax for a day. After entering the grasslands, we don't know when we will be able to return home."