CHAPTER 144: CHAPTER 144: THE HORSE RANCH (PART 1)

The next day, Jiang Shaohua led the ministers to Biyang Racecourse.

The cultivated fields in Biyang County occupy less than half of the area, with large tracts of land fenced off to create the racecourse. Over the past twenty years, the racecourse has been gradually established. As soon as you enter, you see an endless expanse of pastureland, teeming with fine horses of various breeds and sizes. Dozens of Ma Nu tend to the foals nearby.

Such a grand scene is truly awe-inspiring.

All the trusted aides could hardly contain their excitement.

Even Song Yuan, typically reserved, couldn’t help but smile and say, "At first glance, it felt like we were on the Outer Grassland."

Dashan was equally amazed: "The last time I came was five years ago when I accompanied the Prince on a tour of the racecourse. In the few years since, the number of magnificent horses has grown significantly."

As for Chen Jinyu, his eyes were dazzled and could hardly take in everything.

Jiang Shaohua chuckled lightly: "The scale and grandeur of the racecourse owe much to County Magistrate Ma."

With this remark, Steward Ma straightened his back proudly.

It was indeed true that the Ma Family amassed wealth in secret. However, they never faltered in running the racecourse and raising horses. It takes about three to five years for a horse to mature from birth. Every year, Biyang Racecourse produces around five hundred high-quality warhorses for the military, a number the Ma Family takes great pride in.

Jiang Shaohua turned with a smile and asked, "Steward Ma, how many horses are there in the racecourse now?"

Ma Yaosong was well-prepared, responding unhurriedly: "Every year about eight to nine hundred foals are born in the racecourse. After four to five years of rearing, they become functional. Smaller or weaker horses are sold elsewhere, while the strong and vigorous are sent to the Prince Mansion. Though exact numbers are hard to determine, the rough figure is around four thousand horses."

Of course, the real number is somewhat higher.

However, Jiang Shaohua understood the principle of ’too clear water has no fish.’ As long as the Ma Family could produce five hundred excellent warhorses yearly, that was considered a great achievement. The rest were mere details.

"I plan to expand the Personal Guard Camp," Jiang Shaohua said with a smile. "From this year onward, the scale of horse breeding needs to be increased."

Ma Yaosong appeared slightly troubled and whispered, "To be honest with you, Commandery Princess, raising more horses requires more pasture and fodder. With the current size of the racecourse, maintaining four thousand horses is already the limit. To breed more, we would first need to expand the racecourse. The people of Biyang already have half the arable land compared to other counties. If we seize more farmland, the people might protest in outrage."

Jiang Shaohua had already considered this and said calmly, "The land tax in Biyang County is already half that of other counties. If we expand the racecourse in the future, we won’t collect land taxes. We will also subsidize some grain based on the population of each household. Regardless, we must ensure the people have clothes to wear and enough food to eat."

Ma Yaosong felt a tingling in his scalp.

Exempting land taxes and subsidizing grain. The two proposals casually made by the Commandery Princess were no small matters. In the end, the Ma Family might bear most of the cost...

However, his grandfather had instructed him to agree to whatever the Commandery Princess proposed first.

Ma Yaosong had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

"There’s no need to be nervous." Jiang Shaohua, seeing Steward Ma’s stiff expression, couldn’t help but laugh: "Such a major decision will not be made single-handedly by me. Once we return, I will call upon your grandfather for further discussions. We need to come up with a specific strategy and method. It won’t all fall on the Ma Family or the brokerage. Rest assured, Steward Ma."

Ma Yaosong was extremely embarrassed, forcing a laugh.

After all, he was just a fifteen-year-old youth, usually following his grandfather around to run errands and handle affairs, always treated with respect and admiration. He had never experienced such an awkward situation before.

Chen Jinyu found the scene quite amusing and casually handed over a clean handkerchief: "Steward Ma, you’re sweating profusely. Wipe it off!"

Ma Yaosong, his face reddening, thanked him, accepting the handkerchief but hesitating to use it, instead wiping his sweat with his sleeve and carefully tucking away the handkerchief embroidered with a few green bamboo leaves.

Chen Jinyu thought little of it, turning to Jiang Shaohua with a smile: "Commandery Princess, shall we go closer and take a look?"

Jiang Shaohua nodded pleasantly, leading the group forward, examining each horse carefully. A playful white foal trotted over; the foal only reached Jiang Shaohua’s waist, its large, moist eyes exceedingly adorable.

Jiang Shaohua smiled warmly, gently petting the foal.

A nearby Ma Nu quickly brought over a handful of fresh fodder. Chen Jinyu immediately stepped forward, taking the fodder and handing it to the Commandery Princess. Jiang Shaohua teased the foal with the fodder, occasionally letting out a light laugh.

Chen Zhuo observed this scene thoughtfully, reflecting that his granddaughter had finally come to understand things. His painstaking efforts at teaching her had not been in vain.

Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao, among other trusted aides, looked longingly at the magnificent horses. The two conferred briefly, then Qin Hu boldly stepped forward: "Commandery Princess, there are so many fine horses here, why not pick one to ride for a round?"

Jiang Shaohua cast Qin Hu a wry smile: "It’s you who can’t resist the sight of good horses, isn’t it?"

Qin Hu grinned broadly, rubbing his hands together: "Commandery Princess, you have great insight!"

Dashan smiled, scolding them playfully: "Was it Sanbao who put you up to this? You rascal! How dare you be so audacious before the Commandery Princess!"

"Uncle Meng, don’t be angry," Jiang Shaohua laughed, "As we’re at the racecourse, it’s only fitting to ride a horse for a round. I was already planning on it."

Dashan sighed helplessly: "Commandery Princess, you shouldn’t indulge them so much. I’ve been with you for some time, and I’ve noticed that while the other personal soldiers are well-behaved and composed, Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao are particularly bold and thick-skinned."

Jiang Shaohua chuckled: "That’s just fine with me."

Dashan wore a look of helplessness but was secretly delighted.

They were all trusted aides directly connected to the Nanyang Prince Mansion; Qin Hu was the eldest son of Qin Zhan, and Meng Sanbao, though having two older brothers who passed away, was effectively the eldest. The Commandery Princess’s special favor towards Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao was not only because of their loyalty and capability but also a gesture of goodwill to him and Qin Zhan.

Unlike Chief Historian Chen or County Magistrate Ma, they weren’t burdened by intricate thoughts and calculations. Having the Commandery Princess favor Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao was nothing but beneficial for them, something they greatly welcomed.

...

After spending half a day riding at the racecourse and having a simple lunch, Jiang Shaohua met with several stewards of the racecourse and inquired about the horse attendants’ living conditions. Then, she personally met them once.

There were over six hundred horse attendants; about two hundred were children, another hundred were teenagers, leaving roughly three hundred adults available for work.

These attendants included individuals from the Kuomoxi Clan, Qidan people, Rouran people, and Gao Che Clan people.

The horse attendants lived with their families and had two meals a day.

To prevent the Commandery Princess from misunderstanding, Ma Yaosong quickly explained in a low voice: "It’s their custom to have two meals a day. Each meal is provided liberally for them to eat to their fill, kids included."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly.

A commotion arose suddenly ahead.

Qin Hu hurried over to report: "Reporting to the Commandery Princess, there are several women from foreign clans kneeling to you."