CHAPTER 449: CHAPTER 449: PREPARING FOR RAIN (PART 1)

Jiang Shaohua patrolled Li County for several days, and on the day of departure, received the latest news from the Capital City sent by Chief Historian Chen.

General Fan led the troops to Si State, accompanied by the imperial envoy who read the decree. The envoy turned out to be the Young Master of Duke An’s Mansion, the Emperor’s close confidant, Zheng Chen.

Jiang Shaohua looked at Zheng Chen’s name, sneered, and a chill flashed through her eyes.

Indeed, this matter was pushed by Zheng Chen from behind.

Paths diverged, and they no longer conspired together.

Their feelings towards each other had been settled in a previous life. In this life, they would not journey together. Since the last farewell, they had stood completely on opposing sides.

She was curious to see what kind of storm Zheng Chen would stir up.

"Commandery Princess, where is our next destination?"

Jiang Shaohua came to her senses and said indifferently, "To Biyang County."

The trusted aides responded loudly in agreement, and together they escorted the Commandery Princess on horseback forward.

Nowadays, every county uses eagles to send messages, and shortly after Jiang Shaohua’s party set off, the message had already been transmitted to Biyang County.

The seventy-year-old County Magistrate Ma immediately ordered the county government to prepare. The Commandery Princess’s first stay in Biyang County was at the Ma Family’s large residence. From the second year onwards, she stayed at the back courtyard of the county government.

Two days later, County Magistrate Ma led the county government officials to the city gate to welcome the Commandery Princess.

Patrolling had long become a routine for the Commandery Princess, and people had gradually become accustomed to it, moving from initial trepidation to familiarity. After some pleasantries, they escorted the Commandery Princess into the city, as if she were the moon surrounded by stars.

Jiang Shaohua, having been on the road for two days, remained energetic. Once she entered the county government, she went alone with County Magistrate Ma to talk in the study.

Both Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaosong were left outside the door.

The Commandery Princess stayed in the room for a long time, and Ma Yaosong was a bit curious, whispering, "What are the Commandery Princess and County Magistrate Ma talking about? Why has it taken so long?"

Chen Jinyu speculated softly, "Recently, the Commandery Princess has been quite upset about the court summoning the Left General to question him, and her mood hasn’t been good. I suppose she’s discussing expanding the horse breeding operation with County Magistrate Ma!"

It should be so. Ma Yaosong thought to himself, his gaze resting on Chen Jinyu’s elegant face, without moving away.

Chen Jinyu’s face seemed to have a layer of light rouge, casting a glance at Ma Yaosong.

Ma Yaosong felt as if he had drunk honey, silently shifting his gaze.

...

The atmosphere in the study was far more serious than Chen Sheren and Ma Sheren imagined.

County Magistrate Ma had lived over seventy years, in the Da Liang Dynasty where the average life expectancy barely reached forty. He was a rare and long-lived elder.

At such an age, he should be raising children and grandchildren, enjoying family happiness. Yet, County Magistrate Ma remained vigorous, frequently busy between the horse breeding farm and county government. He boasted of having lived for long years, claiming no matter could move him anymore.

Yet today, with a few words from the Commandery Princess, he found his heart racing and his expression suddenly changed.

"County Magistrate Ma, I need you to focus on horse breeding from today, and produce at least three thousand horses annually."

Three thousand horses?

The Biyang Racecourse used to produce five hundred horses a year, already being one of Da Liang’s top racecourses. In recent years, the farm had been secretly expanding its scale, generating more steeds each year; last year it produced fifteen hundred.

A fine warhorse could last five to eight years. Everyone in the Personal Guard Camp had a horse, and the elite had two each. The Nanyang Army also had plenty of warhorses, which was credited to County Magistrate Ma.

Thus, County Magistrate Ma was naturally valued and elevated by the Commandery Princess. Ma Yaosong also gained the favor of the Commandery Princess and is now discussing marriage with the Chen Family.

Nanyang County was prosperous and powerful, unique within the Da Liang State.

Now, the Commandery Princess wanted even more warhorses... three thousand in a year! What was she planning?!

County Magistrate Ma was not a hot-blooded fool; on the contrary, having lived for many years, he became more cautious and timid.

His expression changed multiple times, he bit his lip and asked softly, "Why does the Commandery Princess need so many horses?"

Jiang Shaohua looked at the wrinkle-faced County Magistrate Ma and said slowly, "Rouran invaded Da Liang, massacred Peng City. The court now plans to summon the Left General back to question him and has sent General Fan to take over the border army."

"I believe that trouble is coming, and perhaps within a few years, war will reignite in the North."

"Under such circumstances, how could there be unscathed eggs when the nest is overturned? County Magistrate Ma certainly understands, so I needn’t elaborate further. Nanyang County is in the North and must prepare for any contingencies."

No matter when, a strong military force is always the guarantee to respond to anything. Therefore, the Commandery Princess would continue to expand the military forces, fully prepare weapons, warhorses, and provisions.

Perhaps... the Commandery Princess had even greater ambitions.

County Magistrate Ma secretly felt alarmed, and said, "The Commandery Princess is right, I will do my best."

"Three thousand horses." Jiang Shaohua’s words were concise and forceful: "Doing your best is not enough, I require three thousand warhorses each year."

"If the racecourse is insufficient, continue to expand. If forage is lacking, we can use silver to buy it. If manpower for horse breeding is insufficient, think of ways to buy more Ma Nu back."

"In any case, by next year, there must be three thousand warhorses."

These few words were like a massive Dashan, heavily pressed on County Magistrate Ma’s heart.

The Commandery Princess had always disliked brokerage businesses, but now to breed horses, she directly permitted the Ma Family to go outside the border to buy Ma Nu. This demonstrated the Commandery Princess’s firm determination.

He dared not and could not probe deeper, responding softly.

When speaking with intelligent people, there’s no need to articulate too thoroughly. With County Magistrate Ma’s wisdom, he could naturally think it through slowly.

Just like County Magistrate Chen, who upon receiving her order, increased the excavation of iron ore without a word to ensure the task was completed.

As for food provisions, for Nanyang County now, it was comparatively easy. Not only was new grain production high, but common grains such as wheat, millet, and beans saw significant yield improvement after years of cultivation and improvement by Cui Du.

The grains grown annually in Nanyang County were enough to feed all the county’s people. All the Taiping Grain Warehouses were filled. There was also extra capacity to satisfy court requisitioning, occasionally sending some to Pingzhou.

Nanyang County’s high-yield grain varieties were sought after and purchased by many large noble families, and ordinary people also rushed to Tang’s Grain Shop to buy grain seeds.

These accomplishments must be credited to Cui Du.

And then there’s the Personal Guard and Nanyang Army, so many soldiers loyal to her...

Thinking of this, Jiang Shaohua’s gaze subtly relaxed, and her face finally bore a faint smile: "By the way, County Magistrate Ma has proposed marriage to the Chen Family multiple times, has the Chen Family agreed to the marriage?"

Speaking of his grandson’s marriage, County Magistrate Ma squinted his old eyes, chuckled and said, "Chief Historian Chen has already relented, County Magistrate Chen also agreed. In a few days, I will visit to finalize the betrothal."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "This marriage is also something I’m happy to see happen."

"However, there’s one thing I must make clear with County Magistrate Ma. Once the marriage is settled, Ma Sheren will not stay by my side to serve."

"The position of Prince Mansion’s Chief Steward has been vacant. I intend to let Ma Sheren fill this position, and will work in the Prince Mansion from now on. What does County Magistrate Ma think?"