The Movements of the Various Parties (Part One) [Please Vote for the Monthly Ticket]

Although Shen Tang was eager to see Shen Zhi, Shen Zhi was still in Ruyao, and the journey there and back would take some time. Sharpening the axe won't delay the work of chopping wood. Aside from a few essential tasks, Shen Tang reassigned her surplus manpower to reclaiming wasteland, readying it for use.

"Gongyi, there's one more thing I need you to—"

Luan Xin replied respectfully, "Please speak, my lord."

"The wasteland within Longwu Commandery was all reclaimed over the past two years. Commoners in the commandery can lease farmland from the Prefectural Government according to the number of people in their household..." Shen Tang mentally rehearsed her words, trying to express her meaning tactfully.

Luan Xin gazed at her warmly, waiting for her to continue.

"...Because we've continued taking in refugees, there's very little farmland left to cultivate within our territory. And cotton is crucial to the people of the three commanderies being able to keep warm through the coming winter. It's urgent and cannot be delayed." Shen Tang rose and pointed to the map screen behind the council hall. "But Sibao Prefecture is sparsely populated, and much of its farmland lies fallow. If we're to plant cotton on a large scale, this will naturally be our first choice."

Luan Xin asked, "What do you have in mind, my lord?"

After all that preamble, Shen Tang could finally get to the point. "To plant cotton on a large scale, we'll need high-quality seeds. Right now, only you and Lingde are capable of producing them. Lingde will be staying in Sibao Prefecture for the foreseeable future, but she can't bring the staff from her government offices over. So she'll need you and your clerks to assist her and make things easier."

She would also need to follow Lin Feng's