Chapter 481

If we possess Jiaozhou and the Zhongnan Peninsula, then the grain issue will be completely resolved; we might even be able to sell grain abroad in the future.

Hmm! This is worth considering.

"Hmm!"

Su Xuan nodded, then looked at Su Yu and said, "I will send word to the Ordnance Department and the Ministry of Works later, instructing them to begin constructing seagoing vessels and naval warships; afterwards, we will upgrade and replace a portion of the Jiangxia naval fleet."

"Once the ships are built, you can handle the handover with them yourself!"

"I leave the matter of trade to you!"

"As for the campaign to conquer Jiaozhou and the Zhongnan Peninsula, leave that to the General Staff!"

Having said this, Su Xuan looked at Xun You and Guo Jia and continued, "In the coming period, Gongda and Fengxiao, you two should thoroughly discuss this with Zhicai, Yuanhao, and the others, and come up with a plan as soon as possible."

"At the same time, remember to consult with the military commanders as well to identify any gaps or omissions!"

"One thing to note is that Jiaozhou is different from Jingzhou; the climate and environment there are much harsher, and northern troops may not adapt well to the local climate and terrain."

"When you formulate the operational plan, remember to take these factors into account. When selecting troops, try to choose those recruited from the south, especially those skilled in mountain warfare."

Although, because of their martial arts cultivation, even troops recruited from the north should be able to adapt to the climate and terrain of Jiaozhou.

But surely, they are not as suitable as the southerners, are they?

Oh! You ask if all of Su Xuan's troops were recruited from Jingzhou?

That is not entirely the case!

The first few thousand troops were recruited from Nanyang, and afterwards, a large number of troops were captured from the Huang Jin.

Especially those elites who were formerly Huang Jinlishi; most of them were northerners!

"Understood!"

Hearing this, Xun You and Guo Jia immediately accepted the order: "My Lord, please rest assured; we will draft and perfect the operational plan as quickly as possible."

"Hmm!"

Su Xuan nodded with satisfaction.

As for the matter of opening up water and land routes to Jiaozhou?

That will only begin after Jiaozhou has been taken.

Of course, layout work can begin early within Jingzhou, such as building a concrete road from Changsha directly to Guiyang Commandery and Lingling Commandery.

This will facilitate further construction southward to connect with Jiaozhou.

After completing the ransom negotiations with Yuan Shu, Su Xuan did not remain in Yexian.

Leaving Guo Jia in charge of transporting the grain and wealth acquired, he took Xun You and the others and left Nanyang, heading straight for Nanjun.

After traveling for the better part of a day, they arrived at Xiangyang City.

Seeing that the city walls were more than half built, the Provincial Governor's Mansion was completely finished, and many official residences had also been constructed.

Su Xuan nodded with satisfaction: "Well done! Both the quality and the speed satisfy me!"

"Zhengfang! Zijing, Yuanzhi, Yuantan, you have all done very well!"

"I have already recorded your merits! You can check them at the Merit Pavilion later!"

"Thank you, my Lord!"

Li Yan and the others bowed to Su Xuan in delight.

Being recognized by Su Xuan meant their efforts over this period had not been in vain.

At this moment, Su Xuan continued: "I see that things here are already on the right track, so there is no need for all four of you great talents to remain here!"

"Zhengfang! You shall remain to lead the work here!"

"I will leave Yuantan as your deputy, and I have other arrangements for Zijing and Yuanzhi. Do you have any objections?"

Hearing this, Li Yan shook his head quickly: "Reporting to my Lord! No objections! Yuanzhi and the others are great talents, and the subordinates and junior officials under them have gained enough experience; there is indeed no need to waste so many top-tier talents here!"

"Even if you hadn't mentioned it, my Lord, I was prepared to suggest it myself!"

This was not just empty talk.

He knew all too well the bitterness of having talent go unrecognized.

Therefore, he greatly appreciated the talents of Xu Shu and the others and did not wish to hold them back.

"Hmm!"

Su Xuan nodded with satisfaction and looked at Xu Shu and Lu Su: "Zijing, Yuanzhi! We have now taken the entire Nanyang region!"

"Next, we need to carry out reforms in Nanyang across all aspects to bring it into alignment with the other commanderies of Jingzhou!"

"This requires a lot of manpower, and it is an excellent opportunity for you to gain experience and further understand our policies."

"Therefore, I intend to send you two to Nanyang to assist Xun You in completing the reforms there. Do you have any objections?"

Relying on Xun You alone to complete this task was clearly impossible.

As for Guo Jia, Su Xuan planned to recall him later to serve by his side.

This would make it convenient to discuss various issues with him at any time.

It was not that others were incapable, but everyone else had heavy burdens, and given Guo Jia's more free-spirited and unrestrained personality, Su Xuan felt he was better suited to serve as a strategist by his side.

"Understood! We will strictly follow the Lord's orders!"

Xu Shu and Lu Su were overjoyed and quickly bowed to accept.

This was a good thing!

It showed that the Lord held them in high esteem.

This was also an excellent opportunity for growth.

As long as they performed well, further promotion would be a certainty.

By comparison, the framework for affairs in Xiangyang had already been cleared and established.

From now on, it would just be a matter of following the established schedule.

Anyone who wasn't a mediocrity could handle such tasks, so it would naturally be a waste for them to continue staying here.

Besides, it was also quite boring.

"Haha! Good!"

Su Xuan smiled and nodded: "Then it is settled!"

As he spoke, Su Xuan looked at Li Yan: "Zhengfang! When do you estimate I can move to Xiangyang?"

"Hmm..."

Li Yan pondered for a moment and said: "It will take at least three more months to complete the construction of the main functional areas and the city walls."

"By then, it will be perfectly fine for you, my Lord, to move the Provincial Governor's Mansion here!"

"Most of the residential areas and some commercial districts can be finished slowly after you have moved in."

"Very good!"

Su Xuan was very satisfied: "Then I will wait another three months for your good news!"

"Alright! I won't stay here any longer this time! I am continuing on my way!"

With that, Su Xuan bid them farewell.

He left Xiangyang.

Naturally, Lu Su and Xu Shu had already been dispatched to Wancheng in Nanyang to meet with Xun You.

At the same time, Su Xuan arranged to send a message via carrier pigeon to Guo Jia.

Instructing him to return to Jiangling City once he finished transporting the money and grain.

Half a day later, Su Xuan and his party arrived in a hurry at the north side of Jiangling City.

From afar, Su Xuan saw Xun Cai leading Zhen Jiang and the others out of the city to welcome him.

"Haha! My dear wives! I have missed you so much!"

Seeing them, Su Xuan spurred his horse to reach them quickly, dismounted, and gave each of them a hug.

Blushing, Xun Cai and the others pouted: "Husband, this is not appropriate! There are so many people watching! Mind your image!"

"Haha! What is the problem with me hugging my own wives?"

Su Xuan chuckled and, taking Xun Cai's hand, said: "Let's go! Follow me back to the mansion!"

With that, Su Xuan had Xun Cai and the others board the carriage, mounted his horse himself, nodded to Xi Zhicai, and greeted everyone who had come to welcome him as they entered the city, soon arriving at the Provincial Governor's Mansion.

After a long period of pleasantries with Xun Cai and the others, that night was filled with intimacy.

He comforted his wives well.

The next day, after completing his morning training, Su Xuan went to the administrative hall and found Xi Zhicai to understand the recent development and reform situation in the various commanderies of Jingzhou.

He also discussed the details of this expedition and the issues in Nanyang thoroughly with Xi Zhicai.

Having clarified everything that needed to be arranged, Su Xuan looked at Xi Zhicai and said: "In the next few years;" ===== CHAPTER 483 =====