Chapter 905: Heading North, Education, and the Code

Of course, what Xia Duo wanted to say was not limited to just military development; he had already prepared for this before coming.

After everyone finished their reports, the conference room was uncharacteristically quiet, with only the rustling sound of the two Clerks responsible for the meeting minutes as their pens brushed against the Parchment.

Listening to this sound, Xia Duo felt very much at ease. At this moment, he paused slightly, and only after the frequency of the rustling sound decreased did he compose his expression and speak solemnly:

"I have seen the development of the Territory over this past year. I am very satisfied with your achievements, and I hope you will continue to work hard in the coming year to build a better life together.

"Next, I have a few things to announce:

"First, an Envoy from the Seven Cities Conference will arrive this month to inspect. You do not need to pay too much attention to this matter, but you must not neglect those people either. Do your own jobs well and maintain order in the Territory;

"Second, this mainly concerns the Development Department. Jiefu, pay close attention: starting from the Melting Snow Month next year, suspend external expansion. First, clear and level the existing land. I hope this can be completed before the autumn sowing next year!"

In fact, even if all the land already developed were used for planting, it would only be about 3 or 4 square kilometers, which cannot fully satisfy the Territory's own self-sufficiency.

After all, the current Daxia Territory already has a population of nearly ten thousand. Under the current rudimentary agricultural technology, at least one-third of the current territory's area—that is, about 1 square kilometer of land—still needs to be developed for planting.

Of course, considering that it is impossible to use all the land for planting, the actual amount that needs to be further developed is even greater.

And the reason Xia Duo is concentrating his efforts on leveling the existing land first, besides using it as a self-sufficiency plan to show the Seven Cities Council, is actually to reduce the pressure of food support from the Savile Territory and the Tower of Time.

In the past, when the population was small, relying on the Savile Territory or the Tower of Time to provide food might not have been a problem, but when the population of Daxia Territory reached one-fifth of the Savile Territory, reaching nearly ten thousand people—

Such food pressure is difficult to sustain even if the Tower of Time can activate the production-increase mode of the Arcane Garden, not to mention that the Savile Territory also needs to bear the food burden of the border trade city, Kangnifeila.

With Elf refugees still stranded within Netheril and the high expenses involved, the food problem has become even more prominent.

Therefore, self-sufficiency is not only an indicator that the Seven Cities Conference needs to see, but it is also a goal that Xia Duo has always kept in mind.

……

"Third, this also concerns the Development Department, though other departments need to pay attention as well. After the autumn sowing next year, the main direction of expansion will be adjusted from the previous southeast direction to the north, until it connects with the Savile Territory. This is a long-term goal!"

Xia Duo had actually been considering this decision before he went to the Green Field Plane; he had already become a true husband and wife with Niya at that time.

As for offspring, Xia Duo hadn't thought that far ahead, but it is indeed inconvenient for two separate territories to develop independently. Only by connecting them and planning them uniformly can human resources be allocated more efficiently and reasonably during the development process.

Moreover, in future competition with other territories, one can also possess more concentrated competitiveness.

……

"Fourth, it is about the Territory Night School. Previously, the literacy classes at the Night School were organized by the Logistics Department, but now that the Territory's population is approaching ten thousand, having the Logistics Department be responsible for it will inevitably interfere with the Logistics Department's main work.

"Therefore, I have decided to establish an independent department to handle this matter. Let's call it the Night School Working Group for now, to be led personally by Administrator Laidun!"

After speaking, Xia Duo turned his head to look at Laidun on his left and asked: "Administrator Laidun, if I hand this matter over to you, is there any problem?"

Laidun hurriedly stood up and replied: "No problem!"

In fact, the Territory Night School literacy classes were nominally organized by the Logistics Department before, but in reality, they were still led by Laidun. After all, he was both the main instructor and the Territory Administrator!

Now, it is just a matter of reorganizing the authority to lay the groundwork for the future emergence of an Education Department.

Xia Duo has high hopes for the Territory Night School. Now that he heard Laidun accept the appointment decisively, Xia Duo was very happy, even though he knew Laidun would never refuse him.

"The Territory Night School is of great importance, Laidun, you must put in extra effort!"

After offering some encouragement, Xia Duo changed the subject and continued: "In addition, with the increase in the Territory's population, I want you to combine the current situation of the Territory and refer to the relevant laws and regulations implemented previously to compile a written Daxia Code suitable for Daxia Territory. Handle this matter urgently and get a draft to me as soon as possible."

"Yes, My Lord!" Laidun stood up again to reply.

Compared to the previous work, compiling a code should be considered his most specialized field, and this work had already begun from the very first day he joined Daxia Territory.

It was just that it had always been in the perfection stage in the past, and it had to be adjusted at any time according to the Lord's will, which is why it had not been finalized.

Now that there was finally an opportunity to complete it, Laidun felt nothing but full joy.

……

"By the way, Elder Yatewude, you once served as a Secret Text Elder of the Golden Oak Branch Order. You must have a lot of experience in laws, documents, writing, and literature. I hope you can provide the necessary assistance to Laidun when he compiles the Daxia Code."

Xia Duo said suddenly.

Come to think of it, in such a large Daxia Territory with a population of nearly ten thousand, if one were to count the "intellectuals" inside, one could probably count them on one hand.

Xia Duo is a special case and is not included. Besides Laidun, who grew up in the Temple, there is probably only Yatewude, this former Druid.

Everyone else is basically a peasant.

This is also an important reason why Xia Duo insists on running the Night School literacy classes. To resist the Elves, one needs not only powerful military force but also a profound cultural foundation.

As a Quasi-Immortal, Xia Duo has to consider this now.

At this moment, Yatewude, who was named, although he might not necessarily know Xia Duo's long-term plan, also knew the reality that there were not many "intellectuals" in the Territory, and immediately gave an affirmative reply:

"Yes, My Lord. Whatever Administrator Laidun wants to know, as long as I know it, I will not hide anything."

"That's good!"

Xia Duo nodded with satisfaction and then said, "Besides assisting Laidun in compiling the Daxia Code, Elder Yatewude also has an important task. I hope you can compile a set of literacy textbooks suitable for beginners. There are only two requirements: one is to reflect the local customs of Daxia Territory, and the other is that the text should be concise, straightforward, and easy to recite."

This is actually what Xia Duo wants—an introductory book similar to the Three Character Classic on Earth—but this is a bit difficult for Yatewude, a former Druid.

This should be the work of a professional Scholar or a Bard, but currently, Daxia Territory does not have such talent, so Xia Duo can only conscript someone on the spot.