Chapter 458: First Volume, Chapter 458: Beixi Prosperity

First Volume, Chapter 458: Beixi Prosperity

This was the first time Xiao Xiangxiang had been separated from Qin Feng for so long, and her heart felt hollow.

Now that they had finally reunited, she naturally wished to spend more days with Qin Feng.

But when Xiao Xiangxiang voiced her inner thoughts, she immediately felt regret.

After all, the Young Master was destined for great things—how could a Maid become his stumbling block?

Qin Feng didn't overthink it and blurted out: "I won't leave for now."

When Qin Feng leaves Beixi County depends on when the National War ends, and according to Qin Feng's guess, although the Northern Di have suffered heavy losses, they will certainly not cease hostilities—it's only a matter of time before they return.

Although Shedynasty and the Northern Di are evenly matched in overall strength, their internal conditions are far worse than those of the Northern Di.

In addition to facing pressure on the frontlines, they must also balance the power of various Powerful Clans within their borders, leaving many troops unable to be mobilized.

The Southern forces obey imperial edicts but ignore imperial summons—they cannot be moved at all.

The Central Plains Imperial Party is reserved to prevent emergencies; if they are sent to the Northern Border and the Southern forces take advantage to march north, it would be a disaster.

Thus, the Northern Di cannot sustain their material consumption, and Shedynasty cannot sustain its manpower—each side has its own hardships.

The joy of the Northern Border victory will not last long; the remaining war will still be a brutal struggle.

Xiao Xiangxiang didn't understand any of that—she only knew she could stay with the Young Master for a long time, and that alone was enough to make her happy.

Qin Feng and Xiao Xiangxiang had barely enjoyed their tender moment when Li Zhang arrived, summoning Qin Feng to the Merit Banquet.

Although Qin Feng disliked commotion and sneered at events like the Merit Banquet, he still had to fulfill the formalities, since such banquets boosted the morale of the defending troops.

But before attending the Merit Banquet, Qin Feng was more concerned about the situation in Beixi County.

Although the Brocade Robe Messengers occasionally sent reports on Beixi County's development, letters could only convey so much—since he was here, he might as well get a firsthand look.

Qin Feng immediately took Li Zhang to the Yamen to find Lin Quqi.

Previously at the City Gate Tower, the sudden battlefield emergency had left no time for pleasantries with Lin Quqi.

Now that they met again, Qin Feng felt a pang of sorrow—the once elegant Young Master now looked ten years older, his condition greatly diminished.

Managing people's livelihood is the most exhausting task.

Seeing Qin Feng arrive, Lin Quqi hurried out to greet him, his expression visibly excited: "Brother Qin, you've achieved everything in one stroke, astonishing everyone!"

"This battle will soon spread across all of Shedynasty, and the entire nation will rejoice. Since the founding of our dynasty, we've fought the Northern Di countless times, losing far more than we've won, repeatedly suffering defeats."

"Now, you've made the people of Shedynasty hold their heads high—you are truly a hero of this age."

Being lavishly praised by Lin Quqi left Qin Feng slightly embarrassed.

Moreover, Qin Feng's investment in Beixi County and his attention to this war were, overall, three parts for the nation and seven parts for himself.

After all, as a subject of Shedynasty, only when Shedynasty grows strong can he safely earn his small silver, eat well, and drink fine liquor.

Qin Feng said nothing and simply hugged Lin Quqi tightly.

This embrace stunned Lin Quqi—he stood frozen for a long moment before regaining his composure.

"Brother Qin, what's the meaning of this?"

Qin Feng still didn't answer, bowed deeply to Lin Quqi, and said solemnly: "Brother Lin, without you holding the fort, Beixi County would never have achieved today's prosperity. I am a lazy, deceitful, gluttonous man—forcing me to personally manage people's livelihood would be worse than killing me. Without you, there would be no Qin Feng."

As he spoke, Qin Feng bowed again to Lin Quqi.

Lin Quqi was taken aback—he had some reputation in Jiangnan, but ultimately he was still an Imperial Examiner, and studying Journeyman Studies was always meant to earn official rank.

Now, having bypassed the imperial examinations and directly become Beixi County Magistrate, Lin Quqi felt his learning had finally found practical use.

Lin Quqi quickly returned the bow: "Brother Qin, you overstate things—these are merely duties I must fulfill. Even if I govern Beixi County perfectly, it remains merely the strength of one county—you are the pillar of Shedynasty."

Nearby, Li Zhang watched the two men exchange polite refusals and couldn't help teasing.

"Since neither of you wants to claim this credit, I'll reluctantly take it then—hahaha."

Li Zhang's teasing ended their mutual flattery.

When discussing Beixi County's recent situation, Lin Quqi listed details with ease.

"Beixi County's expansion is complete; if current population levels are maintained, no further construction will be needed for at least a hundred years. Under the leadership of Lu Ming and the Second Miss, the Tianji Camp has taken root in Beixi County—its scale and output now surpass what it had in Jingdu."

"However, upon the First Miss's suggestion, the Tianji Camp has been divided into two branches: one producing only civilian commodities, the other producing only weapons and supply trains."

"Currently, Beixi County has a total population of about thirty-five thousand, including over ten thousand soldiers and over twenty thousand civilians. Because Beixi County is martial and has faced constant warfare since expansion, economic development has lagged slightly—following Brother Qin's instructions, we are temporarily implementing a PlanEconomy and SupplyAllocationSystem. Once the National War ends, we will open the market and shift from public to private operation."

"Most townspeople serve various MilitaryFacilities. Due to the spread of war, farmland cannot be cultivated; the internal plantations in Beixi County use PlantingBoxes and WaterTanks, producing only one-tenth of the grain needed for the city's consumption. The remaining nine-tenths must be transported from outside, but due to the war, the city's grain reserves can still last two years—no short-term worries."

Seeing Lin Quqi manage Beixi County so efficiently, with everything thriving, Qin Feng felt immense gratitude.

If Qin Feng, the absentee landlord, had governed Beixi County, he would have turned it into a Fortress with full militarization—not for warfare, but simply for convenience.

Qin Feng immediately asked his most pressing question: "Where's the money?"

Lin Quqi seemed to have anticipated Qin Feng would ask about money—he smiled slightly, exuding quiet pride: "Under the Second Miss's management, the Candy Industry is flourishing, now covering all of Shedynasty—the CandyWorkshops operate day and night without pause."

"Moreover, foreign trade has also yielded rich returns."

"Although war has blocked trade routes, all the cattle and sheep and Medicinal Herbs we acquired from Gaoshan Country have been sold for silver."

"Furthermore, all Fan Bang Zhu Guo that were vassals of the Northern Di seem eager to trade with Beixi County—after all, the Northern Di's industry is weak and they can barely sustain themselves, let alone supply their vassal states."

"Currently, BeixiCounty has two treasuries: one is the BeixiCountyTreasury, holding 123,000 taels of silver."