Air is just air, but things still need to be arranged immediately.

There is a wooden workshop in Li Jiawu Fortress, but it’s not in much use. Currently, they need water wheels with dragon bones, and the wooden workshop has proved to be very useful.

Wen Jian immediately handed the blueprints to Xiao Du and assigned the craftsmen from the wooden workshop to produce two dragon bone water wheels within three days.

Three days later.

The first dragon bone water wheel was put into use.

When the people from the wooden workshop carried the dragon bone water wheel to the area between the river and the farmland, it attracted many residents from the fortress to come and watch. It was the first time they had seen such a dragon bone water wheel, and everyone was fascinated by it.

Wen Jian was also curious about this dragon bone water wheel.

As people stood by the dragon bone water wheel, watching a resident vigorously pedaling the crank to make the large axle rotate and drive the blades in the trough to scrape water upward, the water began to roll in the trough. With the first drop of water entering the river, a cheer suddenly erupted behind Wen Jian.

Apart from Wen Jian, Liu Hu, who was stationed outside, was also attracted and came over to see.

Liu Hu himself came from a farming background and was amazed by the irrigation of the fields. He couldn’t help but ask, “Lord Wen, how did you come up with such a method?”

Liu Hu was straightforward by nature, and he could only become a fourth-ranked official through the military examination, which must have a great deal to do with Zhu Sima.

Having received Zhu Sima’s favor, Wen Jian naturally had a certain level of authority.

He cast a casual glance at Liu Hu, smiled, and said nothing. Instead, he mentioned another matter, “General Liu, I actually have a favor to ask of you.”

“Oh? What is it? Just tell me.”

Since Liu Hu had been stationed at the fortress, he had frequently shared drinks with Wen Jian, and they had developed a certain camaraderie. So when Wen Jian spoke, Liu Hu agreed without hesitation.

But as soon as he answered, he began to regret it.

What about his official authority?

Why did he lose it again!

Wen Jian said, “I would like to request General Liu to train the capable warriors under his command to discipline the residents of the fortress.”

Liu Hu was taken aback. “What do you mean?”

Wen Jian explained, “The southern part of the Western County has been plundered by barbarians, which can only mean that the people are too weak. With these dragon bone water wheels, drought will no longer be a problem for the fields. I guarantee that the second half of the year will yield a bountiful harvest. With the granaries full, it is certain to attract bandits. If the residents of the fortress are all skilled in self-defense, we won’t fear anyone trying to rob us.”

He paused for a moment and continued, “Moreover, when the residents have better lives, they will naturally fight to protect this place. But how can they protect it if they lack strength?”

He didn’t expect Lord Wen to have so many considerations. Indeed, if the granaries are filled, it’s not just bandits that we need to worry about; even the barbarians will be eyeing us… It’s good for the residents to have some defensive capabilities. However…

Liu Hu said, “Lord Wen, there’s no need to worry. We’re still here, aren’t we?”

Wen Jian glanced at him and said, “General Liu, you are currently stationed here. If you have other official duties, we can’t hold you back, can we?”

Liu Hu was immediately at a loss for words. He furrowed his brow, and Lord Wen made a reasonable point. If the residents have some foundation, it would relieve his pressure. He looked up at Wen Jian and said, “Alright, I’ll find someone for you.”

Wen Jian clasped his hands together and said, “Thank you, General.”

After Wen Jian finished speaking, he turned around to leave.

Liu Hu called out to him, “Lord Wen, didn’t we agree to have a drink together tonight?”

Wen Jian waved his hand and said, “Next time, I’m busy.”

Liu Hu sighed, “…”

This guy is really good at using and then discarding things.

What Liu Hu didn’t know was that Wen Jian had other intentions for training the peasant soldiers.

The new emperor lacked military power, and that was always a weakness!

Things need to be done one by one, gradually.

–

The use of the dragon bone water wheel immediately attracted the attention of the imperial court, especially the new emperor.

Prime Minister Li was summoned by the new emperor to inquire about the dragon bone water wheel, but unfortunately, Prime Minister Li had no idea what it was.

So, at the end of September, the new emperor disguised himself and went to Li Jiawu Fortress.

Accompanying Prime Minister Li was his youngest daughter, Li Jiuer. Although Li Jiuer was a young girl, she wasn’t interested in feminine tasks; instead, she loved tinkering with new and interesting things.

When she heard about the dragon bone water wheel, she immediately begged to come and see it.

The new emperor never imagined that he would witness such a thriving scene at Li Jiawu Fortress. The fertile fields were divided into large plots, seedlings had been planted, and a lush greenery filled the surroundings. The sound of flowing water echoed throughout the fortress, as some people worked in the fields while others trained in the nearby drill ground. Looking further, more people were wielding agricultural tools in the fields, intensively cultivating the barren land before winter.

Prime Minister Li was also amazed.

Liu Hu happened to be on patrol outside the fortress when he saw the emperor and Prime Minister Li inside. He immediately knelt down and paid his respects. Seizing the opportunity, the new emperor personally led Liu Hu, inquiring about the situation in the fortress along the way.

Liu Hu had only seen the new emperor during the palace examination, and now, in the presence of imperial authority, his heart trembled, speaking only when spoken to.

When it was mentioned that the people reclaiming the land were the refugees taken in by Wen Jian, the new emperor furrowed his brow involuntarily, exchanged a glance with Prime Minister Li, and the group headed towards the fortress.

Wen Jian was unaware of the sudden visit by the new emperor. As the emperor entered the fortress, Wen Jian was at his desk, reading the letters.

They were family letters brought back by Xiao Du early in the morning.

It was already the end of September, but this was only the second letter of the month.

In the letter, Ji Sang discussed with him the issue of resettling the refugees. He mentioned in the letter before that despite providing opportunities for the refugees to reclaim the land, their enthusiasm was clearly not high. This time, Ji Sang wrote in the letter: There is a simple way to retain the refugees. If the refugees reclaim ten acres of land, they can be given one acre of permanent farmland as a reward. However, this may increase the conflict between the villagers and the refugees. If the villagers are also willing to reclaim the land, why not act together? With the land reclaimed, there will be no shortage of food.

This will only bring benefits.

Just like you, you are one of the refugees. With the land, it means that you are not only farming for the Li family but also for yourself.

Only when you have cultivated the land and have food, will the hearts of the refugees be at ease.

Ji Sang’s letter was concise but it solved a major problem for Wen Jian.

Wen Jian had been considering how to stabilize the hearts of the refugees, and this approach was truly brilliant. Wen Jian read the letter again from beginning to end, and the more he read, the happier he became. However, he still needed to report the matter of the permanent farmland to Prime Minister Li.

However…

A whole sheet of paper, apart from official matters, there was nothing else.

Wen Jian flipped through the papers in frustration and his face turned green…

He was infuriated!

After finishing his busy work during this period, he definitely had to make a trip back to the village and properly educate his young wife. They had agreed to exchange letters every two days, but she had completely forgotten about it…

Sigh…

Abstinence for too long, his mind was filled with thoughts of her, and there were signs of awakening below…

Just then, Xiao Du suddenly opened the door and exclaimed, “Sir… Sir… the Emperor is here…”

–

Ji Sang had just arrived at Zhufang and went to find the owner of the paper mill.

The owner of the paper mill had been making a lot of money recently, his face shining with oiliness. Seeing Ji Sang’s smiling face, and having cooperated with Ji Sang for so long, he had no doubts. Ji Sang was truly resourceful and had a knack for making money.

Last month, a batch of paper produced was of poor quality, rough to the touch. He thought he would suffer a loss, but to his surprise, Ji Sang managed to sell it all.

So, when he looked at Ji Sang, he saw nothing but a money-making god.

After Ji Sang arrived, she got straight to the point, “Boss Ge, I won’t be coming to the paper mill starting from tomorrow.”

Boss Ge widened his eyes upon hearing that Ji Sang wouldn’t come anymore and asked, “Why won’t you come?!”

A smile curved on Ji Sang’s lips, “The paper mill is on track now. I plan to go to Beiliang. Our profit sharing will still follow the agreed terms, and my father will come monthly to collect the profits.”

Boss Ge anxiously asked, “Didn’t you say before… that you wanted to make the paper more delicate, something about tissue paper… something that women use… sanitary pads…”

Although he didn’t know what it was, he had heard about it many times and could mention the name.

Ji Sang chuckled softly, “Don’t worry, even when I go to Beiliang, I will still study it. I will have someone send you the techniques when they’re ready.”

Upon hearing this, Boss Ge nodded hurriedly, “Oh, alright.”

Although Boss Ge was a bit old-fashioned, he was also generous. When Ji Sang said he was leaving, he immediately had a servant bring two pieces of gold and give them to Ji Sang. Ji Sang accepted without hesitation, putting them into her purse, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then left…

Outside, the sunlight was just right.

Ji Sang walked out of the bamboo mill with confident strides.

This month, she received seventeen letters from Wen Jian. It would take three days of fast riding from the town to Beiliang, and Xiao Du had come ten times, while Xiao Du’s brother had come seven times, all to deliver the letters.

In each of Wen Jian’s letters, there was a lingering sense of longing, and he even deliberately wrote the handwriting a bit heavier, larger, for fear that she wouldn’t be able to see it…

The endings of the last few letters were even more hastily scrawled and messy…

Wen Jian’s heart was just like his handwriting…

He was so anxious.

The nights were gradually getting colder, and her hands and feet were always icy, making it hard for her to sleep. When she woke up, the other half of the bed was so cold…

She had to admit, she missed him too…

She looked up at the azure sky, her lips curving slightly.

Wen Jian, I’m coming.