453: Reporting Back (2nd Update)
Xu Xuanjin did not say much more and turned to attend to other matters.
Xuan Mu stood on the deck, watching as Fengping County grew more and more distant from him.
And then his thoughts drifted to that dream.
He had thought the dream from his drunken stupor would gradually become blurry, but now it was becoming clearer with each passing day.
Nuannuan said to wait for her…
The foolish girl, Xie Zhinuan, came to inspect the mountain area today on horseback. Xie Zhinuan was dressed in riding attire, looking bold and valiant, wearing a cloak as well. Her delicate little face was tucked into her hat, making it appear even smaller. Only her eyes were visible, beautiful and charming, shining brightly.
“Miss, it’s just ahead!” the foolish girl whispered softly.
Xie Zhinuan acknowledged with a response.
In the first month, it was still cold, and their breath formed mist when they spoke.
The two rode their horses along the mountain path. It could not really be called a mountain path anymore-frequent travel had worn a track into it, and with the addition of blue bricks and black tiles transported inward, the road had become even smoother.
The further they traveled into the mountains, the clearer they could hear the shouts of those working.
Following Xie Zhinuan’s instructions, they first reclaimed the largest mountaintop, then moved on to the smaller ones, considering that this place was to house hundreds or even thousands of people.
Now many people came to work. According to Ming Xi, there were at least three thousand people, all from several nearby counties. They had heard the news and rushed over since the wages here were higher, and they were provided with three meals a day. Although those meals consisted of just steamed buns and thin porridge, the buns were filling and there was meat to eat, so they were well-nourished.
Xie Zhinuan looked at the houses already constructed-a row after row, each small courtyard built according to her instructions, with front and rear yards, a hall, two main rooms, and two side rooms-one for the kitchen and the other which could be used as a guest room or for storage.
Behind the mountain, a large piece of land had already been cultivated into terraced fields, reaching up to the mountain top. A stone path led upwards, the area appearing quite expansive.
“Miss!” Ming Xi hurried over.
His body and feet were covered in mud, clearly having personally worked the soil.
Xie Zhinuan observed him. He was completely transformed from the good-for-nothing he had appeared when they first met, and all in less than a month.
“How are things going over here?” Xie Zhinuan asked.
“Over there, twenty small courtyards have been repaired, and this patch of land behind the mountain has been cultivated. The soil quality is very good. On the mountaintop, as per your instructions, Miss, several ponds have been dug. It hasn’t rained recently, so there’s no water accumulated in the ponds yet, but some seepage has occurred. The tree roots that were dug out and the branches that were chopped have all been piled up over there; they can be dried and used for fuel. There are also some medicinal herbs, which, as you instructed, have been cleaned and sorted. They will be delivered to the medicine shop in the county town in a couple of days!”
As Ming Xi spoke, he smiled sheepishly, “Originally, we had caught two wild boars and a few roe deer. I had them butchered-we ate some and the rest was salted for later consumption.”
Xie Zhinuan nodded approvingly, “That’s very good. By the way, is there enough food?”
“There is. There’s enough flour and rice, and vegetables too. Whenever you want people to move in to plant crops, or if you send some seeds, I’ll have them planted!” Ming Xi said.
Given the land had just been cleared and it was still cold, he wasn’t sure what should be planted.
“Then I’ll have someone send over some radish seeds!”
“Are we going to plant radishes all over this area?” Ming Xi asked in surprise.
“Yes, this entire area will be planted with radishes. Radishes don’t have high soil requirements. For the first season, let’s just plant radishes. Oh, and have the kang and kitchens in every courtyard been completed?” asked Xie Zhinuan.
Following Ming Xi, she walked along the mountain path upwards.
“Everything is completed. As you instructed, every courtyard has two wardrobes, two tables, four benches, and one washstand!” Ming Xi carefully reported to Xie Zhinuan.
Chapter 455