Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 160 The Inn System
The gale, whipping up heavy snowflakes, roared like an enraged white beast as it swooped down from the towering cliffs of the Taihang Mountains.

The world was shrouded in chaos, and visibility was reduced to less than ten steps. The relatively sturdy shacks in the camp shook violently in the wind and snow, groaning under the weight of the storm.

On the thick pine flagpole, the large flag bearing the character "Han" had long been frozen into a hard block of ice, and no matter how the gale tore at it, it could only sway stiffly.

Inside the large tent, the charcoal fire burned bright red, yet it still couldn't dispel the biting chill.

Han Ji, wrapped in a thick fur coat, frowned deeply as he stared intently at the map of Jingxing hanging on the tent wall.

On the map, he circled the locations of "Tiebi Zhan" and "Shiba Pan" in cinnabar, and the words "Blocked" marked next to them seemed to carry a sense of anxious anger in the ink.

"Damn it!" Han Ji slammed his fist on the simple wooden table covered with documents, making the brushes on the pen holder jump.

These recent misfortunes have made even a normally mild-mannered man somewhat irritable.

"Just these last two sections! Just these two sections! As long as the snow melts in spring, three months! At most three months, we can carve through that 'Eighteen Bends' gate of hell! Damn you, God!" His voice sounded somewhat weak amidst the roar of the wind and snow, more of a frustrated sense of failure.

For three months, he and Lu Da led several thousand people, risking their lives on this cliff. They finally managed to overcome the most difficult part, the "cliffside pass," and just when the dawn was in sight, a blizzard brought them back to their feet.

Construction period? If it weren't for the benevolent lord who granted him an extension due to the severe weather, he would have had to return to Jinyang to apologize.

The tent flap was suddenly flung open, and a blast of cold air carrying snowflakes rushed in, momentarily dimming the charcoal fire.

Lu Da burst in, bringing with him a chill; his eyebrows and beard were covered in frost, and his fur coat was frozen stiff.

"Supervisor! The snow is too heavy! It's impossible to stand outside! The wind is blowing pebbles that sting your face!" Lu Da wiped his face, his voice hoarse.

"The brothers who went to scout the way came back and said that the snow on the 'Eighteen Bends' side is probably knee-deep! The mountain wind is like a knife, and the ropes will freeze and crack when they are hung up! This job... is impossible to do!"

His eyes were also bloodshot and filled with resentment.

"I can't do it..." Han Ji let out a heavy sigh, the white mist appearing particularly clear in the cold tent.

He walked to the tent entrance, lifted a corner of the thick leather curtain, and outside was a vast expanse of white. The howling wind was like the wailing of ghosts. Several laborers, their necks hunched, were struggling to move through the snow when they were instantly swallowed up by the wind and snow.

Forced construction? That's like using human lives to fill this bottomless pit! Even if Han Ji wanted to make a name for himself, he couldn't do such a thing.

He silently walked back to his desk, his finger slowly moving across the map, sliding westward from the snow-covered Jingxing Ancient Road, following the direction of the Taihang Mountains.

Finally, they stopped at several important passes marked on the map: Guguan, Xitianmen Pass, Baijingbao... these were the transportation choke points guarding the southeast direction of Taiyuan Prefecture.

"We can't just sit here!" Han Ji's eyes sharpened again, filled with a desperate determination.

"Since Jingxing is temporarily impassable, let's make sure our own gates are firmly secured! These passes have been in disrepair for years, and in some places the walls are about to collapse! With the heavy snow blocking the mountains and outsiders unable to get in, we can free up our resources and concentrate our manpower and materials to properly reinforce these key passes!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Da's eyes lit up. A pent-up frustration seemed to have found an outlet: "The supervisor is right! Instead of waiting here, we should strengthen our rear base! I'm familiar with Baijingbao; it can serve as a storage area for rear supplies!"

The stone foundation of Xitianmen Pass is good, but it's located on a dangerous mountain ridge, and the fortification is further east. Therefore, those of us in charge should first turn back and reinforce Baijing Fort!

"Good!" Han Ji's spirits lifted: "Lu Da, go and summon all the foremen of the battalions, as well as Zhao Shi and Zhao Yuanshi! Let's discuss which section to tackle first! And how to allocate materials and manpower."

"Yes!" Lu Da clasped his hands in a fist salute, turned around and rushed into the wind and snow, his steps seeming lighter than when he came.

When frustration finds its direction, strength finds its outlet.

Jinyang, the prefectural governor's residence.

Inside the warm council chamber, the charcoal brazier burned brightly.

Zhang Xian sat cross-legged on a couch covered with thick felt, holding an urgent military report that Han Ji had sent three days earlier.

After reading it, he casually handed it to Xun Yu, who was sitting upright at the next seat.

"Wenruo, look, Gongzhi is stuck in Jingxing due to the heavy snow."

Zhang Xian's tone was calm, revealing little emotion.

Xun Yu took the silk scroll, quickly scanned it, and frowned slightly: "What does my lord think?"

"Weather is beyond human control, so this matter is not your fault. I have already given him leniency. We can only wait for the next two dangerous locations."

He stood up, walked to the huge Bingzhou map hanging in the sky, and pointed precisely to several key points in the west and north of Taiyuan County: "Guguan, Xitianmen Pass, Baijingbao... these places are too dilapidated."

"Before, we didn't have the time or the resources to do it, but now it's great! We have several thousand people, and all the good equipment in our artisan camp. They're just sitting idle in the snow freezing, so let's get them to work! Reinforce these passes to the same standard as the Jingxing West Pass! Raise them higher! Thicker them!"

Xun Yu walked to Zhang Xian's side, his gaze also falling on the passes and nodes on the map, his eyes flashing with thoughtful light: "My lord's insight is brilliant. Fortifying the passes can store up strength, and concentrating manpower and resources in the relatively safe rear will not only train the troops and accumulate experience, but also build up a stronger force for restarting the Jingxing project after spring."

He just finished speaking.

An urgent report rang out from outside the door: "Report! Urgent message from Commander Han of Taihang!"

Xun Yu got up and pushed open the door. He saw a courier outside who, with a weathered face, gently helped him up and took the letter.

"Go drink some ginger soup to warm yourself up."

"Yes! Thank you for your consideration, Lord Xun!"

Xun Yu smiled and nodded, then turned and went back into the house to present the letter to Zhang Xian.

The latter opened the letter, glanced at it, smiled, and handed it back to Xun Yu.

“Look, Gongzhi has the same idea as us.”

Xun Yu smiled after reading the letter: "Brother Gongzhi seems to have a tacit understanding with our lord."

He paused, then traced his finger across the map from the pass towards Jinyang: "Since it's difficult to start construction in the Taihang Mountains, we might as well reinforce the passes and increase the number of post stations."

Zhang Xian turned around and looked at Xun Yu: "Increase the number of reformed post stations?"

“Exactly!” Xun Yu nodded, his expression becoming solemn. “My lord, in the past, county and prefectural post stations were mostly used to deliver urgent military intelligence or official documents from superiors. The post stations were sparse, the postmen were exhausted, and the management was lax.”

Ordinary government orders, public sentiment, and business news often take months to get through. Now, with the weather freezing and roads difficult to travel, this problem is even more pronounced! If it weren't for the hard work of the soldiers under our lord, it would be difficult to get news through the existing postal system.

Now that Han is planning to turn back to the pass for construction, the transfer of supplies and communication will all depend on the road stations.

Zhao Shi happens to be there too, so why not just reform the post stations directly?

He walked to his desk, picked up a draft document that had been prepared long ago and whose ink was still fresh, and presented it to Zhang Xian with both hands: "My lord, please take a look. This is the 'Memorial on the Reorganization of the Post Roads in Taiyuan County, Bingzhou,' which I have recently drafted."

Zhang Xian took it, unfolded it, and examined it closely. Xun Yu's handwriting was clear, vigorous, and well-organized.

Increase the number of post stations: Centered on Jinyang, the distance between post stations on the main official road leading to important passes such as Chitang, Xitianmen, Shiling, and the west entrance of Jingxing, as well as important towns in the prefecture such as Yuci, Yangqu, and Lüsi, will be shortened from the original 50 to 80 li to one post station every 50 li.

Additional facilities may be added as appropriate in areas with steep terrain, multiple intersections, or areas where displaced people congregate.

Road maintenance: Each post station is responsible for the daily maintenance of the official roads within its jurisdiction to ensure smooth traffic throughout the year. The necessary tools and a small amount of manpower are coordinated by the post station, and this is included in the post station's performance evaluation.

Clear signage: At intersections of official roads and near post stations, erect conspicuous stone tablets or painted wooden signs indicating the direction, mileage, and the name of the next post station.

Increase versatility: The post station should not only be a place to change horses and send messages, but should also be equipped with a small material transfer point to store some military supplies, engineering materials, emergency food, and a simple patrol post with five to ten soldiers on duty, who should be responsible for the security of the surrounding area, bandit suppression and early warning, and to set up a temporary settlement for refugees, with simple shacks, firewood and a small amount of emergency food.

Sufficient personnel: Each post station is staffed with one postmaster directly appointed by the prefectural government, with priority given to scholars from poor families or sons from good families who are literate and knowledgeable in general affairs. Five postmen are also required to be strong, hardworking, and skilled in horsemanship.

Two to three additional servants were assigned to be responsible for cleaning, cooking, and taking care of the post horses.

Standard configuration of a post station: sturdy buildings are required, including the postmaster's office, postmen's quarters, kitchen, stables, small storeroom, ten good and healthy post horses, a well or reliable water source, basic vehicle repair tools, and firewood reserves.

Simple anti-bandit fortifications include fences and watchtowers.

Uniform regulations: The appearance of the post stations, flags, and the new uniforms of the staff are all standardized and easy to identify.

Tiered delivery: Official documents and letters are classified according to their urgency, such as 600-mile express, 400-mile regular express, 300-mile delivery, and 200-mile ordinary delivery.

High-priority letters have priority for being changed horses and relayed to ensure the fastest possible delivery.

Special training for post station soldiers: The prefectural government organizes or hires retired cavalry and post station soldiers to train them in horsemanship, navigation, basic first aid, and emergency response.

Sealing wax seal: All official documents and letters delivered through post stations must be stamped with the sealing wax seal of the post station and the postmaster of the place of origin, and the time of dispatch must be recorded.

Upon arrival at the relay station, a receipt stamp must be affixed and the time recorded to create a complete record of the delivery process, facilitating the investigation of responsibility for delays.

Directly under the prefectural government: The appointment, allocation of funds and provisions, and performance evaluation and rewards/punishments of the post station system's postmasters are separated from those of the county and township governments and are directly under the prefectural governor's office. A newly established "Supervisor of Posts" can be established for unified management. Subordinate law enforcement: Postmasters have primary security authority and dispute mediation authority over the post stations and the fifty-mile official road area under their jurisdiction. In case of major cases or banditry, they can report directly to the prefectural judicial officer or the nearest garrison.

Regular inspections: The county supervisors and postal officials are required to lead a team to inspect each post station every month to check the post station operations, roads, material reserves, and the performance of duties by the post station clerks.

Zhang Xian read it word by word, his fingers lightly tracing the rough paper, his eyes gleaming.

Xun Yu's plan is to weave an efficient and controllable neural network in Taiyuan County!

The newly appointed post station administrators can not only strengthen the management of post stations and prevent lax practices, but also handle some minor cases and disputes.

Hiss. Police station?

Zhang Xian slapped his thigh: "Wenruo, this plan is excellent! It resonates with me perfectly! Especially the three points about the post stations being directly under the prefecture government, having judicial independence, and expanding their functions! This is to turn the post stations into wedges driven into our official roads, serving as not only relay stations for transmitting messages, but also sentry posts for maintaining order, and nodes for transferring supplies."

He paced back and forth in the hall, deep in thought.

"My lord is wise." Xun Yu bowed slightly, a hint of satisfaction on his face.

“Direct control of the post stations can avoid the obstruction of local powerful figures or incompetent officials. Granting post station officials primary judicial power enables them to handle unexpected minor incidents and avoid delays in reporting everything. In addition, setting up resettlement points can not only solve the urgent needs of the refugees, but also register the able-bodied among them to supplement the labor force of the post stations or recruit them as farmers.”

"That's the truth."

Zhang Xian stopped in his tracks: "However, Wenruo, setting up this operation will cost a lot."

Building new post stations, raising horses, employing people, stockpiling supplies… where will the money and provisions come from? Where will the people come from? Especially the postmasters, who need to be literate, competent in administrative affairs, and possess courage and a sense of responsibility—such people are hard to find.”

Xun Yu clearly had a plan in mind, and calmly said, "My lord, do not worry. Although this matter is costly, it is the foundation for long-term stability and can be dealt with gradually."

Regarding finances, the workshop has made a considerable profit this autumn, especially from new wine, ironware, and woolen cloth, and a portion of the funds can be allocated specifically for this purpose.

Secondly, the prefectural treasury still has enough money and grain from the Wang and Zhang families, as well as some of the autumn tax revenue.

Thirdly, once the new post road is open, there will inevitably be more business travelers, and the income will certainly be greater.

As for manpower…”

He paused, a sharp glint in his eyes: "People are precisely what we have the least 'lack' of right now!"

"Oh?" Zhang Xian raised an eyebrow.

"My lord, please take a look." Xun Yu walked to another desk and picked up a thick register.

"This is a summary compiled by the county and prefectural clerks and officials. Since the autumn harvest, refugees from all over Bingzhou have gathered in Taiyuan, and the number of registered people has exceeded 13,000! And it is still increasing! Among them are many able-bodied men with their families!"

Xun Yu's voice carried a calm and collected air of someone in control of the situation: "According to the old practice, these refugees would simply be given land, registered as households, and allowed to slowly resume production. However, this process is time-consuming and prone to unrest. Now is precisely the time when we need manpower!"

He pointed to the memorial on the post station: "Although the post station clerk is not a high-ranking official, he is directly under the prefecture and his responsibilities are clear, and there is a path to advancement! We can openly recruit displaced people and good and poor families in the prefecture who are literate and responsible, and select the best candidates through examination by the Registrar's Office!"

This is a golden opportunity to promote those from humble backgrounds, ensuring they will be deeply grateful and serve with utmost dedication! As for postmen and menial laborers, they can be recruited from the large pool of able-bodied displaced people, given rations and wages, so they can settle down and survive, free from the worries of hunger and cold!

"Wonderful, Wenruo!" Zhang Xian's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but clap his hands in praise.

"You flatter me, my lord."

Xun Yu smiled modestly: "This is to follow the trend. However, the increased authority and responsibility of the post station system, which is directly under the jurisdiction of the prefecture, may arouse the doubts and resistance of county and township officials, especially those officials who are used to acting as county magistrates behind closed doors. How to balance this requires further consideration."

"Balance?" Zhang Xian's lips curled into a cold smile. He walked to the charcoal brazier, picked up the fire tongs, and poked the red-hot coals, sending sparks flying.

"Wenruo, remember this: in our Taiyuan Prefecture, there is only one voice! That is the voice of the prefectural government!"

He turned around, his gaze sharp and resolute: "The primary responsibility of county and township officials is to ensure the well-being of the people, encourage agriculture, promote education, and collect taxes!"
The post stations were not only the eyes and ears of the prefectural government, but also its hands and feet!

How could we allow them to interfere and obstruct? The post station administrators are only responsible to the prefectural government! The Judicial and Merit Offices regularly inspect the post station's performance and whether county and township officials cooperate! Anyone who dares to outwardly comply but inwardly defy, deliberately make things difficult for the post station's operation, or even attempt to interfere in post station affairs…”

Zhang Xian's voice was as cold as tempered ice: "The Judicial Office's sword is not just for show! If they want to clean up the blockages in the fabric of this county again!"

Then tell those county magistrates, county assistants, and county constables that as long as they oppose me, I will definitely get rid of them!

If they don't want to, then they should focus on improving people's livelihoods, ensuring tax collection is done properly, and maintaining local stability – that will be their achievement!
If they overstep their bounds and meddle in things they shouldn't, don't blame me for chopping off their claws!

An invisible, chilling aura spread with Zhang Xian's words, seemingly diminishing the warmth of the charcoal fire.

Xun Yu's heart skipped a beat, and he solemnly cupped his hands: "Your subordinate understands! I will certainly convey this intention to all the counties and include it in the new post station regulations!"

"Hmm." Zhang Xian nodded, his murderous aura subsiding. He picked up Xun Yu's memorial again and flicked it with his finger.

"The skeleton of this thing is complete, but the flesh and blood need to be filled in as soon as possible."

Some details, such as the specific regulations and drawings of the post stations, the salary standards of the postmasters and soldiers, the performance evaluation and promotion rules, the specific procedures for recruiting and resettling displaced people, and the collection amount and management of road maintenance tax... these tedious matters still require further detailed rules.

Wenruo, I'll trouble you and your colleagues in the Revenue, Public Works, and Justice departments to come up with a detailed plan as soon as possible!

"Yes, sir!" Xun Yu bowed deeply. "I will immediately summon the relevant departments to discuss the details overnight, so as not to delay your grand plan, my lord!"

The blizzard that had been raging for several days finally showed signs of abating. Although the sky remained overcast with low-hanging leaden clouds, the howling winds had finally subsided somewhat.

Baijingbao, somewhat dilapidated, stands in a strategic location nestled between two mountains.

The walls are mottled, and many of the wall sections have collapsed, revealing the rotten wood and loose rammed earth inside.

Below the wall, a huge, bustling construction site had been transformed. Unlike the precipitous and oppressive cliffs of Jingxing, the space here was relatively open and the terrain was much gentler.

"Shout the work chant! Push harder!"

"One! Two! Three! Go!"

The rough shouts drowned out the lingering chill of the wind. Hundreds of strong laborers, divided into groups, worked busily like ants under the foreman's command.

A group of people are clearing the rudimentary deep moat outside the city wall, digging out and removing the silt and rubble.

Another group of people were wielding huge wooden mallets and iron hammers, vigorously tamping down the newly laid rammed earth on the foundation inside the gate wall.

The heavy tamping tools pounded on the damp soil, producing a dull but powerful "thump! thump!" sound, splashing mud everywhere.

"Supervise the construction! The magistrate has sent a letter requesting that you and Clerk Zhao discuss the matter together!"

A letter was handed to Han Ji.

　Book Title: Two Realms: My Immortal Cultivation in Mexico

　　Synopsis: After being transported to a parallel Earth by a dump truck, you land in Mexico, a country known as the "Auspicious Core." Without inheriting the original owner's memories, and with only a gun, a black-screened phone that won't turn on, and a small amount of money, how do you survive?

　　Zhang Wuji's answer was: Cultivation Family Simulator - Start!
　　Your descendant Zhang Shou conducted an ancestral worship ceremony.

　　[Incense value +1]

　　This year's offering is a single white flour steamed bun; should we accept it?

　　Do you plan to bestow blessings during this year's ancestral worship ceremony?

　　[Item: Steamed buns]

　　[Description: A fine grain that can be used to fill the stomach, each one costs five coins. It was offered by Zhang Shou, the only heir of the Zhang family, and strengthened by incense offerings. Eating it will grant the user the martial art 'Pu Yuan Jin (Minor Mastery)'.]

　　When Zhang Wuji discovered that the offerings made by his descendants to their ancestors could be enhanced by incense and that consuming them would grant them martial arts skills, he realized that things from the modern world could also be bestowed upon his descendants in the game.

　　The connection between the two realms triggered a strange chemical reaction.

　　The cultivation world was also given a rude awakening by modern inventions.

　　"The Zhang family's talisman array is known as 'an array formed in a single thought.' The spiritual energy flow of the talismans they draw is astonishingly efficient. Due to the secret transmission of the 'integrated circuit pen technique,' the talisman patterns contain millions of miniature array eyes."

　　"It is said that the Zhang family's beast-taming skills are unparalleled in the world, and the purity of the bloodlines of the spirit beasts they breed is unmatched in the eight wastelands. This is all due to a mysterious 'gene sequencing' method passed down from their ancestors, which allows them to select the best demon cores to fuse with their souls."

　　"The Zhang family's weapon-forging techniques are incredibly mysterious. The flying boats they forge can travel ten thousand miles a day, do not require spirit stones, and never touch the ground. It is rumored to be a secret technique called 'magnetic levitation'."

　　As the Zhang Clan's power shook the four directions

　　
　
(End of this chapter)