Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

Fang Xuanling added with a smile, "My lord, this is only the officially registered ones. The hidden households in the deep mountains and forests and along the border haven't been fully counted yet. If we really included them all, the number could reach five million."

Du Ruhui also said, "Moreover, the population structure is good. There are many young and middle-aged people, many children, and a low proportion of the elderly—all of whom are in their prime working, fighting, and childbearing years."

(Liu Ce: Most of the refugees who survived were young and healthy.)

Liu Ce said with satisfaction, "That's right. Population is the foundation of development; with people comes productivity."

Du Ruhui then reported on the finances: "The governor's treasury currently holds over 600 million coins and 30,000 gold. Of these, over 200 million coins came from the salt, wine, and paper trade; approximately 100 million coins were from Youzhou's normal tax revenue for the year; and the remainder was previous surplus."

"Regarding provisions," Du Ruhui turned the page, "the government's grain reserves are over 43 million shi. Our lord exempted the people from taxes for a year, and this grain mainly comes from the income from our army's military farms."

Guo Jia interjected, "Over 43 million shi... that's enough to eat for several years, isn't it?"

Xi Zhicai did the math: "Based on our army's current rations and salaries, our annual food supply is nearly ten million shi (a unit of dry measure). Forty million shi is enough to feed us for more than four years. But that doesn't even include this year's harvest..."

Xun Yu continued, "In the past year, Youzhou's total expenditure was approximately 6.4 million shi (a unit of dry measure). Military expenses accounted for the majority of that."

He listed in detail:

The total military expenditure was approximately 5.8 million shi (a unit of dry measure).

There were more than 130,000 soldiers, each receiving 36 shi of grain per year, totaling more than 4.6 million shi.

There were more than 2,700 junior officers (such as garrison commanders), with an average annual salary of 340 shi (a unit of dry measure), totaling more than 900,000 shi.

There were more than 270 mid-level military officers (such as military commanders), with an average annual salary of 780 shi per person, totaling more than 210,000 shi.

There were more than 20 high-ranking military officers (such as captains), each with an annual salary of 1,200 shi (a unit of dry measure), totaling more than 30,000 shi.

The government's total expenditure was approximately 580,000 shi (a unit of dry measure).

There were more than 20 high-ranking officials in the prefecture (such as the Prefectural Governor), each with an annual salary of 1,000 shi (a unit of dry measure), totaling more than 20,000 shi.

There were eleven prefectural governors, each receiving an annual salary of 1,440 shi (a unit of dry measure), totaling over 16,000 shi.

There were twenty-two prefectural assistants and military commanders, with an annual salary of nine hundred and sixty shi (a unit of dry measure), totaling more than twenty-one thousand shi.

There were ninety county magistrates, each receiving an annual salary of 840 shi (a unit of dry measure), totaling over 75,000 shi.

There were 180 county magistrates and county constables, each receiving an annual salary of 600 shi (a unit of dry measure), totaling over 110,000 shi.

There were 1,800 low-level officials, each receiving an annual salary of 180 shi (a unit of dry measure), totaling more than 330,000 shi.

"The total annual expenditure is over 6.4 million shi (a unit of dry measure)," Xun Yu summarized. "With the current grain reserves, it should be enough to last for more than six years. However, if the army expands or a major war breaks out, the consumption will increase dramatically."

Liu Ce nodded and said, "The accounts are clear. Continue."

(I won't list the amount; the salary was mainly paid in grain.)

Ju Shou reported on the military situation: "The standing armies of each prefecture range from four to five thousand, totaling approximately fifty thousand. The General of Chariots and Cavalry's direct troops number fifty thousand. The governor's direct troops number thirty thousand. The total is approximately one hundred and thirty thousand."

He added, "In terms of equipment, 50,000 sets of Mingguang armor have been mass-produced and are being prioritized for the elite troops of the various battalions under the General of the Cavalry. The horizontal sword, the long sword, the composite bow, and the champion repeating crossbow are being gradually deployed. It is expected that the entire army will be fully equipped by the end of the year."

Tian Feng then reported on agriculture: "Youzhou currently has approximately five million mu of arable land. The promotion of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and hybrid rice is progressing smoothly, and the total output this year is expected to be close to two hundred million shi. Including traditional crops... Youzhou's total grain output this year is expected to exceed two hundred million shi. It is estimated that this year, including taxes and land reclamation, the amount of grain that can be collected will be around one hundred million shi."

(Those handed over to the imperial court...)

Chen Gong reported on education: "Village schools have been established in various counties and prefectures, with more than 300 elementary school classes, more than 80 classical studies classes, and more than 50 vocational classes. The number of enrolled children exceeds 80,000. In terms of teachers, Cai Gong has a very strong appeal, and more than 100 Confucian scholars have come to teach here."

Shen Wansan concluded his business report by saying, "Our three main commodities—fine salt, fine wine, and paper—have already opened up markets in Jizhou, Qingzhou, and Xuzhou. We began selling to Jiangdong three months ago, and the profits are substantial. We expect our commercial profits to reach 300 million coins this year."

After everyone finished reporting, the council hall fell silent as everyone waited for Liu Ce to make his statement.

Liu Ce looked around at everyone, a bright smile spreading across his face.

"very good!"

He slammed his hand on the table and stood up, exclaiming, "Over the past year, Youzhou has developed...very well! It deserves praise!"

Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere became relaxed.

"However," Liu Ce changed the subject, "we cannot be arrogant. The soldiers train hard, the officials are busy with government affairs, and the people work hard in the fields... they all deserve better rewards."

He waved his hand dismissively: "To recognize everyone's hard work, I've decided—to give the soldiers a pay raise! From three shi (a unit of dry measure) per month to five shi per month! That's sixty shi per year!"

"Whoosh—" The military officers were the first to erupt in excitement.

Zhang Fei jumped up immediately: "Brother! Really? Twenty-four shi of grain per person per year? 130,000 soldiers... that's over three million shi!"

Liu Ce nodded and said, "Really. Soldiers are our foundation; we can't mistreat them. As for officials and others... Xuanling, Wenruo, you two discuss a plan and give them a raise. The principle is simple: those who do the work can't be taken advantage of!"

The officials were also excited.

Fang Xuanling immediately declared, "Your Majesty is benevolent! We will certainly do our utmost to govern Youzhou well!"

Xun Yu added, "Regarding the salary increase, I will carefully calculate with Xuanling and Keming to ensure fairness without putting too much financial pressure on us."

Liu Ce waved his hand: "You handle the details, I trust you."

Liu Ce added, "But let me make this clear: with the raise comes higher expectations. Training will be more rigorous, and management will be more attentive. Anyone who slacks off will have their salary docked!"

"Rest assured, my lord!" the crowd responded in unison, their voices shaking the rooftops.

The meeting concluded in a cheerful atmosphere.

The news spread quickly.

The military camp was the first to erupt in excitement.

"What? Five shi of grain per month? Sixty shi per year? Did I hear that right?"

"That's right! I just came back from the drill ground, and General Guan told me himself!"

"My goodness... five bushels of grain, that's enough to feed my family of five for almost a month!"

"Our lord is so benevolent! Following such a lord, it's worth risking our lives!"

"From now on, if anyone speaks ill of our lord, I'll be the first to object!"

"I knew following Champion Marquis was the right choice!"

"When I was in the army, the rations were barely enough to make ends meet. Now... I can save up enough to get married!"

The soldiers spread the word, and their enthusiasm for training soared to unprecedented heights.

A few days later, the news spread throughout the counties and prefectures of Youzhou.

Upon hearing this, the people praised him highly: "The Marquis of Champion truly loves his people like his own children; he even takes such good care of his soldiers!"

"That's right. The Marquis treats the people well too. He exempts them from taxes, distributes land, and establishes village schools...aren't those all real benefits?"

"My son is serving in the army. His monthly salary will be five shi (a unit of dry measure), which will be enough for his wedding dowry!"

"My kid is joining the army next year!"

The people were also happy—better soldiers meant a more stable military and greater security for them. And with higher salaries for officials, wouldn't they be more diligent in their work?

The entire Youzhou was filled with jubilation.

The morale of the military and the people has been unprecedentedly united.