Soyoung's Apocalypse Tycoon - 3
Among all the massive efforts for Soyang, the biggest chunk by far is the Tuntian Project.
To turn barren land into farmland, we needed waterways. And to farm even more, we needed even more land crisscrossed by those waterways.
It's a massive undertaking that guzzles resources, no doubt. But just as Deng Ai championed the Tuntian Theory, I pitched the same deal to Liu Bei.
Out of respect for Deng Ai's legacy, I named this combined reclamation and irrigation operation the Tuntian Project.
"Do as you see fit."
Soyang will soon become the frontline against Cao Cao.
I followed up by proposing garrison troops. Station at least 10,000 soldiers there permanently, building up gradually to deter threats.
Unless war breaks out or there's some security issue, these 10,000 garrison troops are basically idle hands.
And that's where the Tuntian Theory comes in.
Put those 10,000 idle soldiers to work farming on a five-shift rotation. Let's go!
We can't just let the stationed troops sit around doing nothing.
10,000 men on five shifts. That works out to roughly 8,000 man-days per day around the clock—enough to produce a million seok of grain a year. In ten years, ten million seok. That's two years' worth of food for 100,000 troops. The math checked out.
I laid all this out for Liu Bei.
"I approve your proposal."
Anyway, he greenlit everything.
Just like that, we're on track to become a rice kingdom backed by Mi Zhu's wealth.
There's a reason my Tuntian Theory is sustainable.
The killer part? Even setting aside material costs for reclamation and irrigation, the labor is dirt cheap. Zero won.
Just provide food, and people jump at the chance to work—hell, they even thank you for it.
But I'm no exploitative lord, so I threw in another condition.
"Once reclamation's done, we'll distribute land to second-class citizens. The more land you reclaim and farm, the more you get. So give it your all!"
First-class citizens already have their land grants as proof.
The second-class citizens bought it hook, line, and sinker, throwing themselves into revitalizing Soyang with one heart and mind.
The Tuntian Project was progressing nicely in its own way, but it might take a while to show real results.
Still, these visible public works are a way to show the people the state is functioning, so no plans to cut back.
Jingzhou's finances were flush, and my base and legitimacy in Soyang had stabilized quickly, so the Tuntian Theory I championed was gaining momentum fast.
I have no idea why people were starving to death even in such a prosperous city.
Must've been an administrative screw-up. I sure as hell won't repeat it.
"Ah, you're here? I have some business to attend to, so I'll take my leave."
Stepping into the conference room—my largest personal office—there was Uncle Sekdo.
Perfect timing; I had something to ask him anyway, so I called out to him as he was heading out.
"Hold up, Uncle Sekdo. I've got a favor to ask."
Sekdo stopped and turned.
"What is it, miss?"
"You've got some time on your hands now, right?"
"That's true. Thanks to your consideration."
Along with his bamboo slip paperwork at the registry office, he'd gotten some backup staff to handle Soyang civilian admin.
Sekdo, Maegan, and Choi Jupyeong had come to work under Liu Bei on Zhuge Liang's recommendation.
Effectively assigned to Soyang with me.
Maybe Liu Bei's snowball from fully securing Jingzhou was finally rolling, drawing in talent bit by bit.
Well, not fully secured. I'd later hear from Master Zhuge Liang that they'd ceded part of Southern Jingzhou to Wu in exchange for an alliance.
I dumped all my worries on Sekdo at once.
"I'm worried. I need to head to Yangyang. Uncle Sekdo, can you hold down the fort here while I'm gone?"
"Why go to Yangyang?"
"Haven't visited the family home in Woljung in ages, and I need some private chats with Lord Liu Bei about Jingzhou's future."
"Leave it to me. I figured you were slacking off today as usual... but of course, you always have a plan."
I flushed and scratched my cheek awkwardly.
"Not sure if I'm doing well. Just grinding away."
Uncle Sekdo soothed me gently.
"You're doing great."
He wore that earnest expression he gets when reading sutras—such a reassuring face.
Seeing it made me want to unburden a bit more.
"Not that I need to tell you, but I grew up dirt poor, wearing rags. Now here I am in silk robes with a scholar's fan. No one knows the wealth gap better than me, so I just want to handle admin accordingly. But I'm not sure if people will follow."
Sekdo pondered for a few dozen seconds before replying.
"I've always thought people like you should be the ones governing the people. I've felt that way since you spoke of benevolence at the registry office. Care to hear my own thoughts? Leaving my war-torn hometown, I kept thinking: scholarship that doesn't fill the people's bellies is just empty wordplay."
I nodded.
"Totally agree. Armchair theories are bullshit."
We shared the thoughts deep in our hearts.
Felt a real bond forming.
My face heated up, so I shot to my feet.
"...Anyway, I'm counting on you. Be back soon."
"Got it. Safe travels, miss."
After Chen Soyoung left, the four men began discussing her policies.
Sekdo had been skeptical at first, but he never dreamed it'd yield these results.
The people volunteered for work and gladly took on the toughest jobs.
How was this kind of rule even possible?
Sekdo couldn't hide his awe as he spoke.
"She governs without governing. Yet the people unite voluntarily and work diligently. Truly astonishing."
Maegan nudged Sekdo's shoulder, nodding in understanding.
"Damn right. I thought it was a gamble. And it paid off big time. From solving revenue issues to chronic labor and security problems. Ghostly administration."
No wonder they were impressed.
Putting commoners in managerial roles? Unheard of.
Official posts are limited, only recognized with the Son of Heaven's approval.
Thus, positions to manage the people are scarce.
Countless commoners outside the administrative fence faced discrimination, turned to banditry, or starved.
Chen Soyoung had a clever fix: embrace every citizen.
Ignore the very concept of officialdom. In place of the secluded emperor, create new posts and bestow them on all the people.
What kind of person comes up with such radical moves?
Worthy of being called Guan Zhong reborn, champion of enriching the state and strengthening the army.
"Jupyeong, what do you think? About the gambler hitting it big."
Choi Jupyeong scratched his right ear with his pinky, like why ask something so obvious?
"Look, she made the law into law. Cao Cao rules by strict codes, right? Soyang's the total opposite. Rule by humanity? Gets funnier the more I think about it. Lol."
"Lord Jupyeong, I don't get it. Explain simply?"
At Ma Su's question, Choi Jupyeong kindly dumbed it down.
"It's about coercion. Cao Cao chops heads for breaking laws. Us? No penalty for breaking 'em. But follow, and you eat. Wahahaha! How does she think of genius shit like that?"
Why was Choi Jupyeong so blown away?
Law in late Han was generally rule by fear.
In chaotic times, laws stood on a knife's edge amid war, focused on cowing the people into submission so they wouldn't flee.
Choi Jupyeong stopped laughing and continued.
"Soyoung's a freak. She stuffed incentives where punishments should be. People have no choice but to follow the law voluntarily. Nobody wants to starve."
Ma Su let out a short sigh.
"...Ah!"
"Getting it? Nobody wants to go hungry. She created the reason people grab plows without whips, urging each other on like maniacs."
Choi Jupyeong gazed in the direction Chen Soyoung's carriage had gone and kept going.
"Tell folks to do corvée or conscript, and they bolt. But here? Those are privileges. And starving? Not the state's fault. It's 'cause you slacked. What can ya do?"
Maegan felt a chill down his spine at Jupyeong's words.
"Ruling by pure self-interest, not virtue, so they trust and follow. Only someone who sees through to the human heart like Soyoung could dream this up."
The reincarnation of Guan Zhong.
A rich populace keeps the state running. Chen Soyoung had nailed it—chillingly—and exploited it.
"Well then... let's tackle the backlog. We'll rotate surveying duty. It'll be grueling."
Yangyang was abuzz.
I turned my head, and there was Uncle Zhao Yun escorting me.
"Don't you feel eyes following us?"
"Don't sweat it. Shall I say they're my private guards?"
Zhao Yun had coordinated with the twenty first-class citizens secretly guarding me, so I wouldn't notice.
"But why's Yangyang so noisy?"
"I heard Governor Liu Biao has run his course. Big changes coming."