Starting from 1618 of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 93 Post-War Dividends

October of the second year of the Tianqi reign (1622), Jinan Prefecture.

More than a month has passed since the White Lotus Rebellion was quelled, but the wounds left by the war are far from healed.

From Yuncheng to Zou County, from Ziyang to Juye, everywhere was ruins and desolate fields. Once bustling towns had become wastelands, and fertile fields were overgrown with weeds. Refugees were everywhere, and the roads were filled with the corpses of the starving. The air was thick with the stench of decay and death.

But for Lu Yan, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Inside the study of the Lu residence, Hu Jingshui was reporting the latest accounts.

"Boss, this is the acquisition list for this month."

He took out a thick ledger from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

"Regarding farmland, we acquired 800 mu of fertile land in Ziyang County at an average price of 3.2 taels per mu; 600 mu in Yuncheng County at an average price of 2.8 taels per mu; and 400 mu in Zou County at an average price of 3 taels per mu. Adding to our previous acquisitions, we now own a total of 3,200 mu of fertile land."

Lu Yan took the account book, flipping through it as he asked, "Who were the original owner's people?"

"Most of them are gentry who perished in the war," Hu Jingshui replied. "Some had their entire families wiped out, and their land was sold off by their clansmen; others, though alive, were terrified and wished they could sell their land cheaply and flee to the south."

"What's the price?"

"In peaceful times, fertile land in Shandong would cost at least seven or eight taels per mu. Now, with war and chaos, and people filled with fear, the price is only thirty or forty percent of what it used to be."

Lu Yan nodded without saying anything.

He knew this was a bloody deal. Some of the original owners of those fields had died under the swords of the chaotic army, some had been swept away and their whereabouts were unknown, and some, though alive, had lost their families.

And Lu Yan was the one who picked up bargains from the ruins.

"What about the shops?"

"Regarding shops, we have twelve in Jinan city, eight at Linqing wharf, six in Dezhou, and four in Dongchang, totaling thirty." A hint of excitement flashed in Hu Jingshui's eyes. "In addition, our carriage and horse transport business has doubled. Post-war reconstruction requires a large amount of material transportation; orders from officials, merchants, and gentry are booked until the end of the year."

What about profits?

"The gross profit is about four thousand taels," Hu Jingshui said in a low voice. "Boss, if this momentum continues, our assets will exceed twenty-five thousand taels by the end of the year."

Twenty-five thousand taels.

Lu Yan put down the account book, his eyes flickering slightly.

Four years ago, when he transmigrated to this world, he only had thirty taels of silver in his pocket and owed the Fan family three hundred taels of usurious loans.

Four years later, he was already a high-ranking official of the eighth rank, with more than 3,000 acres of fertile land, 30 shops, and a guard of 150 men.

This speed would be nothing short of a fantasy in times of peace.

But this is a chaotic world.

Turbulent times produce heroes, but also tyrants.

"There's one more thing," Hu Jingshui's voice interrupted Lu Yan's thoughts, "It's about people."

"Who is it?"

"Refugees."

Hu Jingshui lowered her voice and leaned closer.

"After the White Lotus Rebellion, refugees were everywhere. I had soup kitchens set up in various places to gather refugees under the guise of 'accumulating merit and doing good deeds.' In the past two months, we have gathered more than 1,300 people."

"Among them were over four hundred able-bodied young men and over nine hundred elderly, weak, women, and children. Among the able-bodied young men, some were fleeing farmers, some were scattered garrison soldiers, and some..."

He lowered his voice and glanced left and right.

"There were also some defeated soldiers from the White Lotus Sect."

Lu Yan's gaze sharpened slightly.

"Defeated soldiers? How many?"

"About seventy or eighty people," Hu Jingshui replied. "Most of them are farmers from the Yuncheng and Zouxian areas, who were coerced into joining the White Lotus Sect's army. After the city fell, they escaped in the chaos and mingled among the refugees to make a living."

"Has the background been thoroughly investigated?"

"Shen Qing had people verify each one, and they were indeed all law-abiding citizens who had been coerced; there were no real core members of the cult."

Lu Yan pondered for a moment.

"How were these people settled?"

"Zhao Changying carefully selected over thirty skilled men and incorporated them into the guard team. The rest were settled on farms outside the city."

"Alright." Lu Yan nodded. "However, these defeated soldiers should be organized into separate units and not mixed up with the veterans of the guard. Have Zhao Changying keep a close eye on them, and eliminate any who show dissent immediately."

"yes."

Hu Jingshui responded and then said:

"By the way, Master, Zhao Changying asked me to tell you that he wants to expand the guard force."

"Expand? Expand by how much?"

He said that the current guard force has 150 men, plus 200 militia members, totaling 350. But as our business grows and our transport routes expand, we're short-handed. He wants to recruit another 100 to make it a round number.

Lu Yan shook his head.

"no."

"The boss?" Hu Jingshui was taken aback.

"The size of the guard team cannot be expanded any further." Lu Yan stood up and walked to the window. "One hundred and fifty people is already the limit. Any more than that, and it will attract the attention of the authorities."

"But--"

"The local militia can be expanded," Lu Yan interrupted him. "The local militia are 'village braves,' nominally there to protect the territory and its people, and the government turns a blind eye. But the guards are different; they are private soldiers. Keeping too many private soldiers is a capital offense."

Hu Jingshui suddenly realized: "Master, your insight is brilliant."

"Let Zhao Changying focus his energy on the local militia training," Lu Yan turned around. "Farm during peacetime, train during the off-season, and be conscripted in wartime. This is the long-term solution."

"yes."

Hu Jingshui responded and took out another slip of paper from her sleeve.

"By the way, boss, Shen Qing asked me to give this to you."

Lu Yan took the note, unfolded it, and read it.

The note contained only a few words:

"Mao Wenlong of Liaodong established Dongjiang Town on Pi Island and urgently needed supplies, willing to purchase them at high prices. This presents an opportunity to open up the Liaodong sea route."

Lu Yan's eyes narrowed slightly.

Mao Wenlong.

He had seen this name countless times in the history books of his previous life.

Mao Wenlong was a fierce general in Liaodong who established Dongjiang Town in the rear of the Later Jin, tying down a large number of Later Jin troops. However, he was unruly and his relationship with the court was always tense. In the end, he was executed by Yuan Chonghuan forged an imperial edict.

The defeated soldiers from Dongjiang Town later became the main force of the Wuqiao Mutiny.

Where is Shen Qingren?

"Wait outside."

"Let him in."

A moment later, Shen Qing entered the study.

"Master."

Where did you get this information from?

"I have an old acquaintance in Dengzhou, a merchant who travels by sea," Shen Qing replied. "He said that after Mao Wenlong established himself on Pi Island, he urgently needed supplies such as grain, cloth, and gunpowder. The imperial court's supplies were intermittent and simply insufficient. He had no choice but to purchase them from the people at high prices."

"What's the price?"

"Thirty percent higher than the market price." A glint of shrewdness flashed in Shen Qing's eyes. "And it's cash settlement, absolutely no delays."

Lu Yan pondered for a moment.

How far is the sea route from Dengzhou to Pidao?

"If the wind is favorable, it should arrive in three or four days."

"What about the risks?"

"The seas are rough, posing a risk of capsizing. Furthermore, while the Later Jin navy is not a formidable force, it occasionally engages in raiding."

Lu Yan nodded, but did not immediately express his opinion.

Maritime trade.

This is a field he has always wanted to explore.

A ship carrying silk to Japan can yield a tenfold profit. A ship carrying grain to Pi Island can yield a thirtyfold profit. This kind of trade is far more profitable than land transport.

However, the barriers to entry in maritime trade are also high. It requires ships, people, shipping routes, and connections.

He does not yet possess these qualities.

"Let's put this matter aside for now," Lu Yan said. "You continue to keep an eye on news from Dengzhou. We'll make our move when the time is right."

"yes."

Shen Qing bowed and turned to leave.

"etc."

Lu Yan called out to him.

"Have the Zheng mother and son been settled?"

Shen Qing paused and turned around.

"It's all settled. We told everyone it was a distant relative the master had brought from his hometown in Yanzhou; the widow and her child were seeking refuge with relatives. All the servants in the manor believed it, and no one suspected anything."

Where is the child?

"After a few good meals, you look much better." Shen Qing's tone was unusually gentle. "Mrs. Zheng asked me to tell the master that she and her child were saved by the master. She will never forget this kindness."

Lu Yan waved his hand.

"Tell her to stay put and not to overthink it. We'll make plans after things calm down."

"yes."

Shen Qing left.

The study fell silent again.

Lu Yan walked to the window and opened it.

The autumn sun streamed in, carrying the sweet fragrance of osmanthus blossoms. The old locust tree in the yard had shed half its leaves, carpeting the ground in golden hues.

He took a deep breath and suppressed his surging emotions.

Land, shops, population, intelligence...

These are all his bargaining chips.

Next, he will use these chips to acquire something bigger.

Official positions, power, the military...

Also, there's that place called "Dengzhou".

He knew that was his true stage.

Outside the window, the autumn wind blows, and fallen leaves flutter down.

Lu Yan's gaze had already pierced through the courtyard wall, looking towards the distant east.