Chapter 125: Reforming Jiaozhou

Listening to Liu Xie, Zhuge Liang nodded silently, gradually grasping the Emperor's intent.

"I understand, Your Majesty. You intend to transform Jiaozhou into our vital logistical reserve center."

"If that is the case, we will need reliable people to oversee it."

"First, Yuan Shu is currently one of your most loyal subjects, especially since his daughter is your consort. Furthermore, by sending him there while keeping his son behind, you have effectively placed a check on him."

"Beyond Yuan Shu, Zang Ba and Cao Xing are both formidable generals who once served under Lu Bu, possessing considerable strength. Liu Xun was a former subordinate of Yuan Shu, and Huang Zhong is a man of honor and integrity; perhaps due to his age, he remains steady and composed in all his actions."

"If Yuan Shu is appointed as the primary overseer of our agricultural efforts in Jiaozhou, Huang Zhong would be the perfect candidate to assist him. Given that Huang Zhong is a renowned general, his presence will provide a necessary degree of deterrence in the region."

Indeed, this was exactly what Liu Xie intended. In truth, if these men remained in Jingzhou or Yizhou, their utility would be limited. Both regions were already home to many elite generals—Lu Bu, Zhang Liao, the two brothers of Liu Bei, and other seasoned commanders from Jingzhou. With such figures present, the likes of Zang Ba and Cao Xing would have no opportunity to showcase their talents. Sending them to Jiaozhou, however, would be a different matter entirely. Shi Xie’s subordinates in Jiaozhou lacked true capability, providing these men with the perfect stage to prove their worth.

Having understood the Emperor's vision, Zhuge Liang sighed in admiration at Liu Xie’s deep foresight.

"Your Majesty, do you intend to travel to Jiaozhou yourself?" Zhuge Liang asked again.

Liu Xie nodded. "Yes. The situation in Jiaozhou is unique; I must oversee the transition personally. Kongming, remember: while I am away, you must handle the affairs of the court with care. Most importantly, ensure our military strongholds are fully fortified."

"Also, regarding mineral resources, all ores extracted from Jingzhou and Yizhou are to be transported to Jiaozhou. In time, Jiaozhou will become the heart of our operations."

Having settled all arrangements, Liu Xie, who had returned from Jiaozhou only days prior, set out once more. He led five generals—Yuan Shu, Huang Zhong, Liu Xun, Zang Ba, and Cao Xing—along with fifty thousand Jingzhou troops.

News of their arrival preceded them. As soon as they reached the borders of Jiaozhou, Shi Xie came out with his subordinates to welcome them.

"Shi Xie pays homage to Your Majesty!" Shi Xie knelt respectfully.

"Rise, Minister Shi. Tell me, do you understand the purpose of this visit?" Liu Xie asked as they walked toward the city of Jiaozhi.

"Your Majesty, I do. You intend to establish a reserve center within the borders of Jiaozhou. I am deeply humbled by the trust you have placed in me."

In truth, when Liu Xie first made this decision, he had worried that Shi Xie might resist. The Shi family had held sway in Jiaozhou for generations, and meddling in their territory could have caused friction. But it appeared his worries were unfounded; Shi Xie felt not resentment, but rather a profound sense of honor at being entrusted with such a critical institution.

"Good. In that case, let us begin immediately. All seven commanderies of Jiaozhou must be mobilized. We shall establish depots for grain storage and production facilities for military equipment. Nanhai, Cangwu, Yulin, Hepu, Jiaozhi, Jiuzhen, and Rinan—we shall utilize them all."

"Do not be anxious, Minister Shi. I shall place these facilities in locations far from the populace so as not to disrupt the lives of the people."

Liu Xie laid out his plans. In reality, he was employing methods reminiscent of the twenty-first century—creating industrial zones or centralized parks far from residential areas to facilitate large-scale production. By hiring local people to work in these facilities and providing them with benefits, he could not only achieve his strategic goals but also solve the local employment issues.

"I shall obey your every command, Your Majesty," Shi Xie replied, fully committed to the task.

And so, upon their arrival, the work began. They spent vast sums of money to recruit countless laborers from across the Jiaozhou region and began constructing their vital institutions in all seven commanderies.

Liu Xie implemented strict regulations for the grain depots, applying modern management techniques for inventory and logistics. Using the cement and concrete he had developed, they constructed massive granaries designed for long-term storage. Beyond this, Liu Xie established dozens of large-scale factories dedicated to producing military hardware: shields, bows, spears, blades, saddles, and siege equipment.

While these projects were underway, Liu Xie led Yuan Shu and the others in launching an agricultural overhaul of Jiaozhou. Clearing land, digging wells, and planting crops—the entire region became a hive of activity.

Shi Xie was overjoyed to witness this. The inventions Liu Xie brought were remarkably efficient, and the policies aimed at improving the people's livelihood were dazzling. He was struck with awe at the hidden depth of the Emperor’s capabilities.

As the work reached a fever pitch and the enthusiasm of the locals grew, Liu Xie began the process of conscription. By now, agriculture and recruitment had become his standard procedure—every time a city was secured, these two tasks followed in order. However, he did not expect to raise a massive force here; the population of Jiaozhou was small, and the number of recruits would naturally fall short of those in Jingzhou or Yizhou.

As he had predicted, after one month of recruitment, the total force raised in Jiaozhou amounted to two hundred and fifty thousand. It mattered little; this was more than enough for the region. Liu Xie did not intend for these troops to engage in major campaigns; their sole purpose was to safeguard Jiaozhou.