Chapter 275 A Year of Accumulation

In the seventh year of the new era name, according to the original plan, this year should have been the time to expel Western Kang and Northern Liang, and pacify Jiannan Circuit.

However, all of this had to be postponed. As the shipbuilders' techniques became more proficient and their numbers increased, the efficiency of shipbuilding also grew higher.

In just six months, the shipyard delivered thirty-five treasure ships.

Among them was even a giant treasure ship exceeding twenty zhang in length, nearly three zhang in width, and with a displacement of over twelve hundred tons.

Although the navy, keen on fishing, could generate a lot of revenue itself, it was a drop in the bucket compared to the enormous expenses.

However, all the investment was necessary. On the tenth day of the seventh month of the seventh year of the new era name, in the height of summer.

On this day, the expanded Panyu wharf was filled with the sound of gongs and drums, bustling with activity.

Gao Yuan brought a cup of wine and handed it to Cao Xing, then took a cup for himself.

"Here, I wish the navy a triumphant first expedition."

"Thank you, my lord, for your auspicious words!"

The two raised their cups and drank them dry, then Cao Xing walked across the gangplank and stepped onto the flagship named Southern Yue.

As the warship sailed away from the port, with its sails fully unfurled, it rode the wind and embarked on the journey to find the Spice Island and the Gold Island.

Time turned back to February; the crops brought back by Gao Yuan finally left the experimental fields, ready for large-scale testing.

In the experimental fields, these crops enjoyed the most fertile land, meticulous cultivation, and dedicated care.

Therefore, the decline in yield for these crops compared to the first generation was not very significant.

But how it would go after large-scale promotion, everyone from Gao Yuan to Zao Zhi was nervous about.

After a round of selection, weeding out some seeds with poor yields, the planting of high-yield rice, potatoes, corn, and sweet potatoes this time all exceeded twenty thousand mu.

It could be said that all the cultivated land around Vientiane was planted with these four crops.

The reason for choosing Vientiane was that it was located in the heart of the Nanyue Kingdom, making it difficult for secrets to leak.

Many commoners still had doubts about the new crops, and their enthusiasm was not high.

For this reason, Gao Yuan specifically came to Vientiane and made a promise to the commoners on the spot:

"No matter how much you harvest, our Agricultural Research Institute will purchase every single jin without fail;"

"If the yield per mu is less than three shi, it will be calculated as three shi; of course, the more you grow, the more profit you make."

Seeing this, Zao Zhi also hurriedly stepped forward and promised loudly at the top of his lungs:

"As for planting techniques, you don't need to worry; my colleagues at the Agricultural Research Institute and I will definitely teach you step by step."

With Gao Yuan's guarantee policy and Zao Zhi's reputation among the people, these commoners finally dispelled their concerns.

By the sixth or seventh month, when these crops were harvested, the commoners had no more concerns; all that remained was the realization of their true value.

The high-yield rice produced over seven hundred jin per mu, corn produced over nine hundred jin per mu, and potatoes and sweet potatoes exceeded fifteen hundred jin.

Although the yield had dropped significantly from the first generation of improved seeds, it was still an incredible achievement.

One must know that this was in Vientiane, where all crops could be planted twice a season.

A lower yield in a single season was not a problem; when calculated over two seasons, the total yield was quite substantial.

With this batch of seeds harvested and screened, by the time of the summer sowing, the entire Zhongnan Circuit was planted with these four crops.

According to Gao Yuan's estimation, this season, the entire Zhongnan Circuit could harvest at least several hundred thousand shi of grain.

According to the tax rate of one-tenth, plus the custom of government treasury purchases, this season alone, the Zhongnan Circuit could provide over one hundred thousand shi of military grain.

What about next year, or the year after?

Increasing the harvest by a million shi of grain in a year would simply not be a problem.

With this grain as a foundation, would he still be afraid of not being able to support an army? Still afraid of not being able to afford a war?

Thinking of this, Gao Yuan began to rub his hands in anticipation.

Seeing Gao Yuan's excited appearance, the women were both happy and worried.

While the successful promotion of the four improved seeds was gratifying, what would happen after the provisions were sufficient?

Did it mean that Gao Yuan was about to embark on a path of expansion again?

Thinking that their husband was going to the battlefield again, the women couldn't help but worry.

But just as Zhao Xiyao said, their husband was a fierce tiger, a tiger that could not be kept in a cage.

What they could do was to manage the rear for him, so that he could have no worries, rather than restraining his steps.

After returning to Panyu and resting for two days, Gao Yuan began his preparations, and the first thing was to expand the army.

Draft one to two thousand elites from the Xuanjia Army in various places to join the Beiwei Army and form the Fourth Division of the Beiwei Army.

Select suitable candidates to expand the Xiaoguo Army to two thousand five hundred men.

Forge enough iron parts for the linchong siege tower, in preparation for use in sieges.

Regarding Gao Yuan's decisiveness, the women, especially Yang Xin, still had some complaints.

"The tax revenue has just increased, and I thought you could pay back some loans, but I didn't expect you to spend it all directly."

Gao Yuan smiled and explained:

"I made this decision after evaluating the tax revenue growth for the next two years."

"This is typical of eating next year's grain this year."

"That's not the same thing at all, okay? This is called being prepared for a rainy day, okay?"

"Fine, fine, whatever you say is reasonable."

Gao Yuan pulled the beauty tighter into his arms, his tone becoming extremely gentle:

"I know you don't want me to go to war, but there's no other way; this is my duty;"

"Perhaps you think that we are powerful now, and even if we don't continue, we can still live very comfortably;"

"But think about it, Gao Wu and his two sons have been planning for so long. If they unify the world, can they tolerate such a big threat as us existing on the Southwest border?"

"Anyway, put yourself in their shoes; if I were in Gao Wu's position, I would definitely be unable to sleep or eat in peace."

How could Yang Xin not understand this? She leaned in Gao Yuan's arms.

"Actually, it's not that we don't understand these things, it's just that we are afraid you might encounter some misfortune."

"I know, I know, you are worried about me because you love me, but honey, don't forget that I am someone with a system!"

Yang Xin rolled her eyes at him.

"Yes, yes, yes, you are a cheater, you are the best, okay."

"Of course I am the best, if you don't believe me, try it out!"

Gao Yuan grinned with a cunning look and pounced on the woman, and the room was suddenly filled with a pink, ambiguous atmosphere.

Half an hour later, the woman, unable to withstand the torment, raised her hands in surrender, admitting that Gao Yuan was the best even without his cheat.

In the seventh year of the new era name, the struggle for supremacy in the north was still continuing, but the protagonists had changed to Northern Liang and Yan State.

However, because Gao Hu and a portion of the army were still in Jiannan Circuit, Northern Liang was on the defensive.

And after Lu Heng swept through the State of Lu and captured Chang Xingrong alive, he took advantage of the momentum of the great victory to charge toward Hulao Pass.

Gao Long used the danger of Hulao Pass to deal Lu Heng a head-on blow.

Meanwhile, The Emperor, who had been an idler for several years, seemed to have suddenly become enlightened, and actually got his act together, wanting to strive for prosperity.

Taking the opportunity of Lu Heng sending troops to attack Hulao Pass, he ordered Song Ren to be the commander, with Pei Xiudao and Wang Mian as deputies, and sent troops to capture most of Haizhou, Sizhou, and Xuzhou.

After retreating for several years, the Great Qian Imperial Court showed its orthodox bearing for the first time.

It also stretched its reach across the Huai River for the first time, setting foot on northern soil once again.

Gao Yuan was naturally happy to see this situation; the harder they fought, the more time he would have to accumulate strength.

Of course, all of this was not without risk; Gao Yuan also needed to be vigilant against any side becoming too powerful.

Watching the tigers fight from the mountain was indeed very interesting, but if it led to fostering a future threat, that would not be good.

Therefore, Gao Yuan also made preparations, ready to send troops at any time to contain Northern Liang and the Great Qian Imperial Court, so that they could not fully eliminate Lu Kuan.