Chapter 139: A Surprise! The Return of Ye Liang

Liu Fei, a prominent figure in Nanhuai Town, chimed in immediately after hearing what Huang Dongmei had to say: "Lord Earl, while I also agree that upgrading the roads is of great importance—because convenient transportation can stimulate commodity circulation and drive economic growth and prosperity—all of this must be built upon a fundamental prerequisite: the people must first have enough to eat."

"Furthermore, when marching into battle, provisions always come first; food has consistently been the matter of utmost priority."

"Nanhuai Town and Qitan Town rely on the convenience of the Nanhuai River and the Sanqing River. Their land is fertile, and they are sparsely populated, so the food issue is not a major concern under normal circumstances."

"However, if a drought or flood were to strike, grain production would still plummet drastically, leaving countless commoners to starve."

"Therefore, in my view, the most crucial task right now is the repair of the irrigation canals."

Chu Wencai quickly followed up: "Lord Earl, given Lady Liu's concerns about potential floods, I also believe that repairing the irrigation canals is indeed the most urgent task at hand. There is a little over a month left until the harvest season. During this period, the weather is unpredictable, and torrential downpours capable of triggering floods can occur at any moment. If these nearly ripe crops were to be submerged by floodwaters, it would be an absolute tragedy."

Following this, several others spoke up, expressing their consensus that prioritizing the repair of the irrigation canals was essential to protect fertile fields from drought and flood, thereby ensuring stable crop yields.

Chu Yun frowned and fell into deep contemplation.

His original plan had been to prioritize road construction, establishing a comprehensive transportation network among the three towns of Nanhuai, Qitan, and Chujia.

Afterwards, he intended to connect with neighboring territories to foster economic exchange between his domain and others.

That way, he could invent and manufacture various commodities previously seen only in future eras—such as paper goods, soap, and candles—making a massive fortune and bringing absolute prosperity to the entire domain.

Yet, having listened to everyone's advice, he now felt that repairing the irrigation canals might be the more pressing priority for the moment.

Chu Yun pondered the matter deeply.

He reasoned that road construction could wait until cement was successfully developed and ready for use.

Roads built with cement would be far better for travel, thereby more effectively promoting commodity circulation and stimulating economic development.

Repairing the irrigation canals first required digging ditches, followed by laying stones.

Cement would only be needed during the stone-laying phase.

Having weighed his options, Chu Yun made his decision: "Very well. Since everyone agrees that the most urgent task at hand is the repair of the irrigation canals, let us focus on that first. After all, with harvest season only a little over a month away, there is not much time left to spare for road construction. Once the harvest is complete and the canals are repaired, we will initiate the road construction plan."

He then continued: "Now that our next two major plans and our course of action have been determined, today's meeting is hereby adjourned. Today is June twenty-fifth. From now on, a meeting of this nature will be held on the twenty-fifth of every month to review the work content and results of the past month, and to formulate the work content and plan for the next."

Everyone agreed that such meetings were exceptionally beneficial and nodded in approval. "Understood, Lord Earl. Even without your carrier pigeon notifications, we will arrive at Chujia Town on the twenty-fifth to attend the meeting."

However, Chu Yun shook his head and said, "Future meetings will be held in Nanhuai Town, as Nanhuai Town is situated right between Chujia Town and Qitan Town. Moreover, I will soon be moving there with my family, leaving the management of Chujia Town entirely in Wencai's hands."

"Understood, Lord Earl!" everyone acknowledged with nods.

Chu Yun added: "Upon returning, the representatives from Nanhuai Town and Qitan Town should conduct on-site inspections to fully understand the condition of the paddy fields and canals. Discuss with the broad masses of the people how best to repair the canals, and only begin action after arriving at the optimal plan. Although this may delay us slightly, when the actual repairs begin, it will greatly improve our efficiency and prevent numerous complications."

Liu Fei, Huang Dongmei, and the others from Nanhuai and Qitan promptly replied, "Your Lordship is wise and thorough in your consideration. Upon our return, we shall strictly follow your instructions and refrain from taking blind action."

Luo Hu turned his head to look at Chu Yun. "Lord Earl, I personally would have preferred to prioritize the road repairs, but after listening to their analysis, I, too, recognize the critical importance of the irrigation canals. Why don't the Fierce Tiger Troops join in on the canal repairs as well? After all, many lives were lost in this recent conflict, and Qitan Town, in particular, is left with virtually no able-bodied young men."

Upon hearing this, Chu Wencai interjected, "Deputy Commander Luo, the Fierce Tiger Troops bear the heavy responsibility of defending the territory..."

Before he could finish, Chu Yun interrupted him: "Wencai, my master, the God of Thunder, is still here. Furthermore, with the harvest fast approaching, it is hardly an appropriate time to launch military campaigns. We needn't worry about the domain's security for the time being. I accept Deputy Commander Luo's proposal. Let the Fierce Tiger Troops work alongside everyone to repair the irrigation canals first, ensuring a bountiful harvest this year above all else."

Since Chu Yun had spoken, Chu Wencai found it difficult to say anything further.

Luo Hu bowed to Chu Yun and said, "Lord Earl, as soon as I return, I will have the Fierce Tiger Troops ready to support everyone in repairing the irrigation canals."

Chu Yun smiled faintly. "I am confident that with the combat prowess of the Fierce Tiger Troops assisting us, the canals will be repaired all the more swiftly."

Luo Hu laughed and replied, "Naturally! Having the Fierce Tiger Troops help with the canal repairs is also done with the hope that we might swiftly move on to upgrading the roads, thereby enhancing the overall military readiness of Your Lordship's domain."

With that, everyone dispersed, and the meeting concluded completely.

Scarcely had they departed when a garrison guard galloped up on a fast horse to report, "M-My Lord, Lord Earl, they've returned! They're back!"

The guard was so overwhelmed with excitement that his speech was halting and his articulation somewhat blurred.

Chu Yun instructed him to take a few deep breaths and waited for him to calm down before asking, "Do not rush. Tell me, who has returned?"

Having regained his composure, the guard still spoke with trembling eagerness, stammering, "It is the Second Madam's father—they are not dead, they have returned!"

The Second Madam in question was Ye Zelan.

Ever since Ye Zelan expressed her heartfelt devotion to Chu Yun, people had begun referring to her as the Second Madam, a title that soon became habitual.

Hearing this, Chu Yun was overwhelmed with excitement. He grasped the guard's arm and demanded, "What? What did you say? You say Ye Lians's group of herb gatherers has returned?"

His heart swelled with genuine joy.

This was because Ye Lian and his party had gone missing more than ten days before the Witch Doctor Sect launched its assault on Chujia Town.

Chu Yun had continually dispatched search parties and had already learned that the search parties sent in the other three directions had all met with disaster.

Consequently, he had ceased to harbor any hope for Ye Lian and the others; the only reason he hadn't recalled the searchers was because Ye Zelan had insisted on seeing them alive or their bodies if dead.

Never had he imagined that they would actually return alive.