The second task was expanding enrollment at Leping Academy.

It seemed that with her control extending from Leping to all of Bingzhou, the enrollment was aimed at the entire region.

However, in reality, only those with extra money or grain could afford to send their children there.

The poor families Qiao Yan wanted to help wouldn’t have the luxury to consider such options until they could feed their families properly.

The state government couldn’t afford to provide free education or give rewards to help the top students with their household expenses either.

So, this was more of a targeted enrollment for the wealthy families in Bingzhou.

Qiao Yan wasn’t surprised by this situation.

In fact, when discussing it with Xi Zhicai, she even mentioned that this could be seen as another form of sending hostages.

“Leping is surrounded by mountains, providing natural protection. Building defense lines on the ridges is relatively easy, making this the future cultural core area,” Qiao Yan said, pointing at the map.

The governance of Bingzhou must still center on Taiyuan County’s Jinyang, as it’s the inevitable result of the governor’s authority extending over the entire region.

However, whether out of nostalgia or other considerations, Qiao Yan didn’t give up on Leping itself.

Setting the cultural center in Leping, the safest place under her control, would help attract more students in the future, making it her top choice.

With Cai Yong’s reputation, the promise of two instructors from the Wei family to assist her, and her status as governor of Bingzhou valuing Leping Academy, it was enough to encourage local families to send some students even with just a trial mindset.

“If anyone in the state has any rebellious thoughts, the group you hold, Lord Qiao, won’t be easy to send back, serving as a safeguard,” Xi Zhicai said with a laugh, clapping his hands.

He also pondered what the scene would be like in a few years.

She had previously outlined the…

With the expansion of enrollment, various fields would inevitably change.

This place could never compete with the well-established families of Yingchuan for fame in producing exceptional talents.

However, if Leping could remain safe for another two years, it would likely attract students from Liangzhou, Sili, and Jizhou.

Xi Zhicai clearly didn’t hesitate to make the worst assumptions about the current situation.

Qiao Yan replied to him, “Since Mr. Zhongde needs to focus on state affairs and Feng Xiao is responsible for border issues, I’d like to entrust this crucial place to you. Leping is my fief, and I must ensure there are no worries here. What do you think, sir?”

Although she didn’t explicitly say this responsibility had to go to a trusted person, it was easy for Xi Zhicai to pick up on that implication.

He recalled a scene from before he revealed his identity, when he saw the current Lord Leping sitting on a rooftop, issuing commands with a sense of control.

That same sense of mastery was needed for Leping now.

As she took steps beyond Leping, she was carefully entrusting this place into his hands.

For anyone with talent and ambition, this was a deeply significant responsibility.

Xi Zhicai bowed and responded, “I will not fail your expectations, Lord Qiao.”

He would carefully screen the enrollment list for Leping Academy.

Cai Yong can’t be the only one to handle this matter.

Qiao Yan’s only hope right now is to quickly convince Cai Zhenji to come to Le Ping.

He has high expectations for her because she could teach influential figures like Yang Huiyu, the virtuous empress of the Western Jin, and Yang Hu, the founder of the downfall of Wu.

Qiao Yan’s hopes for Cai Zhenji are as high as those for Qin Yu.

However, when it comes to selecting students, it will be up to Lu Yuan and Xi Zhichai to team up and make the final choices.

After this was decided, the next important task for winter was preparing for farming.

For this winter, one part of the work involved Jia Shu calculating how much fertilizer needed to be prepared in advance, gathering materials, and getting the fermentation pits ready.

The other part was using the governor’s control over salt and iron to produce a batch of farming tools needed for spring.

—All of this must not interfere with the military’s weaponry.

The main tool that needed increased production was the rake.

At this time, this rake is used to break up hard soil in the fields, not the nine-tooth rake.

While it’s possible to rely on manual labor for this, the introduction of the curved plow is changing that.

A part of the farming cattle was set aside, and to improve efficiency, a type of rake pulled by oxen was called the iron-toothed rake.

It looked a bit like a wooden frame with iron teeth along its longer side.

Qiao Yan assigned this task to Liang Zhongning and Zhang Niujao.

Qiao Yan wouldn’t admit it, but she thought these two might have a lot in common, which is why she made this decision.

Since it’s still winter and there’s a truce, Zhang Niujao might as well supervise production instead of asking to fight the Xiongnu.

“I suspect Lord Qiao is settling a personal score,” Zhang Niujao complained to Liang Zhongning while fiddling with a sample of the rake.

This idea made sense since his previous exam hadn’t passed and ended up in Qiao Yan’s hands.

Thinking about this, he looked at the Yellow Turban leader, who was supposedly tricked by Lord Qiao, and felt a bit of comfort.

Liang Zhongning was surprisingly calm.

He guessed that Qiao Yan sent him here not to keep an eye on him or limit his contact with the border guards, but to show her attitude.

Starting with farming tools, the goal was to ensure the people of Bingzhou had enough to eat.

This was the practical step Lord Qiao was referring to.

Only by truly understanding her could all his previous grievances disappear, allowing them to interact without any barriers in their superior-subordinate relationship.

He calmly placed the sample back on the cart and signaled for Zhang Niujao to join him in testing the farming cattle.

He replied, “If Lord Qiao really wanted to settle a score, he could have assigned you another task. You saw the two formulas for fertilizer with Jia Jili—wouldn’t it be better for you to collect those instead?”

The two types of fertilizer, ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate, were more complicated than the bone meal fertilizer they were also preparing to test on the Guo family’s fields.

This was why they needed to use local methods to make the fermentation pits.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Niujao fell silent.

After they fitted the rake onto the cattle, he finally spoke up, “You’re right. It seems Lord Qiao values me after all. Food is essential for the people, and if we get this done in winter, we can fight the Hu people come spring.”

He couldn’t have such a biased view of Lord Qiao.

Yes, exactly.

After this conversation and cooperation, the duo, privately nicknamed “Mindless and Unhappy” by Qiao Yan, had a different understanding of their situation.

They both had a better understanding of each other’s situations.

Aside from producing the rake frames and iron teeth, the workers previously assigned to farming at Le Ping had gradually been moved to Taiyuan.

They also needed to start producing the improved curved plow based on agricultural texts, with these two supervising that process.

Zhang Niujao now understood why Qiao Yan had placed him here.

A significant portion of the wooden farming tools were being made by the Black Mountain bandits, whom Qiao Yan had previously recruited for manual labor.

He could easily communicate with them, which made task assignments smoother.

Of course, these people now had household registrations in Le Ping and could be considered part of the first group to follow Lord Qiao.

With him as the leader, who was enjoying his role, this busy team in the twelfth month felt reminiscent of the days spent planting yam in the mountains.

Liang Zhongning looked at the lively scene before him, sighed, and couldn’t help but reveal a faint smile.

This was the Bingzhou under Lord Qiao…

Indeed, it was a place worth longing for.

Alongside these initiatives, there were other matters to address.

The villagers in the town were practicing martial arts to prepare for battle during the winter, and those responsible for the border defense were also busy.

By the end of January, Qiao Yan officially assigned Xu Huang to the Yinshan defense line, using the second batch of materials gathered after completing the fermentation pits to defend the Suyang Pass.

Considering the need to avoid taking on too much and the lack of available manpower, Qiao Yan decided not to have Xu Huang focus on the coal mines in Daqingshan or the iron mines in Baiyun Ebo.

After all, if she could effectively utilize the mineral resources in Yanmen and Xihe, it would already be a significant achievement.

Meanwhile, at the Yanmen border defense, with the clear plan for a spring offensive against the Xiongnu, both Zhang Liao and Zhang Yang, who were familiar with the border troops, and the recently appointed Lu Bu continued their training duties.

Once they deployed, they would be executing surprise lightning attacks, and it was essential to prepare logistical supplies.

As for the preparation of these supplies—

Since the governor’s officials, apart from the specific duties of the clerical officer, had no strict limitations, Qiao Yan confidently assigned this task to Jia Xu.

“Does Wenhe have anything to say about this?” Qiao Yan asked, maintaining a serious expression.

Jia Xu was used to appearing calm and composed, having built up courage through numerous life-and-death experiences.

She maintained a professional attitude.

Previously, Qiao Yan had surprised Jia Mu by assigning him to the governor’s office without prior notice, catching Jia Xu off guard as well.

This made Jia Xu realize that, for reasons he couldn’t fully understand, Lord Qiao was placing significant importance on him.

Now, he was not only facing the dilemma of being an official alongside his eldest son but was also being pushed into a tough situation.

Jia Xu clasped his hands and replied, “It’s not that I intend to disobey Lord Qiao’s orders, but if I remember correctly, you summoned my whole family to Bingzhou for legal matters, right?”

Hearing this, Qiao Yan replied calmly, “It’s winter now, and there are few people outside, so no thief would dare take risks.

With the governor holding military power, no bandits or rebels would dare cause trouble.

The results of the inspection of the treasury are out, and thanks to Lord Cui’s administration, there are no corrupt officials in Bingzhou.

So, the only remaining issue is the troop deployment. Military orders are also legal orders, so Wenhe should proceed with this.”

It was impressive that she could state such reasons so confidently.

Jia Xu felt a brief moment of speechlessness but realized he had little room to refuse.

He immediately responded, “I will strictly follow Lord Qiao’s orders.”

If he wanted to handle something thoroughly, there were no difficulties at all.

From planning to execution, everything went smoothly.

Even when he had to transfer supplies to Lu Bu, those who accompanied Qiao Yan reported that the interaction went quite harmoniously.

But that was where his performance ended.

Once the transfer was complete, he returned to his original position without any desire to stand out.

Compared to those striving to showcase themselves, Jia Xu left Qiao Yan unsure how to evaluate him.

Some people’s longevity makes perfect sense, especially someone who lived to seventy-six and had a good end as a strategist.

“It seems this push isn’t strong enough…” Qiao Yan muttered while looking at the sand table in front of her.

Hearing her grumbling, Xi Zhicai found the exchange between Qiao Yan and Jia Xu amusing.

He couldn’t help but think it resembled a mischievous child flipping a turtle onto its back, waiting for it to extend its limbs and struggle to right itself.

Unfortunately, this turtle was in no rush because it wasn’t being pressured by anyone, remaining steady and composed.

But for Xi Zhicai, there was no need to hurry.

After all, the turtle couldn’t even leave this region of Bingzhou.

His gaze followed Qiao Yan’s to the sand table model before them.