Qiao Yan’s unwavering determination and strategic thinking impressed Guo Jia.

She was not just playing a game of power; she was setting the stage for a resilient and prosperous future for Bingzhou.

And if that meant lighting a candle for the nomads, so be it.

With a deep breath, Guo Jia nodded, recognizing the brilliance in Qiao Yan’s ruthless pragmatism. “I see the wisdom in your plans, Lord Qiao. Let’s proceed and ensure that Bingzhou thrives.”

If word of this got out and the people of Bingzhou, known for their martial spirit, were informed that driving away the nomads, capturing them as prisoners, and transporting the bones of their cattle, sheep, and horses back from their lands and camps could increase their own fields’ productivity and feed more people, a sizable force would likely gather at the prefecture’s gates by tomorrow.

Even without broadening the dissemination of this information, using it to motivate the border guards alone would be sufficient to boost morale.

This saved Guo Jia quite a bit of persuasive effort.

He had questioned the feasibility of the fertilizers Qiao Yan mentioned, but after seeing the extensive application of the Quadrant Field method in Leping and the resulting productive fields, he was inclined to believe that Qiao Yan wouldn’t joke about such matters.

The methods she proposed were likely effective.

Since food was the lifeblood of the people, immediately convincing them to use fertilizers made from raw and processed bone meal might be difficult.

However, other types of fertilizers, used as topdressing, had the potential for broader adoption within the next year.

Of course, the specifics of implementation, especially the mining of gypsum, were not within his purview.

His focus was solely on the Xiongnu and Xianbei.

Raising the paper in his hand, he replied, “With this plan, along with Wen Yuan, Zhi Shu, and Lu Fengxian, I have no concerns. Please, Lord Qiao , wait for the good news.”

Qiao Yan nodded, her gaze steady. “Thank you, Guo Jia. I trust your judgment and capabilities. Let’s move forward and ensure the prosperity of Bingzhou.”

With their resolve strengthened and plans set, they were ready to face the challenges ahead, confident that their strategic moves would secure a better future for their people.

Guo Jia, filled with ambition, set off with Qiao Yan’s plan and his appointment letter after promising not to act recklessly.

Watching him, Qiao Yan couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt as she compared his current youthful vigor to the carefree state he had been in when he first arrived in

Leping, eating and drinking with Xi Zhicai. However, she quickly extinguished this guilt, knowing that next year could very well be the last peaceful year she would face.

What’s there to feel guilty about?

It’s better for everyone who comes to Bingzhou to work hard.

If everyone were like Jia Xu, who, despite being praised by Yan Zhong as having the talents of Zhang Liang and Chen Ping, spent his days just trying to get by without taking risks, what would become of them?

With this thought, Qiao Yan seized the opportunity while Jia Xu was away inspecting the prefectural treasuries with Qin Yu to appoint his eldest son, Jia Mu, to a provisional assistant position under the state’s recruitment.

Now, her subordinates included mother-son, father-daughter, and father-son combinations.

Moreover, this could be seen as a form of encouragement for Jia Xu.

If he didn’t work harder, his son’s official position could soon surpass his own.

And if his son made any mistakes, Jia Xu, as the father, would inevitably have to cover for him.

Jia Xu would have to either step up his game or risk being outdone by his own son.

This appointment was not only a practical decision but also a strategic move to motivate Jia Xu to fully utilize his talents.

Qiao Yan felt a sense of satisfaction with her decision.

By strategically placing capable individuals in key positions, she was strengthening her team and ensuring that everyone contributed their best to the common goal of securing Bingzhou’s future.

“Let’s at least come up with some plans.”

With this idea in mind, she decided to hand over the task of finding the gypsum mine, mining it, and managing the inventory to Jia Mu.

Jia Xu was a low-key person who valued his safety, and Jia Mu was even less known outside.

So when he received this heavy responsibility, he was a bit confused about why the new governor was trusting him.

However, not many people today shared Jia Xu’s cautious approach.

Most with some skills and ambition believed that whatever the government asked of them, they should do their best to accomplish it, and Jia Mu was no exception.

Mining gypsum was mainly for producing fertilizer, which fell under agricultural tasks.

Still, it required organizing people for exploration and management.

Since Jia Xu was busy with official duties in Shangdang County and Jia Mu couldn’t find anyone to consult, he thought taking this position would be good and decided to accept it right away.

This meant that even if Jia Xu felt there was something wrong with this arrangement, he clearly wouldn’t take back the promise he made to his son.

Watching Jia Mu leave, Qiao Yan smiled with relief.

Then, following the advice from Lu Yuan earlier, she went to find Jia Zihou from the Jia family in Jiexiu.

She asked him a few questions about the situation in the county and listened to his suggestions about the current affairs in the state.

Seeing Jia Shu’s experience over the past twenty years, during which he helped people in the community, Qiao Yan felt he was knowledgeable and decided to ask if he would be willing to take on a position as an official in the government.

Also sharing the surname Jia, he had once been passionate and reckless in his youth, even willing to risk his life for revenge.

However, now in middle age, his character had changed significantly, although he remained straightforward.

It’s important to note that although he had been saved from death due to Guo Linzong’s plea, getting an official position was still quite difficult.

So when Qiao Yan extended this invitation, he agreed immediately.

Even though the work Qiao Yan assigned him involved agricultural tasks, like building fertilizer fermentation pits, he didn’t slack off at all.

“Lord Qiao, focusing on the people’s livelihood and agriculture first is a blessing for the people of Bingzhou,” Jia Shu said.

However, this task also involved dealing with some confidential matters.

Building the fermentation pits required cement.

This type of handmade cement depended on specific production conditions…

The strength of the cement is naturally somewhat lacking and may require careful maintenance to achieve solid defenses.

However, handmade cement has its advantages.

At least, its corrosion resistance is much better than regular cement, particularly in terms of water resistance and acid-base corrosion resistance.

It is commonly used in modern underground projects.

Given the materials needed for ammonium and sulfuric fermentation, handmade cement is undoubtedly the best choice.

Jia Zihou, who took on an inspection role but was actually doing real work, was quite satisfied with the government’s approach.

He felt it was a pity that Guo Linzong didn’t live to see this new governor; if he had the chance, it would be interesting to know what his opinion would be.

Qiao Yan was also very pleased with the outcome of the meeting.

As Lu Yuan had suggested, meeting with familiar aristocratic families first and then choosing to see Jia Shu sent a very effective signal.

It showed respect for the scholars of Bingzhou and admiration for those who had turned their lives around.

Later, when she met Linghu Shao, it confirmed Lu Yuan’s assessment that he was a talented military figure.

Given the current staffing situation in Bingzhou, there was a need for capable individuals to fill various gaps.

In practical combat, when Linghu’s private army clashed with the Hedong bandits, and after discussing many governance issues with him, Qiao Yan was convinced that he was indeed more suitable to work under her than even Lu Bu at this stage.

Even though his personal combat skills might not even rank him among the second-tier generals, that didn’t change her belief that he was the most suitable candidate for Shuo Fang County.

Linghu Shao’s father had just taken up the post of Guarding Wuhuan Colonel, and now he himself had gained recognition within Bingzhou and received an official position.

This was quite surprising.

However, considering that the current governor only obtained his position after defeating the Xiu Tu rebels, it made more sense.

After this third round of changes, Qiao Yan had people in place to execute her short-term goals in various areas.

After some thought, she decided to transfer Liang Zhongning from Guanglu Sai.

Both the Black Mountain Army and Hedong bandits were waving the Yellow Turban banner, so there was no need to shy away from involving the Yellow Turbans themselves.

To put it simply, the Yellow Turban Rebellion was a desperate act born out of hardship.

If Bingzhou could increase food production and ensure people had enough to eat, she wouldn’t have to worry about them turning against her.

No matter how Liang Zhongning became a stepping stone in her campaign against the Yellow Turbans in the two provinces, it didn’t change the fact that he had once been a leader of the Yellow Turbans.

The remnants of the Yellow Turbans, exiled to the Duliang General’s camp back then, and those still lurking in various provinces, could very well rise again after Liu Hong’s death.

She would need a capable leader among her recruits to deal with them.

Compared to other unknown Yellow Turban leaders, Liang Zhongning, who had once sent her off with respect during her earlier campaign at Guanglu Sai, seemed more suitable in Qiao Yan’s eyes.

When he was summoned back by the governor and brought to the provincial capital, they both inevitably fell into a moment of silence.

Qiao Yan broke the silence first, saying, “After so many years, are we friends or foes, Commander Liang? Do you have a conclusion in your heart?”