Chapter 143: The Conditions of Jianmen County

Jianmen County had a circumference of just over ten miles and a population of only fifty to sixty thousand, making it a small county. However, owing to its location in a border region where a garrison of thirty thousand troops was stationed year-round, a massive military camp capable of accommodating over one hundred thousand people had been established about ten miles outside the county seat, prepared specifically for times of war.

Now that the vanguard troops had arrived yesterday, Zhao Yueqian, upon learning of the main army's arrival, had already ordered the garrison forces to clean and tidy the entire encampment. The Martial Guards could move straight in, and there were designated places for all manner of baggage and supplies.

Meanwhile, Fang Xian and the Eldest Princess Wu Qingluan, accompanied by three thousand personal guards, entered the county seat and headed toward a sprawling estate. Originally an imperial villa covering more than fifty mu in the southern district, it had now been designated as the Eldest Princess's residence.

Since early morning, notices had been posted everywhere in the city, publicly declaring that Jianmen County had become the fief of the Eldest Princess Wu Qingluan. Consequently, as the procession entered the city, countless onlookers secretly watched from the alleys on both sides of the streets.

Many people felt anxious and uneasy, uncertain whether this development would prove to be a blessing or a curse for them, or how it might affect their daily lives. Even so, no one rushed out to voice grievances or anything of the sort.

Fang Xian lifted the carriage curtain to observe the outside world and noted the physical and mental state of the common folk in Jianmen County. He found them to be in much better condition than refugees, faring far better than he had expected. Though they could not compare to the residents of Wudu City, and most of them had sallow complexions, there were also many robust individuals among them.

That very evening, Huang Dayuan organized a welcoming banquet within the county government office for the Eldest Princess and the Prince Consort, hosted by a gathering of his colleagues. However, Wu Qingluan declined the invitation on the grounds of fatigue from the long journey, sending Fang Xian to represent her instead.

Fang Xian went accompanied by Daniang, Li Daqi, Zhou Dabai, and a hundred personal guards. The guards maintained a perimeter around the county office, while Daniang and the other two dispersed nearby rather than serving as close-bodyguards. Because Fang Xian's martial prowess vastly surpassed theirs, they merely patrolled the vicinity to guard against unexpected contingencies.

"My lords, I truly must apologize. Due to the rigors of consecutive days of travel, the Eldest Princess is feeling somewhat indisposed and is unable to receive you all in person. However, since we will be residing here for the long term, we shall have ample opportunities to meet in the future, and there is no need to rush for tonight.

Although Jianmen County is situated in a remote location, it is a vital border stronghold—resisting the barbarian state to the north and the Xia state to the west. Since ancient times, it has been a fiercely contested strategic point. Serving as officials here is undoubtedly arduous, yet your achievements are equally remarkable.

The Eldest Princess and I have decided that henceforth, the official ranks and stipends of you all shall be elevated by one grade, and the taxes levied upon the common people of the entire county shall be reduced by one-fifth. We will ensure that every single resident in the county has enough to eat."

During the banquet, Fang Xian addressed the assembled officials. Armed with a perspective and insight surpassing the era by millennia, he handled the gathering with effortless ease. His words instantly revitalized the spirits of all the officials, causing their underlying anxieties to dissipate.

Furthermore, Fang Xian responded with genial warmth to every official who came forward to offer a toast, exchanging pleasantries with each one, sharing casual chatter, and drinking cup for cup. His demeanor left everyone feeling as though they were bathed in a spring breeze, and they all unanimously regarded the Prince Consort as remarkably amiable and approachable.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness and Your Excellency the Prince Consort, this subordinate will henceforth obey your every command and follow your instructions implicitly in all matters," the officials declared one after another, expressing their allegiance.

"Very well, then tonight let us drink until we are thoroughly intoxicated." Fang Xian accompanied the gathering, drinking and chatting casually, primarily to understand the situation in Jianmen County while fostering closer ties with the officials. After all, the initiatives he planned to undertake next required the firm support of the local administration.

For him, however, consuming vast quantities of alcohol posed no problem whatsoever. The mysterious energy within his body had never ceased its circulation, silently neutralizing all the alcohol imperceptibly.

The following day, Huang Dayuan and Zhao Yueqian arrived together at the Eldest Princess's residence to pay their respects, bringing along gifts consisting merely of local mountain specialties, devoid of any gold or silver.

"I thank you both for your kind thoughts. Just assist the Prince Consort diligently in the days to come," Wu Qingluan said, granting them a brief audience, accepting their gifts, and offering a few words of instruction.

The two men assented respectfully and submissively before being escorted to Fang Xian's study. Fang Xian had already ordered servants to prepare tea. He gestured for the two to be seated and smiled, saying, "Please try this, both of you. This is tea I brought from Wudu, harvested from the peak of Meng Mountain."

"Many thanks, Your Excellency the Prince Consort."

Offering bows of gratitude, the two men sat down and each picked up a cup to sample the brew. Zhao Yueqian, being a military man, understood nothing of the subtleties of tea and merely took small, hesitant sips, whereas Huang Dayuan began to savor it slowly.

"Fine tea," Huang Dayuan said after a moment, nodding repeatedly.

"Fine tea," echoed Zhao Yueqian, who had already finished his cup and was wondering how to react when he heard Huang Dayuan's remark.

"General Zhao, what makes this tea so fine?" Fang Xian asked with a smile.

"This tea tastes good, and it doesn't taste bitter when you drink it," Zhao Yueqian said, furrowing his brow in nervous concentration.

"The General need not be so tense; we are merely engaging in casual conversation, nothing of consequence," Fang Xian comforted him promptly, though he could plainly see that the man was a straightforward and unpretentious warrior.

"Prince Consort, this must be pre-Qingming tea, no? It has a refreshing yet slightly pungent flavor upon the palate, yet the fragrance lingers long on the teeth and lips, endlessly reverberating in the aftertaste. It is utterly incomparable to the wild teas of our mountain region," Huang Dayuan offered as a connoisseur.

"It seems Prefect Huang is a true connoisseur of the tea Dao; that is a truly insightful observation," Fang Xian laughed, then refilled their cups before speaking at a measured pace, "Prefect Huang, please first brief us on the general situation of Jianmen County. General Zhao can follow up with a report on the garrison forces. We shall dine here in the estate at noon."

Seeing Fang Xian's easygoing tone, the two men gradually relaxed. Huang Dayuan began his report on the basic conditions of Jianmen County: "Jianmen County is nestled amidst mountain ranges with abundant forested hills, yet it is sparsely populated. The registered household population of the entire county is approximately one hundred thirty-eight thousand, of which seventy-two thousand reside in the county seat.

Jianmen County governs one town and six strongholds: Fengsheng Town, along with Xiaojian Stronghold, Baimian Stronghold, Bakan Stronghold, Lianggugu Stronghold, Longju Stronghold, and Tuoxi Stronghold. Each stronghold has a clustered population ranging from five to six thousand up to seven or eight thousand residents. Additionally, there are several small, scattered settlements nestled in the mountains, accounting for a population of over twenty thousand.

Jianmen County possesses a vast expanse of mountainous terrain, yet there are also numerous flat tracts amidst the hills suitable for cultivation. Consequently, grain is not in short supply; on the contrary, many fertile fields have lain fallow due to the sparse population. Furthermore, the region yields various medicinal herbs and mountain delicacies, and the majority of the mountain dwellers make their living as hunters."

Through Huang Dayuan's introduction and Fang Xian's careful inquiries, Fang Xian gained a comprehensive grasp of Jianmen County's foundational conditions within the span of an hour, acquiring a thorough understanding of its population, grain reserves, and specialty products.

Comparatively speaking, the social order in Jianmen County was far more stable than that of the outside world. Because it was a border county permanently garrisoned by thirty thousand troops, not only were there numerous military dependents accompanying the army, but the consumption and expenditures of the thirty thousand soldiers also fostered a relatively prosperous local economy.

Nevertheless, outsiders were largely reluctant to come here, considering it an impoverished and remote backwater plagued by numerous ferocious beasts in the mountains, which frequently caused injuries to humans. Therefore, apart from the few hunter villages and the one town and six strongholds, most of the mountain ranges remained entirely uninhabited.