Datang: What's wrong with my fief being a billion points larger?

Chapter 97: Difficulties in Opening Up the Land
Li Yuanji was also very helpless. He had prepared a lot of food, but he had never thought of using it in Chang'an at that time. Now that he had to use it, a crisis arose again.

If we continue to bring more people in, I'm afraid we won't be able to harvest the crops we planted, and the people here will have nothing to eat again.

Now, except for the food used by the army, the amount of food for other people has begun to decrease. Although the reduction is not much, it is indeed decreasing. The army's food is reserved separately and can last for half a year, but he can't take out the army's food. The army is the foundation of his survival.

Now he only hopes that Pei Xuanyan can bring back some, and Wang Xuance can also bring back some from Chang'an.

The truth is that there is a shortage of food in the Tang Dynasty now. When he was in Chang'an, the price of food was soaring. He had no idea how much food these two people could bring back.

Now he only longs for an early harvest. Not only here, Lianzhou and Yazhou are reclaiming wasteland to grow crops, but Ning Changrong is also vigorously growing crops in Guizhou, Rongzhou, Xiangzhou, Liuzhou and other places, although the results in those places are much worse.

But Feng Ang and Tan Dian were also making progress, especially Feng Ang, who not only followed his footsteps and started working early, but he also sent people to provide guidance. After the harvest, even though there were still food problems, the impact was not so great.

After hearing this, Yang Shu agreed. As for the reason, it didn't matter whether he knew it or not. He only obeyed Li Yuanji's orders.

"Yes, my king. I will stop now and focus on training the army."

Li Yuanji nodded with satisfaction.

"Good, good, do a good job. Your army's weapons are limited now. When you have more, start making them. You must train the army well and don't embarrass me when you send them out in the future."

After encouraging Yang Shu, Li Yuanji left. Halfway through his journey, he was stopped by Xie Shufang.

"Your Majesty, the snake soup is ready. Come and have a taste."

Xie Shufang took Li Yuanji away. When they arrived at the camp, Xie Shufang brought a large bowl to Li Yuanji. Someone also brought a bowl to Yu Minghe.

"Does everyone have food? Let's have a taste of this big snake. Also, send some more to Dahe. Those scholars are busy all day and their bodies are a little exhausted. Give them some good nourishment."

Xie Shufang was also holding a bowl and just smiled.

"Don't worry, my king. I have sent some over. There are also some for the others. Although not much, it is enough for them to have a taste."

Li Yuanji stopped thinking about it and started eating immediately. He had brought a lot of spices with him from Chang'an, and the food tasted delicious after adding them.

After finishing a bowl, Li Yuanji was very satisfied.

"It tastes good. Now everyone is having a treat. We usually can't find it when we want to eat it."

Xie Shufang had already finished eating and agreed with Li Yuanji's words.

"Who says it's not true? I hope there will be more big guys like this to improve the food."

Li Yuanji's mouth twitched when he heard this. He didn't want to come again. Such a big bird of prey could easily kill someone if one was not careful.

However, Xie Shufang's bad words seemed to have come true, as Ning Chun came hurriedly on horseback.

"My lord, it's bad. The people who were clearing the land outside the city encountered a ferocious beast, and three of them have been bitten to death!"

Li Yuanji stood up and looked at Ning Chun in disbelief, then glared at Xie Shufang. Xie Shufang was also confused and opened his mouth. He didn't know what to say. He just complained, and then it really happened. He felt so wronged. Li Yuanji ignored Xie Shufang and looked at Ning Chun.

"Dahe, what's going on? Have all the people who were reclaiming the wasteland been withdrawn?"

Ning Chun calmed down before speaking.

"Your Majesty, it was a tiger. The tiger came down the mountain. By the time we reacted, it was too late. I have asked all the people who were reclaiming the land to return. When we counted the number of people, we found that three were missing. Please send troops to eliminate the tiger, otherwise it will be difficult to reclaim the land.

There are also many people among the people who want to capture this tiger. They are all experienced hunters. Does the king want them to join us?"

Li Yuanji was really annoyed. He had been clearing the land smoothly, but suddenly he encountered a tiger coming down the mountain. And if he guessed correctly, this tiger should be a South China tiger, right? Or a clouded leopard (Guangdong stone tiger)?

The most likely options here should be these two, but no matter which one it is, we have to start taking action now, otherwise the reclamation of wasteland cannot be carried out, the arable land cannot be increased, and how can the population be increased? Increasing the population also requires food.

Li Yuanji immediately looked at Ning Chun.

"This matter must be dealt with. Go and select twenty people from the hunting group and bring them here."

Then Li Yuanji looked at Xie Shufang.

“Shu Fang, you must immediately mobilize a thousand soldiers, no, three thousand soldiers, equipped with bows and crossbows and other weapons, to hunt down this tiger that hurt people. If you find other ferocious beasts, hunt them down as well.

In addition, you can call Yang Shu along. Many soldiers in his army used to make a living by hunting. They may be more helpful. Allocate some weapons to them.

The search area is larger, so we can check all the new areas. Let's go now!"

Li Yuanji wanted to see what kind of ferocious beast it was that was a protected animal in later generations but is not a protected animal at all now.

Ning Chun and Xie Shufang went down immediately and started to take action. Li Yuanji then went to his own palace and brought some snake soup to Yang Qingwan.

"Madam, come and try the snake soup. It tastes pretty good."

After returning to the palace, he brought the snake soup directly to Yang Qingwan and watched her eat it.

"My husband, you have to be careful. Now that a python has sneaked in, there may be others. The city wall should be built as soon as possible, otherwise it will be too dangerous."

After Yang Qingwan finished eating, she began to persuade Li Yuanji. She was also curious about why the city wall was not built, but Li Yuanji said that there was no need. She didn't think about it anymore. She didn't understand these things, but what happened today made her break out in a cold sweat.

Although it is a bit far from the palace, what if a giant python really sneaks into the palace?
After hearing this, Li Yuanji smiled and said, "Don't worry, Madam. I have asked Ning Chun to arrange this matter."

Li Yuanji originally did not want to build a city wall, simply because he found that it was of little use. If the army of Li Jiancheng or Li Shimin really attacked in the future, the city wall would not be able to stop them and he would still have to run away, so why waste supplies.

Now it seems that guarding against those two people is secondary, the main thing is to guard against wild beasts. Now that he has seen them, he himself feels scared.

(End of this chapter)