The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 578: Madness (1)_1

Chapter 578: Chapter 578: Madness (1)_1

"Making liquor requires grain, and although the Northern Land can grow grain, there is a lack of manpower to do so," Si Jinhan began in a tone that seemed to pour a basin of cold water on her aspirations. "Miss, it’s best not to be overly imaginative."

Luo Heng and Situ Gong exchanged bewildered glances upon hearing this.

What Si Jinhan voiced was also their concern.

Grain is the lifeblood of a nation, and if too much of it is used for brewing liquor, the pressure on the Northern Land would be immense. After all, even though the Northern Land is able to produce crops like wheat and rice, it can only do so once a year, which can’t compare to the bi-annual or even tri-annual harvests in the south. The yield difference is far from negligible.

"While the Northern Land lacks manpower, we have an abundance of land," Lin Ziyin explained with a smile, aware that they were all worried she might use up the grain for her business endeavors. "Of course, the yield of fine liquor definitely won’t be high. We will sell quality, not quantity."

Everyone understood her point upon her explanation.

Just like sesame oil and soy sauce, the future of white liquor lies in the high-end market, possibly even finding its way into the courts of all nations.

The men present, born into aristocracy, understand the concept of luxury consumption much better than ordinary people. As long as the quality is guaranteed, the Northern land may end up earning more silver by selling a hundred jars of liquor a year than other wineries do from their annual harvest.

The most important thing is that Lin Ziyin exercises restraint.

This is good! In the future, they will have fine liquor to drink and silver to earn. Truly a good deal!

Although businessmen are generally looked down upon by the upper class, this is not the case in the Northern Land. At the very least, Chu Suifeng and Si Jinhan and Situ Gong don’t think so. They have suffered hardship due to the Imperial Court’s embezzlement and withholding of grain and silver for years.

They also understand the importance of silver to the enrichment of the army and treasury. However, there’s one point they do agree on, the sons of merchants should absolutely be prohibited from taking the civil service exam.

This is to strictly prevent collusion between officials and businessmen, which could harm ordinary people.

"Each state’s army should have a base for cultivation. Soldiers in their spare time can grow grain, vegetables, and raise chickens, ducks, fish, cattle, among others. Of course, during regular times, specialized personnel will be needed for management. Injured soldiers, I think, can be assigned to these bases for small agricultural tasks, or be responsible for animal husbandry," suggested Lin Ziyin.

"Won’t this interfere with training?" Luo Heng asked with concern.

"It won’t," spoke Chu Suifeng for the first time. "Trained soldiers will train on schedule, only helping during the harvest or sowing seasons. If there are many people, it will only take two or three days. Also, this solves the problem of where to place injured soldiers."

"Miss’s method is excellent," Situ Gong agreed. Special situations require special treatment. If the armies of each state could solve the problems of military pay and military grain, then the pressure on the Prince would be much less.

"The retired soldiers in charge of farming can still receive their military pay every month. However, their pay must be determined according to the wages of local laborers, and the wage can be slightly higher," Lin Ziyin said, acknowledging that the Northern Land was in a unique situation – they must find ways to be self-sufficient.

Didn’t Chairman Mao do the same when he was establishing his reign? Even now, the stories of Nanniwan are still vivid in people’s memory.

"As for serious criminals, it would be too much of a waste for them to stay in prison eating free food," Lin Ziyin proposed.

"Miss, are you suggesting that those people should work?" Situ Gong’s eyes lit up upon hearing this.

"Yes, those who know martial arts should first have their skills removed, and then special overseers will be arranged. Allot them a secluded farm to work in with shackles on their feet and pay them a small wage based on their work." She was suggesting a more humanized prison management approach.