Not long after,

In front of the administrative genius, Xi Zhicao, with a domestic value of 84 and a limit of 102, the Jiujiang County quickly restored its previous order.

It swiftly operated like an incessant machine, causing resources to increase rapidly!

When the last county in the Jiujiang County was completely under Long Chen’s control,

Suddenly, a cold metallic voice echoed in his mind.

"Ding! Congratulations on unlocking the new territory attribute [Subsidiary Land]."

Curious, Long Chen opened the attribute panel of his territory.

[Territory Name]: Dragon Town (Small Town)

[Territory Level]: Level 3 (Maximum level 9)

[Territory Resources]: Wood * 32,000, Stone * 32,100, Iron Ore * 11,000

[Territory Subsidiary Land]: Jiujiang County (except for Hefei Houguo, Liyang Houguo, Zhongli Houguo) - Population limit +150,000, Army limit +20,000

[Territory Upgrade Requirements]: Wood * 100,000, Stone * 100,000, Iron Ore * 30,000, Copper Coins * 100,000

Long Chen took a sharp breath!

If he had any concerns about expansion before, now with this [Subsidiary Land] attribute, all his worries vanished.

The current population limit for his territory was 200,000, and the army limit was 32,000. There was no need to worry about reaching the army limit due to excessive expansion.

Filled with joy, Long Chen quickly summoned Xi Zhicao to discuss matters at the governor’s office.

Soon after, Xi Zhicao arrived at the governor’s office.

"Lord, did you summon me?" He asked, bowing.

He seemed a bit out of breath, as if he had hurried all the way here.

Long Chen hastily poured him a cup of tea and said, "Zhicao, come, have some tea!"

Xi Zhicao looked pleasantly surprised, holding the cup and sipping the tea.

Seeing Xi Zhicao’s pale face and unsteady steps, Long Chen worriedly asked, "Zhicao, are you feeling alright?"

His face flushed but he didn’t say anything.

Thinking back to when Xi Zhicao had chosen one of Liu Mai’s concubines to return home, Long Chen sighed, "Zhicao, take care of yourself! Your health has never been great; you need to show restraint!"

He blushed, changing the subject, "Lord, did you call me here just for this matter?"

Long Chen spoke seriously, "This is also an extremely important matter; you must pay attention! From now on, every morning, practice physical exercises with me!"

Even though Xi Zhicao practiced the "Nine Revolving Phoenix Technique," an SS-level high-grade technique, it was a strategy technique that didn’t strengthen the physique. Moreover, practicing it would gradually deplete his vitality!

Alas, Xi Zhicao was causing him a lot of worry.

He needed to find a way to help increase his lifespan!

Considering this world was semi-mythical, there should be rare and unique fruits. If the chance arose, he’d definitely find one for Xi Zhicao.

Under Long Chen’s half-forced request, Xi Zhicao reluctantly agreed to daily physical training, which would also increase his vitality.

Once this matter was settled, Long Chen revealed the main reason for summoning Xi Zhicao.

"I want to establish a navy!" Long Chen leaned forward.

Xi Zhicao narrowed his eyes and asked, "I wonder, Lord, how large a navy do you wish to establish?"

After a moment of contemplation, Long Chen replied, "Eight thousand!"

Xi Zhicao pondered for a bit, and his face turned a shade paler as he said, "Lord! Eight thousand for our army is still too much. We’ve only just stabilized the Jiujiang, and our resources are far from sufficient! If this goes on for long, our army will surely fail due to the lack of provisions!"

"Rest assured, I have considered this matter!"

Long Chen smiled faintly.

"I hope you won’t hesitate to give me guidance, Lord!" Xi Zhicao respectfully asked.

He was deeply surprised within.

"Lord, you’re only skilled in martial prowess, oh, and also strategy, um, it seems like you’re proficient in charm, and... Wait, are you incredibly well-versed in administrative matters too!?"

Filled with doubt, Xi Zhicao displayed an attentive listening expression.

Long Chen spoke up, "I intend to implement the ’Tuntian system’!"

Xi Zhicao: "..."

"What? What is Tuntian?"

As Cao Mengde had not yet implemented this policy, Tuntian wasn’t widespread. It was also a novelty for high-level strategists like Xi Zhicao.

"Simply put, it involves appointing officials to cultivate land using soldiers and farmers, combined with efforts to develop water conservation."

"It’s a way for the government to ensure continued production, and its efficiency far exceeds that of regular self-cultivating farmers."

Xi Zhicao listened with fascination, resembling a curious child, asking incessantly, while Long Chen answered...

"Lord, you truly possess great talent!"

"Coincidentally, we’ve just suppressed a group of aristocrats who own countless fertile lands, and with a large number of refugees in Jiujiang who fled from the chaos caused by the Yellow Turbans in the north, we can recruit them to implement the Tuntian system!"

"By doing so, our army’s provisions won’t be a big problem anymore!"

"And there will even be surplus provisions for expanding the army!"

Long Chen smiled.

After returning to the residence, it was already dark.

The sound of cicadas lingered in his ears as Long Chen walked lightly.

Thinking, he wondered if Diao’er had fallen asleep.

Upon pushing the door open, he saw Diaochan with her back to him, slightly tilted and resting on the table.

Long Chen’s heart warmed.

This girl must have waited for a long time! She fell asleep on the table waiting for me...

He removed his robe and draped it over Diaochan.

Suddenly, Diaochan woke up and turned around, surprised to see Long Chen back.

"Dear husband, you’re back!"

Long Chen embraced her, gently stroking her body like caressing a kitten.

"Dear husband, it itches..."

Diaochan wriggled her charming body and said playfully.

"Diao’er, it’s late. The night is short!" Long Chen gazed into her seductive eyes.

"Um..." Diaochan lowered her head in shyness.

The moon was hazy as they spent the night together.

The next day, the sun was high up.

Long Chen woke up, subconsciously wanting to hold the beauty next to him, but noticed she was gone.

"Wife!?"

"Coming~"

The fragrance wafted over as Diaochan approached, carrying breakfast and serving Long Chen.

With a smile, Long Chen said, "You feed me."

Diaochan smiled coyly, her alluring lips slightly parted, "Sure, I’ll serve you, my husband~"

What Diaochan loved most about Long Chen was that he never acted like a general or governor in front of her. He loved to play and amuse her, without the constraints of status.

Though her time with Long Chen was brief, it made her feel incredibly fulfilled and joyful.

In the past, Diaochan had never been afraid of sudden death.

But now she was scared.

Because she was afraid of never seeing Long Chen again.

Not being able to see her husband was like a colorless, blank world for her.