Chapter 112: Stationing Troops at Zhongqiu

Meng Di felt a wave of emotion upon hearing this. This man hardly resembled a sovereign; he treated his own territory and subjects as if they were nothing, casually handing over three thousand households without a second thought.

Adding this to the existing population of Zhongqiu, the total would reach nearly four thousand households. However, due to the aggressive recruitment policies in Meng Yi recently, the population had swelled so rapidly that the city was nearing its capacity. It was not that the city could not house more people, but rather that the sudden influx had outpaced the infrastructure’s development.

Grain alone was insufficient; other necessities were required, most importantly housing. Ji Ran was currently overseeing the constant construction of new homes. These were prioritized for those selected for military service, as the promise of a monthly stipend and provided housing offered a new beginning for anyone, regardless of their past.

When Meng Di hesitated for a moment, the complexion of the Ju sovereign, Ji Kuang, shifted instantly, and he quickly changed his tune.

"Since you are not satisfied, Meng Zi, then let us make it five thousand households. Furthermore, we shall double the original territory of Zhongqiu. What does Meng Zi think of this?"

Meng Di understood clearly that as long as Ji Kuang could remain on the throne, he would agree to even more exorbitant demands. However, the looming threat of the Qi state remained. Therefore, he did not press the Ju sovereign too hard and nodded immediately.

"In that case, this matter is settled. As long as the Marquis of Ju provides the requested funds and grain, and returns the plundered goods, I shall lead my troops away at once."

He picked up several bamboo slips from the desk, unrolled them, and explained, "These detail the cargo lost by the Meng Yi merchant caravan, as well as the grain, fodder, and casualties incurred during this campaign. Please verify the figures, Marquis of Ju."

Ji Kuang took them and scanned them briefly, feeling a sense of relief. Although the demands were steep, they were only double what he had expected, and the Ju state could manage it. He immediately replied, "There is no problem at all. I shall return at once to arrange for these supplies."

"My military duties prevent me from seeing you off. Please go carefully, Marquis of Ju."

Watching Ji Kuang depart with a brisk, unburdened gait, Meng Di sighed to himself. The state of Ju would likely not last much longer; it was a tragedy to be ruled by such a monarch.

The efficiency of the Ju state was remarkable; within five days, all supplies were ready. Ji Kuang had considered stalling, but the words of a court official had cautioned him: if Meng Di could defeat them so easily once, they would not be able to resist a second time. It was better to use this opportunity to establish friendly relations and secure a period of peace.

Having been thoroughly subdued, Ji Kuang harbored no further schemes. Since Meng Di’s transport wagons were insufficient, the people of Ju even thoughtfully delivered the supplies directly to the city of Zhongqiu.

Zhongqiu was built with its back to the water. By stationing troops there, they could coordinate with Xiyun, effectively shielding the territory of Fei. If the Qi army were to invade Ju directly to attack Zhongqiu, Xiyun could cut off their rear. Conversely, they could launch a pincer attack from Zhongqiu, which, to a certain extent, stabilized the borders of the Lu state.

Meng Di also sent men to inquire about the wishes of the captives: those who wished to stay were welcome, while those who did not could return with the Ju delegation. Though few remained, nearly five thousand young, able-bodied men chose to stay, seeking a better path in life.

Upon returning from the campaign, Meng Di distributed rewards. He transferred one thousand veterans and four thousand new recruits from Fei to garrison Zhongqiu. The only frustration was the crop yield, as agriculture in this era was still in its experimental stages.

Each state employed different farming policies. Fortunately, Ji Ran was well-versed in agricultural science, but he was already burdened with administrative duties; to have him handle everything personally would surely exhaust the old man. Consequently, Meng Di issued a decree to attract talent, specifically targeting young scholars eager to put their knowledge into practice, offering support for them to showcase their skills.

Given the favorable geography and political standing of the Lu state—founded by Bo Qin, son of the Duke of Zhou—the tradition of learning was robust, and there were many scholars, particularly among the fallen nobility. Meng Di simultaneously initiated educational reforms. The first step was basic literacy; he had his scholars select a group of teachers to provide free instruction in reading and writing to all children in the territory over the age of six.

These children were assessed annually, with rewards for those who excelled. This move brought great joy to the people of Meng Yi, deepening their loyalty to Meng Di.

One must understand that this was the dawn of the Warring States period, as the Spring and Autumn era faded. Class barriers were beginning to crumble, but literacy remained a privilege of the nobility; the common people generally had no such opportunities. Although Confucius was teaching disciples in Lu, it was a private affair with limited reach. This new approach allowed for the large-scale training of talent in Meng Yi.

This was to lay a foundation for the future. While these teachers were not highly advanced, literacy was the prerequisite for further progress. Furthermore, rules had to be established; in the future, all officers would be required to read and write. Otherwise, military commands would be prone to misunderstanding, leading to catastrophic errors. However, that was a matter for the future, as he lacked the resources to enforce it just yet.

In Linzi, the capital of Qi, Tian Qi looked at the battle report in his hand with a grim expression. After a long silence, he tossed the report onto the table, closed his eyes to ponder, and then slowly opened them to ask his son, Tian Chang, "What is your view on Meng Di’s invasion of Ju?"

When the news first arrived, Tian Chang had been incredulous. Although the Ju state was in decline, they could still muster seven or eight hundred chariots. Yet, according to the report, Meng Di had used ten thousand cavalry to shatter five hundred chariots, taking countless prisoners.