After all, Dingxiang Commandery is a flat plain, and the various nomadic tribes are cavalry, coming and going without a trace, able to plunder at any time and then leave.
Since becoming the county magistrate, he has been oppressed by these foreign tribes for many years. Many common people, in order to survive, could only leave with their families, causing Dingxiang Commandery to become increasingly desolate.
If this continues, the entire Dingxiang Commandery will cease to exist and will be completely relegated to the dust of history.
After Liu Jin saw that everyone understood his thoughts, he then asked,
"I observe that there seem to be no mountains or dangerous obstacles on this map. If a pass is built casually, it won't have much effect."
"So I want to invite everyone to discuss if there is a suitable place to build a pass."
As soon as these words were spoken, Wei Zhong, from among the crowd, immediately squeezed out and quickly said,
"Marquis, your subordinate knows a place where a pass can be built, and it is a place easy to defend and difficult to attack. It will definitely be able to ensure the safety of Dingxiang Commandery."
Liu Jin nodded upon hearing this. This Wei Zhong is the county magistrate of Gaoliu County and should be very familiar with the surrounding mountains and terrain.
So he gestured for the other party to continue speaking.
Wei Zhong immediately spread out a simple map and began searching along the road near the northern part of Dingxiang Commandery.
After a moment, he pointed to an unmarked spot on the map and said loudly,
"Marquis, the place your subordinate is pointing to is about a hundred li from Gaoliu City. This place is called Dingwu Mountain and is very close to the northern grasslands."
"It can be considered a good barrier in the entire north. The various grassland tribes, if they want to go south to Dingxiang Commandery from here, must pass through Dingwu Mountain."
"Therefore, building a pass here and stationing a contingent of troops will be able to restrict the southern route of the foreign tribes from the grasslands. Dingxiang Commandery will then be safe and sound, and the common people will be able to live and work in peace."
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin leaned his head over to look at the map. Although it wasn't clearly marked, he could tell that the geographical location was good.
After a moment of contemplation, he looked at everyone and asked loudly,
"Since that is the case, then a pass shall be built in the mountain hollow of Dingwu Mountain to block the southern route of the foreign tribes."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded, and no one objected.
To develop Dingxiang Commandery, the common people must first be stable, but the prerequisite for stability is to have a defensive location.
After Liu Jin saw that everyone agreed, he looked at Min Chun next to him and instructed,
"The matter of building the pass will be handled by Bo Dian. The several thousand Xianbei captives can be used as labor."
"Additionally, I will send Zhang Fei to lead three thousand troops to be stationed here and assist you in handling these matters."
After receiving the order, Min Chun immediately bowed with cupped hands and said loudly,
"Your subordinate obeys."
At this point, Min Chun paused slightly and then asked,
"Marquis, once the pass is built, what will it be named?"
Liu Jin heard this, thought for a moment, and then said,
"Since this place is called Dingwu Mountain, then the name of the pass will be Dingwu Pass."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded and then gradually withdrew, beginning to attend to their duties.
Several days later!
On the official road leading to Yanmen Commandery City, a carriage, escorted by over a hundred cavalrymen, was slowly proceeding forward.
Liu Jin was seated in the carriage, with Tian Feng sitting beside him. The two conversed from time to time.
Liu Jin's voice suddenly came,
"By the way, Yuan Hao."
"Although we defeated the Xianbei in this battle, a very obvious problem was exposed: the military strength of the three commanderies is somewhat insufficient. Facing twenty thousand Xianbei, we could only adopt a defensive strategy."
"If the Xianbei were well-prepared and led tens of thousands of troops south, our meager ten thousand men would find it very difficult to resist. Asking the imperial court to send a large army for support would probably take an eternity."
"Moreover, we cannot place our hopes in the hands of others. After returning to Yanmen, we must immediately recruit soldiers and expand the army to be able to defend these three commanderies."
Upon hearing this, Tian Feng stroked his beard and slowly said,
"After the great battle ended, your subordinate has already considered it. Indeed, the army must be expanded. These three commanderies are now the foundation of the Marquis."
"They must be protected with sufficient strength. If they are breached by the Xianbei and plundered, everything done for half a year will be for naught."
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin's face showed a smile. As long as Tian Feng agreed to expand the army, there would be no problem.
After all, Tian Feng is now his advisor, considered his right-hand man, and his status ranks among the top three among everyone.
So he continued to ask,
"I wonder, Yuan Hao, how many troops do you think we should expand this time?"
Upon hearing this, Tian Feng's eyes narrowed slightly, and he fell into thought. After a moment, he slowly said,
"The three commanderies are currently still in development, and the collected money and grain are probably not much. It's simply impossible to support a large army."
"Marquis, the money and grain currently being used are likely still relying on past savings, but this cannot be a long-term solution. The accumulated savings will eventually run out."
"Therefore, the expansion of the army this time cannot be too large. Only an additional ten thousand troops are needed, which will be enough to defend the three commanderies."
Liu Jin heard this, thought for a moment, and nodded, still agreeing.
As long as he did not actively attack the various grassland tribes, there would be no problem.
Although he had obtained Zhang Jiao's treasure, which contained a lot of gold, silver, and jewels, recruiting displaced common people and purchasing grain during this period had already consumed a considerable amount.
He even had to leave some money and grain as savings, to support the rewards for the soldiers in the army and the salaries of officials in various places.
Thinking of this, Liu Jin showed a helpless expression and sighed,
"After expanding the army, it seems we still have to tighten our belts and live frugally."
Upon hearing this, Tian Feng let out a soft laugh, and his voice slowly came out,
"Marquis, you should not underestimate yourself. So many displaced common people have been recruited this year, and leading them to reclaim barren land has already increased a lot of land."
"As long as we get through this year, next year will definitely see an increase in tax revenue, and then the pressure will be relieved."
Liu Jin heard this and nodded, naturally knowing everything that was being done now.
It was no different from farming. In the early stage, human and material resources had to be invested to cultivate well, and the later stage was the time for harvest.
Just like that, the two chatted incessantly, discussing the world situation from time to time.
Liu Jin had no intention of hiding his abilities. Instead, he expressed some of his thoughts. With his understanding of future trends, just a few casual remarks could probably cause shock.
As expected, Tian Feng was indeed somewhat shocked after listening. He never thought that Liu Jin, at such a young age, understood the future situation even more thoroughly than he did. He couldn't help but value him even more. He truly was the heroic lord in his heart.
Soon, the carriage, escorted by over a hundred personal guards, arrived at the city gate of the commandery. After showing the token, they entered the city.
Then, they arrived at the Prefect's Mansion, and the carriage slowly came to a stop.