Chapter 32: Is the Daughter Lost?

"You must put in double the effort to develop this land if you want to secure a bright future for yourselves."

"The only help I can offer is to provide you with seeds and farming tools."

Wei Xian showered him with gratitude upon hearing this. "It is our great fortune from a past life that the General would consider us so deeply. We would never dare to ask for more. Being able to build homes and farm the land is already the greatest blessing we could hope for."

Zhao Mang looked at the content Wei Xian before him and felt a sense of satisfaction. Being able to provide these outcasts with a territory and keep them from displacement was the most he could do at the moment.

"I must clarify beforehand: I will be setting up experimental greenhouse plots on the land within the bounds of Dunzi Peak, and you are welcome to participate. Whether it is grain or produce grown there, I will take a thirty percent share of the yield."

At first, the high tax rate made Wei Xian wince. At the same time, he was quite curious about this "experimental plot" the General spoke of—what on earth could it be? To actually harbor the delusion of sowing seeds again during the current harvest season? He couldn't help but ask, "General, may I ask what this greenhouse experimental plot is?"

Zhao Mang realized then that he hadn't yet made the greenhouse project public. Jiang Wan had taken a group of craftsmen back some time ago to begin construction and testing, and there were already signs of success. She had explained the situation in a letter, but he had only just received it and hadn't had the chance to announce it yet. He carefully explained the functions and benefits of the greenhouse experimental plots to Wei Xian.

Wei Xian was astonished. He had never imagined such a magical structure could exist—one that ignored the influence of weather and environment.

Wei Xian then brought up the matter of the tax again. "General, all of this is well and good, but is this tax rate not a bit too steep?"

Zhao Mang looked at the timid Wei Xian and delivered a pleasant surprise. "Once that thirty percent is paid, no one else will collect any further taxes from you. All taxes within my jurisdiction will be submitted by our logistics department from now on, and you will pay them only to us."

Hearing this, Wei Xian bowed deeply to Zhao Mang. "With the General's word, I believe we will be able to live in peace and prosperity."

Having received a firm commitment from Wei Xian, Zhao Mang smiled broadly, feeling satisfied. "In that case, focus on speeding up the construction of your houses for now. Later, workers from the city will come to build the greenhouse experimental plots. When that time comes, the elderly, the young, and the women can go out to till the fields. There will be people there to guide you. My camp’s current grain stores are limited and won't last long, so I am counting on a bountiful harvest. There is no shortcut to quick results for now."

"I have already negotiated with the Jiang family in the city. When the time is right, some of you can go to work for them. You can earn wages to sustain yourselves until the first harvest is ready."

Wei Xian was deeply moved by Zhao Mang’s arrangements. Since he had become a vagrant, this was the first time he had ever experienced such thoughtful planning from a leader—someone who considered every aspect of their future. Although he didn't fully understand the nature of those "experimental plots," he figured they couldn't be anything bad.

After settling everything, Zhao Mang was escorted away by Wei Xian and his men and returned to the camp. After playing the part of the magnanimous leader, Zhao Mang felt quite content. Even if he hadn't come up with the idea himself, Jiang Wan was his person, wasn't she?

Watching his operations running in such an orderly fashion, Zhao Mang felt quite satisfied. It was a pity that Jiang Wan wasn't by his side to manage and track all these assets for him. He needed to find someone else; otherwise, he truly had no idea what he possessed. He thought of Wang Mazi, the only literate man in his unit—the man he had persuaded to surrender earlier. He was desperately short of talent. Had he not already split from his family—a family that was no good to begin with—he would have even tried to poach his own brother to serve as an accountant.

He strolled slowly to Wang Mazi's barracks, intending to assign him the task of data tracking. However, when he arrived, he found Wang Mazi pacing back and forth in the room, as if faced with a major crisis.

"Wang Mazi, what’s the matter?"

Hearing Zhao Mang's voice, Wang Mazi stopped and looked at him with a pained expression. "Commander! My daughter has gone missing!" He spoke of wanting leave to go home and search for her.

Hearing his plight, Zhao Mang fell into deep thought. Since that incident a while back, he hadn't kept track of Wang Mazi’s family. He only knew that after Jiang Wan had rescued them, she had arranged for them to live near the small courtyard, and they had been perfectly safe ever since. He hadn't asked further. He hadn't expected that in such a short time, the daughter would have disappeared.

This left Zhao Mang in a difficult position. "Do you think you can solve this just by taking leave and going home? Can you find your daughter that way? Do you have any leads? Tell me."

Hearing Zhao Mang's admonition, Wang Mazi felt overwhelmed. The letter from home only stated that his daughter had disappeared, without providing any further details. Wang Mazi shook his head helplessly. "I don't know. I just want to go back as soon as possible to check what happened. Maybe... perhaps there are clues..."

Zhao Mang looked at the flustered Wang Mazi and contemplated his own situation. He had been at Dunzi Peak for nearly a month and a half and hadn't been home once. Now that the situation allowed it, he also intended to go back to visit. With his soldiers guarding Dunzi Peak, there shouldn't be any major issues.

After careful consideration, Zhao Mang said, "Wait a moment. Once I finish handling a few things, I will accompany you back to the city. I'll look into this matter, and I'll take the opportunity to pay a visit home as well!"

Wang Mazi was filled with gratitude upon hearing this. With Zhao Mang's help, he would have a much easier time.

Before long, Zhu Qiqi and Xiao Han arrived before Zhao Mang after being summoned.

"Qiqi, I intend to return to the city. I leave the training of the soldiers here entirely in your hands. Xiao Han, all other administrative matters in the camp are entrusted to you. I'm counting on you both during this time."

"Qiqi! Make sure you train the troops well. I will inspect your progress when I return! Do not slack off!"

Both accepted their orders. "Yes!"

Before leaving, Zhao Mang called Xiao Han aside to give him a final instruction. "If you encounter any issues you cannot resolve, send me a message via the raven messenger. I will return to the camp as quickly as possible!"

Xiao Han laughed and patted Zhao Mang on the shoulder. "Commander, go ahead with peace of mind. With me here, there won't be any major problems."

After finalizing everything, Zhao Mang and Wang Mazi set off on horseback toward the city. By sunset, the two of them finally reached the west gate. By this time, Zhao Mang's reputation had already spread. The guards at the gate greeted him with fawning smiles. Zhao Mang treated them cordially and, after a brief exchange of pleasantries, headed home. Of course, he had bought gifts for Zhenzhen and Wan'er beforehand.