Bandit suppression battles were never a difficult point in the realm of military operations. Many things could be solved by military means, but also by political means. Siping was currently in such a situation. Xu Chengfeng was kept in the meeting because He Rui hoped Xu Chengfeng's vision would not be limited to the military field alone. Keeping him in the meeting was largely to let Xu Chengfeng understand future economic arrangements.

"Youping, regarding the problem of herders trying to extort us [beat the autumn wind] that you encountered, it can be solved like this: we can recruit herders to be administrators in our feedlots. If any herders want to invest their livestock as shares, that would be best. The livestock would be their capital stock. But after investing, the livestock belongs to the ranch. After the livestock they brought are sold, we will distribute dividends to them according to their labor."

Wu Youping thought about it and didn't feel optimistic. "Will the herders think we are tricking them into coming over?"

"Animal husbandry must be developed. If they still don't accept it after we try our best, then there is only one way." As He Rui spoke, he looked at Xu Chengfeng. "Establish ranches in Siping's pastoral areas, protected by the army."

Xu Chengfeng hesitated. "Governor, our troop expansion speed isn't fast enough. We'll have enough troops only after land reform ends."

"In at most 40 days, the first batch of green fodder will produce results. At that time, we will distribute qualified green fodder to the ranches in villages and towns, and transport a portion to the ranches in pastoral areas. What I actually care about is that the pastoral areas slaughter as few cattle and sheep as possible."

After listening, Wu Youping pondered for a moment and felt he could use the Chamber of Commerce's connections, so he replied, "I will send people to talk with the pastoral areas."

He Rui turned to Lu Daoming, who was in charge of water conservancy. "Director Lu, in another two months, it will be freezing cold. Is there a temporary method to solve the water supply for large-scale livestock in winter? About 100,000 head of livestock need clean water."

Lu Daoming thought for a while and sighed helplessly. "For such a large herd, breaking the ice to take river water definitely won't work; it's easy to cause mass infectious diseases. Well water has a high safety factor, but Siping has no mechanical equipment. Digging wells by manpower alone probably won't catch up in time. But leave this problem to me; I will do my best to solve it."

After speaking, Lu Daoming couldn't help asking, "Why does the Governor care so much about raising livestock?"

He Rui answered, "Regarding land reform, the first step is naturally to seize the grassroots from the hands of landlords and gentry. The second step is to solve the people's employment problem. Having land only means having means of production; given the status quo of the small-peasant economy, we still can't talk about full employment. Providing as many employment opportunities as possible to the people of Siping is the second step of the current policy. The people's survival can be maintained by a few *mu* of land per person, but to have income, there must be work to do during the slack farming season."

Hearing this, Lu Daoming felt he grasped the thread of the meeting's discussion. Since He Rui had already planned water conservancy projects and the breeding industry as a whole, Lu Daoming became interested. "Participating in building water conservancy and animal husbandry are both employment opportunities the Governor provides for farmers, right?"

He Rui nodded. "This was originally one of the set policies. It's just that I've been in Siping for too short a time, and there are thousands of things to do. Only now do we have the foundation to push this forward."

Although Lu Daoming had been traveling around during this time, he had heard a lot about He Rui. Arriving in Siping in early June, it was now only September. He Rui and the others had done too many things in three months. Although Lu Daoming originally only wanted to do technical work, he couldn't help asking at this moment, "Governor, I heard from Brother Zhao that the Governor wants to develop industry in Siping. Please allow me to ask. Providing employment opportunities requires opening enterprises and purchasing equipment, which requires a lot of money. The Governor has already spread such a big setup; I'm afraid the money needed every year is more than the tax revenue. May I ask where the money comes from?"

Hearing this, the expressions of Wu Youping, Xu Chengfeng, and the others became somewhat solemn.

Seeing Lu Daoming being so open-hearted, He Rui was somewhat surprised and praised, "Well said. Our government is now clean and efficient, and tax revenue has increased greatly. Although there is a deficit, it is not much. We must attract investment."

Speaking of this, He Rui saw that Xu Chengfeng intended to speak. He waved his hand at Xu Chengfeng, letting this son of a big landlord stay calm.

"I'm afraid domestic investment will be difficult because their demand for Siping's output is limited. But the international situation is different. The European war has been fought for a year. Even Japan's production and sales are booming. Our Siping is so close to the Trans-Siberian Railway; business opportunities are plentiful. To get foreign investment, we must start with those foreign merchants inside the pass."

Lu Daoming had studied in the United States and seen the world, so he could understand this. Frowning and thinking for a while about his connections overseas, Lu Daoming probed, "Does the Governor want my help?"

He Rui answered seriously, "I precisely need Brother Lu's help. We already have good municipal administration and are about to eliminate bandits. Now land reform has also entered a critical stage. After completion, we will start building water conservancy projects. At that time, invite foreign merchants to walk around Siping and look at our construction sites. Tell those merchants that after the reservoir is built, Siping will no longer be troubled by water shortages. The people live and work in peace and contentment, and the grain harvest is abundant. This is ten times, a hundred times more useful than any empty talk."

Following He Rui's description and imagining the reaction of foreigners seeing the vibrant labor scene in China, Lu Daoming's nose suddenly tingled. He hurriedly wiped his eyes with his hand, but he felt unable to control his emotions, tears welling up uncontrollably. Lu Daoming didn't want anyone to see him crying, so he stood up and walked to the window.

Lu Daoming excelled in his studies and was bent on serving the country. However, upon returning to China, he saw the country in such chaos, with power struggles everywhere. Let alone building water conservancy, even the water conservancy projects built in the Manchu Qing era were dilapidated and nearly scrapped. He was extremely depressed and pained in his heart. Once, he wanted to go abroad again and never return. It was in such a near-desperate mood that he accepted Zhao Tianlin's invitation to come and see Siping, a small place outside the pass he had never heard of.

Initially, Lu Daoming only felt the enterprising spirit in He Rui, plus the sincere intention of the local Wu Youping to benefit his hometown, so he decided to stay and try. He didn't feel particularly happy.

At this moment, hearing He Rui describe the development and future of Siping, the original good impression suddenly turned into a strong expectation. He actually felt that He Rui might really be able to change China's destiny, so much so that he couldn't control his emotions.

When his emotions calmed down, Lu Daoming turned around and walked to He Rui. "If Brother He really brings people to visit, I will definitely let them see the most reasonable reservoir."

Lu Daoming had been in Siping for some days and had always addressed He Rui as "Governor." This was the first time he addressed He Rui as a brother.

He Rui stood up and extended his hand to Lu Daoming. Lu Daoming grasped He Rui's hand, feeling only that He Rui's palm was solid and powerful.

Lu Daoming's palm was rough and sturdy. Shaking Lu Daoming's hand, He Rui was also delighted to meet such a talent. Surveying was hard work; one had to endure wind and sun every day and walk everywhere carrying heavy equipment. It required someone who could endure hardship and hard work.

"Brother Lu, China standing in the world for thousands of years without falling is by no means luck. It is the vitality of Chinese civilization, persevering and steady. With all of us here, China definitely has hope."

"I will do my best," Lu Daoming answered sincerely.