RPAGF Chapter 533 Shu Land
Chapter 533 Shu Land
In Xianyang, the capital of Qin, the setting sun casts its last rays, turning the sky a vibrant orange. A gentle breeze brings the warmth of early spring.
Ying Wuyou emerged from the council chamber of the Minister of State Affairs, having just concluded a meeting on maritime strategy, her face still bearing a thoughtful expression. She boarded her carriage and returned to the Princess's residence, the wheels rolling merrily on the wide, flat imperial road, emitting a crisp, rhythmic sound.
In March, the cold winter has quietly slipped away, and spring unfolds like a colorful scroll before our eyes. The trees on both sides of the road sprout tender green buds, lush and vibrant, shimmering with a crystal-clear luster under the setting sun, as if silently telling the story of the awakening of life.
Ying Wuyou leaned back on the soft couch in the carriage, closed his eyes, and gently massaged the acupoints around his eyes to relieve the fatigue brought on by days of meetings.
Upon returning to the mansion, before she could even change her clothes and rest, her personal maid, Cui'er, quickly stepped forward and whispered, "His Majesty has sent word that the princess must come to the palace immediately." Ying Wuyou quickly changed her clothes, boarded the carriage, and headed straight for Zhangtai Palace.
Inside the Zhangtai Palace, candlelight shone brightly. King Zheng of Qin stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the deepening night, his brows slightly furrowed. Hearing approaching footsteps, he slowly turned around. Ying Wuyou bowed: "Greetings, Father."
The King of Qin raised his hand, gesturing for her to rise, and pointed to the seat beside him: "Sit. Have you seen the reports from the border regarding the refugees in Chu?"
"Your Majesty, I have read your report carefully." Ying Wuyou sat upright on his seat, his tone calm. "I have ordered the border shelters to open their granaries and provide relief, and have also transferred clothing and medicine from Xianyang to properly settle all the Chu people who have sought refuge there. At the same time, I have sent several managers from the Great Qin Bank to the border to distribute grain and seeds, ensuring that everyone has land and grain before the spring planting season."
The King of Qin nodded slightly, but there was a hint of solemnity in his tone: "You handled it well. The land of Chu is plagued by disasters and its people are displaced. Our Great Qin's assistance is not only a benevolent policy, but also a way to win over the hearts of the people. You previously ordered people to spread the news in Chu that the yield of our Qin land is four shi per mu, and now it seems that the effect is remarkable."
Ying Wuyou's thoughts shifted slightly, realizing that although the King of Qin's words were commendatory, there was definitely more to say.
As expected, the King of Qin abruptly changed his tone: "However, Jiayang, have you ever considered that the grain reserves of our Great Qin were originally intended to appease the people within our borders and supply the needs of our three armies? Now that the people of Chu are flocking here, grain consumption has increased dramatically. What will the people of Guanzhong think? They diligently pay taxes and fulfill their service duties, are they doing this so that they can see our Great Qin distribute grain to the people of an enemy state?"
He walked up to Ying Wuyou, his gaze sharp: "The foundation of Great Qin lies in the people of Guanzhong and the local populace. If they harbor resentment, feeling that their own grain has been divided by outsiders, it will shake the very foundation of Great Qin. You must think deeply about this matter."
Ying Wuyou's heart skipped a beat, knowing that the King of Qin's concerns were not unfounded. She rose and bowed, saying, "Father, you are wise, I dare not forget. However, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should say it."
"Please feel free to speak."
“Father, the people of Chu are not outsiders.” Ying Wuyou raised his head, his gaze firm. “The world is still unsettled. Although Qin and Chu are enemy states, all the people under heaven are descendants of the Chinese nation. Today we save them from suffering, and tomorrow they will be subjects of the Great Qin, cultivating the land, paying taxes, and even defending the borders.”
She paused briefly before continuing, "As for the people of Guanzhong, I have already made plans. After this year's autumn harvest, I intend to reduce taxes in Guanzhong by 30% and open some government granaries to sell grain to the people at prices lower than the market price. At the same time, we will vigorously promote new agricultural tools to ensure that grain production in Guanzhong increases year by year. We must make sure that the people understand that accepting the people of Chu will not only not harm their interests, but will also make the Qin state stronger and the people more secure due to the increase in population and labor force."
The King of Qin listened attentively to her words, and the worry between his brows gradually dissipated. He gazed at his intelligent and decisive daughter before him, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes: "Your considerations are very thorough. Proceed accordingly. Remember, you must appease the people of Guanzhong and not allow them to feel alienated."
"Your subject obeys the decree," Ying Wuyou replied respectfully.
As she stepped out of Zhangtai Palace, night had fallen. Ying Wuyou looked up at the sky and saw the Milky Way shining brightly. She knew that balancing the interests of the people of Qin and Chu would be a tough battle, and she had no choice but to face it head-on.
In early spring in Sichuan, the morning mist had not yet dissipated, but the Ba family mansion was already filled with warmth. Nearly sixty years old, Ba Qing reclined on a soft couch, her elegant moon-white brocade robe accentuating her dignified grace. Her fingertips gently caressed the smooth jade beads as she listened to her maid reciting the *Book of Lord Shang*, her eyes revealing a composure born of worldly experience.
"Mother." A respectful call came from the doorway. Bapu, dressed in a light blue outfit, walked steadily into the room. This adopted son, only twenty-eight years old, possessed both the sharpness of youth and a maturity beyond his years.
Ba Qing looked up, a gentle smile appearing on her lips: You've arrived early today.
Ba Pu bowed and sat down beside the couch: "The grain shops in the south of the city have begun distributing porridge as you instructed. In recent days, more and more people have been receiving porridge, many of whom are refugees from Chu."
"Well done." Ba Qing nodded slightly, his fingertips lightly tapping the edge of the couch. "Remember, the Ba family's success today is not due to opportunism, but to integrity. Currently, there is a famine in Chu, and although Shu is temporarily stable, people's hearts are unsettled; we must be vigilant."
Inside the Ba family mansion, all was peaceful and joyful, but the world outside was a completely different story.
Since Bapu partnered with Princess Jiayang of Qin, Ying Wuyou, to mine iron ore, the social landscape of the entire Shu region has undergone earth-shattering changes.
In the early morning, the soft sunlight bathed the market in Sichuan, making the bluestone pavement gleam. At this moment, a group of hired laborers surged into the market like a tide. Dressed in brightly colored Sichuan brocade and wearing exquisite leather boots, they stood out conspicuously.
The laborers first went to the grain shop and bought several bushels of rice without hesitation. They seemed indifferent to the price; as long as the rice was good, they would buy it without hesitation. Next, they went into the silk shop, and without even blinking at the finest Shu brocade, they paid for it directly.
The tavern staff immediately became exceptionally attentive to these hired laborers. They knew these were no ordinary customers. These laborers often spent a heavy sum of money at a time and always demanded the finest wine. Their conversations in the tavern were also different from others; they didn't discuss the harvest in the fields, but rather "whether or not to buy another house in the north of the city."
"Who would have thought that in just two years, Zhang Laosan, who once barely made a living by hunting, would transform into a wealthy man owning a two-courtyard mansion in the south of the city?" In a corner of the tavern sat a farmer dressed in coarse cloth, holding a worn-out earthenware bowl, his gaze fixed on Zhang Laosan, who was chatting and laughing with others not far away. The farmer muttered to himself, seemingly incredulous at what he was seeing.
Zhang Laosan's face beamed with confidence and satisfaction. Dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, he chatted and laughed with those around him, clearly having fully integrated into this new social class. The farmer, on the other hand, stood in stark contrast, still dressed in simple clothes, revealing the hardship and suffering of his life.