ebookland Chapter 605 Ying Wuyou posts in support of Wei Ji
Chapter 605 Ying Wuyou posts in support of Wei Ji
March 6th, Xianyang, Princess's Residence.
Before Ying Wuyou lay a pile of public opinion reports from various regions. The discussions surrounding the "Wei Jian" were in full swing.
Cui'er said worriedly, "Princess, many people are criticizing Young Master Wei, saying that he... saying that he has forgotten his roots."
"Let them criticize," Ying Wuyou said calmly. "Reform is never a dinner party. It's harder to touch vested interests than to touch souls. Wei Ji's article touched the interests of the old nobles of the six states, and it also touched their souls. It would be strange if they didn't criticize it."
"Then...would Young Master Wei...?"
“Since he dares to write it, he can handle it,” Ying Wuyou said. “However, he should also be given some support.”
She picked up her pen and wrote an article entitled "Learning from the Past to Understand the Future: Observing the Governance of the World Through the Case of Wei Ji." In the article, she affirmed Wei Ji's courage, extended the discussion to the common problems of the systems of the six states, and finally put forward the view that "we should learn from history and create the future."
"Send it to the newspaper department for tomorrow's front page." She handed the article to Cui'er.
"The princess wrote the article herself?" Cui'er asked in surprise.
“At this point, I should make my stance clear,” Ying Wuyou said. “Wei Ji is not fighting alone. He represents the attitude of Great Qin—to face problems head-on and be courageous in innovation.”
Then she thought of something else: "Have Fourth Brother arrange an exclusive interview with Wei Ji. Let him talk about his thought process in writing this article. It needs to be authentic and moving."
"promise."
The interview was published quickly. In the interview, Wei Ji frankly admitted the struggle he went through while writing: "I couldn't sleep at night, and my clothes were soaked with tears. But when I thought of the people of Wei and the general situation of the world, I finally felt that I had to say these words. Wei is gone, but the spirit of the people of Wei cannot be dispersed. Only by facing the past can we move towards the future."
Sincerity is the most touching thing.
After the article was published, the criticism subsided, and the number of people reflecting on its meaning increased. More and more people began to discuss: Why did the six states perish? How can the new dynasty avoid repeating their mistakes?
A major discussion about history and the future has quietly begun.
Wei Ji, at the heart of this storm, completed his transformation from a crown prince of a fallen kingdom to a strategist for the new dynasty.
Meanwhile, Li You's fleet sailed for ten days and arrived in Daliang, a city in Wei. Li You made a special trip to stop and inspect the area.
The former capital of the Central Plains has now returned to order. After the Qin army took over the city's defenses, their first task was to open the granaries and distribute grain. Following the Qin king's orders, Han Xin transferred 100,000 shi of grain from the Xingyang granary into the city and set up eight relief points.
At the dock, Li You witnessed people queuing to receive grain. The queue was long, but orderly. Qin officials maintained order, and medical officers patrolled the area, giving priority to the sick and weak.
Although it was just coarse grain porridge, at least we wouldn't starve.
"General, you are so kind!" An old woman received the grain, knelt down and kowtowed, tears streaming down her face.
The accompanying Qin official loudly announced: "By order of the King of Qin: the people of Wei are exempt from taxes for one year! All unclaimed wasteland will be given to those who cultivate it! Anyone who voluntarily goes to Baga Island to mine will have their entire family exempt from taxes for three years!"
A commotion arose in the crowd. Baka Island? What kind of place is that?
Standing on the dock, Li You watched this scene with a sigh. The princess's methods were indeed brilliant: on the one hand, she provided food to appease the people, and on the other hand, she offered them a way out—whether it was land reclamation or going to sea, she gave the people hope. And people with hope wouldn't think of rebelling.
"Director Li," the local prefect greeted him, "are you here to inspect the situation of the exiles on Baga Island?"
Li You shook his head: "I was sent on a mission to Qi, and I'm just passing through. But... are those exiles behaving themselves on the road?"
The prefect smiled wryly: "I heard that it was quite a commotion at first, especially among Yan Ju's family and former subordinates. But after boarding the ship and seeing the sea, most of them became obedient. The princess even specially arranged for a physician to accompany them and prepared plenty of medicine, saying that... 'we can't let anyone die on the way.'"
Li You nodded. This was indeed the princess's style—punishment should be severe, but not cruel. Exile to Baga Island for three years to mine was both punishment and rehabilitation. If he performed well after three years, he could return to the Central Plains; if he could achieve merit on the island, he might even receive a noble title.
How long does a sea voyage take?
"With favorable winds, it will take two months to reach the island. The princess has dispatched five large ships, each carrying two hundred people, escorted by General Meng Tian's men," the prefect said. "I've heard that Qin troops have already been stationed on the island, with camps built and mines opened. Those exiles will be both laborers and pioneers."
Li You didn't ask any more questions. The affairs of Baga Island were being managed by Li Xin; he had already left Baga Island and no longer needed to interfere.
The fleet continued eastward.
In March, the early spring breeze swept across the land of China. Li You's fleet entered the territory of Qi, and the scene before him reaffirmed his judgment.
The fields along the banks of the Ji River were neat and orderly, the villages were densely packed, and the towns were bustling. The wealth of the State of Qi was indeed well-deserved—most of the houses were brick and tile structures, the roads were smooth, and the markets were filled with a dazzling array of goods.
But Li You also noticed some details:
In the fields, the plows were still made by two people lifting them with straight shafts. These plows were heavy, laborious, and didn't turn the soil very deeply. In contrast, the Qin state had already popularized the curved shaft plow, which could be operated by one person and one ox, doubling the efficiency.
The ironware in the market was heavy and crude, yet expensive. A hoe cost fifty coins, while in Qin, a hoe of the same quality cost only twenty coins. Qin's iron-casting technology was superior, and its ironware was both lightweight and sharp.
Salt prices were outrageous. Qi produced salt, but the salt tax was heavy, and the price of official salt was more than double that of Qin. Smuggled salt was rampant, but those caught were severely punished—from whipping to having their hands cut off.
"It looks good on the outside, but it's rotten inside," the deputy envoy whispered.
Li You nodded, feeling even more confident.
On the tenth day of the third month, a group of envoys from Xianyang arrived at the Yingchuan Prefectural Government.
Leading the group was none other than Li Shiqi, the Imperial Censor, personally appointed by Dun Ruo, the Director of the Censorate. This man was in his thirties, with a stern face. After getting out of the carriage, he went straight to the main hall of the prefectural government office, where Prefect Zhang Bing hurriedly came out to greet him.
"Prefect Zhang, why are there fewer than a thousand registered candidates from Yingchuan?" Li Shiqi questioned directly, his voice as firm as iron, without waiting for pleasantries. "According to the household registration records, there should be over three thousand people aged thirteen to twenty in Yingchuan. Yet only nine hundred have registered. What is the reason for this?"
Zhang Bing was sweating profusely and bowed, saying, "Your Excellency, many families... do not wish for their children to take the exams, and I cannot force them."
"Can't we force them?" Li Shiqi sneered, his gaze sharp as a knife. "The King's decree is obeyed by all under Heaven. The powerful families of Yingchuan are collectively resisting, and you, as the prefect, are powerless to do anything about it? Is it because you are powerless, or because you are heartless?"
These were extremely harsh words. Zhang Bing knelt down with a thud: "This humble official dares not! It's just... it's just that the powerful families are too influential. Although I am the prefect, my foundation is shallow, and I dare not act rashly!"
"Which aristocratic family is leading the charge?" Li Shiqi interrupted him.
Zhang Bing hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "The Li family of Yangdi, headed by Li Huan. He publicly declared that the Li family has served the Han state for generations and will never allow their descendants to take the Qin examinations. He also... he incited other aristocratic families, talking about 'upholding integrity' and 'preserving righteousness'..."
"Very good." A cold glint flashed in Li Shiqi's eyes. "Lead the way to the Li residence."