Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 278, Section 277: The People of Guanzhong
Paper was quickly put into use in Ganquan Palace.

Although Chi Nu dared not dream of the position of Minister of the Imperial Household, she was keenly aware of the Queen's need for personnel.

The four of them were of little help, so in her spare time, she awkwardly traced a few large characters on paper and handed them to the servants below to study silently.

Various innovative personnel arrangements were also boldly implemented in Ganquan Palace.

With this regulation in place, it will be much easier for capable people to rise to the top than before. If anyone still aspires to improve, they must now work extremely hard.

If you want to stay by the Queen's side and rise to the rank of Chief Secretary or Junior Secretary like them, how can you do it if you can't read and write?
Qin Shi was unaware of the undercurrents among the servants.

She has so much to do. Even if she hands over these forms and diagrams to others and completely relinquishes her control over palace affairs, there are still many things to be determined.

The progress of Hei Mu's silent writing, the arrangements for Xin Mo's matter, and Yan Cong's rectification of the Changlu Saltworks in Bohai County, etc...

There is also an auction that is currently being planned.

But the most important thing right now is what Liao He, the Prefect of Grain Administration, reported back on—

"Before the New Year, the Queen ordered me to summon the farmers from various regions. The roads to remote areas are difficult, and I was afraid of causing delays, so I urgently summoned them from Guanzhong..."

Qin Shi was taken aback, then overjoyed!
"it is good!"

"The conscription of people from remote areas should not stop, but where are all these people who have been conscripted now?"

It's only the tenth month of the lunar calendar now, and given the current climate, spring planting won't even begin until March or April. This nearly six-month period is the golden time for her to make preparations in advance.

"Your Majesty, a total of seventy-two people have been conscripted from various places in Guanzhong, including Yulin, Weinan, and Tongchuan, and they are now waiting outside the palace."

Qin Shi was taken aback, then said with a hint of annoyance, "I forgot to tell them. Since I invited them here, I naturally wanted them to show their skills—how long does it take to travel from Xianyang Palace to Su Su Village?"

The Prefect of Su did not hesitate: "We can travel more than 300 li a day on our Qin warships. Su Su Village is located in Tongchuan, near the Guanzhong Plain, and has the Qishui Wharf."

"It takes four hours to reach Xianyang, the capital city's wharf."

Is transportation really that convenient?

Qin Shi was somewhat surprised.

But then she realized: This is the king's farm!
Even if it's inconvenient, we'll build a dock out of thin air, especially since it's located near the Qi River and the Ju River, two tributaries.

That being the case——

"Red Woman, prepare for the trip. I'm going to stay at Susu Village for 7 to 10 days."

"Have Xin and Mo come along. Then go and ask the craftsmen of the Imperial Workshop how many new farm implements such as seed drills, waterwheels, and curved plows can be made. Bring them along as well."

The Red Woman answered without hesitation: "Yes."

"Wu Zi, go and inform the Prefect of the Zhou Palace that I have important matters to discuss with the King today, and ask him to leave court early."

The Minister of Agriculture was waiting quietly below the steps. Upon hearing these words, his brows furrowed deeply, then suddenly relaxed.

Unlike Zhou Ju, who had lived in the deep palace for a long time, he did not have any direct experience of the Queen's favor. But hearing it now, he was particularly shocked.

But as a veteran official, the most important thing is to know how to keep quiet.

Therefore, after listening to the Queen's methodical instructions, he realized that she was probably going to Su Su Manor to make a big splash. Although he was still somewhat uneasy, but—

On New Year's Day, he realized that the Queen was probably indeed connected with Kunlun.

After all, the salt produced by Changlu Saltworks has been of the same quality for many years. However, once the Queen ordered Yan Xiaolang to take over, it became the top-grade snowflake salt we know today.

Nowadays, if you go to a farm, is it possible to acquire thousands of acres of fertile land and granaries full of grain with a mere flick of a golden finger?
Thinking of such a grand occasion, his heart burned with excitement.

So he asked with exceptional consideration:
"Most of the people in Guanzhong are uncouth and crude. I wonder if the Queen would like to personally summon them?"

Qin Shi smiled and said, "Of course, please come in."

The maid listened silently, but in her heart she thought—the Chief Secretary was right, the Queen did indeed treat people like them with exceptional respect and courtesy.

The Queen in Kunlun must have been a great lover of the poor and needy female immortals!

……

Meanwhile, a group of commoners conscripted from various places were huddled in the side hall, not daring to utter a sound.

Although it was warm and cozy here, a chill still emanated from my body.

That was the fear and unease in the face of power.

They were just ordinary old farmers from various townships and counties. If there was anything different about them, it was that because they were old and experienced, they either knew how to read the weather or had their own tricks for farming, so they could always harvest a bushel or two more millet than others.

Unexpectedly, one day he was conscripted to Xianyang because of this!
I heard that the Queen of Qin wants to summon him personally...

But what use are these lowly agricultural tasks to the nobles who summon them? Are they just being sent to perform other kinds of labor?

but……

Everyone thought bitterly: They're all so old, and they've paid their taxes without fail.

If a noble person were to order them to transform inferior land into superior land, that would not be an easy task!
Everyone was filled with anxiety.

The highest-ranking official they had ever met before was the head of a post station, but now, with a large bowl of hot tea in front of them and feeling the warm atmosphere of Ganquan Palace, they felt increasingly uneasy.

Coincidentally, the eunuch standing nearby also kindly poured hot tea into their large bowls.

Amidst the gurgling water, a commoner licked his dry lips, couldn't resist reaching out to scoop up a bowl, and then told the person beside him to clench their clothes tightly—

Hot water was poured onto his dry, cracked, and dark tiger's mouth in an instant, turning it red. He didn't even dare to cry out, and carefully put the precious teacup back.

How could I dare to eat and drink so recklessly when meeting an important person? What if I embarrass myself and get punished?!

But then the eunuch in front of him smiled and said:
"Gentlemen, please eat, drink, change clothes, and wash up. The Queen has always been considerate of us and has never made us suffer because of this."

"On the contrary, if I were to neglect my duties here, and word got out, I'm afraid the Chief Secretary would reprimand me."

With Danpu's meteoric rise to prominence serving as an inspiration, everyone in Ganquan Palace is now striving to get ahead.

Therefore, even though they would have complained about these laborers in the past, no one dared to do so now.

As the saying goes, if something is good at the top, it will be very bad at the bottom.

Although these servants may not actually read the words, all indications suggest that they have already begun to put them into practice.

His amiable manner finally made the elderly man tremble and boldly ask:

"My lord, I wonder why the Queen summoned us...why..."

He tried to say something more refined, but having never been able to read a single word, he was still stuck after thinking for a long time.

But Huangmen already knew what he meant.

"I dare not presume to call myself 'sir'."

After thinking for a moment, he boldly revealed:
"His Majesty once bestowed upon the Queen a thousand-acre farm. I have heard that the Queen possesses a secret method from Kunlun that can increase millet production. I have summoned you all here today, presumably to inquire about some agricultural matters."

Can the Kunlun secret method increase the yield of millet?
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up!

Because in this world, nothing is more important than having enough to eat!

　Here they come! Qin warships could travel more than 300 li a day, according to the Records of the Grand Historian.

　　(End of this chapter)