Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 289, Section 288: The Head of the Bai Family
The sensation caused by this bowl of salt water and millet was clearly not limited to that.

The first group to return brought back real things, including an extra bowl of salt water compared to the originally planned millet!
This is salt!

The salt that nobles eat is indeed different from theirs; it has no bitter taste at all!

I heard that if you have a long queue, they also serve soup and rice...

Each of these is a fatal temptation for the poor.

Therefore, the farm's interviews have come to a temporary end, but in reality, the number of people who wanted to sign up again the next day was more than ten times that of the previous day.

Wu Zi, after a busy day, is now hoarse and exhausted.

But it wasn't all for nothing. The servants who accompanied her today were used to this process and each of them could handle things on their own.

While I cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or omissions, this is the only way for now.

but……

"Your Majesty, a young girl has arrived today. She is only twelve years old, but her eyesight is astonishing. Should we keep such a talented person?"

Since she asked that question, she must have passed the preliminary test. Qin Shi became interested: "How exactly does she possess amazing eyesight?"

Wu Zi replied, "I can see very far, and very clearly."

"According to her, one can recognize the veins of leaves from a distance of 1.5 zhang. At 30 zhang, one can clearly see the plumage of birds."

In the Qin Dynasty, this meant that one could clearly see the veins of a leaf from five meters away and the color of a bird's plumage from a hundred meters away.

Such eyesight is exceptional even in later generations, let alone in this era of food shortages and malnutrition!

"trick!"

She didn't hesitate.

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures; at this time, we should not talk about human rights.

To let such a pearl fall into the hands of ordinary people is tantamount to burying a dug-up pearl in a pile of rubble. Over time, the pearl will not be polished smoother, but will become mottled, yellowed, and old, losing its luster.

She added approvingly, "Thanks to your reminder, when we recruit talent tomorrow, we'll have them add a clause: those with truly exceptional talent, aged three or older, will be considered regardless of age."

“If you come, you will receive grain as well.”

Wu Zi was overjoyed to receive the Queen's praise.

However, this order will surely require the expenditure of a large amount of millet. As a result, the entire output of this year from the millet estate that the king has deliberately bestowed upon us will likely be spent in this way.

This is the Queen's private property.

As the person who solely controls the Queen's treasury, Wu Zi inevitably harbors worries.

Qin Shi realized this and laughed, "You can't bear to part with it?"

The Queen spoke gently and softly, but Wu Zi hesitated somewhat: "The Queen's private wealth is not abundant to begin with..."

Qin Shi: ...

The King of Qin kept showering her with gifts, and she felt incredibly wealthy. She realized she had to compete with these noble ladies!
but--

At this moment, she gently grasped Wu Zi's slightly rough hand: "You have always managed the warehouse very well, so I am very relieved."

"However, I have many important things to do right now, and without talented people, I really can't get things done."

"Wu Zi, I want to ensure that everyone in Qin can have enough to eat. This journey may require a lifetime of effort. If the treasury remains empty, will you be saddened?"

The Queen is so considerate, and she has such grand ambitions!
Wu Zi's eyes instantly reddened, and her voice choked with emotion: "If Your Majesty can ensure that the people of Qin have enough to eat and will not suffer the same fate as I did in my childhood, being displaced and losing my loved ones, then all my personal wealth will be given to Your Majesty!"

"Though it is only a tiny bit, it is still a token of my sincerity."

Qin Shi: ...It's not that exaggerated.

In the early stages of starting a business, funds need to be constantly circulating. Not having a large cash reserve does not mean she has no money.

but……

At this moment, she simply cupped Wu Zi's hand with her other hand and gently squeezed it: "I've got it."

At this moment, Wu Zi stopped worrying about the millet that was about to be sent out, and just blinked, forcing back the tears that were about to fall.

Then, feeling a little embarrassed, she quickly stopped and said, "This servant is now going to set up the items for tomorrow's second test."

Qin Shi stopped her: "No need to rush. Let those people eat and drink well for a couple of days first. Then, in three days, this batch will undergo a second assessment."

"You must be tired today, go and rest. We can arrange for another servant to attend to you tonight."

……

Meanwhile, the big fish huddled in the corner of the thatched hut, also lost in thought.

It's not cold here.

To be precise, it's much warmer than home.

Because the straw mats covering the hut were thick, and the ground was also covered with a thick layer of dry grass, there were two layers of straw mats on top when sleeping.

If that's not enough, you can burrow deeper into the haystack.

Such thick and fluffy hay cannot be collected by one's own.

Because she was alone, she couldn't compete with the adults, and sometimes the ones she collected would be taken away.

Every day, the amount of firewood had to be carefully calculated and used.

There's coal again recently, I heard it was arranged by the Queen. A small piece can keep you warm for a long time, and you can even put a pot of hot water on the stove.

After spending a long time in the icy water, my mother can now soak her feet and scald her legs properly when she gets back, making the winter days more comfortable.

But one can't stay cooped up by the stove all day; there are still some chores to do around the house. If she's too cold to do them, her mother will come back and do them.

It will be cold and tiring then...

Thinking about this, she became somewhat dazed again.

With the availability of coal, it's said that far fewer people have fallen ill this winter. Therefore, when Mother heard that the Queen was recruiting again, she hurriedly went home to fetch her.

Now they're probably wading in the cold river again.

But, but Mother really should come!
They not only gave her a bowl of millet, but also steaming hot salt water! She just hadn't brought a bamboo tube, so she had to drink it on the spot.

It's piping hot, with a slightly salty taste, and you can never get enough of it!

If we could take them back, the fish soaked in salt water and dried would fetch a higher price!

And tonight's soup and rice, thick corn porridge, plus several side dishes, everyone can eat a big bowl!

The big fish's appetite shrank, and she could barely finish a whole bowl. But she learned from the others and ate slowly in small bites, and eventually she managed to finish it all!

My stomach feels full, bloated, and warm right now—it feels so good!
She was conflicted: if she didn't pass tomorrow, could she ask her mother to come too? She saw that many of the people who were eliminated today didn't seem to have much ability.

But, but they can all carry a bowl of millet away.

And since I can't go back today, will my mother be worried when she goes back in the early morning?

Just as I was worrying, I saw the woman in the same bunk also sigh: "If I don't go home tonight, I don't know what my family will do..."

"Has anyone from your village gone back? If so, they might be able to bring the news out. It would be best if my husband brought the children to queue up tomorrow too..."

"Sister, is it too late for you to stay?"

“I didn’t go through with it. The young adult said it was night and asked me to stay overnight and return the next morning… I thought I could at least have a good meal, so I stayed.”

Ten people lived in this small thatched hut. Although it was a bit crowded, it was warmer to be crowded in winter.

Before she could finish speaking, someone next to her chimed in, "You're mistaken! It's not just about getting a full meal; I heard there will be more tomorrow morning!" What?!

Hearing this, the women, who had previously been indifferent to everything else, poked their heads out from the haystack: "Is there more tomorrow morning?"

The young woman who spoke said smugly, "I noticed that the messenger's voice was hoarse, so I specially dug up some cogon grass roots from the side, washed them clean, and sent them to him to boil water."

"He then told me: The Queen is especially wealthy and loves to reward us, and everyone in Xianyang knows this, so she will make sure they have a full meal before they go back tomorrow morning."

"If you pass the first test, you can eat three meals a day in between, even if you wait a day or two!"

"If we pass the second test, we can eat meat again!"

"If the Queen makes an exception and selects someone, I can go directly to Xianyang with her!"

Xianyang!
That's the capital!

Following the Queen, without doing anything, one can get millet and salt for free. Wouldn't one be able to eat well and stay warm every day?
Could such hay be piled up into a large haystack?

only……

Many people are starting to worry again: what will happen to their families if they go to Xianyang?

"What do you mean?"

The young woman rolled her eyes:

"Even if you don't go to Xianyang, do you or they think you can stay at home every year when you're on military service?"

Apart from orphans and widows who are exempt from military service, which family can reunite every single day of the year?
Many widows who remarry with their sons are still very popular today because their sons can also serve in the household.

But the big fish became conflicted.

If she goes to Xianyang, and if she receives any reward before leaving, she must prepare a proper dowry for her mother!
Marry a strong man who won't die from military service, so that someone can cultivate the fields and we won't have to pay heavy taxes. It will also save my mother from standing in the icy cold river every day!

Even if we don't pass, these few hearty meals will be worth it.

Thinking of this, she lay down peacefully.

……

The controversy surrounding the recruitment order was only concerning millet and salt water among the common people, but it caused quite a stir among powerful clans like the Bai family.

The fact that the Bai clan was able to establish itself in Guanzhong is enough to prove that it has considerable power. Bai Qiusha is an outstanding member of the younger generation and is expected to be able to take on the role of clan head in the future.

However, Shenjun is still young, and the elders need to hold on for a while longer before it is considered safe.

Life was supposed to continue like this, filled with anticipation, but unexpectedly—

You're saying this paper is already in mass production?

The current head of the family carefully unrolled the scroll, gently stroking it, his expression shifting.

"Exactly!"

Bai Qiusha actually wanted to get that charcoal pencil back as well. It was really smooth to write with, and unlike ink, it wasn't hard to erase once it dried. Sometimes, it would blur a little when her sleeve brushed against it.

It's not heavy, but you can still tell what's written.

Moreover, the characters can be written very small and very quickly, which perfectly matches the clean white paper.

Unfortunately, the soldier said that although it wasn't anything rare, they had only been issued one each, so he couldn't bring it back...

At this moment, he replied, "Although I don't know the production volume, I asked the soldiers, and they said that even the most ordinary soldiers need this paper for their daily tests."

Isn't that enough to explain it?

more importantly--

He took a small step forward, already keenly aware of another key point: "The Queen is not only recruiting talented people, but even the lowest-ranking soldiers under her command are to start learning to read."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent.

What do noble and powerful families rely on to establish themselves?
First, wealth; second, cultural heritage.

Wealth is easy to understand, but what about inner strength?

It consists of the family retainers and servants they have accumulated over generations to defend against foreign enemies, their vast collection of books, the secret methods they have learned from each other to maintain their noble demeanor, and their well-read descendants like Bai Qiusha.

Since ancient times, ordinary people have not been qualified to talk about etiquette. Etiquette includes not only rules and rituals, but also logical thinking and cognitive ability.

Only in this way can they be distinguished.

Once even the most ordinary soldiers and officers begin to learn to read, how many rivals will these sons of powerful families suddenly appear in the Qin Dynasty court, which operates under a system of recommendation and examination?
Wouldn't those minor local official positions no longer be filled by their carefully trained servants?
The patriarch frowned deeply.

How can we resolve this future?

First, given their strength, even if they openly resisted and defied the king's orders, considering these uncouth warriors unworthy of literacy—

Laugh to death!

This is the Great Qin Dynasty!
The Great Qin Dynasty, which unified the six kingdoms!

King Ji Heng of Qin held absolute power and made arbitrary decisions. He did not kill all the remaining people of the six states, purely because he was reluctant to lose the population and wanted to take the opportunity to attract more talented people.

If pushed to the brink, is the King of Qin unable to kill him or unwilling to kill him?

This includes powerful and influential families like theirs.

They did occupy the area, and they built fortified fortifications such as fortified villages around the manor, and even kept thousands of soldiers at home...

But against the mighty Qin cavalry, these were nothing but clay chickens and earthen dogs!

Even if powerful local figures unite, their alliance based on shared interests will inevitably give rise to selfish motives.

How can we achieve success if people are not united?
If they could have succeeded, why did they wait until Qin conquered the six states before finding an opportunity?

The head of the Bai family gripped the paper tightly in his hand.

News came from Xianyang that this queen's origins are unknown, and it is unclear which powerful clan has used all its resources to create such a noblewoman.

This news was indeed accepted.

After all, it was said that when the two wealthy merchants, Madam Ba and Wuyou, went to pay their respects, they presented them with such great treasures as fire-resistant clothing and a crystal tree. However, even the maids in the Ganquan Palace of the other party did not take them seriously.

A sense of knowledge and deservement cannot be concealed.

"There are also rumors circulating that she is a celestial envoy from Kunlun and possesses several secret techniques."

"Upon arriving in Qin, he brought with him divine weapons..."

Meanwhile, rumors also circulated that General Yan had developed a carbuncle in his brain and was supposed to die from the excruciating pain.

Unexpectedly, the Queen bestowed upon him a miraculous medicine, and he peacefully closed his eyes until his death.

There is also the secret that Xianyang can no longer completely conceal—

That is, King Heng of Qin fell critically ill during his western tour last year, and was saved by a divine medicine from a celestial messenger, which is why he was specially made queen...

Could this be the reason why the Qin Dynasty was favored by Heaven?

But it's okay.

The Bai family patriarch carefully pressed the crumpled paper in his hand onto the table to flatten it. Although there were slight creases, they did not affect the overall appearance.

His family has stood the test of time because its core principles have never gone wrong.

If you can't beat them, join them!

They're really good at this!
Thinking of this, he regained his hope: "I heard that the Queen is distributing millet and salt water to the common people in order to recruit talented people?"

　Here it comes!
　　(End of this chapter)