Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 495 Liu Ji, do you want to be the emperor?
"Liu Ji is an unremarkable person."

At the village head's home, Zhang Liang complained that he was "too shrewd and mercenary, and too focused on profit."

He doesn't look like a ruler at all.

He's a smart man; considering Lin Dao's previous statements and his performance today...

He had already made up his mind that Liu Ji was the leader Lin Dao had chosen.

Or rather, a figure similar to the Zhou emperor.

To put it bluntly, the reason why the nobles of the six states were so desperate to restore their kingdoms had nothing to do with any grand principles.

It's simply about restoring their former wealth and status.

In Zhang Liang's view, it was now impossible to restore the country in the Central Plains.

If that's the case, rebuilding Korea in the new world isn't out of the question.

However, although Lin Dao said that the New World only had a group of weak natives who couldn't fight, he was still able to fight them.

But he understood that Lin Dao was speaking from his own perspective!

With his supernatural abilities to summon wind and rain, he naturally saw everyone else as weak and feeble.

But these remnants of the six kingdoms, having traveled thousands of miles in the past, must not have many people left.

Their situation is probably even more miserable than when the Zhou emperor first enfeoffed the people.

A few hundred people dared to go out and establish a country, surrounded by barbarians, nomads, and savages, trapped in the ocean.

In such a situation, a qualified leader is extremely important.

"That's because you're not familiar with him yet."

Lin Dao smiled and comforted him, saying, "He is actually very capable; he just needs a suitable opportunity to show it."

"When you arrive in the new world, your first task is not to rush around fighting wars, but to unite and deal with the local natives and reclaim the old lands of the Shang Dynasty."

"The local indigenous people probably number between several million and over ten million."

"I'm not entirely sure about the exact amount."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Liang gasped in shock.

Ten million people?!
"Brother Zihou," Zhang Liang's voice trembled slightly, "how many of us are going?"

"It's not clear yet," Lin Dao waved his hand. "We'll know once everything is arranged."

"Don't worry, I will provide you with plenty of supplies."

Zhang Liang lay down, filled with sorrow, and slept with Han Xin's feet touching.

As for Lin Dao, he naturally went to rest in another time and space.

The following day, Lin Dao visited Liu Ji again.

Empress Lü served the leftover wine from the banquet and then carried the child back into the house.

"Young Master Lin."

Liu Ji still smiled warmly, as if he were an old friend of many years: "If there's anything that Liu Ji can do, just say it."

"I will go through fire and water for Liu Ji!"

He was also frightened; the imperial court had actually sent a large army to Pei County.

This feeling is like reading a novel and seeing a million-strong army besieging a village—it's unbelievable.

Pei County was just an ordinary county, not the vast state of Chu.
"I do have something to ask you."

Lin Dao didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "Do you have a dream?"

One sentence left Liu Ji dumbfounded.

He barely slept last night, having considered almost every possibility.

He never expected that Lin Dao would ask him such a question.

"This~"

Liu Ji's mind raced with conflicting thoughts, which ultimately culminated in a single sentence.

"Having a wife and children, food and money, land and a house, official position and prestige~"

This very practical dream was the life that the vast majority of the common people in the Qin Dynasty longed for at that time.

"Have you ever thought about it?"

Lin Daoxiao asked, "Be the emperor?"

'Bang! '

The wine glass in Liu Ji's hand fell to the ground.

He looked at Lin Dao in astonishment, as if he were looking at a madman.

"Young master, you can't say such things carelessly, lest you harm me!"

These words frightened Liu Ji so much that he wanted to report it to the authorities.
He was just a minor official, a nobody, not even worthy of being called an official.

Become an emperor?!

I thought he was a master, but it turns out he's a madman.

I'm not joking with you.

Lin Dao bluntly stated, "The one who got beaten up yesterday was named Hu Hai, and he was the son of the First Emperor."

‘Hiss~’

Upon hearing this, Liu Ji looked terrified.

"The one sitting next to me is called Fusu."

Hu Hai may not be known by many people, but Fu Su, as the eldest son of the First Emperor, was involved in the affairs of the Qin Dynasty at a very early age.

It was well-known among the common people, and Liu Ji, a minor official, had certainly heard of it.

He suddenly stood up, his face pale, and he swayed as if he were about to fall.

"The First Emperor honored me as the Imperial Preceptor," Lin Dao said calmly. "I did not accept it."

Liu Ji plopped down on the ground, muttering to himself.

"No wonder there were so many soldiers outside, now I understand."

He now understood why those soldiers had come.

In his panic, Liu Ji looked at Lin Dao with a face full of confusion, "Grand Preceptor, I, Liu Ji, am merely a village head!"

"In the Qin Dynasty, you are just a village head."

"If we leave the Great Qin, we will be more than just village head."

Lin Daoxiao said, "My intention is to send the remnants of various ethnic groups to the former lands of the Yin and Shang dynasties to restore their kingdoms."

"As for you, you have been chosen as their leader."

"Of course, without a core base, you can't suppress them."

“I intend to seek out the people of Pei County and go with you.”

Pei County has a population of over 100,000; even if only half of them were to be relocated, it would still be a massive population.

Historically, after Liu Bang founded the country, he treated the people of Pei County well.

The entire county was exempted from taxes and corvée labor, and received additional subsidies. Since they enjoyed these benefits, they should also bear the corresponding responsibilities.

The task of exploring new worlds is left to Pei County.

"I'm telling you all this today not to discuss it with you, but to inform you."

"I chose you, that's you."

"The First Emperor's edict will arrive soon."

"You should prepare yourself."

After saying that, Lin Dao patted his shoulder and got up to leave.

What remained in the room was Liu Ji, who was lost in confusion and fear.

Several days later, the First Emperor's edict arrived.

The one who came to deliver the imperial edict was none other than Prime Minister Li Si.

The imperial edict meant very little: the entire Pei County was chosen to travel to the ancient land of the Yin and Shang dynasties.

Every household willing to go to the former territory of the Yin and Shang dynasties will receive at least one thousand acres of land!
At the same time, each household also received three thousand coins for travel expenses, as well as corresponding equipment, vehicles, tents, livestock, grain, salt, soy sauce, and other supplies.

Those who wish to stay are welcome to do so; there is no obligation to go.

However, forget about taking over the fields and houses left behind by those who left. All these things will be taken over by the government and distributed to people who have moved here from other places.

Those who remained had nothing.

The news caused an uproar throughout Pei County.

I've never heard of any ancient Shang Dynasty territory!
Nobody knows where this place is.

Some say it's hundreds of miles away, others say it's thousands of miles away.

In short, it's very far.

However, the advantage is that it is really very attractive.

A thousand acres of land!

This is a wonderful thing that many families would never even dare to dream of.

In addition, they gave me money and goods; it was like a dream come true.

Many people are eager to participate, after all, the offer is just too much.

This is also because, apart from Lin Dao, no one knows exactly how far away the ancient land of the Yin Shang Dynasty is.

What do you mean by hundreds or thousands of miles? It's clearly tens of thousands of miles away!

Once you've gone, you can basically forget about ever coming back in this lifetime.

In order to encourage the people to sign up, Lin Dao sent out Han Xin and Zhang Liang, and spent money to recruit people to stir up public opinion.

It's like the ancient land of the Yin and Shang dynasties was full of gold; you could find gold nuggets just walking down the street.

It's like over there, all flat and fertile land, where you can sow a handful of seeds and they'll grow into lush crops.

It's like that place is rich in resources, teeming with animals, stupid and clumsy, all meaty, and the river is teeming with fish that leap onto the bank on their own.

It's like once you get there, you're exempt from corvée labor and taxes for three years, and whatever you get, it's all yours.

All sorts of opinions were flying around.

The cunning Zhang Liang even hired people from nearby counties to come crying and begging to join him.

Some people even offered to marry off their daughters or take wives in order to qualify for membership in Pei County.

After going through this whole process, the simple and honest people of Peixian County, who had never seen such methods before, were completely fooled and dumbfounded.

Many people signed up without fully understanding the situation, following the advice of others to "sign up quickly, or you'll miss your chance."

Li Si acted swiftly, distributing money, food, and supplies to those who came to register on the spot.

The whole family registered and packed their belongings before being sent to the departure camp.

Their houses were sealed off, and their land was reclaimed by the government.

Want to regret it?
Fine, leave your things behind, but when you go home, you'll have nothing left.

Liu Ji, the former head of the Sishui Pavilion, was appointed as the camp leader of the departure camp.

He was in full charge of everything in the camp, and all supplies were also entrusted to him for distribution.

With the authority to distribute supplies, Liu Ji quickly became a leading figure in the camp.

He also quickly assigned positions to all his old comrades.

There were those in charge of logistics, those in charge of organization, and those in charge of training the militia.

Liu Ji not only went home himself, but also picked up Widow Cao and Liu Fei, and they set off together.

He was reluctant to let his father and brothers go with him, after all, their future was uncertain.

With just a word from Lin Dao, Liu Taigong's entire family was sent to the camp.

There is nothing we can do about this.

"Immortal chief."

With a beaming smile, Li Si bowed to Lin Dao.

"By order of the First Emperor, all the death row inmates and sons-in-law selected from various places have been sent to Liaodong Commandery."

"Livestock, poultry, grain seeds, etc., have also been prepared to be transported to Liaodong County."

"Currently, there is still no news about the remnants of the six kingdoms."

For the Qin Dynasty, this was actually a good thing.

We can send those death row inmates and the remnants of the six warring states far away, allowing the world to settle down.

Other matters are relatively easy to handle, but the remnants of the six states are a more troublesome issue.

Although the Qin Dynasty court posted notices in various places and sent people to spread rumors,

But not many people truly believe them.

Lin Dao nodded. "It's alright, I have my own arrangements for this matter."

"All you need to do is open up the roads and check their identities, and let them go to Liaodong County to assemble."

Li Si bowed and said, "That's excellent."

After Li Si left, Lin Dao immediately asked Zhang Liang, "How did things go?"

Zhang Liang looked slightly embarrassed. "Quite a few people don't believe it."

Lin Dao frowned slightly, then relaxed.

"so."

“Tell them this is the best chance to restore their country.”

"If you miss it, there will never be another chance."

"Those who are willing to go can all restore their country."

"Those who are unwilling to go will face endless encirclement and suppression if they stay."

"Tell them that the princes and nobles of various countries have all been sent to Liaodong Prefecture!"

(End of this chapter)