The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 256 Questioning the Prime Minister

The emperor began his western tour. The tracks of his carriage started from the detached palace in the northern suburbs and went to Tongguan. Now it is heading towards Longxi. It is unknown when he will return.

In other words, state affairs were still being managed by Prince Fusu.

Moreover, even the Prime Minister accompanied the emperor on this western tour.

In the past, when the emperor went on a western tour, he would only leave Xianyang for half a year.

But the Qin Dynasty is different now. Longxi is no longer the same as before. Now, the Hexi Corridor has been built. The great victory in the north has brought Qin Yinshan. Perhaps the emperor will also visit Yinshan or the grasslands south of the Gobi Desert on this trip. This trip may take one or two years.

Officials in Xianyang still remember that when Maodun's head was sent to the northern suburban palace, the emperor hung it outside the palace.

After that battle, it was said that the Yuezhi people sent envoys to General Zhang Han to request that Maodun's head be handed over to their Yuezhi royal family.

Zhang Han refused the request.

Later, when Prince Fusu presided over the court meeting, he mentioned this matter and supported Zhang Han's decision.

These were all discussed after the Northern Expedition.

Cheng Miao gazed at the heavy snow outside the Prime Minister's residence. Snowflakes fell with the wind, seemingly creating waves as they silently drifted to the ground.

Of course the emperor wanted to visit the northwest and the north, and to be honest, Cheng Miao also wanted to go.

In the spring of the fortieth year of the First Emperor's reign, the emperor had been on a western tour for two months.

Prince Fusu returned to Xianyang to take charge of state affairs. In the minds of the people of Xianyang today, it is only natural that Prince Fusu would take charge of state affairs.

Two days before the court meeting, Fusu received another letter from his younger brother Gao. In the letter, Gao mentioned that Master Jing would be returning to Guanzhong next year, and he would be bringing two disciples with him.

It has become common for volunteer teachers to bring their students back after leaving for the east; this has almost become one of the missions of every volunteer teacher.

Gao also said he was going to Jiangdong to search for traces of the Xiang clan and to compile a list of the last remaining old nobles of the Chu state.

After reading the letter, Fusu folded the paper and placed it on the bookshelf.

"I wonder when Father will return from this western tour?"

The emperor made three western tours. The first western tour was after he became the King of Qin, and it was to appease the nobles and powerful families of Qin in various places.

The second time was before the emperor launched the Northern Expedition, and it was to quell border troubles.

The third time is now.

After the Northern Expedition, the Qin army expanded its territory by thousands of miles in the north. The appearance of the Hexi Corridor built by Zhang Han can only be seen in historical documents.

Fusu said, "I also want to go and see the North now."

Tian An said, "The scenery in the north will definitely be even better in the future."

Speaking of the future, Fusu sipped his tea, gazing at the warm sunshine outside, and thought, "The future... I wonder if Tian An will still be around then."

From childhood to adulthood, Fusu never knew Tian An's age. Whenever he asked, the old man would always say that he had forgotten himself.

He seems to have always been this old, yet he also seems to have never aged.

"Young master, a letter from the Imperial Academy."

Tian An took the writing and handed it to the young master.

Fusu glanced at the letter, then set it aside, drinking his tea without saying a word.

The palace was quiet, with only the voices of the lady and several princesses talking. The lady was considering marriage arrangements for the princesses.

In March, just after the Awakening of Insects, it was raining heavily in Guanzhong.

The palace eunuchs were cleaning the Imperial Temple. Prince Fusu sat inside the temple and sent a letter to his father, the emperor, who was far away in the Hexi Corridor. He informed his father and teacher about recent state affairs and that this year's sacrificial rites and agricultural rituals had gone smoothly.

In his spare time, Fusu would read some books he had brought from Yongcheng. There were many books in Yongcheng, and from these books, it could be seen that the old Qin people had a very strong clan system, and in some places, this clan system was even more powerful than the national law. This situation would only improve after the reforms. The so-called reforms were like breaking down the bones of a country and then rebuilding them, so that it could be reborn.

Fusu recalled what had happened at Mount Tai: the burning of temples, the abolition of patriarchal clan system, and the implementation of Qin law.

This is yet another rebirth.

In April of the 40th year of the First Emperor's reign, Chen Ping, who had been serving in Xianyang for half a year, once again submitted a law on the overall management of taxation.

While looking at the new overall planning law in the Prime Minister's residence, Fusu asked, "How do you think we can increase the country's taxes without increasing the burden on the common people?"

Chen Ping replied, "Take more from the wealthy and less from the common people."

"How to classify the rich and poor, and how to avoid bribery in the process of classifying the rich and poor?"

Chen Ping replied, "Severe punishments, kill a few people first and inflict the ultimate penalty."

Fusu was not satisfied with Chen Ping's answer and said, "You should go back first."

After leaving the Prime Minister's residence, Chen Ping was somewhat confused.

At dusk, Chen Ping returned home. He recalled his answer to the question about taxation and observed the young master's expression, which showed considerable dissatisfaction.

Back in the Hexi Corridor, Chen Ping felt he had seized the opportunity for the Northern Expedition, and he did indeed succeed.

A person's life offers few opportunities, and this time, having displeased the young master, Chen Ping fell into utter frustration.

The elderly Zhang Fu, leaning on his cane, saw Chen Ping's expression. Back then, Chen Ping was humble, and he was not ashamed of his poverty; on the contrary, he was even more proud.

In Zhang Fu's opinion, there shouldn't be anything difficult for someone like Chen Ping that could stump him.

As it turned out, Zhang Fu's judgment was correct; Chen Ping was indeed a remarkable young man.

Seeing his son-in-law's worried expression, Zhang Fu asked, "What's wrong?"

Chen Ping said, "It's nothing, just some political matters. My new friends in Xianyang can help."

Zhang Fu nodded slowly. He didn't have the same insight and knowledge as his son-in-law, so he could only let it be and trust him.

The more important the matter, the less one should act on one's own initiative. This principle was taught to Chen Ping by Zhang Han. Back when he was under General Zhang Han's command, Chen Ping often suffered losses and was reprimanded by the general because of his own initiative and his self-righteous cleverness.

Early in the morning, just as dawn was breaking, Chen Ping went to visit Zhang Cang.

Before the court meeting was to begin, Zhang Cang opened the door and saw Chen Ping standing at the door.

Chen Ping smiled and said, "Prefect Zhang."

Zhang Cang took a step and walked towards the palace gate.

Zhang Cang didn't have many friends in Xianyang. Wang Taiwei was one, Cheng Miao was another, but he really didn't know Chen Ping well.

As he walked, Zhang Cang heard Chen Ping's voice, but he ignored him, only occasionally echoing him.

At the palace gate, Cheng Miao also saw the two people walking towards him. Seeing Chen Ping talking to Zhang Cang, he quickly guessed the reason.

Zhang Cang is a man who never meddles in other people's business.

Not meddling in other people's business was also Zhang Cang's principle.

Let alone Chen Ping, Zhang Cang wouldn't care about anything, not even the Prime Minister's affairs.

As for the taxation method, Prince Fusu and the Prime Minister had been planning for it for several years. Cheng Miao said, "You should wait for the Prime Minister to return and then ask him."

Zhang Cang also said, "Read more and ask fewer questions."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ping bowed respectfully to express his gratitude.

(End of this chapter)