The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 269 The Land Won't Run Away

Gongzi Gao sat on the fishing boat, eating fish and drinking wine with Xu Fu and Fu Zilang.

From their words, we heard about the changes that have taken place in Shandong and Qilu over the past two years.

Having spent more than two years in Chu, I have somewhat neglected what happened in Qi and Lu.

Since Father Emperor made his western tour and handed over state affairs to my elder brother, my elder brother has been trying to change the Central Plains. This year, a large-scale reclamation was carried out in the Luochuan Plain, opening up tens of thousands of hectares of land. The shortage of population is still the most critical problem in the Central Plains. Seventeen years have passed since Qin destroyed the State of Chu. In these seventeen years, another generation has grown up.

Xu Fu spoke of a helpless matter, saying, "The officials of Qi Commandery have all discussed that if we want to boost population growth, we need to redistribute the land and wait for the next generation to grow up. It will take at least ten years of preparation. Taxation and land redistribution are the most troublesome things for the Qin court in order to achieve population growth."

The young master asked in a low voice, "Taxes?"

Xu Fu continued, “I heard from officials from the Prime Minister’s office that the Prime Minister’s office began discussing tax reform many years ago. Some say that Prince Fusu felt that Qin’s taxes were too heavy and needed to be reduced, while others say that Prince Fusu felt that the taxes were not enough to support the officials and the army.”

Gongzi Gao said, "Population, food, land... Back then, the six states reformed their laws, weren't they trying to achieve these things? But none of them made things better."

The three sat together, feeling as if they couldn't understand the world anymore, and they didn't know if the world would really get better.

The world remains the same. The ancient Xiaohan Road is still the throat of Guanzhong, and the Luochuan Plain can harvest two million shi of millet every year, making it the largest granary east of Guanzhong.

The ancient city of Xingyang still stands there, storing grain together with Aocang.

After eating the fish, Gongzi Gao followed Xu Fu to the county government, where he learned more about the situation: reconstruction had begun in Xingyang, Chenggao, Xin'an, and Yiyang, and people were being relocated there.

This time, the Prime Minister's Office is going to concentrate the population again. If Xingyang, which is outside Hangu Pass, is the land east of the pass, then the Prime Minister's Office is now going to start building up the land east of the pass.

Xu Fu said, "There were such rumors last year, but I didn't expect that this year... Prince Fusu would actually do it."

Gongzi Gao laughed and said, "There has been a rumor for a long time that my elder brother only cares about building Guanzhong and not other places."

"Now, no one will speculate anymore."

The young master nodded.

The two then arrived at the shipyard south of Langya County. Seeing that there were no craftsmen there, Gongzi Gao asked, "Are ships no longer being built here?"

Xu Fu replied, "Now there are more than ten large ships capable of transporting grain at sea."

"Have your ships been transporting grain all along?"

"Hmm." Xu Fu replied, "The decree sent by the Prime Minister's office states that Langya County is located at the junction of the north and south, with abundant water in the south and scarce water in the north, making water diversion difficult."

Gongzi Gao replied, "If we can't divert water, then we'll divert grain?"

"Hmm." Xu Fu looked somewhat troubled. He stroked his beard and said, "Although the grain in the south and the Jianghuai region is abundant, there are still many places that need to be developed. If the south can be developed better, more grain can probably be transported out. This year, the north experienced another drought, and the grain harvest is only half of what it used to be. Almost every year, people move west, migrating to Guanzhong or Xingyang."

Gongzi Gao said, "This is exactly what Du Shuichang is most worried about. I have read his documents. He said that the black soil in the north is actually very suitable for growing grain. I want to go and see him."

Xu Fu said, "Among the correspondence, I once saw a document from the governor of the river that mentioned the Liaohe Plain."

"Liao River..." Young Master Gao sighed. Indeed, one must travel further to see more.

He added, “Brother is right. People should go out and explore. Only by going out can we see further.”

Xu Fu instructed two minor officials behind him to uncover a black cloth inside the dock.

The black cloth was slowly pulled back, revealing a large ship.

Gongzi Gao noticed that when Xu Fu saw the large ship, his eyes were full of anticipation and pride.

"Will you be taking this ship overseas from now on?"

Xu Fu nodded.

Are there really fairy islands overseas?

Xu Fu said, "If there really is a fairy island, I will bring back the treasures from the fairy island."

Noticing Gongzi Gao's gaze, Xu Fu added, "This place will definitely become better. Even if we find the Immortal Island, I will definitely return."

Gongzi Gao could roughly imagine that even if Xu Fu didn't return, he would assume that Xu Fu had died outside.

My elder brother is a man whose heart is only for the country. To be honest, such a person is a bit too cold-hearted. Xu Fu has really gone overseas, so it doesn't matter whether he comes back or not.

The elder brother wouldn't care whether Xu Fu lived or died.

At least for now, Prince Gao is willing to believe what Xu Fu said: that he will definitely come back.

Gongzi Gao added, "If my brother finds the immortal island, he will definitely ask the immortals on the island if they can make the common people of the world live better and have an endless supply of food."

Xu Fu fell silent again.

After leaving the dock, Prince Gao returned to Langya Terrace.

The bronze armillary sphere on Langya Terrace remains unchanged, even the markings on it have not been moved.

This shows that over the years, no one has touched this armillary sphere, despite the wind and rain.

To the world, this armillary sphere may seem like a strange and even sacred structure.

Its appearance alone gives people a sense of mystery and unpredictability.

Prince Gao needs to stay in a side hall of Langya Terrace for some time. Zhang Ping needs to arrange for troops to patrol Langya Terrace and also make preparations for the prince's living arrangements.

As night fell, Gongzi Gao sat in the side hall, writing down what he had seen and heard upon his return to Langya Terrace.

My elder brother often said that we should pay more attention to the common people, but in fact, the common people were indifferent to Xiang Liang's affairs, and they didn't even know who Xiang Liang was.

Even the common people of Chu didn't care whether a man named Xiang Liang was alive or dead.

“Brother, the teaching support program has been very successful. Now many children feel that they need to maintain the peace brought about by unification and should not let the world return to the period of warring states.”

Gao not only wanted to write a good history book, but also wanted people to remember it. The history book was not for me alone, but for the whole world to see.

Gao requested permission to hand over the history books he had compiled over the past ten years to Shang Yanshan's printing workshop.

People cannot be ignorant of history; they need to know what their ancestors were like and what the land they lived on was like in the past.

Gao Shen knows that people cannot forget history, and hopes that his elder brother will grant permission..."

After writing, Gao put down his pen.

Sometimes, Gao would feel that he had been to Wushaoling, the northwesternmost point of Qin at that time, because General Zhang Han had not yet conquered the Hexi Corridor, and Wushaoling was the northwestern border of Qin. Now it's different; now the northwestern border of Qin is at Mazongshan.

After pondering for a moment, Gao continued writing, this time about Xu Fu.

"Xu Fu built ships, and those ships are in the dock. As long as my brother gives the order, the big ships can set sail. Xu Fu said that even if he finds the fairy islands overseas and meets the immortals, he, Xu Fu, will come back. Gao thinks that whether he comes back or not is not important. What is important is to go out and let more people open up the land..."

Prince Gao stayed at Langya Terrace for another half month. During this time, he wrote more than ten volumes of books, which he sent to Xianyang.

After that, the young man left Langya Terrace, intending to go north to take a look.

When bidding farewell to the prince, Lang said to Fan Zeng, "The fact that Prince Fusu's younger brother can travel to various places is already far better than that of many other sons of the old noble families of Chu."

Fan Zeng said, "Hehe, you flatter me."

Lang really disliked Fan Zeng's sneer, so he turned around and went back to teaching.

Zhang Ping's convoy continued northward, and the wind grew even colder in late autumn. Along the way, they kept sending people to inquire about the location of Du Shuichang.

It wasn't until he arrived in Guangyang County of Yan that Zhang Ping learned of Du Shuichang's whereabouts.

Ji County in Guangyang Commandery was formerly used by the State of Yan to protect its capital, but it has now become a county of Qin.

The journey was relatively smooth, and Gao was able to experience the customs and culture of the people of Yan.

Inside the county government building in Ji County, Chief Du Shui was sitting here looking at a map, which was so large that it was spread out on the ground.

Gongzi Gao met the magistrate of Ji County. The magistrate was a former teacher who had passed the examination and was sent to Ji County as an official.

Du Shuichang had been holding an oil lamp and looking at the map for a long time without saying a word.

Gongzi Gao simply waited outside. After Du Shuichang finished looking at the map, he stood outside the county government and began to ask about the current situation in Yan.

There's been a rumor lately, but I don't know if it's true or not.

"What rumor?"

"My lord, you may not know this, but rumors are circulating that Prince Gao is traveling around the country to inspect the officials of the realm on behalf of Prince Fusu."

Gongzi Gao laughed and said, "I did not receive any decrees from my elder brother; I was just wandering around."

Today, Ji County in Yan territory occupies a strategic location in the north and is also one of the more fertile areas in the north. Centered on Ji County, there are also Zhuo County, Fangcheng, and Liangxiang. Further north is the location of the Yan Great Wall, where Yuyang and Guangping also guard the mountain passes north of Ji.

The magistrate continued, “In the past, the Donghu invaded southward several times, crossing the Yan Great Wall. This has resulted in the poor living conditions in the Yan region today. The customs of the local people are difficult to educate, and the local people are fierce. I, the magistrate, do not know how to govern them. For many years, few officials have come to govern this place, and now few people trust officials. The situation is most difficult for the teachers who came to teach in the countryside. They are still living in my county government.”

"Two months ago, Du Shuichang went to Liaohe to farm. He harvested a lot of grain by rotating beans, but irrigation is still a big problem. Du Shuichang plans to dig a canal on the plains of Liaohe. This canal will be thousands of miles long. You have seen it, young master. Du Shuichang is still looking at the map with a frown."

Gongzi Gao asked in bewilderment, "Where would the manpower come from to dig a canal that stretches for thousands of miles?"

"The Donghu and Xiongnu have manpower."

The voice came from behind, and it turned out that Du Shuichang had come out.

Gao turned around and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Chief Du Shui."

"Lu greets the young master." Du Shuichang bowed first, then sighed, "If we want to expand the Liao River, we must take over the Buyeo Kingdom in the northeast."

Gao then heard a place name that he could only find in ancient books.

Buyeo was located northeast of the Liao River. Geographically, it was a small state on both banks of the Liao River, but it was indeed outside the border.

After saying this, Du Shuichang left again.

The magistrate continued, “Young master, this Chief Du is truly a daring man. He dared to leave the Great Wall with only three or five men and travel around the northern border region. I thought he would be captured by the Fuyu or the savages, but he actually came back alive. He even said that he wants to plant our grain outside the border, which is unheard of.”

Gongzi Gao recalled what Xu Fu had said in Langya County: that the future Prime Minister's office would have to worry about food, land, and population.

If the Central Plains could have another granary like Liaodong, that would be a tremendous blessing.

It's no wonder that Du Shuichang would come to the north.

Gongzi Gao entered the county government and saw the map left by Du Shuichang, which was a map of the border region.

The magistrate of Ji County added, "This map was left behind by the royal family of Yan back then."

As he spoke, he pointed to a piece of land he had drawn and said, "Does the young master know how much farmland can be cultivated from this land?"

Young Master Gao, of course, did not know, so he asked, "How many?"

The magistrate said in a deep voice, "Three hundred thousand hectares."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ping was also surprised. Apart from the Guanzhong Plain and the Luoshui Plain, he had never seen such a vast expanse of fields.

The magistrate laughed and said, "Du Shuichang feels that every day these fields are left uncultivated, another day of grain will be wasted. He can't wait to go north to borrow troops from General Meng Tian."

It snowed heavily again in the northern night, and Gao found Du Shuichang.

Faced with the long waterway, Gao had many doubts. The words spoken during the day seemed irrelevant upon closer listening. First, a canal thousands of miles long needed to be opened, requiring too many people.

Of course, the manpower problem can be solved by taking prisoners of war from Buyeo and Donghu to dig canals.

But who will cultivate these hundreds of thousands of hectares of land?

Even if the canals are successfully dug, hundreds of thousands of hectares of land cannot be reclaimed by human labor.

Even if it were possible to do it by human power, it would require hundreds of thousands, even millions of people to cultivate the land. The north is a harsh and cold place, and the Xiongnu people were almost wiped out. Where could we find millions of people?
In front of Du Shuichang, Gongzi Gao expressed his confusion.

Du Shuichang sat by the oil lamp, a bowl of hot water beside him. He said in a low voice, "Young master, these things are not important. Let people know that there is a fertile land in the north. Once people know about the north, successors will come one after another. They will accomplish the great task of changing the world. We are just the first to cultivate this place. After us, there will be a third and a fourth."

“We can’t possibly cultivate all of the hundreds of thousands of hectares of land, but future generations will continue to cultivate it. Everyone eventually grows old and dies.” Du Shuichang looked out the window and said softly, “But the land is there. It won’t run away or change.”

Gongzi Gao bowed to Du Shuichang again and said, "I am willing to go to Helan Mountain in the north to borrow troops from General Meng Tian to attack the Donghu and take over the Fuyu Kingdom."

Du Shuichang said, "I have sent letters several times, but the emperor is currently in the north, so I can only wait for a reply."

Gao felt that he had met many admirable people in the first half of his life, and Du Shuichang was one of them.

The next day, as soon as the snow stopped, Prince Gao ordered Zhang Ping to prepare horses, and they headed towards the northern border.

(End of this chapter)