The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 290 The Direction of Governance
When County Magistrate Cao Jian saw that many old Qin people had come looking for their families, he was also in a bit of a predicament, so he had to call on Liu Fei for help.

Wu Bo was also a veteran of the Qin army, but he was a generation younger than these people. When Wu Bo joined the army, the Qin army was fighting at Changping, while these men in their thirties and forties who had just retired from the army were all Qin soldiers before the Northern Expedition against the Xiongnu.

Liu Fei looked at the documents sent by the Qin army, compared them with the previous county records, and confirmed the names, ages and places of origin of each person.

The process was simple but exhausting. Liu Fei sat inside the county government building, listening to the noisy discussions outside, and continued flipping through the pages.

Until an elderly woman came looking for her family, she found her son in the crowd.

Although the names and places of origin recorded in the dossier were very complicated, Liu Fei spent a day and a night sorting out the household registration of more than 300 old Qin soldiers.

Cao Can asked, "Is it done?"

"Hmm." Liu Fei said, "In recent years, several counties in Guanzhong have been relocated. Although some families are no longer here, we still know where they went. I'll leave the rest to Uncle Cao Can."

Cao Can nodded, carrying scrolls of documents, to help these old Qin people find their families.

Liu Fei left the county government hall. These days, Uncle Xiao has been left in Xianyang, probably because there are many state affairs to arrange.

At night, the wind in Guanzhong was still a bit cold in February. Liu Fei returned to his room, lit the oil lamp, and continued reading the book in his hands.

This book was written by Gongzi Gao and printed by a printing workshop in Jingye County.

A woman found a child by the Great Wall, and a volunteer teacher took her in and raised the child to this day. The volunteer teacher Liu Fei mentioned in the book was named Fu Zijing.

No one knows whose child it is. Some say it might have been left by the Xiongnu near the Great Wall, while others say it might have been a child born to a woman conscripted into hard labor who, out of fear of raising it, left it near the Great Wall.

In the end, a kind woman took the child in her arms and is raising him.

Liu Fei finally found out about the deeds of Master Jing.

Gongzi Gao wrote about many things in his book, and to this day, the weapons of the Nanyang garrison soldiers still bear their inscriptions, which read "We will fight side by side in life and death."

When the State of Chu was defeated and fell, there was a Chu soldier named Ying who surrendered. Ying carved words on his weapons to comfort his mother.

There were many people who went to excavate the Zheng Guo Canal, but some of them did not return home.

Qu Cheng was dead, Han Zi died, his wife held a cold coat and offered it as a sacrifice to the turbid river... Gongzi Gao wrote many, many stories, all of which were stories of ordinary people, while the deeds of the old nobles were often only mentioned in a few strokes.

Gongzi Gao wrote mostly stories about ordinary people.

The Zheng Guo Canal was dug out by a large number of people with their sweat and blood, and the canal irrigates the fields and sustains generations of people.

But where have all the people who dug the Zheng Guo Canal gone now, and how many are still alive?

Looking at these books, Liu Fei noticed tears welling up in his eyes. He realized that people back then had a very difficult life, or perhaps people today still have a very difficult life.

From the moment Liu Fei first arrived in Guanzhong until now, he felt that this place was different from what he had imagined. Before coming to Guanzhong, they said that there was an inexhaustible supply of food, all the books in the world, and the best knowledge.

But now, what Liu Fei sees are people still busy living, and everyone who is working hard.

Liu Fei had never dug a canal before, so he didn't know how arduous it was, but he could imagine how many people dug canals in freezing weather or scorching heat.

A soldier from the State of Chu named Ying inscribed his thoughts of his mother on weapons made in Nanyang, reminding her not to forget her worries, hoping to comfort her.

A craftsman drowned in the Zheng Guo Canal. The bronze ruler he used to measure the depth of the Jing River may still be at the bottom of the water. This gave rise to the folk song in Guanzhong: "The canal was completed, but Han Zi died. His wife held a cold coat and offered it as a sacrifice to the turbid river."

Liu Fei murmured, "Wife holding winter clothes to offer sacrifice to the turbid river..."

One can even imagine that the craftsman's wife could only hold her husband's clothes and offer sacrifices to him by the river.

These events must not be forgotten. Prince Gao had these books printed in Jingye County in the hope that future generations would remember these stories, remember the deeds of ordinary people behind the grudges and feuds of the six kings, nobles and generals of that time. This is the history of the people, a history book written with blood and tears.

Liu Fei recalled what Heng had once said: Never say that anyone's life is insignificant, because everyone's life is extremely heavy.

That's why I wrote down these heavy memories of the past.

The next day, it was still drizzling outside when Liu Fei hurriedly went out wearing a straw hat.

Xiao He, who had just returned from Xianyang, saw Liu Fei rushing out and asked Cao Can, who was standing beside him, "Did he go to study today?"

Cao Can said, "Isn't he preparing for the Imperial Academy's exam?"

Xiao He also remembered that Liu Fei was preparing for the Imperial Academy's exam. Once he passed the exam, he would be able to take a position at the Imperial Academy and would also receive accommodation and food.

If Liu Fei passes the exam, he can stay in Tongguan and won't have to live with the two of them in the county.

Xiao He continued to work with Cao Can to deal with the affairs of the old Qin soldiers and help them find their families.

Xiao He, who had just been promoted to governor, led a group of veteran Qin soldiers to visit various counties.

The process of finding family members was not smooth. For example, some of the old Qin soldiers had lost all their family members, leaving them alone with more than ten acres of land. They planned to build a family after they got married.

Xiao He said, "You are in your thirties, which is the prime of your life. It's not too late to get married now. I can help you find a marriage partner."

The Qin soldier bowed and said, "Thank you, Prefect, but I still wish to pay respects to my family and have no interest in marriage lately."

When he left home, he was the only son in his family; when he returned, his parents were no longer alive.

Fortunately, he was still in his prime. Xiao He nodded and said, "If you encounter any difficulties, you can come to me."

This area was not originally part of the Weibei region, but Xiao He was still willing to help these old Qin soldiers.

Xiao He continued to lead the remaining Qin soldiers, questioning them county by county.

It was the emperor's decree to allow these veteran Qin soldiers who had been guarding the border for many years to return home. Xiao He looked at the bewildered look in their eyes. After returning from the army, they would have to start farming, and some would even need to build their own houses.

This time, the scale of the soldiers returning home was very large. Xiao He had just helped one group find their way home when another group arrived, and more and more people returned from the Great Wall in the north.

Some say that the new emperor's reduction of Qin troops at the border and in various regions will create hidden dangers.

But Xiao He felt that such worries were unnecessary. The emperor's decree did indeed order them to return home, but they had signed a document and made a promise before returning home.

If things change in the future, these people can put on their armor and go back into battle.

Moreover, a large number of troops are still stationed at the border and Guanzhong, but there are even fewer troops in other areas.

The new emperor sent them home, and they promised that if the situation changed, they could once again don their armor and fight for the country.

The emperor reduced the military force in various regions by 70%, and more and more people left key locations and returned to their hometowns.

Traveling between the counties in Guanzhong, one can occasionally see brothers who have not seen each other for many years, or couples embracing and weeping, desolate and impoverished, with only an empty house remaining.

Lu Matong arrived in Guanzhong, a bronze sword at his waist, and rode his warhorse toward Tongguan, before heading to Xianyang to report back.

Upon arriving at Tongguan City, Lü Matong ordered a bowl of tofu and a flatbread.

As he took a bite of the tofu pudding, Lü Matong saw a group of students gathered together. He overheard their conversation, and it seemed that these students were going to erect a monument by the Zheng Guo Canal, inscribing the names of those who had dug the canal in the past on the stone tablet.

Lu Matong finished the tofu and pancakes in his bowl in a few bites and rested for the night in Tongguan.

The following day, Lü Matong went to Xianyang. In February, the weather was still a bit cold, but many people were already working in the fields.

On both sides of the road are vast plains, divided into fields where people are working. The busy farming season in Guanzhong is about to begin.

It was noon when Lü Matong arrived in Xianyang by horsemanship in the morning. He dismounted at the city wall and handed over his credentials to the guards.

When the garrison general learned of Lü Matong's identity as the Commandant of Chengdu Commandery, he immediately allowed him to enter the city.

After walking through the bustling streets of Xianyang, Lü Matong saw the palace gate. Guided by the garrison general, he entered the palace and arrived at the Grand Commandant's residence.

The current Grand Commandant is Meng Tian, ​​who is in charge of all the military forces in the country. It is Grand Commandant Meng Tian who is in charge of the important matters of sending soldiers back to their hometowns and reducing the number of garrison troops.

The instrument was placed on Meng Tian's table.

Lu Matong clasped his hands in a salute, and out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that the Grand Commandant was looking at a book.

After a long while, roughly half an hour, Meng Tian finally finished writing a document, had it sent down, and then picked up Lü Matong's letter of appointment, saying, "Commander of Chengdu Commandery."

“Lu Matong, Commandant of Chengdu, greets the Grand Commandant.”

Meng Tian said in a deep voice, "These years you have traveled between Sichuan and Guilin, and you have worked hard."

"It is my duty as a subordinate."

Meng Tian then said, "The Northwest border army needs a general; you should go and take a trip there."

Lü Matong replied, "This subordinate obeys the order."

Meng Tian added, "There's no rush to take up the post. It's not too late to go after the busy farming season."

"This humble general can immediately head to the Northwest without rest."

Upon hearing the other party's words, Meng Tian raised his head and said, "Alright, go to take up your post immediately without delay."

"Yes."

Lü Matong responded loudly and quickly left the Grand Commandant's residence. Now that the Xiongnu had been destroyed, most parts of the Central Plains would not have experienced war for more than ten years, while there were still the Western Regions in the northwest.

There might still be fighting in the Northwest. This is a rare opportunity, and Lü Matong would not let it slip by.

Meng Tian was still sitting in the Grand Commandant's mansion when he picked up another scroll sent from the south and asked, "Has any news been sent from Zhangtai Palace?"

"The emperor is discussing matters in the south with the right prime minister, saying that the Grand Commandant can come to see him at any time."

Meng Tian stood up, left the Grand Commandant's residence, and headed towards Zhangtai Palace.

After the passing of General Meng Wu and the retirement of Wang Ben, the Qin court finally had a younger Grand Commandant. Although he was over fifty years old, a man in his fifties is still in his prime.

Inside Zhangtai Palace, Fusu was discussing with Right Chancellor Chen Ping matters concerning the pacification of the south.

Fusu often worried about the South, which was the same thought his father had. The South, which had finally achieved stability, could not be allowed to fall into chaos again.

Knowing that his ascension to the throne as the new emperor might shake the two generals in the south, but the south still needed Tu Ju and Zhao Tuo, if these two were no longer in the south, it might not be possible to keep them in check if a different person was stationed there.

As soon as Chen Ping finished speaking, Fusu saw Meng Tian standing outside the hall and said, "Let the Grand Commandant enter the hall."

An attendant invited the Grand Commandant into the main hall.

Except during court discussions or when necessary, Fusu would sit on the throne.

Normally, Fusu would stand inside the palace and get closer to the court officials.

This was probably a habit formed over many years of handling state affairs; the emperor had long been accustomed to talking to his ministers in this way.

Fusu looked at everyone and said, "According to the Right Chancellor's idea, I need to send more officials to the south to distribute the power of the two generals."

Feng Quji bowed and said, "That's right."

"Chen Ping, do you think I shouldn't invite the two generals back to Xianyang now?"

Chen Ping said, "I think we should invite the sons of the two generals to Guanzhong. Everyone knows that Tongguan has the best learning in the world, so let their children come to Guanzhong to study."

Chen Ping is Chen Ping after all; every scheme of his carries the bottom line of humanity. He brings other people's children to Guanzhong, ostensibly to study, but in reality to take them hostage.

Chen Ping added, "I also know that Tu Ju has six sons and three daughters, and Zhao Tuo has one brother, one son, and one daughter."

Now that Chen Ping is serving as the Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, in charge of diplomacy and intelligence, it must be said that he is truly competent. The Right Chancellor's vision is indeed unique, and he saw this man's strengths at a glance.

Fusu asked, "What does the Grand Commandant think?"

Meng Tian said, "This humble general secondes the motion."

Clearly, Meng Tian paused before speaking, as if he wanted to object but then swallowed his words.

Looking at the three people before him, Fusu said, "Then let's do as Chen Ping says. If this matter is not handled well, and there is unrest in the south..."

Chen Ping said, "Your Majesty may send me to the south, where I will hang myself before the two generals to atone for my sins."

Fusu smiled awkwardly and said, "There's no need to hang yourself as an apology."

Chen Ping's expression relaxed slightly, but then he heard the emperor's words again.

"If anything unexpected happens, I'll go to the south and stay there for the rest of my life."

"Yes."

Fusu then said, "Alright, Right Chancellor and Grand Commandant, please stay. I have important matters to discuss with you."

Chen Ping, being very tactful, bowed and said, "Your subject takes his leave."

Inside Zhangtai Palace, Fusu looked at Meng Tian and the Right Chancellor, and then asked about the current generals in various regions, taxes, and laws.

Even before ascending the throne, when Fusu was helping his father manage state affairs, he felt that these were two major problems.

The nation needs to move towards a more civilized direction. Ya'an in Sichuan is interacting with the Qiang people, which is a good start to opening up and relaxing the restrictions on mountains and lakes.

Then, Fusu wanted to establish a military-agricultural colony system in the Hexi Corridor.

That was all Fusu said to the Grand Commandant and the Right Chancellor.

After the Grand Commandant and the Right Chancellor received their orders and left, Fusu walked to the front of the main hall of Zhangtai Palace. The sky was overcast and it was still raining. This year's rain came early and lasted longer than in previous years, but the amount of rain was not large.

The early spring rain was still a bit chilly. Fusu pondered in his heart that, as the emperor of this country, he had set the direction of governing the country as maintaining unity, governing for the people, and taking the people and maintaining unity as the core of governance.

Fusu and Meng Tian, ​​the Right Chancellor, discussed the important matters of establishing the military-agricultural colony system and lifting the ban on trade.

(End of this chapter)