The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 300 The Great Snow of the First Year
Once a mistake is made, punishment will be imposed. If the scholar teaching the class feels the matter is serious, he may bypass the local general and report directly to the Grand Commandant's office. Once the Grand Commandant's order is issued, one can expect to be dealt with according to military law.

Therefore, the military law of the Qin army is stricter than before, and it is said that it is not easy to be a county official in various places nowadays.

When faced with those troublesome scholars, Shibuya wondered to himself, "Are the generals having it easy?"

In the past, being a general only required going into battle to kill the enemy. Now, generals are required to be well-versed in the classics. Fortunately, many soldiers who missed the opportunity to teach in rural areas can now study in the army.

The scholars of the Imperial Academy were selected by the Imperial Academy, and they were indeed very knowledgeable. They also had a fearless attitude, daring to contradict even local generals. This confidence was given to them by the emperor.

As for Shejian, what else could he do but try to get used to the change? Fortunately, he did learn some lessons he had never learned before.

After reporting, Lü Matong left.

The newly arrived deputy general was very capable, and Shejian was very pleased with him. Having a deputy general who was not demanding, quiet, and capable made things particularly easy for him.

The first year of the new emperor's reign is about to end. This new emperor did not do much in his first year on the throne, except to reduce the number of troops, promote agriculture and sericulture, and appoint a few ministers.

This year has been exceptionally peaceful, and also a year of bumper harvests.

When the emperor and his family returned from the imperial palace in the northern suburbs, winter finally arrived in Guanzhong. Although it was not yet the winter solstice, heavy snow was already falling in Guanzhong.

After the court meeting concluded today, Fusu met with Prefect Wu of Sanchuan Commandery.

Luoyang was still under construction. It was the first major city east of Hangu Pass. Fusu built Luoyang as a population reserve because Tongguan Pass could no longer accommodate so many people, and the labor force in Guanzhong was almost saturated. A place was needed to replace them.

Because the current labor force is still in a primitive agricultural stage, the lack of production methods leads to a very low utilization rate of human resources. Workshops are a good solution to this problem, but this solution will not take effect so quickly and requires the support of relevant laws.

Sometimes, Fusu felt that at least he wasn't feeling his way across the river by touching the stones.

After Wu Gong finished his report, Fusu asked, "Teacher, are you still unwilling to come to Guanzhong?"

Wu Gong nodded and replied, "I still live at the foot of Mount Li."

Taking a scroll from his hand, Fusu looked at the heavy snow outside the palace and said, "You can ask Zhang Cang about the grain allocation."

"I accept your order."

As Tian An watched the governor of Sanchuan County leave, he thought to himself that there was no need to doubt Wu Gong's honesty and loyalty. As long as the emperor continued to respect the prime minister, Wu Gong would also be loyal to the emperor.

Fusu said, "Bring me the Shangnong volume of Lüshi Chunqiu."

A palace attendant immediately went to fetch the book.

In the Lüshi Chunqiu, the main theme of its exposition on commerce is to emphasize practicality and suppress extravagance, and its original intention is still diligence and thrift.

Lü Buwei was not a good person, but his three thousand retainers were indeed highly learned. When the eunuch brought the books, Fusu looked at the chapter on agriculture.

The book records that farmers should work hard to cultivate the land, merchants should sell their goods, and commercial markets and trade routes should be built. In order to attract merchants, a suitable environment for them is needed.

However, Qin law stipulated that merchants should register separately in the market, and their descendants were not allowed to become officials. This was a thorough form of emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce.

After reading it, Fusu understood the cause of Lü Buwei's death.

"Tian An, are you saying that the bowl from which Lü Buwei drank poison to commit suicide was a ceramic bowl that was traded by wealthy merchants from Yangdi back then?"

Tian An replied, "Yes."

Fusu said, "That's truly laughable."

All of this was intentional. How could a shrewd businessman like Lü Buwei not know where the earthenware bowl filled with poison came from?

He probably recognized it at a glance.

This was yet another reason why the First Emperor ordered his death.

Would Lü Buwei dare to live?

Fusu even suspected that the bowl of poison was sent by Tian An.

"Starting today, take a break. Inform everyone in the Prime Minister's residence."

"Yes."

When a palace attendant delivered the news to the Prime Minister's residence, cheers immediately erupted. In addition to their salaries, the emperor also distributed wheat to the officials who had been working tirelessly for two years.

This is certainly something to be rewarded for. In the past two years, the population of Guanzhong has increased by 100,000, and this year's grain output has reached a new high in the past ten years.

The emperor was pleased with the increase in population and the bumper harvest.

If things could continue like this every year, the officials would certainly be able to live better lives.

This year is a good year, and the emperor even gained a little princess.

I don't know if it's because people have read too much Mozi, but they feel that even the wicked God who used to make people suffer has started to love the people and the world.

Zhang Cang has recently noticed that he has become thinner. Looking at his reflection in the puddles on the ground, he sees that even his temples are now gray, all due to the burdens of national affairs.

"Let's drink." Cheng Miao patted Zhang Cang on the back.

"With Grand Commandant Wang absent, I do not wish to drink."

"Then I'll go find Chen Ping for a drink."

Hearing Cheng Miao say this, Zhang Cang hurriedly said, "I'll go." Although Chen Ping was a bad person, he had a keen eye and could always find out which wine was the best in Xianyang and which place had the most beautiful women.

By following Chen Ping, you can drink the best wine, eat the most fragrant mutton, and see the most beautiful women in Xianyang.

Moreover, this person has only been in Xianyang for four years, yet he has already befriended many wealthy people in Xianyang and is always treated to good food and drink.

Chen Ping was indeed capable; he could always help the rich solve their problems with just a few words.

In this city of Xianyang, Chen Ping also has his own unique way of surviving. None of the old Qin people who have been living in Xianyang for many years are as comfortable as he is.

Zhang Cang, who was walking with Cheng Miao, sighed, "Everyone has their own strengths, and I am no match for Chen Ping's abilities."

Cheng Miao said, "I wonder where Grand Commandant Wang is. If Grand Commandant Wang could drink with Chen Ping, that would be a great pleasure in life."

Led by Chen Ping, the two arrived at a tavern, where the innkeeper warmly welcomed them.

The three walked through the bustling main hall of the tavern and then came to a room at the back, which was decorated in a unique way and had books as companions.

Chen Ping and the shopkeeper were talking in hushed tones.

Zhang Cang and Cheng Miao simply waited to drink, and soon the wine and meat were served, along with beautiful women dancing.

Chen Ping explained, "The owner of this restaurant was a nobleman from the State of Wei. He sold his family's property and came to Xianyang to make a living. This restaurant has only been open for a year. The decoration here is quite in the style of the nobles of Wei. With wine, meat, music and dance, this is enough for a lifetime."

After Chen Ping's words, which sounded like a toast, the three raised their bowls of wine.

The exhaustion from two years of busy work dissipated into the smell of alcohol in my mouth after taking a sip of wine, which I slowly exhaled.

The heavy snow fell silently on the bustling city of Xianyang, and gradually snow accumulated on the eaves of houses.

The city of Xianyang is almost unchanged from before; the houses still look dark and gloomy, but there are more people and the streets are more crowded.

After handing over duties to several generals on the city wall of Xianyang, Zhang Han ended his shift for the day.

The emperor appointed Zhang Han as the Prefect of the Interior and concurrently gave him command of the Guanzhong military forces, but Zhang Han remained stationed in Jingye County.

Outside the city, someone was slaughtering mutton. The freshly killed mutton was hung up by the butcher, and the meat was still steaming in the snow.

Zhang Han bought a large jug of wine and a leg of lamb, hung them on his horse's back, and then rode away.

In Jingye County, Sima Xin sat before Shusun Tong, inquiring about matters concerning the Imperial Academy.

Although Sima Xin was the prefect and guarded Tongguan City, the affairs of the Imperial Academy were still managed by Shusun Tong.

"The students from Chu have formed a faction, and there are also students from Qi. Together they number over a hundred. I'm afraid they might start fighting..."

Sima Xin voiced his concerns, but Shusun Tongshi said indifferently, "If the students fight, it's your business as the prefect. What does it have to do with me?"

"Please enlighten me, esteemed Master."

Seeing that Sima Xin was about to bow and pay his respects, Shusun Tong reluctantly said, "I will speak to those teachers. Anyone who gathers to fight privately will be expelled from the school."

That's all we can do. Those students are only fifteen or sixteen years old. When a group of people that age get together, it's already a miracle if they don't rebel. Fighting in groups is a minor matter. If it were anyone else, who wouldn't fight at that age?
Rules are rules, but there will always be loopholes, no matter how many rules there are.

Kids are actually very smart. Even if you catch them once, it's not their first time fighting in private; it's just the first time you've caught them.

"If you have inexhaustible strength, then grind soybeans for this old man. Heng and Zhang Jing have been away lately, and I haven't had good tofu in a long time. Although Zhang Ye can also grind soybeans, the tofu he makes is not as good as Zhang Jing's. Alas... I wonder how that child is doing these days?"

Shusun Tong, with the attitude of "I'll try to manage it if I can, and if I can't, so be it," gave a perfunctory reply and then said, "Hmm? Zhang Han is back."

Upon hearing this, Sima Xin also looked out the window and saw Zhang Han riding towards them, carrying a leg of lamb.

Shusun Tongdao said, "This old man can't chew meat anymore."

Zhang Han stood by the window and said, "Let's stew it."

Shusun Tong nodded slowly.

As night fell, a northwest wind blew through the snowy night, and the cold wind howled past, carrying snowflakes with it. Even the wooden boards sealing the windows were shaking.

Inside the warm house, Zhang Han's family invited Shusun Tong and Sima Xin to dinner.

Zhang Han knew Shusun Tong's temperament; the old man's teeth weren't like those of someone who couldn't bite through mutton.

The mutton doesn't need to be stewed until it's too soft; just tender and soft is fine.

Shusun Tong asked, "Has Zhang Jing sent any letters?"

Zhang Han said, "Next year, a batch of soldiers will be rotated and sent to the north. The child will not be able to return until the autumn or winter of next year at the earliest."

"I don't know if I'll be able to live to see next year."

Zhang Han remained smiling. The old master was in good health, but the older he got, the more enlightened he became about life, and the more pessimistic he became.

The heavy snow continued until the next day, and the Guanzhong Plain was especially quiet after the snow. A carriage arrived at Tongguan, and a young man got off the carriage, stepped on the snow, took a deep breath of the cold snow air, and said, "Tongguan looks so beautiful."

The teacher beside him said nothing, but led the young man into Tongguan City.

Upon arriving at the Imperial Academy, the young man addressed the teacher, saying, "My name is Liu Ying, and I am from Pei County."

(End of this chapter)