The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 304 A Promise After Ten Years

In the past, the salt in the State of Qi was divided into two types: coarse salt bricks and refined salt. The salt used in Xianyang Palace today is also refined salt.

Fusu looked at the document handed to him by Xu Fu, and learned that fishing and salt had always been the greatest wealth of the Qi region.

Ten years have passed, and Xu Fu has indeed delivered a satisfactory result. He has also built Langya County into a very prosperous place. Salt alone and the sea route to the south can bring a lot of money to Xianyang every year.

Today, Langya County is like a treasure trove, filled with salt and ships sailing the seas.

Dishes were brought into the palace one after another. The emperor and his minister drank wine and ate mutton, and talked about the events of the past.

“Back then at the foot of Mount Tai, if Han Zhong had been willing to follow me to Langya County, he wouldn’t have died.”

Fusu asked, "What were you concerned about back then?"

In other words, the emperor was asking what the Qilu Doctors were adhering to.

Xu Fu didn't know how to answer.

Fusu looked at Xu Fu, who was over fifty years old and had gray hair at his temples. Although Xu Fu did not say it, Fusu felt that it must be his values.

What the First Emperor and Li Si wanted to destroy was the set of values ​​they had always upheld under the feudal system.

Fusu then said, "I heard Gao mentioned that you built a large ship in Langya County."

Upon hearing this, Xu Fu bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am over fifty years old."

Li Si, who was in the past, was still thinking about the changes in the country in order to realize his ideals. Some people's ambitions are too high, so high that they can never be realized in their lifetime, and it is too difficult.

But Xu Fu was not Li Si.

No one was able to carry on Xu Fu's ideals.

If Xu Fu doesn't set sail now, he may never be able to travel far again. This is his last chance in his life, because in another four or five years, Xu Fu will be over sixty years old.

How could an old man over sixty years old sail such a long distance? He would probably die on the ship within three days of setting sail.

Xu Fu remained in a bowing posture, without uttering a word.

"Okay, I promise you."

"Your subject obeys," Xu Fu said, his voice choked with emotion.

Fusu issued an edict granting Xu Fu the authority to embark on a long voyage of exploration. The edict required Xu Fu to return safely, and even if he could not return, his remains should be brought back.

Fusu stood up, placed the decree in front of Xu Fu, and said, "I have given you what I promised you back then, but you must also give me a promise."

Xu Fu looked at the imperial edict and said loudly, "Your subject will definitely return."

Fusu helped him up, straightened the old man's clothes, and said, "Thank you for your trouble."

"Yes."

Xu Fu respectfully withdrew from Zhangtai Palace, holding the imperial edict in both hands.

Fusu said to Tian An beside him, "Please invite the Right Chancellor."

When Feng Quji arrived at the main hall of Zhangtai Palace, Fusu spoke to him about the governance of Langya County.

The emperor seemed to frown as he listened to Feng Quji's list of several people who could replace Xu Fu as magistrate of Langya County.

After that, Feng Quji said no more.

Fusu said, "I wish to retain Xu Fu's position as county magistrate."

Feng Quji inquired, "This person has gone on a long voyage at sea..."

Fusu continued walking under the eaves of the Zhangtai Palace, saying as he went, "I hope that Xu Fu's voyage will be an exploration on behalf of Great Qin. Keeping his official position is precisely to demonstrate the mission of the country. The ships, crew, and grain that Xu Fu took on his voyage are all the property of Great Qin. No matter where he goes overseas, the land he sets foot on is the territory of Great Qin."

Feng Quji asked with difficulty, "The position of county magistrate is vacant. Who will govern Langya County?"

Fusu said, "Let Wang Li make a trip and appoint him as the county magistrate. During Xu Fu's voyage, the affairs of Langya County will be handled by Wang Li."

"Yes."

Feng Quji naturally had no objection to the emperor's decision.

Moreover, Langya County was planned and built by Prince Fusu back then. Even if the emperor had some selfish motives and entrusted a relative of the empress to preside over the county government, it was understandable.

Most importantly, there were Wang Li, or Wang Ben, who were extremely loyal to the emperor.

It is said that when the emperor was still a prince, he chose a woman from the Wang family from among many powerful and wealthy families in Guanzhong.

Whether the emperor chose the Wang family when he was a prince and married Wang Jian's granddaughter, or now that he is the emperor, the choice he made back then has benefited him to this day.

Moreover, the Wang family is now firmly in the hands of the emperor.

Before his death, Wang Jian entrusted the Wang family to his son Fusu and his wife, who had not yet become emperor.

Nowadays, this young emperor is almost inextricably linked to the royal family.

The emperor and his wife had been married for more than ten years and had two sons and a daughter. Such an emperor was worthy of the royal family's sacrifice for Qin.

Feng Quji had heard Li Si mention this matter before.

Feng Quji also recalled that he jokingly asked Li Si why Prince Fusu did not choose his daughter.

Li Si laughed and said that his daughter was still too young and the young master had not taken a liking to her.

In fact, the emperor had excellent judgment, always had excellent judgment, and was very clear about what kind of people were good to him and good to the country.

The emperor disregarded the rest.

The emperor then chatted with the Right Chancellor about their daily lives and everyday matters.

During this time, the emperor and his ministers chatted and laughed together.

In matters of state, this emperor was always strict.

In private, the emperor and his ministers got along very well.

In governing the country and handling state affairs, this Right Chancellor was always diligent in fulfilling the emperor's many instructions, and he would also advise the emperor on any matters that were not in accordance with the law.

After much discussion, the topic of Xu Fu came up again. Feng Quji advised, "I believe we should also inform the people of Qi why Xu Fu sailed so far away. The whole story must be told to the people of the world so that they can bear witness for the emperor and Xu Fu."

Fusu said, "Is such a grand ceremony necessary? I think that even if we don't inform the world, the world will know anyway."

"Your Majesty, this is different. Your Majesty's edict is an edict, and rumors are rumors. If anyone discusses this matter in the future, an edict can be brought out as evidence, which can reduce a lot of disputes."

"I will include Xu Fu's matter in this year's imperial edict."

Feng Quji bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

Fusu then asked, "How is Sima Xin doing lately?"

The Censorate, overseen by the Right Chancellor, was not only responsible for evaluating officials but also for managing their conduct and issuing promotion and transfer orders. When Fusu inquired about Sima Xin's recent activities, Feng Quji immediately recounted Sima Xin's recent actions.

Feng Quji continued, "Previously, the Master led a young man from Pei County to Tongguan. That young man was named Liu Ying, and the one who brought Liu Ying back to Guanzhong was Master Xi, who is Sima Xi."

After a pause, Feng Quji added, "Sima Xi was kept by Sima Xin to stay in the prefectural governor's office and help manage the affairs of Tongguan."

Mentioning Sima Xi reminded Fusu of a funeral he had participated in many years ago, which was held because the former Grand Historian of Qin had passed away.

At that time, Fusu met the young man, who was Sima Xi.

Feng Quji continued, "Sima Xi had two good friends in Tongguan, one named Gongsun Hong and the other Chao Cuo. Sima Xin thought Sima Xi was a good person and that's why he kept him here."

Fusu and the Right Chancellor then discussed setting an example for officials. Officials need role models, and Sima Xin had served as an official in Qin for many years, fulfilling his duties diligently, living a simple life, and working hard without complaint.

Such people should serve as role models for Qin officials, so that this kind of official virtue can be spread throughout the world.

Feng Quji believed that it was not that all officials in the country needed such virtues, but rather that the emperor needed officials with such virtues.

This viewpoint also touches upon the emperor's personal desires; the emperor hoped for an increasing number of hardworking and conscientious officials.

Of course, Feng Quji would not say that, nor would he directly reveal the emperor's private intentions. Instead, he did not deny it, but simply nodded in agreement.

After leaving Zhangtai Palace, Feng Quji hurried to the Prime Minister's residence to arrange the remaining matters.

In people's difficult lives, in this era of material scarcity, people need a role model and a direction to strive for.

The emperor hoped that people would value moral cultivation and set examples for others to learn from and emulate.

Some even followed suit and became officials like Sima Xin.

Thus, this "minor matter" assigned by the emperor fell into the hands of the Right Chancellor, who then handed it over to Chen Ping, who was so idle he couldn't have more free time.

Chen Ping, this clever man, once again traveled to various counties in Guanzhong, writing the spirit and words of the emperor and the words promoting good character on the gates of each county, erecting a large wooden board with slogans written on it, and having the students of each academy begin to recite those slogans.

They also wrote the slogans in places that could be seen everywhere in the counties of Guanzhong.

Chen Ping was busy with this matter from the end of February to the middle of March, and he practically wore himself out from running around.

Feng Jie believed that Chen Ping was good at strategy but not at running around, and that the Right Chancellor was deliberately trying to warn the somewhat complacent Chen Ping.

In Xianyang, Chen Ping feared three people the most: Zhang Han, the Grand Secretary, and the Right Chancellor.

And then there was the emperor who determined the heights of Chen Ping's life.

The children at the bookstore recited aloud: "Those who wish to travel far must dredge their source." This means that if you want to go further and climb higher, you must first cultivate yourself and increase your knowledge.

Or it could be said that one should abstain from extravagance and practice frugality. Many start well, but few finish well. This means that many people can do a good job at the beginning of something, but very few can persevere to the end.

These words and slogans began to appear in various counties of Guanzhong. As people recited them, these words would penetrate people's hearts and persuade them to do good.

It seems that no one knows where these words came from. People only know that these words are written in the books that children read, and adults hear them and hope that their children will become better people.

The material life of the Qin people has not changed much in the past twenty years; the only difference is that there is more food and a wider variety of food available.

But the emperor also hoped that people's spiritual lives could be enriched.

In April of the second year of the new emperor's reign, the weather in Guanzhong was very good. The spring climate was pleasantly mild with clear skies.

Standing in the sunlight, Tian An felt the warmth of the sun on his body, which dispelled the chill that had accumulated during the spring rains, leaving him feeling warm and cozy.

Outside the main hall of Takasen-gyu Palace, many quilts and clothes were drying in the sun, as the palace staff had been washing clothes all day.

The emperor was in a good mood and personally cooked the meal.

Since the emperor ascended the throne, Tian An had almost forgotten when the emperor last cooked.

The emperor cut beautiful pork into long, thin slices, then wrapped these slices in green vegetables to make meat rolls, with green vegetables visible at both ends.

Then the emperor placed the meat rolls into a flat pan and began to fry them, adding some garlic along with them.

As the surface of the meat begins to brown, the aroma fills the air.

Fusu took out the fried meat rolls and mixed two bowls of noodles.

This was the emperor and empress's lunch. It was a very simple meal; even ordinary families could make it with mutton wrapped in vegetables.

While the couple ate their meal, they started discussing what to eat next.

The emperor always managed to create many delicious dishes and dishes he had never tasted before using limited ingredients.

As evening approached, the emperor began cooking again, while Granny Wang held the little princess in her arms.

The two young masters have not returned to the palace in recent years. Tian An finally felt that the two young masters had grown up and it was time to let them go out and see the world so that they could broaden their horizons.

Tian An watched as the emperor prepared braised pork. He wrote down the recipes for these dishes and then gave them to Jingye County. Once the people of Jingye County knew how to make these dishes, the recipes would spread throughout the land, making their meals more abundant, and they would also love and respect the emperor.

After the couple finished their meal, Wang Tang'er received a letter from her elder brother, Wang Li, who had sent it to her.

They also learned that Wang Li had taken up the post of county magistrate in Langya County and was in charge of the salt production in Qi.

Wang Tang'er wrote a reply and asked Granny Wang to arrange for someone to deliver it.

The Wang family's affairs are also the emperor's affairs. As relatives of the emperor, they should inform their husbands about their family matters. Wang Tang'er carefully explained her brother's recent plans.

Most of the things he did were things about helping the emperor to secure the salt production of Langya County.

Previously, these salt production areas were under the supervision of my father and Li Si, but since I ascended the throne, these matters have been handed over to me.

Fusu said, "Li is still with Father Emperor."

Wang Tang'er always had a smile on her face when she looked at her youngest daughter, but when she thought of her two sons, she would frown and say, "I get annoyed just looking at them."

Fusu nodded knowingly and said, "Tian An, send some clothes to Lishan."

Tian An replied, "Yes."

Prince Heng is still guarding the Great Wall, so the clothes can't be sent there. Tian An is willing but unable to take care of Prince Heng.

The young master is in Lishan, where he can still take care of things to some extent.

In May, Fusu received another document from Xu Fu, the magistrate of Langya County.

Xu Fu, carrying the emperor's decree, finally set sail. It is said that Xu Fu built a large ship with sixty boatmen on board, thirty of whom were former Yue people and the other thirty were Qin soldiers.

Xu Fu needed these Yue people who were extremely skilled in swimming and shipbuilding to set sail.

Back then, Fusu preserved these Yue people and let them stay in the seaside village, so that Xu Fu could also use them.

This voyage was the culmination of an agreement made more than a decade later. The emperor once again fulfilled his promise, sending Xu Fu to sea to find the so-called fairy islands, thus realizing Xu Fu's lifelong dream.

(End of this chapter)