The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 335 Let Zhao Tuo Go Home

Heng had been traveling for two years and brought back all the toys he had seen. In fact, Heng really loves his little sister.

Two years ago, his younger sister Yinman got married in Yongcheng, and Fusu sent some gifts to her.

Gongzi Gao also got married last year.

Heng is nineteen this year, and will be twenty and come of age next year.

Fusu then realized that he would be forty years old next year.

He was more than ten years younger than his younger siblings, and by the time his wife began to consider Heng's future, his younger siblings had only recently gotten married.

I've been emperor for five years, and the country doesn't seem to have changed much.

During the reign of my father, the country developed rapidly.

However, during the few years that I have been emperor, the country's development has shown signs of stagnation.

Currently, the country's population is increasing, and taxes are rising year by year, making things better each year.

For Fusu, patching up the shortcomings in governing the country was enough.

The memorial brought by Chen Ping and Heng is very important. It clearly describes the situation in various parts of the Central Plains and is the most comprehensive and up-to-date record at present.

"Father, it's snowing."

Upon hearing these words, Fusu put down his pen and looked at his daughter.

She pointed to the heavy snow outside the window and said, "The snow is so heavy."

Fusu then saw his wife approaching, and she picked up their daughter, saying, "Don't catch a cold."

The heavy snow outside made the house more peaceful, and Fusu picked up a scroll of memorials from Jingye County.

Shusun Tong wrote on it that the soy sauce had just been made, but not many people were buying it.

This indicates that people's acceptance of this product is not high, because brewing consumes beans.

Fusu agreed with this result, because food was still scarce in this era.

Unlike later generations, it could not be brewed on a large scale.

But none of that matters. As long as it's brewed, that's a good thing.

Fusu didn't care how people would use it now; as long as it was created, that was enough.

In the sixth year of the new emperor's reign, it was still snowing in Guanzhong. A group of people came from the south, bringing with them a lot of silk and various rare treasures, as well as ministers appointed by Zhao Tuo in the south.

These rare treasures included short-sleeved silk garments from the south, gold seals and precious artifacts, and various bronze utensils.

These people, representing Zhao Tuo, came to the Prime Minister's residence to report on their achievements in the south in recent years.

The Imperial Censorate received them, and the matter was overseen by the Right Chancellor. Chen Ping came to inquire about it.

Starting from the southward journey, Zhao Tuo, following the instructions of the former prime minister Li Si, ordered Qin generals to defend the territory.

Furthermore, they explained that Zhao Tuo did not build ancestral temples in Lingnan, nor did he intend to become king.

If Zhao Tuo wanted to become king, he would definitely need to establish an ancestral temple and honor his ancestors.

Furthermore, General Zhao Tuo always remembered the emperor's kindness in recognizing his talent and the old prime minister's promotion.

The messenger handed the Imperial Censorate a map, a map of the Lingnan region's natural defenses, which included the construction of Meiling Pass and Yangshan Pass.

General Zhao Tuo forged iron plows in the south, and his land reclamation and development more than tripled the amount of farmland in the south.

Zhao Tuo had already married a Yue woman and allowed the Qin army to settle in the south. After the construction of the Lingqu Canal by the Dushui Chief, General Zhao Tuo had been repairing it for many years.

The Right Chancellor listened to these words but did not respond immediately.

Chen Ping inquired, "The Emperor naturally trusts General Zhao Tuo and doesn't care about the rumors circulating outside, so you can all rest assured."

As Chen Ping spoke, he wore a smile, his demeanor as amiable as could be. The ministers from the south almost knelt down, bowing and explaining.

It is clear that Zhao Tuo was truly frightened after the Qin court's men went south this time.

Chen Ping had to persuade them for a long time before they finally left.

Later, when facing the Right Chancellor, Chen Ping spoke of his concerns, saying, "The emperor loves all the people under heaven and will naturally not be suspicious of Zhao Tuo, but as his subjects, we need to consider the emperor's interests."

Feng Quji said in a low voice, "Are you saying that Zhao Tuo, relying on the Five Ridges as a natural barrier, must have harbored ambitions of independence over the years?"

Chen Ping nodded.

Feng Quji added, "Do you think Zhao Tuo is most afraid of Li Si's methods?"

Chen Ping nodded again. He wanted to say that the Right Chancellor really understood him, and had expressed his innermost thoughts in just a few words.

Feng Quji continued, "The reason why the emperor has not appointed a prime minister in recent years is because Li Si still has influence in various parts of the Central Plains. The emperor wants to use Li Si's remaining influence to consolidate power once again, not only to control the current military power, but also to control the south."

Chen Ping bowed once more, impressed by the Right Chancellor's abilities.

If Li Si were no longer the prime minister, the situation would likely be quite different.

That's not true. The emperor became Li Si's student when he was young, and he could call him "teacher" for a lifetime.

Chen Ping's words were credible, but Feng Quji didn't intend to believe them entirely, since they were all just guesses.

The minister from the south requested an audience with the emperor several times, but the emperor refused to see him.

But they were appeased with rewards.

Afterwards, Chen Ping met with them again and said, "The Right Chancellor said that you brothers have been away from home for many years in the south. These years must have been difficult. Let the soldiers go home with General Zhao Tuo. It has been more than ten years, and it is time for them to come back."

As they spoke, the group of southern ministers staying at the inn in Xianyang City began to weep.

This time, Chen Ping persuaded them again. They were all human beings, and when they left Guanzhong for the south together back then, they left their hometown. Didn't they want to come back?
They exploit people's most vulnerable emotions to blackmail them.

A simple request to send the general home would suffice.

The emperor remained a wise and benevolent ruler who loved his people and the world, and Zhao Tuo remained a loyal and devoted general of the Qin Dynasty.

This story is worthy of being passed down through generations.

No matter how many twists and turns or suspicions occurred, they would all be dispelled as the good stories spread.

After finishing all these tasks, Chen Ping was very happy. Having accomplished a remarkable feat, he got so excited that he got drunk.

In this way, there would be no need to send people to the south to capture Zhao Tuo, nor would there be any need to worry about the situation in the south. Zhao Tuo would definitely return, and even his descendants would beg him to come back.

This summer, a fast horseman arrived from Shu, bringing news that General Tu Ju and General Zhao Tuo had met in Guilin County, bringing countless rare treasures. The two generals were on their way back to Guanzhong.

On Mount Li, Li Si stood beside the First Emperor, stroking his beard and said, "The generals of the south are finally going home."

As he spoke, the old prime minister finally let out a long breath, as if he had finally found peace of mind.

Ying Zheng said, "If they don't come back, are you going to send people to kill them?"

Li Si replied, "Many years ago, I sent Ren Xiao to help Zhao Tuo in order to keep an eye on him, but I didn't expect that you would actually let him come back."

Ying Zheng glanced at Li Si, wondering if Li Si was worried about Zhao Tuo.

Even if Fusu couldn't deal with Zhao Tuo, Li Si would definitely have a way, unless he, Li Si, died.

Ying Zheng understood Fusu, but he understood Li Si even better.

"Zhao Tuo should arrive in Xianyang by autumn."

Li Si said, "Should we go and see Zhao Tuo?"

Ying Zheng smiled and said, "I'm not going, I'm tired."

(End of this chapter)