Frost for a Thousand Years

The snow has been falling heavily.

In the past, the entire north would have been put on pause.

However, the suburban iron foundry in Sheng'an is still working non-stop to meet the deadline.

This is all thanks to Song Shi'an's invention of the 'assembly line'.

“Since the great victory at Jiaozhou, as per your request, we have been collecting iron ore from all over the country in Shengan. For the past six months, we have been smelting iron and steel.” In this workshop, Hua Zheng said to Song Shi’an, “With abundant raw materials, we can also use all our manpower to focus on making arrows, armor and weapons this winter.”

The biggest advantage of assembly lines is that they integrate resources and improve efficiency.

The emergence of such production lines was a sign of the beginnings of capitalism.

Although Song Shi'an had issued the general guiding principles, he was quite pleased with Hua Zheng's excellent performance. Looking at the craftsmen who, even in the winter, were only dressed in thin plain clothes and were working around the furnace, Song Shi'an praised them, saying, "Minister Hua, it was a very wise decision to entrust the Ministry of Works to you."

"Young Grand Secretary," Hua Zheng smiled and said rather modestly, "The great victories are all on the battlefield. I am powerless to make contributions in Beiliang, so I can only do some craftsmanship. Such a small contribution is not worthy of comparison with the soldiers on the front lines."

Hua Zheng was previously the Grand Master of the Palace, in charge of the nation's military horses, which was a fairly important military officer position.

However, the reason it was him was purely because he was the head of a noble family and a relatively outstanding middle-aged man. Of course, the most important factor was his relationship with the Empress.

It's fair to say that he's not a good fit.

Not only was he unsuitable, but Zhao Xiang was also unsuitable, Xia Chun was also unsuitable, and Han Yuan was only barely qualified.

The descendants of Xun grew up in a life of extravagance and debauchery, and their level of achievement determined the upper limit of the Great Yu Dynasty.

However, they also have relatively suitable jobs.

"Minister Hua, you are mistaken." Song Shi'an put his hand on his shoulder and said very seriously, "War is all about national strength. Every effort you make, Minister, can greatly reduce the casualties of the soldiers at the front. If we win this battle, you will be the greatest heroes."

Hua Zhengdu was a little embarrassed by what he was said. After responding with a slight smile, he couldn't help but remind him, "Young Grand Secretary, the supplies are all prepared and that's a done deal. But as for transportation... you've already dispatched too many troops and laborers to Beiliang. If we want to deliver them all before the war, I'm afraid we won't have enough manpower."

This is the reason why it is relatively suitable, as Song Shi'an mentioned.

"Minister Hua." Song Shi'an smiled mysteriously and said, "Sheng'an faces north to Qinzhou, with a main road leading directly to Beiliang. This road, when widened and paved, was intended for transportation. The prerequisites are all in place; as for manpower, that shouldn't be difficult, right?"

This war will be unprecedented in scale.

Moreover, the preparation time was not very long.

Of the twenty granaries in Huai County, fifteen have already been transported to Beiliang.

It consumed a huge amount of human and material resources.

Moreover, next year, land reclamation and grain transport will continue here, in preparation for a protracted war. Under these circumstances, ensuring the timely arrival of such a large quantity of weaponry will be a significant challenge.

However, Song Shi'an did not seem to have taken the initiative to plan this matter, which made Huazheng feel uneasy.

He became even more uneasy after he said that.

Sure enough, that was exactly what they planned.

“Young Grand Secretary,” Hua Zheng said in a low voice, sounding very troubled, “I won’t lie to you anymore. In Qinzhou, I only have a reputation, but no hope.”

It's true that the people of Qinzhou are from Dayu, but they lost to the people of Sizhou.

Both the Duke of Li died for his country, and although Zhao Yi was killed, he did not survive. But Hua Zheng, that bastard, was able to become a loyal dog of the people of Sizhou after the defeat. He held a high position as Minister of the Six Ministries. How would the people of Qinzhou view him?

Traitor, spy, imperial collaborator, warlord, double-dealer, chameleon!

"Minister Hua, I know you can do it." Song Shi'an continued his manipulative tactics. "The Ministry of Works has accomplished so much this year, wasn't it all spearheaded by you? Who else could have done it?"

Not only did he say that, but even East China University of Political Science and Law itself thought that it was really too difficult for him.

In fact, ancient massive engineering projects could be completed by doing just one thing.

Do not be greedy.

Yes, you can accomplish almost anything without being corrupt.

But not being greedy is inherently impossible.

Wherever there are people, there is corruption.

Hua Zheng was not a good person, but he was able to refrain from greed because, as a defeated person, he held a high position and was entrusted with a particularly important task by Song Shi'an. He was already very cautious, afraid of doing something wrong.

So, if the top leader doesn't take it, how can the second-in-command take it?
How will the people below receive it?
Of course, some people did take them.

But after killing a few, the corruption was brought under control in this matter.

Hua Zheng will inevitably become corrupt in the future; he will definitely become corrupt. No one can remain corrupt for a lifetime. But at this critical juncture, Song Shi'an is ruthlessly exploiting his 'redemption period'.

“Young Grand Secretary, Qinzhou has already provided funds, grain, and manpower,” Hua Zheng said. “I truly do not know what else to do.”

Even Huazheng University had to hand over half of its assets to save its life.

“Qinzhou has more than just those nine noble families,” Song Shi’an said. “Moreover, there are also collateral branches below the nine noble families. Compared to the past, Qinzhou has already made considerable efforts in preparing for this battle. But this time, I want them to burn themselves out, like candles reduced to ashes.”

Burning itself out, like a candle turning to ash.

These eight words from Song Shi'an made Hua Zheng realize that the young Grand Secretary still had not forgiven the people of Qinzhou.

He wanted to make these original shareholders, who had enjoyed the benefits for generations, the ones who had contributed the most among the seven states of the Great Yu.

"Young Grand Secretary..."

Before Hua Zheng could speak, Song Shi'an said, "The Ministry of Works shall contract with the local gentry for each post station along each section of the road. All counties along the route shall bring their own grain and participate in the transportation. Other counties may not bring their own grain, but they shall contribute an equal number of people to participate in the transportation."

"Young Grand Secretary, Qinzhou has already been thoroughly levied..." Hua Zheng couldn't help but say.

“Those who came before were tenant farmers, who originally had no land or property, and the imperial court also helped Qinzhou to support them,” Song Shi’an said. “The imperial court did not put its hands in their pockets, did it?”

That's what I meant.

By absorbing all the tenant farmers, aren't we just cutting into the flesh of the aristocratic families?
Now, the aristocratic families are helping with the transportation, but they are also required to provide their own grain.

Isn't this just robbing you of your people first, and then robbing you of your money?
Other states don't have such a dramatic situation.

At least, the imperial court only weakened their power, but their original capital accumulation had not yet been plundered.

"Young Grand Secretary, this time you must..." Hua Zheng said, "...give Qinzhou some promises, right?"

The implication is: When will they finally forgive me?

When will this sanction end?

For example, in this year's special examination, nearly 40% of the admitted candidates were from Sili Prefecture. Qinzhou, on the other hand, had the lowest percentage among the six prefectures, not even reaching half of the second-to-last percentage.

Whether one is a Juren (举人) or a Jinshi (进士).

"After passing Ji Yuan, Qinzhou will not be able to restore its former glory." Now that the conversation has come to this point, Song Shi'an said without any hesitation, "but its policies and regulations are the same as those of other prefectures, such as Yangzhou and Huaizhou."

Ultimately, it all started with one thing.

When the Duke of Li launched a major war against Song Shi'an, without the permission of the imperial court, the eight colonels directly mobilized troops to the Central Plains.

At that time, Song Shi'an did indeed let them go.

But after the incident, the cabinet, especially Ouyang Ke, would always bring up the issue of weakening Qinzhou whenever something happened.

In the imperial court, the bullying of the Qinzhou faction was constant.

Of course, this vigilance is justified.

The impact of the Duke of Li's mobilization of troops in Qinzhou, which garnered widespread support, was extremely negative. "Young Grand Secretary, you have agreed to my request. I can also make the same promise to them," Hua Zheng pleaded. "At that time, I implore the Cabinet to be lenient."

"What about the cabinet?"

Song Shi'an smiled and said to Hua Zheng, who was looking quite serious, "The cabinet is preparing to add a seat. Whether or not to do so is up to you, Minister Hua."

These words stunned Huazheng.

Does he mean I can also join the cabinet?
How could someone like me, a defeated nobleman from Qinzhou, be promoted to a high-ranking position?
No.

Hua Zheng knew that the reason he was promoted to a high-ranking position was because he was a defeated nobleman.

What about the path?

The people of Qinzhou were used as offerings.

"Young Grand Secretary, have they all given their approval?" Hua Zheng asked.

"After I win," Song Shi'an said calmly, looking at him. "What I want to do, I can't do it?"

Yes.

If he wins, with such a great achievement, he'll be the emperor, let alone just add one more person to the cabinet.

"Young Grand Secretary."

Ultimately, Huazheng made its decision, responding: "The people of Qinzhou are willing to endure hardship for the sake of unification."

.........

The snow in Qinzhou is gradually melting.

The entire load of supplies departed from Sheng'an and, after being escorted into Qinzhou, was transported in sections under the grassroots control of nearly three thousand officials from the Ministry of Works, utilizing almost all the remaining laborers.

Furthermore, local gentry were also required to provide grain for the corvée labor.

The government's refusal to pay any more coins put them under immense pressure.

Watching bags of grain being carried out of the granary, the white rice being given to the people to eat, while such labor was being used to serve the government, some powerful families were already furious.

Clenching his fists, he shouted across the distance, "Hua Zheng, you dog slave, you're unworthy of being a Qinzhou native!"

In Qinzhou at this stage, anyone who insults the Junior Grand Secretary or the Prince of Qin is basically arrested and killed.

If anyone discusses His Majesty, they will be severely punished.

But criticizing East China University of Political Science and Law has no consequences.

This is also where the human touch is in the judicial system, giving the people of Qinzhou an outlet for their frustrations.

These people all tacitly agreed to shift the blame onto the person who carried it out.

Ultimately, the root of the problem is something no one dares to touch.

"Master." At this moment, a steward looked at another group of soldiers passing by on the roadside and muttered softly, "On this day alone, more than 6,000 troops passed through Sheng'an. Adding the troops before winter, it is estimated that there are 150,000 soldiers in Beiliang."

A mere 150,000 soldiers can be claimed as an army of 500,000 at any time.

"If we win this battle, the young Grand Secretary will be pleased and might even grant Qinzhou a pardon," the wealthy gentleman sighed.

"Master, what if we don't win?" the steward asked.

“If we don’t win, Liangzhou will definitely be lost.” Even a wealthy gentryman saw the future situation: “Qinzhou will be the front line against the enemy, and when that time comes, the young Grand Secretary will show us what the real front line is.”

Because the interest groups in Sizhou do not want the country to perish, they will do everything they can to exploit the people of Qinzhou.

When real military control comes, they won't even be able to remain aristocratic families anymore.

"Master, there's a bit of a grain shortage in the southern section. The farmers aren't willing to provide their own grain, which is going to delay transportation..." At this moment, a servant hurriedly came over to report.

"Then send the grain over immediately!" the gentry immediately cursed. "Minister Hua Zheng said that anyone who delays the transport will be executed. You don't care about your lives, but I do!"

"Yes!"

.........

The entire Dayu region is operating with great passion.

Liangzhou, needless to say, was originally a war zone.

Qinzhou, on the other hand, made the most arduous efforts to atone for its sins and bore the brunt of the forced labor conscription.

The other states are certainly not doing well either.

Song Shi'an knew that Yang Yi would find it difficult to mobilize as many resources as possible using the imperial decrees, so he chose the most brutal method: giving only a number to those powerful clans.

Once you've completed the quota assigned to you by the imperial court, I won't concern myself with the rest.

Without a doubt, under Song Shi'an's iron-fisted politics, Northern Liang was transformed into a monster right under Ji Yuan's nose.

"Your Majesty, the originally planned spring campaign..."

Chen Xing whispered a reminder to Ji Yuan.

"Can we start a war in the spring?" Ji Yuan asked rhetorically.

"Your Majesty, the mobilization is not yet complete. I believe it is not wise to start a war now," Chen Xing replied.

"Warfare is based on deception," Ji Yuan said. "I said I wanted war, but I didn't. Can they really believe it won't happen?"

"Your Majesty is wise."

.........

At this moment, in Sheng'an.

Song Shi'an was in the Ministry of War, constantly waiting for news from the front lines.

Xiao Wei has already led his troops on the road.

However, only he himself could control such a large army.

He couldn't possibly leave before half the army was even brought along.

Otherwise, he would be in a very difficult position if the emperor rebelled at this time.

“Ji Yuan will absolutely not launch a war in the spring,” he decisively concluded.

“Prime Minister, I think so too,” Ye Changqing said with great agreement. “Our war mobilization far surpasses Ji Yuan’s; he absolutely cannot launch an attack rashly.”

A key characteristic of war is that offense results in greater losses than defense.

As long as Ji Yuan holds the Chishui River defense line, he can wear down a significant portion of the Great Yu army.

He doesn't need to switch from defense to offense just because of a boast he once made.

"but……"

Song Shi'an knew this was an open conspiracy.

"Prime Minister, I'll go," Ye Changqing volunteered. "I'll assist the King of Qin."

"Alright," Song Shi'an said, "I'll allocate 30,000 Imperial Guards to you. Get to Beiliang immediately!" (End of Chapter)