Poverty Alleviation in Qin: A Sky-High Review of "I Am the Female Prime Minister of All Time&qu

That year, news of the autumn harvest spread like wildfire to Xianyang.

Official documents from prefectures and counties across the country piled up on the emperor's desk, and every scroll contained the same thing: grain production had increased significantly, people had surplus grain in their homes, and people's livelihoods were becoming more and more stable.

Ying Zheng repeatedly reviewed the reported grain quantities, his smile growing wider and wider.

All the civil and military officials in the hall could see clearly that the emperor was in a very good mood today.

Meng Yi stood at the head of the military officers' line. After Ying Zheng put down the last scroll of documents, he immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands, and began to speak:

"Your Majesty, Song, the magistrate of Peicheng County, promoted the method of using manure for farming. It was first tested and proved effective in one county. Later, Li You, the prefect of Sishui County, promoted it to the entire prefecture. Now this method has spread to all places, benefiting all people and making the national treasury increasingly full."

"This man has made outstanding contributions. Your Majesty, I humbly request that you grant him a higher official rank and title as a reward."

Upon hearing this, many ministers nodded in agreement.

The news of increased production in Pei County had already spread, and the solid figures were right before their eyes. Song had made a contribution, and all the officials in the court knew it.

Just then, Li Si stepped forward from the ranks.

"Your Majesty, I believe this action is inappropriate."

"According to Qin law, local officials must undergo three examinations and serve for three years before they can be promoted based on their merits. The Song magistrate has been in office in Pei County for less than three years. Even if his current performance is outstanding, he has only been in office for a short time."

"If we promote someone out of turn, it might encourage others to take chances and disrupt the promotion system."

Meng Yi frowned slightly: "In the past, there have been cases where those with outstanding political achievements were promoted beyond the usual ranks; there are precedents to follow."

"Old precedents should be followed," Li Si replied calmly. "Magistrate Song is still young and inexperienced. A rapid promotion may not be a blessing. It would be better to let her gain more experience in her current position for another year, until her term is completed and her achievements are solid, before promoting her. That would be the safest approach."

A murmur of discussion arose in the hall.

The senior officials exchanged glances, all understanding the situation.

So-called qualifications and rules are just empty words.

There are only a limited number of official positions in the imperial court. Powerful families and their retainers are all eyeing the vacancies. It is naturally unacceptable for a county magistrate from an outlying county with no connections to enter the central government based on just one agricultural method.

Imperial Censor Feng Quji immediately stepped forward to second the motion: "The Minister of Justice is right. Although this Mr. Song is talented, he is young and inexperienced. His sudden entry into the court and his high position make it difficult for everyone to be convinced."

"Staying in the local area for a while longer to hone your skills and calm your mind will also be a good thing for you."

The Minister of Justice immediately echoed this sentiment, and several other ministers followed suit, all speaking with the same opinion: to postpone the promotion for the time being. Their words were eloquent and flawless.

Meng Yi's gaze swept over everyone in the hall, and the corners of his lips pursed.

He understood the unspoken message: it wasn't that Song was incompetent, but rather that these people were unwilling to share the spoils.

But he did not continue arguing; instead, he turned to look at the emperor on the throne.

Ying Zheng observed the intrigues and schemes within the palace throughout the entire process.

The vast imperial court is like a banquet, where the seats are already fixed. Since I, Song, have no connections or background, have come here rashly, I will inevitably be hindered at every turn.

He paused for a moment, then slowly spoke: "Meng Qing."

"Your subject is here," Meng Yi replied, bowing.

"How long has Song Ye been serving in Pei County?"

"Your Majesty, it has not been two years yet."

Ying Zheng tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, his tone calm: "Her political achievements are indeed remarkable, but she has only been in the field for a short time and still needs more experience. As the ministers have suggested, let her gain more experience for another year, and then we will make a decision."

With those words spoken, the outcome was decided.

Li Si lowered his head slightly, his expression unchanged.

The other ministers bowed and exclaimed in unison that His Majesty was wise.

After the court session ended, Li Si quickly caught up with him, "Lord Meng, please wait."

Meng Yi stopped and turned around.

"Lord Meng, please don't take it to heart."

Li Si smiled and said in a kind tone, "Magistrate Song is indeed a rare talent, but her rapid promotion is likely to attract criticism. Let her consolidate her position in the local area for a year before recommending her again; that will be a natural progression."

Meng Yi knew the calculation behind these words, but he didn't expose them. He simply replied, "The Prime Minister has thought things through."

The reward was delivered to Pei County at the end of autumn.

Several oxcarts slowly drove towards the prefectural government, loaded with bolts of silk, strings of copper coins, and several jars of imperial wine.

After the list of rewards was read aloud, the official smiled and handed over the list of rewards: "Congratulations, Lord Song."

After everyone left, Xiao He congratulated him, saying, "My lord, a full 100,000 coins and 50 bolts of silk! You won't be able to wear all that cloth for several years!"

Song Ye then asked, "How much will it cost to dredge that silted-up canal in the east of the city?"

Xiao He was taken aback, then immediately realized: "My lord, do you perhaps intend to use the reward for the project?"

"I'm asking you, exactly how much will it cost?"

Xiao He composed himself and did a rough calculation: "Including labor, food, and tools, it will cost at least fifty or sixty thousand coins."

"Enough."

Song nodded, then asked, "Adding to that the several ancient wells in the west of the city, if we dig deeper, we can draw out a lot more water. How much will that cost?"

"My lord!" Xiao He hurriedly said, "This was a gift from His Majesty, and you should keep it for your own use! Look at this official robe you're wearing, patch upon patch, the cuffs are all worn out, it should have been replaced a long time ago."

Song glanced down at the cuffs and casually patted the fabric: "They're still wearable, just need some mending."

"But this is, after all, a gift from the Emperor..."

Song interrupted him directly: "Draft the regulations immediately."

Pei County is located in the area of ​​modern-day Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province.

Peixian County is located at the confluence of the main stream of the Sishui River and several tributaries. It has flat terrain and fertile soil, but it has natural shortcomings.

Once the Sishui River overflows during the rainy season, low-lying areas are prone to flooding. During the dry season, not only do tributaries dry up, but farmland in the suburbs also suffers from a lack of irrigation water.

The area is characterized by numerous rivers, lakes, and swamps, and its wastelands and tidal flats are unsuitable for cultivation.

"Keep the imperial wine safe for now, and use it to reward the villagers who have contributed their labor once the project is completed."

Xiao He stood there, holding the list, his eyes slightly red.

"What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and make the arrangements," Song urged.

"well!"

The news quickly spread throughout the city and countryside.

In less than half a day, the whole of Pei County knew that Lord Song had not kept a single penny of the reward and had used it all for water conservancy projects.

Before long, several elderly people with white hair arrived at the county government gate, knelt down the steps, and bowed in worship.

Upon hearing the news, Song also went out and quickly stepped forward to help the person up.

To everyone's surprise, more and more people gathered, and the open space was filled with a dark mass of people kneeling down.

"Everyone, get up! Stand up!"

Uncle Wang knelt at the front, raised his head, and said with red eyes, "Sir, you've only been in Pei County for less than two years, and the robe you wear has been mended and patched again and again. We see it and it breaks our hearts!"

He wiped his eyes, his voice trembling, "We peasants don't know how to thank you, we can only..."

"Get up, all of you!" Song raised his voice, but it was trembling.

Aunt Wang squeezed out of the crowd, holding a newly made garment in her hands. It was made of coarse, bluish-gray cloth with dense stitches, clearly showing that she had put a lot of thought into it.

"My lord, I made this garment overnight. The fabric is rough and the stitching isn't very nice. Please don't mind, and please wear a new one."

"Sir, these are eggs from my house. Please take them to nourish your body."

"Sir, these are straw sandals I made; they're more comfortable to walk in than yours."

"Sir, these are dried vegetables that I dried in the sun. I'll use them to make soup in the winter."

The people chatted amongst themselves, passing on their belongings one by one.

Looking at the sincere and earnest faces before him, Song felt a tightness in his throat and said:

"Fellow villagers, I appreciate your kind intentions. But please take these things back with you and keep them for your own use."

Everyone remained motionless, and no one was willing to withdraw their hands.

Seeing everyone's stubborn expressions, Song remained silent for a long time before finally sighing softly, "Alright, I'll accept this garment, but I have one request: please never perform the kneeling ceremony again."

"As the magistrate of Pei County, it is my duty to do things for you, and it cannot be considered a favor."

After saying this, she bent down slightly and bowed deeply to the villagers below the steps.

This gesture speaks louder than a thousand words.

Among the crowd, some people began to sob softly.