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

In the 29th year of King Zheng of Qin's reign, Xiao He's talent in governing was unparalleled among his peers, and his abilities were highly appreciated by the First Emperor. Within just six months, he was promoted several times in succession, and his official rank steadily rose. No one in the court dared to underestimate this minor official from Pei County.

"..."

As for Cao Shen, he was a rare talent skilled in both literature and military affairs, and quickly became one of the most trusted and capable confidants of the First Emperor.

Not only is he excellent in both military and political affairs, but he also understands the pros and cons of people's livelihood, is well-versed in the art of balancing various forces in the court, and has a long-term vision, always able to see through the general trend of the world in sync with Prime Minister Song.

"..."

Ren Ao and Zhou Bo, on the other hand, were highly respected in the army for their exceptional martial arts skills and outstanding combat prowess. They served as Qin Shi Huang's personal bodyguards and were known for their fairness and impartiality in training soldiers. All the officers and soldiers trusted and respected them.

"..."

By the end, the First Emperor and his officials were all lost in deep thought...

What kind of auspicious place is Pei County?

The region is rich in talent, first with Song Ye, the greatest man of all time, and later with figures like Xiao He and Cao Can.

There won't be more later..., will there...?

Surprisingly, Ying Zheng hesitated for a moment.

Li Si was speechless.

In the same year, Xu Fu returned from his first voyage at sea, and the Song dynasty also submitted a stern remonstrance.

The scene abruptly shifts, settling on the solemn Zhangtai Hall.

Song stood in the hall, his expression calm and undisturbed, his words sharp and merciless: "Your Majesty, Xu Fu is nothing but a charlatan who uses the guise of seeking immortality to swindle people."

She then shifted her tone, carefully choosing her words, and gently advised the First Emperor: "Your Majesty's desire for immortality stems from a desire to preserve your health and strengthen your foundation. However, there is no elixir of immortality in this world, and the sea is vast and elusive. Sending troops on long voyages every year is exhausting for the people and wasting national resources, which is truly not worthwhile."

"The vast territory of the Great Qin is Your Majesty's foundation, and the people are waiting for you to stay and oversee it for a long time. Do not let the empty words of the sorcerers delay your important business."

His words were extremely well-chosen, clearly indicating which aspect was more important.

After listening to Song Ye's advice and considering the fruitless voyage, Emperor Qin Shi Huang temporarily shelved his plans to seek immortality at sea and no longer supported Xu Fu's expedition.

[But this is only temporary. If His Majesty the First Emperor had listened to Song Ye's advice, perhaps...]

Maybe what?

Girl, you'd better explain yourself clearly...!

First Emperor: "?"

In the thirtieth year of King Zheng of Qin's reign, Song was also promoted to Vice Minister of the Imperial Treasury.

In the thirty-first year of King Zheng of Qin's reign, Song was again promoted to Vice Minister of the Censorate.

Li Si, who had served as the Court of Justice for sixteen years, chuckled.

In this year, Qin Shi Huang planned his third eastern tour, inscribing his achievements on stone and inspecting the northern border.

[At the same time, Meng Tian was ordered to lead an army of 300,000 to attack the Xiongnu in the north and recover the Hetao region (southern China). Labor was also conscripted to repair and connect the old Warring States period Great Wall, thus initiating the construction of the Great Wall.]

[These three tasks combined are equivalent to the people of a prefecture having to support the army, provide for industry, and pay for patrols.]

When people across the land heard this, their hearts sank heavily.

The years of war had just ended, and the people had finally survived the chaos and received their land, but in the blink of an eye, the heavens spoke of these three kinds of corvée labor again.

If conscription were to be implemented, almost all the able-bodied men and laborers in the villages and fields would be taken away, leaving nine out of ten houses empty and no able-bodied men to be seen in the countryside...

There was no food to eat and no means of survival.

The road ahead is uncertain, and livelihoods are cut off.

However, just when the people were in despair, a sweet voice resounded throughout the land.

[To this end, Song also implemented these three national policies. Let's see how she did it.]

[Regarding the First Emperor's eastern tour with inscribed stones and inspection of the northern border?]

[Song also reminded that the eastern tour was a long and arduous journey, requiring the First Emperor to streamline his entourage and reduce the amount of corvée labor conscripted along the way, so as not to disturb the people of the prefectures and counties along the route, avoid causing public resentment, and safeguard the foundation of national peace and prosperity.]

[Regarding Meng Tian's northern campaign against the Xiongnu and the recovery of the Henan region?]

Song also fully agreed, stating that Qin's military campaign to expel the Xiongnu was a meritorious act of safeguarding border peace, and that the strategic deployment was a wise plan that benefits both the present and future generations.

Finally, regarding the First Emperor's national policy of conscripting people from across the country and massively constructing the Great Wall, the Song Dynasty accurately pointed out its advantages and disadvantages.

She frankly stated that repairing and connecting to the old Great Wall would allow the natural defenses to block the southward advance of nomadic tribes, thus securing the northern border for generations to come and ensuring its peace and stability. Its strategic value is irreplaceable.

However, she also pointed out the drawbacks incisively: The Qin Dynasty had just established itself, the war had only recently ended, and the people were still exhausted.

If too much manpower is conscripted at once, and construction is rushed day and night with stringent supervision, it will only overstretch the people and create a breeding ground for unrest.

Therefore, Song also advised Qin Shi Huang that while the Great Wall project was feasible, it should not be rushed. The construction should be slowed down, carried out in phases, and labor should be conscripted and rotated as needed, coupled with policies of appeasement and relief, and tax reductions for some counties to allow the people to recuperate and rebuild.

[To safeguard the crucial border defenses without depleting national resources or mistreating the people.]

This advice neither negated the First Emperor's grand ambitions nor overstepped his bounds in governance, demonstrating that the Song Dynasty also understood the big picture, the advantages and disadvantages, and the people's sentiments.

As the curtain fell, the scene shifted once more.

Inside the Imperial Study.

After listening, the First Emperor remained silent for a moment, his fingertips lightly tapping the map on the table. He looked up at Song Ye below the steps and said, "Since you know that defeating the Xiongnu and building the Great Wall are strategies for the long term, why can't you tolerate the suffering of the people?"

"If we can weather these difficult years, future generations will be able to enjoy peace and prosperity. Isn't this sacrifice worthwhile?"

Song stood before the table, meeting his gaze calmly. He considered the matter carefully before replying in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, the people have suffered long enough."

"For hundreds of years, the six states were at war, and the people suffered greatly from the chaos and displacement caused by war. After the Qin Dynasty unified the country, they never had a moment's rest."

"I am not saying we should not build the Great Wall, but we cannot build it while simultaneously overwhelming the people."

"If people are gone, no matter how high the Great Wall is built, where will the soldiers come from to defend it? Where will the grain for farming come from?"

Ying Zheng remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on her, never looking away.

This was a gaze powerful enough to change the future course of the Qin Dynasty.

After much deliberation, and with advice from neutral figures like Minister Meng Yi to take sides, the First Emperor abandoned his planned third eastern tour.

As for how to slow down the construction of the Great Wall, that's something our Prime Minister Song should consider.

The following year, Song was promoted again to the position of Fengchang, one of the Nine Ministers.

That year, Song was 25 years old.

The entire court of officials: "..."

This promotion speed is comparable to riding a rocket.

Among them, Li, the sixteenth-year-old Minister of Justice, was the most uneasy.