After Si Xitong issued the new order, local officials were already familiar with its operation. As long as it was carried out in an orderly manner, they did not need to share any risks. Everyone was satisfied with this mature mechanism, and its implementation did not require too much effort.
While the folk tales were still being discussed, local governments soon posted lists of merchants and commoners. These merchants then paid officials to secure road-building rights from the Ministry of Works, along with large quantities of cement and mortar. The imperial court provided the merchants and commoners with funds, and they paid laborers two coins per month to build the roads. At that time, rice cost five coins per jin (a unit of weight), one coin was equal to one hundred coins, and two coin was equal to forty jin of rice per month. Sweet potatoes cost one coin for three jin.
Merchants and commoners would hire people to repair roads, and after the roads were completed, they would receive rewards from the imperial court. They would then hire more people, and the people would spend their money, which would then contribute to the imperial court's tax revenue.
Since we are still an agricultural society, we can only develop agricultural trade at most, so we can only start with crops, clothing, food, housing and transportation.
Soon, local businesses hired a large number of people to repair roads and canals everywhere, diverting everyone's attention from the matter.
Later, the government republished the fourth story of the Great Judge's Case. People who could afford it bought the book to read at home and could even show it off to their neighbors. For those who couldn't read, local bookstores provided illustrations, and various versions sold out quickly.
It has supported many writers.
The Hu and Xiongnu thought that the stories they sent out exposing the darkness of the Southern Central Plains court could influence the people, and they also saw that the government's interference aroused public resentment. However, the matter was quickly resolved.
The opposing monarch actually set up a petition box to collect the people's grievances. The Hu and Xiongnu nobles ridiculed Sixi Tong's presumptuous attempt to buy off the common people.
They believed that Si Xitong was spending huge sums of money to promote his image as a wise ruler, and that such extravagance would soon lead to the ruin of the national treasury of the Southern Central Plains by a woman.
The 100 million taels of silver left by the Emperor of the West City will probably be squandered in just a few years.
The Xiongnu nobles were all laughing at the situation, but the Xiongnu people didn't think that way. They didn't understand any profound principles, but people's hearts are made of flesh and blood. They knew who was good to the people and who was not.
Even if the rulers of the Southern Central Plains are just putting on a show, they genuinely spend money and effort for the people, unlike the nobles here who only know how to take and disregard the people's livelihood.
Just as the Xiongnu nobles were mocking and waiting to see the impoverished state of the Southern Central Plains, the Xiongnu people began to privately complain that the nobles cared nothing for the people's livelihood, a stark contrast to the situation in the Southern Central Plains.
Even the people of the Central Plains in the Xiongnu couldn't help but feel envious. The people of the Central Plains lived just as hard a life as the lower-class Xiongnu in the Xiongnu. Although the north produced enough grain each year, it all went into the national treasury, and most of it was used to supply the nobles and the army. Taxes collected 60%. Of the remaining 40%, at least 10% went to the cruel officials in various regions. 20% was simply not enough to support their families. After the harvest season, everyone had to go to the towns to work, or herd cattle and horses for the nobles, or grow vegetables, just to barely have enough to eat.
The Xiongnu people were used to being treated like cattle and horses. Soon it was New Year's Eve. When the Xiongnu people heard that the petition box for people's livelihood in the South Central Plains had played a good role, and that the people there hoped to have enough to eat, the ruler of the South Central Plains spent money to hire merchants to hire people to repair roads, allowing many people to earn a sum of money to return to their villages for the New Year.
A shopping frenzy for New Year's goods has swept across various places and towns. This year's New Year's goods are limited in variety, with plenty of sweet potatoes and pork at 15 wen per jin. People are buying with great enthusiasm. If they don't have enough money, they can buy less. Everyone can buy some meat for the New Year and then transport it back to the village by cart.
Large quantities of grain and sweet potatoes were purchased and transported back to the village, addressing some of the villagers' basic needs.
At least for the ten days of the Lunar New Year, you can be well-fed and clothed without worrying about basic necessities like firewood, rice, oil, and salt.
By facilitating agricultural trade in various regions, purchasing labor, and using grain as a bargaining chip, along with merchants traveling across the country to promote economic development, significant results were achieved. This also alleviated the pressure on areas unable to grow or lacking grain.
The people of the Southern Central Plains celebrated the New Year with great joy and abundance. The people of the Xiongnu, far away, had no idea what the New Year celebrations were like in the Southern Central Plains. It wasn't until merchants returning from the Southern Central Plains told others what they had seen the people celebrating the New Year—fish, meat, and rice.
The Xiongnu people were immediately outraged. They ate millet at most during the New Year, which, in the eyes of the people of the Central Plains, was not even considered a meal, but at most a porridge.
The news that the people of the Central Plains could eat fish and meat in abundance caused extreme resentment among the Xiongnu people. The Xiongnu state usually publicized how well they lived, a far cry from the cannibalistic horrors of the Central Plains. At that time, the Xiongnu people were extremely proud of their motherland.
Only two years have passed, and the South Central Plains have already overtaken the North. Everyone feels resentful. This year, during the grain delivery season, some people even refused to hand over their grain, hoping to have a better New Year.
This was an unprecedented phenomenon. Nobles from all over the country were both shocked and furious. If it were just one or two commoners, they could at least deal with it by force.
Unexpectedly, several impoverished counties were unable to deliver grain, so they simply cooked and ate their own food overnight. When the nobles couldn't collect the grain and threatened to severely punish them, these people acted like they had nothing to lose and were determined to fight back. One person started it, and others followed suit, causing the nobles considerable headaches.
When Anshan heard that the common people in the south were so fed up with the New Year celebrations that they didn't want to pay their grain taxes this year, he immediately sent men to make an example of them.
Aqina stopped Anshan, but instead allowed Anshan to be exempted from winter rations.
The Xiongnu people were overjoyed at being exempted from winter rations, but soon received orders to make up for it the following year. Some Xiongnu people formed groups to attack local officials, but were directly suppressed by Aqina's men. Those who couldn't be suppressed were killed. A joyous New Year turned into a bloodbath. The Xiongnu lower classes were filled with fear and dared not mention the ration reduction again.
The people in the distant Central Plains were unaware of this, and everyone was enjoying themselves. The number of people starving to death each day gradually decreased. Perhaps it was because the New Year was so abundant that it was once known among the people as a mini-Yuan Dynasty.
The Lanzhang Palace was filled with joy.
Xie Shangguang, Qiqi, Si Xinian, and the two parents all sat around a table eating New Year's Eve dinner.
Xie Lanzhi allowed her three children to have a little rice wine today, and she even specially toasted her brother-in-law.
She hadn't seen her brother-in-law for a long time, and seeing that he was tanned and had become quite robust, she couldn't help but sigh at how time flies.
"Qi Nian, are you settling in well in Bingzhou?"
Si Xinian put down his chopsticks and said, "Marshal, I am fine. In fact, I have built three roads in Bingzhou, each of which leads to Tianjing."
"The goods from Tianjing were continuously transported to various places, many of which passed through Bingzhou. Bingzhou attracted merchants from all over the country to come here, creating a prosperous scene."
Xie Lanzhi nodded and praised him: "Bingzhou is the bridge between the Nine Provinces and Tianjing. As long as you repair the road, why worry about people not coming?"
"This is all thanks to my sister's daily guidance on road construction at the grassroots level, which gave me a lot to think about." Si Xinian never imagined that building a road could bring prosperity to the local people. With a better road, people will naturally pass through, and as long as the local catering industry is doing well, many people can be supported just by growing vegetables and raising pigs.
Moreover, Si Xitong had specifically requested that Bingzhou establish a large-scale pig farm, and the pigs raised in Bingzhou would be sold to various regions. Si Xinian never imagined that after finishing planting sweet potatoes, he would immediately be raising pigs.
Moreover, it's a highly profitable job.
Chapter 163 Stability and Turmoil in a Chaotic World
Xie Shangguang kept peeling shrimp and then placed the peeled meat in front of Qiqi. Qiqi held her chopsticks, looking absent-minded.
Just as Xie Shangguang was about to hand her a plate of shrimp, Xie Lanzhi took a bite with her chopsticks, and half of it was gone.
He immediately became angry and glared at Xie Lanzhi.
Xie Lanzhi also served some to Si Xitong, who finished it off in a few bites.
Xie Shangguang was so anxious that his eyes twitched, but in the end he simply lowered his head and continued peeling silently.
Seeing his ingratiating demeanor, Si Xinian couldn't help but feel disgusted. Looking at Qiqi again, it was clear her mind was elsewhere.
He put a chicken leg on Qiqi's plate, and only then did he receive a belated "thank you" from her.
After finishing one bowl of rice, Xie Lanzhi ate another, noticing that the two boys at the table were both paying attention to Qiqi.
She picked up a shrimp for Qiqi and placed it on her plate, saying, "Qiqi, eat well. Tomorrow I'll have Shangguang accompany you shopping."
Yelü Qiqi's eyes finally lit up, and she became more alert. She happily picked up a shrimp and ate it, shell and all, until her cheeks were bulging.
Xie Shangguang's expression immediately changed, and he looked at Xie Lanzhi with deep gratitude. His face practically screamed, "Thank you, Marshal Xie, for bringing us together!"
Unexpectedly, Si Xinian said, "Let's go together tomorrow."
Xie Shangguang's joyful expression instantly turned pale.
That wretched, arrogant prince! He's causing trouble again!!
He glared angrily at Si Xinian.
Si Xinian pretended not to see anything, occasionally accepting food from her sister. The family enjoyed their New Year's Eve dinner together quite happily.
After the meal, Si Xinian left the palace on business.
Xie Shangguang still had to go to the clan to pay New Year's respects to the elders. He said to Yelü Qiqi with reluctance, "When I come back, I will take you to a fun place tomorrow."
"Mm." Qiqi nodded. Her eyes gleamed as she looked towards the palace gates.
Xie Shangguang sensed that she desperately wanted to leave the palace; she must be incredibly bored inside. He clenched his fist, inwardly screaming: Qiqi, wait for me! Tomorrow I'll definitely make you smile happily again.
Xie Shangguang left with a determined look on his face.
Looking at the silly boy's expectant face, Xie Lanzhi wondered how disappointed he would be. Suddenly, she felt the tea no longer tasted good.
Seeing that she had put down her teacup, Si Xitong said, "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings; let them be."
Xie Lanzhi knew that there was no happiness in forcing things, so she sighed and said, "Let's just consider it a test of his growth."
"I have always had high hopes for Shang Guang, and he will not let me down."
“I’ve noticed recently that Lan Zhi seems a bit sentimental.” Si Xitong took her hands in her arms, and when the two of them interacted, they easily ignored the people around them.
Looking at her sisters' clasped hands, so intimate and full of love, Yelü Qiqi felt a surge of warmth in her eyes as she thought of the person outside the palace. Was she still picking up manure on the streets? Had she had a good New Year?
Thinking of her still toiling in the streets, Yelü Qiqi suddenly lost her mood for the New Year. She bid farewell to her two elder sisters and was about to turn and leave Lanzhang Palace.
Xie Lanzhi suddenly said, "By the way, Little Phoenix, I just sent someone to Xie Guang's house with New Year's gifts. Although it's not much, it's at least a token of my appreciation."
"At the same time, my statement will make those in the Xie family who want to receive him no longer avoid them."
Si Xitong said, "They didn't stop Xie Guang from being removed from the family genealogy back then, and they must be regretting it now."
"Restoring their clan status isn't that simple," Xie Lanzhi said. "Unless they can perform meritorious service and be welcomed back by their clan."
Moreover, neither of them wanted to let the affairs of the Xie family ruin their mood during the Lunar New Year. After Xie Lin was dealt with by Xie Lanzhi, many corrupt elements within the Xie family were also eradicated. Xie Lanzhi did not intend to care about the exact number of people or how many were executed, leaving the remaining members of the Xie family to fend for themselves.
She had already done everything she could for the Xie family.
at the same time.
Xie Ying encountered Madam Hai during the day, and she specially escorted Madam Hai back to her residence. Madam Hai then gave her a piece of cured meat to express her gratitude.
Xie Ying returned with the cured meat and saw her younger sister and brother-in-law. The two people dressed in fine clothes looked out of place in the simple thatched hut. Cui Cui was trying to persuade her mother to go back with her.
Lu Pinghou tried to persuade Xie Guang, but to no avail.
Everyone calmed down a bit after Xie Ying returned.
Xie Ying silently went to cook, serving bean sprout soup and a dish of cured meat. The rice was sweet potato rice, with more sweet potato than rice.
Upon seeing this, Xie Cuicui burst into tears: "Sister, is this what you and Father and Mother usually eat?"
"Why don't you save some money to have a good New Year? Didn't Maogong and I leave you some money?"
Si Maogong said helplessly, "Mother has even sent back the servants I sent."
The once-glorious general's wife has fallen to the status of a peasant woman. Even if he doesn't say it, outsiders will know how he spreads rumors about her, saying that he didn't help his parents-in-law when they were in danger.
Madam Wang said to her son-in-law, "Maogong, you don't need to worry about me. You just need to take good care of Cuicui."
Changing the subject, she said happily, "I heard that Yi Jin has recently made a great contribution, and His Highness has specially recorded it for you."
Xie Guang quickly added, "When the Jin dynasty is restored, you, as a member of the royal family, will surely rise in status."
He won't be just a simple Marquis of Luping; he'll definitely be a prince just like Si Lei.
Si Maogong was secretly pleased. He and the entire Si clan believed that the Jin dynasty would be restored sooner or later. Now, the Xie clan was no longer a threat to the Si clan. In fact, many members of the Si clan had married into the Xie clan, making them practically one family. In particular, the capital guards had bound the two families together tightly.
Xie Ying remained silent throughout.
Si Maogong cautiously said to her, "Sister, go to Yijin after you finish your labor service in three years."
"Although I only have two thousand men under my command, I won't let the good stuff go to outsiders..."
"Brother-in-law, thank you." Xie Ying said, "My father and I have reached a consensus that we will never leave Tianjing in this lifetime. I appreciate your kindness."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xie Cuicui burst into tears, complaining that the father and daughter were alike; once they made up their minds, not even ten oxen could pull them back.
Madam Wang simply smiled to herself.
Then someone knocked on the door and called for Xie Ying.