Chapter 316 We Can Wait

When Shen Qingjun saw Emperor Xiao Wu ask this question, he did not hide his thoughts.

"Your Majesty, I have indeed thought about it a lot."

Such good land has been left barren; anyone who sees this will have something to say.

Your Majesty, I've calculated it. If all those lands were planted with grain, I dare not say much about the others, but the Weiyuan Army would definitely have enough grain.

But for various reasons, no one cultivates those lands.

If all those lands are planted with grain, the Weiyuan Army can collect its supplies from nearby areas in the future.

Besides, those farmers had work to do, so they wouldn't starve to death during the famine.

Emperor Xiao Wu did not speak, but merely pursed his lips.

We know the problem, but figuring out how to solve it is a big challenge.

Otherwise, when Father Emperor was alive, he would always worry about the food supplies for the Weiyuan Army.

Shen Qingming, however, blurted out the question.

"Brother, why is no one cultivating this good land?"

What else can farmers do besides farming?

Emperor Xiao Wu remained silent, simply gazing at Shen Qingjun.

"There are many reasons, and it cannot be explained in just a few words."

The further north you go, the more susceptible you are to the effects of war.

When the Northern Hu were powerful, they would always come and plunder whenever it was harvest season.

The farmers toiled for so long, only to have their harvest stolen by the Northern Hu people.

At best, it means a year's work is wasted; at worst, it means losing your life.

"As for places that are a bit far from the North, there are more other reasons," Shen Qingjun explained.

"They're not even near the north anymore, why aren't they planting? Are they bandits?"

"Impossible! The bandits in the Great Yu region should have been mostly wiped out. There shouldn't be any bandits or mountain bandits left that have taken hold!" Shen Qingming continued to ask.

"I asked the local farmers why those lands were left uncultivated."

The farmers said that much of the land is actually unclaimed.

If everyone starts planting crops, it won't be long before local gentry come to claim the land with government deeds.

Not to mention that they have to pay rent for working for free, the government might even collect another round of taxes.

Over time, people lost the idea of ​​clearing land for farming.

"Let whoever wants to plant on that land plant it!" Shen Qingjun continued to explain.

Shen Qingming quickly understood what was going on.

This involves nobles, and it certainly didn't just happen in the last year or two.

He glanced at Emperor Xiao Wu, then decided not to speak.

The land to the north is fertile, and the late emperor must have known about this.

But if the late emperor couldn't solve it, how could his cousin, the emperor, possibly solve it?

He's not even sixteen years old yet...

“Your Majesty! There are many things to do in the capital right now. Wait until you are a little older, then you can take care of these things when you have time,” Shen Qingming advised from the side.

Emperor Xiao Wu nodded.

"Cousin, you should also think carefully about what to do about these things."

You will inherit the title next year, and then you can attend court meetings.

I will put you in charge of this matter when the time comes.

"Go and resolve this matter," Emperor Xiao Wu said with a smile.

Shen Qingjun smiled and agreed.

He then told Emperor Xiao Wu and Shen Qingming about the current situation in the north.

The border town there was so prosperous that merchants from all over the country flocked there.

"Merchants from Dayu brought goods from Dayu to the border city to sell, and they sold very well."

Merchants from the northern Hu region also brought their goods to the border town to sell.

When the merchants from Da Yu returned, they would bring back goods, making money from both ends.

However, I heard from my mother that those traveling merchants also had a hard time.

"It looks lively, but after a year of hard work, all I've earned is a meager living," Shen Qingjun said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingming immediately perked up.

"Business is so good, how can you not make money? How is that possible?"

"Could it be that they didn't know how to negotiate prices and got ripped off?" Shen Qingming asked.

Emperor Xiao Wu also found it strange.

How could business not be profitable when it's doing so well!

Just like those merchants in the capital, which one doesn't make a lot of money if their business is doing well!

Not to mention anything else, even the Chunbuwan Teahouse that my aunt is involved in can make a lot of money in a year!

"Actually... it's not easy being a merchant in Da Yu either."

Let me give you an example! A merchant brought goods from the southernmost part of the country to sell in the north.

I won't even go into how much it would cost to travel by water and carriage along the way.

How many more checkpoints will we have to overcome along the way?

Every city we enter will be looted. By the time we reach the North, how high will the cost be?

If the price is too high, it won't sell; if the price is too low, it will result in a loss. At most, it can only make a small profit.

Also, there are some insignificant bandits and outlaws along the way. If you're unlucky enough to run into them, wouldn't that be even worse?

Therefore, those trading in the border city now are all large merchants.

Those people have powerful connections and pay protection money, so they are a bit safer than small-time merchants.

Even so, most of what they earn has to be given away.

However, this is for the best.

With more traveling merchants, everyone will go into business; who will stay home and farm?

"Whether it's the Great Yu or other foreign lands, they all basically prioritize agriculture and suppress commerce," Shen Qingjun said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingming was displeased.

"What's wrong with itinerant merchants? Itinerant merchants can make money, and with money, they can do many other things."

Does disaster relief cost money? Does building various fortifications cost money?

Furthermore, if there is a war, even more money will be needed.

"I think itinerant merchants are a good thing. If the government of Dayu were to organize them, the results would definitely be even better," Shen Qingming retorted.

Shen Qingjun rubbed his temples.

"Your method is not advisable!"

If the government takes the lead in organizing it, it will definitely make the people of Dayu feel that the imperial court supports merchants.

This is completely contrary to the policy of prioritizing agriculture and suppressing commerce in Chongqing, and it cannot be done.” Shen Qingjun immediately shook his head.

"Then let's do it secretly!"

Forget it, let's not have the government organize it.

Your Majesty, let the Imperial Household Department organize it! I'll go with you then, and I'm sure I'll earn you a lot of money.

"When we need money, if the Ministry of Revenue can't come up with the funds, then the Imperial Household Department will." Shen Qingming immediately thought of other solutions.

"That's not appropriate! If the Imperial Household Department intervenes, it's equivalent to His Majesty intervening."

"What's the difference between this and the government getting involved?" Shen Qingjun shook his head again.

"I already said it was done secretly!"

"What do you mean by stealth? There are no trivial matters in the imperial family. His Majesty's every move is being watched."

How could others not know? Don't cause His Majesty any trouble.

"How have I caused His Majesty any trouble...?"

......

Emperor Xiao Wu watched the two brothers argue with a smile.

It's so great to have these brothers...

Actually, I'm not alone, not the kind of lonely person my father and aunt described...

He has good brothers who genuinely care about him.

"Alright! Stop arguing!"

You should all study hard and grow up well so that when you are old enough to attend court, you can do what you like.

Then we'll see who does the best job; that person will prove they're right!

In the end, Emperor Xiao Wu had no choice but to smile and smooth things over.

Shen Qingjun and Shen Qingming then shut up.

“My mother will definitely agree with my idea,” Shen Qingjun said.

"Hmph! Mother will definitely agree with my idea! Just wait and see!" Shen Qingming retorted without backing down.