Chapter 288 Feng Er Goes North
But if they went west, they would have to live with the Han people. What if the Han people there refused to accept them?
Do they fight with others or come back?
Both ideas are unrealistic.
If we go there, we will live with neighbors. The natives can fight the Zhou Dynasty, but they can't fight with their neighbors. After all, they will see each other every day. Even if we fight, we will still have to live together in the future. Wouldn't we get tired of each other?
It's unrealistic to come back.
Qianzhou is nearly a thousand miles away to the west! A round trip would cost me everything I had!
"You don't have to worry about this. Last time, you were willing to send 20,000 men to support us, proving that you truly trust His Highness. Why are you unwilling this time? As long as His Highness survives, we will never allow you to live the same life of bullying as before!"
"It's easy to say, but hard to do. We're just afraid... that once we leave Qianzhou Prefecture, who will still treat us as human beings?"
"Alright, I'll be honest with you. You really don't have to worry about this. If you agree to move west, His Highness means there's no need to disrupt you. We'll consider relocating the locals and try to keep your people in one village or county seat. Do you remember the high degree of autonomy His Highness mentioned back then?"
One of the young natives, a student in Qianzhou Prefecture, immediately said, "We've learned about this in books! They say a high degree of autonomy means a piece of land will be allocated to us, and the governor or county magistrate will be chosen from among us! Wait, Your Highness, do you really allow us to govern ourselves?"
Xu Yinxi said in a hoarse voice, "Of course! You are our brothers, and you also recognize our court, so you are our people, just like other Han people! Han people can manage their own territory, why don't you dare? It's just to prevent those with ulterior motives from trying to provoke ethnic conflicts, so this high degree of autonomy will still allow some Han people to serve as officials in your area. But at the same time, those among you also have the right to go to other places to evaluate officials and manage other Han people!"
Now, everyone in the room was completely shocked.
Not only did the chieftains and priests in power light up their eyes, but even the students were excited.
Xu Yinxi also had to admire Xu Zhenying's foresight. She could even come up with such a wild idea as "high degree of autonomy".
In Xu Yinxi's view, being highly self-confident has three major advantages.
First, it solved the problem of resettlement of the indigenous people in power, such as priests, chieftains, elders, etc. If their future power is guaranteed, they will become interested parties and will naturally help to promote the westward migration.
The second is to give young natives a chance to come forward. If they can participate in the civil service examination fairly and impartially, they will have the opportunity to come forward. Who would be willing to stay in the deep mountains and forests?
The third benefit.
Xu Yinxi pondered Xu Zhenying's thoughts and guessed that Xu Zhenying must also be on guard against the natives.
It is said that those who are not of my race have unrighteous hearts.
In the past, if she had a quarrel with the natives, they would hide in the woods and she would be helpless.
But once they go west, the unity among the natives will be completely broken up by the terrain. Once the natives are no longer united, does it also mean that they will be easier to control?
Of course, this cannot be blamed on Xu Yinxi.
The ancients did not pay attention to ethnic integration, so Xu Yinxi's mind was full of thoughts that Xu Zhenying would be on guard against the natives. She never thought that Xu Zhenying would one day launch a vigorous ethnic integration work, or even promote the true unification of this land in disguise.
"Master, can we natives really take the civil service exam like you do?"
The young student immediately said, "Why not? Didn't the civil servant examination this time state that it's open to all genders, regardless of place of origin, and that anyone from all walks of life can take the exam? We even have a special promoter here at the academy to explain things, so we, the local students, can apply too."
"Have you applied for the exam?"
The person who answered looked embarrassed and said, "Several top students have already taken the exam. I am not very knowledgeable, so I'd better study for two more years."
"You can even use Chinese idioms, yet you still say you're uneducated? You're too modest!"
This remark made everyone laugh.
And the older ones were obviously very touched as well.
I figured out what His Royal Highness King Zhao meant, which was to enclose a piece of land in the west for them to live together with the natives, but still retain their power.
If this is the case, it cannot be ruled out.
Several people exchanged glances privately, and the oldest village chieftain said, "We can't make a decision on this matter. Let's go back and discuss it with the brothers and sisters in the village first!"
"Please make a decision early. Time waits for no one. The sooner you set out, the sooner you can choose a plot of land. If you leave too late, all you'll be left with are marginal plots far from water sources. These plots are the lifeblood of generations, so we need to seize the initiative right from the start. Furthermore, it's spring now. If you set out in April or May, the weather along the way won't be too cold or too hot, and you won't be prone to getting sick. Once you've settled down there and settled for a few months, you'll be able to plant the first crop next spring!"
"Thank you for the reminder, Lord Fu. We will inform our brothers and sisters as soon as we return. We will give you a definite answer as to whether we will go, how many people will go, and how to go!"
On the official road leading to the north city gate, several carriages were moving forward leisurely.
There were about two or three hundred people on this road, which was a huge group.
It is the time when grass is growing and birds are singing. The mountains and forests are all green, and there is a sense of vigor and vitality that is about to sprout.
After passing the territory of Xingyuan Prefecture, the cement road comes to an abrupt end, and what comes into view is the bumpy loess road of the Zhou Dynasty.
As the carriage rolled over it, there was a bumpy ride.
This made people who were used to the smooth cement roads feel uncomfortable walking on this loess road.
"It's so bumpy! We just left Xingyuan Prefecture not long ago. When will we reach Bianjing City?"
A clear and sharp female voice sounded.
Then came Xu Huiming's voice: "I estimate it will take more than twenty days."
Feng Er complained, "The Great Zhou Dynasty is so backward! We in Jinzhou Prefecture could have started using cement roads two years ago!"
"The Great Zhou Dynasty is the Great Zhou Dynasty, and Jinzhou Prefecture is Jinzhou Prefecture. Just be patient!"
Feng'er glared at Xu Huiming. She became furious when she saw his carefree demeanor. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have to endure this! Bao'an Prefecture is teeming with gold! If I, Feng'er, could help, the people of Bao'an Prefecture will be able to eat meat every day next year! Damn it, you've ruined this incredible achievement!"
Xu Huiming said with a guilty conscience, "If we go to Bianjing City, we'll have the opportunity to make meritorious contributions!"
"You idiot! How can it be the same?! If we go to Bian Jing, we won't be able to stay with Her Highness for at least several years! By then, Her Highness will have so many people around her, will we still be worthy of her attention?! Besides, the research institute recently came up with some kind of movable type printing method, and Her Highness said she would publish a newspaper that would be unprecedented! These are all my achievements! Oh my God, if I stay with Her Highness for a few more years, I might even be made a marquis or a prime minister in the future!"
"Don't think so. Bianjing City is the last city Your Highness conquers. We have made arrangements in advance. That will be decisive for the outcome of the battle, and we will also make an invaluable contribution in the future. Moreover, you were used to doing these things when you were in Shouzhou. I am not familiar with secret agents, secret sentries, and intelligence. I especially need the guidance of someone as experienced as Miss Feng'er."
Xu Huiming bowed sincerely to Feng'er and said, "Miss Feng'er, please feel free to teach me."
Feng'er looked at Xu Huiming, who was humble, and her anger subsided a lot. "Alright, since you are so sincere in accepting me as your master, I will reluctantly forgive you."
Xu Huiming curled his lips into a faint smile, immediately diverting Feng'er's attention. "Since we still have so much time to go to Bianjing City, why don't we talk about how to stay in Bianjing City first? What are your plans?"
"Didn't the City Lord say that our purpose for this trip is nothing more than twofold? The first is to find a way to cause civil unrest in the Great Zhou Dynasty. As long as they are busy with their own affairs, they will have no time to deal with our Jinzhou Prefecture, buying time for our development. The second is to cooperate with His Highness at a critical moment, preferably without bloodshed, to unify the world with the least possible cost."
Feng'er's eyes sparkled, her ambition flourishing. Faced with such a heavy burden, she was only excited. "Master Xu, you are right. Perhaps the north is our chance."
Xu Huiming's face was solemn. "This burden is not light. Can we do it with just the likes of us?"
Feng Er smiled, "Didn't the city lord give us two hundred people?"
"How can two hundred people be enough for such a deployment?"
"Didn't His Highness once say something truly sage? We must unite all forces that can be united, develop all possible friends, turn enemies into friends, and friends into comrades. Let's use these one or two hundred people to open up the situation and develop our ranks. I believe everyone shares the same pursuit of a better life. As long as they desire a better life and want to change their destiny, they will naturally gravitate towards us."
"That's true, but how do we implement it?"
Xu Huiming looked at the girl in front of him and suddenly became lively.
Her ambition and her dreams make her shine.
He even felt that her calculating look became cute.
"Actually, I've been thinking about this problem seriously these past few days. I think we can copy the model we used in Shouzhou. Back then, we only had a few dozen people and were able to make a name for ourselves, let alone two hundred people now. What I'm thinking is that we should first open a shop in the most prosperous area of Bianjing City, selling different categories and locations. This way, we will have more sources of information. But we must be close to academies, vegetable markets, or teahouses, where there are many people and it is easy to get information. Jinzhou Prefecture has so many sources of goods. We can sell cotton clothes, soap, pencils and other things while collecting intelligence."
Xu Huiming nodded repeatedly as he listened. "This first step isn't difficult. Although we're just businessmen on the surface, if we want to open up the market through business, we still have to put on some pretense."
"Okay, then let me test Master Xu—" Feng'er smiled maliciously, "Who do you think is most likely to be instigated and brainwashed in Bianjing, and most likely to come close to us?"
Xu Huiming thought about it and asked, "Scholar?"
"That's right." Feng'er smiled, "There's more."
"Hmm... it should be the working class, like prostitutes in brothels, dock laborers, those of the lowest class who can't make a living." Xu Huiming's thoughts were opened by Feng'er, and his eyes brightened as he spoke. "These people have had a hard time under the rule of the Great Zhou Dynasty, so naturally they want to escape from this suffering. Just like the King of Zhoushan, the harder the people's lives are, the more they need religion. I think we should take two steps. The scholars can set up a society or a school to spread the new ideas of our Jinzhou Prefecture. As for the common people at the bottom, they are ignorant. Why not follow the King of Zhoushan's example and establish a sect? Yes, didn't Her Highness also start by establishing a scientific religion to mobilize the masses? We can also copy the tiger and imitate the cat!"
Feng Er stared at him with a smile and suddenly praised him, "Mr. Xu is indeed worthy of being your Highness's elder brother. Your talent is not inferior to your Highness's."
Xu Huiming felt somewhat helpless: "It seems I will have to rely on His Highness for the rest of my life."
As if sensing the loneliness in his tone, Feng'er smiled brightly, "What's wrong with taking advantage of Her Highness? Aren't we all taking advantage of Her Highness? Some people are desperately trying to get in touch with Her Highness. If you're feeling depressed now, what will you do when Her Highness ascends the throne?"
Xu Huiming laughed: "How about I become an idle prince?"
"Don't try to rest on your laurels. To be honest, I'm going to say something treasonous. From what I know about Her Highness, she's the kind of person whose sins and honors don't match those of her family. Just look at how she only bestowed the title of King upon herself this time, but didn't give it to Master Xu and Madam Xu. That's a glimpse of the whole situation."
Speaking of this incident, Xu Huiming recalled the month-long debate between Xu Zhenying and Mr. Lin.
Xu Zhenying ignored the opposition and only conferred the title on himself. As for the other members of the Xu family, those who had official positions were only promoted one level, while those who did not have official positions received nothing at all!
Even though everyone in the Xu family was dissatisfied, even though they had some complaints behind his back, they didn't dare to show it in front of Xu Zhenying.
"She has conveyed a message to all of us: she won't follow the Great Zhou Dynasty's system of ennobling wives and sons, or one person's success leading to the prosperity of all his family members. If you want a title, then you have to earn it yourself and make great achievements!"
Xu Huiming lowered his head. After all, he was a stakeholder and it was difficult for him to say much.
If he truly followed his inner thoughts, as a man, he would have wanted to confer titles on his wife and son, or to seek an imperial decree for his mother. But now that Xu Zhenying allowed women to work and achieve success, the glory of women could no longer be solely borne by men.
This is consistent with Xu Zhenying's governance philosophy.
Since everyone is equal and men and women are equal, why should the husband fight for the glory of his wife?
"I think your Highness's decision makes sense! Why should a woman's honor depend on her husband? I, Feng'er, am capable. If I want something, I can go and get it myself. This way, we can prevent the families of officials from abusing their power." Feng'er wasn't afraid of Xu Huiming. The two had fought side by side for so long, so they knew each other very well. "Don't tell me you don't agree with your Highness's move."
Xu Huiming didn't seem to want to discuss this topic, so he said, "This matter has its pros and cons. Since His Highness has made the decision, we, as his subjects, can only obey."
Feng Er stared at him, "I don't believe it. You always have a lot of ideas. Tell me what you really think."
Xu Huiming smiled bitterly. "Are you still planning to monitor me, be wary of me, and be on guard against me like you did in Shouzhou, fearing that I might steal His Highness's vast fortune? Look at me now. Do I think I can get my hands on His Highness's things?"
Feng'er pretended to be cheerful, but she was thinking in her heart: They say you can judge a person by his appearance but not by his heart. If anything happens to His Highness, the person in front of me will be the biggest beneficiary.
How could she not watch it more carefully?
"Honestly," Xu Huiming leaned against the car window. "Even though I'm angry and resentful, I admire her more. I admire Her Highness's rationality and ruthlessness. It seems her heart can't accommodate anything other than that supreme dream. She cares nothing for her own glory or that of her loved ones. Sometimes I even suspect she doesn't care about the lives of us. If I died, she might be upset for a while, but it would never waver in her determination to unify the world. She's like a bystander in this world, driving its progress forward with a cold and ruthless indifference. The feeling I'm talking about... can you understand?"
Feng Er was silent for a long time before she said, "He seems affectionate but he is actually heartless. He is also called heartless but he is the most affectionate. The city lord's ambition and talent are beyond the reach of ordinary mortals like you and me."
"So I often think she's truly born to rule. Every decision she makes has a significance that transcends time. Just because I can't understand it right now doesn't mean I vaguely feel she might be right." Xu Huiming tilted her head, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "Perhaps only the future will reveal all this. So I say, whether I oppose or not is irrelevant. First, it won't change the status quo. Second, she sees further than I do. I don't mean to teach her my skills. Do you understand what I mean?"
Feng Er frowned, "I don't quite understand. You scholars have too many ideas. I think it's better to put aside all distractions and work hard for the City Lord."
"That's what you call a loyal minister." Xu Huiming smiled faintly. "I'm just complaining to you. What needs to be done must be done. Let's get back to what happened in Bianjing City. We both left Bianjing City, and there must be many people in the city who know us. We need to disguise ourselves and change our identities when we enter the city."
"Of course. It would be best if you had the identity of a scholar. I could give you a title like Xiucai or Juren, so you can get into the scholar circle in Bianjing. Han Ruqing's Peach Blossom Spring is selling well in Bianjing, so we can take advantage of his popularity and promote it."
"That newspaper His Highness is planning to publish is said to include the latest news from Jinzhou Prefecture, covering everything from spring plowing and planting, astronomy and the calendar, farming seasons, fishing and hunting, the needs of the people, policy interpretations, and secrets of the prefecture. It's truly all-encompassing. If we can get some copies of it to Bianjing City regularly and circulate it among scholars, it would be a huge help in winning over the scholars there!"
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