Chapter 24: Alternative Settlement
Could it be that she wants to be a saint?
From ancient times to the present, the only person who can be called a saint is Confucius, the Confucian sage.
But Ying Zheng studied the Legalist school of thought, and did not accept Confucius's idea of governing with virtue, "If a person's conduct is upright, his followers will follow his lead without being told; if a person's conduct is not upright, his followers will not follow his lead despite being told."
If the lower-level officials restrain the monarch with their virtue, how can his orders be carried out and when will the Qin Dynasty be able to unify the world?
In his opinion, governing the country with virtue is just empty talk. If everyone can abide by the Zhou rituals, then the Zhou Dynasty would not have been destroyed, and there would not be the continuous wars among the vassal states today?
The so-called saint is nothing more than a person who lives in the ideal country in his own heart and cannot see the reality clearly!
Ying Zheng also thought that Zhao Yuanxi's idea was naive and ridiculous. Did she think that she alone could support all the people in the world?
If there really was such a method, why did Qin have to postpone its conquest of the six states because it could not afford the cost of years of war?
If there were enough food, his Great Qin would be able to support more soldiers, and he could conquer not only the six kingdoms but the entire world.
"The Queen Mother's idea can only be thought of in dreams." Ying Zheng ruthlessly punctured the fantasies of those present.
"No way!" Ziying retorted in a baby voice, hugging his grandmother's neck. "Grandmother knows how to grow delicious food and cook all kinds of delicious dishes. She also taught others how to make delicious tofu and soy milk. Grandmother also said that when the corn is harvested, they will have plenty of food and won't have to go hungry anymore!"
Even if there is only the Chu family now, it is considered the first step.
The child's simple words made Ying Zheng look a little ugly.
Zhao Yuanxi was happy instead. He was indeed her child and was on her side. She really wanted to give him a kiss.
She did just that, and slapped Ziying's little forehead.
"Ziying said it so well! He is indeed the good grandson of Grandmother!"
Ziying's face turned red, and he covered his face with his little hands and hid his head. He looked very cute.
But this scene was very eye-catching to Ying Zheng, and his face became even more sour!
Zhao Yuanxi was extremely dissatisfied with his expression and said in a bad tone, "Are you so sure that this day won't come?"
Just because she can't do it now doesn't mean she can't do it in the future.
She has a system and she also has the knowledge accumulated over thousands of years. Everything is possible.
Ying Zheng scoffed, "Does the Queen Mother think that the hundred or so acres of weeds she's planted can feed millions of people in the Qin Dynasty?"
Weeds? He actually called what she planted weeds?
Zhao Yuanxi was annoyed, "Who said it was a weed!"
"No, how do you know what I planted? Did you go to see it? Or did you ask someone to touch my seedlings?" She got furious instantly.
If he dares to touch her seedlings, he’s finished!
Ying Zheng felt a sudden chill, and he did have a few saplings pulled out and sent to Xianyang.
They were just a few unknown weeds. He showed them to the farmers. Although they looked similar to sorghum, they were not the same thing. Even if they were really another kind of sorghum, they could only be used for famine relief and replanting. The yield would not be much higher than the beans, wheat and chestnuts that Qin was currently growing.
"Tell me! You have the guts to pull out my seedlings, but you don't have the guts to admit it?"
Zhao Yuanxi wished he could find someone to beat him up right now.
"It's just a few seedlings. I'll compensate you whatever amount you give me." Ying Zheng pursed his lips, not thinking that he had done anything wrong. The entire Qin State belonged to him, so what was wrong with him asking people to pull out a few seedlings?
Zhao Yuanxi clenched his fists. "Can money measure this? One of my corn plants can produce more than two cobs. Each cob has 500 seeds, so ten plants can produce a dan of grain. If I save these seeds, I can harvest a thousand times more next year. How can you compensate me for this?"
......
The corners of Ying Zheng's mouth twitched. According to her calculations, if he pulled out a few of her seedlings, would that mean he had to pay with the entire treasury of the Qin State?
"How can there be such a thing in this world? Do I look so easy to deceive?"
Zhao Yuanxi crossed his arms, "You don't believe it?"
Of course he didn't believe it. If there really was such a rare thing, let alone giving her gold, silver and treasures, he would even recognize her as his mother!
Zhao Yuanxi liked the ignorant look of the people here the most. He rolled his eyes and said, "Let's make a bet. If my seedlings can produce a thousand seeds, you will give me a hundred acres of fertile land. How about that?"
"If its yield is really that high, why not give you a thousand acres?"
A rich man!
Zhao Yuanxi's eyes glowed green, and he no longer looked at Ying Zheng as if he were a prodigal son.
This is a real gold pig! The kind that can steadily drop gold coins!
"You are so polite!" Zhao Yuanxi couldn't stop smiling.
Ying Zheng twitched his lips, finding her sudden change of attitude amusing. "What if you lose?"
"How could I possibly lose?" Zhao Yuanxi retorted without a second thought. Meeting Ying Zheng's half-smile, he curled his lips and said, "Alright! Tell me what you want?"
"If you lose, your papermaking workshop and papermaking method will belong to me!"
Zhao Yuanxi sighed, "Good boy, you were waiting for me here."
She wondered why her adopted son sent his eldest nephew to see her for no reason. It turned out that he had set his eyes on the paper in her hand.
Not to mention that she would not lose, Zhao Yuanxi had originally planned to wait until the paper produced in Yongcheng spread throughout Xianyang City, and then wait for the King of Qin's people to come and discuss cooperation with her.
Although my nephew was a bit greedy, it was obvious that the cooperation could still be discussed, and the time was moved forward by a month.
There was a light in Zhao Yuanxi's eyes. It seemed that his nephew was not stupid, as he could discover the value of paper so quickly. At least he had a very good vision.
"Okay!" Zhao Yuanxi nodded.
She patted Ziying's head again and said, "Be good, Ziying. Go play with Doctor Yu over there. Your mother and your uncle Mi have something to discuss. I'll make you some red bean buns with fresh milk tonight, okay?"
Ziying responded sullenly, "Yes, but Grandmother, be careful not to be fooled by him."
"Don't worry! Who can deceive me?"
Doctor Yu stepped forward, took Ziying's hand, and took him to play with the little rabbit.
Zhao Yuanxi walked up to Ying Zheng and said, "I can let you off the hook for Miaozi's matter, but since you know about the paper mill, you should know that I intend to sell paper to Xianyang, and even to the entire Qin State. What do you think? Are you planning to get involved?"
"If you help me promote it in Xianyang, I'll give you 10% of whatever we sell."
Selling paper is indeed a good business.
"Only 10%?"
Zhao Yuanxi was dissatisfied. "I don't want you to be my person, nor do I want you to give me anything. I only want to borrow your reputation as Lord Changping. How much more do you want?"
Ying Zheng raised an eyebrow, "Isn't the Queen Mother's reputation more useful than mine?"
"You ask even though you already know the answer! It's only 15% at most, no more!" Zhao Yuanxi felt a little painful.
She felt so miserable! If Queen Mother Zhao's reputation was good in Xianyang City, Zhao Yuanxi wouldn't have to let Gao Sheng take the painting to visit the dignitaries in Xianyang.
......
Ying Zheng then remembered that because of his order, no one in Xianyang City even dared to talk about the Queen Mother Zhao. If they used the Queen Mother Zhao's name to sell things, not only would they not be able to sell them, they might even be driven out.
He coughed lightly, "Who are you going to put in charge?"
"So you agree?"
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