The court officials all looked at the Prince of Yan, their eyes filled with incomprehension.
Jiao Hong, the Vice Minister of Works, stepped forward and said, "The common people have always been responsible for their own food and lodging when they perform corvée labor. It is only because the court has protected the people that they have been able to obtain land and live on."
"There are twelve months in a year. Is it wrong to take one month off during the off-season for farming to perform corvée labor?"
He paused briefly at this point, then continued, "Besides, the labor that the common people do is not for the court. In the end, it is taken from the people and used for the people. Take water conservancy projects, for example; in the end, aren't the people the ones who benefit?"
Qin Chuan understood his meaning: the greatest blessing from the court was that the people could live, and their human rights could be completely disregarded.
Just as he was about to say something in rebuttal to this person...
Minister of Works Zhu Xizhou said, “Minister Jiao is mistaken. The court takes the people’s livelihood as its foundation and promotes water conservancy. In the end, not only the people but also the court will benefit. If the people can survive and have food to eat, they will not rebel. If they do not have food to eat, they will rebel. The court and the people are not adversaries, but are like fish and water, inseparable.”
Zhu Xizhou's words were met with nods of approval from many court officials.
Qin Chuan also felt that what he said made sense and revealed the truth of history: people will not rebel if they have food to eat, but they will rebel if they have no food to eat.
After saying this, Zhu Xizhou looked at Yang Weicong, the Minister of Works: "Minister Yang, you are in charge of the Ministry of Works. In your opinion, if the food, lodging and wages required for the people to perform corvée labor are all paid by the court, how much money would be spent in a year?"
Yang Weicong did some quick calculations and said, "I'm afraid it will require more than ten million taels..."
Upon hearing this, all the ministers gasped in shock.
With so much money needed, how could the imperial court possibly afford it?
When the Empress heard this number, she was torn. On one hand, it was her husband's suggestion, and she wanted to follow his wishes. On the other hand, doing so would be extremely costly, and the court simply could not afford it...
Seeing her slightly furrowed brows, Qin Chuan, not wanting to put his empress wife in a difficult position, said, "I will pay for this year's water conservancy project, as well as the wages. Have the Ministry of Justice send orders to all local government offices. Starting tomorrow, I will personally take turns overseeing the two major granaries in the north and south. The local government offices should collect the necessary materials and silver from these two granaries as soon as possible."
"As for the reform, we can discuss it later. Right now, there is another important matter that requires the cooperation of the Ministry of Revenue."
After saying that, Qin Chuan clapped his hands.
Eunuch Zhang Cheng entered from the east side of the main hall carrying a burlap sack. The sack seemed to be quite heavy, as it was filled with many things.
Qin Chuan first took out a sweet potato from the burlap sack and said to the court officials, "Just as Zhu Xizhou said, the court takes the people's livelihood as its foundation, which means it should strive to improve the people's living standards. I happened to obtain some crop seeds that can grow such crops. Come, let me show you..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Cheng gave each of the six ministers a sweet potato. Qin Chuan then said, "These are sweet potatoes, and they can be eaten raw..."
The sweet potatoes had all been washed clean, their red skins and tempting shapes making them irresistible. Upon hearing that they could be eaten raw, Zhu Xizhou took a bite without hesitation...
After chewing for a while, Zhu Xizhou said, "This thing is sweet and crunchy, it's a good thing!"
Upon hearing this, the other five ministers also picked up sweet potatoes and began to eat them raw. After tasting them, they all gave them high praise.
Qin Chuan also gave the Empress a sweet potato. The Empress took two bites and said, "It's a little sweet..."
At this point, Qin Chuan continued, "This sweet potato is drought-resistant and alkali-tolerant, and can be planted in sandy soil. It is very easy to grow and harvest. Its leaves can be used as vegetables, and as you have all tasted, the fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. There are many ways to cook it, such as steaming, boiling, baking, and frying. Each method has a different taste."
"I intend to promote the cultivation of this crop nationwide. Oh, and potatoes, corn too..."
Each minister now had an extra ear of corn and a potato, which they passed around to each other, their eyes filled with curiosity and surprise.
Qin Chuan continued, "In years of famine, at least a million people starve to death across the country. With these three crops, I dare not say that people will never starve to death again, but at least more than 90% of the people will be saved."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Xizhou looked at the sweet potato in his hand and couldn't help but exclaim, "The Prince of Yan is truly a lucky star for the people of Daqian! How fortunate the people are! How fortunate Daqian is!"
Many officials also praised the Prince of Yan, and flattery poured in.
Qin Chuan was unmoved by such flattery and continued, "I have plenty of seeds for these crops, enough to guarantee that each household will receive at least ten jin (of seeds). I need the cooperation of the local government offices to ensure that the seeds are distributed to every household..."
Zhu Xizhou, the Minister of Revenue, said, “Your Highness, this matter is of utmost importance. It is the beginning of a major reform for the people’s livelihood. If it succeeds, it will be a blessing for the people of our dynasty and for the country. If there are any people who harbor the seeds of corruption, I suggest that they be severely punished and never let off lightly!”
Qin Chuan glanced at Zhu Xizhou with considerable appreciation. He was doing a good job as the Minister of Revenue, and he knew how to care for the people...
When the Empress heard that Qin Chuan could supply the seeds of these crops to every household in Daqian, her phoenix eyes were filled with a look of joy mixed with complexity...
I thought to myself, my husband has truly devoted himself to this country. My sitting in this position is actually hindering his implementation of his policies...
Thinking of this, the Empress's calm voice echoed in the hall like a clear spring: "Issue my decree: any official who dares to embezzle seeds shall have their entire family exterminated!"
Upon hearing His Majesty's sudden remark, the court officials broke out in a cold sweat.
Qin Chuan looked at the Empress and nodded slightly. This coincided with his thoughts. It was not excessive to exterminate the three clans of those who dared to deprive the people of their lives.
The officials fell silent in fear. Qin Chuan then said, "It is late March now. There is still time to plant these three crops. Have the Ministry of Justice send orders to the provincial governments to send more people to collect the seeds, distribute them to the prefectures and counties, and then let the people collect the seeds in the counties."
Commissioner of the Court of State Affairs Wu Qirui: "I respectfully obey the order of the Prince of Yan."
After discussing the water conservancy project and the distribution of seeds, the court officials continued to present other matters, such as building warships, constructing a straight road to the Southern Xiongnu, building post stations, changing the military camps to summer clothes, dredging the Jingjiang Canal, and so on.
These problems all have one thing in common: they require a lot of money to solve.
Qin Chuan now has the money, so all these issues have been resolved.
Having resolved so many troublesome matters, the Empress announced her resignation from court.
Qin Chuan also wanted to leave, but the Empress grabbed his arm with her delicate hand. "Husband, I have something to say to you..."
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