"General Wei, the security in Xia Country is so peaceful, I have never heard of it or seen it before!"
At the border of Xia State, an envoy from a small neighboring country came to submit his credentials, and Weidong was responsible for escorting him.
Ever since entering the territory of Xia State, the envoy has never stopped exclaiming in amazement, and he sighs at almost everything he sees.
Wei Dong's ears were almost callused, but when he heard the praises of Xia Guo, he couldn't help but curl up the corners of his lips.
"Of course. Our Xia Kingdom is no longer the same as it used to be under the leadership of Your Majesty." Wei Dong said proudly.
The envoy nodded, agreeing with Wei Dong's statement.
He had also been to Xia Country ten years ago, but at that time Xia Country was poor and weak and not worth mentioning at all.
But now, this prosperous and bustling place, which is more luxurious than the capital of their country, is actually just a small border town. One can imagine how prosperous the capital of Xia State must be.
After entering the city, the envoy's understanding became clearer.
The sound of reading aloud could be heard from the bookstore not far away, people were listening to opera and drinking tea in the teahouse, the aroma of food was wafting from the restaurant, and on the street, apart from pedestrians, there were only patrolling city guards.
"General Wei! Why are there no vendors selling things on this street? There are not even any children or girls to be seen!" The envoy looked around and asked in confusion.
"Your Excellency doesn't know this. Every city in our Xia country has been replanned. The residential area is separated from the commercial area. The vendors are all in the trade market not far away. There is a lot of space there."
"Children of our Xia country will study in the free school opened by Your Majesty from the age of five to fifteen. From the age of fifteen to eighteen, they will serve in the army for three years. Therefore, you will not see them on the road."
"Serve in the military? Even women have to serve in the military?" The envoy's eyes were as big as copper bells.
"Of course, but women are weak, so there is a special female camp. They don't have to train with men. As for those who cannot train due to physical reasons, they will also join the army, but they will be assigned some light tasks."
After hearing Wei Dong's words, the envoy understood that everyone in the young generation of Daxia could study and everyone needed to join the army.
"What if someone wants to go home after the age of 18?" the envoy asked again.
He knew very well that real soldiers were mostly between the ages of twenty and forty, which was the best age for physical condition, but it was also the time when a person should start a family and build a career.
The envoy's question did not embarrass Wei Dong. He raised his head and said in a sacred tone, "In our Great Xia, soldiers are all reserve soldiers before the age of eighteen, and they become real soldiers after the age of eighteen. The welfare benefits of soldiers are also extraordinary. One thousand taels of silver a year, and the military service period is ten years. The total salary of ten thousand taels of silver plus various daily subsidies is enough for soldiers to have money to worry about for the rest of their lives when they return home at the age of twenty-eight. Therefore, unless you want to take the imperial examination and take the path of a civil servant, most people will not leave after serving in the military."
"Your Majesty is wise. You do not allow ordinary soldiers to continue serving after the age of 28. This is to allow them to start a family and build a career. Officials can continue to train on the border with their families."
"How generous! One thousand and two taels of silver per person per year!" the envoy exclaimed.
The reason for his surprise was simple. At a time when a strong laborer could only earn five taels of silver a month and his salary was only twenty taels a month, the soldiers of the Xia Kingdom already had an annual salary of over a thousand taels. This was too exaggerated!
"That's natural, and the soldiers can take the imperial examinations in their local area after returning home and continue to contribute to the country and the people."
Hearing Wei Dong's eloquent speech without hiding anything, the envoy could not help but lower his head in thought.
He understood that these were not secrets but the norm in Xia Country, and the other party was not afraid to tell him these things.
It was not until he saw it with his own eyes today that the envoy understood why his country lost.
People in the entire country of Xia are literate and practice martial arts. Once a war breaks out, almost the entire country can go to the battlefield. Such a strong army will definitely be invincible.
"Please move aside, my wife is about to give birth! Please move aside"
Just as the envoy was deep in thought, the sound of hurried footsteps was heard, accompanied by calls.
The group turned around and saw a young man in shorts running on the street holding a pregnant woman. His face was anxious and looked extremely nervous.
Pedestrians on the street gave way one after another, and some even shouted, "Don't worry, I'll go to the clinic to get you a fertility test kit." Then they ran away.
The young man thanked him repeatedly but did not stop.
The envoy looked at the woman with a big belly and couldn't help but sigh, "Since ancient times, giving birth has always been difficult for women, and nine out of ten will die!"
"You are wrong. In our Da Xia, there has been no infant death for three consecutive years." Wei Dong said dimly.
"What do you mean?" The envoy was confused.
"Since your majesty ascended the throne, you have improved people's livelihood in many aspects, among which medical care is particularly significant. Did you know that in our Xia country, medical treatment is free!"
"Free?" The envoy exclaimed, and then, not caring about his image, he pulled Wei Dong's sleeve and asked, "Tell me quickly, how is it free?"
Wei Dong couldn't help but shook his head and explained to the envoy, "Free means that the people don't have to spend a penny. No matter whether it's a major illness or a minor one, the local government will pay for it. Now you see this woman is about to give birth. The clinic is not far ahead. After she gives birth, she will be transferred to the local nursing home. The woman can recuperate in the nursing home for free within two months of the baby. The baby will be managed and cared for by a dedicated person, and three meals a day will be delivered by someone. It can be said to be all-round care."
Wei Dong spoke simply. He didn't know the specific details and only gave a general idea. However, the envoy could hear what a great benefit this move would bring to the people.
"Then why are there so few elderly people on the street? Could it be that all of them..." The envoy suddenly had a bad guess in his mind.
Xiaguo has so many initiatives, which requires a lot of money, and the elderly are useless and waste food, maybe...
"No, no! Our Xia government also cares deeply about the elderly. In order to provide them with a place to rely on in their old age, we have specially built nursing homes. Some people who have no children or are unable to survive are concentrated there. Today is a collective activity in the nursing home, and everyone is in the suburbs, so you don't see many people in the city." Wei Dong saw through the envoy's thoughts and quickly interrupted his fantasy.
"So that's how it is. You will be well cared for when you are young, you will be successful in school, and you will have someone to rely on when you are old! This is truly the move of a wise ruler."
"But so many reform measures will certainly require a large amount of silver, and no country can afford such a large financial expenditure." said the envoy.
His questioning made Weidong alert.
"You are right, but our Xia country has done it, and now the treasury is full and the people live and work in peace and contentment."
Wei Dong did not give a direct answer to the envoy's words. He knew very well what to say and what not to say. He would never tell the envoy from the neighboring country about Xia Country's economic sources and various business methods.