Magistrate Liu did not keep the story in suspense. After tasting the water, he immediately ordered the water transport team to slowly enter the city and distribute water to the people waiting in line.
On this day, all the citizens in Bailong City were given a bucket of water.
Those people who were almost dying of thirst felt a glimmer of hope after drinking a mouthful of water.
The water was distributed from noon until dusk, and in the end, only two carts of water were brought back to the prefectural government office.
......
"Oh~" Magistrate Liu drank a glass of water in one breath, then put down the cup with a tired and happy look on his face.
"The water brought back from Qianhuang City makes delicious tea."
"You've worked hard along the way."
Prefect Liu looked at Pan Zhao with a smile on his face.
"It's not that hard." Zhao Tongpan waved his hand and said with a smile.
"The journey isn't too far, but when carrying water back you can't walk too fast for fear of wasting it."
"Running back and forth between the two sides, how can it not be tiring?" Magistrate Liu smiled.
"Look, the people of this city are so grateful to you. This water has saved many lives."
Zhao Tongpan was moved when he thought of the people kneeling down to express their gratitude to him after receiving the water.
"It's all what we should do. It's what we should do to ensure the survival of the people."
"Yes." Prefect Liu responded and asked,
"How is the construction of Qianhuang City's wall going?"
Zhao Tongpan, "When I left, the city wall was basically completed, with only some finishing touches left."
Speaking of the newly built city wall, Zhao Tongpan became excited.
"The city wall is really thick and wide. The entire Qianhuang City is surrounded by it. There is a soldier guarding every three steps on the wall."
"It is estimated that there are at least 30,000 soldiers guarding the city walls every day."
"I've made some careful inquiries, and Qianhuang City currently has at least 200,000 new and veteran soldiers."
"Over 200,000 soldiers!?" Prefect Liu's eyes widened in shock. "Where did all these soldiers come from in such a short time?"
"How can the people have the energy to serve in the army when they can barely get enough food and drink?"
This force really scared him. No wonder Qianhuang City wanted to expand its city walls.
With so many soldiers suddenly appearing, if the city walls are not expanded, the parade ground may not be able to be used for training.
However, to support so many soldiers, it would take more than just a little money and food.
This incident made him even more curious about Qianhuang City.
"Your Excellency, you don't know something." Zhao Tongpan continued with a smile.
"Everyone in Qianhuang City who participated in the construction of the city wall, regardless of gender, age or status, was given a daily meal of meat buns, vegetable buns, and rice porridge."
"Also, anyone who signs up to join the army will receive a monthly allowance of 20 kilograms of rice, 20 kilograms of brown rice, 20 kilograms of white flour, 5 kilograms of rapeseed oil, and 5 kilograms of pork."
"It is said that soldiers who first sign up for the army will be given a pound of salt."
"Later, because Magistrate Deng couldn't distribute salt, he canceled this item."
"It's possible that it will recover later. After all, there's no shortage of salt in Qianhuang City right now."
Speaking of salt, Zhao Tongpan glanced at Qi Zhiyong who was sitting opposite him.
Why!
Who would have thought that the person who was guarding them at the door a few days ago would now be on equal footing with them.
Qi Zhiyong held the teacup and sipped the tea gently.
Although he looks calm on the surface, his heart is already in turmoil.
If you look closely, you can see that his hand holding the teacup is shaking slightly.
Due to long-term habit, he had no intention of opening his mouth when the two adults were talking about serious matters.
However, what they are talking about now really has nothing to do with him.
He is now only responsible for the salt issue. As for the number of soldiers in Qianhuang City and how much their salaries are, he has never asked about these things.
After receiving the salt from the prefectural government office, he immediately rushed back with his men.
The first life-saving skill for a subordinate is not to ask what you shouldn’t ask, and not to look at what you shouldn’t look at.
Magistrate Liu was stunned by the military salaries paid by Qianhuang City.
With such generous salaries, it's no wonder that so many soldiers could be gathered in such a short time.
If this news spread to Bailong City, the people there would probably cry and shout to join the army.
The key point is that you don’t have to fight in the war when you serve in the army, but you can still get so much salary. No one would be unwilling to do that.
Those soldiers who participated in the construction of the city wall were provided with daily meals and received salaries, which meant that both sides benefited.
Such a good thing is no different from pie falling from the sky.
Prefect Liu took a deep breath and said, "With so many, wouldn't Prefect Deng's warehouse be empty?"
"I don't think this will last long."
He was thinking of asking King Qianhuang for some relief food, but now he was not sure how to get it.
He estimated that the food in Qianhuang City would be gone soon, and by then they might have to ask him for more.
Thinking of this, Magistrate Liu felt a headache.
After all, King Qianhuang had never been a superior, so his move was a bit too generous.
This month's salary is equivalent to the soldiers' previous three or four months' salary.
"Your Excellency is worrying too much." Zhao Tongpan grinned.
"As far as I know, Qianhuang City is not short of food at all."
"There are far more wealthy and powerful families in Qianhuang City than in Bailong City."
"Those people are vying to show their respect to King Qianhuang."
"When I came back, I heard that both the Xie and Ma families requested an audience with King Qianhuang and sent him many treasures. The Ma family even sent their heirlooms."
"Oh!?" Prefect Liu's pupils trembled, and he looked at Zhao Tongpan in disbelief, "How could the Ma family be willing to do this?"
He was not surprised that the Xie and Ma families tried to please King Qianhuang, but what was surprising was that the Ma family was willing to give away their heirloom.
Judge Zhao looked at Qi Zhiyong and said, "You'll have to ask Master Qi about this. When Master Qi went to the prefectural government, both the Xie and Ma families were still there."
Qi Zhiyong, who was suddenly called, looked up and saw that the two adults were looking at him.
Qi Zhiyong pulled the corners of his lips nervously.
"Yes, when I went to get salt, King Qianhuang brought the Xie and Ma families with him."
Magistrate Liu's eyes lit up and he asked, "Have you seen how much salt is in the warehouse?"
Qi Zhiyong frowned slightly, "A full warehouse, probably over a million kilograms."
Prefect Liu, "!!!!"
Millions of kilograms of salt! !?
No wonder King Qianhuang gave him ten thousand kilograms of salt without hesitation.
It turns out that this little bit of salt is really nothing in the eyes of King Qianhuang.
Then he was no longer surprised as to why the Xie and Ma families were trying to curry favor with King Qianhuang.
Who wouldn’t want to take a bite of such a big piece of fat meat?
King Qianhuang has so much salt, it is impossible for him to keep it all for himself, so he must give it away.
The transportation capabilities and sales channels of the Xie and Ma families are among the best in these cities.
With their help in selling refined salt, King Qianhuang will surely make a fortune.
As for food and fodder, that was a piece of cake. The Xie family's stored grain was enough to support the military camp's consumption.
Thinking that the Xie and Ma families were both preparing to sell refined salt, Governor Liu's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
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