After staying in Anyang Prefecture for a few days, the matter of the silver mine was sent to the capital by express courier a few days earlier. The emperor quickly issued an edict to urgently conscript laborers to go to Potato Island to speed up the mining.
Because a new variety of potato was found on the island, the island was named 'Potato Island' by the stars. Speaking of potatoes, the emperor meant that they should all be sent to the capital by fast horses, so that the new variety of grain would naturally be in the emperor's hands.
All the stars on the surface were escorted back to the capital, but while on Potato Island, she had already asked Zhu Lin to collect some potatoes and store them in the Mustard Seed Space, so that they could be taken out and planted by her parents when they returned to Nanyang Prefecture.
The laborers sent to the mines were paid; they weren't working for free. Usually, laborers did their work for free. This time, it was Xingxing who suggested it. Potato Island is too far from the mainland, and there's always the possibility of Japanese or Koreans appearing. To motivate the people, it would be best to pay them some wages.
With the autumn harvest just around the corner, if the people are forced to mine and overseers have to whip them to work seriously, it will be a thankless task that will only lead to the loss of popular support and self-destruction.
Moreover, the current situation is that the Great Jin Dynasty needs to mine the mines as quickly as possible. The longer it is delayed, the more disadvantageous it will be. As the saying goes, "the longer the night, the more unforeseen the events." Both the East and Goryeo are eyeing the mines covetously. If the matter is not resolved quickly, there is a risk of further complications.
After reading the proposal in the letter from the eldest princess, the emperor hesitated for a long time. Since ancient times, the corvée labor of the people has always been forced by the court. They were only provided with food and never paid wages. There was never such a precedent.
If this mining operation breaks the precedent, then when there are large-scale projects in the future that require conscription, things will go wrong, the people will be unsettled, and the people will even try to steal their wages.
However, the princess said in her letter that this time the conscription was different. We were digging for silver and iron ore, which were all really good things. We wouldn't talk about the wages until we got to sea. She also told the people being conscripted that this was an exception, and there would be no more wages for the conscription afterward. This was a rare opportunity.
After much deliberation, the emperor finally adopted the princess's suggestion. After all, it was the princess who found the silver mine and the potatoes. Since the princess had personally pleaded for him, the emperor would give her face.
So when the able-bodied men, still trembling with fear and anxiety as they boarded the ship, heard the government say that this time their corvée labor would be paid, they were all incredulous, thinking it was a trick to make them happy.
"Don't overthink it, everyone. I'm telling the truth. This is a secret decree personally issued by His Majesty. Potato Island is very far away and the risks are high, so we need you to work hard and finish mining as soon as possible so we can return sooner. Once it's done, the court will definitely not treat you unfairly. Don't doubt it, everyone will definitely get their wages."
The person speaking at this moment was a trusted confidant sent by the Emperor, the commander of the Imperial Guards. He was naturally delighted to receive this assignment, as it involved a silver mine. The Emperor's entrustment of such an important task to him showed that the Emperor valued him.
Although this mission is dangerous, it will be a great achievement if it is accomplished, and a promotion and a fortune will be just around the corner.
This time, Zhao Mingyue did not go to sea. The mining work was handed over to the commander of the Imperial Guard from the capital. He couldn't wait to get rid of his work so that he could spend more time with his wife, children, and parents.
To say he has no ambition?
Zhao Mingyue didn't care. He didn't need too much money, just enough to get by. Besides, his parents-in-law didn't expect him to be ambitious. They just hoped he would treat Xiantao well and that the young couple would live a happy and peaceful life. That was what the elders hoped for.
So he felt no pressure. Zhang Xiantao didn't want him to become a general or commander, going on missions everywhere and rarely being home. Her mother was already pitiful, and she didn't want to follow in her mother's footsteps.
After returning to Anyang Prefecture, Xingxing personally went to see the people whose Achilles tendons had been severed that she had rescued. A few dozen tendons had been reattached, but the best time for treatment had been missed, so even though they were reattached, they still walked with a limp.
However, for those ordinary people, it is still fortunate that at least they can still stand up. Others, because of the long delay, can no longer have their Achilles tendons reattached and will have to rely on crutches to walk for the rest of their lives.
Xingxing felt that this wouldn't work. These people had difficulty walking and making a living. If their livelihood problems couldn't be solved, then there would be no point in rescuing them, and it would only add to their suffering.
"Princess, rest assured, I have already discussed this with the officials and have come up with a way to help these people make a living," the Prefect of Anyang said confidently.
Xingxing was somewhat surprised, not expecting the prefect to be so helpful. "Sir, tell me, what method have you found?"
The prefect smiled slightly, cupped his hands towards the capital, and said, "The Emperor's grace is boundless. In the past two years, the Great Jin Dynasty has been at peace, and the south is showing signs of prosperity... The coastal areas are rich in seafood, and in the past two years, thanks to our efforts, we have been selling fresh produce to the prefectural city. Business is very good."
The seafood sold is dried, so manpower is needed to make it. Originally, we were going to hire workers, but now that there is nowhere to put the rescued injured people, it is a good idea to let them make dried seafood, so we will not hire any more people.
Xingxing ignored the prefect's flattering remarks to the emperor at the beginning, focusing only on the latter half. Hearing that the people had been settled well, she felt relieved.
"When I return to the capital one day, I will definitely mention you to my father." Xingxing nodded in approval.
The prefect was overjoyed and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Princess."
A few days later, after seeing off the mining team, Xingxing and Zhulin went back to Nanyang Prefecture with Zhou Laoda and his wife. Zhang Xiantao carried the child all the way to the gate of the Prince's Mansion.
"Alright, stop seeing me off. Let's go back. It's windy outside today, be careful the child doesn't catch a cold." Xingxing waved her hand to stop her.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com