Yan Xiwen stayed in Huangtang Town for more than just two days.
The dead villagers had to be given pensions, and the families that had lost their prime labor force had to be included in the list of poor people. He was busy until the new county magistrate sent by the Ministry of Personnel took office, until the new county magistrate named Tang Congming, who was only in his twenties, came to Huangtang Town.
Sima Tao also came with County Magistrate Tang.
When Sima Tao arrived at Xiashan Village, he was devastated - it was too difficult!
This mountain road is too difficult to walk on!
The food here is really terrible!
While drinking white rice porridge, Sima Tao raised his eyes and looked at Yan Xiwen. Yan Xiwen ate with relish. This prime minister was able to adapt to the local customs and actually lived here for more than a month.
"Eat it. This is the condition here. Think about it this way. The villagers here have lived in this poor mountain valley for generations. They can't even afford white rice porridge. Why don't they come here too?"
Yan Xiwen picked up a piece of shredded radish with his chopsticks and said, "It's easy for people to go from frugality to extravagance, but it's hard to go from extravagance to frugality. But if you really fall into this situation, you have to endure eating grass roots and gnawing tree bark just to survive."
"So I called you in so you can see the situation here with your own eyes. Isn't our goal to improve the living conditions here?"
What could Sima Tao say?
According to his inner thoughts, he was definitely unwilling to invest a penny in this place, because it was very likely that he would be throwing away the dog with meat buns.
Although the administration of Yueshan and the two regions has been thoroughly cleansed and an unprecedented major reshuffle has taken place, the newly appointed officials will probably not dare to do anything crooked again, but investment not only needs to consider the political environment, the geographical environment is also very important!
"Izumo Mountain is so high that we can only carry things on our shoulders and backs. Even mules and horses can't walk... Prime Minister Yan, let's be honest, if it weren't for you..."
Sima Tao took a sip of the porridge, but it was too bland, so he put down his chopsticks.
"This mountain is so big, give me some people to hunt some game later."
Yan Xiwen laughed, "That's no problem. It's a deal then. Choose a place in Huangtang Town and invest thirty million taels of silver."
"Don't underestimate this place because it's so remote. I'm telling you, the road to Izumo Mountain will eventually be opened. Also, the climate in these mountains is mild, and mulberry trees grow really well. I think it's perfect for raising silkworms."
Sima Tao gave a bitter laugh and said, "Prime Minister Yan, if we want to build a textile workshop here and plant mulberry trees and raise silkworms, we must do so. But first we have to build a brick and tile factory. Otherwise, we won't even be able to buy bricks and tiles for the workshop."
"Besides, those machines and equipment need people to get in. You've given me a difficult problem! For the sake of the game, I'll find a place another day."
Yan Xiwen finished his porridge and put down his chopsticks. He said to Tang Congming, who was sitting nervously beside him, "Don't wait until another day. This afternoon, County Magistrate Tang will accompany you to find a suitable location."
"I obey your command!"
"County Magistrate Tang, are you fully aware of the situation in Qianshan County?"
Tang Congming was stunned and shook his head. "I just arrived in Qianshan County after receiving the transfer order from the Ministry of Personnel. When I heard that Prime Minister Yan was in Huangtang Town, I rushed here immediately. I haven't visited other places yet."
"You're a real man. I'm going back to Kyoto tomorrow. You have to curry favor with this God of Wealth. With his investment, the economy of Huangtang Town will be boosted. That's one aspect."
"There's another aspect. The Ministry of Revenue has shipped some sweet potatoes. You have to arrange for the entire Qianshan County to plant them. After this autumn harvest, I will have the Ministry of Revenue send us some rice seeds. Don't neglect anything related to agriculture."
"Qianshan County has been severely damaged by Zong Shiji, and the people are full of resentment. You will inevitably hear complaints from them during your visits, so you need to focus your attention on the people."
"Remember, the people are our bread and butter. No matter how much they complain, you must endure it and explain Daxia's policies to them. Use your actions to show them the sincerity of the Daxia government."
"The people should not be deceived. You should treat them with empathy and exchange your heart for theirs!"
Tang Congming couldn't eat the meal anymore. He stood up, took a step back and bowed, "Your subordinate will remember this!"
"Look, if you have the same respect for the people as you have for me, and you can treat what the people want as what I command, then you will be doing a good job as an official."
"The Emperor once said that officials contribute the least to Daxia. We serve everyone in Daxia. Officials can be disloyal to the Emperor, but they must be loyal to the people they govern. He said that such officials are good officials. Do you understand what he meant?"
Tang Congming was startled and said quickly, "Lord Yan, I am loyal to the emperor and the people under my rule!"
Yan Xiwen laughed and shook her head. "Of course this is the best. Let's eat. It will get cold soon."
…
…
Daxia Palace, Imperial Study.
Fu Xiaoguan is explaining to his son Wu Tianci the importance of a country's currency.
"You have to remember that currency is a double-edged sword! The amount of currency that can be printed does not depend on the amount of gold in the treasury!"
"It is closely related to the national economy. As the national economy fluctuates, monetary policy must be adjusted accordingly..."
At this moment, Liu Jin walked in. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, General Wei Wubing requests to see you!"
"Bring him in."
"I obey your command!"
Liu Jin turned and walked out. Fu Xiaoguan rubbed Wu Tianci's head and said, "That's all for today. Have you finished reading the account book?"
Wu Tianci looked up at his father and said, "Your Majesty, I have finished reading it."
"What about the homework Dad assigned you?"
"Your Majesty, please take a look."
Wu Tianci took out a piece of paper from his sleeve pocket and handed it to Fu Xiaoguan respectfully. This was the paper Fu Xiaoguan asked Wu Tianci to write a few days ago about how to open source.
"Well, Dad will take a look later."
Liu Jin walked in with Wei Wubing.
"Your Majesty, I, Wei Wubing, come to see you!"
Fu Xiaoguan made a pot of tea, looked at Wei Wubing, and said with a smile: "What, you have also learned to be polite to me?"
"No, I must be polite because my brother-in-law... he makes me lose face in front of Your Majesty!"
"Sit down. He's him and you're you. I won't try to implicate anyone, so what are you afraid of?"
Wei Wubing sat down and said, "I am afraid that the emperor will worry! Zong Shiji sent me two boxes of gold bars, which are on their way to the palace. I ran faster and arrived first."
"I'm glad you're back. It's not that you came back to show your loyalty to me, but I haven't seen you for a long time."
Fu Xiaoguan poured Wei Wubing a cup of tea and said, "Wei's shop, I still remember that place. Is your father Wei Changzheng in good health?"
"My father is fine."
"Still living in Weijiapu? Why don't you bring him to Chang'an?"
"He said he's used to living in the Weijia Shop. Also... Zong Shiji's parents, Zong Qian, the former magistrate of Baocheng County, also moved to the Weijia Shop. They said living in Baocheng was uncomfortable and that living in the Weijia Shop would be more comfortable."
"I remember him. Zong Shiji's father was a good official, but now he's being escorted to Chang'an... He must die because he mobilized the government troops and killed more than a dozen villagers. If Bai Yulian hadn't arrived in time, I'm afraid Yan Xiwen would have died in Xiashan Village too!"
Wei Wubing was shocked. He knew that Zong Shiji would definitely die, but he didn't expect that Zong Shiji would dare to do such a heaven-defying thing.
"Unexpected, right? Actually, I didn't expect it either. You say...how could that once ambitious scholar become so mad and heartless?"
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