Great Qin had a prosperous age

Chapter 482: I can’t afford to support prisoners anymore (please give me a monthly recommendation ticket!)
In Xianyang Palace, beside the black palace wall, there are many Lang Wei wearing white feather crowns.

The long palace walls are surrounded by one layer and form a square.

In front of the Zhangtai Palace in Fusu, there are twelve golden figures set up by the first emperor Qin Shihuang.

This golden man is three feet tall, and anyone smaller than him is as tall as a thousand stones.

Each golden man is dressed according to the attire of a warrior of the Great Qin Dynasty, with a long sword at his waist.

The world has not yet shed the bleakness of winter, and you can even see snow trails on the top of the distant mountains.

This is a good time to hunt because the animals have no way to cover themselves.

From a close look, millions of houses in Xianyang city are crawling under his feet. From a distance, he can see that the mountains are desolate and cold.

Xiao He wore fine court clothes and waited for the emperor to arrive in front of Zhangtai Palace.

The sun's rays did not shine directly on Xiao He, but were blocked by the twelve golden figures.

Facing the rays of the sun, these twelve golden figures, with their unsheathed copper swords shining brightly, their eyes also come alive.

Xiao He has seen these twelve golden figures before, but before he could only look up at them, but now he can appreciate them openly.

While admiring it, Xiao He couldn't help but think of the misery of the people all over the world.He is now well-off and well-fed, but he has not forgotten that there are still many people in the world who are not fully clothed and do not have enough to eat.

In this way, Xiao He just felt that he should not wear this gorgeous outfit today, at least it looked awkward to him.

In the main hall, a man was kneeling in front of Fusu.

This man has a tall figure, thin cheeks, slightly raised cheekbones, and sunken eyes that exude a fierce aura.

He knelt before the emperor, his lips pressed into a straight line.

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"If we can't complete it in one year, we need to add another year? It makes no sense."

Fusu was naturally indignant about this.

"My incompetence has disappointed His Majesty. However, this drawing is the result of the lifelong efforts of the late Emperor and the late Prime Minister, Ting Wei Li Si, and Prime Minister Feng personally presided over and took charge of this matter, in order to complete it completely in accordance with the wishes of His Majesty the First Emperor." tomb."

In fact, when Ying Zheng went to the tomb, it was a bit hasty. Later, Zhang Han also did a lot of digging of new tombs to bury the tombs, not to mention taking anti-theft measures.

All in all, the tomb is not only unfinished, but will also take more time.

Fusu naturally frowned at this, because building the mausoleum would have a huge impact on the entire empire.

"The Prime Minister is here."

The visitor hurriedly went out, but as soon as he went out, he saw Xiao He crying.

The visitor was naturally frightened. This was something that was very close to His Majesty's heart. The Emperor wished he could live in the palace every day and tell His Majesty the sufferings of the people in the world.

Why did he burst into tears when he arrived in front of the palace?

"What's going on, Sheriff Xiao? Could it be that you've been waiting outside for a long time? I'm going to ask your Majesty for instructions to have the Sheriff wait in the side hall."

Xiao He just lamented about his life.

"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. It's just that it's windy outside and I'm confused."

The visitor, who has seen many nobles, saw Xiao He's teary eyes, and naturally thought of the evaluation of him by the dignitaries in the court. This person did not seem to be in the same class as them.

Although he was wearing court clothes today, he still didn't look gorgeous, let alone noble.

This country bumpkin~
I will always be unconvinced, but I still have good words to persuade.

The visitor ordered Fu'er to stand next to Xiao He and said:
"Mr. Xiao, Zhangtai is an important place in the palace. It is a place where His Majesty the Emperor and important ministers discuss world affairs. The governor must not lose his manners here, it will hurt face."

This visitor's surname is Chen Mingyuan, and he has been serving the new emperor personally for a year.

The most difficult thing for Your Majesty right now is that the treasury resources are insufficient to manage. Today, Zhang Han not only came to ask His Majesty the Emperor for an extension, but also begged His Majesty the Emperor to allocate more expenses to him. His Majesty was naturally angry.

Therefore, Chen Yuan did not dare to disturb the emperor with such trivial matters. He took it upon himself to take Xiao He to the side hall because it was a little cold outside.

After the matter was settled, Chen Yuan walked quickly to the Prime Minister's residence.

No one cared why Xiao He was crying.

Of course, Xiao He knew it himself.

He cried for himself, for the officials and people in the world, and for the injustice of the world.

The rich have nowhere to stand, and the poor have no place to stand.

This has been happening since ancient times.

When Xiao He came into contact with the nobles, he realized the truth that birth determines everything.

Xiao He looked at these twelve golden people with infinite emotion in his heart.

Because he knows where these twelve golden people came from.

In the eyes of people in high positions and with prominent status, this is a symbol of the majesty and momentum of the empire, but in the eyes of Xiao He, a commoner born, these twelve golden people were dug out by the common people with shovels. You can only dig until you are exhausted, until your bones are destroyed.

What shocked Xiao He even more was that he suddenly discovered that the so-called aristocratic class was actually not that great.

At least, based on his current contacts, many of these nobles are arrogant, extravagant and careless people who don't think about cultivating their bodies and medical skills.

The so-called clan is nothing special.

As a commoner, the awe I had for the nobles since I was born suddenly disappeared.

Now look at the six countries, it can be said that there are many people who have lost their country because of their clan's immorality.

The so-called difference between high and low lies only in birth, but it is not irreversible.

Xiao He was sitting in the side hall waiting, and vaguely heard the second son in the main hall talking about the treasury with the young master Zhang Han.

Zhang Han is the Shaofu and is in charge of the treasury.

He was responsible for the construction of the imperial mausoleum and all the scheduling in the palace.

The emperor is now very urgent to complete the construction of the imperial mausoleum. That is because supporting 70 prisoners in the court requires a lot of food and shelter.

Not only that, the security inspection of 70 prisoners is also a big problem.

Not to mention the financial resources spent on the items buried with the tomb.

All of this naturally has its origin. His Majesty the Emperor expanded the scope of Guanzhong and generally reduced taxes in the lands of Han, Wei, and Zhao. This resulted in the resources originally needed in Guanzhong being obtained from the people of the six countries. But it's different now.

The emperor re-demarcated Guanzhong. The counties and counties under the emperor's rule were all Guanzhong, and the areas under the jurisdiction of the princes and kings were each divided into one area.

As a result, the tax sources of North Korea and China have been greatly reduced.

Originally, the previous emperor of the Great Qin Empire made seven eastward tours and overhauled the palaces and mausoleums, all of which naturally consumed a lot of financial resources.

Qin's treasury was easily empty, and everything needed funds. Where did these funds come from? Naturally, local taxes were collected.

So His Majesty is very stretched now.

"You are asking me to empty out my treasury to complete the late emperor's mausoleum. And continuing to build the mausoleum means that I will continue to support 70 prisoners."

"Your Majesty, forgive me! The late emperor conquered all directions and made immortal contributions during his lifetime. Now, the matters after his death must be completed in accordance with your majesty's long-cherished wish."

"I understand what you mean. After the late Emperor wanted to sleep underground, he still wanted to be the lord of the world, with thousands of troops and horses. But now, a year has passed, and your pottery figurines with thousands of troops and horses have exceeded the number. It’s even worse.”

"Otherwise, the pit chamber specified by His Majesty cannot be filled."

Zhang Han thought for a while and added:
"Your Majesty—this is what happened after His Majesty's death. This tomb has been repaired since the late Emperor became king. Although it has not yet been completed, everyone in the world knows about it. Now Your Majesty should follow the late Emperor's wishes. Complete the construction of the mausoleum well, so that you can show your filial piety to the people of the world."

"Do you think that I am only thinking about saving money, so I have to fiddle with the completion of the late emperor's mausoleum?"

After hearing this, Zhang Han naturally nodded and bowed.

"Your Majesty, this is not what I meant. I just want to remind your Majesty that if the final completion of this tomb is not in line with the late emperor's wishes, then your majesty may be wronged in front of the former emperor's veterans."

"What's wrong?"

The Second Emperor had already received the news, and some of his uncles and princes were very dissatisfied with his coming to power.The first reason is that he distributed the frontiers to the princes, and did not benefit those old princes; All of them aroused criticism from some high officials in the DPRK.

"I know that at this time today, outside the palace, many important ministers of the late emperor gathered together to discuss my faults."

Zhang Han looked solemn and just lowered his head.

"Your Majesty is thinking about the Qin country. I understand. But is your Majesty too hasty in this matter?"

Fusu snorted coldly.

"If I hadn't been in a hurry, half of my world would have been divided up by the clans of the subjugated country. I would not only have to fight those clans of the Six Kingdoms, but also the old ministers of the late emperor."

Just Meng Tian, ​​it took him a lot of effort to stabilize him in Xianyang.

"Zhang Han, looking at the court, you are actually quite young. Are you thinking the same thing as the late emperor's old ministers? Do you think that my reform of the law and Confucianism are forgetting our ancestors?"

Fusu asked casually, but Zhang Han didn't dare to reply easily.

Fusu read Zhang Han's newly reported accounts and threw them on the lacquer table.

Zhang Han trembled in his heart with the sound of the memorial notes falling heavily on the lacquer table.

"Although this matter is against the ancient system, as far as I know, there are many knowledgeable people in the court who support your Majesty. I have always known your Majesty's thoughts. If you want to win over the people of the world, now you can only rely on taxation, culture and education. Only by taking a two-pronged approach can we appease the people of the world."

tax……

"The original intention of lowering taxes is to allow those ordinary people to have enough food and clothing, so they are grateful for my kindness. And culture and education are just another means by me."

Fusu suddenly concentrated:

"What you just said is right. I should indeed complete the construction of the mausoleum for the late emperor. But since the tax has been reduced, I cannot break my promise. I will not increase the tax for at least five years."

Zhang Han couldn't help but frown:

"Your Majesty is determined and committed to the rule of Yao and Shun. Although this move is beneficial to the stability of the world. But if this is the case, how can your Majesty's treasury be sufficient?"

"My father, the First Emperor, created an unprecedented world. If I want to protect these thousands of miles of mountains and rivers myself, and let future generations also be able to protect these thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, I not only need to make some changes, but also need to set an example for future generations. .”

"You really can't be lazy about the late emperor's mausoleum. You must complete this matter in accordance with the late emperor's orders. As for the assets, I will release the maids in the palace early and return them to their hometowns in accordance with the previous agreement."

"Anyone who was not lucky enough to be the concubine of the late emperor will also be expelled from the palace."

Zhang Han was shocked when he heard it. His eyes widened and he couldn't say a word for a long time.

"As for your prisoners, how many can be dispersed now?"

Sealing the tomb requires time and money. At this time, having too many people is not a good thing.

"I thought we could disperse 30."

Fusu thought about it.

"40, I will release them to Zhao."

Zhang Han was even more surprised after hearing this:
"Zhao Di? Isn't this funding Zhao Di to make it stronger?"

"What about the land of Yan and Zhao? There are so many generous and tragic people. Now I want these prisoners to settle down in Zhao. Let's see how these generous people will use what I have done to lament? Moreover, I, Qin, attacked Zhao State back then. , a total of millions of Zhao people were killed. Now releasing 40 prisoners and restoring their status as Qi citizens can be regarded as filling the vacancies in Zhao land, allowing them to start families and start businesses, open up wasteland, and increase food production. Otherwise, It is difficult to supply food and grass for the war in the north."

Zhang Han naturally admired the emperor after hearing this.

Who says His Majesty the Emperor doesn't know how to govern? To him, His Majesty the Emperor is very familiar with everything.

"Your Majesty's two actions demonstrate your benevolence and can completely block the criticism of Your Majesty from the public."

Fusu looked at Zhang Han slightly.

"Stop boasting about me. If you have the ability, please help me reduce the cost of building this mausoleum. Do you know why the late emperor abolished the military merit system? It was precisely because we, the Qin Dynasty, had millions of soldiers and could not support ourselves. "

Fusu thought about using the government army system, but if this system is established now, he is afraid that it will make the situation even more chaotic.

Zhang Han nodded:

"Such a thoughtful arrangement, your Majesty must have taken a lot of trouble."

Fusu thought to himself: In my world, if I don’t care, who will?
"Okay, you go and finish these two things and then come back."

Zhang Han bowed:

"only!"

Zhang Han stood up and retreated.

When leaving the main hall, his steps were vigorous and agile, making the second generation look at him and make a sound for a while.

Zhang Han can wear armor. He is a general to begin with, and a general who is as talented in both civil and military affairs as Meng Tian.

"Your Majesty, the Sheriff of Nanjun has been waiting for a long time."

"Xuan-"

After a while, Xiao He walked up to Fusu.

"I pay respects to Your Majesty."

"why are you crying?"

"I just saw the twelve golden men shining under the light, very dazzling, so I burst into tears."

Fusu frowned slightly, and then looked at his court uniform again.

"This court uniform was given to you by the Prime Minister's order?"

"Exactly."

"I heard that the Prime Minister hosted a banquet for you a few days ago and invited the three nobles and nine ministers."

"Exactly."

Fusu reprimanded him and said:
"Neither fish nor fowl! You are the county guard. If you are not going to court, you don't need to wear court clothes. Now when you come to see me, you can just wear official clothes."

"The Prime Minister warned me that I am Your Majesty's minister, and all my words and deeds must follow His Majesty's example. Now that I am dressed in simple clothes, I cannot show His Majesty's majesty outside, and I am in vain as the guardian of a county."

(I wrote about the court before, but now I can write about the social atmosphere of the Qin State at that time.

The thinking of ancient people and people of today are very different.

I have written about their sexual concepts for you before. This is actually a manifestation of the open-mindedness of Chinese people in ancient times. I hope you will not always think wrongly.

Next, I will describe the social mentality of the Qin, Han and Tang Dynasties.The ancient people's views on life and death, their values, and their values ​​are very different from those of today's people. )
(End of this chapter)