Outside Xianyang City, dozens of miles northeast, lies Fuping County.
Winter has passed, spring plowing has ended, and the annual corvee has begun again. The atmosphere in every house from the county to the village is very dull.
As a parent, it is the most difficult choice to choose a boy in the family. The palms and backs of your hands are full of flesh.
And the kids are praying not to be chosen.
In previous years, the mountains were high and the roads were long, and out of ten people who went there might not come back more than one or two. Even those who could come back often suffered from serious illness, their bodies almost collapsed, and they would die soon after.
Although the water conservancy project and the Chi Road are being built this year, which are nearby, but according to the habits of those officials, they won’t have enough to eat, and they have to catch up on the construction projects, which may lead to a narrow escape from death.
Zhao Shan followed the official with a grimace. Apart from his wife and children, he was the only male in their family, so he could only come to serve.
He didn't dare to run away, otherwise the neighbors would catch him back. Da Qin's continuous sitting system was too ruthless.
Thinking about his infant child, Zhao Shan felt desolate. If he died, what would the orphans and widowers do? You will definitely be eaten out!
"Brothers, hurry up. We will have a full meal at the 'construction site' in the evening. If anyone is uncomfortable, tell me. There are doctors and medicines in the carriage behind!" Although the official was holding a knife, his tone was unprecedented. polite.
Zhao Shan and others were a little strange, but they still speeded up. The politeness of others may be due to their good tempers. If they were to show off, they would experience the disadvantages of the officer's knife.
However, are you full? Zhao Shan and others swallowed.
Daqin has two types of land rent tax and oral money (head tax), which together account for almost half of the income of a normal farmer who works hard to cultivate the land for a year.
And he is the only labor force in his family. After paying taxes, the family has less food. Sometimes he can only eat two thin meals a day, the kind that are crystal clear. Having a full meal is a luxury for him. matter.
In the evening, Zhao Shan and others hurried to the construction site mentioned by the official. On the way, a little guy fell into a coma and was actually brought over in a carriage.
When we arrived at the construction site, wooden houses had been built, with 10 people per room. Basically, people in a village or county were living separately, probably because they were afraid that acquaintances would get together and mutiny.
After receiving a clean mattress and "work clothes", Zhao Shan was stunned. His life at home was not so good. After that, they queued up for dinner. Each person had a large wheat pancake and a bowl of hot soup. Zhao Shan cried while eating.
There was salt in the pancake, and the soup was a little oily. He hadn't eaten such good food in a long time.
"Listen up, everyone. You are all my subjects of Great Qin. Your majesty is benevolent. In this corvee, each of you will eat two dry meals a day. If you perform well, you will be given extra meat!
If someone is feeling unwell, notify the guard in time. There are doctors at the construction site who will help you see a doctor. Those who cannot be cured will also be sent to Xianyang for diagnosis and treatment by more skilled doctors. "
"By the way, each of you will get one copper per day during the corvee period. That team will make faster progress, and those with higher quality will get double their wages!"
"Bring you here well and send you back intact. This is His Majesty's request! Of course, if you are cheating, don't blame Qin Fa for being ruthless!" A man wearing a black robe and a high hat It seemed to be an official, holding a strange tool and shouting loudly.
Two meals of dry food, and still have money for it? Hearing this, Zhao Shan couldn't bear it anymore and knelt down facing Xianyang.
"Long live your Majesty!"
Immediately, as if they had made an appointment, everyone knelt down to Xianyang and bowed three times.
"Long live your Majesty, long live your Majesty!"
Since ancient times, many ordinary farmers have really small dreams. They are very satisfied if they can have enough food and live well. If they can marry a wife and have children, it will be great happiness.
But some people just want to destroy it all for their own ambition or greed.
...
In Xianyang Palace, Gao Yao took Xiaoyue to find the chief eunuch.
"Brother Zhao, look, I leave my sister's affairs to you!" Gao Yao asked after explaining the situation to the manager.
The chief manager thought for a moment and smiled, "This is a small matter. Your brother Gao Xian's sister is my sister. In this way, I will first arrange for her to serve in Concubine Li's Heart Cultivation Palace, and she will wait for a while before promoting her."
"Li Fei? How do you arrange where to go?" Gao Yao was stunned. Isn't that Yi Xiaochuan's lover?
The steward looked around to make sure there was no one around and said, "Brother Gao Xian, your Majesty often stays at the Yangxin Hall recently and has given many rewards. Moreover, according to the servants, Concubine Li has a good temper, treats the servants and maids kindly, and never does anything wrong. punish."
Gao nodded, that was indeed a good place. He has also noticed in the past few days that Xiaoyue is timid and easily bullied, so a place like this is just right for her.
"Thank you so much, Brother Zhao! Xiaoyue, thank you very much!" Gao Yao gave Xiaoyue a look.
Xiaoyue quickly squatted slightly and saluted: "Thank you, Manager Zhao!"
"Hey, what do you call me the general manager? If we meet outsiders, from now on Xiaoyue will call me Brother Zhao just like Gao Xiandi, hahaha!" the big general manager said with a smile.
In this interpersonal relationship, you help me and I help you. He could see that, given His Majesty's fancy for Gao Yao, his career was not far away and it was the right time to invest.
"From now on, Brother Zhao's affairs will be my business. If I have something to do, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!" Gao Yao promised, patting his chest. He has always been a man who respects others as much as he respects him.
"Okay! Come on, Gao Xiandi, cheers!"
"Dry."
Xiaoyue next to her silently poured wine for her two brothers, her mood suddenly brightened. No one in the palace could bully her anymore!
That’s great, bro!
...
Outside Xianyang City, there is a dense forest.
Xiang Yu led a group of people to secretly observe the newly built concrete track at the foot of the mountain, feeling a little confused.
Why is there such a thing in this world? It was originally water, and then poured onto the ground. It dried up in a few days and became a road. The key is that this road is indestructible and smooth as a mirror.
Even if he holds a hundred-pound spear, it will take some effort to destroy a section of the cement road. The key is to waste weapons and a lot of strength. He can just turn around and pour a little cement to smooth it out.
Is this reasonable?
They can imagine that if this kind of road spreads in Da Qin, Da Qin's military formation can support any part of Da Qin in a short time, so how can they rebel?
Xiang Yu clenched his fists as he recalled the scene where he had seen the First Emperor traveling by car and being escorted by hundreds of officials and welcomed by the people.
Although there are three households in Chu, if Qin is destroyed, Chu will definitely take its place.
"Cement, cement! That's right!" Xiang Yu suddenly remembered that Brother Ogawa had said last time that he knew how to construct the cement, so would he also know how to destroy the road?
Half a day later, Yi Xiaochuan was found.
Xiang Yu stepped forward and held Yi Xiaochuan's shoulders: "Brother Xiaochuan, we have worshiped each other, and we have shared blessings and hardships. I have encountered a big difficulty now and need your help."
Yi Xiaochuan nodded seriously: "You said?"
Xiang Yu then pointed to the concrete road over there: "I want to know how to quickly destroy this road."
Yi Xiaochuan was stunned and fell into deep thought. It seems that this thing can be destroyed at will with only explosives, right? But if he explains the method of explosives now, and the First Emperor dies of illness in the future, will the Chu Kingdom dominate the world?
After all, explosives are so powerful that no tactics of war seem to work, they just push them all the way.
After thinking for a while, Yi Xiaochuan decided to hide it, and said with a confident smile: "I know that eldest brother has the world in mind, so there is no need to worry about the construction of Chidao. Have you seen those farmers working hard?"
"Under the tyranny of the Qin Dynasty, these farmers almost died every time they were forced to do corvée work. They were already dissatisfied and their hostility was building up. No one dared to touch Ying Zheng while he was still alive, but his sudden death will definitely cause a riot in the world as long as there is a little guidance."
Xiang Yu was stunned: "But Ying Zheng was only 40 years old, at the peak of the Spring and Autumn Period, how could he die suddenly? There are also those civilian husbands who are serving, I see them smiling very happily!"
When Yi Xiaochuan heard this, he looked carefully at the people building the road. They were all smiling and working harder than the other.
Really, what is going on?
He raised his head and looked at Xiang Yu, looking at each other in confusion. Are these people sick? What fun is there in working!
Half an hour later, the subordinates came back to inquire about the situation, and only then did everyone learn about the treatment of these farmers. They have food, drink, free clothes, bedding, and a place to live. They also have money. They even get extra money and meat if they behave well. When they are sick, they can rest and see a doctor.
Those subordinates who followed Xiang Yu were a little jealous when they heard this treatment. Are there any other places to recruit people? They all wanted to do it.
Yi Xiaochuan was also stunned, what's the matter with such good treatment?
Impossible. As far as he knew, the First Emperor knew that his health was getting worse and worse. He should have been engaged in military warfare in recent years, hoping to lay an unshakable foundation for future generations in a few years.
Is it unreasonable to slowly support the people now?
Could it be that the First Emperor is in good health? Yi Xiaochuan was a little panicked for a moment.
No, you need to find someone to confirm.
...
In Xianyang Palace, Ying Zheng painfully signed to confirm the huge expenses for the dining room, and then continued to handle official duties.
The chief manager hurried over and said, "Your Majesty, during the inventory in warehouse No. 4 today, there is one missing deep sea night pearl."
Ying Zheng nodded: "Have you found out who did it?"
Da Qin is rich all over the world, and the lack of one treasure is nothing to him. But if that person dares to take his Night Pearl today, will he dare to take his life tomorrow?
"My servant asked Hei Bingtai to check it. I only found this in the warehouse. There is no other trace. Judging from the dust inside, it should have been missing for a while." The chief manager took out a strange object from his arms.
Ying Zheng took a closer look and saw that it turned out to be a pulley. He thought about it and said, "Go and make an edict. From now on, all food, drink, and entertainment in Xianyang Palace will belong to Tmall."
After the edict is written, go and show it to Tmall. After he presses his paw prints to confirm, you can tell him about Ye Mingzhu. "
"Just say that some villain is so bold that he dares to steal his things!"
When the chief manager heard this, he hesitated to speak, and finally nodded: "No!"
"Your Majesty, there is one more thing!"
"speak."
"The construction of the Chidao outside Xianyang City went smoothly in the early days. Except for some accidents, there were very few casualties among the civilians. But recently, an unknown force appeared, often taking advantage of the night to destroy the solidifying Chidao. Should we send Heibingtai to investigate. "
"check!"
"promise!"
Ying Zheng suddenly thought of a good idea: "Recently, I have been buying some live birds from folk hunters and raising them well."
"No!" The steward hesitated: "Your Majesty, can it be any bird?"
"The one who flies fast! The one who is good at concealment."
"promise!"
"By the way, how is Gao Yao's recent study of Qin Law?" Ying Zheng suddenly asked.
The general manager quickly replied: "My servant asked Gao Yao to study under Prime Minister Li Si. I asked the Prime Minister yesterday when I went to court. Gao Yao has made rapid progress in his studies. Now he can memorize Qin's laws by heart."
"It's the Analects of Confucius. Gao Yaofei said that his understanding was correct, and he would not listen to what others said." The manager hesitated for a moment when he said this, but he was a member of Ying Zheng, and loyalty was the first factor.
"Haha~" Ying Zheng laughed: "Don't worry about the Analects of Confucius. In this way, when you go to announce the edict to Tmall, tell Gao Yao by the way that you have studied more recently, and I will reuse him in a few days."
"promise!"
"Okay, let's get down!" Ying Zheng waved his hand and continued to give instructions on the official letter submitted today.
Recently, various government agencies have begun to popularize paper. Those officials find that writing on paper is much easier than bamboo slips. Then each of them is afraid that others will not know that he has literary talent and can write hundreds or even thousands of words on a small matter.
It seems that he takes great pains to watch!
He has decided to order that all official intelligence in the future should not exceed 300 words! Otherwise, he would not be able to see all the affairs of the counties and counties in the world in one day.
...
In the dining room, Gao Yao was carefully preparing Ying Zheng's dinner, while Miao Le was squatting next to him, thinking seriously.
What should we eat tonight? I heard that a new batch of wet nurses have come into the palace. They are very fresh. They are not even ten years old and they don’t know what the taste is.
"Brother Gao Xian, are you busy?" The chief steward, wearing a black robe and a high hat, walked in with a pleasant look.
"Brother Zhao, here you go, let's make it. I just invented a new dish, please try it!" Gao Yao didn't care at all. As a modern man, he didn't suffer much when he came to ancient times and was taken care of by Master Le. I don't realize what superiority and inferiority mean.
The chief manager doesn't mind either. After all, Jian is in the emperor's heart. When he retires when he gets old, he may have to rely on brother Gao Xian to take care of him.
"Okay, let's try Gao Xiandi's craftsmanship!" The chief manager has also been here many times and sat down next to Le Ye without any courtesy.
He knew that if Tmall wasn't enjoying a massage from the ladies in the harem, he would definitely be looking for food at Gao Xiandi's place.
To be honest, he was envious of Tmall and cried. It was so comfortable.
Taking out an edict and placing it next to Tmall, the steward said in a flattering tone: "Your Majesty Tmall, this is your majesty's personal promise to you."
Then go have a sip of fresh milk! Miao Le made up his mind, and when he came to his senses, he saw the big gift given to him by the No. 2 shoveler.
Humph, he thought money could buy his dignity?
Miao Le pressed the cat's paw print casually.
Look at the right cat!
After seeing Tmall confirming the acceptance, the manager smiled and said: "I want Your Majesty to know that a deep-sea luminous pearl has been lost in your treasure house recently. The luminous pearl is as big as a slave's fist."
"Meow!"
Be bold! That bitch dared to touch my Le Ye’s things!
With a whoosh, Miao Le became furious and rushed out.
He wanted to see who dared to be so blind!
The steward smiled. As expected, His Majesty knows cats well.
"Dinner is ready! Let's eat." Gao Yao came over with the dishes and found that Le Ye was missing. Don't take it seriously, as long as you are in the palace, Le Ye will not be hungry.
Some time ago, because he went to Li Si's house to learn Qin law and didn't cook at night, Le Ye had to eat at a talented person's place for three days, making the talented person cry from hunger.
In the end, Ying Zheng heard about the situation and personally brought him back.
"Brother Gao Yao, I came to see you today because I need your help with a personal matter." The manager said in a low voice.
.....
