Emperor Qin shook his head. This was a typical example of a bad harvest, so he had to make up the quantity.
"Over the years, the imperial court has been encouraging people to open up wasteland, but it has only been a drop in the bucket. Should we increase our efforts?"
Li Yi suddenly felt a little embarrassed. It was so difficult to open up wasteland. If it was not done well, it would arouse public anger.
I would like to ask, how can we not feel resentful that the common people have worked so hard to open up large areas of wasteland but have failed to harvest anything?
He doesn't dare to take the blame!
"It seems that the Prime Minister has no better way."
As he said that, Emperor Qin looked at the other ministers and asked, "Do you have any good ideas?"
The ministers bowed their heads and said nothing. There were many methods, but none of them could solve the fundamental problem.
I'm afraid if I speak of this matter again, I'm afraid it will offend the emperor, so it's better not to speak of it.
"Alas, as ministers of the Zhu Kingdom, none of you can solve the drought problem."
Emperor Qin sighed in disappointment, so many people were not as good as a fourteen-year-old boy.
"I am ashamed."
Everyone felt their faces were hot and ashamed.
"I have a way to solve the drought problem."
What?
The ministers looked stunned, as if they doubted their ears.
"Your Majesty said there is a way to solve the drought problem?"
Li Yi asked cautiously.
He now wondered if he was too old and his ears were not working properly.
"Yes, I have thought of a way to completely solve the drought problem." Emperor Qin nodded firmly.
"I wonder what solution your Majesty has thought of?"
Li Yi was a little surprised and asked.
"I plan to dig a canal from the Yu River to divert water to the north."
"this……"
Everyone was stunned and their minds went blank.
How dare you think of digging a canal from the Yujiang River.
How can we support the current national power of Da Qin?
This is even more unreliable than opening up wasteland!
For a moment, all the ministers' eyes flashed with concern.
Could it be that the recent famine has made the emperor a little confused?
"Your Majesty, this method is very good. This way, you no longer have to worry about severe drought." Liu Ji stood up and agreed.
"But..." He changed his words, glanced at Emperor Qin, and said bravely: "Yujiang is too far from the north. With the current national strength of Great Qin, I am afraid...it will be difficult to succeed."
"No, I think this canal can be successful."
As soon as he finished speaking, Emperor Qin retorted firmly.
At this time, other ministers could no longer stand and hurriedly spoke out to advise.
"Your Majesty, this method is inappropriate. Once the excavation is completed, if it is abandoned halfway, it will make matters worse for our Great Qin."
"Yes, Your Majesty, canals cannot be dug."
"Your Majesty, the money in the national treasury is simply not enough to support this. I hope your Majesty will think again."
"Your Majesty, this law wastes people and money!"
"stop."
Emperor Qin couldn't help but shouted to stop when he heard the chaotic sounds.
In an instant, the entire hall was silent, and all the adults looked at him eagerly, as if they were conveying something through their eyes.
"I must dig this canal. Only in this way can we completely solve the problem of severe drought."
Li Yi and others were almost crying. What kind of stimulation did the emperor have? Why did he have to dig the canal and commit such an act of chaos to the country?
"His Majesty……"
"Okay, listen to me." Emperor Qin waved his hands to interrupt with a displeased expression. Before he could finish his words, these ministers looked like they wanted to cause chaos in the world.
The ministers immediately shut up and looked at him in fear.
"The canal is a policy that benefits the country."
A strategy to benefit the country?
Are you sure it's not a plan to subjugate the country?
Everyone secretly cursed in their hearts.
"First of all, not only can it solve the problem of severe drought, but it can also open up a connection between the north and the south, making transportation faster and conducive to merchants from the northern and southern clans."
"Secondly, after the canal is opened, the navy can be trained. By then our Daqin will soon have a powerful navy, so that we will not be helpless against Daqian."
"Moreover, after the canal is opened, it will benefit all people and all generations. It will stabilize our country and the country of Qin and gather the hearts of all people."
The doubtful look in the ministers' eyes gradually disappeared, and a thoughtful expression appeared on their faces.
Emperor Qin glanced at them and continued: "As for the issue of money and national strength, I can think of three ways."
"The first one is to mobilize corvee slaves to dig."
"Second, I plan to build an eternal monument."
"Your Majesty, what is the Eternal Monument?" Li Yi subconsciously asked out of curiosity.
Emperor Qin gave him a dissatisfied look: "Don't interrupt, I haven't finished speaking yet."
"Your Majesty, forgive me."
Emperor Qin waved his hand: "The Eternal Monument is here. Anyone who donates tribute to the excavation of the canal can leave their name on the monument, which will be remembered throughout the ages."
After saying that, he suppressed their excited expressions and said: "The last way is to use work as relief and let the victims dig. This will reduce their laziness and make money with their own labor. Secondly, the court will also By reducing the burden, those affected by the disaster can completely rely on themselves."
"What a monument to eternity, using work in place of relief. This is really a strategy that benefits the country."
"Your Majesty is wise. This will reduce many difficulties in digging the canal."
"Yes, after all, the canal issue did not happen overnight. We have time to relax."
"That's great. Not only will the drought problem be solved, but it will also enhance the national strength of our Great Qin."
"Your Majesty, this is a good idea. I second my opinion."
"I also second the proposal..."
As soon as Emperor Qin finished speaking, there was a "buzz" in the hall, and excited voices of approval instantly sounded.
Emperor Qin looked at them with disgust: "Then this matter is settled. The Prime Minister is solely responsible for this matter. Other ministers will assist from the side. Don't slack off and measure the excavation route as soon as possible."
There was something strange in Li Yi's eyes, and he cupped his hands and said, "No."
"promise."
Other ministers also responded in unison.
Soon the news that the imperial court was going to dig and divert water from the Yujiang River to solve the severe drought spread throughout the Qin capital.
Everyone was talking about it for a while, and the entire court started to move, making various preparations for the start of work in the coming year.
On this day, Qin Heng was summoned to the palace early in the morning.
Qin Heng was pushed into the hall wearing a thick fleece jacket. His white hair and pale and delicate face made him look somewhat handsome.
"My son, I pay my respects to my father."
"Hurry and put the stove next to the Eighth Prince."
When Emperor Qin saw this, he quickly felt distressed.
"promise."
A chamberlain eunuch carefully took the stove.
"My dear father, I thank you."
Qin Heng did not refuse. It was too cold today and his face felt stiff.
"In the future, when entering the palace, don't park your car outside the inner palace gate, and drive in directly."
Emperor Qin said in a reproachful tone.
"Yes, Father."
Qin Heng smiled bitterly, knowing that his father felt sorry for him.
"Eighth Prince, drink some hot tea."
Zhao Gan came over with a bowl of hot ginseng tea from the side.
When it comes to Qin Heng, he doesn't dare to slack off. After serving Emperor Qin for decades, it can be said that no one understands him better than him.
He could tell that among these princes, the emperor's favorite was the eighth prince in front of him.
Therefore, he doesn't mind building a good impression in front of Qin Heng.
