Ying Xiaozheng didn't get an answer.
Or rather, he didn't want to know the answer.
After Xue Ji woke up, she did not leave with Zhu Xiang.
She told Zhu Xiang that she still needed to stay in Wujun to do some work.
The largest number of refugees from the Chu State came here. Although the government had already prepared food for relief, Xue Ji believed that more could be done.
There is a lot of cotton cloth in stock now. Although the Chu people have already regarded cotton cloth as waste, cotton cloth itself is the "clothing" in "food and clothing" and will never become waste.
Now that the weaving workshops would not be fully operational, the weavers had some free time. Xue Ji would gather them to weave clothes out of cotton cloth and sell them at the market in exchange for food and other daily necessities from the locals.
Although the people of Wu County could buy cotton cloth and take it back to be self-sufficient, if the price of ready-made clothes was only slightly higher than the cotton cloth, then they should be happy to save this little time and do more things.
Moreover, Southern Qin strictly controlled the planting area of cotton fields. The common people in Southern Qin did not grow much cotton, so the value of cotton cloth was still normal.
They have linen clothes that have not been worn for many years, and they may not be willing to cut cotton cloth to make new clothes. If there are cheap cotton clothes for sale, they may be willing to exchange them for food and daily necessities.
Compared with direct charity from the government, female refugees from the Chu people could cut their own clothes and exchange them for food, which might help them survive longer and hone their clothing-making skills, making the locals willing to marry them, thus giving them a way to survive.
Zhu Xiang listened carefully to Xue Ji's plans for these refugee women.
"Getting married" is a pedantic phrase that makes women frown in later generations. In the feudal era, this was indeed the only way for women, especially common women, to survive.
Even if female households can be established according to the Nitta Law, female households are almost always widows. It is difficult for women without husbands and children to survive in this world.
As a commoner woman, Xue Ji had a simple mind. She wanted to find a way out for these refugee women, which was to show their skills, "marry them off", or "work as weavers for wealthy families".
Zhu Xiang said, "Xue, you can mobilize the wealthy families in Wu County. When they see a large number of refugees pouring in, they are already prepared for the government to ask them for money. I will spread the word and ask them to do some charity, and when they are ready to pay, you can ask them to buy clothes."
Xue Ji was confused for a moment: "Why should they give it directly, but I have to give them clothes?"
Zhu Xiang said: "They will not take the initiative to help refugees. If I ask them to help directly, they will be using my favor to exchange for money. I let them buy clothes at a low price, but they are taking advantage of me."
Xue Ji thought about it, but still couldn't figure it out. She wrote it down and decided to continue thinking about it while doing it.
Ying Xiaozheng interrupted: "How many clothes can common people buy? Only rich families buy a lot of new clothes for slaves and servants to wear, to decorate the house. Aunt can ask them what they need, just like making official uniforms, and make them the clothes they need. In this way, you can get a higher price and continue this business."
Zhu Xiang praised: "Zheng'er has a very flexible mind."
Xue Ji was enlightened by Ying Xiaozheng, and she had an idea in her mind. She smiled and said, "Zheng'er, aunt will rely on your ideas on this matter."
Ying Xiaozheng puffed out his chest and said, "Just leave it to me!"
Xue Ji said to Zhu Xiang: "If this can be accomplished, I will go to Nanjun and Qianzhongjun and sell clothes to the rich families in those two counties."
Ying Xiaozheng said: "The teacher said that now the Qin soldiers have to bring their own clothes, and they have to spend money to buy clothes. Now he has no shortage of money, and wants to give all the soldiers a set of clothes, and at the same time boost morale for the attack on Chu. Aunt, practice first, and when the weaving girls are proficient in their craft, the cotton cloth they have stored will not be enough to distribute clothes to the Qin army."
Ying Xiaozheng sneered: "It's ridiculous that the people of Chu actually regard cotton cloth as useless."
Zhu Xiang sighed and agreed with Ying Xiaozheng's sneer in his heart.
In fact, this trade war of the Chu State will not cause such a great humanitarian disaster.
"Cloth currency" is different from the credit currency of later generations. After the credit is overdrawn, the credit currency will cause a lot of inflation and become waste paper. "Cloth currency" is a physical currency, which has value in itself and can be regarded as a relatively broad "barter".
When it comes to food and clothing, “cloth currency” can solve the “food and clothing” problem, and the demand will never be too much.
If the King of Chu wanted to solve the disaster of "cloth currency flooding", he only needed to purchase a large number of "cloth currency" from the people and make them into clothes to distribute to soldiers, or make them into official uniforms. He only needed to survive for a year, adjust the planting structure, and crack down on land annexation, and the crisis would be resolved.
Even the King of Chu did not dare to crack down on land annexation, so he could launch a war and plunder land from other countries.
If the King of Chu did this, Qin would also be able to find an opportunity to cause chaos in Chu - as long as the King of Chu took action, he would either endanger the interests of the nobles or become hostile to other countries.
The King of Chu and the ministers around him probably also saw this, so they chose to do nothing.
Hungry people will not cause chaos. Only when the money and food of the King of Chu are reduced, or when he rashly becomes hostile to feudal lords or other countries, will his rule be shaken.
Zhu Xiang came back to his senses and said, "Li Mu's army relies on the supply of Nan Qin's military farms and trade with Baiyue to be self-sufficient, and is very wealthy. Xue can rest assured to ask him for money and food."
Xue Ji felt relieved: "Then I feel relieved."
What Zhu Xiang said to her made her think for the first time about things other than "for the sake of her lover and Zheng'er."
Everything she had done before, including staying in Xianyang as a hostage, communicating with other noble ladies, entering the palace as a female official to assist the queen, and developing textile machines, were all "for her husband and Zheng'er."
Xueji herself has no ambitions. If she has to say an ideal, it is to hope that Liangren and Zhenger will be better.
The same is true for participating in the trade war against Chu. Xue Ji just wanted to achieve Zhu Xiang's goal.
It was not until she saw the miserable plight of the refugees that she began to ponder the meaning of “price”.
After Zhu Xiang told her the weight of the "price", Xue Ji finally wanted to do something urgently from the bottom of her heart.
Is it atonement? Not really. She was still confused, but she couldn't stand still in confusion. She had to move forward, keep doing things, and think slowly while doing them.
If you stop to think, by the time you have thought it through, you have missed the time to do something.
Xue Ji only knew that she had to do her best to keep these Chu refugees alive.
Not only the young and middle-aged people, but also the helpless women and children must try their best to survive.
So Xue Ji did not go to Nanjun and Qianzhongjun with Zhu Xiang to do what was planned. She made a new plan on her own.
This was also the first time in her life.
Xue Ji was very nervous when she made this plan, but her husband and children trusted her more than she did, and not only fully supported her, but also quickly helped her complete the plan.
Xue Ji wrote down Zhu Xiang and Ying Xiaozheng's additions and continued to study hard.
One day, perhaps she will be able to do something perfectly without the help of a lover or children.
Zhu Xiang parted ways with Xue Ji and Zheng Er at the dock, and went to Nanjun and Qianzhong counties to guide the resettlement of the refugees. In his capacity as Lord Changping, he suppressed the chaos caused by the impact of the refugees in the local area.
Among the refugees, there are not only poor civilians who can't survive, but also thieves who want to take advantage of the situation, and even Chu spies who want to disrupt the land of Southern Qin.
Although the county magistrate has sufficient power to deal with riots, some people may ban refugees from entering the country on the grounds that they will cause riots.
Now that Southern Qin has become more prosperous thanks to Zhu Xiang's hard work, the locals do not want anyone to come and share a piece of the pie.
In Zhu Xiang's eyes, these were all people; in the eyes of the Qin people, those were Chu people; in the eyes of the Southern Qin people who were originally Chu people, those were hidden dangers that would make their situation worse once a riot occurred.
Therefore, Zhu Xiang had to use his own reputation to suppress the voices of those who wanted to exclude the refugees.
Everyone knows that Duke Zhu Xiang has always loved his people, and he would never allow a large number of refugees to die in front of him. So if anyone wants to object, they should go to Duke Zhu Xiang in person and persuade him, otherwise the county governor will definitely obey the orders of Duke Zhu Xiang, the Lord of Changping.
Before Zhu Xiang came, there were many voices of opposition in Nanjun and Qianzhong counties.
After Zhu Xiang came, no one dared to debate with him.
Their wonderful lives were all thanks to Duke Zhu Xiang. Now Duke Zhu Xiang wants to save more people. Even if they don't want others to share their things, who can have the audacity to stop Duke Zhu Xiang from saving people
This is how Duke Xiang of Zhu saved them.
After Zhu Xiang arrived, some of the most vocal scholars even covered their faces in shame and took a detour when they saw Zhu Xiang's carriage.
They sighed, saying that they stopped the refugees from coming for the sake of their fellow villagers, so they had no regrets towards others. But when facing Duke Xiang of Zhu, they acted for their own benefit and felt guilty.
However, there were also people who secretly wanted to make fun of Zhu Xiang.
With so many refugees pouring into Southern Qin, if Zhu Xiang were to take them all in, wouldn't it really cause chaos
Zhang Ruo, the governor of Qianzhong County, and Meng Wu, the governor of Nan County, could not help but sneer when they heard some people's gossip.
Don't mention how powerful Zhu Xiang was. Even without Zhu Xiang, the Qin State could still eat these refugees.
When the Qin State went east through Hangu Pass, it continuously issued policies to attract refugees from the Three Jins to come to Qin State to cultivate the land. The later development of Shu County and Ba County was also thanks to these refugees.
Therefore, the Qin State had a mature method to resettle these refugees. How could there be any chaos
Not only did they not understand Zhu Xiang, they also did not understand the State of Qin.
The Qin State is expanding too fast and is in need of manpower. Didn't you see Li Mu went to Baiyue to buy people to fill the swamps and grow rice? There are plenty of wastelands in their counties.
The Qin State originally had a very small territory. Not only did it rely entirely on outside talents to fill its official positions, but the common people who farmed and fought also relied entirely on attracting outsiders.
If we use the concept of later generations, Qin can be regarded as an "immigrant country". However, Qin and the Central Plains countries are all from the Zhou Dynasty, so it cannot be counted as such, but the situation is similar.
For the other six countries, the influx of refugees would shake their rule; for the Qin State, which lacked people but not land, the more refugees the better, and they were very good at making use of them.
After the refugees of Chu State crossed the river to the south in fear, they were warmly treated by Qin officials, who quickly allocated them land and houses. Some people from Chu State took them to get food and tools, signed and signed, and repeatedly reminded them to work hard, and that these things would be returned when the harvest came next year.
"Duke Zhu Xiang is kind and will not charge interest for the things he lends you. If you fail to live up to his kindness, you will be subjected to hard labor."
The petty officials used Zhu Xiang's reputation to appease the refugees and threatened them with hard labor to keep them obedient.
After hearing the words of the clerk, most of the Chu people knelt down and kowtowed to thank Zhu Xiang, while a small number of them looked sad.
The small group of people with sad expressions were mostly lower-class scholars from the Chu State.
The disaster had a wide impact, and many lower-class scholars, or what later generations called small landlords, went bankrupt.
Most of those who were able to cross the vast territory of Chu State, cross the Yangtze River and come to Southern Qin had some abilities. Some of those who lived in poverty collapsed before they could even set out, and some starved to death on the way.
Even if they were fleeing, most of those who managed to escape had a certain ability to resist risks. Especially those who fled as a clan were most likely to escape.
Zhu Xiang knew that many scholars would come to Southern Qin, so when he asked officials to register the refugees, he specifically recorded those who could write their own names.
He also posted notices to recruit temporary minor officials among the refugees to manage the refugees together with the officials of Southern Qin.
These common people are the real "common people" who can be seen by most scholars.
Zhu Xiang personally met with the "leaders" among the refugees, and then promised them that he would establish a refugee village, let them become village elders, and rebuild their clans.
The productivity of the feudal era made it impossible for the government to delegate power to the lowest level. The order at the village level was all self-government by the common people based on their clans.
Zhu Xiang wanted to stabilize the refugees as soon as possible and quickly restore order at the village and town level. Helping them rebuild their clan ancestral halls was the quickest way.
No matter how many inhuman and beastly things the refugee leaders had done during their escape to the south, when Zhu Xiang told them that they could rebuild the ancestral hall, they immediately shed their beastly nature and tried their best to help Zhu Xiang maintain order.
The scholars among the refugees quickly gathered around Zhu Xiang. They learned Qin laws and Qin language, transformed themselves into Qin officials, and helped Qin manage the refugees from Chu.
Afterwards, the best among them would remain as officials and continue to manage the former Chu refugees who had become villagers in the local area.
In later generations, if fellow villagers are allowed to govern their fellow villagers, big problems such as corruption will occur.
But at this time, if the person was not a fellow villager who governed the village or town, the villagers would not pay any attention to him. It was almost impossible for the officials to accomplish anything.
Now we live in a society that relies on personal relationships.
The Qin State did not care if the petty officials were corrupt, as long as they could control the villagers and collect taxes.
Zhu Xiang would meet the scholars among the refugees from the moment he opened his eyes every day. He would constantly place the refugees in prepared places, quickly restore order among the refugees, and help them transform from fleeing beasts back into human beings.
During this period, he turned a blind eye to the crimes of the refugees. As long as these people did not commit any evil after they set foot on the land of Southern Qin, even if Zhu Xiang heard that many people had committed serious crimes on the way, he would close his eyes and ears and pretend not to know.
Because if Zhu Xiang were to calculate it, he would find that most of these refugees, regardless of gender, age or status, had committed serious crimes such as killing people while fleeing.
They were wild beasts at that time, and it was normal for them to bite their own kind in order to survive.
Zhu Xiang kept reminding himself that they were not human beings at that time, and he should not judge them with the moral standards he had for humans. He should treat the refugees equally and ensure that they all had a chance to survive.
Only in an orderly society, when people have a chance to survive without harming others but still do evil, will they be punished according to Qin law.
While Zhu Xiang was busy, he almost memorized the entire thick volume of Qin laws.
Whenever the officials below asked, Zhu Xiang could immediately tell them which Qin law was applicable.
Zhu Xiang's familiarity with Qin law surprised all the officials.
Ying Xiaozheng was worried that Zhu Xiang could not handle the task alone. He had the help of Li Mu in Wujun and did not encounter any difficulties. So he only left Meng Tian and sent his capable assistants Li Si and Han Fei to Zhu Xiang.
Both Li Si and Han Fei considered themselves to be disciples of the Legalists and were well versed in the laws and regulations of various countries.
But after serving as Zhu Xiang's assistants for a while, they felt frustrated.
Duke Xiang of Zhu was not a legalist, but he was probably much more familiar with laws and regulations than either of them.
Li Si was narrow-minded and easily jealous of others.
Now Zhu Xiang has surpassed him in the area where he is best. He looks at Zhu Xiang's bloodshot eyes, but finds it difficult to feel jealous.
Han Fei said distressedly, "Duke Zhu Xiang, leave these trivial matters to me and Li Si. You, you take a rest."
Li Si suppressed the complicated emotions in his heart and said, "Duke Zhu Xiang, listen to what Han Fei and I have to say, and go and have a rest."
Zhu Xiang pressed his temples and smiled to reassure them: "If I can't hold on any longer, I'll go and rest. I won't fall down now."
Seeing that the two were still worried about him, Zhu Xiang said, "Now only my reputation can suppress the refugee leaders and local tyrants."
He half-jokingly said, "I am the only one who can make them give me some face and not cause trouble. You two are not important enough, so you can only help me. But thanks to you, I feel much more relaxed. Thank you."
After hearing Zhu Xiang's thanks, Li Si felt very sad.
He should be happy, but he really can't be happy.
Li Si could only bow and say: "Duke Zhu Xiang, please give me more things to do. I will definitely be able to do it well."
Han Fei also said: "Me too. Duke Zhu Xiang!"
Zhu Xiang nodded: "Okay."
Perhaps he was too tired, and Han Fei was so anxious that he didn't even stutter.
Zhu Xiang had a premonition that he might have to return to Xianyang soon. Before returning to Xianyang, he had to make a good start in receiving refugees from the three counties of Southern Qin so that those who came later could follow his arrangements.
Zhu Xiang was not wrong.
When the "white-headed old man" of Chu fell into the water during a chase and his life or death was unknown, the Qin King's edict arrived in Southern Qin, summoning Changping Jun Zhu Xiang and Prince Zheng to enter Qin immediately.
Xue Ji hesitated for a long time, gritted her teeth and asked to stay in Nanqin.
"Lord Changping is needed here," Xue Ji said, "but my dear husband must take Zheng'er back to Xianyang, so Lady Changping will stay here to comfort the refugees on behalf of Lord Changping."
Zhu Xiang hesitated, but Ying Xiaozheng refused.
"Aunt, do you know how dangerous it is here? After we leave, even if you have a teacher to protect you, you will definitely face many difficulties. There are still many wise and capable people in this Qin State, and there is no need for aunt to be alone here!" Ying Xiaozheng said anxiously, "Aunt, come back to Xianyang with me. This may be the last time you see my grandfather."
Xue Ji stroked Ying Xiaozheng's hair and said, "Zheng'er, your aunt wants to stay. Bai Tou Weng has passed away, and your elder brother wants to return to Qin to continue to be the prime minister. Now the only person the refugees can rely on is Changping Jun. I am the wife of Changping Jun, and I am here to represent Changping Jun. Go back quickly, your aunt is here to help you and your uncle continue to settle the refugees."
Xue Ji raised her head and said to Zhu Xiang, "My dear, you said that these refugees are the 'price' that we must remember, so one of us must stay here to bear this 'price'."
Zhu Xiang held Ying Xiaozheng's shoulders and nodded, "Okay. Xue, take care."
Xue Ji smiled gently, as always: "My dear and Zheng'er, take care too."
Ying Xiaozheng was so angry that his hands and feet were shaking, then he lowered his head and hit Zhu Xiang in the chest, almost causing internal bleeding.
After being confronted with the fact that he actually stood on his aunt's side and did not help his uncle, Ying Xiaozheng felt a little better.
He said in a muffled voice, "Since Auntie insists on doing this, Zheng'er cannot stop her. Take care, Auntie. I will send a team of guards to follow you at all times. Auntie, please don't be soft-hearted."
Xue Ji said, "Don't worry, Zheng'er."
Ying Xiaozheng muttered: "I'm not at all reassured... I'd better tell the guards not to be soft-hearted."
The more Ying Xiaozheng thought about it, the more depressed he became, and he lowered his head and bumped into Zhu Xiang again.
This time Zhu Xiang was prepared and blocked the headbutt attack from Ying Xiaozheng, who was still a calf, with his hands.
Zhu Xiang cursed, “You are angry with your aunt, why did you hit your uncle?!”
Ying Xiaozheng said: "I can't bump into my aunt! What if I get hurt?"
Zhu Xiang cursed: "Isn't it painful for me?"
Ying Xiaozheng said confidently: "I don't care if it hurts or not!"
Zhu Xiang: “…”
We can’t keep this rebellious nephew anymore.
Who wants the hot and humid Shi Huang cub? I'll pay 50 cents for the shipping!
Xue Ji covered her mouth with her sleeve and chuckled.
After Ying Xiaozheng made such a fuss, the atmosphere during their separation became lively.
Xue Ji and Li Mu sent Zhu Xiang and Ying Xiaozheng away, and Li Si and Han Fei took the initiative to stay and help Xue Ji.
Meng Tian thought about it and asked to stay, but Ying Xiaozheng refused.
Ying Xiaozheng said coldly: "I will probably be the crown prince of Qin when I return to Xianyang this time. I need someone to contact the nobles of Xianyang for me. You are different from Li Si and Han Fei. You are the son of a noble."
Meng Tian bowed his head and said, "Yes, sir."
Ying Xiaozheng's expression eased, and he said, "I know that you would rather do something practical than messing around with those mediocre people in Xianyang City. After the Xianyang incident is resolved, I will have more things for you to do, so don't worry."
Meng Tian said: "Yes! Sir!"
Ying Xiaozheng stood at the bow with his hands behind his back, looking at the waves being split by the giant ship.
His grandfather might be old and sick, and Ying Xiaozheng was not without sadness. But people who could become the King of Qin did not have many personal feelings in their hearts. Compared with the sadness of the death of his elders, Ying Xiaozheng was more excited about becoming the Crown Prince of Qin.
If my uncle knew what I am thinking now, I wonder if he would be disappointed.
Ying Xiaozheng was just daydreaming when he suddenly heard the old servant at home report in panic: "Master, Master has fainted!"
Ying Xiaozheng stumbled and fell onto the deck with a bang.
"Young Master!" Meng Tian reached out to help.
Ying Xiaozheng shook off Meng Tian's hand and stumbled into the cabin, "Uncle? Uncle!"
Zhu Xiang had been overworked for a long time. Now that he was relaxed on the boat, all the accumulated fatigue came out, and he soon developed a high fever and accidentally fainted.
When he woke up, he felt his chest was heavy and wet. When he opened his eyes, he saw Ying Xiaozheng lying on his chest, crying for who knows how long.
Zhu Xiang quickly pushed Ying Xiaozheng's head: "Zheng'er? Zheng'er, stop crying, I'm not dead yet!"
Ying Xiaozheng raised his head, then lowered it hard and slammed it hard on Zhu Xiang's chest.
Zhu Xiang: “Ah!”
(End of this chapter)