Chapter 458 - 459: Marriage Alliance
Chapter 458: Chapter 459: Marriage Alliance
"Where would we find the time for that?" Zhou Shixiong said. "As the saying goes, ’an army is trained for a thousand days to be used for a single hour.’ We can’t skimp on daily training."
Only then did Ancient Wen Heng take out the proposal in his hand. "Brother Zhou, take a look. If we stagger the training schedules, wouldn’t we be able to free up more time?
"Then we could reclaim the land ourselves. The grain we grow might not be enough to meet the army’s needs, but it could at least alleviate our difficult situation."
Zhou Shixiong gave a bitter smile. "My father had the same ideas you’re talking about.
"It pains everyone to see so much fertile land lying fallow.
"Unfortunately, this border city connects to two different countries. Not only is the defensive line long, but the terrain is also incredibly complex. We simply can’t spare the manpower.
"Plus, once spring arrives, those people come over to cause trouble from time to time. There’s no way to properly tend to the land."
Ancient Wen Heng then pulled out some blueprints for farm tools from underneath. "If we switched to these, couldn’t everyone’s work speed be increased?"
Although Zhou Shixiong was no farmer, the diagrams Brother Gu was showing him were just too clear. Grasping the blueprints, he immediately jumped up. "Where did you get these?"
Ancient Wen Heng said, "...I happened to be flipping through a miscellany book once. I found them interesting and committed them to memory, and they just happened to come to mind now."
Zhou Shixiong asked, "Have you had anyone build and test them?"
Ancient Wen Heng replied, "Not yet. I came here today to ask for your opinion, Brother Zhou. With these, could we reclaim more fertile land?"
"Honestly, with things like these, you don’t need to be wasting your time here with me." Zhou Shixiong looked at Ancient Wen Heng with a complicated expression. In terms of courage and boldness, he was no match for Ancient Wen Heng.
Ancient Wen Heng said, "Brother Zhou, don’t say that. The greater the challenge, the greater the sense of accomplishment.
"This land that everyone disdains—if it were to one day turn its fortunes around, don’t you think people would be scrambling to get here?"
’I’m afraid this place will become a battlefield coveted by all,’ Zhou Shixiong muttered to himself.
Ancient Wen Heng said, "It won’t. The climate here is only suitable for one season of crops. Even if all the land is reclaimed, we’d at most have a small surplus. And don’t forget the layers of taxes."
Zhou Shixiong came back to his senses. He had almost forgotten about that.
’The people of Lu City work hard all year round but still can’t fill their stomachs. If they could cultivate more land, the situation would change drastically, and the population wouldn’t decline every year.’
’And on my end, I could put in a little more effort and capture some more laborers who deliver themselves to our doorstep. As for whether their side will come looking for trouble... well, we have their confessions in hand. We’re not killing them, just making them work off their debt.’
’With such a reason, even if this blows up in the imperial court, those people should be too ashamed to refute it.’
Having figured it all out, Zhou Shixiong immediately said with gusto, "I’ll figure out a way to get the grain seeds. But we have to forge these farm tools first. We can’t afford any delays..."
The two sworn brothers, each with his own scheme in mind, drank with even greater pleasure.
***
Spring arrived, but Jin Qianqian had yet to depart. Meanwhile, the imperial court was already in an uproar.
Chen Zishu, as the Minister of Rites, was the first to step forward. "Holy Emperor, General Zhou has unilaterally detained officials from another country and forced them into farm labor. This is not in line with the etiquette of our Rong Dynasty. If this continues, it will damage our nation’s prestige."
"We, your subjects, second the motion."
Cao Xiangqian spoke up. "Holy Emperor, I disagree with Minister Chen’s statement. If they are officials from another country, why did they appear without reason on the border of our land?
"If they were here on a diplomatic visit, which minister received their formal calling card?
"Let’s not forget! Before the new year, it was these same people who came to our Lu City and murdered our officials. Since when have the civil servants of the Rong Dynasty become so magnanimous?
"Our people were killed, and you’re still thinking about how to give the enemy preferential treatment?"
"Mr. Cao, those are two completely different matters."
"How are they different? The ancients said to repay kindness with kindness and vengeance with vengeance. I suppose since you weren’t the ones who were killed, you can stand here and spout such careless words.
"Why don’t you go ask the families of the murdered commoners and officials and see if they agree with you?"
"We must consider the bigger picture."
Cao Xiangqian snorted. "If we could win battles with a war of words, what would we need our soldiers and generals for?
"We should just send you esteemed ministers to the border. Perhaps you could civilize the enemy with your book smarts.
"Mr. Chen, since you’re always emphasizing reasoning with people and observing etiquette, how about this? I’m a crude man who understands nothing but brute force. What if I go and beat up your son, and then you can spend all day lecturing me about etiquette?"
Chen Zishu pointed at Cao Xiangqian in fury. "We are discussing matters of state! Do not resort to such crude analogies!"
"Isn’t the principle the same?" Cao Xiangqian looked respectfully at Hua Shunming, who was seated on the throne. "All the people under heaven are the Holy Emperor’s subjects. Why should they be treated so differently?"
At this, Hua Shunming scolded, "Cao Aiqing, this is the imperial court. Cease this marketplace chatter."
Chen Zishu shot Cao Xiangqian a smug look and muttered, "The courage of a brute."
However, Hua Shunming’s next words made his expression shatter. "What Chen Aiqing says is reasonable. We are greatly pleased.
"To demonstrate the might of our nation as a state of etiquette, We have decided to send a Princess for a diplomatic marriage. We imagine that country will then no longer fuss over us putting people who committed crimes on our soil on trial. Minister of Rites, you will make the preparations."
...
The entire court fell silent, as if someone had pressed a pause button. The legitimate daughters from all the prominent households had been sent into the harem. The Emperor was planning to make an example of them.
"Minister of Rites, from now on, you must handle the matter of diplomatic marriages for the Princesses well. Although none of these Princesses are of Our own blood, as soon as a candidate for a marriage alliance is chosen, she will be recorded under the Empress’s name and granted the highest honor."
’Who the hell would want that kind of honor?’ they thought. ’It’s a one-way street to ruin. What good is the title?’
Cao Xiangqian watched the changing expressions on their faces with a hint of pity and muttered under his breath, "Those women at home not being able to bear any daughters... turns out that was a good thing."
The official standing next to him: "..."
***
In the harem, Empress Zhou was waiting nervously for news. Today’s court session had been all about targeting her brother.
Just then, the little eunuch who had been sent to gather information ran in hurriedly. "Your Highness, good news."
Empress Zhou’s heart settled. "Speak."
The little eunuch recounted the events of the court session with vivid detail. Only then did Empress Zhou stroke her chin and let out a delighted laugh.
"The Holy Emperor is right. As a state of etiquette, we should indeed treat the surrounding Monarchs with kindness.
"Relay my words. I will be sure to carefully select a suitable candidate for the diplomatic marriage, so as not to disappoint the fervent patriotism of our esteemed ministers.
"I recall that Mr. Chen’s household has several legitimate daughters. One child in the palace is too lonely. Have someone bring the second daughter into the palace as well, for me to see."
...