Chapter 178 - Considerate
In the Southern Province, Sun Lǎohǔ was hanged to death in the middle of the market. The people were joyful as the administrative rule by the Crown Prince was restored.
Ying Lili and Sheng Li interacted with the commoners in the Governor's Residence and listened to their problems.
"We assured you that no such thing will happen in the future. Those who chose this path are also forced in a way to do this because they were given the greed of money and power. The trade is now open and people can go out to trade. The roads will be constructed, and the work has been started regarding that. This will also open the employment opportunities for you people and wages will be given accordingly.
Because the Southern Province is far from Luoyang, it was difficult for the Emperor to visit the Province so he sent me and the Crown Princess here. To prevent this kind of situation in the future, the Han Army will be deployed here as well and some people will be picked among you to fill the vacant space in the army.
Commander Tao Zedong will lead the forces of Southern Province and any kind of rebellious situation will be checked by him. His orders will be supreme but it does not mean that people's rights will be exploited.
Those families who lost their earning family members will be given monthly benefits by the Department of Public services." Sheng Li rested his words and looked at Governor Tzu.
"I do not want to listen to any corruption-related activities here. This time I am sparing you because you acted smartly by sending a messenger to Luoyang. You are the Governor so tackle all this on your own. I do not like to repeat myself," Sheng Li sternly said.
The people who were present in the assembly were happy to hear the decision of the Crown Prince.
Sheng Li then turned his gaze to Ying Lili. "Would you like to say something to them?" Sheng Li asked her.
Ying Lili nodded and then in front of her, towards the people who were sitting on the floor mat. "When we come here, we disguised us as the commoners to know about them and their worries. During that period, we heard how the image of the Crown Prince was among most of the people."
The people got sad upon hearing that because they used to think of the Crown Prince as a tyrannical person. They lowered their eyes and realized how wrong they used to think about the Nation's Prince.
Contrarily, Sheng Li had not thought Ying Lili would be brought up to the front.
"After yesterday's incident, you all might have realized how considerate the Crown Prince is to his people! As soon as he got the news of the uprisings here, he planned everything out with his Generals and commanders. I hope you people put your trust in the Crown Prince. Rest you all have witnessed," Ying Lili asserted.
A man in his twenties stood up. His head was still lowered, and he said, "Your highness, I would like to say something."
Ying Lili permitted him. "Your highness, I would like to serve the Han Empire by getting into the military. I also was in the Lǎohǔ group, but it was out of compulsion. I will be grateful if the Crown Prince grants the permission to all such people who were in Lǎohǔ group," the man requested.
Ying Lili looked at Sheng Li who said, "As I said that military recruitment will be opened up for all the people. Commander Tao is in charge of all this and he will not consider those factors for recruitment." The man thanked the Crown Prince and sat down.
An old man in his sixties stood up. He was sitting quite far, so he was brought forward by some soldiers. "Your highness, this is the privilege for us people that we get to see the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. We used to think that no one could uplift us from these miseries, but we people were wrong. The Emperor really cares for his people. We are overwhelmed to have your presence in this province. Your highness, you saved my son- and daughter-in-law from the Lǎohǔ group. Long Live, your highness," the old man kowtowed before them.
The old man started chanting those words which other people followed. Ying Lili smiled at how people's trust built over the Crown Prince. Sheng Li moved his hand up thus, gesturing to them to stop.
"A grievance committee will be set up here so whatever problems people may face in the future, that committee will look into that. Governor Tzu, you know what you have to do," Sheng Li pronounced. Tzu-Yang nodded and assured the Crown Prince that the Southern Province would flourish again like the earlier times.
The General Assembly was dismissed. A few soldiers led the way outside to the people. Sheng Li told Ying Lili to go to the chamber as he would come later there. Ying Lili stood up from the throne and left from there followed by a few servants.
"Governor Tzu, we are leaving tomorrow, but this news shall not be gone out. Tao Zedong will have eyes on you always so better be loyal to me," Sheng Li proclaimed.
"Your highness, I am always loyal to you," Tzu-Yang stated.
"Have you prepared everything for our departure?" Sheng Li queried him.
"Yes, your highness. The group of Traders will leave the town next to this one after a day. The rest house where they are staying is also found out and the passes have been made for you," Tzu-Yang notified the Crown Prince and brought out the five passes from his pocket.
Wang Hao took them and checked them. "No one will get suspicious of his highness but your highness, the Crown Princess might get noticed," Tzu-Yang said concernedly.
Sheng Li hummed and told Wang Hao and Xiao Zhan to visit the rest house once so that they could check everything there. Sheng Li then stood up from the throne and left from there.