Luo Qingci was not particularly surprised. She had followed Jiang Jin for so long that she understood Jiang Jin’s principles. Even so, now that Jiang Jin was truly putting them into practice, she could not help feeling worried.
“Lord, if you do this, you will place yourself in opposition to every aristocratic clan and noble family. I fear that will be detrimental to our future development.”
That was also why Fengzhou currently had no aristocratic clans or noble families. Otherwise, given the close ties between Fengzhou and Sizhou, large numbers of aristocrats and nobles would surely be clamoring to move there.
Yet the fact was that not a single truly influential clan had come to Fengzhou from Sizhou.
Those aristocratic families controlled vast amounts of wealth and resources—exactly the things Jiang Jin needed for development.
Fortunately, Daqing Commandery’s return brought one major advantage: Denggao County had a gold mine.
Because of limitations in technology and manpower, the mine’s output was not high, producing only around five hundred kilograms a year.
The mine had previously been controlled by Lu You and used to cover military expenses and official salaries. Even so, maintaining everything had been extremely difficult.
After all, that little gold was not enough to cover even the soldiers’ pay, let alone provisions, weapons, and equipment.
That was why Lu You had also been forced to rely on the wealthy merchants and noble families of Daqing Commandery.
Speaking of which, Jiang Jin had become considerably wealthier recently. Ze’a Commandery had iron mines, Wuqin had copper mines, and Daqing had gold mines.
Now that she had taken control, she naturally had to find ways to improve the mining techniques and increase production.
Jiang Jin understood her concerns and merely asked, “What do you think of Fengzhou as it is now?”
Luo Qingci replied with a hint of pride, “Naturally, it is doing well.”
Jiang Jin smiled confidently. “I know you’re worried that one day, when Sizhou can no longer hold out, the aristocratic clans might join forces with the First Prince—or even ally themselves with the barbarians—and launch a coordinated attack on Fengzhou.”
If Fengzhou offered them benefits, those aristocrats would abandon the First Prince without hesitation and turn to her instead.
But now that she had made her stance clear, the aristocrats would gain nothing from her.
Under such circumstances, if the day ever came when their survival was at stake, there was a very real possibility that those aristocrats would turn against her alongside the barbarians.
Jiang Jin looked at Luo Qingci. “But you’ve forgotten one thing. By the time the aristocrats need to ally themselves with the barbarians, what level of development do you think I will have reached?”
“By then, they will be nothing more than a handful of barbarians and a few aristocratic families. They will be no cause for concern!”
Luo Qingci’s mind went blank for a moment. The sheer force of those domineering words sent a thrill through her entire body.
After a long while, she smiled brightly, rose, and bowed solemnly. “Thank you for your instruction, Lord.”
Jiang Jin was greatly pleased. “You needn’t worry so much. Just carry out our plans as intended. I’ll take care of everything.”
Luo Qingci nodded seriously. “I understand, Lord.”
Then, remembering something, she asked, “If we are to confiscate the lands and estates of Daqing’s aristocratic families and nobles, we’ll need a reason that people will find convincing.”
Jiang Jin smiled. “We’ll offer courtesy before resorting to force. For those who refuse to cooperate, there will be no shortage of reasons.”
Her gaze turned cold. “If they dare raise an army against us, all the better. Then we won’t even need to find an excuse.”
In this era, where the lives of common people were treated as no more valuable than blades of grass, there were countless cases of nobles who had grown rich without benevolence and treated human lives with contempt.
Luo Qingci asked hesitantly, “What if officials are implicated as well?”
A small merchant might become successful through his own efforts, but great wealth usually required a backer—and that backer was either powerful or noble.
The corners of Jiang Jin’s lips curled upward. “Wouldn’t that be convenient? Deal with them directly and make an example of them.”
For now, Jiang Jin was leaving most of Daqing’s officials untouched—not because she was merciful, but because the time was not yet right.
If an official had committed no major offenses and was willing to follow her policies, there was no reason he could not stay. But if he tried to make trouble, that would give her the perfect opportunity to remove him.
Having troops at her command was her source of confidence.
She did not need schemes or cunning plots. What she needed was clear and upright governance.
She wanted her dynasty to be a world of justice, illuminated by the bright light of day.
A smile tugged at Luo Qingci’s lips. “And what should we do if someone is truly innocent?”
Jiang Jin waved her hand indifferently. “Then have him comply with our policies and offer him reasonable compensation.”
If someone cooperated as soon as the matter was presented on legal grounds, she could not very well confiscate his land for no reason.
She was willing to spend money to purchase those fields—though naturally, the price would be extremely low.
Afterward, Jiang Jin met with Chen Xi as well. “How is it? Are you under much pressure?”
Chen Xi smiled confidently. “Rest assured, Lord. It will only take a little more time.”
The education system had already taken shape, and she had trained a large number of literacy instructors.
Although the territory had expanded far too quickly, she had gained enough experience to handle such situations without becoming flustered. After all, she was already accustomed to it.
Jiang Jin smiled. “Daqing Commandery is a little different. It has absorbed a large number of soldiers all at once. So this time, you’ll not only need to help the common people learn to read—you’ll also need to teach the soldiers in the barracks.”
The army’s literacy program had already become systematic. The military had literacy instructors, as well as political officers who spread ideological education and guided the soldiers.
But with tens of thousands of soldiers added all at once, along with the new recruits enlisted by the various commanderies and counties, the military department was struggling to keep up. That was why they needed Chen Xi’s assistance.
Chen Xi smiled confidently. “Rest assured, Lord. I know what to do.”
Lu You rode on horseback, several carriages following behind him. His wife and children were in the carriages, along with all their worldly possessions.
The journey from Denggao County to Geping was not a short one. First, he traveled by boat to Feng’an County, and only then did he continue by land.
The whole of Fengzhou was safe now, so he traveled at a leisurely pace.
Along the way, he saw clean, spacious concrete roads. He saw crops growing vigorously in the fields on either side, smiles on the farmers’ faces, and healthy commoners hurrying along the roads.
There were almost none of the sorrowful, frightened expressions so common in Daqing. No one was emaciated or dressed in rags. Everyone seemed to be living well.
He found it difficult to believe. “Ze’a Commandery was only reclaimed two or three months ago, yet these people already have enough food and clothing?”
The constable accompanying him to Geping was Guan Jiang, one of the oldest serving constables in Geping. He had later been transferred to Feng’an County.
Guan Jiang smiled as he explained, “Our Lord has a policy of advancing wages. As you can see, construction is underway everywhere in Fengzhou. As long as a person isn’t lazy, he can find work. And as long as he works, he can receive an advance on his wages to purchase daily necessities.”
Lu You was stunned. “They can do that?”
Guan Jiang nodded and continued in an unhurried voice, “We have many policies that are unlike anything you’ve seen before. You’ll understand once you arrive in Geping. Oh, and we also have the Jinyang Times. You can learn a great deal from it…”
Inside the carriage, Lu You’s wife, Mu Xue, wore a worried expression. She had no idea what awaited them at their destination.
She could not really understand why her husband had chosen Geping. It was, after all, a remote border town.
Lu You’s daughter, Lu Chuxia, curiously lifted the curtain and peered outside. Lowering her voice, she said, “Mother, I heard Geping is a wonderful place. You don’t need to worry so much.”
Mu Xue forced a gentle smile. “Yes, I’ve heard that the Princess requires everyone to learn to read. When you get there, you may even have to attend school with those little children.”
Lu Chuxia: “…”
Indeed, the people closest to you were the ones most skilled at hurting you. Her mother knew perfectly well that she hated studying, yet still chose to poke at her sore spot.
She gave a huff. “Even so, I’ll still have it better than Big Brother.”
Lu You had one son and one daughter. His eldest son was already married.
Whenever she thought of his eldest son, Lu Chuxuan, Mu Xue grew even more worried.
His son had been a junior officer under Lu You. After Lu You relinquished his military command, he hesitated for a long while before deciding that his son was not suited to remain in Daqing, and so he had the young man accompany him to Gefeng.
Although Jiang Jin said there was no need for this, Lu You still declined her kindness.
Mu Xue had no objection, but their children were still young, with their lives only just beginning. Were they really to follow them in idleness until the end of their days?
Lu Chuxuan rode silently behind them, while his wife sat in the carriage beside him.
They had not been married for very long and did not yet have any children.
As he took in the sights along the road—so different from those in Daqing—his thoughts grew complicated, and he became even more withdrawn.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the Gefeng county office was rather tense.
Sun Zheng said coldly, “You’re saying the Princess isn’t in Gefeng?”
Dong Si, who had come to receive them, nodded with a beaming smile. “That’s right.”
Ji Wangfei gritted his teeth. “Since the Princess isn’t in Gefeng, why did you bring us here?”
Dong Si could only respond helplessly, “You never said you were coming to Gefeng to find the Lord.”
