When the imperial edict arrived, Song Qiming was discussing with Song Jinzhao the people of the Wumeng and Shimen tribes who had gone to Qingxia County and Yanshan County respectively to buy smokeless coal.
A faint smile played at the corners of Song Jinzhao’s lips.
“From the first month of the year until now, a total of 1,232 people from the two tribes have gone to the coal shops in Qingxia County and Yanshan County to buy smokeless coal. Their family information has all been recorded as well.”
Three ledgers, each an inch thick, lay on the table. Song Qiming flipped through them with a smile.
“Sister, your method really is the best. By requiring people to show their household registration documents when buying smokeless coal, we learned everything about the two tribes without lifting a finger.”
Although the various southwestern tribes submitted annual reports to the imperial court detailing the populations within their jurisdictions, the court had always had doubts about whether those figures were accurate.
Song Jinzhao wanted the true numbers. Thus, when residents of Qingxia County and Yanshan County went to the shops to buy smokeless coal, they were required to present their household registers.
Whenever a register showed that the buyer belonged to one of the southwestern tribes, the shopkeepers would discreetly record the information.
Officially, this was to prevent people from hoarding coal and reselling it at inflated prices. In reality, it was a means of gathering information on the southwestern tribes.
Their native places, names, ages, occupations, and even the amount of farmland owned by their families could all be found out.
Song Jinzhao tapped her fingers against the tabletop at irregular intervals as she said, “Those 1,232 people represent 1,232 households, with a total of 7,462 people. The Wumeng and Shimen tribes reported a combined population of more than 23,000. Fewer than one-third of them have bought smokeless coal.”
Song Qiming lifted one of the ledgers.
“They’re all ordinary commoners. There isn’t a single official or merchant among them.”
Song Jinzhao curled her lips into a smile. “There’s no need to hurry. A wall has to be dismantled brick by brick.”
“Tap, tap, tap—”
A burst of hurried footsteps rang out.
Yao Ye, who was standing guard at the door, lowered his hands and gripped the sword hanging from his waist.
“What is it?”
His cold voice forced the guard to calm down at once.
The guard caught his breath and pointed outside. “Someone from the front office says an imperial edict has arrived. The Young Master is to receive it immediately.”
The moment he finished speaking, the door before him opened from inside.
The guard quickly stepped back and bowed. “County Princess, Young Master.”
Song Qiming asked, “How many people came?”
“Three. One of them claims to be a Langzhong from the Ministry of Rites.”
Song Qiming turned around.
Song Jinzhao nodded. “Go on.”
By the time they reached the front office, a crowd of runners and minor clerks had already gathered outside the main hall.
When Song Qiming entered, the Langzhong from the Ministry of Rites responsible for delivering the edict immediately smiled and unrolled it to read aloud.
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Where territories adjoin one another, only those who are loyal and diligent can preserve peace. Since taking office, Song Qiming, Prefect of Suining, has trained troops, suppressed bandits, promoted agriculture, and opened wasteland for cultivation. As a result, Suining has become peaceful and its people have enough food and clothing, which greatly pleases Us. We now bestow special favor and promote you to the rank of Senior Fifth Grade. Your official post shall remain unchanged, as recognition of your achievements. Thus We decree!”
Behind him, the entire crowd fell to its knees. Song Qiming raised both hands high to receive the imperial edict.
“Your subject thanks His Majesty for his grace. Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long, long live the Emperor!”
After handing over the edict, the Langzhong from the Ministry of Rites hurriedly helped Song Qiming to his feet.
With a smile, he flattered him, “Lord Song, you have attained Senior Fifth Grade before even reaching the age of twenty. You truly are a remarkable young hero. Your future is limitless.”
Strictly speaking, the other man’s official rank was one grade lower than Song Qiming’s current rank. If not for the fact that Suining was so far away that no one wanted the post, Minister of Revenue Kang Zhibo would never have sent him here.
Once they were standing, the Langzhong from the Ministry of Rites asked, somewhat puzzled, “When I entered the city, I noticed that the roads in Suining were exceptionally smooth and hard. Were they newly built?”
Song Qiming handed the imperial edict to Yao Ye. “They were built last year. It was a little invention my elder sister came up with. I merely benefited from her work.”
The man’s expression tightened slightly. He moved closer to Song Qiming and lowered his voice.
“Why didn’t you report such a remarkable thing to His Majesty? It might have earned you an even higher position.”
Song Qiming covered his mouth and drew the Langzhong from the Ministry of Revenue to one side.
“The material used to build the roads is called cement. There are already shops selling it in the city.”
The single sentence made the Langzhong from the Ministry of Revenue understand immediately. He nodded with a smile.
“I see. Since Commissioner Gu didn’t mention it, I naturally won’t say anything either.”
Song Qiming gave a slight nod.
He dared to speak so frankly because the Langzhong from the Ministry of Rites was a disciple of Fei Yanzhang. They had met before at Fei’s residence.
