Call of the Heroes of Chaos in Another World

Chapter 2603 The Eastern Barbarian Problem, Imperial Divine Rule

Chapter 2603 The Eastern Barbarian Problem, Imperial Divine Rule

On the same day, Wang Yu and several key ministers in the imperial court discussed and agreed on the matter of collecting grain, and by the next day, the imperial edict had already been issued.

Almost on the same day, the imperial court used every means at its disposal—urgent dispatches, carrier pigeons, and troop transport—to send this edict to all parts of the Han Dynasty as quickly as possible, so as to concentrate the nation's strength to prepare for the national war next year.

Within a few days, government stalls were set up in various markets of Tianjing, with the words "Government-purchased surplus grain" written in large white cloth banners.

Several minor officials from the Ministry of Revenue sat behind a table, with a large scale and strings of copper coins beside them.

The yamen runners stood by, banging gongs and shouting, "The imperial court is buying grain! Fair prices, cash on delivery!"

At first, many people gathered around to watch the spectacle, but few actually sold the grain.

People have a herd mentality; only when someone stands out will others be willing to try.

Fortunately, these officials didn't have to wait long; the first one to step forward had already appeared.

An old man with a dark complexion, pushing a small cart full of golden corn, hesitated for a long time outside the crowd before finally stepping forward to ask, "Sir, is this corn... really being bought at this price?"

“It’s written in black and white, how could it be fake?” The clerk pointed to the price tag next to him, “Sir, let’s check the condition of your car first.”

The corn was poured into the official container, leveled, and weighed. The clerk fiddled with the abacus a few times, and with a clatter, pushed a heavy string of copper coins in front of the old man: "Here you go."

The old man, still somewhat dazed, clutched the money. Impatient grain merchants squeezed in from the side: "Sir, I have some top-quality wheat, twenty bushels, the cart is right behind!"

The market quickly became lively again, with a noticeable increase in the number of carts and horses transporting grain to the official market, raising clouds of dust on the dirt road.

In taverns and teahouses, people had more to talk about.

"Have you heard? The imperial court has really gone all out to buy grain this time. Wang Da, who lives next door to me, sold five shi of grain and suddenly has plenty of money. He's already thinking about finding a wife for his son!"

"It's a good thing, but... what's the point of collecting so much grain? The warehouses in Henan are probably overflowing."

"Who knows? In any case, the imperial court will have a use for it. As long as the cash is paid in full, we ordinary people will benefit."

Some shrewd businessmen sensed something amiss and whispered among themselves, "Could it be that something big is about to happen in the south? Judging from this situation, it doesn't seem like a normal year of famine preparedness."

The imperial court began purchasing all grain, and grain prices rose slightly in response, but were forcibly suppressed by the court within a few days.

At this critical juncture, Wang Yu wouldn't play the planned economy game with him. Instead, he'd give him central control. He wanted to see if anyone was willing to gamble with the bonds of his entire family.

………………

An autumn rain washed the bluestone paths in the palace gardens, making them gleam with a moist sheen.

Inside Jingwu Pavilion, where Yelü Yan resided, the warm fragrance of incense dispelled the morning chill.

Today, Wang Yu wore a loose-fitting robe and leaned against a warm couch by the window. In front of him, a low table was piled with memorials that had just been delivered that morning. There was no morning court session today, so he simply handled government affairs here.

Xiao Yanyan, with her hair loosely tied up and wearing a pale yellow casual dress, was gently refilling his hot tea. Xiao Guanyin, on the other hand, sat quietly on a stool a little further away, holding a book in her hand, occasionally glancing over with a gentle look in her eyes.

Xiao Yanyan, Xiao Guanyin, and Yelü Yan lived together in Jingwu Pavilion. Last night, the two of them, along with Consort Yelü Yan, were ordered to serve the emperor in bed.

Wang Yu's expression softened slightly after he had just finished approving several reports on the progress of grain collection in the capital, Tianjing, and the surrounding areas.

The procurement in the Sihe region went smoothly, and the amount of grain stored was considerable, with no unrest among the people.

Although news of grain collection from Dao County, which is further away, has not yet returned, this small example is enough to illustrate the situation. Moreover, the successful collection of grain in the crucial Sihe region means that the task of collecting grain, if not entirely completed, is almost halfway done.

After setting down the memorial, Wang Yu picked up the next one, which came from the far east, to the ancient land of the Eastern Yi.

As he looked at it, Wang Yu's originally relaxed brows gradually furrowed again.

"Your Majesty, what troubles you?" Xiao Yanyan noticed the change in his aura and asked softly.

Xiao Guanyin also put down her book and looked over with concern.

"It's still those things in the east." Wang Yu put the memorial on the couch, his tone tinged with impatience and irritation.

"It's been almost a year since we took control at the end of last year, but things are still not peaceful. There are no large-scale disturbances, but small groups of three to five hundred people rebel every now and then."

"They plundered villages, attacked grain convoys, killed officials, and fled into the deep mountains and forests... They were impossible to suppress, and difficult to appease."

"That place is like a piece of undercooked rice; you swallow it, but it gnaws at your stomach and intestines, making it impossible to digest properly, let alone expect it to serve the court."

“The officials sent out are either sidelined or unable to adapt to the local conditions and thus unable to perform their duties. If a large number of troops are stationed there, it will inevitably be a huge expense. We can’t keep doing this indefinitely.”

Of the three routes—Zhongping, Dongping, and Nanping—Nanping route is actually not a problem, but Zhongping and Dongping routes have significant issues.

When Wang Yu first entered Nanping Road, he distributed the looted money to the local people since he couldn't take it with him. He actually had some popular support in this area.

In addition, the Dongyi people were constantly at war, and this area was later occupied by the Sun Kingdom, so the local people's lives were already not good.

After the arrival of the Han Dynasty, their lives were much better than before, so they naturally wouldn't easily disobey the rule of the Han Dynasty. Overall, this area was not without problems, but at least there weren't any major issues.

However, Zhongping Road and Dongping Road are different. Zhongping Road is the political center of the Yelü family for hundreds of years. The influence of the Yelü family has reached every aspect of this place and cannot be erased by the Han Dynasty in less than a year.

As for Dongping Road, that's purely a difference in cultural customs.

Dongping Road itself was once the most important nomadic area of ​​the Dongyi people, while Nanping Road, in contrast, was once one of the most important agricultural areas of the Dongyi people.

The Dongping Road was almost entirely a nomadic culture, which differed greatly from the Han Dynasty, which was based on an agricultural civilization. Naturally, the initial integration was much more difficult.

We can't just send 15 troops to forcibly suppress the Dongping and Zhongping Roads like we did with the Xiping Road back then.

If that's really the case, then taking these two places wouldn't be of much significance to the Han Dynasty.

Xiao Yanyan listened quietly, her eyes sparkling.

Born into the Dongyi nobility, who had assimilated a large number of people from the Central Plains, she had been exposed to the ways of governing a place where different ethnic groups lived together from a young age and had her own unique insights.

After a moment's thought, she said softly, "Your Majesty is worried about this matter. I have some humble opinions, but I don't know if I should speak them."

Wang Yu looked up at her and said, "Speak freely, there are no outsiders here."

He acknowledged Xiao Yanyan's abilities, stating that she was among the top female politicians both on and off Earth.

Her abilities can be clearly judged from her attributes alone.

"Ding, Xiao Yanyan, Command 80, Martial Prowess 75, Intelligence 95, Politics 100, Charisma 98."