Qin Renhuang just became an immortal, and you told me this is the prehistoric time

Ying Xuan and his officials walked into the city, the newly paved bluestone road stretching out to both sides of the wide street.

The capital was indeed several times more bustling than before, with a cacophony of voices and carriages. The original Qin people mingled with the Song and Ming people who had migrated there, their accents different but surprisingly harmonious.

Looking around, seven or eight out of ten people were wearing old clothes with patches, faded from washing. Some were even huddled on the street corner. Although the order was good, it was clear that they were in dire need of supplies.

"Is the supply of fabric still insufficient?"

Ying Xuan asked, his gaze sweeping over several elderly people huddled in a corner, shivering with their arms crossed. Although it was early autumn, the mornings and evenings were already chilly.

Wang Wan, who was beside him, immediately replied, her tone heavy.

"Your Majesty, textile workshops across the land are working day and night, yet supplies still cannot meet demand. The population has surged too rapidly, and the previous wars have consumed vast amounts of resources; now, our reserves are nearly depleted. Moreover..."

He paused briefly, and seeing that Ying Xuan showed no displeasure, he continued.

"Moreover, although the wealthy households from the Song Dynasty brought their surplus wealth, they mostly purchased houses and land, and invested very little in the materials needed for people's livelihood."

Li Si, standing to the side, chimed in.

"However, some wealthy families in Qindu have recently moved out, leaving many houses and shops vacant, which may alleviate the pressure somewhat."

Ying Xuan did not respond immediately. He walked to a stall selling steamed buns. The old man, wearing a short, patched tunic, was startled and at a loss when he saw a group of distinguished officials surrounding a young man.

Yingxuan picked up a still-warm cake.

"How much silver?"

The old man stammered.

"One, two for one coin."

Ying Xuan took out a half-ounce coin from his waist, put it down, picked up a cake, broke it open, took a bite, and handed the other half to a slightly thin official from the Ministry of Revenue behind him.

The official was flattered and quickly bowed to accept the gift.

"The curfew in the capital has not been lifted yet?"

Ying Xuan suddenly asked, noticing that the sun had not yet set, but some shops had already begun to put up their storefronts.

Wang Wan hurriedly replied.

"Due to the diverse population, and to prevent treachery, the curfew will continue to be enforced as before."

"Cancel it."

Ying Xuan spoke in a flat tone.

“If the night market can be opened, ordinary people can do business for an extra hour or two, perhaps earning a few more coins for food or buying a few more feet of cloth. Preventing thieves relies on clear laws and effective patrols, not on confining people to their homes.”

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Li Si was the first to bow, his eyes gleaming.

"I will immediately draft an edict to lift the curfew in the Qin capital starting today, and other prefectures and counties may follow suit as appropriate."

Wang Wan seemed to want to say something, but in the end it turned into a single sound.

"Old minister, I obey."

The group continued on their way. Ying Xuan walked seemingly casually, but his gaze swept over every street and alley and the face of every citizen.

The officials following behind him were initially somewhat apprehensive, but they were gradually infected by the mixed yet vibrant energy in the capital and began exchanging opinions on government affairs in hushed tones.

When they arrived at the residence of the 20th Prince, it was already nearly dusk.

This mansion was once the residence of Ying Xuan. Although he is now the emperor, he still habitually returns here and does not immediately move into the palace.

The hall was brightly lit, and after a simple dinner, several key ministers were kept behind.

Wang Wan held several scrolls of bamboo slips, her expression even more solemn than during the day.

"Your Majesty, there is another rather thorny matter. Previously, in order to appease the relocated people, they were allowed to bring their wealth and freely choose where to settle."

However, many wealthy households from Song were unwilling to go to the counties designated by the court that had resettlement policies for land and housing, and instead flocked to the Qin capital and the surrounding already crowded cities.

With their abundant wealth, they snapped up real estate, driving up prices and exacerbating the plight of the local poor. Meanwhile, counties without resettlement obligations faced strains in terms of security and food supplies due to the sudden influx of these wealthy households, causing widespread distress.

Li Si, however, said...

"What the Prime Minister said is true, but I believe this is also an opportunity. The capital of Qin is full of powerful and wealthy people, and the area is vast. Now that outsiders are pouring in and prices are soaring, many wealthy people are willing to sell their properties and move elsewhere."

In this way, space and resources can be freed up to resettle more destitute people. The imperial court only needs to guide this process to turn a disadvantage into an advantage.

Ying Xuan tapped his fingers lightly on the table, producing a rhythmic, soft sound.

In the candlelight, his face was calm and expressionless, yet he possessed a breathtaking majesty.

"What Li Si said is more in line with my own thoughts."

He spoke slowly.

"The people have their own reasons for choosing where they want to go and where they can go. They may seek profit, avoid harm, visit relatives, or rely on friends. If the court forces a division, it will only breed resentment and reduce efficiency."

Wang Wan said urgently.

"Your Majesty, if we completely liberalize the system, I fear the rich will gather even more in prosperous areas, while the poor will be pushed even further to desolate and remote border regions!"

"Then let it gather."

Win Xuandao.

“It is not easy to live in a prosperous place. The wealthy gather there, prices are high, and the cost of living naturally rises. When they feel overwhelmed or find that there is profit to be made in the border areas, they will naturally disperse.”

When the poor first arrive, they have no one to rely on. In prosperous areas, wages are higher and opportunities are more plentiful, making it easier for them to find a livelihood. Once they have accumulated some savings, or find the competition too fierce in their current location, they will naturally move elsewhere to seek a living. This is like living water; it should flow, not be blocked.

He stood up and walked to the huge map hanging in the sky.

"By imperial decree, effective immediately, household registration restrictions shall be lifted, allowing all people within the territory of Great Qin to freely choose where to settle without the need for official approval; they may simply register at their locality. Local governments shall not obstruct or discriminate against immigrants for any reason."

Wang Wan recorded the imperial edict, but still couldn't help feeling worried.

"Your Majesty, with the free movement of people, the land problem becomes even more prominent. If there is nowhere to settle the influx of landless people, it may cause trouble."

"Land has never been a problem."

Ying Xuan's gaze swept across the vast, uncultivated land on the map.

"The imperial court holds countless official fields and wastelands. People who migrate to new lands can be allocated uncultivated land according to the number of people in their family, and will be exempt from taxes for three years. If they have money, they can also purchase cultivated land from the government."

The land reclaimed by the military colonists in various regions can also be preferentially sold or rented to newly relocated residents. To facilitate population movement, people must have land to cultivate, houses to live in, and livelihoods to sustain. The Cabinet needs to formulate detailed regulations and rules for this matter as soon as possible.

"I will obey your orders!"

Wang Wan and Li Si responded in unison. Li Si's eyes shone even brighter, clearly indicating that this method suited his taste perfectly.

Wang Wan calmed herself down and unfolded another scroll of bamboo slips.

"Your Majesty, since we have discussed land and population, I have another matter to report. Currently, in some counties, due to the large influx of immigrants, the population has far exceeded the limits that the land can support."

The government offices are struggling to govern, and public facilities are also overburdened. Should the borders be redrawn and the counties divided to facilitate administration?

Ying Xuan pondered for a moment. "Re-dividing the prefectures and counties involves a wide range of issues. Demarcating boundaries, establishing government offices, and dispatching officials are not tasks that can be accomplished overnight."

The most urgent task is to reassure the public and restore production.

We can start at the county level. Large counties with excessive populations and vast areas can be divided into two or three counties. The new county magistrates…”

His gaze swept over the officials present.

"There is no need to wait for the Ministry of Personnel to select and appoint officials. Those who have made outstanding achievements in resettling immigrants and restoring people's livelihoods can be promoted from among the existing officials."

Especially for township-level officials, if their jurisdiction absorbs a large number of immigrants, resettles them properly, and production recovers quickly, they can be promoted beyond their rank and put in charge of the new county's administration. Tell all officials that the opportunity is right in front of them; give them a stage commensurate with their abilities.

Upon hearing this, Wang Wan's spirits lifted.

"Your Majesty's plan is brilliant! It can not only solve the immediate crisis, but also encourage local officials to work diligently and earnestly, and even promote a number of capable people!"

Ying Xuan nodded, and finally turned his gaze to the cabinet and six ministers who had been listening silently.

"There is one more matter that you must begin preparing for immediately. The war in the Great Song Dynasty will surely end this month. At that time, not only will there be surrendered soldiers and refugees from the Great Song Dynasty who need to be resettled, but also a large amount of captured supplies, money, and books that need to be inventoried and received."

How to quickly transform these human and material resources into the foundation for the revival of Qin, rather than a burden, is your greatest test. Each department must prepare a plan in advance; "An army marches on its stomach." The same applies to governing a country.

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent, with only the occasional crackling sound of the lamp wick popping open.

All the ministers know that His Majesty's words are not unfounded; an unprecedented challenge to governance is about to begin.

The policies Your Majesty has decided today—such as relaxing household registration, allowing free movement, splitting up prefectures and counties, and promoting people regardless of their background—have undoubtedly paved the way for meeting this challenge.

A tense yet energetic atmosphere permeated the courtiers.

"Your subjects," led by Wang Wan and Li Si, bowed deeply.

"We will do our utmost to live up to Your Majesty's expectations!"

Ying Xuan waved for everyone to leave so he could attend to official business.

He stood alone before the map, his gaze seemingly extending beyond the immediate territory to a more distant place.

The faint sounds of the capital city could be heard, the pulse of an empire beating violently and thriving in its new life.

The hall was brightly lit with candles, and the lingering heat of the discussion about civil affairs had not yet dissipated when Ying Xuan's gaze turned to the Grand Secretary of the Military Council who stood solemnly to the side.

He was a burly, resolute old general. Although his temples were gray, he stood like a pine tree, his eyes were sharp as an eagle, and he exuded the aura of someone who had been through many battles.

"How is the situation with the military recently?"

Ying Xuan spoke, his voice steady, yet carrying an aura of chilling authority.

Grand Secretary Wang Jian stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and spoke in a booming voice.

"Your Majesty! Following Your Majesty's previous orders, the main legions have broken into smaller units of ten thousand men each, and relying on the precise intelligence provided by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they have continued to launch attacks to wipe out all the restless nomadic tribes around the empire's borders."

The battle went smoothly, with over 50,000 enemy soldiers beheaded and more than 8 million people captured, along with tens of millions of livestock, including cattle, sheep, horses, and camels. All the spoils have been transferred to the Imperial Household Department for safekeeping according to regulations; the people have been handed over to the department for management, and the livestock have been recorded in its registers.

He paused, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

"The number of captured warhorses was enormous, and their quality was excellent."

I have requested and received the cabinet's approval to establish seven new large-scale military horse farms in the fertile areas of the North and Longxi. We will select skilled horse-breeding slaves from among the captured slaves to be dedicated to breeding superior warhorses to bolster our cavalry.

Your Majesty, given the current strength of our army, sweeping across the world and eliminating all foreign threats is no longer a difficult task!

Ying Xuan nodded slightly, showing no surprise on his face, as if all of this was expected.

"The soldiers fought bravely, which is why they achieved this merit. All those who have made contributions should be listed in detail and reported. They should be rewarded according to the law, and there should be no mistakes. Those who died in battle should receive double the compensation, and their families should be given priority in being taken care of by the Imperial Household Department."

"Sir, obey the order!"

Wang Jian responded in a deep voice and returned to the train.

As soon as the military report was finished, a minister dressed in a dark imperial censor's robe, with a lean face and piercing eyes, stepped forward. He was Fan Zeng, the head of the Censorate.

He held a jade tablet in his hand, his voice clear and steady.

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present. Recently, the Censorate inspected various prefectures and counties and found that among the wealthy households who migrated from the Song Dynasty, many were attempting to use money to pave their way and bribe local officials in order to gain advantages in matters such as the allocation of land, reduction of commercial taxes, and litigation disputes."

All officials involved have been identified and transferred to the Ministry of Justice for trial according to the law. However, Your Majesty, please instruct on how to deal with these wealthy individuals who offered bribes.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bang, the Chief of the Imperial Household Department, standing on the other side, immediately darkened his expression.

He gave a barely audible snort, glancing at Fan Zeng with obvious displeasure.

The Control Yuan's move clearly bypassed him, the Minister of the Imperial Household, who was responsible for managing state property, handicrafts, and various state-owned industries, and directly interfered in matters related to wealthy immigrant households, which largely overlapped with the Minister of the Imperial Household's responsibilities.

In Liu Bang's view, Fan Zeng's reporting of this matter before him was tantamount to publicly humiliating him and implying that the Minister of the Imperial Household had failed in his duty or was incompetent.

Fan Zeng, however, seemed oblivious and remained standing with his back straight.

He knew that his actions would offend his colleague, but he was more concerned with using this opportunity to strengthen the Censorate's independent oversight power and direct access to the emperor, thus overshadowing the Imperial Household Department.

He had little reverence for Liu Bang's past as "Emperor Gaozu of Han." In his eyes, Liu Bang at this moment was merely the Minister of the Imperial Household of Qin, his colleague, or even his rival.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly became somewhat subtle and tense. Several cabinet ministers kept their eyes down, remaining silent.

Ying Xuan's gaze swept over Liu Bang and Fan Zeng, taking in their subtle reactions.

He remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly, his voice low but carrying weight.

"Fan Qing."

"The minister is here."

Fan Zeng bowed.

"As the Chief of the Imperial Treasury of Qin, Liu Bang was in charge of the empire's finances, crafts, official property, and some matters related to the resettlement of immigrants. His authority was immense."

Ying Xuan's tone was calm and indifferent.

"Related matters should be handled by them or handled in coordination. The Control Yuan is responsible for supervising all departments and impeaching illegal acts. If a case is discovered, it should be investigated and dealt with accordingly."

However, in subsequent reports, the attribution of authority must be clearly defined; this is the law of the court. The Grand Secretariat, the Military Secretariat, and the Imperial Household Department each have their own duties, are of equal rank, and are all directly responsible to me. Minister Fan must keep this in mind.”

Fan Zeng remained expressionless, bowed again, and spoke in a steady tone.

"Your Majesty's teachings will be obeyed."

He understood that His Majesty was giving him a warning, reminding him not to overstep his bounds, but at the same time affirming the Overwatch Council's power to investigate cases.

Liu Bang's expression softened slightly, but his gaze toward Fan Zeng remained cold.

Ying Xuan said no more and turned his gaze to Liu Bang.

"Minister of the Imperial Household, what do you have to report?"

Liu Bang immediately stepped forward, his face now displaying a respectful and slightly obsequious expression, as if his earlier displeasure had never existed.

His voice was loud and clear, carrying a touch of worldly smoothness, yet it was also articulate and logical. (End of Chapter)