Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

The fourth year of the Qiming era, the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. The Double Ninth Festival.

Chrysanthemums bloomed throughout Chang'an, golden, snow-white, and crimson, stretching as far as the eye could see. A gentle breeze carried the faint scent of herbs throughout the city. People climbed to high places to enjoy the view, wore dogwood, drank chrysanthemum wine, and prayed for a year of peace and health.

However, Chang'an was more bustling than usual that day—because the emperor was going on an inspection tour.

At the exact hour of Chen (7-9 AM), the imperial procession was fully arrayed on the imperial road outside Chengtian Gate. Golden gourds, axes, banners, and umbrellas gleamed in the autumn sunlight. Three thousand imperial guards, clad in gleaming armor and holding halberds, stood motionless for miles, stretching from Chengtian Gate all the way to Mingde Gate.

Chen Xing, dressed in a dark-colored casual robe and wearing a winged crown, stepped out of Chengtian Gate. Half a step behind him, Murong Mingyue, dressed in a dignified empress's robe, phoenix coronet and embroidered gown, walked with composure. Further behind were Consort Su Xiaoxiao, Consort Lin Wan'er, and Consort Lan Fenghuang, each dressed in ceremonial robes of their respective ranks, their expressions respectful.

"Your Majesty," Jia Wen greeted him, presenting a thick itinerary, "the journey to Luoyang and Yangzhou is expected to take three months round trip. Palaces and post stations have been prepared in all prefectures and counties, and security arrangements along the route have also been made."

Chen Xing took it, flipped through it casually, nodded, and handed it to Murong Mingyue.

"Zitong, look."

Murong Mingyue took it, examined it carefully, and nodded slightly: "The arrangements along the way are very thoughtful. However..."

She paused, then looked at Jia Wen: "Will the expenses for welcoming the emperor in various prefectures and counties be covered by local finances or allocated from the imperial treasury?"

Jia Wen was taken aback, then said, "Your Majesty, according to precedent, the local area should raise the funds itself..."

Murong Mingyue shook her head: "Old precedents are old precedents, but this is a new dynasty. Various regions are implementing land redistribution and tax reforms, and the treasury is already strained. Making them raise funds for the emperor's arrival would only increase the burden."

She turned to Chen Xing: "Your Majesty, I believe that all expenses for this imperial tour should be paid from the Imperial Treasury, and the people should not be disturbed. The prefectures and counties only need to maintain normal order and there is no need for extravagance."

Chen Xing looked at her, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

"allow."

Jia Wen immediately bowed and said, "This old minister will take care of it right away."

At 9:00 AM, the imperial procession set off.

Leading the procession were eight dragon banners, fluttering in the wind. Following them were golden-armored cavalry, their horses moving in perfect unison, their hooves thundering. Next came the Emperor's jade carriage, carried steadily by thirty-six strongmen. Behind the jade carriage came the Empress's phoenix palanquin, followed by the imperial carriages of the Noble Consort, the Virtuous Consort, and the Wise Consort. Finally, three thousand Imperial Guards, their armor gleaming, their long halberds forming a forest.

The procession, in a grand and imposing manner, proceeded eastward along Qiming Road.

This official road from Chang'an to Luoyang was started three years ago and was just fully opened to traffic last autumn. The roadbed is three zhang wide, made of rammed loess, paved with sand and gravel, with drainage ditches on both sides, a relay station every ten li, and a post station every thirty li. Chen Xing sat in the jade carriage and looked through the gauze curtain. He saw that the road was as straight as an arrow and stretched all the way to the horizon.

"Your Majesty," the accompanying Vice Minister of Works leaned closer, "this road was built using our new methods. The roadbed was laid with gravel, and then covered with yellow earth and sand. After compaction, it's not muddy in the rain and doesn't raise dust in the dry season. The bridges and culverts along the way are all made with the kind of 'cement' newly fired by the Imperial Workshop, which is even stronger than stone."

Chen Xing nodded and asked, "How many days will it take to travel from Chang'an to Luoyang?"

"Your Majesty, what used to take seven or eight days can now be done in a day by fast horse, and a large army can be done in three days."

Chen Xing was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "How long has it taken to build this road?"

"Your Majesty, from the start of construction to completion, it took two years and three months."

"How many laborers were used?"

The Vice Minister of Works was taken aback, and after careful consideration, said, "Approximately 200,000 people in total."

Chen Xing stared at the straight road outside the window without saying a word.

Two hundred thousand people. That means countless days and nights of hard work, countless drops of sweat, and countless families' separations and hopes.

But the road has been repaired.

From then on, government orders could be transmitted more quickly, merchants could travel more quickly, and the army could be mobilized more quickly.

The hard work of these 200,000 people was not in vain.

The team arrived in Washington state in the evening.

Huazhou was the first stop after leaving Chang'an, about 150 li away. The prefect's surname was Wang, given name An, a middle-aged man in his early forties who had been transferred here from a position in the capital last year. He and the prefectural officials were waiting for him early in the morning, about ten li outside the city.

Chen Xing did not go to the prefectural government office, but went directly to the post station outside the city. The post station was newly built, with blue bricks and gray tiles, a neat courtyard, five main rooms, three rooms each in the east and west wings, and a stable and warehouse in the backyard.

"Your Majesty," Wang An said cautiously, "I have dared to suggest that you prepare some local products at the post station. They are just some snacks and trinkets, not worth much money, but only a small token of my appreciation..."

Chen Xing waved his hand, interrupting him: "No need. I didn't come here to collect anything. Come with me for a walk and let's see the countryside of Huazhou."

Wang An was stunned, then nodded repeatedly.

As dusk settled, Chen Xing and Murong Mingyue walked side by side along the edge of a field outside the city.

The autumn harvest is over, leaving only bare rice stubble in the fields. In the distance, wisps of smoke rise from the rooftops of a few farmhouses, blending into the twilight.

"Your Majesty," Murong Mingyue said softly, "look over there."

Chen Xing followed her gaze and saw an old farmer bending over, picking something up from the ground not far away.

The two walked over. The old farmer heard the footsteps, looked up, and saw two richly dressed men and women with attendants behind them. He was so frightened that he hurriedly knelt down.

"No need for such formalities, sir." Chen Xing helped him up. "What are you picking up?"

The old farmer pointed shakily to the rice stubble in the field: "Replying to...replying to the master, we're picking up the fallen rice stalks. They fell off during the harvest. Picking them up will yield a few liters of rice."

Chen Xing looked at his rough hands, which were covered in cracks and had dirt stuck in his fingernails.

How was the harvest this year?

The old farmer sighed, "It's alright. Better than a few years ago. After the land redistribution, my family received thirty mu of land. After paying the taxes, we have enough left to eat until next spring."

Chen Xing nodded and then asked, "Are the taxes heavy?"

The old farmer thought for a moment and said, "It's not too heavy. I've heard from the older generation that in the previous dynasty, all sorts of miscellaneous taxes were added together, which was much heavier than it is now. Now we only pay one, it's clear and transparent, and there's no confusion."

He paused, then suddenly lowered his voice: "Sir, you're from the capital, aren't you? I've heard that the new emperor is a good man. He reduced taxes, ordered road construction, and even allocated land to us. Everyone in our village says we've met a true dragon emperor."

Chen Xing smiled slightly and said nothing.

Murong Mingyue asked softly from the side, "Old man, have you seen the new emperor?"

The old farmer shook his head, grinned, revealing a few remaining teeth: "Never seen it. But in our hearts, we have."

As night deepened, Chen Xing and Murong Mingyue returned to the post station.

In the courtyard of the post station, Su Xiaoxiao, Lin Wan'er, and Lan Fenghuang were talking under the lamp. Upon seeing them return, the three of them quickly stood up and bowed.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress," Su Xiaoxiao said, "I had some porridge cooked with locally grown new rice. Would you like to try some?"

Chen Xing nodded, took the bowl, and drank a sip.

"Not bad, it tastes like new rice."

Lan Fenghuang leaned closer and whispered, "Brother Xing, I went to town today and saw several pharmacies with a good selection of medicinal herbs. I even chatted with the owners, and they all said that medicinal herbs have become easier to buy in the last two years because the imperial court has opened official medical clinics, and medicinal herbs are being cultivated in various places..."

Chen Xing couldn't help but laugh when he saw her excited expression.

"Phoenix, you never forget your medicine, no matter where you go."

Blue Phoenix chuckled and scratched his head.

Lin Wan'er stood to the side, silent. She gazed at the rising moon outside the window, lost in thought.

Murong Mingyue walked over and gently patted her shoulder.

"Wan'er, you've had a long day, go and get some rest."

Lin Wan'er snapped out of her daze and quickly nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty."

On the tenth day of the ninth month, the caravan continued eastward.

Along the way, they passed through Zheng County, Shanzhou, Xiashi, and Mianchi, where local officials greeted and saw them off. Chen Xing refused to see any of them, only instructing the accompanying officials from the Censorate to investigate the administration of officials and the conditions of the people.

On September 14, the team arrived in Luoyang.

The garrison commander of Luoyang, along with civil and military officials, went twenty li outside the city to greet the emperor. From afar, banners fluttered, drums and music resounded, and people crowded both sides of the official road, eager to catch a glimpse of the emperor's face.

Chen Xing's jade carriage stopped on the Tianjin Bridge outside Luoyang. He stepped down, stood at the bridgehead, and gazed at the ancient capital city before him.

Luoyang was more prosperous than he had imagined. The city walls were newly renovated, the streets and alleys inside were neat and orderly, shops lined the streets, and pedestrians thronged the streets. The Yi River and the Luo River converged outside the city, and cargo boats shuttled back and forth.

"Your Majesty," said Zhang Hao, an old official in his early fifties who was the governor of Luoyang. He was originally a former official of the previous dynasty and had remained in office after surrendering. "I have prepared a temporary palace for Your Majesty. Please move there."

Chen Xing shook his head: "No need. I'll take a walk around the city first."

Zhang Hao was stunned for a moment, and dared not say anything more, so he could only lead the way.

Chen Xing stayed in Luoyang for five days.

For five days, he did not stay at the imperial palace, but at an ordinary post station. Every morning, he would change into plain clothes, take a few guards, and wander around the city and its outskirts at will.

He went to the market in Luoyang to watch the merchants haggle over prices and the people buy vegetables and rice.

He went to the Imperial Academy in Luoyang to watch the students study and practice calligraphy, and to see the teachers lecturing and discussing philosophy.

He went to the official medical clinic in Luoyang and watched patients line up to see doctors and watch the physicians take pulses and prescribe medicine.

He also visited some villages outside Luoyang to see how the farmers lived after the autumn harvest and how those who had been allocated land were doing.

There was a family, a husband and wife, with three children, who farmed thirty acres of land. The man was honest and kind, the woman was quick and efficient, and the children ran around barefoot in the yard, their laughter ringing out.

Chen Xing stood at the gate of the courtyard, looking at that family for a long time.

Murong Mingyue stood beside him and asked softly, "What is Your Majesty thinking about?"

Chen Xing was silent for a moment, then slowly said:

"I'm wondering if we can continue living like this forever."

On September 19, the group left Luoyang and continued eastward.

Next stop: Bianzhou.

Bianzhou was an important city in the Central Plains and one of the pilot areas for the equal land distribution policy and tax reform. Chen Xing's trip was not only for inspection, but more importantly, to see with his own eyes how these new policies were being implemented.

The imperial carriage slowly traveled eastward, and the city of Luoyang gradually receded into the distance.

Chen Xing sat in the car, looking out the window at the endless fields, the farmers working in the fields, and the wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys.

He suddenly remembered what the old farmer had said:

"We've already seen it in our hearts."

He smiled slightly and gently closed his eyes.