As Song Xian spoke, the atmosphere changed completely, and many people began to wipe their tears, so even whispered among themselves.
"Is there disaster relief grain from the court again?"
"Hush, don’t speculate."
Song Xian said, "There is no disaster relief grain from the court."
As Song Xian spoke, the surrounding area fell silent. Without grain, how will they fill their stomachs?
Song Xian continued, "Daqi has so many states and counties, the court collects a limited amount of tax silver each year. It cannot continuously provide relief to the eight states, and our eight states cannot just wait for others to relieve us."
"But the governnt office has prepared grains, draught oxen, plowing tools, and dicinal herb seeds. When the weather warms, we will plant crops in the fields. The land of our eight states is fertile enough to sustain the people here."
"However, before spring plowing, we need to engage in other businesses to earn silver coins to buy rice and clothes."
Song Xian stopped there, not specifying what business to engage in, but the people of Dai State began to show renewed hope on their faces.
Although officials of the Pseudo King had spoken similar words before, they had never fulfilled their promises, and the people had grown indifferent. But this ti, hearing it from the mouth of Song Jiedu, emotion stirred in their chests.
This was Song Xian who defended Dai State, who captured the Liao prince. The people of Zhenzhou were willing to take out their grain and send it to the eight states as military rations for Song Xian. Such a Song Xian could gain the support of the people and clearly is a good official devoted to the people. The words of a good official are naturally trustworthy.
Song Xian turned to Qu Chengi beside him, "Before the Prefect of Dai State assus his position, Prefect Qu will preside over the governnt office. If there are any difficulties, you can go to the governnt office to speak."
As Song Xian’s words fell, Qu Chengi felt the people’s gaze fall upon him again, eyes filled with yearning, trust in Song Jiedu and him.
Qu Chengi took a deep breath, bowed solemnly to the people, "I will do my utmost." Song Jiedu had him temporarily act as Prefect until several prefects took office. He bore a heavy responsibility and could not disappoint the people, nor sha Song Jiedu. He must show the people what Song Jiedu’s governance looks like.
Song Xian turned to mount his horse and continued on, while the people surrounded Qu Chengi.
"Sir, what business will the court provide us?"
"Sir..."
Qu Chengi felt a pair of dry, thin hands clutching his official robe, many could not speak and stubbornly blocked his way, unwilling to let him leave, as if his departure would let their hope fade away.
Qu Chengi seed to feel what the people of the eight states had endured, and he could not help but feel a pang in his nose, almost moved to tears.
Qu Chengi said, "In a mont, each village chief will co to the governnt office to discuss the matters ahead. Once the village chief returns to the village, everyone will know everything, so please return and wait patiently."
Song Xian rode to the governnt office.
This ti, absent were those who wished to curry favor, making Song Jiedu’s deanor much improved.
Stepping through the governnt office gates, Song Xian saw the officials standing beside him, pleading guilty.
Song Xian ignored them and walked past them, causing the officials to weaken and fall to their knees. They wanted to plead with Song Jiedu for rcy but opened their mouths without uttering a word.
As Song Xian’s footsteps faded away, several officials timidly raised their heads, peering inside the governnt office. The office appeared unchanged compared to the past, yet after Song Xian entered, they felt everything was different, such solemnity, and majesty, suffocating them.
"What do we do now?" one official asked.
Another replied, "We confess in the jail ourselves." If not proactively, they fear the punishnt will escalate, and if they dare to escape, being caught would be a death sentence.
Song Xian and Qu Chengi examined docunts in the governnt office, while Qu Chengi remained to arrange subsequent affairs, as Song Xian took his n to the pass and military to assess the situation.
The market was about to open, guarding the border could not permit any errors.
After seeing Song Xian off, Qu Chengi instructed those around him, "Let the village chiefs co, we’ll speak in the second hall."
The village chiefs of Dai State gathered in the second hall, and since taking office, this was the first ti being summoned to the governnt office for a eting.
Not to ntion a Prefect, even past County Magistrates did not have ti to see them.
After everyone was seated, they saw Prefect Qu leading people over.
The village chiefs greeted Prefect Qu.
Qu Chengi said, "We have many matters to discuss, so let’s dispense with formalities during the discussion."
The village chiefs responded.
Qu Chengi said, "One more thing, only speak the truth. Any requirents and difficulties, you are free to express, the governnt office will find solutions, and no one will bla you. If difficulties exist and you conceal them, any errors in the future, you will be held accountable."
The village chiefs nodded in agreent.
Qu Chengi glanced at the governnt official, who opened the door.
The village chiefs saw several n enter, so whom they recognized from Wang Family Village, exactly from Zhenzhou Chen Family Village.
Upon seeing Chen Yongyi from Chen Family Village, Village Chief Wang breathed a sigh of relief. Whether it was Song Jiedu or Miss Xie, everything promised to them had been fulfilled.
Village Chief Wang’s furrowed brow gradually relaxed.
More people entered, placing goods on the governnt office’s tables.
Among those goods were thread tassels, wool felt, flower felt...
Qu Chengi invited the village chiefs to co and see.
"We’ve made wool felt before."
"But not as sturdy as this."
"Recently, they said a few people from Wang Family Village made flower felt, could it be this?"
Everyone looked at Village Chief Wang, who nodded, "Yes." Won from Zhenzhou helped us make it together.
Qu Chengi said, "This wool felt and flower felt sell very well in the capital."
"Then we should make these?"
Could this be the livelihood General Song is seeking for them?
No longer needing secrecy, they can openly produce these and sell them, earning silver coins to sustain their families.
So in Village Chief Wang’s group were in the know, but reaching this day still stirred excitent in their hearts.
Qu Chengi said, "Those who ca from Zhenzhou will aid in crafting spinning wheels for the village, teaching everyone how to make these thread tassels, wool felt, and other items."
"Everyone must co to discuss this matter in the coming days."
In each village, how many people can make wool felt and flower felt, how many can learn to use the spinning wheel, and where is best to place the spinning wheel in the village.
Those are matters for the village chiefs to discuss.
Chen Yongyi and others were already prepared to start making spinning wheels.
Qu Chengi cleared a courtyard beside the governnt office, allowing Chen Yongyi and others to reside inside, where they crafted spinning wheels from Zhenzhou in the courtyard these days.
The group discussed until nightfall, eting at the governnt office early the next morning.
During the conversation, Village Chief Qiao of Qiao Family Village rembered sothing, asking Chen Yongyi, "Previously, the one we encountered at Dai State Pass... is Miss Xie coming?"
They heard that Miss Xie seed to be Prince Guangyang’s granddaughter and had been bestowed by the court as a Commandery Princess, yet they could not confirm this news.
"Yes," Chen Yongyi replied, "She will co later."
Village Chief Qiao knew the young lady was very capable, with excellent dical skills, and Zhenzhou’s people all listened to her.
Village Chief Qiao asked, "Really?" Miss Xie had treated many in their village, and the villagers wished to thank Miss Xie face to face.
Chen Yongyi was about to speak when he saw Song Xian returning from military patrol.
Village Chief Qiao heard Song Jiedu’s voice behind him, "Indeed, because on February twenty-sixth, the Commandery Princess will marry , and we will naturally be together as one in the future."
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