After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 963 - 948: Proclamation to the People
Some people in this world are like this: they become numb from various disasters, so that while their bodies are alive, their souls are dead; but once given a little sunshine, their thoughts and schemes start to stir again, a classic case of being too radiant from a small amount of sunlight.
This group of sovereigns and ministers is like that.
Zhao Hanzhang was initially soft-hearted, keeping them for potential use. Though it brought her some trouble, it was a minor one, not to the point of regret.
Regardless of status, all these people were put to work as civil servants.
Zhao Hanzhang then invited Ming Yu and others to discuss matters, having considered carefully, she still felt it necessary to make a trip to Shanggu County.
But before going, she needed to arrange affairs in each state properly.
She pondered for a while, then personally wrote a public notice to inform all people about the current state of Great Jin and what she planned to do next.
Presently, the people need encouragement, a goal, to let them know there are still those who care for them, who strive for their stability.
Therefore, Zhao Hanzhang informed the nation that the Xiongnu Kingdom has been eradicated, and we have regained lost territories such as Jizhou, Si Province, Bingzhou, etc.
Currently, the Northern Land is severely afflicted by drought and locusts. Since last summer and autumn, the areas of Youzhou, Jizhou, and Bingzhou have seen reduced grain yields. From the start of this year to now, Youzhou has had no harvest, and Jizhou and Bingzhou are also seriously affected, leaving the people in dire straits.
Both she and Your Majesty are deeply pained, thus, for the livelihood of all people, from the moment you receive this edict, disaster victims may go to the nearest county government to seek help, and the court will do its utmost to provide relief.
Wang Jun, the Youzhou Governor, due to ineffectiveness in disaster relief, hoarding power selfishly, ignoring people’s lives, and plotting rebellion, was executed. From now on, Youzhou is under my, Zhao Hanzhang’s, supervision, and the court will send a new governor to oversee Youzhou’s management.
Zhao Hanzhang urged all disaster victims to return to their homeland, all previous issues dissolved with the death of Governor Wang Jun, so all prior debts to the court or Wang Jun are written off. Returning to the homeland, the local county government will reallocate land for settled citizens to cultivate, while waiving taxes for a year.
If you do not wish to make the journey back, you must report to the local county government for settlement. No matter where you are, the local county government will allocate cultivable land to you, also waiving a year’s taxes.
Zhao Hanzhang detailed her relief measures, hoping to soothe the people’s hearts. She wrote, "I know all citizens have suffered these years, especially this past year; whether in the Northern Land, Central Plains, or Jiangnan, the people have been afflicted. We lost our monarch, and the world underwent great changes. I traveled north, seeing the paths lined with accumulated bones from the past; I also saw bodies lying by the roadside, one every ten steps, three to five huddling together, and from their emaciated faces, you can even see similarities—this is a family..."
"Each life is a gift from heaven, especially humans," Zhao Hanzhang wrote, "Yet due to natural disasters, wars, officials’ inaction, and the struggle for the interests of the world, the people have nowhere to rely on; the elderly cannot be at peace in their later years, the young pass away hastily before glimpsing the beauty of this world, and the young adults lose both parents and children, it tears my heart, I empathize deeply, overwhelmed by sorrow."
"Now that the Xiongnu have retreated and there are no immediate external threats, I only hope for peace in the realm and for the people to live and work in happiness. Should disaster strike, the court must find ways to provide relief and support. Everyone must work together to overcome this difficulty."
Zhao Hanzhang wrote, "If you are literate, please read this announcement to those around you, let them know the court has not abandoned the people; I, Zhao Hanzhang, am always with you. If you are esteemed for your virtue, please inform the local community, supervise the local officials together, and help the County Magistrate and Prefectural Governor in relief efforts to overcome the difficulties."
"If anyone violates this order, the corrupt officials who exploit the people, you may write to me, and once verified, I will surely punish them severely..."
Zhao Hanzhang wrote in detail where they could file complaints, the method, and the address for sending letters.
After finishing the letter, Zhao Hanzhang instructed Fu Tinghan and Ming Yu to tally the grain stock in Youzhou. Some will remain in Youzhou for relief, while others will be distributed for relief to places like Bingzhou, Jizhou, and so forth.
Because many disaster victims from Youzhou have fled to places like Bingzhou and Jizhou, awaiting relief. More distant places, such as Si Province, Qingzhou, Yan State, and Yu State, will need to have grain allocated from various locations in Jiangnan.
Zhao Hanzhang was also to meet the five hundred students just sent to Hunlu County.
After receiving Zhao Hanzhang’s letter, Yu State urgently selected students from various counties, including some selected together from prefectures within Si Province, and sent them to Hunlu County.
Neither more nor less, precisely five hundred people.
Zhao Hanzhang personally met them, organized an examination, and conversed with them for two days, mainly discussing regional management and the issues they need to be mindful of given the current extraordinary circumstances.
These are youths aged thirteen to seventeen, including boys and girls. All of them stood out after enrollment, studying in small classes, experienced in volunteer work.
Volunteer work means assisting the government in copying documents and undertaking roles in extensive and complicated activities, like recording when sheltering disaster victims, or being responsible for counting and recording during work-for-relief projects, etc.
Therefore, everyone present had some work experience.
Zhao Hanzhang was quite satisfied with this.
After talking with them, she made assignments based on their willingness, personalities, strengths, and other considerations.
Which person would go to which county was something she decided personally. She also discussed with each of them about the situation at their soon-to-be county, some of which she had passed through, and some were extracted from reports Ding Han and others collected.
Having sent off the last student, half a month had passed since they captured Hunlu County; she breathed a sigh of relief, turned to Fu Tinghan, and asked, "Any news from Shi Le? He left ten days ago, right? Did he not meet Tuoba Yilu?"
Fu Tinghan shook his head, "No news."
Zhao Hanzhang had been working in the office for half a month, her back aching and legs uncomfortable, so she stretched her neck and said, "Let’s go, pack up our things, have Zeng Yue prepare, and we’ll travel lightly to Shanggu County."
Zhao Hanzhang was going to Shanggu County, not to see County Magistrate Li who surrendered early on, but because of the Duan Xianbei occupying Beiping County and Liaoxi County.
Now that the Xiongnu are eliminated and Youzhou has been smoothly reclaimed, Tuoba Yilu and she have become siblings—a bond of interests holding them together—therefore, the Duan Xianbei entrenched in Liaoxi pose the most likely external threat to Great Jin in the short term.
The reason Zhao Hanzhang sent Tuoba Yilu to Shanggu County early was not to take over a surrendered county but in anticipation of the Duan Xianbei’s movements.
At that time, she was fighting in Youzhou, Wang Jun was alive and held by Shi Le, who knows whether Duan Wumuchen might aid Wang Jun?
Oh, right, Duan Wumuchen and Wang Jun were allies; Liu Kun relies on Tuoba Xianbei, while the latter relies on Duan Xianbei, often hiring Duan Xianbei armies for battles. Zhao Hanzhang even suspected Liu Kun’s brotherhood with Tuoba Yilu was inspired by Wang Jun.
Wang Jun offered his daughter to Duan Wumuchen; Liu Kun didn’t have a daughter and couldn’t become Tuoba Yilu’s father-in-law, so he could only strive for brotherhood.
In sum, she needed to see Duan Wumuchen before leaving Youzhou, to ensure that Youzhou wouldn’t erupt in battle again. Even with Shi Le’s prowess unaffected by Duan Xianbei, warfare always costs money, and she currently had none!!!
