Chapter 796: Death Is Not Worthy
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Arranging so many refugees required a huge amount of money and food. Yin Huaixi couldn’t take it out, so he was about to swing the butcher’s knife at the n.o.bles.
In essence, his actions were no different from the King of Liang’s. They were both for wealth and food.
However, for selfish reasons, Yin Huaixi could let the refugees live.
However, behind letting them live, it was still to control the North and develop a stable and powerful backing to prepare for the future.
However, Yin Huaixi said, “Martial officials can’t do political work. As for the resettlement of the refugees, it depends on the government’s arrangements. I shouldn’t interfere in the rest, in case it’s exposed. As for whether they can survive on this path, it depends on whether the government and the local n.o.bles are willing to give the refugees a way out.”
Yu Youyao thought of the situation in Liancheng and understood what Yin Huaixi meant.
Indeed!
Yin Huaixi looked at her. “The water and soil of a place support the people of that place. The Xie family still knows about the wealth of the world. You should take it from the people and use it for them. Be it a water disaster or a drought, you should actively join forces with the merchants who are on good terms with you to organize disaster relief for the commoners. There are two natural disasters in the south and north. The role of the Imperial Court is almost negligible. However, the relief of the commoners is even more important.”
He respected Old Master Xie and everyone in the Xie family not only because they were Yu Youyao’s maternal family, but also because they were worthy of respect.
With the Xie family’s influence on the southeast coast, it wasn’t impossible for them to organize a huge business alliance like the merchant guild in the North.
But!
The Xie Residence knew very well that the wealth in the hinterland of the Central Plains came from the commoners of the Great Zhou. The merchant guild was too powerful, and in the end, it would harm the interests of the commoners.
The Xie Residence focused on maritime trade and brought the resources of other countries back to the Great Zhou Dynasty to nourish it. The money that they earned was also actively used to repair roads and build bridges to help the commoners and the Imperial Court.
When the North Business Gang was first established, they had also developed the Silk Road vigorously. They took the ancient path and traded to earn money from other countries. But now, the gentry in the North were powerful, and it had become normal to exploit the commoners.
This was because the merchant guild was too powerful. When the merchant guild developed to a certain scale, they should have developed their needs and controlled the local resources. When the potential of the local resources was exhausted and their productivity had reached the limit, it was inevitable that they would exploit the commoners. In the end, the entire North entered a state of internal strife.
Yu Youyao felt a little upset. “It’s a national policy to prioritize agriculture over business. However, business is more profitable than agriculture. In turn, bullying the commoners will also lead to low productivity.”
Since ancient times, agriculture had never bullied business. Business had bullied agriculture. Meanwhile, agriculture was the first source of power for productivity. Food was the foundation.
The Great Zhou Dynasty’s productivity was not enough to support it. It allowed trade to develop freely. King Li of Zhou’s death was a serious consequence of overdevelopment.
It was impossible for Yin Huaixi to ignore it.
Yin Huaixi sneered. “In the entire North, including the refugees who fled the drought, there are nearly five million people. There are still a few n.o.bles who are willing to organize disaster relief for the commoners. The money of the n.o.bles is taken from the North, but they don’t want to repay it. For example, Liancheng’s silk production is decreasing year by year because of the drought, but the n.o.bles are still firmly in control of the silk industry. They buy at a low price and sell at a high price to earn huge profits. There are many people who are unwilling to give the commoners a way out.”
Part of the reason for this was even more ironic. When he was still the heir, he had slaughtered officials and n.o.bles wantonly to gather rations for the You army. Later, in King Li of Zhou’s case, blood flowed for 3,000 kilometers in the North. With the previous example, some n.o.bles were worried that they would provoke him, so they deliberately covered themselves with hypocrisy.
Yu Youyao sighed softly. “Take in refugees, develop the population of the North, increase the productivity of the North, improve the vastness of the land and the spa.r.s.e population, and achieve the goal of suppressing the n.o.bles of the North and controlling the important resources of the North in your own hands. I’ll support you in whatever you want to do.”
Governing a place was not as easy as she thought. Some methods were indispensable.
It was impossible for her to watch helplessly as Yin Huaixi was controlled by the n.o.bles.
King Li of Zhou was an example.
Perhaps Yin Huaixi had all kinds of schemes. At the very least, he had let millions of refugees live.
King Liang wasn’t able to do it, while the n.o.bles weren’t willing to do it.
“I don’t want to follow in my father’s footsteps.” Yin Huaixi came to Yu Youyao and squatted in front of her. “I’ve also given them many chances.”
Yu Youyao nodded. “When you released the rumor that you wanted to teach the refugees to raise silkworms, it’s not like the n.o.bles didn’t understand what you meant. However, when they saw that the spring silkworms were about to be raised, the four families of the city did not express anything at all. You’re a va.s.sal lord, so you can’t interfere too much in the matters of the refugees, in case it’s exposed. The n.o.bles also understand this, so they’re fearless about your hint. They’re exploiting the commoners and disregarding the lives of the refugees. The deaths of unrighteous people are not worthy of pity.”
She had always understood that Yin Huaixi wanted to save the refugees, but because of his status as a va.s.sal lord, he couldn’t interfere in the government’s matters. He could only use this method to hint to the n.o.bles.
They accepted refugees to raise silkworms. The food supply of the early refugees was supported by sweet potatoes, and there were also abundant seafood resources. Moreover, when the weather warmed up and everything revived, the refugees could also get food from the mountains. The government and the n.o.bles did not have to pay too much. It was just a drop in the bucket.
When the first spring silkworm turned into a coc.o.o.n, the refugees could use silk to exchange for food. The Yue Fei’s Residence had stored food. Although they couldn’t give it to the refugees for nothing, the silk could be treated as military supplies and exchanged for food with the refugees.
The silkworm chrysalises also became one of the refugees’ food.
The sweet potatoes were fully planted in the three northeastern provinces, which were less affected. They were edible and were produced in large quant.i.ties, so the North would not face a food shortage.
The silk of the refugees could also be exchanged for food with the n.o.bles, allowing the n.o.bles to benefit.
Taking in refugees was beneficial and harmless to the n.o.bles.
The n.o.bles were unwilling to do it because over the years, they were already used to exploiting the commoners and sitting back to enjoy their achievements. They were unwilling to make any contributions.
It was also because they controlled a lot of resources and were used to being high up in the air. In their eyes, refugees were like gra.s.s, and they were even more unwilling to be pedantic and help.
However, that wasn’t right.
They had already seen how big the world was, but they still pitied the greenery. This was the magnanimity that a superior should have.
And Yin Huaixi had done it.
After figuring this out, Yu Youyao’s heart opened up and she smiled. “I’ll do what the n.o.bles don’t want to do. With my help, you can still achieve your goal.”
There were many areas in Liao Province that were suitable for raising silkworms, and they all had the natural advantage that allowed them to accept refugees. The areas that accepted refugees also developed their population one after another and increased their productivity. The newly developed resources would also break through the inherent resources controlled by the n.o.bles and inject live water into a pool of stagnant water in the North. Moreover, under King Yue Fei’s control, they would have greater capital to suppress the n.o.bles and let them follow the rules set by him.
Yin Huaixi’s plan was in line with the interests of the commoners and him as King Yue Fei. It was a win-win situation.
Yin Huaixi heaved a sigh of relief. “The development of the North can’t do without the n.o.bles. A ruthless method like the King of Liang’s also depends on the person.”