"Although we had expected it, when it happened, it was still a bit hard to accept." All the nobles, big and small, whispered.
Since the Zhou Dynasty, nobles have been accustomed to doing whatever they want in their own fiefdoms, and they can even ignore the orders of the kings of great powers. Whoever is stronger becomes a great power.
Although the strength of the feudal lords and nobles in various regions has been greatly reduced since the Warring States Period, they have always had the right to appoint local officials, and now this power has been taken back to the central government.
It's just that the central power of Qin State is too huge now, and there are too many troops stationed in various places. Even if they want to resist, they can't.
Especially Li Si's multi-pronged plan made them feel weak even if they wanted to rebel.
They used to be able to say that the mountains are high and the emperor is far away. No matter how many troops are stationed, they will eventually leave one day.
This was also the fundamental reason why they agreed to Guo Kai's land reform. As a noble family, they could afford to fight Qin and Xianyang. When the central government could no longer guarantee the existence of such a large army, they would inevitably withdraw the army.
Didn't they have the final say at that time?
But things are different now. The county system has shattered their dreams. The central government has directly controlled local personnel appointments, which is equivalent to removing the last of their backbone.
Coupled with the construction of the straight road, even if the army retreats to the center in the future, if they dare to make any changes, the army will be able to quickly arrive and suppress them before they take charge.
The most important thing is that they thought that successive years of wars would make the Qin State's treasury empty and unable to support the construction of the straight road.
Who would have thought of a letter from Yan Chunjun, and then Zhi Su Nei Shi Xiao Xu went directly to Yanzhigou to dig for gold, making the treasury even fuller than before the war started.
And if the national treasury is rich, it means that the country is strong and can do whatever it wants!
Direct roads from Xianyang to various counties? Build them!
The Qin Palace is too small. Do you want to build a new Afang Palace? Build it!
Lishan Tomb is not domineering enough? Huh!
Wonders harming the country? The few have plenty of money!
This is the state of Qin and Xianyang today, and it is also the confidence that Ying Zheng can do whatever he wants after his money bag is full.
Before setting off for the journey, every piece of money should be broken into two pieces for use.
But now, the national treasury is too lazy to store copper coins. Wouldn't it be nice to store gold treasures? As for the copper coins, take them away, they are no longer eligible to enter the national treasury.
"Prime Minister Li, will this massive recruitment of people to build channels in various counties and counties make the corvee excessive?" Feng Quji was still a little worried.
This is a comprehensive road construction, from the countryside to the county town, then from the county town to the county town, and finally the county town and Xianyang.
The amount of this project, not to mention the cost, is not a small amount of manpower.
However, the ancient practice is that the people have the obligation to perform corvee service, and this corvee service does not provide food, but only provides shelter and tools. You must bring your own food and clothing.
This is why the suffering of corvee comes from this.
Li Si frowned and looked at Feng Quji. He wanted to know whether Feng Quji really sympathized with the sufferings of the people before he said this, or if he didn't want to connect the country's transportation and completely break the illusions of the nobles and speak for them.
It's just that Feng Quji, as the imperial censor, has the right to report the news, so it's not easy for him to hold him accountable directly.
But just because Li Si didn't ask, it didn't mean that no one would ask.
Everyone knows that the county system is to return power to Xianyang, and it is inevitable to encounter resistance.
Just waiting to see who takes the lead first.
"Is Feng Qing speaking on behalf of himself, the people, or the aristocratic family?" Ying Zheng's voice was low and somewhat displeased.
Feng Quji immediately understood that Ying Zheng was just doubting his identity. If the answer was not good, he might not even be able to protect his position as a censor.
And he also represents the old forces. It sounds like the corvee is too heavy, but in fact he is a pawn for the rise of the nobility.
Feng Quji's official uniform was soaked with cold sweat. Ying Zheng's question meant that Ying Zheng already knew the answer. No matter how he explained it, the result would be the same.
"Your Majesty, what do you think?" Ying Zheng stared at Feng Quji for a moment before changing the subject. There must be old and new forces in a court. These are harmless, but they cannot hinder the empire's way forward, otherwise
, no matter who it is, there is only death!
Zhao Gao was suddenly touched by Ying Zheng, and his body trembled. Like Feng Quji, he belonged to the old aristocratic group, so he was a little confused whether Ying Zheng was knocking them or really asking him.
Seeing Zhao Gao's delay in answering, Ying Zheng's face darkened again.
"It seems that you don't want to take the position of Taipu?" Ying Zheng said coldly.
"The Taipu is in charge of the country's horse, government, carriages, and government, and the construction of straight roads is also in charge of the Taipu Yamen!" Li Si reminded.
Only then did Zhao Gao realize that it was within his authority!
"I think it's feasible!" Zhao Gao hurriedly expressed his stance.
"Whatever you think is feasible!" Ying Zheng became even more angry.
As a Taipu, he actually didn’t know what his duties were. Ying Zheng even had to wonder if Zhao Gao knew how many horse farms there were in Taipu Temple, what kind of livestock they had, and what his annual income was!
Zhao Gao indeed looked confused. He had just taken up the post of servant, but he spent more time making friends with powerful people and had little time to understand the matters within his duties.
Li Si also looked at Zhao Gao in surprise. He used to think that Zhao Gao was a talent, at least in calligraphy. Zhao Gao was as famous as Yushi Cheng Miao and Zhongche Mansion. He thought that Zhao Gao, as a close minister of Yingzheng, should know about Yingzheng.
The most important thing is ability, and I will first understand the responsibilities of the servant.
But I didn't expect Zhao Gao to be so slack.
Thinking of this, Li Si also trembled. If he hadn't been hit by Li Mu for a while and suddenly promoted to left prime minister, he might have forgotten a little.
Sure enough, it is correct to think three times a day and think about others when you see them.
Otherwise, Zhao Gao would be himself now!
"The construction of the straight road this time is not a simple corvee, but the method left by Emperor Yao, using work in exchange for relief. The government provides money and food, and hires local people to participate in the construction of the straight road and the Chi Road!" Li Si spoke again,
It helps Zhao Gao get rid of the embarrassment.
"Does the mother-in-law have so much money through work-for-relief?" Ying Zheng asked again.
At this time, Zhang Han spoke decisively, feeling resentful in his heart. Fortunately, he went to take inventory as soon as he took over the Shaofu and knew how much money Da Qin had now.
Then after Li Si issued the Prime Minister's Order, he immediately calculated the required expenses, instead of being like Zhao Gao and Feng Quji who looked down on Li Si and did not take Li Si's order seriously.
So after Ying Zheng spoke, Zhang Han immediately stepped forward and replied, "After collecting the treasury of each country, the national treasury was filled up a lot. In addition, with the contribution of Sir Guo Kai, the Shang Qing, and the continuous donations from Mr. Xu, who has been shrinking the internal affairs of the country in recent years,
The gold mines arriving in Xianyang have made the national treasury rich enough to support the construction of straight roads and galloping roads."
"In addition, according to the Mohist suggestion, some large-scale water canals will be built in various places. The Shaofu estimates that the cost will be about one hundred thousand yuan, and the national treasury will still have a balance at present!"
"One hundred million?" Ying Zheng was also stunned for a moment. He had been in power for so many years, and it seemed that no project cost more than ten million. Why did it cost one hundred million this time?
Even if it costs one hundred million, there will still be a surplus after spending the money in the treasury?