Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield Chapter 848 Chapter 344: Opening the Treasure Chest, Immortal Miasma! Immortals, Your Blessings Await! (Part 2)

"As per Your Majesty's imperial command, the construction of the city and the integration of foreign tribes within its confines for governance will proceed without hindrance."

Lv Buwei declared, rising to his feet.

Hearing this report,

Ying Zheng beamed, responding, "Excellent!"

"Regarding the Northern Defense, the Northern Frontier, and Lantian,"

"the soldiers of these Three Camps have endured great hardship."

"Announce my decree!"

"All soldiers who have displayed valor in vanquishing the enemy shall receive contribution points, in addition to their customary promotions based on military merit. For every enemy dispatched, fifty contribution points shall be awarded, with no ceiling on the accumulation."

"Should a soldier perish in service to the nation, their family shall still be granted the accrued contribution points."

"It is my intention to utilize this reward system to galvanize every soldier of Qin!"

As Ying Zheng concluded his declaration,

The assembled civil and military officials offered a unanimous bow, proclaiming, "Your Majesty's wisdom is unparalleled!"

"Zhong Fu."

"The Great Desert of the Northern Frontier is a territory of immense scale, even surpassing the domain of our Shenzhou. The endeavors of city repair and the resettlement of the Donghu and Xiongnu peoples necessitate your utmost attention."

"The Northern Frontier garrison will be instructed to provide their full cooperation." Ying Zheng stated in a firm tone.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, this humble servant shall dedicate his full effort." Lv Buwei pledged without hesitation.

"Your Majesty."

"The Donghu tribe boasts a populace approaching fifteen million, and the Xiongnu likewise number over thirteen million."

"This represents the intelligence concerning these two tribes that our Qin had previously acquired."

"Such vast populations demand meticulous governance." Han Fei articulated clearly.

"What Chancellor Han has stated is unequivocally correct."

"The Northern Frontier is extensive, and its populace considerable. Furthermore, having recently subdued these two tribes, it is inevitable that many harbor resentment towards our Qin, thus requiring us to govern with utmost prudence." Ying Zheng concurred, nodding his head.

"Your Majesty."

"Previously, the Crown Prince put forth a strategy of employing foreign tribes to govern other foreign tribes. This approach was refined in Tu An and Goguryeo and can be effectively applied to the Northern Frontier."

"While our Qin must maintain vigilance against these foreign tribes, they can also be strategically utilized."

"In the Northern Frontier, the majority of grazing lands are controlled by the nobles of these two tribes. Ordinary herders are burdened with substantial taxes merely to subsist."

"Despite their status as foreign tribes, towards whom our Qin must maintain a degree of caution, we can still implement benevolent policies for the commoners of the Donghu and Xiongnu. Our primary focus should be on household registration, followed by the allocation of pastures and farmlands."

"By adopting such measures, the influence of the foreign tribes' nobility will inevitably be diminished."

"Moreover."

"Given the vastness of the Northern Frontier, additional states and counties must be established to facilitate Qin's administrative control." Li Si proposed, stepping forward.

"Indeed."

Ying Zheng's approval was evident in his nod.

In the management of foreign tribes, an overly stringent approach is ill-advised. Benevolent governance is paramount, lest continued severity provoke them to the brink of rebellion.

Currently, the successful models for governing foreign tribes are exemplified by the regions of Tu An and Goguryeo.

Alongside the strategy of utilizing foreign tribes for governance, Qin's land distribution policies are also being implemented. The differences for these populations compared to the Huaxia Jiuli clans of Qin are threefold: Firstly, their tax rate is increased by two-tenths; secondly, they are prohibited from practicing martial cultivation; and thirdly, their period of corvée service extends to five years, whereas the Huaxia Jiuli clans serve for two years.

Beyond these distinctions,

They are treated equitably with the citizens of Qin.

Naturally,

Even with these stipulations,

The inhabitants of these two territories now experience a quality of life that is exponentially superior to their previous circumstances.

Consequently, they harbor a deep sense of gratitude towards Qin.

"Across the immense expanse of the Northern Frontier, how many states and counties do you envision should be established?" Ying Zheng inquired of the court.

"Replying to Your Majesty."

"This old servant believes that a division into at least five states and fifty counties is imperative. Only through such a fragmentation can the combined population of over thirty million foreign tribes be effectively separated, thereby preventing the resurgence of their collective strength." Lv Buwei deliberated briefly before stating his proposal emphatically.

"As Zhong Fu has articulated."

"Let us establish five states and fifty counties. The specific demarcation of county towns will be determined based on prevailing conditions."

"This entire undertaking, I entrust fully to Zhong Fu's capable hands."

"The selection of State Governors, Prefectural Governors, and County Governors, along with all associated official appointments, will be managed comprehensively by Zhong Fu. The finalized list shall subsequently be presented to the throne for review." Ying Zheng decreed with a resonant voice.

Matters of such detail, Ying Zheng naturally would not deliberate upon personally.

As talented individuals bloomed profusely in Qin, the court ministers possessed ample capability to manage various affairs. Thus, Ying Zheng naturally wouldn't involve himself in every single matter.

"Grandfather."

"The Tian Xuan Mirror serves as the very bedrock of Qin's administration and the means by which we connect our vast territories. The Northern Frontier, too, should be equipped with the Tian Xuan Mirror, enabling Qin to govern with even greater effectiveness. When the government issues its decrees, favor shall be bestowed, undoubtedly capturing the loyalty of the people in the Northern Frontier."

"Indeed."

"Furthermore, two principal garrisons must be established within the Northern Frontier."

"Sun Chen proposes that the Northern Frontier and Northern Defense camps shall be responsible for the safeguarding of the Northern Frontier. While benevolent governance is to be implemented, military might must also serve as a deterrent." Zhao Qi stepped forward, presenting his report from below the dais.

Upon hearing this!

A look of warm approval spread across Ying Zheng's face.

"Qi'er's assessment is accurate."

"It shall be so."

Ying Zheng declared with a smile, readily concurring.

"Zhong Fu, make arrangements for the Tian Xuan Mirror to be integrated into our governance."

"Grand Commandant."

"You shall issue the imperial decree to Generals Meng Wu and Li Mu, commanding them to secure the Northern Frontier. Should any foreign tribes dare to stir up trouble, they are to be annihilated." Ying Zheng's voice resonated with stern authority.

"Your subordinate accepts the decree."

Lv Buwei and Wang Jian immediately acknowledged the imperial command.

At this juncture!

Chunyu Yue came forward: "Reporting to Your Majesty, from the Nine Provinces State Mansion Academy, five thousand students hailing from various regions have arrived to enroll in the Capital City Academy, preparing to undertake the court examinations."

"Who shall preside over these examinations?"

"Your Majesty, please issue your decree."

Meanwhile.

A year had elapsed.

The second cohort of students from the State Mansion Academy was also set to undergo examinations to secure positions as officials within the court.

And a year prior, a considerable number of students from the inaugural group had successfully passed their examinations and were already serving as officials in the government.

As for the chief examiner of that first crucial examination, it had, of course, been Zhao Feng.

"Grandfather Emperor."

"These students represent the future pillars of Qin, and your grandson humbly requests permission to oversee these upcoming examinations."

Zhao Qi immediately made his petition.

"Excellent."

"Qi'er, your intention alone is commendable."

"This responsibility shall be entrusted to you on this occasion." Ying Zheng chuckled heartily.

"Thank you, Grandfather Emperor." Zhao Qi responded with evident pleasure.

"What is the current state of the academies across our domain?" Ying Zheng inquired, turning his attention to Chunyu Yue.

"Your Majesty."

"The principles of governance, the art of military strategy, martial prowess, the immortal Dao, the craft of alchemy, the forging of artifacts, the intricacies of formations... these are the essential teachings derived from the Hundred Schools. Since the establishment of the County School Palace, numerous fields of study have been made available. Today's students no longer confine themselves to a single discipline but instead embrace the diverse paths available throughout Qin."

"Each school contributes its unique strengths." Chunyu Yue reported with enthusiasm.

"This is truly excellent."

Ying Zheng nodded in approval: "Qin shall not elevate any single path above the others; instead, we shall harness the strengths of the Hundred Schools to fortify the national power of Qin."

"Your Majesty's wisdom is unparalleled."

The assembled ministers collectively voiced their agreement.

At this moment!

Ren Xiao rushed into the grand hall with haste.

"Your Majesty."

"A critical situation has arisen."

Ren Xiao's countenance was exceedingly grave.

The eyes of all the civil and military officials present in the court immediately fixed upon Ren Xiao.

"What has transpired?"

Ying Zheng inquired, a note of surprise in his voice.

With Qin's national power currently so robust, what could possibly have occurred to warrant such alarm?

"I have just received an urgent dispatch from Guanzhong."

"A severe drought has afflicted the Guanzhong region."

"The rivers have run dry, the Guanzhong Canal is utterly devoid of water, the fields lie parched, and the spirit rice has withered completely." Ren Xiao stated, his expression somber.

Upon hearing this news!

The complexions of the ministers within the court shifted dramatically.

"A dire drought in Guanzhong? How can this be possible?"

"The rivers have dried up? Fields parched? Spirit rice withered?"

"This is unfathomable."

"Since the development of Guanzhong commenced decades ago, a major drought has never been recorded. Such a calamity is simply impossible."

The ministers exclaimed in astonishment.

Had a drought occurred elsewhere, they might have been able to comprehend it, but in Guanzhong, a region benefiting from the canal's connection to the great river and the Luo River, how could a drought possibly manifest?

"When did this calamity begin?" Ying Zheng's own face darkened, and he demanded in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, signs of dryness were detected two days ago. The Prefectural Governor of Guanzhong immediately launched an investigation and verified it as a drought, subsequently reporting it today." Ren Xiao stated with haste.

"A drought?"

Ying Zheng's brow creased deeply.

At this precise moment!

Xiao He's countenance shifted: "Your Majesty, the Prefectural Governor of Shu County dispatches a report, indicating a drought afflicting the Shu Region. In addition to the Shu Region, the Duchang Territory is also grappling with drought, its fields parched and spirit paths withered."

"What?"

"Droughts have struck all three of Qin's granaries?"

"This is exceedingly peculiar, is it not?"

"Furthermore, these three locations are separated by thousands of miles; how could they be so coincidentally afflicted?"

The assembled ministers were utterly astonished.

The affliction of drought upon these three areas felt too coincidental, didn't it?

This was especially true since all three locations served as Qin's granaries.

Before Ying Zheng could fully process the information.

Han Fei's expression also underwent a transformation, as if he had received intelligence via the Tian Xuan Mirror.

"Your Majesty."

"The Governors of Qingzhou, Jizhou, and the State of Yu have submitted reports."

"A severe epidemic has broken out across several states and counties."

"A considerable number of citizens have already fallen victim to the contagion."

"It was first observed two days ago, and today it has been confirmed as a widespread epidemic." Han Fei announced with a grave countenance.

Upon hearing these words.

The expressions of every minister in the court contorted in alarm.

Drought!

A widespread epidemic!

Natural calamities and man-made disasters!

The simultaneous occurrence of these events was nearly inconceivable, yet they now manifested together, encompassing multiple major states of Qin.

This situation was truly baffling.

"Your Majesty."

"What precisely is transpiring?"

"The arrival of this severe drought and widespread epidemic feels excessively suspicious, almost as if it were meticulously orchestrated."

"Could it be that Immortals and Gods are the harbingers of disaster?"

Lv Buwei posed the question, his tone laden with solemnity.