CHAPTER 410: CHAPTER 407 DIFFERENT

As Song Xian spoke, the atmosphere changed completely, and many people began to wipe their tears, some 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 government office has prepared grains, draught oxen, plowing tools, and medicinal 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 time, 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 Chengmei beside him, "Before the Prefect of Dai State assumes his position, Prefect Qu will preside over the government office. If there are any difficulties, you can go to the government office to speak."

As Song Xian’s words fell, Qu Chengmei felt the people’s gaze fall upon him again, eyes filled with yearning, trust in Song Jiedu and him.

Qu Chengmei 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 shame 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 Chengmei.

"Sir, what business will the court provide us?"

"Sir..."

Qu Chengmei 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 Chengmei seemed 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 Chengmei said, "In a moment, each village chief will come to the government 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 government office.

This time, absent were those who wished to curry favor, making Song Jiedu’s demeanor much improved.

Stepping through the government 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 mercy but opened their mouths without uttering a word.

As Song Xian’s footsteps faded away, several officials timidly raised their heads, peering inside the government 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 punishment will escalate, and if they dare to escape, being caught would be a death sentence.

Song Xian and Qu Chengmei examined documents in the government office, while Qu Chengmei remained to arrange subsequent affairs, as Song Xian took his men 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 Chengmei instructed those around him, "Let the village chiefs come, 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 time being summoned to the government office for a meeting.

Not to mention a Prefect, even past County Magistrates did not have time to see them.

After everyone was seated, they saw Prefect Qu leading people over.

The village chiefs greeted Prefect Qu.

Qu Chengmei said, "We have many matters to discuss, so let’s dispense with formalities during the discussion."

The village chiefs responded.

Qu Chengmei said, "One more thing, only speak the truth. Any requirements and difficulties, you are free to express, the government office will find solutions, and no one will blame you. If difficulties exist and you conceal them, any errors in the future, you will be held accountable."

The village chiefs nodded in agreement.

Qu Chengmei glanced at the government official, who opened the door.

The village chiefs saw several men enter, some 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 government office’s tables.

Among those goods were thread tassels, wool felt, flower felt...

Qu Chengmei invited the village chiefs to come 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." Women from Zhenzhou helped us make it together.

Qu Chengmei 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.

Some in Village Chief Wang’s group were in the know, but reaching this day still stirred excitement in their hearts.

Qu Chengmei said, "Those who came 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 come 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 Chengmei cleared a courtyard beside the government 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, meeting at the government office early the next morning.

During the conversation, Village Chief Qiao of Qiao Family Village remembered something, asking Chen Yongyi, "Previously, the one we encountered at Dai State Pass... is Miss Xie coming?"

They heard that Miss Xie seemed 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 come later."

Village Chief Qiao knew the young lady was very capable, with excellent medical 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 me, and we will naturally be together as one in the future."