Ch. 351..355: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 351-355
Chapter 351: Chapter 351: A Brand New Machine (5)_1
Smelling the fragrance of the canteen, Little Pang, with her plump body, also started heading towards home.
"Dont’t meddle with Ma Youcai’s affairs," the old master reminded Lin Ziyin on their way back.
"Of course, I am too lazy to care about their family troubles," Lin Ziyin promised.
The old master heaved a sigh and then stopped mentioning about the Ma family. Life in the countryside had its own rules. Shili Village wasn’t big, but it definitely wasn’t small either. With the sudden wealth of the Lin family, even with the support of the Prince and the Third Prince, many in the village would still keep an eye on the Lins.
Perhaps these villagers wouldn’t dare do anything to the Lin family, but the discussion behind their backs could sometimes have a massive impact on the Lins. The old master, due to his age, gave more thought to this than Lin Ziyin did.
"I heard that Ma’s kid went to the county government to file a report?" after purchasing something from outside, Lin Changshu found out about the trouble at home in the afternoon. He immediately inquired about it from the old master upon seeing him.
"Ma Youcai has been locked up, and just now Madame Yan came to make a scene and was sent away by me," Lin Ziyin replied.
"The youngster being arrested serves him right!" Wu Dayou exclaimed angrily. "Zige, avoid the people from Ma’s family whenever you come across them. None of them are up to any good."
"What nonsense are you blabbering? How would I have anything to do with them?" Lin Zige retorted, glaring at him. Seeing Wu Dayou’s blithe smile, Lin Ziyin felt relieved and the gloom in his heart dispersed.
It didn’t take long for Chu Suifeng to know about the incident in the Lin family’s slaughterhouse, and it caused Prince Ling’s face to darken, "Tell the county government to suppress him, and release him only after the beginning of spring."
"Yes, Your Highness," Second in command replied and immediately went out to inform the county government. The remaining guards secretly murmured their admiration, considering how unusual it was for the indifferent Prince to show such concern for Lady Lin over such trivial matters. Unfortunately, Lady Lin was unaware of all this.
Reflecting on Lin Ziyin’s stature, they sighed collectively; the Prince’s unique taste was unmistakable. In the residence’s backyard, there were numerous beautiful ladies. Any of them would be more beautiful than Lady Lin, and yet none managed to catch the Prince’s eye.
Ma Youcai’s worries became a reality. After receiving the Second in command’s orders, the county magistrate was terrified. Luckily, the Prince did not blame them, and the infuriated magistrate directly ordered the jailer not to allow anyone to see Ma Youcai.
Madame Yan created a turmoil at home. Ma Zhicai had no choice but to accompany her to the county government again in hopes of negotiating with silver and bring Ma Youcai home for the Spring Festival. However, after several attempts and offering sufficient bribes, they never managed to see him.
For all his harsh exterior, Ma Zhicai was essentially just a countryman with some education. When real trouble came, he didn’t have a clue what to do.
With no other option, Madame Yan asked Ma Xincai to bring back Da Lang from the city.
Upon hearing the news, Da Lang broke into a cold sweat. He immediately sought connections to bail out his younger son before the new year. It wasn’t right to let his son spend the new year in jail.
Although he reached out to people, the outcome was not favorable. By the end of the year, all cases were put on hold, and the seal of the county magistrate was confiscated.
Imagining the hardships her youngest son must be enduring in jail, Yan’s heart seeped in sorrow, almost blinded by her tears. The seething rage within Da Lang was directed entirely at Madame Yan,"If you had disciplined him properly at home, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Do you think the Prince is someone you can casually offend?"
Chapter 352: Chapter 352: A Brand New Machine (6)_1
"How was I supposed to know he would run off and complain?" Mrs. Yan replied indignantly. "Even as his father, you cannot control him. What can I, a mere woman of the house, do?"
From the corner of his ear, Ma Zhicai heard his parent’s mutual complaints, his anger caused him to slam his book violently onto the table. He then sprawled directly onto the kang, feeling an unspeakable irritation inside.
Starting from the twenty-third of the last month of the year, the festive atmosphere began to emerge in the village. During these days in previous years, every household would start grinding soybean flour, making soybean bags, preparing all kinds of little snacks for the New Year, and would also go to the market to buy food and bring it home.
However, this year was different, the majority of villagers were working in the workshop, and the business of the Lin family got busier as the New Year arrived. The oil mill was running round the clock, the amount of pure oil produced was still not enough to meet demands, and many residences were lined up waiting for it. Orders from long-distance merchants had been halted a while ago.
In the soybean product store, the roasted goods and Dim Sum Store, people were incredibly busy. The workers wished they could split themselves in half to get more work done. So, steaming buns and grinding things were fully delegated to the elderly at home, with young people only being able to help out when they had a spare moment.
During this time, Lin Ziyin was busier than anyone else.
She was not busy with various household businesses, but because Chu Suifeng’s men had already delivered some parts.
Lin Ziyin specifically cleared out a yard by the workshop and started to assemble her steam machine design with a few people in the yard.
Jue Ming and the others didn’t understand any of this, but that didn’t hinder their curiosity about the ironware in front of them.
When Lin Ziyin saw the parts delivered by Chu Suifeng, she was so shocked that she was almost speechless. Modern component production all have molds and are standard. Of course, last time when she went to Tianji Building, she had mentioned the issue of molds.
She didn’t expect that in the technologically backward ancient times, Tianji Building could also produce parts with such precision. Even the alloy she had briefly mentioned was visible in those components.
"You several, pay close attention, and work with me." Lin Ziyin seriously addressed the few youths who followed. These people were the criminals she bought last time, they usually obeyed whatever she said.
"Once the assembly is done, these machines will be under your management, and you’ll be responsible for their maintenance, understand?" Lin Ziyin lectured.
"Understand." The pressure was somewhat heavy on the young men. Just these parts, could they really, as the young lady said, freely run on the land? Plus, could they, who knew nothing, really maintain the machine well in the end?
Regardless of their thoughts, Lin Ziyin explained the principles to them as she assembled each component.
The young men all knew how to read and all of them diligently took notes, remember to revise repeatedly after they returned. This cramming style of learning allowed them to learn a lot.
The young men also understood, Lin Ziyin was entrusting them with such important things because she valued them. For them, it would be a fresh start for their future life. The opportunity was right in front of them, of course they wouldn’t want to miss it.
In this way, with one willing to teach and the rest eager to learn, all were learning as they practiced on the job. Both sides made great gains.
"Ziyin, the eve of the New Year is the day after tomorrow, you should give the workers a day off, every house needs to prepare for the New Year," The old master and Lin Changshu came looking for Ziyin as they barely saw her even at mealtimes. This girl was not even at home for the ancestral worship, they didn’t know what kept her busy all day.
Chapter 353: Chapter 353: A Brand New Machine (7)_1
"What is this?" Because Lin Changshu and the old man had been busy, one in the bean product workshop and the other constantly overseeing the shipment in the greenhouse, they had never set foot in the yard where Lin Ziyin was assembling her machines. They were taken aback when they suddenly saw the lump of metal that had been put together.
"This is a hand-pushed weeder that also serves to till the soil," Lin Ziyin answered with a smile, demonstrating it on the spot for them. "Grandfather, older brother, look, one person can easily weed seven or eight acres in one morning."
"It really works." Witnessing the outcomes firsthand, Lin Changshu and the old man’s interest was piqued. As farmers themselves, they knew very well the laboriousness of farming. The most land one can typically weed in a day is just over an acre. They had never imagined that this weeder made weeding and tilling so easy without damaging the roots of plants.
"This is a manual multi-functional seeder. A person can plant five or six acres of beans or corns in a day with ease. It’s not tiring and the crops it sows are evenly spaced, both in rows and between plants," Lin Ziyin had Lin Changshu try it himself.
"It really is quite easy." Delighted, Lin Changshu handed over the seeder for the old man to try it out.
"These are all great things."
"I’ve also made some adjustments to the water wheel. It can now be powered by the water falling from the dam in the river, making future watering a lot easier," Lin Ziyin said with a smile.
"Good, they are all good." The old man, full of joy in his heart, ran his hands over the variety of mini tools.
"What is this big lump of iron?" Lin Changshu was unable to figure out the strange-looking tractor’s function after staring at it for a long time.
"This is a steam propelled Tie Niu (Iron Bull). It can plow fields and do the work of ten oxen in a single day. Plus, it never gets tired," Lin Ziyin said, climbing into the driver’s seat. "However, it needs a special kind of fuel which the prince hasn’t sent over yet, so it’s not operational for now."
"It has no mouth. How does it eat?" The old man was astounded.
"How would it not have one?" Lin Ziyin replied, chuckling as she swung open the hatch up front, "Isn’t this its mouth?"
The old man and Lin Changshu climbed up to have a closer look but couldn’t figure out why the large hole was supposedly the bull’s mouth. Unable to fully comprehend it, they simply decided to spare Lin Ziyin their confusion and stopped questioning further.
Lin Ziyin was not a capitalist. When Lin Changshu and the old man mentioned taking a holiday, she immediately began to regret. She had ignorantly mixed up the past with the present. There were no refrigerators or online shopping in ancient times. In her workshop, workers only had two days off per month. Since they were always busy with work, they didn’t have much time to buy New Year goods. Fortunately, there were still three days left until the New Year, so if they got the next day off, the villagers would have two days to prepare for the New Year.
"Grandfather, stating from tomorrow afternoon, all workshops will be closed. Notify everyone to finish their ongoing work. We will pay them their wages and bonuses in the morning. We will also deliver some New Year goods to them," Lin Ziyin said, patting her forehead.
"Alright, I’ll notify everyone right away." The old man cheerfully departed.
Some eager workers were overjoyed to hear that they would get the next day off. That night, many of them voluntarily worked overtime. As the main production in the Lin Family’s workshop was food, the workshops that had prepared excessive raw materials didn’t want to create waste by failing to finish their work on time.
Lin Ziyin was very generous indeed. Not only had she paid the working villagers their full wages, but she also rewarded them with year-end bonuses based on each workshop’s profitability. The bonuses varied in size depending on the shares held.
The highest bonus received by workers in the oil workshop and vinegar factory was as much as five taels of silver.
The New Year goods she handed out were also plentiful. Each person received twenty eggs and six catties of tofu. Furthermore, every household received a roast duck, six catties of meat, a chicken, two pounds each of leek and bean sprouts, and two white jade cakes. Even if the workers didn’t buy any New Year goods, they could still have a very prosperous New Year.
The village workers having holiday meant that the academy would also be closed.
The holiday-making children ran around the village like wild, clamoring to accompany the adults to the market to buy New Year goods.
With money at hand, the villagers naturally did not skimp on their children. They jointly approached Lin Ziyin, borrowing the cattle and mule carts from the Lin Family and Lou Zheng’s households for a collective trip to the market.
Lin Ziyin was not stingy at all. Apart from keeping one mule cart for Lin Changshu couple to send gifts to both families, she lent out all the carts.
While the people of Shili Village were enthusiastically preparing for the Lunar New Year, Prince Chu Suifeng’s recent days in Feng City were not going so well.
The capital’s last batch of grain and military wages didn’t arrive on time. The Emperor dismissed their situation with just an imperial edict, excusing it due to the drought in Daqin and reduced crop yield in many places.
"Daqin has vast lands. Every time there’s a drought or flood somewhere, the court uses it as an excuse to deduct grains and military wages from Feng City. They’re clearly deliberately making life difficult for the prince," a soldier fumed indignantly in the study room.
Chapter 354: Chapter 354: Reform (1)_1
"Prince, the Imperial Court is becoming more and more excessive. The grains and forage sent to the Northern Land in recent years are decreasing, and now even the military salary is in severe shortage. Our Northern Land has a small population and chilly weather. Other places can grow crops twice a year, whereas here we can only grow for one season, and we can’t even grow wheat and rice. If we only rely on our taxes, I’m afraid we won’t be able to last for long." Another military general spoke angrily.
Chu Suifeng’s brows furrowed slightly. The generals felt uneasy, and how could he not?
The Northern Land was his territory, and the late emperor decreed that neither he nor his descendants shall return to the capital. The emperor’s recent decree was like stabbing him behind his back. With the Tatars lurking at the border, without provisions, would the Imperial Court not fear losing the fort or believe that losing a Northern Land does not matter to Daqin?
"The Northern Land will no longer have to pay taxes to the Imperial Court. This is good news," Situ Gong said.
"Liao City is the gateway to the Northern Land. If the Imperial Court prohibits merchants from coming to trade, it will be a headache for us. The one stationed in Liao City is Guan Qinggu. This upright and stubborn man has always been loyal to the emperor. To prevent any unforeseen incidents, Prince, we need to be vigilant," Si Jinhan said grimly.
"We need to infiltrate some of our people into Liao City and also find ways to have the Imperial Court send more prisoners here," Chu Suifeng suggested.
The eyes of Situ Gong and Si Jinhan lit up; it seemed that the prince had made up his mind.
"Issue the order, from next spring, ordinary people can reclaim wasteland. An honest citizen can clear up to eight acres, and a lower-class citizen must not exceed five acres. For three years, there will be no tax on the reclaimed wasteland, and only half the tax in five years," Chu Suifeng swiftly gave his instructions.
"Prince, I’m afraid the wealthy households in Feng City may stir up trouble," a strategist worriedly said.
"Anyone who dares to hinder us shall be killed," Chu Suifeng emitted an intimidatory aura, "Whichever fool dares to take the first step forward will see their entire family sentenced to death."
The Northern Land may not have many people, but Chu Suifeng would surely not go easy on anyone who stood in his way. Those who have been living a luxurious life in the Northern Land for so many years, better remember who the real ruler of Feng City is.
"Prince, we mustn’t," another strategist hesitantly said, "I think we should take it one step at a time. The absence of grain and military salary from the Imperial Court has already slowed your pace, Prince, and if we lose the support of the aristocratic families, I’m afraid there might be a rebellion in Feng City."
"You want me to submit to them and then be dependent on them for a lifetime?" Chu Suifeng asked coldly.
The strategist was shocked but plucked up the courage to answer, "I do not wish for you to depend on them, Prince. Yet for you to change the situation in the Northern Land, we need to wait until we have new replacements for the current aristocratic families."
"No need to worry," Chu Suifeng responded nonchalantly, "Follow my orders and distribute them. Each of you is responsible for your area. If anyone is found to be unsatisfied or conspiring, execute them immediately."
"You need not worry," Situ Gong reassured his colleague with a smile. "What’s destined will come no matter how prepared we are, and there will always be some who will oppose. But if the prince only relies on the support of a few wealthy households, he will end up tied down by them. If the citizens had a surplus of grains, even without the supplies from the Imperial Court, there would be no more worry. And those so-called nobles will have to shut their arrogant mouths."
"This battle is inevitable, sooner or later, we have to face it. Rather than waiting for them to be prepared, we should make the first move," Chu Suifeng said coldly, "Let them see if I am a pushover."
Chapter 355: Chapter 355: Reform (2)_1
"Yes, my Prince." The people in the room were inspired by Situ Gong, each of them feeling invigorated. Those who could sit in the study and consult with Chu Suifeng, whether they were military generals or advisors, were absolutely trusted by Chu Suifeng. More importantly, the vast majority of them came from humble backgrounds, and some were even from the Jianghu (Chinese Underground Society).
Families like Si, Luo and Wu had only recently joined the ranks of the aristocratic families of Feng City.
"There is a report from the Border City. The Grand Prince from the Tatars has secretly launched several sneak attacks, but all were defeated by our army." One military general said with a laugh, "The newly delivered catapults are incredibly effective. However, it seems the Tatars have no intention of laying siege. It seems more like they are testing us."
"Probing?" Si Jinhan pondered.
"Don’t worry, let the defenders keep an eye on their movements." Chu Suifeng issued his order nonchalantly. "This is a good opportunity to root out some spies in the city."
"Yes."
Shili Village took a full ten-days off work, two days before the New Year and eight after. On the ninth day, everyone resumed work. Each person received a ten-dollar bonus for the New Year, and all villagers who came to work had joyful expressions on their faces.
With silver in hand, everyone felt confident. Men and women, young and old, in the village were dressed in new clothes. The girls even wore silk flowers in their hair. This was because Lin Ziyin had made it clear that girls were as valuable as boys in the future. Any family mistreating a girl would no longer be allowed to work in the Lin’s factory. With the villagers now learning martial arts and literacy, they were more reasonable. Girls were truly highly treasured.
As the adults would go to work and children to school, after several festive days, the village returned to its peaceful state.
"My husband, after the eighth day of the New Year, the government offices have reopened. Let’s quickly go and check on Youcai." Yan voiced her concerns. Having lost several pounds, she felt as if everyone’s joyous mood was a deliberate provocation, hence she had been offending people regularly in recent days.
Ma Da was worried it would harm Ma Zhicai’s reputation, so he confined his wife at home, which improved the situation somewhat.
Hearing Yan mention their youngest son, Ma Da nodded solemnly, "We will go back immediately, bring more silver, in two months, Zhicai will be taking the Imperial Examination, we can’t let that boy spoil Zhicai’s reputation."
"Ah, alright." Yan had already given out a lot of silver for Ma Youcai before the New Year. Her hand trembled as she took out her stash of silver. Once this silver was handed out, there was no chance of getting it back. Ah, what a wasteful son!
But even as her heart ached, her son was still more important. Yan gritted her teeth and took five taels of silver with her.
The couple arrived at the government offices. Indeed, they were open now, but after spending the silver, the answer from government official was for them to keep waiting, "The Lord has just come back; he has to deal with important matters first. Your case is a minor one. It should be resolved in a few days, just wait."
"Sir." Yan was frantic. It had been half a month without seeing her son, the prison was cold, she wondered how her son was faring. "How is my son?"
"He has plenty to eat and drink in jail and doesn’t have to work, so rest assured; he’s doing just fine." The government official answered impatiently.
"Thank you for your care of our son." Ma Da quickly pulled Yan away, fearful that she would irritate the official and consequently harm Ma Youcai.
The official looked at the couple with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, causing Ma Da to panic. He hastily pulled Yan away and left the government offices.
"Half a month has passed, and we haven’t even seen our son’s face. I wonder how Youcai is faring inside?" Yan wailed.