Chapter 393

"A humble man deserves death!" Li Wenxi was so terrified he nearly collapsed to the ground.

"I did not say you are guilty; you need not fear." Facing Ying Su frowned: "Just speak the truth."

"Yes," Li Wenxi steadied himself: "A humble man has no special hobbies; I simply enjoy building houses and furniture, and tending to flowers and trees. There was no special reason for building the pavilion; I simply liked it and thought it looked good. Usually, when common people from the surrounding villages passed by, they had a place to rest."

"You built the pavilion so exquisitely that I fear those farmers dare not enter to rest." Facing Ying Su said: "If you truly wanted them to rest, you should have made it simple and sturdy."

"Yes, Your Highness's teaching is correct; I will definitely change, I will change immediately!" Li Wenxi said.

"The pavilion is a trivial matter; whether you change it or not is up to you!" Facing Ying Su said: "I sought you out for another matter. I heard that during last year's great drought, you distributed grain to the nearby common people. Is this true?"

"I am ashamed; I had selfish motives. First, I distributed too little, and second, it was unfair." Li Wenxi said.

"Oh, 040, tell me how you distributed too little, and how it was unfair?" Facing Ying Su became interested.

"I gave them one meal a day, and those common people living nearby ate dry food, but since those living far away were too numerous, I gave them thin porridge." Li Wenxi said.

"You even distributed porridge to the common people living far away?" Facing Ying Su said.

"Yes, there were too many of them. I gave away half of the grain stored in my home. I did not dare to take out the remaining half; I feared encountering another disaster next year, and then I would have nothing to eat myself." Li Wenxi said.

"Why has no one told me of his deeds?" Facing Ying Su glanced at those around him, his face looking very bad.

In a year of great disaster, nobles acting like Li Wenxi were extremely rare; local officials should have reported his deeds to the imperial court for commendation.

But the result was that no one mentioned this matter to him.

All he heard was about relief grain being embezzled.

Of course, in the environment at that time, embezzlement of relief grain was a common phenomenon, so it was easier for news of it to reach Facing Ying Su's ears.

But the problem is that while cracking down on the embezzlement of relief grain, one must also establish positive examples to boost morale.

If everyone hears only bad things, then the people's hearts cannot be united.

Any official below who possessed even a shred of awareness should have reported this matter to superiors in time.

Seeing Facing Ying Su's bad expression, no one dared to speak.

177. Establishing a Model

After a while, Facing Ying Su's expression finally softened.

"Li Wenxi, you have merit; your family need not pay taxes for ten years!"

"Furthermore, if your children possess talent and virtue, another ten years of exemption will be granted to you after that!"

Facing Ying Su announced loudly.

"A humble man bows his head to thank Your Highness for heavenly grace!" Li Wenxi excitedly kowtowed.

Ten years of tax exemption! What concept is this?

Originally, for the first three years, he had to pay ninety percent of the tax, leaving him with only ten percent.

Now he can receive one hundred percent every year; the income of the first three years is equivalent to ten times the original!

And the income of the following seven years has also increased several times over.

The magnitude of this reward can be described as huge.

"Li Wenxi, this is recognition of your talent and virtue. But if you do anything in the future that betrays the common people and the state, I can cancel the preferential treatment granted to you at any time." Facing Ying Su said.

"A humble man will definitely remember Your Highness's teachings and absolutely will not do anything detrimental to the state or the common people!" Li Wenxi immediately said.

"Very well, rise, and take me to tour your residence." Facing Ying Su said.

Accompanied by the crowd, Facing Ying Su walked around Li Wenxi's home and ate a meal there.

Quickly, the news of Facing Ying Su rewarding Li Wenxi spread.

Leaving Li Family Village, Facing Ying Su continued marching toward the direction of Xianyang City.

The procession still moved very slowly, sometimes even stopping.

Along the way, Facing Ying Su constantly sought out famous nobles in the local area.

Those with some ability or a good reputation among the common people all received rewards from Facing Ying Su.

Some had their taxes exempted for three or five years, while others received direct monetary rewards.

Such actions made many people feel confused.

Because previously, Facing Ying Su's attitude toward the nobles was extremely harsh, appearing to be intent on wiping them out completely.

Now acting this way, could it be that he could not withstand the pressure from the nobles and finally yielded?

On the other side, Xianyang City, the Cheng Residence.

Cheng Ze had long returned home and told his father about his meeting with Zhuge Liang.

"Father, I sensed from Prime Minister Zhuge that he does not intend to drive the nobles to a dead end; I just do not know what the new Emperor has already thought."

Cheng Ze voiced his own opinion.

"Liang's idea is the new Emperor's idea!" Cheng Xionglin said.

"Why is this? It is common for the Prime Minister's opinion to differ from the Emperor's opinion; why does Father believe their ideas are consistent?" Cheng Ze felt confused.

"I have received news that the new Emperor has already entered the pass and is on the way back, but the new Emperor is moving very slowly, covering only a few dozen li in half a month!"

"And the new Emperor knows full well that Xianyang City has just undergone a great battle, and the nobles are uniting to oppose him. At this critical juncture, he is not at all in a hurry to return; think about it, why is this?"

Cheng Xionglin asked.

Cheng Ze thought for a moment and then said: "This shows that the new Emperor has great confidence in the ministers led by Zhuge Liang and Kill Xiao He."

"Correct, the new Emperor has absolute trust in these two. Especially this Zhuge Liang, who is deeply trusted by the new Emperor. Therefore, I believe Liang's idea represents the new Emperor's idea." Cheng Xionglin analyzed.

"Then does Father think the new Emperor intends to compromise with the nobles?" Cheng Ze asked.

"Compromise? How is that possible!" Cheng Xionglin laughed: "The new Emperor has already destroyed the Xiongnu; would he fear General Meng Tian and those others?"

"What you say makes sense." Cheng Ze nodded: "Then should we express our stance and stand on the new Emperor's side?"

"Not yet." Cheng Xionglin said: "For now, let us offend neither side and simply wait and see."

The father and son discussed for a while and decided that Cheng Ze would go to meet Feng Qiji to see what Feng Qiji's side's attitude was first.

Soon, Cheng Ze arrived at the foot of Huashan with his attendants.

There, they were stopped by patrolling soldiers, and after stating their identity, they were brought before Feng Qiji and the others.

After paying their respects, Cheng Ze reported the situation of his meeting with Zhuge Liang.

"He said the new emperor has not yet returned; he cannot make a decision alone and must report to the new emperor before replying to us," Cheng Ze said.

"The new emperor has not yet returned to Xianyang?" Feng Qiji frowned: "Did he not enter the pass long ago?"

"We received news that the new emperor traveled slowly, sightseeing along the way; it is estimated he will not reach Xianyang for some time yet," Cheng Ze said.

"Hmph, they are employing a delaying tactic!" General Meng Tian said coldly: "Waiting for the new emperor to return may take a month or even longer; this depends entirely on Su's idea. If he intends to exhaust us, let him show his true face!"

"Yes, I think he just wants to wait until our provisions are exhausted, then send troops to annihilate us!" Wei Pao said.

"The two of you are correct; even if Zhuge Liang sends someone to report to Ying Zheng, the round trip on the road will take half a month," Jiang Lu said.

"General Meng, what shall we do now?" Young Master Gao looked anxious.

Their current situation was extremely unfavorable.

The main problem was provisions.

If time dragged on and provisions were exhausted, the great army would collapse without a fight, and they would all be finished!

General Meng Tian pondered for a moment, then fixed his gaze on Cheng Ze: "Please make the trip again; tell them we must receive an answer within ten days; whether we fight or make peace will be decided in ten days!"

"Very well, I will go immediately. However..." Cheng Ze hesitated for a moment and then said: "I fear they will still find excuses to delay time."

"Hmph, then do not blame us for being ruthless!" General Meng Tian said coldly.

After Cheng Ze left, Wei Pao and the others began to discuss in a clamor.

They were pessimistic about the negotiations; most believed Zhuge Liang would use the delaying tactic again.

Because Ying Zheng was not in Xianyang City, Zhuge Liang had plenty of excuses.

"Do we really have to shatter like jade?" Young Master Gao murmured to himself.

Shattering like jade sounds noble, but in the end, is it not just death?

If one can survive, it is better than shattering like jade.

Besides, although Ying Zheng was very harsh on the Wang Zu nobles, leaving them only one-tenth of their income for the first three years.

But after three years, is there not still three-tenths of income to be obtained?

Although it is a bit less, it is better than nothing.

Moreover, this income is enough to live on, and one can live very well.

Speaking of which, eating well, drinking well, and using good things does not require much money.

As long as one bows to Ying Zheng, one can live very well for the rest of one's life.

Not only did Young Master Gao think this way, but Young Master Lu thought so too.