Chapter 206: Heavenly Great Lord

"Alas, another pitiful child."

Perhaps because of a mother's perspective, Empress Changsun felt a pang of sorrow seeing the child's delighted look over fifty wen.

She also understood that Li Shimin did not give more money because the child before them was truly too young; giving a bit more might not be a good thing.

Fifty wen may seem little, but if spent frugally, it can last for a while.

Li Shimin: "The two of us just want to stroll casually; first, lead us to look along this Wei He."

"By the way, why did they suddenly start road construction over there?"

The child nodded, indicating no problem, then said: "I'm the sixth child at home; everyone calls me Liuzi, you may call me that too."

"As for the road, I heard the newly arrived County Magistrate ordered it built; to avoid delaying ships unloading cargo, they could only build it half by half."

At this point, Liuzi's eyes showed a hint of envy: "Their wages are high; even unskilled laborers get eighty wen a day."

"And they only need to work four shi a day, with meals provided; unfortunately I'm not old enough, otherwise I'd do it too."

"Oh?" Li Shimin felt a stir, feigning indifference: "Since the County Magistrate ordered the road, it's naturally under the Government's name."

"And the road being built is for the dock, which is good for everyone; the County Magistrate surprisingly doesn't levy Corvée Labor, instead voluntarily recruits workers and pays such high wages. What does the County Magistrate aim for?"

"I don't know that," Liuzi said while leading them toward the riverbank, "but the County Magistrate not imposing Corvée Labor is certainly good for us."

"Once the road is finished, travel becomes convenient and money is earned."

"Everyone says Weinan County has gotten a Heavenly Great Lord."

Empress Changsun, pleased by this, interjected: "From where does this start?"

Liuzi thought and said: "For example, the family living opposite my house; the husband there is crippled, can only lie in bed and earn nothing, and they have three children. The whole household relies on Niu Shenzi weaving and washing for others to survive; life is hard."

"But since the County Magistrate arrived and ordered the road, they even specifically hired Niu Shenzi to cook for the road workers, also paying fifty wen a day."

"Compared to before, Niu Shenzi's family's life is much better now."

"I also heard the County Magistrate bought several workshops and wants to recruit workers; yesterday a Government official asked Niu Shenzi's husband if he would work in a workshop."

"The previous County Magistrates had been here for many years, yet our ordinary folk's lives remained miserable; each year many starved to death, and no one ever came to look after us."

"The current County Magistrate has only been here a short time, but already many people's lives have gradually improved, no longer starving, so everyone says the present County Magistrate is a Heavenly Great Lord."

Li Shimin and his spouse felt a heaviness in their hearts.

These common folk might not even know what Heavenly Great Lord means; to them, it may simply be the highest praise.

Chen Yan gave them hope to live, so to them Chen Yan is the Heavenly Great Lord.

Calming his mind, Li Shimin continued: "When we arrived, a friend told me you have abolished the Official Ferry, completely banned the Private Ferry, and replaced them with what, a Public Transport Boat? Is that so?"

"Yes," Liuzi said, pointing at a waiting boat on the river surface, "Look, that's the Public Transport Boat."

"This is far better than the old Official Ferry; not only is it cheaper, it also departs on schedule even with no passengers, and everyone says it's much more convenient than before."

"Then what's the interval for this Public Transport Boat?" Empress Changsun asked curiously.

She vaguely discerned Chen Yan's intention behind this, and was amazed inside.

"Not long, only a quarter hour."

Empress Changsun sighed: "Such a method, even without banning Private Ferries, would probably make Private Ferries unable to survive."

"Those common folk who operate Private Ferries would likely have to find other work."

"Noble one, you've misunderstood," Liuzi hurriedly explained: "The people who used to run Private Ferries were all conscripted by the County Magistrate, and now those operating the Public Transport Boats are them."

"Operating a boat is a skilled job, the wages are high, even more than they earned before running Private Ferries, and they no longer have to worry about being caught."

"I see," Empress Changsun realized, again marveling at Chen Yan's meticulousness.

Li Shimin had not spoken the whole time; the group lingered by the riverbank for a while, noticing that the boat indeed set off without being full, and then another boat came over, stopping at the same spot as the previous one.

Liuzi said at the right moment: "It's getting late now, so the Public Transport Boat has few passengers; mornings and evenings are the busiest times, and basically a single boat can fill up immediately."

Li Shimin asked lightly: "How much does a ride on the Public Transport Boat cost?"

"It depends on where you go; the farther, the more expensive, the nearer, the cheaper, but it never exceeds four wen."

"For example, if you go from here to the opposite bank, one wen suffices," Liuzi replied.

Empress Changsun exclaimed: "This already amounts to a total monopoly over the ferries on the Wei He; the daily revenue must be considerable, no wonder… your County Magistrate has so much money to spend on road building and such high wages."

"Probably, I don't know either," Liuzi hesitated a moment, speaking softly, "but there's a rumor that the County Magistrate is a prominent figure from Chang'an; upon arrival, he arrested the entire Axe Gang, and the Government didn't spare many officials colluding with the Axe Gang."

"I think such a big figure wouldn't lack money."

"Then you… never mind," Li Shimin opened his mouth, intending to rebut, but reconsidered, thinking why argue with a child?

"Earlier you said your County Magistrate bought several workshops; could you take us there to see?"

"No problem," Liuzi replied without hesitation, then said: "The County Magistrate not only bought workshops; he's preparing to build a palace, located between the East Market and West Market; I'll take you there to see."

The word "palace" made Li Shimin and his spouse glance at each other, eyes full of doubt.

"You must be mistaken," Empress Changsun frowned, "How could your County Magistrate think of building a palace?"

Liuzi suddenly felt the previously gentle lady become frightening, and hurriedly said: "I also heard it from others; they said the County Magistrate hired many people, cleared a large area between the East Market and West Market, to construct something."

"Everyone says the County Magistrate wants to build a palace; otherwise why would he use such a large piece of land?"

Upon hearing East Market and West Market, the two seemed to understand something and fell silent.

"Liuzi, you should hear fewer baseless rumors in the future."

"......."