Chapter 322: A Gift, Not A Reward
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Emperor Zhao Qian thought Heng Yi’s idea made sense.
“If you were to recruit soldiers, how would you control them when they are in your hands?”
“Based on ability. The more ability you have, the more food you can eat and the more military pay you get. All the soldiers who entered the camp will be lower-ranked soldiers. After a month, they would compete and be selected layer by layer before being awarded official positions.”
“All of them at once?” Emperor Zhao Qian asked.
“No, let’s wait for a month and let these team leaders compete… Then we’ll give them a higher level general.” Heng Yi began.
“Even soldiers can get the position they want through hard work. If they did not improve after training for so long, they could only become cooks.”
Heng Yi didn’t have a perfect plan yet, but he had a basic idea.
Every soldier had one or two chances to advance before they entered the battlefield, as long as they worked hard enough.
It was impossible for someone to stay as a low-ranked soldier forever.
“I’m thinking of finding a place to reclaim farmland and forests after conscription. Then I’ll be able to at least settle my own food for them.” Heng Yi said.
This was something he learned from Han Qiao asking Bai Cha to buy land for the mountain.
Last year’s harvest was not good, but this year’s harvest was clearly better.
Therefore, if he had more land, seeds, and farming tools, half of the grain planted would be given to the soldiers and mostly belonged to the army. There was no need to keep an eye on the court’s food and pay.
At the same time, he could ensure his own rations.
Heng Yi only made a small suggestion.
Emperor Zhao Qian and Heng Congshan seemed to imagine a vast expanse of land, a vast expanse of fertile farmland. Not only were there commoners but there were also soldiers and their families.
If a dynasty wanted to prosper, it could not do without food, clothing, housing, and transportation.
“Tell me in detail.”
“I don’t have any rules in mind yet.” Heng Yi was direct.
Emperor Zhao Qian smiled.
While feeling gratified, he could not help but sigh.
None of his sons and brothers were like Heng Yi, who dared to speak directly without beating around the bush.
This man didn’t even know how to hide his thoughts.
Emperor Zhao Qian didn’t doubt Heng Yi at all. He felt that he and Heng Yi could be closer than this.
This kind of good impression was unexplainable.
Just like how he would disregard the objections of the ministers and come to Chenzhou.
He was eager to see Heng Yi.
“It doesn’t matter if there are no rules. These things can’t be done in a short time. You can think about it carefully and take it slowly.”
“Yes.” Heng Yi agreed.
He turned to look at the Heng Congshan and asked him if he could leave now.
“Emperor, it’s time for dinner.” Heng Congshan said respectfully in a low voice.
Emperor Zhao Qian nodded, “Heng Yi, stay and eat with us.”
Heng Yi wasn’t willing.
However, Heng Congshan immediately agreed.
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Heng Yi pursed his lips and agreed.
Emperor Zhao Qian glanced at Heng Yi and chuckled.
It was an honor for many people to share a meal with the Emperor.
But Heng Yi wasn’t too happy about it.
When the dishes were served, the table was full to the brim. What surprised Heng Yi even more was not about the amount of food, but the fact that the Emperor only ate one bite of each dish and would not eat a second bite.
Then those dishes would be removed.
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There were more than forty dishes on the table, but Heng Yi was still hungry.
The tea he drank was quite good.
Heng Yi’s eyes lit up as soon as he took a sip.
“Emperor, where did you buy these tea leaves?” Heng Yi asked directly.
Heng Congshan’s hand that was holding the teacup paused.
Emperor Zhao Qian laughed.
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Heng Yi didn’t understand.
Did he ask the wrong question? He didn’t buy it? Was it a gift from someone else?
“Do you want to buy it too?” Emperor Zhao Qian asked.
“Yes, these tea leaves are very fragrant. 1 want to buy some home for Sister Ah-Qiao to try.”
Emperor Zhao Qian was overjoyed.
Heng Congshan told him that this young man was a simple-minded person. He really was a simple-minded person.
Emperor Zhao Qian signaled for Defu to pack some tea leaves for Heng Yi.
“I’m afraid it’s not easy to buy these tea leaves at the moment. 1 have a lot on my side, so I’ll give you some to take home first.”
Heng Congshan noticed that Emperor Zhao Qian said “give”.
It was not a reward.
He pursed his lips.
He had served the emperor for so many years, but the emperor had never treated him with such courtesy.
Indeed, comparing people was infuriating.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I’ll be returning first. I’ll sort out the regulations tonight and bring them to you tomorrow.”
“Alright, 1’11 be waiting for you.”
Defu was very good at handling things. He filled four small pots of different tea leaves for Heng Yi and called out respectfully, “Master Heng, please take them.”
“Thank you.”
Heng Yi took the tea leaves and turned to Emperor Zhao Qian Emperor and
Heng Congshan, “I’ll be returning home first.”
Emperor Zhao Qian waved his hand.
Heng Yi walked out without stopping.
When he reached downstairs, the sky was already dark. Many lanterns were hanging under the eaves of the inn.
At the entrance of the inn, the Gong Prince and the officials of Chenzhou were waiting for him.
Zhang Huiguang was also there.
“Heng Yi…”
Everyone felt uncomfortable.
There were all kinds of guesses.
After Emperor Zhao Qian arrived in Chenzhou, the first person he met was Heng Yi. What did this mean?
It meant that Heng Yi was about to rise.
Wealth and power were placed in front of him, and it was up to Heng Yi to take them.
Heng Yi nodded slightly.
However, Defu said to the crowd, “His Majesty is tired from the long journey.
He will not be meeting anybody else today. Please return.”
Then he turned to the Gong Prince, “Your Highness, please.”
The Gong Prince chuckled in his heart.
He strode into the inn.
When Heng Yi returned home, Zhang Huiguang called out to him, “Heng Yi,”
“Lord Zhang.”
“Let’s find a place to have a drink?” Zhao Huiguang asked.
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Heng Yi didn’t want to eat outside.
“If it is convenient for you, come to my residence.”
Zhang Huiguang wanted to.
But he didn’t dare.
If he went now, Emperor Zhao Qian would accuse him of forming a clique for personal gain and he would be in deep trouble.
“Then let’s do it another day,” Zhang Huiguang hurriedly said.
Heng Yi frowned slightly.
Weren’t we just going for drinks?
What was the difference between being outside and being at home? Was the food outside better than the food at home? Was the wine as fragrant as the ones he had at home?
Heng Yi couldn’t figure it out.
He still did not understand the twists and turns of society, especially when it came to these officials.
He was not even an entry-level official.
He was not as sharp as Bai Cha.
If Bai Cha was here, he would know how to reply to Zhang Huiguang, he would also give him some dignity.
Heng Yi didn’t understand.
After bidding farewell and returning home, Han Qiao was waiting for him in the hall.
He looked at Han Qiao and quickened his pace. He stepped forward and handed the tea to Han Qiao.
“The emperor gave it to me.”
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Han Qiao could not help but laugh, “Did the Emperor reward me?”
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No, the emperor said he was giving it to me, not a reward,” Heng Yi said.
He was a little naive, but he still knew the difference.
Han Qiao was very surprised.
Gift. Reward… The difference was only one word.
“The emperor asked me to stay for a meal, but I’m not full yet.”
Heng Yi said, feeling wronged.
Han Qiao asked Duan Yue to quickly go to the kitchen to prepare some food and told Shu Lan to prepare some water. She wanted to brew and taste the tea Heng Yi brought.
Shulan knew how to brew tea, so she brewed it for Han Qiao.
Han Qiao sat at the side and waited.
When Ah-Yao saw his father return, he stared at him eagerly and waited for him to carry him.
It was also because he did not know how to walk yet. If he could walk, he would have run over to ask for a hug long ago..
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