Chapter 10: Innate Skills—Infrastructure and Farming
Chapter 10: Innate Skills—Infrastructure and Farming
“Wan Niang!” Yang Zimo suddenly called out.
“Here, husband,” Wan Niang replied sweetly.
“Help me tie my sleeve; it’s affecting my performance.”
“Right away!”
“Wan Niang, don’t move. There’s something on your face—let me wipe it off for you!” Yang Zimo noticed ashes stuck on Lin Wan Niang’s face, along with some thatch caught in her hair, and called out to her.
“All done, husband?”
“All done.”
“Husband, don’t move! You have something on your mouth, let me wipe it off for you too,” Wan Niang suddenly realized.
*Pop!*
“Ah, so fragrant! Wife, let me wipe the dirt from your mouth again.”
“Daddy, can we eat now?” The two little ones shouted as they ran into the kitchen.
“Ah, Daddy, Mommy, what are you doing?”
“Daughter, Daddy is shooing away mosquitoes from your mother. Don’t just stand there—don’t you want to eat?” Even the thick-skinned Yang Zimo felt awkward being caught by his daughter.
“Oh, oh, oh, Sister, let’s go wash our hands.” Little Xuan Yin called to her sister Xuan Ji, who was still watching the two in puzzlement. Xuan Ji hadn’t quite understood why Daddy was using his mouth instead of his hands to shoo mosquitoes from Mommy. Mosquitoes must be fierce if they left Mommy’s face red and swollen. Looks like I’ll have to be extra careful around those pesky mosquitoes in the future.
As the final dish was brought to the table, the family gathered to dine under the attentive service of their attendants. Spicy diced rabbit, poached chicken, fish-flavored shredded pork, steamed bass, secret recipe roast duck, twice-cooked pork, roast goose, and cold dressed fern sprouts.
Staring at the unfamiliar spread, everyone swallowed hard. While the people of the Qin Dynasty still relied on steaming, boiling, and roasting, the introduction of stir-frying, quick-frying, deep-frying, pan-frying, braising, stewing, simmering, and marinating had greatly elevated their culinary standards. Even Emperor Qin Shi Huang praised the flavors and sent palace chefs to learn from these new techniques.
Yet, the most authentic dishes were still made by the Marquis of Jingyang. Unfortunately, lacking chili peppers and other condiments unknown to Qin, the flavors were somewhat limited. As for the most delicious meals in all of Qin, those belonged to the Immortal Master’s household, simply because the Marquis of Jingyang’s family had the most diverse spices—and rumor had it they maintained a vegetable garden with every kind of vegetable imaginable, supplying fresh produce even through the harshest winters.
---
Farming and eating were innate talents of their people. Since arriving in Qin, Yang Zimo had deliberately collected various vegetable and fruit seeds, building a greenhouse for his own use—and naturally, had constructed an even larger one for the Emperor.
That was the true meaning of racial talent. After exchanging numerous technical documents, the people of Huaxia had unleashed a wave of agricultural and infrastructural development. Gardens of all sizes sprang up everywhere, workshops buzzed with activity, and construction projects flourished.
If it weren’t for Qin’s insufficient grain output and limited population, the talents of Huaxia’s people could have been unleashed even further.
“Sister, try this rabbit—so delicious,” little Xuan Yin said from her chair, eagerly recommending food to her sister.
“Mm-hmm. Little sister, this goose is tasty too. You should try some,” Xuan Ji responded in kind.
“Here, Mother, Daddy, try this rabbit too.” The two girls, while eating, didn’t forget to share with their parents—truly adorable and considerate children.
“Daddy, can you bring some rabbits home for me and sister tomorrow? They’re so cute—I want to raise them plump.” Xuan Ji and Xuan Yin looked up at Yang Zimo with eager eyes.
Watching the two clutching rabbit heads in their hands, Yang Zimo smiled helplessly and replied, “Alright, alright. Daddy will get you some tomorrow, you two little gluttons. Ha ha.”
Dinner quickly passed amid the family’s laughter and joy. As night deepened, it was time to extinguish the lights and rest.
---
Xianyang City
The civil and military officials rose early. After some adjustments, the morning court sessions no longer began at the first watch but had been pushed to the third quarter of the third watch (7:45 a.m.). Though Yang Zimo normally did not attend court, today was a grand session—the conclusion of the Five-Year Plan. Attendance was mandatory for all, serving as a review of achievements over the past five years.
Majestic Xianyang City lay sprawling like a colossal beast across the Guanzhong Plain, silently gazing into the distance. The gentle morning sun eagerly burst from the clouds, racing across the boundless earth.
In the fields outside the city, diligent hands were already at work. Caravans full of goods came and went along the main roads, passing through thorough inspections at the city gates.
On the towering ten-zhang-high walls, banners fluttered, black-armored soldiers held eight-foot halberds, their hawk-like eyes scrutinizing every passerby. They were the guardians of the people, the stalwart support of the empire.
The bustling streets resounded with cries of vendors, replacing the usual quiet with laughter and hope. A dazzling array of toys, delicacies, and exotic items filled the markets, as if one had stepped into another world.
With the toll of a bell, the daily court session officially began.
Outside the Qilin Hall, groups of civil and military officials ceased their conversations upon hearing the bell, entering the hall and taking their places according to rank and department.
As the herald shouted, “His Majesty arrives! All officials salute!”—
Dressed in black ceremonial robes, a sword of Qin hung at his waist, wearing the imperial crown with hanging beads, Emperor Ying Zheng strode toward the dragon throne with the grace of a dragon and tiger.
Upon seeing the Emperor seated, all officials bowed deeply and exclaimed together, “Your humble servants pay respects to Your Majesty!”
“Please rise, ministers,” Ying Zheng raised his hand.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Once the officials resumed their seats, the grand session formally commenced.
Clearing his throat, Ying Zheng slowly stood and addressed the assembly:
“Esteemed ministers, the first Five-Year Plan of Great Qin has now come to a complete end. I wonder if any among you can truly grasp how much our empire has changed. Is there a minister willing to report on the progress we have achieved over these five years?”
Minister of the People, Feng Quji, stepped forward first:
“Your Majesty, since I assumed leadership of the Ministry of the People, we have identified over thirty-seven thousand mineral sites, added ten medium to large iron mines, ten copper mines, and one medium gold and silver mine each.
I led officials to survey a total of 235 million mu of land nationwide (averaging fifty mu per household), producing 352.5 million dan of grain, with registered citizens totaling 4.7 million households and 26 million people.
In five years, Great Qin has increased cultivated land by 54.05 million mu (an average of ten mu newly cultivated per household), totaling 289.05 million mu. Using new planting and composting techniques, in bountiful years (yielding two dan per mu), grain production reaches 578.1 million dan (17.34 million tons).
Our population has grown by 705,000 households, approximately 3.93 million people, bringing the current registered population to 29,927,842.
An increase of 3.93 million people means we have 580,000 able-bodied men, capable of training 150,000 elite soldiers. Such achievements are the greatest blessings since seven centuries of war and turmoil! It is the fortune of Great Qin and the happiness of all its people.
I humbly congratulate Your Majesty!”
“We congratulate Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty!” The civil and military ministers, moved by such accomplishments, joined in heartfelt congratulations.
(End of Chapter)