Chapter 325 - 209 Writing a Book on Agriculture, Securing the Future
One year later, Jiang Jucai quelled the last four counties and led his troops back to Bianjing, which erupted in excitement. The ceremonial guard lined up all the way to the imperial palace, totaling a gigantic force of thirty thousand men.
It was an assembly far surpassing any before, larger by several times than the battle-hardened troops Jiang Jucai had brought into the city. However, when Jiang Jucai took a closer look, he saw the ceremonial guard was sparse and disheveled, with clothes of every hue, and all they held were mere sticks; there were no plaques, banners or magnificent flags to be seen.
Jiang Fugui, who had essentially become the lord of all under heaven, stood behind the city gates to greet Jiang Jucai. The latter dismounted, strode up and knelt to pay his respects, saying, "Your Majesty, my son greets you. Long live, long live the emperor."
After the formalities, the two boarded the carriage, and the distinction between lord and subject immediately dissolved.
Arm in arm, speaking in hushed tones, Jiang Jucai eyed the beggars outside and said, "Father, if we don’t have any money, let’s not bother with all this. Isn’t putting on a beggar’s parade just inviting mockery?"
Jiang Fugui glared and retorted, "Employment for relief, you understand nothing! Look at our current state; the nation’s name is yet undefined, and half the people of the world are not yet settled. Talking about this land of Bianjing alone, more and more refugees flood in, while the fields and grain are insufficient to distribute."
"Drive them to other places?"
"Fool, such travel causes countless deaths and injuries. Moreover, the local clans have yet to be fully managed. Currently, our commands cannot extend beyond a hundred miles, and we have nothing but an empty title."
"The army could clear the way, who would dare disobey?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Jiang Fugui delivered a punch to his head, scolding, "Even when I was doing business, I wouldn’t dare to dismiss a worker lightly. Do you think you’re raising chickens and ducks? Mr. Wen once said, ’To govern a great nation is like cooking a small fish, one should not disturb the people.’"