Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 835: Chapter 9: The Best of Both Worlds (3)

”The commoners will certainly be eager to register for the salt,” Zhao Yao said with a smile, ”This is a perfect opportunity for you to promote the new salt, letting the people know that the salt I produced is not only delicious, but also affordable.”

”Your Highness, although I do not know the exact number of households in Swamp Prefecture, distributing one or two taels of new salt to each household would amount to quite a bit,” Wen Daoji voiced his concern about the potential insufficiency of the new salt Zhao Yao had produced, subtly reminding him.

”Prime Minister Wen, no need to worry about this. The first batch of new salt produced is roughly a hundred pounds, which should be sufficient,” Zhao Yao had earlier instructed the Guard Commander and others to construct numerous pans. In recent times, even more pans were built.

Upon hearing that the first batch could yield a hundred pounds of salt, both Wen Daoji and Zheng Qian drew in a sharp breath.

”By the way, Zheng Qian, take some new salt back later and place a few bowls at the registration office. When the people come to register, allow them to taste the new salt. Only when they have tasted it and realize it’s delicious will they be willing to register and purchase new salt in the future,” Zhao Yao said, then added another idea, ”Also, include an incentive. As long as the people register, they can buy salt at a cheaper price in the future.”

He continued, ”Our new salt costs four hundred coins per dan; the first purchase after registration can be discounted by fifty coins, priced at three hundred fifty coins per stone.”

Zheng Qian slightly frowned, ”Master, wouldn’t three hundred fifty coins per stone be too cheap?”

”It’s not like we’re always selling it to them at three hundred fifty. Their first purchase after registration is just three hundred fifty, but the second will be four hundred,” Zhao Yao didn’t feel it was a loss, ”This way, they’ll be motivated to register, while helping us better promote the new salt.”

Wen Daoji remarked, ”Your Highness is indeed resourceful.”

”Master, what if some people are still unwilling to register?”

”Then arrest them,” Zhao Yao was not one to be easily persuaded; his willingness to offer benefits to the people of Swamp Prefecture was because he had just arrived and needed public support. ”And if anyone falsifies their report, they will be severely punished once found.”

”Understood, Master.”

”Are those few tribes settled?” Swamp Prefecture had several small tribes. The chieftains and their minions of these tribes had been executed by Zhao Yao, leaving only a small number of people. ”Are they behaving?”

”Some people are not behaving, but they have all been detained, and the remaining are temporarily well-behaved,” Zheng Qian dutifully reported, ”The ones detained have already been given corporal punishment by my orders.”

”With these tribes, one cannot show mercy; only severe measures can be used.” The people of the Lingnan Tribe are locals—viewed as Southern Barbarians by people from the capital—wild, brutish, vicious, ignorant of etiquette and rules, and disdainful of authority, while bullying the weak. Soft policies are useless against them; they’d even push boundaries. Only by striking them, making them fear, will they obediently listen. ”Continue to keep an eye on them.” Although their chieftains have been killed, it doesn’t mean the tribe members will always be well-behaved.

”Your Highness, isn’t it inappropriate to keep watching those tribe members?” Wen Daoji suggested, ”Your Highness, someone must be sent to educate and govern them.”

”Of course, there won’t be perpetual surveillance, but they need to be intimidated for a while; this way, they’ll become fearful. Once they’re scared, they will obey, and then they can elect new chieftains—whose selection must have my approval.”

Wen Daoji: ”Your Highness is wise.”

”Is there anything else you want to report?”

”Your Highness, shouldn’t you attend court?”

”Attend court?” Zhao Yao was utterly shocked, ”You want me to attend court?”

”Your Highness, your minor court has already been established; it’s logical and reasonable for you to attend.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao’s face immediately fell, speaking most unwillingly, ”Is attending court truly necessary?”

”Your Highness, you must, otherwise how would you know the affairs of the court.”