Chapter 7: Foreign Lands, Potatoes and Corn

Chapter 7: Lands Overseas, Potatoes, and Corn

The 28th year of King Zheng of Qin, also known as the third year of the First Emperor.

Just as everyone was feeling restless and anxious, a summons finally arrived from the Xianyang Palace: His Majesty had ordered all civil and military officials to convene at the Qilin Hall for an assembly.

"His Majesty arrives! Officials, pay your respects!" the usher shouted from the main hall.

"Long live His Majesty! Long live the Great Qin!"

"Rise."

"My esteemed ministers, I have here a blueprint for the future of the Great Qin. Examine it closely, commit its contents to memory, and do not be slack in your duties!"

As ministers, if one did not know how to read the room, one could not survive in the imperial court. They all understood the principle that the nail that sticks out gets hammered down.

Seeing that no one raised an objection, the First Emperor stood up. "Since the reforms of Shang Yang, the Great Qin has risen from among the six states to annex them and unify the world! Now that I have encountered an immortal master who has offered a strategy for national prosperity, I hope you, my ministers, will be of one mind and heart to expand our borders and open up new territories for our Great Qin!"

As he spoke, several eunuchs carried a map into the Qilin Hall. When they unfurled it, the unsuspecting officials were instantly struck dumb with astonishment.

"Immortal Master, the floor is yours," Emperor Ying Zheng said, gesturing to Yang Zichen, who stood in the hall.

Yang Zichen took up a wooden rod, walked to the map, and pointed to the territories depicted. "My lords, this is the world we inhabit. You see, the territory of our Great Qin is right here."

"To the north of Qin, a group of steppe nomads occupies vast, fertile pastures. If these lands belonged to Qin, we would have an inexhaustible supply of warhorses, cattle, and sheep. Every person in Qin would have meat to eat, and our bodies would grow stronger."

"In the northeast, the lands of the Fuyu, Sushen, Woju, Mo, Hui, and other tribes are rich in timber and medicinal herbs. The far north is filled with mineral deposits."

"To the west lie the Yuezhi, Wusun, Loulan, and the various Western Qiang tribes. Further west, in the Western Regions, there is a plant that produces fibers from which the best cold-weather clothing is made. Beyond the Western Regions lies the Dayuan state, which is famous for its 'heavenly horses'—horses that are well-built, obedient, fast, and perfect for long-distance marches. The Aryans, destroyers of civilizations, are still wandering about."

"Further west still, there are powers not to be underestimated: the Maurya Empire, which rivals Qin in strength; the Roman Empire; the Seleucid Empire; the Ptolemaic Kingdom; the Parthian Empire; the Macedonian Empire; and Carthage."

"Hiss! The world is so vast!" Even the First Emperor, who had seen the map once before, could not help but exclaim.

After annexing the six states and unifying the world, Ying Zheng had lost his purpose in life. He had only wished to see his glorious mountains and rivers, never imagining that there were so many other countries and lands. The world was so magnificent; would it not be a tragedy if he did not go to see it?

"Your Majesty, look further. To the south, in the lands of the Baiyue, rice can be harvested three or even four times a year. To the east, past the mouth of the Yellow River, lies the land of Fusang—the legendary Penglai Immortal Island. In truth, there is nothing there but a group of savages. Later, a fangshi named Xu Fu deceived Your Majesty, claiming he would seek the elixir of immortality, only to take five hundred boys and girls and never return."

"East of Fusang, across the endless seas, one can find a continent inhabited only by wild people. It contains two types of plants: potatoes and corn. With proper cultivation, corn can yield fifteen shi per mu, and potatoes can yield thirty shi!"

"Immortal Master, are your words true?" The First Emperor suddenly grabbed Zichen's hand, asking nervously.

"Your Majesty, your servant speaks no falsehood!"

"Splendid! Splendid! Splendid!" Ying Zheng cried out in great excitement. The civil and military officials, jolted from their shock, echoed his enthusiasm.

The "Book of Han: Treatise on Food and Money" recorded the harvests of typical farmers during the Warring States period: "A man supporting five people works one hundred mu of land, yielding one and a half shi per mu, for a total of one hundred and fifty shi. After subtracting the one-tenth tax of fifteen shi, and with each person consuming one and a half shi per month, the five people consume ninety shi per year, leaving a remainder of forty-five shi."

In ancient times, people only ate two meals a day, and five people would certainly not consume ninety shi in a year (by modern calculations, one shi equals sixty jin). One mu of land rarely produced more than two shi, even with careful cultivation of fertile soil.

Corn alone could support several times the population, to say nothing of the thirty-shi yield of potatoes. If these two crops were obtained, how many more people could the Great Qin support every year?

The officials immediately stepped forward. "Your Majesty, such divine treasures must be sought out as soon as possible!"

"Your Majesty, you must not!" Yang Zichen interjected.

"Immortal Master, why do you say that?" Ying Zheng asked, puzzled. The ministers turned to him, waiting for an explanation.

"Your Majesty, potatoes and corn are thousands of miles away. The current ships of Qin are not suited for crossing the ocean. On land, the only route is through the straits of the far north, a journey so perilous that it is nearly certain death. We must first build new warships suitable for ocean travel and train professional navigators before there is any chance of success."

In this era, attempting to cross the sea to the other side of the world, even with ships and experts, was incredibly dangerous.

Time passed quickly, and the court assembly drew to a close.

"Bring someone to record the edicts!" Ying Zheng returned to his throne and summoned the usher.

"Order Feng Quji to organize the State Council and Feng Jie to prepare the Military Council. Left Chancellor Li Si, Right Chancellor Feng Quji, and Senior Minister Meng Yi shall join the State Council to assist me in handling national affairs."

"General Wang Jian, Great General Meng Tian, and Ying Xi shall join the Military Council to oversee military affairs."

"Left Chancellor Li Si shall lead the Ministry of Justice; Right Chancellor Feng Quji shall lead the Ministry of Civil Affairs; Meng Yi shall lead the Ministry of Finance; Neishi Teng shall lead the Ministry of Works; and Censor-in-Chief Feng Jie shall lead the Ministry of Supervision."

"General Wang Jian shall oversee the General Staff; Great General Meng Tian shall lead the Department of Unified Warfare; Ying Xi shall lead the Department of Logistics; Tongwu Marquis Wang Ben shall lead the Department of Training; and Yang Duanhe shall lead the Department of Equipment."

"Subordinate departments are to be filled with the best talent, and all others are to be assigned to their respective ministries based on their skills. If there is a shortage of manpower, recruit talented individuals as soon as possible."

"Furthermore, the Immortal Master shall lead the Ministry of Technology."

"My ministers, upon returning, familiarize yourselves with your departments' affairs and draft corresponding laws so we may begin operations immediately."

"We shall serve with all our strength!"

After announcing the appointments, Ying Zheng declared the most vital priority.

"Where is the Minister of Propaganda?"

"I am here!"

"Begin the construction of the newspaper offices. I want the entire world to know of the existence of newspapers within one month!"

"As you command!"

"Where is Neishi Teng?"

"I am here!"

"Beginning today, start the preparations for the construction of salt refineries, paper mills, and iron smelting workshops."

With each command, the entire Great Qin began to operate at high speed.

Within five years, the construction of the imperial mausoleum was to be suspended. After five years, cement roads connecting Xianyang to all commanderies and counties must be completed. Private schools were forbidden; every county in Great Qin was required to have one primary school, and every commandery one middle school. Graduates could continue their studies at the Imperial University in Xianyang or return home.

Within five years, all elite soldiers of Qin were to be rescreened, keeping only those aged 16 to 30. The remaining soldiers would transition to local armed police or regular police to maintain public order.

Five major army groups were to be established, utilizing the training methods provided by the Immortal Master. The Great Qin was divided into five war zones: the Qilin Imperial Guard to protect Xianyang, the Xuanwu Great Wall Army to guard the southern frontier, the Zhuque Army to guard the north, the Qinglong Army to defend the east, and the Baihu Army to guard the west. Local garrison forces were to be reorganized.

All mineral resources were to be nationalized; private mining was prohibited. However, commercial development was encouraged. Land was to be state-owned, with no private transfer or sale permitted. All corvée labor was abolished, replaced by a tax system where all taxes were paid in Qin Banliang coins—approximately a one-thirtieth tax rate, with a one-fifth tax rate on commerce.

Childbearing was encouraged, with rewards for families with five or more children, with the state taking responsibility for their upbringing. The people were encouraged to raise chickens, ducks, pigs, cattle, and sheep.

Mandatory labor was replaced by paid employment, except for slaves and prisoners of war.

The Great Qin Imperial Bank was established to issue the First Emperor's new currency.

A Hall of Heroes was built, and the Great Qin Navy was founded.

Bandits, robbers, and hostile forces within the empire were to be eradicated. Private ownership of weapons was forbidden, and a national identity system was implemented.