"What? The Crown Prince exempted us from this year's labor service, but we still have to pay for the workers ourselves?"
Hearing the two guards' words, everyone was stunned, never expecting things to turn out this way.
According to the rules, the prefect is entitled to conscript able-bodied men for labor service. Unexpectedly, the heir apparent exempted his own Xiliang Commandery from this year's labor service and even used his own money to recruit workers. This is truly touching.
What a fine governor!
They naturally knew why they were building the city walls. With winter approaching again, the Northern Region Barbarians would likely be active once more, and the prince was building the city to defend against them.
This was for the safety of the entire Xiliang Commandery; the Crown Prince actually used his own money to allow the people to recuperate and thrive.
Such selfless spirit could not help but move them.
Other prefects were already being generous by not exploiting the common people, let alone thinking of their own welfare, which brought tears to the eyes of many.
Bang!
An old man suddenly knelt down, wailing and crying out, "Heavens! Why has the young master only arrived at my Dayu Pass this year! If he had arrived earlier, my old wife could have enjoyed a life of comfort too!"
"Yes, I've never heard of such a great prince before. No wonder he was able to Yiming, not only restoring order to Northern Liang City but also sweeping through Xiliang Commandery." A scholar couldn't help but exclaim upon seeing this scene.
His classmate next to him nodded and said with a wry smile, "I heard that the Crown Prince once said, 'Those who are not in a position should not meddle in its affairs.' I thought it was just an excuse. Later, when the Crown Prince took control of Northern Liang City, he forcefully suppressed those sources of trouble, making Northern Liang City a place where doors are left unlocked at night and there is absolutely no crime."
"Now that the Crown Prince has come to Xiliang Commandery, he has not only wiped out those bandits, but also brought hope such as sweet potatoes and potatoes. He is truly doing his job as governor seriously."
"He tirelessly served the people, risking his own safety and even using his own money to give them sweet potatoes and potatoes. Looking across the All Under Heaven, perhaps only the Crown Prince could have done such a thing!"
These words immediately silenced the crowd, followed by a surge of public opinion.
"I have to do forced labor, I have no choice!"
"I am a stonemason; I should be able to help the Crown Prince. I must go."
"I'm a bamboo craftsman, and I'd like to join too, but I don't know if it'll be of any use."
"I'm a grown man, albeit a scholar. How can I be lazy and idle? I'm going to build the city wall!"
" Xiliang Commandery doesn't just belong to the Crown Prince; it's also our homeland, and protecting Xiliang Commandery is our responsibility."
They are all to participate in this service and contribute to the defense of Xiliang Commandery. The Crown Prince has only just arrived in Xiliang Commandery. If he is to sacrifice so much for Xiliang Commandery, how will the people of the All Under Heaven view them?
Seeing this, the two guards couldn't sit still any longer; things were about to get out of control.
However, they couldn't make such a big decision on their own; they had to consult the prefectural magistrate, otherwise they would be punished.
At a teahouse not far away, Duan Yingxiong and Wang Chengfei were stunned by what they saw.
"Damn it, there are people scrambling to serve? This is just bizarre!" Duan Yingxiong exclaimed, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.
Normally, these people would rather hide in the mountains and forests to avoid military service. Now they're being so eager; it's simply outrageous. Does the Crown Prince have that much influence?
Wang Chengfei's expression was solemn as he said in a deep voice, "The Crown Prince currently enjoys extremely high prestige in Xiliang Commandery, and given his compassion for the people, such a scene is to be expected. However, since we have just pledged allegiance to the Crown Prince, we cannot turn a blind eye!"
"What do you mean?" Duan Yingxiong's pupils contracted; Wang Chengfei's words were loaded with meaning.
Wang Chengfei nodded and said solemnly, "Since the young master is looking for craftsmen like bricklayers, we will do our best to assist him and find such talents to send to him."
Among the throngs of people, he saw the will of the people.
The Crown Prince already possessed the martial prowess to sweep through Xiliang Commandery, and now, with the support of the people, he is invincible in Xiliang Commandery.
Although the two of them had pledged allegiance to the Crown Prince, they had not accomplished anything, which was a very serious problem.
Even if the crown prince is magnanimous, his subordinates Ma Chao and Wang Yue are not to be underestimated, and trouble is bound to befall the Wang Clan.
The Wang Clan must demonstrate their usefulness!
Looking for someone?
Duan Yingxiong frowned slightly; this was not his forte, so it was indeed a problem.
This time, Zhuo Feifan is dead. Strictly speaking, it was the Wang Chengfei who spared their lives, so I absolutely cannot be ungrateful, or something bad will happen sooner or later.
After pondering for a moment, he said in a deep voice, "I'll leave the finding to you. My Cloud and Mist Mountain possesses a huge iron mine, as well as several hundred stonemasons, blacksmiths, and the like. I'll offer them to the young master!"
Since the Crown Prince wants to build a city, iron mines and blacksmiths will at least be of some use.
"Alright, there's no time to lose, we absolutely can't keep the young master waiting!" Wang Chengfei nodded and immediately went to make the arrangements.
The Net's operations never stopped. With its vast intelligence network, Wang Yue found more than 3,000 people in just one day and brought them to the gate of the prefect's mansion.
Among these people were bricklayers, stonemasons, blacksmiths, and even some unimaginable professions. Lin Yi had to give them a thumbs up for their efficiency.
Chen Qun stared for a while, then frowned and asked, " Wang Yue, what does this schoolteacher mean?"
"Prefect, a schoolteacher is just a teacher, a special talent. I think our lord will need them in the future, so I've brought in some as well," Wang Yue explained calmly.
puff!
Lin Yi almost spat out his tea. In those days, a schoolteacher was a very prestigious position, but Wang Yue had reduced him to a mere instructor.
However, upon closer reflection, it makes sense. After all, teaching and nurturing students is a skill in itself, so what Wang Yue said makes sense.
Chen Qun's lips twitched slightly, but he didn't refute it.
Wang Yue is right about one thing: our lord also needs some teachers. In this way, the education of Xiliang Commandery can be planned in advance, which can be regarded as preparation.
"Greetings, Your Excellency!"
Upon seeing Lin Yi, the craftsmen were immediately overjoyed and knelt down. In their hearts, the young master was a great man, the hope of the people of Xiliang Commandery.
It was an honor for them to be used by the Crown Prince, so they all rushed to come.
Lin Yi nodded slightly, looking at the crowd kneeling on the ground, and said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, the reason I've called you here today is because I had a dream."
Dream?
The group exchanged bewildered glances. The prince had summoned them after a dream—what was going on? Had they rebelled in his dream?
If that were truly the case, we would be committing a grave act of treason.