kingnovel Chapter 527 Opening up maritime transport and building seaports 2
Chapter 527 Opening up maritime transport and building seaports 2
It was the first day of the first lunar month in 223 BC.
The early morning in Xianyang was still enveloped in the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year. The incessant sounds of firecrackers from the previous night gradually subsided, and the air was filled with the unique scent of burning sulfur, mingled with the aroma of Tusu wine wafting from every household and the sweet smell of steaming millet cakes. On the streets of Xianyang, occasionally a horse-drawn carriage decorated with colorful silks would roll over the thin ice-covered pavement, the crisp, melodious sounds of wheels and horse bells filling the air. This was the customary way for members of the imperial family, nobles, and ministers to visit relatives and friends, exchanging New Year's greetings.
However, unlike the festive and peaceful atmosphere in the city, the area of government offices of the Five Ministers and Twelve Departments in the southwest of the imperial city already showed signs of solemnity. Especially the office of the Minister of State Affairs, Ying Wuyou, had its vermilion gates wide open early in the morning, with two guards in black uniforms standing solemnly on either side, their eyes sharp as eagles, scrutinizing the passersby. Inside the office, the red lanterns hanging under the corridors had not yet been taken down, but they could not conceal the tension that was so incongruous with the festive atmosphere.
At three-quarters past dawn, Ying Wuyou was already seated in the main seat of the government office. Today, she had specially changed into a deep purple embroidered gold court robe, with intricate cloud and grain patterns embroidered on the hem and cuffs. Her hair was styled in a flying phoenix bun, adorned only with a single jade hairpin, making her appear dignified yet elegant. On the table sat a freshly brewed cup of hot tea, the rising steam blurring her beautiful but slightly weary face—she had barely slept all night for today's meeting.
"Director Mo, Supervisor Gongsun, Happy New Year." As footsteps sounded, Ying Wuyou looked up and spoke in a gentle and polite voice.
The first to enter the main hall were Mo Li, the Director of the Works Department, and Gongsun Ban, the Junior Minister of the Imperial Workshops. Mo Li, about forty years old, wore a gray official robe and held a thick book in his hands, his face showing a mixture of caution and unease. Originally a disciple of the Mohist school, he was recommended to the palace by Ying Wuyou because of his expertise in mechanical engineering, which led to his current position as Director of the Works Department. He held the young princess, who was also the Minister of State Affairs, in high esteem.
Following closely behind was Gongsun Ban, a slightly plump elderly man, around sixty years old. He carried a wooden box containing various blueprints and models. His steps were slightly unsteady, but his eyes were bright. The two bowed respectfully upon entering, not daring to be the slightest bit negligent.
Ying Wuyou smiled and gestured for them to sit down, saying gently, "I apologize for inviting you two here today, it is truly due to an urgent matter. I hope you will not take offense."
Mo Li quickly cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness is too kind. If you have important matters to give, we will certainly obey." His gaze unconsciously drifted to the files on Ying Wuyou's desk, and he felt a little uneasy—summoning a meeting on the first day of the Lunar New Year was no ordinary matter.
A moment later, Military Minister Meng Tian strode into the main hall. He was still in his black military uniform, with a few specks of morning frost clinging to his armor, clearly having come directly from the military camp outside the city. This nearly forty-year-old general stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his face resolute. Upon entering, he said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, summoning us on the first day of the Lunar New Year must be to discuss important matters concerning the foundation of the nation?" He and Ying Wuyou had always shared similar political views, and his words were less formal and more direct.
Ying Wuyou rose to greet him: "General Meng, may you have a happy new year. Please sit down and wait a moment, Prime Minister Feng will be here soon."
Meng Tian nodded and sat down, his gaze sweeping over Mo Li and Gongsun Ban. Seeing their solemn expressions, he was even more certain that today's events were no small matter.
About fifteen minutes later, Grand Chancellor Feng Quji slowly walked in. This senior official, over fifty years old, wore a blue court robe, his hair and beard already streaked with white, yet he was still in high spirits. He tucked his hands into his sleeves, a gentle smile on his face, and bowed slightly, saying, "Your Highness, everyone, Happy New Year. I am late, please forgive me."
Ying Wuyou quickly stood up and bowed: "Prime Minister Feng, you are too kind. I am truly sorry to have troubled you to come all this way during the Spring Festival, but the matter is urgent, so please forgive me."
After everyone was seated, and waiters served hot tea, Ying Wuyou slowly began to speak, his tone both tentative and earnest: "I have invited you all here today to discuss the matter of maritime transport. Now that our Great Qin has conquered Han and Zhao in the east, Yan and Wei are no longer a threat, and Qi is practically non-existent. Unification is a foregone conclusion. However, after unification, how to consolidate our power and develop our national strength is the long-term solution. After much deliberation, I believe that maritime transport is the key, and I have specially invited you all here today to discuss this and hear your opinions."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, and continued, "I intend to petition His Majesty at the grand court assembly three days from now to separate the Maritime Transport Bureau from the Construction Bureau and elevate it to the thirteenth bureau, dedicated to maritime affairs. However, this matter involves a wide range of issues, and I would appreciate your guidance, sirs."
As soon as he finished speaking, Mo Li's expression changed slightly, and he almost dropped the teacup in his hand. He put down the teacup, his face showing difficulty, and his tone was hesitant: "Your Highness, the Maritime Transport Bureau has been subordinate to the Construction Bureau since its establishment. Now that it is to be established as an independent bureau, it involves many complex matters such as the division of responsibilities and the allocation of personnel. It is quite complicated. At present, it is the annual holiday, and most officials have returned to their hometowns to visit their families. Should we wait until after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month to convene the relevant personnel for detailed discussions?"
Having managed the Construction Bureau for two years, he was already accustomed to the existing operating model, and the Mohist school's rigor and conservatism were fully embodied in him. The sudden change made him feel uneasy, especially since the Maritime Transport Bureau was something he had helped Ying Wuyou establish, and now that it was to become independent, he couldn't help but feel some reluctance and concerns. However, he also knew Ying Wuyou's character; he would never have brought this up today without careful consideration, so his tone was more of a probe than an objection.
Ying Wuyou understood Mo Li's concerns and explained gently, "I understand Director Mo's concerns. However, the matter of maritime transport concerns the future of our nation, and it is better to do it sooner rather than later. The Grand Court Assembly is in three days, and I would like to raise this matter there. The reason I invited you all here today is that I hope we can work together to finalize a preliminary plan and ensure that we can have a comprehensive explanation at the assembly."
As she spoke, she took a carefully bound book from the table and pushed it in front of everyone: "This is my draft of the independent charter for the Maritime Company. Please take a look. If there are any improprieties, please feel free to offer your guidance."
Everyone crowded around to carefully peruse the scroll. The scroll detailed the necessity of establishing an independent Maritime Transport Bureau: "The present-day Great Qin is bordered by the Bohai and Yellow Seas to the east, and the East China Sea and South China Sea to the south, with a coastline stretching for thousands of miles. After unification, the territory is vast, and relying solely on land transport will be insufficient to meet the needs of various regions. Opening up maritime transport will not only connect the north and south, east and west, but also facilitate the transport of grain, salt, iron, and other goods, promoting economic exchange between different regions."
Secondly, it can develop overseas trade, acquire rare treasures and strategic materials, and replenish the national treasury;
Thirdly, it can establish a navy, strengthen coastal defense, and prevent pirates and barbarians from harassing coastal prefectures and counties;
Fourthly, it allows for territorial expansion, exploration of overseas lands, and the dissemination of Qin's teachings.