Quick Transmigration: Underdog Turns out to be Untouchable

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: The Sin of Gender 62

Thinking of the days they lived during the previous dynasty, the old men couldn’t help but shiver, suddenly filled with fear. How did they become so possessed, believing they could threaten the Emperor!

The current Emperor is the second Emperor of the founding dynasty. Shortly after ascending the throne, he implemented several beneficial policies for the people and cherished them greatly.

No matter how much the Emperor cherishes the people, he is still the Emperor. If the common people disobey, he may not care about their lives!

Considering the commoners who died on a whim of the Emperor during the previous dynasty, the elders’ firm hearts began to waver.

Although the border city is frightening, it may not lead to death upon going, but staying and waiting for the Emperor’s grace may lead to true starvation!

Or worse, they might be driven by hunger to forsake human decency, turning on each other until everyone perishes!

In truth, these old men overthought themselves into fear. The Emperor’s aim is to encourage people to go to the border city voluntarily, not to let them die. However, being high above, the Emperor had no idea that in just two months of food shortages, people had resorted to cannibalism.

The county official didn’t think to report initially; when he did, the Emperor was shocked and angrily ordered General Wuwei to forcibly escort all disaster victims to the border city.

Qin Shuangshuang also noticed the elders in the village were wavering and felt secretly delighted. Most young people had some adventurous spirit; although they resisted going to the border city, they weren’t the hardest to persuade.

All along, these elders were the most resistant to going to the border city. One reason was their attachment to the place they had lived for most of their lives; another was the chaotic life they had lived when young. They yearned for stability in their old age and didn’t want to live unpredictable days.

Seeing that the scare tactics had almost worked, Qin Shuangshuang started talking about the positives. She couldn’t always frighten them, or they’d be lifeless, as if going to die if they went.

She wanted to lead everyone to the border city to improve their lives, not to endure hardships. But the border city currently had nothing, so starting a good life initially wouldn’t be without hardships.

In such a situation, if everyone had a positive mindset and felt hopeful about the future, then enduring hardships wouldn’t be bitter. But if they were pessimistic, no matter how much better than here, they wouldn’t feel that life was good.

”Actually, we are all afraid of going to the border city, thinking it extremely frightening. But look at our current life. Is there any difference from being at the border city? Even our current life is scarier; at least the border city never forced people to cannibalism.”

The crowd froze for a moment and, upon reflection, suddenly realized it was true. They were living as if in Hell, unsure which was more frightening compared to the border city.

”Moreover, our Emperor isn’t unloving. Over the years, how many good policies were brought out? The Emperor isn’t a tyrant from the previous dynasty, indifferent to life and death. Although I can’t see through the Emperor’s mind, when he moves us to the border, is it truly to send us to die?”

Upon hearing Qin Shuangshuang, everyone pondered again. Indeed, although the current Emperor is young, he wholeheartedly cares for his people. Just a couple of years ago, when the Ling River’s heavy rain flooded the banks, the Emperor personally inspected the situation.

If this were the previous dynasty, the Emperor’s inspection surely would have worsened the people’s suffering. But the current Emperor directly decreed that local governments shouldn’t disturb the citizens when welcoming him and simply brought a team of soldiers lightly to Ling River to inspect the disaster himself.

Until the Emperor returned to the palace, the commoners knew he had visited, without disturbance or excessive expenditure from the National Treasury. He truly cared for the people, and his travels weren’t for pleasure but to personally survey the damage.

In recent years since his ascent, such occurrences are frequent. Thus, while he is the Emperor who leaves the palace most often, never has an official blocked or protested with their life like the previous dynasty.

Initially, when thinking about the border city, everyone’s first thought was about the Emperor sending them to die. But after Qin Shuangshuang’s words and further pondering the current Emperor’s wisdom, everyone felt enlightened. Indeed, how could such an Emperor, who cherishes his people and resources, possibly relocate decent commoners to the border city to die?

Compared to these ordinary villagers, several educated Scholars actually felt more enlightened, often discussing national affairs while studying with peers.

The current Emperor is ambitious. Shortly after taking the throne, he abolished the custom of marital alliances with the barbarians and sent heavy troops to the borders, fiercely battling the barbarians. The one he dispatched was Qi Weibin, a Great General of humble origins, whom he personally promoted.

This Qi Weibin was a master at warfare. He fought several battles with the barbarians and won repeatedly. He truly frightened the barbarians, who for a long time didn’t dare send large forces to harass the borders.

Originally, the Emperor intended to crush the barbarians in one fell swoop. But suddenly, the long-dormant Supreme Emperor inexplicably stirred up trouble, insisting the Emperor couldn’t continue against the barbarians, arguing that military actions brought the people to ruin and prevented their rest, which was against the will of Heaven.

Word has it that the Emperor, troubled beyond words, had no choice but to adopt a soft approach to appease the barbarians, opening a Mutual Market at the border to exchange the salt and tea, which the barbarians were most lacking, for their cattle and sheep.

At this point, these Scholars realized that relocating to the border was undoubtedly to strengthen it in preparation for the future Mutual Market. If that were the case, then going to the border city was actually a good thing!

Firstly, the preferential policies given by the Emperor were truly appealing. If they didn’t go to the border, they would never encounter such favorable policies in their lives!

Secondly, if truly a Mutual Market opened, the barbarians, even if harassing the border, wouldn’t disrupt the market, as they also needed the resources exchanged there. It’s said that the barbarians harassed the border yearly, partly due to their inherent aggression and partly due to severe material shortages.

Thus, going to the border actually wasn’t about being sent to die but was a great opportunity. Upon realizing this, these Scholars were thrilled, knowing they couldn’t stay and wait to starve after food ran out! They must head to the border immediately, even crawling if required!

From then on, Qin Shuangshuang didn’t need to step up herself, simply watching as a few Scholars and the village chief, along with the two old students as family elders, joined forces, laying out facts and reasoning, persuading and encouraging, quickly igniting Qin Family Village’s residents with fervor and determination, eager to build their new home at the border and live a wealthier life!

Since going to the border city was decided, it had to be as soon as possible. Everyone dispersed and went home to pack their most valuable things, ready to take them along.

At Qin Shuangshuang’s house, Mrs. Bai and Qin Miao busied themselves, while Qin Shuangshuang went with Fang Yaoyao to find her master, Fang Zhongyi!