Read Novel Full Chapter 834 - 9: The Best of Both Worlds (Part 2)
Chapter 834: Chapter 9: The Best of Both Worlds (Part 2)
Wen Daoji didn’t want to see Zheng Qian using harsh methods to force the people to register, so he pulled Zheng Qian along to see Zhao Yao.
After listening to their report, Zhao Yao frowned deeply, his face looking somewhat displeased.
"Your Highness, it’s not that the people are unwilling to register, but they dare not. They are afraid of being deceived." Wen Daoji thought Zhao Yao was displeased with the people’s unwillingness to register, and hurried to explain on their behalf, "Also, in the past, the officials of Swamp Prefecture never asked the people to register their households."
Zheng Qian, standing aside, said coldly, "A bunch of ignorant people." The people of Lingnan were the most ignorant and uninformed he had ever seen.
"Mr. Zheng, the people’s ignorance is not their fault, but because they have always been deceived by the officials of Swamp Prefecture." Wen Daoji sighed and said, "Moreover, they haven’t been educated and know nothing." The people of Lingnan were truly pitiful.
"They listened to those corrupt officials before, why won’t they listen to His Highness?" Zheng Qian was irritated by this point, "Whatever those corrupt officials told them to do, they would obediently do. His Highness is merely asking them to register their households and not forcing them to do hard labor, yet they are unwilling to register. What’s the reason for that?" Clearly, they didn’t take the Lord seriously.
"The previous officials mistreated them, and if they didn’t obey, they’d be punished, so they naturally listened obediently." Wen Daoji continued to defend the people, "It’s not that they don’t listen to His Highness, but they temporarily don’t trust him. After some time, when they see His Highness’s benevolence, they will naturally listen."
"And how long will that take?" Zheng Qian said with a stony expression, "I don’t see anything wrong with forcing them to register." To handle these ignorant people, one must be slightly harsh.
Seeing he couldn’t reason with Zheng Qian, Wen Daoji had to plead with Zhao Yao.
"Your Highness, you have just arrived, and it’s normal for the people to doubt you. Give them some time, and they will recognize your goodness."
"Your Highness, I still think it is better to force them to register."
"Mr. Zheng, you..."
Zhao Yao raised his hand to interrupt the argument between Wen Daoji and Zheng Qian, and said, "Since the people are unwilling to register, let them come to register willingly."
Wen Daoji and Zheng Qian did not quite understand Zhao Yao’s meaning: "Your Highness, what do you mean?"
"Very simple, give them more incentives."
"Your Highness, your previous decree already granted them benefits, such as exemption from tax and forced labor, yet these people are ungrateful and still unwilling to register." Zheng Qian felt that for merely registering the population, the people were given such great benefits, and yet they didn’t appreciate it, which was too much. "Your Highness, these people are just ignorant people. Reasoning with them or giving them benefits won’t work, only punishing them will make them understand and behave." During his travels, he had encountered plenty of ignorant people and found that reasoning or offering benefits didn’t work. They only believed in what they thought.
Zheng Qian continued, "My Lord, this is your first command since arriving in Swamp Prefecture, and the people disobeying it harms your authority. I believe it’s better to punish them so they’ll fear your authority." For those stubborn and incorrigible ignorant people, strong measures must be taken so they will fear, and once they fear, they will obey.
"Your Highness, you just arrived in Swamp Prefecture and already executed so many officials; the people are already afraid of you. If you further force them to register, they will only be more frightened, which is not beneficial for you."
Both Zheng Qian and Wen Daoji were not wrong.
"You all don’t rush, let me finish what I have to say first."
"Please speak, Your Highness."
"Please speak, My Lord."
"You both know I’ve been working on the new salt project. I originally planned to distribute one or two measures of new salt to each household in a few days, so that the people could try it and be inclined to purchase it in the future. However, after hearing your report, I’ve changed my mind." Zhao Yao said with a smile, "Distribute the new salt to all households that come to register. As long as they register, they will be given one or two measures of salt. Those who don’t register will not receive the new salt."
Zheng Qian and Wen Daoji both felt this was a good idea.
"The Lord is benevolent."
"Your Highness is wise."
"Isn’t this the best of both worlds?" Zhao Yao had originally intended to give the people new salt, and now could perfectly use the household registration matter for this purpose. "For those who have already registered, arrange for someone to deliver it tomorrow."
Zheng Qian said respectfully, "Yes, My Lord."