The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 96: Arrangement

Chapter 96: Arrangement

“I am willing to go to Chuiyun.”

The one who stepped forward was Du Huai, newly admitted to the Hall of Gathered Talents this year, with a respectable ranking on the examination list.

Xu Ying advised her to reconsider carefully: “You must think this through. Once you go, you might not return to Youzhou for ten years, or even spend the rest of your life there.”

Du Huai replied: “Your Majesty, this humble official has many siblings at home who can fulfill filial duties to our parents. However, the state has needsbarren lands are short of manpower. Though my learning is shallow and my talents meager, I possess nothing but fervent dedication to serve the country. I beg Your Majesty’s permission.”

After Du Huai finished speaking, Deng Zhuojun beside her resolutely stepped forward as well. Deng Zhuojun said: “This humble official is also willing to go.”

Xu Ying pondered for a moment. With no other candidates available, she had no choice but to grant their request. “Then Du Huai, you shall go to Anchang, and Deng Zhuojun to Chengping. Given your special circumstances, you two will be exempt from the ‘publish or perish’ requirement and may retain your positions in the Hall of Gathered Talents.”

Du Huai and Deng Zhuojun’s faces lit up with surprise and delight. They had feared being stuck with county magistrate titles forever and losing their scholarly status in the Hall. Now their worries completely vanished, and they began looking forward to their new posts.

The officials voiced no objections, secretly relieved that these two had filled the vacancies so they wouldn’t be unlucky enough to be chosen by Xu Ying for those impoverished regions.

There remained one opening in Chuiyun. Someone considered volunteering but was stopped by their father’s warning glance. After a long silence with no volunteers, Xu Ying temporarily postponed Chuiyun’s development plans, deciding to select suitable candidates individually after court.

Feng Liang of the Court of Revision had completed the investigation into Qi Rui’s death, closing the case in Qingzhou. Returning to report, he stated: “Your Majesty, the investigation confirms that Qi Rui indeed died from slipping and falling during a heavy rainstorm. While other suspects had motives and made preparations, they were not responsible for Qi Rui’s death. Therefore, Qi Rui’s case is ruled as accidental death, excluding homicide.”

Ultimately, there were people who wanted to kill Qi Rui, but some only contemplated it without taking action, while others had made preparations but never got to use themQi Rui had already slipped and drowned in a latrine himself.

The officials breathed sighs of relief, grateful that heaven had eyes and Qi Rui’s own bad luck had killed him first.

Xu Ying found this quite eye-opening. While the Qingzhou officials emerged unscathed, she had lost Sun Zhuo in the process. She penalized the Qingzhou officials with several months’ salary deduction for inadequate supervision, thus concluding the matter.

After resolving some accumulated issues, Gao Yun presented a memorial: “Your Majesty, through my work at the Female Medical Academy with the physicians, I’ve learned of a persistent affliction in medical services. Clinic consultation fees are prohibitively high, and when serious illnesses require long-term medication, the cost of medicines exceeds what ordinary families can afford.”

“The common people dare not fall illthey cannot afford to be sick. Typically, they endure minor ailments and await death from major diseases. Even when suffering from pain, they refuse to visit clinics, waiting until free medical camps appear before seeking treatment. I believe reforming clinics and pharmacies is the most urgent priority among priorities.”

“The Great Jin’s healthcare security system remains incomplete.”

Currently, all clinics and pharmacies are privately operated. Establishing a medical insurance system would be difficultperhaps better combined with other social security measures. However, casting such a wide net would be overreaching, taking too big a step. Making cash-strapped common people pay for medical and social insurance is unrealistic, and the end result would likely only enrich corrupt officials at all levels.

Xu Ying said, “Very well, Gao Yun, first compile a list of major illnesses and common ailments, summarize the required medicinal materials. The court will subsidize a portion to lower the purchase price for the common people. Zhang Yu, assist Gao Yun in determining an appropriate subsidy ratio.”

Gao Yun and Zhang Yu accepted the decree. The ministers murmured among themselvessubsidizing all pharmacies nationwide would require immense funds, and reorganizing the medicinal market would demand vast resources with uncertain outcomes.

Though the officials had reservations, they only dared to whisper among themselves, not daring to challenge Xu Ying openly. Noticing their concerns, Xu Ying patiently explained, “Human lives are the most precious. Even if the state treasury is depleted, as long as people remain, wealth can be rebuilt through their efforts. Without people, guarding a mountain of gold would be useless.”

The court fell silent. With no further petitions, Xu Ying directly concluded the assembly.

As Gao Yun gained increasing trust from Xu Ying, many came to congratulate him. Those in the Hall of Gathered Talents watched with envy, their own lack of official positions sparking urgencythey couldn’t afford to leave the hall in disgrace.

After court, Xu Ying had just reached the entrance of Azure Wave Study when she encountered Xu Zhen. Xu Zhen bowed gracefully, and Xu Ying quickly helped her up, asking, “An Yang, what brings you here? Come inside quickly, don’t stand in the wind and catch cold.”

Xu Zhen thanked her and followed Xu Ying inside, smiling. “Don’t worry, everyone, I’m fine. My health has almost fully recovered.”

“I heard…” Xu Zhen hesitated, glancing up at Xu Ying, “that you’ve established pilot counties in Zhenping, Chengping, Anchang, and Chuiyun?”

Xu Ying nodded. “That’s correct.”

Xu Zhen bit her lip and mustered her courage. “Sister, may I go?”

Xu Ying paused, looking at her in surprise. “You want to go?”

“Please don’t misunderstandI have no intention of interfering in governance,” Xu Zhen quickly explained, misinterpreting Xu Ying’s surprise. She lowered her head and spoke cautiously, “Recently, I overheard palace staff discussing how you’ve set up pilot projects along the upper Yellow River, establishing female households and planting trees and grass to mitigate flooding. But the area is remote, and likely few would be willing to go.”

“As the elder princess, if I take the lead to set an example and inspire others, it might ease the ministers’ fears and reluctance, encouraging more volunteers.”

Xu Ying studied Xu Zhen anew, feeling deeply moved. In the past, when Xu Zhen’s mother, Zhao Lifei, was favored in the palace, Xu Zhen had lived in luxury and privilege. While Xu Ying and Xu Lang often went hungry, Xu Zhen enjoyed the finest food and clothing, carrying herself with unshakable pride.

When Xu Zhen first humbly approached her, Xu Ying had been astonished. Now, seeing Xu Zhen’s cautious demeanor, she felt complex emotions.

Xu Zhen’s proposal was partly an attempt to prove her worth to Xu Ying. During her convalescence, she’d heard proposals about political marriages. Xu Ying would never allow Xu Lang to be used for such alliances, leaving Xu Zhen as the only suitable candidate.

To avoid another prison like the Zheng family and considering her two daughters, Xu Zhen had to plan ahead.

After much thought, she had settled on the pilot countiesboth to repay Xu Ying’s kindness and to distance herself from the power center, avoiding potential conflicts.

Moreover, she could also serve as a county magistrate. Although this position was low-ranking, if she could achieve notable accomplishments and deliver commendable administrative results there, no one would dare to manipulate her arbitrarily.

Past experiences had taught her that favor was the least reliable thingit could be granted today and withdrawn tomorrow. Only one’s own strength was truly unshakable.

Currently, Xu Ying had rejected the marriage alliance, but what if they offered substantial benefits or reached an unavoidable point? In that case, Xu Zhen would inevitably be sacrificed.

After some consideration, Xu Ying said to her, “Both Chengping and Anchang already have appointees. Only Chuiyun remains. Chuiyun is located in the Northern Barbarians’ territorycan you adapt to life there?”

Xu Zhen was stunned. Her lips parted in surprise as she asked, “Someone is actually willing to go there?”

Based on her understanding of court officials, they would never undertake anything without personal gain.

“Yes, two newly recruited ladies from the Hall of Gathered Talents this yearDu Huai and Deng Zhuojun.”

Understanding dawned on Xu Zhen. She clenched her sleeves, pondered briefly, then solemnly cupped her hands and said, “I am willing to go to Chuiyun. Please grant me this opportunity.”

“Think it through carefully.”

Chuiyun was not like Anchang. Although Xia Chenglie was stationed there to maintain order, minor disturbances still occurred occasionally, making Xu Ying somewhat uneasy.

Without hesitation, Xu Zhen replied, “I’ve already considered it thoroughly. Since you’re not sending me to Anchang for a marriage alliance, what does it matter?”

“Very well, then Anchang will be entrusted to you.” Seeing Xu Zhen’s resolute determination and needing someone for the position, Xu Ying agreed.

Xu Zhen breathed a sigh of relief and smiled contentedly.

After all arrangements were made, Wu Zhaoyan drafted the first version of the gazette and brought it to Xu Ying for review. Once approved without errors, it was handed to Song Jinzhu. The Song family took charge of printing and distributing copies to various provinces. The Ministry of Revenue allocated funds, allowing local authorities to arrange printing or handwritten copies. Government offices were required to assign personnel to recite the gazette within their jurisdictions, traveling back and forth to ensure everyone learned its contentsthus creating a new role: the gazette reciters.

Each team required two people: one responsible for beating a gong, and the other for memorizing and shouting the gazette’s content while walking. They took turns reciting.

In urban areas, they would stop at street corners and read the entire content aloud. In rural farmlands, reciters chose to arrive during the scorching midday break when villagers rested under shade trees to read the gazette.

The first gazette primarily introduced upcoming policies and addressed the incident where civilians mistakenly entered the palace during fireworks displays, advising people to first secure their doors and windows to protect themselves when suspecting danger.

The remaining space was filled with miscellaneous content such as rumor clarifications and celestial phenomena predictions.

Upon hearing the clear gong sounds, villagers would set down their farming tools and gather under large trees, where reciters conveyed the gazette’s information.

While villagers showed little interest in dry policy announcements, they perked up during celestial phenomena predictions, fearing to miss a single word.

Conversely, in cities, scholars in teahouses would sit by windows or doorsor even step outsideto carefully listen to the foremost policy announcements.

Some merchants, aware that the gazette was distributed nationwide, approached reciters and urgently asked, “Could you help me post a missing person notice? Just a few wordsI’ll pay one string of coins!”

Since the gazette was issued from the imperial capital, local authorities had no authority to alter its content. The reciters awkwardly explained, “This is an official publication. You’ll need to go to Youzhou and ask the sovereign.”

The merchant walked away dejectedly.

The newspaper reader told the magistrate about the merchant’s affairs as casual gossip. The magistrate’s eyes instantly lit upearning money so easily just by writing a few words? This was a golden opportunity to make a fortune!

The chief secretary shattered the magistrate’s rosy fantasy, warning, “The imperial inspector has been keeping a close watch. Adding unauthorized content to official bulletins could cost you your head!