Uneven distribution!
The officials fell into a long silence.
These four simple words, summarizing the rise and fall of dynasties throughout history, left them speechless.
"I am not without personal ambition. My ambition is for my descendants to enjoy lasting peace, not to be hunted down by a new dynasty decades or centuries after my reign."
"I have had the Ministry of Revenue calculate it thoroughly. Even with increased wages for factory workers, your factories' net profits will be at least double your families' previous profits. I have not restricted your expansion or wealth, but I hope you understand the principle of a steady stream. Give the workers dignity, give them hope."
"Because the actions of myself, the Emperor, and even you officials of this generation will influence future development for thousands of years. I hope we can all start off well. Lest one day, a popular uprising occurs, and my descendants, your descendants, are all sent to the guillotine. Never underestimate the power of the common people."
Gu Shaoyan then chimed in, "Your Majesty speaks the utmost truth. Greed knows no bounds. As Gaozu said, the people are of utmost importance, the ruler of secondary importance. If the sovereign respects and loves the people, how dare we officials oppress them?"
With shame on their faces, they all declared, "Our Emperor is wise! We, your subjects, will set an example for our colleagues. We will return and revise our family rules, strictly forbidding our kinsmen from looking down upon or mistreating workers!"
Xiao Qing finally felt at ease.
After the officials departed, her two sons looked at her with admiration.
Xiao Qing gently stroked her sons' heads and smiled, "It is your father who has taught you well."
In truth, raising the basic wages for workers was indeed Liang Xiao's opinion, but not a suggestion.
His idea was to gradually implement it over several years.
But Liang Xiao had made her realize with a jolt: this land had always been densely populated, and human labor had always been cheap...
From the founding Emperor of Da Gan to her own father, successive rulers had cherished the people with compassion, yet they had never solved fundamental issues like land annexation.
While they protected the commoners, it was merely to contrast themselves with previous dynasties. Essentially, they had not fully cared for the people, and to maintain stable rule, they could not escape the imperial art of managing the populace.
However, with the unexpected and rapid development of productivity, she seemed to foresee future conflicts. If proactive measures were not taken, the dynasty could collapse overnight.
Even purely out of self-interest, she wished for the people to remember the imperial family's kindness, so that if powerful officials ever sought to control everything, they would at least not dare to violate public opinion and harm her descendants.
Governing the nation was not solely her responsibility; she had these officials to assist her. She only needed to set the general direction with Liang Xiao and oversee the overall situation.
For these meritorious families who supported imperial power, she had made her terms clear: she guaranteed at least one member from each family would hold a high official position in court. If they lacked ability, they would hold nominal positions, and if capable, they could transition to positions of real power.
The couple had taken care of these ministers. Crucial official positions only required selecting the virtuous and capable. If these families could not compete with commoners, that would be their own problem.
The "Industrial Revolution" had arrived too quickly. Even though she had been prepared, she still felt caught off guard.
But with Liang Xiao by her side, she felt an immense sense of peace.
At least the couple was still young, and the entire nation trusted and loved them. They could teach their children by example, ensuring the next generation would also care for the common people.
This was her confidence.
"My Lord! An urgent report has arrived from the East Sea. The fleet sent to explore Izumo Country has discovered volcanic eruptions and tsunamis there. Our country has lost one large ship and fifteen men!"
Ding Wuyi's sudden urgent report surprised Xiao Qing, who quickly took it to examine.
"Our fleet was tens of miles away, yet it was difficult to avoid the tsunami from Izumo Country. The situation Izumo Country must be facing is self-evident. Could it be that several islands have sunk?"
Xiao Qing pondered for a long time and immediately dispatched someone to notify the Ministry of Works.
"Halt shipbuilding for now. Devote all efforts to prioritize resource allocation to the Western Front!"
Liang Xiao, who was supervising the Western Front, also mobilized troops to drive back the Western cavalry that had penetrated deep into the territory. Simultaneously, he sent word to Qilian Mountain and the Great Desert to hold their ground firmly, strictly forbidding any offensive actions.
The two sides remained in a stalemate for several days. The Western cavalry did not hold an absolute advantage, but their losses were negligible compared to the past.
Liang Xiao and the soldiers at Yumenguan were not discouraged by this; instead, they continuously trained their troops, preparing for a decisive battle.
As Da Gan's God of War and God of the Military, and now the Emperor of Da Gan, Liang Xiao possessed absolute authority among the troops. The soldiers trusted him wholeheartedly and did not question why Liang Xiao was not proactively engaging and harassing the enemy's main base.
Liang Xiao was waiting.
The workshops capable of producing flintlock guns and Divine Might Cannons were not limited to the Imperial Armory in the capital...
"As expected of the Scourge of God, our army has finally gained the upper hand and seized the initiative on the battlefield!"
The soldiers praised him, but Attila did not become complacent.
Yumenguan had acted unusually. Since the last major battle, they had rarely launched proactive attacks.
This reminded him of the Zuo Xian King's disastrous defeat in Yan Province years ago.
"The Da Gan army must be preparing something. Once our trebuchets are completed, we absolutely cannot delay any longer. We must capture Yumenguan at all costs! First, we will use light cavalry to harass Qilian Mountain and the Great Desert, forcing them to divide their defenses and exhaust themselves!"
Mars did not oppose Attila's decision, reminding him, "The Yumenguan area is fortified and cleared. Each cavalryman can carry at most forty days' worth of provisions, and they will run out in at least a month. This means they only have fifteen to twenty days for their operations. If they cannot plunder food, they must return to camp early."
Attila nodded and was about to respond when a subordinate rushed in with an urgent report.
"Your Majesty, Lady Deda has arrived..."
Attila, usually stern, displayed a rare hint of tenderness in his eyes.
"Mars, keep an eye on things, and don't let Liang Xiao sneak into the main camp."
Attila returned to his tent, where the maiden Deda had been waiting for a long time. She threw herself into his arms.
She was not stunningly beautiful, but she was tranquil and gentle, with clear eyes.
"Your Majesty, I am very afraid..."
Attila stroked Deda's hair, comforting her, "Do not worry, I will definitely avenge your loved ones."
The maiden Deda was one of the people who, during Liang Xiao's counterattack in the desert, had ventured out of the barren lands with Attila to escape. She was only twelve years old then but always stepped forward to inspire hope in moments of despair.
Now, she had blossomed into a graceful young woman.
Her father and brother had died in the fierce night battle between Liang Xiao and the Zuo Xian King.
Deda finally could not help but sob softly.
"Your Majesty, that land is indeed not one we can conquer. Let us let go of our hatred, return to the empire, and protect your people, shall we?"