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“That’s right. The Lord said we are all citizens of Xuan now. Xuan has no precedent of ignoring the life and death of its people,” the soldiers said, their voices choked with emotion.
“Quickly inform your relatives and friends. Everyone must come tomorrow to collect food. No matter how much, we can overcome this difficulty together.”
“Thank you, General.”
“You should thank not me but the Emperor and Prince of Xuan.”
“Tomorrow, we will express our gratitude to the prince. Everyone, go home and inform those around you. Whether it’s true or not, everyone must come, just in case… What if it’s true?”
“Understood.”
Upon hearing this, the people finally found a will to live.
The next day, before dawn, the surrounding residents, with their families in tow, all arrived. Even young children, eyes eagerly fixed on the still-closed gates of the general’s residence.
After daybreak, the gates of the general’s residence opened, revealing a handsome young nobleman walking out with his entourage.
“Are you the prince of Xuan?” a child who appeared to be only four or five years old asked Su Yu.
“Yes.”
“Are you really going to give us food?”
This question mirrored the thoughts of everyone present.
“Of course. Families stay together. Each adult will receive thirty catties of food, and children fifteen catties. I currently have only this much food available. More will be distributed once additional supplies arrive. After the New Year, we will also provide you with seeds of our high-yield crops, which I’m sure you are aware of.” Su Yu addressed the crowd.
Though the amount of food was limited, it was indeed life-saving for the people in dire straits.
“Thank you, your Highness. Thank you, your Highness.”
“High-yield crops, can we also plant them next year?” The people looked at Su Yu with hope.
They had heard of high-yield crops, but never thought they could also grow them.
“Indeed, they are high-yield crops. Since Xuan doesn’t have many high-yield varieties, each household can temporarily receive seeds for two acres of land. With two acres, you can harvest 3,600 catties of rice.”
Although aware of high-yield crops, the yield seemed remarkably high.
3,600 catties from two acres of land was a quantity of food they had never seen before.
“Will the taxes be high then?” They were already taxed forty percent for their meager harvest; would it be even more with such a large yield?
“Absolutely not. Xuan has always maintained a tax rate of twenty percent, never burdening the people with heavier taxes,” Su Yu explained.
One sentence excited everyone. With a twenty percent tax rate, even if they planted high-yield crops on just two acres of land, after paying taxes, they would still have a minimum of 2,500 catties of food.
This amount was more than enough to sustain a whole family.
“When we arrived, our Emperor said that regardless of your previous nationality, from now on, you are all citizens of Xuan, enjoying the same treatment. When my wife, Princess Wang Jinhe has more vegetable seeds available, we will also send some over. In the first year, you won’t have to pay, and even in the second year, the amount you pay will be minimal.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Prince Yu, thank you, Princess Jinhe.” The sense of despair in the eyes of the people vanished at that moment.
They glimpsed a future with abundant food and vegetables, minimal taxes, and no fear of their children being taken away to serve in the military.
After they calmed down, Su Yu spoke, “Now, we will start distributing food to everyone. Besides rice, there are also some other staple food like sweet potatoes.”
Everyone quieted down and, guided by the people on the side, began to line up to receive the food.
After registering at the entrance, families went in to collect their food.
Upon seeing the abundance of food piled in the courtyard, those entering were stunned. So much food.
“Dad, I like our current Emperor and prince,” a child said in a sweet voice.
“Yes, our current Emperor is very good.”
Truly excellent.
As the onlookers watched those coming out carrying food, they too became excited.
Some people began to have ill intentions.
Su Yu, observing their behavior, chuckled coldly, “Village chiefs from each village, come out. Each family, confirm how many people you have and make sure they come to receive their share of food to weather this crisis. But I am not a fool; don’t think about taking advantage of the chaos to collect food multiple times. If caught, all the food and next year’s seeds will be reclaimed.”
Those with mischievous thoughts immediately reconsidered.
While taking more food now would indeed provide longer sustenance, losing next year’s seeds was not worth the risk.
As a result, everyone patiently lined up to receive their food.
It took three days to distribute the food to families in Chengli and the surrounding villages.
Word of this also reached the neighboring town.
The people there were stirred, “We must also welcome the prince, open the gates to greet the prince.”
One town’s actions inspired the next, and now the people of Qi regarded Su Yu and Xuan Feiran as their saviors.
Xuan did not come to attack Qi but to rescue its people.
With the support of the people, Su Yu and his forces took seven cities without significant losses, distributing food at each location to help them through the winter.
The people of Qi were immensely grateful to Su Yu.
Su Yu, however, did not take sole credit but attributed the success to Xuan Feiran.
When Su Yu headed to the eighth city, the people suddenly presented him with a joint letter.
“Prince, we have nothing to offer the Emperor. We hope you can deliver this letter to him on our behalf. We are truly thankful to him; the Emperor saved our lives,” an elderly scholar trembled as he produced a few sheets of paper.
Su Yu took a look at the letter, which expressed gratitude towards Xuan Feiran, followed by numerous handprints – all willingly pressed by the people.
Truly achieving a unified response.
“I will help deliver this to the Emperor on your behalf.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Su Yu had messengers rush back with the letter to Xuan Feiran, along with the battle report.
They rode swiftly back to the capital.
Upon their arrival, the city gates were still closed.
“Who goes there?” the defending soldiers asked the people below.
“An urgent battle report from the border, covering eight hundred miles.”
Upon hearing this, the guards on the city tower quickly ordered the gates to be opened.
When the battle report reached the palace, Xuan Feiran was in the midst of court proceedings.
“Your Majesty, urgent battle report from the border, covering eight hundred miles.”
“Pass it to me quickly,” Xuan Feiran promptly instructed.
“Understood.”
Soon, the soldier delivering the report entered the Hall, “Your Majesty, this is the battle report sent back by Prince Yu as instructed.”
Lai Fu hurried to bring it to him.
After reading the battle report, Xuan Feiran’s spirits soared, “Ha ha, Xiao Yu and his forces have taken seven cities without a single casualty.”
The Prime Minister looked at Xuan Feiran in astonishment, “How did Prince Yu accomplish this?”
“Every time Xiao Yu reached a city, he distributed food to the people. Upon hearing about this, the citizens willingly opened the city gates for him,” Xuan Feiran explained.