0p0 Chapter 541 Fusu's Thoughts
Chapter 541 Fusu's Thoughts
That day, after finishing his official duties, Fusu climbed alone to the highest point of Qinying Mountain. The evening breeze caressed his face, carrying the scent of distant mountains and forests and the faint fragrance of rice paddies.
Despite the great victory, Fusu showed little joy. He looked at the captured Chu army banners and the dejected prisoners, his eyes filled with pity and contemplation.
"My lord, this battle is a great victory! Fifty thousand elite troops of Chu have been wiped out by our hand, and the southern border is wide open. This is truly a cause for celebration!" Tu Sui's voice was loud and clear, unable to hide his excitement.
Compared to Tu Sui's excitement, Ye Ziheng appeared much calmer: "General Tu, although we have won this battle, fortune and misfortune are intertwined. The Chu Kingdom, severely weakened by this defeat, is like a wounded beast. Its already severe food shortage will be exacerbated by the loss of 50,000 able-bodied men and the depletion of military provisions. King Fu Chu of Chu is capricious and, to consolidate his rule, may intensify his exploitation of the people, or even take more reckless and unwise actions. At that time, I fear..."
Fusu slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping over his two capable assistants before finally settling on the Chu army prisoners being held in captivity below the mountain. They were ragged, emaciated, their eyes filled with fear, confusion, and longing for their homeland. He sighed softly, his voice heavy with a weight beyond his years:
"I know of General Tu's joy. I also understand Mr. Ye's worries."
After a pause, Fusu pointed to the prisoners, “Look at them. How many of them volunteered for the army? They were merely following orders, seeking only food. I observe that much of the Chu army's rations are mixed with chaff, bran, and tree bark, indicating that their situation is likely far more dire than we imagine. In this battle, we fight to protect ourselves and the people of Baiyue, to let the Chu people know that invading other states will ultimately lead to their own downfall. However, considering the innocent civilians within Chu's borders, just like these soldiers, what is there to be happy about in this ‘victory’?”
His words slightly dampened the excitement on Tu Sui's face, and also brought a look of approval to Ye Ziheng's eyes.
Fusu continued, "Mr. Ye, you must personally oversee the resettlement of the prisoners. The wounded should be treated with the utmost care, just like our wounded soldiers; those who wish to surrender should be dispersed and incorporated into road construction and land reclamation teams, given a way to survive, and strictly disciplined, without mistreatment; those who yearn for their homeland and wish to return should be properly resettled for now, and once the situation in Chu has stabilized somewhat, they will be given ten days' rations and some Baiyue specialty grains that are easy to store, so that they can return home. They must know that Baiyue is not a land of bloodlust, and Qin Su is not a cruel person."
"Understood, Your Highness." Ye Ziheng bowed and accepted the order. "This move will not only demonstrate the prince's benevolence, but also allow us to use his words to shake the morale and spirit of the Chu people."
“That is exactly right.” Fusu nodded. “Furthermore, the reasons for this Chu invasion—how the Chu nobles forced the people to abandon grain and plant sugarcane, leading to famine, how they brazenly invaded our territory to seize grain, and the possible disturbances the Chu army might have caused during their retreat—all these should be recorded in detail in writing, ensuring that the evidence is conclusive. Then, through a caravan we trust, secretly send it to Xianyang to report to Father King.”
"Yes, sir!" Ye Ziheng replied again. He understood that this battle report and "evidence" would become an important piece in the future Qin-Chu rivalry.
After dealing with these urgent military matters, Fusu told Tu Sui and Ye Ziheng to go ahead and get busy, while he once again turned his gaze to the vast distant mountains.
Four years have passed. He has transformed from an idealistic young master of Qin with limited understanding of the hardships of the common people, into someone using the alias "Qin Su." In this land considered barbaric by the Central Plains, he has endured countless hardships, gradually establishing himself, integrating the Ouyue, Yuyue, and Minyue tribes, and forging the Baiyue Alliance. Now, he has even defeated the powerful Chu army. This experience is far beyond what he could have gained by staying secluded in the Xianyang Palace.
He thought of his majestic father, Emperor Ying Zheng, and his younger sister, Ying Wuyou, who, despite her young age, always seemed to have a keen eye for opportunity. Before leaving the capital, Wuyou had privately told him, "Brother, the Baiyue region, though considered barbaric, is vast and rich in resources, and its people are simple and honest. If you can guide them properly, they will surely become an ally of Qin. It will also temper you, so that you may understand the true needs of the people and the foundation for the stability of the empire."
Looking back now, his sister's words were truly insightful. This land not only tempered his will but also allowed him to truly understand the meaning of "the people are the foundation of the state" and the power of "benevolent governance." He was no longer merely a young master upholding Confucian ideals of benevolence, but a practitioner who knew how to weigh situations in complex circumstances and understood that benevolence must go hand in hand with strength.
"Young Master." Ye Ziheng's voice rang out again from behind him. He had already made preliminary arrangements for the prisoners.
Fusu did not turn around, gazing at the layered mountains bathed in twilight, and softly asked, "Sir, look at the Baiyue mountains and rivers, the fertile plains stretching for thousands of miles, the hearts of the people gradually winning over. Everything we have done here—uniting the various Yue tribes, promoting agriculture, and implementing benevolent governance… tell me, where will it ultimately lead? Will it establish a Yue kingdom with a different rites and music from the Central Plains, living in harmony, or… will it inevitably return to the turbulent Central Plains order, or even be swept up in the unstoppable torrent of unification?"
Ye Ziheng walked to Fusu's side and gazed at the magnificent landscape with him. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "My lord, the world is bound to unite after a long period of division. The warring states have been vying for supremacy for hundreds of years, causing immense suffering to the people. This is not a sustainable trend. My lord, you have the Baiyue people in your heart and spread your benevolence far and wide. This is a blessing for the people of Yue and a foundation for the future."
He paused, then continued, "If the Baiyue people of today, after being integrated by you, my lord, can become part of the future Great Qin, their people can be spared from war, their land can be developed, and their culture can be integrated into Chinese civilization. Perhaps... it wouldn't be a bad thing. The key question is whether to conquer them by force, as the Chu state attempted, only to increase hatred and division? Or to gradually permeate them with culture, maintain them through shared interests, and win their hearts with benevolent governance, as you are doing today, ultimately leading to a natural outcome?"
Fusu remained silent for a long time. Ye Ziheng's words touched upon his deepest thoughts. He knew his father's ambition, and he knew that the powerful war machine of Qin was roaring in the north, its march to conquer the six states never ceasing.
Baiyue, the land he had poured his heart and soul into, would sooner or later face a choice from the Qin Empire. And he, as the eldest prince Fusu, was like an invisible brand, one he too would eventually have to confront. Should he persist in promoting his benevolent ideals in Baiyue and establish a relatively independent bulwark? Or should he follow the trend and lead Baiyue into the Qin territory? The balance of power involved was far more complex than a single victory could resolve.
A cool mountain breeze stirred his clothes. Finally, he took a deep breath, his eyes regaining their usual clarity and determination—a resolve born of thoughtful consideration. "What you say, sir, is thought-provoking. The road ahead is long and arduous. However, our most urgent task is to protect this land, ensuring that those who trust and follow us can live and work in peace and contentment. We must take it one step at a time, with our feet firmly on the ground."
"Your insight is profound, sir."
The two turned and walked down the mountain path. Down the mountain, the camp lights were already bright, like dazzling pearls scattered among the mountains. Smoke curled up, mingling with the noise of victory and the silence of the wounded soldiers' camp, together sketching a complex and new picture on this ancient and vibrant land.