Chapter 399: Praise as much as you can, you’ll regret it later!
Chapter 399: Praise as much as you can, you’ll regret it later!
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Everyone involuntarily turned their gaze towards the White Elephant Countrys monarch standing beside Lin Beifan. They were beginning to believe more in Lin Beifan. After all, they didnt know Lin Beifan, but they recognized their own king. Their king was right there and hadnt denied anything, so it must be true.
They hadnt expected such a prominent figure to actually come to their aid. Gradually, everyone started to calm down.
But then an elderly man spoke up, Prime Minister Lin, what do you want to say to us? If youre here to advise us to stop, theres no need! Our king is incompetent and did nothing during the ice disaster, causing our families to break apart, our homes to be destroyed, and now we cant even survive. What use is such a king?
The old mans words stirred anger among the crowd.
Thats right, whats the use of such a king?
When we were starving and freezing, this king was hiding in his warm palace, living in luxury, not sparing us a glance! Incompetent and ruthless!
All our common people have died, and now he wants to come and clean up the mess?
He was so efficient in exploiting us, but now that its time to repay, hes useless!
They want to send troops to suppress us? Even though were lowly, we wont compromise!
Exactly! Down with him!
Either fight for a future or die together!
The White Elephant Countrys monarch, standing on the city wall, felt his heart race, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead.
How could Lin Beifan say such things and escalate the conflict? At this moment, Lin Beifan extended his hands to calm everyone down and loudly declared, Everyone, please calm down, please! I have more to say. After Ive finished speaking, you can get angry again!
Lin Beifans words carried weight, and the commotion in the crowd gradually subsided.
We, the Great Wu, did indeed plan to send troops to assist the White Elephant Country and resolve the internal turmoil. However, now I see that its not easy for all of you. That once-in-a-century ice disaster was also experienced by our Great Wu. To be honest
Lin Beifans expression grew heavy. Even though we in the Great Wu predicted the ice disaster in advance and made many preparations, the losses were still devastating. While the common people were saved, a large number of poultry, livestock, fruit trees, and more perished in the ice disaster. And there were other casualties that I wont mention.
We in the Great Wu only lost our wealth, but all of you not only lost your wealth but also your loved ones, your friends, and everything else. Thats why youre rebelling, rising up to vent the pain and anger in your hearts, to resist this unfair fate.
The people of the White Elephant Country listened with deep emotions. Indeed, their rebellion had been driven by such feelings. Otherwise, who would willingly engage in such life-threatening activities if not for a broken mind?
I understand your suffering and helplessness, Lin Beifan continued, I understand your anger.
But the past is gone, and the living must continue!
You should all try to live well
Live well? Where do we have a way to live?
One of the rioters shouted loudly, We have nothing now, we dont even have food! But that damn king wants to force us to farm and wont even give us a single meal!
Thats right! The ice disaster is over, but the weather is still cold, and the court wont even spare a piece of clothing! My family didnt die in the ice disaster, they died at the hands of the court!
What use is such a king? What use is such a court?
Lin Beifan looked at the White Elephant Countrys monarch. The monarch forced a bitter smile and said, Im also helpless! Our court suffered heavy losses during this ice disaster, and we lack various resources. Although we had stored some food, coal, and blankets, its not enough for the entire nation.
Lin Beifan nodded, realizing the limited resilience of smaller nations. These smaller nations typically occupied resource-scarce regions with limited production capabilities. The resources they collected were mainly used for defense and arming their military to resist invasions by larger neighboring nations, ensuring their sovereignty and independence. Consequently, fewer resources were available for the common people. Therefore, when natural disasters or crises struck, it was the common people who suffered the most.
Lin Beifan turned back to face the White Elephant Countrys citizens and shouted, I understand your hardships and difficulties! Thats why our monarch, with a compassionate heart, has decided to open our countrys gates and welcome all of you into the Great Wu to seek a livelihood! As long as you come, you will absolutely not go hungry!
This statement caused an uproar in the crowd.
What? The gates are open, and they want us to go to the Great Wu to seek a livelihood?
And they promise we wont go hungry?
Is this a joke?
The elderly man spoke again, Prime Minister Lin, can we really go to the Great Wu?
Lin Beifan smiled and said, Of course, you can!
The elderly man sighed, But even if we go to the Great Wu, theres still no way for us to make a living! Look at how many of us there are. If we all flood into the Great Wu, where will we find jobs? Without work, there wont be any food to eat, and well starve to death!
The citizens couldnt help but nod in agreement.
Furthermore, as far as I know, once we enter the Great Wu, well be in the land of Wuxi, which is vast but sparsely populated, relatively barren, and lacking in food. How can we survive there?
The citizens nodded again.
This was the reason they hesitated to go to the Great Wu. Even if they went, there seemed to be no viable livelihood for them, unless they had some spare provisions to risk the journey.
Lin Beifan smiled and said, This elderly gentlemans knowledge is a bit outdated. The situation in Wuxi, the western region, is no longer the desolate land it used to be!
The Prime Minister Lin, we wish to hear the details! the elderly man shouted loudly.
Lin Beifan smiled and said, In our Great Wu, we have developed a type of rice called Taiping Rice. This rice can grow and yield crops even in some barren lands, producing food. Therefore, we are currently reclaiming land in the west of our nation, and we need a large number of laborers!
So, as long as you come to help us reclaim and cultivate the land in the west, we will provide you with the necessary food and supplies, ensuring you wont go hungry! And when the harvest comes, youll receive a share of the food!
The citizens of the White Elephant Country were deeply moved.
As long as we help cultivate the land in the Great Wu, well have food to eat and things to share!
And if theres a harvest, well get a share of the food!
Theres always a way out!
Someone excitedly shouted, Prime Minister Lin, is what youre saying true? Youre not deceiving us?
Lin Beifan smiled and said, Ive traveled all this way; do you think I came here to deceive you? In fact, you are the citizens of the White Elephant Country, and even if you cause trouble, it has nothing to do with us. We can simply ignore you. Dont you agree?
Everyone believed him because there was no reason for Lin Beifan to deceive them, especially considering the effort he had put into coming here.
So, youre saying this is true?
We can really go to the Great Wu to seek a livelihood, just by working the fields?
Haha! Isnt this my old profession? I can do it anywhere!
His Majesty of the Great Wu is benevolent! Thanks to His Majesty for giving us a way to survive!
I want to go to the Great Wu! I want to go to the Great Wu!
Everyone cheered and rejoiced, wearing smiles of happiness.
The White Elephant Countrys monarch pulled Lin Beifan aside and asked in confusion, Prime Minister Lin, what are you
Lin Beifan whispered, Your Majesty, Im helping you solve the issue of the rioters. You see, as long as we divert them to the Great Wu for farming, they wont cause trouble here anymore.
The White Elephant Countrys monarchs eyes lit up. Prime Minister Lin, youre absolutely right!
Lin Beifan nodded with a smile.
Praise as much as you can, because youll regret it later!
Lin Beifan addressed the ecstatic citizens of the White Elephant Country and said loudly, Now, the border city gates are about to open! If you still dont believe it, you can follow me to see for yourselves!
Are they really about to open?
It seems that the Prime Ministers words are true!
We can start a new life!
Many citizens of the White Elephant Country rushed toward the city gates.
Due to the large number of people, it was a bit chaotic, so Lin Beifan had to shout, Everyone, take it slow, dont rush! Form lines, register, and then enter the city in an orderly manner!
At this point, Lin Beifans words had great authority, and everyone, filled with longing for a new life, entered the city in an orderly manner.
On that day, over 400,000 White Elephant citizens entered the Great Wu, starting a new life.