Chapter 96: Gao Xiaojia’s Thoughts

"Pure of heart? Yuying, do not defend Li Yi just because he once saved you," Hong Chengchou said, sounding somewhat displeased.

Hong Yuying shook her head. "I am not defending him, Father. His military acumen, daring, and intelligence are plain for all to see. As the saying goes, a bird that does not fly or sing for a long time will eventually soar to the clouds and shake the world with its call. Why must you make an enemy of such a great talent when there is no deep hatred between you?"

Hong Chengchou fell into deep thought.

"If you treat him with sincerity and kindness, wouldn't you gain a valuable ally for the future? You are a man of wisdom and resolve; surely you can see the logic in this?"

Hong Yuying's words left Hong Chengchou hesitant. He suddenly realized that there was indeed no need to target Li Yi. There are no eternal enemies or eternal friends, only eternal interests. Since Li Yi was still useful to him, adopting a lenient approach would not only ease their relationship but also allow him to utilize Li Yi’s talents with peace of mind.

After she finished speaking, Hong Yuying bowed and slowly withdrew. Standing outside the study door, a glimmer of cunning flashed in her eyes. Just as a father knows his child, a daughter knows her father. She had played upon his desperate need for manpower and his pragmatic focus on interests to sway him. She was certain her father would now change his perspective on Li Yi.

Hong Chengchou had indeed taken his daughter's advice to heart. Having been forced to compromise with the local gentry of Suide, he had gained their support but lost two potential allies in Shi Kefa and Li Yi. His daughter was right; as long as Li Yi could serve his purposes, why not let him be? He might even become a useful tool when needed. With this in mind, he burned the memorial he had just written and began to draft a new one.

The battle at Suijin Town required reports from the surveillance censor, himself as a direct participant, and Yang He as the Viceroy of the Three Frontiers. Only when the reports from the surveillance, the principals, and the main officials aligned could the imperial court discern the true situation.

Li Yi, unaware of what Hong Yuying had done for him, took Buyan to Suijin Town that evening to wait for Zhang Xianzhong's reply.

The next morning, Li Yi inspected the checkpoints. Ever since he had taken control of the Suijin Town Inspection Bureau, he had established new rules: regardless of their background, all merchant caravans were required to pay taxes.

He established a four-tiered tax system based on the value of the caravans. Commoners were exempt, while other caravans were taxed according to the value of their goods and the scale of their transport. From then on, local villagers trading in Suijin Town were exempt from taxes. This measure brought prosperity to the town's commerce, and Li Yi’s reputation among the surrounding villages soared, earning him widespread praise. Small-scale merchants were also pleased to be free from the burden of bribes.

However, the powerful gentry from the southern prefectures were not pleased. Previously, they had used their influence to secure tax reductions or exemptions. Li Yi’s new rules not only forced them to pay in full but also stripped these masters of their prestige. Yet, when faced with the fierce-looking local militia and Li Yi’s reputation as a "God of Slaughter," the caravan stewards lost their nerve and obediently paid their dues.

Refuse? The head steward of the Prince of Qin’s estate, currently tied to a wooden post, was a living example of what happened to those who did. True to his position, he had been tied there for a day and night, yet he remained full of vigor, loudly cursing and making threats. Li Yi had Gao Jie stuff his mouth with a rag, then turned to watch the caravans pay their taxes in an orderly fashion with a satisfied smile.

"Inspector, the refugees fleeing from the north refuse to leave. It’s not sustainable to have so many of them huddled in Suijin Town. What do you think we should do?" Gao Jie asked, walking over.

"How many are there?"

"About thirteen hundred."

"How are there so many?" Li Yi was surprised. Most refugees had fled south, and there had been fewer than a thousand in Suijin Town; how had the number increased?

Gao Jie said helplessly, "It’s because of you, Inspector."

Li Yi looked puzzled.

"You’ve been boiling porridge to provide relief, and the original refugees could get two bowls of thin gruel a day to fill their stomachs. News of this spread to Mizhi and Suide counties, and refugees have been flooding in ever since. The numbers are still rising," Gao Jie said, sounding frustrated.

Nearby, Gao Laoshi spoke up: "Squad Leader, our grain supplies are running low. Should we keep boiling the porridge?"

Li Yi pondered for a moment. "Suijin Town was gutted by fire and needs rebuilding. Gao Laoshi, recruit the refugees; those willing to work will get twenty wen a day. Keep the porridge going, but only for the elderly, the weak, women, and children. If the able-bodied men won't work, let them starve."

Gao Xiaojia piped up, "Master, we should make the elderly and children drink the porridge on the spot, or else I'm afraid the food won't actually make it into their bellies."

Li Yi smiled and patted Gao Xiaojia on the head. "You're right. Let's do that." He turned to Gao Laoshi and said, "Your son is very sharp."

Hearing Li Yi praise his son, Gao Laoshi gave an honest, humble smile. "That’s only because you taught them to read and write, Squad Leader."

Gao Xiaojia added loudly, "Master, I think Suijin Town is missing an inn. If you ask me, we should have the refugees fix up a few courtyards to serve as one."

Li Yi looked back at him. "And why do you think we should have an inn?"

Gao Xiaojia rolled his eyes and said seriously, "Didn't you say that one should broaden their horizons, and that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles? Merchants are well-traveled and knowledgeable. If we build an inn, we can learn what’s happening in every corner of the country."

Li Yi tapped his forehead. "Is that all?"

Gao Xiaojia glanced at his friends in the distance and chuckled. "We in the Youth Squad discussed it. We want to stay in Suijin Town. Building an inn would give us a place to live and a way to earn some silver."

The Youth Squad could already read and write, and they couldn't learn much more at the Li Family Village. It was a good thing they wanted to stay in the more prosperous Suijin Town.

Li Yi nodded. "I leave the task of organizing the refugees to build these houses to you. It won't just be an inn; build a dining hall and two transport depots in Suijin Town as well. Find some clever and capable ones among the refugees to act as drivers and servants."

Gao Xiaojia nodded eagerly. Seeing Li Yi entrust his son with such responsibilities, Gao Laoshi smiled sheepishly. "Squad Leader, these children are literate, but they are still young. What if they mess things up?"

Li Yi patted his shoulder earnestly. "Laoshi, experience is the best teacher. Since they want to do something, let them try. If they make a mistake, aren't you and I here to fix it? Besides, with you around, do you think your son will suffer?"

Gao Laoshi gave an embarrassed laugh.

As they were talking, a group of disheveled merchants arrived from the north with their carts. Li Yi recognized the leader—it was Manager Fan, who had previously gone north to sell brown sugar. Seeing them looking as if they had lost their parents, Li Yi walked up to them curiously.

"Manager Fan, what happened to you?"

Seeing Li Yi, Manager Fan quickly bowed. "Inspector Li, I pay my respects."

Li Yi returned the bow with a smile.