Xue Naiying clasped his fists at Qin Lei and said, "Your Highness, the three of us are half-boys who were following the Empress Dowager to raise the wounded number at the head of Zhongdu City. Thanks to the grace of the Queen Mother, after the war, we wanted to enroll in school and the soldiers. This is why we are today. We have so much kindness from the Empress Dowager. So, if you have any questions, you will be sure to ask me to wait for the head of your neck, and you will never be vague."

Qin Lei laughed and said, "What do you want your head to do? It's not good-looking."

After a few people laughed, Qin Lei said seriously: "I only knew the names of the three from my grandmother, but I don't know what positions the officials are now?" Of course he knew, but it would be better to be confused at this time.

Qin Youde, who was curled beard, bowed and said, "Xiaguan Tianju is in the position of the commander of the Dongying Army under the tent of the Marshal Zhennan. He commands 20,000 Dongying Navy."

Huang-bearded Qin Youcai bowed and said, "Xiaguan Tian lives in the tent of the Marshal Zhennan, the commander of the Nanchang Army of the Xiajian Army, and commands 30,000 Dongying Infantry."

Xue Naiying also bowed and said, "Xiaguan Tian is in the position of the Nanshi Department of the Canal. He is in charge of the Thousand Miles of the South Canal in name."

Qin Lei heard this and said with a smile: "Why did Lord Xue say this? The Nansi of the Canal does not care about the South Canal, so who will take care of it?"

Before Xue Naiying could speak, Qin Youcai interrupted and said, "The prince doesn't know that everyone is in charge of the 4,000-mile Grand Canal, and only the canal yamen cannot."

Qin Lei was happy, looked at Huang Beizi with interest, and asked, "How do you say this?"

Qin Youcai was about to speak, but Xue Naiying glared at him fiercely. He shrank his neck and laughed at Qin Lei, "Let me let the miser tell you, I won't interrupt."

Xue Naiying smiled apologized to Qin Lei and said seriously: "Although General Qin is a bit exaggerated, our Canal Department does not have the canal." Then he told Qin Lei that it was the original.

One hundred and seventy years ago, in order to ensure the supply of grain and grass in the Jingji area, support several grain-deficient provinces in the east, and also to transport a large amount of surplus rice in the south to avoid "salary rice hurting farmers", the Qin Dynasty imitated the Grand Canal of Qi, communicated with several large rivers such as Luoshui and Xiangjiang, and built a 4,000-mile-long canal in its territory. Once the canal was completed, it immediately strengthened the connection between the north and the south and maintained national unity. It also quickly made the weak Qin State at that time feel in trouble and became a great country that could run alongside Qi and Chu.

This canal is like an artery connecting the north and south, transporting rich southern products to the north at all times, ensuring the prosperity of Zhongdu and the stability of the Eastern Front. It also has a gradually prosperous trade industry, which uses the canal to flow the whole country's wealth and increase the country's wealth.

This canal with infinite wealth naturally attracted countless flies to chase odor. The officials of the prefecture along the way set up checkpoints and exploited merchant ships. There were also four major families who controlled shipping in sections, monopolized transportation, and raised prices. Both sides could not be managed by the small canal temples, and they did not dare to take care of them.

Xue Naiying said in pain: "The cost of goods transported from the south to the north will increase by more than five times. This difference will be eaten by all the disasters along the way and the four major worms."

Speaking of this, I remembered that Qin Lei's uncle's family was also one of the four major disasters. Just as he was about to apologize, Qin Lei waved his hand and said, "Mr. Xue is right, it is the four major worms." Qin Lei then knew the source of the huge wealth of the Shen family.

Qin Youde, who was beside him, said, "Your Highness, the people along the river not only do not get any benefits from the canal, but also have to bear countless labor service, which has long been extremely miserable."

Qin Youcai was not willing to be lonely and said: "In order to ensure the profits of the canal, these people have set up many checkpoints in the mainland, so that those who want to go through land will pay more taxes and force them to go up the canal."

Qin Lei said strangely: "Since that's the case, why is the national treasury not full?"

Xue Naiying said contemptly: "Our Prime Minister Wen used the excuse of silting rivers and wrote to various provinces along the river to convert river taxes on the spot to silt expenses. He directly opened the door to convenience for these people's corruption and abuse of power. Over the past ten years, no cent of the money was sent to the treasury, but no cent of the money was paid into the river."

Qin Lei said deeply: "It's true, it's difficult to walk when you come. There are several river sections that cannot be passed without any fibers." Then he asked in a deep voice: "Mr. Xue, is this canal really hard to return?"

Xue Naiying firmly said: "No, as long as the canal rights can be taken to the central government of the court, we can truly use its income to dredge the river channel. Within two years, the canal will be restored. Within five years, the court will be able to get out of today's dilemma."

Qin Lei sighed and said, "I can't wait. If I can't hold on for these few months, there will be chaos along the canal. Even I, Daqin, may even be in a mess."

The three of them are already in dire straits, so how could they not understand the meaning of Qin Lei’s words, “canals”, “government”, and “empty”. These three mountains are pressing heavily on the southern provinces, and the two provinces may be crushed at any time.
Chapter completed!