Ultimately, Ying Zheng and the others decided to follow Lin Tian's suggestion and train those farmers from scratch.
Although this method consumed more time and money, it was indeed very effective.
After the common people learned from them, they remained common people.
Moreover, they could then pass on what they learned to other commoners.
This was undoubtedly a huge benefit for the common people.
Therefore, Ying Zheng was willing to undertake this task.
However, as he began to delegate this matter, he quickly discovered something was amiss.
He realized that the common people of Great Qin did not actually own much land.
Even though the territory of Great Qin was already vast and it had become easier for its people to reclaim land, the common people still did not possess much land.
Many of them, despite being citizens of Great Qin, were also tenant farmers for powerful nobles and gentry.
The majority of the land was in the hands of these powerful figures, and for ordinary commoners, just being able to eat their fill was considered fortunate.
Upon realizing this, Ying Zheng was extremely surprised.
"What is going on? We have acquired so much land in Great Qin, yet our people still do not have enough of it?"
"This... We do not understand, Your Majesty!!"
"Your Majesty, perhaps the common people sold their land to the gentry, as many commoners need to work!"
"Yes, Your Majesty! Now that the lives of the common people are better, with so much land, they cannot manage it all!"
When Ying Zheng brought up the issue of land, the officials of Great Qin were taken aback.
They naturally knew why the common people of Great Qin lacked land.
It was because they themselves were among those who had seized the land from the common people of Great Qin.
These officials and gentry had consolidated vast amounts of land and held it in their possession.
Furthermore, since they did not have to pay much land tax, they naturally reaped immense profits and became extremely wealthy.
However, they could not openly admit this.
If they were to reveal the truth, they would not only risk losing their wealth but also face scrutiny and repercussions from Ying Zheng.
Under such circumstances, they had to shift the topic and divert Ying Zheng's attention.
They sought to frame the situation as something reasonable and justifiable.
However, while their explanations might have deceived others, Lin Tian found them utterly absurd.
He found it particularly amusing to see these ministers lying with a straight face.
"I do know something about this situation!"
"However, what I know is different from what the ministers have stated!"
Lin Tian's words sent a ripple of panic through the court.
While they might have been able to mislead Ying Zheng, they dared not deceive Lin Tian.
This was because Lin Tian was unlike anyone else; his astuteness far surpassed everyone else's.
They might have been able to fool others, but they certainly could not fool Lin Tian.
Therefore, they had a premonition that Lin Tian would likely expose the truth of the matter directly.
If that were to happen, they would be in grave trouble.
Ying Zheng, unaware of this internal turmoil, became curious upon hearing that Lin Tian knew the reason.
"Oh! My son, then tell me, why is this so?"
"Actually, it is quite simple: it is entirely because our officials and gentry in Great Qin have seized the land from the common people!"
"Moreover, after acquiring land, they do not have to pay much tax. This allows them to accumulate more and more wealth, while also seizing more and more land!"
"Therefore, the land in the hands of our common people is decreasing, while the land in the hands of these officials and gentry is increasing!"
"Ultimately, it is only these officials and gentry who are wealthy in Great Qin, while ordinary commoners are merely managing to get by with basic sustenance!"
"Do you agree with what I've said, esteemed ministers?"
As Lin Tian spoke, many ministers couldn't help but tremble.
Lin Tian's words were precise and hit the mark, exposing their methods and revealing their riches.
Such practices of exploiting the common people were something Ying Zheng would absolutely not tolerate.
After Lin Tian's pronouncements, they felt a fatal threat.
Their future was likely to be extremely perilous.
Indeed, after listening to Lin Tian, Ying Zheng's expression changed drastically.
In his heart, he wished for the people of Qin to prosper, for them to truly become wealthy.
But now, with all the land falling into the hands of officials and gentry, and the common people lacking land and wealth, how could they ever prosper?
Even if he allocated more funds, they would inevitably end up in the hands of officials and gentry.
The ones who would truly become rich would always be these officials and gentry, not the common people.
He would even be using the wealth of Great Qin to support these very officials and gentry.
Merely contemplating this, an unstoppable killing intent flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes.
He glared at these ministers and questioned them:
"Is that so?"
"Your, Your Majesty, we, we...!"
"You only need to tell me if it is true!"
At this moment, the ministers, facing Ying Zheng's scrutinizing gaze and Lin Tian's piercing stare, began to tremble uncontrollably.
They desperately wanted to deny Ying Zheng's question.
But with Lin Tian watching them, they understood that their denial would be futile.
If they denied it, Lin Tian would undoubtedly expose them on the spot.
Therefore, they had no choice but to grudgingly admit it.
"Yes, yes!"
They hoped that by admitting it together, Ying Zheng might exercise leniency and spare them as a group.
However, as soon as they responded to Ying Zheng's question, he drew his sword.
In the next moment, a sharp blade fell directly upon a minister closest to Ying Zheng.
That minister was instantly slain by Ying Zheng's sword, and his blood splattered onto many of the other ministers.
Feeling the hot blood, every single one of those ministers was overcome with extreme fear.
Many cried out in terror at that moment.
"No, don't kill me, Your Majesty, please don't kill me!"
"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong, I truly know I was wrong, I beg Your Majesty to spare my life!"
"Your Majesty, I am willing to surrender all my land, I am willing to give up all the land I have occupied, please spare us!"
They hoped that by pleading, they could convince Ying Zheng to let them live.
However, their calculations were clearly mistaken.
Ying Zheng was not a person of soft heart!
...