The treasury of Great Qin had limited funds, and if they were used for building courier services, other projects would inevitably suffer.
This realization made the ministers of Great Qin extremely reluctant.
However, their reluctance had little impact on Lin Tian's decisions, especially since Lin Tian was in no mood to humor them at this time.
"You claim courier services are useless, but do you know the mental anguish our Great Qin endures?"
"But Your Highness, building the courier service you envision would indeed cost a great deal of money!"
"It will naturally require significant funds at the beginning, but once enough letters are sent by the populace, our courier service will generate enough revenue to operate!"
"Most common folk are illiterate, so how could many of them send letters? I do not agree with this!"
Many ministers ignored Lin Tian's arguments, their focus solely on their own interests.
Lin Tian, however, had effective ways to educate such individuals.
"I know you will not agree to this matter!"
"After all, in your hearts, you cannot feel the suffering of our soldiers and citizens!"
"Therefore, I have decided to send you to the furthest western territories of Great Qin, so you may properly experience the hardships of our soldiers!"
"What?"
Upon hearing this, the ministers in the court were dumbfounded.
They had never imagined Lin Tian would say such a thing.
Sending them to the furthest western regions of Great Qin to experience the soldiers' hardships was no different from exile.
They were, after all, somewhat familiar with the conditions in the far west.
Under favorable circumstances, the journey there would take two months, and the return journey would also take two months.
This round trip alone would amount to nearly half a year.
Half a year of living outdoors, enduring harsh weather – they found it utterly unacceptable.
Moreover, once they reached the far west, they would have no more power and influence than they did in Great Qin.
Their families and servants would not be with them.
Those places were even less prosperous than Great Qin.
Under such circumstances, they were naturally unwilling to go to the far west of Great Qin.
Therefore, as soon as they realized Lin Tian was not joking, they all spoke up:
"Your Highness, we were just joking! We didn't think establishing a courier service was inappropriate at all!"
"Yes, Your Highness! Many of our soldiers have not been home in a long time. It would not be unreasonable to even grant them leave, let alone allow them to send letters!"
"Your Highness, we were wrong, we were truly wrong! The far west of Great Qin is very poor, and it is precisely where our soldiers long for their families!"
They knew that Lin Tian always followed through on his word.
If they did not agree to this matter, they might very well be dispatched to the far west of Great Qin.
Under such circumstances, they naturally had to agree with Lin Tian.
Their earlier opposition stemmed solely from their selfish desires.
With this thought, they no longer dared to oppose Lin Tian for their personal gain.
However, after they expressed their support, Lin Tian was not inclined to let them off so easily.
"Since you support this matter, I hope you will be the ones to undertake it!"
"I have specific requirements for you!"
"I want you not only to build the courier service effectively but also to ensure that every letter reaches its intended recipient and that every corner of Great Qin can be serviced!"
"Ah?"
Hearing Lin Tian's words, the ministers of Great Qin wailed in unison.
They had not expected this task to ultimately fall upon them.
What's more, they had not anticipated that Lin Tian's requirements would be so stringent.
This instilled fear in many of the ministers.
They were afraid of this task falling to them, and even more afraid of being made responsible for it.
If that were the case, they would be in serious trouble.
However, the more they feared something, the more likely it was to happen.
"Then, this matter will be the responsibility of Prime Minister Li Si!"
"As for the other ministers, you will all participate and divide the labor!"
"You must not only arrange domestic affairs but also oversee the courier service in the far west!"
"From the state to the counties, from the counties to every household – only by achieving this will you be considered competent!"
"As for those who are incompetent, I will have them continue to be involved in this matter, and they will personally deliver letters to the citizens and soldiers!"
The prospect of personally delivering letters left many officials speechless.
While they knew Lin Tian would punish them if they failed to complete the task, they had not expected his punishment to be so harsh.
Not only would they be involved, but they would also have to deliver letters themselves.
This might sound simple, but one must remember that many citizens did not reside within the city.
Many of them lived outside the city walls, or even on high mountains.
Delivering letters to these people would undoubtedly be an arduous undertaking.
Furthermore, one could not take a carriage up the mountains; it required climbing step by step.
The thought of those high mountains sent shivers down the spines of the portly ministers.
With their physical condition, climbing high mountains would be extremely difficult for them.
Moreover, they would not be delivering just one letter; after delivering one, they would have no opportunity to rest and would have to proceed to the next.
They would even have to travel day and night without rest.
While this might not be difficult for ordinary people, it posed a significant challenge for them.
Their stamina was simply insufficient to withstand such exertion.
Therefore, at this moment, they all spoke up:
"Please rest assured, Your Highness, we will complete this task!"
"Yes! Yes! Please rest assured, Your Highness, we will plan this matter out properly!"
"Your Highness, leave this matter to us, and we will not disappoint you!"
Wishing to avoid the hardships that awaited those who failed to complete the task,
These ministers all gave their word, promising to accomplish these matters.
...