Starting with helping Zhao Kai ascend the throne in the snow

As long as Li Ying and others, who were forced to join the Baiyue barbarians in Yuezhou, can adapt to life in Yuezhou, then other Baiyue barbarians can also be resettled in the same way in the future.

When Zhao Kai heard Shen Qing mention Li Ying and the others, he immediately became interested and said with a smile, "Brother Shen, you don't know, Li Ying really gave us a pleasant surprise."

"Oh, I'd like to hear more." Shen Qing looked over in surprise.

“Brother Shen, you may not know this, but I originally thought those Baiyue barbarians were all uncivilized and ignorant of etiquette. However, after getting to know them, I found that they are just like the people under our rule, and even easier to satisfy. As long as they have food and shelter, they will obediently follow the orders of the officials we send,” Zhao Kai said.

"The people's demands are always very simple, but how many of those in power listen to their voices?" Shen Qing sighed from the side.

Throughout history, ordinary people have never cared who the master of the country was or how the emperor ascended the throne. All they cared about were food and shelter. As long as these two basic requirements were met, the people would consider him a good emperor.

"Brother Shen, I haven't finished yet. After we gathered those Baiyue people together, didn't we send people to teach them to read and write, and send doctors to treat them?"

Zhao Kai kept everyone in suspense, and Shen Qing asked cooperatively, "What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

“This is a big problem. Ever since we sent people to teach the Baiyue barbarians about Central Plains culture and sent doctors to treat their illnesses, these people have been extremely grateful to the Yue King’s Palace. Many of them even knelt down on the spot and swore allegiance to the Yue King’s Palace.”

"Moreover, I don't know how this news reached the depths of the Baiyue barbarians. Since then, there have been sporadic Baiyue barbarians fleeing from the mountains and forests, actively begging our Yuezhou to take them in. Not long ago, I even received a letter from Li Ying saying that a small tribe wanted to surrender to us, and the only thing left to discuss was the terms of their surrender."

Zhao Kai said with a smile that the Baiyue barbarians had taken the initiative to submit, an achievement that even the Liyang royal family had never accomplished, yet he had managed to do it.

"Excellent, that's wonderful! Zhao Kai, we must properly settle the tribes that have voluntarily requested to submit. They are the role models we need to set. As long as the people of the Baiyue tribes see that Yuezhou is willing to accept them peacefully, then perhaps the problem of the Baiyue tribes will be easily solved," Shen Qing said with great joy upon hearing this.

He was still thinking about how to deal with the Baiyue barbarians in the future, but before he could even take any action, they had already come over. This showed that the situation of the Baiyue barbarians in the mountains was far worse than he had imagined.

"By the way, Brother Zhao, I wonder if you'd like to win over the hearts of the people?" Suddenly, a thought flashed through Shen Qing's mind, and he stared intently at Zhao Kai as he asked.

"Of course I want to! Does Brother Shen have any good ideas?" Zhao Kai replied without hesitation. As a prince from Shangyin Academy, he naturally knew the importance of popular support.

The people are the most important, the state is next, and the ruler is the least important. The people are like water, and the ruler is like a boat; water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.

"If you want to win the hearts of the people, you need to contribute the Yue King's Mansion that is currently under construction. I wonder if you are willing to do so?" Shen Qing did not answer, but asked again.

Zhao Kai and Shen Qing arrived in Yuezhou with almost nothing. In addition, the entire royal family of Dongyue was captured by the Liyang Dynasty and taken to the capital. The original palace was burned to the ground. Therefore, Zhao Kai never had his own royal palace and could only stay temporarily in the prefect's mansion.

It wasn't until the Yue King's Palace stabilized the situation in Yuezhou with the help of Dongyue Sword Pool and Wu Jianjian Tomb that it had the financial resources to build a palace. After all, if a dignified prince were to live in the prefect's mansion, he would be ridiculed by others.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kai pondered for a moment and said, "Why not? It's just a mere mansion. Please teach me how to do it, Brother Shen."

"Your Highness, how about we reconsider..." Han Shengxuan couldn't help but speak up when Zhao Kai agreed, but Zhao Kai waved his hand to stop him. "Alright, Master Chef, just do as I say."

Upon hearing this, Han Shengxuan could only bow and say no more. He had devoted his entire life to Zhao Kai, even unto death, so he couldn't bear to see Zhao Kai still living in the prefect's mansion, as it was beneath the dignity of the King of Yue.

"Please tell me what to do, Brother Shen?" Zhao Kai asked Shen Qing again.

"I want you to donate the soon-to-be-completed Yue Wangfu military compound to the future students of Yuezhou. It will be named the Yuezhou Royal Academy," Shen Qing said.

"The Royal Academy of Yuezhou?" Zhao Kai was somewhat puzzled.

Shen Qing nodded and explained, "Do you still remember the Yuezhou education reform we discussed before?"

“Of course I remember. Yuezhou will adopt a teaching method that combines literature and martial arts, without distinguishing between scholars and warriors. Yuezhou primary schools will be established at the township level, Yuezhou middle schools will be established in the county seat, and universities will be established in the six prefectures.” Zhao Kai replied immediately upon hearing this, clearly having a thorough understanding of the reform provisions.

"Yes, that's right. The Yuezhou Royal Academy that I proposed is the highest-level university. Moreover, with the title 'Royal,' it is the best school in Yuezhou, surpassing the six county schools and ranking first in Yuezhou."

“The Royal Academy has the best faculty. Not only that, you can also teach at the Royal Academy in your spare time. In this way, the students in the academy will also be your students. I believe this will help you to control Yuezhou after graduation.” Shen Qing explained the advantages of the Royal Academy to Zhao Kai in a clear and organized manner.

"Wonderful! Brother Shen is truly talented. Please accept my bow." Zhao Kai said, bowing deeply to Shen Qing.

"The way I just mentioned to win you the hearts of the people is to widely publicize your donation of the royal palace to be used as an academy throughout Yuezhou, so that all the people know that you are willing to give up your royal palace for the sake of the students and the future of Yuezhou. I believe countless people will be moved by your actions," Shen Qing said.

"Lord Shen is truly capable. In this way, His Highness's virtuous reputation will spread throughout Yuezhou and even the whole world. Everyone will praise His Highness's noble character. I thank Lord Shen on behalf of His Highness." Han Shengxuan, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but say with emotion after hearing Shen Qing's words. After speaking, he also bowed to Shen Qing.

For a monarch, a good reputation is extremely important, but it is extremely difficult to obtain one. Shen Qing, with just a few words, created an opportunity for Zhao Kai to become famous throughout the world, which greatly excited Han Shengxuan, who had always regarded Zhao Kai as a junior.