Su clan came to this place literally because the girls.
"If you feel that you are in any kind of danger, come back. In five days we will come with other men to help you build sturdy wall. You..." The village elder pointed at current elder of Lin village that rushed forward and bowed. "I have no idea why these girls came to your village, but know one thing, they are under Su clan protection. If anyone dares attacking him, we will eradicate nine clans of that family."
Everyone in village paled.
These three girls were literally scary at this moment and even those that had second thoughts of them threw it right away.
Su clan might seems small, but those that knew them, they were aware of thousands of men that were eager to have daughters.
Literally.
They even married women from families with many daughters, but still their blood was stronger and they got sons,
Only these few in last few generations were born and whoever marries them, he will have to be on toes all their lives.
Su Fei wanted to stay away from clan to see if she could find husband. Oh, yes, those stories of women wanting to be single all their lives is quite ridiculous.
She is now in best age to enjoy her life, but these grumpy people just had to spoil the fun.
With sigh she glanced sideways at the two girls that had same flabbergasted expression.
Who would dare to marry them now???
But when Su clan elders left, Su MeiMei came forward. "Sister, let's run and find men that don't know our Su clan. We can bring them back before our Su elders don't scare them."
Su Yue as well nodded and both girls looked at Su Fei with literal desperation in their eyes.
She shook her head. "You two, are you crazy? Yes, we do need men to marry but now ist not the time. You do know our clans rule? We can marry only after eighteen or we would get kicked out of clan. Can you live never to see elders or your family again?"
Both girls looked at her and then lowered their heads. They were just fifteen.
Su Fei stepped outside her house and pointed at the huge sea spreading endlessly. "Not only that, do you know how many people are starving? Murder, attacks, robberies...can we survive it?" She was maybe strong and somewhat smart, but even she was aware of dangers.
The two girls lowered even more their heads, making her chuckle. "Let's get stronger. In case of emergency, even women of our Empire were taught some basic fighting. If nothing else, this will help us on future. We as well have to learn many things that could save our lives. We can rely on Su clan for life, but is that life?"
Both girls thought of it and knew she had plan. And regretted later even giving her that idea.
As expected, Su clan came. With hundreds of floats and hundreds of people that first we t to nearby mountain to cut stone. All men in village helped and helped transporting it.
Ten meter wall took them almost three months.
In that time, half of men would go cut stones and transport and other half would build walls.
Few dozen of them went to nearby forest and hunted all bigger animals like boars, bears even wolves.
Even if wolf meat is usually not eaten, but in times like now, where food was scarcity, good seasoned stew that was cooked for long time was still eaten without problem.
Hundreds of people had to be fed, but Su clan didn't eat their supplies then brought some grains to be incorporated into the food, giving all workers chance to stay strong.
Actually, as soon they were finished with the last stone and large heavy gate, the men of Su clan went to other villages and offered the same.
Even the monastery and monks came to help, causing thousands of people to rush to help with wall around monastery as well.
For three years, Su clan helped dozens of new settlements, causing many to report their good deeds to tie emperor.
"I know." Emperor head report but didn't comment on it then continued to read reports of water pulling back slowly.
Too slowly. Half of his Empire became a huge sea, the other half had droughts.
Where yo send those people that had nothing?
Suddenly a servant rushed in. "Emperor, we got notification. Su clan sentva ship with tax grain."
Emperor stood up. "What tax grain? I relived everyone of tax for three years. Who told them they have to pay tax?"
The servant blinked few times. "The tax was collected now whole time...your Highness "
"What?!" Emperor yelled at the servant that shook like a leaf in thunderstorm.
Why is he attacked, ist not like he could give these orders.
"Who dares to give such orders without my permission? Who dares to refute Edict I literally wrote?!" The Emperor was turning red form rage causing all nearby servants to kneel in fear.
"Ist Minister Long. He holds the power..." The servant spoke and saw only golden robe passing him.
"So my words means less then some Minister's? Good, very good. Gather army. Go hunt every single Minister, their families and their servants. Bring them all here."
They forgot in these three years how he killed half of the old Ministers. It's time he refreshes a bit of their memories.
It was already late afternoon but thousands of soldiers rushed into various estates and grabbed every single person inside. Those that were not at home were dragged out from tea hisues, stores and various establishments, making everyone in city scared to death.
Thousands of people were dragged to the huge space in front of Dragon Hall and kneeled shakily in front of the Emperor that was furious.
Minister of Finance, Long Yang shook as he realized he was too late to escape with all the money he earned. His greed let him stay this one more time.
He regretted it, but it was too late...