For Liu Bei, the New Year of Zhang Wu's fifth year was the happiest New Year since he ascended the throne.
After Bingzhou was recovered, Zhang Fei no longer had to garrison in Xihe.
Major events in Liangzhou have also been decided. All that remains is to use policies to stabilize the place and prevent the Qiang rebellion. Guan Yu will naturally come back.
Chen Mu returned last month after leaving his arrangements with Tian Feng and Zhang Liao Gaoshun.
In this way, Liu Bei could finally spend a reunited New Year with his three brothers in Luoyang City, the imperial capital of the Han Dynasty, for the first time except in the first year of Zhang Wu after he ascended the throne.
Luoyang City is now at its busiest, and the entire Luoshui coast is in full swing. The Yellow River in the north connects Luoshui, and the south connects Yinshui, Rushui, and Yingshui, and the original river channels need to be expanded.
In the feudal era, this was bound to be a big project. During the Qin Shihuang and Sui Emperor periods, large projects like this often adopted the corvee system and forcibly recruited people to build the Great Wall or canals.
However, Chen Mu believed that in times of trouble, it would be unsatisfactory, and forcibly recruiting people could not improve the subjective initiative of the people. Therefore, he adopted the employment system, excavating rivers and hiring civilian workers to build them.
Roosevelt's New Deal, for a country that has just recovered from the secession crisis, prosperity and construction as soon as possible are very important.
Just as cities in later generations engage in real estate development to increase GDP, the purpose of attracting investment is to activate the economy and drive local development and prosperity.
Anyway, the country is rich now. Japan's gold, silver and copper mines have not been completely exhausted after four hundred years of mining. The reserves may not be the largest in the world, but its advantage is that there are many open-pit mines, it is easy to mine, and it can be continuously transported to the country.
The benefits of unlimited money printing are reflected here. The country's credibility will not collapse. When food production increases, material and economic benefits will be guaranteed.
It’s just that the employment system can indeed improve subjective initiative, but it also has obvious disadvantages and loopholes.
That is, everyone works hard all day and gets paid for the exhausting work, and also gets paid for slow and meticulous work, so why not choose to go to work and fish?
Therefore, we had to give birth to a supervision system.
Supervisors will not beat people, but will record those who are lazy and slippery and deduct their wages.
Then other problems arise.
For example, supervisors engage in favoritism and cheat, and relatives and friends are absent from work to catch fish without paying wages. Or they may avenge themselves and deliberately deduct money for people they don't like. Or there may be corruption, such as fake rosters and losses.
To this end, the upper-level management departments, the Sikong People's Yuan responsible for worker management, the Transportation Yuan responsible for construction, and the Shaofu responsible for appropriation jointly organized an inspection team.
The Luoyang Canal section is divided into north and south. The northern section connects to the Yellow River, and the southern section connects Yinshui, Rushui, and Yingshui. The project volume is very large, with more than 100,000 civilians participating, and it can drive high economic development along the line.
.
In addition to the Luoyang River Section, there are also Henan River Section, Nanyang River Section, Yuzhou River Section, Yanzhou and Xuzhou River Section, which is one more project than the historical Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal from the Yellow River to the Han River and then to the Yangtze River.
In this way, the total project volume is very huge, with millions of people participating, tens of millions of people benefiting, and the money being spread is no different from gold and silver, hundreds of billions!
It is difficult to prevent corrupt officials from getting involved in such a large project, so most of the court's energy revolves around the canal, with supervision and governance being the top priority.
However, it has just begun, and the canal cannot be dug overnight. In ancient societies that lacked mechanical operations, they could only rely on manpower to dig it bit by bit. Measurements and research must be done at all times to prevent the river from flooding.
disaster.
At least for now, with such a big project in place, and with the country vigorously developing productivity and promoting high-yielding crops, there is no need to worry about food and finance, and the general direction will not be shaken.
At the end of December, the river excavation project in Luoyang was temporarily stopped, and the construction site gradually became deserted. However, the streets of Luoyang were extremely lively, and the flow of people in the east and west cities was several times more than before.
The New Year has been one of the most important festivals of the Han people since the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. Since the establishment of the lunar calendar during the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, it has become the first of the three major festivals of the Han Dynasty.
Every New Year, the whole world celebrates together. Occasionally, the emperor will also offer amnesty to the world, offer sacrifices and pray to the sky, praying for the blessings of the gods and ancestors, and the peace of the country and the people.
Liu Bei had made a large-scale sacrifice a year ago. In addition to offering sacrifices to Taiyi, Sheji, Houtu, and the Five Emperors, there were also successive emperors such as Liu Bang, Liu Xiu, Liu Zhi, and Liu Hong. His father and grandfather were not posthumously named because Emperor Guangwu Liu
Xiu also did not pursue the title.
Both he and Liu Xiu adopted themselves from a small clan to a large clan. For example, Emperor Guangwu adopted himself into the name of Han Yuan Emperor Liu Xi, and Liu Bei adopted himself into the name of Han Huan Emperor Liu Zhi.
Therefore, both of them can only recognize their stepfather as their father, and their biological father cannot be granted the title. This is a matter of etiquette and law, and even the emperor must abide by it.
After the sacrifice, several guests from Qingzhou slowly drove into Luoyang East City in carriages.
"Baked potatoes are here, delicious baked potatoes are here."
There are people coming and going on the street, including merchants who have opened shops, mobile vendors selling snacks, and vendors walking around the streets.
The roads paved with bluestones in the East City are crowded with people. Shops are lined up row upon row with a dazzling array of merchandise. Merchants are shouting and selling their wares, and people are walking among the crowd, lingering and buying New Year's goods.
Since the fleet sailed to America in December of the third year of Zhangwu's reign, sweet potatoes, corns, potatoes and other crops have been sown in Dahan for a year. After two crops, the output around Luoyang has been huge.
Because these crops do not infringe on ordinary farmland, they can be grown even on hillside fields without picking the land, and the yields are very high and can be managed satisfactorily.
Therefore, with vigorous promotion, many people are planting them, and under the guidance of people from the Agricultural College, the planting area in Luoyang has reached hundreds of thousands of acres, and agricultural products from these crops have gradually appeared on the market.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! With the start of the river channel project, a large number of workers received their wages and were able to go to the market to consume these agricultural products.
In this way, workers and farmers complement each other and can also stimulate economic development.
The most important thing is that there are many slogans daubed with lime on the streets and alleys, such as "It is honorable to pay taxes, but shameful to evade taxes", "Businessmen and farmers pay taxes, and the country can develop only if it has money", "Do it yourself, have enough food and clothing" and so on.
Business is an important way to promote social progress under the premise of being able to have enough to eat. Therefore, after the establishment of the industrial and commercial department, merchants must be licensed to operate, including mobile vendors.
Uniformed industrial and commercial personnel can be seen patrolling the streets at any time to strictly investigate tax evasion by merchants. As for mobile vendors setting up stalls, no taxes are collected for the time being.
The reason for doing this is to protect the industrial and agricultural economy and the vulnerable groups of self-employed people. However, stalls must be regulated and they must not be allowed to occupy the lanes.
Several carriages with official license plates entered Ma City in the east of the city from Longhu Township in Mangshan Donggang, two miles away from Dongshi City. There were countless people walking in the pavilions outside Dongshi City. At the feet of the Emperor, it was approaching the New Year, and people from nearby counties and villages entered every day.
The city sells goods in an endless stream.
Due to the crowds of people, the convoy moved very slowly. Even if the people around saw the official sign and wanted to give way, it would be difficult for them to move around.
In the carriage, Mr. Pang Degong, who had been in Qingzhou for three or four years, opened the curtain and looked around. Seeing the bustling and lively scene, he couldn't help but said to his old friend Sima Hui who was riding with him: "Morality, Luoyang is very prosperous now."
Sima Hui smiled and said: "I heard that it was because the imperial court was digging the canal, which boosted the coastal economy. People in the villages and counties around Luoyang would go to the river to work during their slack seasons. When everyone had spare money, they could go out and buy things. Then "Chen Zi"
Isn’t it said in "Business Book"? Economic circulation can promote national development."
"yes."
Pang Degong sighed: "This Chen Zigui is really a contemporary Confucius. He said that Confucius is just an ordinary person in his eyes. Compared with Confucius's thoughts, Chen Zigui's thoughts are indeed greater than Confucius. He not only made the country prosperous, but also made people
If everyone has enough to eat and everyone is willing to support it, the future is promising."
Sima Hui nodded and said: "The last time I went back to my hometown, I passed by Yingchuan after leaving Jingzhou. This time my family gave me a letter, saying that Yingchuan is building a canal, and in the future, all trade going south and north will pass through Yingchuan.
Sichuan, the specialties from my hometown can also be sold.”
"This is a great cause that benefits the country and the people."
Pang Degong said: "The emperor summoned us to Luoyang this time, presumably because of the matter in Jingzhou. What do you think?"
Sima Hui thought for a while and said: "We have many contacts with the major families in Jingzhou. Liu Biao overestimates his own capabilities and resists stubbornly. He is acting like a chariot with his own arm. If we can persuade many aristocratic families in Jingzhou, Jingzhou can be defeated."
Pang Degong mused: "Well, Xiangyang is surrounded by water and is easy to defend but difficult to attack. It is true that we can only start from the inside. When we meet the emperor, we will propose this strategy."
While the two were talking, the motorcade had already passed through Dongshi, passed through Xiangmen, and arrived at the gate of Sangong's Mansion in Luoyang Palace.
At this time, there was someone waiting at the gate, and it was Wang Zhi, the regular attendant, who was ordered to come to greet him.
After seeing the motorcade, Wang Zhi stepped forward to stop the carriage, held up his hands and asked: "But Mr. Pang De and Mr. Decao?"
"yes."
Pang Degong responded in the car.
Wang Zhi said: "Your Majesty and the Prime Minister are already waiting for you two. Please come with me."
He also got on the carriage and led the way.
The motorcade continued forward and arrived at the Zhuque Gate, the main gate of Nangong. After passing through the Zhuque Gate, there were Sima Gate and Hongde Gate.
Hongdemen leads to the offices of Mingguang Hall, Yuntai Hall, Hanzhang Hall, Xuanshi Hall and other important departments such as the Three Gongs and Nine Ministers, cabinet ministers and the Chancellor's Desk.
Sima Gate is the main entrance leading to the interior of the palace. You have to pass through the Duanmen, Quefei Gate, arrive at Quefei Hall, and then pass through the Zhangtai Gate behind the Quefei Hall, which is the Chongde Hall, the highest court meeting place of the Han Dynasty.
However, Chongde Hall is often used only when super court meetings are held. The interior of this hall is very large, comparable to a football field, and can accommodate thousands of officials holding meetings at the same time.
It is rarely used except during Chinese New Year. Therefore, Wang Zhi took Pang Degong and Sima Hui through Zhangtai Gate and then turned right to Zhangde Hall.
Both of them are quite old. They traveled thousands of miles from Qingzhou and were tired from the journey. They should have taken a rest.
However, they had actually arrived at Longhu Township outside Luoyang City last night. It was getting late at that time, so they found an inn to rest in the Xiangting Pavilion. They entered the city today, so from the time they set out to the time they entered the palace, it only took less than an hour.
Considered tired.
Entering the Zhangde Hall, I saw the emperor sitting in the highest position in the palace. Next to him and a little lower, about two or three meters away from the emperor, there were three other people sitting, drinking and having a banquet. I was so unhappy.
"Your Majesty, Duke Pang De and Duke De Cao are here."
Wang Zhi went into the palace to report back.
The outer hall of Zhangde Hall is not big, similar to the middle hall of an ordinary house, so the distance between people entering the hall and the hall is very close, only about twenty meters, and they can be seen clearly.
"This old country man has met the Emperor."
Pang Degong and Sima Hui slowly entered the hall and saluted Liu Bei who was looking up.
Seeing the two men coming to see His Highness, Liu Bei quickly stood up and said: "Two great sages, don't be too polite. Today I am hosting a private banquet for you two and three brothers. Just sit down next to me. Don't be constrained by etiquette. Everyone."
Just eat together."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The two of them saw that Liu Bei was very easy-going, and unexpectedly their affection for him doubled, because they didn't like to follow rules and loved freedom and spontaneity, so all kinds of rules were restraints and made them uncomfortable.
Now this way of communication is very useful to them, so they don't have to be so polite and just come over and sit down next to Chen Mu, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.
The three of them all stood up and bowed with their hands in hand, and the two of them returned the bow. They sat down before the food was officially served.
Chen Mu saw the two people were in good spirits and their brows were shining. He smiled and said, "Second Master, how did you feel along the way from Qingzhou to Luoyang?"
Pang Degong praised: "The Prime Minister once told me that he disdains Confucius and seizes the day. Although I thought from the Prime Minister's philosophy of governing the country at that time, it may not be a lie, but after seeing it today, I understand that the Prime Minister's long-term vision is indeed disdainful of Confucius.
able."
Although the Han Dynasty has begun to only respect Confucianism, it has not yet mythologized Confucius. At least if Cao Cao wants to kill the Confucius family, he will kill them just for any excuse. Scholars such as Wang Chong have also pointed out that some of Confucius's views are not good.
Therefore, even if someone boasts that he is better than Confucius, the degree of openness of scholars in the Eastern Han Dynasty will not do anything. At most, he will say a few words of ridicule, but like Chen Mu, he really did it, and not only completed the assistance
Liu Bei accomplished the great cause of unification and fulfilled his promise to make the country rich, so no one could criticize him.
"Sir, you still didn't understand what I said. It's not that I disdain Confucius. I just want to tell everyone that Confucius may have been a sage and sage of that era seven hundred years ago. But times have changed and the two cannot be compared."
Chen Mu shook his head and said: "Today there are today's strong men, and tomorrow there will be tomorrow's strong men. They leave their names in history. They can only compare with the time, not the present. Thousands of years later, countless people will be stronger than us, at least for now.
, we are leading the development of this era and making it move towards greater glory. We are all pioneers, so why bother distinguishing who is strong and who is weak?"
When Sima Hui heard what he said, he sighed: "The prime minister's realm has reached a height that is difficult for us to reach."
Pang Degong stroked his beard and praised: "Yes, you are all strong!"
"Ha ha ha ha."
Chen Mu laughed and said: "It's not you, it's us! The two of you sitting here today will leave your name in history and lead people to change this era, right?"
"I'm ashamed to borrow the prime minister's style."
Pang Degong was quite ashamed. He went to Qingzhou and saw that the changes there were beyond his imagination. The new knowledge, new environment, and new ideas there were all beyond his reach.
Wherever he has been in the past few years, he has been explaining ancient books and scriptures in front of the teachers of the Confucian College. But why is he not a student of other colleges? Learning new knowledge again.
Even though he is remembered in history, he was on board the big ship of Chen Mu. Because even without him and Sima Hui, it would have been easy for Chen Mu to capture Jingzhou.
So the fact that he can sit here is just to help the imperial court capture Jingzhou faster, which in itself is nothing worthy of praise.
However, Liu Bei said seriously: "My fourth brother often said that the changes of the times and the development and progress of the country often require the leadership of a small group of elites with long-term vision. Just like the great ancestor Xiao He, Zhang Liang, Han Xin and Chen Ping, the ancestors have Yuntai Twenty-eight
General, I have several brothers and many advisers and generals. It is because of their help that we are where we are today. If you two can see the situation clearly, why can't you be called strong?"
Chen Mu raised his wine glass and said loudly: "Brother is right. On a page of history, countless people wither like weeds and can't even leave a name. Those who can write history are the strong ones. It's not just us.
, There are so many powerful people in the world, and you are all the elites standing in this era. In this case, why not let us work together to create a powerful empire?"
"We are all strong! You should drink this cup!"
"drink!"
"Hahahahaha!"
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were also in high spirits, toasting loudly and raising their glasses to drink together.
Such heroic spirit impressed Pang De and Sima Hui. The two looked at each other, smiled at each other, and drank a drink with the four of them.
Yes.
There are so many strong people in this world, but those who can stand at the end are the writers of history.
In addition to those strong men, those above them are people like Chen Mu, who not only wrote history, but also wrote the future!
Since you can see someone like him appear in your lifetime, why not be a rider on the wind and follow him to witness the rise of a powerful man in the future?