I rushed back to Xianyang without stopping. When I arrived in Xianyang, it was almost the end of the year.
I immediately summoned Li Si and Feng Quji to the Sihai Palace. When they saw that I had returned safely, they were greatly relieved.
Li Si said: "Your Majesty, you must never take such risks again in the future. If your Majesty makes a mistake, what should Great Qin do?"
Feng Quji also said: "What Li Xiang said is that it is up to the generals to fight against the rebellion. Your Majesty only needs to sit in Xianyang, and those who intend to cause rebellion will not be able to do anything."
I smiled and said, "What you two are saying is that if this matter hadn't been so important, I wouldn't have acted like this."
"Prime Minister Li, the massacre of the head of Guizhou has now been verified. You should inform the world as soon as possible. Also, how about the reduction of oral taxes?"
Li Si replied: "After I issued the order to reduce oral taxes to the world, I immediately overshadowed the massacre of the head of Guizhou. The head of Guizhou was grateful to Your Majesty. Compared with the reduction of corvee, the response in the world was greater."
I nodded: "That's good. When I made this decision that day, I didn't think too much about it. How will the court's tax revenue be after reducing the oral tax?"
"I have carefully calculated the tax situation before and after the reduction. It has naturally decreased a lot compared to before, but the impact on the court is not great. I have discussed with the imperial censor to abolish or reduce some official offices based on the assessment of officials at the end of the year. This way we can streamline officials and save expenditures, what do you think, Your Majesty?"
"good."
The next day, the court met with everyone to discuss the matter of dealing with Liu Bang.
This time I was not stupid enough to tell everyone directly that I would retain Liu Bang's men. Instead, I ordered the leaders to be beheaded according to the law, but Zhang Han executed them on the spot in Surabaya. More than 10,000 rebels who participated in the rebellion were sent to Lingnan.
Compared with the Great Wall in the north, Lingnan is the most important. Whether there will be a major breakthrough in the empire's grain production in the future will all depend on the rice cultivation south of the river.
Half a month later, Zhang Han led the army to Neishi, returned the army and the tiger talisman, resigned as general, and returned to Xianyang.
Late at night, in the Xianyang Forbidden Garden, I met the three of Liu Bang.
Looking at the haggard Liu Bang in front of me, I asked: "Have you decided?"
Liu Bang nodded, and Xiao He and Fan Kuai said in unison: "I am willing to serve your Majesty."
Then I asked the three of them to stay temporarily in Xianyang Forbidden Garden, and when the time was right, I would secretly change their names to make arrangements.
Thinking of what Zhang Han reported to me, I asked Xing Zhong to closely monitor the three of them and report to me at any time.
When Zhang Han told me that after Liu Bang learned about what Lu Taigong and Lu Pheasant had done, he took the opportunity of reminiscing with Lu Taigong and Lu Pheasant to stab them alive with a sharpened branch hidden in his hand, I He was so surprised that he didn't even notice that the memorial in his hand fell.
I had nothing to say, and I couldn't help but sigh in my heart: "As expected of a person who can even push his own daughter and son to his enemies, he is a cruel person!"
At this time, I felt a little regretful. It was too risky to keep three people, and I didn't know how to arrange them.
But since I promised not to kill them, let’s stay for now.
————
It was the beginning of the new year when Zhang Han returned to Xianyang.
Xianyang Hall, court meeting.
During this court meeting, I first rewarded the soldiers who put down the rebellion one by one.
Zhang Han was a blockbuster. Not long ago, he was just a left school commander, but in a blink of an eye, he became an outstanding general who could lead an army on his own. Surprised, I named him General Zuo and commanded the troops in Guanzhong.
After hearing about Yuchi's performance, I was very satisfied and asked him to continue training with Zhang Han in the army.
Second, Ge Yue reported on the land inventory.
Land inventory in 48 counties across the country has now been completed.
Accordingly, it was clarified that the 90 million acres of fields that had been inventoried were old fields, and all that would be reclaimed in the future were new fields. After the new fields are reclaimed, they will be owned by the imperial court. Qian Shou only needs to hand over thirty kilograms of staple grain per mu every year, and the rest will be owned by Qian Shou.
Thirdly, Zhao Tuo also sent someone to send good news that Champa Rice has been found!
Although the yield per mu is less than 1,000 kilograms, compared with the rice currently grown in Jiangnan, it is not a problem to triple the yield.
The importance of rice is self-evident. Even in later generations, it is one of the most important food crops in our country and even in the world. It provides the food source for nearly 50% of the world's population. Increasing rice production plays an extremely important role in ensuring food security and improving people's living standards.
I ordered in turn: "Return to Zhao Tuo. The original prisoners and those who migrated to Baiyue will not be moved, and we will continue to open up Baiyue. All future prisoners will be sent to the land south of the Yangtze River."
"Li Si, I want you to tell the world that except for Jiangbei and Bashu counties, the population is not allowed to flow out at will. Anyone in other counties and Guizhou whose old farmland is less than five acres wants to move to the south of the Yangtze River to cultivate new fields and plant rice. The new fields must be more than two acres." For more than ten acres, not only will the first year's tax be exempted, but the annual staple grain payment will be reduced from thirty kilograms per mu to twenty kilograms per mu."
"Geyue, you are in charge of rice planting, recruiting talented people in agriculture, vigorously developing rice planting in the south of the Yangtze River, and at the same time popularizing the planting method of mulberry and fish ponds. Although this method has appeared in the south of the Yangtze River, many people in Guizhou still use it. Not sure."
"Feng Quji, you have discussed with Li Si to establish Jiangnan Weaving and take charge of the production of cloth in Jiangnan. We will vigorously develop weaving based on the mulberry planting situation and the number of silkworms raised by Geyue. I have ordered the new multi-spindle spinning machine to be the governor. It is being developed, and weaving experts will also be recruited to improve the weaving methods, so that Jiangnan Weaving can become the largest cloth producing area in Da Qin."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
It took half a day to arrange this series of things.
Just when I was in a good mood, Gongshu came out of the station.
"Your Majesty, the General's Mansion now has 200 people. I have encountered some problems here. Please report them to Your Majesty."
I responded: "Didn't I give an order that all the generals need it for the government? I will give you even two thousand people, not to mention two hundred people."
It's all up to you guys to turn my knowledge into reality. I have to take good care of you.
Everyone in the hall also pricked up their ears to hear what Gong Shujin had to ask for.
The officials of these government offices were so envious that they all drooled over Jiang Zuofu, and they all complained in their hearts: "Everything you need is done right." Do you still have requests now? Will we, the government officials, be allowed to live? Look at the 200 people in your official office, and they all have the status of minor officials. Is it ridiculous? How many people are standing in this Xianyang Palace? '
When Gongshu Jin heard this, he also looked embarrassed: "Your Majesty, the problem I have is not the General's Mansion, but the Yetie Mansion and... the General's Young Mansion..."
Bai Chong was stunned after hearing Gong Shujin's words.
Good guy, are you waiting for me over here? You complained not only to two people at once, but also to your immediate boss? Although you report directly to the emperor, you are still nominally under the rule of General Shaofu. Is it appropriate?
When I heard what Gong Sujin said, I was curious and a little funny at the same time. Are all technical people’s emotional intelligence so low? Judging from Bai Chong's expression, at least you should talk to Bai Chong first. If that doesn't work, you can just come to me alone. Just say it like this. It's strange that Bai Chong doesn't hold grudges against you.
I cleared my throat: "What's the matter? Tell me."
