The first year of the founding of the Qin Dynasty.
Wude first year, the twentieth day of the first lunar month.
The world is peaceful, and the people who have been ravaged by the war and displaced have returned to their hometowns one after another. The local government has provided relief subsidies and acres of land. The war-torn land of China has gradually begun to regain its vitality.
Chang'an Imperial Palace.
The county guards from all over the country have entered the capital and are now gathering in the large square at the foot of the hundred steps. Everyone is wearing official uniforms and gathering in twos and threes.
In each hand, three copper coins and a piece of paper were given by the palace attendant.
Copper coins are new coins, which are 1 Wen, 10 Wen and 100 Wen respectively.
The paper is not pure white, but slightly yellow, smooth and of moderate thickness.
"Master Wang, what do you think of this thing?"
"I heard that it was newly created by the Department of Good Works and is called paper. Your Majesty wants to use it as a writing material instead of bamboo slips."
"This paper is good. It's easy to write on, and it can be folded and carried. It's much better than bamboo slips."
"This thing is very good. If all official documents are like this, it will be much more convenient to write and read in the future."
"And this new coin is of excellent craftsmanship and has a clear amount. If the currency can be unified as soon as possible, it will be much more convenient not only for the trade market, but also for the people all over the world."
"Yes, your Majesty is so wise. Now the world is at peace, and the prosperous age of the Qin Dynasty is not far away."
A group of county guards were chatting with each other. After a while, the attendants began to shout loudly:
"Xuan, hundreds of officials enter the palace~~~~"
People adjusted their official uniforms one after another and began to walk up the steps.
When hundreds of officials entered the court, the hall was already full. After Xiao Yuan appeared, he knelt down at the same time and said in unison: "I am here to see your Majesty, long live my emperor, long live long live—"
"Everyone, please stand up." Xiao Yuan casually waved his hand and sat down.
"Thank you, Your Majesty——"
After glancing at all the officials, Xiao Yuan said straight to the point: "Today's court meeting, before that, I would like to say three things."
"The first is the issuance of new coins."
"Everyone has three copper coins in their hands, each with a clear face value, which will be the new coins from now on."
When people heard this, they couldn't help but pick up the copper coins in their hands and read them.
Xiao Yuan continued: "Since the preparation of the unified currency, the country has minted a total of 270 million new coins to date. It is scheduled to be popularized in Chang'an first in early February, and then in various places."
"Everyone already knows the value and purchasing power of copper coins, so I won't go into details."
"During this period, local governments should establish national banks as soon as possible to facilitate the exchange of old coins by the people. Silver can be exchanged for various old copper coins, which can then be recycled by the state and recast into new coins."
"As for the bank, it will be presided over by the Ministry of Household Affairs. Bank personnel are not allowed to charge any fees. It is only for the convenience of the people."
"Currency unification is a national policy, and it is also the first priority after the ministers return to their jurisdiction! The country is working day and night on the minting of new coins, and it will be implemented in all counties soon."
"I obey your orders——" All the ministers responded in unison.
"The second thing is that paper replaced bamboo slips for writing."
Xiao Yuandao: "Each of you has one in your hands. I believe we have discussed it before. Compared with bamboo slips, there is nothing to say. Later, paper mills will appear one after another in various places."
"From now on, whether it is a memorial to the court or an official document, it must be written on paper."
"From now on, whether it is a memorial to the court or an official document, it must be written on paper."
"As I said before, official documents can be written by a scribe, but the signature and official seal of the relevant officials must be included in order to be valid."
After everyone responded, Xiao Yuan said again: "The third thing is the imperial examination."
"Now the county examination has almost begun. It has been five years since the last major examination. Therefore, the imperial examination in the first year of Wude is very important and can be said to be the hope of scholars all over the world."
"If any local official dares to practice favoritism and malpractice in this matter, he will be executed without mercy!"
"If any candidate commits fraud, his qualifications will be cancelled, and he will not be allowed to take the exam for life."
This punishment was too severe. When the county guards heard this, they couldn't help but feel shocked.
When it comes to the imperial examination, Zheng Mingyi, the governor of Hongyang County, bravely stepped forward, bowed his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I have my own book to start."
"speak."
"Although this examination is popular among the world, in the subject of law, I think it will be more or less a blow to the scholars of Lingdi."
Xiao Yuan understood what he meant, and it was actually true. Not long after Lingguo was recovered, the scholars of Lingdi had just come into contact with the "Qin Code". It was far from comparable to other regions that had been unified for a long time. If they died in the imperial examination of Lingdi, If you are stuck in this subject, it is estimated that not many people will be able to get into it.
Seeing Xiao Yuan's silence, Zheng Mingyi couldn't help but feel excited. He didn't know if fighting for Lingdi scholars would make the emperor unhappy.
However, after thinking about it, Xiao Yuan said: "It is indeed as Aiqing said, corresponding adjustments can be made to the scholars of Lingdi."
"Your Majesty, your Majesty," Zheng Mingyi saluted and returned.
"Okay, now let's talk about the governance of each county."
Xiao Yuan directly named him: "Bo Yang comes first."
Why choose Boyang? It's because Boyang is the fastest among the counties in Lingdi to complete policy unification and the fastest to clear the land.
The governor of his county, Yin Hong, was much more ruthless than Zheng Mingyi. When he suppressed the Lingyang rebellion, he killed many of the resisting tycoons in Boyang, and even asked for military assistance. , kill all of them. Of course there is an intention to take advantage of the opportunity to claim credit.
Although this person has powerful methods, he can't find any fault in his governance. He can handle a county well enough.
When Yin Hong heard the words, he immediately stood up, bowed his hands and said: "Your Majesty, Boyang has completed the land clearing, including the re-registration of household registrations, in counties, villages, and poor mountains and rivers. , the unification of national policies, and the rule of law in the county.”
"Nowadays, people in all counties have acres of land to cultivate. Even some former refugees have reclaimed some wasteland with the support of the government. I dare not say how this year will be, but after the next year, every household will be able to have enough to eat."
The war had just ended and it was not easy to recover. Yin Hong did not boast about Haikou and was a pragmatic person.
Xiao Yuan nodded with satisfaction: "Well, I am very pleased with the ministers who love your government and are self-denial and diligent. I hope that you will uphold it and care about the country and the people, so that the people of Boyang can live and work in peace and prosperity."
Yin Hong was overjoyed when he was praised by the emperor. He hurriedly knelt down and said excitedly: "My lord, please remember your majesty's teachings! Never forget them for the rest of your life!"
"My dear, please heal quickly."
Xiao Yuan said something and then named him: "Yingyang."
The Yingyang County Sheriff hurriedly came out and saluted: "Your Majesty, Yingyang industry has completed policy unification and re-registration of household registration. At the same time, from October to December last year, bandits were suppressed three times and several places in the Xiaoju Mountain Forest were cleared. bandit"
During this great dynasty, county guards from all over the country came out to speak one after another. Until noon, at Xiao Yuan's signal, the imperial army began to move in a few cases one by one and placed them in front of each official.
Then wine and food were served, forming a unique banquet.
(End of chapter)
