Zhuang Zhou cleared his throat and simply told the historical process that he knew about in later generations:

“According to the first five-year plan, emphasis was placed on developing agricultural production.

We need to plant high-yield crop seeds on a large scale across the country.

In order to achieve this goal, land surveying must be carried out now.

With Chang'an as the center, the capital re-measured the land and fields and compiled them.

Based on this, all arable land in the country will be remeasured.

The imperial court wanted to fully control the country's arable land area.

This is the first strategic step the court will implement this year."

As soon as these words were spoken, Li Er immediately showed an incredible expression.

This idea is a bit too bold.

You know, as the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Li Er had long wanted to do such a thing.

But the power of the aristocratic families is so complicated and intertwined.

Even though he was the emperor, he was powerless.

Because most of the country's land is in the hands of the aristocratic families.

"Zhuang Zhou, have you ever thought about the obstacles you'll face if you try to remeasure the nation's arable land?"

Zhuang Zhou smiled and said:

"Of course I know. Isn't it the noble families who will stand up and oppose it?"

Li Er said silently.

Li Chengqian glanced at his father and remained silent.

Zhuang Zhou continued:

“The current practice of taxing people per head is not rational in the first place.

You know, most of the land is in the hands of wealthy and powerful families.

It is the farmers who actually cultivate the land, which means that the taxes still fall on the farmers.

If this continues, farmers' lives will only become more and more difficult.

You must know that water can carry a boat but can also capsize it. The people of the world are the water, and the court is the boat.

This is what it means to put the people first.”

As soon as the words fell, Li Chengqian continued:

"Mr. Zhuang, do you also know this sentence?"

"Yes! Isn't this known to everyone?"

Li Chengqian nodded and said:

"My father often taught me this: water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. The court must put the people first."

Zhuang Zhou thought about it and then remembered.

It seems that this sentence is really Li Er’s famous saying.

"Yes, I know. Your Majesty also said, 'Using copper as a mirror, one can adjust one's attire; using the past as a mirror, one can understand the rise and fall of things; using people as a mirror, one can understand gains and losses.'"

Now it was Li Chengqian's turn to be surprised.

He first looked at Zhuang Zhou, then his gaze fell on his father, his eyes clearly questioning.

But Li Er was puzzled and said:

"Zhuang Zhou, where did you hear that?

When did I ever say such a thing?"

“???”

Zhuang Zhou was stunned for a moment.

He remembered when he was cramming history books from the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty.

I saw it in "Old Book of Tang: Biography of Wei Zheng".

Li Er compared Wei Zheng to a mirror.

Why doesn’t Li Er admit it yet?

etc.

Just then.

Ural typed the message onto Zhuang Zhou's retina:

"Master, this happened after Wei Zheng's death."

“…”

Oh my god!

Only then did Zhuang Zhou realize that he had allowed this passage to be published prematurely.

And it came from his mouth.

It was equivalent to him saying Li Er's famous quote in advance.

Isn't this inappropriate? Walking in someone else's path and leaving them with nowhere to go?

Zhuang Zhou was a little embarrassed.

I had to force an explanation:

"Then it seems that I remembered it wrongly. Why do I remember that it was His Majesty who said it?"

Li Er laughed:

"Zhuang Zhou, you've even learned to flatter!"

All right!

Li Er actually thought that Zhuang Zhou was flattering him.

"Use a bronze mirror to adjust your attire.

Using the past as a mirror, we can understand the rise and fall of nations.

Using people as a mirror can help you understand your gains and losses.

That’s very well said!

Li Er's eyes were full of praise:

"You are truly worthy of being a great master. Cheng Qian is so lucky to have you as his teacher!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian nodded silently.

yes!

If one can come up with such philosophical words casually, then he must be a great man of his time.

The more Zhuang Zhou listened, the more embarrassed he felt.

This is clearly what Li Er said many years later.

This has now become a wise saying by Zhuang Zhou!

Li Er pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked solemnly:

"Zhuang Zhou, since you can say such profound words, you must have unique insights into how to govern a country and maintain its security.

I'd like to hear your opinion. How do you think the imperial court should reform so that the people can live and work in peace and contentment, and the country can enjoy long-term stability?

Zhuang Zhou's heart moved, knowing that this was an opportunity to showcase his talents.

He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty, governing a country and maintaining its security is not a one-day job.

However, I believe that the most important thing is to enforce fair laws and protect the rights of ordinary people."

Li Er nodded in agreement:

"Go on!"

Zhuang Zhou said, "Right now, if the imperial court wants to promote high-yield agricultural cultivation throughout the country, it should reform the agricultural system to make it more fair and reasonable."

Seeing that Li Er and Li Chengqian were listening attentively, Zhuang Zhou continued:

“For example, the land is no longer in the hands of farmers. Even if they can grow high-yield crops, in the end, the people will not get food and will still go hungry.

The real beneficiaries are the aristocratic and powerful families, and even the imperial court is wasting its efforts, with no increase in the national treasury revenue.

Li Chengqian interjected:

"Mr. Zhuang is absolutely right. This land is in the hands of the aristocratic families. If we collect taxes per head, they won't be able to pay much to the court."

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