Since the emperor ascended the throne, the Han Dynasty's finances have been rising for two consecutive years, and the country's strength and people's livelihoods have gradually improved. The entire Han Dynasty is showing a thriving scene, so everyone is full of energy.

Of course, behind everyone's enthusiasm was the fact that each person received a reward ranging from a few hundred thousand to a million dollars.

In short, as long as the Han Dynasty's finances are good and the Royal Merchant Guild makes money, all officials will get a share.

Officials did not slack off after the autumn harvest. In accordance with the national policy of the five-year plan, they began to carry out work on the migration of displaced people and more detailed population screening.

Nowadays, the imperial court and local governments, while not exactly wealthy, are quite confident and have issued various policies to relocate displaced people, guiding them to Guanzhong, Guanxi and other places.

On August 25th, an imperial conference was held in the Deyang Hall.

In addition to ministers such as Chen Fan, Hu Guang, Li Ying, Yuan Feng, Cao Song, Huangfu Gui, and Dou Wu, people from the royal merchant guild, including Lü Qiang and Zhao Zhong, were also present.

Everyone sat around a round table, and all eyes were on Liu Hong behind the throne.

Liu Hong picked up the baton from the imperial desk, then stood up and went to the bottom of the map of the Great Han Dynasty. He accurately tapped the baton on the spot of Chengde.

"My lords, now that the Han Dynasty's finances are ample and commerce has achieved initial interconnection, it is time to put the matter of Chengde New City on the agenda!"

As Liu Hong finished speaking, everyone in the hall nodded in agreement.

Under Liu Hong's guidance, all the ministers present have now placed the first step in the empire's future expansion in the Northeast.

Chengde New City is the most crucial step in the future development of Northeast China, so everyone naturally attaches great importance to its construction.

Liu Hong then turned to Yuan Feng and asked, "Master, how's the situation at the cement plant?"

Yuan Feng, whose name was called, stood up, then took out a report and said, "Your Majesty, according to the reports from the craftsmen who went to Youzhou, the mountain stone materials there are of good quality and can be used to make concrete on the spot!"

"Alright! After we go down there, the School of Engineering will immediately organize personnel to go to Yuyang to prepare for the construction of the new cement plant!"

"promise!!"

Then Liu Hong looked at Li Ying and asked, "What's the situation in Youzhou?"

Li Ying stood up and reported: "Your Majesty, according to Lu Zigan's report, Qiu Liju, Nanlou and others have been fighting fiercely with the northern Shefu."

Murong Tu of the Eastern Xianbei also raided various tribes of the Southern Wuhuan on several occasions.

Goguryeo invaded Buyeo and has occupied most of Buyeo's territory.

All the people they captured were sold to royal merchants and powerful families. Currently, the northeastern tribes are not short of grain and salt, therefore they have no intention of invading!

Liu Hong frowned: "How can Goguryeo be so useless? Why haven't they taken down Buyeo after all this time?"

Li Ying gave a wry smile: "Your Majesty, Goguryeo is not the Han army..."

"Uh~!"

Li Ying's words left Liu Hong speechless for a moment.

Liu Hong then said, "Send a message to Lu Zigan, asking him to secretly help Goguryeo! And make preparations for stationing troops in Chengde!"

"promise!!"

Liu Hong then looked at Lü Qiang: "How many slaves has the Royal Trading Company purchased so far?"

Lu Qiang said, "Your Majesty, since the issuance of the slave purchase decree, a total of 80,000 able-bodied men and women, 20,000 children, and 30,000 elderly people have been purchased in the three prefectures of You, Bing, and Liang!"

The able-bodied men have been transported to Hebei, Qinghai, and Yanzhou to establish factories, while the elderly and young children have been sent to Jiuquan and Zhangye to oversee horse breeding at the Royal Horse Ranch!

Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction and continued to ask, "What about the other aristocratic families and workshop owners?"

"Your Majesty, since the issuance of the slave purchase decree, apart from the royal trading companies, they have purchased a total of 40,000 Qiang people, 30,000 Shi people, 20,000 Xianbei people, 30,000 Xiongnu people from the north and south, 50,000 Wuju Hanhui people, 30,000 Wuhuan people from the north and south, and 10,000 Han people from the Three Hans, totaling approximately 210,000 people!"

Liu Hong frowned: "Hmm, there aren't many people here. In the next few years, with the construction of factories, there will be a large number of slaves needed in various places. The Royal Trading Company should also make preparations in advance."

After the troops were stationed in Chengde, people were arranged to go to western Liaoning, eastern Liaoning, and Youbeiping to prepare for the establishment of factories!

"promise!!"

Then Liu Hong looked at Chen Fan and asked, "Grand Tutor, are the preparations for this year's trade fair complete?"

Chen Fan stood up and said, "The imperial court has issued official documents to the prefects of You, Bing and Liang prefectures. The grain, salt and other supplies in the local granaries have been prepared and the quotas for each household have been preliminarily determined."

As they were talking, Chen Fan took out a report and handed it to Liu Hong.

Nowadays, all reports use the format and simplified Chinese numbers customized by Liu Hong.

Therefore, Liu Hong only glanced at the report and understood all the data on it.

Looking at the report showing roughly the same share and number of families as last year, Liu Hong couldn't help but frown.

Then Liu Hong looked at Chen Fan and said in a deep voice, "Double the share again. In addition to the existing families, families in the various states of Jiangnan can also be allocated some. We can't let all the money be earned by the families in the north, can we?"

"But Your Majesty, isn't it inappropriate for large quantities of grain and salt to flow into foreign lands?" Chen Fan immediately became anxious.

"Grand Tutor, you are overthinking it. In the past, we restricted sales because our Han Dynasty was not even able to supply its own needs. Now that we have more resources, we should naturally sell more."

Liu Hong smiled and continued, "A pound of grain can sell for 250 coins in their lands. Although the surrounding foreign lands benefit, the Han Dynasty profits even more. Therefore, the longer this continues, the greater the gap will become between them and the Han Dynasty!"

"Your Majesty's words are reasonable! It was I who was short-sighted!" Chen Fan said, bowing sincerely.

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