Chapter 166 Holding the Line 78

Liu Bang's eyes widened, but the thought of "I knew it" flashed through his mind. Ordinary things could not move her heart unless she really wanted them.

His gaze fell on the black chess piece. Preparations for war are often lengthy, but if he could save most of the steps, it would indirectly increase his own forces. It wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

It wasn't just to appease them, but also to intimidate them. Although the Xiongnu had annexed many surrounding countries, quite a few remained.

If we show weakness in this battle, won't all those jackals and tigers want a piece of the pie?

He had finally gained control of the world, and he didn't want to hand it over so easily. Besides, even though they were a bit poor, they still had the advantage of convenient logistics.

Thinking of this, Liu Bang immediately agreed: "No problem. Even if I can't do it, my son must be able to. If my son can't, my grandson must be able to."

'Han' gave him a deep look: 'Hehe'.

Liu Bang didn't even dare to raise his hand to wipe away his cold sweat. He brazenly asked, "So, since you're so prescient, could you...?"

The Han dynasty uttered a short sentence: "An edict affixed with the Imperial Seal of the State."

Liu Bang understood immediately and felt at ease to make the arrangements. However, halfway through, he remembered something very important. He extended the promised time not because he wanted to renege on his promise, but because expanding territory was a great achievement. Who wouldn't want their posthumous achievements to look good?

Mentioning his son and grandson was also to appease the Han people and, incidentally, to express his determination to strengthen the nation.

But then again, Liu Ying doesn't seem to be a... 'ambitious' crown prince.

It's better to rely on Liu Ying's son, who is also his grandson, than on him.

As the imperial edicts for building national temples were issued in various places, Liu Bang also went to Liu Ying and gave him a verbal order, telling him that if he had a son, he should bring him over to raise when he was three years old.

The first three years are unnecessary; he doesn't want to hear his baby crying in the middle of the night.

After the age of three? The sensible crown prince had already started learning to read and write, so why would he cry?

This time, it absolutely won't be like Liu Ying; he wants to raise a grandson who resembles him!

Liu Bang was also clueless. In short, his imagination was wonderful, but he didn't consider that his son Liu Ying with Lü Zhi was already like this. Could Liu Ying's child really be up to the task?

…………

Two more months passed quickly, and the side hall that was built the fastest was the one in Xianyang City and the one in the northern frontier.

During the construction, Liu Bang was preparing provisions. Once the side hall was completed, after receiving the letter prepared by the northern frontier, he personally supervised the transport of provisions into the side hall and personally wrote an edict to allocate provisions and affixed the Imperial Seal of the State.

In the presence of numerous officials in charge of logistics at the imperial palace, and as well as many founding generals, ministers, and nobles, the grain piled up in the side hall of the temple vanished completely after Liu Bang presented the edict to the statue of the deity. Not a single grain of grain was left behind.

The official holding the account book was stunned. He staggered into the wide-open side hall, disregarding his image, and knelt on the ground, digging at the bluestone slabs.

As soon as he rushed in, the others in charge of supplies couldn't stand still either. They all rushed into the side hall, forgetting their colleagues and the emperor present, only stunned by what they saw.

Seeing his colleagues crawling around on the ground, disregarding their dignity, the scene was completely silent. After a moment of stunned silence, the imperial censor who was recording the emperor's daily life immediately picked up his pen and wrote down the scene before him.

However, he quickly became serious, coughed to remind the disrespectful officials, and then led them to the main hall to respectfully perform the second half of the simplified sacrificial ceremony.

Instead of simply sending grain directly, he not only added conditions for using the imperial edict, but also complicated the process himself.

It's not for any other reason than a small tactic to maintain control, all to create momentum for themselves.

The foundations previously used to build the Epang Palace have all become the site of the State Temple, and perhaps the State Treasury will also be moved nearby in the future.

After offering incense to the 'Han', he led his men to wait in a side hall closest to the main hall.

This was planned when the side hall was built, specifically to receive official letters sent from the local area.

The reason we're waiting here now is to await Meng Tian's reply; after sending so much grain, there must be a receipt.

Liu Bang stared intently at the small altar in the middle of the room, his anxiety not stemming from doubt about the abilities of the Han dynasty, but from the growing tension and excitement he felt as he mentally calculated the situation.

It's one thing to suffer significant losses during the daily transport of grain and fodder, but some people also engage in extortion and bribery. We turn a blind eye to things that aren't too outrageous, waiting to settle accounts later.

But this method clearly eliminates the middleman's profit margin, allowing supplies to reach the front lines directly.

In the future, could taxes collected from various regions be sent directly here, then categorized and managed, and could even have the number of tax officials reduced to save expenses?

Normally, the number of tax officials is enormous because of the losses incurred in transporting tax grain on the road. Now, there's no need to calculate that; they can just be categorized and put into storage. Those people can also be incorporated into the National Temple and serve as temple staff on weekdays, thus reducing their salary. He's truly a genius!

Liu Bang was in a very good mood and had already begun to plan where to start laying off employees.

He was truly a frugal and unextravagant emperor.

…………

Because he was eager to reduce the cost by dismissing officials in this area, Liu Bang issued an edict to all parts of the country urging them to complete the construction as soon as possible, preferably before the tax collection period this year.

If the construction is completed before next year, 30% of this year's taxes will be waived.

Because it did not mention reducing the number of officials, the order was issued smoothly. The officials below only thought it was to promote sacrificial culture and to be good people who respect their ancestors and love their country.

However, the wise man also sensed something unusual. In order to stabilize the court, Liu Bang issued another edict, arranging for Fan Kuai to quell the rebellion.

This kind of war to quell the rebellion was practically a chance to reap the rewards, so positions were also allocated as a form of appeasement.

Liu Bang sneered and noted down these disloyal people. Just wait and see, these people will be working for him and will thank him!

Without the excessively large logistics component in the marching column, it must be said that the battle was fought more efficiently.

If food is scarce, one can simply find the national temple in a nearby city controlled by the Han dynasty and submit a petition. The petition will go directly to the emperor's ears without any intermediate twists and turns.

Liu Bang never hesitated to provide food and manpower to those who had helped him conquer the empire.

He has no one else around, but I'll make sure next time.

Thus, with two wars fought simultaneously, one against external forces and the other against internal ones, not only did the generals fighting on the front lines enjoy themselves, but the emperor himself also enjoyed himself. With ample provisions and soldiers well-fed and clothed, their swords were not at all ineffective!

Liu Bang knew perfectly well that the grain and fodder all came from the national treasury, which was essentially his own. If it were embezzled, the one who would be most heartbroken would not be the generals fighting on the front lines, but him, the one who provided the grain and manpower!

Now, not only is transportation convenient, but it also deters those officials, big and small, who think they are far from the emperor and attempt to act as local tyrants.

However, Liu Bang still did not require local officials to directly explain all matters, large and small, to the imperial court. He still used many people to manage the country. He was not a workaholic and did not want to die of exhaustion on the throne.

Liu Bang: Today is also a day to give thanks to our motherland~

…………

With the support from Xianyang, the northern border was secured, and the country was now sharpening its sword in preparation for the future.

It can be said that for the first time, those soldiers stationed on the frontier experienced a day when they had enough to eat. Normally, life here is harsh and cold, and they can't grow much food. The military rations sent to them are also limited in quantity. It is difficult enough for people to survive, let alone dream of having enough to eat.

However, this time, in order to defend the north, or rather, to prepare for a proactive attack later, His Majesty allocated a lot of grain to them and sent special officials to teach them how to farm. It can be said that many of the people in the vicinity remember Liu Bang's kindness and also like to spontaneously go to the national temple to worship 'Han'.

This national temple is much smaller than the one built by the imperial court, but it was a replica built spontaneously by the local people. Out of gratitude, they even made a memorial tablet for Liu Bang and put it inside.

They are easily satisfied. As long as they know that His Majesty, whom they regard as heaven, has them in his heart, and as long as they can live well, they will serve the Han people and firmly defend this place. This is the will of the people.

If Liu Bang found out, he would probably pretend to be angry but secretly feel smug and say: "Your Excellency is not dead yet."

…………

By the time traces of national temples appeared in larger cities across the country, it was already the third year of the Han Dynasty, the third year of Liu Bang's reign as king and the second year as emperor.

In one year, he promoted many people to quell rebellions of all sizes in the country. He was not afraid of having too many talented people, but rather of having too few.

He hadn't forgotten the gift he promised 'Han', and was even thinking that it would seem more sincere for him to go and collect it in person.

Liu Bang mastered the skill of personally leading troops into battle without a teacher during his three years in the Han Dynasty, but the earlier test came not from the Xiongnu in the north, but from the high temperature and heat.

…………

On this day, the Han emperor was still in his palace, holding a fan and impatiently fanning himself.

Even when Liu Bang asked her out of curiosity, "Does the spirit of the nation feel hot?", her tone became even more aggressive: "Go outside and touch the ground before asking this question again."

She closed her eyes and fanned herself twice more.

Liu Bang could not feel the wind she was fanning, nor could he see the slightest trace of sweat on her forehead.

Her agitated state made him uneasy.

What does the high temperature and heatwave indicate?

In dreams, nothing might happen, but in reality, there might be a reduction in food production, which is still considered good. In worse cases, there might be severe drought, famine, or even, in the worst case, cannibalism.

What she said next only confirmed his bad suspicions: "Instead of just loitering around here, why don't you go and prepare for disaster relief?"

Her additional words shattered his last shred of hope: "Kanto is too hot."

Liu Bang's expression turned serious, and he solemnly said, "I will go now."

Since the completion of a palace specially built within the National Temple area, the places where 'Han' occasionally appears have changed. In her words, she is simply too lazy to watch the lively scenes in the palace.

Although the frequency of 'Han' appearing in the palace has dropped drastically, he is still glad that 'Han' will not suddenly appear in the palace.

He could risk his life for the Han, but he absolutely could not do anything like that to amuse his relatives. When the Han moved to a different place, he said those things, and he didn't dare ask what the Han had seen, for fear of being beaten out on the spot.

Now, he often strolls around behind the temple, and it's best if he occasionally bumps into a 'Han'.

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Author's Note: This is clearly slander. She went on a date last night and wasn't in the palace at all. Tsk.