Chapter 857: Promoting the Imperial Calendar
Zheng Changtu buried his thoughts deep in his heart. He scrolled through his circle of friends and actually found a breakthrough.
Early the next morning, he brought two bags of snacks to the door, but was nearly beaten out by his friend.
The former Lingtai Lang Wei Pu held a broom and yelled at Zheng Changtu: "Take your snacks and go back to Tianfu! I can't afford your food."
Zheng Changtu ignored him and squeezed into the courtyard. He put the snacks on the table and complained in a low voice: "I think of you in everything, but you still wrongly accuse me."
"What injustice have you been accused of? Injustice have you been accused of abandoning the people of the city and fleeing south?"
Zheng Changtu said aggrievedly: "What does this have to do with me? If the emperor wants to escape, how can I stop him? In his eyes, I am just a small shrimp, and my words are not as important as a breeze."
"snort!"
Zheng Changtu poured himself a glass of water with familiarity: "Duke Yun is recruiting talents everywhere, why don't you go? You are a Lingtai Lang after all. When it comes to observing the stars and checking the calendar, who can compare with you?"
Wei Pu curled his lips and said self-deprecatingly: "Duke Yun wants people who can do practical things. I can only observe the stars, so what's the use of that?"
"Duke Yun doesn't plan to make an imperial calendar?"
Wei Pu shook his head.
The imperial calendar began with the "Rishu" in the Warring States Period. Later, the "Zhuanxu Calendar" was promoted in the Qin Dynasty. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty promulgated the "Taichu Calendar", which included the 24 solar terms into the calendar for the first time, established the first month as the beginning of the year, and laid the framework for the later yellow calendar.
In the ninth year of the Dahe reign of Emperor Wenzong of the Tang Dynasty, the government adopted woodblock printing of the "Xuanming Calendar". This was the first official calendar printed by woodblock printing. Because it was issued by the emperor, it was called the "Imperial Calendar".
The calendar of the Tang Dynasty added new numerology such as "gods and demons" and "Twelve Straights", forming the "Complete Calendar", which marked that the lunar calendar had both calendar and auspiciousness selection functions.
Until the Great Zhou Dynasty, the imperial calendar was divided into two versions, the official version and the abridged civilian version.
Because paper is expensive, the civilian version of the imperial calendar has not been widely popularized among the people.
Zheng Changtu said mysteriously: "I'll give you a chance to make a contribution."
"Oh."
"Go and ask to see Duke Yun and suggest that she compile the imperial calendar for the coming year. Formulating a calendar is a symbol of destiny, and she will definitely not refuse."
"That's it?"
"Why are you in such a hurry? Let me explain slowly. All the agronomists among the various schools of thought have submitted to Duke Yun. I heard that they are guiding production in various parts of Yunzhou and even distributing pamphlets. In my opinion, we can completely combine farming with the almanac. In addition, we can add columns such as "Sixty Zodiac Signs for Uterine Contraction" and "International" to make the imperial calendar a guide for people's lives! Isn't this a great achievement?"
Wei Pu was moved, but still had some concerns: "Will Duke Yun be willing?"
Zheng Changtu said firmly, "I will definitely agree. Duke Yun has always wanted to educate the people. If the almanac can really be as relevant to all aspects of people's lives as I said, it will be of great use. Moreover, if the printing factory can print books at such a low price, it can definitely reduce the price of the imperial calendar so that every household can afford it."
The next day, Wei Pu went to ask for an audience with Duke Yun.
After hearing what he said, Gu Nanxi remembered that she had indeed forgotten about the imperial calendar.
When a new dynasty is established, a new calendar must be promulgated to declare the legitimacy of the regime.
When ethnic regimes in border areas surrendered, they would ask for calendars as a symbol of submission to the central dynasty.
The envoys from Gaochang and other three kingdoms have not left Kyoto, probably waiting for me to bestow the calendar.
Gu Nanxi patted his head and smiled bitterly: "Everything is difficult at the beginning. This is my first time to be an emperor. I have no experience. I thought they were having a great time in Kyoto."
Unexpectedly, they were quite worldly-wise. Knowing that Gu Nanxi had not ordered a new calendar, they did not urge her.
"Thanks for the reminder."
Wei Pu said honestly: "My good friend Zheng Changtu told me."
Turns out it was him.
Gu Nanxi understood what he meant. After rewarding Wei Pu, he summoned many people, including Shen Kuo, to discuss the compilation of the almanac and have a meal.
Shen Kuo had wanted to bring up this matter a long time ago, but he had never known how to start. Now that Duke Yun had taken the initiative to bring it up, he quickly said, "Duke Yun cares about the world, and this is the respect of the world."
Lumei secretly laughed in her heart. Mr. Chen was really not good at flattering people. His words were obviously sincere, but they were so fake that they were unbearable to watch.
No wonder he was never valued in the past. Thanks to Duke Yun’s keen eye, he was given the opportunity to display his talents.
As the first person to propose the idea, Zheng Changtu was naturally invited to the banquet.
This is exactly what he wanted!
He was so excited that his heart was trembling. He quickly put down his chopsticks and saluted Duke Yun.
"Duke Yun, I was born and raised in Kyoto. I always like to walk around and take a look. Kyoto used to be like a raging fire. It looked like a riot of colour on the outside, but in reality, the gap between the rich and the poor was huge. In the shadows, people's lives were difficult."
After saying this, he wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes with his sleeves and choked up, "I felt sorry for the people who abandoned Kyoto and went south, but I could do nothing about it. Until I returned to Kyoto this time, I saw that everyone had clothes to wear and food to eat. Even the beggars on the roadside have become much fewer. Merchants have reduced their taxes, and farmers have cultivated their fields, and everyone is doing their job."
He raised his head, his eyes sparkling, "I was just trying to mention the matter of the imperial calendar, but I didn't expect you to take this little matter of the people to heart. This is the true heart of an emperor, the heart of a wise ruler!"
Wei Pu looked at his friend in surprise.
Good man, he is so good at flattering! I really misjudged you, Zheng Changtu!
If you use this skill on the Emperor of Great Zhou, wouldn't you be promoted quickly? !
Gu Nanxi laughed out loud to cover up her embarrassment.
Since the reform of civil service administration, few people have been flattering me like this in front of me.
It sounds a bit strange when I first hear it.
After the banquet, Gu Nanxi handed over the task of compiling the imperial calendar to Wei Pu and Shen Kuo.
After seeing everyone off, Gu Nanxi lay down on the bamboo chair to enjoy the cool air.
Green Plum fanned herself gently, and finally asked the question that everyone was concerned about: "Master, when do you plan to become king?"
To be a king, one must be worthy of heaven above, worthy of the earth below, and also support the people in between.
How great is the responsibility?
Gu Nanxi looked at the stars in the sky, with complicated thoughts. Can she do it?
A gentleman will hide himself when there is no virtue, and come out when there is virtue. If this chaotic world needs me, I will come out!
"Let Wei Pu count it as a good day."
Lumei's fan fell to the ground with a click, and the joy in her eyes almost overflowed.
The master is finally planning to ascend the throne!
Great news!
"Okay! Okay! I'll go find him now!"
Calculating a date is not so easy. Wei Pu must calculate an excellent day to bless the new dynasty for thousands of years!
What else do you need to prepare?
Lumei's head was buzzing and she was like a headless fly. She had no idea what to do and had completely lost her usual composure.
Gu Nanxi laughed at her: "Why are you in such a hurry? Wei Pu drank a lot of wine and was carried away by Zheng Changtu."
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