Chen Zilong, who was devoted to agriculture, was not very familiar with the cement mentioned by the others, so he asked curiously. After getting the answer, his eyes lit up.
"It's not resistant to water erosion, and it's still very strong when bonded to bricks! This is a great thing, and it will be very useful in Liaodong construction."
Chen Zilong counted on his fingers and said, "Paving roads is fine, building houses is fine, and building water conservancy projects is even better, right? That's it! When I recommend this to the Governor, he will surely be overjoyed."
Wang Jizhong blinked and said tentatively, "Lord Wu, can you give us an official position to serve in Liaodong?"
"As long as Lord Wu submits his petition, His Majesty will certainly approve it," Chen Zilong said confidently. "Your Majesty fully supports the reconstruction of Liaodong. The officials selected by the Ministry of Personnel will also need Lord Wu's approval before they can be appointed."
Xu Fuyuan and others looked at each other but had not yet made a final decision.
The key point is that the positioning of this academy of sciences is rather special. Although they also have ranks, it is really unclear which ministry they belong to.
The emperor did not incorporate the Academy of Sciences into the bureaucratic system. Giving ranks to personnel who focused on scientific research was also in line with the values of society at the time and to better retain more talents.
Of course, if they are sent, they will not be government officials, but experts.
"Let's ask Lord Sun tomorrow," Wang Jizhong said uncertainly. "We need to find out what position and identity he will be in when he goes to Liaodong."
Everyone thought this was a feasible solution, so they dropped the topic and started chatting and laughing casually.
The pacification of Liaodong is a blessing for the country and a blessing for the people.
From a small perspective, the Liao tribute was no longer collected, which relieved the burden on ordinary people and allowed them to live a peaceful life. From a large perspective, there were many more official positions available and more land available for cultivation.
Although the emperor believed that Liaodong should be populated gradually and developed in a planned manner.
But all the work that needed to be done was done. The Liao people who moved into the interior of the country were completely voluntary in returning home, and the court introduced policies to provide as much protection as possible.
A three-year interest-free loan was offered, with each household being able to apply for a maximum of thirty silver dollars. The government also provided farmers with oxen, farm tools, and seeds on credit at a fixed price, with repayments to be made within three years.
If you feel you have the ability to repay, then you can return to your homeland and cultivate the land. Taxes will be waived in the first year, half in the second year, and the normal rate in the third year.
The imperial court had already done its utmost to introduce such preferential policies. In fact, the cost of Liaodong's restoration and reconstruction was no less than that of the war.
There was no other way. Suddenly, there were hundreds of thousands of liberated Liao people, who had little property and were crying out for food.
The emperor had racked his brains, using every possible method. The newly appointed Liaodong Governor, Wu Yongxian, had been extremely busy these past few days, preparing for his new post after the New Year.
This is different from taking up a new post in other places. The organization is complete and the staff is in place, except for him as the superior.
Liaodong had just been restored, leaving him with practically nothing. He had to bring a large number of officials to manage an unfamiliar place. Although some Liao people like Wang Yining offered assistance, they were still too few.
After arriving in Liaodong, they had to settle down first, and then count the population, measure the land, demarcate and register the land for the Liao people, distribute loans, oxen, farm tools, seeds, etc. It was a very complicated and intricate process.
Fortunately, the emperor had already done a lot of work for him. The reconstruction plan was detailed, and the officials drawn from various departments were all capable and had excellent evaluations.
The emperor spared no effort in supporting Wu Yongxian, asking for people, money and materials, and he would not delay in satisfying any request that could be fulfilled.
Wu Yongxian had just sent away several new officials from Liaodong who were discussing matters with him when he received a reward from the emperor from the palace maids, a box of century-old ginseng.
After expressing his gratitude, Wu Yong sent the palace maid away. Despite being tired at the late hour, he returned to his study and began to review the documents.
Even Wu Yongxian, a veteran official with extensive experience in the region, was impressed by the emperor's plans for Liaodong's reconstruction. The emperor's ideas were broad and his methods were numerous, some of which Wu Yongxian had never seen or heard of before.
Because of this, Wu Yong first had to study and ponder it more and fully understand it before he could implement it effectively and without deviation.
If agriculture, industry, commerce and transportation are developed simultaneously, and Liaodong's rich resources are developed and utilized, the country will become prosperous within ten years.
Even in the event of a major disaster, newly introduced crops such as potatoes, rye, corn, and sweet potatoes are much easier to grow and process than wheat and rice, which require intensive cultivation.
Most importantly, the black soil in Northeast China is fertile, and there is a vast amount of arable land available for cultivation. In contrast, the South has a large population and little arable land, and the shortage of arable land per capita has restricted its agricultural development.
The Nanyang region, also vast and sparsely populated, was more valuable for development and was therefore highly valued by the emperor. If the problems in the south and north could be resolved, the great disaster could be largely averted.
It's immigration. People move from densely populated areas to less densely populated areas, to less developed areas. Domestically, this includes Dongfan, Hainan, and Liaodong; overseas, besides Mekong Province, there will be more enclaves.
Wu Yongxian didn't think so much. He only focused his attention on the Liaodong area that he was going to rebuild and govern.
"Master." The lady pushed the door open and came in, personally serving soup. "Please take care of yourself and get some rest."
Wu Yongxian nodded with a smile, motioned his wife to sit down, and said, "Your Majesty is so favored by me that I can only devote myself to your service and die in service."
"What are you talking about, Master?" the lady said angrily. "Didn't you also work diligently and tirelessly as the Governor of Ji and Liao?"
Wu Yongxian waved his hand and said, "Madam, that's different! The reconstruction of Liaodong does not mean restoring the original official system and governing according to the original methods. Your Majesty is determined to make progress and regards Liaodong as the first place to test. Whether it succeeds is related to the fate of the Ming Dynasty and your grand ambitions."
"Is it so important?" The lady, a middle-aged woman, didn't quite understand. "The Jianlu have been defeated. Shouldn't the Ming Dynasty's national destiny be flourishing?"
Wu Yongxian chuckled and said, "Your Majesty has a far-sighted vision, and it's not limited to the short term. Speaking of the short term, a dozen years of peace will not be a problem."
"I don't understand." The lady shook her head and said, "I only know that the master is the governor appointed by His Majesty, a high-ranking official whom His Majesty trusts."
Wu Yongxian stroked his beard and smiled. He felt relieved to hear this. He knew that his family would not lie to him. This was indeed the feeling.
The lady served Wu Yong the soup while it was still hot. After some hesitation, she finally said, "Master, your distant relative is here to visit you again today. Or is it about taking him to Liaodong?"
Wu Yongxian frowned and said, "First, he wasn't sent by the Emperor, and second, he wasn't selected by the Ministry of Personnel. He has no achievements to his name. Taking him to Liaodong is neither legitimate nor justifiable, and will only invite criticism."
"He doesn't want an official position either, he just wants to be the master's personal attendant." The lady advised: "When he arrives in Liaodong, if he is suitable, he can become a minor official and work his way up. Whether he can be promoted to a higher position depends on his own ability."
Wu Yong thought about it for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I'm afraid he's using my name as your husband to do something illegal. Since I brought him to Liaodong, I can't shirk my responsibility."
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