The king and his ministers parted on bad terms!
Soon, Liu Zhao gained a reputation as a prodigal son.
People were saying that the emperor wasted money and didn't treat it seriously, so it wasn't an exaggeration to call him a tyrant.
It can be said that Liu Zhao was the most controversial emperor in the more than 200 years of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
He was bold and enterprising, expanding territory, improving people's livelihood, reducing taxes, reducing corvée labor, promoting commerce, establishing free schools, and strengthening the military...
With these series of measures, he is definitely qualified to be called a wise ruler.
At the same time, he launched a massive purge, fought against the imperial court, destroyed the ancestral system, changed traditions, deprived the gentry class of their exemption from taxes and corvée labor, and now he is even learning to squander his wealth...
It is not an exaggeration to call him a tyrant.
The common people lack knowledge and are easily instigated by scholars.
Rumors have already spread among the common people that the current emperor is a prodigal son.
The common people in Beijing are the calmest people in the world.
After years of being brainwashed by newspapers, my mind has become slightly clearer.
I learned a lesson: you can't just listen to one side of the story.
As expected.
Not long after, "Da Zhou Life Show" and "Shanhe Academy News" simultaneously published the "Anonymous" article.
The article analyzes the necessity of building roads from the perspectives of history, economy, military, people's livelihood, regional structure, future influence, etc.
Is it necessary to build roads?
Very necessary!
Throughout the dynasties, they were always forced to defend against invasions from northern tribes, and only in very rare cases did they choose to launch an attack.
Because throughout the dynasties, there was no preparation in the north, outside the northwest border. Not to mention effective defense measures.
Once the war breaks out, the foreign troops will march southward, penetrate deep into the Central Plains, and smoke of war will rise everywhere.
The losses and casualties are several times, dozens of times, or even hundreds of times the cost of building the road.
We cannot ignore history and the aggressiveness of foreign races just because there is no war in the northwest.
Anyone with a brain and the ability to think ahead should understand that they should make arrangements early while there is no war.
Road construction is one part of the overall situation.
The Ministry of Revenue didn’t spend a penny, so what are you complaining about?
"Anonymous" did not forget to criticize all the court officials at the end of the article, saying that they were all short-sighted.
All I can see is the three acres of land in front of me.
Although such people are not corrupt or evil officials, they are definitely stupid officials who will cause harm for a hundred years.
The dynasties of the past were destroyed by this group of short-sighted officials.
All officials, treat the symptoms rather than the root cause.
Little did he know that his body was already terminally ill.
Instead of taking drastic measures to eliminate the root cause of the problem, he just wants to muddle through and get through his term.
If this isn’t a stupid official, what is?
Generation after generation of stupid officials dragged the dynasty down, and they even had the nerve to blame those who tried to save the situation.
I don’t know who gave them the face.
Could it be that I was born with a big face?
Once the article was published, it caused a sensation in the city.
Merchants from other places also rushed to buy newspapers and magazines and send them back home.
The words used in "Anonymous"'s article were really sharp, vicious and harsh. What's more, he cursed all the court officials and officials in the world.
Is this to make enemies with the officialdom of the world?
"I don't know the origin of this 'Anonymous'. She calls all the officials stupid, and she's not afraid of offending them at all. Could she be the Empress in the palace?"
"This writing style doesn't look like it!"
"Could it be that you have seen the Queen's article?"
"I've had the pleasure of taking a look occasionally. The Empress's writing is magnificent, but not incisive or venomous. It's obvious that this article was written by a seasoned veteran, perhaps someone we're familiar with at the newspaper, simply using a different pen name."
"The pen name Anonymous is obviously to hide one's identity."
"This 'Anonymous' has published articles before, and seems to have a deep understanding of Northwest China and its history. His articles are as sharp as ever. However, this time, in addition to being sharp, they are also full of venom and insults."
Compared to the content of the article and the group of officials who were scolded, everyone seemed to be more curious about the identity of "Anonymous".
I wonder what kind of person would have the courage to curse all the officials in the world in one article.
It’s really awesome!
Someone went to Huang Qubing to inquire.
Huang Qubing naturally pretended to be stupid.
Does he dare to tell the truth?
Of course not!
His Royal Highness the Prince of Qi was definitely the next emperor. How could he dare to reveal the next emperor's pen name?
…
When the newspaper was delivered to the palace, Liu Zhao slammed the table and laughed out loud.
"Good scolding! These officials deserve to be scolded."
Liu Zhao ran to Chang'an Palace excitedly and shared his feelings with Gu Jiu.
There was a pile of drawings on Gu Jiu's desk.
The drawings were covered with lines that most people couldn't understand.
Liu Zhao's attention was instantly attracted.
He leaned forward and asked curiously, "What is this?"
Gu Jiu said softly, "This is the design draft of the self-ringing clock."
"What chime clock?"
An unfamiliar word poured into Liu Zhao's ears.
Gu Jiu said, "It's a clock that can tell time and tell the time. It's very bulky."
"A clock that can tell time? There's such a thing? This is the blueprint for a clock? Has it been built?"
"It hasn't been made yet. As long as the technical difficulties are not overcome, it will not be made. This is the sketch sent by someone from Renqiu. The Polytechnic Institute has already had some preliminary ideas for the design of the clock and is trying to make one."
Liu Zhao sighed in admiration, "I really want to see what that clock you mentioned that can tell the time looks like right away. This diagram looks very complicated! Can the Queen understand it?"
Gu Jiu shook his head. "I don't fully understand! I'm trying to understand what's on the drawing."
"Why did Renqiu send you the blueprints?"
Gu Jiu said softly, "I gave him a small suggestion. We can try to divide the twelve hours of the day into twenty-four hours. The clock can be designed as a circle with twelve scales. One rotation is six hours, twelve hours. Two rotations is one day. This involves the issue of the degree of the circle, which is very troublesome!"
Gu Jiu didn't know much, so he couldn't discuss this topic in depth.
She continued, "In order to create a clock, Renqiu has gathered the world's most powerful divination experts to form a team. The third brother was here just now. He said he wants to resign from his job at the Audit Department and go to the Polytechnic Institute to join the team. He also said that with his divination skills, he can definitely help. The purpose of Renqiu sending this blueprint is also to hope that I will agree to the third brother going to the Polytechnic Institute to help and officially join their team."
"Renqiu has a good plan!" Liu Zhao complained. "I don't know how he convinced the third brother. He actually wants to join their team and build clocks with them."
Gu Jiu said, "Because this team is doing innovative work, it is very attractive to someone like Lao San who likes to delve into numerology. However, the work of the Audit Department is mostly routine, which obviously can no longer satisfy Lao San's ambition in numerology."
"Did you promise the third brother?"
Gu Jiu nodded. "I told him that once he finished last quarter's accounts, he could go to the Polytechnic Institute."
Liu Zhao was very curious. "This polytechnic has so few students, yet it burns through money every day. What on earth is going on?"
There are not many students in the Polytechnic Institute, only about a thousand.
But it brought together the most powerful Mohists, eclecticists, various master craftsmen, and outstanding figures in various disciplines in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.
The annual expenditure is three or four times that of the Zhixing Academy next door.
It's simply a money-eating beast.
Liu Zhao has always been curious about where all the money went.
I am also very curious that Gu Jiu has been indulging in such huge expenses.
Give me whatever amount you want!
The same is true for medical schools, which are also big spenders.
However, Liu Zhao at least understood the significance and benefits of running a medical school, which would benefit the present and future generations.
He was really confused by the amount of money the Polytechnic Institute was burning.
The clock sketch placed on the table today revealed a corner of the mystery of the Polytechnic Institute to Liu Zhao.
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Do you know who Universal Steel relies on to update its weapons? It relies on the Polytechnic Institute for technical support. Without the Polytechnic Institute's technology, Universal Steel's weapons update project would be impossible to carry out."
Liu Zhao blinked. "The Polytechnic Institute is researching weapons updates?"
"It's not just about researching and updating traditional weapons, but more importantly, developing completely new weapons, weapons that can revolutionize the landscape of warfare."
Gu Jiu kept the question in suspense and did not elaborate.
However, Liu Zhao developed a great interest in science and engineering.
"From what I know, people from the Polytechnic rarely leave the campus and don't interact with students from other colleges. People outside say that the teachers and students of the Polytechnic are a bunch of crazy people."
"I disagree with calling them crazy. I agree, though, that they're madmen. They're simply passionate about research and less inclined to socialize. The polytechnic environment, with its unlimited R&D funding and free food, clothing, and shelter, fully meets their needs. Naturally, they don't need to leave the campus."
"They really are a bunch of weird people. Could it be that the third brother will become like this after going to the Polytechnic Institute?"
Liu Zhao suddenly became worried.
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "I told the third brother that he should take at least two days off every month and come back to the palace to have two meals with us."
Liu Zhao nodded, "That's about right."
It is worrying when a child has no future.
It is also worrying when children are too opinionated.
Liu Zhao took out the newspaper and said, "The boss's scolding article shows his skill. He is scolding all the officials in the world."
Gu Jiu quickly finished reading the article and said with a smile, "Very well written! It has the style of you back then."
Upon hearing this, Liu Zhao burst into laughter, feeling very proud!
"Like father, like son. Boss has 60% of my former strength, worthy of praise."
Gu Jiu pursed his lips and smiled.
She was just flattering him casually, but he took it seriously!
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