Upon hearing Cao Song speak, the expressions of everyone in the hall became more solemn.
This is, after all, a plan to control a country. If the Han Dynasty wants to control Parthia, in addition to spending a lot of money to build roads, bridges and various water conservancy facilities to ensure the food, clothing and housing of the Parthian people, it also needs to vigorously promote Han culture education and transform their thinking.
Moreover, this requires continuous investment over several decades, and the amount involved is enormous, comparable to building a new country.
Of course, the most important issue is distance. The Han Dynasty has no shortage of money and supplies, but if they want to transport them to Parthia, at least 60% more will be wasted along the way.
Investing 100 million and only getting less than 40 million in return is definitely not worthwhile.
For a time, the public's initial support began to waver.
Two years ago, the emperor personally led a large army to drive the Xianbei people out of the grasslands, and brought the grasslands into the territory of the Han Dynasty. Now, the Han Dynasty is invincible, and the people live in peace and the industry and commerce are thriving.
In addition, the Royal Trading Company would distribute a large portion of its profits to officials every year, making corruption in officialdom virtually nonexistent.
Therefore, most people inevitably develop a kind of laziness, believing that everything can be done by simply following the established procedures and quietly waiting for the arrival of a prosperous era.
Liu Hong keenly noticed this as well as the behavior of everyone in the hall.
It was one thing for the old ministers like Cao Song and Xun Shuang to be conservative, but even the younger generation, such as Tian Feng and Ju Shou, had such ideas, which Liu Hong found somewhat unacceptable.
For Liu Hong, the great Han dynasty's conquest had only just begun, and he would absolutely not allow such a situation to occur.
A nation that loses its ambition for expansion and its drive to move forward, no matter how powerful it was in the past, will eventually be surpassed by others.
"You gentlemen have become lax!"
In the silent hall, Liu Hong's voice, tinged with dissatisfaction, drifted into everyone's ears; his words were quite harsh.
"We dare not!"
Everyone in the hall hurriedly bowed and begged for forgiveness.
"Hmph~, but I don't think there's anything you wouldn't dare to do."
Liu Hong gave a light snort, his stern gaze slowly sweeping over the crowd, and the ministers all lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.
After ten years in power, the emperor's authority became increasingly awe-inspiring.
Finally, Liu Hong's gaze fell upon the younger generation of officials.
"As the saying goes, the old guard guard the city, while the young rush in. The old ministers are more conservative, and I won't say anything. After all, they think that the young are impulsive and will ruin the family business, so they want to save some wealth for their descendants."
But why are you all so conservative? Are you perhaps planning to retire in peace?
"We had absolutely no such intention!!"
Upon hearing the emperor's question, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, and the others immediately bowed again.
Liu Hong raised an eyelid: "Since you don't plan to retire, then you should think carefully about how to address the concerns raised by Grand Secretary Cao, instead of worrying with him!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The group of young officials all agreed.
In particular, Ju Shou, Tian Feng, and others who were in charge of water conservancy, roads, grain, and medical care respectively racked their brains to think of a series of feasible methods.
After a moment's thought, Ju Shou stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I believe that since the people of Parthia are suffering from hardship, we can adopt a work-for-relief approach. We can pay only a small amount of food rations to recruit Parthia people to build water conservancy, road and other projects."
As for provisions, we can authorize merchants traveling to Rome to purchase them on our behalf!
Upon hearing Ju Shou's suggestion, Liu Hong's expression softened considerably: "This is a good idea. The imperial court can also offer some preferential treatment to those merchants to increase their enthusiasm!"
Tian Feng also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that road construction in Parthia can also be carried out in the form of work relief."
Furthermore, I suggest that a group of loyal and reliable officials, students, and craftsmen be transferred from the imperial court, various academies, and factories to establish government offices, branch academies, and factories to meet local self-sufficiency needs!
"Can!"
Upon hearing Tian Feng's suggestion, Liu Hong finally smiled and said, "To avoid any grievances among the officials, trainees, and craftsmen who have been transferred there, the court can issue a regulation."
Officials who go to Parthia can be transferred back to the Great Han after serving for five years and will be promoted three ranks. Those who perform exceptionally well can be promoted even if they are not promoted.
The same principle applies to trainees and artisans. During their time studying and working in Anshi, their salaries will be doubled. Upon returning home, they will be rewarded according to their merits, receiving official titles and ranks—I will not be stingy with them!
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Upon hearing the emperor's supplementary remarks, Tian Feng exclaimed "Wise and wise!" and returned to his battle position.
"What about education and healthcare? What do you all think we should do?" Liu Hong asked, looking at everyone.
Infrastructure issues can be addressed by finding solutions, but education and healthcare are not so simple matters.
Even on the Han Dynasty side, education and medical care have not yet been popularized, so how could there be spare capacity to transfer a large number of teachers and medical students to rest in peace?
Zhang Zhao then stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe we should adopt the method of using barbarians to control barbarians!"
The imperial court only needs to send a small number of scholars and physicians to Parthia, and select a group of people there who are devoted to the Han Dynasty to teach them.
After they have completed their studies, they will be granted Chinese citizenship and then sent to educate the Parthian people, and will be rewarded according to their achievements.
In addition, some Taoist priests from the Taiping sect could be sent there to preach, so that the Parthian people could first accept the Han dynasty's teachings through faith.
"This method is excellent!"
Upon hearing this suggestion, Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction.
Subsequently, the other young officials also took the initiative to offer suggestions and ideas, and the previously lax atmosphere was swept away.
With all matters finalized, Cao Song's previous concerns about investment issues were also resolved.
Liu Hong looked at everyone with a smile, "Now that we've finished discussing the investment issue, let's talk about the revenue issue!"
"income?"
Upon hearing this, Cao Song, who was in charge, immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, are you saying that Parthia also possesses various mineral deposits?"
"That's right, and Parthia's resources are no less than those of the Han Dynasty. Most importantly, it possesses something even more valuable..."
Liu Hong paused, then raised his voice: "This stuff, which I call petroleum, is a black liquid. After refining, it can not only be used for heating and cooking, but also has a vital function."
If we could control those oils, it would be enough to guarantee the wealth and prosperity of our Great Han for hundreds of years to come, or even longer.
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