From an investor's perspective, as long as it can increase capital and that increase is predictable, they will actively and proactively invest.
For example, investing in labor is the most direct manifestation of capital appreciation.
Investing in farmers to improve their lives and maximizing their labor force and productivity is highly beneficial to both the country and capital.
Therefore, both Liu Hong and the officials spared no effort in investing, believing that as long as the farmers were stable, everything else would be stable as well.
Vigorously develop agriculture, and then use agriculture as a foundation to carry out industrial production and commercial trade, thereby achieving ultimate profitability.
After the basic laws and policies supporting agriculture and agricultural by-products were finally determined, everyone turned their attention to corvée labor and military service.
Chen Fan stepped forward and bowed to Liu Hong.
"Your Majesty, with the implementation of the current five-year plan, population surveys and the abolition of corvée labor have been gradually begun in You, Bing, Liang, as well as Sili, Yizhou and Jizhou!"
Therefore, I believe it is better to wait until these states have fully implemented the measures before promoting them further!
"Grand Tutor, you are mistaken. The southern provinces of Yu and Jing, and the eastern provinces of Qing, Xu, and Yan are all populous provinces and important grain-producing areas."
It's better to implement it sooner rather than later, allowing the local people time to prepare. If implementation is delayed, it will face unimaginable resistance, leading not only to wasted effort but also potential unrest!
As soon as Chen Fan finished speaking, Tian Feng was the first to stand up and voice his opposition.
"Your Majesty, I believe that Minister Tian is right. If we are going to reform, we must do so decisively and thoroughly, without any hesitation or delay!"
"Indeed, now is the time to demonstrate the prestige of the court. If there are too many concerns, I'm afraid some people will become arrogant and develop a contemptuous attitude!"
"I second that proposal!!"
Immediately, Ju Shou, Zhou Yi, Zhang Zhao, Guan Ning, and other young and middle-aged officials stepped forward to express their support for Tian Feng's opinion.
Now that the decision to reform has been made, why not intensify efforts and carry it out thoroughly?
If certain individuals are given time to prepare, it will undoubtedly create significant resistance to reforms, thereby delaying the overall development progress.
Several senior officials, seeing this, quickly stood up and respectfully said:
"The matter of reform is complex and multifaceted. If it is not implemented across the board without a pilot program, it will only lead to greater chaos. Your Majesty must be careful!"
"Yes, Your Majesty. The reason why the Sili, Youbing and Liang provinces were able to implement this policy is because of the development of industry and commerce, as well as the existence of military power. Even if it is pushed hard, there will be no problem. However, if it is implemented across the board, it is hard to guarantee that it will be done thoroughly!"
"Indeed, the population census and the policy of 'equalizing land tax and poll tax' that have begun in Yizhou and Jizhou have caused tension and instability among many people!"
"Indeed, the other states lack the support of industry, commerce, and military power. If we were to implement this policy rashly, we would face numerous difficulties and it would also affect the reforms here. I urge Your Majesty to investigate this matter thoroughly!"
Many senior officials also stepped forward to refute the overly radical proposals made by Tian Feng and others.
Their underlying idea was to prioritize stability and wait until industry, commerce, and military strength were sufficient to withstand all risks before taking any action.
"Hmph~, Yuzhou, Xuzhou, Qingzhou... and other places are interconnected, and their relationships are extremely complicated. If we don't sort things out soon, governing in the future will only become more difficult!"
Tian Feng glanced at the elderly ministers and couldn't help but snort coldly.
Chen Fan shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Too much of a good thing is bad. If we immediately abolish the corvée and military service throughout the country, how will the various infrastructure projects in the local area be completed?"
You must understand, the current imperial court doesn't have the capacity or resources to support the entire Han Dynasty!
Ju Shou also stood up and said loudly:
"A short pain is worse than a long one. The reason why there are so many refugees in the Han Dynasty is simply because of the corvée labor! The longer it drags on, the more refugees there will be, and the more the court will have to devote more energy and money to settling them down!"
If this continues, it will slow down the reform process here!
"Excellent! The reform must be thoroughly implemented and fully promoted!"
"No, reform is of paramount importance; stability should be the priority!"
Inside the Chongzheng Hall, the radical faction of the young and middle-aged and the conservative faction of the elderly began various debates.
For a time, the radicals and the conservatives were locked in a standoff.
After a long debate, neither side could convince the other, so everyone turned their attention to Liu Hong, who was watching the show from the imperial throne.
"Cough cough~!"
Meeting the gazes of the officials, Liu Hong coughed lightly twice before speaking:
"What you all say is correct. This reform is of great importance and should not be rushed, nor should we have too many concerns!"
"Uh~!"
Officials from both factions were taken aback by Liu Hong's words.
This is for you to make the decision, why are you trying to smooth things over again?
How can we compromise on something as important as reform?
At this moment, Tian Feng, disregarding the emperor's attempt to smooth things over, spoke first in a loud voice:
"Your Majesty, please issue an edict to immediately implement comprehensive reforms!"
An old minister hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please investigate this matter thoroughly. This matter cannot be rushed; we should proceed with caution!"
"Your Majesty, this matter is urgent and must be decided immediately!"
"No, this matter should be handled with the priority of stability. Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
For a time, the officials from the two factions inside the hall began arguing again.
"Silence!! Look at the state of you all, what kind of behavior is this?"
Upon seeing this, Liu Hong immediately shouted angrily to stop the arguing officials, and helplessly rubbed his forehead.
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