In mid-July, just as the people were busy with the autumn harvest, news of the great victory in the Western Regions reached Luoyang, and the people along the way cheered once again.
Liu Hong also summoned his officials to discuss the plan to gradually annex the Western Regions.
Based on Xun You's suggestion, the imperial court issued several decrees to encourage Han merchants to trade in the Western Regions and to allow them to hire Han troops to protect them.
At the same time, the government called on the people to migrate to the Western Regions, and the court would help them purchase a piece of land and property in the Western Regions.
At the same time, additional envoys were dispatched to the Western Regions.
Some ministers also proposed re-establishing the Protectorate of the Western Regions, but Liu Hong refused.
Although the Protectorate of the Western Regions can strengthen the Han Dynasty's control over the Western Regions, it is responsible for various affairs of the various kingdoms in the Western Regions, which will take up too much of the Han Dynasty's energy.
At present, the main focus of the Han Dynasty is on recuperation and strengthening its national power as soon as possible.
In late July, as the autumn harvest came to an end, tax details from various regions were sent back to Luoyang.
Due to Liu Kui's rebellion and the abolition of the vassal kings, the imperial court gained nearly 70 million mu of fertile land. Including the vigorous development of Guanzhong and Guanxi, the cultivated land within the Han territory increased to 560 million mu.
In addition, the tax exemption privilege of scholars was revoked, and the increasingly prosperous commercial activities greatly boosted the fiscal revenue of the Han Dynasty.
After the officials carefully calculated the figures, Cao Song, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, read out the fiscal revenue for the fourth year of the Jianning era to all the officials at the court assembly.
This year's harvest totaled 430 million shi of grain. After replenishing the treasuries and granaries of various prefectures and counties, providing disaster relief, fighting expeditions, and developing Liaozhou, the national treasury had a surplus of 20 million shi.
The total revenue was 85.2 billion coins. After deducting expenses for bridge and road construction, water conservancy projects, agricultural subsidies, research subsidies, and rewards for soldiers, the national treasury had a surplus of 30 billion coins.
Including previous accumulations, the national treasury now has a surplus of 25 million shi of grain and 150 billion jin of money, which is sufficient to support domestic construction.
Finally, Cao Song announced some great news to the officials: thanks to the tireless efforts of the Agricultural College, the yield of the experimental fields this year reached three shi per mu.
For a time, Liu Hong and his officials were also very excited. The year-on-year increase in grain production indicated that the Han Dynasty was finally beginning to stride towards a prosperous era.
As those who created the "Jianning Golden Age," they will leave a significant mark on the history books of later generations.
Immediately, Liu Hong ordered the expansion of the cultivated area of the agricultural college's experimental fields and the establishment of nearly 200,000 mu of improved seed breeding fields in Hongnong, Henan, Hanoi, and the Sanfu region.
We must strive to increase the overall grain production of the Han Dynasty as soon as possible.
After the court session ended, Liu Hong walked towards the inner palace with a beaming smile.
Although the titles of the Empress and the concubines had been finalized, their wedding ceremonies had not yet taken place, and they were still temporarily residing in the Yeting Palace.
After finishing his daily duties, Liu Hong would not only pay his respects to the Empress Dowager and the Holy Mother, but also take time to visit his empress and concubines in the inner palace.
One reason was the Empress Dowager and the Holy Mother's instructions, which urged him to show more care and concern for the girls.
Secondly, with each encounter, Liu Hong, who had never been in a relationship before, developed a growing attachment to her.
Besides, I've worked so hard for so long, and now that I'm all grown up, it's time to enjoy myself.
Although they cannot share a bed yet, having a group of beautiful concubines chatting around him is still a pleasant thing.
Upon entering the inner palace, Liu Hong saw the concubines sitting together in a pavilion, chatting amongst themselves.
These girls, after spending time with Liu Hong, also realized that the Emperor was a very kind and gentle person who treated each of them very well.
Therefore, since they were still quite young, there wasn't much scheming or backstabbing involved. In addition, Song Yue was kind and gentle, so the group got along quite well.
Upon seeing this, Liu Hong smiled slightly, then slowed his pace and walked over quietly.
As Liu Hong approached, he heard a clear female voice: "Empress, why don't you tell me when you fell in love with His Majesty?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Hong became interested and stopped behind a pillar, ready to hear what Song Yue had to say.
Zhang Rang, who was following behind Liu Hong, also quickly signaled the accompanying eunuchs to be quiet, and then stepped back. The love story of the emperor and empress was not something they should hear.
Sitting among the concubines, Song Yue blushed slightly and then whispered, "That was three years ago."
"Three years ago? Did you see His Majesty then?" Wang Yan, who was closest to Song Yue, couldn't help but ask.
Liu Hong, who was hiding behind the pillar, couldn't help but change his expression. Three years ago, he didn't seem to know Song Yue. How did she come to like him?
Song Yue shook her head happily: "Although I've never met him, His Majesty gave me some gifts."
Wang Yan: "A gift? What gift?"
Song Yue smiled and then took out a glass ball from her purse.
"This is it."
"(σ???)σ Wow~, so beautiful."
Looking at the colorful glass ball in Song Yue's hand, the group of women couldn't help but look at Song Yue with envy. No wonder she was made empress; it turned out that His Majesty had already set his sights on her.
After showing the gifts the emperor had given her to the group of women, Song Yue continued:
"Later, His Majesty held a banquet in the palace, and I personally sewed a sachet for him. His Majesty then used that sachet to compose a poem in front of all the officials..."
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