The war in Liaozhou did not have a significant impact on the Han Dynasty.
Officials, both civil and military, remained busy with the autumn harvest, road repairs, and canal excavation.
August 15th.
With the autumn harvest over, the granaries of all the northern states were filled. With the prosperity of commerce, this year's fiscal revenue has more than doubled compared to previous years, reaching 80 billion coins.
Although the surplus was not much due to the canal project and various infrastructure projects, it still excited the officials. Everyone knew that once these projects were completed, it would be time to really make big money.
Of course, what excited Liu Hong the most was the yield of the experimental field.
Through Cao Song's long-term research and efforts with the Agricultural College, the yield per mu was finally increased to four shi (a unit of dry measure). This result indicated that the grain output of the Han Dynasty had entered a new stage.
Immediately, Liu Hong waved his hand and allocated another two million mu of official land under the name of the Agricultural College for the purpose of cultivating superior varieties.
The various farming techniques developed by the agricultural college were also disseminated to every household through newspapers.
Local governments also organized clerks to go into people's homes with newspapers and teach them various new farming techniques.
At the same time, Liu Hong also ordered Zuo Ci and the alchemists to study fertilizers while they were researching medicine, and promised that whoever could develop fertilizers that would increase grain production would be granted the title of First-Class Marquis.
The news caused an uproar.
It should be noted that with the reform of the military merit system, the current First-Class Marquis is second only to the Duke, and is the highest rank in the Han Dynasty.
In a short time, apart from those mad alchemists, countless students also joined the research on fertilizer.
On this day, Zhang Rang, one of the eunuchs, personally came to the outside of the Southern Palace and waited there.
Before long, two carriages came into Zhang Rang's view.
Soon, the carriage stopped, and the curtain was lifted to reveal two somewhat unfamiliar faces.
These two men were none other than Jia Xu and Cheng Yu, who had been summoned back to the capital!
After the two got out of the car, Zhang Rang didn't dare to be negligent and hurriedly went to greet them.
"Zhang Changshi, it's been a long time since you've come to court. How have you been lately?"
As Zhang Rang approached, Jia Xu revealed a malicious smile.
"Thanks to Mr. Wenhe, everything is very good..."
Upon seeing Jia Xu, Zhang Rang couldn't help but recall the time he was tricked in Youzhou, and his expression became somewhat unnatural.
Zhang Rang, now a close attendant of the emperor, is enjoying unparalleled prestige. However, when facing Jia Xu, the head of the intelligence agency, he still feels somewhat insecure. Jia Xu's ruthlessness makes him uneasy.
After exchanging pleasantries, Jia Xu and Cheng Yu followed Zhang Rang into the palace and headed towards Deyang Hall.
As Jia Xu and Cheng Yu walked, they kept looking around.
Four years have passed since their last visit to the palace. Looking at the palace, which is not much different from what they remember, the two of them couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.
Now the Han Dynasty's finances are improving year by year, and the lives of the people have also changed greatly. Many poor people not only have surplus wealth, but have also moved into new houses. However, the emperor's palace remains the same.
This also shows that the current emperor still maintains the original intention of not seeking personal gain.
Before long, the group turned into Deyang Gate, and Jia Xu and Cheng Yu both looked up at the same time.
Upon seeing the open palace doors, their hearts began to race.
They knew that the emperor they were loyal to was waiting for them inside.
Then, the two of them followed Zhang Rang with reserved expressions and climbed the long steps.
When the two of them were halfway up the mountain, they stopped abruptly, a look of excitement on their faces.
Where their eyes fell, a familiar yet blurry figure stood before the hall, gazing at them.
"Your Majesty~!"
The two exclaimed in unison, then quickened their pace, leaving Zhang Rang, who was leading the way, behind.
"Your Majesty, we, Jia Xu and Cheng Yu, pay our respects!"
The two approached Liu Hong almost simultaneously, bowed respectfully, and their voices trembled slightly with excitement.
Four years, a full four years without seeing each other, one can imagine how they felt.
The two men failed the test because of their arrogance and self-righteousness. It was the emperor who recognized their talent and entrusted them with important responsibilities, which led to their current power and status.
The kindness shown to someone is as great as the heavens.
"Wenhe, Zhongde, quickly rise to the formalities!!"
Liu Hong also stepped forward with a warm expression and helped the two of them up.
After carefully examining the two men, Liu Hong couldn't help but sigh, "Four years have passed, and you two dear ministers have aged considerably. You must have been working very hard. I'm truly sorry to have troubled you!"
The current intelligence bureau is unprecedentedly large, and its spies are active not only in the mansions of major families and officials in various counties and prefectures in the north, but also in many surrounding countries and tribes.
It can be said that the current Investigation Bureau, apart from lacking the power to arrest people and the imperial prison, is no less powerful than the Embroidered Uniform Guard of later generations.
All of this is not only due to Liu Hong's continuous financial support, but also to the hard work of the two of them.
"Serving His Majesty, I dare not complain of hardship!"
While pleased to receive the emperor's praise, the two bowed respectfully with humble expressions.
"Haha~, alright, alright, come on in, let's go inside and talk!"
Liu Hong laughed heartily, then grabbed the person's hand and walked into the hall.
After they were seated, Liu Hong looked at the two men and said with a smile, "The existence of the Investigation Bureau is no longer a secret, so I plan to reorganize it. I wonder what suggestions you two ministers have?"
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