December 10th.
A swift horseman arrived in Luoyang, carrying news of the victory in suppressing the rebellion in Jiangnan.
The messenger, carrying the report of victory, shouted excitedly all the way to the imperial city.
However, to his disappointment, the people of Luoyang did not give any special reaction to this good news.
After one major victory after another for the border troops, the people of Luoyang seemed to have lost interest in such victories against the rebels.
Expanding territory is a true victory; what is defeating a bunch of treacherous officials...?
This has almost become the sentiment of everyone.
The common people may not care about this victory, but Liu Hong and the imperial court have no choice but to take it seriously.
In the past, the Jiangnan region was isolated by the Yangtze River, which made it difficult for the imperial court to control it. As a result, the local people became increasingly alienated from the court and were most likely to become a source of trouble.
Now that the rebels in Jiangnan have been quelled and the local forces have been suppressed, the imperial court must firmly grasp their control.
Liu Hong also summoned the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers to the Deyang Palace for a royal meeting to discuss the development plans for Jiangnan.
Chen Fan, a high-ranking official, spoke first: "Your Majesty, now that the Yangzhou matter is settled, I believe that if we want to develop Jiangnan, the first issue is to clearly understand the local population and make reasonable arrangements!"
Liu Hong nodded: "Grand Tutor's words are very true. Now that the first five-year plan is nearing its end and the second five-year plan has been deployed, population statistics are still the top priority. They can be carried out simultaneously in Jiangnan and Jiangbei!"
The importance of population statistics is self-evident, and all the senior officials nodded in agreement.
Xun Shuang then stood up and said, “Your Majesty, the development of Jiangnan requires the organization and coordination of the local government. If we directly apply the policies of the North, it may not be suitable.”
Liu Hong frowned: "Does the Minister mean to select scholars from the south to serve as local officials?"
Xun Shuang nodded: "Your Majesty, many aristocratic families, such as the Lu family and the Zhu family, did not participate in this rebellion, so they can be put to use!"
Li Ying's face darkened: "Situ, you are mistaken. Although they did not participate in this rebellion, the main reason for it was the long-standing dominance of the Jiangnan families. If we still employ them, it is inevitable that this situation will occur again in the future!"
“I believe the Grand Commandant’s words are reasonable. It is inappropriate for southerners to govern the south!” Cao Song echoed.
Yuan Fengdao said, "Although it is inappropriate, the Jiangnan region has just been pacified, and the officials in the north are not familiar with the situation there. If we appoint them rashly, problems are bound to arise!"
For a time, a disagreement arose among the three high officials over the selection of officials, and everyone turned their attention to Liu Hong, waiting for the emperor to make a decision.
Liu Hong pondered for a moment and said, "The scholars of Jiangnan are indispensable, but they should not be used indiscriminately. We might as well let them recommend some students to study in the three academies, and then appoint them after they pass the examinations!"
While the Han Dynasty was developing rapidly, internal stability was also extremely important. Southerners and northerners alike shared the same origin and race, and naturally, they should not be discriminated against because of geographical location.
"Your Majesty's words are very wise!"
Chen Fan stroked his beard and was the first to nod in agreement with Liu Hong's opinion; the others followed suit.
Then, Yuan Feng stood up and said, "Your Majesty, in addition to population and the selection of officials, transportation is also a major factor restricting communication between the north and the south."
Now that the forces in Jiangnan have been completely eliminated and a large amount of money and grain have been seized, sufficient to support the Grand Canal project in Jiangnan, I believe that the Jiangnan waterway is ready to begin construction ahead of schedule!
"What Sikong says is very true. The sooner the Grand Canal is completed, the sooner both the north and the south will benefit!"
Cao Song, Yuan Feng's old rival, was the first to agree with Yuan Feng's opinion.
"Indeed, the sooner the canal project is completed, the sooner the Han Dynasty will benefit. This matter must be completed as soon as possible."
Chen Fan, Li Ying, Xun Shuang and the others also agreed to bring forward the canal plan.
With the opening of the Chang'an and Luoyang sections of the river this year, people have witnessed the enormous benefits brought by river transportation. Such a great undertaking that benefits the country and its people should be completed as soon as possible.
Liu Hong looked at the senior officials with a troubled expression and said in a deep voice, "There is no problem with implementing the canal plan ahead of schedule, but where will the laborers come from?"
"Now, the Jiangnan region, Liaozhou, the Western Regions, and the southwest all need a large population. Our Great Han Dynasty is short of people!"
"this....."
Upon hearing this, everyone frowned.
Cao Song thought for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, since that's the case, then urge Donglai and Langya to build more ships as soon as possible to go to Gou Nu Kingdom to buy slaves!"
Yuan Feng nodded: "That's right. I heard that not long ago, a caravan of two hundred people brought back three thousand slaves from the Dog Slave Kingdom, and they all came voluntarily."
It's clear that the people there aren't living very well. It would be better to bring them all to the Han Dynasty and have them dig canals. This way, the imperial court can save a huge amount of money!
"Furthermore, according to the report from the governor of Zhangye, the Eastern Qiang are making frequent disturbances, and large numbers of people from the Baima, Baihu, and Huangzhong regions are also fleeing to the Han Dynasty. We can take them in!"
"There are also messages from Jincheng saying that the various tribes of the Western Qiang are fighting amongst themselves, and that people can be sent there to buy slaves."
"Oh, and the Southern Barbarians and the Baiyue, life there isn't very good either, so why not bring those people over as well!"
For a time, several ministers offered suggestions on the issue of slavery, turning all the tribal states surrounding the Han Dynasty into sources of labor export.
Seeing this, Emperor Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction. Now these ministers had finally opened their minds.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
