"Stop!!"
Faced with the officials' flattery, Liu Hong had no choice but to loudly rebuke them, which finally quieted the Chongzheng Hall down.
Then Liu Hong looked solemnly at the officials and said, "Although the people's livelihood of the Han Dynasty has improved, it is still far from a golden age. Many people are still displaced and struggling to make ends meet."
You all must remain steadfast in your duties and fulfill your responsibilities to lay a solid foundation for a prosperous future. Do not be negligent or cause any mistakes!
"Your Majesty's teachings will be obeyed!"
All the civil and military officials responded loudly.
Although the emperor's words were merely formalities, the officials' expressions were unusually serious. Now, all of these officials had been bound to Liu Hong's common interest chariot.
Even without Liu Hong's urging, they would do their best to secure more benefits for the Han Dynasty and the court, because only in this way could they themselves gain more.
Subsequently, following past practice, the ministers of each department reported on the local government affairs to Liu Hong.
The agricultural college, now under the leadership of Cao Song, has compiled a complete set of the most advanced farming and breeding methods, which are ready to be printed as books and sold to the public.
The book covers crops including rice, soybeans, cotton, wheat, millet, and sorghum, as well as knowledge on vegetable cultivation in winter greenhouses, all of which are illustrated and described in detail.
For those illiterate people, the students from the agricultural college also went to the countryside to explain things to them.
The engineering college, headed by Yuan Feng, also compiled an industrial encyclopedia, which included improvements to various agricultural tools and methods for making new tools.
The medical schools led by Hua Tuo, Zhang Zhongjing, and others also made further progress in epidemic prevention and control, as well as various medical issues.
In recent years, more than 50,000 outstanding individuals have been trained and sent to various counties and prefectures of the Han Dynasty to build medical clinics. Students from the medical school also frequently visit various places to explain to the people the first aid and prevention methods for various diseases, which is enough to ensure that the Han Dynasty can overcome any epidemic crisis.
Furthermore, the education work under the Ministry of Rites was also well implemented, and elementary schools were successively built in various counties of the five prefectures in the Central Plains.
Furthermore, it incorporates some commonly used knowledge of engineering, agriculture, and medicine into the textbooks to teach children who have already received basic education to a higher level of specialized education.
Listening to the reports from the officials below, one after another, Liu Hong's smile grew even brighter.
With the simultaneous development of industry, agriculture, healthcare, and education, the Han Dynasty is now moving rapidly and steadily towards a new and sound future.
Of course, besides these good news, there are also some unpleasant things.
For example, the corruption and oppression of the people by many officials reported by Yang Qiu are cases that have been repeatedly prohibited but not stopped.
Power is a poison; once you're hooked, it's inevitable that some people will be blinded by it.
Faced with this age-old problem, Liu Hong had no better solutions than to issue warnings through beheadings and confiscation of property, as well as to strengthen supervision.
After the officials finished their reports, Liu Hong did not rush to dismiss the court. Instead, he stood up and said in a deep voice:
"I wish to tour the empire and see the people and the rivers and mountains of the Han Dynasty. What do you all think?"
"To tour the world?"
Upon hearing this, the officials were taken aback, somewhat unable to understand the emperor's intention.
"Your Majesty, you mustn't!!"
Chen Fan, with his white hair and beard, stepped forward and voiced his opposition.
Why not?
Liu Hong frowned. He hadn't expected that Chen Fan, who had always supported him, would be the first to oppose his proposal.
Chen Fan, however, calmly replied, "Your Majesty, since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have been diligent in governing, the country is peaceful and prosperous, and the administration is efficient and efficient."
Based on Your Majesty's civil and military achievements, you are indeed qualified to tour the world.
However, Your Majesty has no heir yet, and the country lacks a solid foundation. Luoyang, the capital, is a strategically important location; how can Your Majesty leave so easily? It is not too late for Your Majesty to conduct an inspection tour after the foundation is firmly established!
Chen Fan's meaning was also very clear: with Your Majesty's achievements, it is not impossible for you to tour the world, but you must at least leave behind a prince.
Once there is a prince, the officials will feel at ease. Then you can go wherever you want to play.
"Yes, Your Majesty, it's not too late to conduct inspections after the foundation is solid!"
Civil and military officials also stood up in large numbers to echo his sentiments.
The last time we went to war against Goguryeo, we made the wedding a condition for it. This time, we will never let the emperor go again.
Seeing the civil and military officials so united, a sight they hadn't witnessed in a long time, Liu Hong's face twitched.
What kind of nonsense is this? I'm being pressured to have children everywhere I go. Do they really think I'm just a tool?
In truth, Liu Hong understood that whether it was his two mothers or the civil and military officials before him, their urgent desire for him to give birth to a prince was simply because they wanted something to look forward to.
When an emperor has a son, it means that the country has a successor, and he has a direction to do things. Not only do his descendants have someone to serve, but the family's vested interests are also continued.
Fortunately, the tour of the country was just a spur-of-the-moment decision by Liu Hong, and it was not something he had to do, nor was there any need to confront the officials.
After uttering the words "I have done my best," Liu Hong fled Chongzheng Hall as if he were escaping.
Watching the fleeing emperor, Chen Fan paused, tapped his cane, shook his head, sighed, and walked out of the palace.
...
After a day of preparation, Zhang Xiu, having prepared a generous betrothal gift, arrived at Liu Yu's residence under the guidance of Tong Yuan.
Liu Yu also knew about the story of Zhang Xiu and Lan Zhi. The way he looked at Zhang Xiu was like a father-in-law looking at his son-in-law, growing more and more resentful with each glance...
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
