120 Survived
◎Huo Yan: Don’t you want to meet the world’s best talents?◎
It is now June, the time when everything is growing rapidly.
The warm wind is filled with the sweet fragrance of locust flowers. Willows on both sides of the Ba Bridge are shrouded in mist, and lotus fields are green. The round, emerald leaves hold up pink and white buds, which timidly poke out of the water, attracting dragonflies to skim the water and colorful butterflies to linger.
The world is full of vitality.
Huo Yan likes this kind of weather and this kind of good scenery, especially after dealing with his brother yesterday, he also came alive along with everything else.
He was in a bad mood a few days ago and looked dull, but now he is in a good mood and is in the mood to dress up.
Her black hair was tied into a neat ponytail at the back of her head with a red gold ribbon, a few strands of hair hung down at the corners of her forehead, and the ribbon hung at the sides of her ears, with a golden crown of oriental pearls on top.
He was indeed in a good mood. He wore a red tunic with wenwu sleeves. The collar, cuffs, and hem were embroidered with fine, twisted gold thread, depicting cranes flapping their wings, ready to take flight. As the sun fell on his shoulders, the golden cranes seemed to come alive, ready to break free. Around his waist was a belt inlaid with gold and jade. In his ears, he wore a small pendant made of red gold filigree and inlaid with tiny rubies. The earrings were delicately shaped, resembling a fluttering bird. Fine gold threads were twisted into wings, dotted with tiny, star-like rubies. As he moved, the earrings swayed gently against his cheeks.
This kind of attire would have looked too heavy on someone else, but he already had a very flamboyant appearance, and this gorgeous attire only made him look even more gorgeous and magnificent, as if all his vitality had burst forth.
If you peel off the layer of scheming, he is also a romantic young man riding a horse and singing.
He mounted his horse, gently lifted the reins, waved to the stunned gatekeeper, and rushed out like a ball of red fire. The young man, clad in vibrant attire and aloft on his horse, shattered the emerald green of the willows drooping along the Ba Bridge. His ponytail, tied high in a swaying knot, flowed in the wind, its golden ribbons echoing the golden cranes on his robe. He stood tall, his horse expertly controlled, his spirit high and unrestrained. His dazzling brilliance seemed to awaken the entire city of Chang'an, drawing the attention of passersby, their gazes following the luminous glow, whispers of wonder and wonder echoing in their ears.
Huo Yan couldn't stop laughing. He found being on duty much more enjoyable than dealing with the trivial chores at home! Even though the office was piled high with documents, all of which were reports of refugees, wasteland, and hidden households from various counties after the "Gao Min Order," he still felt that everything was in good order. It was simply a matter of sorting out the issues, dividing resources, planning countermeasures, arguing with colleagues, and then implementing the order. This process was as natural to him as breathing, and he handled it with ease, far more exhilarating than dealing with household chores. If he hadn't been born with a strong character, he wouldn't have been able to handle it.
When you walk to the stone bridge by the Wei River, the lotus breeze, carrying water vapor and the fragrance of newly opened lotus buds, blows towards you.
A small boat glided lightly through the bridge, the laughter of lotus-picking girls on board ringing out in a sweet, melodious voice. A girl with twin buns bent down to reach a graceful pink lotus bud, then glanced up and encountered a young man riding a horse across the bridge.
The figure and demeanor are like those of a person in a painting.
The girl was mesmerized, her heart pounding like a deer. Seeing Huo Yan riding his horse to the highest point of the bridge arch, the girl's heart warmed. Without thinking, she threw the plump and tender pink lotus bud in her hand, covered with crystal morning dew, towards the bridge with all her might!
"Swoosh——" The pink lotus drew an arc in the air, carrying the early summer dew, and fell in front of Huo Yan.
Huo Yan reacted quickly, his smile deepening. He reached out, his slender, white fingers swishing through the air, as if picking up a flower, and steadily scooping the pink lotus into his palm. The petals trembled slightly from the force, and dewdrops rolled down, wetting his fingertips.
He pulled the reins, and in an instant, the boat shifted from motion to stillness. The young man lowered his eyes to gaze at the pink lotus in his palm, still covered with dew and about to bloom shyly. A smile played at the corners of his lips, like the first rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds, instantly illuminating his entire beautiful face with the unique brightness of youth and the slight pride of being loved. He raised his eyes and looked in the direction he was going. The girl in the boat was already blushing with shame, and she frantically covered her face with a lotus leaf.
He laughed heartily. His right index finger and thumb deftly twisted the end of a moon-white silk ribbon, adorning the side of his black jade belt. With a slight push, he ripped off a section, about an inch long, with a soft, "whoosh." His movements were fluid and effortless, with a carefree air. Then, using the ribbon, like a single-handed rein, his fingers fluttered like butterflies, expertly wrapping and knotting the pink lotus stem. In a few strokes, he had tied a delicate, tassel-shaped knot midway through the stem, then tossed the flower back.
The flower returned to the girl's arms. Huo Yan did not linger for long. He turned around and smiled brightly at the girls, his almond-shaped eyes slightly curved. He said in a clear voice: "Thank you, young ladies. I am covered in the fragrance of lotus, which is enough!"
After saying this, he kicked his horse's belly, and the red shadow disappeared into the morning mist and willows in front of him, leaving behind only a low cry of surprise and blushing cheeks.
[You're still pulling at your belt, my heart is fluttering~]
[Sorry, I think I've gone bad as a mom fan. You're really good at it.]
[He was like this before, too. Back then, when Qu Bing won a great victory, he rode a horse in red clothes to Chang'an, with a golden pill hanging from a tree.]
[Okay, Wenwu Sleeves are popular again.]
Huo Ayan is so happy. He fooled his brother yesterday and made him do anything. He was clearly in the wrong, but when he acted aggrieved and weak, his brother felt bad. Now he doesn't support Liu Che anymore. Tell me, is he happy?
[The Wei family is firmly in his hands. His brother is not angry with him. He still loves him and is worried about him getting sick.]
[Qubing indulged him to no end, and he went to heaven again.]
[To be honest, I still like this little showoff. What a life he had these days.]
[Even though he sometimes pretends to be sad, he is really sad.]
[I don’t blame Qu Bing, I still feel pity when I see you~]
…
When Huo Yan stepped into the office, everyone was already there.
As he entered, the clerks, all accustomed to the occasion, saluted him. He smiled and nodded, no different from usual, as if he had simply been too tired yesterday and had taken leave. Everyone else felt he was exhausted, and those who knew him often urged him to take care of himself. He agreed to all of them, adding a few jokes that amused everyone.
Sang Qian, who worked under Sang Hongyang, came up to him and saw that he was covered in pearls and jade. He couldn't help but say mischievously, "If I had known earlier, I would have asked my father to issue the Gao Min Order and marry you off. I guarantee that all the girls will pay big money."
Huo Yan was not displeased, he also smiled.
"It's not easy to redeem it after it's sold. Your father won't do such a loss-making business."
Sang Qian rubbed the tip of his nose and was about to speak when he heard Sang Hongyang cough lightly and quickly ran away.
Sang Hongyang looked at Sang Qian's back, snorted, and then said to Huo Yan, "I approved a lot of your government affairs yesterday. I will give you today's government affairs according to yesterday's amount."
Huo Yan: ..., I knew it.
He resigned himself to flipping through the brochures sent back from various places.
The "Report on the Mint" Order swept through like a thunderbolt, bringing down the once powerful and influential local merchants. The power vacuum left behind was initially filled, but it was followed by widespread suffering: homeless tenants, displaced slaves, hungry refugees, and vast expanses of barren, uncultivated land. This massive social upheaval was the greatest crisis facing the empire. However, even as the "Report on the Mint" Order was being vigorously implemented, the fox-like pair, Huo Yan and Sang Hongyang, had already taken precautionary measures.
They had systematically reclaimed all the land some time ago, and since the original owners of these displaced people had been executed or fled, they naturally could not be returned. Sang Hongyang initially considered selling off the land to fill the treasury, but when he saw the mountain of hidden land records, he realized that the land was not worth returning.
If there is land but no one to cultivate it, there will be no food. Without food, food prices will rise, and the situation that has been stabilized with great difficulty will collapse in an instant.
He and Huo Yan quickly reached an agreement. A series of decrees, stamped with the seals of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Secretariat, were quickly issued to all thirty-six counties.
The refugees were immediately registered as "state tenants" and placed under direct government management. At the same time, the confiscated land of powerful individuals and unowned wasteland was granted to these newly registered tenants on a household basis: adult men were given five mu (approximately 1.5 acres), while elderly people, women, and children who were still able to farm were each given three mu (approximately 1.5 acres). Given that during the Han Dynasty, it was common for a man with five children to farm 100 mu (approximately 1.5 acres) of land, one mu (approximately 1.5 acres) was equivalent to 0.7 mu (approximately 1.5 acres) in modern times, this generous grant was sufficient for even small families to make a living.
To ensure the people, suffering from the turmoil, could settle down and recover, Sang Hongyang and Huo Yan jointly submitted a memorial to Huo Qubing, emphasizing the need for tax reductions. Huo Qubing quickly reviewed the memorial and sent it to Emperor Wu of Han, who agreed and immediately ordered the Secretariat to issue an edict. Newly registered state tenants were exempted from all taxes and rent for the first two years, allowing them to focus on reclaiming wasteland, sowing crops, and resting their families. Huo Yan also used this opportunity to establish granaries and small agricultural loans. Furthermore, as Shuofang was undergoing construction, the state was considering relocating people. Those willing to relocate to Shuofang could become local citizens and be granted 20 mu of newly reclaimed border land, equivalent to approximately 14 mu in modern times.
A month ago, the first batch of land lease certificates stamped with the vermilion official seal of the Ministry of Agriculture arrived at various counties. After verification by the local county magistrates, they were distributed. They were written in black and white on paper and had a clear red seal.
In order to prevent officials from occupying land, Huo Yan proposed to take advantage of the time when the central government's authority was at its peak after the Gao Min Order, and directly send young officials carefully selected and trained for a short period of time by the Ministry of Agriculture - "Agricultural Encouragement Envoys".
These "agricultural promotion envoys" carried bamboo tokens from the Ministry of Agriculture and went to various counties to supervise land measurement, registration of refugees, distribution of agricultural tools and seeds, and technical teaching.
In a short time, the results were remarkable.
At least now, judging by the reports from the county governors, most of the refugees have surrendered, the harsh punishments have deterred the scoundrels, and the local agricultural officials have begun renting new farm tools, such as plows and harrows, distributing seeds, and even teaching new farming techniques in pamphlets.
The booklet was newly compiled, based on Zhao Guo's "Daitian" system. It detailed how to divide land, combine oxen with improved farm tools, and implement a "two oxen, three men" farming model to improve farming efficiency and adapt to large-scale farmland operations. Huo Yan even had to find an experienced farmer to conduct repeated experiments at the palace, and the young man from Han worked on the publishing house for the better part of a month. Huo Yan informed Sang Hongyang, who then arranged for the Grand Minister of Agriculture to have doctors of agriculture and Zhao Guo give lectures to the agricultural officials, focusing on the "Daitian" system.
It’s the time when everything is flourishing!
Thinking of the dozens of spirited, literate young men who had come to his Grand Minister of Agriculture's mansion, accompanied by their bamboo clerks, Sang Hongyang couldn't help but stroke his sparse beard and marvel at Huo Yan. "Ah Yan, I'm really curious. Where did you get so many talented, literate people? One after another. Are you stealing children?"
He and Huo Yan have always been very open with each other and say whatever comes to mind.
Upon hearing this, Huo Yan unfurled his folding fan, obscuring half of his beautiful face, revealing only a pair of smiling almond-shaped eyes. "What are you talking about? Your Majesty is popular, and all the knowledgeable people in the world are flocking to the court. What does this have to do with me, Huo Chunhe?"
Sang Hongyang smiled but said nothing.
That's nonsense. Those agricultural officials look at you like their father. How dare you do that?
Facing that look, Huo Yan waved his folding fan and said mysteriously, "I kowtowed to Old Man Dong, and the gates of the Imperial College were opened to me. I can choose any one I want."
"Hahaha!"
The two foxes looked at each other and burst into knowing laughter at the same time.
Dong Zhongshu had been advocating the establishment of the Imperial Academy for many years, but the threshold was extremely high. It only accepted doctoral students recommended by counties, children of prominent families, and a few surrendered Xiongnu princes. Over the years, there were only a few hundred people admitted.
Since Gongsun Hong's passing, the Imperial Academy lacked a protective umbrella that could influence the court. While ostensibly a sacred place for Confucianism and a cultural culmination, the children of high-ranking officials were vying for more promising positions as imperial officials, leaving behind mostly aging scholars and connections, who were merely superficial figures.
“Nonsense!”
Sang Hongyang commented as he spoke.
But the old fox saw that the little fox was still laughing and immediately smelled something.
This kid has his eyes on the Imperial College!
That's right. So many people were sent by Huo Yan to serve as officials. If they didn't raise a flag, and His Majesty found out, it would be no small matter.
However, Huo Yan is going to study at the Imperial Academy, and the academy will probably welcome him.
But Huo Yan was going to be a doctor and servant.
Sang Hongyang felt like laughing.
The twenty-two-year-old, handsome and charming young Marquis Huo stood in front of the group of old and stern doctors.
He quoted classics and used sophistry, and the old men couldn't argue or beat him, and they were not as good-looking as him. In the end, they could only follow behind him in a cowardly manner, angry but not daring to speak out.
Sang Hongyang couldn't help but slap the table and laugh.
"You're lowering your status! You're lowering your status!" Sang Hongyang laughed and pointed at Huo Yan, shouting, "Isn't this mere position of Doctor and Minister of State what you're after?"
A rank of 2,000 dan official being demoted to 600 dan is more than just a lowering of one's own status.
Despite this, his tone didn't hold any opposition, but rather approval. He was clearly pleased that Huo Yan was shifting some of his dog training efforts from his own business to the Imperial Academy.
"What a waste! Just studying Confucianism can get you an official position. But after becoming an official, what happens? Controlling floods, training soldiers, managing subordinates? You don't know anything. You're sidelined. What a waste of talent." Huo Yan uttered his own assessment, the red jade pendant beside his ear swaying slightly with his chuckle. He nodded gracefully, waving his folding fan. "As jade is polished into a tool, so is man made into talent."
He slowly listed his favorite group of teachers.
"Master Zhufu Yan, Master Dongfang Shuo, and one more... Zhu Maichen."
[This setup is incredible. Even if he doesn't have any skills, he'll have to come up with some. Zhufu Yan's venom, Dongfang Shuo's slipperiness, and Zhu Maichen's... well... inspiration.]
[This isn't grinding, this is shaving, it's poisonous!]
[Lord Father Yan! The proponent of the "Enfeoffment Order," the greatest conspiracy of all time, vicious in words and cruel in heart.]
[Dongfang Shuo, he's quite cunning.]
[But Zhu Maichen? The hero from the story of spilled water being hard to undo? Yan Zhu was also killed because of the Huainan King's rebellion. Why would Ah Yan go looking for him?]
Zhu Maichen excelled in naval warfare. After arriving at Donghai, he repaired his warships and prepared his war equipment. In the first year of Yuanfeng, Zhu Maichen led his army, along with General Han Shuo of Henghai, from Juzhang to attack Dongyue by sea. For his contributions in suppressing the rebellion, he was appointed a Grand Duke Duwei, a rank among the Nine Ministers.
Zhu Maichen was a man of integrity. Zhang Tang had once framed Zhu Maichen's friend Yan Zhu and frequently bullied Zhu Maichen and other officials in the Prime Minister's Office. Holding a grudge, Zhu Maichen conspired with the other officials to force Zhang Tang to commit suicide. A Yanruo's assistance to Wei Shi was a profound favor. He was a sword that only obeyed A Yanruo's orders.
[Ayan, you can't be so cruel. You're going to ruin the old men at the Imperial Academy!]
…
"Lord Father Yan?!" Sang Hongyang's laughter died down abruptly, and he nearly choked on his own saliva. That old man, known for his perverse and ruthless tactics, was going to the Imperial Academy? What was he trying to teach him?
"Then... who is that Zhu Maichen?"
Sang Hongyang couldn't match the number at first.
Huo Yan closed his folding fan and tapped his chin with the rib. A sly glint flashed in his almond-shaped eyes. He shook his head and said in a long tone, "You are my destined one."
Sang Hongyang was amused by his "charlatan" appearance and scolded him with a smile, "Slutty!"
After laughing, looking at the dazzling young man in front of him who was the focus wherever he went, he couldn't help but worry.
"Boy, you must remember to come back! Although I can't say that your adoptive father holds as much weight in your heart as your uncle, he is certainly closer to you than the average person, right? Don't go to the Imperial College and get seduced by some destined person, only to never come back! My adoptive father's increasingly thinning hair is counting on you to share his worries!"
He subconsciously touched the top of his head.
Huo Yan couldn't help but laugh. He bowed gracefully and asked mischievously, "Godfather, would you like me to give you a few more dark clouds?"
Sang Hongyang gave him a look that said "you understand me", and the two of them burst into laughter again.
The laughter died down, and Sang Hongyang left with his hands behind his back. Huo Yan slammed his folding fan against his palm with a snap, casually twisting it into a beautiful pattern. He turned his gaze to Zhao Guo, who had been quietly working on paperwork in the corner, and smiled brightly. "Guo'er, come and see our new farm tools tonight! Would you be willing to go drinking with me in a few days?"
Zhao Guo nodded and said it was convenient.
The sunlight happened to shift, and the pendant on Huo Yan's ear suddenly reflected a dazzling light, making Zhao Guo squint subconsciously. He sighed inwardly: No wonder the jewelry styles worn by the master always attract the nobles in Chang'an to imitate.
Jiaodong
Huo Yan of Chang'an was riding high and full of energy, while Liu Ju, the crown prince of Jiaodong, felt like a sick tree among all the other trees in bloom—everyone else was thriving, while he was drooping.
Princess Yangshi acted decisively and said that there would be no delay in setting up night school.
Leveraging the prefectural academy's foundation and the influence of the three princesses, Yangshi, Zhuyi, and Weichang, the night school had already attracted numerous workers within a month of its opening. The three princesses were kept busy and enthusiastic. Yangshi assigned Cao Xiang to organize a Cuju tournament among the prefectural academies, with Huo Guang assisting. Unexpectedly, despite his youth, Huo Guang possessed a keen eye for detail and eventually became the de facto organizer. He recruited matchmakers, organized eight teams, and planned the stands, replicating Huo Yan's successful polo tournament model. Ticket sales were implemented, and several food stalls were set up around the stadium.
Ticket prices were low, and thanks to Huo Yan and Sima Qian's years of hard work, the people of Jiaodong were becoming increasingly affluent. Upon hearing that their children's school was playing, they flocked to the stadium, bringing their families with them. The stadium was bustling with activity.
Wei Qing was also dragged along by the guards' captain to cheer for the league. Unable to resist the crowd's enthusiasm, the general even took to the field to kick a few balls himself. Thanks to his exceptional skill and numerous goals, upon his departure, the bridesmaid, beaming, sent someone to present him with several newly made leather Cuju-shaped pendants.
Wei Qing took it and thanked him politely, but a trace of barely perceptible regret flashed across his eyes.
He actually missed the "Polo Boy" stuffed animal Huo Yan had designed for Huo Qubing. Its spirit and charm were so striking that it resembled his own Huo Qubing. He had a large collection of Huo Qubing merchandise back then, and Huo Yan often gave them home.
He couldn't help but ask the bridesmaid, "Do you have a doll that looks like the Grand Marshal Hussar General from the early days?"
The bridesmaid was stunned, then apologized, "General, are you talking about the Polo Boy model? Oh, that's an old model from a long time ago, and it's no longer in production. There are only two new models in Jiaodong right now, one is called World War I Champion, and the other is called "Ride the Horse and Drive the Enemy Away with You, General."
She quickly signaled the waiter to bring the two items.
Wei Qing looked at the heroic "Ride the Horse and Drive the Enemy" doll in his hand and uttered a soft "Huh!", somewhat puzzled. Ah Yan had clearly released many new dolls over the years, so why hadn't he sent him any more to cure illnesses?
This kid!
"Pack up both of these," Wei Qing said, adding, "If there's anything that looks like Ah Yan, bring it over as well."
The bridesmaid's eyes lit up and she nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes! Both Zhishui Tai'an and the Huo twins have them!"
She hurriedly ordered someone to fetch them, and even gave them a bonus doll of Wei Qing himself, the "Flying General of Dragon City." Wei Qing looked at the lifelike, cuddly furry dolls in his hands, a satisfied smile finally showing in his eyes, and he ordered several more.
Of course, there are not many customers who are as generous as the general to buy everything at once, but little by little, the sales of these football-themed dolls are quite good.
The county school competition was in full swing, in stark contrast to the county magistrate's office.
Crown Prince Liu Ju was practically in tears when faced with Liu Che's personal instruction. Ever since his son's soul-searching question, "What are you teaching me?", Liu Che had become possessed, grabbing Liu Ju and demanding to teach him the art of ruling and the handling of government affairs.
Liu Che was a natural political animal, with a volatile mind and shrewd tactics. This meant he often failed to understand that Liu Ju, given his age and experience, might not be able to keep up with his thinking, and could only passively accept his indoctrination. The result was that one side spoke endlessly, boasting that they were imparting all their knowledge, while the other side listened with confusion and felt uneasy. After this torture, Liu Ju felt as if his soul was about to leave his body.
Just at this moment, Wei Qing walked in with several furry dolls.
As soon as he entered the door, Liu Che frowned. He hated witchcraft the most after the incident with Chen Ajiao.
Who was so bold as to openly sell witchcraft and poison to his general?
Liu Ju jumped up in a flash, his eyes shining, staring straight at the limited edition dolls of the Huo twins, Huo Yan and Huo Qubing, holding hands, in Wei Qing's hand.
"Uncle! Uncle! This! Where did you buy this?"
Liu Ju's voice cracked with excitement. "I've been saving up points for the toy house for ages! Brother Qubing's Polo Boy, your Dragon City Flying General, and Brother Ayan's Water Control Tai'an are all top-tier, limited editions. I go every time just to save up enough points to exchange for these twins! Last time I finally saved enough, but I was a little too late, so all that was left was the Big Rabbit! I asked Brother Ayan if I could still exchange it, and he actually laughed and asked me, 'If you can buy all of them, then why are they called limited editions?'"
Liu Ju rubbed his hands together, his face filled with grief and indignation, and cursed his "cunning" brother A Yan again in his heart.
Only then did Wei Qing realize that Huo Yan, who he thought was well-behaved and intelligent, not only had many friends, but was also so "perfunctory" towards his own cousin.
He thought he was speaking to Liu Ju in a low voice, but in fact Liu Che heard it clearly.
"Ayan must have a lot of stock! Go ask him and tell him that his uncle has approved it. If that doesn't work, ask Qubing! I can't give you this one of mine. The last time I saw Qubing, he had a whole box full!"
He hugged his "Dragon City Flying General" and "Huo Twins" tightly.
Liu Ju agreed, nodding vigorously. The "Big Tiger Head" stuffed doll Huo Yan had given him for his birthday was still a favorite of his, and he couldn't bear to give it away. The uncle and nephew huddled together, caressing and kneading the doll. Liu Ju, feeling a bit of revenge, pinched Huo Yan's bouncy cheeks.
Completely ignored, Liu Che coughed heavily as he watched the loving father and filial son, who had only missed him, before him. His sharp eyes swept over the doll in Wei Qing's arms, especially the lifelike figure. After the Chen Ajiao witchcraft case, he was extremely sensitive and wary of such things.
"Zhongqing," Liu Che said in a low voice, "Do you know what this is?"
He pointed at the dolls.
Wei Qing was stunned. "Ayan, Qubing, and me."
Liu Che was silent for a moment before he said, "Zhongqing, have you forgotten what that vicious woman Chen did?"
Wei Qing thought of the puppets used to curse people that he had found in Empress Chen's palace. Then he looked at the cute, furry little creatures in his arms and said frankly, "Your Majesty, these are small toys sold by Ayan's shop. Almost every child in Chang'an has one. They have nothing to do with witchcraft."
Liu Che frowned, "Do you know that this thing resembles a human and could easily be used by those with ulterior motives for witchcraft and sorcery?"
His tone was grim, and the subtext was clear: Ah Yan made and sold this thing, is he trying to murder you?
Before he could even shout out these words, he saw Wei Qing very naturally place the Huo Yan doll in the front, and gave the doll a gentle and doting smile, as if he was admiring his most proud child.
Liu Che's chest was choked with anger: Good fellow! Is Huo Ayan going to curse himself too?!
Liu Che was speechless for a moment, a vein on his forehead throbbing slightly. After a long pause, he rubbed his throbbing temples and asked with a final hint of inquiry, "Ayan...who else did he kill?"
Wei Qing shook his head: "I only paid attention to Qubing and Ayan, and didn't pay attention to anything else."
He looked at the doll in his hand and felt that it looked very much like the furry and soft appearance of Huo Yan and Huo Qubing when they were young, like two cute little lambs, and he couldn't help but rub it.
How can Your Majesty compare these cute little things with those gloomy and ugly voodoo puppets?
Liu Ju became excited and listed them off like the back of his hand. "There are so many! The Monkey King, Erlang Shen, Nezha, Confucius, Mencius, Prime Minister Xiao He, Prime Minister Cao Shen, and General Zhao Yun who have all been performed on stage! Oh, and even my great-great-grandfather had a story about slaying a white snake! Brother Ayan said that when I achieve great things in the future, he'll arrange a big play for me and make me his own character!"
He raised his little face proudly and concluded: "Father, you don't understand the minds of us young people. It's normal that you don't know."
At Han Entertainment, Huo Yan worked hard for many years to turn the dolls into a finished IP and sold them all over the country. However, he accidentally broke Liu Che's heart.
Fighting poison with poison is terrifying.
Liu Che looked at Wei Qing and Liu Ju who were obsessed with the doll in front of him, and then looked at his empty hands. For the first time in his life, he felt a strong sense of isolation and abandonment from the times.
Is he, Liu Che, the only one in the world who thinks this thing is inappropriate and doesn't like it?
The emperor's pride and desire for control were instantly ignited! He would never allow anything he disliked and that might threaten him to exist in the world! Especially something that was suspected of being "witchcraft"!
Just as he clenched his fist, Wei Qing reminded him in a puzzled tone, "Your Majesty, how come you don't even know this?" "Your Majesty, when you collected the dividends...didn't you read the terms of the contract? Didn't Ah Yan cooperate with you on this?"
Liu Che's anger was like being poured with a basin of cold water, and it was instantly extinguished. His clenched fists tightened and loosened again.
When Huo Yan came up with a lot of ideas, he only understood that polo matches could train soldiers and make money. He didn't quite understand the subsequent "love split" plans, but Huo Yan had a way of making money, and he could get huge dividends for free without any effort.
So I stamped it without thinking.
He'd been collecting this money safely for nearly twelve years! If it were banned now... wouldn't his dividends be gone?
The key point is that the look in Wei Qing and Liu Ju's eyes when they looked at him at this moment was full of meanings such as "You don't really want to ban it, do you?" "This has nothing to do with witchcraft!" and "Your Majesty, you are too suspicious!"
Liu Che's face turned blue with frustration. He slammed his clenched fist down on the table, making a dull thud. He practically roared, "Who can eat Huo Yan's food for free?"
Liu Ju immediately seized the opportunity, curled his lips, and imitated Huo Yan's infuriating tone, saying, "You ate it! Not only did you eat it, but now you want to smash the bowl!"
That little expression and tone, he looks just like a little Huo Yan.
The corners of Wei Qing's mouth twitched, and he quickly lowered his head to hide the smile that was about to break.
Liu Che was so angry at them that he felt dizzy before his eyes. He pointed at Liu Ju and said, "I haven't smashed it yet!"
Liu Ju snorted fearlessly, his expression and the roll of his eyes were exactly the same as Huo Yan's.
Liu Che looked at his son, who had been deeply "poisoned" by Huo Yan, and a surge of anger rushed to his head. He slammed the table and declared with gritted teeth, "Huo Yan! Forget about teaching anyone again in this life!"
Look at what he has taught my prince to be!
The five-day Cuju League was a roaring success, generating substantial revenue from ticket sales and surrounding food stalls, all of which went toward subsidizing the county school's expenses. Huo's souvenirs also became popular sellers. Although Xiniang handled the vast sums of money flowing through Huo Yan's vast business empire, she was genuinely delighted to see Huo Guang's first project so popular, and she wrote a letter to Huo Yan.
This was just the grand spectacle of Jimo. Still only a teenager, Huo Guang had already demonstrated remarkable planning skills. He planned to hold a Cuju tournament covering the entire Jiaodong County in the autumn, inviting teams from various county schools to participate. He also intended to make this a regular event, with each county hosting it in turn.
Sima Qian admired Huo Guang's calmness and competence. Remembering Huo Yan's instructions, he invited Huo Guang to help him organize documents in his spare time. He didn't need to actually intervene, but could observe and learn first.
Huo Guang nodded calmly in agreement, his demeanor showing some style, which made Du and Zhou praise him highly.
Outside Chang'an City, on the banks of the Wei River.
The massive fires of the state-run ironworks burned day and night, illuminating half the sky in a crimson glow. This was the starting point for Huo Yan's experiments in blast furnace ironmaking, and he "donated" it to the imperial court. Compared to the five large ironworks later built in Guanzhong and Huainan, this old workshop was small and shabby, with only one blast furnace. Due to the demand for the new agricultural implements Huo Yan had recently "pretentiously" promoted, this workshop now specializes in forging iron tools.
Thick smoke billowed into the sky.
The resounding clang of hammers striking pig iron mingled with the laborers' powerful calls, and the air was thick with the scorching aroma of coke and molten iron. Huo Yan, dressed in a comfortable, soap-colored linen jersey, revealing his sleek forearms, stood before a newly-forged iron plow, still radiating a startling heat and a dark red sheen, examining it closely. Sweat dripped down his delicate jawline.
Manager Li An had been waiting at the door for a long time. When he saw Huo Yan, a smile spread across his face, and he enthusiastically welcomed him into the relatively cool shed nearby.
"Master, please."
He respectfully took the improved drawings brought by Huo Yan.
Li An was about twenty years old and was the child who promoted the Huns in front of Liu Che.
Both his parents worked at the Huo family winery. He had been educated at Jiang Gong's since childhood and was known for his eloquence, boldness, and carefulness. Since the Xiongnu had almost sold out, Huo Yan had asked him to come here and take charge. Given his talent, he was clearly underemployed.
But now Huo Yan saw that the child's temper had improved a little, and he nodded in satisfaction.
After reporting on the progress of the farm tools and pouring Huo Yan a bowl of coarse tea to cool him down, Li An's true colors began to show, staring at Huo Yan eagerly. "Sir, I still want to go back to my old ways and follow the Marquis of Guanjun to sell the Xiongnu! When will he go on his next expedition?"
Huo Yan thought to himself that you are not worthy enough to work with my brother to sell out all the Xiongnu people to extinction. The rest have either surrendered or run away, and you are still selling them!
He glanced at him and said, "He hasn't been on the expedition recently."
Ang Lee was like an eggplant hit by frost, and he said "oh" listlessly.
At this time, Zhao Guo and others had gone to guide the assembly of the coupled plow, leaving only Huo Yan and Li An in the shed.
The boy had no scruples at all. He lay directly on Huo Yan's lap like a large dog, with his face tilted up, complaining pitifully.
"Sir, you keep telling me to be patient, to be patient! Xiaoke's in charge of the wine, Tiedan's in charge of the iron, Sister Xiniang runs the caravan happily, and the new wine minister and agricultural envoy you sent out are both so impressive... What about me? I aspired to be an envoy, but you've asked me to replace my father in charge of this ironworks for three years! My father's leg injury has long since healed, and he can even ride a horse!"
His father had his legs burned when he was testing a blast furnace with Huo Yan.
Huo Yan was amused by him. He stretched out his fingers, which were stained with coal dust, and gently tapped his eyebrows. "Then my child, tell me yourself, have you improved your temper?"
Li An nuzzled Huo Yan's knees, then immediately raised his head and asked with sparkling eyes, "What do you think?"
Huo Yan didn't push him away, letting him lie there. His tone was as gentle as a teacher's. "Xiahou told me that you're his biggest headache. You're not bad, you're smart, but your tongue is..." Huo Yan was helpless. "It's three inches longer than an average person's. You're very cunning and persuasive, with a lot of twisted logic. You'll coax those you like and bully those you don't. You're incredibly bold."
When Li An heard this, his head immediately drooped like a puppy who had done something wrong.
Huo Yan's hand fell on his head, rubbing it soothingly. "But I told him, if you look at those well-behaved kids, his son might be naughty, but if you look at his ambitions, he's lovable."
He looked at Li An's eyes, which had instantly brightened up again, and his tone turned serious. "He is loyal and righteous, capable of both civil and military affairs, quick-witted and flexible, and passionate. More importantly, he has a good tongue. Where can you find such a good envoy?"
"I believe you are born to be a Han envoy." He leaned forward slightly, his voice low and full of allure that stirred the heart. "My child, I told you that day that in the future, I would open a golden trade route to the Western Regions for the empire. You will be the forerunner."
Li An suddenly stood up straight, his eyes bursting with amazing brilliance. Without any hesitation, he nodded heavily: "Sir, are you leaving now? I will not refuse even if I die!"
Huo Yan then gently patted his shoulder, motioning him to stand. Li An obediently stood up, unable to conceal his excitement. Huo Yan whispered something in his ear. The more Li An listened, the brighter his eyes became, his face filled with eager excitement.
"Can I see Duke Bowang if I pass the Imperial College exam?"
"Okay, I'll go with Mr. Zhang."
Huo Yan put down the teacup, turned around, and walked towards the bustling forging site. Together with Zhao Guo and others, he carefully inspected every component of the new agricultural tools.
According to Han Dynasty regulations, iron and salt were to be managed separately by government-run workshops in the 36 prefectures. However, Huo Yan was well aware of the drawbacks that would plague state-run factories in later generations, such as pricing chaos, declining quality, and the proliferation of illicit salt and iron. Therefore, from the time he became Minister of the Interior, he dedicated himself to cultivating a multifaceted talent pool with both technical and management expertise. Now officially in charge of iron administration, he found success with ease. He consolidated the previously fragmented and inefficient ironworks across the prefectures, concentrating resources in five newly constructed large ironworks. Salt production would be centralized and exported from Jiaodong, while iron farm tools and weapons would be supplied exclusively by the ironworks in Guanzhong and Huainan.
In the 36 counties of the country, there are only full-time salt officials who are responsible for selling official salt, forming an efficient and controllable production and sales chain.
He and Sang Hongyang both advocated strengthening the foundations of agriculture and sericulture. The treasury was temporarily swelled by the "Reporting of Mint" order and profits from state-run businesses, and Sang Hongyang, in a rare move, supported the establishment of granaries to stabilize grain prices. A new policy of "interest-free first loan" was being piloted in Guanzhong.
All registered residents who applied for new iron plows from the government in the first year only needed a guarantee from the village head, and did not need to repay grain that year. Starting the following year, they could repay the equivalent grain over two years, charging a symbolic 5 cents annual interest. While the effectiveness remained to be seen, Huo Yan believed the policy was feasible.
The imperial court was far more than a few towering palaces in the Weiyang Palace. It was, in essence, a vast and sophisticated system. State affairs were governed by regulations, which, over time, became rules, and, with further aging, became ancestral laws. New laws and policies never challenged specific individuals, but rather this complex and inertial system. Throughout history, reformers like Wu Qi, Sun Wu, and Shang Yang, despite their success, rarely achieved a good end. Even Sang Hongyang, after Emperor Wu of Qin passed away, suffered a fate unseen, his head and body separated, his grave undiscovered.
Huo Yan was well aware of the dangers. He approached each step with caution, transforming his new policies into specific laws and regulations, driving them like a wedge into the wheels of the empire, making them an inseparable part of the system.
Perhaps you can only push a small area in your entire life.
But, even if Huo Ayan dies, there will still be others to come!
He wants to focus on education while developing the economy!
Imperial College is very important to him.
[The West cannot do without Jerusalem, just as Ah Yan cannot do without the Imperial Academy.]
[Hahahahahaha, that's right.]
[What Ayan wants, Ayan gets.]
[By the way, why are all the children Ayan has raised like babies? Xiaoke lies on his lap, Anan lies on his lap, Shiye cries, and Ayan comforts them.]
[The puppy is silent, and the puppy lies on his knees.]
[Mother of the Bride: Oh, men, I am the only one Daddy can rely on!]
Huo Yan gave a middle finger in the air, who is daddy!
He is a strict father!
When Huo Qubing was about to pick up Huo Yan to see a doctor, he turned around and saw Huo Yan's car.
He got into the car, Huo Yan supported his forehead and smiled faintly, not looking sick at all.
"Brother, can you do me a favor?"
Huo Qubing nodded without saying a word.
Huo Yan whispered a few words in his ear and he agreed.
"I just happened to recommend a few of my uncle's subordinates recently, so adding Du Zhou shouldn't be a big deal."
"It's just," he frowned slightly, "why don't you recommend yourself."
Huo Yan coughed twice and said, "Because I won't be able to recommend officials soon."
Huo Qubing: ...
"It's okay. I'll take revenge for my own death. Your uncle will understand." He pulled Huo Yan's collar. "Besides, your uncle is not dead, so you don't have to blame yourself."
Huo Yan had no choice but to talk about his plan to take up the position of Imperial College Doctor and Deputy Secretary. The more he spoke, the more Huo Qubing frowned.
"You can teach those Confucian scholars the Book of Songs and the Book of Documents. With your knowledge, it's no problem. But the Imperial Academy," he said with undisguised disdain, "is full of old pedants who have spent their whole lives studying the classics. They only talk about the Five Classics and have no knowledge of practical matters. When Gongsun Hong was around, he could still maintain some respectability, but now empty talk is the norm. I don't even want you to go there to study!"
In the eyes of the champion marquis who had made great military achievements, the Imperial Academy was just a group of insignificant "little Karami" who were not worthy of his brilliant younger brother.
Huo Yan lifted the celadon teacup, the steam lingering from it blurring his beautiful features. He gently skimmed off the foam, his movements graceful and composed. Putting the cup down, he looked up at his brother. His almond-shaped eyes shone startlingly bright in the candlelight, and the corners of his lips curved in a determined smile.
"Brother, precisely because it's useless, I'm going to... take charge."
His slender fingers twisted the fan bones unconsciously, and his eyes seemed to penetrate the numerous houses and look at the vast world.
"The world's most talented person," Huo Yan's voice was clear and firm, carrying the sharpness and ambition unique to young people. "Don't you want to meet him?"
I really miss it!
【Author’s words】
It's impossible to undo what's been done
According to the "Book of Han: Biography of Zhu Maichen" and folklore, Zhu Maichen lived in poverty in his early years, chopping wood for a living but steadfastly pursuing his studies. His wife, Cui, unable to bear the poverty and ridicule of others, repeatedly requested a divorce. Zhu Maichen advised, "I should be rich and noble at fifty, but I am already over forty. You have suffered for so long. Wait for me to become rich and noble and repay your merits." But Cui refused to listen and insisted on leaving and marrying another man.
Later, Zhu Maichen was recommended for officialdom and, with his talent and knowledge, was appreciated by Emperor Wu of Han, becoming the prefect of Kuaiji. Upon his return home, he was accompanied by a large convoy. Seeing his wealth and status, Cui, filled with regret, approached and requested a remarriage. Zhu Maichen ordered a basin of water to be brought and poured onto the ground, saying to Cui, "If you can collect the water, you may return home." The water, naturally irrecoverable, spilled onto the ground. Seeing this, Cui fled in shame and later died of depression.
Ayan is a very ambitious and strong child!
He was very sad some time ago, but as long as the sun comes out, he will be fine.
His family members were really nice. His mother and aunt really loved him. They felt sad when they slapped him, and they also felt sorry for him when they interrogated him at the end. It's just that he is alive while Gongsun Jingsheng is dead.
People always have to find a reason to live. If love is gone, then hate will do.
So he said it was okay to hate him, he just rationally thought of a way to let his aunt survive.
But he didn't know that his aunt couldn't bear to hate him, and in the end she could only hate herself.
Perhaps he would have to wait until his aunt closed her eyes and all love and hate disappeared before he could realize that his aunt did not hate him.
Qubing would always be certain that his younger brother would die for Liu Ju, because if that day really came, that would be his choice.
To die for one's country or to die for one's family is brave enough and is what Ayan and Qubing would choose.
Qubing kept emphasizing that his uncle was not dead because he felt that unless he was really dead, his brother could be saved.
He is very proud of his younger brother. He thinks Huo Yan is an excellent friend and the best support.
They have two sides. Sometimes Huo Yan and he have the same train of thought. (Laughing and crying)
So the last sentence was said by two people together.
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