"It can't be considered as fighting against the government—"
Wei Yuan frowned: "I work in Tianshan, so I can't help but hold private gatherings."
At this time, I was truly envious of that [central] Yang Yunlu. Under the rule of the Great Shang Dynasty, most people were obedient and honest in character.
There are so many famous places like theirs in Hongcheng!
"They are all dissatisfied! Now these people's monthly wages have increased to fifty taels, and they still refuse to give up. How on earth are we going to stop this?"
When Kong Rui heard this, he became increasingly silent. Fifty taels per month, which is equivalent to half a first-order beast crystal, almost five times that of Central Yunlu.
I realized that I still underestimated Wei Yuan. This man said that one year's salary could support three thousand people. If calculated based on Hongcheng's standards, how much would it be
Suddenly he realized that Wei Yuan's words just now were probably more to show off to him. Most likely he didn’t want to be underestimated by someone like him from ‘Chinese Earth’—
"Exactly! If this continues, I'm afraid there will be no one left to farm in that village."
"There are not many people now who are willing to cultivate the fields conscientiously. Just yesterday, the price of one stone of grain had actually risen to one hundred and ten cents! It was only through large-scale purchases from him that the price of grain was barely stabilized. "
"Sigh! I heard that in the past dynasties of Central Yunlu, the country was founded on farming and war. But now that I am in the Tianshan Mountains, I have left all the important military affairs in the hands of outsiders.
"It is said that Prime Minister Ren has proposed in the Senate to ban the purchase of grain as much as possible!"
"Ah! Food prices are really going to skyrocket now—"
"But I heard that recently some spiritual masters are studying how to use spiritual formations and mechanisms to help people cultivate their fields."
"Mechanism technique? Isn't this the specialty of the Mohist family? Is it the Kongqi sect? It is said that His Majesty is planning to establish a Taiyuan in Qiantian Mountain, imitating the system of China. It seems that he is also planning to open an engineering subject and make the Mohist technique a compulsory course. Class. In the future, all people in the Ministry of Industry must come from this department."
Kong Rui looked stunned as he listened to the discussion of these accompanying officials. The monthly salary of fifty taels and the price of food at one hundred and ten cents were actually very low.
The national policy set by Ren Bo should be to attract more people to work in agriculture.
But without these ridiculous decrees, it wouldn't be like this.
Like the great merchants, since the Holy King came to the throne, there has been sufficient food almost every year.
It’s just that the people there don’t seem to have the wealth of the Tianshan Mountains—
Also, a gentleman does not talk about profit. These people seem to have read some books. Why are they so vulgar
In addition, it is a good thing to establish Taixue, but it is puzzling to open engineering courses and teach Mohist techniques.
In this world, only Confucianism can truly govern the world!
As those people talked, the topic kept getting further and further away. But after half an hour, they probably felt impatient, and one of them snorted coldly: "These people are really endless. If I want to change my previous temperament, I must make them look good-"
"They are indeed unruly people. We must find a way to make them suffer!"
"Actually, it would be fine if it were just these people, and they wouldn't be able to stir up any trouble. What's annoying is that there are people who are secretly fanning the flames with bad intentions."
The other person shook his head and said: "Please be careful what you say! If someone hears this, if the counselors are informed, it will be a big trouble for you and our Lord. These people are worried that they will not have a chance." This approach attracts the attention of those ignorant people. It has been almost three years, and I have recently been preparing for re-election—"
Kong Rui finally couldn't help but said: "I think those soldiers are all elite soldiers. Why not let them forcibly disperse these mobs?"
After saying these words, there was silence all around. The few people accompanying him all looked very strange.
Ren Bo didn't answer silently, but someone beside him smiled and said: "I worked in several municipalities directly under the Tianshan Mountains before, and some people did this, but the current situation is very difficult!"
Kong Rui was even more puzzled. Difficulty? Could it be that the king is unhappy? Although it is good to love the people, one must also identify the target. Good people and evil people must not be treated equally.
Besides, scholar-bureaucrats like them are the pillars of the country!
How can I be so harshly criticized for some rioters
At this time, Ren Bo suddenly sighed again: "Just a few days ago, your Majesty signed another decree. The councilors in each city now have the responsibility of questioning and supervising the governor. The chief official of a city can be impeached. If the votes are passed, Halfway through, I can no longer be a prefect—"
The implication is that it is extremely desolate. The other officials also shook their heads and sighed, seeming to be quite troubled. However, Kong Rui's heart completely sank to the bottom, and the last trace of expectation was also shattered.
Such absurd governance is simply the most ridiculous thing in the world. Going against the grain, how many more years can the current national power of the Tianshan Mountains be maintained
No wonder, many famous Confucian figures from Dashang always have a very disdainful tone whenever they mention Qiantian Mountain.
I thought it was just hearsay from these people, but I was afraid that their words were not entirely true. But when he actually came to Donglin, he realized that the situation was more serious than he imagined.
From what he saw, that man was indeed a truly wise king.
The prospect of Yaoer marrying such a monarch as his concubine is really bleak.
After thinking for a moment, Kong Rui suddenly got out of the car. The place was so congested that it might not be possible to pass within four or five hours. He wanted to see Kong Yao as soon as possible, so he might as well walk there.
※ ※ ※ ※
At the same time, above the sea of clouds in Qiantian Mountain. The middle-aged Confucian snorted in displeasure and prepared to leave the airspace.
As he was leaving, he suddenly remembered something and turned around to look at Zong Shou with an extremely cautious expression.
"I am a foreign minister, and there are some things that are inconvenient for me to tell you. However, I have been deeply touched by Li Qiantian in the lower reaches recently, and I can't say a few words in my heart. I have a system of consultation, which is similar to the one above. The Fengxianguan of my great merchant was originally a good thing. But now the king has transferred the power to human hands, elected the people to consult, and then used this consultative governor, it is really a big mistake!"
Zong Shou raised his eyebrows, as if he was willing to hear the details. I heard that this man was not polite, but he still said with a serious face: "The common people are ignorant and only know how to fight. They are short-sighted and uneducated, and they are easy to be fooled and incited. Your Majesty, you know that the counselors at Zhenqian Peak are now , have most of them been controlled by those powerful families? In most places, vote bribery is the norm. Five measures of chestnuts can buy one person's vote—"
Zong Shou secretly shook his head after hearing this. This was not only the first time, someone said this to him.
This kind of thing is really annoying. But if this is not the case, it will be like him who has been neglecting politics all year round. I'm afraid that within a few years, all of my family's wealth will be wiped out by the civil servants under my command.
With the Senate Hall present, these people were somewhat apprehensive.
We were already very poor, and these people stole some and took some. I'm afraid there will be nothing left in his inner treasury.
There was a smile on his face, as if he admired this great scholar's words.
"Sheng Dou Xiaomin? What you said makes perfect sense! It's just that there are some things that you know are right, so you can't stop doing them just because the process is difficult."
He also looked solemn and showed his righteousness: "The people are still ignorant, so I will try my best to let them know the etiquette and justice. In the end, I should be able to serve the people of heaven and not give up for five measures of rice -"