Father Han Gaozu

Chapter 841
It is another harvest season.

Xia Houzao stood on the edge of the pier, holding a knife in one hand, looking at the piled up human heads, unable to hide the joy of harvest in his heart, his face was full of gratified smiles.

The navy of Yan State is constantly carrying the fruits. Boxes of treasures have been taken from the ships by them, and the hard work and sweat are watering the fruits of the harvest.

After a period of hard work, Xiahou Zao finally waited for the harvest.

He cultivated the coastal area of ​​Yan State hard. The King of Yan could not leave at will, but Xiahou Zao could.

Although there is no experience in commanding the navy, there are not many experienced soldiers in Yan State, but there is only a lack of a commander. Xia Houzao is still a good commander. Anyway, there is no pressure to rob some water thieves.Water thieves are rampant, everyone thinks about how to restrain these people, but Xia Houzao thinks about how rich the wealth they plunder should be.

Xia Houzao led the water army and started a long career of plundering, catching water thieves everywhere, using the routines used by water thieves in the past to rob water thieves' ships, and plundered all the way to the border of Jiaodong, scaring the local water army almost to the ground. The army is dispatched.

Pirates' savings are valuable, and so are their heads.

These are all real military exploits.

Liu Bi stood aside, looking at the huge harvest, with a smile on his face.

"Not bad, not bad, it's a pity, if you go out with a big ship, you can bring back more things!"

"To rob water thieves, you need to use a boat that can catch up with water thieves. Large ships are not very good at attacking water thieves, but don't worry, most of these water thieves choose to put their things in their lairs. I have already marked it, just send a big ship to get it back.”

As Xia Houzao said, Liu Bi was moved and took his hand.

"You wiped out the water thieves around me and brought so many things, how can I repay you?"

Liu Bi is really grateful to Xia Houzao. Yan’s sea trade is actually very developed. The gold and silver from Wa Island are first transported to Yan, and then transported from Yan to the south step by step. In addition, most merchants in the south also like it. They came to the Yan Kingdom for trade, and everyone got what they needed, but the pirates seriously harmed the interests of the Yan Kingdom. They even dared to rob gold and silver ships, which was enough to shake King Yan's prestige in the world. If Yin was robbed, then he, the King of Yan, would probably have to become a prince.

The generals under Liu Bi's command were scattered all over the place, and he couldn't hunt and kill them across regions. The water bandits could go, but he, the prince and king, couldn't.
Xia Houzao was quite disdainful of this. He thought that as long as he told the emperor, Liu Bi could actually go, but Liu Bi was not willing to cause trouble for His Majesty. Waiting for them to do something wrong, so that they can group up and besiege, even if the emperor doesn't care, he can't cause such trouble for the emperor.

But when he heard that Liu Bi wanted to reward him, Xia Houzao suddenly laughed.

"If you say that, then I really have something I want to ask you for a reward."

Liu Bi patted himself on the chest boldly, "Just say it!"

An hour later, Liu Bi regretted his words.

He firmly held Xiahouzao's hand, "General Xiahou, this horse is really not a good horse, it's variegated, and it's really not worthy of you to ride. I'll send you another good-bye horse!"

Xia Houzao wanted King Yan's horse.

King Yan is actually quite bold, it’s just a horse, I’ll give it to you if you want it!

But the problem is, Xia Houzao didn’t want one. After entering King Yan’s stable, Xiahouzao found that King Yan really had a lot of BMWs. Xiahouzao was dazzled by all kinds of horses. choose.

At this time, he remembered the emperor's instructions.

Zhu Zi just chooses, and the real man takes them all!
Therefore, he decided to carry out the emperor's order and empty out King Yan's stables.

Immediately, Liu Bi couldn't stand it anymore, at least you leave me five horses to pull the cart! !
If the widow does not speak, are you going to take all the soldiers who raise horses to Chang'an?
Seeing the two pulling back and forth, Xia Houzao finally achieved his goal and left five horses for the cart to King Yan.

Of course, Xia Houzao couldn't stay in the country of Yan. Zhao Wan's affairs had already been settled, so he still had to be sent back.

King Yan had no choice but to accept the result, leaving behind five BMWs anyway.

The King of Yan was still a little reluctant to leave Luo Zuo. During these days, Luo Zuo discovered many resources in different areas of Yan Kingdom. They had everything except silver. King Yan attached great importance to Luo Zuo, and he was not willing to let him go, but there was no way, such a great sage, could not always come to serve such a vassal state as him, Liu Bi gave Luo Zuo a lot of rewards, Find out the young talents in the country and let them continue their studies with Luo Zuo.

This group of people can be said to have returned with a full load.

Xiahouzao was riding a steed, and the knights behind him had already changed their horses. Xiahouzao rewarded the knights who came with him with the military that he had obtained from Yan, leaving only a few good horses. For friends in Chang'an.

The knights were naturally very excited. The value of a BMW was simply inestimable for knights like them.

Looking at the way the knights looked at Xia Houzao, Zhao Wan was thoughtful.

This is probably the reason why this stupid big man can always win the battle.

They quickly set off towards Chang'an, and decided to bypass Handan and not get too entangled with the Zhao people.

At the same time, inside Chang'an, a storm about the Ministry of Industry is brewing.

In the Ministry of Industry Mansion, the newly appointed Qing Chen Mai sat on the top seat, squinted his eyes, and looked at the many officials in front of him.

As early as a few days ago, Chen Mai had already investigated these officials under his command, and was familiar with them enough, but today was their first meeting.

Among them, Chen Tao stood at the forefront.

Chen Tao held the position of the left servant of the Ministry of Industry, second only to Qing in the Ministry of Industry, and the other was the right servant She Yang Cheng Quji.

This Yang Cheng Quji is the son of Yang Chengyan who built Chang'an City in the past.

He inherited his father's mantle, and is currently in charge of Dahan's engineering and other matters. He assisted Zhang Buyi in the past, and he has achieved some results. This is the case, they don't like to talk very much, and they all do things in silence, probably because the right to speak is not in their hands, and the reason why speaking has no effect. Those lip-smacking people became their biggest enemies, frantically tortured, wanting to continue to maintain the scholars, farmers, businessmen, and keep them from coming in front of them.

It's not that the ministers can't see the ability of these "workers", they just think that these people should take care of their own affairs and obey their own orders. Why do they need to be officials or nobles?
We didn't even get these titles, so where do you get your share?

Under Chen Mai's gaze, these people felt a little uneasy.

Chen Mai has been in Shu County for a long time, holding the power of life and death in his hands, and he does not leave any room for things. Compared with the ministers in the temple, he has more evil spirits.

"Everyone, from today onwards, I will be in charge of the Ministry of Industry."

"Actually, I shouldn't be asked to take this position, because I don't understand engineering at all, and I don't understand craftsmanship. But, although I don't understand these things, I can understand Your Majesty."

"Since your Majesty ascended the throne, the world has been peaceful, the country is prosperous, all enemies have retreated, there are no thieves in the south of the desert, and there are no hungry people in the Central Plains. , Your Majesty has said many times that the affairs of the great man are at sea. Some ministers in the country don't understand this truth, they may understand it, but they don't want to understand it, but I am different."

"I know His Majesty's ability, and I also know that His Majesty will not make mistakes."

"Since His Majesty has opened his mouth, the matter of the big man must be in the sea!"

"From today onwards, our Ministry of Industry will become the most important secretary of the Han Dynasty. If you encounter difficulties, no matter what, you must first come to me. If someone is dissatisfied, you can first come to me. When something big happens, you have to be prepared.”

Chen Mai did not hide his thoughts at all.

Everyone was a little shocked and didn't understand why Chen Mai said this.

Chen Mai sneered, "Your Majesty trusts you all, and you must not disappoint Your Majesty's high expectations. I will deal with all troubles myself, but you must also produce enough results to repay Your Majesty."

"Okay, you all go back and go about your own affairs. Unless you encounter trouble or have a request in the future, you don't have to come to see me again! Just do things with peace of mind!"

Everyone was confused, but they still paid their respects and left one by one.

Chen Tao walked out of the mansion, Yang Cheng Quji followed him, the two looked at each other.

"Qu Nihou, what does this mean?"

"I do not know."

Both of them just felt that Chen Mai's words were inexplicable, and they couldn't understand the meaning, but the two of them were not talkative people, since they couldn't figure it out, they simply didn't think about it, and went about their own business with peace of mind. alright.

At this moment, Chen Mai looked at the only official left in the mansion.

That is, the new assistant sent to him by His Majesty.

Drain dark.

Chen Mairao looked at Ji An in front of him with interest, and asked, "Can you understand why I said these words today?"

Ji An is one of the few officials who will not panic when facing Chen Mai. Facing Chen Mai's inquiry, he said very seriously: "Understood."

"Oh, tell me, what am I going to do?"

"The princes are going to coerce the craftsmen of the Ministry of Industry, counterattack the officials in the court, and force them to recognize the status of "the world's workers", so as to break the prejudice and ambiguity between the court and the center on the workers, and then sweep the world, so that the workers are not humble."

Chen Mai frowned, "It's a very good thing, how come it comes from your mouth, it means that I want to rebel?"

"The princes want to rebel against the scholars, and in their eyes, it is not bad to say that they are rebelling."

"No wonder His Majesty asked you to come to me. You dare to speak out. Do you think this matter can be carried out?"

Ji An said seriously: "Since Your Majesty came to the throne, all walks of life have been developing rapidly. Among them, the status of craftsmen, doctors, and merchants has been improved. Among them, the status of craftsmen is the most obvious. Your Majesty canonized many princes, all of whom were born craftsmen. I don't know much about learning, I don't know the classics, but because I made useful utensils, I became a marquis and an official, but the more your majesty treats them so favorably, the more they are suppressed, because they threaten the interests of scholars. "

"If you want to really improve their status, this cannot be changed through rewards, but through a change in thinking. Everyone thinks that morality and classics are more important than those inventions. The status of craftsmen needs to be suppressed in order to maintain today's great man. You To change this matter, to threaten them with killing, or to threaten them with your own identity, is not acceptable, the best way is to get the help of the prince."

"In the prince's Huang-Lao theory, he focused on craftsmanship and made technology into the method of immortals. Huang Lao's views on craftsmen naturally changed. Some Huang-Lao people even took the initiative to learn from craftsmen."

Chen Mai asked: "I know you are from Huang Lao, do you mean that you want me to ask Huang Lao for help, so that Huang Lao's thoughts can be better spread, so as to achieve my goal?"

"Not really, as long as you can make all the schools recognize this truth, it will be fine."

"Especially Confucianism."

Chen Mai shook his head, "The change of thought cannot be done in a short period of time, but for this matter, I want to see the change in a short period of time."

"Then there's nothing I can do to help you."

"No, you just stay by my side. You are very useful and can definitely help me."

As Chen Mai said, he narrowed his eyes again, not knowing what was going on in his heart.

"Prepare the car for me."

The place Chen Mai was going to was not far from the Ministry of Industry.

It is the eldest brother of Zhuqing, that is, the residence of the Ministry of Rites.

Lu Jia, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, has no friendship with Chen Mai. As an old minister in the temple, Lu Jia has a high status and a great reputation. Letting him sit by his side was a bit like relying on the old to sell the old.

Chen Mai was quite respectful, so he paid obeisance and sat beside him.

"Your Majesty said, you want to replace me?"

Lu Jia also had a temperament that couldn't hide things, so he asked directly.

Chen Mai shook his head, "It's not to replace you."

"Oh, then what's the matter with you coming to see me?"

"It's to ask you for help, and I want you to do me a favor."

"What's the matter?"

"Replacing the Ministry of Rites with the Ministry of Industry."

Lu Jia paused for a moment, then looked at Chen Mai suspiciously, did he hear correctly?What did this guy just say? ?

At this moment, in Houde Hall, Liu Zhang is reporting some trivial matters to the court.

Liu Chang listened drowsily, but had to listen.

"Are you finished?"

"finished"

"On this matter, do you still need to come and tell me?"

Liu Chang was very disdainful, and then said: "You have to watch it yourself, isn't it just that Chen Mai paid a visit to a few ministers, there is no need to tell me about this kind of thing, he is not planning to rebel."

"But Mr. Lu"

"Isn't that just kicking Chen Mai out? What kind of big deal is that?"

Liu Zhang had no choice but to salute and said, "Wei."

"Okay, let's go, don't stare at these people, pay more attention to the place, like the restless place like Zhao Guo, if there is any trouble, you must come and report it in time!"

Liu Zhang walked out of Houde Hall and passed Liu Liang head-on. Liu Liang hurriedly stopped and saluted him. Liu Zhang just nodded and passed by him with a cold expression. People cannot get close to anyone, even blood relatives.

Liu Liang took a deep breath, walked into the hall, and paid homage to Father.

Liu Chang was a little surprised, "Liang? Why are you here?"

"I'm here to plead guilty to my father. I offended Yushigong me because of the gift."

Liu Chang laughed. To this weak and sickly third son, Liu Chang was very gentle and rarely reprimanded him. He motioned for Liu Liang to sit beside him, touched his head, and said, "What's the matter? , if you have to apologize for this matter, then your fourth brother should have committed suicide a long time ago!"

"Actually, you did a very good job this time. I didn't expect you to have such an ability to drive so many literati to cheer for you. Not bad, not bad."

"It was right to ask you to get close to these people at the beginning, and we will have more contacts in the future."

Liu Liang hesitated for a moment, and then said: "My son came here this time for the sake of these literati."

"Oh? What happened to these literati?"

"It's not that something happened to the literati, it's because the minister wanted to bring these literati to help my father."

Liu Chang was even more puzzled, but still asked patiently: "What are you going to do for me?"

Liu Liang said seriously: "I'm going to hold a banquet, gather the scribes in Chang'an, let them write articles on the topic of work, reward those who write well, and let them actively help my father with public opinion."

Liu Liang stammered, and the words did not match the words, but the meaning was still very clear.

Liu Chang frowned suddenly, "Your idea is very good, but how did you know about the Ministry of Industry?"

Liu Liang explained: "It was the prince who said it. I told him about Qu Nihou's coming to Chang'an. He said that my father was planning to use him to revitalize the Ministry of Industry so that the Ministry of Industry would no longer be held hostage. He also ordered me to Please help."

"This old Daxian has some skills."

Liu Chang murmured, then looked at Liu Liang again, "He asked you to host a banquet for those literati?"

"No, this is my own thought. After much deliberation, the only thing that can help my father is this matter. Although these literati are not high in status, they are good at writing and Fu. When they are published in newspapers, they can often have great influence. Therefore, I wanted to call them together and ask them to write prose to praise the Ministry of Industry, Shang Fang, and craftsmen.”

"Write poems to praise craftsmen???"

Liu Chang thought for a while, but felt that this style was so contrary to harmony.

"You want to promote a new genre of poetry and prose! It's a good idea. If you want to do it, then do it!"

Liu Liang's face was full of surprises, he bowed to Liu Dachang, and said, "I will definitely handle this matter well!"

Seeing his son leaving happily, Liu Chang's face was also a little relieved.

The children have grown up and know to share the worries of the old father.

He hurriedly looked at Lu Lu, who was at the side, and said seriously: "Send someone to keep an eye on it. If anyone dares not cooperate and dares to embarrass my King of the Northland, he will be killed!!"

"only!!!"

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(End of this chapter)