In the spring and February of the fifth year of Yongxi's reign, Emperor Liu Yang, who led his ministers to complete the "first hoeing" of the new year on the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province, seemed to be in a good mood. Looking at the large field that had been plowed by the powerful, Liu Yang
He smiled knowingly, which was probably the most relieved smile he had shown since he took the throne five years ago.
Since Liu Yang ascended the throne, many of his performances have been in line with those of Emperor Shizu in his early years. This practice of taking matters into his own hands and wielding a hoe as an example is one of the manifestations of his excellent style. He has done so every year since he ascended the throne and has never slacked off.
Liu Yang was still dissatisfied with this and had already given instructions to his left and right to choose a place to do more practical things in the coming year and work with the farmers on the ground. Only in this way could he and the court truly reflect the importance he and the court attached to farming.
Rather than just doing some superficial work.
Liu Yang attached great importance to farming, mulberry farming and weaving. He knew that this was the foundation of a country and a solid industry. Without enough grain and cloth output, the Han Dynasty would be unable to move forward, and civil unrest would still be endless.
Liu Yang did not have such extravagant hopes to completely solve the food problem of the Han people. After all, even Emperor Shizu could not do it. How could he be so virtuous and capable? However, he should calm down, be down-to-earth, and work conscientiously to do something for the people of the country.
, striving to develop production and accumulate grain, cloth, salt and tea are things that Liu Yang can do and has always practiced.
Therefore, in the past few years, in addition to carrying out drastic rectification and reforms in the administration of officials, the rule of law, and tax reform, Liu Yang focused most of his energy on farming.
In order to encourage farming and mulberry farming, Liu Yang issued the "Agricultural Encouragement Order" for three consecutive years, requiring local governments to ensure normal order in rural areas and normal agricultural development. It is only the minimum requirement to ensure that the farming season is not missed.
Qin Tianjian will prepare the imperial calendar for the next year half a year in advance, and then publish it and send it to all prefectures and counties across the country to guide farmers in various places to produce according to the local conditions. During the farming season, if there are production difficulties, the local government must provide not only
Relief is limited to grain seeds, farm tools, and livestock... In short, we must try our best to ensure a stable and stable working space for farmers, livestock, and fishermen.
Many policies are just basic operations under the imperial era. The Shizu era already had sufficient experience. Compared with Shizu, the biggest difference after entering the Yongxi era may be the improvement in supervision.
Every farming season, Liu Yang would dispatch officials (not just censors) from various ministries and departments in the capital and go to various prefectures across the country to conduct agricultural production supervision and inspections, which were locally called "agricultural inspections."
Although for the more than 1,300 counties in the Han Empire, the "agricultural patrol" of only 1 or 200 people could not completely cover it, and even if it visited many counties, it would be difficult to play a decisive role, the attitude of the imperial court was also like this.
Thanks to the unprecedented intensity of inspections, local bureaucrats can at least be more aware and vigilant when doing their jobs.
At the same time, a strict and severe attitude is adopted towards bureaucratic crimes, especially crimes related to agriculture.
In the autumn and winter of the second year of Yongxi's reign, the imperial court conducted some inspections on the shortage of Changping warehouses and free warehouses in various places. Many problems broke out, and a large part of them were misappropriated on the grounds of "farming" and were eventually used in
The farmers had very little money, but a lot of it ended up being converted into money and fell into the hands of corrupt officials.
Some local bureaucrats are so unscrupulous, and no matter how you look at it, it seems that farmers are the easiest to bully and easier to bully. The prosecution of Ercang has gradually evolved into a major measure in the rectification of the imperial government.
However, during the specific implementation, they appeared to be very cautious. They only dealt with a group of officials who had committed serious crimes and had a large number of corrupt officials as a warning. As for the rest, they only received minor punishments, major warnings, and internal warnings. There was no way, the court was full of people
Things were uneasy both internally and externally. Liu Yang had to be more cautious in handling many affairs. Some compromises were not weakness, but wise choices.
But in the past two years, the situation has changed. As his authority has gradually consolidated, Liu Yang has become more and more tough on some "bottom line" issues.
For example, on agricultural issues, he may not be able to stop all the nobles and bureaucrats from reaching out, but anyone who dares to reach out will be cut off once discovered. And those who dare to bully farmers and abuse people will be even more ruthless and will be severely punished.
Many times, you cannot look at a person based on impressions alone. Take Emperor Shizu for example. The impression he gave his subjects was that he was cold, harsh, moody, and killed countless people, so he was awe-inspiring.
And Liu Yang, from childhood to adulthood, always appeared in front of the world with a gentle, humble and tolerant face. After he ascended the throne, punishment with caution and less killing became a new label for him and the philosophy of his Yongxi government.
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However, the fact is absolutely not the case, not counting the casualties caused by rebellions such as the Shu Rebellion. Taking the Han Dynasty's "Xingtong" as a guide, if we compare the "annual execution and homicide rates" of the Kaibao and Yongxi dynasties, we will find that,
In Liu Yang's era, the death penalty rate for crimes committed by officials and common people was much higher than that of Shizu's era.
The most fundamental reason is that Emperor Shizu did not regard criminals as human beings, and generally extracted surplus value through prison camps or exile overseas.
However, Liu Yang discovered through long-term observation and practice that Emperor Shizu's actions were too much for the common people and easily aroused public resentment, but too lightly for the powerful, because whether in prison camps or overseas, they always
There are ways to escape those sufferings, finish the sentence with ease, and then continue to break the law and commit crimes and dominate
This is also the reason why Liu Yang has been eager to reform the prison camps since he came to power. However, Liu Yang can be regarded as a master in "coordination". His reforms did not abolish the prison camps and benefited them.
The department is still being developed, but certain adjustments have been made to the policy towards prisoners.
For example, the standards for serving sentences have been "raised". Those who deserve to be killed can be killed directly in accordance with the "Penal Regulations" and no longer need to be sent to prison camps to "suffer".
So many powerful people discovered that the cost of corruption and committing crimes has increased unknowingly. If it is exceeded, there will no longer be prison camps and feudal states as buffers. In many cases, death is not the most cost-effective option.
What people fear, the most frightening thing, is that the emperor learned another trick that Emperor Shizu used in his early years. Official crimes will affect the future of future generations: immediate family members are not allowed to be employed within three generations.
After using various methods, the powerful and bureaucrats in the world were suppressed by Liu Yang, at least on the surface they did not dare to cause trouble again.
As a result, the politics of the Han Empire became clearer, the social environment and public security gradually improved, various productions were carried out in an orderly manner, and the annual money and grain tax revenue also increased steadily. Especially in the past four years of Yongxi, according to the statistics of the Financial Secretary,
Its level has returned to around the eighteenth year of Kaibao.
You know, the eighteenth year of Kaibao was the peak period of Emperor Shizu's "Kaibao Prosperity". Even Liu Yang couldn't believe such a result. However, if we really want to dig deeper into the reasons, there are several other reasons.
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First of all, it is inseparable from the solid foundation laid by Emperor Shizu, and secondly, it is related to Liu Yang's vigorous rectification. This is especially important. A healthy and stable environment has a great role in promoting the business output of the Han people.
Another important reason is that Liu Yang did not bother with anything, practiced frugality, and resolutely implemented the policy of rest and recuperation.
Finally, perhaps we have to mention tax reform. No matter how much compromise the final result contains, when the central government and local governments reach a reconciliation and consensus, the tax revenue under the new system will be higher.
It can be said that under Liu Yang's rule, in just a few years, the Han Empire has changed its appearance and is moving towards a prosperous age with rich materials, prosperous culture and powerful military in an unprecedented "healthy" state.
Although it is just the beginning, many officials in the court have already proposed the concept of "Yongxi's prosperous age". Whether it is to please the emperor or to sincerely recognize and obey Liu Yang, the emperor, in short, the Han Dynasty who entered Yongxi's five years
The empire is in great shape.
Under such a background, Liu Yang, as the emperor, was naturally in a good mood.
However, the good mood did not last long. Just as Liu Yang was discussing the importance of farming with the prime minister and financial envoy Zhang Qixian, as well as the "farmer-official dispute" that was frequently controversial in the court, a piece of bad news came. Cabinet University
Sir, Grand Tutor Li Fang passed away.
Li Fang died of illness. As you get older, it is normal for you to feel a little sick. He contracted the disease last autumn and has been recuperating at home. However, he did not expect that he died after being nursed back to health.
Naturally, Liu Yang has a deep affection for Li Fang. After all, the friendship between monarch, minister, master and disciple began when he became the prince. It was the trust accumulated over decades. And all along, Li Fang also had a deep affection for Liu Yang.
Highlighting a "loyalty", he was wronged by Shizu many times because of the prince's affairs, but he always accepted it willingly. The prince was forced by the situation and did not dare to speak for him and felt guilty, but Li Fang comforted him in turn.
To say that Liu Yang regarded Li Fang as his father would be an exaggeration, but his respect and trust for Li Fang were not compromised at all. Therefore, one can imagine how Liu Yang felt when he heard of Li Fang's death.
However, Wentai Mountain collapsed but his color remained unchanged. This was Liu Yang's psychological quality tempered by countless experiences. Therefore, it could not be seen on the face. It was just the first thing after giving the order to return to the city. Liu Yang chose to go to Li
At the Fang Mansion.
When he was still a prince, Liu Yang had seen countless times when the emperor mourned the death of his old friend and lamented the ruthlessness of the years. At that time, he just sighed with him. Over the years, he had also seen many lives and deaths. However, today, standing in the mourning hall of the Taifu Mansion, standing with Li Fang
In front of the coffin, Liu Yang had just vaguely realized how the original Emperor Shizu felt.
After solemnly paying homage to Li Fang's coffin, Liu Yang asked, "Did Master Li leave any words before he passed away?"
The person currently in charge of affairs in the Taifu Mansion is Li Fang's third son, Secretary Lang Li Zong'e. This is Li Fang's most outstanding son. He was born as a Jinshi and was appointed official based on his talent. Unlike the other sons, who only rely on their family background to make up for their mistakes.
, serving as some state and county-level assistant officials in local areas.
Hearing the emperor's question, Li Zong'e was so sad that he sobbed: "Returning to your majesty, before my father died, he had no other explanation. He only said that he would meet a saintly master in his life. He would have no regrets in this life and pass away with a smile on his face."
"Such an explanation can be regarded as a kind of comfort!" Liu Yang couldn't help sighing after hearing this, and said sadly.
Although Li Fang's family was not in financial difficulty, Liu Yang specifically asked the young master to allocate 500 guan to supplement the funeral expenses. This amount was already very generous to Liu Yang.
The most important honor given to Li Fang after his death was that Liu Yang posthumously awarded him the title of "Gong Rao". Even though this was just a posthumous title and did not even require a salary, let alone inheritance, it still showed that the emperor
In memory of Li Fang.
Of course, his descendants will not be forgotten. All his sons have been promoted appropriately, especially Secretary Lang Li Zong'e, who was promoted to Zhizhigao, which is a humble but powerful official position close to the power center of the Han Dynasty.
The spring breeze brings warmth, accompanied by infinite scenery, but it cannot take away the slight sadness in Liu Yang's heart. In the Chui Gong Hall, Liu Yang was leaning on a soft chair, flipping through a book in his hand: "Wenyuan Yinghua".
This was led by Li Fang, who led bachelors and doctors from three libraries to jointly compile a book, compiling poems and essays from the late Liang Dynasty in the Southern Dynasty to the Kaibao period in the current dynasty, with a total of 1,150 volumes. This has also been Li Fang's key work in the past few years.
Whether it was for fame or reputation, or for other reasons, since the Kaibao era, the imperial court had invested heavily in recruiting scholars and compiling large books.
For example, the "General Classification of Kaibao", which was written in the middle period of Kaibao, is an all-encompassing masterpiece that can be called a contemporary encyclopedia; another example is the collection of novels "Kaibao" which records many anecdotes, gods, ghosts, and allusions to famous objects.
"Guangji";
There is also this "Wenyuan Yinghua", which, together with the previous two, is called the "three major books" of the Kaibao era.
"Wenyuan Yinghua" was first written in the late Kaibao period, but at that time the poems and essays were recorded only until the end of the Tang Dynasty. However, after Liu Yang succeeded to the throne, he ordered additional compilations, including the "Three Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms" to the outstanding poems and essays of Emperor Gaozu and Shizu.
It was entered together and was completed into a book at the beginning of last year.
Liu Yang didn't do much research on poetry. Since he was in elementary school, he had learned practical knowledge about how to govern a country and how to be a prince and a half-king. However, it did not prevent him from reading it. It can also be regarded as a memory of Taifu Li.
However, after flipping through it, Liu Yang found a problem. He raised his eyes and asked Wang Dan, the cabinet bachelor who was by his side at the time: "Why don't you see the Taifu's poems?"
Regarding this matter, Wang Dan obviously knew about it and said: "Your Majesty, Li Gong is so modest that he refuses to publish it in Wenyuan Yinghua because of his lack of talent and learning, his vulgar poems, and his difficulty in being elegant, let alone to be compared with his ancestors."
Poetry"
After hearing this explanation, Liu Yang shook his head and said: "It is one thing for Taifu to be self-effacing, but if Taifu's poems are not included, how can other people be embarrassed? Let's add Taifu's poems, otherwise, how can it be done?
Doesn’t it appear that I, a big man, have no one and cannot be compared with the Tang Dynasty?”
"What your Majesty said is true!" Wang Dan responded immediately.
After pondering for a moment, Wang Dan took the initiative and said: "Your Majesty, there is one more thing, please tell me!"
"speak!"
Wang Dan said: "After Taifu passed away, another person needs to be chosen to take charge of the compilation of "Records of the Ancestors"!"
"Shizu Shilu", you can tell what kind of book it is just by looking at the name. Of course, it has been compiled, but when Shizu was still alive, he always had more scruples. Therefore, after Liu Yang ascended the throne, he did not write about "Shizu Shilu"
Organizing and writing is also on the agenda.
You must know that Shizu ruled the Han Dynasty for a full forty-five years. During such a long and stable period, too many things happened, and there are a vast number of records. Even if there is a "draft" that has been written for decades, it still needs to be recorded.
Compiling it into a book requires a huge amount of time, manpower, and financial resources.
This matter was still managed by Li Fang as the editor-in-chief and controlled the progress, but it had not yet been written into a book at the time of his death.
Liu Yang, of course, paid special attention to the compilation of "Shizu Shilu". In his eyes, Shizu had too many things worth learning. Now, it is no longer possible to teach by words and deeds, so he can only summarize it in the memory of history.
Figured it out.
Therefore, after only a moment of consideration, he ordered: "Make Chai Yuxi, a bachelor of Jixian Palace, the chief editor of "Records", and give him a bachelor of the cabinet and imperial adviser!"
"yes!"
After entering the Yongxi era, the Han Empire truly entered a prosperous cultural era, which was determined by the emperor's likes and dislikes. Although Emperor Shizu respected civil servants and knowledge, he always had a disdainful attitude towards traditional scholars, and often
There are some deviant remarks, actions and policies. Sometimes, people even dare not speak.
In contrast, Liu Yang is much more tolerant. Even though he is also a pragmatist, he can still maintain a decent attitude and at least have a "fair" attitude towards traditional scholars.
This is also the reason why Emperor Yongxi has a better reputation than Emperor Shizu. In addition, stable social order, economic vitality, and clear politics will inevitably bring great cultural prosperity.
Beginning in the third year of Yongxi's reign, another encyclopedia of political history began to be compiled. The aging cabinet scholar Xu Xuan still held on to his old bones and held the title of chief editor.
It is not just policy activities such as compilation of books. In the past few years, some extremely obvious changes can also be seen in Beijing. There are more poems and articles of all kinds, and more literary conferences. What is more important is the content, not just the content.
There are many people who are just romantic, praising the prosperous times, daring to discuss politics, and saying something meaningful. In the era of Shizu, it is difficult to appear. Even if they do exist, they are often obscure, unless they are pragmatic and truth-seeking like Liu Kai and Wang Yucheng.