"Uncle Zhongyong, don't be nervous. You and I are here to save the people of the three southern prefectures from fire and water." Zou Boxun, the left minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was the first to speak and broke the silence in the cabin.
"The Governor of Han Town should have told you just now."
"This conversation is limited to the upper cabinet of the Zhenfu Secretary. I hope Zhongyong Bo knows everything and can tell me everything."
"As long as we can do things for the people of the three southern prefectures, we will treat them fairly and will never make fun of our own reputation."
Li Changan was just about to stand up and salute when he was interrupted by someone's voice,
"Xia Yunkai, the left minister of the Ministry of Industry," an old man with a goatee said first,
"Uncle Zhongyong's idea of using work instead of relief and work instead of punishment made me suddenly enlightened."
"In previous disaster relief operations, people just waited for the disaster relief money to be received in their hands."
"Today, the use of work-for-relief not only solves the problem of people having no money, but also solves the problem of the Ministry of Industry's shortage of reconstruction personnel, and can also save a lot of money."
"Replacing punishment with work can also greatly reduce the harm of banditry. It really kills two birds with one stone."
Xia Yunkai's opening ceremony was unprecedentedly filled with praise.
Li Changan silently said the word "but" to Xia Yunkai in his heart.
Sure enough, the next moment,
"But can you ask Uncle Zhongyong to help me clear up my doubts?"
"Why should we continue to widen the road surface on the original basis? Or even redeploy it?"
"Uncle Zhongyong shouldn't know that building roads is a huge project, especially since it has to spread across the vast land of the three southern prefectures."
"This is not something that can be accomplished simply."
The first question came out.
All the governors present also looked at Li Changan.
The questions raised by Xia Yuntian were also their doubts.
Li Changan's strategy can be said to be unprecedented, and it is completely different from the countermeasures proposed by others.
It can be called exquisite, but there are indeed many things in it, and it is difficult for them to judge right from wrong at the moment.
"I've met Mr. Xia." Li Changan took the lead in saluting with clasped fists, and then explained,
"It is precisely because this is a huge project that Chang'an specifically proposed it."
"I'm going to build roads and canals and name them infrastructure construction."
“And this is exactly related to work-for-relief.”
"Nearly 300 million people were affected by the disaster in the south."
"Building roads, canals, and rectifying waterways can take the lead in solving the problem of food for the people and free up enough time for us to manage the three southern prefectures."
"The longer it takes to build roads and canals, the more money the people will earn and have enough to eat, and the uneasiness in the hearts of the people will be greatly reduced."
"We will have relatively ample time to govern the three southern provinces."
"Otherwise, the eyes of 300 million people will be staring directly at us, and the pressure on the entire Southern Patrol will only increase, which may affect the results of governance in the end."
Having said this, Xia Yuntian nodded slightly, "Xia really didn't think of Uncle Zhongyong's idea, but are there other reasons?"
Li Changan saw everyone present and gradually gained confidence in his heart, "Secondly, if you want to get rich, build roads first."
"With a smooth road to the outside world, the three southern prefectures can reintegrate with the entire Jin Dynasty as soon as possible and recover from the disaster faster."
"Why do we need to re-plan the road and canal construction this time? It's because we need to look at the development of the three southern prefectures in the next thirty or even fifty years."
"Instead of repairing it every year and breaking it every year."
Li Changan opened his hand and said,
"I have looked through the files of the three southern mansions in the past few days."
“I found that the three southern prefectures have hot summers and warm winters, distinct four seasons, abundant rainfall, numerous water systems, and flat land, which are very suitable for grain growth.”
"If after on-site inspection, everything is found to be correct."
"Then after the transformation, the three southern prefectures will become the land of fish and rice in the Jin Dynasty in the future. With so much food being sent to all parts of the Jin Dynasty, how can we not build roads?"
Zou Boxun, the left minister of the Household Department, quickly raised his hand to stop Li Changan from continuing,
"Chang'an, you mean the land of plenty?"
Li Changan nodded, "Due to large and small floods and the lack of guidance, the three southern prefectures were quite scattered among the counties and the harvests were not good, so they could only barely survive."
"But this time, since the three southern prefectures have been completely reduced to ruins, we should take this opportunity to sort out the rivers, rebuild roads and canals, and turn the three prefectures into fertile farmland."
"At that time, it will not only feed the people of the three prefectures, but also become the granary of the entire Jin Dynasty."
Zou Boxun quickly asked, "Is this what you said...the pillar industry?"
"Not bad." Li Changan glanced at everyone's faces,
"The land of the Three Prefectures is vast and flat. As long as it is renovated well, it can be mainly engaged in farming. This is the backbone of the Three Prefectures."
"At the same time, the general direction is to build a land of fish and rice and a granary for Dajin."
"But we must also adapt to local conditions. Some counties are suitable for growing rice, some are suitable for barley and wheat, and some can raise fish and shrimp."
"The low hills are suitable for growing tea trees, fruit trees, raising poultry, etc."
"After the Town and Fu Division has gone to the three prefectures, they will conduct surveys and studies in each county, and then give appropriate planning suggestions while keeping the general direction unchanged."
"Rather than just letting one house grow rice, another house grow wheat, and another house raise chickens and ducks."
Hearing this, Shen Hansong, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, couldn't help but nodded and said,
"I saw Uncle Zhongyong's policy before, and I still had some doubts."
"Now that I heard Uncle Zhongyong's explanation, it's really extraordinary."
"This is equivalent to asking the court to make arrangements from the beginning."
Li Changan paused and said with a smile,
"Your Excellency, you have given me the reward."
"It is indeed necessary to help the people make arrangements and give certain guidance, and the plan must be made on a relatively fair level."
"We can't let those who grow rice lose their money, and instead let those who raise fish make all the money."
"We need to allow everyone to earn enough money to support their families, otherwise the people will lose their enthusiasm and all their efforts will be in vain."
"Farming has never been an end, but a means, which ultimately enables the people to obtain a livelihood."
"Let the people have enough to eat, and the excess food, fish and shrimp can be sold for money."
"The money I earn can be used to buy clothes and other kinds of things."
"If we achieve this step, not only the chaos in the three prefectures can be solved, but also the three prefectures in the south will really turn around in the future."
Listening to Li Changan's description, Shen Hansong couldn't help but nod secretly, then smiled and clasped his fists, "I am Shen Hansong, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy."
Li Changan cupped his fists and returned the greeting, "I've met Mr. Shen."
Zou Boxun was quite satisfied with Li Changan's response and turned his attention to other people present.
"I wonder, my lords, do you still have any questions?"
Tan Wen, the left minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, cupped his fists and said, "Uncle Zhongyong just said so much, I wonder what we should do first when we arrive in Pingyao Mansion?"
Li Changan cupped his fists and returned the greeting, "I think we need to do two things first!"
"First, you gentlemen from the Ministry of Industry should sort out the land and water routes in the three southern provinces as soon as possible, re-plan official roads, water canals, and dig artificial lakes to create water storage areas to prevent such large-scale floods from happening again."
"Otherwise, if floods continue to occur frequently, the land of plenty and the granary of Dajin will be like a mirror, and will be shattered at a touch."
Li Changan said solemnly,
"Second, solve the food problem!"
"The imperial court purchased the grain from grain merchants and distributed part of it as disaster relief grain."
"In the future, we will use work-for-relief programs to ensure that people can afford food."
…
Li Changan was left in the cabin, while the other twelve people came to the deck of the ship.
"What do you think?" Zou Boxun looked at the others.
Xia Yunkai, the left minister of the Ministry of Industry, was the first to speak, "I think it's good. Uncle Zhongyong's ideas are clear and flexible."
"The reasons for the cooperation between pillar industries and infrastructure he mentioned are very good and can be implemented."
Shen Hansong also nodded in agreement, "Uncle Zhongyong's method is indeed good."
"Where are the other adults?" Zou Boxun asked.
Tan Wenyi, the left minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, pondered for a moment and said, "Li Changan is available."
"Although the strategy is already in our hands, the specific implementation still needs to be monitored by him."
"If others blindly give orders, such a good strategy of calming down and appeasement will be wasted."
Soon, the censor of Youdu of the Inspectorate, the prime minister of Shuntian Prefecture, and the prefect of Taiyuan Prefecture all nodded.
Qin Xiangming, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, and a few others also said, "I agree with Li Changan to be the thirteenth governor."
Zou Boxun smiled and said, "Since everyone has agreed, then the matter will be settled."
"There is another thing that requires your attention."
"The news that Li Changan is the thirteenth governor, please do not announce it to the outside world for the time being."
"Otherwise, his sudden rise to a high position will arouse the hatred of too many people. If something goes wrong in the middle, it will only affect the progress of the suppression."
"The credit that belongs to him, the credit that belongs to you and me, no one can erase it, it will be clearly stated on the merit monument."
The rest of the people also nodded, "This is natural. The ministers of Zhenfu and the pavilion are one body. One will be prosperous and one will suffer."
Not long after, Li Chang'an got his jade token of Zhenfu Envoy.
Zou Boxun also repeated what he just said.
Li Chang'an smiled and clasped his fists and said, "Master Zou has thought carefully. Chang'an also wants to get another sign of the chief to make it easier to go out to do things and to better conceal others."
Zou Boxun nodded and said, "Since you are now the governor, you should also form your own cabinet."
"Keep these tokens away and leave them to you."
…
The Yunxia Treasure Ship was extremely fast. As soon as noon arrived, it had already reached the sky above Pingyao Fucheng and landed slowly.
Li Changan stood on the edge of the Yunxia treasure ship and looked down, his brows slightly frowning involuntarily.
Looking from a distance, outside the city of Pingyao Prefecture, a huge number of people gathered in a dense crowd.
Pingyao Fucheng was also in a state of disarray, with most of the houses damaged and many people gathered together without even a tile above their heads.
This is the capital city, which has suffered such heavy losses, let alone the counties below?
Before he had time to see the situation clearly, the Yunxia Treasure Ship landed deep inside the Fucheng Yamen.
The remaining officials from the Southern Patrol Division have already arrived here and are waiting to be summoned.
As soon as Li Changan followed Zou Boxun off the treasure ship, Han Shouzheng, the doctor from the household department, took out the Thousand Miles Transmission Talisman from his arms, and his eyes slowly turned cold.
"My secretary came to report that there are thirty-seven grain stores in Fucheng, Pingyao, but the prices in all grain stores have risen to ten times the usual price."
"There is even a grain store clamoring that he can set whatever price he wants, and it will be increased to fifteen times tomorrow, even if the government comes."
Shen Hansong, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, frowned, "How dare you be so arrogant in a small grain store?"
Han Shouzheng sneered, "Because the real owner behind this grain store is the Tongzhi of Pingyao Prefecture."