Han Shizu

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 in the five years since he took the throne.

Since Liu Yang took the throne, many of his performances have been in line with Emperor Shizu's early years. This personal attention to matters, wielding a hoe, and setting an example are one of the manifestations of his excellent style. Since he ascended the throne, he has done so every year and has never slacked off.

At this point, Liu Yang was still not satisfied 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 sufficient 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 that. How could he be so virtuous and capable. However, to calm down, keep one's feet on the ground, do something for the people of the country conscientiously, strive 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 location and season. During the farming season, when there are production difficulties, the local government needs to provide loans that are not limited to grain, agricultural tools, and livestock... In short, it is necessary to ensure as much as possible a stable and stable working space for farmers, herdsmen, and fishermen.

Many policies are just basic operations under the imperial era. The Shizu era already had sufficient experience. Compared with the Shizu era, perhaps the biggest difference after entering the Yongxi era is 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, we adopt a severe and severe attitude 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 Changpingcang and Yicang in various places. Many problems broke out, and a large part of them were misappropriated on the grounds of "farming", and very little of it was ultimately used on farmers. In fact, many of them were turned into money and fell into the hands of corrupt officials.

Bureaucrats in some places are so unscrupulous, and no matter how you look at it, it seems that farmers are the easiest to bully and easier to reach out to. The prosecution of Ercang gradually evolved into a major measure in the rectification of imperial officials.

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 committed a huge amount of corruption as a warning to others. As for the rest, they only received minor punishments, major warnings, and internal warnings. There was no way around it. The imperial court was troubled and uneasy 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 he is discovered. 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. Let's take Emperor Shizu. He always gave his subjects the impression of being cold, harsh, moody, and killing 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, careful punishment and less killing became his new label and the philosophy of his Yongxi administration.

However, the reality is definitely not the case, not counting the casualties of rebellions like the Shu Rebellion. Taking the "Xing Tong" of the Han Dynasty as a guide, if we compare the "annual execution rate" of Kaibao and Yongxi dynasties, we will find that in the Liu Yang era, the death penalty rate for officials and common people to commit crimes was much higher than that in the Shizu 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, commit crimes, and dominate.

This is also the reason why Liu Yang has been eager to reform the prison camps since he took office. However, Liu Yang can be regarded as the master of "harmony". His reforms did not abolish the prison camps, but still promoted their benefits. They only made certain adjustments 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".

As a result, 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 frightening thing. The most frightening thing is that the emperor learned another trick of Emperor Shizu in his early years. Official crimes will affect the future of future generations: immediate family members, within three generations, Not allowed to be hired.

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 make trouble again.

As a result, the politics of the Han Empire became clear, the social environment and public security gradually improved, various productions were carried out in an orderly manner, and the annual taxation of money and grain 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 this result. However, if we really want to dig deeper into the reasons, there are several other reasons.

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.

There is also an important reason why Liu Yang does not bother with anything, practices frugality, and resolutely implements the policy of recuperation 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 of material richness, cultural prosperity, and military strength 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 Things are looking great for the Empire.

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-officer dispute" that was frequently controversial in the court, a piece of bad news came. Cabinet University The scholar and Taifu Li Fang passed away.

Li Fang died of illness. It is normal for him to be a little sick when he is old. He contracted the disease last autumn and has been recuperating at home. However, he did not expect that he died after recuperating. Liu Yang naturally had a deep affection for Li Fang. After all, the friendship between the emperor, his ministers, and his disciples had begun since he became the prince. It was the trust accumulated over decades. Li Fang has always emphasized "loyalty" to Liu Yang. He has been wronged by Shizu many times because of the prince's affairs, but he has always been willing to accept it. The prince did not dare to speak for him due to the situation and felt guilty. It was Li Fang who 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 after hearing that Li Fang passed away.

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 the 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 beside 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?"

Currently, the person in charge of affairs in Taifu's 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 served as an 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 the local area.

Hearing the emperor's question, Li Zong'e was filled with grief and cried: "Returning to Your Majesty, before my father died, I had nothing to say but that I would meet a saintly master. I would have no regrets in this life and pass away with a smile on my 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 Zonge, 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 Chuigong Hall, Liu Yang was leaning on a soft chair, flipping through a book in his hand: "Wenyuan Yinghua".

Li Fang took the lead and led bachelors and doctors from the three libraries to 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 1150 volumes. This has also been Li Fang's key work in recent years.

Whether it was for fame 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 first two are 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 articles were recorded only until the end of the Tang Dynasty. However, after Liu Yang succeeded to the throne, he ordered additional compilation, including the outstanding poems and articles from "Three Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms" to 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. What he had learned since elementary school was practical knowledge on how to govern a country and how to be a prince and a half-king. However, it did not prevent him from reading it, which can 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 beside him 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 modest and 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 recorded, 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 Tang Dynasty?”

"What your Majesty said is true!" Wang Dan responded immediately.

After pondering for a moment, Wang Dan took the initiative to raise his hand 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 being 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 know, 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 still had Li Fang as the editor-in-chief, presiding over and controlling the progress, but as of his death, it had not yet been written.

Of course, Liu Yang paid special attention to the compilation of "Records of Shizu". In his eyes, Shizu had too many things worth learning. Nowadays, it is no longer possible to teach by words and deeds. We can only summarize and figure it out in the memory of history.

Therefore, after only a moment's consideration, he ordered: "Make Chai Yuxi, a great scholar of Jixian Palace, the editor-in-chief of "Records", and also give him a great scholar of the cabinet and imperial advisor!"

"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 learning, he always had a disdainful attitude towards traditional scholars, and often had 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, a stable social order, economic vitality, and clear politics will inevitably bring about 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.

Not only policy activities such as compilation of books, but also some extremely obvious changes can be seen in Beijing in the past few years. There are more poems and articles of all kinds, more literary conferences, and more importantly, the content, not just the content. There are just romantic things, praising the prosperous times, daring to discuss politics, and there are many people who have something to say. These are difficult to appear in the era of Shizu. Even if they do exist, they are often obscure, unless they are pragmatic and pursuing things like Liu Kai and Wang Yucheng. It's the people who send.