Hyper-Dimensional Player

Chapter 874 - 92: Sustaining the People, Clothing and Food Are Paramount

The gazette named cotton as a trial crop for sowing, with potential for large-scale promotion in the future.

"Lu was right."

"This Grand Agriculturist indeed wields high power and authority," thought Liu Ranhong to himself.

The Grand Agriculturist, roughly equivalent to the Minister of Agriculture in later times, also oversaw part of the agricultural finances. The current Majesty places great importance on agricultural development; just the offering of cotton was enough to grant a noble title, which reveals part of the strategy.

"Could it be that the world is truly changing?"

"Is the pursuit of fame through imperial exams not the sole path?"

Before leaving, Liu Ranhong saw a notice from the Guangzhou Administration Office recruiting people to go to Yizhou, firstly for immigration and secondly for reclamation, primarily planting sugarcane. It was heard that Yizhou was highly suitable for cultivating this crop, and due to the large-scale promotion of sugarcane, the price of sugar in Guangzhou dropped by nearly a third, making it affordable for the common folk to taste, though quality products remained expensive.

"The livelihood of the people is heaven and earth upheld with food and clothing."

For some reason, Liu Ranhong suddenly recalled words he heard recently: ever since the Majesty was crowned, the main national policies have emphasized the people’s food and clothing, whereas education hasn’t received substantial effort; even many Confucian proposals were rejected in favor of Legalist laws and punishments.

"How can one preach education when they are starving?"

"Majesty seems to undervalue Confucian scholars, perhaps Lu was right."

"In the future, Confucian scholars may not be favored in court; this recruitment seemed more like a formality."

"What is so mystical about this Houji Academy?"

"Isn’t it just a place for learning agriculture?"

"Why is Lu giving up fame entirely?"

Liu Ranhong pondered all the way home, confused, holding a tree branch, feeling his friend was behaving oddly, he casually tossed it into the small pond, considering future prospects earnestly.

In the evening, still indecisive, stepping out of his yard, he suddenly froze, staring blankly in the pond’s direction.

A branch stood upright in the pond, its green leaves shimmering, and even a small flower blossoming.

This miraculous scene left him unsettled for a long time.

"Lu misled me!"

"Had I known this Houji Academy possessed such divine power, why pursue fame?"

He hoped it wasn’t too late now.

If the academies established by the Majesty indeed possessed such astonishing abilities, then in future court, wouldn’t Confucian disciples truly be powerless?

"How long did Lu study?"

"To wield such skills."

Wouldn’t the legendary Grand Agriculturist have the ability to summon wind and rain and alter seasons?

At this moment, Liu Ranhong was overwhelmingly excited, sprinting towards the postal station. Passing by the docks, he noticed fishermen worshiping Sea Goddess, and further away, immigrants bound for Yizhou.

Quanzhou.

A gigantic shipyard had been established at the port, people passing carried a unique air, resembling the confidence of skilled craftsmen.

"The Majesty wants us to build fortune ships."

"But manpower is indeed lacking!"

"Must we really recruit Confucian disciples as interns? Would these scholars, prideful and haughty, truly be willing to learn?"

Quanzhou, since the Song Dynasty, was China’s largest shipbuilding base.

At Jiangkou dock, an elderly, lean man glanced at a companion, saying blandly, "If willing to learn, stay; otherwise, get lost."

"Currently, myriad initiatives await, Majesty seeks to usher in an unprecedented golden age."

"It’s unnecessary to have those who only speak in circles and chew words!"

"Anyone unable to do their job, get lost!"

Using scholars was due to their nimble minds, having learned knowledge, adapting quickly to other skills; but sticking to outdated Confucian doctrines, it’s straight dismissal.

This age lacks more than just officials.

"By the way."

"Old Mo, the Majesty also instructed us to manufacture looms, though cotton hasn’t been widely spread, creating these ahead leaves them with nowhere to go? Someone cautiously inquired nearby.

The elder glared, a cold voice said: "These are the Majesty’s orders, send someone to manufacture immediately."

"Place them if unused then."

Intent for court to cultivate Quanzhou into Central Plains’ grandest shipyard. At present, ten thousand craftsmen have gathered here, led by Mohists, given only three years by the Majesty; failing to produce substantial results within this time, they could clean their necks for punishment.

Production progress takes priority.

Central Plains’ enduring ’bureaucracy’ for millennia underwent direct rectification, with Confucians dismissed firmly; Duncan’s next steps involved reorganizing governance, targeting not corruption but practical capabilities. Inept, inefficient officials, despite integrity, are discarded.

"Agriculture as foundation, industry as craft."

All solely for progress in productivity, even educational achievements discarded numerous Confucian elements, replacing parts of post-enlightenment with straightforward subjects like language and mathematics.

Following Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms’ end.

Confucians’ backbone snapped, crawling while kneeling.

This period demands sweeping reforms, lest risking history’s assault, from Late Tang till now, insurgents slaughter noble clans, warriors assassinate Confucian disciples; scholars all knelt collectively.

All reform barriers swept away, Duncan abolished Confucius’ descendants’ nobility with a word; Confucian scholars dared not utter a sound.