Reclaiming Wasteland: Carefree Mountain Farmer

Chapter 151 Talent Selection
After several months, the three highest officials and six ministries gathered at the Emperor's Hall for a meeting.

Upon meeting, Beiji Wu said directly, "Han people have the spirit of Han people. From now on, you may refer to yourselves as 'subjects' and address me as 'Your Majesty.' Do not use terms like 'master' or 'slave.' You are all subjects who are loyal to the country, not slaves of me alone."

The crowd was puzzled, but they still replied in unison, "We will obey His Majesty's decree!"

Beiji Wu nodded and sat on the dragon throne, far from his ministers, to hold the meeting.

The Mingtang was designed to be magnificent, and when one spoke from a high place, one's voice was clear and loud.

This layout differs from the one depicted in TV dramas, where the emperor faces a court of officials. There is a considerable area behind the throne, located in the central part of the hall, but only the front of the throne is occupied by people.

The rear should be where troops are hidden, in order to deal with emergencies.

It can also be used to allow the Empress Dowager to rule as regent.

The design took multiple uses into account. At this moment, Beijiwu sat on the central platform above the golden square steps. The surrounding fences and lampposts were not only aesthetically pleasing, but also prevented people from shooting arrows.

The skylight in the main hall is 15 meters high from the floor to the roof. When the weather is clear, the skylight is opened to let in natural light from the outside, which enhances the sacredness of the emperor.

Behind the throne is a golden wall with dragons, phoenixes, mountains, rivers, and the rising sun. The reflective golden wall, combined with the painted ceiling and the golden pillars and vermilion railings, creates the most magnificent visual effect during the day.

At this time, Beiji Wu was having a conversation with his ministers in this environment.

The courtiers all stared at the steps ahead, not daring to look up at His Majesty King Wu, who exuded an oppressive imperial aura.

Beijiwu slowly said, "A report of victory has arrived from Youzhou. The Khitans have been unable to break through after a long siege, and after suffering 10,000 casualties, they have retreated back to the grasslands in disarray."

Upon hearing this good news, Prime Minister Rong Dingwen immediately flattered, "Your Majesty is wise and mighty; you will surely achieve great things!"

Beijiwu didn't want to listen to this nonsense, so he interrupted him and got straight to his own business.

"There is one more thing that makes me a little angry, but I think I'll let it go."

Beijiwu slowly said, "I originally thought that the Duke of Yan and the Duke of Wei were too weak and died in battle when they went out to fight the Khitans. I didn't expect that they surrendered to the Khitans and even helped the Khitans persuade this side to surrender."

“Treason is a capital offense, but since this man went back to Khitan with the Khitans, let’s just consider him dead.”

"The matter of the Duke of Siguo ends here. As originally agreed, we will give their family a chance to atone for their crimes."

Li Chengren felt this was wrong; from both the legal and moral standpoint of the Han people and the mountain farmers, such people deserved to die.

"Your Majesty! I believe that the two Dukes, Wang and Li, should be punished severely as a warning to others!"

Rong Dingwen immediately said, "I second that! Such short-sighted, cowardly scoundrels should have their families executed as well, only in this way can we restore morale to the army and the people!"

The Grand Minister of Agriculture also stepped forward and pleaded, "Your Majesty, please punish him severely!"

Beiji Wu did not want to punish them severely. "I don't blame them. They surrendered to me for wealth and glory. I just didn't expect that people who have fought all their lives would be so afraid of death, ruining their descendants' future and reputation, and bearing an indelible stain."

"They were born and raised in chaotic times, and they naturally sided with whoever was strong, changing masters many times throughout their lives."

"In Han Chinese parlance, it means that those who understand the times are the heroes."

"Since I was not born in the Wu Dynasty, it is something I would be more than happy to do to serve the country and its people. It is only natural for me to think about living a life of ignominy."

"I have encountered many people in my military campaigns and know that most of them are afraid of death and seek only to survive. Only a few are truly fearless and undaunted."

"This matter should be considered shameful. I hope that the four noble families will learn from this shame and strive to improve. If they are still incompetent and commit disloyal and inhumane acts, their entire families will be executed!"

Since Beijiwu had said it to this extent, no one else dared to object.

The decrees of the Northern Army do not need to be discussed with the Three Dukes and Six Ministries; most of the time, a mere notification is sufficient.

The Three Dukes and Six Ministries were mainly responsible for systematically transferring the mountain peasant model to the Huaidong region, managing a large number of displaced people and urban construction.

It involves a variety of trivial matters such as building post stations, transporting grain, surveying land, reclaiming wasteland, patrolling for security, and driving away wild animals.

"The imperial examination will be held in a few days. This year's topic is about money and taxes. You can write your answers at home and submit them to the palace gate within a month of the exam. The eunuchs will receive them."

Beijiwu made very casual arrangements for the most important scientific expeditions of the imperial court.

Prime Minister Rong Dingwen immediately said, "Your Majesty! Taking exams at home is unprecedented. What if someone cheats while taking exams at home, and someone else answers the questions for them?"

The Northern Martial King looked down at him and asked, "What I need are talented people. The purpose of holding the imperial examination is to select talented people, not to select candidates. You are all well-read people, why don't you understand this principle?"

"First, we'll filter out a group of people using basic arithmetic. Then, we'll write an article on money and taxes that demonstrates practical insights, rather than an article full of flattery and moralistic rhetoric."

"There are only four or five million people in Huanghuai Province now, and less than one percent of them can read and do arithmetic. I will send people to review the rest and eventually interview a hundred people."

"Regardless of background, place of origin, gender, ethnicity, official position, or geographical location, only talent matters."

"If you have the ability, why bother helping others achieve their goals? Why work for someone else's benefit?"

"You can answer the questions in your own language. There's no need to use the local language to flatter them. You can also submit the paper on their behalf. Just indicate your name and place of origin."

The Arctic military has set an unprecedented precedent, seeking advice from people all over the world.

Not only people in the Central Plains, but also scholars from prominent families in Jiangnan saw the Shan Nong Daily that day.

***
“黄淮省今年民田收小麦23万吨，公田收小麦72万吨。民田产粟8万吨，公田收30万吨。产豆13万吨，公田收36万吨。”

"Xinyang produced 27250 tons of summer rice this year, all of which was from public farmland."

"The Huanghuai Province has collected a total of 440,000 tons of grain from the private sector, which is equivalent to 880,000,000 jin (approximately 44,000,000 catties), or 880 million jin (approximately 440 million kg), enough to feed 800,000 people for three years."

"The total public grain in Huanghuai Province is 1407250 tons, which is equivalent to 28 jin, or 1450 billion jin, enough to feed 0000 million people for three years."

"Other crops such as sorghum and vegetables are difficult to quantify and have not yet been included in the statistics."

"The production of beef and horse meat in Shan Nong Kingdom is 34000000 jin (1.7 tons), and the production of mutton is 54000000 jin (2.7 tons), which can meet part of the meat needs of the tens of millions of people in Shan Nong Kingdom."

"The Son Ngum and Binh Phuong provinces have enjoyed favorable weather conditions this year, resulting in increased grain production."

"The nation has achieved a bumper harvest of grain, and the area sown with grain on public land is expected to increase by 1.5 times to support the food needs of future newborns." "The nation's iron production has increased by 65 percent, reaching 250,000 tons per year, which will be used for agricultural tools, weapons, military equipment, and daily civilian and commercial use."

"By the end of autumn, a total of six million strings of cash had been distributed for military pay throughout the year, and a total of 400,000 tons of grain had been transported to support Pingyuan Province. After the autumn grain was purchased, grain was purchased instead of transported, and grain was purchased locally from the military households' territories in Pingyuan Province to support the border troops."

"A total of eleven million strings of cash were distributed to officials (including cadres from rural areas) throughout the year."

"A total of 3.14 million strings of cash were distributed throughout the year, mainly for the families of soldiers who died in the campaign against Xiliang and the families of those who died in the battle of Youzhou. The remainder was for those who died in the line of duty, mostly river workers, state-owned factory workers, migrant workers, and those who died of illness or accident."

"The annual fiscal revenue was 16 million strings of cash, mainly from the sale of grain, oil and vegetables, ironware, salt tax, spoils of war, clothing sales, gold smelting, trade tax of the mountain agricultural province, and the proceeds of the most heinous crimes."

"The total expenditure was 21 million strings of cash, the fiscal deficit was 5 million strings of cash, and the national treasury had a surplus of 9 million taels of silver and 60 million strings of copper coins."

"In order to replenish the national treasury funds to deal with natural disasters and man-made calamities and to protect the stability of our homes in a timely manner, starting after the New Year next year, merchants will pay one-quarter of the tax, brothels and gambling dens will pay one-third of the tax, and the rest will be temporarily exempted, so that millions of people can recuperate and live in peace."

"If the Khitans cease their incursions, temporarily set aside the war in the north and focus on managing the Yellow River, developing agriculture, selecting talent, and restoring the ecology of Shaanxi and Gansu."

"In order to select talents, this year we will accept submissions from all regions on the topic of 'money and taxes'. You can submit your answers yourself or entrust someone else to do so at the gate of Luoyang Palace. Please indicate your name and place of origin at the end of the article. The deadline is the beginning of winter."

****
In Luonan County, outside Luoyang City, Li Tangqing, who was in charge of agricultural management, looked at today's newspaper and his heart was filled with turmoil.

The newspaper contained very little data, only some of the grain production in the Huanghuai Province, and did not include data on cotton, oilseeds, vegetables and fruits grown by their production teams.

However, the detailed data provided in the newspapers, with their many circled characters, made the understanding of the power of the Mountain Farming Kingdom increasingly clear to those who read it.

The Mountain Farming Kingdom is a rapidly growing and powerful beast, and what's most terrifying is that the Arctic Martial Kingdom has predetermined the succession law.

Even if Arctic Warrior were to die now, the Mountain Farming Kingdom would continue to grow and expand.

Without King Wu, the Shan Nong Kingdom certainly wouldn't have reached its peak, but eliminating the Khitan and the steppe Tatars, and unifying Western Shu and the Southern Dynasties would have been a piece of cake.

It is not shameful to serve such a benevolent monarch.

The more Li Tangqing learned about the Shan Nong people, the more he realized that they were not much different from the Han people, and were more like the essence that emerged from the Han people's foundation and then rebuilt.

Whether it's the simplified characters, the emphasis on and maintenance of various moral principles, the advocacy of benevolence and morality, or the upholding of loyalty to the emperor.

The biggest difference is that putting people first is no longer just empty talk, but something that is being done in practice, simplifying all kinds of red tape and outdated rules that are impossible to change.

The text is simplified, using more colloquial and everyday language, and employing smaller, easier-to-understand decimal units of measurement.

It is very easy for Han Chinese to learn the script of the Shan Nong people, as many of their words are the same.

Moreover, all the civil and military officials in the court knew that the mountain farmers and Han people shared the same origin. After seeking refuge in the mountains, they honed their skills in farming, hunting, and tool making.

Since we share the same ancestry, we are not outsiders.

Li Tangqing took out paper and pen, and instead of just receiving a salary and doing his job, he began to try his best to do more things that would benefit the country and its people and serve the nation.

"Money and taxes are taken from the people and used for the people. Money from the people is like water in a pond; a little water keeps it alive, but too much water makes it a vast ocean."

"When a country has a national tax, there is often talk of increasing revenue and reducing expenditure. I believe that the key to taxation lies in the principle of broadening the scope and reducing the burden. Taxes are like a net, and the net of heaven is vast and its meshes are wide, yet nothing escapes it."

“A household consisting of a husband, wife, and four children, with eight mu of land and 1,200 jin of grain, can live on, and the remainder can be used as tax.”

“Now, a couple can earn 4,500 cash in half a year by going out to work. If they work in the spare time, they can manage the river, build irrigation canals, build houses and transport goods nearby. They can earn 6,000 cash a year and more than 1,700 catties of miscellaneous grains, which can support one or two more children.”

"The common people grow grain and earn money to buy grain. But if you include coal, iron stove, clothes, candles and other miscellaneous items, I often hear men, women and children chatting in Luonan County that a couple needs 7500 coins to support a family of six."

“If income is increased by one-tenth, a family of four will have savings at the end of the year, a family of five will barely make ends meet, and a family of six or more will face hardship if only the husband and wife are working.”

"If there were more jobs, and work was used to provide relief, and wages were distributed to the people to buy grain, coal and iron, then fossils would be turned into gold, the granaries would be full of gold and silver, the harvest would be bountiful, and the mountainous country would surely prosper."

……

Li Tangqing took the official paper and pen, revised and copied it twice before finally writing a short answer sheet.

With a somewhat apprehensive heart, Li Tangqing placed her answer sheet at the palace gate, and like many others in line, she had her first opportunity to take a close look at the magnificent and sacred red gate.

Shortly after Li Tangqing returned to work, the eunuch carried a stack of scrolls to the Guanyin Hall.

Since it was the first day, not many people were taking the test. Most people were looking for help, or several people were gathering together to discuss how to solve the problems, or they were flipping through articles to find the answers.

Beijiwu was resting in the house with a view of the courtyard. The autumn wind blew in from the south door and the east window, and then into the west door bedroom corridor.

The curtains inside the room swayed gently, and the clothes of the palace maids and beauties around them also swayed gently.

Beijiwu lay in the arms of a beauty, looking out the window at the bamboo forest that was more than ten meters tall, rustling in the autumn wind.

Several elegant ladies in palace attire sat nearby, gracefully arranging the exam papers. Several beautiful women with formal education read the contents of the exam papers aloud to the illiterate Beijiwu.

Beijiwu listened quietly with his eyes closed. The female officials also figured out Beijiwu's requirements. They simply put aside any articles that flattered him and only read the answers with numbers.

Whether it's the 12345 of the mountain farmers and the 一二三四五 of the Wen Dynasty, or the 壹、贰、叁、肆、伍 of the Wen Dynasty, keep all those with numbers.

Ignore anything without numbers.

"What's this called?" Beiji Wu asked lazily, without even opening his eyes. Instead, because of his afternoon nap, his legs were stretched out with great energy. "Leg massage," Beiji Wu said casually.

A nearby beauty quickly bent down to help massage his legs, while another female official respectfully bowed her head.
"It is Li Tangqing from Huainan. He is currently working as a field official in the Wanhu Team of Luonan County, in charge of inspecting agricultural grains, oilseeds, hemp, and storage facilities. He is already forty-seven years old."

Arctic Martial opened his eyes, pondered for a moment, and then offered a choice.

"Let him be the magistrate of Luonan County, in charge of money and grain and the construction of the county town, for a term of five years."

The female official replied, "Yes."

The local female officials wrote the list of recruits on a separate piece of paper, which included each person's place of origin, name, current address, and the official title they were given.

Li Tangqing is neither the first nor the last; she is simply one of many on the list.

(End of this chapter)