novelAbuy Chapter 29: The Crown Prince's Open Scheme, Father, Please Accept the Challenge!
Chapter 29: The Crown Prince's Open Scheme, Father, Please Accept the Challenge!
"Ministers, if you have matters to report, please speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn!"
After what had just happened, Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, was no longer in a good mood and was preparing to leave the court.
"Father."
"Your subject has a report to submit!"
At this very moment, Crown Prince Liu Ju stepped forward, instantly attracting the attention of everyone in the hall.
"Crown Prince."
"What are you trying to say?"
Liu Che's face darkened, and he said in an icy voice.
The deal he made with Liu Ju was completed: he would exchange Huo Shan's entry into the Crown Prince's palace for the Crown Prince's support for the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai. However, Shi Qing's recommendation of Bu Shi as the Crown Prince's tutor had already crossed the bottom line of the Han Emperor.
At this moment, Liu Che's anger was growing. Whether as a father or an emperor, he would not allow anyone to challenge him.
"This year, the empire has launched several wars, expanded its territory, and conquered the surrounding barbarians."
"However, a crisis that cannot be ignored has emerged in the heart of the Han Dynasty."
"More than 500,000 people in the Kanto region have been displaced and are now homeless."
Boom!!!
Crown Prince Liu Ju's words struck the hearts of the court officials like a bolt from the blue, causing them to turn pale.
"Is Your Highness truly speaking?"
Prime Minister Shi Qing could no longer remain calm.
More than 500,000 refugees from Northeast China—this is no small number, and if it cannot be handled, it will cause great turmoil.
"Most of the more than 500,000 refugees from Northeast China came from the former territories of Yan, Zhao, and Qi."
Liu Ju stood with his hands behind his back, facing the civil and military officials, and added a sentence.
"The ancient lands of Qi, Yan, and Zhao!"
The ministers frowned, immediately understanding the cause and effect of the matter.
From the Rebellion of the Seven States during the reign of Emperor Jing of Han to the present day, there are not many feudal lords left in the land, only 18. The Chu region was divided into the states of Chu, Changsha, Sishui, Guangling, Guangchuan, and Jiangdu, while the remaining 12 feudal states were divided into the states of Qi, Yan, and Zhao.
Zhu Fuyan's edict of grace weakened the power of the feudal lords, but created numerous small feudal states. Chengyang State alone (present-day Rizhao, Shandong) had fifty-three such states. There were at least 200 such states throughout the world. Large states had no more than ten cities, while small states had no more than ten li (a unit of distance).
Which of these feudal lords didn't shut themselves off and act as local emperors in their own territories, wantonly exploiting the people and oppressing the good?
These more than 500,000 refugees from Guandong were not unrelated to these feudal lords; in fact, it could be said that they were directly responsible for their deaths.
"His Majesty."
Grand Minister of Agriculture Sang Hongyang said with a solemn expression, "These refugees will migrate westward and will inevitably enter Henan, Henan, Chenliu, Huaiyang and other places."
"If they cannot be resettled in time, it could cause even bigger trouble."
"The Grand Minister of Agriculture is absolutely right!"
Imperial Censor Er Kuan voiced his agreement.
Although the others did not speak, their somber expressions undoubtedly betrayed their inner thoughts.
The only truly fertile lands of the Han Empire were Guanzhong, Hedong, and Heluo. Once the refugees flooded into Heluo, they would be close to Hedong and Guanzhong. At that time, the Guanzhong capital region would likely also be affected.
With winter approaching, no one can guarantee what these refugees might do to survive.
"Grand Minister of Agriculture, Minister of the Imperial Treasury"
"Is there any way to resolve this matter?"
Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, passed the question on to Sang Hongyang and Wang Wenshu.
"His Majesty."
Wang Wenshu said helplessly, "If it were tens of thousands of people, the Imperial Household Department could still accommodate them."
"But among these more than 500,000 refugees, there are many elderly, weak, women and children."
"The national treasury is empty, and there is no more grain available."
Sang Hongyang was as worried as ever. The Han army's expansion in the southwest, Hexi, and Lingnan regions was costing them dearly.
More than 500,000 refugees consume 5,000 shi of grain every day, which amounts to nearly a million shi in half a year—no small number.
Moreover, arranging accommodations and jobs for them is a difficult task.
"Father."
"Your subject can resolve the issue of the displaced people."
Just when all the civil and military officials in the hall were in a state of panic, Liu Ju stepped forward again.
*Whoosh!*
All eyes were on the Crown Prince, everyone curious about his plan to deal with the more than 500,000 refugees.
"Granted!"
Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, said expressionlessly.
"Shanglin Garden spans eight rivers and covers an area of more than 300 li."
"The mountains and rivers are plentiful, the forests are lush, and there are many birds, beasts, fish and turtles."
"Let alone more than 500,000 refugees, we could accommodate even a million."
Liu Ju faced Liu Che directly, a faint smile on his face, and spoke loudly.
'Thump!'
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire Xuan Shi Hall fell silent.
All the civil and military officials stared wide-eyed at the Crown Prince; no one had expected him to make such a suggestion.
What kind of place is Shanglin Garden? It is a royal garden, the emperor's private reserve. How could it possibly allow refugees to enter?
"Crown Prince."
Do you know what you're saying?
Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, suppressed his anger and stared intently at Liu Ju.
"Father."
Crown Prince Liu Ju did not dodge or avoid the issue, but stated frankly: "The more than 500,000 refugees need more than just food."
"Now that we've entered late autumn and the weather is getting colder, how many of these people can survive the winter without warm clothes and shelter?"
"They are all His Majesty's subjects, the people of my Great Han."
"Can you just stand by and watch them die?"
"If they are placed in Shanglin Garden, Chang'an has the Northern Army and the Southern Army, and the Jianzhang Palace, Ganquan Palace and the Crown Prince's Palace all have guards, which is enough to ensure their safety."
"Shanglin Garden has enough land for them to cultivate and farm, and they can also hunt birds, beasts, fish and turtles for food."
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
Do you all agree?
"........."
The ministers looked at each other, none of them could come up with a better solution, and none of them could refute the crown prince's proposal.
"Your Highness, I dare to inquire."
Physician Xu Ziwei stepped forward and asked loudly, "More than 500,000 refugees are scattered throughout Shanglin Garden."
"Shanglin Garden has 70 detached palaces. How can we ensure they won't disturb the emperor's procession?"
*Whoosh!*
The civil and military officials once again focused their attention on Liu Ju, which was a very critical issue.
"I have carefully considered what the physician said."
"Shanglin Garden is different from other places, and it is impossible to set up county magistrates or other officials to manage more than 500,000 displaced people."
"The land of Shanglin Garden is not ownerless land, but His Majesty's land."
"Therefore, I request that an official be appointed to oversee agriculture."
Liu replied methodically.
"Agricultural official!"
This obscure official title immediately aroused everyone's curiosity.
"The so-called agricultural official is in charge of agricultural affairs."
"More than 500,000 refugees were registered and recorded in the same manner as the military."
"The reclamation of wasteland, the construction of irrigation canals, fishing and hunting, and the building of houses were all managed by special agricultural officials."
"Excellent!"
Upon hearing this, the ministers' eyes lit up, and they all exclaimed in praise.
Once the more than 500,000 refugees from Northeast China entered Shanglin Garden in Guanzhong to reclaim wasteland, there would inevitably be a need for dedicated personnel to manage them.
Shanglin Garden was a royal garden with 70 palaces, making it impossible to establish a county-level government office. Therefore, it was most appropriate to establish an agricultural official, who was between military and political, and was in charge of land reclamation, so as to effectively manage these homeless and landless people.
This avoided the possibility of refugees disturbing the palace and largely separated the common people from the palace.
PS: In the Western Han Dynasty, 1 shi was equal to 120 jin, and 1 jin was roughly equal to 250 grams, which is equivalent to half a jin in modern times.