Chapter 17: Merit for the Present, Benefit for a Thousand Autumns

When an emperor and his favorite minister both strive wholeheartedly for a single goal, nothing can stand in their way in this era.

After a period of preparation;

———it was in the sixth year of Yongping.

Gu Kang began his official campaign to reform farmland.

And Liu Zhuang, as he had promised, performed the "Rite of Personal Plowing" during spring sowing, setting an example for all under heaven.

The significance of this act was extraordinary.

Everyone saw the emperor's determination—it effectively cleared all obstacles for Gu Kang.

Yet even so, Gu Kang could not escape the struggles within the court.

Human nature is inherently competitive!

If the Gu clan remained forever glorious, the benefits left for others would shrink—how could they willingly accept that?

But this time, they had grown wiser and did not directly target Gu Kang.

As Liu Zhuang's reign grew longer, the ministers came to understand his character more deeply.

Under Liu Zhuang's rule, officials must possess genuine talent and learning.

Though his reign had not yet been long, the number of officials he dismissed was countless.

Moreover, Liu Zhuang required every region to submit annual reports on officials' performance, recording both merit and fault—even those who did nothing had to be reported.

Merit was rewarded.

Even if one erred, as long as one strictly enforced imperial policies and harmed no people, punishment would not be severe.

But if you harmed the people or did nothing,

then you would be punished!

Under these circumstances, countless people waited for Gu Kang to make a mistake or fail, so they could rise together and attack him, aiming to cut off the entire Gu clan's path.

Gu Kang was fully aware of this.

Yet he was unaffected, proceeding methodically with all his arrangements, everything carried out with perfect order.

Gu Yi had been silently observing all of this.

One must admit, once comparisons between people arise, the true magnitude of attribute differences becomes clear.

Take Gu Kang as an example.

Since fully embarking on farmland reform, he had grown increasingly busy.

Whether implementing the fertile-field policy or overseeing the manufacture of the curved-plow, he had to supervise personally.

And as a Minister of the Palace, with his exceptionally high political acumen,

additionally, Gu Kang needed to draft edicts for Liu Zhuang and occasionally deliberate with him.

The role of a wise sovereign and capable minister became evident at this time.

Liu Zhuang had been a wise sovereign in original history.

Though rarely mentioned in modern times, his achievements could not be erased.

Now, with Gu Kang's aid,

this effect became even more pronounced.

Problems left unresolved by Liu Xiu's revival of Han were swiftly settled through the cooperation of Gu Kang and Liu Zhuang.

Establishing Han attire, restoring rites and music, promoting virtue, and fully instituting the official evaluation system.

Liu Zhuang set an example himself.

He revived the "Rite of Caring for the Elderly" and personally visited the Imperial Academy's Biyong to demonstrate reverence for education and tradition.

Fortunately, the initial implementation was centered in Hebei, greatly reducing the effort he needed to expend.

The transformation the Gu family had previously undertaken was not in vain.

In response to Gu Kang's demands, the great clans allied with the Gu family cooperated fully.

Moreover, he appointed talented individuals selected over the years from the Gu family's private academy.

He had these native Hebei men assist him in executing the details more thoroughly.

Upon witnessing all this, Gu Yi even began to suspect that Gu Kang might have already foreseen this very situation back then.

This speculation left Gu Yi stunned.

If true, how powerful could a person with attributes at their peak truly be?

Gu Yi found it hard to imagine.

As for Gu Cheng, Gu Yi also paid close attention.

Especially after learning he had met Ban Chao, Gu Yi devoted even more thought to him.

Gu Kang truly cared for his family; after Gu Cheng mentioned the recommendation, the next day he spoke to Liu Zhuang about it.

The outcome was as expected.

Upon hearing of Ban Chao's filial piety, Liu Zhuang immediately agreed, assigning him to follow Gu Cheng.

In today's Han, where moral character is increasingly valued,

the relationship between the recommended and the recommender was no mere formality.

This was an unexpected boon for the Gu clan.

Gu Yi could also see that Liu Zhuang held Gu Cheng's abilities in high regard—otherwise, given his nature, he would never have kept Gu Cheng in the central army.

This only made Gu Yi more eager.

If Gu Cheng could fully display his talents, his achievements would certainly not fall below Gu Kang's.

The future is promising!

Nangong.

Unlike in the past, Gu Kang's face today bore clear signs of joy.

He had a child!

It seemed that, influenced by Gu Xiao, Gu Kang himself was utterly uninterested in women.

After marrying Liu Li for many years, they had finally produced an heir—naturally, he was delighted.

In truth, Gu Yi found this matter deeply frustrating.

Why were all his own family members so serious?

Although, besides Gu Kang, Gu Xiao's other offspring had also had children.

But from the moment they married, they vanished from the 【Family Information】.

These people could only help strengthen the Gu clan, but they gave Gu Yi no sense of security.

No way—the main line dying out meant the game ended immediately.

The main line must always have bloodline.

Gu Yi had already decided that, next time he controlled the character himself, he would add a new rule to the family code to prevent any mishaps.

But it wasn't all bad news—this child's attributes were the Gu clan's first hexagonal warrior.

【Gu Liang】

【Administration: 73; Diplomacy: 68; Politics: 75; Command: 63; Martial: 65】

Though none of the individual stats were outstanding, they were well-rounded.

In fact, this was inevitable.

How could a family produce talent generation after generation?

These attributes were already acceptable; Gu Yi was fairly satisfied.

Fang Fu stepped into the hall, and Liu Zhuang immediately noticed Gu Kang's unusual expression—he instantly understood and laughed twice. "Born?"

"Thanks to Your Majesty's concern, mother and child are both safe."

Gu Kang nodded and bowed solemnly.

"Mother and child?"

"So it's a boy?"

Liu Zhuang paused, then burst into laughter. "Excellent! Ji Shi has an heir—he's also my nephew. My heart is at ease."

His words came straight from the heart.

Liu Li's sister was fine, but the main reason was Gu Kang.

In truth, Liu Zhuang still suppressed the external relatives, but the Gu clan was an exception.

Gu Kang had truly won over Liu Zhuang through his own abilities.

Although the farmland reform still had no results.

But Gu Kang's talents in other areas had earned Liu Zhuang's recognition.

Their personalities complemented each other perfectly.

Seeing Gu Kang tirelessly serve the court without an heir, Liu Zhuang had mentioned it countless times.

But for such matters, he was powerless.

He couldn't issue an edict ordering Gu Kang to indulge more in women, could he?

Now that he finally heard Gu Kang had a son, he was genuinely delighted.

The two chatted for a while, then resumed their usual discussion of state affairs.

"Hmph!"

Liu Zhuang snorted, glanced at Gu Kang, and said, "In the second year of Yongping, I cited the late Emperor's decree forbidding officials from using the term 'sage' to prohibit flattery."

"How long has it been since then?"

"Already someone dares to defy my earlier edict—Ji Shi, what do you think I should do?"

When speaking of state affairs, Liu Zhuang's entire expression changed—his eyes brimmed with ruthlessness.

As in the original history, Liu Zhuang treated his ministers with exceptional strictness.

He even established a precedent for officials—corporal punishment!

Over these years, ministers were frequently beaten for mistakes, and Liu Zhuang had even struck them himself.

All officials were deeply fearful of this.

It wasn't just about how badly they were beaten—the main issue was the humiliation of being punished in public.

Under Liu Zhuang's leadership, the Han court now placed increasing emphasis on virtue and reputation.

Being beaten in private was one thing; being beaten in public meant the end of one's official career.

Who wouldn't fear it?

As a Secretary, Gu Kang naturally knew of this matter.

The ministers had praised Emperor Liu Zhuang's sagacity, citing the lack of major disasters across the realm this year.

This was normal.

But this time, it wasn't just that.

It was also aimed at Gu Kang.

It seemed fate itself: the year Yongyuan Six had seen no major disasters at all.

Moreover, the Gu clan had long been rooted in Hebei, thoroughly familiar with its mountains, rivers, and terrain.

With the cooperation of the great clans,

they built water conservancy projects, enriched the soil, removed weeds, and prevented disasters;

Gu Kang handled every preparation beneficial to agriculture with ease, making not a single mistake.

In response, the ministers naturally observed all this with their own eyes.

Though they could not act openly.

But to block the Gu family's escape route in this manner, with no loss to themselves, why not do it?

Even with the example of Julu before them.

They did not believe Gu Kang could truly increase production across the entire Hebei region.

At present, Han ruled by Confucianism, and the current-school faction's superstitions and oracular texts were rampant.

What nonsense?

Could such a thing possibly be accomplished by a mere mortal?

Under this prevailing atmosphere, even if Liu Zhuang trusted Gu Kang deeply, he would naturally harbor doubts.

This issue right now clearly stems from this very reason.

He feared wasting time.

For an emperor with grand ambitions, time had always been the most precious thing.

This was not because Liu Zhuang was ignorant, but because of the limitations of the age.

Gu Kang's method—essentially increasing yield through scientific means—was naturally too difficult for people to accept.

If any superstitious emperor had been in his place, even one who might have employed Gu Kang, he likely would never have agreed to such land-reclamation work.

For this, Gu Kang had long been prepared.

Without the slightest hesitation, he bowed to Liu Zhuang and said seriously, "Your Majesty need not dwell on this matter."

"Today's Han differs from the past; the signs of a great era have already emerged."

"The ministers celebrate Your Majesty's achievements—Your Majesty may accept them with joy."

You harbor doubts? Then I shall give you the most direct response!

Hearing this, Liu Zhuang frowned slightly. "Jishi, since when have you learned to flatter?"

"Your Majesty."

Gu Kang remained calm and said steadily, "I came here today precisely to speak of this matter."

"The grain yields in Hebei have far surpassed previous years."

"This year will surely be a bountiful harvest."

Liu Zhuang simply watched Gu Kang in silence, offering no response.

He was an emperor who judged by results; no minister's words could sway him.

But Liu Zhuang also knew Gu Kang's nature.

He never joked before the throne.

Thinking this, Liu Zhuang nodded slightly. "Good!"

"With your word, Jishi, I have no further worries."

He did not mention the matter again, but immediately resumed discussing current state affairs with Gu Kang as usual.

For this, Gu Yi, who silently observed it all, was utterly unsurprised.

Liu Zhuang was precisely such an emperor.

He could never fully trust any minister from start to finish.

His use of spies to investigate his ministers already proved this.

Yet Gu Yi was not worried.

Liu Zhuang had his merits; for the Gu family today, as long as he maintained fair rewards and punishments, that was enough.

Because, in Gu Yi's view, all of Gu Kang's actions were without flaw.

Compared to the contemporary Han's agricultural standards, his methods would surely surpass all previous yields!

Indeed, when the news of Hebei's great harvest reached the court.

The entire court was stunned!

The figure of two shi per mu truly shocked everyone.

You must understand that in today's world, even in the most bountiful year, the highest figure is still no more than this number.

And now this two shi was the average.

In the most fertile commanderies—Julu, Wei Jun, and Bohai—the yields exceeded two shi per mu.

Julu need not be mentioned; Gu Kang's years of soil-fertilizing efforts were never useless.

But for Wei Jun and Bohai, this year's yield had already completely surpassed all previous records.

Moreover, there were experimental fields in every province and commandery.

Gu Kang's arrangement for the experimental fields was primarily for testing.

He applied each possible soil-fertilizing method to separate plots of land.

Though this method seemed unscientific by modern standards, given Han's current conditions, it was the best approach.

Of course, this approach inevitably affected the yields of those fields.

But since they were experimental fields, their main purpose was testing.

Gu Kang had long prepared to conduct trials for many years, to select the optimal soil-fertilizing strategy for each region of the empire.

This was bound to be a slow process.

Yet for today's Han, Hebei's harvest was more than enough!

Liu Zhuang's joy was plainly visible.

In court, he immediately appointed Gu Kang as Grand Minister of Agriculture, elevating him directly to the rank of the Nine Ministers.

And this time, no one in court or beyond could utter a word.

Gu Kang's action is destined to bring blessings to all people under heaven.

As for the great clans within the court, who control more than half the land of the realm, the benefits they gain far exceed those of ordinary commoners—who would refuse such advantages?

The entire nation celebrates!

Some ministers even immediately proposed extending the Hebei fertile-field policy to all regions of Han.

Liu Zhuang naturally agreed.

Gu Kang said nothing more; he had gradually discerned the differences caused by varying soil conditions through the yields of the experimental fields.

But to fully comprehend these studies in this era was clearly impossible.

Although yields varied by region, all were far greater than in the past.

What reason was there to refuse?

——The following year, Gu Kang implemented the fertile-field policy with even greater specificity.

This time, the entire world's enthusiasm for farming seemed ignited.

Especially under Liu Zhuang's promotion, the great harvest of Hebei in the sixth year of Yongping was known throughout the land.

Gu Kang had essentially become a god in the hearts of the common people.

He could increase land's yield through human effort.

When they heard that Gu Kang would again oversee the fertile-field policy, the people across the realm rejoiced with cheers and leaps.

They were the ones who cared most about grain production!

Although there were minor disasters this year,

the total grain output of the entire Han realm still far surpassed previous years.

"Thirty dan of millet per hu."

When this phenomenon appeared in Han, it was enough to show how immense its impact had been.

Upon learning of this, Liu Zhuang decided to personally lead the hundred officials in sacrificing to Liu Xiu, as if to inform him of Han's present golden age.

All the barbarian tribes offered tribute and came to assist in the sacrifice.

Though this sacrifice was not as grand as others, its significance to the entire realm was different.

Han now seemed to have the appearance of myriad states paying homage!

——————————

"In the seventh year of Yongping, Kang oversaw the land affairs of the realm; the people followed him. That year saw great abundance; granaries were full and rich. Millet cost thirty dan per hu; the common people were freed from hunger and starvation."

"Gu Kang's Merit benefits his own age and endures for a thousand autumns."

————Records of the Later Han. Biography of Gu Kang

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(End of Chapter)