Chapter 77: Deepening Reform, Promoting Development

After the resolution to establish the Great Han National Monument was passed.

Tian Qianqiu stepped forward, holding a memorial, and proclaimed in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, in this imperial personal campaign, our army won a complete victory with extremely low casualties. The Xiongnu and Wusun fled in disarray, lacking the strength to invade again in the short term. This is the result of Your Majesty's wise leadership and the soldiers' devotion."

The officials heard and whispered praise.

Chen Ying, the Vice Minister of Works who was standing in for Minister Sang Hongyang, stepped forward next, his face full of pride, and reported: "Your Majesty, since your ascension, the Ministry of Works has fully pushed forward in infrastructure construction, achieving abundant results."

He then unfolded the scroll in his hand, which detailed the plan of the newly repaired roads, and said: "In the past, roads everywhere were often rugged and damaged, transportation extremely inconvenient, goods transport difficult, and the people's travel also suffered greatly."

"Now, we have mobilized massive manpower and material resources, repaired and widened many major highways, centered on Ever Peace, extending outward like a spiderweb."

"Among them, the highway to Jiaodong, originally a narrow dirt road that became muddy and impassable in rain, has now been paved into a wide concrete road allowing four carriages to travel side by side."

"Along the way, we also set up relay stations every ten li, which not only facilitated messengers delivering documents but also provided resting places for merchants and travelers."

"Also, the distribution of stoves." Vice Minister of Works Chen Ying said solemnly: "Your Majesty cares about the people's comfort and ordered the distribution of heating stoves to the people."

"The Ministry of Works exerted itself fully, rationally distributing the stoves to ensure every village and household received one. In some bitterly cold northern areas, the people relied on these stoves to safely survive the winter."

Chancellor Shi Qing added: "Your Majesty, according to feedback from various places, the incidence of cold-related illnesses has greatly decreased, and the people feel grateful for Your Majesty's concern, praising You as a sage ruler for the ages."

"Finally, there is the discovery and mining of the new coal mine."

Chen Ying's eyes sparkled with excitement as he proclaimed loudly: "During the resource prospecting process, our artisans and prospectors ventured into Great Origin Commandery, endured hardships, and finally discovered a rich coal deposit in the Goose Gate area."

"Now, the coal mining operation is on track, with a considerable daily output of coal. These coals not only meet the people's daily heating needs but also provide ample energy for industries such as smelting and pottery."

"Minister of Works Sang Hongyang's work searching for 'petroleum' in the Western Regions has also borne fruit; I will continue to monitor it and report at any time."

Liu Ju nodded slightly, his eyes full of satisfaction, and said: "Well done; these are all major matters concerning the people's livelihood, and must not be neglected."

At this moment, Liu Xiaojun and Huo Guang stepped forward together; Liu Xiaojun, graceful in demeanor, spoke in a clear voice: "The Ever Peace Women's Daily now has considerable daily sales, and has initially spread in Ever Peace and All Yang, the situation is improving, while more and more women are entering schools, even taking the imperial examinations."

Liu Ju nodded and said: "We must redouble our efforts; women's work cannot rely solely on newspapers, since most women are still illiterate, we need to think of other methods, to be discussed later."

Huo Guang also reported: "Your Majesty, since the literacy campaign was launched, the effects have been significant. Now every prefecture and county has established elementary schools, allowing countless children to attend school and read. Increasing numbers of the people can read and understand texts, cultivating many talents for our Great Han."

Liu Ju's face showed satisfaction: "Education is the foundation of the state; only by letting more people read can our Great Han produce abundant talents and flourish. Continue to increase efforts, so that the literacy campaign benefits more people."

The entire Propagate Virtue Hall was filled with an atmosphere of excitement and pride.

Liu Ju listened to the officials' reports, his heart full of emotion.

Since his ascension, he has exhausted his energies, devoted himself to the development of Great Han; now seeing progress in all areas leaping forward, he deeply feels that all his efforts were worthwhile.

Just then.

Minister of Personnel Jin Riyi, with a solemn expression, reported: "Your Majesty, in this grace examination, our Great Han selected many talented individuals of virtue and ability, with outstanding results. However, some examiners, for personal gain, attempted to win hearts, and dared to cheat in the examination. Such conduct seriously undermines the fairness of the exam, truly a disgrace to our Great Han."

Upon hearing this, Liu Ju's face darkened with anger, and he said coldly: "The examination is the utmost important matter for selecting talent, concerning the future of our Great Han; such cheating conduct cannot be tolerated."

He then turned to ask Wei Qing: "Prince Wei, after my personal campaign, all court affairs are handled by you; have you heard of this?"

Wei Qing nodded and said: "Your Majesty, I naturally know of such important matters, but during the grace examination, some scholars bribed examiners to raise low scores, which is hard to guard against. As for those who engaged in favoritism and fraud, I have detained them, awaiting Your Majesty's judgment."

"Demote all of them to commoners; for those with especially serious circumstances, execute them according to the new law, to serve as a warning!"

Liu Ju's words had just fallen.

Shi Qing immediately spoke up to stop him: "Your Majesty, you absolutely cannot do this! This matter involves many people—dozens of them; if all are demoted, the court fears there will be no one left to use!"

"Impudent!"

Liu Ju slammed the throne, stood up, and stared at Shi Qing, saying: "Don't think I don't know that among them are people from your Shi clan, Shi Qing. Considering your long loyalty, I will pardon past offenses; effective today, retire and enjoy your old age, giving you a dignified exit."

"Your Majesty, I... thank Your Majesty."

Shi Qing wept aloud, kneeling to express gratitude.

Liu Ju showed no mercy, also punishing Shi Qing; the other officials fell silent at once, swallowing their objections.

Now Liu Ju has returned triumphant, and with his new policies benefiting the state and the people, he is deeply beloved; in the hearts of Great Han's subjects, his majesty is already inviolable.

But they remain worried in their hearts.

Even Zhang Qian said: "Your Majesty, please reconsider."

Liu Ju shook his head: "Marquis of Bo Wang, whoever interferes in administration, regardless of rank, will be severely punished; you know my bottom line and red line."

Those who wanted to speak, Wei Qing and Tian Qianqiu among them, also fell silent; although the emperor is not a blade of arbitrary authority, his decisions truly cannot be easily changed.

Liu Ju paused briefly, then spoke steadily:

"To ensure examination fairness, from now on we will implement the sealed-name system. Furthermore, besides the traditional Confucian classics, the examination content will include subjects such as language, mathematics, and physics, comprehensively selecting talent to meet the growing needs of our Great Han."

"To ensure the implementation of this order, thereafter Tian Qianqiu will personally oversee it, without error."

"I will obey the edict."

Tian Qianqiu performed a respectful salute.

Then Liu Ju added: "Furthermore, starting today, our Great Han should conduct a thought-purification education for all you beloved officials and court ministers; what are your opinions?"

Jin Riyi stepped forward first, speaking respectfully:

"Your Highness, this move is the utmost wisdom. The court officials are numerous, and their thoughts inevitably differ. Conducting thought-purification education can unite everyone, all taking the prosperity of Great Han as their duty, consolidating the court's strength, willing to share Your Highness's worries and fully assist in promoting this."

Chen Ying slightly nodded, stepped forward, and memorialized: "Your Highness, I believe thought education concerns the foundation of the court, with far-reaching impact."

Wei Qing adopted a solemn demeanor, clasped his fists, and said: "Your Highness, in the army, the unity of discipline and thought is also crucial, thereby enabling invincibility in battle; the court is the same—when thoughts are uniform, actions can be uniform."

Tian Qianqiu stroked his beard, spoke steadily: "Your Highness, thought education is a long-term plan, not something achievable overnight; we need to establish a lasting mechanism to continuously carry out guidance and education."

Liu Ju looked at their responses; although everyone expressed approval of this work, no one hit the point.

Zhang Tang's eyes were sharp; after a moment's thought, he said: "Your Highness, I have a remark I do not know whether to speak or not."

"Don't keep me in suspense, speak!"

Liu Ju glared at Zhang Tang.

Zhang Tang coughed lightly, then proclaimed loudly: "Your Majesty, All Yang is the place where Your Majesty's dragon rose; all your new policies and governing ideas are concentrated there. I think it is time to call on everyone to go to All Yang to study Your Majesty's theoretical ideas."

At this moment, Sima Qian also spoke, somewhat excited: "Your Majesty, this move is excellent; our Great Han Media's newspaper will also fully cooperate in this 'learning campaign', striving to make it the new trend of our Great Han."

"Call on everyone to go to All Yang to study?"

Liu Ju felt that something was odd, why did it feel so familiar?

He waved his hand and said, "Let's withdraw from court first; allow me to think a bit more."

"Seeing off Your Majesty respectfully!"

The officials respectfully saw off Liu Ju.

Zhang Tang then gave Sima Qian a look, and the two left the Xuanshi Hall together.