Chapter 78: Organizational Learning Han Dynasty Edition

Inside Han Media.

Zhang Tang and Sima Qian sat facing each other.

Not long after, Tian Qianqiu also walked in, seeing the two with solemn expressions, and asked: "What's the matter? So serious!"

The three of them were direct followers who had accompanied Liu Ju from the start, struggled and grew together, and were more familiar with each other than anyone else.

Zhang Tang looked at Tian Qianqiu, his face grave, and said: "Zizhuang, today at court the proposal to have officials go to Xianyang to study the Emperor's innovative spirit — we need to plan this well. Although the Emperor didn't directly agree then, he didn't outright reject it either; this is an opportunity."

Sima Qian nodded beside them: "Exactly, if this can succeed, using the pretext of study, we can better promote some ideas, which would also greatly benefit the rollout of the Emperor's new policies. However, the Emperor seems to have reservations; we need to think of ways to dispel his doubts."

Tian Qianqiu frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and said: "Back then I saw the Emperor's expression seemed off; perhaps he hasn't yet understood Zhang Gu's meaning?"

Zhang Tang said: "Don't hide it from you two, I actually have ulterior motives. Since the Emperor ascended the throne, he has exhausted himself for the country and the people; no ancient ruler has ever shown such care for his subjects and commoners as the Emperor has."

"But you've also seen that whenever the Emperor proposes a new measure, there will be opposition; some people deliberately play devil's advocate, but more people simply doubt the Emperor. I think if this continues, it will harm the Emperor's dignity."

Sima Qian also frowned and said: "The Emperor's thoughts and spirit should be understood and learned by everyone, and are worthy of being promoted by all the Han people."

Tian Qianqiu stroked his beard and said: "Indeed, the Emperor's dignity is sacred and inviolable; we should organize officials to study his spirit, thereby establishing his image as a wise and martial sage ruler."

Zhang Tang said in a deep voice: "The Emperor once said, 'Grasp with both hands, both must be firm.' Our Han should uphold the Emperor's dignity in law, and also establish his sacred and inviolable image in thought."

Tian Qianqiu's eyes lit up as he said: "I think we can first devise a detailed study procedure."

Sima Qian added: "Furthermore, I can use the newspapers under Han Media to build momentum in advance. First publish articles about the achievements brought by the Emperor's innovative spirit to spark officials' interest. After the Emperor approves this plan, we can then report in detail on the study arrangements and their significance, so that everyone will wholeheartedly endorse this study campaign."

Zhang Tang and Tian Qianqiu nodded in agreement.

"Let's first finish the work plan, then ask the Emperor for approval."

Tian Qianqiu said excitedly, and Zhang Tang and Sima Qian nodded.

Xuanshi Hall, morning court.

After Liu Ju rested for a few days, he felt refreshed and his fatigue was gone.

He had just taken his seat when he saw Tian Qianqiu step forward first, beginning to present to him the proposal for 'conducting ideological education work in batches for Han civil and military officials to go to Xianyang.'

Liu Ju was stunned; a few days earlier, when Zhang Tang had first raised the idea, he had always felt something was off, but now hearing Tian Qianqiu and the others give a detailed report, he suddenly understood.

Isn't this just the Han version of that from our previous life, where everyone went to the northwest to study organizational spirit and promote the hardworking struggle spirit?

Before he could speak, Wei Qing, Jin Ridi, Zhang Qian, and others also stood up, supporting Tian Qianqiu's proposal, and then more and more people rose to show their support.

Liu Ju sat on the Dragon Throne, looking bewildered.

There's actually something like this?

These people truly are my good subjects!

"Just go ahead as you say!"

Liu Ju saw everyone's enthusiastic looks, didn't want to dampen their spirits, and thought it wasn't really a bad thing after all.

"Long live the sage Emperor!"

Tian Qianqiu took the lead and said.

Others also chimed in.

This isn't false either; many people are indeed curious about Xianyang and have long wanted to go take a look.

Some scholars who had followed Liu Ju all the way out of Xianyang were even more excited, their feelings overflowing.

It's time to give these old fogeys a shock of new ideas!

The next day.

Under Han Media, newspapers such as the Chang'an Morning Post, Chang'an Evening Post, Chang'an Women's Post, and Han Weekly, occupying prominent headline positions, ran extensive reports on the news that Emperor Liu Ju had called on everyone to go to Xianyang to study the new ideas and policies.

The Han Weekly, as a comprehensive newspaper distributed to the entire Han populace, though just launched, has extremely wide influence.

The incumbent Grand Marshal and Grand General, Wei King Wei Qing himself wrote a commentary article, urging all Han people to study Emperor Liu Ju's theories and ideas, and to go to the Emperor's ancestral land of Xianyang to experience his glorious history of pioneering progress and bold innovation.

Wei Qing's article quickly provoked a strong public response.

At court, the officials heatedly discussed.

Chancellor Tian Qianqiu took the lead in stating: "Wei King's article is timely. The Emperor's theories and ideas are indeed the guiding light that leads our Han toward prosperity and flourishing. As officials, we should lead by example, actively respond to the call, go to Xianyang to study, and implement the Emperor's thoughts in daily governance."

Other officials also echoed.

Jin Ridi said: "Wei King is absolutely right; the Emperor's pioneering and enterprising spirit is the foundation of our Han's rise. This trip to Xianyang for study will surely broaden our horizons, enabling us to better share the Emperor's burdens and bring blessings to the people."

Even those senior officials who usually play devil's advocate couldn't help but nod in agreement: "Although I am old in years, hearing the Emperor's new ideas still makes my blood boil. This study, I will certainly not fall behind; I wish to go to Xianyang together with my fellow officials to feel the Emperor's wisdom and resolve."

Meanwhile, among the populace, people were equally enthusiastic, everywhere discussing Wei Qing's article and the journey to Xianyang.

"'We scholars should all the more go to Xianyang to study the Emperor's theories, so as to contribute our learning to Han's development in the future.'"

"'Although we lack learning, we know the Emperor is doing this for our own good. Going to Xianyang to have a look, we might pick up a new way to make a livelihood, making our lives more prosperous.'"

"……"

People from all walks of Han society actively responded; the number of those signing up to go to Xianyang was countless.

At the same time, Chancellor Tian Qianqiu and Marquis Bowang Zhang Qian each published articles in the Chang'an Morning Post and Chang'an Evening Post, whose main readership consists of court officials and scholar-officials, as well as the scholar-officials and commoners of Chang'an city.

Tian Qianqiu called on the people of Chang'an to learn from the Emperor, go to Xianyang to understand the Emperor's arduous and outstanding struggle journey, as well as the planning and command behind his personal campaigns that established unparalleled merits, and his wise and decisive nature.

For a time, this also received the response of court officials and the people of Chang'an.

Zhang Qian's article 'Going to the Emperor's ancestral land of Xianyang City' likewise resonated with people, thanks to its novel perspective and down-to-earth style.

Naturally, the most exaggerated was the Chang'an Women's Post; under its influence, many Han women have already left their homes and even gone to work positions, and popular wisdom is gradually enlightening.

The Chang'an Women's Post, starting from a uniquely female perspective, was personally penned by its deputy editor Li Yan, who wrote an article titled 'The Emperor Passed Through My Whole World.'

The article, using a uniquely female perspective and employing a highly immersive narrative style, tells the story of a woman who, from admiring the Emperor, to a chance encounter, to being illuminated by his thoughts' radiance, lives a different life.

For a time, this article spread even faster and wider than other newspapers' pieces, and even many men vied to read it.

At this moment, Liu Ju was recommended by the Ritual Official; looking at the article, he curled the corner of his mouth into a strange smile.

Just outrageous!

And the article's author, Li Yan, looked hopefully at Liu Xijun and said: "Sister, do you think the Emperor will see it?"

At this moment, Li Yan also recognized the strangely familiar young man she had chanced upon before—he was the present Son of Heaven.

She, both startled and delighted, tossed and turned because of it.

Therefore, upon learning that the imperial court was advocating study of the Son of Heaven's theory and thought, she passionately composed this piece.

He should be able to see it, right?

Li Yan anxiously thought.