Chapter 79

The people of Han and officials of various ranks from the court, each with different feelings, gradually embarked on the journey to Salty Yang for study.

Initially, many people harbored some degree of speculation about the unknown.

However, when they truly set foot on this land of Salty Yang, everything before them was like a grand and shocking feast of sight and thought, instantly stirring their hearts into tumultuous waves.

First to catch their eyes were the towering, magnificent new city walls.

Everyone was stunned by its lofty grandeur and novel materials, continually exclaiming in amazement.

And when they saw the orderly, prosperous streets of Salty Yang City, it was as if they had opened the door to a new world; to them, Salty Yang City was filled with novelty everywhere.

At this time, the National Defense University was a solemn and dignified academy, yet brimming with vigorous vitality.

On campus, the students marched in neat steps, their postures vigorous, as they conducted strict military training. Resounding slogans shot up to the clouds, displaying their firm beliefs and soaring fighting spirit.

The ministers who came here to observe and study could not help but stop and gaze, their eyes full of awe.

Some ministers could not help but whisper in praise: "Such a well-trained scene is unprecedented! The talents cultivated thus will surely forge an impregnable bulwark for Han's national defense."

Entering the classrooms of the National Defense University, the modern teaching facilities further opened the ministers' eyes.

On the huge sand table, the terrain of Han's rivers and mountains, strategic passes and fortresses were marked in detail, along with various military strategic deployments.

The instructors used vivid models and charts to explain military theory and tactics in an accessible way.

The ministers gathered around, listening as if entranced, occasionally exclaiming in amazement.

An elderly minister sighed: "Our Han's military education has actually reached this point; such advanced teaching concepts and methods are truly a blessing for Han and a fortune for the nation!"

Meanwhile, inside the new-style school.

Many people, upon just entering the campus, heard the clear sound of reading coming from the classrooms.

Unlike traditional schools that only teach Confucian classics, the curriculum here is rich and diverse, encompassing not only language and arithmetic, but also novel subjects such as physics and chemistry.

They entered a classroom and saw the students attentively conducting experiments, observing wondrous physical phenomena through various instruments.

The students' eyes sparkled with a thirst for knowledge and a passion for exploration; this scene deeply moved the ministers.

One minister excitedly said: "These children embody Han's future hope. Such comprehensive education will surely cultivate many talents capable of governing and benefiting society, leading Han toward an even more glorious future."

Some civilians came to the coal processing plant.

Here, coal was mined, transported, and processed in an orderly manner. The advanced coal processing flow left the ministers astonished; they had never seen such an efficient and scientific mode of production.

From coal screening and crushing to the refining of various useful chemical products, every step proceeded in an orderly fashion.

A minister could not help exclaiming, "This coal processing is so marvelous—it not only makes full use of resources but also creates many values. Such an advanced industry will surely inject strong momentum into the economic development of our Great Han."

Finally, as night fell, many people strolled along the prosperous streets of Xianyang.

Lights blazed on both sides of the street, shops stood in rows, people came and went, and the scene was extraordinarily lively.

All kinds of novel goods dazzled the eyes, leaving people dazzled and unable to take it all in.

Laughter and cheerful voices came from the wine taverns, while the opera performances on the stage were splendid and varied.

People immersed themselves in this prosperous atmosphere, feeling a myriad of emotions in their hearts.

"The prosperity of Xianyang far exceeds my imagination. Your Majesty's reformist ideas are fully displayed here. What I have seen and heard today makes me deeply feel my own narrow vision, and also fills me with confidence in the future of the Great Han."

A day's sights and sounds in Xianyang completely overturned people's previous conceptions.

They were shocked by these novel things, and at the same time deeply felt the tremendous change and infinite possibilities brought by Liu Ju's theoretical thought.

At the same time, a book entitled *Collected Works of the Great Han Emperor's Theoretical Thought*, issued by Great Han Media, spread throughout the Great Han with the speed of thunder, becoming a classic referenced, studied, and revered by countless people.

Liu Ju's wise and martial emperor's bearing was deeply imprinted in the hearts of the Great Han people.

Many people then realized that the era of Emperor Wu of Han had truly passed.

The Great Han, the heavens have truly changed!

At the time when the Great Han was vigorously launching the movement to go to Xianyang for study.

The ministers in the Xuanshi Hall were still discussing among themselves.

Liu Ju sat on the dragon throne, half-asleep.

Suddenly, a Feathered Forest Guard came to report.

"Your Majesty, Minister of Household Su Wu has sent a report."

Liu Ju opened his sleepy eyes, his whole spirit revived, and the ministers also ceased their discussion.

"Your Majesty, the party led by Minister Su Wu heading to the Southwest Barbarians was ambushed; he himself suffered serious injuries, and other caravans were also robbed."

"Huh?" Liu Ju's face on the dragon throne sank.

The Xuanshi Hall also fell into an uproar.

"How brazen the Southwest Barbarians are, daring to attack our Great Han people—have they grown tired of living?"

Zhang Tang shouted explosively, his whole person looking grim and terrifying.

The other ministers also chimed in agreement.

Liu Ju waved his hand to signal silence, then asked, "The court sent Feathered Forest Guards to accompany them; why did it turn out so disastrous?"

The Feathered Forest Guard replied, "Your Majesty, the journey to the Southwest Barbarians is far and the mountain roads are rugged, making transport of supplies extremely difficult; the Feathered Forest Guards could not provide adequate protection."

Looking at Liu Ju pondering on the dragon throne, he again hesitated and said, "Furthermore, the five-zhu coins are inconvenient to carry, suffer much loss, being overly heavy, many merchants thus encounter robbery on the way, causing many troubles; this matter urgently needs to be resolved."

Upon hearing this, Liu Ju's expression grew even more solemn; after a brief contemplation, he spoke with firm gaze, "The situation is now urgent, my resolve is set—I will implement the paper currency policy."

Then Liu Ju slowly rose, and the Wolf God said:

"Paper money is light and easy to carry, which can greatly solve the difficulties of transporting and carrying five-zhu coins. Not only can it reduce the risk of merchants being robbed due to carrying large amounts of coin, but it can also lessen loss in transit, facilitate the exchange and circulation of goods, and promote the prosperity of the Tea-Horse Ancient Road."

The ministers in the hall, upon hearing Liu Ju's words, again fell into whispered discussion.

Some quickly grasped the crux, their faces showing approval, believing that implementing paper money could indeed solve the present problem;

but others wore worried expressions, doubting the reliability of paper money.

At this moment, Jin Riji slowly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, although paper money has many conveniences, as a new type of currency certificate, whether the populace and merchants can trust and accept it still needs consideration. Moreover, if someone forges paper money, it could cause financial turmoil, disrupt market order; please, Your Majesty, reconsider."

Liu Ju looked at this Jin Riji, his gaze steady and confident, and said, "Your concerns, I also know. But in times of change, risks are inevitable. From today onward I will order the establishment of strict regulations for the issuance and management of paper money to ensure its credit and safety. Paper money will be made of special paper and anti-counterfeit technology, making it hard to forge."

At the same time, establish a specialized agency to supervise the issuance and circulation of banknotes; once counterfeiters are discovered, they must be severely punished without leniency.

Chen Yingjin advised, "Your Majesty, even so, implementing paper money may still need time to prepare, and we need to let the people and merchants gradually understand and accept; rash implementation may backfire."

Liu Ju nodded slightly and said, "Your words have merit, beloved minister. Therefore, the implementation of paper money must be gradual. First, conduct pilot programs in important towns along the Tea Horse Ancient Road trade route, dispatching specialists to explain to the people and merchants the usage and advantages of paper money."

At the same time, let local money shops actively cooperate, providing convenience for the exchange and circulation of paper money. After the pilot succeeds and experience is accumulated, then gradually promote nationwide.

The officials heard Liu Ju's arrangement; although some still had doubts, seeing Liu Ju confident and having thought it through, they said no more.

Liu Ju then immediately ordered the relevant departments to promptly begin preparing the pilot implementation of paper money along the Tea Horse Ancient Road trade route, and must quickly solve the difficulties of material exchange and currency circulation on the Southwest Barbarian trade route.

"Your Majesty, what about pacifying the Southwest Barbarian rebellion?"

At this moment, Zhang Tang stepped forward and asked.

Liu Ju suddenly recalled Dong Zhongshu, who had followed Su Wu and others far to Yizhou, and his eyes lit up.

"Zhang Tang, deliver this booklet with utmost urgency, be sure to deliver it into the hands of Marquis Xuanwen Dong Zhongshu; this Southwest Barbarian matter will rely on Marquis Xuanwen."

Liu Ju handed the two booklets to Zhang Tang.

The officials of the Xuanshi Hall curiously looked at the Son of Heaven on the dragon throne.

Dong Zhongshu?

Southwest Barbarians?

Let a pedantic scholar go suppress the rebellion?