Chapter 9

Li Er laughed heartily: "Good!"

Then he looked at Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and others and asked: "What do you all think?"

Facing Emperor Li Er's inquiry, Fang Xuanling said slowly: "If it is really as the Imperial Son-in-Law said, this matter is feasible!"

Du Ruhui also stood up and said: "I think this matter is okay, but it just needs time."

"Please, Your Majesty, reopen the imperial examination."

"Please, Your Majesty, reopen the imperial examination."

To this, Su Liang chuckled: "Heh, do you lords think that reopening the imperial examination is enough?"

Everyone was confused; wasn't the Imperial Son-in-Law's original intention to reopen the imperial examination?

Emperor Li Er was also quite confused about this and couldn't help but ask: "What does my virtuous son-in-law mean by this?"

Su Liang smiled disdainfully: "Not only do we need to reopen the imperial examination, but we also need to reform the imperial examination!"

"Since ancient times, only scholars could become officials. Why can't farmers, craftsmen, and merchants become officials?"

Before everyone could speak, Su Liang continued.

"If a farmer cultivates high-yield food, what should Your Majesty do? If a craftsman invents something beneficial to the people and the country, what should Your Majesty do?"

"For this, Your Majesty only rewards some gold and silver. Why can't you know people and use them well, and reward them with corresponding official positions?"

Li Er looked at Su Liang and asked: "You not only want to let scholars from poor families in the world have a way to be promoted, but also want to let farmers and craftsmen have a way to be promoted?"

"That's right, but it's not just farmers and craftsmen, but also merchants." Su Liang continued: "There is a specialty in every trade, and different people are good at different things."

"Most farmers are illiterate. Even if there is experience summarized by predecessors, the imperial court has no perfect method of dissemination, which leads to good planting techniques not being widely spread, and food production cannot be greatly increased."

"Craftsmen have low status, their creations do not get the rewards they deserve, and the people are unwilling to accept new things. Slowly, craftsmen lose their spirit of innovation. Such good craftsman techniques cannot be spread, and development will stagnate."

"Although merchants resell goods for profit, how many people in this world don't love money? Among merchants, there are inevitably people who care about the world. When there was a severe drought in the north, the people had no food, and there were also merchants who transported food from Jiangnan from thousands of miles away and sold it to the people at a fair price."

"Anyone who is beneficial to the people and the country can enter the court as an official!"

Emperor Li Er was thirsty for talent and knew how to use people well; how could he not know the meaning of Su Liang's words?

Anything that benefits the country and the people, he, Li Er, puts first.

"Then, what do you want to do?" Emperor Li Er stared at Su Liang.

This topic was very serious, and everyone was silent.

"We should reform the imperial examination!"

"In addition, we also need to open an Agricultural Academy, an Engineering Academy, and a Business Academy."

Su Liang met Emperor Li Er's burning gaze, neither humble nor arrogant, and continued to speak slowly.

"In this way, the Agricultural Academy can spread good planting techniques, the Engineering Academy can spread good craftsman techniques, and the Business Academy can spread good business ways."

"From now on, everyone in the world will be in their own place, and our Great Tang will also be prosperous day by day!"

After speaking, Su Liang picked up a cup of wine and drank it in one gulp.

Then he got up, took off his coat, jumped into Furong Lake, and swam and laughed heartily. It was almost September, and the weather in Changan City was still so hot.

Leaving everyone silent on the shore.

A moment later.

Li Er looked at everyone and said: "What do you all think?"

Du Ruhui said in a deep voice: "The Imperial Son-in-Law has great talent to come up with such a good method! If this can be done, it is indeed as the Imperial Son-in-Law said, from now on everyone in the world will be in their own place, and our Great Tang will also be prosperous day by day!"

"Actually, the Imperial Son-in-Law's original intention may not necessarily be to recruit farmers, craftsmen, and merchants as officials. Your Majesty can let the students who are studying the Four Books and Five Classics choose to learn the knowledge they are interested in, and then distribute them to other academies."

If Su Liang were here at this moment, he would definitely call it great talent. He is worthy of being Du Gong of "Fang's planning and Du's decision." This is clearly the modern division of arts and sciences!

Then Du Ruhui turned to Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaiyu and said: "Nowadays, aren't the two young masters also fond of the business way? Wei Zheng's eldest son, Wei Shuyu, likes farming very much and works in the fields all day long."

Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaiyu were too lazy to pay attention and just kept eating and drinking. It was better for children not to interrupt the adults' affairs.

"I think what the Imperial Son-in-Law said is very true, and I also support the reform." Zhangsun Wuji suddenly said; his own son was also fond of the business way.

"Yes, what the Imperial Son-in-Law said is very reasonable." Fang Xuanling also followed suit.

"I think so too!" Cheng Yaojin, who was on the side, said carelessly. Seeing that his son had made a lot of money following Su Liang, anyway, whatever the Imperial Son-in-Law said was right.

Empress Zhangsun and Princess Changle on the side were also just eating and drinking, not disturbing them.

"Reforming the imperial examination cannot be rushed; the details still need to be discussed slowly and need to be pushed forward steadily."

Emperor Li Er looked at everyone and said, then laughed heartily: "Tonight I have obtained a good strategy and am very happy. Everyone, let's not go home until we are drunk, hahaha!"

At this moment, Su Liang had returned to the shore after a swim. Hearing what they said, he couldn't help but laugh secretly in his heart: "Heh, the child can be taught!"

Seeing Su Liang come ashore, everyone couldn't help but stare at him.

When Su Liang went into the water just now, everyone didn't see it very clearly.

Only to see Su Liang wearing a vest on his upper body and a pair of loose shorts on his lower body.

They were also quite curious about this peculiar attire.

Seeing everyone like this, Su Liang was relieved; his attire at this moment was indeed a bit different from the Great Tang.

Not only was the vest different, but the shorts were even more different.

Then he looked at Li Er and said: "Let's go, Your Majesty, let me show you something good."

Before everyone could react, he pulled Li Er and left. Halfway there, he turned his head and ordered Ruyan and Yu'er to take Empress Zhangsun and Changle to bathe.

Ruyan and Yu'er naturally understood their Young Master's meaning.

Everyone was speechless, not knowing what Su Liang was up to again.

A moment later.

Su Liang took Li Er to the bedroom.

He took out several pieces of clothing and introduced them to Li Er one by one.

"This is underwear, soft, comfortable, and elastic. It's relatively tight and worn inside to relieve embarrassment."

"Underwear can be triangular or quadrangular, it all depends on personal preference."

"These are shorts, which can be worn outside the underwear, and are relatively cool."

"This is a vest, soft, comfortable, and elastic."

"I prefer to wear quadrangular underwear, the triangular ones are a bit tight."

"Your Majesty, would you like to bathe and change clothes to try it?"

Half an hour later.

Emperor Li Er walked to the lakeside with a radiant face. Not only were the new clothes very comfortable, but Su Liang also told him that the Empress would give him a surprise tonight.

Thinking about the new clothes on his body, and then thinking about Guanyinbi, he was instantly excited.

Not long after, Empress Zhangsun and Changle also came over. It must be said that women of any era are the same; they are really slow. At this moment, the two had just accepted new things and were all blushing.

After everyone sat down again, it was another round of eating and drinking.

At this moment, Su Liang felt that it was tasteless; he was tired of eating all these.

If only there were beer and crayfish. Beer can be brewed by himself.

As for crayfish... he can ask the system.

The system has so many sweet potatoes and potatoes, so it should have crayfish too.

Su Liang immediately communicated with the system: "System, system, come out quickly."

A moment later, the system's voice finally sounded in his mind.

System: "May I ask what the host needs?"

Su Liang: "System, what do I need to do to have crayfish?"

System: "Ding: Detecting the host's situation... the task is being generated..."

"System task issued: Detected that the host already has a fief, the host needs to develop a career in the fief, complete three industries, and the task can be completed."

"Task completion reward: One thousand catties of crayfish."

Su Liang: "Damn, this works too, system I love you to death."

System: "Host, please have some self-respect!"

Su Liang was speechless.

A moment later.

Su Liang looked at Li Er and asked: "Your Majesty, where is my fief?"

Li Er was confused by this, thinking to himself when this kid started caring about such things. The reward had been down for twenty days, and he hadn't asked or inquired. Could it be... After thinking about it, he said: "The fief is in Lantian County, fifty miles southeast of Changan City. I arranged this specifically, and it's closer to your Furong Garden. The Ministry of Revenue has almost finished negotiating, and in a few days, you can go and take a look."

Hearing this, everyone knew very well that this Imperial Son-in-Law was probably going to stir up trouble.

Su Liang laughed heartily when he heard Li Er say this: "Hahaha, Your Majesty, don't be humble. What's close or not? Doesn't Your Majesty know about Lantian County? Lantian County has had beautiful mountains and waters since ancient times. Many literati, scholars, and high-ranking officials live in Lantian, set up villas, and build manors. I understand Your Majesty's intentions."

Li Er looked at Su Liang with contempt and said: "As long as you know, kid, just don't forget your father-in-law when you have good things in the future."

"Good, good, good." Su Liang called out "good" three times, then looked at Ruyan and said: "Ruyan, go and take the salt-making and sugar-making methods I prepared and send them to His Majesty."

Li Er looked at Su Liang in confusion and said: "What salt-making and sugar-making methods?"

Everyone looked at Su Liang with burning eyes, as if they wanted to eat Su Liang. Anything from Su Liang's hands must be extraordinary.

Su Liang looked at these ignorant people, scratched his head awkwardly, and said: "The salt-making method is just to make coarse salt finer, without the bitter taste, and saltier; the sugar-making method is also just to make cane sugar finer and sweeter."

"Heh..." Li Er sneered, then said: "Then hurry up and bring that salt and sugar, let us see first."

Su Liang was helpless, looked at Yu'er and said: "Yu'er, go to the kitchen and get some salt and sugar."

A moment later.

Ruyan brought the salt and sugar production methods, and Yu'er also brought the sugar and salt.

After tasting it, everyone praised it endlessly, and one by one they were dancing with joy, happy like children.

Su Liang was speechless about this and shook his head slightly.

Until midnight.

Everyone left one after another, and like last time, they were carried back.

During the banquet, they even looted a lot of good things from Su Liang.

Things like Drunken Tang, underwear, etc., and they took away most of the salt and sugar.

There was no help for it; Drunken Tang was not for sale outside for the time being, Su Liang's restaurant and winery had not yet opened, and underwear was not available outside, only Su Liang had them here.

Su Liang was also quite troubled to see everyone acting crazy because of the alcohol.

It seems it's better to brew beer sooner.

Otherwise, who knows when Wei Zheng will come to the door.

That Wei Zheng's nagging was very much like the Tang Monk in A Chinese Odyssey.

After tonight, it rained heavily for several days, and Su Liang also spent a few more leisurely days in Furong Garden, sleeping together every day.

At the same time, he was also calculating how to develop his career in the fief.

Nowadays, the outside world can be described as earth-shaking. Not only was the imperial examination reopened, but it was also reformed, and the Agricultural Academy, Engineering Academy, and Business Academy were opened. The imperial court's actions were not surprisingly met with resistance from the noble families, but helplessly, Emperor Li Er's will to push forward was very firm, and the noble families did not dare to rebel openly.

A few days later, Furong Garden inner courtyard.

Yu'er ran over hurriedly, shouting while running: "Young Master, Young Master."

Su Liang asked following the sound: "What's wrong, what happened, why are you so panicked?"

Yu'er was panting and said: "Young Master... Young Master, Uncle Fu and the others are here."

Then two people entered the inner courtyard of Furong Garden; the people who came were Uncle Fu and his youngest son, Erhu.

Uncle Fu's original name was Chen Fu, and he was the steward of the Su Mansion in Jiangning, who watched Su Liang grow up. Uncle Fu had two sons, the eldest Chen Dahu and the second Chen Erhu. Dahu died with Su's father five years ago.

Seeing this, Su Liang hurried to greet them and couldn't help but ask: "Uncle Fu, why did only the two of you come? Where are Aunt Fu and Sister Xiaoying?"

Uncle Fu was also tearful when he saw the Young Master he hadn't seen for five years, then wiped his tears and said: "Your Aunt Fu passed away two years ago, and Dahu and Xiaoying didn't leave any offspring. Xiaoying is still young, and I couldn't bear to see her live as a widow, so I let her remarry."

Su Liang couldn't help but sigh: "Good, good, good, it's good that you are here, Sister Xiaoying should also have her own life. You will live in this Furong Garden from now on."

Then he looked at Erhu, patted Erhu on the shoulder and said: "Good boy, have you neglected your martial arts these years? Come and spar with Young Master."

"Good!" Erhu saw that his Young Master was interested, so he also set up a stance.

Suddenly the two wrestled together, and in a while, the two fell to the ground...

Ruyan and Yu'er were both speechless. Where was their Young Master's elegance and romanticism? The way the two fought was simply like... simply like rascals!

Uncle Fu watched the two happily.