Chapter 238: All-Encompassing, Personally Involved in One Night!

"Use key points to drive the whole, establish special prefectural cities!"

Liu Wen looked again at these characters—they seemed familiar yet strange, each character he understood.

But!

When linked together, they were like "heavenly script."

"Establish special prefectural cities."

Yu Ke slowly put down his brush.

This proposal seemed absurd, yet its feasibility was extremely high.

Long ago, a true great man drew a circle on the map.

True wisdom that transcended history, an era of momentous convergence!

Can this be used?

Yes!

But it must be combined with the current conditions of the northern lands—build a capital city and view the entire situation from a macro perspective.

Apply this method according to local conditions!

After enduring the scourge of war, the northern lands have entered a relatively stable new phase after fifteen years.

A stable social environment has laid the foundation for population growth and educational development, followed by a golden period of economic prosperity.

At this moment, a clear thought emerged in his mind—

"Build a special economic zone, forge a landmark city."

The northern lands are also prosperous regions, once the old capital of Daqing during Emperor Huizong's reign,

Shundu!

After fifteen years of recovery and development, Shundu has revived.

With limited productivity and resources, only traditional wisdom needs to be upheld.

Strategies such as the equal-field system and light corvée and taxation can steadily propel the northern lands toward prosperity.

Shundu directly radiates influence over surrounding counties and prefectures, driving the eastern development of the northern lands.

Although its prosperity still falls short of Chaoling in the south,

it has irrefutably become one of the great cities of the realm.

The economic and cultural center of the northern lands.

Yu Ke pondered for a moment, and a clear plan formed in his mind.

He decided to adopt a two-pronged strategy.

First, regarding governance of the northern lands, he emphasized that leaders must abandon extravagance and eliminate the wasteful, labor-intensive pursuit of grandeur—"cut expenditures!"

On the contrary!

They must delve into the people's lives, pay attention to livelihood, and focus on promoting agricultural production, encouraging farming—this is the fundamental path to restoring and developing the northern lands.

Do not burden the people!

This is not only the righteous way to strengthen the state, but also aligns with Daoist principles of non-action and harmony with nature.

In Chu!

Gongsun Zhongshu fused Daoist and Confucian thought, founding Gongsun Confucianism.

Chu benefited from this philosophy, boldly innovating and implementing the famous "Single Whip Tax Reform," which unified scattered, complex land taxes, corvée labor, and miscellaneous levies into a single silver-based system calculated per acre—simplifying tax collection, easing the burden on the people, and enhancing the government's ability to track and manage revenue.

This reform effectively curbed local official corruption, enriched state finances, allowed the people to rest and recover, and strengthened national power.

If someone has walked the path, simply adapt it to practical conditions.

And one more point!

The western part of the northern lands remains relatively backward.

Most of the population is concentrated in the east.

Overall, the northern lands now span five provinces, their territory comparable to southern Daqing, with a significant increase in population.

In recent years!

Due to war in the southern lands, many civilians chose to migrate north, bringing fresh blood and vitality to the northern lands.

The Lu Family Army has also greatly expanded the northern lands' territory, successfully reclaiming lands once held by northern nomadic tribes such as Beiyuan and Chengye.

Territory expanded, population grew!

With war subsiding and borders expanding, civilians flocked to the more developed eastern regions, while the west, due to poorer geography and historical neglect, remained underdeveloped.

Facing this reality, develop the impoverished west.

Use the east to drive development, while rebuilding the west.

This is the grand plan and policy for the northern lands now!

Yu Ke picked up his brush and wrote:

"Use key points to drive the whole, focus on the east."

"Landmarks in the west, policy for the northern lands!"

"Rebuild official roads through the west to connect thoroughfares; civilians participating may be rewarded with land in surrounding areas."

To become wealthy, first build roads—this holds true in any era.

"The west is vast and barren, with uncultivated land awaiting reclamation; summon the people to till it—tax them at one-thirtieth, with the rest belonging to the tillers."

The foundation of land reclamation exists—the northern lands will not lose; it's a win-win!

"For every person who brings two others to the northern lands, grant them tangible rewards and reduce their taxes."

Use population to drive population!

"Establish market districts, set up customs duties; for foreign goods entering via western trade routes, reduce tariffs by one-tenth to attract merchants from all directions."

Attract commerce!

"When the northern lands hold the imperial examinations, prioritize candidates with western regional experience to draw talent through merit."

Attract talent!

…

…

As Yu Ke's brush danced, edicts flowed like clouds and water.

Inside the Taihe Hall, candle flames flickered as palace maids repeatedly replaced nearly burned-out candles.

The eunuchs, meanwhile, were in a different scene—some crouched, some stood, holding brushes, racing against time to transcribe every word Yu Ke wrote, fearing to miss a single syllable.

Zhou Jinyu, as the ink-grinder, stood quietly to the side, grinding ink.

Her hands were lightly stained with ink, yet she was unaware—her heart held only the scroll spread before her and the dense script upon it!

Yu Ke's edicts covered every aspect of state governance.

From the fundamental issue of population to economic policy planning and adjustment, to political system reform and legal system refinement.

In addressing major disasters, he proposed effective contingency plans and responses, ensuring the people came first.

Regarding the chronic plague of corruption, he clearly stated the principle of "no leniency."

The revision and perfection of laws was one of his key concerns.

He emphasized "people-centered governance," striving to build a fairer, more just, and reasonable legal system to protect the people's rights.

Furthermore!

He offered unique insights on the structure of the imperial court and talent selection.

Eliminate bloated bureaucratic structures—"simplify, clarify responsibilities."

Simultaneously focus on macroeconomic and microeconomic regulation, grounding everything in practice.

Not a single empty word—every sentence a pearl.

And all-encompassing!

Inside the entire Taihe Hall, the only sounds were the rustle of brush on paper and occasional pages turning.

Looking at this detailed and comprehensive set of edicts!

Zhou Jinyu was utterly stunned—she had paid no attention at first, but reading through the entire document,

she involuntarily swallowed.

Almost every line was a strategy for governing and securing the realm!

She was in a state of disbelief.

Had everyone in the realm been wrong?

This Lu Shaobao's strength lies not in warfare, but in governance.

As night deepened, within the palace walls, all was silent, save for the bright lights of the Taihe Hall.

Yu Ke finally completed the final stroke, a faint look of satisfaction crossing his face.

At the end of the edicts, he added these resounding words:

"The methods I write may change with the times—there is no absolutely perfect policy; only continuous exploration, with the people as the priority."

Yu Ke slowly raised his head, his gaze piercing through the candlelight, across the deep night sky—as if speaking with heaven and earth.

The time should be right—this night, I have personally participated.

(End of Chapter)