Chapter 1287: Urban Reform

The difference with Longyan lies in the fact that Liu Zheng has absolutely no need to maintain imperial power, or to use imperial power to rule the people.

To put it plainly.

Britain, as well as the Wa nation of his past life, kept their emperors because the ruling class needed them. They needed the existence of an emperor to help them stabilize domestic sentiment.

But does Longyan need one?..

Liu Zheng believes the need is not great.

The reform of Longyan is gradual.

The rule of Longyan lies more in the concepts of lord and subject, father and son. In other words, if there is no father, one is the father oneself. Why insist on having an imperial power?

Without imperial power, there is still the state's administrative apparatus and a parliament.

It can still operate normally.

But Liu Zheng had not yet made a decision. When he returned home, Xie Chan had already pounced on him, smiling sweetly: "How is it? Have you made a decision?"

Liu Zheng glanced at Xie Chan; something was not quite right. Today, Xie Chan was being overly enthusiastic.

She was pouring tea and kneading his shoulders.

He chuckled: "What is this? Did someone come to you to fish for information, or to whisper in your ear?"

With her intentions exposed, Xie Chan glared at Liu Zheng: "What of it? Can't I put in a good word for a younger brother?"

Liu Zheng laughed bitterly: "You grew up in the Western Regions since you were small; how is it that after not seeing you for a while, you suddenly have a 'good brother'?"

Xie Chan rolled her eyes at him and said smugly: "That's right, who told you I'm so popular? Oh, I'm talking to you about serious business here, this Youzhou..."

Liu Zheng said indifferently: "I'm not giving it to anyone!"

Xie Chan was stunned: "What?"

Liu Zheng nodded: "Youzhou will not only not be given to others, but it will also become a pilot city."

"A pilot city?"

Xie Chan looked bewildered.

Her husband's ideas were indeed a bit too numerous.

Urban Reform.

This was actually something Liu Zheng had always wanted to do. For Longyan, this was absolutely a major event. The feudal rule of the Longyan Feudal Dynasty for thousands of years had made the urban planning of the entire Longyan region riddled with irrationalities. For the past few years, Liu Zheng had been focusing on this matter.

Regarding the layout of Longyan cities, there were two stages of development. The first stage was the "Liufang System" period, leading up to the current "Xiangfang System." Logically speaking, the Xiangfang System could be considered relatively advanced. Under this system, there was no longer a distinction between residential areas and commercial areas. Shops could be opened anywhere facing the street.

But no matter how the urban layout progressed, under the influence of the Feudal Dynasty, there were still flaws.

The urban residential groups during the feudal society could be roughly divided into the imperial family, the powerful and noble, officials, merchants and artisans, general urban residents, and expatriates. Therefore, even though Longyan used the Xiangfang System, in reality, that rigid and severe state of social life segregation still existed and was very prominent.

This bizarre urban layout largely restricted the development of Longyan society.

This method of zoning by residence created significant obstacles in terms of sensory perception, as well as cultural and commercial exchange.

In Liu Zheng's view, a city is a massive machine.

Stimulating domestic demand, economic development, and commercial exchange should be a self-sufficient existence.

Therefore, every city should be made more active and open.

At least, in Liu Zheng's vision, no matter if one is imperial family or nobility, there should not be too many privileges in terms of housing. Because you have to admit, these people are the main force of consumption in a city. To put it plainly, Liu Zheng now wants every city to have street markets, street markets in the true sense. He wants every residential area to intersect with commercial areas, gradually connecting into one piece. A traffic network of main streets and small alleys would also begin to form.

This is the true Xiangfang System.

In Huaxia civilization, the most typical representative of the Xiangfang System is "Along the River During the Qingming Festival"; this painting depicts the peak of the Xiangfang System at that time.

Everyone was not in a closed market, and there appeared a prosperous scene where various classes, different professions, and all kinds of residents were integrated together.

In Meng Yuanlao's "The Eastern Capital: A Dream of Splendor," this is also reflected.

But.

What Liu Zheng wants is not just the Xiangfang System.

What he wants is something more advanced: the Community System!

That's right.

Let's not use Youzhou as an example for now.

The current development of Liangzhou is already facing such problems. With the rapid economic development of Liangzhou society, the economy has shifted from extensive to open and intensive development. Moreover, the floating urban population has begun to expand rapidly, and more and more "social people" are filling the city.

In terms of professions, they are no longer clearly divided as before; farmers can do business, and merchants can run workshops...

Social and commercial activities are becoming more and more open, which puts forward new requirements for urban management and increases many difficulties. The "Xiang" grassroots management organization in the Xiangfang System can no longer satisfy the urban management of Liangzhou today.

There must be a more advanced and precise grassroots management organization.

That is the community!

The Residents Committee!

That is to simplify things, with the street as the center and the Residents Committee as the foundation. Thoroughly, divide by residential area, serve the people by residential area, and manage the city by residential area.

Liu Zheng had this idea long ago.

It was just that he had been busy with other government affairs, so he had not brought it up.

Moreover, in Longyan, there is a convention: a city is the fief of the princes, and it is not the case that you can reform it just because you want to. Therefore, previously, Liu Zheng intended to start the pilot directly from Liangzhou.

But this time, Youzhou became a great opportunity.

"Yes, I'm not giving it to anyone!"

Liu Zheng laughed heartily.

The next day.

At the parliament, people were arguing again about the ownership of Youzhou.

Liu Zheng finally stood up slowly.

The whole hall saw that their leader was finally going to speak, and it became deathly silent; everyone's eyes were cast toward Liu Zheng.

Prince of Qin Xie Zhao and Zhu Zhen also exchanged glances.

Based on their understanding of Liu Zheng, this guy was about to do something big again.

Sure enough.

Liu Zheng looked around the room and chuckled, "The ownership of Youzhou has been discussed by you colleagues for some time now. I have heard all of it, and there are no issues with anyone's requests. It is just that..."

As soon as this "just that" came out, there was a stir throughout the hall.

Ignoring them, Liu Zheng continued, "The rebellion in Youzhou has occurred several times in a short period, back and forth, jumping repeatedly, which has caused a very bad influence on our country."

"Exactly!"

"Lord Liu, that is precisely why we should send a loyal prince over there!"

"Yes, the internal situation in Youzhou is chaotic now; my lord must make a decision soon!"

"Hmph, will sending a prince be effective? I think it would be better to send a reliable Inspector there!"

"That's right!"

The two sides started arguing again.

Liu Zheng smiled slightly, "No one is going."

"What?"

The entire room was shocked instantly.