Chapter 310

The people were watching.

These officials were actually experiencing this for the first time. The cabinet members of Liangzhou Prefecture's first cabinet were also nervous. The six industries—scholar-farmer-artisan-merchant, education, and healthcare—each presented ten issues for discussion.

They were responsible for selecting three from these ten issues to pass, then issuing them as decrees.

With a population of five hundred in Liangzhou Prefecture, policy changes over the coming year would have a tremendous impact on many aspects, so this matter naturally required utmost caution.

The nine cabinet members began serious deliberation.

Regarding agriculture, most discussions centered on reclaiming wasteland through the tuntian system and irrigation—among these, farmers proposed Liu Zheng's tuntian system promoted in Yinzhou, along with the production team and shared farming tools suggestion.

This issue immediately attracted considerable attention.

Who didn't know that in just two years, Yinzhou had become a land of no return, an affiliated city? The successful promotion of sweet potatoes meant farmers no longer worried about having enough to eat.

Who in Liangzhou wouldn't be envious?

Thus.

Under the discussion of the nine cabinet members, on the spot, the cabinet passed this epoch-making dissenting issue.

Liangzhou Prefecture would promote production teams and shared farming tools!

The farmers present wept with joy.

"How wonderful!"

"Did it really pass?"

"Ah ah ah ah, I thought I was dreaming! Heaven, we can finally eat our fill!"

In fact, after the success of the production teams in Yinzhou, who in Liangzhou's counties wouldn't be envious? But due to social relations and social structure issues... those powerful clans certainly wouldn't want to promote production teams—wouldn't it be better to keep control of the farming tools in their own hands? Why give them to this bunch of lowly people?

Therefore.

Knowing this was a good thing, yet they refused to promote it.

The farmers felt this urgency deeply; many rushed to Yinzhou to farm. The person who proposed this resolution today was an old farmer from Liangzhou Prefecture—he could be said to have dared to raise it, and even after proposing it, he held no hope...

Who could have imagined it would actually pass!

It would immediately be issued as a decree and promoted throughout the prefecture!

Now that this greatest demand had been met, how could these people not weep with joy and spread the news?

The cabinet truly works!

The cabinet truly stands up for the people!

The entire crowd erupted in excitement; who would still cause trouble at this moment? Everyone lined up orderly, these Liangzhou people's eyes began to shine with excited light.

They can now be masters of their own household!

They can now stand up!

Next, the cabinet passed three proposals concerning agricultural matters—diverting water from the Grand Canal for irrigation—and then passed one proposal regarding land rights confirmation methods.

The farmers became even more frenzied.

These three decrees were all closely related to farmers' farming, and would completely transform their status and role in agricultural affairs.

Everyone once again filled with confidence in the cabinet.

"Are you all still satisfied?"

After the agricultural matters were settled, Liu Zheng smiled and asked.

"How wonderful!"

"Prefect Liu is mighty!"

"Thank you, Prefectural Governor!"

The entire crowd erupted in enthusiastic kneeling, the scene was tumultuous, nearly uncontrollable.

Ying Rong stood nearby, his face growing even paler.

Next.

Came the Ministry of Works' matters; the three passed resolutions were respectively about raising the social status of workers and artisans—because in ancient times, these artisans' status was actually lower than that of farmers, their work was called "strange skills," and looked down upon.

But Liu Zheng knew.

Technology is the primary productive force of society. This resolution's passage would have a profound impact on Liangzhou's future. Raising the artisans' status to that of farmers naturally earned their strong support.

Then came some resolutions from Liangzhou Prefecture supporting artisans and workshops.

The Ministry of Works concluded, then came the Ministry of Commerce.

The three resolutions were respectively: strengthening Liangzhou commercial society's order, unifying and balancing bridge tolls and entry taxes—previously, due to the Liu father and son's dominance, bridge tolls and entry taxes within the YinYang region were quite high, which also greatly contributed to the rapid development of the YinYang region.

But because of Yintan City, even with high taxes, merchants still flocked there, breaking their heads to get in. But now the Liu father and son truly controlled Liangzhou, so these merchants naturally wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to benefit themselves... little did they expect, it actually passed!

Liu Zheng now could be said to be making a profit daily, naturally also happy to give merchants some benefits.

After all, times change.

Back then, to develop Yinzhou, they raised tax collection.

Now he hopes to "attract investment and bring in commerce," letting merchants from all over come to Liangzhou, which naturally requires lowering taxes.

The Ministry of Commerce concluded, then came education.

Among the three resolutions, the most important was proposing to promote free public schools throughout Liangzhou Prefecture. Liu Zheng naturally had no objection, but it encountered opposition from several local officials—you Liangzhou Prefecture may have no objection, but we do! This public schooling, you Liangzhou Prefecture don't spend money, it's just empty talk.

This public schooling, isn't it still us local officials spending money?

This matter sparked heated debate, but Liu Zheng stepped forward and waved his hand decisively.

Each year Liangzhou will allocate special education support funds, and also provide subsidies to localities on tax revenue.

Thus, this public schooling matter was considered passed.

Healthcare.

In this aspect, actually in ancient times there were no proper institutions or systems. People of this era still held the belief that if heaven decreed death, one could not avoid it. Therefore, these three healthcare petitions were relatively simple...

Hope Liangzhou Prefecture will give some protection to those gathering medicinal herbs...

I hope the physicians can open schools and teach...

I hope medicine can become a true academic discipline, gaining respect and promotion.

These three points, the Cabinet naturally has no objections.

On this day, the bustling atmosphere of Liangzhou Prefecture never ceased. Slowly, the sun was about to set.

At this time.

Finally, it was the Ministry of Personnel's turn.

That is, the scholars among the Scholar-Farmer-Artisan-Merchant hierarchy.

At this moment.

The atmosphere of the entire gathering finally turned strange.

Those commoners also stared coldly, one by one, their enthusiasm instantly fading. What business of these officials has anything to do with them? In what era is it not officials protecting each other, devouring this group of peasant swine and dogs?

Even if Governor Liu takes office, what could he possibly change?

The system is simply like this.

Who would think.

Soon after, this group of people quickly felt ashamed of their earlier thoughts.

Shen Xing stood up: "Esteemed colleagues, Shen Xing proposes to perfect Liangzhou's laws, focusing on punishing official corruption! Those who embezzle fifty taels shall face the death penalty; those who embezzle five hundred taels or more shall have their entire clans executed and their property confiscated!"

Silence!

The entire hall fell dead silent.