roccoschili Chapter 59 begins.
Chapter 59 begins.
"His Majesty's study is still lit. Is he still discussing state affairs with Prime Minister Zhuge and the other officials?"
It was late at night when Empress Zhang came to the outside of Liu Shan's study and asked him a question.
Chief Eunuch Wang Gui reported: "Your Majesty, His Majesty discussed with the officials today and decided to compile books on agriculture and teach them, so that they may be used for next year's spring planting."
Zhang sighed, "It seems His Majesty will be busy again these days."
The two have been spending more and more time together lately, and their relationship is getting better and better.
However, once Liu Shan started to get busy, the two had less time to meet, and their hard-won relationship quietly cooled down again.
"Chief Steward Wang, this is a soup I made myself. Please take it to His Majesty."
Wang Gui took the food box from the palace maid and said, "His Majesty often stays up late. With the soup made by the Empress herself, he will surely be able to dispel his fatigue."
"However, forgive my impertinence, but Her Majesty personally served this soup; His Majesty can feel Her Majesty's thoughtfulness, can't he?"
Zhang was initially worried that her presence would disturb Liu Shan, but after hearing what Wang Gui said, she felt a little excited.
"In that case, I will personally deliver it."
Zhang gently pushed open the study door.
The flickering candlelight illuminated Liu Shan's face as he worked diligently.
She tiptoed to Liu Chan's side, first adjusting the wick to make the candlelight brighter, and then gently placed the bowl in front of Liu Chan.
"Wang Gui, I've already said, no late-night snacks, no late-night snacks..."
Liu Shan looked up somewhat angrily, but when he saw that it was Empress Zhang, not Wang Gui, he immediately put on a smile and said softly, "Empress, what brings you here?"
"I saw that Your Majesty's study light was on, so I assumed you were busy and personally cooked some soup to bring you here to help you relax. But I didn't know Your Majesty doesn't eat at night..."
Seeing Zhang's somewhat aggrieved expression, Liu Shan immediately said, "Who said that? I'm hungry right now. The Empress arrived just in time."
After saying this, Liu Shan picked up the bowl in front of him and drank it all down in one gulp.
Madam Zhang covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Your Majesty is like a child, changing your mind so easily."
"Is the Empress praising me for still having a childlike heart?"
"loquacious!"
After their banter, Madam Zhang looked at the pile of bamboo slips in front of her and said with concern, "No matter how busy Your Majesty is, you must take care of your health."
In Liu Shan's eyes, the textbooks for the agricultural science class were nothing more than a PPT presentation he had worked overtime to create, and were not worth mentioning at all.
It's tiring because this thing has to be copied by hand, and you still have to use a brush.
If I had a keyboard, I would have finished typing and called it a long time ago.
"Thank you for your concern, Yun'er. This is nothing new to me. I have an appointment with Zhao Tong tomorrow morning to spar with him."
"Zhao Tong is the descendant of a famous general and is highly skilled in martial arts. Your Majesty must be careful."
"Yun'er, don't worry. It's Zhao Tong who should be careful."
Those who can serve as sparring partners for the emperor must know their limits; injuring the emperor is a capital offense.
Although Liu Shan was not such an emperor, Zhao Tong, as his subject, had to be careful at all times, as if walking on thin ice.
"Zhao Tong's martial arts skills are well-controlled, so I'm not worried. But Your Majesty must remember that you must not let Zhang Bao practice martial arts with you. That boy doesn't know his limits, and if he were to injure Your Majesty, what would become of us?"
Zhang Bao's martial arts skills were among the best of the second-generation officials.
Unless I'm out of my mind, I wouldn't challenge him to a martial arts duel.
"Thank you for reminding me, Yun'er. I've got it."
Zhang wanted to chat a little longer, but seeing that Liu Shan was busy with state affairs, she decided not to stay any longer.
"Then I shall not disturb Your Majesty any longer and shall take my leave!"
Zhang bowed slightly and then left the study.
Liu Shan smelled the lingering fragrance in the study. Although he was reluctant, his mind was firm enough. After a short sigh, he continued to work at his desk.
After returning to the Prime Minister's residence, Zhuge Liang immediately drafted an edict to recruit talented people and sent it to various counties in Yizhou to attract agricultural talents.
At the same time, Zhuge Liang ordered the Prime Minister's Office to draft an edict and send it to Hanzhong, instructing Wei Yan, the Prefect of Hanzhong, to begin the work of establishing military farms.
Yang Yi, a military advisor in the Prime Minister's office, said, "Prime Minister, Wei Yan is arrogant and has a vicious temper. Everyone avoids him. It seems inappropriate to let him garrison land in Hanzhong."
Yang Yi originally served as a minister in the Ministry of Personnel, but during Liu Bei's eastern expedition, he had a falling out with the Minister of Personnel, Liu Ba, and was reassigned as the governor of Hongnong on a remote basis.
Seeing his talent, Zhuge Liang appointed Yang Yi as a military advisor in the Prime Minister's office, and Yang Yi also studied at the Imperial Academy.
"Although Wei Yan was arrogant, he was good at training his soldiers and had considerable prestige in the army. The military farms required a lot of labor, and at present, the population of Yizhou was not large, so the army could be allowed to farm and be self-sufficient."
Zhuge Liang thought about it and realized that Yang Yi's words made sense. He was a little worried about entrusting such a huge project to Wei Yan alone.
"To be on the safe side, we should select a capable official, along with the national policy of 'resting the people and encouraging agriculture,' to go to Hanzhong to assist Wei Yan."
"Lord Wei, who do you think should go?"
This question stumped Yang Yi.
Wei Yan was deeply trusted by Liu Bei and held a high position in the court, but he was arrogant and upright and not good at getting along with others. He needed someone of high status and ability to keep him in check.
Zhuge Liang pondered for a long time, and suddenly thought of someone.
"Ma Chao's younger brother, Ma Dai, is capable of undertaking this important task."
Yang Yi was puzzled.
After Ma Chao's death, Ma Dai lost his most important backer and his status in Shu Han was neither high nor low, and could even be described as obscure. How could such a person restrain Wei Yan, who held military power in one region?
"Although Ma Dai's prestige is not as high as Wei Yan's, he is honest, low-key, and not prone to conflict. More importantly, he has strong execution ability and can follow plans. With him assisting Wei Yan, the land reclamation project will definitely be feasible."
"Quickly summon Ma Dai to see me."
After finishing the agricultural work in Hanzhong, the autumn harvest is drawing ever closer.
Harvest is a day when people witness the fruits of their year's hard work. To celebrate, they bring out various meats and grains to make delicious food and share their joy.
Folk song and dance performances are also indispensable. People sing songs praising the harvest, accompanied by the playing of zithers and flutes, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
During the autumn harvest, servants of prominent families would carry knives at their waists while working in the fields.
These servants, who were both soldiers and farmers, were both strong laborers and armed forces.
After the autumn harvest, they might receive a share of grain, or have a pig or sheep slaughtered as part of a collective "victory celebration."
In addition to the spontaneous celebrations by the people, local officials would preside over the "Autumn Festival" ceremony to worship the gods and pray for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest in the coming year.
Liu Shan was very pleased to see the bountiful harvest.
After a period of hard work, the textbooks for the agricultural science class have all been completed.
During the compilation process, Liu Shan repeatedly invited Zhuge Liang to offer suggestions and revise and improve the teaching materials.
At the same time, agricultural scholars from all over Yizhou flocked to Chengdu, becoming the first batch of students in the agricultural science class.
Liu Shan, as a lecturer, will be giving his first formal lesson at the Imperial Academy.
This also makes him the first emperor in history to serve as a teacher.
The Emperor's Classroom is now officially open!