I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 76 Is this my Han surname?

With the winter solstice approaching, students in the agricultural science and water conservancy engineering classes are getting busy.

In preparation for next year's spring planting, farmers need to clear ditches and drain water, mound soil around the roots, and promptly plow and turn over the compacted winter soil that has not yet been plowed to loosen the soil and enhance its water retention capacity.

With the new knowledge and new farming tools, farmers are more efficient and more enthusiastic, and are already full of hope for next year's spring plowing.

The irrigation officials also went to the fields to inspect the water conservancy situation to ensure irrigation for the farmland in the coming year.

Liu Shan attached great importance to this because it concerned the livelihood of the people and the country, so he decided to conduct a "rural inspection".

Zhao Guang accompanied him as a bodyguard.

Zhao Tong has successfully graduated from the advanced class and has been transferred to Jiangzhou to serve in the army.

Therefore, his position was temporarily filled by his younger brother, Zhao Guang.

Speaking of Zhao Guang, after studying in the regular class of the Imperial Academy, his impetuous nature became somewhat restrained.

But being still young, he would peek out from the carriage with Liu Shan every now and then, showing great curiosity about the scenery along the way.

Liu Shan did not say anything.

After all, children from official families always have a great curiosity about the outside world.

"Zhao Guang, with your achievements, you could easily join the army and make a name for yourself. Why did you choose to stay in the palace?"

Most of the students who graduated from the martial arts class at the academy returned to their original positions and began to plan their performance for the coming year.

Students with good grades can apply for a job transfer.

Zhao Tong is one such example.

Zhao Guangben also had the right to apply for a transfer, but he had no intention of leaving Chengdu.

"My father said that at least one member of the Zhao family must stay by His Majesty's side."

Liu Shan was slightly taken aback, but felt more moved than anything else.

Although Zhao Yun was the Commander of the Central Army, he received an order from the Prime Minister's Office to go to Hanzhong to carry out a secret mission.

Zhao Tong went to Jiangzhou, leaving only Zhao Guang in the Zhao family.

"So you don't want to join the army?"

Zhao Guang thought for a moment and said, "Of course I want to, but I have to listen to my father."

This statement effectively shut down anything Liu Shan might have said afterward.

If I keep trying to persuade him, wouldn't I be saying I want to be Zhao Guang's father?

After returning to Chengdu, Liu Shan immediately went to Jiaofang Palace.

"Your Majesty, you must be tired from your journey."

Zhang craned her neck to wait outside the palace gate, and as soon as she saw Liu Shan, she rushed over.

Liu Shan took her hand and led her into the palace.

"We just sit in the car all day and then walk around in the fields. How can you call it hard work?"

After Zhang helped Liu Shan change his clothes, the two sat close together.

"Yun'er, I missed you the whole way back."

Lady Zhang smiled shyly and said reproachfully, "All you do is talk. When His Majesty goes to inspect the tea fields, he probably won't even remember me."

Although the tea fields have not yet been planted, tea farmers and tea pickers have already begun preparing for next year's tea planting and processing.

It's no wonder your husband is worried when a large group of unmarried young women are hanging around in front of him.

"Those tea-picking girls mostly come from poor backgrounds and often go hungry. Sending them to pick tea is to solve their livelihood problems. I have absolutely no improper thoughts about them."

Liu Shan was not lying.

These tea-picking girls are only fifteen or sixteen years old, still very young and innocent. Is this how you test me?

"Yun'er, if you don't believe me, you can ask Zhao Guang to be your witness."

Lady Zhang gently patted Liu Shan's chest and said softly, "Your Majesty works tirelessly for the country, rising early and retiring late, never having time for the pleasures of the heart."

Liu Shan gently grasped Zhang's hand; its delicate softness instantly invigorated him.

Just as the two were gazing deeply into each other's eyes, Wang Gui called out from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Zhuge, Qiao Zhou, and Li Yan request an audience."

Liu Shan frowned slightly upon hearing this.

I have only just returned to the palace, and I haven't even had a moment to rest?

Fork out!

Zhang said with a worried expression, "Your Majesty, you have returned in such a hurry, and the three officials have come in person. Has something major happened in the court?"

Liu Shan said calmly, "It's nothing, my father-in-law. It's just that the Grand Master of Qiao and General Li kept submitting memorials, so I rushed back to Chengdu immediately after the inspection."

"Is this about commanding troops in the south?"

"Yun'er actually knew?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. The harem should not interfere in politics. However, this matter has caused quite a stir in the court. I have only heard a few rumors and do not know the specifics."

"Let them make a fuss. It's so annoying that they have to bring such a small matter to my attention."

Zhang realized that the emperor intended to close the palace to guests, so she quickly said, "Since the three of you have entered the palace at the same time, it must be something important. Your Majesty should not be negligent."

"Then I will go. Yun'er, you wait patiently in the inner palace for a while."

After saying this, Liu Shan went straight to the side hall, leaving Zhang Shi all alone, letting out a short sigh.

Accompanied by Wang Gui and Huo Yi, Liu Shan quickly arrived at the side hall.

As Zhuge Liang and the other two rose to pay their respects, Liu Shan waved for them to sit down.

"My three esteemed ministers, there's no need for such formalities. Please be seated!"

After they were seated, Qiao Zhou spoke first: "Your Majesty, you must be tired from your inspection of the fields and your tour of the landscape."

Liu Shan took a sip of tea and said slowly, "The words of the Grand Physician Qiao are reasonable. My inspection tour has been very fruitful, and I have only just realized how vast the fertile land of Yizhou truly is."

Qiao Zhou was quite pleased with himself and said, "With the strong support of the agricultural science students next spring, Yizhou will surely have another bumper harvest."

Liu Shan sighed and said, "Sow a single grain of millet in spring, reap ten thousand grains in autumn. This is the lifelong wish of the people. If the court cannot even solve the problem of the people's basic needs, how can it talk about bestowing grace upon the world?"

The three people below were all taken aback upon hearing this.

Liu Shan's casual remark succinctly and vividly expressed the scene of a bountiful harvest, demonstrating his remarkable literary skill.

"Your Majesty's establishment of the imperial examination system and your concern for the people are achievements that will last for generations, which we, your humble servants, cannot even begin to match," Zhuge Liang sincerely praised.

"This year, Yizhou has had a bumper harvest, but I have noticed that many people do not have much grain left over. What is the reason for this?"

Liu Shan suddenly changed the subject, leaving the three of them somewhat puzzled.

"That must be because the land wasn't cultivated well, resulting in a low harvest and naturally, not much grain left over," Qiao Zhou explained.

Liu Shan hissed and said in surprise, "But I asked, and they cultivate the most fertile fields in Yizhou, yet they are still not enough to eat. It is truly strange."

After a moment's thought, Zhuge Liang immediately understood the hidden meaning in Liu Shan's words.

"Your Majesty, since the land is fertile, unless they are lazy and the fields are abandoned, there is no way they would not have surplus grain."

hiss!

Liu Shan raised a questioning voice again.

"That shouldn't be the case. When I went there, they were already tilling the land in preparation for next year's spring planting. Would lazy farmers work in the fields in the dead of winter?"

Liu Shan paused for a moment, then continued, "Could it be that the court's taxes are too high?"

Zhuge Liang immediately shook his head.

"Your Majesty, this year the court's taxes have decreased by 20% compared to last year."

The people cultivated good land and did not slack off; the imperial court even reduced some taxes, yet they still didn't have much surplus grain.

This situation would be unbelievable anywhere.

At this point, the other two also realized what was happening.

Li Yan gave Qiao Zhou a knowing smile, as if he was waiting to see him make a fool of himself.

"Sow a single grain in spring, reap ten thousand in autumn..."

Liu Shan then recited the poem he had just read.

"There is no idle land under heaven, yet farmers still starve to death."

He got angrier and angrier as he talked.

"Are these the people of my great Han Dynasty?"