Shuhan

Luoyang City.

At this moment, the autumn sun shines on the ancient city walls, giving the thick bricks and stones a light golden hue.

Inside the palace, the red walls and yellow tiles appear exceptionally solemn under the sunlight. However, beneath this seemingly calm surface, a hint of uneasiness is hidden.

Time passed quietly, and another three months went by.

However, the news from Youzhou was like a heavy hammer, hitting the heart of Liu Chan, the emperor of the Han Dynasty.

There has been no substantial progress in land measurement in Youzhou, and the situation has become increasingly serious.

Letters of memorials flew to Liu Chan's desk like snowflakes, and each one recorded a worrying situation.

The phenomenon of killing officials occurred frequently, and those officials who went to Youzhou to carry out the task of measuring land were all in danger and felt sympathetic.

They struggled forward in that turbulent land, but suffered repeated setbacks.

Liu Chan sat upright in the imperial study, his posture straight, but he could not hide the fatigue on his face.

He was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe. The giant golden dragon embroidered on the robe seemed to have lost its former majesty under the candlelight.

Liu Chan's face was stern, and his deep eyes were filled with worry and contemplation.

His fingers tapped lightly on the desk, making a rhythmic sound that echoed in the silent imperial study.

"Your Majesty, this is the latest report from Youzhou." An old eunuch, bending over, holding the memorial in both hands, walked carefully into the imperial study and spoke softly. His voice trembled slightly, as if he also felt the oppressive atmosphere.

Liu Chan raised his head slightly and his eyes fell on the memorial in the old eunuch's hand.

He sighed softly, stretched out his hand, and took the memorial. He unfolded the memorial, and his eyes quickly scanned the words on it, his brows furrowed tighter and tighter.

"These treacherous ministers are simply lawless!" Liu Chan said angrily in a low voice, with anger and helplessness in his voice.

At this time, outside the imperial study, the autumn wind blew gently, making the leaves in the courtyard rustle.

The sky gradually darkened, and the afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window onto Liu Chan, outlining his lonely and determined figure.

As autumn approaches, winter is getting closer.

If winter comes, the already restless Xianbei and Xiongnu people will probably move south.

Once they join forces, the situation in Youzhou will become more critical, and the impact on the land measurement will be even greater.

Liu Chan knew this very well, and worries surged in his heart like a tide.

"Your Majesty, please do not work too hard and take care of your health."

A gentle voice came from the door.

Liu Chan raised his head and saw Queen Zhang holding a bowl of steaming soup and walking into the imperial study with light steps.

The moment Zhang stepped into the imperial study, she seemed to bring with her a whiff of rich fragrance, instantly dispelling the heavy atmosphere in the room.

She was wearing an elegant and luxurious palace dress. The material was Shu brocade carefully selected from Shu. The weaving was exquisite and the delicate touch was like flowing moonlight.

On the brocade, a lifelike phoenix was embroidered, and each feather was carefully outlined with colorful silk threads. Under the gentle touch of candlelight, it shone with a lively luster, just like a phoenix about to spread its wings and fly high. The wide sleeves fluttered in the wind, and the cuffs were trimmed with a circle of snow-white fox fur, which was soft and fluffy, making her skin look as soft and delicate as mutton-fat jade.

Her face was like a beautiful jade that had been carefully carved, bright and charming yet dignified. Her eyes, beneath her curved eyebrows, were like a clear spring, crystal clear, and filled with deep concern for Liu Chan.

Those eyes are like the brightest stars in the night sky, revealing endless tenderness and intelligence.

The nose is straight and small, perfectly embedded in this beautiful face.

Her lips are naturally red, just like the delicate peach blossoms blooming in spring; her slightly upturned mouth corners seem to be able to bloom into a charming smile at any time.

Her hair was tied up high, with a emerald green hairpin inserted on it. The head of the hairpin was carved into the shape of a gorgeous peony. The emerald green of the jade and the elegance of the peony complemented each other, highlighting her noble status.

A few strands of hair playfully fell on both sides of her cheeks, adding a touch of graceful charm to her.

As she walked, her steps were light, and each step was extremely graceful. Her lotus steps moved lightly, and her skirt fluttered slightly. She was like a delicate flower blooming in the palace, or like a gorgeous cloud floating from the sky, with a variety of manners and unparalleled elegance.

She exuded an innate noble temperament, which made people marvel at her beauty and feel awe. She stood there quietly, like a beautiful painting, bringing warmth like the warm spring sun to the slightly depressing imperial study, and Liu Chan's originally tense heartstrings unconsciously relaxed a little.

Liu Chan looked at Zhang and his irritability eased a little.

He nodded slightly and said, "The Queen is thoughtful."

There was a hint of fatigue in Liu Chan's voice, but more of it was gratitude towards Zhang.

Zhang walked to Liu Chan and gently placed the bowl of soup on the table.

Her fingers were slender and white, and her movements were gentle and skillful. "Your Majesty, this is the soup I made specially for you. Drinking it will nourish your body."

Zhang said with a smile as bright as a flower in spring.

Liu Chan picked up the soup bowl and took a sip. The hot soup flowed down his throat, warming his body and his heart.

"Well, it tastes good." Liu Chan said with a faint smile on his face.

"Your Majesty, there are so many complicated things happening in the world. You don't have to worry too much. Everything will be fine." Zhang comforted him softly. Her voice was gentle but firm, as if it had a magical power that could dispel all the haze in the world.

Liu Chan put down the bowl of soup, sighed slightly, and said: "Empress, the world has been stable for a long time, but the land measurement has not made any progress. It is normal for me to be worried. Land measurement is related to the foundation of our Han Dynasty and the well-being of the people. How can I not worry?"

There was helplessness and determination in Liu Chan's eyes, he was well aware of the heavy responsibility he shouldered.

Zhang gently held Liu Chan's hand and said, "Your Majesty cares about the world, and I admire you deeply. But Your Majesty should also take care of your health. Only when Your Majesty is healthy can you govern the world better."

Zhang's eyes were full of concern and love. She held Liu Chan's hand tightly, as if she wanted to pass her strength to Liu Chan.

Liu Chan looked at Zhang and his heart was filled with emotion.

He patted Zhang's hand gently and said, "Don't worry, Queen. I will take care of my health."

There was a hint of warmth in Liu Chan's voice.

Zhang nodded slightly and said, "Then I will not bother Your Majesty. If Your Majesty needs anything, please tell me at any time."

As Zhang spoke, she slowly stood up, bowed to Liu Chan, then turned around, took light steps, and quietly retreated.

Liu Chan watched Zhang's departing figure, his thoughts becoming more and more confused. The issue of measuring the land in Youzhou had reached a critical moment.

Liu Chan picked up the memorial on the table again and read it carefully. His eyes were firm and focused, as if he wanted to find a solution to the problem from the densely packed text.

In the imperial study, the candlelight flickered, and Liu Chan's figure cast a long shadow on the wall, appearing particularly lonely and resolute.

And this moment.

The square in front of the imperial palace is wide and flat, and the ground is paved with huge bluestones. At this moment, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, who was summoned by Liu Chan, and Fei Yi and Dong Yun, two of the Nine Ministers, are walking quickly towards the hall.

Zhuge Liang was wearing a plain robe and a scarf on his head. Although he was not young, his posture was still upright, his face was thin but energetic, and his eyes showed wisdom and calmness.

Fei Yi had a slender figure, a kind face, and was dressed in a blue official uniform. He walked briskly, showing his efficiency.

Dong Yun was a little stout, with a serious look on his face, and his black official robe made him look more solemn.

The three men looked hurried, obviously knowing that they were summoned this time because of the thorny matter of farming in Youzhou.

Entering the hall, the three of them knelt down in unison and saluted, saying in a loud and uniform voice: "Your Majesty, we pay our respects to you!"

Liu Chan sat upright on the dragon throne. He was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe. The golden dragon embroidered on the robe was lifelike, as if it would take off into the sky at any time.

Liu Chan had a stern expression, his eyes showing worry and thought. He looked at the three important officials below and raised his hand slightly: "My dear ministers, please stand up."

The voice was calm but could not hide the fatigue.

The three of them stood up, stood still, and looked at Liu Chan.

Liu Chan leaned forward slightly and asked solemnly, "What do you think of the situation of farming in Youzhou?"

His voice echoed in the empty hall, with a hint of urgency.

Zhuge Liang frowned slightly, took a step forward, clasped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, the obstruction of land measurement in Youzhou is caused by the collusion between local tyrants and foreign forces. These people are trying to protect their own interests and resist the imperial decree. The most urgent task is to send a capable general to lead an elite division to Youzhou to deter them with force, and at the same time appease the people and divide and disintegrate the enemy forces. This two-pronged approach may help to open up the situation."

Zhuge Liang's voice was steady and powerful, and every word seemed to carry the firmness that comes from careful consideration.

Fei Yi continued, "Your Majesty, I agree with what the Prime Minister said. In addition, more incentives and protections should be given to those officials who go to Youzhou to measure the land. The officials are worried and their morale is low. If we can offer them generous rewards and promise to guarantee their safety, it will surely boost their fighting spirit and allow the land measurement work to proceed smoothly."

Fei Yi had a smile on his face and spoke in a calm tone, but his words were full of pragmatic considerations.

Dong Yun also stepped forward and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, the situation in Youzhou is complicated. We must not only deal with local forces, but also guard against foreign tribes such as the Xianbei and the Xiongnu taking advantage of the chaos to move south. I suggest that you strengthen the fortifications on the border of Youzhou and send more troops to guard against foreign invasions, so as to create a stable external environment for land measurement."

Dong Yun's voice was low and his eyes were filled with worry. He was obviously concerned about the situation in Youzhou.

Liu Chan listened quietly, without much expression on his face. He just nodded slightly, signaling them to continue.

After the three people finished speaking, Liu Chan leaned back on the dragon chair, closed his eyes slightly, and fell into deep thought.

The hall fell silent for a moment, and everyone held their breath, waiting for Liu Chan's response.

After a while, Liu Chan opened his eyes, but did not respond immediately.

At this time, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang spoke again: "Your Majesty, in order to conquer the State of Wei, our Han Dynasty built a lot of sea vessels. Now that the State of Wei has been destroyed, these sea vessels are now idle in the harbor, and the maintenance costs are extremely high. I think we should sell the sea vessels to merchants for use as merchant ships. This will not only reduce the burden on the court, but also promote the development of commerce. Otherwise, the long-term maintenance of these sea vessels will also cost a huge amount of money."

Zhuge Liang looked at Liu Chan sincerely, waiting for his reply.

Upon hearing this, Liu Chan shook his head, with a hint of determination in his eyes: "These ships are of great use to me. How can we go to the South China Sea without ships? Our Han Dynasty cannot be limited to land, the ocean is also the direction of our future development. The South China Sea has vast land and resources. I want to make my Han Dynasty famous throughout the world, and these ships are my support."

Liu Chan stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced in the hall. His voice was excited and full of longing for the future.

Zhuge Liang was slightly stunned, then he smiled with satisfaction: "Your Majesty is far-sighted, and I am not as good as you. Since Your Majesty has such a grand plan, I will definitely assist you with all my strength."

There was admiration in Zhuge Liang's voice, he knew very well that Liu Chan had greater ambitions in his heart.

Fei Yi and Dong Yun also echoed: "Your Majesty is wise, we are willing to serve you like dogs and horses."

The two men's voices were firm and powerful, and their eyes were full of loyalty to Liu Chan.

Liu Chan stopped and looked at the three ministers with a smile on his face. "It is a blessing for the Han Dynasty to have the help of all of you. Regarding the farming in Youzhou, I still need you to continue to give me advice and solve it as soon as possible. As for the sea vessels, I will assign someone to take charge of their maintenance and planning."

Next, everyone had an in-depth discussion on the specific details of the Youzhou farm and the subsequent plans for the sea vessels.

Inside the hall, everyone expressed their opinions, and the atmosphere was heated and tense. The sun shone through the tall windows into the hall, illuminating everyone's serious and focused faces.

When discussing the deployment of troops in Youzhou, Zhuge Liang suggested: "Your Majesty, you can draw some elite cavalry from Liangzhou. They are familiar with the northern terrain and the fighting methods of foreign races, and they will definitely play an important role in Youzhou."

As Zhuge Liang spoke, he pointed out the location relationship between Liangzhou and Youzhou on the map in his hand.

Liu Chan nodded slightly and said, "What the Prime Minister said is absolutely right. However, Liangzhou is located in the border area. After the troops are withdrawn, the local defense needs to be strengthened. This matter needs to be arranged carefully, and we must not lose sight of one while focusing on another." There was caution in Liu Chan's eyes. He knew that every decision was related to the safety of the country.

Fei Yi continued, "Your Majesty, we can adopt a strategy of division for the local tyrants in Youzhou. For those who are willing to cooperate with the land measurement, we can give them certain rewards and privileges; for those who are stubborn and unyielding, we should resolutely strike them. In this way, we may be able to disintegrate their alliance."

There was a shrewd look in Fei Yi's eyes, and the strategy he proposed was aimed at breaking through the enemy's defenses from the inside.

Dong Yun also added: "Your Majesty, in terms of pacifying the people, you can send some experienced officials to go deep into the people and publicize the benefits of land measurement, so that the people can truly understand the intentions of the court and win their support."

There was concern in Dong Yun's voice, as he knew very well how important the people's support was to the work of measuring land.

Regarding the planning of seagoing ships, Liu Chan asked in detail about the number, performance, etc. of the ships.

"How much cargo can these ships carry at most? How far can they sail at most?"

Liu Chan looked at the officials in charge of maritime affairs with sharp eyes.

The official knelt down quickly and replied: "Your Majesty, these ships were all carefully built by the skilled craftsmen of the Han Dynasty. The largest ship can carry thousands of stones of cargo and can sail as far as the South China Sea islands." There was pride in the official's voice. These ships represented the advanced shipbuilding technology of the Han Dynasty.

Liu Chan nodded with satisfaction: "Okay, from now on, we will set up a special fleet management organization, select talents proficient in navigation, and conduct comprehensive inspection and maintenance of sea vessels. At the same time, we will study the routes of the Western Regions and the South China Sea to prepare for future voyages."

Liu Chan's voice was firm and powerful, and every instruction was clear and unambiguous.

As time passed, the afterglow of the setting sun gradually shone into the hall, adding a touch of golden color to this long meeting.

Liu Chan and three important ministers discussed for a long time in the hall, and finally came up with a preliminary plan for the farming and sea shipping planning in Youzhou.

Everyone stood up, saluted Liu Chan again, and then slowly left the hall. (End of this chapter)