The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 440: Is it a merit?
Of course, Cao Mao also took Zhong Hui's words into consideration.

In fact, the most important thing in governing the world is finance.

Everything needs money. If the government does not consider economic revenue and expenditure and just buries its head in work, it will surely cause the country's economy to collapse, and then a situation like that of Shu will occur.

There are many things that can be done, but before doing so, we must first consider whether the economy can withstand it.

Otherwise, good things can easily turn into bad things.

Just as Zhong Hui said.

Cao Mao laughed. "I know what Shi Ji is worried about, but Shi Ji, don't forget that last year's grain production was very high, higher than ever before, and this year's grain production will be even higher than last year's."

Zhong Hui said solemnly, "Your Majesty, last year's tax revenue was due to the rectification of the civil service. Even if it can continue to increase this year, the growth will be limited and there will not be a big breakthrough."

Cao Mao nodded and said, "Shi Ji is right, but what if I have other ways to continue to increase tax revenue?"

Zhong Hui was somewhat stunned. "Your Majesty, do you intend to continue cultivating the land? After taking Jiangling and other places?"

"Of course this must be done, but I rely on the Ministry of Works of the Secretariat."

Cao Mao looked at the other eunuchs and said seriously, "The new plow was initially introduced in Yangzhou, which led to a significant increase in grain production. Now the Ministry of Works is going to promote it throughout the country, and provincial governors have already begun this work."

"In addition to the plow, there are also water-powered drum wheels, water-powered mills, winnowing fans, rollers, etc."

"The development of different regions varies. Many tools from the Later Han Dynasty and even the Former Han Dynasty are unknown in some places. The Ministry of Works is to collect the world's most famous and skilled craftsmen and promote them to all regions. I believe that this year's grain production will definitely be greater than last year."

"Therefore, I dare to change this military farming system."

Cao Mao said very confidently.

Science and technology are primary productive forces.

Cao Mao firmly believed that in fact, there were countless new agricultural tools invented in ancient times, but in terms of promotion rate, there was a lag in different regions.

In the Wei Dynasty, agricultural tools in several areas of the Central Plains were often more advanced, while those in several border states were much more backward. Some inventions from the early Han Dynasty were not promoted in these places, and there were probably many reasons for this.

Even within the Central Plains, each region has its own differences.

Du Yu is now busy contacting provincial governors in various places, asking them to make every effort to promote it in the state.

Among the Three Kingdoms, Cao Wei was already the most advanced country in agricultural technology. The agricultural tools and agricultural technology of Shu and Wu were not as good as Cao Wei!
Especially in the State of Wu, agricultural technology was quite backward.

After hearing what Cao Mao said, Zhong Hui fell into deep thought again, thinking about the feasibility of this matter.

"Your Majesty, this matter cannot be decided in a short period of time. We can discuss it later."

Zhong Hui spoke again.

Cao Mao knew that Zhong Hui was probably going to the Ministry of Works or to investigate the situation in Huainan to verify his words.

But Cao Mao did not feel dissatisfied at all. Instead, he felt that Zhong Hui was very reliable.

At least he has his moments of composure and knows how to analyze things calmly.

This is a good thing.

The reason why Cao Mao summoned so many eunuchs was to let them find problems for him, because only by finding problems could they be solved.

Cao Mao was not a man who was afraid of trouble.

The eunuchs left quickly, but Zhang Hua stayed.

"Your Majesty, I don't think the eunuchs are very interested in discussing this matter."

Cao Mao was not surprised at all.

"Of course. This matter is of no benefit to them. In their view, it probably does not benefit the world either. It is just my own nonsense."

“It’s just like the Three Elders System.”

"They all think I'm just trying to show off my own benevolence, but in reality, I'm doing harm to the government."

Zhang Hua hesitated for a moment, "Then what exactly is your Majesty doing?"

"As they said, it is to demonstrate their benevolence and righteousness, and to make the farmers of the world support me more."

Cao Mao's answer was very direct.

“He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. This heart of the people lies not in the government but in the localities.”

"If I can gain the support of the soldiers, the praise of the merchants, and the support of the farmers, then no one can shake my position, and I can do more things with greater peace of mind."

"This matter may not be good for the government, but it is good for the country."

After hearing Cao Mao's words, Zhang Hua was stunned for a long time before he reacted, "I understand."

Cao Mao still liked Zhang Hua very much. In history, Zhang Hua struggled to support a new dynasty full of problems and died of exhaustion.

This is actually somewhat similar to Cao Mao's current situation. Fortunately, Cao Mao has far more supporters than Zhang Hua.

Cao Mao and Zhang Hua did not chat for too long. Cao Mao's time was very precious now. After finishing the meeting of eunuchs, he followed Zhang Hua out of the temple and went to the Imperial Academy.

This time he went incognito again.

Sima Yan reported the situation in the Imperial College to him several times, but Cao Mao didn't quite believe it.

It’s not that I don’t trust An Shi’s character, it’s that I don’t trust his ability.

I was afraid that those old foxes in the Imperial Academy had teamed up to deceive Anshi, tricking him into a loop and then giving him false information. Cao Mao's support among the people was growing, while his support among the scholars was divided into two extremes.

The scholars from humble backgrounds and common people were very supportive of Cao Mao.

Because Cao Mao set up libraries in various places, the vast number of scholars from humble backgrounds had the same opportunity.

These scholars from humble backgrounds originally followed the children of wealthy families to cause trouble, but later they suddenly realized that there seemed to be no benefit in doing so, and they were the first to be arrested when something happened.

But by following the emperor, you can see books that you can't see on a normal day, and you can also have the same opportunity to participate in the assessment.

This immediately changed their minds, and the voices praising the emperor became louder and louder.

However, those scholars who came from prominent families and had nothing to do all day long had a very low opinion of the emperor.

How low is it?

They privately called Cao Mao the kings Jie and Zhou. Well, the scholar who said this was soon imprisoned by He Zeng, but this only made them have a lower opinion of the emperor.

They felt that Cao Mao used money to corrupt the army, turning a righteous army into an army of profit.

He employed cruel officials in the country and oppressed loyal and good people.

Using Qin's harsh laws at the local level caused officials to compete with each other for political achievements and lose their gentlemanly character.

At the same time, he also persecuted famous scholars. Wang Rong and others were arrested, which made the scholars very angry.

They feel that the current emperor is a cruel and tyrannical dictator like Emperor Wu of Han and Qin Shi Huang.

Cao Mao was very clear about this, but he didn't care.

Because of this trend of thought, Cao Mao felt that the Imperial Academy might not be as peaceful as Sima Yan had claimed. Would those scholars be so obedient and obey his orders?

I directly cut off their path to the Five Classics, forcing them to take the test with those peasants.

Cao Mao decided to go and see it with his own eyes.

When Cao Mao followed Zhang Hua to the Imperial College, he noticed the difference at a glance.

The Imperial Academy, which used to be open to everyone coming in and out, now became solemn. More than 20 soldiers stood at the door, fully armed, holding powerful crossbows, staring at the surroundings.

Cao Mao was stunned for a moment and looked around again.

Did I come to the Imperial College or the Central Military Training Ground?

Cao Mao failed to sneak in successfully and was directly intercepted by these soldiers.

When the lieutenant was about to pull Cao Mao over roughly, Zhang Hua realized something was wrong and quickly revealed his identity as the emperor.

The soldiers were horrified and hurriedly bowed to greet him.

"His Majesty!!"

"I am rude! I am rude!!"

The soldier looked extremely guilty and at a loss.

"Hahaha, there's no need for that. Why are there soldiers guarding this place?"

The soldier hurriedly said, "The Imperial Academy Supervisor sent us here to take charge of the defense. No one is allowed to cause trouble. Everyone entering and leaving must register, and no one without permission is allowed to enter."

After hearing what the soldier said, Cao Mao felt something was wrong.

What on earth is Anshi doing?

Cao Mao then ordered them to stay here and not to tell others about his arrival, and then led everyone into the Imperial Academy.

The Imperial Academy had become completely different from before, with the sounds of teachers' intense lectures being heard everywhere.

Inside the Imperial Academy, one could actually see armored soldiers patrolling back and forth. Cao Mao was stopped again as soon as he entered.

At this point, Cao Mao finally couldn't bear it anymore and ordered Sima Yan to be brought over.

Soon, Sima Yan and Zhong Yu appeared in front of Cao Mao.

"Your Majesty!! Why are you here?!"

Cao Mao pointed at the soldiers and asked, "What's going on?!"

Sima Yan glanced at Zhong Yu and said, "It was Lord Zhong's suggestion. The students were unwilling to attend classes and even openly insulted Your Majesty. Didn't Your Majesty previously give me five hundred soldiers? I immediately summoned these five hundred soldiers and had them come to the Imperial College to supervise the students' attendance."

"Ever since these five hundred soldiers arrived, not a single student has skipped school. They are all happily studying. Even the teachers don't dare to waste time and teach diligently every day. There are no more cases of taking medicine, drinking, or taking exams on campus. I just said a word, and they happily accepted it."

Cao Mao finally realized, "How could these scholars be so obedient? It turns out you're using soldiers to force them to attend class, right?"
Cao Mao took a deep breath.

This was the first time he had heard of such a way of governing the Imperial College. He looked at Zhong Yu beside him with a complicated expression.

"Mr. Zhong, these are scholars, not prisoners. Why did it come to this?!"

Zhong Yu hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, I am not bullying the scholars. I have said before that if you feel that you cannot adapt to the Imperial College, you can drop out and leave. Those who stay here all want to study. The soldiers are here to protect the scholars."

Cao Mao was speechless for a long time.

Sima Yan was very proud and asked, "Your Majesty, have I done anything meritorious?"

"You'll have to ask those scholars."

(End of this chapter)