The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 765 Decapitation meal

"Hahaha~"

"Yuan Kai!!"

When Cao Mao laughed and walked out quickly to meet Du Yu, he really had the demeanor of the former Emperor Wu.

His every move, even his eyes and expression, that kind of sincerity towards his wise ministers, were very similar to those of Emperor Taizu.

Du Yu bowed to meet him, but was helped up by Cao Mao.

Cao Mao looked Du Yu up and down before him, then said to Zhang Hua beside him, "Everyone in Luoyang praises the beauty of Lianbi, but I know that no one is as beautiful as Du Yuankai!"

Du Yu was shocked and hurried to express his gratitude.

Zhang Hua smiled and said, "This is because the world's beauty lies in appearance, while Your Majesty believes that beauty lies in talent!"

Cao Mao laughed loudly.

Cao Mao met Du Yu in the West Hall, which was a great favor. After all, this was Cao Mao's own private territory. Only the closest friends and relatives would be met in the West Hall, otherwise things would be done in the East Hall.

Cao Mao ordered Zhang Wen to prepare more delicious food as a banquet for Du Yu.

Du's budget did an excellent job in this work-for-relief project.

He was responsible for the projects in Ji County and was also directing major projects in various places.

Over the past year or so, the Central Plains region, which had suffered huge damage, has recovered greatly. All places are no longer in ruins and dilapidated roads.

I dare not say how well it is governed, but at least it looks like a prosperous era. The roads are flat, the city is intact, and water conservancy projects are still under construction.

Cao Mao's prosperous era had a shell that could not be seen through at a glance.

Although this was just an illusion, it was a huge breakthrough for Cao Mao.

The broken world was repaired in his hands.

Cao Mao did not ask about the big things, but instead asked about some small things, such as Du Yu's personal physical condition and the situation of his family.

Du Yu was very moved. After they finished discussing personal matters, Cao Mao asked him about official matters.

Du Yu hurriedly reported on the projects in various places.

In fact, Bashu completed the best project.

Deng Ai was actually very good at farming, and he also had a conquest bonus over the locals. Combining the two, his affairs in Bashu went very smoothly. Even the Hanzhong area, which was the most severely damaged by the fighting, was repaired well by him.

As for areas such as Yizhou, due to large-scale water conservancy construction, they have a vague sense of appearance that has surpassed the period of Liu Chan.

Of course, the situation in various parts of the Central Plains is also good. The damage suffered in these places began to be repaired very early.

The worst results were achieved in Wu.

The main reason was that Wu had been beaten so badly, with Wang Ji's fighting in Jingnan and other places, Guanqiu Jian's raid, plus the Wu people's previous large-scale corvee labor and subsequent migration.

In short, the results are not very obvious.

Cao Mao's expression was always calm. He was never happy when he heard that the results of several regions were excellent, and he was never disappointed when he heard that the results of several regions were not good.

After summarizing the situation in various places, Cao Mao finally said, "Corvée labor is not a good thing."

"Although the world has been pacified, if we frequently use corvée labor and force the people from all over the country to repair and rebuild, even if there will be great achievements in the future, there will be negative consequences."

"As the Minister of Works, Yuan Kai must remember this."

"We can't blindly pursue projects. If corvée labor can be avoided, don't impose it. If it must be imposed, it shouldn't interfere with farming."

Du Yu hurriedly agreed.

Cao Mao continued, "As for this relief issue, since I abolished oral calculations, the number of people in need of government assistance has decreased significantly, especially in the border areas. I believe this matter will not last for many years."

"The fact that all regions have reached their current state has already exceeded my expectations. There is no need to forcefully retain the people in order to achieve better results."

Du Yu agreed again.

Cao Mao was not greedy for work.

Although building up various places sounds like a very good political achievement, what will happen if you focus on construction right after pacifying the country? There are many experiences in history.
After Du Yu and Cao Mao had discussed many projects, he finally said, "Your Majesty, there is one thing I would like to discuss."

"You go ahead and tell me."

"The current imperial palace needs to be expanded."

"Oh?"

Cao Mao looked at Du Yu in surprise. Du Yu said seriously, "Your Majesty, now that you have unified the country and your majesty is increasing, you should follow the example of Shu and Wu and add palaces to the imperial palace to highlight your great achievements."

"what?"

Cao Mao frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "Now is not the time. Let's discuss this matter later."

Du Yu had just arrived in Luoyang and had not yet rested. After bidding farewell to Cao Mao, he went home.

Cao Mao felt relieved.

The roads and cities were repaired, and the head tax was successfully abolished without causing financial collapse.

Then, Cao Mao could enter a stage of doing nothing.

After unification, the empire will enter a period of rapid development. As long as it is not interrupted by external forces, the world will surely prosper.

There is still the prosperous Taikang era during the Anshi era!
At this stage, there is no need for the government to do anything more at the local level. All we have to do is wait patiently.

And Cao Mao could finally shift his focus from domestic to foreign countries.

Diplomacy and trade routes.

The main purpose of Cao Mao calling on the Wu navigators Zhu Ying and Kang Tai was to conduct diplomacy in Southeast Asia.

These two people have already left Luoyang and headed for Chen Tai. Next, they will travel to the Nanyang countries on behalf of the court and ask them to come to the court.

But what Cao Mao cared about most was Shazhou.

Cao Mao decided to send an envoy to India.

First, open up the road to India and restore the original Silk Road so that it is unobstructed.

As for the Japanese island, we will just send a general to watch over it and serve as a blood bag.

In other directions, Wei has no enemies and no space to explore.

In the West Hall, Cao Mao was discussing with Zhang Hua about sending envoys to trade with the Yuezhi people.

The sun is shining brightly in the sky.

Although it was a scorching hot day, Pei Xiu felt a little cold.

He hadn't taken any medicine yet, and this was entirely because of what he had to do today.

Because Sun Chu's words were rude and he committed the crime of disrespect, Pei Xiu, the Minister of Rites, had to re-regulate this matter.

Pei Xiu sighed helplessly.

Your Majesty has actually been looking for reasons to deal with the powerful families.

He didn't even care whether these people from the big families were wronged. All he wanted was an excuse.

As long as he has an excuse, he can take action directly.

When Pei Xiu arrived at the Ministry of Justice and came to the place where Sun Chu was imprisoned, he found the man tied up to a pillar and unable to move.

When he saw Pei Xiu, he suddenly became excited.

Pei Xiu knew this person.

This person is a famous madman.

"Pei Jun! You are finally here!!"

Sun Chu struggled, his eyes filled with displeasure. He shouted, "Mr. Pei! I have a favor to ask of you!"

Pei Xiu sighed again.

"what's up?"

Sun Chu shouted, "Please plead for me and ask someone else to interrogate me. The one interrogating me now, Wei Shu, is of such low birth. What qualifications does he have to interrogate me? I come from a noble family! I cannot endure such humiliation!"

Hearing this, Pei Xiu's eyes went dark.

He felt that this person probably would not be able to leave the prison alive.

Sun Chu's idea seems ridiculous now, but just a few years ago, it was quite popular, and most of the children of wealthy families had similar ideas.

Historically, when Sun Chu served as a military officer to Shi Bao, he thought that his chief officer was of humble origin and not worthy of his service, so he belittled him in various ways. Even if they were from the same wealthy families, he would humiliate those who were born out of wedlock or from other bloodlines.

When he met Shi Bao for the first time, he bowed to Shi Bao and said: I am here to participate in your military affairs!
Those who didn't know thought he was here to command Shi Bao, but the two of them didn't get along. Shi Bao asked Sima Yan to punish him, but An Shi just coaxed him with a few words.

As a result, the military officers of the Western Jin Dynasty completely ignored their chief officers, and their background became increasingly important.

Pei Xiu originally wanted to say a lot more, but when he saw the other party's appearance, he completely gave up the idea and turned around and left.

As soon as I walked out of the gate of the Ministry of Justice, I saw a carriage parked on the side of the road.

A man opened the car curtain and waved to him.

Pei Xiu hurried forward and got into the carriage.

The person in the car was Zhong Hui.

It was not only Du Yu who underwent changes, Zhong Hui also underwent obvious changes.

He looked much more serious than before, with a furrowed brow, looking a little scary.

Pei Xiu got into the car obediently and sat next to Zhong Hui very well.

Zhong Hui is not to be messed with now.

Zhong Jung let the carriage continue moving, then he spoke to Pei Xiu, "How's the progress on the title reform?"

Pei Xiu pursed her lips and said, "I'm already thinking about it."

“It’s just what the Ministry of Rites needs to do at the moment.”

"Pei Xiu, I know exactly what you are thinking and what you are going to do."

Zhong Hui interrupted him and said calmly, "The days when the great clans colluded with each other and controlled the upper and lower classes are over. You are considered the smartest among them. Don't make mistakes."

"Your Majesty has entrusted these matters to you, in fact, to carry out these matters in a gentle manner. If you can't do it, then I will have to do it. Do you know what the consequences will be?"

Pei Xiu's expression suddenly became solemn, "I know."

"Now that you know, then don't take the wrong position again. His Majesty values you very much. Although I don't know why, His Majesty is willing to trust you. You have let His Majesty down many times. If this time is the same."

Zhong Hui looked at Pei Xiu deeply.

"I will personally draft a resolution to execute you, approve it myself, and then lead the Ministry of Justice to carry it out."

Pei Xiu suddenly became much more energetic.

He looked up and said, "Don't worry, Lord Zhong. It's just a matter of great importance that has delayed me for some time. How could I disappoint your majesty's high hopes?!"

"That's good, that's good. Tomorrow, you must produce the relevant documents regarding the nobility system. It would be best if you could read them while I eat. Otherwise, I will be the one to eat your last meal."

(End of this chapter)