Am I the old man who's always by my apprentices' side?

Chapter 227 "Three-Year Plan"

Never underestimate the wisdom of the people.

Although Zhang Chengdao had some expectations for his disciples, what they gave him still surprised him greatly and far exceeded his expectations.

For example, a memorial delivered to him just before this week's court session.

Whether in the time before the time travel or in this time travel, under conditions of low social productivity and poor transportation, regional autonomy and imperial power not extending to the county level were compromises made out of sheer helplessness.

The emperor also wanted to govern villages and towns, but due to the inconvenience of transportation, many places were beyond his reach. He could only let the local elders and powerful families govern themselves. As long as the taxes were paid in full and there were no civil unrest, land annexation, hidden households, or slavery, the emperor could only turn a blind eye.

But things are different now. With the revival of spiritual energy and the emergence of the Immortal Path, the Hundred Cities Teleportation Array Project has been officially put on the agenda. This means that both the speed of information exchange and the way of transportation will undergo earth-shattering changes.

As Tang Xiaoyu once mentioned, even when transporting grain, there would be no more than half loss. If there were teleportation arrays at the grain transport locations, there would be virtually no loss—something only achievable in highly developed modern times.

Don't underestimate this. Such a small issue as grain loss has bred corruption for thousands of years. Even in another time and space, until the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was a major headache for those in power. They managed to come up with the method of "returning the lost grain to the public," but it could only curb it to a certain extent.

Therefore, advanced and rapid modes of transportation and information transmission brought an end to the era of highly free "local tyrant autonomy."

At least within the territory of the White Stone Immortal Sect under Zhang Chengdao's rule, it is about to come to an end.

His outer disciples, whose names were not even clearly distinguished, actually took the initiative to suggest separating local tax, criminal justice, and public security functions. They even wrote a practical plan that was very similar to the mature local governance system in the modern world before Zhang Chengdao's time travel, even though the names were completely different!

Human wisdom is indeed universal, regardless of time or space.

Looking at the memorial in his hand, Zhang Chengdao couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Fortunately, among the disciples of the White Stone Immortal Sect that He Shilie had suddenly brought over, several were politically astute and knew to write memorials to clarify matters, thus making it easier for them to go through the proper procedures.

such as……

“I think the content of the memorial submitted by the inspector is very good. It can be taken into consideration and promoted first in the Guanzhong region.”

After the court assembly, Zhang Chengdao specifically left behind a dozen or so high-ranking ministers, led by the Grand Secretary, to read through the memorial presented by Ling Shuang, and said...

After reading the memorial, the court officials looked at each other in bewilderment. Although those who had clearly opposed Zhang Chengdao had either left or were being suppressed in Guanzhong, wasn't this move a bit too hasty?

Of course, everyone has given up on the idea of ​​dealing with "gods" these days. The grass on the graves where people were testing the limits is already several meters high. Anyway, it's the local power that's being weakened, and it doesn't really concern these officials from the three provinces and six ministries... At worst, there will be a few more places where people rebel, but for "gods" with magical powers, it's just like a mantis trying to stop a chariot...

Of course, there are also some who are very proactive, such as Wang Yanqing.

As the newly appointed Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, on par with the Ministers of the Six Ministries, Wang Yanqing felt confident that he had already "entered the ministries" and was the first to respond: "What the Sect Master said is absolutely right. The local officials have always been in cahoots and should be thoroughly rectified! If we can follow the advice of Little Immortal Ling, I think it won't be long before the world is peaceful and prosperous!"

Wang Cheng, the Grand Secretary, glanced at Zhao Shizhong, who seemed lost in thought, but remained silent.

Wang Yanqing's words were so shameless that he was too embarrassed to respond.

Because the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat was born into the Yang family, he resigned due to illness to avoid suspicion during the rebellion in Longxi some time ago. Now the position is just a formality, and it seems that the Holy... no, the Sect Master has no intention of supporting anyone else to take the position.

He didn't know when he, the Grand Secretary, and Zhao, the nearly sixty-year-old Attendant-in-Ordinary, would retire. Although he could see that the Sect Master was gradually seizing power, he really didn't understand what the Sect Master wanted to change. So, he had always been a dutiful liar—he still wanted to preserve his innocence in his later years.

The Grand Secretary remained silent, but unexpectedly, Wang Yanqing became increasingly arrogant, not content with his flattery, he even went so far as to directly name Wang Cheng—

"When I was the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, I felt this deeply. Although I was not allowed to get involved in military affairs, almost all other matters were decided by the prefectural government. Even with frequent rotations, there were still cases of subordinates bullying their superiors and undermining the prefect's authority. After all, the village elders and local officials were all in cahoots, and it was difficult to clean them up... Lord Wang, you were sent to a post outside the prefecture in your early years, so you should know this. This place should have been thoroughly rectified long ago!"

Seeing Zhang Chengdao look at him after listening to Wang Yanqing's words, Wang Cheng had no choice but to brace himself and bow, saying, "Reporting to the Sect Master, what Chief Priest Wang said does make some sense. However, even if we simply separate taxation, criminal justice, and public security, it will be difficult to prevent these officials from colluding with local elders and powerful figures. This... this still needs to be discussed further..."

Wang Yanqing immediately replied, "This is simple: just prevent the officials working in these places from taking up their posts in their hometowns!"

Zhang Chengdao couldn't help but glance at Wang Yanqing again.

He thought this guy was just a suck-up, but he didn't expect him to offer some useful suggestions.

Wang Cheng could only say, "In that case, I'm afraid it would be too much of a waste of resources and manpower..."

Wang Yanqing retorted again, "Lord Wang, have you forgotten that once the 'Hundred Cities Teleportation Array' is built, travel will only take a moment, and even if it is rotated every year, it will not be troublesome!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Cheng fell silent.

What else is there to say? Wang Yanqing has a whole bunch of reasons ready to back down, and we'll make him argue back no matter what!

Besides, it's not like I disagree with this, so why is this old guy always harping on it?!
We're all surnamed Wang, aren't we? Are we bound to be jealous of each other when we meet as family?
Wang Cheng had a bit of a toothache.

Wang Yanqing's words not only "persuaded" Grand Secretary Wang Cheng, but also reminded Zhang Chengdao. Indeed, although the construction of the teleportation array would significantly improve "transportation," there was still a problem that would greatly limit the development of various aspects of people's lives.

That is the "household registration system".

In fact, the ancient household registration system was, in general, a form of lazy governance.

In order to facilitate the management and control of the people and to ensure that a sufficient number of people are confined to the land to cultivate enough food to support the country, the ruling class specifically forces the people to minimize their travel and communication.

The most typical example is that whenever one travels, one must go to the local government to obtain a "travel permit"—this thing has many names, in some places it is called "passing permit", in some places it is called "road pass", and in other places it is called "public certificate". Different dynasties also have different names. For example, in the former Zhou state, including now under the rule of Baishi Xianzong before Zhang Chengdao made sweeping reforms, it is called "public certificate".

However, since it was called "Lu Yin" in the Southern Chu Kingdom, the name "Lu Yin" gradually spread.

In short, obtaining such a "travel permit" was extremely troublesome. Not only did it require paying high fees, but it also required local elders to act as witnesses and explain the reasons for travel. The whole process was very expensive, even more so than obtaining a visa for a modern trip abroad, which fundamentally restricted the travel of ordinary people.

Like another time and space, in modern times, many methods were explored. Before the promulgation of the "Provisional Regulations on Resident Identity Cards" in 1984, student ID cards, military ID cards, household registration books, and even the certificates issued by the units that were most commonly used could all be used as proof of identity. However, there were almost no unified regulations, which led to a very worrying social security problem in that era when ID cards were not used and real names could not be used.

Of course, with the current level of social productivity, it is still unrealistic to travel across the country without any problems using just an "ID card," but at least the process can be simplified to encourage the movement of people, which will better stimulate economic development.

After all, with spirit wheat and spirit rice, as long as the concentration of spiritual energy reaches a certain level, these high-yield spiritual crops can be popularized, which can free up some of the labor force from the land and allow them to engage in production and creation in other industries and fields. This is the fundamental premise for social progress.

So perhaps we could gradually loosen restrictions first, for example, by creating a metal token that can clearly verify identity. As long as a unique spiritual imprint is engraved on it, it can serve as an "ID number." Moreover, it is costly and difficult to forge, so even in a world where there is no online verification, its authority can be ensured to a certain extent.

Of course, the downside is that the cost of this metal token is indeed too high. Even without considering the labor cost of cultivators engraving the spirit seal, the material cost is several hundred coins, which is still difficult for ordinary people to afford, so it is impossible to promote it as a mandatory means.

It can only replace the place of travel and simplify the travel process. For example, people who want to travel only need to obtain a metal token that proves their identity and is engraved with their own unique spiritual seal. They no longer need to register the purpose of their travel or ask any village elders to act as guarantors.

The entire process will be simplified to: register, pay, and receive the certificate.

Its function is equivalent to a "personal identification sticker" in another time and space, but at this stage, it is difficult for ordinary people to forge.

Moreover, if only the cost of materials is charged, the price of a few hundred coins is far less than the money spent on obtaining a pass in the past. Overall, the cost of travel has been reduced for ordinary people.

Thinking of this, Zhang Chengdao coughed lightly, interrupting Wang Yanqing's endless flattery, and said with great respect for the Grand Secretary, "What the Grand Secretary said makes sense. This matter is more about taking it slow than rushing. It will probably take some time to complete the 'Hundred Cities Teleportation Array.' In addition, if we follow the adjustments made in Inspector Ling's memorial, the shortage of cultivators cannot be filled in a short time. Currently, the White Stone Immortal Sect only has a few dozen outer disciples. Even if we send them all out, it will be a drop in the ocean. This matter can only be addressed gradually after the first batch of students from the White Stone Immortal Dao University have completed their studies."

We can only proceed "gradually." Whether it's the requirement in Ling Shuang's memorial that the heads of criminal prisons in various places be cultivators, or the "identity token" plan that has just sprouted in my mind, both require a large number of cultivators. The White Stone Immortal Sect, with its mere few and a handful, is simply not enough!
At the same time, upon hearing Zhang Chengdao's words, Wang Yanqing immediately changed the subject and echoed, "What the sect leader says is true! The court is currently lacking in talent, and there is a severe shortage of capable officials. The matter of the White Stone Immortal Dao Academy is indeed urgent! Your subject will certainly work day and night to keep a close eye on the White Stone Immortal Dao Academy, in order to repay the sect leader's boundless grace!"

Zhang Chengdao's lips twitched upon hearing this.

This guy can even make up his own words to flatter people; in a way, he's quite a rare talent!

Because Zhang Chengdao gave Wang Cheng face, Wang Cheng couldn't pretend to be dead, but he really couldn't learn Wang Yanqing's flattery skills—he still wanted to save face!

So he could only bow respectfully and say, "What the sect leader says is very true."

"Well, since there are no objections on this matter, let's work together to formulate the first..."

As Zhang Chengdao spoke, he glanced at everyone, a smile playing on his lips, and added, "Three-year plan."

"A three-year plan?"

Upon hearing Zhang Chengdao's words, the ministers couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

It's not that they don't understand what a "three-year plan" means; the literal meaning is so simple that even illiterate people can understand it. The key issue is that they haven't heard a single word about it!

This means that, unlike what many people imagine about court assemblies, in ancient times, the topics discussed in court were all prepared in advance. Even if it was a sudden disaster such as a flood or drought, the news would have already circulated among the central officials, and everyone would have a general idea of ​​what was going on.

The memorial submitted by Ling Shuang this time followed the proper procedures and went through the hands of the Grand Secretary, which naturally gave all the court officials a sense of certainty. Therefore, it was not surprising that no one was surprised that they were kept behind to discuss this matter today.

But this so-called "three-year plan" is truly unexpected!
Seeing Wang Yanqing, who was just as bewildered as he was, Wang Cheng felt much better. He took the initiative to play the straight man, stood up, cupped his hands, and asked, "May I ask, Sect Master, what is the 'Three-Year Plan'?"

"The so-called 'Three-Year Plan' is, as the name suggests, a plan that our Celestial Court plans to undertake within three years. For example, the 'Hundred Cities Teleportation Array Plan' or the plan for separating local government affairs submitted by Inspector Ling."

As Zhang Chengdao spoke, he also brought up the "identity token" that he had just been thinking about: "In addition, let's have Baishi Immortal University recruit students again in the second half of the year. The shortage of cultivators is too great. I suggest that we re-regulate the original 'passing stations' and local household registrations to encourage people to go out and make the people prosperous."

"Sect Master! You absolutely mustn't!"

The court attendant, who had been pretending to be asleep, finally spoke up. However, this time, the court attendant's advice was truly devoid of any personal motives.

He said with unusual urgency, "If the people are too preoccupied with the profits of commerce, who will cultivate the fertile fields? Who will weave the cloth? Even if we buy from other countries, is that a long-term solution? It would be handing over the lifeline of the nation to another country. This, this, this, this is absolutely unacceptable!"

(End of this chapter)