Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 111 Liu Bei's Governance of the Province: His First Five-Year Plan (Seeking updates and monthly votes)

Although Zhang Ji was just an official before, Hanyang Commandery was not a large commandery in terms of population. Before Han Sui and Ma Teng caused chaos, the registered population of the thirteen cities of Hanyang Commandery was only over 30,000 households.

Whether there are still 10,000 households is debatable.

Given Zhang Ji's abilities, it wouldn't be too difficult for him to take on the role of prefect of Hanyang.

In some large prefectures in the Central Plains, a single county could have more than 10,000 households.

When Liu Bei first entered Yongzhou, based solely on registered households, Jingzhao County had only over 40,000 households, Fengyi County had only over 30,000 households, and Fufeng County had only over 10,000 households.

Therefore, cracking down on powerful bandits and releasing enslaved farmers was very necessary in Yongzhou.

This time, the elimination of more than 80 powerful bandits, including Lu Fang, has resulted in the addition of more than 30,000 new households to the Sanfu region.

Including the newly added Hanyang Commandery, Liu Bei currently controls only about 120,000 households in the four commanderies.

The more distant Longxi Commandery, Beidi Commandery, Anding Commandery, and Wudu Commandery are almost negligible, with the total registered population of these four commanderies not even reaching 10,000 households.

Liu Bei currently has 16,000 troops in Yongzhou, and 20,000 county and county soldiers in the 38 counties of Jingzhao, Fengyi and Fufeng, plus officials at all levels and the newly surrendered troops of Ma Teng.

With 120,000 households supporting around 50,000 non-productive workers, this situation is extremely dangerous in the long run.

Now that internal strife and external threats have been quelled, Liu Bei can shift his focus to governing the state and prioritizing agriculture.

On July 20th, Liu Bei returned to Chang'an.

Taking advantage of the surplus of land, houses, money, and grain confiscated from officials, soldiers, and bandits, Liu Bei convened a political meeting in Chang'an.

The newly appointed Chief Administrator Yan Zhong, the newly appointed Left Fengyi Ma Teng, the newly appointed Prefect of Hanyang Zhang Ji, the Chief Clerk Jian Yong, the Chief Clerk Yang Kuo, the Chief Clerk Liang Yan, the Chief Clerk Xu You, the Prefect of Jingzhao Shi Sun Rui, the Right Fufeng Huangfu Li, and the Military Advisor Jia Xu, who was taking a break in Huaili, were all summoned back to attend the meeting.

Those who served as libationers were the highest-ranking among all officials in Yongzhou.

Furthermore, since the position of libationer is more of an honorary one, although the position is high, one is not responsible for specific tasks.

This was also Liu Bei's reward for Xu You's many days of following him and his diligent governance during that time.

Xu You was also very satisfied with his position as the chief priest, which meant that he would no longer have to bury himself in the tedious affairs of the state government and would have more energy to plan for Liu Bei's future and to compete with other heroes.

After distributing the relevant documents to everyone for review, Liu Bei proposed a political plan: "Yongzhou is now newly pacified, and everything needs to be rebuilt. I intend to dedicate five years to concentrating our efforts on restoring agriculture in Yongzhou, so as to ensure that the prefecture, counties, and all the people have a year's worth of grain reserves to cope with any sudden crisis. To this end, I have formulated the first five-year plan. After reviewing it, you may speak freely."

Although Guanzhong has a good location, it also faces many crises.

In addition to external threats from the Qiang people and warlord disturbances, there were also the most severe natural disasters.

Historical records state that five years later, Guanzhong was hit by a series of earthquakes, droughts, and locust plagues, causing grain prices to soar to 500,000 coins per bushel, leading to cannibalism among the people of Kuan'an.

Without sufficient food reserves, even if Liu Bei were a skilled and capable general, it would be difficult to stabilize Guanzhong.

Whether governing a region or commanding troops in battle, ensuring food security is always the most important task.

The policy of prioritizing agriculture and suppressing commerce, which lasted for thousands of years, was based on the level of productivity. In dynasties with insufficient productivity, agriculture had to be placed at the top of the list.

Unable to directly inform everyone about the natural disasters five years later, Liu Bei could only use the pretext of "concentrating efforts on restoring agriculture in Yongzhou" to complete the strategic grain reserve.

As long as there are food reserves, we can cope with even natural disasters.

In Liu Bei's five-year plan, streamlining the army and administration and ensuring food security were the core objectives.

Streamlining administration and reducing staff is aimed at reducing the waste of time and resources spent on off-duty work.

The number of troops in Yongzhou and local forces was reduced from more than 40,000 to 20,000, with only the eight battalions of Yongzhou and local security county soldiers remaining.

Those troops that were disbanded, such as the anti-rebel troops from the four counties of Chencang who were originally used to defend against rebels, were incorporated into the "Talented Cavalry" as reserves and concentrated on farming: they trained during the off-season and returned to the fields to cultivate the land during the busy season.

Important cities such as Ji County, Chencang, Mei County, Huaili, and Chang'an were garrisoned by eight battalions from Yongzhou.

Apart from Zhang Fei in Ji County, Chencang was garrisoned by Zhang Yang, Mei County by Huangfu Jianshou, and Huaili by Xu Huang. Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao, and Dian Wei were stationed in Chang'an and controlled the counties of Fengyi and Jingzhao.

The official system retains only five core positions: "Prefect of the Prefecture, Magistrate of the County, Assistant Magistrate of the County, Township Steward, and Judge of the Court" and some full-time minor officials. The number of unemployed personnel, such as minor officials and meritorious officials, is reduced, and those who exceed the quota are forced to return to farming.

The salary system was implemented with half grain and half money. In years of good harvest, the full amount of grain was paid, while in years of poor harvest, half grain and half money were paid to reduce the consumption of pure grain.

Food security requires the construction of an integrated production and storage system.

On the one hand, water conservancy projects were carried out, including the repair of important water conservancy projects such as the Zheng Guo Canal and the Bai Canal. The "well-canal method" was used to dig wells and canals to ensure irrigation for farmland.

On the one hand, crops were planned, with drought-resistant millet and sorghum being the main crops, and wheat being grown in the Longyou River Valley to support Guanzhong. On the other hand, livestock were developed in the mountains to store dried meat and cheese for use as food during famine.

At the same time, four prefectural granaries, fifteen county granaries, and fifty township granaries should be established to form a three-tiered storage network, and the grain stored in prefectural granaries should account for 60% of the total reserves.

In addition to streamlining the military and ensuring food security, there are also household registration management, tax supervision, military discipline, and so on.

Liu Bei further divided each major category into smaller annual plans to ensure that the planned goals could be achieved within five years.

The detailed plan for governing the prefecture astonished everyone, from the core advisors Xu You, Jia Xu, Jian Yong, Yan Zhong, Yang Kuo, and Liang Yan, to the four prefects Shi Sunrui, Huangfu Li, Ma Teng, and Zhang Ji, as well as Ma Chao and Fa Zheng who stood by Liu Bei's side listening.

Liu Bei's public persona was always characterized by his fearlessness of powerful figures and his skill in commanding troops. His actions, including reforming the bureaucracy and eliminating powerful bandits, all reflected a strong military style.

It is truly astonishing that they have suddenly produced a detailed plan for governing the prefecture.

Ma Teng, who was also a martial artist, felt this most deeply.

We are all warriors; all we need to do is be good at fighting. How come you are also knowledgeable in government affairs?
Do you want it to be so rolled?
If you keep doing this, wouldn't I, as Zuo Fengyi, have to study politics in addition to practicing martial arts?

Ma Teng suddenly felt a pang of regret.

Why did I listen to Liu Bei's persuasion and become Zuo Fengyi?

Even if I can't garrison Ji County, I can garrison Chencang.

Or I could go to Anding to apprehend the thief and drag out Han Sui who was hiding!
Looking at the five-year plan in his hand, and thinking about the complex government affairs he would have to oversee in Zuo Fengyi in the future, Ma Teng felt his head throbbing.

It's better to be a martial artist who doesn't read books; at least it doesn't require using your brain!

Ma Teng glanced furtively at Shi Sunrui, Huangfu Li, and Zhang Ji, and noticed that all three of them had their brows furrowed. Suddenly, he felt a sense of relief: thankfully, I'm not the only one with a headache.

After a long silence, Yan Zhong, the Chief Administrator, spoke first: "It is truly a blessing for the people of Yongzhou that Your Majesty is willing to prioritize agriculture. However, the construction of water conservancy projects requires a large number of laborers. With the war now over, we should focus on light taxes and levies. It might be inappropriate to conscript a large number of laborers."

Yan Zhong's opinion was inappropriate, and Shi Sunrui, Huangfu Li, and Zhang Ji also agreed with it.

All three were prefects and understood that water conservancy projects were a heavy form of corvée labor, and that the slightest mistake could cause widespread resentment among the people.

“That is not true!” Liu Bei turned to Yan Zhong and said, “The local government’s organization of the people to participate in water conservancy construction should be a beneficial move for the country and the people. It can benefit the present and future generations.”

"However, in the past, the laborers who were conscripted to participate in water conservancy construction were all unpaid, which led to many complaints from the people. Even officials who were good at benevolent governance considered this to be a heavy tax."

"I think that's wrong."

"The world is bustling with activity, all driven by self-interest. The state government offers no benefits yet expects the people to serve it wholeheartedly. When the people complain, they attribute it to heavy taxes instead of considering the root of the problem. How foolish is that?"

"A notice may be issued to all counties that anyone who participates in the state government's water conservancy construction will receive a thousand coins per month."

Throughout history, has there ever been any instance of heavy or light taxes?
All forms of corvée labor are considered sham by those who freeload and act like scoundrels, regardless of their severity!

Because regardless of whether the corvée labor was heavy or light, the government always had three words: no money!
Not feeding cattle and horses and yet making them work hard is exploitation, oppression, and inhumanity.

The fundamental reason why Liu Bei actively cracked down on corrupt and lawless officials and arrogant and unruly bandits was simply to replenish the treasury.

Once the treasury is full, resources can be redistributed, and Liu Bei can set all the rules for Yongzhou!

Liu Bei said that if soldiers were conscripted, they should be paid, so the local government must pay them!

As the old saying goes: When the granaries are full, people know etiquette; when they are well-fed and clothed, they know honor and shame.

Before telling the waterworks workers that their work "benefits the present and future generations," you must first make sure they are well-fed and clothed and don't have to worry about hunger or cold.

However, everyone present was astonished as soon as Liu Bei said this.

Yan Zhong exclaimed in shock, "A thousand, a thousand coins?"

Even in Chang'an city, those who sell their labor to wealthy families earn no more than three hundred coins a month, let alone in other counties!

Now that Liu Bei is asking for a thousand coins right off the bat, how can people not be surprised?
Yang Kuo, the clerk, was rapidly calculating the funds needed for the water conservancy project when cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

If each person earns a thousand coins per month, then ten thousand laborers would earn ten million coins, and over ten months that would amount to a hundred million coins.
Seeing the stunned crowd, Liu Bei's tone hardened: "You are all core officials of Yongzhou, how can you still have such expressions? I think it is necessary to correct your mindset."

Everyone was even more stunned.

What kind of ideological awareness?

Do we still need to be corrected?

Yan Zhong couldn't help but ask again, "I am willing to listen to your teachings, Your Excellency."

However, anyone could tell that Yan Zhong was not convinced.

Liu Bei glanced at the crowd and slowly said, "If officials cannot put the people first in governing, what difference is there between them and rotten wood or beasts? If you don't even understand the principle of 'you will be rewarded for your labor,' are you officials just like those corrupt officials who only know how to exploit the people for personal gain?"

Everyone's expressions changed.

Compared to corrupt officials, the moral character of the people present was actually relatively good.

However, due to their limited thinking, everyone believed that it was a long-standing, tacit rule for the common people to perform corvée labor for free, so they found it unbelievable that Liu Bei would spend money to have the common people participate in water conservancy construction.

Liu Bei took in everyone's reactions and said, "The Book of Poetry says, 'How joyful is the virtuous ruler, the parent of the people! He loves what the people love and hates what the people hate; this is what it means to be the parent of the people.' Mencius said, 'If a ruler who is the parent of the people governs, yet cannot avoid leading beasts to devour men, how can he be considered the parent of the people?'"

"During the reign of Emperor Yuan, there was a prefect named Zhao Xinchen in Nanyang Commandery. During the reign of Emperor Guangwu, there was a clerk named Du Shi in Nanyang Commandery. Both of them loved the people like their own children, so they were praised as 'father Zhao and mother Du.' Later officials also called themselves 'parent officials' and took pride in it."

"However, I believe that although such thinking has its benevolent side, officials who regard the people as their children and call themselves their parents, who hold great power, are high above, and think they are the masters of the people, are not only prone to corruption and oppression of the people, but also think that everything they do is for the good of the people."

"We can also think differently. For example, our power is given by the people and should be used to serve the people. You are all geniuses of our time. You should break through the shackles of thought, distinguish truth from falsehood, and not always listen to some pedantic scholars who distort the words of the sages. You should deeply understand what it means to put the people first and not just parrot what others say."

"In the future, when we do our work and start businesses, we must focus on the people. We must think what the people think, be anxious about what the people are anxious about, and solve the difficulties of the people. We can act expediently on any measures that benefit the people. How can we follow the old rules and customs of our ancestors in everything without knowing how to adapt?"

The Book of Rites also says: "Therefore, people do not only love their own parents, nor only cherish their own children. They ensure that the elderly are cared for until their end, the able-bodied are employed, the young are nurtured, and the widowed, orphaned, lonely, and disabled are all provided for. This is the Great Harmony."

"Please think about this carefully."

After hearing this, everyone looked ashamed.

Liu Bei then looked at Yang Kuo, the clerk, and said, "How to increase the treasury's funds and grain is my job. Yang Kuo, you don't need to worry about it. Just allocate the funds and grain truthfully and compile the various expenditure reports for me."

Yang Kuo felt a sense of relief.

When Yang Kuo heard that each laborer would be paid a thousand coins per month, he was indeed anxious, worried about how long the treasury's money would last and what would happen if it ran out.

"I will obey Your Excellency's orders." A smile appeared on Yang Kuo's face.

If we only consider expenditures and not income, it becomes much easier.

Afterwards, Liu Bei allowed everyone to speak freely.

Anyone with questions about the five-year plan could ask directly, and Liu Bei would answer them one by one, making changes and corrections to some parts that were not in line with reality.

If anyone had something to add, Liu Bei asked them to discuss it together before deciding whether to include it in the plan.

After six days of discussion, Liu Bei finally finalized the outline of his first five-year plan.

After the plan was finalized, Liu Bei no longer participated in the specific details, but directly handed them over to the four provincial officials Yan Zhong, Jian Yong, Yang Kuo, and Liang Yan, as well as the four prefects Shi Sunrui, Ma Teng, Huangfu Li, and Zhang Ji for discussion.

To broaden Ma Chao and Fa Zheng's horizons, Liu Bei had the two serve food and water to everyone and listen in on their learning.

Liu Bei then summoned Jia Xu and Xu You, and led them to the pavilion in the backyard of the prefectural government. He then took out a document and had Jia Xu and Xu You read it.

Upon glancing at the contents of the document, Xu You's expression instantly turned strange: "He Jin summoned the magistrate to Luoyang to kill the eunuchs? It seems that He Jin feels threatened by the magistrate's control over the military and political affairs of Yongzhou. I wonder who advised He Jin; their intentions are truly malicious."

Liu Bei scoffed, a smile playing on his lips: "It doesn't matter who offered the strategy; what matters is whether I enter Luoyang or not."

(End of this chapter)