Ji Han Liu Zhang

The Zhongnan Mountains are majestic and the Wei River is surging.

At that moment, Liu Zhang was holding a fishing rod and fishing in the Wei River. However, his luck was not very good. After fishing for a while, he only caught a few small fish the size of a palm, but failed to catch any big fish.

However, Liu Zhang did not feel discouraged. No matter what, he did not come up empty-handed today. For the fisherman, this was a great blessing from the Wei River.

While fishing, Liu Zhang heard the sound of flying horse hooves behind him. The hooves fell from time to time, and the earth trembled. However, Liu Zhang did not look back at the movement behind him. He still kept his fishing posture calmly.

"bright……"

After a short "Ming", Peng Ying, a soldier on horseback, suppressed the following "Gong". He saw Liu Zhang was fishing. If he spoke at this time, it might disturb the fish and cause them to bite the hook, which would be bad for Ming Gong's fishing.

When Peng Ying was dozens of steps away from Liu Zhang, he was stopped by the captain of the central army, Ma Dai. He had to dismount and walk towards Liu Zhang. He quickly stepped forward to Liu Zhang's side, took out a document from his sleeve and handed it to Liu Zhang.

"My lord, General Wu has sent news from Tianshui County, saying that the several Qiang and Hu tribes that harassed Tianshui County have now been cleared out, and the territory of Tianshui County is very peaceful." Peng Ying deliberately lowered his voice, but spoke very clearly.

Liu Zhang stretched out one hand to take the document from Peng Ying, and the other hand holding the fishing rod also reached out to Peng Ying. Peng Ying understood, and while handing the document to Liu Zhang, he took the fishing rod from Liu Zhang's hand and took on the task of fishing while Liu Zhang was reading the document.

Liu Zhang took the document, spread it out with both hands and read it carefully, from the honorifics at the beginning of the document, to the content in the middle, and finally to the two words "Respectfully submitted" written by Wu Yi at the end of the document.

"Tianshui County is safe." After reading the document, Liu Zhang showed joy on his face and handed it back to Peng Ying.

Peng Ying took the document back with a smile on his face: "How can a mere Qiang or Hu people stop General Wu's army?"

Next, Liu Zhang continued his leisure time by fishing. He did not give up the idea of ​​fishing until the sun moved westward and the afterglow of the setting sun fell on the Wei River, with the surface of the river sparkling with golden light and the still shadows sinking like a jade. Then he called Ma Dai to prepare to return to Chencang.

Soon, more than a hundred elite cavalrymen surrounded Liu Zhang and headed towards Chencang City at a leisurely pace. The Wei River was not far from Chencang, so even though the sun was about to set in the west, Liu Zhang and his party were not in a hurry.

Walking on the road, Liu Zhang looked at the wheat fields on both sides of the road that were rippling like blue waves, and a faint smile appeared on his face. Farmers are the foundation of a country. As Confucius said, if there is enough food and enough soldiers, the people will believe it.

No matter what time, food is the top priority of a country. Once a country is short of food, even the best situation will become critical. Either refugees will rise up or rebels will run rampant. In short, the country will be in chaos.

Seeing the growth of the wheat fields, Liu Zhang calculated the time and felt that the day of the expedition to Longyou was getting closer. The day of the defeat of Han Sui, the hero who had been rampant in Liangzhou for many years, was not far away. Although Han Sui's side was in a weak situation, Han Sui did not surrender. He was a tough man with a bit of heroic spirit.

When the sun set in the west and the gate of Chencang was about to close, Liu Zhang and his entourage rushed into the city.

At night, on the fifteenth day of the lunar month, the moon was extremely bright and round. The bright night light quietly poured down on the ancient city of Chencang, making the city glow with a crystal-like color.

Seeing such a beautiful scene, Liu Zhang did not fall asleep. He came to the top of Chencang City and looked out at the mountains and rivers in the distance. Under the moonlight, the Wei River south of Chencang City was sparkling like daytime, and the mountains and forests near Chencang City were even more shining, without any darkness.

"What a beautiful view." Liu Zhang exclaimed loudly. He was in a very good mood. During the day, he heard the news that the Qiang and Hu who had harassed Tianshui County had been wiped out. When he returned to the city at night, he received a letter saying that Zhang Yi, who he had sent to Jiaozhi to look for rice seeds and Jibei, had returned and brought back rice seeds and Jibei.

Rice seeds, and rice fields nurtured with high-quality rice seeds, have a yield much higher than wheat. This means that the output of the same acreage of land will be greatly increased, which can feed more people and solve the problem of famine.

Jibei means cotton. In today's world, the common people wear linen clothes in winter, which have poor warmth retention. The rich and powerful wear fur clothes. Although the warmth retention effect is good, the production of fur clothes is small and not enough to cover everyone. Cotton is produced in large quantities and has good warmth retention, so it is a relatively balanced heating tool.

If the cultivation of rice and cotton is promoted, hunger and cold will be eliminated for people all over the world.

However, if we want to promote rice and cotton, we cannot rush into it. After all, if we suddenly change the types of crops we plant, when we are not familiar with the new types of crops, we may end up with nothing at all.

Therefore, Liu Zhang planned to promote it gradually. He first designated a small piece of land in Shu County to plant and cultivate rice and cotton. After achieving certain results, he would promote it vigorously to avoid ineffective planting due to unfamiliarity.

"Industrial Revolution!" Liu Zhang looked up at the bright moon, the shadow of the moon reflected in his eyes. His eyes were bright under the reflection of the moon. Liu Zhang's ambition was not only to pacify the chaos in the world, he also had a greater dream, which was to lead the scholars and common people of the Han Dynasty to the first industrial revolution and break free from the cycle of history.

The premise of the Industrial Revolution requires an agricultural revolution. Only when agriculture is vigorously developed and the same area of ​​land can produce more people and more minds can be freed from production to think, learn and create, will there be a chance to trigger an Industrial Revolution.

Of course, what is more important is to liberate people ideologically. Otherwise, because of the promotion of rice and the increase in grain production, a large number of people will be able to leave the land, but these people will bury themselves in Confucian classics and study them all their lives. Then Liu Zhang’s work will be in vain, and Chinese history will be locked up by Confucianism and will never be able to escape.

There must be a reform to transform Confucianism into the Confucianism of Neo-Confucianism. As for the word "Li" here, it refers to the word "Li" in physics.

"Ten thousand years is too long, we must seize the day." Liu Zhang recited his teacher's words. The affairs of the world have always been so urgent. The sun and the moon are turning, and time is very tight.

……

Xudu.

Emperor Liu Xie sat in the main seat of the Mingtang. Through the gap between his crowns, he looked at Zhang Song, the envoy from Guanzhong, who was paying homage to him. After taking a clear look at Zhang Song's figure and expression, Liu Xie frowned slightly, and he was somewhat puzzled. It must be said that this envoy named Zhang Song was short in height and ugly in appearance. How could such a person be an envoy? Such a person should have no chance to serve as an official. The first word "body" was not acceptable to Zhang Song, who was required to serve as an official.

"Mr. Zhang, what is your relationship with Zhang Su?" Liu Xie thought of Zhang Su, the envoy who had come to Xu Du before, and he started talking.

Although Zhang Song was short in stature, his voice was resonant, like the sound of a huge bell. He said in a clear voice, "Your Majesty, Zhang Su is Song's brother."

"Cousin?" Liu Xie asked in confusion, or rather in an affirmative tone. After all, Zhang Su, who was tall and had a majestic appearance, could not necessarily be Zhang Song's biological brother.

"No, Zhang Su is Song's biological brother." Zhang Song replied, his voice echoing throughout the hall.

"Oh." Liu Xie nodded and responded. Zhang Song's personal confirmation did not convince Liu Xie. He showed hesitation on his face. It was unbelievable how two people with such huge differences could be born from the same mother.

However, although Zhang Song was ugly and short in stature, Liu Xie did not dislike Zhang Song. As the envoy of Grand Marshal Liu Jiyu, Zhang Song was someone he needed to win over. Liu Zhang, as a foreign vassal and a powerful one, was the security guarantee for him, the emperor who was controlled by Cao Cao.

So Liu Xie received Zhang Song warmly and had a cheerful conversation with him.

"How is the Grand Marshal these days?" Liu Xie asked about the latest situation in Guanzhong.

Zhang Song had a faint smile on his face. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, my lord is doing well recently. Guanzhong has been peaceful since we beheaded Li and Guo and wiped out the bandits."

"It is a blessing for the country to have such a virtuous person in the royal family." Liu Xie sighed and said, "It's a pity that Guanzhong has achieved peace, but Yuan Shu is causing chaos in Huainan. Considering that the Yuan family has been blessed by the country for generations and has been favored by the country, Yuan Shu actually risked the world's disapproval and committed treason, causing unrest in the world and unrest in all directions."

"Yuan Shu is plotting treason, and all four quarters are fighting against him. This shows that the people's hearts are with the Han Dynasty, and people all over the world still cherish the kindness of the Han Dynasty. Although Yuan Shu may be able to achieve his ambitions for a while, he will not be able to carry out his evil deeds in the future. Yuan Shu will be defeated this year." Zhang Song brought up the current situation and comforted Liu Xie.

Liu Xie nodded, and he said with emotion: "There are loyal ministers like Cao Sikong in the court, and loyal vassals like the Grand Marshal and Liu Jingzhou outside. In addition, the general of Jizhou, Yuan Benchu, although a member of the Yuan family, did not communicate with the traitor Yuan Shu, and even sent a letter to reprimand him. With so many wise and loyal ministers inside and outside, I feel very at ease and have no worries about Huainan."

The emperor spoke insincerely, but his tone sounded sincere. After he finished speaking, Liu Xie glanced at the attendants around him who were motionless. He thought that what he had just said would be presented to the desk of Prime Minister Cao Cao at night.

"Your Majesty's power and virtue are not like this. How come there are so many loyal and wise people in all directions?" Zhang Song attended and wished Liu Xie.

After meeting the emperor, on the second day, Zhang Song was invited by the Sikong Mansion to come to the residence of Sikong Cao Cao, who was in charge of the government and controlled the power, to prepare to meet Cao Cao, the powerful official. After announcing his identity in front of the Sikong Mansion, Zhang Song was quickly welcomed into the Sikong Mansion. Under the guidance of the servants, he met Cao Cao in the left wing of the Sikong Mansion.

"Sikong Cao." Zhang Song came in front of Cao Cao, bowed and saluted, and at the same time, glanced at Cao Cao casually, sizing up Cao Cao's figure. Cao Cao looked taller than him, but his figure was not majestic. His skin color was slightly darker, and he was inferior to him in appearance, but Cao Cao's brows were quite heroic, with a sense of heroism.

"Ziqiao, there's no need to be so polite. I've heard of your name a long time ago, but we never had the chance to meet. By the way, I've heard that Ziqiao has a photographic memory. When he was serving in Jingzhou, he made all the civil and military officials in Jingzhou unable to raise their heads. Even Liu Jingsheng sighed for him." Cao Cao had a smile on his face and a warm expression. He stepped forward and held Zhang Song's hand.

Unlike in history when Cao Cao disliked Zhang Song and even treated him with little courtesy, today when Zhang Song met Cao Cao for the first time, he was warmly received by Cao Cao. The reason for this was that the lord Liu Zhang that Zhang Song served was very different and times had changed.

Zhang Song listened to Cao Cao's words of praise, but he did not look proud at all. Instead, he felt alert. After all, Cao Cao knew everything about his service in Jingzhou, which showed how deep Cao Cao's mansion was.

"You are too kind, Sikong. You have a photographic memory, but you are just a little bit short of it. Secondly, Zhang Song is sent as an envoy to Jingzhou. However, he should be on equal terms with the civil and military officials of Jingzhou, and should not oppress them." Zhang Song said modestly.

Cao Cao's face was full of enthusiasm. He extended his hand and said, "Sir, why are you so modest? Please take a seat first."

"Thank you, Sikong." Zhang Song took a seat and bowed to Cao Cao to express his gratitude.

"Sir, you have come to Xudu to see the emperor. Is there anything else you want?" Cao Cao went straight to the point. After all, one would not come to the temple without a reason. Zhang Song's visit this time must be more than just to meet the emperor.

Zhang Song smiled faintly and said, "There is indeed one thing. Yuan Shu is plotting rebellion in Huainan. I heard that Minister Cao will send troops to attack him to show the legitimate government. My lord is willing to help and is willing to send a brigade to help Minister Cao fight the rebels."

"It is a blessing for the country that the Grand Marshal has such a heart. Just send troops to help." Cao Cao responded generously. The Yanyu area under his control was located in the center of the world. Once enemies invaded from many sides, he would be stretched thin and difficult to deal with. Now that he was going to lead troops to conquer Huainan, he naturally did not want any trouble to arise on that side. If Liu Zhang was willing to help, it meant that there was no need to worry about the west.

Therefore, Cao Cao agreed to the request of Zhang Song, the envoy of Liu Guanzhong. Although Cao Cao thought that Liu Zhang's move was just to gain a reputation of loyalty to the Han Dynasty and Guanzhong would not send any strong soldiers, it was better than nothing after all. Even if he could just do the job of holding the line and improving the situation, it was also good.

When it was time for dinner, Cao Cao set up a banquet and entertained Zhang Song with great hospitality. During the banquet, all the attendees, as scholars who were well-versed in classics, naturally had a drink or two with him. After the banquet, Cao Cao became even more enthusiastic about Zhang Song. Apart from Zhang Song's identity as an envoy from Guanzhong, the talent and learning that Zhang Song displayed at the banquet made Cao Cao feel that they had met too late.

Zhang Su and Zhang Song, both brothers are talented, and Shu is full of talented people. This was what Cao Cao thought when he saw Zhang Song off.

"Ang'er, you should interact more with Zhang Ziqiao. He is a man of great talent. You can learn a lot from him if you get to know him more." Cao Cao watched Zhang Song's departing back and gave his eldest son Cao Ang an instruction.

Cao Ang, who was tall and slender with a refined face, nodded and said, "I understand, my son." (End of this chapter)