At the end of Qin, I became a son of the plane

Chapter 515, Conflict and Reward
The first day of the Sages' Assembly ended with almost all the sages denouncing the Han nobles.

The questions raised by these sages surprised even Xu Fan. He wanted the Han Dynasty to digest the New World as soon as possible, so he was eager to let the vassals of the Han Dynasty establish vassal states in the New World, but he did not expect that workshop owners, powerful people, and even farmers and craftsmen were dissatisfied with the nobles of the Han Dynasty. Is this the first time that workshop owners and craftsmen have stepped onto the political stage of the Han Dynasty and started to fight for their own interests?

For a moment, even Xu Fan didn't know whether to be happy or sad. This situation showed that the Han Dynasty's industry was extremely prosperous, and the power of workshop owners and craftsmen had been greatly strengthened. They now wanted to make a difference in politics and change the Han Dynasty according to their own ideas. At this stage, workshop owners were obviously one of the advanced forces, at least more advanced than the Han Dynasty's aristocracy.

But it is clear that the power of the Han nobles at this time was at its peak. It can even be said that because of him, the power of the Han feudal nobles was greatly strengthened, almost restored to the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Most of the wealth, land, military and political power of the Han Dynasty were in the hands of the Han nobles. All officers above the rank of lieutenant in the Han Dynasty were nobles, and most of the fifty-four county governors in the Han Dynasty were nobles.

It can be said that the power of the Han nobles is far beyond the challenge of these workshop owners, and Xu Fan also needs the power of the nobles to transform this still barbaric world. In fact, the importance of the nobles to the Han Dynasty is far greater than that of the workshop owners.

The workshop owners in history had a mixed bag of advantages and disadvantages in their transformation of the world, and even from a civilizational perspective, they were extremely unsuccessful. Although they established a global market, they also brought war and killing to major civilizations around the world, so much so that there is a saying that they are born with blood. Moreover, they have never established effective rule in the local area. When their strength declined, these merchants quickly returned to their homelands, leaving a mess around the world. If they had not brutally massacred the local people in the Northern Yin Continent and the Southern Continent, they would have been driven out.

Although the nobles were not much better off, the lands they were granted were theirs. It was impossible for the local nobles to do anything that would cut off their descendants and affect their rule. Once they had taken root, they would not leave. The merchants, on the other hand, did not care. They would do anything as long as there was profit.

That night Xu Fan invited Kuai Che, Qin Bo and Wu Yue to the Yan Palace.

Xu Fan sincerely apologized: "I was so eager to digest the New World that I neglected the interests of the Han people."

But soon Xu Fan said: "The court is giving out gold and silver mines now not to give these wealth to the princes of the Han Dynasty, but to help the princes keep the land of the New World. The princes have their own land, and they will settle down in the New World and build the New World into the new home of the Han Dynasty. The gold and silver mines are just a trigger."

Then Xu Fan looked at Kuai Che and said, "If the merchants go to the New World, I am sure they will do anything to get the gold and silver from the New World, and even risk losing the New World to collect the wealth. As long as the wealth can be obtained, the merchants will not care who owns the New World. But the merchants may not care, but the court cannot."

Kuai Che said: "Your Majesty, how can you blame us for something that didn't happen?"

Because this is something that has already happened in history. Portugal and Spain, although they plundered the gold and silver of the New World, lost their territory and became second-rate countries. Even Australia was beaten back to its original form, and a huge empire on which the sun never sets was turned into a small island country. However, the Ice Country, which had the strongest feudal power among all industrialized countries, ended up retaining the most territory when it shrank.

Xu Fan smiled calmly and said, "If you can also place your foundation in the New World, I can reserve some gold and silver mines for you to manage."

Kuai Che could only smile bitterly. The emperor was hitting their soft spot. The New World had nothing. In the past few decades, it could only provide a commodity market and a source of raw materials. The foundation of these merchants was the workshops of the Han Dynasty. It was impossible for them to abandon the Han Dynasty and settle in the New World. No matter how great the benefits of the New World were, they could not be as great as the benefits of the Han Dynasty.

Then Xu Fan looked at Qin Bo and Wu Yue and said, "If you call on the people of the Han Dynasty to go to the New World, the court will thank you for your actions. I can issue a land law. Every farmer and craftsman who goes to the New World can get 500 acres of land. The court can provide planting, oxen and farm tools, and even send officials to organize the people to settle and cultivate the land."

If people like Qin Bo and Wu Yue could mobilize 100,000 farmers to settle in the New World, Xu Fan would be willing to confer the title of marquis of ten thousand households on them.

Wu Yue said: "Your Majesty, if you don't think about the future, you will worry about the present. The people are unwilling to go to the New World this year, but that doesn't mean they won't want to go to the New World in the future. The population of the Han Dynasty is increasing by more than 200 million people every year, which is equivalent to an increase of 100 million families every year. If half of them are farmers, the court will have to reclaim 5000 million mu of land every year. Otherwise, it will be difficult to maintain the current equal-field system. The New World has tens of trillions of mu of land. If it is distributed equally to the people of the Han Dynasty, the equal-field system of the Han Dynasty can last for a hundred years. My farm family is also willing to go ahead for the farmers of the Han Dynasty and open up the New World."

Wu Yue simply felt that the imperial court could not give all the benefits of the New World to the nobles and princes, but should also leave some land for the people of the world.

Qin Bo said: "Your Majesty, the power of the Han nobles is already very strong. The court can no longer let them grow like this. Although you have the prestige to suppress them, it will be difficult for the kings after you. If the New World is all territories of princes, it will not be a good thing for the Han Dynasty. The court must have its own power in the New World, and this power must be able to suppress the princes."

Xu Fan nodded and said, "I understand."

The three were about to leave. Xu Fan called Chen Zhen to see them off and said to him, "Arrange a few people to watch over Master Kuai during this time and don't let anyone mess around."

Chen Zhen said: "Yes."

Just as Xu Fan expected, the three of them were surrounded by a group of Han nobles as soon as they left the Yan Palace.

Cao Xing said coldly: "Kuai Xianzhe, you have done so much for the Han Dynasty, and you have shed so much blood, yet you think that we are not worthy of occupying the New World. Are you worthy?"

What happened at this year's Sages' Conference was not only beyond Xu Fan's expectations, but also beyond the expectations of the feudal lords and nobles of the Han Dynasty. If it were not for the temptation of gold and silver mines, they would not even want to go to a wild place like the New World.

But they never expected that before the new world was opened up, someone would fight for it. Some even thought they occupied too much. This made the nobles of the Han Dynasty furious. We can choose not to go to the new world, but you can't stop us from going to the new world. I really don't know who is the master of the world. I really think that I am the master of the world just because I have become a sage.

Kuai She said expressionlessly, "I didn't say that. I just think that the New World also has a share for the Han people like us, and I have also contributed to the current prosperity of the Han Dynasty. I pay more than 5000 million yuan in taxes to the court every year, and my subordinates' workshops support thousands of Han people. The emperor has always said that power and responsibility are equal. I pay so much tax, so shouldn't I be able to fight for my rights?"

Qin Bo said: "We sages have the right to propose any proposal in the Sage Han. What do you want to do by surrounding us like this? You should know that the emperor is watching us."

Pang Yuan said, "Qin Bo, this is none of your business. The emperor said that we should conquer the world and rule the world. He was just worried that the world would fall into the hands of these people. Now we find that the emperor is really far-sighted. They hid in the back when we were conquering the world, but they were very active when we were fighting for the world. If the world really fell into the hands of these profiteers, how could it be good! You even shamelessly say that you support thousands of Han people. It is obvious that thousands of Han people support profiteers like you. How many of the silks and satins you are wearing were woven by yourself."

At this time, Chen Zhen brought a team of guards to isolate Kuai Che and others, and then he walked to Cao Xing and said, "Cao Guanling, His Majesty has already instructed that no problems should be caused to Kuai Xianzhe and others. Please don't make things difficult for us."

Cao Xing said: "We just want to have a discussion with Kuai Xianzhe and his men. Everyone can testify that we have no other actions."

"Yes, we can all testify. Lao Cao is just standing here and saying a few words. Isn't this also not allowed? Aren't you, the Weiwei, meddling too much?"

"These people are talking without any concern. They only see that the princes of our Han Dynasty are so powerful, but they never thought that this land has not been developed by us for decades of hard work, and is still a wild land. How many princes of the Han Dynasty work as hard as farmers? Look at our wise man Kuai Che, who claims to represent the people of Changsha County, but how many people would wear silk and satin like him? The emperor said to come from the people and go to the people. Even the emperor often goes deep into the fields. I wonder if our wise man Kuai Che can recognize all the five grains? Such a person who has never farmed can represent the people. This wise man is just like that." The other feudal lords of the Han Dynasty laughed at him. If this was not outside the emperor's bedroom, they would have clasped their fists to Kuai Che. A businessman dared to talk about them, the princes. If he really made some money, he thought his status could be the same as theirs.

At this moment, Xu Aimin ran out and said, "Uncle Cao, father invites you in."

Cao Xing immediately bowed and said, "I dare not ask the prince to invite me."

Then some of them entered the Yan Palace.

Seeing that there were more than 30 feudal lords blocking Kuai Che, Xu Fan said with an unpleasant expression: "What are you trying to do? You want to beat up the sages of the Han Dynasty in front of me. You have no shame, but I still have some."

Cao Xing immediately said, "Your Majesty has taught us for many years, so we will not do anything illegal. We just want justice. Our titles were obtained through bloody battles. In the past twenty years since the founding of the Han Dynasty, we have been conscientious in handling government affairs. Under your Majesty's wise leadership, the Han Dynasty is now prosperous. We dare not say that we have made contributions, but we have worked hard. Your Majesty has seen our contributions and hard work, and wants to reward us with vassal states. What is his identity, but he dares to question you. If it weren't for the Han officials stopping him, he would not be able to leave this Yan Palace today."

Pang Yuan even said: "This year, Kuai Che is trying to stop us from becoming princes. This is a slap in the face of your majesty."

"Yes, Kuai She is nothing but a defeated general. He has achieved his current glory and wealth thanks to your favor. Even so, he still dares to make irresponsible remarks about your orders. He simply does not know the difference between superiors and subordinates. Your Majesty, you should not treat them well. These profiteers take advantage of the court and make a fortune. The court collects too little tax from them."

Hearing this, Xu Fan said coldly: "Nonsense, the sages are the representatives of the Han people, and they play the role of conveying the voice of the people. Their proposals can naturally be submitted to the sage Han. The development of any country is impossible without contradictions, but as long as we face up to contradictions and find ways to resolve them, it is the long-term way for the country to develop. If we turn a blind eye to contradictions and turn a deaf ear to them, the accumulation of contradictions will become more and more intense and eventually out of control.

Isn't that what happened in the Qin Empire? Can you say that the First Emperor didn't know that there were undercurrents in the Qin Empire? The conflicts were extremely intense? He must have known, otherwise he wouldn't have made so many tours. He wanted to suppress the conflicts in this way, but it backfired. In the end, the conflicts he suppressed erupted like a volcano and buried the Qin Empire along with it."

"It's the same for you today. The dissatisfaction of the sages with you is the dissatisfaction of the people of the Han Dynasty with you. You should find a way to resolve this conflict instead of intensifying it in Chang'an City."

Cao Xing said dejectedly: "Then I can't wait to go to the New World. These people really think it's a good thing to go to the wilderness to open up a vassal state."

Xu Fan said: "The more you go now, the more you must make achievements, so that people in the world can see that you are not the princes of the Han Dynasty to enjoy life, but to open up a homeland for the descendants of the Han Dynasty. What you do is beneficial to the country and the people, instead of saying such discouraging words here. Instead of arguing with them here, you might as well prepare to go to the New World."

After Xu Fan's persuasion, Cao Xing and others left.

On October 20th, the 22nd year of the Han calendar, the princes held a meeting at Zhangtai Palace.
There are a lot of people attending the Han Dynasty's meeting of princes this year, including dozens of Han Dynasty's feudal lords. After all, this year the court is holding the largest enfeoffment ceremony in the past ten years. The Han Dynasty will have more than a dozen nobles, and it is even possible that dozens of feudal lords will be transformed into princes.

Xu Fan said, "This year, the Han Dynasty is peaceful. No matter east, west, south or north, there are only minor disasters, no major natural disasters. Everywhere we go, we have a good harvest, and taxes are increasing rapidly. It can be said that the weather is good and the harvest is good. The biggest thing, even the thing that will go down in history, is that the two fleets of the Han Dynasty have completed a round-the-world trip, proving that the earth we live on is a huge sphere and that everyone lives on a huge planet."

Wei Bao, the Prince of Liang, said: "It is only because of the Holy Emperor that such a prosperous era can be achieved. Otherwise, how could the New World appear? In my opinion, the greatest contributor to the circumnavigation of the world is your Majesty."

Everyone looked at Wei Bao with contempt. It was really amazing that he flattered someone like this.

Xu Fan said calmly: "In our Han Dynasty, meritorious service must be rewarded, and faults must be punished. This year, with the help of the meeting of princes, I will also do the rewarding thing. This can also encourage people all over the world to continue to make contributions for me."

The military supervisor, General Ji Xin, stepped out and bowed, saying, "Commander Liu Bi is the first meritorious official in the circumnavigation of the world, and he can be made a marquis. Commander Xu Lu is the second meritorious official, and he can be made an earl. The remaining 22 soldiers with great merit can be made barons and viscounts. I respectfully present this to your majesty for your inspection."

After Ji Xinfeng finished speaking, the reward letter was brought to Xu Fan by the attendant. Xu Fan opened it and saw that it basically glorified the meritorious deeds of Liu Bi and Xu Lu.

After Xu Fan nodded his approval of the rewards arranged by the Taiwei Mansion, Ji Xin said, "Respect the Emperor's order to confer the title of Marquis of Bowang on Commander Liu Bi, with a fief of 10,000 households, and the opportunity to build the Bowang Kingdom in the New World; confer the title of Earl of Yuanwang on Commander Xu Lu, with a fief of 5,000 households, and the opportunity to build the Yuanwang Kingdom in the New World; and confer the title of Viscount on Meng Ju, with a fief of 1,000 households~~~~."

Next are some barons and viscounts. These low-level titles are basically honorary titles. The Han Dynasty court will give them rewards for their meritorious service every year. It is not as good as the title of a feudal lord, but it also has its benefits. In the court's promotion sequence, these meritorious officials are also among the priority for promotion.

Then these newly enfeoffed nobles were seated according to their titles.

Xu Fan smiled and said to the princes around him: "This round-the-world trip, proving that the earth is spherical is secondary, the most important thing is to find the overseas descendants of our Chinese, a branch of the Shang Dynasty that fled to the New World, and invite Prince Guyu to the palace."

The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became quiet, and even a little awkward. The emperor's ability to find the bloodlines of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors was getting stronger and stronger. Now he could even find the bloodline of the Shang Dynasty in the New World, which was 20,000 miles away from the Han Dynasty. They could only admire him.

The attendant brought Guyu to the palace. After more than half a year of studying in the Han Dynasty, he put on Han Chinese clothing and saluted Xu Fan according to Han etiquette, saying, "Your servant Guyu pays respect to the Emperor of the Han Dynasty."

This process surprised the princes of the Han Dynasty. Liu Bang whispered to Cao Shen, "I really believe that Prince Guyu is a Han Chinese. They are more like us Han Chinese than the Xiongnu. It seems that this Huaxia heritage may be true."

The Han Dynasty's Chang'an City can be described as a melting pot of all nations, because not only was the Silk Road opened up, but the Maritime Silk Road as well. People from all over Central Asia, Southeast Asia, India, and even the Qinzhou and the natives of Yanzhou appeared in Chang'an City. There were tens of thousands of people of all races in the entire Chang'an City, and more than 100,000 people in the entire Guanzhong area. Chang'an City became an international metropolis thousands of years ahead of schedule.

It can be said that these foreign races are completely different from the Han people at first glance, but the people in the New World wear clothes that are exactly the same as those of the Han people.

Not only Liu Bang, but other Han princes were also amazed. No wonder the emperor found a descendant of the Shang Dynasty for these people in the New World. These people were no different from the Han people.

(End of this chapter)