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

Chapter 537: Friendship First, Competition Second, and Industrial Chain Transfer

October 27th, the 29th year of the Han calendar.

The competition between the Xiongnu and Pei State was held in the largest football stadium in Chang'an, which attracted more than 30,000 Han people to watch. After all, it was the first time for the people of Chang'an City to watch the competition between the two major vassal states at close range.

Based on the principle of not wanting the conflict to escalate further, Xu Fan allowed the contestants on both sides to wear leather armor and use unsharpened iron swords as weapons, roughly following the rules of later fencing. He also arranged four referees nearby to prevent accidents.

Liu Ying said with some worry: "Father, are you really going to let my eldest brother go into battle like this? Although my eldest brother is incredibly strong, this Xiongnu envoy doesn't look like a good person either."

The Hun envoy was nearly eight feet tall, with broad shoulders and a thick waist, and a long scar on his face. He was obviously a warrior who had experienced many battles.

Liu Bang said: "This is Chang'an City. The Huns dare not mess around. Besides, the Huns can't even beat you, Liu Chang, so they have no face to continue to care about this matter."

Then Liu Bang said proudly: "You must also have confidence in your brother. He is born with great strength and extraordinary martial arts. I have only seen such a natural general in Your Majesty and Xiang Yu. A mere Xiongnu envoy cannot be your brother's opponent."

The Xiongnu envoy saw Liu Chang and sneered, "You are still a child. If you surrender now, I will not beat you."

Liu Chang snorted coldly: "My father taught you Huns a lesson in Parthia, and today I will teach you Huns a lesson in Chang'an."

The Xiongnu envoy was furious and said, "You are seeking death."

The Xiongnu envoy rushed towards Liu Chang, intending to teach him a lesson, but he was surprised to find that Liu Chang's sword was faster than his.

"Dang!" The long swords of both sides collided, and the Hun envoy was knocked back several steps, and the hand holding the sword was numb from the shock.

Liu Chang said contemptuously: "Your sword has no power at all. I think so. In a poor country like the Xiongnu, it would be difficult for you to have enough food. No wonder you Xiongnu only know how to invade other countries."

The Hun envoys rushed forward again.

"Dang, dang!" The two sides chopped each other's swords again, but the Hun envoy's sword was cut off directly. Before the Hun envoy could react, Liu Chang grabbed the Hun's shoulder with one hand, passed his other hand through the Hun's crotch, and directly lifted the Hun up. Then he turned around three times and threw the Hun off the stage before the Hun envoy could react.

"Bravo!" The audience cheered for Liu Chang's victory.

Although Liu Chang did not let the people of Chang'an City see how superb his swordsmanship was, they instead saw his powerful strength and won the victory with absolute advantage. Especially since he was not even eighteen years old, this made the people of Chang'an City even more amazed.

The Huns do not have a good reputation in Chang'an City. The Qin Dynasty stationed 300,000 troops on the border to guard against the Huns. The Han Dynasty also fought with the Huns for several years. Although Xu Fan promoted the Han-Huns relationship, the Huns still did not have a good reputation in Chang'an City. Liu Chang was able to vent the anger of the millions of Chang'an people.

Xu Aimin, who was standing by, was surprised and said, "This Liu Chang is a natural born warrior."

The Hun envoy looked murderous and was obviously a veteran who had experienced many battles, but he did not expect that he would be defeated so easily by Liu Chang.

Zhang Pijiang said regretfully, "After the emergence of firearms, the role of fierce generals has been reduced by half. The famous generals in the future will be those who can flexibly use firearms. However, the prince can recruit Liu Chang. He is the seed of the future Weiwei and can protect the prince's safety."

Xu Aimin nodded. As the crown prince of the Han Dynasty, he naturally had to form his own team.

However, Xu Aimin looked at the lively scene around him and said, "This method is a good way to resolve disputes among the princes. There is no need for bloodshed and no need to escalate conflicts. In the future, if there are conflicts among the princes, they can use this method to compete. The winner will gain the people's livelihood and the loser will gain benefits. They can also each bring an army to Chang'an City to conduct an exercise and competition."

After the defeat, the Hun envoy had no face to continue shouting, but Liu Bang still compensated him with 100 cannons and 500 flintlock rifles. What made the Hun envoy even more unsettled was that the Han Dynasty also gave him 60 yuan, saying it was the ticket fee for the day of the competition. He also said something like friendship first, competition second, and the ticket fee would be compensated to the loser.

What is this? Using money to keep your mouth shut?

But it has to be said that the Hun envoys really fell for this trick. 60 yuan was equivalent to the income of the Hun envoy for several years. It allowed him to fully arm 100 guards. With these weapons and equipment, he could return to report. Although he lost face, he also got something in return.

The Peihou Mansion was extremely lively at this time, and all of Liu Bang's sons were celebrating.

Liu Ying patted Liu Chang on the shoulder and said, "Brother, you are truly a talented young man in our Liu family. Why don't you follow me to Pei State? I will let you be the general of Pei State and command the army of Pei State."

Liu Chang's eyes lit up. He was a student at the Military Academy and he still had one year to graduate. But now the Han army had been regularized. Even students who graduated from the Military Academy could only be team leaders or garrison commanders, and it was extremely difficult to get promoted. His third brother Liu Ruyi went to the New World, where he could be promoted first. He was only a military marquis until now, and it would take more than ten years to be promoted to a captain. If he went to Pei State, he could become a general and directly command thousands of troops.

But Liu Bang said: "Your eldest brother is still young, it would be better for him to gain experience in the Han Dynasty."

Liu Ying said with some resentment: "Father, I also want to be with my brothers. You are with my brothers in Chang'an, and Pei State doesn't feel like my home anymore."

Liu Bang looked at Liu Ying, who looked resentful, and said helplessly: "Pei State is so small. If you brothers want to have a better future, staying in the Han Dynasty is the best choice. If they can make contributions, they may be granted the title of princes."

Liu Bang saw this very clearly. If his son stayed in Pei State, he could only become a rich man at most, and he could not really extend his favor to Pei State.

However, the Han Dynasty still had the North and South Yinzhou to develop. If his sons had any talent, there was a great possibility that they could become princes. Even if they were not, it would be better for them to stay in the Han Dynasty than in Pei State.

Liu Bang made arrangements for his sons. Liu Fei is an official in the Han Dynasty and is now an official with a salary of 2000 stones. However, this son is very honest and has a very weak character. Whether he can become an official with a salary of stones depends on luck.

The third son, Ruyi, has been an officer in the New World for five years. He is now a military marquis and will become a military secretary in another five years. The 5 years of experience he has accumulated in the New World will allow him to be promoted to a captain first. As for the rank of lieutenant general or even general, it depends on luck.

The fourth son, Liu Heng, is now an assistant professor at Mozi Academy. If he really learns well, his Liu family might even produce an academic master, which means he has a bright future.

As for the fifth son Liu Hui, the sixth son Liu You, and the eighth son Liu Jian, they were still studying in the academy and had not shown any talent. Liu Bang planned to give them some shares and let them become rich in Chang'an City. With the eldest son taking care of them, nothing would happen. But Liu Chang surprised Liu Bang a little. He actually gave birth to a powerful general.

At this time, Liu Fei comforted him, "Brother Ying, you can also come to Chang'an City often to visit everyone. Now that the railway is open, it will not take a few days to get from Peiguo to Chang'an City."

Liu Ying could only nod in disappointment. Even though he had asked his mother in Pei State, Lü Zhi firmly disagreed with Liu Bang's other sons coming to Pei State. The Han Dynasty had already extended favors to several vassal states, among which Zhao Tuo, the King of Nanyue, was forced to abdicate by the court. Nanyue was divided into six, and the largest vassal state in the south was thus broken up by the court.

Lu Zhi was worried that Liu Ying would take her brothers back, so the court also used this method to deal with Pei State. Although Pei State was a marquisate, it also had a territory of 3,000 miles and was also the largest country in Liaodong.

At this time, the housekeeper of Peihou Mansion came to report: "My Lord, the second son of Han State is here to visit."

Liu Bang said, "Please let someone in."

At this time, Zhang Pijiang saw Liu Bang bowing and said, "Zhang Pijiang greets the old Marquis of Pei."

Liu Bang smiled and said, "If I had listened to your advice that day, there wouldn't have been so much trouble."

Zhang Pijiang smiled and said, "The old marquis is a man of character. Even if he knew that this matter would cause trouble, he would still do it. It is the younger generation who said too much."

Liu Bang laughed and said, "You really understand me."

Zhang Pijiang continued, "I have recruited Young Master Liu Chang as the Crown Prince's personal guard, responsible for protecting the Crown Prince's safety."

When Liu Bang heard this, he pulled Liu Chang and said excitedly: "I will leave this kid to the care of the prince." November 7, the 29th year of the Han calendar.

Xu Aimin officially became the Right Inspector of Taxation and began to take office.

The tax supervision office meeting room.

Xu Aimin said to Li Shang, the supervisor, "My father has allowed me to study under my uncle. I hope you will teach me."

Li Shang had a headache. The prince was observing government affairs in his own government office. This meant that the future emperor was working under him. It didn't matter if he taught well or poorly. He was in a dilemma.

Li Shang thought for a moment and said, "Crown Prince."

Xu Aimin said: "I am now the right commander of the tax bureau, not the crown prince. Please ask the commander to give me the task."

Li Shang thought for a moment and said, "Our tax supervisory office is related to the finances of the Han Dynasty. We have a heavy tax collection task. We have to study tax policies, publicize tax laws, and also do tax collection, tax audits and other related work. As soon as the Right Commander arrives at our tax supervisory office, he should first familiarize himself with government affairs."

Xu Aimin said: "Yes!"

After leaving the prison warden's office, a clerk walked up to Xu Aimin and said, "Your humble servant Guan He pays his respects to the crown prince."

Xu Aimin frowned and said, "When you are on duty, you are called an official."

Guan Hema said: "Yes!"

November 17th, the 29th year of the Han calendar.

Chang'an City, Brothers Textile Factory.

Xu Aimin brought a group of tax collectors to the factory to monitor the tax situation, and the factory's accountant took out the account books and handed them over to them for inspection.

The tax inspectors of the Han Dynasty not only learned from the Hope Country in armed tax collection, but also in accounting. In order to reduce labor costs, the tax inspectors asked major factories to declare taxes themselves. The tax inspectors conducted random inspections. If they found that the taxes were inconsistent, they would charge a fine of 10 to 50 times more, which could generally bankrupt a factory.

In addition, tax supervision generally focuses on monitoring large factories, which can have a good deterrent effect, so very few people dare to evade taxes.

At this stage, the combat effectiveness of tax supervision is still very strong. The efficiency of tax collection will be enhanced every once in a while, and tax loopholes will be quickly filled.

Guan He introduced to Xu Aimin: "Ling Jun, Brothers Textile Factory is now the largest textile factory in Chang'an. It has five factories specializing in weaving various kinds of cloth, and a special garment manufacturing factory with 3000 employees. The annual output value exceeds 5 million coins, and the annual tax paid exceeds hundreds of millions of coins. It is one of the top ten factories in Chang'an City. The most important thing is that most of the employees in this factory are women, which has solved the employment problems of a large number of women. It has been repeatedly commended by the court and is our star factory in Chang'an."

Xu Aimin nodded and said, "I am more familiar with this factory."

At this moment, the factory director Ai Qiang came over and asked in surprise when he saw Xu Aimin: "Prince?"

Xu Aimin said with a smile: "Brother Ai Qiang, I am a tax collector now."

At the beginning, Xu Fan often inspected the Brothers Textile Factory, and even used this factory as a benchmark to expand in Chang'an City and set up more collective workshops. At that time, Xu Fan also often brought Xu Aimin here, and the two sides were very familiar with each other.

Then Xu Aimin sighed and said, "Brother Ai Qiang, you are amazing. Almost all the textile factories in Chang'an City are closing down, but you are able to keep the textile factories running with such a high minimum salary. This is something that most people don't have."

Ai Qiang could only smile bitterly and said, "I am also struggling to make a living, I can't really let the women in Chang'an City lose a job."

In the past two years, the Mohist school has also been reflecting on whether the minimum salary standard was set too high. The current minimum salary standard for female textile workers in Chang'an City is 2300 coins, but no one is willing to hire female textile workers in Chang'an City at this price. There were hundreds of textile factories of all sizes in Chang'an City at the beginning, and three industrial zones were needed to accommodate these textile workshops. Chang'an produces more than 700 million pieces of various cloths each year, and is still moving towards the number of tens of millions. There are hundreds of thousands of female workers in the entire textile industry chain who can make a living by their skills.

But all this ended with the increase in the minimum salary standard. The textile factories in Chang'an City fled one after another and went to other areas of Guanzhong, or simply left Guanzhong. Now the annual production of cloth in Chang'an City does not exceed one million pieces. The original textile center has disappeared without a trace.

Xu Aimin said: "In my father's words, this is the inevitable pain brought about by industrial upgrading. Although the income of female workers in Chang'an City is lower, the income of female workers in other parts of the Han Dynasty is higher. In general, the benefits obtained by craftsmen have become greater, and the total wealth of society is increasing."

Of course, the pain of such reforms still had to be borne by the female textile workers in Chang'an. Because they lost a large number of jobs, a large number of Chang'an female workers had to go back to take care of their husbands and children. The status of the female workers who had lost their economic source naturally and inevitably declined.

Fortunately, in this era, the craftsmen of the Han Dynasty had high incomes. Even if one craftsman worked alone, he could support a family and live a relatively wealthy life.

At the same time, industrial upgrading also brought new jobs. Women in Chang'an were relatively the most educated, and they began to actively engage in the medical industry, becoming doctors and nurses, and in the education industry, becoming kindergarten teachers and primary school teachers. At the same time, although the textile industry in Chang'an City declined, the clothing industry began to rise again. A large number of garment processing factories could earn relatively generous profits, and they could afford even relatively high salaries.

Chang'an City is the place that leads the clothing trends of the entire Han Dynasty. Under Xu Fan's suggestion, several clothing factories in the Han Dynasty would unite every year to hold a fashion show to sell clothing to the people of the entire Chang'an City.

Of course, Chang'an City is relatively conservative, and most of the clothes on the fashion show are daily wear for female and male workers.

Luoyang City is relatively open, and it has been the capital of the Zhou royal family for hundreds of years. Their fashion shows are mostly court wear and aristocratic wear, targeting the middle and high-end people in the Han Dynasty.

Ai Qiang said: "During this period, our brother textile factory has also been upgrading its industry, producing higher-end cloth, opening a clothing factory, and making clothing that is more suitable for craftsmen."

Xu Aimin gave him a thumbs up and said, "Brother Ai Qiang is amazing. You have made a small textile factory bigger and stronger, and it has become one of the top 100 factories in the Han Dynasty."

But Ai Qiang sighed and said, "The competition in the textile industry is too great. My Mo family thought that this collective workshop model could be quickly developed in the Han Dynasty, but under the competition from those private textile workshops, a large number of my Mo family's collective workshops have closed down. It is easy to get thousands of soldiers, but it is difficult to get a general. In the fiercely competitive clothing and textile industry, any wrong decision may cause a factory to close down."

Mohists have discovered that in a fully competitive industry such as the textile industry, there are not many technical barriers, but rather higher requirements for marketing and management.
This is not the Mohist school's area of ​​expertise, and even they would find it difficult to compete with private workshops. More importantly, the talents that the Mohist school has cultivated with great difficulty can easily become independent.

Now Mohism has basically given up on developing in the textile industry, and instead is concentrating on expanding in industries with strong technological barriers, which are more suitable for Mohism's development.

At the same time, the elites of the Mohist School also gathered in Chen County, Jiujiang County, and Hengshan County to complete the reform pilot projects with the Legalists and the Agricultural School. But even in this idealistic era, the elites of the Mohist School were extremely limited. They went to the Jianghuai region, and their power in Chang'an City weakened. There was nothing they could do about it.

Xu Aimin's eyes lit up and he said, "Brother Ai Qiang, how is the effect after the Chenjun pilot was expanded?"

Ai Qiang said: "The results are extremely significant. Not to mention the prosperous Chen County, Jiujiang County and Hengshan County have joined the pilot program. Not only has the income of local residents doubled in five years, but the county government's income has more than tripled. The two places were originally agricultural counties, but after several years of pilot projects, the two places have joined the Han Dynasty's industrial chain and are rapidly industrializing. Now they are going to build a steel plant and plan to use machinery manufacturing as a new pilot direction."

Xu Aimin was surprised and said: "The pilot project has such a good effect, why doesn't the court promote it comprehensively?"

He still remembered the Chen County he had seen almost ten years ago. It was a place with strict rule of law and order. It could be said to be his ideal Han Dynasty.

Ai Qiang said: "There are not enough talents. If we want to industrialize, industrialization requires a lot of talents. It is not that factories will be built and industries will flourish as soon as the court says reform. The agricultural society model is difficult to adapt to the development of industrialization. However, our Han Dynasty is very short of industrial talents. Therefore, after nearly 30 years of industrial development, only a dozen counties can become industrial counties."

Xu Aimin was disappointed when he heard this.

(End of this chapter)