I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 581 The First Step of Sinicization

Zao Zhi said to Xun Yue: "In fact, in my opinion, manure is as important as seeds. In addition, the manure pits used to place manure must be carefully kept away from ignorant children."

Xun Yue was not impatient with Zao Zhi's detailed instructions. On the contrary, he admired Zao Zhi, who was devoted to the fields and knew everything about farming.

While the two were talking, a county official seized the opportunity to come to Xun Yue. After whispering for a while, Xun Yue understood what had happened.

When Zao Zhi raised his head from looking at the wheat seedlings, he suddenly heard Xun Yue say, "Two Xianbei leaders who came to pay homage to the court passed by here. They are very interested in the high-yield wheat. Would you like to meet them? These two are the sons of Tan Shihuai."

Zao Zhi was not a meddlesome person, but when he saw Xun Yue specifically mentioned Tan Shihuai, and after these days of contact he also understood that Xun Yue was a pragmatic person, he immediately agreed.

Xun Yue reminded him, "Zao Jun could talk to the two of them more about the higher grain yields in our Han Dynasty compared to previous years, and the direction of the per-acre yield gains in recent years."

After hearing this, Zao Zhi understood Xun Yue's intention.

Although Zao Zhi is good at hands-on work, he is definitely not weak when it comes to talking.

However, except for the time when he was teaching agricultural science and literature at Hongdumen School, his eloquence had never been fully utilized.

Now, he has another chance.

Budugen felt a little dizzy as he listened. The most he knew about was the farming affairs in the northern border. He knew that the most commonly grown crops in the northern areas near the border were wheat and corn.

As for what Zao Zhi said about the rice-wheat rotation in the Jianghuai area, two crops a year, and even three crops a year in more southern areas... Although he didn't understand the reason, Budugen's heart was filled with huge waves, especially after learning that more rice-wheat rotation had been promoted in recent years.

Budugen, who was willing to understand the Han people, was like this, let alone Fu Hanluo. He listened to all that Zao Zhi said about increasing grain production, and in the end only one sentence remained in his mind - the Han people are really amazing!
But I didn't care much in my heart.

After meeting Zao Zhi, Budugen saw what Fu Hanluo was thinking, and found Fu Hanluo in the evening and asked, "Brother Zhong, don't you have any ideas today?"

Fu Hanluo said indifferently: "It's just a trick the Han people use to scare us, just like when we were in Bingzhou before."

After listening to this, Budugen said to Fu Hanluo with a helpless look on his face: "Brother Zhong, you and I are now living under someone else's roof. If the Han people want to kill us, they only need one soldier. Do they have to lie to us?"

"You must know that we will soon be trading with the Han people, exchanging what we have and what we don't have. In addition to livestock and goods, we will also exchange news... What we have seen these days is a major trend, so we can't panic!"

"So do you understand? With the increase in grain production, the Han people can train more brave soldiers and raise more fatter and stronger war horses."

"We Xianbei people should also learn from the Han people just like the Xiongnu people!"

Fu Hanluo looked at Bu Dugen in shock: "You..."

But he kept talking for a long time, and apart from mentioning his father, he didn't know how to refute, because everything Budugen said made sense.

Finally, he asked, "When you were in Bingzhou, you wore Han Chinese clothes. Was that intentional?"

Budugen shook his head: "At that time, I was really afraid of assassins."

Fu Hanluo: ... Budugen said to Fu Hanluo sincerely: "Brother Zhong, I need you to help me!"

After saying that, he looked at Fu Hanluo expectantly.

This was an opportunity he gave Fu Hanluo. If Fu Hanluo showed any sign of refusal, he would decisively ask Qian Zhao to keep Fu Hanluo in Luoyang. As for Fu Hanluo's troops, he would not annex them, but his nephew Xie Guini would support him.

"You're right, times have changed." Fu Hanluo sighed, "Do you know why I was willing to come to Luoyang with you instead of leading my troops away after losing to you?"

"Because I'm afraid. My troops can't stop the Han people from going out of the border to encircle and suppress us. But the most fertile pastures are mostly near the border..."

"I'll support you!"

Fu Hanluo stretched out his hand, which was held tightly by Bu Dugen.

Bu Dugen promised: "Brother Zhong, you will never regret your decision today!"

"From now on, your reputation among the Xianbei tribes will be no less than that of our father!"

Three days later, the group arrived in Luoyang, which was considered the world's number one city at that time.

Qian Zhao did not forget to introduce them: "Luoyang City is divided into two cities, the inner and outer cities. The outer city has no city walls. In recent years, as the population of Luoyang has increased, it has continued to expand."

"There is another reason why Luoyang did not have a city wall. That is, no enemy soldiers could reach Luoyang alive... Oh, except for the prisoners."

As he spoke, Qian Zhao was no longer surprised by the shocked expressions of the Xianbei people. These days, it was hard for anyone who arrived in Luoyang for the first time not to be shocked by its prosperity.

Qian Zhao proudly introduced: "The population under the jurisdiction of Henan Yin is over 1.3 million, of which more than 500,000 live in the inner and outer cities of Luoyang."

Half a million?
When Budugen heard this number, he and Fu Hanluo looked at each other instinctively.

He suddenly felt a little confused. How did he dare to fight against the Han people in the past?
In his father's era, how incompetent must the "adults" who led the Han people be to be suppressed and beaten by his father?
But Budugen didn't dare to ask, and naturally no one told him the answer.

When Budugen was led by Qian Zhao to pay homage to the majestic Han emperor, and then was specially summoned by the emperor to inquire about the customs and habits of his tribe, Budugen felt his legs go weak when he left the palace.

He couldn't help but ask Qian Zhao with emotion: "I was already amazed by the magnificent and exquisite houses in and around Luoyang City, but after entering the palace, I realized what magnificent means. Especially the two huge bronze bells in front of the Yuntai Palace. Oh, and the bronze man in front of the palace gate..."

After hearing this, Qian Zhao couldn't help but complain in his heart - since the current emperor ascended the throne, he has never built any large-scale construction projects in the imperial palace, and most of the palace buildings that shocked Bu Dugen were designed by Emperor Xian.

Qian Zhao felt that it was probably less than ten years since the current emperor took the throne, and many things were still well preserved, and the country had never been short of money, otherwise things like bronze men and bronze bells would probably have been melted down by the current emperor to make coins when needed!
Qian Zhao even thought somewhat disrespectfully that this could be considered as the legacy of Emperor Xian.

When he returned to the palace, he told Liu Bian about Budugen's reaction. While missing the late emperor, Liu Bian immediately thought of what Xiao He said, "Without magnificence, there is no way to strengthen prestige."

However, compared to building a palace, Liu Bian had more important projects to complete.

(End of this chapter)