People in the Three Kingdoms: Starting from Preaching

Chapter 463: Tile House
The conception of a pastoral society is not false, and perhaps it has even existed before. Lao Tzu's pursuit of a pastoral society comes from his respect for primitive production, where people would not interact with each other until they die, and the society would maintain a small country with few people.

However, this kind of life can only be established when the population is sparse. As the population gradually expands, this state is doomed to collapse.

The same is true of Liu Hong's vision today. Such a social model can only exist in an ideal world.

“But even if small industries in towns and villages don’t work, can large industries work?”

Liu Hong was still unwilling to give up. He felt that Xuan Xia had found a very feasible way. Although this way might not solve all problems, there seemed to be no better way.

Township and village industries are collectively owned. Although this system is still in its infancy, he can vaguely feel that it is unusual. The key lies in whether it is a collective or an individual, which is actually very important.

Xu Chen shook his head: "It is not advisable to be content with a small fortune. What is important is not the size of the industry, but the competition. Xuanxia needs market competition to stimulate the progress of productivity, which is not something that small industries in towns can do."

Liu Hong disagreed: "It's good to be content with a small fortune. This is what the people want."

Xu Chen looked at Liu Hong seriously. When talking about this point, he unconsciously went deep into the topic and almost forgot the purpose of coming here.

"What I want to pursue is not just to let the people live in brick houses and plant fields, but to achieve extreme material prosperity for the whole society."

Liu Hong didn't quite understand the words "extreme material wealth". It wasn't that he didn't understand the words themselves, but he couldn't comprehend the extent of this extreme material wealth.

In his understanding, being content with a small fortune in the current state is already extremely wealthy in material terms, and anything more would be beyond his cognition.

However, seeing Xu Chen's calm expression, it seemed that he was really pursuing something special, which made him feel that this so-called extreme material wealth might not be a false existence.

He did not forget that the person in front of him was not only the Prime Minister of Xuanxia, ​​but also the leader of the Natural Religion. This identity was naturally mysterious. The scary thing was that this guy really had a lot of mysterious things that were difficult to explain.

There are many rumors among the people, some saying that the prime minister has divine power that can dispel the plague, and some saying that he can predict the future and predicted Dong Zhuo's rebellious rule.

Such things are half true and half false and are mostly rumors. In the future when people are more enlightened, these rumors may be regarded as the folk deification of Xu Chen and regarded as unofficial history. But in this era, even people like Liu Hong dare not take it lightly.

It is not surprising that such a great cult leader really knows things that are beyond the understanding of ordinary people.

After thinking for a while, Liu Hong said, "But you, Xuan Xia, always claim to seek happiness for the masses. Now that you can truly share the wealth of the world with millions of people, you insist on leaving hidden dangers for the future. Why?"

At this time, Liu Hong could not help but stand up, staring at Xu Chen with his eyes: "You have taken over my Liu family's world. It would be fine if you can really achieve fairness and justice. But if you just want so-called material wealth and watch the growth of a new rentier class, how can this be considered fair?"

Xu Chen sighed and said, "I know fairness, but before we can talk about fairness, we must first let the people change from riding in horse-drawn carriages to driving cars. Compared with the fairness of living in tiled houses, it is more important to get rid of the state of material scarcity first."

Liu Hong was stunned when he heard this. He had no idea what a car was.

However, seeing Xu Chen's firm attitude, Liu Hong couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. It was a pity that he was not the one who decided Xuan Xia's fate. If there was anything to be comforted about, it was that at least the guy in front of him had a rational plan for the state artifact.

After taking a deep breath, Liu Hong made a final effort: "If one day, the brick kiln in this village fails, what will happen to the villagers here? Will they be asked to exchange food for expensive goods from outside? But if there is no impact from external forces, they can obviously rely on small industries to be self-sufficient!" Xu Chen thought for a while and said: "People can always find a way to survive. Maybe one day people will spontaneously go to the city, and at least they will move from tile houses to buildings."

The room was quiet for a while. The topic had become a little heavy at this point. This was something Xu Chen had never expected. Who knew that Liu Hong would talk to him about this.

After a long while, he added: "Although I also want to do what you want and realize complete justice and fairness, my cognition also has its limits. Beyond that, I can only leave it to future generations to explore on their own."

Xu Chen was helpless. People could not imagine things beyond their own cognition. All he could do was to push this civilization towards the world he was familiar with.

He might not be right, but at least he understood that Liu Hong must be wrong. This ultimate question could not be answered so easily.

Liu Hong glanced at Xu Chen with a complicated look, one that showed regret and confusion, but more importantly, dissatisfaction with Xu Chen.

This young man doesn't listen to any advice at all!
This conversation was not ideal, at least it made Xu Chen feel a little embarrassed. This was not the topic he wanted to talk about, but he was unknowingly dragged into it by Liu Hong.

Now that the conversation was over, Xu Chen clearly felt that Liu Hong's attitude had become colder, which made him laugh and cry.

Fortunately, he was not isolated and helpless. If he failed in his first battle, Cai Wenji could continue to take action.

After the two had dinner at the Liu family, Cai Wenji suggested that she and Liu Hong go for a walk outside. Although Liu Hong had some resentment in his heart, he chose to obey for the sake of Cai Wenji's face.

In this way, Liu Hong walked in front, Cai Wenji was beside him, and Xu Chen followed behind boredly. The three of them walked leisurely on the country road.

Xu Chen was tactful. He knew that the conversation with Liu Hong had failed, so he stopped talking and let Cai Wenji talk to Liu Hong alone.

Seeing that the atmosphere was right, Cai Wenji spoke directly to the point: "Although this rural place is peaceful, it is also poor. It is a pity for you to stay here with your talent. Why don't you accept the court's invitation and become a professor at Xuanxia Academy? It will be better than staying in this remote place."

Liu Hong's heart was indeed moved, but when he turned around to glance at Xu Chen behind him, he saw Xu Chen looking up at the sky as if nothing had happened.

After a cold snort, Liu Hong said: "I am already old, and I don't know when I will be buried. Why should I care about these things? It is a good thing to be able to end my life in this peaceful place!"

After hearing this, Cai Wenji thought for a moment and said, "Sir, are you willing to let all your learning become a masterpiece? Wouldn't it be a pity if it can't be passed down to the world?"

Liu Hong paused, looked at Cai Wenji, and then continued walking forward.

Just such a subtle action made Cai Wenji happy. Being such a smart person, she certainly realized that she had hit Liu Hong's weak spot.

It seems that this trip can still achieve the purpose.

(End of this chapter)