Three Kingdoms: Plundering Entries, From Merchants to Emperors

Zhang Chen ordered the messenger to retreat and put the imperial edict on the table.

Just as he was about to deal with some official business in the county government, two people walked in from outside the hall. They were Ju Su and Zhang Fu.

As they walked, they were arguing about something, and seemed a little unhappy.

"Sir." The two came into the hall and greeted him.

"No need to be polite." Zhang Chen frowned and said lightly, "I heard you quarreling from a distance, what a disgrace! What happened?"

The two looked at each other, and Ju Su said, "Sir, there is a matter that we disagree on, and I would like to ask you to make a clear decision."

"Oh?" Zhang Chen put down the official document in his hand and said, "What is it?"

Zhang Fu stepped forward and said, "Sir, the refugees outside the city need government relief every day. I went to collect food today, but Lord Ju refused to open the warehouse."

"Hmm..." Zhang Chen frowned slightly after hearing this, thought for a moment, and asked, "Sir, how much grain is left in the treasury?"

Zhang Chen had overlooked this point before. Before the wasteland was harvested, the refugees had no food and needed government relief to survive.

But thousands of refugees, the daily consumption of food is not a small amount!

Ju Su refused to open the warehouse, could it be that the remaining grain in the treasury was exhausted? If this is true, it would be a bit troublesome.

Ju Su bowed and said, "Sir, the grain reserves are less than 1,000 dan. If we continue to provide relief in this way, the treasury will be empty in less than a month."

Zhang Fu heard this and said anxiously, "Sir, even if this is the case, we can't abandon the people! Now that the autumn harvest has not arrived, those people outside the city can only survive on relief. If we don't release grain, it will be tantamount to forcing them to death!"

Zhang Chen thought for a moment and said to Ju Su, "What Zhang Fu said is reasonable. Those people settled here in response to the call. If we let it go, I'm afraid it will be a chill for the people. Heart! Gong Yu, I know you are not a heartless person. Do you have any countermeasures for this matter? "

"Sir, I think it is better to teach people how to fish than to give them fish. Nowadays, the people have no food and clothing. If the government just releases grain, it will only cultivate their bad habits of being lazy and greedy. Now that the spring plowing is over and the busy farming season is over, why not let them use their labor to exchange for some food, wouldn't it be more meaningful?"

"Good!" Zhang Chen was delighted after hearing this: "Gong Yu Dacai, you hit the nail on the head!"

"Sir, what does this... mean?" Zhang Fu asked with some confusion.

"Zhang Fu, if I remember correctly, this city wall seems to be in disrepair for a long time, right?"

"Your Excellency wants the people outside the city to build the city wall?" Zhang Fu said, "But the construction of the village is still in progress, and the people may have no time to care about it."

Ju Su smiled and said, "Building a village is for the people to live in, which is private. Building a city wall is for the defense of a county, which is public. The difference between public and private is that the government must pay for public affairs. The people can buy food on their own with silver. In this way, the government does not need to provide relief."

Zhang Chen nodded and said, "Yes, the public policy has existed since ancient times. In the past, the Qin law established by Shang Yang once stated that 'Qin law does not provide disaster relief', which is the reason. Whenever there is a famine, In this year, it is the best policy to provide disaster relief instead of disaster relief and to provide livelihood for the people. "

After hearing this, Zhang Fu suddenly realized and couldn't help but sighed: "The two adults have great insights. I am short-sighted and ashamed!"

"It doesn't matter. You are also thinking about the people." Zhang Chen smiled and said to Ju Su: "Sir, this should be done as soon as possible. You should do it. However, you can't be too hasty and you can't cut off all relief at once. First, post a notice to inform the people that the government warehouse is short of grain and the government will gradually reduce relief. Encourage the people to go hunting in the mountains or participate in the construction of city defense in exchange for silver and money. "

"Your Excellency is thoughtful. I will do it immediately. "

The two took the order and left. Zhang Chen picked up the official document again, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

It was the first time that Zhang Chen felt that someone was giving him advice. This Ju Su is worthy of being the first counselor in Jizhou. With him, Guangping, a small county, is not difficult to govern?

In the evening, Zhang Chen left the county government office and returned to the mansion.

After dinner, Zhang Chen read alone in the study room for a while, and it was already twilight. Suddenly, Ping'er's voice came from outside the door, saying that Ju Su came to see him.

Zhang Chen hurriedly asked Ping'er to invite Ju Su to the study room to meet him, and asked the servants to prepare tea.

Not long after, Ju Su came to the study room, bowed to Zhang Chen and said, "Sir."

"Sir, come, sit down quickly."

Zhang Chen said, and came to the couch with him, kneeling opposite him.

Zhang Chen said, "Sir, what are you here for?"

Ju Su said, "Sir, I talked about the land system that day, and I went back and thought about it carefully, and finally got some clues, so I came to discuss it with you."

"Oh? Sir, tell me quickly."

Zhang Chen was overjoyed when he heard it. This Ju Su really worked.The rate is quite high, and a strategy has been developed in just a few days?

Ju Su said: "The land system you mentioned is aimed at allowing people to have their own land. In fact, this law also existed at the beginning of this dynasty. But later, the government was corrupt, officials and businessmen colluded, and most of the land was annexed by wealthy families, which made the people hungry and poorly clothed."

Zhang Chen nodded and said: "I also know about this. But I don't know if you have any method to teach me?"

"I don't dare to teach you, but I have a question that I would like to ask you."

"Please speak."

"I don't know what your intention is?"

After listening, Zhang Chen narrowed his eyes and smiled: "Does your question seem to have nothing to do with the new land system?"

"No." Ju Su shook his head. He shook his head and said, "If your ambition is only in this county, then this matter will be as difficult as ascending to heaven. If it is in a county or a state, then I will have different countermeasures and can plan for you."

Zhang Chen raised his teacup, took a sip, and said slowly: "My wish is that all the people in the world will no longer suffer from hunger and cold, those who till the land have their own fields, those who live in the house have their own houses, they have meat to eat, clothes to wear, children have education, and the elderly have a good life. I don't know if you can teach me this, sir?"

As soon as these words came out, Ju Su's body stiffened, a gleam of light burst out of his eyes, and then he bowed deeply: "My lord, please accept Ju Su's bow!"

Zhang Chen was stunned for a moment, and then he was overjoyed.

Ju Su usually called himself "sir", which was just an official title. Now he changed his mouth to call himself "lord", which means he is sincerely submitting to him.

Zhang Chen hurriedly helped him up, holding his hand tightly and said: "Sir, get up quickly, I can accomplish great things with your help!"

"My lord has the ambition to swallow up the world, and he has foresight and talent in both civil and military affairs. He is a rare hero in the world. I am lucky to be able to serve you, and I will definitely serve you in the future."

Zhang Chen said happily: "Qi Huan could not have become a hegemon without Yiwu, and Gou Jian could not have saved his country without Fan Li. Although I dare not compare myself to Qi Huan and Gou Jian, my talent is far better than Guan Zhong and Fan Li!"

Hehe, sorry, brother Benchu, I accidentally stole your line.

Sure enough, after hearing this, Ju Su's eyes were full of excitement, which was even more intense than before.

"My lord treats me as a national hero, I will do my best to live up to your high expectations!"