Chapter 1186: Speaking out? Conservative ideas?
April 10th, Licheng, Qilu

It was sunny in the morning at 9:00 p.m., and in Puyang Market, the largest market in Qilu, countless dragon flags of the Great Zhou Dynasty were flying. Tens of thousands of people were sitting in their seats in an orderly manner. Some of them were merchants from Licheng, some were farmers from Licheng, and some were workers from textile factories. They had different identities and occupations, but at this moment, they were all looking forward to a historic moment...
As the auspicious time arrived, amid the cheers and applause of tens of thousands of people from all walks of life, Duke Feng of the Great Zhou, Grand Marshal of the Army, Prime Minister of the Cabinet, and Minister of Rites Ye Mingsheng walked up to the high platform holding a loud speaker and preached:
"In the past few years, Qilu has made brilliant achievements and overcome many difficulties. The government has greatly improved public security and achieved the goal of "everyone has his own land and every person has his own house". Qilu colleagues have made great contributions. On behalf of the court, I want to praise you!
"But what I want to say is that this is not only the credit of my colleagues in Qilu, but also the result of the joint efforts of all the people in Qilu!"

Ye Mingsheng's affirmation and praise immediately drew cheers and applause from the audience. Under everyone's gaze, Ye Mingsheng continued to list in detail the various work achievements made by Qi Lu in the past few years, and made high affirmation on behalf of the court.

After talking for about a cup of tea, Ye Mingsheng changed the subject and spoke seriously:

"Although Qilu has achieved these results, we still cannot slack off. We must know that the road ahead is bright but tortuous!"

"On the one hand, we must continue to strictly rectify the political system and eliminate the individual bad apples in the government and government departments. If we find any, we will deal with them one by one and will not show any leniency!"

“On the other hand, we need to find new growth points for the development of Qilu…”

"Qilu is a coastal area, and there are large markets and opportunities overseas, so I think we should be more proactive in going to the sea, embracing the sea, and tapping into the resources of the sea!"

"Of course, although the sea has opportunities, it also has great risks. We have to rely on the weather for our survival. A huge wave could very likely destroy the ship and kill people. In addition to natural disasters, there are also man-made disasters. The pirates on the sea are also very rampant!"

"For these risks, the court is willing to stand with everyone and face and solve them together!"

"First, in the next year, all shipbuilding technologies of the First and Second Manufacturing Bureaus will be open to the public free of charge to help you build stronger and more reliable ships, so that you can better ride the wind and waves in the sea!"

"Secondly, the imperial court will exempt businesses that actively develop overseas business from at least 30% of all taxes in the next ten years!"

"The Third Court will strengthen the navy, intensify efforts to combat pirates and Japanese pirates, and do its utmost to ensure the safety of maritime trade!"

"I have set a goal here. In the next three to five years, we will completely eradicate the coastal bandits, pirates and Japanese pirates."

"I believe that the future of the Great Zhou lies overseas. Whoever seizes overseas trade first will own tomorrow!"

Ye Mingsheng’s words immediately caused an uproar in the meeting hall. Some ordinary people could not understand the meaning of Ye Mingsheng’s words, but those businessmen who were highly sensitive to ZC were excited and thoughtful...

At this time, Ye Mingsheng continued:
"Developing overseas trade is risky and difficult. The court is willing to face it together with you, but I require those businesses that intend to develop overseas trade to protect the interests of their sailors and employees, to have a clear and reasonable work system, and to let them share in the benefits and advantages of development!"

Listening to Ye Mingsheng's words, some shop owners and shopkeepers in the audience had different expressions, but Ye Mingsheng on the stage did not care about their thoughts and continued to talk:
"With the progress of the times, science and technology have also made great progress. New products such as kerosene lamps, electricity, cement, looms, muskets, and artillery are all products of science and technology. These things have greatly improved our living standards, so we must actively embrace and develop these new things!"

"The court has decided to build one hundred technical schools throughout the Great Zhou in the next ten years. We want to train our Great Zhou's technical workers!"

Perhaps what Ye Mingsheng said was a little too advanced, so when Ye Mingsheng said this, the people in the entire venue were all a little confused. Seeing this, some of the supporters hidden in the crowd immediately took the lead in applauding and cheering. Led by these people, deafening cheers and applause rang out again in the crowd...
After speaking for about a cup of tea, Ye Mingsheng finally finished his speech and walked down from the podium surrounded by the crowd.

At this time, Ma Runchuan, the governor, immediately came over and said with a smile:

"Marshal, what you said is really great. The merchants responded very strongly. Every one of them expressed their willingness to respond to the court's call to develop overseas trade!"

However, at this moment, Deputy Governor Xie Hanchao seemed to have some different opinions and seemed to be hesitant to speak, but after hesitating for a while, he did not have the courage to speak.

After noticing this, Ye Mingsheng did not say anything directly, but continued to emphasize to Ma Runchuan that as the governor of Qilu, he had to promote the development of overseas trade while also ensuring the rights and interests of workers.

On the other hand, we also need to make people change their traditional thinking that everything is inferior and only read the books of sages, and promote the development and application of science and technology in Qi and Lu.

Ma Runchuan agreed to Ye Mingsheng's instructions repeatedly, and said in a firm attitude that Marshal, your requirements are the direction of my efforts, and I will definitely overcome all difficulties and complete the task you assigned!

After saying this, Ye Mingsheng left Xie Hanchao alone and asked him, "Just now I saw you wanted to say something, but you didn't say it. Now you can speak freely!"

Xie Hanchao, who was left alone, was a little uneasy at first, thinking that he had violated Ye Mingsheng's taboo in some way, but he didn't expect that it was because of this incident···················
Seeing this, Xie Hanchao was a little hesitant, but with Ye Mingsheng's encouraging eyes, he knelt down with a plop and said to Ye Mingsheng:
"I beg you, Marshal, not to be so ambitious and vain as to develop so-called overseas trade or other strange and ingenious techniques!"

Ye Mingsheng was a little surprised when he heard this, but although he was accused of being too ambitious and vain, Ye Mingsheng was not too angry. Instead, he asked Xie Hanchao:
"Since you say that I am ambitious and have lofty ambitions, then can you tell me in detail how I became the lunatic you are talking about?"

Although Xie Hanchao had already made up his mind to die for his protest when he said those words, he was still very nervous after saying those words, fearing that Ye Mingsheng would chop off his head in anger. However, Ye Mingsheng was more tolerant than he had imagined, which made Xie Hanchao feel at ease. He immediately organized his words to tell Ye Mingsheng his thoughts.

"The policy you announced, sir, will inevitably lead to a large number of young and strong laborers going overseas to pan for gold. These young and strong laborers are the main force in farming the farmland. Once they all go overseas to pan for gold, who will be left to farm the fields?"

Facing Xie Hanchao's question, Ye Mingsheng also replied:

"Your question is very good, but the court has already considered this issue. The court will produce more farm tools and fertilizers to help farmers improve farming efficiency and increase grain production. In addition, the court has also reached a trade agreement with the grasslands in the north and will introduce more cattle from the grasslands to replace human power..."

Xie Hanchao did not seem to agree with Ye Mingsheng's answer, and he spoke again:
"General, some of what you said has already been implemented in our Qilu. These farm tools, fertilizers, and oxen can indeed play a role, but young and strong laborers are still unavailable, so we have to keep them in the farmland and let them produce food!"

"The people of Qi and Lu have just had enough food for a few years and have saved up some money, but they still can't afford it, Marshal!"

Ye Mingsheng fell into deep thought after hearing this, and at this time Xie Hanchao continued:

"Sir, I have seen the cement, kerosene lamps, and looms you mentioned. They are indeed more convenient, I don't deny that, but if we don't have cement, we can use traditional bricks and tiles, if we don't have kerosene lamps, we can use candles, and if we don't have new looms, we can use old-fashioned looms!"

"Although the efficiency and effect may be a little worse, the words of the saints are the root of our Great Zhou. These things are just unorthodox ways. Marshal, you must not be deceived by them. I hope you will put aside your desire for quick success and make a fresh start with the people!"

After saying that, Xie Hanchao, who was kneeling on the ground, also kowtowed to Ye Mingsheng repeatedly, as if to say, "If Ye Mingsheng doesn't agree, I will keep kowtow."

Seeing this, Ye Mingsheng was a little disappointed. He promoted Xie Hanchao as deputy governor in Yijing before his southern tour. Xie Hanchao was a native of Qilu and had passed the imperial examination. He was supposed to take the joint examination to become a juren, but he did not make it because of the war. However, even though he did not pass the imperial examination, he was still appointed as the magistrate of Qingshan County by Cao Changping, the then inspector of Qilu...

Xie Hanchao had always been a very honest official. The son of a wealthy businessman in Qingshan County raped a woman and killed someone. His father gave Xie Hanchao 1,200 taels of silver, hoping that Xie Hanchao would reverse the facts and release his son. However, Xie Hanchao directly drove him out.

Even so, the rich businessman did not give up. He found the Deputy Censor of the Qilu Censorate and greeted Xie Hanchao, but Xie Hanchao remained unmoved and still handled the case impartially and sentenced the rich businessman's son to death.

In addition, Xie Hanchao also made many contributions in organizing farming, developing rural schools and other matters. Therefore, after the Fengwu Army took over Qi and Lu, Ye Mingsheng promoted him to be the prefect. In the case of Sun Jingan a few months ago, because Sun Jingan had deep roots in Qi and Lu, many people were involved and became corrupt with him!

But after investigation, it was found that Xie Hanchao was alone, refused Sun Jing'an's solicitation, and was very self-disciplined. So when the position of Deputy Governor became vacant, Ye Mingsheng promoted him and placed high hopes on him!
Ye Mingsheng felt that Xie Hanchao's remarks about the young and strong labor force just now made sense to him, and he prepared to conduct further research on this.

However, he did not expect that Xie Hanchao was so stubborn. Thinking of this, Ye Mingsheng looked at Xie Hanchao's bloodshot forehead, but he was still kowtowing with a firm expression. He could not help but sigh in his heart, knowing that it would be difficult to convince him with simple words!
Considering that Xie Hanchao was a good official with strong moral character and achievements, Ye Mingsheng did not want to give up on him. He immediately helped Xie Hanchao up from the ground and instructed:
"I'll give you a note to go to Yijing to investigate and see the factories being built there. I believe that when you come back there will be some changes..."

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Yijing, Ye Mansion

Murong Qingwu, leaning on the pillow, flipped through the Yijing Daily in her hand boredly, trying to find something that interested her in the newspaper.

Originally, at the beginning of her pregnancy, Murong Qingwu was willing to take a walk in the back garden, but as time went on, her belly became more and more obvious, and the fetus in her belly began to move, which also made Murong Qingwu start to have some pregnancy reactions, so for safety reasons, Murong Qingwu's exercise volume was reduced a lot.

Therefore, leaning on the pillow and reading some newspapers and books became one of Murong Qingwu's main choices to pass the time at home.

Murong Qingwu had no interest in reading newspapers. She preferred to read ancient books and documents. For this reason, Ye Mingsheng specially asked someone to sort out and collect various ancient books and documents for Murong Qingwu to satisfy her hobby in this regard. Murong Qingwu also vacated a room in her yard as her library.
However, not long ago, after hearing that An Miao had taken over the operation of Yijing Daily, Murong Qingwu also developed a strong affection for this newspaper. For this reason, she spent three taels of silver to subscribe to Yijing Daily for a whole year.

Although she subscribed to the Yijing Daily, Murong Qingwu was not satisfied with the content of the newspaper. She thought that apart from the serialized novels, the other reports in the Yijing Daily were all trivial matters. The truly meaningful things were either not reported or simply glossed over...
(End of this chapter)