The Empress spoke next.
“Based on the land in our country, I have come to understand that some areas are suitable for growing crops, while others yield nothing even if cultivated. Therefore, we cannot blindly believe that having land automatically means planting grain.”
“To reform agriculture, we must base it on the current land distribution and fertility. For land suitable for crops, we must find ways to achieve high yields. For land suitable for fruit cultivation, we should leverage the abundance of fruit to achieve self-production and sales, and the agricultural trade industry must also be strengthened to avoid wasting our resources.”
“I have also made a plan for the land in each region. The remaining tasks will require the concerted efforts of my ministers to promote agricultural matters.”
Regarding agricultural matters, they had no objections. The key issue was that they were all officials, with few scholars from humble backgrounds in the imperial court.
They couldn't even distinguish between leeks and wheat, so how could they achieve high grain yields?
And how could they manage agricultural trade promotion?
Song Fei, the Minister of Revenue, was also quite bewildered by this problem. He stepped forward and asked for clarification: "Your Majesty, I have never farmed before, so I do not understand high grain yields, nor do I know where to begin. I would appreciate some guidance from Your Majesty."
"Indeed, Your Majesty, we have never worked the land!"
The ministers grumbled below, lamenting their difficulties, which gave Fan Zehao a headache.
A group of useless gluttons, making such a fuss over the common people's affairs.
Fan Zehao scolded, "If you don't understand, ask. Didn't your teachers teach you the meaning of the four words 'it is no disgrace to ask'?"
Look at him, a rough man, he knew the meaning of those words, let alone those who were well-read.
They were all incredibly lazy, with bones of sloth.
The Emperor was angry, and the ministers naturally dared not ask further. They stood silently in their positions, merely existing.
Zhao Jiaqi, on the dragon throne, did not trouble them. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses; people excel in different areas.
Zhao Jiaqi said, "During the land survey of Yun Country last year, I have compiled a small booklet. It details which land is suitable for which crops and methods for achieving high yields. It is written there and is very detailed. As long as one applies themselves, it is not difficult to learn. It will be distributed to the Ministry of Revenue, which will take the lead in planning the usage of all the country's land. Once planned, it will be presented. If the Ministry of Revenue encounters any difficulties, they are welcome to ask!"
Song Fei, the Minister of Revenue, heard that the Empress had already compiled a book, and he was no longer worried. If he encountered problems later, he could come to the palace to ask, which was better than pretending to know when he didn't.
The first four matters were completed, and now only one rather thorny issue remained. However, upon thinking of the multitude of wives and concubines, the many resentful women, and the discord in the inner chambers, with concubines favored over wives, Fan Zehao decided to start with himself, advocating for monogamy throughout the country.
This would reduce the number of bachelors and promote harmony, which would be beneficial to both the country and its people.
Of course, it might not be strictly monogamy for everyone.
Fan Zehao cleared his throat and said, "Based on the visits and investigations conducted by the Empress and myself last year, many old bachelors have been discovered in the country. This is partly due to difficult family circumstances, and partly due to individuals having numerous wives and concubines and living extravagantly, leading to this situation. To change this, we must start with ourselves."
The Emperor's words left the ministers bewildered, not understanding what "start with ourselves" meant.
The adults in the court, which family did not have a few concubines, all beautiful and young? In this era, not having a few beautiful concubines would be considered shameful!
"As the Emperor, I have only one wife, and my household is harmonious, free from squalid affairs and internal strife. From today onwards, men in Yun Country are forbidden to take concubines. If they insist on taking a concubine, they must pay a fine. For one concubine, the fine is one hundred thousand taels. For more than two concubines in the inner chambers, an additional one hundred thousand taels must be paid for each additional concubine. This is a strict condition!"
As soon as the words fell, he scanned the ministers in the court and said menacingly, "Anyone who dares to conceal this information and secretly takes a concubine, attempting to circumvent the law, will be dealt with as a crime of deceiving the Emperor. This matter is not up for further discussion."
Upon hearing the Emperor's words, the ministers inwardly wailed.
Taking a concubine required one hundred thousand taels, which was how many years of salary to save up!
Furthermore, they were not allowed to openly engage in corruption now, as discovery would lead to the loss of their heads. Now, they would have to face their aging wives every day.
After the court session, the ministers were seen with their heads hanging low, dejectedly walking out of the palace. They clustered in groups of three or five, not daring to discuss the Emperor, but only putting on bitter faces, shrugging their shoulders, unable to speak of their woes.
Song Fei followed his father. After leaving the palace and getting into the carriage, Song Fei finally dared to speak cautiously: "Father, the matters discussed in court today are all rather strange. Why does my son feel that these ideas did not originate from the Emperor!"
Song Xin gave his son a knowing look, stroked his beard, and said calmly, "There is nothing wrong with that. Although the Empress is a woman, we cannot dismiss her with the saying that women are short-sighted. Think about the actions the Empress has taken in recent years; have any of them been detrimental to the people or the country?"
After his father's guidance, Song Fei pondered for a long time and then shook his head earnestly, stating there were none.
On the contrary, since Fan Zehao and his wife became prince and princess, Yun Country had undergone tremendous changes. From the common people to the local government's tax revenue, the treasury was full.
The soldiers were well-fed and clothed, and disabled soldiers were properly cared for, allowing them to be self-reliant and earn a living. These were minor matters.
The main point was that the soldiers' armor and weapons were being reinforced and strengthened, provisions were abundant, military pay was disbursed on time, and seasonal clothing was distributed punctually. Even the food quality had improved.
The lives of the common people had also changed imperceptibly. From not having enough to eat or wear, each household now had new houses, had married beautiful wives, had savings, and showed more smiles on their faces.
Even more remarkably, children in Yun Country began attending private schools for free from a young age. While it could not be guaranteed that every child would become talented, if you randomly picked a few children, any one of them could recite a few poems or write a few characters.
Overall, Yun Country was developing in a positive direction, becoming more advanced, civilized, and prosperous than other countries.
Song Xin narrowed his eyes and said, "If all sixteen-year-old youths in Yun Country join the army and undergo two years of training in the barracks, think about it, in a decade or so, if war were to break out, every man in our country could become a soldier. At that time, Yun Country would be even stronger, and who would dare to invade!"
From this perspective, Song Xin highly approved of the Emperor's approach. This was undoubtedly a good way to build a powerful nation!
As for road construction, it was genuinely for the benefit of the common people. When the country is prosperous and the people are strong, and the people are prosperous and the country is strong, the country and the people are like water and fish, neither can exist without the other!