Returning Home Fully Satisfied

After the village had finished affixing the agricultural bureau's official seal, they boarded a carriage and headed toward the docks.

Fang Xuanling and Dai Zhou beheld a scene of bustling, feverish activity. Some people were shouting in the shipyards, others were swinging mallets to drive wooden piles into the ground, and workers were transporting cargo crates using wheelbarrows, back frames, and pulley systems.

Pointing at the scene before them, Chen Kai spoke:

"Respected elders, look. Even if the vast majority of displaced refugees do not wish to open up new farmland, Gaoling can still provide them with a means to survive.

They can come here to build bridges and pave roads, construct ships and craft tools, or at the very least, earn a living by using their physical strength to transport goods."

"It truly seems that there are countless people here!" Fang Xuanling remarked, gazing at the lively spectacle before him.

"Indeed!" Chen Kai said with a hint of pride.

"Not only are the refugees here, but the students from the literature, mathematics, Mohist, and music departments of our academy are also primarily stationed here."

"Oh? Young Master Chen, could you tell us where they are?" Dai Zhou could not help asking.

"We are heading that way shortly. We can talk as we walk!" Chen Kai answered candidly upon hearing Dai Zhou's question.

Fang Xuanling and Dai Zhou chuckled and continued their casual conversation with Chen Kai.

Led by Chen Kai, they pressed forward and soon came upon a massive public notice board. Posted on it was a large bulletin, its grid squares partially filled in.

Seeing this grand bulletin, Fang Xuanling asked Chen Kai with a hint of confusion, "What is this?"

"This? This is the port development progress chart created by the mathematics department!" Chen Kai explained.

"A port development progress chart?" Hearing this, Fang Xuanling felt a bit puzzled and asked, "What is that?"

Without holding back, Chen Kai continued:

"Simply put, Master Li Chunfeng of the mathematics department calculated the general timeframe required for the entire project. Next, the corvée labor teams arrange their six-day work quotas based on the time calculated by Master Chunfeng, with each team's workload broken down even into daily tasks.

Construction projects always encounter unexpected complications and involve a myriad of details. Can this Li Chunfeng really calculate everything so clearly?" Dai Zhou asked with a touch of amazement.

Chen Kai hastily shook his head and replied, "That is not possible, and Master Li Chunfeng only calculates an approximate volume of work.

However, our work schedule is generally five days on and one day off, and at the same time, newly arriving refugees who have settled in usually come here looking for work.

Therefore, every six days, Master Li recalculates and makes corrections, replanning the workload for the next six-day cycle.

In the end, the top-performing ten percent of the teams in terms of work volume will enjoy an extra chicken leg per meal for the next six days. After all, everyone must be shown tangible benefits.

As for those who accomplish less, as long as they complete their daily engineering quota, while there are no rewards, there are no punishments either.

Only those who fail to complete the baseline work requirements every six days face penalties.

Because tasks are assigned every six days and even broken down daily, whose responsibility it is becomes immediately apparent."

"It seems there are punitive measures as well?" Fang Xuanling asked with a smile upon hearing Chen Kai's words.

"It is not really a punishment," Chen Kai shook his head.

"If someone is truly physically weak or too old to handle heavy labor, Gaoling will naturally arrange other work for them.

If all else fails, they are assigned to the old folks' home to care for the elderly and children; in any case, they will always have a bowl of rice to eat.

However, if someone has able hands and feet yet acts lazy and tries to shirk work, Gaoling will not tolerate their unruly behavior.

Prince Yue has said: Huaxia does not raise idle deities, and Gaoling does not feed idle people!"

"That is truly the style of Prince Yue!" Fang Xuanling nodded in approval, hearing the disdain for lazy individuals in Chen Kai's tone.

However, a thought occurring to him, Fang Xuanling pursued the question with Chen Kai, "Can all these corvée laborers read?"

"It is primarily the students from our agricultural academy who are among them!" Chen Kai stated.

"Especially the mathematics students. Most of them were taught by Master Li Chunfeng and understand Department Head Li Chunfeng's intentions best.

Having them enter the corvée teams to command the laborers is far better than the laborers not even knowing how much work they need to accomplish each day.

Ever since the mathematics students joined the teams, the efficiency of the corvée labor has increased significantly, allowing this port to be constructed even faster."

"Such efficiency is truly extraordinary!" Fang Xuanling nodded understandingly upon hearing Chen Kai's words.

Just as they were speaking, the sound of gongs and drums, suonas, and pipas drifted over, various sounds intertwining and crossing.

Although situated in the midst of this bustling marketplace, it gave one a sense of harmonious disorder, possessing instead an indescribable, grand momentum.

Accompanied by the rhythm of this music, Fang Xuanling felt as though an ineffable surge of passion was stirring within his body.

"What is this tune?" Fang Xuanling asked Chen Kai, listening to the melody. In the Tang Dynasty, dancing was a compulsory subject.

Because the imperial court of the Tang Dynasty frequently performed dances to show reverence, whenever one witnessed court officials brawling or dancing during state assemblies, one should not feel as though they had stumbled into some demonic cult's headquarters; rather, the style of the Tang imperial court was precisely this chaotic dance of myriad demons.

"This is the music department. The students of the music department come here every day in the afternoon to perform musical pieces.

Respected elders, who are accustomed to refined court music, might find these vulgar tunes somewhat unfamiliar.

Yet the workers laboring here all say that after listening to this music, they feel a surge of renewed vigor in their work.

The fatigue that usually accumulated after long hours of carrying loads seemed to vanish completely."

"Music can cultivate character and inspire grand ambitions. For Prince Yue to think of this is quite extraordinary.

Furthermore, the composer who could write a piece so fitting to the occasion possesses truly exceptional musical talent!"

Fang Xuanling stroked his beard in praise.

"What is the title of this song?" Dai Zhou inquired of Chen Kai.

"The Strength of the Common People!" Chen Kai answered. "The name is vulgar, and the tune is likewise vulgar, but it is catchy.

The common folk are happy to hum a few bars after hearing it, and everyone is quite willing to sing along, especially while working."

"The common people indeed possess the force of towering waves!" Having come through the turbulent times of war, Fang Xuanling felt a profound resonance with this statement.

"I have heard that the agricultural academy consists of six departments: literature, mathematics, agriculture, Mohism, music, and medicine. I wonder where the students of the literature and Mohist departments are stationed?"

Recovering his composure, Fang Xuanling continued to question Chen Kai.

"The students of the Mohist department are divided into two categories. One group is assisting in the manufacture of everyday tools to enhance the efficiency of everyone building ports and roads.

Items like the carrying frames worn by the workers, agricultural waterwheels, or curved-shaft plows are all researched and experimented with by the Mohist students.

Another group is busy within the shipyards, primarily helping inside the docks—such as building ships and developing leverage-based hoisting tools.

Prince Yue has consistently hoped that the Mohist department can research and develop amphibious vessels capable of successfully crossing even the narrow, shallow shoals of the Wei River. Thus, the two esteemed guests are unlikely to see the Mohist students here."

At this, Chen Kai shook his head helplessly as he explained.

"I see." Fang Xuanling nodded understandingly, saying, "Then, Young Master Chen, what about the literature students?"

Chen Kai crossed his hands in a bow to the two men and said, "Chen Kai, a student of the literature department, greets the two esteemed guests!"

"So you, young master, are a student of the literature department!" Dai Zhou was somewhat surprised upon seeing Chen Kai and spoke up, "I have heard that Prince Yue detests Confucianism. I wonder what is taught within the literature department of the academy?"

Chen Kai shook his head and replied:

"Our studies are overseen by Department Head Yan, and we study the Four Books and Five Classics, differing very little from other Confucian disciples.

The two esteemed guests should not listen to rumors claiming that Prince Yue despises Confucianism. Literature and mathematics are the foundational disciplines of our agricultural academy.

At most, our curriculum incorporates the *Tang Penal Code*. Those wishing to graduate from the literature department must commit the *Tang Penal Code* to memory, and any laws concerning the common people must be recited in writing from memory!"

"Does your Prince Yue place such great importance on the *Tang Penal Code*?" Dai Zhou could not help glancing at Fang Xuanling. Fang Xuanling, at that moment, was proudly stroking his beard.

Nothing else; seeing the work he had compiled being recognized, how could the compiler not feel pleased?

"Yes!" Chen Kai stated. "His Highness said that in the future, once we cultivate fertile fields, they will inevitably provoke jealousy.

Should powerful aristocratic clans come to seize our lands, the only things you can rely upon are the Tang Code and the imperial court.

As long as we do not violate the Tang Code, when lawsuits reach the imperial ears in the future, both the court and Prince Yue will stand on our side.

However, should anyone violate the Tang Code, he will purge them from the sect!"

Hearing this, Fang Xuanling could not help plucking a strand of his beard, feeling no pain at all.

Fang Xuanling naturally understood the underlying implications. Li泰 (Li Tai) was by no means simply cultivating docile subjects; rather, he was fostering a grassroots group imbued with a strong fighting spirit.

These people knew how to farm, naturally enjoyed the support of the common people, and understood the laws, granting the populace the qualifications to contend against petty officials.

Most importantly, they emerged from the agricultural academy, each carrying the backing of Prince Yue. As long as Prince Yue did not fall, which ordinary minor official would dare to offend them?

Yet Prince Yue was doing this quite openly. What he wanted was agricultural prosperity, and Fang Xuanling himself had no grounds to prevent these people from completing their studies and scattering across the Guanzhong region.

Because while these people would become the foundation of Prince Yue, they would likewise become the foundation of the imperial court!

"Could it be that Keming arranged Chuke in the agricultural academy because he foresaw this very point from the start?"

Fang Xuanling narrowed his eyes, feeling that Du Ruhui had made his move far too swiftly.

"Although this matter is still just a minor affair, Prince Yue is promoting agriculture so openly that I have no reason to stop him!

Especially since the imperial court has suffered consecutive years of natural disasters, any method to increase agricultural output is worth a try. How could we abandon eating for fear of choking?"

While Fang Xuanling was deep in thought, Chen Kai led Fang Xuanling and Dai Zhou to the literature, mathematics, Mohist, and music departments to have their documents officially stamped, and then presented each of them with a copy of *Friends of Agricultural Talent, First Edition*.

"Xuanyin, come have a look!" Recovering his senses, Fang Xuanling examined the book. Although the text was unadorned and dry, completely devoid of adjectives, Fang Xuanling was a prime minister and most favored books consisting purely of knowledge.

Compared to him, while Fang Xuanling felt the book's knowledge was written with pure conciseness, Dai Zhou grew increasingly excited the more he read.

In this book, matters concerning agricultural lands were divided into three major categories: agricultural types, sideline agricultural products, and agricultural tools.

Among them, the agricultural category discussed farming, land reclamation, fertilization, weeding, and other affairs, essentially teaching one step-by-step how to farm.

The agricultural sideline product category encompassed five major industrial products: agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, sidelines, and fisheries. However, currently, it only touched upon medicinal herb cultivation and poultry egg incubation. Li Tai did not conceal how he hatched duck eggs, publishing all this knowledge within the book.

The final category, tools, covered various implements to enhance productivity and efficiency, the vast majority of which were also researched by the Mohist department.

"Prince Yue is truly worthy of being a descendant of the Sages! Though this book is thin, it can serve as the foundation of our Tang Dynasty!"

Dai Zhou leafed through the book repeatedly, deeply sensing that any scholar holding this volume could follow it step-by-step from land reclamation to farming, successfully growing crops after three or four years without falling short of an experienced veteran farmer.

"Indeed!" Fang Xuanling nodded in agreement upon hearing Dai Zhou's words, affirming in his heart: "Prince Yue truly possesses the benevolent heart of a Sage!"

Naturally, Fang Xuanling could perceive that Prince Yue's hard work over the past year had basically been condensed into this seemingly slender volume.

Generally speaking, even if such knowledge was not jealously guarded as a family secret, it would at most be imparted only to one's own disciples and students.

Where else would one find a Prince Yue as carefree as this, who, upon merely receiving a string of cash as a fee to tour the management of refugees, would gift out such precious books so openly, acting as though he feared others might not know or desire them?

Glancing sideways at Dai Zhou, he saw Dai Zhou slipping the book into his robes; as the Minister of Revenue, he valued agricultural cultivation above all else.

Fang Xuanling said to Chen Kai, "Prince Yue possesses a magnificent breadth of mind. To give away such a masterpiece just like that!"

"Yes, indeed!" Hearing Fang Xuanling's praise of Li Tai, Chen Kai nodded repeatedly and said,

"Prince Yue once said that a strong Tang Dynasty is his own strength, and a prosperous Tang Dynasty is his own prosperity.

Therefore, allowing more people to understand agricultural knowledge has always been his long-held aspiration."

Hearing the brilliant light of adoration shining in Chen Kai's eyes whenever he spoke of Li Tai, Fang Xuanling silently committed it to memory.

A sovereign with such a broad mind would naturally become a respected and virtuous king.

The so-called great Confucian scholars of antiquity were originally those renowned Confucian figures willing to share knowledge, rather than the living signboards touted by the Confucian literati circles; yet as time went on, the flavor of it all had changed.

Therefore, by establishing schools and sharing knowledge, even though Prince Yue was not strictly a Confucian classicist, he was gradually acquiring his own prestige.

Yet precisely because of this, Prince Yue was becoming all the more perilous. What Fang Xuanling feared most was that Prince Yue might desire more than just the reputation of a virtuous king!

At this thought, a wave of anxiety washed over Fang Xuanling.

Prince Yue's handling of these matters was far too brilliant, and the foundation he was building step by step was frighteningly stable.

When the Crown Prince reached adulthood, would he truly be able to contend against the present Prince Yue?

Fang Xuanling did not know.

When Li Tai came of age, crowned with honors, would he walk the same path as the Emperor?

Fang Xuanling did not dare to imagine.

Dai Zhou was oblivious to Fang Xuanling's inner thoughts. Having tucked the book away into his robes, he could not resist touching it once more and said,

"With this book, today's trip has been worth far more than its cost. When we return, I shall study it thoroughly."

Dai Zhou's words interrupted Fang Xuanling's musings, and Fang Xuanling calmly stated:

"Upon our return, we shall report today's observations to the Emperor. At the very least, Gaoling can absorb the refugees in the short term without causing turmoil.

All we need to do is ensure the court's grain supply to Gaoling!"

"Exceedingly true, exceedingly true!" Dai Zhou nodded in agreement upon hearing Fang Xuanling's words.