Chương 560: The Divine Martial Emperor's Thoughts

"My dear ministers, there is no need to argue about this matter any longer. I already have a perfect solution in mind."

Liu Ce's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear.

Liu Ce walked down the steps with steady strides, his boots making a crisp sound as they stepped on the white marble steps.

He went straight to the large sandalwood table where the city's map was displayed, picked up a smooth and lustrous white jade pointer, and gently tapped it on the neatly divided boundaries of the neighborhoods on the map.

"Today I wish to ask you, my beloved ministers, what was my original intention in spending four years and investing countless manpower and resources to insist on building Luoyang into a well-organized chessboard-style city, dividing it into a total of one hundred and eight independent neighborhoods?"

Liu Ce surveyed the crowd, his gaze sharp and intense.

Yang Biao answered without hesitation, his voice loud and clear:

"Your Majesty's actions are naturally intended to regulate the capital's etiquette, clearly delineate the residences of the people, accurately control the city's population, and facilitate the court's overall governance of the capital. This is something that emperors of all dynasties have done, only Your Majesty has done it in a more meticulous manner."

"What you say is correct, my dear minister." Liu Ce nodded slightly, his gaze firm and composed.

"However, my esteemed ministers have only seen the constraints of control brought about by the division of wards and districts, but have overlooked the enormous advantages inherent in such a well-organized layout. The 108 wards are separated by walls, with independent gates and clear boundaries, each being an independent governance unit that does not interfere with the others."

He drew a circle on the drawing with his pointer, his voice rising several decibels:

"This has never been a burden that hinders the development of the capital, but rather the most unique and excellent tool that Heaven has bestowed upon us to govern such a vast imperial capital! Each neighborhood is an independent little castle, which can manage itself behind closed doors, and can not go far if something happens."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Ce picked up a top-quality vermilion brush, dipped it in rich cinnabar ink, bent down, and quickly sketched and marked on the vast map of the city.

The pen scratched across the paper, and crimson lines spread across the drawing, gradually revealing a brand-new set of nighttime control regulations for the capital.

"From this day forward, I abolish the outdated, one-size-fits-all curfew system and implement a new, tiered management system," Liu Ce said without looking up, his brush moving swiftly and powerfully.

"The 108 neighborhoods of Luoyang were divided into three different levels, and different nighttime traffic control systems were implemented according to the use of each area."

After saying this, Liu Ce, holding a vermilion brush, first circled the two core areas of the palace city and the imperial city, and then included the six wards where the royal armory, the imperial granary, the official gazette bureau, and the Han royal bank were located, drawing several red circles, one inside the other, as if he had put up a "no unauthorized personnel allowed" sign on these places.

He straightened up, his tone solemn and authoritative:

"Level 1, designated as Special Control Zone."

"This place is the core of the Han Dynasty, controlling the lifeline of the court, military and national affairs, the national treasury, and the direction of public opinion. It is related to the stability of the entire Han Dynasty. Within twelve hours, a pass-through system will be implemented."

Apart from designated personnel with official access tokens, no one else, not even members of the imperial family, nobles, or high-ranking officials, is permitted to set foot here without a personally written edict from me! Anyone who dares to force their way in will be killed without exception!

"Each Class A control zone has only one main entrance for passage, with two elite guards on duty day and night. Anyone entering or leaving the zone must have their identity documents strictly checked, and a thorough body search is routinely conducted, from head to toe, to prevent any prohibited items from being brought in."

After nightfall, a large number of Imperial Guards were deployed to patrol the streets, ensuring a post every five steps and a sentry every ten steps, a comprehensive and tight defense to safeguard this vital military and national territory and prevent any potential threats. Even a fly that flew in would be checked to see if it was carrying a knife.

Upon hearing this, the group of conservative old ministers felt somewhat relieved. Yang Biao even stroked his beard and nodded, knowing that the emperor had not completely relaxed his control over the core areas, and that the foundation of the court remained solid and worry-free.

At least the base of operations is safe.

Immediately afterwards, Liu Ce wielded his vermilion brush and circled the entire area, including the two bustling markets in the east and west, the large industrial area outside the city, the cluster of canal wharves outside the city, and the central postal hub of the city. He drew a huge area, almost touching the edge of the blueprint.

"The second level is designated as a Level 1 Open Workshop."

"This region is the economic lifeline supporting the development of industry and commerce, the transport of goods, and the supply of daily necessities for the people of the Han Dynasty."

To ensure the prosperity of all industries and the stable increase in tax revenue, it is necessary to ensure that this place is unobstructed at all times and to completely abolish all curfew restrictions.

The gates of the neighborhood are open all day long and need not be closed. Various workshops within the city can operate in three shifts without worry, day and night. Shops and restaurants of all sizes on the street can operate all night long. Cargo ships come and go at the docks, loading and unloading goods day and night. The movement of vehicles and people is not restricted in the slightest.

"The money can't be cut off, and the goods can't be stopped."

These words immediately caused an uproar in the hall, as if a pot had been boiled over.

Yang Biao's eyes widened instantly, his face filled with anxiety and loss of composure. He couldn't help but step forward and shout, his voice cracking as he tried to dissuade him:

"Your Majesty, you must not do such a thing! This area is the most densely populated and complex place in the entire capital, with people of all kinds of identities coming and going, including refugees from all directions and idle people from the martial arts world."

If nighttime controls are completely relaxed, and no one strictly supervises the city throughout the night, the capital's nighttime security will inevitably descend into chaos, with endless consequences! Who will take responsibility if something goes wrong then?

The other senior officials also looked terrified and kept offering advice, all talking at once, fearing that this move would cause a disaster. They were all so anxious that their faces turned pale.

"Minister Yang, please do not be impatient or agitated. Let me explain the subsequent arrangements in detail." Liu Ce raised his hand gently to signal everyone to calm down, his tone unhurried.

"What I am granting here is merely permission to conduct business; I am not allowing the area to descend into chaos. Opening up does not equate to abandoning it; you should all understand this principle."

He then slowly described the third type of controlled area, and drew another area on the map with his vermilion pen:

"Apart from the two special neighborhoods mentioned above, the remaining ordinary residential neighborhoods and the educational neighborhoods where scholars and students gathered are all designated as the third level, the second level of flexible residential neighborhoods."

"A three-tiered, flexible curfew system will be implemented in this area. This will ensure that people's lives are not disrupted while also guaranteeing safety."

Liu Ce put down his vermilion brush, patted the ink off his hands, and began to explain, as if afraid that some people might not understand:

"This rule is very simple and easy to understand. Ordinary people can move around freely as they please, whether it is day or night, within the area where they live."

When they have nothing to do, they can visit neighbors and chat, take a walk in the courtyard to cool off, or relax and chat in their courtyard at night without being restricted by any rules or regulations.

You can sit in the yard as long as you want; nobody will stop you.

"Only when ordinary people want to leave their own neighborhoods and go to other neighborhoods do they need to strictly abide by the three-stage curfew rules. Once they leave their own homes, they must abide by the rules."