Chương 561: The Three-Stage Flexible Curfew Method, Identification Certificate

Xun You, who was always meticulous, became curious and quickly bowed and asked:

"Your Majesty, I have never heard of such a three-stage flexible curfew before. I do not know how the time periods should be divided for implementation. I am ignorant and would appreciate Your Majesty's guidance."

Liu Ce smiled faintly, then gave a look to the personal eunuch serving him outside the hall.

The eunuch understood immediately and quickly stepped forward, respectfully holding a small, exquisite pure bronze street drum model in both hands, and carefully placed it in the center of the large rosewood table.

The bronze drum gleamed with a golden light under the candlelight, and it was exquisitely crafted.

This bronze drum model is exquisitely crafted with neat and grand patterns. It is a model artifact carefully replicated by the Ministry of Works based on the style of the street drums in the capital's bell tower. The proportions are completely consistent, and even the patterns on the drum surface are exactly the same.

Liu Ce casually picked up a slender wooden drumstick and gently tapped the bronze drum to demonstrate the rhythm while explaining the city's unified three-drum timing system in a clear and organized manner.

The drumsticks struck the bronze drum, producing a clear and melodious sound.

The crisp "clang, clang, ding" sound echoed in the hall, and everyone pricked up their ears.

"I hereby establish a city-wide system for timing using street drums."

The time was calibrated using the precise self-ringing clock in the central clock tower of the capital. The time was uniformly divided in all areas of the city. The time signal transmitted by the drum was never more than one minute off. All people could determine the time by the drum. They knew what time it was and what they should do just by hearing the drum.

The large clock in the clock tower was calibrated by the Ministry of Works over a year; it's extremely accurate.

"The first evening drum is sounded precisely at six o'clock every evening, for a total of three hundred times. The drum sound is soothing and long, as if bidding farewell to the daytime."

The sounding of the evening drum signifies the end of all daytime court duties, the closure of government offices, and the departure of everyone from get off work. The city's formal night markets officially open for business, marking the beginning of a period of free movement between neighborhoods throughout the city.

The people in the city could go out to stroll, play, attend banquets, drink, listen to operas, taste tea, visit relatives and friends at will. They could go to any neighborhood to move around and have fun without any hindrance or restriction.

After work, eat and drink as you please. Go wherever you want, do whatever you want.

"The second night drum is struck precisely at 10 p. m. every night, for a total of 500 strikes. The drum sounds are rapid and clear, as if urging people to go home."

After the night drum sounded, the period of free movement between neighborhoods throughout the city officially ended, and the city officially entered a time-limited control phase. At this time, people who were out for leisure or running errands needed to set off one after another to return to their respective neighborhoods.

All patrol officers were on duty throughout the streets, inspecting passersby and patiently advising those who had no legitimate reason for going out or who were loitering around the streets to go home and rest as soon as possible.

Speak kindly and gently; don't frighten the people. Also, make a note of those who don't listen to advice, and you won't be so lenient next time.

"The third drumbeat is struck precisely at midnight every day, for a total of two hundred beats. The drum's sound is deep and resonant, as if saying goodnight to the night."

After the ban drum sounded, the nighttime restricted passage period came to an end, and the entire capital officially entered a period of strict control late at night.

In all the secondary flexible housing areas where residents live, only one small emergency gate is left open for passage in case of emergencies.

Except for those holding official nighttime special passes and personnel handling emergency affairs, all other ordinary citizens are prohibited from traveling between neighborhoods without authorization.

It's time to stay home and sleep. Don't go out wandering around.

"At six o'clock the next morning, the clock tower struck the morning drum six hundred times again with a rousing rhythm, and the curfew that had lasted all night was completely lifted."

Various morning markets opened for business throughout the city, selling steamed buns, soy milk, and vegetables.

People went out to work and make a living, starting a new day of daily life.

A new day begins with the sound of drums.

After explaining the three-stage curfew period, Liu Ce gently put down the wooden drumstick in his hand and, in front of the entire court, carefully considered the advantages and disadvantages, counting on his fingers to show them:

"With this regulation in place, ordinary people will have a full three hours of free time at night, from six o'clock to ten o'clock. This two-hour period is enough for people to go out to eat, drink, have fun, visit relatives and friends, and enjoy themselves without affecting the atmosphere of nighttime life in the community."

All workshops and shops within the city continued to operate around the clock, without disrupting industrial production or daily life, ensuring the stability of both national tax revenue and the livelihoods of the people.

"The only time when the imperial court and government truly need to expend manpower and resources to strictly control and manage the situation is from midnight to 6 a. m., a mere three hours."

During this period, the vast majority of people are already sound asleep, and the streets are sparsely populated, quiet, and empty. The overall security control pressure in the capital can be reduced by more than 70%, truly achieving the best of both worlds.

Everyone can get a good night's sleep, and the night patrol won't be so tired.

After Liu Ce finished speaking, he leaned back in his chair, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and waited for everyone's reaction with a hint of smugness in his eyes.

After listening attentively to this unprecedented new control system, the ministers all lowered their heads and pondered it in silence, some frowning and others nodding.

This novel and unique governance method was unheard of before. However, upon careful consideration, it proved to be in line with the current realities of the capital, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of all parties, making it comprehensive and practical.

Some say it's "wonderful," others say it's "amazing."

...

Lu Bing immediately realized the core problem in the implementation of the system. He quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and asked with a furrowed brow and urgent voice:

"The flexible curfew system proposed by His Majesty is already extremely comprehensive and perfect."

However, the streets were crowded and chaotic at night, making it difficult for the guards on duty to quickly distinguish between the resident residents, night workers, and temporary visitors.

If we were to question and verify the identity and address of each person individually, it would not only be extremely time-consuming, but it would also easily cause congestion at the neighborhood entrance, disturbing and inconveniencing residents.

He paused, then added, "If we can't accurately differentiate between groups of people, even the best control measures will be difficult to implement. In the end, people will line up in long queues to go home, complaining and turning a good thing into a bad thing."

"The problem that Minister Lu is worried about has already been fully considered by me when I first drafted the regulations, and I have prepared a solution long ago."

Liu Ce smiled calmly, as if he had been prepared, and then gestured to the eunuch again.

Two strong eunuchs carried a tightly sealed solid wood imperial box over and placed it steadily in the center of the hall with a "thud." The box made a dull thud when it hit the ground, indicating that it was quite heavy.

Liu Ce opened the wooden box himself. Inside, stacks of brand-new, meticulously crafted identity documents were neatly arranged. They were uniform in style, of superior quality, and made of thick, smooth paper, clearly not ordinary items.

He personally took out several vouchers and distributed them one by one to the ministers, so that they could carefully examine and verify them.