Chương 654: 35 Plan

"Now there is no unified power in the north... The army's ability to launch long-range raids and conduct large-scale battles has increased fivefold compared to when the country was founded. The northern border troubles that have lasted for hundreds of years have now been basically eliminated, and the people no longer have to fear that the barbarians will raid them from the south. They can now farm and live their lives in peace."

The officers in the ranks all wore arrogant expressions. Li Jing stepped forward and loudly proclaimed:

"Your Majesty! A million-strong army, fully armed and well-supplied, is ready to crush any rebellious nation at any time! We will attack wherever you point us, without hesitation!"

"Good." Liu Ce praised, then smiled and gestured for the generals to return to their posts.

"With you all here, I am at ease. But don't be idle; there will be plenty of battles to fight in the future."

Zhang Fei rubbed his hands together, eager for a fight, and whispered to Guan Yu, "Second Brother, did you hear that? Another battle is about to begin! My hands are itching to fight!"

Guan Yu glanced at him helplessly, gently pressed him down, and gestured for him not to lose his composure.

The hall fell silent, and all eyes were on Xun Yu, awaiting his final words.

Xun Yu straightened his court robes, bowed deeply to Liu Ce, and spoke in a steady and powerful voice:

"Your Majesty, the achievements of the Second Five Emperors were not only about doubling the population and expanding the territory, but also about establishing the foundation of agriculture and industry, establishing a centralized system, and promoting culture and education, thus laying an unshakable foundation for the century-long prosperity of our Great Han Dynasty."

"However, I must also speak frankly: the governance of the grasslands is still in its infancy, the development of the south is still slow, the literacy rate of the entire population is still low, and industry is only distributed in a few places around the capital. There are many shortcomings, which need to be addressed gradually in the Three-Five Plan. We must not be arrogant or complacent."

That concludes the report.

The hall was silent for a moment, then erupted into a deafening roar of congratulations.

All the officials bowed and clasped their hands in unison:

"Your Majesty is wise! With the success of the Second and Fifth Emperors, may the Han Dynasty last ten thousand years!"

Liu Ce stood up, slowly walked down the edge of the steps, looked at the kneeling officials below, and at the black dragon flag fluttering outside the hall. His voice echoed throughout the entire Taiji Hall:

"All of you, rise."

"Ten years ago, I stood here and said that I would make sure the people had enough to eat and that there would be no war in the world... Five years ago, I stood here and said that I would expand the territory and make all industries flourish... Today, we have done it all."

He paused, his gaze sharp as a sword, sweeping across everyone's face:

"But this is not the end, but only the beginning. In the next three to five years, I will cultivate the Western Regions; I will set sail to explore the unknown continents; I will improve all trades and industries, allowing machines to replace more human labor; I will expand education, so that all children in the world can read and write."

"What I desire is not a period of peace, but a dynasty that lasts for eternity. Are you all willing to continue walking this path with me?"

"We, your humble servants, are willing to serve you like dogs and horses! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The officials bowed and clasped their hands once more, and the sound waves surged out of the Taiji Hall, spreading throughout the imperial city of Luoyang, drifting towards the thousands of acres of fertile fields outside the city, and drifting towards the distant mountains and rivers.

The sunshine after the snow fell, landing on everyone's shoulders, warm and comforting, making people feel warm inside.

No one doubts that in the next five years, the Han Dynasty will be even more ferocious, faster, and stronger.

After all, they had an emperor who seemed to have superhuman abilities, and a group of ministers who were willing to fight and work hard.

The best is yet to come!

..................

February 1st, the eleventh year of Shenwu.

The snow in Luoyang City had not yet completely melted, and icicles still clung to the glazed tiles of the Taiji Hall, shimmering in the morning light.

Outside the hall, a cold wind howled, but inside it was scorching hot. A gilded bronze crane-shaped incense burner was burning animal-shaped charcoal, and the heat mixed with the fragrance of sandalwood enveloped everyone in a warm embrace.

The civil and military officials stood in two rows, looking more spirited than at any previous court assembly... The Second Five-Year Plan had just been successfully completed, and the joy had not yet dissipated. Everyone knew perfectly well that this emperor, who always liked to do things "unprecedented," was bound to throw out an even bigger pie today.

Among the civil officials, Xun Yu held his official tablet, his eyes slightly bloodshot from staying up late...

Fang Xuanling stood behind him, occasionally tapping his lower back; his old ailment had flared up again...

Du Ruhui kept his head down, quickly flipping through the small notebook in his sleeve, muttering to himself as if he were checking some numbers at the last minute.

The military officers' platoon was even more lively.

Guan Yu stroked his magnificent beard, as steady as Mount Tai, exuding an air of "it doesn't matter to me even if the sky falls down."

Zhang Fei whispered to Cheng Yaojin, his voice barely audible, "Hey, do you think His Majesty will bring up the war today? My hands are itching for battle; it's been years since I've had a proper fight."

Cheng Yaojin lowered his voice, swirling a melon seed shell in his mouth: "I think it's unlikely. They might be planning something at sea. The Ministry of Works was building new ships a few days ago! I heard from Song Yingxing that those ships don't need sails; they can run on their own and are faster than horses!"

"His Majesty has arrived!"

As soon as the eunuch finished announcing his arrival, the hall fell into complete silence...

Liu Ce, dressed in a black robe with twelve dragon symbols, slowly ascended the steps and sat down.

The twelve-tasseled beaded string swayed gently as he glanced at the assembled officials below, his voice steady: "All of you, rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After the shouts of welcome were finished, the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop...

Liu Ce lightly tapped the imperial desk with his fingertips, getting straight to the point without uttering a single word of pretense:

"It has been eleven years since the founding of the nation. In the first five years, we ensured that the people had enough to eat, unified the administration of the nine provinces, and solved the problem of 'whether we could survive'; in the second five years, we drove out the northern barbarians, expanded our territory by thousands of miles, established the foundation of all industries, and opened up the benefits of maritime trade, thus solving the problem of 'whether we are strong'."

He leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming more serious:

"Today, steam power has been improved and produced. This thing works with the power of water and fire, and can replace human, animal, and water power. It can be used for farming, weaving, traveling, and fighting. This is a change that has not been seen in a thousand years, and it is also an opportunity for our great Han Dynasty to be unparalleled in the world.

If we fail to seize it, we will just be another ordinary dynasty that enjoys peace and prosperity; if we seize it, we can establish a foundation for an everlasting dynasty."

A low commotion arose below the steps.

Song Yingxing gripped the scepter tightly... He dealt with steam engines every day and knew all too well how much trouble they could cause.

The generals' eyes lit up, vaguely guessing that there was another great undertaking to be done in expanding territory, and they were all eager to get started.

Shen Wansan secretly pulled out the golden abacus from his sleeve, his fingertips already itching to make a move: Judging from this, he's about to spend a lot of money again?

Liu Ce raised his hand to silence the discussion, his words clear and resonant in everyone's ears:

"Therefore, for the third five-year plan for national rejuvenation of the Han Dynasty, I hereby set out a sixteen-character general outline: steam-powered, integrated provincial administration, maritime expansion, and leapfrog development in science and education."

He paused, his voice growing even more resolute: "The total budget is nearly double that of the Second Five-Year Plan. The money will come from industrial and commercial taxes, state-run industries, overseas trade, and mining profits. There will be no increase in agricultural taxes, no burden on the people, and absolutely no additional burden on the common folk.

Five years from now, I want the Han Dynasty's industrial output to account for 30% of the nation's total, the literacy rate to reach 30%, the eight newly established border provinces to be indistinguishable from those in the interior, and three to five stable outposts to be established overseas. In terms of military strength and naval reach, we will be unparalleled in the world."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the hall held their breath.