Chương 726: You tell me, where is that mountain at the end of the world?

Liu Ce nodded upon hearing this and said with a smile, "That day will come. In the future, we will also build a canal to connect the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, so that merchant ships will not have to go around the Cape of Good Hope, saving half the journey."

We also want to build a naval base in the Mediterranean, turning the entire Mediterranean into our inland lake. From then on, we'll have complete control over trade here.

The generals were thrilled and nodded in agreement.

They knew that His Majesty never failed to do what he said.

They said they'd build a railway, and they did; they said they'd build a steamship, and they did; they said they'd reach the Mediterranean, and they actually did.

There will definitely be more miracles in the future.

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

On their way back to the capital, they stopped frequently, arranging for troops to be stationed in various locations while enjoying the scenery along the way.

That evening, after passing through Milan and setting up camp, Liu Ce led his generals to a nearby lake.

The group rode their horses and stopped by the lake. The breeze by the lake was very pleasant, and the setting sun shone on the lake, making it look golden, as if a layer of gold had been sprinkled on it.

In the distance, the mountains stretch out in a continuous range, glowing with a purple light under the setting sun, hazy and dreamlike, like a painting.

Everyone looked into the distance, remaining silent and enjoying the rare tranquility.

After years of fighting, with swords flashing and shadows falling every day, suddenly there's quiet, and looking at this beautiful scenery, I feel a little dazed.

At this moment, Liu Ce addressed the crowd, his voice tinged with emotion:

"Tell me, what is that mountain at the end of the world?"

The third prince, Liu Yao, replied, "That should be the 'Alps,' where Caesar conquered Gaul and took half of Rome's territory."

Liu Ce asked again, his gaze fixed on the distance, as if it could pierce through the mountains:

"What lies beyond that mountain at the end of the sky?"

After Liu Ce finished speaking, he glanced slightly at the Third Prince, Liu Yao.

The Third Prince Liu Yao thought for a moment and honestly replied, "I've never been to such a far place. I've heard that Gaul is beyond the mountains, and further north are the Germanic tribes—all barbaric lands."

Liu Ce remained silent, gazing at the distant mountains and the lake bathed in the setting sun, and sighed: Life is so short, and with such a beautiful land, how can one not feel nostalgic?

His tone contained pride, regret, and a touch of inexplicable vicissitude.

Everyone fell silent.

Yes, the land is so beautiful, but life is only a few decades long. Even if we conquer a vast country, how many years can we hold onto it?

But then I thought, even if life is short, being able to follow His Majesty in building this unprecedented foundation and to let the banner of the Han Dynasty fly all over the world, this life has been worthwhile.

As the sun slowly set, it cast long, long shadows of everyone.

The lake water shimmered, and a gentle evening breeze blew by.

The landscape is like a painting, and the years pass like a song.

And the legend of the Han Dynasty continues.

There will be even more territory and more miracles waiting for them to create in the future.

After all, beyond the ocean lie the Americas and Australia; beyond the mountains lies an even wider world.

Their journey is to the stars and the sea.

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

On the first day of the first month of the twenty-first year of Shenwu, the snow in Luojing fell for three days straight, as if it were free, turning the entire city into a cream cake.

Today, the sky was bright and clear, and the golden morning sun shone on the snow-covered glazed tiles of the Taiji Hall, making one's eyelashes tremble.

Today is no ordinary grand meeting... it's the final verification meeting for the Fourth Five-Year Plan.

Not only have all the provincial governors from the mainland returned, but even the governor of the Nanyang Province, which is far away, and the officials of various colonial outposts are rushing back on steamships.

Among the civil officials, Xun Yu, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, stood at the very front, holding a thick verification ledger.

The old man's beard and hair were completely white, and even his eyebrows were covered with frost, but his back was still ramrod straight.

Surrounded by a group of veteran officials, including Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Jia Xu, all with solemn expressions, he was about to reveal the secrets of the past five years to the public.

A few former officials of aristocratic families stood sparsely at the corner of the hall, their hands hanging down, their eyelids drooping, their expressions calm to the point of being wooden.

Twenty years ago, these people were powerful and influential clans, with their protégés and former subordinates all over the country...

In the span of twenty years and four five-year plans, railways were built to our doorsteps, the imperial examination system destroyed hereditary jobs, industry and commerce flourished, and people from poor families could become provincial governors based on their own abilities.

They went from being a behemoth that could influence the court to an ordinary noble family with only their cultural heritage remaining. They had long since lost the strength to even sigh, let alone struggle.

With the younger generation of the family all working in factories and studying new subjects, constantly talking about "steam engines" and "profitability," who still cares about the family's land and "family honor"?

The wheels of time roll by without even a warning.

Since Liu Ce's Western Expeditionary Army had not yet returned to the capital, this summary meeting of the Fourth and Fifth Five-Year Plans was presided over by Crown Prince Liu Chen, who was in charge of the country.

Liu Chen sat upright on the dragon throne, dressed in a black court robe, his expression much more composed.

After three years as regent, the once somewhat benevolent and even a little soft-hearted crown prince has now developed a regal bearing.

He lightly tapped the imperial desk with his fingertips, getting straight to the point without uttering a single polite New Year's greeting:

"Twenty years ago, Your Majesty and your ministers settled on a national security strategy in the Deyang Palace in Luoyang, setting out the path of 'First Five-Year Plan' to lay the foundation, 'Second Five-Year Plan' to build the framework, and 'Third Five-Year Plan' to expand the scale; five years ago, Your Majesty and your ministers established the 'Fourth Five-Year Plan' to revitalize the nation, which aimed to build a railway network, cultivate industry, equip the entire army with firearms, and establish contiguous colonies."

Today marks the end of the term. The merits and demerits should be made clear to the world. Minister Xun, you are in charge of the verification; you shall then present your findings to the emperor.

"I obey your decree."

Xun Yu stepped forward in response and bowed deeply to the imperial steps.

As he rose again, he slowly unfurled the first volume of the memorial in his hand, his powerful voice resounding throughout the hall, each word striking a chord in people's hearts:

"Your subject Xun Yu, having led the eight ministries... for four months, has inspected all provinces, prefectures, and counties throughout the realm... and now reports to His Highness the Crown Prince and all officials:" The fourth five-year plan for national rejuvenation of the Han Dynasty, consisting of six major projects and twenty-four core objectives, has been exceeded.

Even more epoch-making change... The industrial and commercial output of our great Han Dynasty has officially surpassed that of agriculture, accounting for 52% to 53% of the world's total.

From the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to the present day, the old order based on agriculture has changed under the rule of our great Han Dynasty.

After he finished speaking, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

An uncontrollable commotion immediately erupted.

The veteran officials' pupils contracted slightly, and they gripped their official tablets tightly...

The young officials' eyes lit up, and their breathing became a little heavier...

Even the eunuchs with their hands hanging down at the corners of the hall couldn't help but secretly raise their heads.

Everyone knows the weight of the phrase "industrial and commercial enterprises, and agricultural enterprises".

This is not just a numbers game with a few more zeros in the ledger; it's a turning point in an era.

For hundreds of years, every dynasty has proclaimed "agriculture is the foundation, commerce is the end," ranking scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants last.

Who would have thought that one day, the money earned from working and doing business could surpass that from farming?

Farming alone cannot support so many people or sustain such a large empire.

Can we earn more money and live a better life by relying on factories, railways, and maritime trade?

Many veteran officials in the hall had spent half their lives advising the emperor to "emphasize agriculture and suppress commerce." At this moment, they felt a mix of emotions—shock, confusion, and a strange, indescribable excitement.

Times have truly changed.

Xun Yu raised his hand and pressed down slightly, and the hall quickly fell silent again.