Novel East
Chapter 157.1
After more than a month had passed, the year finally came to an end. The six ministries and nine ministers, among other departments, reported to Lin Beifan on their work over the past year.
They summarized this years achievements and then envisioned the future.
Finally, it was Heshens turn. He was responsible for most of the work and became the highlight of the reports.
Reporting to Your Majesty, under your wise leadership, all tasks have been vigorously advanced!
In the area of agriculture, we organized approximately 4 million citizens to clear and cultivate land. To date, 750,000 square miles of land have been reclaimed and planted with crops!
This year, our grain production has reached an astonishing XX catties, which is more than enough to feed 20 million people across the nation! Even if our population were to increase by another 5 million, it would pose absolutely no problem!
Next year, we will continue to advance our land reclamation projects, planting more crops on even more land, keeping more citizens free from hunger, and ensuring that our Great Xia will never again worry about food shortages!
In terms of housing, this year we have constructed a total of 900,000 concrete houses, an increase of over 50% from last year! Up to now, we have built 1.5 million concrete houses, solving the housing problem for nearly 5 million people!
In the near future, having a place to call home will no longer be an issue for everyone in our Great Xia!
In the textile industry, there are currently 4 million women engaged in labor, and the fabric they have woven has reached countless households, essentially achieving the goal of clothing for everyone!
In the mining sector, we have organized approximately 2 million common people to mine, and the variety of mineral resources they have extracted is vast, with a total value reaching 18 million taels! Our resources are also worry-free!
In terms of road construction, the achievements are very significant! Because all the major cities in our Great Xia are now fully connected by concrete roads, facilitating communication and transportation between the major cities, not only faster but also more cost-effective!
After conducting experiments, transporting goods via cement roads has increased speed by over 50% while transportation costs have been reduced by 50%! The widespread cement roads have laid the foundation for the soaring economy of Great Xia!
In terms of shipbuilding, we have now built 82 ships, which have been successfully launched and have begun their service, fulfilling the task entrusted by His Majesty
Your Majesty, currently, among the approximately 20 million citizens of our country, more than half have been lifted out of poverty
Heshen reported each achievement one by one, and it could be said that the results were very significant!
Upon hearing this, all the civil and military officials were amazed.
Each of these achievements was a miracle!
Even those dynasties with formidable national power couldnt create such an economic miracle in such a short amount of time!
Its only their Majesties, with his disregard for the cost of investment, that such a miracle could happen!
No, it should be called a divine act!
After listening to Heshens report, Lin Beifan nodded.
Although there were some exaggerations, the overall report wasnt far off.
In fact, the tasks that Lin Beifan had set were quite daunting, and even with money, they might not have been achievable, but Heshen had completed them all.
Damn, hes really talented!
Other officials from the courts were not much different.
Although they were corrupt and cunning, their workability was truly undeniable!
No matter how difficult or unreasonable the tasks assigned were, they managed to complete them all, which made Lin Beifan very happy!
Lin Beifan, beaming with joy, said, Minister He, you have worked hard this past year! And the same goes for all the other Ministers! You have laid a tremendous foundation for the rise of Great Xia, and I will not forget your contributions! Now, it is time to reward your achievements!
The civil and military officials were invigorated because the time for rewards had arrived!
This was what they had been waiting for!
Lets start with Minister He!
Lin Beifan spoke earnestly, Over the past year, you have led the common people to clear the wilderness, build roads, construct houses, and mine ores, enabling millions to escape poverty. Your contributions are no less significant than expanding territories, so you must be ennobled!
Now, I hereby confer upon you the title of Marquis of Peace!
Heshen was astonished, as were all the civil and military officials!
Ennobled again?
Heshen has already been ennobled for the second time!
Moreover, he was granted the title of marquis as a civil official, which is truly prestigious!
This is a great honor in any kingdom!
For a moment, all the officials looked at Heshen with envy, jealousy, and resentment.
Seeing this scene, Lin Beifan secretly smiled to himself.
The reason he did this was to set Heshen as an example, to tell those civil officials that even though they did not go to war, they could still be ennobled if they achieved great success in their positions.
Wont this give them more motivation to work?
Heshen was overjoyed and exclaimed loudly, Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!
Dont be too quick to thank me. I have another fine gift for you!
What kind of fine gift, Your Majesty? Heshen asked curiously.
Lin Beifan waved his hand gently, Bring it forth!
A young eunuch brought forth a beautifully crafted jade box.
Upon opening it, inside was something that looked just like an eyeball.
Heshens pupils shrank in shock when he saw the object: This is
This is the seed of the Nine-Eyed White Jade Lotus Pod!
Lin Beifan laughed and said, This is a treasure that people of the rivers and lakes dream of possessing. It heals the injured, boosts the strength of the healthy, and even has the effect of prolonging life! Minister, with your current first-rate abilities, you should be able to break through to the Innate level after consuming this lotus seed!
Heshen was aware that the imperial court had this treasure, but he had never coveted it.
As a civil official who didnt have to go to war, consuming this lotus seed seemed somewhat wasteful.
Why would His Majesty bestow such an important lotus seed upon me? Heshen asked.
Lin Beifan scolded with a smile, Because you have been tirelessly busy with my affairs, hardly having any time to rest! I cannot bear to see you work yourself to death!
Although Lin Beifans words were somewhat inauspicious, Heshen felt a warm comfort in his heart upon hearing them.
Only he himself knew the great sacrifices he had made for the sake of the court.
Fearful of failing the Emperors order, he personally attended to many matters, no matter how large or small.
With so much to handle, he could barely sleep for two hours a day, often having to rise just after lying down, starting to deal with government affairs even before dawn.
It had been like this for over a year.
With such intensity of work, even a body of iron couldnt withstand it.
If he were an ordinary civil servant, he would have already succumbed to overwork, coughing up blood and dying.
Fortunately, he is a first-rate expert with formidable strength, still able to hold on, but its uncertain whether he could endure another year or two.
Hes not afraid of fatigue, nor does he dread hardship; what he fears is not receiving recognition. But now, His Majesty has ennobled him for the second time and even bestowed upon him a Nine-Eyed White Jade Lotus Pods seed, a treasure coveted by all in the rivers and lakesthis is the greatest acknowledgment of his worth!
As the saying goes, a true warrior dies for those who appreciate him!
With eyes brimming with tears and hands trembling, Heshen received the jade box and then knelt down.
He knocked his head on the ground three times with a resounding thud: Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness!
There are also other Ministers; I have rewards for you as well!
After a round of bestowing rewards, all the civil and military officials were beaming with joy.
Then, Lin Beifan arranged the work for the coming year.
Minister He, next year you must continue to push forward with land reclamation, road construction, house building, mining, textile production, and other such tasks! All these tasks are closely related to the peoples livelihood, so I ask you to put in extra effort!
Your humble servant obeys the decree! Heshen declared loudly.
Cao Cao, Minister Cao! Lin Beifan called out.
Your humble servant is present! Cao Cao stood up.
This year, the military academy you hosted was exceptionally outstanding! Therefore, we shall start another class to continue nurturing our grassroots officers next year, allowing our Great Xia to possess even more talented generals!
As you command, Your Majesty! Cao Cao accepted the decree.
Furthermore, we will expand the size of our army tomorrow, so you will continue to recruit soldiers for me!
Your Majesty, how many soldiers should be recruited? Cao Cao inquired.
Lin Beifan raised a single finger: At least one million!
The hall erupted in astonishment!
One million!
And thats at the very least!
Your Majesty, this is on par with the dynasties!
For only a dynasty could muster such a vast army!
And only a dynasty could afford to maintain an army of this scale!
The military officers and generals of the current court were all stirred with excitement.
His Majesty conscripts troops, who benefits the most?
Of course, its them!
With more soldiers, their power grows, and so do the opportunities to distinguish themselves!
Cao Cao responded loudly, Your humble servant obeys the decree!
Li Linfu, Minister Li!
Your humble servant is present! Li Linfu stood up.
Due to the rapid development of Great Xia, the population and territory have almost doubled, and the affairs have increased several times over. I need more talented individuals to serve the country! Therefore, next year, you shall hold another imperial examination!
The civil and military officials were all startled; His Majesty had once again initiated the imperial examination?
But upon reflection, it seemed quite normal.
After all, Great Xia had developed so rapidly that the number of domestic officials simply couldnt keep up with the nations growing needs.
Many were working non-stop, hence the necessity to continue recruiting.
Your humble servant receives the decree! Li Linfu declared loudly.
Furthermore, in last years Banquet of Ultimate Bliss, you did well!
Lin Beifan smiled and said, The New Year is approaching. Host another Banquet of Ultimate Bliss to reward the civil and military officials!
Yes, Your Majesty!
Following that, Lin Beifan continued to appoint officers and arrange the work for the coming year, instructing everyone to be prepared. ๐ง๐จ๐๐๐น๐๐ฎ๐๐ญ.๐ฐ๐จ๐ฆ
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