“Someone is beating the drum at the entrance of the village!” The village woman excitedly pushed her man, “Go, go and listen.”

The man was exasperated: “You also have shoes to wear now. There are more than one pair of shoes at home. Let’s go together.”

The village woman touched the back of her head: “Ai, I forgot about this.”

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Now was no longer the time when the family only had one set of presentable clothes and one pair of shoes.

Seeing that all the people were almost here, the village head shouted loudly, “Someone from above has come! They said they want to build roads and bridges! They also want to build water wheels!”

The faces of the people below changed instantly. This was a draft. There was no monetary payment and you may not be able to even eat a full meal. If you die, there is no place to even cry.

At this time, the village head said again: “The above said, they will take care of three meals a day! All solid food! Full meals! There is also monthly wages! The harder the work, the more monthly wages!”

“Those who will build roads depends on which part of the road to be built!”

The village head spoke until his mouth was dry, and it was his wife who brought him a bowl of water to moisten his throat, so he could continue to speak: “At least 50 big banknotes a month!”

The people below started chattering.

“Building roads is a bit harder, but with money being paid, it earns much more than farming, and it’s also not farming season, so the wife at home can take care of the house and children.”

“That’s right, if it’s me, I won’t make fifty big banknotes. I will earn at least one hundred big banknotes. Maybe I’ll even be able to rebuild the house when I come back after work.”

The crowd of people put their heads together to discuss.

The village head said again: “Not everyone can go. You need to have a healthy physique. Anyone over the age of 15 and under 40, whoever signs up first, I’ll report you first, so you all go back and discuss with your family.”

“Move along. Come and find me before it gets dark. The registration time is three days, and after three days, there will be no chance left.”

Someone shouted from below, “Village head, will your family go?”

The village head gulped down a bowl of water: “Go, my three sons, all three! After earning money to build a house, and then marry and bring my daughter-in-laws back home!”

“Even the village head’s family will go, so I will go too!”

“I am going too!”

“Village head! Are girls allowed?”

The person who asked the question was an orphan girl who had no land. She made money by weaving rattan baskets in the village. Sometimes she also worked in the laundromats in the town. If any farmer in the village needed help she would also go, she only asked for some corn or beans or the like. The living conditions were very impoverished.

She lived in a thatched hut and adopted an orphan boy a few days ago. The orphan boy was only four or five years old. His parents died while fleeing, and he had survived until now with the help of others.

The orphan girl saw that he was pitiful, so she let him live with her.

Although the people in the village laughed at her saying she had found a child husband for herself, they all knew that she did not have it easy supporting herself and the boy.

Someone next to her said to her: “You little girl, are you even fighting men for food?”

The orphan girl looked at him: “Men have to eat, women also have to eat, everyone is grabbing food from the hands of God.”

Someone laughed: “Er Zhuzi, you can’t win against her in a verbal fight.”

The village head coughed: “Girls are allowed, but girls don’t get as much wages as men, unless the foreman decides that you have worked harder, then your monthly wages will be raised.”

Orphan girl: “Then I’ll go, village head, write down my name.”

Village head sighed, “Don’t you need to watch your child?”

The orphan girl shook her head: “He won’t starve to death. He survived before without me. I will earn more money and send him to the town to study at school.”

The people around said: “Such treatment is even better than that between two blood siblings. You’re not afraid that after he grows up he’ll ignore you?”

The orphan girl said firmly: “My father and mother are gone, and his father and mother are gone. We are both lone orphans. I treat him as family not because I want him to repay me in the future.”

“Then I’ll go too! I’m a grown man, yet I’m not as brave as a little girl? If others hear this they will laugh!”

“Go, I’ll go too!”

The village head recorded the names one by one, but still said: “Go back and discuss with your family, lest the wife disagrees.”

“My wife just listens to me, I say one and she doesn’t dare to say two!”

“Zhao San, you sure know how to talk big, who was kicked out of the house by the wife in the middle of the night last month and went to sit on the field ridge for an entire night?”

Zhao San blushed: “Don’t talk nonsense! I just felt that it was too hot in the house!”

The crowd burst into laughter.

Zhao San glared at them one by one, but couldn’t manage to glare at all as there were too many.

He managed to marry a wife with much difficulty, she had a round face and red cheeks, a sweet and soft voice, was not finicky but a good and hard worker.

How could he be willing to say a heavy word to her?

He just wanted to hold her in his arms every day.

Before, he never dared to think that he could marry a wife.

At that time, the village was so poor. Every family, whenever they gave birth to a girl they either abandoned or drowned the baby.

Ten miles and eight townships were all men. If anyone had a daughter, even if she was still a breastfeeding baby, someone would already want to engage their son to her.

Even in the village head’s family, there were three sons, the oldest was over thirty, the youngest was twenty, all three were bachelors.

It was Zhao San who was lucky. He went to the town to go to the market and met his wife who was setting up a stall. Although the two did not say it out loud, they both developed feelings towards each other after several meetings. Zhao San was afraid that he was too poor and the girl’s family would not agree, so he worked as hard as he could. After earning some money, buying a few acres of land, and preparing proposal gifts, only then did he ask the matchmaker to propose marriage on his behalf.

He was the first of those his age to marry in the village.

When the orphan girl first came to the village, the matchmakers almost wore out the door threshold of her thatched hut. If it wasn’t for her lack of interest, the men in the whole village were all for her to pick and choose from.

There was also a pair of brothers who were willing to share a wife. Anyway, they were blood brothers, and the children born would all have the blood of their family.

Even so, the orphan girl didn’t agree.

Fortunately, the village was now under strict lawful order, otherwise who knew what those old bachelors could do.

Zhao San thought of this, and started to worry again. If he left, leaving just his wife and old parents at home, if someone had evil intentions, what would happen without an able bodied man at home?

He went home and told his wife about this.

The wife asked, “Did the village head say how long it will take?”

Zhao San thought for a while: “He said, if you work near home, the money will be less, but every seven days there will be a day off, so you can go home and have a look.”

“If you go to a farther place, you have to work for half a year, but the money will be more.”

The wife said: “Our family has land, and the daily expenses are not large. You work near home. It’s safer.”

Zhao San grinned: “Sure, I’ll listen to you.”

The wife also smiled at him: “I also learned to weave the rattan baskets, and I can take them to the town to sell when we go to the market. Let’s work together, and life will definitely get better and better.”

Zhao San kept nodding, not pausing even as he spoke: “Then you have to follow the people in the village when going to the market.”

The wife laughed at him: “I’m not a toddler. Now, when the market is open in the town, there are soldiers watching. They are even equipped with weapons. No one dares to make trouble.”

Zhao San buried his head in his wife’s arms: “No, I’m worried.”

The wife kicked him: “Go and wash up for dinner, we are eating your favorite sweet potato rice today.”

Sweet potatoes mixed white rice was filling and not as expensive as plain white rice.

Zhao San drooled as soon as he heard it: “What kind of dishes are there?”

“Edible fern fronds, cold vegetables dressed with sauce.” The wife said, “There is also a big fish. I just cooked fish soup which is good for helping mother-in-law and father-in-law recuperate their health. Having suffered a few years ago, both mother-in-law and father-in-law’s legs always hurt these days.”

Zhao San’s eyes reddened, he hugged his wife and kissed her fiercely, unable to say another word.

For the sake of his parents and such a good wife, he had to work hard to earn money.

After half a month, someone came to lead the people away, and the three sons of the village head’s family were also among them. But they did not go to work near the village, but went farther away, saying that they were going to build bridges so that they could get more money, but it was also dangerous.

The eldest son said, “I heard that a bridge builder can earn 500 coins a month.”

“And two sets of clothes.”

“After working for six months, one will be able to build a house and buy two acres of land.”

“It’s dangerous, but the three of us go together and will take care of each other. We’re all strong men, and nothing bad will happen.”

The orphan girl went to build a road nearby.

Every seven days, she could go back to the village to see her brother. She just wanted to build a brick house, even a smaller one was fine. It was enough to have two rooms.

Always living in a thatched hut was uncomfortable.

The group of people said goodbye to their family members and left with their luggage.

While walking on the road, they even began to sing songs.

Lin Yuan looked at the memorials. Everywhere under his rule had begun vigorous infrastructure construction.

The top priority was to build roads. If you want to be rich, build roads first. All modern people knew this truth.

Bridges and water conservancy were among this, bridges were also roads, and water conservancy was the foundation of agriculture.

As for the wages, it was all from treasuries of local governments, and it must be reported to the top uniformly.

Lin Yuan knew how much money there was in the treasuries of these local governments. He would subsidize the poor places, and local officials would send up the money from the rich places.

For example, in Taizhou, Jiang Gui was in charge, and Jiang Gui had sent the tribute silver taels at the beginning of the year.

The same was with Ru Ning.

In affluent places, officials also knew that they couldn’t hide it. The account book was there, and the market had regulations made by merchants. There was also a set of account books on the merchant’s side. So it was easy to discover tampering just by comparing the account books.

What was more, the household registrations had also increased. How many people were in a city and what was everyone’s income, it all added up to a general number.

Officials also have places where they could embezzle some money, as the above was not too strict.

But everyone knew the meaning and bottom line from the above.

No one wanted to use the head on their neck to see if they could embezzle more than was allowed.

Song Shizhao said to Lin Yuan: “There aren’t any with particularly great daring. You have chopped off a lot of heads a few years ago, and their daring has become less.”

Lin Yuan put the memorial aside: “It’s a blessing that those heads that were cut last time could manage to intimidate them for as long as ten years.”

The modern Internet was so developed, but the fall of so many corrupt officials relied on the proof provided by their mistresses in the end.

So it was conceivable that in ancient times when information and transportation were so underdeveloped, there would only be more corrupt officials, not less.

Lin Yuan smiled and said, “Mister, don’t put on a bitter face. Zhen knows in my heart that there are no fish when the water is clear. Zhen has already given them space. If they still do not know what is good for them, then it can not be blamed on Zhen.”

Song Shizhao: “Your Majesty has considered much for them, we shall see what kind of measures they have.”

Lin Yuan took a sip of tea.

Song Shizhao said again: “Last time you said to open the imperial examinations, it is now the autumn, and the weather is neither cold nor hot, which is the most suitable.”

Lin Yuan nodded: “Then I’ll leave this to you.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Song Shizhao breathed a sigh of relief. It was the first time the imperial examination was held in the new dynasty. If he did not supervise it, then he would really cry.

Lin Yuan: “I’m afraid it will exhaust you.”

Song Shizhao widened his eyes: “Definitely won’t be tired, definitely not! This official is still robust enough!”

If anyone tried to fight him for this job, he would bite off a piece of meat from the other party.

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Lin Yuan finally knew what it was like for the emperor no longer attending morning assembly.

Chen Baisong was like a lion, his face and body was covered with sweat, his whole person was full of despair, his arms were as strong as steel, his body was fiery hot, but his eyes were full of contentment at long-cherished wishes being fulfilled and the despair of having no tomorrow.

He thought he was going to die, and this was the reward he got before he died.

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Lin Yuan looked up at Chen Baisong’s face, which clearly looked very ferocious, but to him it appeared very sexy.

Lin Yuan’s fingers sank into Chen Baisong’s muscles, and he could feel the scars on Chen Baisong’s skin.

Chen Baisong’s body was hot, but his heart was cold.

He couldn’t figure out what Lin Yuan was thinking, and he didn’t understand why Lin Yuan was lying under him at this time.

But he knew that this was the happiest and most despairing moment of his life.

He bowed his head reverently and captured Lin Yuan’s lips.

It was this mouth that spoke frightening words.

He was always worried that he would not be able to complete the tasks entrusted to him by Lin Yuan and could not hold up to Lin Yuan’s expectations. He forced himself to move forward, leaving no retreat and never looking back.

Lin Yuan felt water droplets land on his face, he thought it was Chen Baisong’s sweat.

But when he looked up, he found that it was Chen Baisong’s tears.

Lin Yuan stretched out his hand to wipe away Chen Baisong’s tears, but was brought away to another world by Chen Baisong’s ferocious movements.

Lin Yuan didn’t know when he fell asleep, but he slept very deeply, and it was rare that he could sleep so well. Pillowing his head on Chen Baisong’s shoulder, the tip of his nose was surrounded with the scent of sweat on Chen Baisong’s body, but he didn’t find it unpleasant.

Er Liang was guarding the door, and he had already sent all the people who served him away when Chen Baisong entered.

Er Liang was a servant, he didn’t think anything of men being with men, he took the master’s will as his will.

Even if the young master slept with a monster, he still had to guard the door well.

Being a servant, sometimes one must know to pretend to be deaf and dumb. Being a smart person never ends well.

When dawn was about to break, Er Liang cautiously walked to the bedside and called softly, “Your Majesty, today…..”

Lin Yuan’s somewhat muffled voice came from inside: “Just say that Zhen has been too tired these days and is not feeling well, Zhen will not be attending morning assembly.”

Er Liang bowed his head: “Yes.”

He really wanted to open the bed curtains; just how did Chen Baisong, a man who did not resemble a woman at all, manage to fascinate the young master.

If it was Chu Lin, he would understand, but Chen Baisong…..

Er Liang shuddered.

He really hoped it was not like what he thought, the young master was not on top, because that was such a big loss on the young master’s part.

After Lin Yuan finished talking to Er Liang, he put his head on Chen Baisong’s shoulder again. Chen Baisong had tired himself out last night, and he hadn’t woken up yet, but his brows were wrinkled in his sleep. A pair of big hands were still resting on Lin Yuan’s waist. The calluses on them were thick and rough, but Lin Yuan felt very comfortable.

He actually couldn’t tell what kind of feelings he had for Chen Baisong.

Say it’s love? It didn’t seem right.

Friendship? No one had ever brought a friend to bed.

Or maybe there was a little love, but other feelings were mixed in it, and it was not pure.

But he was sure that he was possessive towards Chen Baisong, and for so many years he knew clearly that Chen Baisong did not ever have a woman.

There were neither men nor women, Chen Baisong lived like an ascetic monk.

He also knew Chen Baisong’s feelings for him.

When he heard someone persuade Chen Baisong to get married, he could feel anger surging in him.

Any feelings when taken to the extreme were always exclusive and selfish.

So Lin Yuan gave up thinking and acted on instinct, doing whatever he thought of.

He was lying in Chen Baisong’s arms. He didn’t know if he would regret it in the future, but he didn’t regret it at this moment.

The only thing he regretted was that he shouldn’t have fed Chen Baisong that cup of wine before going to bed last night. It was sent by Chen Half-Immortal and did not have ill effects on the body, nor did it make one lose consciousness. On the contrary, it could even nurse one’s bodily functions.

He didn’t know if Chen Baisong’s bodily health had been nursed or not, but he only knew that his butt hurt now.

Lin Yuan’s thoughts wandered all over the place for a while, then fell asleep again.

“This official, deserves ten thousand deaths for my sin.” Lin Yuan was awakened by the sound of someone begging for forgiveness.

When he opened his eyes, he saw Chen Baisong kneeling beside the bed without any clothing covering his bareness, with his head lowered and his hands clenched into fists.

Chen Baisong’s hair was wet with sweat from last night, and it was not completely dry yet.

Lin Yuan pursed his lips and said, “Either climb up on this bed or get out.”

Chen Baisong didn’t move, as if he had turned into a statue.

He couldn’t just walk out of here completely naked, could he?

Lin Yuan sneered: “Move, why are you kneeling stupidly?”

Chen Baisong wanted to reach for some clothes.

Lin Yuan’s foot stepped down on his clothes.

Chen Baisong looked at Lin Yuan’s feet. Lin Yuan rarely walked on the ground. Even if he went out for a long journey, he would still have a carriage. His toes were round, the instep was slightly arched, his skin was fair and delicate, and there were no calluses.

Chen Bosong’s breathing suddenly became heavy, and his Adam’s apple rolled up and down.

Lin Yuan stepped on Chen Baisong’s thigh.

“The crime of insubordination.” Lin Yuan smiled and said, “Go under the knife. In the future, you will be a eunuch and serve by my side, en?”

Chen Baisong’s eagle woke up, stuck his head out, and seemed eager to come out and have a big fight.

But Chen Baisong himself was still sensible and his brain was still working. He swallowed and said, “This official, deserves to die.”

Lin Yuan withdrew his foot: “Indeed you deserve to die.”

Chen Baisong’s heartbeat slowed a few beats.

Lin Yuan said, “Chen Baisong, were you so timid before?”

“You were much more courageous last night than you are now.”

Chen Baisong pursed his lips into a straight line, his voice coming out with difficulty: “It’s me…..I’ve offended…..”

Lin Yuan raised his head: “I allowed it.”

Chen Baisong raised his head and looked at Lin Yuan with eyes like torches.

If the eyes have power, Lin Yuan would have been pierced by Chen Baisong’s eyes.

Lin Yuan asked him, “Do you regret what happened last night?”

Chen Baisong shook his head without even having to think about it.

Lin Yuan: “Then what are you afraid of? Afraid that I will eat you?”

When Chen Baisong heard the word “eat”, the eagle was practically about to spread its wings.

Lin Yuan also saw it, and Chen Baisong covered it with a flushed face.

He thought of last night.

Chen Baisong felt his mouth dry.

Last night, he seemed to have lost all reason, and only knew to use all his strength to embrace the person in front of him.

Lin Yuan: “Don’t hide it, I’ve seen everything I should see, does it hurt?”

When Lin Yuan mentioned it, Chen Baisong finally felt the pain. After all, it was made of flesh, and it was difficult for him to even walk with the pain from having done it too much.

Lin Yuan also mocked him: “Eight times, even an iron bar would be broken.”

Chen Baisong’s face turned even redder.

When he was in the barracks, almost all of his personal guards had paramours, and as it was lonely at night, sometimes they would talk about their paramours.

He never felt anything when he heard it.

What joy was there in doing that? It was no different from using your own hands.

But now he understood the difference between doing that thing and using your own hand, it could not be compared.

“Don’t go anywhere today, stay with me here.” Lin Yuan lifted the quilt.

Chen Baisong lay down obediently——he felt like he was dreaming, but the dream was too real. The more real it was, the more frightened it made him. He was afraid that if it was really a dream and he woke up, what would become of him.

Lin Yuan was already leaning back on his shoulder.

A hand was also playing with Chen Baisong’s hand: “I’m going to do infrastructure construction.”

Chen Baisong was in a daze.

Lin Yuan continued as if speaking to himself: “Currently, there are still too few jobs. Only by promoting infrastructure construction and increasing jobs can the common people have work to do. With fewer people idle, society will become more stable. In contrast, with more people idle, all kinds of crimes will happen.”

Chen Baisong was still in a daze.

Lin Yuan sighed and said, “It’s just that it’s difficult to implement, let’s start with the capital, what do you think?”

Chen Baisong watched Lin Yuan hold his hand, but he just watched without moving.

Lin Yuan was exasperated, reached out and patted Chen Baisong’s forehead, Chen Baisong then returned to his senses: “What did you say?”

Lin Yuan sighed: “Forget it, it’s useless to say anything to you now.”

Just when Lin Yuan was about to get up to have a bath and read the memorials, Er Liang’s voice came from outside: “Your Majesty, it’s time for breakfast.”

Lin Yuan: “Bring it in.”

Er Liang brought it in alone.

Breakfast consisted of two bowls of porridge, two fried dough sticks, a few steamed dumplings, and two salted duck eggs.

Lin Yuan called Chen Baisong over to eat with him.

Chen Baisong didn’t refuse, he moved in small steps, and if he stepped a little to wide, it would hurt.

When he sat down, the muscles all over his body tensed.

Lin Yuan couldn’t help laughing: “You look like you have it harder than me.”

Although his butt hurt, it didn’t hurt to the point where he had to walk in small steps.

Chen Baisong drank the porridge. He was still in a daze. He felt that this must be real, but he also felt that he was still dreaming. He was very conflicted, drinking the porridge without tasting it and scalding his throat.

Seeing his conflicted expression, Lin Yuan knew that he had scalded his throat and asked Er Liang to bring a cup of cold tea.

“You say something.” Lin Yuan urged.

Chen Baisong pursed his lips tightly.

Lin Yuan felt like he was forcing a good maiden to be a prostitute, and sighed, “I’m afraid that your throat will be injured and it will be troublesome to talk in the future.”

Chen Baisong: “There’s no problem.”

When Lin Yuan heard his hoarse voice, he knew that it must have been scalded.

But it was not like one could rub the scald medicine in the throat.

Lin Yuan sighed.

“Speaking of scald medicine, I’m going to prepare to have the medicine merchants fence off land for a large-scale planting of herbal medicine.” Lin Yuan ate a mouthful of fried dough sticks, “If it is successful, there will be medicine fields everywhere in the future, but it’s not very easy to process them.”

“It would be great if I could find talents in this field.”

The biggest problem with traditional Chinese medicine was that it was difficult to process and cure. Only after processing and curing could traditional Chinese medicine be stored for a longer time.

But processing and curing was a craft, and even the medical clinics couldn’t guarantee how long the traditional Chinese medicine processed and cured by themselves could be stored for.

If it accidentally became damp and moldy, the medicine would be wasted.

Lin Yuan wanted people to develop western medicine, but he didn’t understand it himself, so he couldn’t describe it.

It seemed that he could only think of a way later.

But there was one thing that could be done.

Over-the-counter drugs, especially for common diseases such as colds. The doses of adults and children would be separated. After the diagnosis, there was no need for the doctor to measure out the medicine and the patient could just buy the medicine directly.

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Lin Yuan informed the medical department and asked the doctors to do research on their own.

He had a bunch of ahead of the times concepts, but unfortunately it was difficult to implement them.

Lin Yuan glanced at Chen Baisong and sighed.

Don’t know when Chen Baisong would be able to get along with him more comfortably and naturally.

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“It’s time to deal with Haozhou and Anfeng.” Lin Yuan said to Chen Baisong.

After separating last time, the two hadn’t seen each other for a while. After sobering up, Lin Yuan didn’t forget what he said. He only felt that his skin was getting thicker and thicker, and actually didn’t feel embarrassed at all. Only Chen Baisong avoided him and stayed in the military camp every day training in the army and not coming out very often.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Now summoned by Lin Yuan, Chen Baisong’s face was like still water, his muscles tense, his lips pursed into a line, and he didn’t look at Lin Yuan, just stared at the teacup in front of him.

The tea leaves were floating in the cup, just like his mood at this time, like rootless duckweed, neither up nor down.

He couldn’t guess what Lin Yuan was thinking, and he didn’t know what Lin Yuan was going to do.

That night he left like he was dreamwalking, as if stepping on the clouds, he even forgot how he left.

He went back to his room and stayed up all night.

But Lin Yuan did not summon him again.

It seemed that those were just unintentional remarks made by Lin Yuan after being drunk.

The listener had a heart, but the speaker had no intention.

Seeing that Chen Baisong didn’t answer for a long time, Lin Yuan asked curiously, “What’s wrong? There are flowers in the cup?”

Only then did Chen Baisong come back to his senses and calmly said, “I will lead the troops to Anfeng.”

“Just in time to cooperate with An Laosi and the others.”

“Go during these few days.” Lin Yuan took a sip of tea, “The sooner the better.”

Chen Baisong’s lips pursed more and more.

It was as if Lin Yuan couldn’t wait to send him away, making him bitter.

Lin Yuan looked at his face and asked with concern: “What’s wrong? You haven’t slept well these days? Now you are also a general, and there is always someone to share in your duties, so don’t tire yourself.”

Chen Baisong suddenly said: “It’s good to be tired, that way I think less.”

Lin Yuan was stunned for a moment, only to realize that Chen Baisong’s words had an underlying meaning.

He smiled and said, “Are you blaming me? Or do you resent me?”

Chen Baisong’s breathing stopped for a second and he was about to kneel down to apologize when Lin Yuan grabbed his wrist and he couldn’t move for a while.

He looked at Lin Yuan deeply, this person affected his mind and heart, but he couldn’t do the same to the other.

“Let’s eat something.” Lin Yuan said, “I asked someone to cook beef noodles.”

He did not call himself “Zhen” in front of Chen Baisong.

The beef noodles were served hot, with thinly sliced ​​beef in sauce on top. The ancients paid attention to health preservation. One serving would not be too much, and only ate 70% full. Chen Baisong had a bigger appetite than Lin Yuan, but he couldn’t eat at all now. He just wanted to excuse himself after only two bites.

Lin Yuan chewed and ate slowly, and drank two mouthfuls of soup.

Since he ascended the throne, if nothing else, the quality of life had improved.

Although he was busy with government affairs, he was well taken care of by others.

“Your Majesty, it’s getting late, this official should…..” Chen Baisong just said half a sentence, when he heard Lin Yuan say, “What’s the hurry, we haven’t had a talk tjat last the night for a long time.”

Chen Baisong didn’t know whether it was because he didn’t dare to resist the decree or whether he just didn’t want to leave, but he actually stayed.

When he came back to his senses, he actually found himself sitting on the dragon bed.

Chen Baisong was a little dazed, thinking that this was probably a dream of his.

This dream was so real that it made him extremely terrified.

Before Lin Yuan ascended the throne, when he just realized his feelings, he also had absurd thoughts, snatching Lin Yuan away, locking Lin Yuan up, forcing Lin Yuan’s eyes to only look at him, and only think of him in his heart. If Lin Yuan wanted to escape, he would lock Lin Yuan in the house, he would treat Lin Yuan well and let Lin Yuan live a life without worry for food or clothing.

But he just thought about it.

Chen Baisong looked at the bed curtains.

He didn’t do that, he knew that even if he did, he would eventually be persuaded by Lin Yuan.

No one was Lin Yuan’s opponent. His young master was so powerful and smart. What the young master could achieve, he could not.

He also knew that the young master enjoyed all this.

Enjoying power, but also chasing power, saying one thing and acting on it, ascending the throne of the Nine Heavens.

Unlike him, he was satisfied as long as he had food to eat, clothes to wear, and a good home for his brothers.

He was not born to be like the person his young master was.

But he was always worried that his young master would be deceived and harmed, so he must become stronger and be able to stay by his young master’s side.

He didn’t like fighting, but forced himself to lead armies.

He didn’t like scheming, but forced himself to learn to carry out manipulations.

After a long time, Chen Baisong himself was at a loss, what did he want? What had he been working towards in his whole life?

Now that his young master had become His Majesty and Emperor, no one could hurt him or bully him.

So what was he still holding on to?

His young master saw clearly his little thoughts, did he think he was ridiculous?

Chen Baisong’s eyes were dazed, without focus, and stared blankly at the ceiling.

Lin Yuan was lying on the bed in his under robes. The bed was big enough for three or four big men to lie side by side.

“Aren’t you going to sleep?” Lin Yuan asked, “What are you wearing your outer robes for?”

“Forget it, go wash your feet first before coming in.”

Lin Yuan thought of brother Dao’s foot odor, and frowned for a while.

In his memory, Chen Baisong’s feet didn’t stink, but after so many years of marching, his feet always stuffed in boots, it was estimated that even if it didn’t stink before, it was likely not much better off now.

The eunuch brought water in and Chen Baisong sat aside to soak his feet.

His feet were very big, much bigger than Lin Yuan’s, there was not much flesh on the top, and there were thick calluses on the soles of the feet, scars on the ankles.

This injury forced him to recuperate for a whole month, and it almost turned him into a crippled man.

What was he thinking at the time?

Not what would happen to him if he became a cripple.

But that without him, what would become of his young master?

He couldn’t trust his young master’s sworn brothers.

He couldn’t trust Zhu Yuanzhang and the others.

He felt that there were wolves in front of his young master and tigers in the back, and when he fell, his young master would have no one to protect him.

Chen Baisong even thought about the ending for himself.

Either he died on the battlefield, or retired and returned home after the war, leave far away from his young master, and find a remote place to spend the rest of his days.

Lin Yuan sat on the bed and suddenly said, “Do you remember the time when the three of us came out of our hometown and were scattered by refugees on the road?”

After a long time had passed after transmigrating over, Lin Yuan’s memory became confused with the original owner’s memory, and he couldn’t tell who was who.

Chen Baisong soaked his feet and said, “Remember.”

Lin Yuan asked again: “You were only sixteen at the time, were you afraid?”

The sixteen-year-old boy, before he left the Lin family, his days were just spent herding cattle and chopping wood. He had never done any heavy work, nor had he seen much of the world.

Chen Baisong recalled that time, he nodded and said, “Afraid.”

Lin Yuan: “Afraid of death?”

Chen Baisong suddenly turned his head and smiled at Lin Yuan: “I’m afraid I die too early and be unable to support my mother.”

Now Chen Bosong’s mother had become a lady attendant by Yang shi’s side, and her food and clothing were not bad at all.

Chen Baisong himself was also strange.

If referring to his feelings for his young master, it developed only after they reunited.

But to elaborate, since they grew up together since childhood, he should have developed these feelings when they were young.

Looking back now, when he was a teenager, he only felt that his young master was too soft-hearted and too easy to be deceived and bullied.

He only saw his young master as his younger brother.

Who knew what changed later.

It changed into something that caused even him to be caught off guard and he didn’t dare to think about it closely.

Lin Yuan suddenly said, “The days go by too fast.”

Chen Baisong said in his heart: That’s right, we’ve all become old, and everyone of the same age already has grandsons. As for him, he didn’t even have a son, let alone grandsons.

Lin Yuan asked: “Do you have a girl you like?”

Chen Baisong said again in his heart: Don’t you know if I have one or not?

Seeing that Chen Baisong didn’t answer, Lin Yuan knew that his stubbornness was acting up again, and sighed: “The older you are, the more awkward your temper has become. Not liking to speak, making others guess what you are thinking.”

Chen Baisong looked at him.

Lin Yuan waved at him: “Come here, let me take a closer look at you.”

Chen Baisong didn’t want to go over.

The mind didn’t want to go over, but the body moved on its own.

He sat down on the edge of the bed, clenching his hands into fists.

Lin Yuan reached out and stroked his face.

He really hadn’t looked at Chen Baisong for a long time, and Chen Baisong had changed a lot.

In the past, Chen Baisong still had the vigor and vitality of a young man, but now there was only a bloody and murderous aura left. Even if he had no expression on his face, it caused people to think that he would draw his sword in the next moment.

His eyes had gotten deeper and deeper, his cheeks thinned, and his facial lines had also become more sculpted than before.

Lin Yuan’s fingers swept over Chen Baisong’s eyes, the corners of his eyes already had lines, and the nasolabial lines had also deepened.

But he was still very handsome, not the youthfulness of a teen, not the handsome beauty of a young man.

He had a mountain-like aura, steady and murderous.

Lin Yuan asked him softly, “When?”

Chen Baisong raised his eyebrows, his gaze sharp.

Lin Yuan asked with a smile, “When did your feelings change?”

Lin Yuan had discovered Chen Baisong’s feelings long ago. Chen Baisong was not good at concealing it. His eyes were always fiery, and Song Shizhao probably noticed it too, but no one pointed it out.

But if Lin Yuan was asked to recall when the look in Chen Bausong’s eyes changed, he couldn’t remember.

Time was like water, and memory would eventually and gradually blur.

Chen Baisong’s face was cold, but his fists were shaking slightly: “The year that Gaoyou was captured.”

He and Zhu Yuanzhang were both the main generals that year. When he saw Zhu Yuanzhang standing beside Lin Yuan, a huge anger surged in his heart.

That was his place.

When the anger subsided, he realized that that was not his place.

By the side of his young master, there would always be someone who kept pace with him, not Zhu Yuanzhang, nor him.

But a woman.

Did that woman know what his young master liked to eat? What he liked to drink? What he was interested in?

Know how many moles his young master had on his body, know what injuries his young master suffered when he was a child?

He went crazy with jealousy for a woman who didn’t exist.

He was also scared to the core by his own thoughts.

It couldn’t be discovered by anyone, especially not by his young master.

Chen Baisong endured it for more than ten years.

In the end, his efforts failed, and was finally discovered by his young master.

Chen Baisong closed his eyes, blue veins popping on his forehead, he gritted his teeth and said, “Young master, you can punish me however you want.”

Lin Yuan said softly, “You know I won’t kill you.”

Chen Baisong thought to himself, yes, he was a meritorious official, the world had just been settled, his young master would not cool the hearts of his meritorious officials.

Chen Baisong actually felt the ridiculousness of it all.

Lin Yuan said again: “I will take care of your mother for you.”

“I will definitely let her enjoy her old age. If she wants to remarry, I will also prepare a dowry for her.”

Chen Baisong had a dead expression on his face, but his tone was calm: “I’ll leave it to you, young master.”

“Come, drink this cup of wine.” Lin Yuan took the wine cup and held it up to Chen Baisong’s lips.

Young master wanted to poison him?

Chen Baisong opened his eyes, picked up the cup of wine, and drank it.

Probably having put everything down, Chen Baisong looked at Lin Yuan with gloomy and greedy eyes.

He said, “Young master, I have had many dreams.”

Lin Yuan raised his eyebrows: “Really? What did you dream about?”

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Chen Baisong’s lips were dry, he licked the corners of his lips.

“I dreamt that I pressed you down on the bed, you asked me to go harder in one moment and then lighter in the next.”

Chen Baisong laughed, with tears in the corners of his eyes: “In my dream, I felt that it would be best if I died at this time. How fortunate would I be if I died at the happiest time of my life?”

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Chunheng District, Beijing City, this was the former Dadu Chunheng Lane, located next to the city wall. It was a remote corner of the entire Beijing city. The people who used to live here were poor families who could not afford domestic servants.

Now Dadu has become the city of Beijing, and their days seemed to have changed, but they also didn’t seem to have changed either.

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“Zhao Gen’s family, hurry up and collect your clothes. I feel that the weather is not good today. Maybe it will rain in a while.” The woman stood in the yard and shouted to the courtyard next door.

A new wife walked out of the next door courtyard. She had a round face and small eyes, but she appeared very healthy. Health equaled beauty at this time. She replied, “Aunt, are your salted duck eggs marinated? My man wants to eat some. I’ll exchange it with corn.”

The woman smiled and said, “No problem.”

The child ran out of the house with a cloth bag on his waist, biting a bun in his mouth: “Mother, I’m going to school.”

The woman patted his head. She had four sons before this child. During the war, they were all forced to be soldiers. Her man had a broken leg and escaped that fate, so later they had this little brat.

Originally they had thought that this child would not survive, there was nothing to eat during the war, and their family had no land, but the little brat survived by relying on eating chaff, bark and grass roots, surviving until now, and with quite good luck. He had not fully grown up but the world was already at peace.

Now there was even a public school in the district, one could go to school without paying tuition, one only needed to pay the book fees.

However, only the younger ones have such privileges.

After finishing primary school, if you want to go to middle school, you would have to pay tuition.

But if you get good grades, you would get scholarships, it was possible that not only you didn’t have to spend money to study, but you could even earn money instead.

Studying was a good thing. The people used to be reluctant to send their children to become students of teachers because they had no money. Not only did they have to spend money, but also have one less labor force at home.

Children from ordinary families started to work as soon as they could walk. When they were seven or eight years old, they were already considered able-bodied workers.

Now the money was easier to earn than before. Children didn’t have to spend a lot of money on studies. Besides, after becoming literate, and after graduating, they could find a good job. As long as they could use the abacus, they could always be an accountant. For those who recognize more words, they could go to the store to train for a period of time, and then become a shopkeeper.

Now watching the little brat running and jumping towards the school, a smile appeared on the woman’s weathered face.

Even the wrinkles on her face were full of joy.

The new wife touched her belly, there was a little brat inside her. She didn’t know whether it was a boy or a girl, both were fine. Now the world had changed, and girls could also survive easily and earn money.

“The wife of the old Li family wants to divorce with her man.” The woman said while collecting the clothes, “Said that her man spent all the family’s money on whoring, and she and her son are hungry all day long, and they also had to suffer being beaten and scolded by old Li.”

The new wife was taken aback: “Does her man agree?”

Woman: “Of course not. So she sued her man. When the officials checked and asked, they sentenced them to divorce. The child belongs to old Li’s wife.”

“His family is poor.” The woman sighed, “The only thing that can be divided is the house.”

The new wife had lingering fears: “How will Aunt Zhao live in the future?”

The woman smiled and said: “She is fine, she took her son to rent a house outside, let her son go to school, while she go to work in a big family by herself, it is better than following her man, after all, she now has a full stomach, and she is not afraid that creditors will come to the door anymore.”

“What about the house?” The new wife asked again.

Woman: “Because the house is an ancestral home, the government didn’t let them sell it and divide the money, and only asked old Li to give his wife money every month, as well as child support.”

New wife: “Old Li can still give this money?”

The woman smiled and said, “So what if he can’t? If it is delayed for half a year, the house will be owned by the government. The government will pay to buy it over, and then share the house price with that pair of husband and wife.”

The new wife touched her belly: “It’s because our days are becoming better, the lords above are thinking of us.”

The woman also said: “That’s right, the current His Majesty is the former Southern King, and the Southern King is a living Bodhisattva. Thinking about us little commoners, now men can also find work easier, and if they don’t want to work, they can join the army. The disabled also have work to do to support themselves, as long as we are willing to do work, we can live a good life.”

“I heard that there is a disturbance in another city.” The woman raised her brows, “Not even two days of good times had passed, and now they don’t want to live it anymore.”

The new wife whispered, “That, who knows?”

The woman smiled at her: “Your belly hasn’t grown too obvious yet, but be careful.”

The new wife lowered her head and looked at her belly tenderly, and at the small life currently growing in it.

“You have good looks, and the child will be good-looking as well.” The woman said, “This child is born at the right time. When he or she is born, only happiness awaits.”

The new wife said shyly: “Who say it isn’t so, my man said that he is going to buy me fish to cook fish soup to nourish my body, and after I give birth to the baby, I will drink fish soup every day. Although we can’t afford chicken soup, but before when I saw the wife next door, don’t even mention fish soup, she can’t even eat an egg, and have to work with a big belly.”

“Hua Niang! I’m back! The fish I got for you!” The man was wearing a narrow sleeved tunic, with sweat on his forehead, but a smile on his face. He also held a bundle of fish in his hand, which were strung together by wicker sticks. There were three of them and in his other hand he held a bamboo basket with a few taro and yellow dough buns in it.

The new wife pretended to be angry: “What’s the hurry? Don’t stumble, be careful.”

The man smiled stupidly and wiped his sweat: “I’m afraid you will miss me.”

The new wife blushed and whispered, “You glib smooth talker.”

The woman chuckled on the side, “That’s because your man loves you, you young couple go in quickly now.”

The man entered the house and said to his wife: “When I was buying fish, I heard that the fishing team is going to recruit people, and the basic salary is fifty cents a month. The more fish sold that month, the more money I can earn. I heard the big brother inside say, he can earn five hundred coins a month.”

The wife opened her mouth wide: “So much?”

Husband: “And there is a shortage of laundry washers! The smell of fish is too strong, and the laundromats in the city are unwilling to pick up this job, so they hired someone by themselves, it is said that they can get 80 cents a month for doing the laundry, but there is no commission. It will still be 80 cents no matter how much is washed, if you are not pregnant, this is a good job.”

The wife also thought it was a good job. She felt a little sad when she touched her stomach.

Commission was a new word these days, but it was the case in many industries, people have gone from seeing it as a novelty at the beginning to getting used to it now.

Merchants hire people and find that they work harder after the idea of commission was put in use, so they were happy to continue this all the time.

Seeing that his wife was in a low mood, the man quickly comforted her: “Don’t be sad, when you give birth to our child and finish your recuperation, you can still find work. In Beijing, there are many jobs women can do. Just say that clothing workshop, I heard that it has always been recruiting people.”

The clothing workshop generally made clothes for soldiers.

Soldiers were given two sets of clothes a year, getting new ones every year.

This work was paid on a piece-by-piece basis. If the work was finished, the clothing workshop would be closed.

But this belonged to the imperial court. The merchants themselves set up clothing workshops outside the city. They make cheap clothes, which were worn by the poor. The style of the clothes were simple. Some copied the imperial court’s clothing workshop and paid on a piece-by-piece basis. Others gave a fixed monthly salary.

This kind of fixed remuneration had less money, but it was stable and required a work contract. Workers can’t be fired at random.

The wife regained her spirits. She smiled and said, “Then we need to earn more money, and in the future, we will earn more money for our children.”

The man also went to touch his wife’s belly. It was flat, and he couldn’t feel anything, but he still had a stupid smile on his face, as if the child was already in front of him.

Seeing the man’s happy appearance, the wife asked in a low voice, “This is a girl…..”

“I like daughters too.” The man smiled, “Even if we only have this one daughter, we can recruit a son-in-law. You think about it, if a son married a wife, and if this daughter-in-law is not virtuous, who knows whose family’s child we would be raising. Now, daughters are different, their children will definitely be the seed of our old Sun family!”

The wife swatted him again and again: “Speaking nonsense, the child is not yet even born, yet you are looking forward to grandchildren.”

The man touched his nose and said, “If you have many children, the family will prosper. If we have a daughter, we will recruit a son-in-law. The more members in the old Sun family, the better.”

The wife looked at him distressingly: “No wonder you always work extra jobs lately.”

Husband: “I’m a man, and I’m naturally stronger than you. I’ll make more money while I’m young, and we’ll be able to enjoy ourselves when we’re old.”

The wife nodded: “I’m going to go cook for you.”

Husband: “My dear, don’t go to the stove. I’m always afraid that you will fall. Let’s eat outside. It’s not expensive. I’ll come back in the evening and cook fish soup for you.”

Now there was a free market in each district, where farmers sold vegetables and meat. There were also food stalls with a few tables and chairs, which did not take up much space. The food stalls have to pay the government monthly, but the fee was not much. Just the money for renting the shop space, and paying personal income tax at the end of the month. This part not many people fully understood, but seeing that the food stalls were doing well, and the stall owners were busy but happy, they all knew that the payment must not be much, otherwise there would not be so many smiles.

The man and his wife found a hot and cold noodle stall and sat down.

Each of them asked for a bowl of hot noodles, which was made of sweet potatoes. It did not take long to serve after you ordered, both convenient as well as delicious.

After eating the hot noodles, the man and his wife went to buy some barbecue meat. He bought a bunch of meat skewers and two vegetarian ones for his wife, but he hinself didn’t eat them.

Others also sold spring rolls, buns, whatever one could want, and the price was also cheap.

One bowl of hot noodles cost one coin, one barbecue meat skewer cost two cents, and two vegetarian skewers cost one cent.

After they finished their meal, it only cost a total of five cents, and their stomachs were very full.

On the way back, the new wife couldn’t hold back, covering her face and crying.

The man was startled: “Why are you crying? Don’t cry, it breaks my heart.”

The new wife wiped her tears: “If only the days are like this forever.”

The man was stunned for a moment and said, “I hope so too.”

“Don’t worry, I heard from my friend, he has a distant relative who is a minor official, who said that the policies in the future will only get better and better, all for the sake of us common people.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

“Let’s live with peace of mind, have children with confidence, and earn a big family wealth and business for our children!”

The new wife nodded with tears in her eyes, with a smile on her face, crying and laughing.

The man wiped her tears away tenderly: “Let’s live a good life, and we have to smile when we live a good life.”

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TN: bonus chapter!💕

The opening of the public government schools did not attract anyone’s attention in the beginning. There have been examples of opening official schools in the past, but just not not on such a widespread level.

Many scholars watched this event with the mind of watching excitement.

Zhou Rong also picked a few helpers, and Lin Yuan told him that if he needed anything, Lin Yuan would provide it.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

So Zhou Rong chose more than ten scholars. These people were all talented with practical skills, but some of them had made it difficult for Zhou Rong before.

At this time, being selected by Zhou Rong, they unavoidably felt a little bit awkward. Those narrow-minded felt that Zhou Rong was picking this opportunity to slap them in the face and show off his generosity.

There were also those who were not narrow-minded and felt that Zhou Rong was broad-minded and did not hold grudges.

But when they found out that the students they were recruited to teach were the children of the common people, their opposition was unprecedented.

“Zhou Rong! What do you mean!”

“How can these lowly people be worthy of reading the books of sages?!”

“We disdain being in your company!”

“I shall resign myself, you do your best!”

Zhou Rong sneered and said, “If you want to go, then go.”

Sixteen people, ten left in an instant, and six were at a loss, not knowing what to do.

They finally got a job, and the adults in their families were counting on them to take this opportunity to be promoted as officials, and now if they leave, how could they explain it when they go back?

These six people stayed.

Zhou Rong said to the people left behind, “Continue.”

The six people continued to look over the books, they had to select the books that students of different ages should study, and each of them had to make a list.

Lin Yuan had already decided for them. There were three main courses and one elective course.

Classical arts, arithmetic, etiquette.

Music, chess, calligraphy and painting were electives, and students could choose which one to study.

Not only did they have to select the course books, but they also had to revise it themselves. More than ten people were not enough, not to mention that there were only six people left, even if Zhou Rong was added, there were only seven, so Zhou Rong must find more people.

Unfortunately, after the publicity brought by those ten people, none of the scholars were willing to be in the company of Zhou Rong.

Zhou Rong only now understood why His Majesty wanted to attack the aristocratic families.

The power of the aristocratic families was too great. They represent the scholars and learned people in the world. When they gather to oppose something, even the imperial power could only retreat and bow its heads.

Today, the empire had just become peaceful, and the aristocratic families had not yet recovered to the height of their power.

If they were not dealt with at this time, then they would be even more difficult to deal with when all the dust had settled in the future.

Zhou Rong pursed his lips, remembering that question he asked His Majesty, why he treated the aristocratic families this way, when he was drunk.

His Majesty told him that he could divide his power, but while he could divide and share it with others, others couldn’t take the initiative to take it from his hands, and whoever took it without permission, he would cut off whoever’s hand.

At this time, Lin Yuan was discussing taxation with Wu Changqing.

The people’s taxes had been reduced or exempted for five years. Lin Yuan was not worried that the people below would try to deceive him. At this time, his appeal was unprecedented, and no one dared to hide the matter of tax exemption from the common people behind his back.

And the courage of the common people was also raised by him.

Especially in Gaoyou, many Gaoyou people saved up some money and found that there were fewer job opportunities in Gaoyou, so they took the initiative to leave home and go to other big cities to find opportunities.

Many common people’s homes would worship a statue carved in Lin Yuan’s likeness.

Although Lin Yuan was still alive, this practice seemed a little unlucky, but Lin Yuan did not stop it.

Every place under Lin Yuan’s rule had people banging bells and drums to promote the news of tax exemption.

The slogan was also very simple——

“The emperor said that no land tax will be collected for five years!”

“The officials who collect taxes will have their heads beheaded!”

Of course, the land tax was not collected, and other taxes were still to be collected.

“Individual tax is to be collected, and commercial tax is to be collected.” Lin Yuan said to Wu Changqing, “The tax law needs to be changed.”

Wu Changqing: “This official will definitely supervise this.”

Lin Yuan smiled: “Remember, don’t rush, take it slowly, the people won’t be able to withstand big changes.”

Wu Changqing lowered his head, His Majesty was still the same, he was like the most gentle mother to the people, even using a little bit more force on them would make him feel distressed.

Only towards officials, he was the most strict and severe father.

The eunuch said outside the door, “Your Majesty, Prime Minister Song is here.”

Lin Yuan: “Call him in.”

Song Shizhao walked into the study and was about to salute when Lin Yuan said, “Mister, come here, you don’t need to salute.”

Song Shizhao walked over.

He didn’t dare to sit until Lin Yuan told him to sit down.

“I summoned you over to discuss with you.” Lin Yuan took a sip of tea, “I want to rewrite the civil law.”

Song Shizhao said quickly, “Your Majesty has foresight.”

Song Shizhao said again: “Your Majesty, in troubled times, we should use heavy code.”

Lin Yuan waved his hand.

The meaning of Song Shizhao’s heavy code was simple, that was, to make the punishment more severe and the cost of crime to increase. This also had an advantage, that was, it could eliminate the opposing forces or the forces that Lin Yuan disliked together, and strengthen the centralization of power.

But the problem was that this would definitely lead to a lot of wrongful convictions.

Lin Yuan: “This time we need to improve all aspects, there must be laws to follow, and the country must be governed by law, and you must listen clearly, it is a civil law code, not criminal law.”

Song Shizhao and Wu Changqing were both stunned.

“Your Majesty, I’m afraid…..” Song Shizhao sighed, “It’s difficult.”

Lin Yuan: “It is precisely because of the difficulty that I entrust this matter in your hands.”

New laws were enacted, and only if there were laws to follow in governing the country could the development of the country be guaranteed.

At that time, France relied on Napoleon’s “Civil Code” to consolidate the revolutionary achievements of the French Revolution, which also prompted France to repeatedly sweep away the remaining feudal forces, and finally became a powerful capitalist country.

Lin Yuan was not going to take the capitalist road, mainly because of the limitation of social development, but he could lay the foundation for ruling the country according to law.

He did not plan to go too far beyond the current times.

The Civil Code, as its name suggested, managed people’s livelihood, not criminal law.

Now there were very few legal documents on the people’s livelihood.

Whether it was marriage law or labor law, there were almost no clear regulations.

Most of them relied on existing folk customs to govern. Every place had different folk customs and so officials had different governance methods.

For example, in some places, adultery was a serious sin, but it did not lead to death.

But in some places, adultery was a capital crime, and both men and women were lynched.

And many of them were lynched by the patriarchs of the clan, and they didn’t even need to report to the government. When the time came, all they had to do was report the reason for the death as illness, and that was it.

The common people were not valued.

There were laws for crimes, but there was absolutely no law to follow regarding tge people’s livelihood.

Song Shizhao touched his goatee: “I’m afraid it will be difficult to repair it in three or five years.”

Lin Yuan half-smiled: “Scholars from all over the world are available for you to use. Within a year, I want to see the first edition.”

Song Shizhao: “This official follows the order.”

Wu Changqing also hurriedly said: “This official follows the order.”

Lin Yuan said: “Mister, you will be the editor-in-chief, and Wu qing will be your deputy. You two should work together. If you are unsure about something, come and ask me, alright?”

Song Shizhao showed a smile, and the wrinkles on his face folded together.

——

Soon, Wu Changqing came to ask Lin Yuan for advice.

“Prime Minister Song said to abolish the concubine system.” Wu Changqing did not understand, “If it is abolished, can they not take mistresses?”

Lin Yuan: “No.”

Wu Changqing breathed a sigh: “Then there is no point even if it’s scrapped.”

Lin Yuan smiled and said, “There can be no concubines in the law. It’s their business if they want to keep a woman outside. If officials are caught keeping a mistress in private, they will be dismissed from their position. The common people don’t matter.”

Wu Changqing understood, this was to manage the officials again.

It was really unfortunate to be an official.

Lin Yuan: “If they can hide from everyone’s eyes, then that’s a skill.”

The purpose of this law was to no longer protect the rights and interests of concubines, that was to say, they would not get any status except money and would not be recognized by society. Although their children still retained the right of inheritance, these women could not change their status and class.

With social stability and economic recovery, this law could effevt many women to no longer choose to be concubines.

And officials couldn’t take concubines, and if they took concubines in private, they would be dismissed.

Merchants were not eligible to take concubines.

But complete eradication of this practice was impossible. There was no such thing as a concubine in modern times, but there were many mistresses and lovers.

As long as men have money and women want money, this couldn’t be fully stopped.

But the law would not protect them.

Wu Changqing asked again: “Mister said that wives cannot be abandoned, only divorced.”

Lin Yuan slapped his thigh and said with a smile, “Song Shizhao is indeed the one who understands me!”

Wu Changqing: “…..”

Lin Yuan turned to look at him: “What’s unclear?”

Wu Changqing whispered, “But what if a woman has no virtue, and yet refuses to divorce?”

Lin Yuan thought for a while: “You can bring the lawsuit to the local government, investigate the truth of the matter, and if there is evidence, divorce can be sentenced. Similarly, a woman can also sue the husband.”

Wu Changqing’s eyes widened: “This, this…..Also, Prime Minister Song also said that after a man and a woman get married, if they get divorced, the property earned by the husband and wife during the existence of the relationship will be divided in half…..”

Lin Yuan laughed loudly: “Mister Song, he is practically like a roundworm in my stomach.”

Wu Changqing was dumbfounded. He didn’t expect Lin Yuan to support Song Shizhao.

“This, how can this be?” Wu Changqing said anxiously, “Since ancient times, men have always been busy on the outside, and women have only served at home, and it is already the best case to send back the dowry after divorce, but now it is actually half of the family wealth?”

Lin Yuan thought for a while: “Then add the dowry and divide everything into half.”

Wu Changqing stood like a block of wood.

Lin Yuan gave an example: “Imagine if your daughter gets married and was rejected by her husband’s family and divorced her, her reputation has become bad, and she can’t get married again. You can take her back home to live, but what happens after you die?”

Wu Changqing: “My son would support his sister.”

Lin Yuan: “What about your daughter-in-law? It’s reasonable for children to support their parents. Where can there be a saying that an older brother supports his little sister or a younger brother supports his older sister?”

Wu Changqing thought of his daughter and admitted that what Lin Yuan said made sense.

Lin Yuan also said: “Nowadays, there are more and more families recruiting son-in-laws and if this son-in-law and his wife were divorced, they can also share half of the marital property.”

Wu Changqing: “But there are less than 10% of recruited son-in-laws…..”

Lin Yuan sighed and said, “Then you should encourage more of them to become recruited son-in-laws.”

Wu Changqing: “Your Majesty, we need to think twice about this!”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Lin Yuan nodded: “That’s why I told you to take it slow, then let’s not talk about property first, abolish the legality of abandoning the wife first.”

“Only divorce is allowed, not wife abandonment.”

Wu Changqing breathed a sigh of relief and cupped his hands: “Your Majesty is wise.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard Lin Yuan say: “As for property, let’s talk about that again in five years.”

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After ascending the throne, the first decree issued by Lin Yuan was to open the imperial examinations, select talents, and govern the country.

The imperial examination system had existed since ancient times. Since the Han Dynasty, there have been the election system and the enlistment system. Only in the Sui Dynasty did the imperial examinations come to be.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

“Us scholars, naturally have to gain promotion through the imperial examination.” The scholars were discussing, “The imperial examination system has existed since ancient times, wasn’t it the same in the Yuan Dynasty? Why do you all look so worried?”

A person also echoed: “His Majesty’s move is to calm the hearts of scholars in the world. If everyone wants to be an official, and seeks an official position, yet there is no way for the scholars of poor families to advance, then the country will have no peace!”

The person on the other side said: “My family has been officials for generations, and it has existed since ancient times. How can we be compared with the poor son of a poor family!”

“That’s right! His Majesty wants to hold the imperial examination, we will not stop it, but we are from affluent families, and never rely on the imperial examination to advance!”

“This is humiliating our aristocratic families!”

Zhou Rong passed by at this time with a disdainful expression on his face.

“Zhou gongzi appears confident, don’t know what advice you can give?” Someone stopped Zhou Rong from going, “Zhou gongzi is already being used by His Majesty, so naturally you do not put out dispute over the imperial examination in your eyes.”

Some people also spoke for Zhou Rong: “What did Zhou gongzi say wrong at the literary gathering before? We have learned and studied from books, saying that it was to govern a country, but it is only rhetoric in the end. Governing a country starts with a single step, and is implemented in practical ways. Knowing the suffering of the people, knowing how merchants do business, if you don’t understand this, how can you govern the country? You think you can govern the country at home?!”

Zhou Rong stepped forward and cupped his hands at the scholar who spoke for him: “Thank you brother Zhao for your help, but Zhou Rong also has something to say.”

“What do you have to say? It’s still the same old rhetoric.” Someone said dismissively, “Saying that we are grandiloquent, but isn’t it you who is grandiloquent?”

Zhou Rong smiled and said, “Everyone, you are all the pillars of the country, and you have great talents. You are familiar with poetry, books, history, and classics. What you learned from childhood was the way to govern the country, and what you see is the people’s livelihood since childhood. Is what Rong said correct?”

Someone said: “You finally said something right.”

Zhou Rong: “His Majesty holds the imperial examination, is it wrong?”

No one dared to speak up and say that the emperor was right or wrong, that was the officials’ job, their duty.

But when a person without an official position talked about whether the emperor was right or wrong, then that was gross insubordination, and when being caught they would face capital punishment.

Zhou Rong said with a smile: “When you can attend the court and be able to discuss the right and wrong of His Majesty, then we shall talk together again.”

“Rong still has something to do, I shall take a step first, please feel free everyone.”

Zhou Rong looked straight ahead, striding forward, and only the scholar surnamed Zhao who spoke for him followed.

Zhao Lin followed Zhou Rong and whispered, “Why did you offend them all?”

Zhou Rong sneered: “Offending them, what should I be afraid of? Incompetent people only know how to enjoy themselves. In this life, they have never left home, have never seen rice fields, don’t understand the old farmers, and don’t know the common people’s livelihood. What’s the use of friendship with them?”

“You…..ai!” Zhao Lin, “Where are you going now?”

Zhou Rong walked out of the scholar pavilion and said to Zhao Lin, “Go see His Majesty.”

Zhao Lin’s eyes widened: “Are the rumors true? Are you really being used by His Majesty? Zhou Second, you really soared into the sky!”

Zhou Rong looked cold and solemn as he said to Zhao Lin, “Brother Zhao, I have a word for you.”

Zhao Lin’s expression became serious, he stood upright, straightened his robes, and cupped his hands: “Please enlighten me.”

Zhou Rong: “His Majesty will not use the descendants from aristocratic families. His Majesty will only use people with lofty ideals and talent. His Majesty has great ambitions and we must be loyal officials, upright officials. Only by being loyal to His Majesty and the Great Ming will we have the opportunity to be promoted.”

“Civil officials die for remonstrance, military officials die in battle, in this way, the country is prosperous!”

Zhao Lin widened his eyes, his nostrils flaring slightly: “Not using the descendants of aristocratic families…..”

Zhou Rong patted Zhao Lin on the shoulder: “Brother Zhao, think about it on your own.”

“What mysterious act are you playing! Can’t you speak clearly?” Zhao Lin shouted at Zhou Rong’s back.

Zhou Rong raised his hand and waved it with his back to Zhao Lin: “It’s boring to say things too clearly.”

Zhou Rong walked into the palace gate, he looked up at the doorpost and then towards the steps.

During the Yuan Dynasty, the children of the Zhou family had been living in the countryside and farming together with farmers. He knew that the people’s livelihood was hard, and that farmers farmed all their lives and yet find no support in old age. When he was young, his only dream was to one day be able to enter this palace gate. Achieve his aspirations and dedicate all his hot blood to the monarch.

But in the Yuan Dynasty, traitors were in power, and even loyal officials of their own clan could be manipulated to their deaths.

Let alone the Han people like them.

He had the thought of ​​serving the country, but could not implement it.

Now, the new dynasty had been established, and the new monarch had ascended the throne. He knew who he should be loyal to.

He wanted to be an upright official, an official loyal to the monarch.

Lin Yuan watched Zhou Rong salute him, smiled and said, “Rise, come and sit, at Zhen’s side.”

Zhou Rong walked to Lin Yuan’s side.

Lin Yuan took his hand: “Zhen has something for you to do.”

Zhou Rong hurriedly said: “Your Majesty, please speak, caomin will never refuse.”

Lin Yuan smiled and said: “There is no need to rush on the matter of the aristocratic families, but regarding the public schools, Zhen wants you to be the prefectural governor. This is a new official position, from the sixth rank. If you think the official position is small, it is best to say it at this time.”

Zhou Rong said eagerly, “Your Majesty is being humorous, no official has ever complained that their official position was too small.”

Lin Yuan took a sip of tea and said, “Then that is the best. Zhen wants you to promote the public school and have the children of the common people become literate.”

Zhou Rong looked at the teacup in his hand and asked, “Your Majesty…..caomin is slow-witted.”

Lin Yuan looked at Zhou Rong: “How are you slow-witted?”

Zhou Rong: “If Your Majesty wants to promote the public schools, you will definitely not find caomin to do so. Caomin has no fame. Whether it is Lord Zheng, Lord Wu, or even Prime Minister Song, they are more suitable than caomin. There must be a reason why Your Majesty looked for caomin instead.”

“Implementing public government schools will inevitably lead to infamy.” Lin Yuan looked at him with eyes like torches, “For a long time, literary knowledge had been monopolized by the upper echelons, even poor scholarly families, it is only three generations without anyone being an official.”

“To implement a public government school today is tantamount to competing with aristocratic families. If you accept this task, you will be in a dangerous situation.”

Lin Yuan added: “Besides, it’s not just the school, there is another important matter.”

“Creating written characters.” Lin Yuan looked at Zhou Rong.

As soon as these words came out, Zhou Rong was shocked and extremely frightened.

Lin Yuan smiled: “Are you able? Do you dare?”

Zhou Rong pursed his lips and said, “If caomin obeys, all the scholars in the world will be my enemies, and want nothing more than to slash me with a thousand knives.”

Lin Yuan: “Do you dare?”

Zhou Rong raised his head, looked directly into Lin Yuan’s eyes, and said word by word, “Zhou Rong dares!”

“Excellent!” Lin Yuan ordered, “Serve the wine! Zhen wants to get drunk with Zhou qing!”

“Such courage, such daring, Zhou Rong, if you can succeed, Zhen will definitely honor you as shang qing (TN: name that referred to the most noble and high ranking officials)!”

The two drank until half drunk, and Zhou Rong asked, emboldened by the wine, “Your Majesty, why did Your Majesty choose caomin?”

Lin Yuan’s face was flushed. He hadn’t drank wine for a long time, and now just a little was enough to make him tipsy: “Those who are not afraid of death and dare to give up everything for fame, Zhou Rong, a person like you is rare.”

Zhou Rong smiled bitterly: “Your Majesty puts this official in a desperate situation.”

Lin Yuan: “Do you have the confidence to survive in a desperate situation?”

Zhou Rong was lying on the table: “This official has waited for this time for ten years, even if there is a dragon’s pit and tiger’s den in front of me, this official is willing to enter, I only beg Your Majesty’s kindness, don’t…..don’t take the head of this official to settle the resentment of the aristocratic families.”

Lin Yuan laughed loudly: “How do they speak of Zhen outside? They say Zhen is a cruel tyrant, but towards a cruel tyrant, what fear do we have of the tongues of mediocre people?!”

Zhou Rong: “The tongues of the public are like swords…..”

Lin Yuan: “If you succeed, the aristocratic families would not be worth fearing. Zhou Rong, what you have to do is to open up a new path. If you succeed, your name will be remembered in the history of the world and will last for eternity!”

Zhou Rong said loudly: “This official, obeys the order!”

After Zhou Rong was supported to his bedroom by the eunuch, Lin Yuan washed his face with cold water.

He couldn’t have Song Shizhao or Wu Changqing do this. They were all from the upper class. Even Song Shizhao, who had the worst background, was from an aristocratic family. They all felt that the common people were not worthy of reading the books of sages.

When Lin Yuan launched primary schools in Gaoyou and other places, Song Shizhao and the others did not object, because those teachers did not teach the way of governance, but the livelihood skills of the common people.

Lin Yuan asked Zhou Rong to create new written characters that followed in the steps of the simplified characters used in the modern world.

This was the cultural foundation that would impact the entire feudal society.

He could think of what the scholars in the world would say about him and Zhou Rong.

That Zhou Rong dared to accept this task meant he had put his life and death to the side.

Lin Yuan said to Er Liang, “This man is a madman.”

Er Liang didn’t understand, but he still followed suit: “Yes, having you drink so much, he is indeed a madman.”

Lin Yuan laughed.

Er Liang said again: “General Chen has been waiting outside for a long time, will you see him tonight?”

Lin Yuan stood up: “See, why wouldn’t I see him? I’m in good spirits at this time!”

Er Liang reminded in a low voice: “Your Majesty, you should used ‘Zhen’ to refer to youself.”

Lin Yuan: “Don’t worry about it, just invite him in.”

When Chen Baisong walked in, he saw Lin Yuan smiling at him. Lin Yuan’s cheeks were flushed, his eyes were moist, and even if he was not smiling they would still appear to be full of tender feelings. Chen Baisong paused, he hadn’t fully examined Lin Yuan for a long time.

Lin Yuan had changed, his aura had changed, but his face had not changed. The heavens treated him kindly, and even now after many years he still looked like he did in his youth.

“Your Majesty.” Chen Baisong was about to salute when Lin Yuan waved his hand, “Stop, come here.”

Chen Baisong walked over, he was still wearing armor, his steps like the wind, physique tall and powerful. He had walked through blood and fire, grew up on the battlefield, and already had the temperament of a warrior.

“You look a little old.” Lin Yuan said suddenly.

Chen Baisong knew that Lin Yuan was drunk, he looked at Lin Yuan: “I’m already thirty-eight this year.”

Lin Yuan: “…..Really?”

The ancients were short-lived, with an average age of forty. Even if not counting the ordinary people, there were also not many nobles and dignitaries who could live to their sixties.

Not to mention the generals who killed enemies on the battlefield, their bodies covered in countless old injuries.

Lin Yuan suddenly said, “You are thirty-eight years old, and you haven’t married yet.”

Chen Bosong: “Too busy, no time.”

Lin Yuan: “You are still so honest.”

Chen Baisong looked at Lin Yuan with fire in his eyes: “Young master, did you only know now?”

Lin Yuan seemed to be attracted by the fire in Chen Baisong’s eyes, and looked at him with an intoxicated gaze: “I always knew.”

Chen Baisong’s breathing stopped.

Lin Yuan asked him, “There are so many people around me, but I trust you the most.”

Chen Baisong closed his eyes: “This official…..knows this.”

Lin Yuan suddenly asked him: “I ask you, do you dare to commit insubordination?”

Chen Baisong suddenly became dumb and mute.

“I won’t marry a wife, and I won’t have any children in this life.” Lin Yuan suddenly said, “If I have children, what I want to achieve will be hopeless in this life. This road may be a dead end, do you dare to accompany me? And walk this path together?”

Chen Baksong opened his mouth, and what he said was loud and firm: “I dare!”

He didn’t know when he developed such feelings, he just discovered that he didn’t want anyone to be closer to Lin Yuan than himself.

This thought was rooted in his heart, and he had deliberately avoided it for a long time without thinking about it. So long as Lin Yuan did not marry, he would not marry.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

He thought that he would be like this for the rest of his life, that he would witness Lin Yuan’s ascension to the throne that oversaw the great empire, and he would shed the last drop of his blood for Lin Yuan.

Not for the common people, not for the world, only for Lin Yuan.

AN: Chen Baisong had always been very possessive.

Any feelings when reaching to the extreme are like this, so his feelings for Lin Yuan are very complicated.

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