Zhang Chen ordered the runner to withdraw and placed the imperial decree on his desk.
Just as he was about to attend to some County Government affairs, two people entered from outside the hall; it was Ju Shou and Zhang Fu.
As the two walked, they were arguing about something, seemingly displeased.
"Lord," the two entered the hall and stepped forward to pay their respects.
"No need for formalities," Zhang Chen frowned slightly and lightly rebuked, "I could hear you two bickering from a distance. What kind of behavior is that! What happened?"
The two exchanged glances, and Ju Shou said, "Lord, there is one matter on which our opinions differ, and we would like to ask for your clear judgment."
"Oh?" Zhang Chen heard this, put down the official document in his hand, and said, "What is it?"
Zhang Fu stepped forward and said, "Lord, the displaced people outside the city need daily relief from the government. I went to collect grain today, but Lord Ju refused to open the granary."
"Hmm..." Zhang Chen listened, frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Gongyu, how much grain is left in the government treasury?"
Zhang Chen had overlooked this point before; until the harvest from the barren land, those displaced people had no food and needed government relief to survive.
However, thousands of displaced people consumed a considerable amount of grain daily!
Ju Shou refused to open the granary, could it be that the treasury's remaining grain was depleted? If that were the case, it would indeed be somewhat troublesome.
Ju Shou bowed his hands and replied, "Reporting to Lord, there is less than a thousand shi of grain left. If we continue with this method of relief, the treasury will be empty within a month."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Fu couldn't help but anxiously say, "Lord, even so, we cannot abandon the people! The autumn harvest has not yet arrived, and those people outside the city can only survive on relief. If we don't release the grain, it's equivalent to forcing them onto a path of death!"
Zhang Chen pondered for a moment and then said to Ju Shou, "What Zhang Fu said is also reasonable. Those people settled here in response to the call. If we abandon them, I fear it will chill the hearts of the people! Gongyu, I know you are not a heartless person. Do you have a solution for this matter?"
"Lord, I believe it is better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish. Currently, the people are without food and clothing. If the government only provides grain, it will only cultivate their bad habit of being lazy and gluttonous. Now that spring plowing is finished and the busy farming season is over, why not let them exchange labor for some grain? Wouldn't that be more meaningful?"
"Good!" Zhang Chen was immediately delighted upon hearing this. "Gongyu is brilliant, you've hit the nail on the head!"
"Lord, what... what does this mean?" Zhang Fu asked, seemingly confused.
"Zhang Fu, if I remember correctly, the city walls seem to be in disrepair due to age, right?"
"Lord, do you want those people outside the city to repair the city walls?" Zhang Fu said, "But the construction of the villages is still ongoing, and the people probably don't have time for other matters."
Ju Shou smiled and said, "Building villages is for the people's own residence, which is private. Repairing the city walls is for the defense of a county, which is public. The difference between public and private matters is that for public matters, the government will definitely provide payment. When the people receive money, they can buy food themselves. This way, the government will not need to provide relief."
Zhang Chen nodded and said, "Exactly, Gongyu's strategy is ancient. In the past, the Qin law established by Shang Yang explicitly stated, 'Qin law does not provide disaster relief,' which is this principle. In years of disaster, saving lives instead of providing relief, and providing the people with a livelihood is the best policy."
Zhang Fu listened and suddenly understood, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Your insights are profound, my lords. My vision is shallow, I am truly ashamed!"
"It's alright, you were also thinking for the people," Zhang Chen smiled and then said to Ju Shou, "Gongyu, this matter should be handled sooner rather than later. You should take care of it. However, don't be too hasty in everything; you can't cut off all relief at once. First, post a notice informing the public that the government treasury's grain is insufficient and the government will gradually reduce relief. Encourage the people to hunt in the mountains or participate in city defense construction to earn money."
"Lord's consideration is thorough, I will go and handle it immediately."
The two took their leave, and Zhang Chen picked up the official document again, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
This was the first time Zhang Chen had felt the sensation of someone offering advice and planning. Ju Shou was indeed the foremost strategist of Ji Province; with him here, how could the small county of Guangping County be difficult to govern?
In the evening, Zhang Chen left the County Government and returned to his residence.
After dinner, Zhang Chen read in his study for a while alone and didn't realize it was already the hour of You Zheng. Suddenly, Ping'er's voice came from outside the door, saying that Ju Shou had come to visit.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen quickly asked Ping'er to invite Ju Shou to the study to meet, and at the same time, he instructed a servant to prepare tea.
Before long, Ju Shou arrived at the study and bowed to Zhang Chen, saying, "Lord."
"Gongyu, come, quickly sit."
Zhang Chen said, and he went to the couch with him, kneeling opposite each other.
Zhang Chen said, "Gongyu, what brings you here?"
Ju Shou said, "Lord mentioned the matter of the land system the other day. I went back and thought about it carefully, and finally have some ideas, so I came to discuss it with Lord."
"Oh? Gongyu, please tell me quickly."
Zhang Chen was overjoyed upon hearing this. Ju Shou was indeed highly efficient; he had a plan in just a few days?
Ju Shou said, "The land system method Lord mentioned aims to ensure that the people have their own land. In fact, this method existed at the beginning of this dynasty. However, later, the court became corrupt, and officials colluded with merchants, causing most of the land to be annexed by aristocratic families and powerful clans, which is why the people are starving and poorly clothed."
Zhang Chen nodded and said, "I am also aware of this matter. But I don't know what method Gongyu can advise me on?"
"I wouldn't dare to advise, but I have a question that I would like to ask Lord."
"Please speak."
"Where does Lord's ambition lie?"
Zhang Chen listened, narrowed his eyes slightly, and smiled, "Gongyu's question seems unrelated to the new land system?"
"Not so," Ju Shou shook his head and said, "If Lord's ambition is only within this county, then this matter is as difficult as ascending to heaven. If it is within a prefecture or a province, then I have different countermeasures and can plan for Lord."
Zhang Chen raised his teacup, took a sip, and said unhurriedly, "My wish is that the people of the world will no longer suffer from hunger and cold, that cultivators have their land, residents have their homes, food includes meat, clothing includes silk, the young are educated, and the old have their final resting place. If this is the case, Sir, can you teach me?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Ju Shou's body stiffened, a sharp glint shot out from his eyes, and then he bowed deeply, "My Lord above, please accept Ju Shou's bow!"
Zhang Chen was stunned for a moment, then his heart was filled with great joy.
Ju Shou usually addressed him as Lord, which was an official title. Now he changed his address to My Lord, which meant he was sincerely submitting to him.
Zhang Chen quickly helped him up, holding his hand tightly and saying, "Gongyu, quickly rise. With Gongyu's assistance, great things can be accomplished!"
"My Lord has the ambition to swallow the world, as well as foresight and both civil and military talents. He is a rare and exceptional leader in the world. This subordinate is fortunate in three lifetimes to be able to serve by My Lord's side and will certainly work like a dog and horse for My Lord in the future."
Zhang Chen was overjoyed and said, "Duke Huan of Qi could not have achieved hegemony without Yi Wu, and King Goujian could not have preserved his state without Fan Li. Although I dare not compare myself to Duke Huan of Qi or King Goujian, Gongyu's talent far surpasses that of Guan Zhong and Fan Li!"
Hehe, sorry, Brother Benchu, I accidentally stole your line.
Indeed, upon hearing these words, Ju Shou's eyes were filled with even greater excitement than before.
"My Lord treats me as a national scholar, and I will certainly exert all my strength and not fail My Lord's high expectations!"