Chapter 41: The Setting Sun Is Infinite in Beauty

Golden sunset bathed the Guanzhong plains. Several officials under the Minister of Finance, along with bailiffs from the three auxiliary districts of Chang'an, were currently standing in the fields, directing commoners in using oxen to pull straight-shaft plows to turn the soil.

Liu Jin sat by a small stream on the edge of the field, watching these officials exhorting agriculture and mulberry cultivation.

When a new farming implement was created, the commoners could not possibly understand how to use it right away. The government had to send people first to instruct them, and then have the commoners pass the knowledge on by word of mouth until the implement finally achieved widespread use.

This was a long and arduous task, and promoting it nationwide was certainly not something that could be accomplished overnight.

The efficiency was extremely low.

At some point, Emperor Wu of Han had appeared behind Liu Jin, asking with a smile, "What are you thinking about? You are so lost in thought."

Hearing the familiar voice, Liu Jin turned around with a smile. Seeing the old man walking slowly toward him with his hands behind his back, he quickly stood up, ran over, supported him by the arm, and led him to a stone by the stream to sit down.

"Grandpa, why did you come here?"

Emperor Wu said, "The imperial court has issued new farming implements, so naturally I wanted to come and take a look. What about you? What were you thinking about sitting here, so deep in thought that you didn't even notice someone coming up behind you?"

Liu Jin said, "I was just thinking that this method is far too slow."

"Oh? Have you thought of a solution?"

Liu Jin nodded. "Wouldn't it be much simpler if the government posted public notices in prominent places within the city, illustrating with diagrams how to use the straight plow, how to assemble the ox-drawn rig, and so on?"

"Of course, we could also post them in prominent places within the villages. If the commoners can see them clearly like that, it would save all this fuss and mobilization."

"Whenever the officials from above come down, the local authorities inevitably have to entertain them. The commoners in the villages barely have any wealth, yet they still have to host these exalted ancestors. Isn't that exhausting the people and wasting money?"

"Look at what these officials did after arriving in the village—nothing at all. They just stood there, while the commoners had to wait on them hand and foot, serving tea and water, offering grand feasts of fish and meat."

"Of course, there is an even simpler way: gather the village chiefs together, teach them the technique uniformly, and let them instruct the villagers."

Emperor Wu nodded. "Mm, these are all good ideas. They are worth a try."

To put it bluntly, there was not much difference between them; the former might disturb the people a bit more, while the latter would cause slightly less disturbance. Emperor Wu did not care much about this.

"Grandpa, don't you think this straight plow is marvelous? Truly beneficial to the people? What do you think of the person who invented this plow?"

Emperor Wu chimed in with a half-smile, "Indeed. The person who invented this plow is truly exceptionally wise, bringing great benefit to the state and the people. The court really ought to reward him handsomely!"

Liu Jin nodded with satisfaction and smiled, "I think so too. It's just a pity that person hasn't received any reward."

Playing dumb, Emperor Wu did not follow up on his remark. Instead, he changed the subject and said, "While the plow is good, the person who made this farming implement surely never considered the commoners' situation regarding draft oxen."

"Even a village or two might not necessarily have a single ox. No doubt the nobles and great landowners will be very happy, because they have plenty of oxen."

"Take me, for instance. I am very happy."

Liu Jin was momentarily stunned, his previous surge of enthusiasm instantly quenched!

Back at the Changle Palace, he, his father, and Grand Tutor Shi had expressed exceptionally high praise for the straight plow. But now he suddenly felt that, perhaps, it seemed... not quite the case?

Although technological development would benefit the people, it seemed completely disconnected from the actual current circumstances?

His original intention was to benefit the commoners and farmers, but those who actually reaped the benefits were the great landowners and nobles.

Thinking this, he felt somewhat ashamed of his recent boasting. Fortunately, he hadn't bragged to the old man that he was the one who came up with it.

Yet the old man truly saw things thoroughly and possessed real capability. To put it bluntly, he, his father, and Grand Tutor Shi were all golden birds raised deep within the palace; they had no true understanding of the plight of the impoverished commoners. The things they thought of seemed beneficial to the state and the people, but in the end, they turned out to be mere castles in the air—showy and impractical.

However, Emperor Wu comforted him, "Still, we cannot simply negate the benefits of this farming implement on these grounds. Even if impoverished commoners have to pull the straight plow with human labor, it is still faster than cultivating with the old wooden spades and plows. From that perspective, it is a solid, practical invention that benefits the state and the people, isn't it?"

Liu Jin flashed a grin. "All the good and bad words have been said by you, Grandpa. Put that way, it doesn't seem wrong. All in all, it still benefits the commoners."

"It seems the best policy to benefit the people right now is economic development. If every single commoner had a draft ox, then all these problems would cease to be problems."

Emperor Wu nodded in deep agreement. "The boy has spirit; this thought is entirely correct!"

This little fellow grasped things at the slightest hint, drew inferences from one instance, and knew how to make associations. He didn't need to be whipped to start thinking proactively, which made Emperor Wu increasingly pleased.

Liu Jin thought more deeply for a moment before saying, "The imperial court's regulation is still required."

"Oh?" Emperor Wu looked at him with keen interest. "Tell me about it."

Liu Jin said, "For instance, if the government holds oxen, or specially establishes officials in charge of raising oxen? In short, during busy farming seasons when there is a demand for oxen, the government could lend the oxen free of charge for the commoners' temporary use."

Emperor Wu was momentarily stunned, looking at him in astonishment.

This little fellow... his thinking was identical to Sang Hongyang's! Both relied on state administrative power to resolve difficulties!

However, Sang Hongyang had proposed leasing them for a modest fee, which made Emperor Wu even more satisfied.

"What is it?" Liu Jin asked, looking confusedly at the old man's expression.

"Nothing. I think your idea is very good."

Liu Jin smiled faintly. "Compared to you, Grandpa, I still lag far behind. You truly understand all the principles of worldly affairs; I always feel like there is nothing you don't understand, the truths you know are vast, and your insight into human nature is profound."

Emperor Wu said, "When you reach my age and have experienced many things, you will be the same. There is nothing remarkable about it."

Liu Jin shook his head. "Please don't flatter me, Grandpa. There are many elders in Han, but not everyone is like you. You shouldn't be so modest; if you're brilliant, you're brilliant. In short, I truly admire you."

Ah, every time he saw the old man, he always gained unexpected harvests. When he went back, he would share this matter with his father and have his father talk to his imperial grandfather about it.

Wait!

For no reason, Liu Jin drew a sharp intake of breath. That old man in the Weiyang Palace had not shown sufficient interest in the straight plow—could it be that he had long since seen through the crucial catch in it?

That shouldn't be possible... It must simply be that he harbored an ordinary dislike for his father.

Though it was already afternoon, the weather in Guanzhong remained very hot, and the old man's face was covered in sweat.

Liu Jin casually picked up a few large poplar leaves and began fanning the old man to cool him down.

The sunset was breathtaking. In the distance, the embroidered-uniform guards looked toward the pond. An old man and a youth were sitting together side by side on a large rock by the pond. The guards felt a wave of astonishment in their hearts, having never witnessed such a benevolent side of Emperor Wu before. Viewed from behind, how were they any different from an ordinary grandfather and grandson?

"Let's go, come sit in my courtyard for a while and have dinner before heading back," Emperor Wu proposed.

Bao Shengzhi had already brought several memorials into the courtyard, and Emperor Wu needed to take his grandson to look at affairs of state!

"Let's go!" Liu Jin stood up, supported the old man as he slowly rose, brushed the dust from the back of his robes, and smiled, "Off to scrounge a free meal!"