Traveling to Ancient Times: My Space Contains Weapons

Chapter 1107 Offering Advice and Strategies for Hope

Chu Chen looked at Zhuang Xianyun in front of him and thought to himself, "After all this time, she's finally here!"

Your goal is simply to gamble on whether I, a fool who speaks the truth, have a good way to resolve this matter.

Although he is the ruler of a region, he has never actually done any work of managing the people.

However, this is currently the only way for me to obtain information about the power of heaven and earth.

So, whether it works or not, we have to bite the bullet and go for it!

“Your Majesty, it is only polite to reciprocate. I have my own purpose; otherwise, I wouldn’t have risked being beheaded to come to the palace and say so much!”

Zhuang Xianyun smiled after hearing this, then turned to look at Lao Bi!

The two exchanged a smile, as if their scheme had succeeded.

Then Zhuang Xianyun said, "Young Master Chu, if you can come up with a good plan, I won't hesitate to tell you where this so-called power of heaven and earth is located."

Chu Chen was overjoyed upon hearing this. It seemed that they truly knew about the power of heaven and earth.

"In fact, if people can make a living, who wouldn't want to have more children? No family doesn't want its clan to grow stronger."

"But the improvement of the people's lives depends on Your Majesty!"

Zhuang Xianyun frowned after hearing this, thinking to herself that she had thought she had met a master, but it turned out to be a good-for-nothing.

Everyone in the world knows that when people's lives improve, with plenty of food and money, everyone wants to have more children.

The key is having both food and money; that's not so easy.

"Young Master Chu, let's not dwell on this common knowledge. I know perfectly well that if the people have grain and money in their hands, they will produce more. But that's not easy to do!"

Although Zhuang Xianyun was angry, she did not show it in order to maintain her image as a monarch.

"Your Majesty, is Gu Ning running out of food and money?"

"Nonsense, I have food and money, why would I need to waste my time here with you?"

"But whether I enter the border town or the capital, it is a scene of prosperity. It seems that Gu Ning's national strength is not weak."

"Hahaha, the people in the city certainly live well, but that's all theirs, not mine!"

After listening, Chu Chen stood up and looked at Zhuang Xianyun.

"Then may I ask Your Majesty, who was it that resisted the invasion of foreign tribes?"

"In times of peace and prosperity, who provides food for the people of the city?"

"Who built the bridges and roads for this country?"

Just three questions were enough to make Zhuang Xianyun fall into deep thought.

Indeed, Chu Chen spoke the words that no one dared to utter: the common people, the poor and destitute, those dressed in rags, toiling in the fields.

The polarization is too severe.

Chu Chen understood that this was true everywhere, but Gu Ning had gone too far.

The saying "Behind the red gates, wine and meat go to waste; on the road, frozen corpses lie" aptly describes the current state of affairs both inside and outside the city.

"Are you suggesting I go and exploit the wealthy families in the city, then use the grain and money to save the people outside the city? But if I do that, I'm afraid my imperial power will be in jeopardy!"

Chu Chen shook his head after listening: "Your Majesty, since ancient times, those who win the hearts of the people win the world. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. The entire Gu Ning is made up of one ordinary person after another. You cannot neglect one aspect for another."

"When polarization becomes too severe, problems will arise. To achieve this balance, equality for all is certainly unrealistic, but the people don't ask for much. A slight tilt will yield different results."

"As for how to do it, His Majesty probably knows much more than I do. When the time comes, encourage childbirth, or offer tax breaks for having children..."

Before Chu Chen could finish speaking, Zhuang Xianyun's eyes lit up.

The concepts of "whoever wins the hearts of the people wins the world," "water can carry a boat but also capsize it," and "polarization" had a significant impact on her.

In her mind, imperial power was supreme, and everyone else was her subject, whom she could do as she pleased.

People are divided into different classes, and the concept of family is deeply ingrained in people's minds. She understands all too well that most of the resources in Gu Ning are controlled by a small number of people.

"How can we get them to provide money and supplies?"

"Donations can give them some status. For example, hold a donation conference, and the winner can go to the palace to meet the emperor and be rewarded."

"Political corruption, confiscating property—there are too many ways to do it. I believe His Majesty knows more than I do!"

Zhuang Xianyun nodded after listening. Yes, giving them honors and cracking down on corruption, while she herself held military power, would be a good way to get rid of those with ulterior motives.

Then, another question came to mind, so she asked it again.

"How to distribute the money and grain?"

"The same approach could be used: birth incentives, an orphan care system, or setting up an agricultural affairs office in each city to specifically address issues for the people, including providing funds and food, relief, and work-for-relief programs!"

Zhuang Xianyun was fertilized.

This young man's ideas completely overturned her imagination; they seemed to contradict tradition and what had been passed down for thousands of years.

But upon closer reflection, it seems to have an effect.

Seeing Zhuang Xianyun's shocked expression, Chu Chen thought to himself, "This is nothing. If we follow the great man's approach of having the people be the masters, this emperor's worldview will be completely overturned."

But since I'm living in a feudal era, if I say too much, I'll probably be beheaded.

"Hahaha, prepare a banquet! Today, I wish to have a thorough discussion with Young Master Chu!"

Zhuang Xianyun was no longer calm. She seemed to have seen another world. Therefore, she was determined to keep this man in the palace no matter what.

Hearing these wolfish words, Chu Chen thought to himself, "Is this what Gu Ning is all about?"

Lao Tzu only wanted to find the whereabouts of the power of heaven and earth. He had no experience in governing a country, and his mind was not good enough for it.

However, if some common modern ideas are introduced, as long as Zhuang Xianyun can accept them, it will be a good thing for the whole of Gu Ning.

For the people of Guning, this is also a great thing, and their trip here has not been in vain.

As night fell, Chu Chen was led by several maids to a huge dining table.

The dining table was laden with a dazzling array of dishes.

Watching all this, Chu Chen thought to himself that His Majesty didn't seem to hear what he was saying.

"Young Master Chu, the number of men who have dined with me is no more than a handful, and you are the first man to have dined with me alone."

Chu Chen curled his lip after hearing this, thinking to himself, "Who cares? If I were in Chu Tian Realm... Sigh, it's a pity I'm in a place I don't even understand."

Let's put aside our identity as the Lord of the Realm for now.

"Haha, I'm honored, but it seems a bit wasteful for just two people to eat so much!"