Chapter 2565 - 2539: Recognition

The two arrived outside the Emperor’s study and familiarly had the attendant report inside, then folded their hands and waited in the side hall.

During this time, Li Maoyue carefully finished reading Bai Zhi’s article.

Judging by the ink marks, this article was written a long time ago.

It discusses the importance of encouraging agricultural development and various measures for balanced county development, using Luojiang County in Mianzhou as a model.

Luojiang County is a lower county and quite poor, but even within poverty, there are wealthy households.

Most of the poor are those living in the mountains, who are basically self-sufficient. Even with Yongye Fields, the taxes aren’t heavy, but because of the difficulty of mountain roads, many people may never have been to the county town in their lifetime, let alone to other counties.

Thus, there’s little need for money at home.

In villages and towns, medical services can be paid for with food and homemade cloth, not necessarily with money.

Therefore, Bai Zhi believes that roads are very important. Only by enabling people to go out, even just to the county town, will they need things that require spending money, and then the mountain goods they possess can be brought out, as outside people also need mountain goods.

Although Bai Dalang didn’t spend much time living in Qili Village, whenever he returned home, he saw his brother, covered in mud, following Bai Shan and Zhou Man into the mountains for mushrooms in spring, catching fish in the rivers with village kids in summer, trapping rhizomys in the mountains in fall, and digging for the legendary sweet roots in winter...

He knew the mountains had many commodities that could bring wealth to the mountain people and be exchanged for the goods they needed.

Bai Zhi wrote with clarity and depth, and although the article was not short, Li Maoyue felt it was engaging without any sense of redundancy.

Li Maoyue thought to himself, no wonder Bai Cheng’s brother writes with such a pragmatic, alluring style.

Li Maoyue tapped the table; actually, the situation in eastern Tongbai County is somewhat similar to the dilemma described in Luojiang County in the article.

Tongbai County, the source of the Huai River, is crisscrossed with waterways and located in the fertile Central Plains; in theory, it shouldn’t face such difficulties, but the eastern roads have fallen into disrepair since the chaos of the previous dynasty, and 20 years of wartime have led them to willingly cut off roads and live isolated lives.

As Minister of Personnel, Li Maoyue is familiar with the situation in Tongbai County; resolving this dilemma seems easy, only requiring the recruitment of laborers for road repair.

But Tongbai County is full of waterways and frequently suffers floods during flood seasons, so most laborers are annually assigned to river embankments and water facilities; repairing roads would require additional labor recruitment.

This is a political taboo; although road repair is a meritorious task benefiting future generations, present people won’t appreciate it, and even future generations may long resent the official’s infamous reputation.

Not everyone can foresee the future, and even if future people enjoy the conveniences, many won’t realize or appreciate it as a merit.

Furthermore, are present people truly willing to endure such hardships for future generations?

It’s a dilemma with no solution.

Successive county magistrates of Tongbai have focused on stability, achieving moderate results but maintaining decent official reputations, with increased population and tax revenue.

Yet, in a peaceful world today, aside from areas hit by major disasters, which county hasn’t increased its population?

As Minister Li pondered, engaged in a mental tug-of-war, an attendant arrived, saying, "Minister Li, Lord Zhou, His Majesty invites the two of you inside."

Minister Li returned to the present, nodded, rose and asked Zhou Man, "Lord Zhou, did you recommend Bai Zhi due to private dealings with the Prince Consort and Editor Bai?"

Manbao paused, then shook her head, "Not at all. He’s also Mr. Zhuang’s student, the first one actually, so technically he’s my Senior Brother."

"Also, am I the type of person to make recommendations based purely on personal favor?" Manbao said, "I seriously studied it; my Senior Brother’s character and talent are both commendable. I believe he is suitable."

Li Maoyue: ...

It was the first time he heard Bai Zhi was Mr. Zhuang’s student, but if Zhuang Xun’s disciple...

Li Maoyue’s previously hesitant heart solidified, and he followed Zhou Man in to see the Emperor.

Coincidentally, State Duke Zhao and a group of military officials came out, allowing those entering to make way for those exiting. Manbao and Minister Li stepped aside to let them pass.

State Duke Zhao glanced at Zhou Man and Li Maoyue, curious how these two were together but didn’t question it, nodding to them before leaving with his colleagues.

Inside now only Wei Zhi and Lord Tang remained, these two intellectual pillars of the Emperor, one handling state affairs, the other monitoring civil and military officials for discipline and impeaching issues.

For this reason, Lord Tang had successfully replaced Wei Zhi as one of the most disliked figures among the civil and military officials in recent years.

The Emperor had just finished handling military affairs, and for reasons known, the military officials led by State Duke Zhao were speaking thunderously with excitement, leaving him quite headache-ridden.

Seeing Li Maoyue and Zhou Man together, he selectively pointed for Zhou Man to speak first, to ease himself.

Manbao’s report was simple, oh, not her report, but one written by Director Xiao which she was presenting on his behalf.

It was a summary of the current progress of cowpox vaccination; the Imperial Guards were fully vaccinated since they didn’t need preliminary care, and once pustules formed they didn’t need further testing. Hence, the guards with fast pustule formation and mild reactions could leave the royal farm in two to three days, immediately replaced by another.

Those with slower pustule formation and stronger reactions could complete vaccination within five days, ensuring rapid speed.

Later, when Zheng Gu and others became proficient, it was no longer necessary for Zhou Man and Imperial Doctor Lu to constantly oversee them, only requiring occasional inspections.

The vaccination speed was remarkably fast.

Reviewing this, the Emperor was pleased and asked, "Since they’ve learned cowpox planting, can it also be carried out locally?"

"As long as protective and isolation measures are properly implemented."

The Emperor nodded satisfied and told her, "If that’s the case, you of the Imperial Medical Office should prepare, let the local medical departments write a plan, and select a date to start promoting this initiative locally."

Manbao bowed and accepted, "Yes."

After completing her task, she didn’t leave, instead stepping aside to sit in her own place.

Li Maoyue then submitted his report, elaborating on the vacancies to be arranged today, and detailing the reasoning behind the nominations.

Regarding Tongbai County’s vacancy, Li Maoyue listed six candidates, four new applicants, and two considered for transfer from other locations. Previously, he believed these two were more suitable than the new candidates for the Tongbai County position.

However, when the Emperor asked his opinion at that moment, he paused and said, "I think the new scholar Bai Zhi is commendable."

Bai Zhi, the Emperor knew, Bai Cheng’s older brother.

Curious, the Emperor asked, "Why is he suitable?"

"I read one of his articles..." Li Maoyue straightforwardly summarized and recounted Bai Zhi’s article, highlighting a key sentence.

Manbao slightly raised her head to look at Li Maoyue, inwardly admiring that he was even more impressive. She couldn’t memorize in one read; she needed two readings or more, five or six for more complex passages.

Indeed, everyone standing here is exceptionally talented, Manbao whispered in her heart, including herself.