Chapter 465 - Reward for Li Feihong? (1/2)
Chapter 465 – Reward for Li Feihong?
Capitalism usually came with income disparity between wealthy people and the poor. The poor would get poorer as they were often exploited by the investors, merchants, and court officials. On the other hand, the upper-class civilians' status and wealth would continue to rise as they took advantage of the monetary system.
Unless one obtained financial knowledge and the right career, all labor class civilians would become nothing but capitalists' slaves.
Te Langpu had been encouraging Tong to change the current totalitarian dictatorship monarchy system to capitalism republic monarchy, so the Han Dynasty would enter a rapid development era.
However, a former policeman like Tong did not have enough experience in dealing with sensitive politic issues in the modern world, so he was afraid if it was the right decision to switch the government system now. After all, people in this era lacked education, and they might be exploited by merchants and nobles.
From Tong's point of view, civilian's education standard needed to be higher, or some noble clans might cause trouble.
”No. Giving lands back to you right now will bring chaos and instability in our chain of command. Triads and greedy merchants will exploit their property rights, and uneducated peasants will be in trouble.”
”Your majesty, you can just limit the property rights to nobles or your subordinates with great deeds. Please think of your retainers like Lord Li Feihong, Lord Lu Zhi, or Lord Sima Fang. Everyone has contributed greatly to your Dynasty, but they can't even settle their roots and call their resident their real home.”
Tong could not refute that as he felt bad for his friend, mentor, and his respectable seniors.
Seeing that the emperor stopped speaking, Zhuge Liang continued, ”Your majesty, you don't have to give everyone the rights. You can just select a few trusted officers or senior officers. With this, you will encourage all your subordinates to work harder to get your favor!”
”So, it's a stick and carrot thingy?” Tong understood a gist of it.
”Yes. As long as you don't give too many rights to your retainers, there won't be a problem.”
”… I see.”
Tong was convinced. As he took a step back and thought about how Li Feihong and others worked so hard for him, he felt guilty that none of them got their deserved rewards other than gold and titles.
They should at least get something back for their services.
”… I understand.”
Civil officers and generals in the throne room cheered that they could finally expand their influence and territory after all these years.
Zhuge Liang continued, ”First, you should give this reward to Lord Li Feihong since he is the most valuable asset of our kingdom. Please give him at least a province worth of territory!”
”An entire province!?”
Not only Tong was shocked, but all officials in the room were also astonished as well.
”Lord Li Feihong has been contributing countless resources to our cause without asking anything back in return. Such dedication and sacrifice isn't something to look down upon. He deserves this reward.”
”…”
Deep down inside, Tong agreed with Zhuge Liang's suggestion. However, giving an entire province to be Li Feihong's private properties and lands might be too much.
Once he thought about others who deserved some rewards, some of them might demand a similar compensation or an entire city for themselves. Giving too much territory or properties might also breed corruption and open a room for infighting between his subordinates.
”I can only give him a city or a county, but I won't give him an entire province.”
Sima Fang heaved a sigh of relief that Tong was strong enough to limit his rewards. Had Tong given Li Feihong an entire province, a new faction might be born under Li Feihong's flags.
”That will do,” Zhuge Liang was somewhat disappointed, but he was relieved that Tong was kind enough to share a bit of his authority to his subordinates.
.
.
Tong: ”Feihong, are you there?”
Li Feihong: ”What's up, your majesty? Need more resources?”
As usual, Li Feihong was working hard to supply Tong with his private world's endless resources, food, spice, minerals, lumber, or even clean water. He thought that Tong wanted more materials for his development again.
Tong: ”No, I'm planning to give you a city as a reward. Which city do you want to own? You can be a landlord now.”
Li Feihong: ”Why should I get a city? I'm more comfortable living in my private world.”
Tong: ”Don't you want a reward at all?”
Li Feihong: ”Having this skill with me, the self-revival skill, your inventory skill, and your angelic cultivation are more than I ever asked for. I want nothing.”
Everyone in the clan chat admired Li Feihong more as this minister refused Tong's offer over and over again. However, it was not good for Tong as he needed to set an example to his subordinates that major contributors got adequately rewarded.
Tong: ”There's a change in my policies. Officers with great deeds will have the right to own lands, and I need to set an example, so I pick you as a role model.”
Li Feihong: ”Ah, you should have said that sooner.”
Tong: ”Then, which city do you want to own? I can't give you Julu or Ye, though.”
Li Feihong: ”Why should I pick a troublesome place like those two cities? Pick a deserted city for me. I don't want a big city or a city with too many people.”
All chan members were taken aback by Li Feihong's attitude as he looked like a lazy person with this tone.
Tong: ”I get it. You don't want to take any responsibility for your city's development or governance, correct?”
Li Feihong: ”Yeah. Let me enjoy my slow life. That's all I ask from you.”
Tong: ”Slow life? Alone?”