I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 60 Mobilization Meeting

After the autumn harvest, Chengdu Taixue Palace ushered in an important day.

The morning of the Autumn Equinox was particularly pleasant, and students, carrying books, hurried towards the Imperial Academy.

As soon as the students arrived at the gate, they were stopped by three long lines of people, and everyone looked anxious.

The guards were overwhelmed with checking the students' identification documents, and they were secretly groaning inwardly.

This was the first time they had ever seen such a massive crowd since they took up their posts as guards.

Whether they had classes or not, people flocked to the school.

"There's still more than half an hour before class starts, why are there so many people here?"

"I heard that the academy has opened an agricultural science course, so everyone's come to see what's going on."

"What knowledge is there in cultivating this kind of land?"

"It's not knowledge, it's the teacher—His Majesty."

Is this true?

"Otherwise, why do you think everyone arrived so early today? They don't even know if they'll be able to grab a seat later."

"Oh dear, I have class this morning, what a pity."

The students queuing to enter were all talking, their conversation revolving around the start of the agricultural science class.

The agricultural science class was a temporary course, as the academy did not have enough classrooms.

The Prime Minister's residence originally planned to have several rooms, but this was rejected by Liu Shan.

Firstly, building houses requires money, and the imperial court had not set aside a budget for it.

Secondly, there wasn't much open space in the academy to begin with.

Finally, it is the most important point.

Agricultural science classes emphasize practical experience, spending most of their time working in experimental fields rather than just sitting in the classroom studying textbooks.

Therefore, after careful consideration, the school was set up in a spacious courtyard to the east of the academy.

The students brought their own straw mats and sat on the ground.

In order to maintain order, the academy requested the imperial court to dispatch more imperial guards to protect the courtyard, separating the inside and outside, and prohibiting non-agricultural students from entering.

Even so, the area outside the fence set up by the Imperial Guard was packed with students who had no classes and came to watch, making it impossible to pass through inside or outside the area.

The first batch of students in the agricultural science class consisted of fifty-six people, all of whom were agricultural talents selected from various counties and prefectures in Yizhou.

They included people of all ages, with poor posture, dark complexions, and rough hands. Although they wore ordinary clothes, one could tell at a glance that they were people who worked in the fields year-round.

In addition to these fifty-six people skilled in agriculture, there were also officials from the imperial court in charge of agriculture, as well as officials from various prefectures and counties such as agricultural advisors and field clerks, totaling nearly a hundred people.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

After an unknown amount of time, a loud shout caused everyone present to stand up solemnly.

Liu Shan, dressed in ordinary clothes, arrived at the courtyard under the protection of the Imperial Guards.

Looking at the rows of officials in front of him, and the students who had gathered around to listen, Liu Shan felt as if he had returned to his former school and was giving a public lecture in a classroom.

"His Majesty!"

Everyone clasped their hands and bowed deeply.

"Please be seated, everyone!"

At Liu Shan's command, the students in the agricultural science class quietly sat down and took the bamboo slips in their hands.

The bamboo slips are the teaching materials for the agricultural science class, and they have been distributed to the students in advance so that they can preview them.

Everyone craned their necks, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Liu Shan rose, cupped his hands, and smiled apologetically, saying, "You are all talented people skilled in farming in our Han Dynasty. The court summoned you here for the sake of the country and the people's livelihood, and you should be treated with the respect due to national heroes. However, the country is in danger, the court is in trouble, and the people are suffering. I can only ask you to make do with sitting in this courtyard for now. I hope you will bear with me."

No sooner had he finished speaking than someone responded loudly.

"We've been working the land year-round, facing the earth and turning our backs to the sky; we're used to it. Besides, we have a place here; that's enough!"

"His Majesty personally teaches at the academy, sitting in the courtyard with us, sharing our joys and sorrows. He is a benevolent and righteous ruler. If we have a single complaint in our hearts, then we are merely lazy people complaining."

"It is our honor to serve the imperial court and bring benefits to the people."

The students in the agricultural science class all came from the countryside. They were honest, straightforward, and sincere, which was touching.

Yang Min stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, the Jixia Academy, where the Hundred Schools of Thought contended, was located in this very courtyard. It is truly a remarkable story that our Great Han Academy can emulate the ancient spirit of debate."

Officials speak differently from ordinary people; their words are much more elegant.

Liu Shan surveyed the courtyard, his voice clear and resonant.

"As you all have just told me, you all come from farming backgrounds, toiling in the fields. When the late emperor was young, he wove mats and sold shoes, just like you, from a poor family. If it weren't for the Yellow Turban Rebellion and his joining the rebel army, he might now be a well-known craftsman in the surrounding area."

Liu Shan's lighthearted banter made everyone burst into laughter.

"Don't disbelieve me, everyone. The straw sandals the court gave you, and the straw mats you're sitting on now, were made by me using the techniques inherited from the late emperor."

A commotion arose among the students, who all looked down at the straw mat beneath them, their eyes filled with surprise and joy.

This seemingly ordinary straw mat was actually made by the current emperor.

In their excitement, the students moved quietly and carefully, afraid of leaving any marks on the straw mat.

"There's no need to panic. Straw mats and sandals are meant to be used; they can't be used to breed."

These colloquial remarks once again made the students laugh heartily, easing their previous tension considerably.

"The autumn harvest is over, and it's another bountiful year. Do you all have surplus grain at home?"

No sooner had Liu Shan finished speaking than someone interjected, "Your Majesty, yes. This year the court has reduced some taxes, so our family has enough to eat."

Upon hearing that the imperial court had reduced taxes, many people in the courtyard became excited, loudly echoing, "We'll have food to eat!"

Although there was a bumper harvest this year due to the impact of the war, the yield was not as good as in previous years.

If taxes and grain are paid according to the standards of previous years, the people will have a tough year ahead.

"That's right. If there's no food to eat, then you're just being lazy and deserve to go hungry." Liu Shan continued with a smile, "Only when the people have food in their hands will they feel at ease and won't go hungry."

The saying "With grain in hand, one has nothing to fear" truly resonates with everyone.

"Although we have grain to eat this year, it's barely enough to eat, and we're still far from being truly full. In order for everyone to have enough to eat in the future, you all need to work hard here to learn farming skills and increase production and income."

"Only when everyone is well-fed can the imperial court have food to eat. You are my providers of food and clothing!"

Liu Shan's speech contained no flowery language; it consisted of very ordinary yet heartfelt words that moved everyone present.

"As the saying goes, a three-foot hoe handle can withstand ten years of war, and a single autumn harvest is enough to establish a foundation for a hundred years. I am well aware of the hardships of farmers: they long for a rain in spring, fear a hailstorm in summer, worry about low market prices in autumn, and fret about the difficulty of storing grain in winter."

"Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me. This class is not just empty talk, but a way to explore the principles of land and the ways of farming with you all."

"After you have mastered your studies, you should pass them on to the people. One person tells ten, ten tell a hundred, and all the people of Yizhou will benefit."

"When autumn deepens and the granaries are full, I will raise a jug of wine and celebrate the bountiful harvest with my troops and the people!"

After he finished speaking, the whole room cheered.

The students were so inspired by Liu Shan's passionate speech that they couldn't wait for the next lesson.

Seeing that the mobilization meeting had successfully stirred up the emotions of the students below the stage, Liu Shan pressed on while the iron was hot.

Today's topic: Soil conservation, the green manure revolution.

Classes begin!