The most arrogant in history

Chapter 464: Be a hands-off boss.

Ma Zhengyang was startled and asked in a low voice: "The King of Han means that all the foreign laborers will be..."

"Not all, just some." Ye Kun waved his hand and said:

"Even among our Chinese people, those who commit crimes, murder, arson, and other heinous crimes, they will be chained to their feet and forced to work. If they are disobedient, they will be chained. The same goes for foreign laborers."

There is no shortage of food now, but there is a shortage of people.

Therefore, Ye Kun did not kill anyone, even those robbers who had committed heinous crimes. He would not kill them and would send them to mine coal.

Letting them die in the mine would be considered as atonement.

Ma Zhengyang nodded: "I understand."

Ye Kun asked again: "How are those foreign female workers?"

"The female workers are fine. None of them caused trouble. The conditions in our textile factory are good. They have food and drink. It's much better than their hometowns."

"How about this? We should also open night schools for foreign workers to let them learn Chinese characters and language."

Ye Kun thought for a moment and said, "After three years, those who have learned the Chinese language will be betrothed to someone else and allowed to settle down here. The same goes for the young laborers in the mines. As long as they work hard and study diligently, they will be given a wife and a salary, and they will become Chinese."

It only takes one generation to assimilate other ethnic groups.

As long as you are willing to integrate into China, Ye Kun will give you a chance.

Ma Zhengyang smiled and said, "I'm afraid there aren't enough women..."

Ye Kun smiled and said, "What are you afraid of? We will have more imported workers. At worst, we can just increase the proportion of female workers."

Ma Zhengyang nodded: "Then I will tell these workers that the term is three years. After three years, we will select a group of people, give them citizenship, help them start families, and give them land and houses."

Ye Kun smiled and nodded: "Yes, let's do it."

As the territory expands, millions of workers will enter China in the future.

There must be a system to manage these people.

At the end of November, Ye Kun was about to go to Xiangyang to check the scientific research results, but he received a letter by carrier pigeon.

The vanguard of the ocean-going fleet sent by Song Poliu has returned.

A total of five large ships were docked in Yangon Bay, just west of the Jiaozhi Peninsula!

Because Yangon Bay has been controlled by Song Poliu, and a naval base and port have been established!

Ye Kun was so overjoyed that he almost jumped up!

It was originally thought that the ocean-going fleet would take three years to return, but unexpectedly, it only took more than a year for them to return from the East and West New Worlds!

A letter sent by carrier pigeon could not be transmitted so far, and it was transferred several times before it reached Ye Kun.

The letter said that they had found sweet potatoes, corn, and peanuts, and had also brought back hundreds of thousands of rubber tree seeds!

But the fleet also suffered heavy losses, with half of its ships lost and 700 casualties.

Now that the vanguard fleet has returned, there are still more than 700 people staying in South America, establishing a permanent base there and continuing to search for crops and mineral resources.

Ye Kun was happy and emotional.

He immediately replied, first expressing his condolences, and then asked Song Poliu to lead the team personally, send ships and troops, and escort the ocean-going fleet back.

The rubber tree seeds are cultivated and planted in Jiaozhi, Qiongzhou Island, and the southeastern coastal areas. Some of them can also be scattered in the wild to let them grow naturally and be selected by nature.

Seeds of other crops must be properly preserved, and special personnel should be sent to select different regions to start trial planting at the appropriate time.

In the Central Plains, corn, peanuts, and sweet potatoes must be planted in spring.

However, the southern part of Jiaozhi has a tropical climate, so after the New Year, trial planting can be carried out in batches.

Ye Kun also decided to go to the mouth of the Yangtze River in person to welcome the return of the warriors who had sailed far away!

Xiao Ruliu was very happy and came to Ye Kun holding her son: "Kunlang, I heard that you are going south to Jinling, right?"

"You are well-informed." Ye Kun smiled:

"I plan to go to Xiangyang to check the scientific research results, then go to Jinling by river, and then wait for the heroes of the long-distance fleet in Qiantang Bay."

Qiantang Bay is the Hangzhou Bay in later generations.

It was winter at the time and there were no typhoons or anything, so it was quite peaceful.

However, Ye Kun did not plan to bring many people with him this time to avoid wasting time and money.

Xiao Ruliu said coquettishly: "Then you must take me with you. I will go back to visit my mother. Our son is born and has not yet met his grandmother."

"No problem, I'll take you alone this time."

Ye Kun nodded and smiled, "But I'm in a hurry, and I'm worried that you'll be tired from the journey. After you get to Jinling, I'll give you a year's vacation. You should spend some time with your child and grandmother."

Xiao Ruliu was very happy and kept thanking him.

The next morning, the nine ministries held a meeting.

Ye Kun talked about the return of the long-distance fleet and stated that he would go to Qiantang Bay to welcome the fleet.

Unexpectedly, the nine ministers and Sang Buyi collectively opposed it.

Sang Buyi said, "The King of Han has just returned from Chang'an, and many things are waiting to be arranged. Now it's the New Year again, and if you go to the Jiangdong seaport again, it will be a big fuss. Going on a tour will inevitably disturb the people, so please think twice."

Ye Kun said, "I'll go on a small-scale patrol with three or five ships so as not to disturb the people, is that ok?"

Yu Guinong said: "When the ocean-going fleet returns, let them come to see the King of Han on their own. Why mobilize a large army to welcome them? Even if we want to welcome them, we can just send a minister."

In short, everyone disagreed with Ye Kun's tour.

After Ye Kun left, all kinds of important decisions had to be made after him, which took up a lot of time.

Ye Kun looked at everyone in silence.

Everyone thought Ye Kun was going to get angry.

Who knew that Ye Kun suddenly smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Since no one wants me to leave, I won't leave. I'll go to Xiangyang to check the research results, is that okay?"

Everyone smiled and clasped their fists, saying, "We are also doing this for the sake of the court's affairs, not to make things difficult for the King of Han."

"I understand." Ye Kun nodded, stood up and said:

"I set up the nine-ministry deliberation system to limit my own power, to prevent myself from messing around, and to keep everyone watching. It will be like this from now on. The nine-ministry cabinet is the head of the court, responsible for all government affairs.

Perhaps one day, the emperor will no longer attend court, and the nine ministries and cabinets will decide all major issues in the world."

Forming a cabinet and weakening imperial power may be a way to ensure the stability of the country.

The emperor does not participate in politics, but is just an idle emperor, retaining his noble status and title and enjoying some privileges.

It would be more beneficial to the country and the people if the cabinet were in charge of all state affairs.

Even if a tyrant appears, it will not have much impact.

When Xiao Ruliu got the news, her plan to go south was ruined and she cried in anger.

Ye Kun comforted:

"The nine prime ministers and ministers are the pillars of the country. I cannot force you to do something that you all oppose. Madam, you are homesick. You can go back to visit your mother next spring when the flowers are in bloom and the scenery in the south of the Yangtze River is at its best.

Madam, as long as you don't mobilize too many troops when you go out, the Nine Departments can't interfere."

Xiao Ruliu asked: "Then next spring, can you still accompany me to Jiangdong?"

Ye Kun smiled bitterly: "I have no choice. Where to go and what to do depends on the faces of Sang Buyi and others. I can only leave after these bosses approve it."