Thus, many times, he found himself somewhat envying Zhao Cheng's start. Though he had nothing at all, it was precisely because he had nothing that he was like a blank sheet, ready for any painting.
He could kill whoever he wanted, chop down whoever he wanted. Unlike Liu Guangzheng, who needed an airtight reason even to confiscate someone's property.
Fortunately, Great Cang had vast wealth and resources. By selling off large amounts of land, it had eased its fiscal crisis. It could afford to feed a few more parasites. As long as the court's system could continue functioning normally, it was worth it.
If purging the parasites instead brought down the entire system, that would be the most miserable and foolish outcome.
After all, Liu Guangzheng was not the founding Grand Ancestor. He could not act with reckless abandon. No matter how displeased he was, he had to endure.
Liu Guangzheng understood that much clearly.
While vigorously building factories, Liu Guangzheng also introduced all manner of labor-saving farm tools that could greatly improve production efficiency. In the past, such things had been taboo, because they would free up part of the workforce and affect the stability of the realm.
But now, what Liu Guangzheng needed in order to develop industry was manpower.
Only by freeing up part of the workforce could he support a sufficient number of laborers.
Sure enough, that year brought a bumper harvest to the realm. Under normal circumstances, cheap grain would harm the farmers; grain prices would be driven down so low that the farmers themselves would go hungry.
But because the court had money from selling land, it stabilized grain prices. As a result, many farmers were instead given a chance to catch their breath.
Part of the grain purchased by the court was used