Chapter 1058

“Welfare policies.”

Pang Yukun was speechless. He was still somewhat unaccustomed to these strange policies. But there was no doubt that the common people really liked these welfare decrees. The birth policy that was introduced before was still a hot topic of conversation, after all, in all previous dynasties, the court never gave money to the people when they had children.

“The old nobles are unreliable, but the common people are. So we must rely on the support of the common people for us. The purpose of introducing these welfare policies is exactly that. Their eyes are sharp. Even if our enemies speak eloquently, as long as our benefits are in place, the common people will always be able to tell who is truly good to them.” Xiao Ming said.

Pang Yukun’s expression showed appreciation. This was why he was so devoted to following Xiao Ming.

“With the development of industry and commerce and the war dividends obtained from foreign wars, the Empire’s finances are indeed very plentiful. I will surely support such a matter that benefits both the country and the people.”

Xiao Ming nodded in satisfaction. He made this decision only after he had checked the Empire’s financial situation.

With that, the two began to discuss the welfare policies. However, although the Empire’s financial situation had improved, this wealth was limited. He could only formulate some suitable welfare policies based on the situation of the Empire’s treasury, and could not, like in modern times, introduce comprehensive welfare systems.

According to Xiao Ming’s idea, the most important welfare policy to be introduced this time was in education. As the saying goes, education revitalizes the country, and science and technology revitalize the country.

In this area, Xiao Ming, on the basis of nine years of free education, proposed a subsidy policy for poor students in senior schools and universities, requiring schools to set up special funds to help poor students. At the same time, they were to set up preferential windows for poor students in the school canteens so that students from poor families would not have to worry about living expenses.

After education, came the Empire’s medical care. With the expansion of the medical academy, hospitals were now flourishing in cities of all levels throughout the Empire.

Going to the hospital for treatment had become the most fashionable trend for the common people. However, for some poor people, the cost of medical treatment was still very high. To address this situation, Xiao Ming and Pang Yukun discussed that for people who could not afford it, the court would bear fifty percent of the medical costs or even the entire cost, depending on their specific situation.

“Your Majesty, I am afraid that this might be taken advantage of, and the truly poor people will not receive the benefits, and instead, people who hold power will benefit from it.”

Xiao Ming understood what Pang Yukun meant. In modern times, many preferential policies for the common people were corrupted and became a tool for some people to seek private gain.

To address this situation, he also had his own countermeasures.

“To prevent these policies concerning people’s livelihood from being taken advantage of, I have decided to establish a strict criminal law. Anyone who uses welfare policies to seek personal gain will be exiled three thousand li at the very least and sentenced to hard labor.” Xiao Ming said sternly.

“For governance in troubled times, heavy measures must be used. If that is the case, as long as supervision is strengthened, the problems will not be too great.” Pang Yukun showed a smile.

After discussing education and medical care, the two then established special welfare institutions for orphans and beggars to provide them with the most basic needs and services. With these policies, the situation where people died of cold and hunger on the streets would basically no longer exist in the Empire.

With these three major policies settled, Xiao Ming was satisfied. He was not planning to formulate any more policies, because although the Empire was now rich, it was still far from being able to afford extravagant welfare policies.

Therefore, whether in education or medical care, these were policies that the Empire could currently implement. He did not get carried away and demand that everything be free, as the Empire’s finances would not be able to support that.

After this policy was formulated, Pang Yukun took it to the Cabinet for discussion. For the Cabinet ministers, there was no reason to oppose this welfare policy that benefited the Empire, otherwise, they would be cursed to death by the common people.

After it was successfully passed by the Cabinet, Pang Yukun formally drafted the welfare decree and transmitted it to the various provinces via telegraph, and then from the provinces to the prefectures and counties.

In addition, after taking over the Ministry of News, the first thing he did was to send these policies to the newspaper agencies.

Because of the way Li Ran was dealt with, the current newspaper agency was much cleaner. Han Zheng, the new director of the Qingzhou Daily, did not dare to delay after receiving these drafts from Pang Yukun.

“Print them immediately, and at the same time, send the news to the other branches. Tomorrow, this will cause another sensation.” Han Zheng read.

And just as Xiao Ming had expected.

After these high welfare policies were introduced, the whole country was instantly shocked. The news completely overshadowed the war in Southeast Asia. As long as they had an imperial household registration, the people could enjoy these high welfare policies.

At this time, every citizen of the Empire realized that they no longer had to worry about not having enough food and clothing, or about their children’s education and medical care.

However, they also understood that these were the minimum guarantees. To have a better life, they still had to work hard.

At the same time, taking advantage of this round of publicity, the newspaper’s articles also proposed the concept of citizens’ duties and rights. While everyone enjoyed their rights, they also had to fulfill their duties to the country, such as paying taxes.

“The Emperor is still the one who is good to us common people.” Li Laosi looked at the newspaper, unwilling to let go of it.

Beside him, Li Chengwan, Li Laosi’s son, who was attending Qingzhou University, said, “Dad, stop looking. You can’t even read. What are you holding the newspaper for?”

Li Laosi said with dissatisfaction, “What’s wrong with not being able to read? You’ve only studied for a few years, and you’re already looking down on your father.”

“Dad, that’s not what I meant. I meant for you to put the newspaper away and not ruin it. Otherwise, you might not be able to find it later when you’re looking for the corresponding welfare policies. After all, some officials in the local government are so bold that they dare to overtly agree but covertly oppose the Emperor’s decrees.”

“That’s right. Speaking of which, the Emperor has also introduced many policies that benefit the common people, but they all go wrong in the hands of these officials. Dalan, you are going to graduate this year. You must participate in the official selection examination and become a good official in the future, and listen to the Emperor’s words.” Li Laosi had high hopes for his son.

Li Chengwan said, “Dad, I want to go to Australia with you and run a farm with you.”

Li Laosi immediately became anxious when he heard this. He cursed, “Scoundrel, I scrimped and saved to send you to school, not for you to come home and farm. Even if you don’t become an official, you should at least become an official in a factory. Otherwise, what’s the use of earning so much money from the farm in Australia?”

“The Emperor is encouraging the common people to immigrate to Australia. This is also contributing to the Empire.” Li Chengwan muttered.

Li Laosi patted the newspaper. “If you go to Australia, can you one day participate in formulating these welfare policies that benefit the common people? Can you help the Emperor govern the country? You’ve heard the nonsense that’s being spread in the streets, haven’t you? We can’t let some malicious scoundrels harm our Emperor.”