In early winter in Kaifeng, it is far from freezing, but the temperature has dropped significantly, people are wearing thicker clothes, and the heat and fog permeating Tokyo are also more obvious. It is also the prosperity of the dynasty.
In order to supply the Pingnan war, it is a big business opportunity for some handicraftsmen in Tokyo. As long as it is used by the Pingnan army and does not require special production by the public factory, the Ministry of War will purchase it in large quantities. Of course, compared with those years ago, The Northern Expedition was only a small undertaking.
The weather is getting colder, but the atmosphere of life in the city is getting stronger. The prosperity of the imperial capital has created a new trend for a century. In recent years, some literati who praise the rule of the Han Dynasty and praise the prosperity of Tokyo have begun to compare Kaifeng today with Chang'an during the Kaiyuan period. Already.
Liu Chengyou had also heard about this, and he was very happy with the public opinion that essentially praised his achievements. However, Emperor Liu still had self-awareness. As a man who had just emerged from the Great Schism of the Seventy Years, The empire is still far from being able to rule the world. Although Kaifeng is prosperous, let alone comparing it with the imperial capital in the Kaiyuan period, it would be good if it could catch up to Chang'an in the Zhenguan period.
If we look at the entire empire, the gap with the Kaiyuan era is even greater. It takes a long enough time to accumulate and ensure a set of reasonable and stable political management systems to move forward. This can only be achieved. There must also be A wise enough and broad-minded monarch.
Therefore, if the rule of the world has not yet come, how can we talk about a prosperous age?
Of course, there is no need for Emperor Liu to belittle himself. His achievements in setting things right, eliminating separatist regimes, and unifying the world are already the best among emperors in the past. Moreover, he is still young, has no physical problems, and has enough energy. As long as you have more time, you can govern the world. If you live long enough, you can create a prosperous age, which is not without hope.
In fact, at the end of the fifteenth year of Qianyou's reign, while the Pingnan War was still going on, Emperor Liu had been convening his ministers to discuss policies and propose methods for how to govern the world in the future. It was a collective effort.
Moreover, there is a basic goal to focus on the rule of Zhenguan. Liu Chengyou has always longed for and admired the Zhenguan era. From a macro perspective, to govern the world well, there are two points. One is to govern officials strictly , the second is to treat the people with kindness, and this has always been the case in governing the world in the past dynasties. Of course, it is easy to say it, but it is not easy to do it.
As far as government officials are concerned, it does not simply refer to fighting corruption. That is only one aspect. What is more important is the reasonable improvement of the system and national management system, and the ability to ensure long-term smooth operation.
In this regard, the Han Dynasty actually had a lot of problems. Today's Liu Han Dynasty is not a Kaiyuan country in the true sense. It has inherited and inherited too many things from the Later Jin, the Later Tang and even the Later Liang. Although there are redundant officials, redundant personnel, and redundant tasks It has been improved, but not completely. The official atmosphere has indeed been reformed, but there are still many old drawbacks. The entire country's management system also has many complexities, contradictions and even errors and omissions, and there are also many unclear areas of authority. This is influenced by the previous generation. , it also has the impact of Liu Chengyou’s reforms.
Therefore, compared with the Three Dynasties, the politics and official administration of the Han Dynasty are gradually improving and progressing, but there are still many areas for improvement. Overall, there are not many complex and chaotic areas.
During this time, Liu Chengyou had asked Xue Juzheng to gather people to systematically compile a "Han Hui Dian" by imitating the "Tang Liu Dian" and combining the political, official, and authority systems of the three dynasties since the late Tang Dynasty with the current national canon system of the Han Dynasty. " came to be used as a guiding political code for governance.
Mentioning the former Prime Minister Xue Juzheng, in the past few years since he resigned as the Third Secretary-General, with the support of Liu Chengyou, he invested a lot of energy in compiling books and achieved several results. For example, the completion of "History of the Three Dynasties", He re-edited "Records of Emperor Gaozu" and "Book of Tang", supervised the revision of "National History", and recently wrote a political strategy called "The Fifteenth Year of Qianyou".
Obviously, in the eyes of many people, once entering the 16th year of Qianyou, the Han Dynasty will enter a new situation and move towards a glorious era. In fact, this is also the case.
As for governing the people, in fact, we only need to adhere to one principle, that is, don’t mess around, especially those affairs and projects that consume huge amounts of people’s material resources. Do less, as long as we provide the people of the world with a sufficiently stable and gentle living environment, and add enough Within a short period of time, we can naturally recover and develop quickly. In that way, society will progress and people will be rich.
As for Liu Chengyou himself, if he wants to imitate Zhenguan, he will still copy homework. Of course, he will do so selectively, at least in line with the current development of the times and social demands.
However, in Liu Chengyou's mind, the most important thing for him to learn from Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty is the use of people. The more he understands, the more reasonable he becomes. How can the emperor manage such a huge empire by himself? He still needs to use his talents. The wisdom and talents of the bureaucrats and ministers allowed them to create great undertakings under their leadership.
In the past few years, Emperor Liu had consciously delegated power and lightened his burdens. This was partly because he was taking lessons from history and following the example of his predecessors.
During the Zhenguan era, a large number of outstanding talents emerged, contributing to the glory of Zhenguan's rule. By his Qianyou era, how many people would stand out and become his good ministers?
Regarding this point, some people have already been trained in the emperor's heart, either in the central government or in local areas, but Liu Chengyou believes that there are more people who have not been discovered, and he is also looking forward to their emergence.
...
The weather in Kaifeng has different perceptions in the eyes of different people. For example, Xu Xuan, the prime minister of the south of the Yangtze River, came here for the first time. The power of the north made him feel very heavy, and he even felt that it was destiny, and he was struggling again. .
At first, Xu Xuan came north on Li Yu's order. After crossing the river, he traveled lightly and chose to ride north. Fortunately, although he was on both sides of the war, as an envoy, no one was in trouble except for necessary insights along the way. Traveling at a speed of two hundred miles a day, they arrived in Tokyo in less than six days. For Xu Xuan, who was in his fifties and a scholar, it was a very hard journey.
After arriving in Kaifeng, he prayed to see the Emperor of Han without taking any rest. Liu Chengyou seemed to be very interested in Xu Xuan, a leader in the Jiangnan literary world, and chose to receive him. When he met with the Emperor of Han, Xu Xuan was neither humble nor overbearing, and his face was full of righteousness. , details Jiangnan’s respectful service to the imperial court over the years. Although it is a sincere prayer for peace, it actually points directly to the Han Dynasty’s southern expedition, which is an unknown and unjust division...
In terms of talking nonsense and quoting scriptures, ten Liu Chengyous are no match for Xu Xuan. However, Emperor Liu represents power, and the words "unity is justice" left Xu Xuan speechless.
Regarding Xu Xuan's verbal offense to him, Liu Chengyou did not get angry. Instead, he showed his generosity and asked him to return to the hotel, and ordered people to serve him well and treat him courteously. However, Xu Xuan asked to see him several times after that. , were all rejected.
"Winter has already entered!" It was cold in the courtyard. Looking at the apricot trees with sparse branches and leaves, Xu Xuan muttered to himself sadly, his mood as depressing as the environment: "I don't know how the war is progressing..."
Xu Xuan has a strong scholarly spirit. If it were normal, he might show his literary talent, but at this time, he really has no interest at all.
"Xu Gong, congratulations to you. The palace has replied. His Majesty has agreed to summon you. Please prepare to enter the palace to meet the saint!" Under the guidance of his entourage, the Concierge Courtyard walked in with a warm look on his rich face. Smile and cup your hands.
Hearing this, Xu Xuan was overjoyed at first, and then returned to his seriousness. This was not something worthy of joy. The Emperor of Han was determined and committed to peace. How could he give up just because of a few words from him?
Therefore, after entering the Chongzheng Hall and saluting, Xu Xuan looked extremely solemn when faced with Emperor Liu's questions. He cupped his hands and said, "I am here to say farewell to His Majesty!"
Xu Xuan's seriousness, in Liu Chengyou's eyes, seemed like someone who had been wronged a lot, which was also quite interesting. Liu Chengyou smiled slightly and said, "Why? Is it that Tokyo is not good enough, or that the court's reception is not polite enough?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Xuan said solemnly: "I have come under the orders of the lord of the country. Your Majesty has no intention of quitting the army, and I have no reason to stay for a long time. I would like to return south to Jinling and join my lord in waiting for the incoming army!" "
"Haha!" Liu Chengyou laughed again, his laughter was very soft, but his attitude was very strong. He waved his hands casually: "So much trouble? The cold weather makes it difficult to travel. Xu Gong doesn't have to go back to Jinling, otherwise, he will wait for Master Wang Breaking the city and being kidnapped together with Li Yu would be a waste of time and loss of face, so you should stay in Kaifeng and wait for Master Wang's triumphant return with me..."