As spring gets stronger, Kaifeng City gradually longs for the rapid recovery of its former prosperity, just like the rejuvenating vegetation and the awakening insects and beasts. The capital is prosperous, and the hustle and bustle is its main theme. The sounds of countless markets fill the streets and alleys, gathering together,
It has become a strong voice of this era.
In fact, if we only talk about the size of the city, Kaifeng City is already large enough, but economically, there is still huge room for improvement. The benefits brought by the unification of the south have not yet fully exploded, and they will only wait for the official and commercial routes between the north and the south to be completely opened.
Before Pingnan, after ten years of operation, with Huainan as a springboard, the economic ties between the Central Plains and Jiangnan had become increasingly close. Of course, there were always limitations. After all, they were two forces. The Yangtze River was vast, but it was not as political as
chasm.
However, with the elimination of the Jinling regime, Wu and Yue took the initiative to donate land, which completely removed the barriers to economic exchanges. As long as the exchanges were established, business travelers from the north could confidently go south and go deep into Suzhou and Hangzhou, and merchants and products from the south could boldly go to Suzhou and Hangzhou.
North conveyance.
However, for some people with a broad vision, the current situation has not developed as expected. There seems to be a transparent water curtain between the dry wood and the fierce fire.
The problem was that the imperial court strictly controlled and blocked the Jiangnan area. Although half of the more than 200,000 land and sea troops in Pingnan gradually withdrew northward, the remaining troops and the reorganized local army still blocked the entire Jiangnan and Zhejiang areas.
Just like after the Sichuan pacification, transportation between Shu and the Central Plains was cut off for several months, and it took almost a year for economic connections to be restored. The only difference is that the external transportation situation between Sichuan and Shu is indeed inconvenient, coupled with the great disaster
The large-scale rebellion in Shu, while in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, was a conscious act of the imperial court.
From the fall of Jinling to the offering of land to Wu and Yue, with the imperial court's military and political adjustments, the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions also experienced some upheavals. Mainly due to Emperor Liu's edict, the imperial court was conducting an inventory, counting the "spoils of war", population, land, finance and taxation.
, culture, system, officials, right-wingers...the ban will not be lifted until a clue is figured out and brought under control.
If we want to talk about liveliness, it must be the cities in Tokyo, especially Nanshi. There are still many traces of celebrations among the stele pillars and archways, and the decorative ribbons are still swaying slightly in the breeze, but they are obviously a little dirty.
It is no longer as bright and beautiful as before. At the same time, some people can still be heard talking about the grandness of the celebration that day.
At this time, Han Xizai was bathing in the spring light and strolling around. Occasionally he would stop and listen to the sounds of the market. The bustling traffic and the huge flow of people were probably the most realistic portrayal of the city. The cars and horses traveling back and forth
, making the streets that were greatly expanded in those years appear crowded.
Han Xizai had some impressions of Kaifeng. The memory of his youth was very vague, but the impression he had more than ten years ago was still very deep. At that time, the imperial court retreated from Shu in the southwest and defeated Li Shouzhen in the river. The critical situation was resolved.
In order to resolve the conflict with the imperial court along the Huaihe River, Han Xizai, who was unsatisfied at the Jinling court at that time, was ordered to go on a mission.
During that trip to the north, Emperor Liu and the city of Kaifeng left a very deep impression on him. At that time, Kaifeng had just returned to rule, and everything could barely be considered stable, but in terms of prosperity, it was far inferior to Jinling at that time. However,
From the order established and maintained by forceful means, Han Xizai felt the determination of the court and sensed a high-spirited ambition. He considered it a formidable enemy and was deeply afraid of it.
After many years, he came to the north again, but it was as a surrendered minister. The change in status was somewhat uncomfortable, but the changes in Kaifeng made him amazed. Han Xizai was a well-educated man and read a lot of classics. In his opinion,
If the records are correct, in terms of city prosperity, perhaps only Luoyang during the Sui and Tang Dynasties can compare. In terms of economic attributes, Chang'an at the time cannot compare.
In the eyes of knowledgeable people, it is not surprising that a court and regime like the Han Dynasty appeared in the northern part of the Central Plains. After all, times make heroes. The world has been in chaos for so long, and sooner or later a hero will emerge. This is a law of history.
But in fifteen or sixteen years, we were able to correct our past shortcomings, develop the country to this extent, and basically achieve the unification of the country. This is a bit amazing. Perhaps it is the accumulation of the previous three generations, or perhaps it is in line with the general trend of people's peace of mind.
But in this process, the efforts made and the hardships experienced by the monarchs and ministers of the Han Dynasty are also indelible.
As for Han Xizai personally, his inner feelings were even greater. Because his family was involved in a rebellion, he had no choice but to leave his hometown and cross the Huaihe River south. Of course, the reason was for refuge, but also because he wanted to do something big in the south.
After all, in the north at that time, although Li Siyuan, Emperor Mingzong of the later Tang Dynasty, came to power and cleaned up the mess, the long-standing shortcomings were difficult to correct and internal troubles continued. There was still enough energy between the central government and the local feudal towns to struggle hard and internal friction continued.
On the contrary, Xu Zhigao from the south inherited Xu Wen's foundation, controlled the Yang Wu regime, and recruited talents. At that time, Yang Wu had already occupied Huainan and the vast territory of Liangjiang. The politics was stable, the people's livelihood was stable, and the military was not weak.
It is said to be prosperous and has great potential.
The gambling with Li Gu at Zhengyang Ferry was so arrogant. Han Xizai was also high-spirited and confident enough. However, the gap between ideal and reality was wider than the Yangtze River and the Huaihe River, and there was no suitable
Even the heroes will sigh in joy at the ship.
Jinling has always been known as the land of kingly aura, where the tiger occupies the dragon's plate. However, it is too difficult to create a hero who has the common people in mind and can conquer the world. For thousands of years, only one Liu Jinu has the aura to swallow thousands of miles.
As bold as a tiger.
However, Xu Zhigao was only Li Min after all. From Li Jing to Li Yu, it was too difficult for them to achieve great things...
Decades have passed, and he has been half buried in the earth. He comes back again, back to the original starting point, still hoping to do something practical and save some life after his death. Thinking about it, he can't help but laugh at himself.
Obviously, it was better to stay in the north like Li Gu.
Thinking back on that day, how satisfying it was to have this old friend of his rank among the twenty-four heroes and leave his name in history! However, thinking about Li Gu's fate, Han Xizai felt that he might not have lost too badly.
At least when Li Gu was an official in the Tang and Jin Dynasties, his situation was not much better than his own. He could at least talk to the Lord of the Southern Tang Dynasty and participate in military and state affairs. Even if his actual power was weakened, he would still be at the decision-making level.
As for Li Gu, if he had not met Emperor Liu at the end of the Jin Dynasty, how could he have achieved what he has today. He assisted the mediocre king and a group of ministers who were peaceful in fighting against the destined hero, but ultimately failed and became a captive. This is both
Fortune is also a matter of days, so there is no need to feel sorry for yourself...
Well, thinking about it this way, Han Xizai might actually feel better.
The important thing is that now, in the twilight years of his life, someone like him, Han, has taken refuge in the service of the Emperor of Han Dynasty. This opportunity must be grasped.
Han Xizai was old-minded and had rich mental activities, but the more he thought about it, the more he became anxious and began to worry about gains and losses. That day in Jinling, Li Gu personally visited and expressed his intention to recruit talents for the court. At that time, Han Xizai also
No longer reserved.
After that, he followed Li Yu and went north to Kaifeng. It has been almost two months now. The accommodation has been arranged, but the only destination is undecided. According to the letter from Li Gu, the emperor should still intend to use his own, but after so long
Yes, but never summoned.
Even if he went to Qionglin Garden, he was invited to watch the ceremony, and he was also present at the night banquet of Chongyuan Hall, but this was not what he really wanted. You know, even Xu Xuan, who had offended the emperor, was assigned to the History Museum to compile "Jiang Biao Zhi"
》, compiled the classics.
Of course, it is not that there were no arrangements for Han Xizai. Because of his reputation, Wei Renpu and Dou Yi originally planned to let him serve as an admonishment official under Zhongshu. However, Han Xizai refused. What he has done most in his life is "admonishment".
The official was already somewhat resistant.
After reporting to Liu Chengyou, Emperor Liu gave a simple reply, letting him make his own decision. Therefore, during this period of time, Han Xizai, with a complicated mood, observed the people's sentiments and weather in Tokyo, observed carefully, experienced it with his heart, and had a deep understanding of the system of the Han Dynasty
and the functioning of the government.
No matter how rich his inner activities are, his outward demeanor is still that of a celebrity, neither impatient nor impetuous.
"Sir, you have been walking around the streets all day long. What are you looking at?" Finally, a boy who was following him couldn't help but ask.
Glancing at him, Han Xizai noticed the light tapping of his feet, and a smile appeared on his face: "Tired from walking? Then find a place to rest!"