In mid-March, the large-scale spring plowing activities have ended. On the Central Plains, the contiguous acres of mountains, forests and fields have been covered with greenery. They are full of vitality and high-spirited, as if they are telling the story of a man entering a new era.
After staying in the palace for a long time, Liu Chengyou left the palace and walked out of Kaifeng for a patrol. However, this was just an outing in Kinki, Kaifeng, and there was no fanfare. It was both for relaxation and for safety. Inspecting the farming activities in the suburbs of Beijing.
Emphasis on agriculture is the national policy that Emperor Liu has adhered to for more than ten years. Food is the first priority for the people. This is a simple truth. Even though he lives in Kaifeng, a city with an increasingly commercial atmosphere, he is not fooled by the empire's The foundation always lies in the people and farmers.
Every spring plowing, as long as he was in Beijing, Emperor Liu would personally go to the fields, wield a hoe, and turn over the fields. Even if he was not there, the prime minister would take the lead. This year is an exception. Emperor Liu did not go, but the prince Liu Yang took the lead and went to work in the fields. live.
In the early years, there was a report from the royal family. In order to show the importance of farming and mulberry farming, two halls were set up in the Han Palace to watch crops and to see silkworms. Emperor Liu agreed at that time. However, within a few years, Emperor Liu abolished it and said bluntly, If you want to see crops and silkworms, why stop in the palace and pay attention to farming and mulberry farming? What you need is not these formal things, and then you can show your attention to farming by practicing it personally and making national policies.
Of course, that was also the cause of Liu Chengyou's "persecution delusion". He felt that someone wanted to restrain him within the imperial city. In fact, even if he didn't abandon Guan Jia and visit the Second Silkworm Palace, he could still do what he should do.
The flat Cai River is like a white horse, meandering southward with rippling clear waves. There are also many ships going south and north, and their destination is also directly to Kaifeng. Kaifeng is now the center of the world and the end point of water transportation. Southeast water transportation is Bian and Si are the main transportation channels, and the Cai River connects the canals in the south.
Riding his horse at a light gallop, Liu Chengyou went south along the Cai River. Liu Chengyou said to Wang Pu who was following him: "Qi Wu, I still remember that when I went to Xuzhou Ruiling from the late emperor's palace, I took this road back to the capital when I returned north. , I also heard you talk about the origin of this river at that time, which gave me the idea of reopening the Cai River!"
After returning to the court, Wang Pu was still one of the most trusted ministers by the emperor, and after so many years of experience, his majesty and demeanor became more and more calm. When he heard this, Wang Pu smiled and said: "Fourteen years have passed. Your Majesty is still as bright and wise as before! I still remember that the old Caishui road was dried up and ruined, melting into the wilderness. The road was almost re-opened by the imperial driver. However, now it has become a hundred-mile road and has been restored to the north and south. We need it for water transportation!"
When talking about Xuzhou and Ruiling, we have to mention that the emperor's uncle Liu Xin, who was imprisoned in Ruiling and guarded Liu Zhiyuan's tomb for fourteen years, finally couldn't stand it anymore and died on February 19th in the first year of Kaibao. .
When the Xuzhou government reported the report, Emperor Liu's emotional expression seemed to be very complicated, with a hint of sadness. Even if Liu Xin's ending was planned by him. Of course, it would not be unreasonable to execute Liu Xin for his crimes back then. Pass.
Time is really a powerful thing. More than ten years have passed. Uncle Liu Huang, who committed such crimes at the time, has aroused the sympathy of many people. And when we ask about the people of Xuzhou who were harmed back then, except for a small number of people who were persecuted and their families were destroyed, , most people have also forgotten that, after all, we have to look forward to everything, we still have to live, and resentment cannot be eaten...
If it weren't for Emperor Liu's character and psychology, perhaps under the persuasion of so many people inside and outside, he would have actually issued an edict to pardon and release Liu Xin. Now that the man is dead and a hundred are over, Emperor Liu can go less often. One thing to worry about.
It may seem harsh and ruthless to the living, but towards the deceased Liu Xin, Emperor Liu finally became kind and tolerant, ordered the Xuzhou government to give him a grand burial, and asked Zong Zhengqing Liu Chengyun to preside over the funeral.
"I still need to thank Wang Qing for his contribution in regulating the river!" Of course, at this time, Liu Chengyou had completely forgotten about Liu Xin. He sighed as he looked at the Caihe River, shaded by green trees on the banks and rippling clear waves.
The "Wang Qing" in Liu Chengyou's mouth was naturally not Wang Pu, but Wang Pu. The reopening of the Cai River was one of the projects during the reconstruction of the Biansi Canal presided over by Wang Pu. At that time, it was just to reopen the connection with the south. The water channel of Chen and Caizhou. Later, as the use of this river increased, it underwent another dredging. At the same time, the Zheng River to the west of Kaifeng was diverted as the source. As a result, water transportation to the south of Kaifeng became a great channel, and the finance, taxation, and property in the south passed through Caizhou. The most time-saving and labor-saving route is to go from the river to Beijing.
"The death of Duke Yan is indeed a great loss to the great Han Dynasty!" The relationship between the two kings was good. Wang Pu had also received advice and help from Wang Pu before. At this time, he also sighed with emotion.
Waving his hand, Liu Chengyou asked Wang Pu: "Some people have suggested that I start river engineering and conduct a comprehensive dredging of all water systems in the Central Plains. This can not only prevent and control floods, but also provide comprehensive access to water transportation. What do you think?"
Hearing this, Wang Pu frowned slightly, thought about it briefly, and reported: "I believe that river engineering and water affairs are closely related to the national economy and people's livelihood, and the imperial court needs water transportation to bring wealth and goods from all directions to the capital. If it can be managed well, then The state and the people have their own benefits. However, the world has just been settled, and there are too many things that the court needs to adjust, so it must be done step by step..."
When Wang Pu opened his mouth, Emperor Liu knew what he meant, and he immediately smiled and said: "Don't worry, sir, I don't imitate Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty and don't be greedy for greatness or quick success!"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
"What's ahead?" Liu Chengyou asked, pointing to a town in the south near the Cai River.
"Your Majesty, from Tokyo to the south of Caishui to Chenzhou, there are three towns along the coast. This is the first town, named Tongxu. It was established in the seventh year of Qianyou's reign, with more than 2,000 households!" After hearing this, he followed on the other side! Shi Xizai replied.
When the emperor went on a tour, as a close minister, Shi Xizai had prepared enough homework based on understanding the basic whereabouts. Therefore, when Emperor Liu asked, he immediately explained it. After hearing this, Emperor Liu was indeed very satisfied and asked: "These years , how many towns like this have been added in Kaifeng?"
Shi Xizai added: "There are a total of fifteen new and old towns in Kaifeng, including seven new ones, all built along the water!"
"These water networks and waterways are just like blood vessels, and Kaifeng is the heart!" Hearing this, Liu Chengyou sighed: "How can I not pay attention to these lifelines and dredge and expand them?"
"Your Majesty, this comparison is very impressive!" Wang Pu said with a chuckle.
"I won't go back to Beijing tonight! I'll stay in Tongxu Town!" Although it was getting early, Emperor Liu had already decided not to return to the palace.
After saying that, he raised his whip and whipped it once. The horse neighed and ran southward along the dirt road. The accompanying attendants and guards saw this and hurriedly followed.
While driving, woods, hills, and rivers fly by. Of course, in addition to these scenery, there is also a large amount of land. On the plains of Kaifeng Kinki, fields and farmhouses are also densely packed, and they are basically planted. The early seedlings are growing, the greenery is green, and there are farmers cooking among them. Looking around, I feel relaxed and happy.
Before entering Tongxu Town, Emperor Liu suddenly asked: "The farmland we passed just now is so neat and tidy. Whose farmland does it belong to?"
Unlike Luoyang, the land here in Kaifeng is considered fertile, but not many people want to buy it. After all, they are under the emperor's feet, and they don't dare to be so bold in annexing it under the emperor's nose.
Of course, even though it has been restrained to a certain extent, there are still some people who own hundreds of hectares of land. However, Shi Xizai's answer surprised Liu Chengyou a little. That is official land, an occupational land belonging to Chenliu County.
In the Han Dynasty, land was also divided into attributes. It was generally divided into official land and civilian land, and among the official land, there was occupational land. From top to bottom, basically every yamen was allocated a certain share of occupational land. Farmers or criminals were Farming and the output of these fields are used to share part of the salary and welfare of officials.
Kaifeng Prefecture has jurisdiction over fourteen counties. It is a veritable prefecture under the jurisdiction of the world. The expansion of its jurisdiction to this point is not only to enrich the population of the capital, but also to increase the number of official fields.
Facing Shi Xizai's answer, Emperor Liu was thoughtful. He remembered that among the ministers' petition, there was a memorial to continue to expand his career. Of course, he was inclined to reject this.
The reason is also very simple. It is easy to expand land, but the impact may not be beneficial. It is necessary for the imperial court to retain a certain amount of official land. If nothing else is mentioned, it is obvious that it should share the role of finance.
However, if there are too many, then the problem of farming will be very serious. The population distribution of the current Han Dynasty is not balanced. At the same time, because the population pressure is not great, the land conflict in the north is not prominent.
The common people basically have their own land, labor is limited, and official land is too much. Where can we find people to farm the land?
Today's Emperor Liu is determined to govern the country well. He goes out of the palace to relax, but what he hears and sees will be linked to his general strategy for governing the country...
And after such a long time, the new policy that Emperor Liu had been planning for a long time will also be introduced.