During the chat, we went about three or five miles further, and even in this Gyeonggi plain, there was a sense of sudden enlightenment and refreshing. The road several feet wide was lined with dense shops on both sides, and the continuous buildings stretched to both sides.
It expands sideways and cannot be seen to the side. Of course, the most eye-catching thing is the huge stone archway.
There are four pillars and three gates, with the capital soaring to the sky. Visually, it is at least three feet high. It stands majestically in the main road, with three large gilded characters: Chenqiao Town. The middle gate below is very wide and can accommodate four cars parallel. There is no problem at all for the Emperor Luan to drive through easily.
.
The roads are busy with traffic and people. Although the roads are not blocked, the scene of prosperity and endless life can infect people's hearts.
Liu Wenyuan immediately stood up and looked up at this magnificent archway. There was even a little daze in his eyes, and he sighed: "I have passed by this place several times when traveling to and from the capital, but I have never looked at this town so patiently and carefully.
.In Anton, even in Suihua City, there is no archway of this scale."
After hearing this, Bai Yonglin immediately stepped into the role and introduced to Liu Wenyuan: "Your Majesty, as far as I know, this building was first built in the seventh year of Qianyou. At that time, due to the frequent exchanges between officials and citizens of Chenqiao, it had become a town, so the building was built. It was originally
Two pillars and one gate. Due to age, they were torn down and rebuilt in the twelfth year of Kaibao. This is the archway in front of you. It is said that this word was inscribed by Li Hanlin when he was passing by.
"Li Hanlin?" Seeing Bai Yonglin's admiring expression, Liu Wenyuan was confused and asked curiously: "Who is this? Is he very famous?"
Bai Yonglin said: "Back to your Majesty, this Li Hanlin is Li Jianzhong, a bachelor of Jixian Palace. He is another great master after Yang Gong (Ningshi). His Highness Yang Gong must have heard about it. In his early years, he was your majesty's calligraphy teacher."
Li Hanlin's calligraphy style is elegant and plump, drawing on the strengths of many writers and integrating all kinds of subtleties. He has become a contemporary model and has the reputation of being the best in the world. Students in Beijing and middle schools are eager to imitate it.
To be honest, Your Majesty, I have also practiced Li Hanlin’s calligraphy!”
Bai Yonglin was full of praise for Li Jianzhong. After hearing this, Liu Wenyuan curled up his lips and said: "It sounds like he is just a scholar who can write more beautifully. Apart from that, there is nothing special about him!
When I go to Beijing to meet the Holy Spirit, I will ask Your Majesty for this person and take Anton back to do paperwork and write official documents, but I wonder if Your Majesty can agree?"
Seeing that Liu Wenyuan had such an idea, Bai Yonglin was obviously stunned for a moment, her eyes widened, and she secretly muttered in her heart, this young King Anton is really very human.
The dignified Li Hanlin, a great calligrapher of the generation, actually thought of using it to do the work of a swordsman and penman. If His Majesty did as he asked, it would be a waste of resources! Such thoughts came to Bai Yonglin's mind.
Before he could answer, Liu Wenyuan smiled heartily and took the lead to pat his horse away. He ordered in a loud voice: "Let's go and see this Chenqiaoyi Town who is famous all over the world!"
Because I was in a hurry, I didn't have enough time to go sightseeing, and I only had a quick glance at the sights, but even so, I gained a lot.
Under the guidance of Chen Qiaoyi Cheng, the group entered the official post for a rest. The post had already made sufficient preparations to entertain them. When they learned that King Anton was passing by in Beijing, everyone was mobilized and even provided food and accommodation in the post.
All the officials said hello and made sure to leave a good impression on King Anton.
Due to Chenqiao's special economic and transportation location, Chenqiao Station is the only official station in the town. It has received many dignitaries, including ministers and feudal officials. They are all ordinary and have broad knowledge.
But there are really not many nobles in the family today. The one we are receiving now is King Anton who came to Beijing to accept the canonization. His weight is really not light. There are rumors that His Majesty the Emperor values and trusts the family of the pre-Qin king. What they have done
The "consciousness" of the people who are attracted to work is naturally very high, and they feel that they have to serve them well. No matter whether they can get into the eyes of the king, at least they cannot neglect the nobles.
Chenqiao Posthouse received these dozens of people without any pressure at all. The accompanying guards sat at the same table and quickly provided food and rest. The horses were also carefully and patiently cared for, and the fodder was of the finest quality.
Liu Wenyuan and Bai Yonglin entered the private room under the auspices of Yi Cheng. The hot beef and mutton and the fragrant food and wine made people's appetites whet their appetites.
Liu Wenyuan did not move his chopsticks in a hurry, but after having a drink with Bai Yonglin, he took a bowl and filled it himself, pushed it to the table, and signaled to the attentive Yi Cheng: "Please!"
Watching Liu Wenyuan's movements, Yi Cheng was obviously stunned for a moment, and then he reacted, looking flattered, and said quickly: "I don't dare!"
"It's just a bowl of wine, what dare you? Good man, have fun!" Liu Wenyuan chuckled: "But after eating this glass of wine, I have to trouble you to answer a few questions for me!"
Hearing this, Yi Cheng was thoughtful, but he reacted quickly. He bowed his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I have some questions. As long as I know, I won't hide anything!"
As he said this, he picked up the wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp. He drank so fast that a lot of it leaked out, and the clothes on his chest were wet.
"It's great!" Seeing this, Liu Wenyuan burst into laughter, put a piece of beef into his mouth, chewed it for a while, and before swallowing it, he casually asked: "How long have you been working here?"
"Back to the king!" Yi Chengdi answered neatly: "My parents were the first people to move to the town. The younger one grew up here, went to school, and became an official. As for Yi Cheng, he has been there for two years.
The deadline is approaching and I am about to step down.”
"You're stepping down after only two years?" Liu Wenyuan couldn't help but be surprised.
Yi Cheng said: "Your Majesty, you don't know. In Chenqiao Town, many positions are changed every two years. Not to mention this little Yi Cheng, even the mayor of the town, is just average!"
"How come it's so frequent?" Liu Wenyuan frowned slightly.
Yi Cheng: "This is a rule formed by the development of this town for decades!"
"I'm getting more and more curious. Can you tell me?" Liu Wenyuan looked at him.
The Yi Cheng hesitated for a moment, and said with a hint of pride: "Your Majesty, Chenqiao has its own uniqueness. The location and transportation of this town are not comparable to most towns in the world. Don't say that the villain, this Yi Cheng, is just a catcher.
, inspection, everyone was fighting over it, and there had been many incentive conflicts before. After ten years in Kaibao, the then mayor and all the officials agreed that all positions would be rotated for a period of two years.
As a result, many conflicts have been calmed down and the town has been able to maintain stability."
Listening to what he said, Liu Wenyuan looked at this person playfully. He was not easy to deceive. This person's words avoided the important and ignored the light. There were many places to cover up. After thinking about it, he said to Bai Yonglin who was aside: "I still remember that Anton made a major adjustment last year.
In the past, many people were under the rule of county magistrates and town generals who had been in charge for several years or even ten years!"
Bai Yonglin took a sip of wine and chuckled: "There is no need for Chenqiao in Anton. As he said, this is the largest town out of Kaifeng in the east. If the people gather together and cannot form a county, a town is established. The main purpose of the court setting up a town is also
To strengthen the management of residential areas in the suburbs of these prefectures and counties, in addition to inspections, fire fighting, and catching theft, the most important responsibility of the town government is taxation.
Chenqiao is an extraordinary place! As the largest market around Tokyo, it is densely populated, merchants gather, and trade is frequent. The tax revenue is not a small amount!
Your Majesty, you should know that there are hundreds of thousands of households in Tokyo, and the three cities in the city alone are far from being able to meet the daily needs of the people of Tokyo. Therefore, market trade has developed largely outside the city, and gradually formed three major post towns.
A central market town.
Chenqiao Town is the largest trading town in the east of Kaifeng. A large number of products from surrounding counties and villages are concentrated here, and then sold to Tokyo by merchants. Over the years, it has become an important transit hub for transporting Tokyo products."
After saying that, Bai Yonglin glanced at the Yi Cheng and said leisurely: "Under such circumstances, it is conceivable how huge the tax revenue and various benefits generated by Chenqiao Town every year are, and how popular the positions here are.
It’s not surprising that there will be many fierce battles!”
"In the final analysis, the word 'profit' is still the word!" Glancing at Yi Cheng, who was a little embarrassed, Liu Wenyuan asked: "How much tax revenue can Chenqiao Town get in a year?"
"I have no way of knowing this. Only the mayor and the tax collector know!" Yi Cheng said.
"How many people are there in Chenqiao Town now?"
"As far as I know, there are more than 2,000 households, and there should be tens of thousands of people in the town. If the temporary residents are included, there will be even more!"
"In this way, Mayor Chenqiao's life is probably better than that of most magistrates in the world."
"Not only!" Bai Yonglin answered: "Two thousand households live together, which has reached the population of many prefectures and cities. The mayor of Chenqiao is also from the seventh grade, built in counties and towns, and his level is very high."
After listening, Liu Wenyuan was silent for a long time, and then said with some sadness: "This Chenqiao Town is better than Suihua in every aspect. This is the capital of Anton!"
After hearing this, Bai Yonglin comforted him: "Your Majesty, don't be discouraged. How many towns in the world are there like Chenqiao Town?"
Putting it this way, there are probably less than twenty cities and towns in the world with the population and economic scale of Chenqiao Town. However, there are countless cities and towns that are first-class and second-class.
As the capital of the Andong Kingdom, Suihua City is really just an ordinary, remote, bitter and cold town in the world. This not only makes people feel frustrated, but also inevitably creates a sense of unwillingness and grievance.
Quickly adjusting his mentality, with a smile on his face, Liu Wenyuan said to the Yi Cheng: "I want to enjoy the wine and food, please step aside, I don't need you to serve me here!"
"Yes! I'll take my leave, my Majesty!" Although he was a little reluctant, he really didn't dare to stay and talk too much.
After he left, Liu Wenyuan tasted the dishes slowly, then raised his head and said to Bai Yonglin with interest: "Brother Lin, I found that I underestimated you before, but you actually know this Chenqiao Town so well, and you are so knowledgeable.
, I’m afraid few people of the same age can match it!”
"Your Majesty is so complimentary!" Bai Yonglin said humbly: "I grew up in Kaifeng, and my family also had a business of selling goods. I understand it now that I have seen a lot. It also happens to be Chenqiao Town. If it were any other place, I would not have been a minister.
Got it”
After looking at Bai Yonglin carefully, Liu Wenyuan took a bite of the roasted lamb leg and said, "Eat quickly. After eating, leave immediately for Tokyo!"
Hearing this, Bai Yonglin couldn't help but be surprised: "His Royal Highness is so interested in Chenqiao Town, I thought the king would stay here today!"
"No need!" Liu Wenyuan said.
Just like in a battle, he quickly finished the food and wine. When he was eighty-cent full, he stopped the bowls and chopsticks, wiped his mouth, then went downstairs, summoned his entourage, and prepared to set off. This vigorous and resolute appearance left everyone in the post house at a loss, and they even tried to persuade them to stay.
They didn't dare to fight against the invaders. When the mayor heard the news and interrupted his outing and hurried back, he only got the news that King Anton had left. He couldn't even see his back, so he had to beat his chest in front of the post house...
On the way to Kaifeng, Liu Wenyuan kept a serious expression. When the city walls of Kaifeng were in sight, he suddenly spoke and asked Bai Yonglin: "If the population is concentrated in prefectures, counties and towns, what if everyone is running for profit?"
Trade, how many people are left who can keep their own production and work peacefully? If there is a natural or man-made disaster, wouldn't it be easy for famine to break out?"
Bai Yonglin didn't know how to answer this. After thinking for a while, she said: "The people working in the land and foraging for food should be far more than the population of cities and towns in prefectures and counties. This trade is not something ordinary people can do. As for famine,
, In recent years, the Han Dynasty has suffered from major and minor disasters, and many people have died, but there has never been a major famine..."
Liu Wenyuan fell into deep thought again. He always felt that there was something in it that he couldn't grasp...