Chapter 50: Chapter 50 of Taizong Chapter 50: The Hunting of the Sky
At the same time as the unveiling ceremony of the Jiangguan Customs Building was going on, not far away in Songjiang Post, the largest official post in Shanghai, Wang Xuanzhen, the energetic chief envoy of Jiangnan Province, was spreading out a picture and looking hard to Zhao Wang Liu Fang who was patrolling the southeast.
"Promoting" his plan.
This is a water system map of Songjiang River, which relatively clearly presents the hydrological conditions of lakes and ponds in Shanghai, Suzhou and Xiuzhou. The most conspicuous ones are several blue marking lines that connect Dianshan Lake and the canal.
It starts in Huating County, then turns northeast and merges into the Songjiang River, and then flows into the Yangtze River Estuary and flows into the sea.
But obviously, the river represented by the blue line does not yet exist. To be precise, it is not yet a system. What Wang Xuanzhen sold to Liu Fang was to carry out such a trenching and ponding project in Shanghai and Xiuzhou.
, the "major surgery" to sort out the water veins.
Liu Yang was an emperor who loved to patrol. Not to mention how many times he conducted overt and covert inspections in the Gyeonggi area. He had already visited far away places, such as the southwest, northwest, and Monan. Moreover, he was always dedicated to serving the public, keeping the ceremony simple, and never giving up.
There is trouble everywhere and there is almost no parade performance.
The dignitaries and bureaucrats across the country all know that the emperor not only likes to inspect, but also likes to send censors, special envoys, and secret envoys to inspect. This has led to the fact that in recent years, local officials and people in various prefectures and counties have been particularly sensitive to "outsiders."
There is no guarantee that a person dressed as a businessman could be the emperor's secret envoy. There is always a sense of tension in the official atmosphere.
But in such an atmosphere, it also forces local officials to have a more detailed understanding of the political and people's livelihood conditions under their rule. Real control begins with all kinds of disturbances.
This time, Zhao Wang Liu Fang, as the "Jianghuai Patrol Envoy", patrolled on behalf of the sky to inspect the political and people's livelihood conditions in the Jianghuai prefectures. The journey was very low-key, with few entourages, and few honors were displayed, but he brought great benefits to the Jianghuai area
The pressure is extremely high.
Not only the deterrence brought by King Zhao himself, but also because Liu Fang went on patrol with two heavyweight missions, Linzi Gong Liu Wenji and Taiyuan Gong Liu Wenpeng. In today's big Han Dynasty, these three people put together, probably
Except for Emperor Liu Yang, no one could represent the Han royal family better than them.
At the same time, allowing Zhao Wang Liu Fang to go on patrol independently was also a strong political signal sent by Emperor Liu Fang. Zhao Wang Liu Fang had "lifted the ban."
You know, in the past ten years, Zhao Wang Liu Fang was enshrined in the court like a Buddha, and his treatment was the best. The emperor thought of him no matter what the benefits were, and was stingy with other people, except Liu Fang.
Generous.
However, in terms of real power, for Liu Fang, there is no need to mention it at all. Compared with his compatriot Liu Ai, it is far less than it is.
The reason is simply that "a great talent is difficult to control", and these four words have buried countless heroes throughout the ages. In view of the fact that his father was "stuck" in the capital, he had already managed the Beiting Kingdom with some success in the Western Regions.
The eldest son, Liu Wengong, once wrote to Liu Yang, hoping to welcome Liu Fang back to Beiting and reunite his relatives.
In this regard, before Liu Yang expressed his position, Liu Fang directly refused, and later requested the emperor's brother, hoping that the throne of Beiting could be passed directly to Liu Wengong.
Liu Fang rarely took the initiative to ask Liu Yang for anything, so he agreed after only a brief consideration. It was also from that time that Liu Fang's political loosening began.
This time, he was ordered to inspect Jianghuai and even handed over two princes, including Liu Wenpeng, the legitimate son, to Liu Fang. This obviously had deep intentions.
Following the holy will, Liu Fang and his two imperial nephews patrolled and provided education along the way. The main focus of the group was on Huaixi Road. There was no way, the traffic there was relatively congested, the folk customs were more violent, and the economic conditions were insufficient.
It allows people to see some more realistic social features in the Han Dynasty.
Over and over, it took more than two months to visit Shanghai, a commercial capital on the coast of the river and the sea, and caught up with the opening ceremony of the Jiangnan Customs Supervisor Building, and was also taken advantage of by Wang Xuanzhen, the chief envoy of Jiangnan Province.
.
After listening to Wang Xuanzhen's endless talk about his idea of digging the "Qingpu River" in Xiuzhou and Shanghai, and seeing his unfinished expression, Liu Fang was noncommittal, but showed a hint of curiosity and asked: "Wang Xuanzhen, are you from Jiangnan?"
Sir, if you are not the mayor of Shanghai, why are you so concerned about Shanghai’s water conservancy canals?”
When asked, Wang Xuanzhen did not shy away and said directly: "Your Majesty, the emergence of Shanghai is a completely new thing. It has never happened before in China's thousands of years of history. It deserves long-term careful study and development attention by the imperial court and the Han officials and people.
This is a city that thrives on commerce. The port is its heart, the ponds and canals are its blood vessels, and the rivers and seas are its blood. Only by continuously strengthening its foundation and giving full play to its benefits can we ensure its vigorous development and see the future.
A majestic city that transcends ancient and modern times.
To achieve this goal, just one Songjiang River is not enough. Digging a new river to connect the surrounding water systems is also creating history."
When Wang Xuanzhen said this, his old eyes were shining. It was hard to imagine that such a person who is famous for being gloomy and reserved could be so "passionate". However, his statement was really difficult for people to agree with.
Liu Fang is a tolerant person and is always willing to listen to other people's ideas, but he still can't help but question Wang Xuazhen's idea: "Isn't one Songjiang enough? Based on what I have seen in Shanghai in the past two days, Shanghai's development can be continuous.
Both sides of the Songjiang River are not filled up.”
Wang Xuanzhen said: "The upper reaches of the Songjiang River are inconvenient to discharge floods, and the lower reaches are silted up. In recent years, with frequent shipping and overuse, it has become even more congested and unfavorable. In the past ten years or so, the government has invested a large amount of money and manpower every year for dredging and drainage."
At the same time, the rivers are silted up, which also makes the navigable ships low in load and slow in rotation. Many large ships can berth in the outer harbor. During the busy seasons of summer and winter, they need to queue up in the open sea and wait to dock.
All this is not conducive to trade and navigation, and it also hinders the further development and prosperity of Shanghai. If the blood circulation is not smooth, people will not be healthy, and the same is true for Shanghai!"
Wang Xuanzhen spoke so eloquently that Liu Fang couldn't help but feel a little emotional, feeling that his vision was far ahead. However, it was equally difficult to get him to support him. First of all, Liu Fang didn't understand the inner world, and he didn't think Wang Xuanzhen's proposal was urgent.
,necessary.
After pondering for a while, Liu Fang looked at Wang Xuanzhen and said, "Even if your considerations are reasonable, they are too far-reaching! According to your idea, this project is not small. How much manpower and material resources will be consumed? Have you ever thought about it? In Songjiang
If the conditions are sufficient, how can the imperial court agree to carry out such a big project?"
Wang Xuanzhen immediately said: "Fifty years ago, when Wang Yangong (Wang Pu) was governing the Huaihe River, he dug flood marshes and opened the Guishan Canal, which cost a lot of money and took many years. However, the people around the river are still benefiting from it!
"
"You want to imitate Wang Yangong?" Liu Fang glanced at Wang Xuanzhen.
Wang Xuanzhen said: "I don't dare! I'm just an official. I just want to gain fame and reputation, but I also want to leave something for the people under my rule."
"One Shanghai city is not enough?" Liu Fang said calmly.
Wang Xuanzhen: “I hope Shanghai can become more prosperous!”
"You are the chief envoy of Jiangnan Province!"
"I am already old. If I can accomplish one more thing, I will consider myself worthy of this position."
After hearing what Wang Xuanzhen said, Liu Fang was silent for a while, raised his head, and said leisurely: "You are honest, your ideas are grand, and you are very forward-looking.
However, this time I am in the court and am neither responsible for water conservancy projects nor money and food. If you come to me about this matter, you have gone to the wrong temple and worshiped the wrong god."
Wang Xuanzhen bowed and said: "I dare not embarrass the king. I only ask the king to present this picture to His Majesty on my behalf when he returns to the capital!"
Wang Xuanzhen looked very calm, and his eyes returned to calmness. Seeing this, Liu Fang looked at him carefully for a while, rolled up the drawings on the table, and said: "Keep the drawings, I will consider it!"
"Thank you so much, Your Majesty!" Seeing this, Wang Xuanzhen stood up and saluted Liu Fang solemnly: "I'm sorry for bothering you, Your Majesty, but I hope you'll forgive me and resign."
After saying this, he bowed respectfully to Zigong Liu Wenji who was accompanying him and then slowly left the room.
"Why did Fourth Uncle agree to submit the petition on his behalf?" Liu Wenji, who had been drinking tea silently and had not spoken a word, suddenly asked.
Obviously, Liu Fang said he would consider it, but leaving the picture is an attitude in itself. When asked, Liu Fang smiled faintly: "It's a favor, so what if I give it to him?"
"This is not a favor! And the fourth uncle doesn't seem to be a person who follows the crowd, and there is no need to do so." Liu Wenji looked at Liu Fang and said.
Liu Fang smiled again and asked, "You seem to disagree with Wang Xuanzhen's proposal to build the river?"
Liu Wenji shook his head: "It doesn't matter whether my nephew agrees with it or not. What matters is whether the people in power in the DPRK agree with it!"
"You are not optimistic about this proposal!" Liu Fang said.
Liu Wenji pondered for a while and said: "The concerns about Songjiang mentioned by Wang Xuanzhen are not serious at present, and there are many ways to improve them. If the river is narrow, then widen it; if there is sedimentation, then dredge it; use big boats
If there are not enough berths, then the port will be expanded.
In short, it is easier for people to accept it than starting a massive construction project and carving out a river.
Wang Xuanzhen's idea was very big, and his considerations seemed to be far-reaching, but because of this, it was more difficult to realize it. What's more, the matter involved a lot of places, far more than Shanghai and Suxiu Prefecture. The more involved, the more difficult it would be.
OK.
As for whether Wang Xuanzhen’s thoughts are reasonable or not, I can’t jump to a conclusion. Maybe the situation in tens or even hundreds of years will be more severe than what he said today, but the discussion of repairing the river is at least inappropriate at the moment."
Liu Wenji's remarks made Liu Fang both surprised and emotional, and said: "As you said, I am just a 'messenger'. As for whether we agree or disagree, that is a matter for your Majesty and the court to consider!"
Immediately afterwards, Liu Fang asked Liu Wenji: "What do you think of Wang Xuanzhen?"
Regarding this question, Liu Wenji also showed a smile and said: "He is a good official! At least, compared to the flattering officials he has seen along the way, this person can be called a practical person. When talking to his fourth uncle and reporting, he was also
For official business, if you observe his words and actions, it is not difficult to understand that your Majesty will abandon many criticisms and appoint this person."
After listening to Liu Wenji's opinions, Liu Fang couldn't help but look at him carefully. His face with many wrinkles was very calm, but he secretly sighed in his heart: "What a pity."
Feeling the scrutinizing gaze of his fourth uncle, Liu Wenji was also very calm, with a calm expression. He just played with the tea set skillfully and helped Liu Fang pour a cup of tea.
The twenty-six-year-old Liu Wenji has completely matured. After opening the government, he has been studying step by step for seven years. In accordance with the "tradition" cultivated by the Tian family, he went to the military academy and trained in the battalion. Until the past two years, he has been studying step by step.
In the year of 1949, he was assigned to work in the court by Emperor Liu Yang.
He started from some "minor" minor positions, starting from serving as censor in the palace, then commenting on affairs in Dali Temple, and then promoted to official position in Luoyang Mansion. Until this time, he still wore the title of censor of Jiangnan Province.
This kind of progress and speed is much slower than that of the eldest brother who has already been crowned king and participated in the military affairs of the Han Dynasty early. Because of this, although Liu Wenji is the second prince in the court, he rarely pays attention to it. Everyone pays attention to it.
The focus is all on the eldest prince Liu Wenhuan and the growing legitimate prince Liu Wenpeng. As for Liu Wenji, he has not even done anything to manage his reputation and power.
At this time, King Zhao Liu Fang couldn't help but think about the situation of the three princes, the emperor's second brother. With a solemn expression, he immediately ordered the attendant in front of the door: "Come here, go and find the third prince!"
"yes!"
"No need!" As soon as he finished speaking, a slightly excited voice sounded from outside the door, followed by a handsome young man who came in, it was Liu Wenpeng, the third son of the emperor.
Liu Wenpeng didn't know anything about his uncle and brothers. Liu Wenpeng quickly walked in and sat down. He picked up a cup of tea on the table. Without Liu Wenji's dissuasion, he put it into his mouth and then spit it out. He looked at Liu Wenji aggrievedly: "
Second brother, this tea has just been brewed.”
Looking at Liu Wenpeng, Liu Wenji chuckled and said, "You are too impatient!"
"I'm too thirsty!" Liu Wenpeng said, then he raised his eyes, looked at Liu Fang and Liu Wenji, and said: "Fourth uncle, second brother, Shanghai is extremely lively today, there are so many new things here, it's dazzling.
, why don’t you go out and take a look, stay in the post house, how do you patrol?”
Liu Wenpeng's eyebrows were full of joy. Obviously, this child was raised in a deep palace and was very depressed on weekdays. This trip was the first time that he got rid of the literary gentlemen and martial arts teachers in the palace and went out to tour the palace.
For Liu Wenpeng, such an opportunity, even if it is not like running wild and completely letting oneself go, does release some of his natural instincts.
Noticing Liu Wenpeng's excited expression, Liu Fang smiled and said: "Just in time, you can look at it for us and tell us what's new."
Just when Liu Wenpeng had a strong desire to share, he immediately became very excited and talked endlessly about what he had seen and heard in Shanghai.
From the flat and open Songjiang Avenue to the rows of warehouses and shops; from the distinctive new buildings to the densely packed cargo ships; as well as the people in strange clothes and even "weird shapes"
The unveiling ceremony of the Customs Building also mentioned that for Liu Wenpeng, this emerging port city may be far from grand and magnificent, and its layout cannot be compared with the two capitals, but just the word "fresh" is enough.
It's enough.
Liu Wenpeng even told the story he had heard about the "North-South Cotton War". Under the false rumors, the commercial dispute between the North and the South, which had stopped fighting, became more and more magical, with the twists and turns of the process, the vastness of the scenes, and the story.
It's wonderful, it's enough to make people marvel and admire it.
As for the actual situation, Liu Fang had heard about it. It was nothing more than the competition between cotton merchants in the north and south regions in the entire chain from production, transportation to sales. Shanghai was the most important base for cotton merchants in the south, and the "Northern Expedition" began.
”. And this kind of commercial disputes often turn into violent methods when they develop, including murder, arson, poisoning and robbery, and various methods emerge in endlessly.
Of course, when the situation reaches this level, it is naturally impossible for the court to ignore it. So local inspections and police officers are dispatched to first control the violence and arrest the offenders. Then the Finance Department sends personnel to summon the main cotton merchants from the north and south.
Get up, reconcile conflicts, and resolve disputes.
With the strong intervention of the imperial court, the matter eventually calmed down, at least on the surface. But the imperial court, as always, killed the two "chickens" that danced the most happily, causing such a big commotion, causing such a bad impact, and so many people died.
People have messed up so many laws, destroyed public order and good customs, and affected social stability. How can it be done by just adjusting a few things?
Who gave these profiteers the courage? Although the Yongxi Dynasty followed the line of reconciliation, it did not include too many compromises with businessmen.
In this war between the north and south business gangs centered on cotton, it was also the first time in decades that the price of cotton cloth fell. Especially the cloth merchants in Jiangnan lowered their prices. For this reason, those big merchants with strong family backgrounds all
The losses were heavy, a large number of small and medium-sized businessmen went bankrupt, and cotton farmers also suffered greatly.
Of course, as the situation was brought under control and the market stabilized, the prices of cotton and cotton fabrics rose rapidly, even exceeding previous levels.
After such a conflict, the pattern of the north-south cotton cloth market has become further clear. The north has the first-mover advantage, has strong influence and profound foundation, while the south has caught up from behind.
From the perspective of the entire Han Dynasty, this market is far from reaching its upper limit. Both the North and the South still have a lot of room for deep cultivation. This battle has come too early. However, who taught the two capitals to be in the north?
But after receiving this painful lesson, we were able to live in peace for a long time, until the next time conflicts couldn't be easily reconciled.
Everything that happened in the whole process, through word of mouth, evolved into the "romantic romance" and "heroic legend" that even Liu Wenpeng was interested in.
Seeing Liu Wenpeng talking eloquently, Liu Fang also showed a little caring smile on his face, and said softly: "Everything he said was the glamorous side of Shanghai, so you didn't find any problems?"
"Question?" When asked, Liu Wenpeng was stunned for a moment, and his expression immediately became serious. He looked like he was thinking, but he couldn't help but think of those unharmonious experiences in Huaixi.
Facing Liu Fang's gaze, Liu Wenpeng said hesitantly: "The time is still short and there is no time to observe carefully."
"Then let's look more and listen to the sounds in the corners of this city. We still have time!" Liu Fang became a little serious, and even said solemnly to Liu Wenpeng: "You have lived in the palace for a long time, and you are going south all the way."
Come, most of them are new things and experiences for you. It’s understandable that you are full of curiosity and happy to see things, but you have come to the shore of the East China Sea, so it’s time to calm down!”
Compared with the emperor's attitude towards him, Liu Fang, his fourth uncle, has always been tolerant. When Ran Fu became serious, Liu Wenpeng could not help but be awe-inspiring and responded seriously: "Yes! My nephew understands what my fourth uncle taught me!"
His attitude was worthy of recognition, but Liu Fang knew that Liu Wenpeng might not really understand his persuasion. After all, he was only a fifteen-year-old boy.
So, after thinking for a moment, Liu Fang said to Liu Wenpeng again: "I'll give you a task!"
"Four uncle, please give me your instructions!" Liu Wenpeng immediately became energetic.
Liu Fang said: "In addition to the many ships and merchants in Shanghai, the largest number are the laborers who are working hard to make a living at the major ports. If you go to the docks in Shanghai to stay for a while, you are not required to unload the goods, so you can just go with them.
Let’s eat and live together, talk about everything, and then talk about our thoughts!”
Liu Wenpeng seemed very interested in this, but immediately bargained: "Can I go on the ship as a sailor? I want to go to sea and see-"
Liu Fang's response to this whimsical idea was very straightforward: "No!"
Although his efforts were fruitless, Liu Wenpeng was not disappointed. Instead, he was very interested in the dock life that was about to begin.
"After all, he is still a child!" Liu Wenpeng went to take a bath and rest, while Liu Fang couldn't help but sigh.
"The third brother has a pure nature, but he is still young. When he gets older and has more experience, he will eventually mature!" Liu Wenji said with a chuckle.
Liu Fang glanced at him, but said meaningfully: "Fifteen or sixteen years old, he is not young anymore. He is still very well 'protected' by his mother!"
In this regard, Liu Wenji did not answer the call, and Liu Fang did not have an in-depth conversation about it.
The "small lesson" that Liu Fang arranged for Liu Wenpeng failed to achieve the expected results and even ended as soon as it started.
The next day, Liu Wenpeng was assigned to Songjiang Pier No. 3. However, he only stayed there for one day. Before he became familiar with the work of the terminal and the livelihood of laborers, he had to follow Liu Fang and return to the court in an emergency.
An urgent report came from Luoyang, Xijing. To be precise, something happened in the court. It was a drastic change that affected the entire court and even the future of the empire.
There were only two of the three uncles and nephews when they came back. Liu Wenji, the Duke of Linzi, took the initiative to stay. He was also full of inquiry about the city of Shanghai and hoped to spend more time observing it, so he found a job for himself.
In the recently established Jiangguan Customs Department, I became the chief responsible for tariff accounting.