On Lion Cong's back, Wan'er poked her head out from behind Li Yan, and Xiao Hei poked her head out from behind Wan'er, and together they looked at the city in the distance.
After leaving the village, Li Yan worked hard and passed through Tongguan, where there was no danger at all, and finally arrived in Luoyang. At this time, he couldn't help but express his joy: "Yes, this is Luoyang, the 'Eastern Capital'!"
It can not only have a dangerous situation, be supported by rivers and mountains, and be the best in the world, but also have beautiful scenery, fertile soil, and moderate climate. This is Luoyang.
Being so uniquely endowed by nature, it has naturally been favored by emperors of all dynasties. In addition, the Yiluo Basin is fertile and rich, and the food output is considerable. It also provides a certain guarantee for the population gathered here. It is normal for it to become the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties...
From Li Yan's point of view, he could just see the ships on Luoshui River, constantly transporting goods from the north and south into the city.
The conditions in Luoyang were already very good, but when Yang Guang ordered Luoyang to be built as the eastern capital, with the Grand Canal being dug as the center, and a large amount of money and food from the south of the Yangtze River being imported through the waterway, the city's significance became even greater.
But don't attribute the canal's contribution to Yang Guang alone. Yang Guang must have contributed, but his contribution cannot be said to last forever.
Because many of the channels of the Grand Canal in the Sui and Tang Dynasties were dug by many dynasties from the Spring and Autumn Period to the Southern and Northern Dynasties. He mainly ordered the old river channels to be dredged and reconnected, and he also rushed the work until it was ready. The modern canal that was used until thousands of years later was also
It was not built by Yang Guang, but by the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal built by the Yuan Dynasty.
The Grand Canal dug by Yang Guang began to be blocked in some sections in the later period of his own governance. The world was in chaos and no one was in charge. Later, after the Tang, Later Zhou and Northern Song Dynasties, frequent renovations were carried out, so that the canal could continue to be used.
By the Southern Song Dynasty, the channel of the Sui and Tang Grand Canal was basically flush with the bank, and ordinary people "built houses on it." From that time on, the canal dug during the Yang Guang period was completely abandoned, and it was used for about five hundred years in total.
.
Later, Beijing became the capital. In order to ensure food supply, the Yuan Dynasty re-dug the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. The following Ming and Qing Dynasties dredged the canal to ensure its use, which has been used until modern times.
Throughout Chinese history, the Grand Canal has benefited the people and is the result of water conservancy construction by generations. The credit must not be attributed to any one person.
Li Yan was thinking about the thousands of years of the canal, and Wan'er was curious: "Master, the famine in the pass is so bad. After we left the pass, what we saw on the road was much better. Does Luoyang have an advantage over Chang'an?"
Li Yan said: "Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Chang'an is to the west and has a higher strategic position, but food is a constant problem."
"Luoyang was once called 'China', and now it is also called 'Tianzhong'. It faces the vast Central Plains, Jianghuai, and Shandong, and can control all directions."
"The food pressure here is much smaller, but if an enemy really attacks, it won't be as easy to defend as Guanzhong..."
Wan'er wrote it down, and Li Yan smiled and said: "Let's go, let's enter the city!"
The two of them rode lions, merged into the crowd, and entered through the middle city gate on the south side.
This place was called Jianguo Gate in the Sui Dynasty, and was changed to Dingding Gate in the Tang Dynasty. It has a magnificent shape. After entering the city gate, an avenue stretches straight in front of you.
Wan'er exclaimed: "This street is so long!"
Li Yan said: "It's not bad, it can't be compared with Zhuque Street in Chang'an."
Wan'er was a little disappointed: "I haven't even seen Zhuque Street."
She had grown up in Chang'an and should have been familiar with it, but unfortunately she had been locked up in the palace. After leaving the palace, she went to Tubo. After she came back, she came to Luoyang non-stop, without even walking through the sky street.
Xiao Hei touched her head, and Li Yan also said: "I will go for a walk with Master today."
Wan'er became happy: "Okay! But let's meet up with my junior brother first. He has been in Luoyang for many days. I don't know how he is doing."
Li Yan nodded, and the two of them sat on the tall horse, browsing the scenery and heading to the post house.
Now that the cold winter has passed, the flowers on both sides of the street are in full bloom, the trees are shady, the peach blossoms are red and the willows are green, and the scenery is picturesque, even more beautiful than Chang'an.
Every city is square and familiar with the urban layout, which makes people feel very comfortable.
Compared with Chang'an, which is completely axially symmetrical, Luoyang is more like an irregular chessboard.
The Luoshui River that runs through the city is the Chu River and Han boundary on the chessboard, dividing the entire city into two unequal parts, the north and the south.
The south side of Luoshui is larger, with 81 cities and towns, while the north side is slightly smaller, with only 28 cities and towns, but the imperial palace is also located there, making it even more prosperous.
In addition to the Luoshui River running through Luoyang City, there are also rivers and canals crisscrossing the cities and towns, extending in all directions, with convenient water and land transportation, and can be seen as lines on a chessboard.
"If the north and south were completely symmetrical and Luoshui was divided into two parts, the city would be ruined. It's a pity that it's not right."
Li Yan was thinking about the extremely regular chessboard city and how pleasing it was when he arrived at the post house.
After handing the fish talisman to the postman and explaining his identity, Li Yan asked, "Where does Prince Murong live?"
At this time, the little prince had been named Prince Tuyuhun. It seemed that he did not have the position of general as his three brothers, but this decree was more conducive to returning to the country and taking power.
Of course, let Murong Nuohebo and Princess Honghua, who have just returned home, worry about the mess in Tuyuhun. The little prince does not need to be in a hurry to return home.
So before, the little prince volunteered to come to Luoyang to explore the road, and Li Yan agreed. At this time, officials came in to announce, and soon Sherer came out: "General Li!"
Li Yan looked at this Tuguhun warrior who was blind in one eye and was now appointed as the captain of the guard beside the little prince: "Fu'er is out?"
Sheller said: "General Li, His Royal Highness has been in Nanshi and Beishi these past few days and collected a lot of information."
Li Yan said: "Tell me the general situation."
Sheller organized his words, but still couldn't hide the shock on his face: "There are so many shops in Nanshi, more than 3,000 of them, from all walks of life. They have everything and sell everything."
"Bei City is connected to the Cao Canal. When we went there for the first time, we saw so many boats filling up the river that we couldn't even see the side. It was so spectacular."
"There are many Hu merchants there, and most of the hotels and restaurants are located in Beishi. His Royal Highness is planning to buy a hotel for General Li to live in. This inn is really not very comfortable."
Li Yan smiled: "Fu'er is interested."
The little prince is extremely rich. When his parents fled from the country, they took away most of the wealth and treasures in the royal city. They have only spent a small part of it over the years. The rest cannot be bought when they take it back to the country, so they might as well give it to them.
He has made a lot of money, but in terms of his worth alone, he is a genuine prince.
Of course, Li Yan also has hundreds of millions of wealth waiting to be inherited, and his cheap uncle also wants to buy the largest restaurant in the East City, Yi Feng Feng, as a gift to him.
Just thinking of the Xie Chamber of Commerce, Li Yan asked: "In which city in the north and south are the big chambers of commerce in Luoyang City located?"
Sheller said: "Nanshi."
Li Yan nodded: "Okay, let's go to Nanshi for a walk. If Fu'er comes back, we'll say we've come to Luoyang."
Sherler crossed his arms and said, "Yes!"
Li Yan took Wan'er all the way to Nanshi.
Historically, during the Wu and Zhou Dynasties, the political center was completely transferred to Luoyang. Due to the particularly convenient transportation, Luoyang also had a Western Market.
Nowadays, it is mainly the two cities in the north and south, which have the same status as the two cities in Chang'an and the east and west. They are both must-visit places.
Wan'er was also very excited behind her, standing on tiptoe, while Xiao Hei used his claws to protect her from falling.
As I was walking inside along with the turbulent flow of people, a voice suddenly came from the side: "You are really smart about flying on the grass. Do you want to sell it?"
Li Yan turned his head and saw that the person speaking was a man of about thirty years old, sitting on a green horse, protected by a circle of servants.
Wearing a black gauze turban on her head, a silk hairpin inserted at the foot of her hair, a round-necked narrow-sleeved robe woven from Sichuan brocade, and jade ornaments hanging around her waist.
The temperament is quite simple, and the main emphasis is on being rich.
On the other side's horse, there was also a lynx squatting. It was all red with many black spots. Its thick and long claws were digging into his shoulders, and it was looking around vigilantly.
Wan'er thought he asked the wrong person, so she was stunned and said: "What is flying on grass?"
The man was also startled: "What you said is interesting, little lady. Isn't this what you are raising to fly on the grass? You take this ocelot with you when hunting. It is much more alert than a hound. It is as fast as flying. It is also called flying on the grass."
, I’m a little stupid this way, and I always lean on my shoulder hard, which hurts..."
This title was originally a compliment, but to Li Yan's ears, it gave him the image of a third-rate character in the martial arts world, who might as well have been called an ocelot.
Wan'er wondered: "Xiao Hei, can you still fly on the grass?"
Xiao Hei was also a little confused. He had been sniffing the killer as a pillow and had never hunted prey before. He shook his paw to indicate that he didn't know.
The man was greatly moved when he saw it: "It can still communicate with its owner? It just understood what this young lady said, right? How about a thousand gold pieces of gold for this gentleman?"
One thousand gold corresponds to 12 million in future generations. Buying a cat is an exaggeration.
Of course, lynxes are originally pets of nobles, and it is not uncommon for nobles to spend large sums of money. It does not seem strange that such a spiritual pet can cost a thousand gold.
Li Yan wasn't used to this kind of behavior, but he didn't say anything, shook his head, and continued walking forward.
The man didn't give up: "Tell me a number, how much can you give it to me?"
Li Yan said directly: "I am not short of money. I have raised this ocelot since I was a child. It is impossible to sell it."
The man looked at Li Yan's clothing and appearance, and then looked at the lion under his crotch. It was also a horse that he had never seen before.
He knew in his heart that using money alone would probably not achieve his goal. Just as he sighed, he suddenly gasped: "Hiss!"
His shoulder hurt. He looked at his lynx and was furious. He chased after him eagerly: "Mr. Gentleman, can you tell me where you bought this lynx?"
Li Yan said casually: "I raised this one in Liangzhou. Let's call it leopard cat. Don't use that nickname."
The man wondered: "Okay, but my Cao Shang Fei was also bought from Liangzhou. Why is there such a big gap with your Cao Shang Fei?"
Li Yan: "..."
Can you please stop mentioning that nickname? I won’t be able to look directly at my cat anymore.
He gently pinched the horse's belly, and the lion immediately moved forward and squeezed out a way.
The other party did not give up and chased after him from a distance. He looked at Xiao Hei frequently, his affection was beyond words, and he ordered his servants: "Go to Bei City and find the most powerful leopard slave. Just fly on this grass and give it to me too."
I’ll train you to do exactly the same thing, and I’ll be rewarded heavily when you succeed!”
Li Yan and Wan'er ignored them and started walking around Nanshi.
Along the way, Wan'er saw various shops, jewelry stores, bookstores, bran shops, and foreign slave markets. Wan'er was so amazed that she was so overwhelmed that she never closed her mouth.
Li Yan paid attention to the number of caravans and high-rollers.
According to Sheller, there are more than 3,000 shops in Nanshi, which is more than the East and West markets in Chang'an.
Not surprisingly, the geographical conditions for doing business in Luoyang are indeed better than those in Chang'an, especially since there are many wealthy businessmen from Jiangnan and Shandong, and they all like to do business here.
As for the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce, we also saw it quickly.
The Dou Chamber of Commerce has been reduced to history, while the Xiao Chamber of Commerce and the Xie Chamber of Commerce are still side by side, and their appearance is much more impressive than that of Chang'an. It is obvious that the water transportation supply in Jiangnan has given them the momentum of a large chamber of commerce.
But the limelight was still stolen by a huge chamber of commerce headquarters in the center.
Seeing Li Yan looking at it, Fei Caoshang's proud voice came from behind: "That's my Gong family's No. 1 Chamber of Commerce in Luoyang. How is it? Isn't it particularly majestic?"
Li Yan raised his brows when he heard this, then finally turned around and said with a smile: "It turns out that he is Gong's husband. What a fate!"