"Chang'an's territory is a bit far north, and the newly conquered territory is in the northwest. It's too far away. It's impossible to know anything immediately. It's very inconvenient to convey orders."
"So it is imperative to build a palace in the south. If the effect is good, this palace will gradually be developed into a new capital similar to Luoyang, the eastern capital."
It seems that there is only one word difference between Xinggong and Zhenggong, but they represent completely different meanings.
Luoyang, the eastern capital, was regarded as the second administrative center of the Tang Dynasty. It could help Chang'an share some of its affairs. There were also examination centers in Luoyang for the annual imperial examination, allowing candidates to choose nearby locations.
And Li Er's plan is to develop Yangzhou into the next Luoyang.
Empress Changsun nodded as if she understood.
She was not very interested in political things, but Su Chen frowned.
Yangzhou, the Western Capital?
No matter how you think about it, this feels inappropriate!
That place is not suitable for being a political center, but Li Er's attitude of taking precautions should be praised.
Under the rule of feudal centralization, the central government needs to have complete control over the local areas, otherwise, something will happen sooner or later!
"What do you think of my idea?" His Majesty Li Er turned to Su Chen and asked.
"I think we need to think about it in the long term."
Su Chen thought about it and said: "I understand what you are thinking, and it is quite good. The central government must control the border well, otherwise there will be trouble, but..."
"I think Yangzhou is not a suitable city to be a capital."
"How do you say this?" His Majesty Li Er suddenly became interested.
"Judging from the population and development of the current prefectures and counties in the Tang Dynasty, Yangzhou is unique."
Su Chen put down the tea cup, dipped his fingers in some water, and started to make gestures on the table, saying: "Look, in the whole south, there is no more prosperous city than Yangzhou. You can't put the important Western Capital in a small city.
Bar?"
"The prosperity of Yangzhou mainly depends on water transportation. The transportation hub connecting the south and the north is Yangzhou."
"As the number of people doing business increases, Yangzhou's economy will only become more and more developed."
"Unless there is another Grand Canal, its status is unshakable!"
His Majesty Li Er knew all this, but he did not interrupt and continued to listen carefully to Su Chen's long speech.
"Therefore, Yangzhou should continue to focus on business and should not move closer to the political center, otherwise it will be picking up sesame seeds and losing the melon."
"If the new capital is set in Yangzhou, it will inevitably have a negative impact on Yangzhou's water transportation."
"There are countless businessmen coming and going there every day. To ensure safety, it is impossible to be as relaxed as now."
"After a long time, the caravan will definitely change its route to avoid trouble, and Yangzhou's decline will also be a foregone conclusion."
"You don't need to transform a city that can contribute 30% of the tax revenue to Datang into a political city, otherwise it will be a huge loss."
After hearing this, His Majesty Li Er was stunned for a moment, and then asked: "How can Yangzhou have 30% tax revenue?"
"Believe me, we will definitely reach this number within five years!"
Su Chen continued calmly: "Yangzhou's potential is far beyond your imagination!"
He was not exaggerating at all.
In ancient times when land transportation was very underdeveloped, cities that controlled water transportation hubs were definitely the places with the fastest economic development!
Nowadays, under the deliberate guidance of Su Chen, the number of merchants in Dian Datang has increased.
In a few years, just by collecting commercial taxes, Yangzhou will be able to count the money without mercy!
"Then where do you think Xi should be elected?"
Although His Majesty Li Er still had doubts, he still accepted Su Chen's proposal.
Su Chen's analysis just now sounds very reasonable.
If Yangzhou really develops and is not suitable as a capital, then we will have to find another city.
Just when His Majesty Li Er was thinking about the development of the Tang Dynasty and other cities, Princess Changle was very obedient and refilled the tea for His Majesty Li Er and Su Chen, and then sat quietly next to Su Chen.
Su Chen smiled and said without thinking: "Yu Hang!"
"Yu Hang?"
His Majesty Li Er looked very surprised and said: "How can a capital be built in that place? As far as I know, as of this year, the total number of people in Yuhang County is less than 20,000 households!"
Su Chen said patiently: "You have never been to Yuhang, how do you know that it is not appropriate to locate the Western Capital there? I think the geographical location of Yuhang is very suitable as a political city, and the population problem is easy to solve."
Hearing what Su Chen said, His Majesty Li Er felt a little confused.
In his opinion, Yuhang is not only remote but also poor. How can it be used as the capital of the West?
In fact, His Majesty Li Er cannot be blamed for this, because the Yuhang he and Su Chen mentioned, also known as Hangzhou in later generations, was indeed a very poor place during this period, but in the next few years, Yuhang will be reduced due to economic and trade.
Develop rapidly and get rid of the status quo of backwardness and poverty.
Su Chen came from time travel, so he knew everything about this matter, but His Majesty Li Er didn't know.
In his opinion, as the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, it would be beneath his status to handle government affairs in such a place where nothing matters.
"Okay, tell me why Yuhang is suitable as the capital of the West." His Majesty Li Er looked at Su Chen with interest.
Su Chen glanced at him lightly and said: "Yes, Yuhang is indeed very backward now, but it will only take four or five years at most before its economic level can rival Chang'an City!"
"If you set it as the Western Capital, the development speed will be even more terrifying. In just one year, the population will increase at least dozens of times!"
After hearing so much, His Majesty Li Er was still full of doubts, but since it was Su Chen who said it, he must have a reason, and His Majesty Li Er really had to believe this truth!
Because this is Su Chen!
In Su Chen's view, the political situation of the Tang Dynasty is now stable, and the economy and culture are developing rapidly. By then, interactions with nations all over the world will be a certainty!
Therefore, the matter of opening up sea routes needs to be paid special attention to!
And Yuhang happens to be located in the coastal area, so it has unique geographical conditions.
Countless merchant ships can directly reach the Persian Gulf from Yuhang Port, which greatly promotes the economic development of the southern region and also greatly promotes the arrival of the Silver Age!
This is what Su Chen has been waiting for for a long time!
Not only that, Yuhang is also the starting point of the southern part of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, making it easy to connect to the north.
The characteristics of the Tang Dynasty today are that the north is rich and the south is poor. If it develops according to schedule, the speed will still be a bit slow.
Therefore, Su Chen plans to directly use the economic development and the change of political center to directly promote the development of the southern region!
