In the ninth month of the lunar month (the first day of the Lunar New Year), Zhidu came to Taiyuan.
This is his third time coming to this city.
The first time was after the Battle of Mayi, when he was ordered to come here to preside over the aftermath of the war.
The second time was the Battle of Gaoque. He set off from Taiyuan and headed for Heyin.
When Zhi Du arrived in Taiyuan this time, he saw many things that were different from those in the past.
Taiyuan City has become more lively and the market has become more prosperous.
Especially now, both inside and outside Taiyuan City are crowded with merchants coming to buy grain.
"When did so many merchants come to Taiyuan to buy grain?" Zhi was very curious, so he asked Zhang Yuan, the commander of Taiyuan who came to greet him.
"Reporting to your Majesty, these merchants collected grain and sold it to Dragon City..." Zhang Yuan is an old subordinate of Zhidu. He once served as a captain of the Thorny Gate Military Academy. In the Battle of Heyin, he lost one of his eyes.
And a palm, had to retire.
In the past, officers like Zhang Yuan who were injured and disabled on the battlefield would basically have no choice but to go home and farm with the state's pension.
But now, due to the continuous expansion of the military's power and the continuous improvement of the military status, even though he was injured and disabled and forced to retire, he can serve as an official.
He was transferred from the captain of the Thorny Gate Military Academy to the order of Taiyuan, which is considered to be an even move in terms of rank and status.
But the right to speak is different.
The order of Taiyuan is the fourth highest ranking figure in Taiyuan County, just below the county governor, county lieutenant and county magistrate.
He also has a military background and backing, so no one dares to underestimate him.
Therefore, during his tenure in Taiyuan, he was able to do many things.
Including promoting the construction of the Taiyuan-Xiaoguan track carriage project and re-widening the straight road.
"Sell to Dragon City?" Zhidu listened and thought deeply in his heart. He knew that in recent months, merchants from all over the world have formed teams to go to Dragon City.
Rumor has it that these people are making a lot of money.
Some people even become rich overnight.
But the question is - with so much food, did the various tribes in Munan eat so much?
From what he could see with his eyes, the merchants in Taiyuan City purchased tens of thousands of stones of grain every day and transported it to Dragon City.
This is just Taiyuan!
I'm afraid similar situations are happening in cities like Jinyang, Hunu, and Yunzhou, right?
Thinking like this, Zhidu asked: "Taiyuan has a good harvest this year. It is said that the corn yield per mu has reached three stones..."
"Yes, Your Majesty..." Zhang Yuan still replied respectfully as he did under Zhidu: "This year, there is a bumper harvest of corn in all parts of Taiyuan County, and the highest yield per mu is as much as four and a half stones!"
This is a bonus from winning the war!
Since the Battle of Gaoque, the Han army captured hundreds of thousands of prisoners of war and slaves.
Although most of them were sent inland, tens of thousands of them remained in the Daibei area. These prisoners of war worked hard every day to build various water conservancy facilities.
In addition, after the Battle of Gaoque, the emperor issued an edict to exempt the counties in Daibei from paying land taxes and corvees.
This allows people to have more energy and resources to devote to their own production and life.
At the same time, the influence of Legalism began to comprehensively affect the bureaucracy in various places in Daibei. Many local officials were simply Legalist officials.
As for Legalist officials, what they like and are best at is achieving political performance.
Today, the best way to improve political performance is to build water conservancy projects and build roads.
With free labor, sufficient organizational and mobilization capabilities, and the people themselves willing to build water conservancy facilities.
Therefore, since last year, Daiguo, Shangjun, Longyou and Yunzhong have all launched a climax of water conservancy construction.
In Taiyuan alone, the total length of water conservancy channels built last year exceeded 100 miles.
As soon as the water conservancy facilities were improved, there was no need to promote technology, and the output of corn and wheat immediately skyrocketed.
As far as Zhang Yuan knows, the increase in Taiyuan is actually the lowest among the counties in Daibei.
The highest one is Shangjun!
The average corn yield in Shangjun this year is said to be close to two and a half dan!
A whole stone has been added!
It’s so jaw-dropping that I can hardly believe my eyes!
The surge in food production is both a good thing and a bad thing.
For example, last year, Taiyuan County spent almost all its money just to purchase excess grain from farmers.
In order to save money, it is said that the county governor did not even dare to light more candles in the county governor's office.
Even so, Taiyuan County's finances were almost bankrupt. After last year's autumn harvest, Taiyuan County distributed salaries to officials directly in the form of corn.
There is no way, there is too much food and too little government money.
If the government does not stabilize grain prices and causes grain prices to plummet, then low grain prices may hurt farmers.
If it were in the past, the officials would probably not care about the life and death of the mud-legged people.
If the grain is cheap and it hurts the farmers, then the grain is cheap and it hurts the farmers.
Just in time to kill a group of homesteaders and enjoy a feast with the merchants and landlords.
But now, no official dares to sit back and watch this happen.
At least in Daibei, no one dares to play like this.
Because no one wants to die...
Today, almost every county in Daibei and local grassroots counties and villages have complete grassroots militia organizations.
Some areas in Yunzhong and Shangjun, and even every township, have built a basic arsenal.
The arsenal is filled with a large number of weapons and equipment.
A fully armed army can be drawn out at any time and at any time.
As for the common people's homes, almost every household has swords, bows and crossbows, and all young people are skilled in bow and horse.
Annoyed them?
In any minute, we can have a Zhangqiu Incident, storm Taiyuan City, arrest corrupt officials and send them to Chang'an.
Once such a trap appears, judging from past experience, the emperor of Chang'an and the nine ministers will probably only encourage and reward the people.
Some schools of thought, such as those of Simeng and Chongmin, might even jump up and applaud.
After the people got their guns, the bureaucrats had to give in.
Therefore, the princes of Taiyuan had to do something to prevent a Zhangqiu incident.
Recalling this incident, Zhang Yuan was filled with emotion, and in his heart he agreed even more with what the emperor said at the time, 'The saints control the five soldiers not to harm each other, but to prohibit violence and punish evil'.
It is indeed the case today. With the swords, guns, bows and crossbows in the hands of the people, the bureaucrats have no choice but to do something that is beneficial to the people's livelihood.
However, it is precisely because of this that at the beginning of spring this year, all the officials in Taiyuan County looked sad.
Because, in order to maintain stability last year, Taiyuan County spent almost the last copper in its treasury.
The grain in the official warehouses in various places was piled up like mountains, and it was impossible to process it.
If there is another good harvest this year, everyone in Taiyuan County may have to resign...
Fortunately, at the critical moment, businessmen came to the rescue.
The prosperity of Longcheng's trade brought merchants to the place in droves, and the grain in the official warehouses was bought directly.
Even the remaining grain in the hands of the people was swept away.
Last year's financial constraints turned into financial prosperity this year.
With the money, the county governor's office immediately began to consider building straight roads and track carriages.
Spending money to improve political performance is something that even a fool would do!
As a result, every official in Taiyuan became a beneficiary of Dragon City trade.
Many people even believe that whether they can be promoted and make a fortune is directly related to the prosperity of Dragon City's trade.
The more prosperous the Dragon City trade is, the more achievements everyone will make.
As soon as the news came out that Zhidu was ordered to protect the Xiongnu generals and had full control over all the tribes in the southern part of the curtain, Taiyuan County and even the entire northern counties became uneasy.
Everyone was afraid that if Zhidu went to Longcheng, it might suppress the flourishing Han-Hu trade.
The reason is also very simple.
Because Zhi was a famous official of the Legalists, and the Legalists had looked down on merchants since ancient times and wanted to kill all the merchants in the world.
So, Zhang Yuan was sent to plead for mercy and deliver a message.
We must make every effort to make Zhidu understand the difficulties of the northern counties today, and don't mess up the source of everyone's political achievements by raising your hand.
How did Zhidu know these things? He just looked at the prosperous market and the merchants shouting everywhere, and felt a little unhappy. He said to Zhang Yuan: "Mr. Zhang, you are the order of Taiyuan, why don't you rectify this place in Taiyuan?"
The market? Let merchants run rampant, buy and sell grain, and sell it to the Xiongnu? You need to know that grain is the foundation of the country and the people!"
He faced the direction of Chang'an and bowed his hands and said: "The emperor has taught his ministers many times: Hong Fan's Eight Policies, one is food, the other is goods! Food comes before goods..."
Hearing this, Zhang Yuan showed bitterness on his face and said: "Your superiors have learned clearly that your subordinates do not like merchants either, and they have never had a good impression of them..."
This is the common mentality of most officials today.
On the one hand, everyone looks down on merchants.
Both Confucianism and Legalism, Huang Lao, and Mohism all believe that businessmen are the source of all evil.
But on the other hand, no one can refuse a small amount of money from a businessman.
Especially when a businessman's small sum of money is directly linked to their political performance...
Li Kui's reform still needs Bai Gui's small money to help him!
Today, the entanglement and entanglement between the merchants of the Han Dynasty, the bureaucracy, and the academic community have far exceeded the entanglement between Li Kui and Bai Gui back then.
Therefore, contemporary officials and scholars have a very tangled mentality.
Many people become famous by scolding and suppressing businessmen, but after they become famous, they find that they have been captured by the businessmen's money.
Scholars cannot open academies without the support and donations of wealthy businessmen.
If officials want to improve their political performance, they cannot do without the business tax and trade support of merchants.
This tangled state makes many people so entangled that they toss and turn at night and find it difficult to sleep peacefully.
This is the manifestation when ideals, beliefs and reality conflict.
Zhang Yuan was one such patient. He lowered his head and said to his old superior: "Your Majesty doesn't know something. Although your subordinates hate merchants, they wish they could ban them all, lest they deceive the innocent people. From then on,
Industry and commerce are despicable industries... However, lower officials cannot do without merchants..."
He raised his head and looked at Zhidu and said: "Your Majesty... To be honest, if it weren't for Jia people, the Taiyuan you saw today would probably be a city where people's resentment is boiling, the market is depressed, and people are resentful.
…”
With that said, Zhang Yuan told Zhidu about the fluctuations in grain prices in Taiyuan from last year to this year and the troubles caused by the bumper harvest.
After everyone listened, they were silent for a long time.
As Zhijinwu, as the absolute confidant and confidant of the emperor today.
The things that Zhi can come into contact with are naturally far beyond those of Zhang Yuan.
After being appointed as the general to protect the Huns, Zhidu gained the power to establish a government and build a palace. Hundreds of counselors and warriors came to his service to advise him.
Therefore, everyone Zhi knows that merchants are gradually stepping onto the stage of the world.
Their power affects every aspect of the world.
Not to mention Anton, Luoyang, Suiyang and Nanyang are all flourishing with Jia people.
No matter whether it is Confucianism, Legalism or Huang Lao, no matter how much you criticize businessmen, in private, everyone has a close friend of a wealthy businessman.
Chao Cuo's old friends were the Tian family, Zhang Tang's Taishan family was also the Tian family, behind the Xunzi school were the Zheng family and the Zhuo family in Linqiong, behind the Simeng school were the Liang Wang family, and behind the Chongmin school were the Luoyang merchants.
Even the Shi family, which had always been a noble family, has recently begun to quietly engage in industry and commerce.
Even though he was in Zhidu, he actually had a close relationship with the great Jia Bing family.
In local affairs, the influence of merchants also continued to increase.
The market-dominated Pingjia system relied on Pinglu and gradually gained the power to bargain with the government.
If local officials want to handle local affairs well, they cannot do without the generosity and assistance of businessmen in their jurisdiction.
The Jia people are gradually replacing the powerful landlords of the past and becoming a group with huge influence.
Just like what happened in Taiyuan, in many cases, it is these businessmen who are discriminated against and looked down upon by others, who play a role in stabilizing the market and benefiting the people.
Thinking of this, Zhidu remembered a topic he had discussed with Zhang Tang when he returned to Beijing to report on his work last year - should Legalism modify something to adapt to the current era?
This question has made Zhidu think about it countless times for several months, but he still has no answer.
Seeing the silence of his old boss, Zhang Yuan knew that something was going on. He quickly smiled and said: "Please understand the hardships of the people in Daibei County and don't take the city of Dragon City lightly..."
After hearing this, Zhi smiled and said: "How can I have the power to destroy the city of Dragon City? It is the emperor's will to destroy the city of Dragon City!"
This answer made Zhang Yuan ecstatic. As long as the Dragon City trade continues to exist and prosper, then he will have a lot of money to boldly achieve political achievements.
Although I have a physical disability, my room for advancement is limited.
But as long as you focus on improving your political performance, there should be no pressure to get the title of a middle-aged doctor before becoming an official.
"Then you are going to Munan on this trip?" Zhang Yuan couldn't help but asked curiously.
Zhidu glanced at Zhang Yuan and said directly, "On this trip, I have been ordered by the emperor to launch a great ceremony in the south of the curtain!"
"Da Qi Qun Di?" Zhang Yuan couldn't help but feel frightened when he heard this.
In history, during the reign of King Wu of Chu, the Chu State conquered the Han River Basin and conquered dozens of Fang Kingdoms, turning them all into the Xia Dynasty. This was known in history as the Great Qi Qun Barbarian!
From then until today, the Han River Basin has never been separated from China.
Back then, King Wu of Chu conquered the barbarians, relying on the army to open the way and education as a supplement.
Now, there is no doubt that since Chang'an has determined to digest Mu Nan, it has also sent out generals like Zhidu.
This will definitely be a bloody storm, and the current situation in Munan will be completely changed!
Thinking of this, Zhang Yuan couldn't help but bow to him: "Your Majesty, I have two sons, the eldest son Jian and the second son Xin. They are both powerful... I hope your Majesty will accept them and use them as oxen and horses!"
If you want to digest Mu Nan, you have to kill people. As long as you kill people, you will have merit!
