At Xiangyang City Gate, a carriage, protected by about a dozen guards, slowly entered Xiangyang.
The simple and ordinary carriage seemed to blend into the Han River with drops of water, without a single splash.
This is in line with Zhang Daoyuan's original intention.
He was just an ordinary Taoist priest. He stayed in Hanzhong for more than half a year and finally came to Xiangyang, the shogunate and center of power of His Highness Prince Yu.
“Compared to Nanzheng, it seems clean and tidy!”
When I opened the curtain and looked around, I saw that the streets were neat and tidy, people were rubbing shoulders and it was very prosperous.
From time to time, we can see a group of Zaoyi police officers patrolling constantly to maintain law and order, which makes people feel at ease.
"It seems that Your Highness has laid a solid foundation in Huguang."
Knowing this in his heart, Zhang Daoyuan stroked his goatee and couldn't help but think that he could set up the Taoist temple outside Xiangyang City, which would be better than Hanzhong.
Later, he entered Prince Xiang's Mansion.
Unfortunately, King Yu was not there, so only Zhao Shu received him.
"Taoist priest, you're fine!"
"Chief Zhao is still as charming as ever!"
The two of them were familiar with each other, and it felt much more relaxed and natural.
"Hanzhong has transported a lot of money and food these days, and it's all thanks to the Taoist priest."
Zhao Shu sighed and couldn't help but said: "Your Highness, it can be said that there is no war without fighting. If it were not for the land grant, the money and food would have been insufficient."
"Time is also destiny!" Zhang Daoyuan did not respond directly, but smiled and said: "This is an important task for King Yu, we just need to cooperate."
"However, the transportation provided by Hanzhong over the past few years has been worth every penny. The intruders have never thought about leaving the border again."
"That's good!"
Zhao Shu picked up the tea, took a sip, and said with a chuckle: "His Highness has summoned you here now. I am afraid that you will have to bear an important responsibility. I am afraid that you will have to shoulder more responsibilities."
"Everything must be obeyed by His Highness."
Zhang Daoyuan said indifferently: "I have no desires and no pursuits."
Hearing this, Zhao Shu almost laughed. Who doesn't know that you, Zhang Daoyuan, like gold and silver the most?
However, he did not reveal that he was an old acquaintance after all.
"His Royal Highness is inspecting military camps in Xiangyang Prefecture. I'm afraid it will take a few days before he can come back."
Zhao Shu said, looking at Zhang Daoyuan's immortal appearance, he couldn't help but feel something in his heart and said:
"Taoist Priest, there is something I need to do now, and I'm afraid it would be best for you to do it."
"Me?" Zhang Daoyuan was stunned for a moment, then looked at Zhao Shu's square face with some confusion.
When he was in Hanzhong, although the first person under the King of Yu was Zhao Shu, Zhang Daoyuan was the singing accompaniment of the King of Yu. He also had a lot of fame and status, and was nominally of the same rank.
I never thought that now I would be the one being ordered around. This gap is really annoying.
But there was no other way. He was a Taoist priest, and the possibility of taking power was too low, so he was naturally disliked by civil servants.
"You are the most suitable."
Zhao Shu smiled lightly.
"Um?"
Yan Chongxin was a little surprised when he saw Zhang Daoyuan coming out. Then he went inside and said, "When Zhang Daoyuan returns to Xiangyang, what will happen to Hanzhong?"
"Hanzhong has been stabilized!"
Zhao Shu said softly: "With tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, who dares to be so presumptuous?"
"Besides, this is His Highness's wish."
Yan Chongxin nodded. Although he was a little disgusted, he did not dare to object to King Yu's words:
"Although the imperial court gave His Highness Shang Fang a sword and many awards, it is even more wary. A new checkpoint has been set up in Anqing and the tax rate is very high. Especially food from Jiangxi is not allowed to come from the west."
"food!"
Zhao Shu frowned: "It seems that the imperial court has secretly turned around and there is no obstruction."
Of course he understood that with the expansion of King Yu's power, the court would only impose more and more restrictions. This was the impact of the Northern Campaign to establish slaves.
"nothing!"
Zhao Shu thought about the cost of Huguang Nei, and then said: "I will let Sichuan grain be transported to the east."
"Then, do we also need to cut the tax card?"
Yan Chongxin asked.
"What tax card should I set for my family?"
Zhao Shu said without hesitation, then he understood and said with a smile: "You are afraid of affecting the business tax!"
"But there is no way. His Highness requires that there should be no tax cards between Sichuan and Huguang. The two provinces are one, regardless of you and me."
During this period, Huguang recovered so quickly, thanks to the merchants who brought food and supplies, which made up for the losses of the army and alleviated the exploitation of Huguang.
Otherwise, with the mess in Huguang, even if you have gold and silver, you won't be able to buy supplies.
Therefore, canceling tax cards in the province, duplicating tax payments, and creating a convenient business environment is what the King of Yu has always insisted on doing.
"That's all."
Yan Chongxin felt a little unhappy because the transport department had sacrificed and the shogunate had benefited. He thought about it and said:
"Sichuan has a large population and insufficient food and grass. It is better to import food from Lingnan, which can also increase business taxes."
"Lingnan?"
Zhao Shu frowned and then said: "Go and have a look. If it is feasible, His Highness will definitely support it."
Yan Chongxin nodded.
The shogunate was on the defensive in the north, with Sichuan in the west and Jiangxi in the east. It was also difficult to achieve anything, so it naturally turned its attention to Lingnan.
Foshan's ironware and Guangzhou's commercial taxes were all needed by the shogunate, not to mention Macau, which was good at making cannons.
It's difficult to attack, but it's definitely possible to infiltrate.
Here, Zhang Daoyuan received the mission, left the palace, and went directly to the door.
"Who are you?"
When he heard that the Taoist priest was visiting, Zhang Shen was stunned. He didn't know many monks.
But the etiquette was still there, so I welcomed him in. After all, he was a monk!
"I'm so polite!"
Zhang Daoyuan bowed, and when he saw Zhang Shenyan was dignified, elegant and easy-going, he couldn't help but nodded. He looked quite good.
"Taoist Master, do you know me?"
Zhang Shenyan said curiously: "But I have no impression."
"Zhang Shangshu is famous, who in Nanjing doesn't know him?"
Zhang Daoyuan said with a smile, sitting down and looking at the hall from time to time: "Now you are living in Xiangyang City, but why?"
"The Taoist Master is quite knowledgeable."
Zhang Shenyan's face turned cold and he said expressionlessly: "I live in Xiangyang, so I won't delay anything, right?"
"It's natural!"
Zhang Daoyuan didn't take it seriously, but said with a hint of meaning: "It's just that your servant has been transferred to the Military and Political Department. This is really fun."
"He really belongs to King Yu."
Zhang Shenyan looked calm, and he calmed down: "This is his choice, what does it have to do with me?"
"I won't hide it from you either!"
Zhang Daoyuan smiled and said: "I heard that you settled in Xiangyang. His Royal Highness the King of Yu is very thirsty for talents and wants to accumulate as much strength as possible for the restoration of the Ming Dynasty in the north."
Opening your mouth and keeping silent is the Ming Dynasty. King Yu may be shouting pleasantly, but secretly he may be doing it for his own sake!
Zhang Shenyan frowned: "I am just a wanderer. I have long lost my intention to enter politics. I can only thank King Yu for his love."
"Shang Shu, what King Yu is striving for is to restore the country and the country. However, your hometown of Shanxi has been occupied by Jiannu. Even if it is for the sake of the elders in your hometown, you have to do your best!"
Zhang Daoyuan said seriously.
Of course you understand, he is already tempted, now he just lacks a reason and a ladder.