There was no road from Changsha County to Kuaiji County, and the traveling speed was extremely slow. It took nearly six months for the group to reach Kuaiji County.
Unlike other counties, Kuaiji County is already the richest county in the entire Jiangnan, comparable to several other major grain-producing counties, and the most profitable Jiangnan weaving industry is here. The houses seen along the way are much better than those in other counties. , the appearance of the people is also better than that of other counties.
Arriving at the Wuxian Palace, Zhang Li, Zhang Liang, and Bai Lingmu were already waiting here.
After the ceremony, everyone came to the main hall and took their seats.
Seeing that Zhang Liang had lost weight again, I encouraged him: "The inspector works very hard in Jiangnan, so he must put his health first."
Zhang Liang hurriedly stood up and thanked him: "Thank you for your concern, your majesty, and for serving your majesty. I dare not fail to do my best."
I nodded and looked at Zhang Li: "How is the situation in Kuaiji County?"
Zhang Li bowed and said: "Your Majesty, the population of Kuaiji County is nearly one million. In addition to the head of this county, there are nearly 200,000 people who have moved from other counties. Today, we are still vigorously clearing wasteland to cultivate rice, and now we are harvesting the first season of rice. The second season can be planted immediately. In addition, the development of mulberry fish ponds not only supplies enough silk for weaving in Jiangnan, but also improves life in Guizhou, where fish can be eaten three or four times a month."
I nodded. Jiangnan's development was very rapid, which shows that so much support given to Jiangnan at that time was not in vain. As I said that, I asked about another thing that concerned me: "Are there any traces of traitors in Kuaiji County now?"
I am very worried about the rebellion of this traitor. I am afraid that one day a fierce man like Xiang Yu will appear again. Even if he does not pose much of a threat to the court, it will still be a troublesome matter.
Zhang Yue's eyebrows gradually relaxed, and he said confidently: "The people have enough food to eat, enough clothes to wear, and enough shelter to live in. Apart from being grateful to Your Majesty, the people have no other complaints, especially those who have moved from other counties. They are even more grateful to Your Majesty." I am overwhelmed by the grace of reconstruction. Don’t call me a traitor. Even the slightest criticism of Your Majesty will arouse the dissatisfaction of others. Your Majesty, please rest assured!"
"Okay!" I was overjoyed when I heard Zhang Yue's report. It showed that Da Qin had gradually won the hearts of the people. As long as the people turned to Da Qin, they had nothing to fear.
I looked at Zhang Liang again: "How are the road construction, Jiangnan weaving, and warehouse building?"
Zhang Liang cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the three counties have no different opinions on road construction. Now starting from Wushang County, the roads along the way have begun to be constructed. Among them, Wushang County has the best progress going east. Guizhou can trade handicrafts on its own. It greatly improved the living standards of the local Guizhou capital, because the imperial court mainly sold large items such as curved shaft plows and keel waterwheels, so it did not have a big impact on the government-owned industries."
"With your Majesty's improved textile machines, Jiangnan Weaving can now produce 400,000 pieces of silk and 600,000 pieces of linen every year. Most of the silk is used for the court and trade with surrounding countries, while the linen is mainly used for garment making in the capital of Guizhou. In addition, The Shogunate is still continuing to improve the textile machines based on His Majesty's drawings. If it can be driven smoothly by water power, I believe it can further increase the output."
"The construction of warehouses has basically been completed. There is no obstacle to the transportation of rice to Guanzhong via counties along Wuguan Road and Binhai Road. Including Kuaiji County, a total of four counties have not built large warehouses. According to the practice, the imperial court will pay grain to the national treasury every year."
"Very good!" Zhang Liang is indeed talented. It was not in vain that I kept him here.
Many people thought that I was soft-hearted and even womanly, but I don't think so. It would be a pity if a rare talent like Zhang Liang could not be put to use by me. If he was a cruel and brainless person like Xiang Yu, I would not have hesitated at all and would have executed him and Xiang Yu together. This is why I decided to keep him after meeting and chatting with him in person, including Han Xin. .
But there are only two people I admit that I should not have held back at that time, and they were Liu Bang and Xiao He! These two people are also heroes, but they are always disturbing as courtiers, and their rebellion has really become a climate. But regretting it now is a bit of a villain. If they can build ships well in Panyu like Sima Li, they can reuse them.
Then the two of them briefly reported some local conditions, which were all mentioned at the court meeting. Kuaiji County was also under the strictest surveillance in the clean room, so there was no further waste of time. I said that I would let them leave once I knew about it. .
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It was already June, and the weather was hot, so I had to travel in the morning and evening. Time was very tight. I only stayed in Kuaiji County for two days, inspected the local situation and Jiangnan weaving, and left immediately.
Along the Binhai Road all the way north, passing through Donghai County, there is a galloping road to go. The speed is much faster along the way, and we can reach Langya County by the end of June.
Without entering Dongwu, I directly asked Li Taibo, the governor of Langya County, to go to the beach of Jiaozhou Bay.
Waves of sea breeze came, feeling a bit of coolness. Li Taibo stood respectfully behind him.
"Li Taibo, I want to build a shipyard here!" Looking at the boundless sea, I just thought that this is a natural harbor before, and shipbuilding here may be more suitable than far away in Lingnan. Now that I see the terrain and environment here, I finally Made up my mind.
Not only Li Taibo, but everyone was a little surprised.
Li Taibo took a step forward and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, there has never been a precedent for building a shipyard here. I wonder if it is suitable?"
I smiled slightly, Qingdao is one of China's natural harbors, and there is no place more suitable than here.
"Do you still remember the world map I showed you?" This was said to Li Si and the others.
Naturally, they would not forget the shock of seeing the world map for the first time, and said with cupped hands: "I dare not forget it!"
I nodded, pointed to the east and said: "Unless Da Qin's territory can reach the Atlantic Ocean, in the future Da Qin will go to Dong Qin Continent, and it is most appropriate to start from here and head north. Not only that, I guess that bastard Xu Fu is coming from From here, we can go north to Qindong (Japan) Island, which is south or east of Liaodong. It is also the closest to start from here to find him."
Yu He showed off his old skills and said, "Your Majesty, are the shipyards in Panyu going to stop building ships?"
I shook my head. My positioning of the shipbuilding there is to prevent people with ulterior motives from escaping to the sea after publishing the world map. The positioning here is to at least reach the level of a sailing battleship!
"The ships in Panyu are too small. They can be used as warships to conquer the Qinnan (Central South) Peninsula and the Kunlun South (India) Peninsula in the future. If you want to reach East Qinzhou, you will need a different kind of ship. The shipyard here, Li Taibo, You first choose the place, what scale and functions you want it to have, I will plan it and hand it over to you when I get back."
There are major grain-producing counties nearby, so the pressure to build an additional shipyard will not be too great. And judging from my tone, this shipyard is a long-term plan like Xianyang New City, so everyone stopped talking and just accepted it.
