On the eighth day of July, it is appropriate to get married and travel.
Under the scorching sun, the Chaotianmen Pier in Chongqing and Ba County was already densely packed with people, and the once bustling place was silent.
Chongqing, which was once massacred by Zhang Xianzhong, has regained its vitality after nearly seven years. Due to the intersection of waterways, a new generation of people has already changed.
On the dock, there are green robes of the eighth and ninth grades, and green robes of the fifth to seventh grades. A pile of scarlet robes of grade four or above had already stood up, which was dizzying.
You should know that Chaotianmen Wharf is located at the intersection of Chuanjiang River and Jialing River. It has been the gateway to Ba County and even Chongqing Prefecture since ancient times. Dignitaries and officials who have taken up or left office in Chongqing have to take boats here.
A group of trackers, shirtless, stood on the shore not far away and couldn't stop looking.
There are even clever people who can climb the branches directly to hide in the shade and watch the fun at the same time.
Those who used to take a dip in the water were chased out by the government officials with sticks. They were wearing ripped shorts with their buttocks half exposed.
The older girls and younger daughters-in-law who were watching the excitement from a distance were all blushing and scolding each other, but they became more and more proud and swung their crotches, causing even more scoldings.
When the magistrate of Ba County saw the prince frowning, he immediately sent someone to teach him a lesson.
However, Sichuan Governor Liu Linchang, Commander-in-Chief Zhao Guangyuan, and Academician Han Yizhi, who were at the forefront, took the situation calmly and were not affected at all.
It’s no wonder that Chongqing is about to change from a prefecture to a province, and it has also cut off Kuizhou and Shunqing from Sichuan. It is Chongqing people who lose face and it has nothing to do with Sichuan.
Ma Gan, the chief envoy of Sichuan, who was half a body behind a few people, shook his head.
The relationship was established so quickly, and the attitude changed too quickly.
"Hey, why are there so many high officials?"
At this time, the merchants who were forced to dock at another dock came out of curiosity.
"A Huguang person?" The orange vendor saw his appearance and couldn't help but said, "You must be wise. Today is the day when the imperial edict is handed down."
At this point, he suddenly puffed up his chest and said proudly: "Chongqing Mansion must become Chongqing Province. We are also from the provincial capital."
"So that's what happened." The businessman finally came to his senses and nodded: "The communiqué has been talking about it for more than half a month, but it didn't come until today."
"You melon boy, you are not allowed to walk!"
As the angel is about to arrive, the dock becomes more and more lively and crowded. The squires from Ba County come to watch in an endless stream. The people are as happy as the Chinese New Year.
Everyone feels that they have become natives of the provincial capital and it would be great to separate from Sichuan and establish a province.
Many people think that this is the credit of Wang Yingxiong, a native of Ba County and the Minister of Household Affairs. From the government to the province, this is a great blessing.
"The ship is coming——"
I don't know who shouted, and everyone's eyes focused on the river.
What came directly towards us was a large ship. It was ordinary, but with the word "Imperial Envoy" on the ship, everyone felt a chill.
After boarding the trestle, the imperial envoy revealed his true appearance.
I saw that he had an ordinary appearance, but his behavior was correct, which made people feel good about him.
"I, the Governor of Sichuan, Liu Linchang, led all the people in Sichuan to respond to the civil and military affairs, and respectfully send my greetings to the Holy Ann——"
Liu Linchang was the first to kneel down, and then everyone in the crowd, including the common people, knelt down.
Huang Zongxi nodded: "Good morning, Holy Gong!"
Then he picked up the imperial edict: "The imperial edict arrives——"
The civil and military officials kowtowed again.
"The emperor is destined to be transported by heaven, and the edict says..."
"Therefore, Chongqing, Kuizhou, Shunqing, and Shizhou are divided into Chongqing Province. It is appropriate to encourage and sincere..."
"I would like to thank you for your kindness——"
The hearts of everyone in Sichuan were bleeding, but they responded with joy.
"Sichuan Chief Envoy Ma Gan received the order——"
"My lord, Ma Gan accepts the order..."
Huang Zongxi read aloud in a measured tone, announcing that Ma Gan would serve as governor of Chongqing and be stationed in Ba County, Chongqing.
As for the former Chongqing magistrate, he was promoted to chief envoy.
The rest of the civil and military personnel have their own promotions, and where there are deficiencies, they will be arranged by the staff, as long as the airs are put up.
After the announcement, everyone at the pier was in jubilation. No matter men, women, old or young, rich or poor, they all looked beaming with joy.
The benefits of Chongqing's transformation from a government to a province are immeasurable, and even ordinary people can benefit from it.
As an imperial envoy, Huang Zongxi traveled from Beijing to Chongqing, which naturally had its benefits. If nothing else, there would still be some hard work for Cheng Yi.
The Bashu style is refreshing.
The next day, Huang Zongxi met with Liu Linchang, the governor of Sichuan, and with the approval of the cabinet and the emperor, he had to say:
"Chongqing has been the seat of Pakistan since ancient times. Sichuan cannot have two centers. Chengdu is enough. It is inevitable for it to establish its own province."
"Furthermore, Sichuan is too big after all. It cannot manage more than a dozen prefectures. It is better to let Chongqing manage a few."
"I understand what the court means." No matter how angry Liu Linchang was at this moment, he could only let it go.
He understood that his attitude would eventually be conveyed to the emperor and the court, his true attitude rather than what was stated in the memorial.
For the sake of the future, Liu Linchang suppressed his emotions for a long time, and blurted out the words with a view of the overall situation:
"Chongqing is the gateway to the east of Sichuan, just like Hanzhong. It is also close to Guizhou and Yunnan. It is located in an important place. If you don't leave today, you will leave sooner or later."
"It would be great if you could understand the court's painstaking efforts."
Huang Zongxi smiled, hesitated again and again, and finally said it: "Due to the war in Liaodong, the imperial court has spent a lot of money, and it is almost time to eat."
"After all, Chongqing is integrated with Sichuan. Can we withdraw 500,000 yuan from the vassal treasury to spend on establishing a province?"
Liu Linchang's smile froze in an instant, and he opened his mouth with difficulty: "Of course, no questions -"
"Oh, that's good." Huang Zongxi breathed a sigh of relief, patted his chest and said, "Futai is so grand, His Majesty must be satisfied."
When Chongqing was established as a province, provincial yamen such as governor's yamen, academic administration, general military affairs, administrative envoys, and inspection envoys were bound to be established, and yamen such as Youyang Mansion, Shizhu Mansion, and Shizhou Mansion also had to be built.
All of this is inseparable from funding.
Although the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development allowed Chongqing Province to retain the tax revenue it turned over for its own use, it was still insufficient. At this time, Sichuan's support was necessary.
After all, the imperial court had no surplus food.
After staying in Chongqing for a day, Huang Zongxi hurried to Shizhu Xuanfu Division the next day to announce the edict to the Ma family.
Without going into details, Qin Liangyu posthumously conferred the title of Shi Zhubo and allowed his grandson Ma Wannian to ascend the throne.
Due to Ma Wannian's own efforts, he had a viscount, and Qin Liangyu's earl, the Ma family enjoyed the treatment of a double noble family in advance.
Although Duke Dingguo in Beijing was restored to his title, Duke Wei was deposed and was still living in Yunnan. The war in Liaodong was not over yet, so the title was naturally not awarded.
Therefore, the Ma family was the first noble family with double titles in the Shaowu period.
Huang Zongxi became thick-skinned, and after greeting Qin Liangyu's body, he said: "Although Shizhu Xuanfu Division is a member of the Ma family, but now that he is a distinguished noble, Shizhu can no longer stay..."
"Old woman, I understand." With the title as a basis and the fact that his arms could not twist his thighs, Qin Liangyu responded smoothly:
"The Ma family has always followed the direction of the imperial court. Although this stone pillar is good, how can it compare with the wealth and honor given by His Majesty?"
