The river flows swiftly and forcefully, and the forests on both sides of the river are full of color. Looking along the river, the colors are so colorful that it is so beautiful.
On the river, several large ships were slowly going upstream. There is a post every three steps and a sentry every five steps on the bow of the ship. They are all officers and soldiers with straight backs and armor.
On the bow deck, Cui Yu, the new envoy of Sichuan Province, with fluttering clothes and gray hair, looked at the rolling river in trance.
The fate of life is like this, fickle and difficult to control.
Where did the peach-growing Taoist go? Liu Lang came to visit him before.
He had hesitant ambitions, but unfortunately his fate was ill-fated. It was not until the age of fifty-three that he was promoted to Guangxi Tidian Prison, where he rewarded integrity and eradicated corruption. He worked hard and devoted himself to it.
During the Jiading period, the Mongolian cavalry emerged and attacked the Jin Kingdom many times. The Jin people moved their capital south to Bianjing to avoid the Mongolian army, and attempted to plunder the Song Dynasty southward. He trained troops in Huaidong to fight against the Jin Dynasty and guarded the border for five years. The border was generally stable and his political reputation was outstanding.
In the tenth year of Jiading, the Jin army invaded Sichuan and defeated Dashanguan, Chengzhou, Fengzhou, Xingyuanfu and other places. In the twelfth year of Jiading, the Jin army defeated Yangzhou in Xingyuan Prefecture. Dong Juyi, the former Sichuan envoy, abandoned his post and fled. The Shu region was in chaos and people were panicked. At the same time, Sichuan defeated the "Red Turban Army", rebelled and entered Lizhou. In view of the critical situation in Sichuan, the imperial court appointed An Bing as Sichuan's Xuanfu envoy, and Cui Yu as Chengdu magistrate and Chengdu Road pacification envoy, quelling the Red Turban rebellion.
In the fourteenth year of Jiading, An Bing died. Cui Yu took over as the envoy of the Sichuan Road pacification system, rectified the military and political affairs, accumulated wealth in Anbian, promoted virtuous people, and made the middle of Sichuan peaceful.
The powerful Prime Minister Shi Mi saw that the situation in Shu was stable, so he sent his confidant Zheng Sun to replace Cui Yu. After Zheng Sun took office, he gave up the important territory at Shukou, causing the Song army to lose power. Zheng Sun's extravagant spending made Sichuan's military needs unsustainable and the military situation collapsed.
Less than a year after he resigned as the Sichuan Zhizhi envoy, the new emperor ascended the throne, and the powerful Prime Minister Shi Miyuan was killed. Shi Miyuan's confidant Sichuan Zhizhi envoy Zheng Sun was about to be transferred back to the court just after his buttocks got hot.
And he, Cui Yu, came back to serve as the envoy of Sichuan and resumed his old career.
The upper reaches guard Sichuan and Xiangyang, the lower reaches guard the Huaihe River, and the defense of the Yangtze River is insufficient. The importance of Sichuan to the Southern Song Dynasty is self-evident and extraordinary.
"The country's war will be at Shukou for the next ten years!"
The emperor's confession before leaving still echoed in Cui Yu's ears.
Is it true that the country’s war in the next ten years will be in Sichuan?
The Mongolian cavalry was able to drive the Jin people back to the south of the Yellow River, and their military strength, as stated in "Tatar Policy", must be a serious concern for the Song Dynasty in the future.
The tens of millions of people in Sichuan, a land of abundance, bear millions of dan for military rations every year. The tea production accounts for more than half of the total output of the Song Dynasty, and they provide 40% of the wealth and wine tax. The money provided to the court by the Shu region alone is As much as 30%.
In addition, Sichuan was the northwest gateway of the Song Dynasty, which shows that the new emperor attached great importance to Sichuan and had good intentions.
Fortunately Shi Miyuan was executed, otherwise under the rule of his confidant Zheng Sun, Sichuan and the Sichuan family would have been completely destroyed.
"Lizhou has many coal mines, but less iron ore. Iron ore can be transferred northward from Meizhou, Leshan and other places to solve the iron ore shortage."
"It is better to transfer iron ore from Meizhou and Leshan to the north than to transfer iron ore from Mianzhou to the south along the Jialing River. Not only is the distance short, it is also convenient."
"But the waterway from Mianzhou to Lizhou seems not easy to sail."
"Your Majesty pays special attention to the northwest frontier fortress. As an important frontier fortress, Mianzhou must build another weapons manufacturing department. For the sake of the future, it is better to transfer iron ore from Mianzhou to the south. As for the waterway that is not easy to travel, we can repair it first while the water flow is low in autumn and winter. . If that doesn’t work, just use bamboo rafts and people can pull the iron ore from both sides.”
Several craftsmen were chatting away on the bow side, but they were talking about building an ironworks in northern Sichuan. Judging from their accents, it seems that some of them are officials from Sichuan.
Cui Yu couldn't help being surprised. The emperor's layout in northern Sichuan seemed to be well-prepared and not a hothead.
"Zhang Xiong, what are the three passes and five states like?"
"I don't know either. We'll know when the time comes."
"Old Dong, you are from Hanzhong. Where is the Hexi Corridor? What do Liangzhou and Yumenguan look like?"
"The Hexi Corridor is just past Lanzhou and across the Yellow River to the west. I haven't been there either, so I don't know what it's like."
"Why waste so much money? Let's train our troops well. When the time comes, we will drink from the Yellow River and fight across it, won't we know?"
"Cao Shixiong is right! The principal asked us to go to the northwest not only for defense, but also for fighting! There will be a battle by then!"
"Far above the Yellow River, among the white clouds, there is an isolated city called Wanren Mountain. Yumen Pass, Dunhuang, wait for me, I, Governor Liu Zhong, are here!"
"I, Cui Yongxiong, am here too!"
A group of graduates from the Martial Arts Hall were impassioned and high-spirited. Cui Yu looked at their enviable young faces, then looked at the smug craftsmen and officials, and couldn't help but shake his head secretly.
Talented people emerge from generation to generation. Under the new emperor, these young upstarts were able to flex their muscles and were lucky enough to catch up with the good times.
This continues from generation to generation, and in less than ten years, the world will be dominated by these new generation of upstarts.
"Ms. Cui, it's polite to lower your rank."
A thin, black official came up and saluted Cui Yu.
"Ms. Hu, are you going to Sichuan too?"
Seeing that it was Hu Mengyu, the commander-in-chief of Jiankang Mansion on Jiangnan East Road, Cui returned the greeting and asked in surprise.
This upstart in the imperial court, who was less than forty years old, was implementing the New Deal on Jiangnan East Road in full swing. Is he going to Sichuan?
If that were the case, that would be great! In this way, he can save a lot of effort.
"To be honest with Mr. Cui, all the new policies on Jiangnan East Road have been implemented on the right track. I am taking a boat this time to go to Jiangnan West Road for an incognito inspection to prepare for the implementation of the new policies on Jiangnan West Road next year."
Hu Mengyu didn't hide anything and told Cui Yu frankly.
Based on Cui Yu's official experience, he would not use his personal interests to affect the implementation of the New Deal on Jiangnan West Road.
The New Deal on Jiangnan East Road was implemented in an orderly manner and can be said to be a great success. Next, there are the three most important areas of the imperial court, Sichuan Road, Jiangnan West Road and Liangzhe Road.
Not surprisingly, he will serve as Jiangnan West Road's pacifier and promote the New Deal. Cui Yu served as the envoy of Sichuan, which was similar to him. He also had the important responsibility to ensure the smooth implementation of the New Deal.
"Ms. Hu, it turns out that we are the same people. But if you ask for something, don't refuse me!"
Cui Yu smiled slightly and his tone was sincere.
Grain, tea, well salt, silk, wine, etc., these major national affairs related to people's livelihood and economy, must be restored one by one. I also hope that Zheng Sun will not empty his treasury and leave him with nothing to do.
"Xiangong Cui, if you want people or things, it is your duty to do whatever the lower official can do. However, the lower official has heard that the scholar-bureaucrats in Sichuan are very xenophobic and may not be easy to deal with. You have to hold on."
Hu Mengyu didn't forget to add another sentence to his important words.
"As for the military, especially the defense of Shukou, it is better to leave it to the emperor's new favorites like the Jinling Military Academy. His Majesty's intention is to let them quickly become talented and take charge of their own affairs. Therefore..."
Hu Mengyu hesitated to speak, but Cui Yu knew it well. He turned his head involuntarily, glanced at the cabin behind, and then withdrew his gaze to the surging river in front of him.
New favorite!
Cui Yu shook his head and smiled helplessly.
Helpless because when he was giving lectures in the martial arts hall in Jinling, the emperor said what he meant. Cao Youwen and Yu Jie were required to go to Qiankun to make arbitrary decisions on the military and political affairs of Lizhou and Lizhou. Not to mention the pacifier of Lizhou and Lizhou, he was the one. When Sichuan establishes envoys, it cannot interfere at will, let alone restrict it.
"Xiangong Cui, since the founding of the Song Dynasty and the stability of the government, has always been controlled by civil servants, and the military generals have suppressed them as soon as they became powerful. When the new emperor came, he changed his tune and allowed the military generals to directly command the troops without restraint. It seems that this It seems to go against the family law of the Great Song Dynasty. But it is the best choice now."
Hu Mengyu's words made Cui Yu couldn't help being startled and blurted out.
"With this move, Your Majesty, aren't you afraid that warriors will become powerful and separate the feudal towns?"
As the envoy of Sichuan, he could not control all the military power of Sichuan Road, so he felt a lot disappointed. The emperor asked him so many questions about the military affairs of Shu in the lecture hall, and arranged for him to go to Sichuan to take office with these "new favorites". I am afraid this was also intentional.
"Xiangong Cui, your Majesty's implementation of the New Deal and the rectification of military equipment are ultimately to enrich the country and strengthen the military and restore the Central Plains. As for the effect, we will wait and see. As ministers, what you and I have to do is to do our duty as ministers, get rid of bad policies, and implement the New Deal .As for the rest, don’t think too much about it.”
Hu Mengyu's words made Cui Yu suddenly enlightened and nodded repeatedly.
As a minister, it is enough to be loyal to the king, but worrying all day long about trying to persuade the king is not putting the cart before the horse and worrying blindly?
"Mr. Hu, thank you very much for your advice. I hope you will give me your advice on how to implement the New Deal."
Cui bowed solemnly to him.
Hu Mengyu already has experience and is definitely a good teacher and helpful friend.
"It doesn't matter what high opinions it is, it's just fighting against corruption, promoting the law of the realm, promoting the reform of officialdom, eliminating the old, weak, sick and disabled, and training a new army."
Hu Mengyu said thoughtfully and gave him all his money.
"When it comes to economic strategies, we open mines and build factories, build roads and bridges, and repair docks and ferries. These are all His Majesty's initiatives. Your Majesty is making a five-year plan, which includes some large-scale factory construction plans to improve people's livelihood and prosper all industries. .For example, iron factories, soap factories, cement factories, etc. Mr. Cui might as well learn from them."
"Open mines and build factories? Prosperize all industries? Five-year plan!"
Cui Yu was confused and seemed to have an epiphany.
"Ms. Cui, Your Majesty has a saying that I would like to quote as a wise saying. Mr. Cui may wish to consider it."
"Ms. Hu, please give me some advice!"
"His Majesty's original words are: Whoever controls coal and iron will control this era. Just like when Xiaguan went to Jiangnan West Road this time, the first place he stayed was Daye, and the second place was Pingxiang. Xiaguan thought it was Zhongzhong. The weight of it.”
Hu Mengyu was very fond of the ancient Tao, but he was afraid that Cui Yu would not understand it yet, so he gave an example.
Daye is rich in mineral resources and uniquely endowed by nature. It is known as "a golden land within a hundred miles and a treasure trove in the south of the Yangtze River". In the early Song Dynasty, Li Yu, the late ruler of the Southern Tang Dynasty, established a new county in Daye because of its rich mineral resources and developed smelting industry. It took the meaning of "Daxing Furnace" and named it Daye County.
There are many coal mines in Pingxiang, and coal, iron and copper are combined. It is expected that mining and factories will be opened, and the industry will expand wealth.
Sichuan's iron ore, sulfur, coal mines, well salt, including mercury, etc., not to mention Sichuan brocade, tea, wine making...
Cui Yu's heart came alive unconsciously.
"Dad, the wind is strong on the bow, be careful of catching a cold!"
Hu Mengyu said goodbye and left. Cui Yu's son Cui Shusi came up and wanted to put a cotton coat on Cui Yu, but he stopped him.
"Don't underestimate dad, dad's body and bones are no worse than yours!"
Cui Yu laughed, not hiding his pride.
His wife has passed away, and the father and son depend on each other. The son is his staff and is always by his side. Unfortunately, my grandson is still in his hometown of Guangdong.
Judging from the emperor's attitude, he may not be allowed to return home for a while. In this case, it is better to bring the whole family to Sichuan and reunite the whole family.
"Yes, yes, dad, you are always strong and strong, no one can compare with you."
Uncle Cui seemed to compliment his father and changed the subject.
"Dad, no matter how good your health is, you can't compare to those young generals in the martial arts hall."
Under the new emperor, the world was already dominated by the upstarts of the martial arts hall.
