Zhang Xiu paid filial piety to Liu Bei, firstly because he felt sorrow in his heart, and secondly, he wanted to win over the hearts and minds of the old ministers of the Chu State, and appointed some people who were willing to serve Dajing to official positions, so that the old ministers of the Chu State would not be confused.
After Liu Chan was captured, Zhang Xiu ordered people to send him directly to Jingjing.
Although Liu Bei promised not to kill him, Liu Chan's identity was too special, so he had to keep it under his eyes and let him become a rich man. Zhang Xiu directly gave him a large courtyard, and all the money and food were provided by the court, so that he could have no worries and no other ideas.
Yangzhou had not yet been completely calmed down, so Zhang Xiu appointed Zhang Xian as the commander of the capital of Yangzhou, and ordered Zhang Xian and Chen Dao as his deputies to calm down the wars in various parts of Yangzhou. After Zhang Xiu paid homage to Liu Bei, he first took a boat south to Jianye and took Liu Chan north to Jingjing.
This trip north reminded Zhang Xiu of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal in later generations.
Zhang Xiu had never felt that the journey was far when going north before. This time he took a carriage and went north, and he immediately felt the benefits of the Grand Canal. If the Grand Canal could be opened, the three-month journey could be shortened to one month, or even shorter.
And the opening of the canal is not just a matter of speed.
For a long time in ancient times, the economic center of gravity was in the Yellow River Basin. The economy of the north was much better than that of the south. However, as the war broke out in the north in the later period, a large number of northern people fled to the south, bringing a large amount of labor and advanced productivity to the south. , which enabled the southern economy to develop rapidly.
This is also the reason why Zhang Xiu destroyed Cao Wei and did not attack Yangzhou directly after taking Jingzhou. The economic strength of the south was no longer weaker than that of the north. At that time, the war consumed a lot of money and food, and a large number of troops were dispatched. If the fighting continued, it might lead to the rear of instability.
Zhang Xiu knew that many nobles were unwilling to lose their land.
Even if the court gave them enough money, they still care about some of their ancestors' property. This strong dependence on the land will take at least three generations to eliminate, so the Jing court has to be careful, otherwise it will be counterproductive. .
Moreover, to stabilize the world, the imperial court needs to strengthen its management of the south, and the capital of Dajing is in Jingjing. The northernmost part is too far from the south. If the Grand Canal can be opened, the distance can be greatly shortened; and there is food and grass. aspects of the problem.
The development of cash crops in the south has made the south a powerhouse of economy and food; a large amount of food and grass needs to be supplied to the north, and relying on horse-drawn carriages to pull it is time-consuming and labor-intensive. The Grand Canal is the best way, which will benefit the future and will not harm the present generation. After all, Zhang Xiu will not forcefully recruit people.
In fact, the Grand Canal did not just start in the Sui Dynasty, but existed in the Spring and Autumn Period.
It was the Hangou dug by the Wu State to attack Qi State at that time. Its purpose was to quickly transport troops and grain. Later, the Sui Dynasty greatly expanded it and connected it to the capital Luoyang to connect Zhuojun. The Yuan Dynasty abandoned Luoyang during the renovation. And take it as far as Beijing.
The Grand Canal in Zhang Xiu's heart is the Grand Canal that starts from Yuhang (later Hangzhou) and ends in Jingjing. It runs through the five major water systems of the Haihe River, the Yellow River, the Huaihe River, the Yangtze River, and the Qiantang River. This is also the main water system of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, and it can also Promote economic development for people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Back in Kyoto, Zhang Xiu invited people from Shang Cheng Pavilion to discuss the matter.
Because the current Jingguo has many things to deal with, and the amount of money spent is very huge, every expenditure must be calculated, otherwise it will lead to a national fiscal deficit.
"The opening of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is a matter of benefit to the people and the country, and I should agree with the emperor's proposal," Jia Xu said first, "but the war in the south has just ended, the people need comfort, the soldiers need pensions, and military pay. The general is preparing to attack Japan again, the military transfer island is still under construction, and the roads in Pingzhou have not yet been repaired. The daily cost is huge, and I am afraid it will be difficult to add the cost of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal."
After finding the island between Pingzhou and Japan, Zhang Xiu named it Junzhuan Island.
Li Ru also believed this: "From Yuhang to Kyoto, it is thousands of miles away. It will take several years to connect hundreds of thousands of people, and it will consume countless properties. Now that the world has decided, the emperor must not waste the people and waste the money!" "
Liu Ye said: "It can be postponed for two years. After Japan is pacified, it will not be too late to discuss it again."
Zhang Xiu smiled and said, "I just have this idea. I didn't say that I have to do it now. What Jia Xiang just said is true. Dajing's daily expenses are huge, so we need to be cautious and frugal."
Zhuge Liang took the opportunity and said: "Your Majesty, Yangzhou has been initially decided. In recent years, the people of Yangzhou have also suffered from wars. It is better to reduce the taxes in Yangzhou and let them cultivate for a few years."
Zhang Xiu said: "I have had this intention for a long time, um... I will exempt Yangzhou from taxes for three years. Firstly, it shows that I love the people of Dajing like my own sons and treat the people of Yangzhou as my own. Secondly, it ensures the vigorous implementation of national policies; speaking of In the implementation of national policies, the position of Governor of Yangzhou has not yet been settled, so please nominate someone."
Pang Tong said: "It is best for southerners to govern southerners. It will be much more convenient to manage this way."
Li Ru smiled and said, "I was just about to recommend Tian Jing when I was stopped by Shi Yuan's words."
Pang Tong said hurriedly: "Students don't dare."
Zhang Xiu nodded: "Shi Yuan is right. Southerners should be asked to take charge of southerners. The commander-in-chief is already a northerner, and the governor is a southerner... Hmm... How about Yu Fan?"
I am asking Zhuge Liang again.
Zhuge Liang shook his head: "Yu Fan is talented, but he is not the material for a feudal official. He has an arrogant and dissolute personality, and is not suitable for being the governor of a state. There is a candidate for a minor minister."
Zhang Xiu nodded for him to continue.
Zhuge Liang said: "Gu Yong!"
"Gu Yong?" Zhang Xiu frowned and thought about this person. According to later records, this person seemed to be an important minister of the Wu Kingdom in later generations. He should have good abilities, but his memory is a little unclear.
Zhuge Liang's brief introduction: "Gu Yong is a member of the Gu clan of the Wu army. He received little education from Cai Yong. When Sun's family dominated Jiangdong, he served as the governor of Hefei. He had good political achievements and outstanding talents, and could serve as the governor of Yangzhou."
Zhang Xiu nodded, "Okay, then let Gu Yong come to Beijing. Also, where is the Governor of Jiaozhou?"
Jia Xu smiled and said, "Sima Jin can take up this position."
Sima Jin performed outstandingly in the battle of Cangwu, successfully blocking Zhao Yun's attack and besieging him in Guilin. Moreover, after staying in Cangwu for several years, he made Cangwu take on a new look and became a practical man.
And he was worried about how to reward Sima Jin for his contribution. Isn't this a very good reward? Although the place is a bit remote, the official position has been achieved. After all, he is the governor of a state!
Zhang Xiu nodded: "Okay, let him go to Jiaozhou!"
