Banqingmen is the north gate of the four gates of the palace (Chengtianmen is the south gate, and the east and west gates are Chongguang left gate and Chongguang right gate respectively). It is here that general edicts are promulgated, rewards are given, and foreign envoys are received.
The new emperor's ascension to the throne, military parades, prisoner presentations, and knighthoods and seals were awarded at Chengtian Gate. Officials went in and out through the Chongguang left gate, and the imperial army, eunuchs, palace people, and treasuries went in and out through the Chongguang right gate.
The emperor came out naturally among the guards. After passing the large house in front of Changhong Bridge, there were the residence of the emperor's guards, the Changqing Palace where the princess to be married lived, and the Beigong where the underage prince lived and studied.
Zhao Tuo walked into the Yukun Guards (see note 2) camp among the guards, and entered a room with familiarity. Eunuch Liu immediately assisted him in changing into ordinary dark clothes, and a blue background with gold flowers embroidered with peonies. His big cloak looks like a young man's.
Eunuch Liu dressed up as an old family member. When the two came out again, a carriage with a carriage had stopped in front of the door. A man was driving the carriage, and the two of them followed behind. They crossed the Longyue Bridge on the North Protector Hao and exited Jing'an Gate. From Beiguan, go east along Chengxuan Avenue.
Completely different from Li Dan's impression in his previous life, the capital of this dynasty was not in Peiping (Yanjing or Beijing) but in Suiyang (ie Shangqiu).
The reason why Taizong moved the capital here is very simple, because it is close to Bozhou, Taizu's place of Longxing, and it is convenient to worship ancestors.
The north of Zhongjing is not far from Kaifeng, the capital of the former Song Dynasty. It was once the Yingtian Prefecture of the Southern Song Dynasty (Yingtian Prefecture in this dynasty was Jinling, that is, Nanjing), and Bozhou is to the south. It controls the Central Plains and has convenient transportation.
The city is bounded by two north-south rivers, the Bao River to the east and the Da Song River to the west, as the East and West Wai Hao;
The Riyue River dug by Taizu starts from Suihuang Mausoleum in the west, and connects Song River, Cai River, and Bao River to the east, and is Nanhao;
Beicheng Hao is a Qingliang River dug during the Taizong period. It runs eastward from under Qingliang Temple, slowly slopes southeast from in front of Guanyin Temple, and finally intersects with Bao River.
The outer outline of the city is eighteen miles wide from east to west and twenty-three miles long from north to south.
Although the size of Zhongjing City was only half that of Tang Chang'an, it was still amazing.
Zhongjing City is an independent mansion in terms of structure, that is, Chengtian Mansion.
The city encompasses two counties, with Jianye Avenue as the dividing line to the west as Suiyang County and the east as Yongcheng County. Outside the city, it encompasses Sui County, Ningling, Liang County, Yucheng, Xiayi, Zhecheng, and Daicheng (that is, in the previous life) Minquan County) seven counties.
Among them, Liang County and Yucheng are very close to Zhongjing. The former is actually a military town because Youyu Linwei is stationed there, and the latter is where Taifengcang of the Ministry of Revenue is located.
A large amount of treasury materials were delivered and transferred, as well as grain for officials and civilians in the capital were stored in Yucheng. Then they passed through the Riyue River and entered the Sun Moon Lake in the city and the golden pool of Kaiyuan Temple outside the imperial city, and then were transferred to Changping Cang and the offering warehouse in the northwest of the imperial city.
Today, another batch of autumn grain is about to enter Changpingcang, so the emperor wants to see the scene and meet a book clerk who came with the ship from the south to listen to him tell some interesting things.
Zhao Tuo had been weak since he was a child, and some ministers even used this as a reason to propose changing reserves. Fortunately, he met a good, open-minded and generous grandmother who came from a family of low-level military officers. She not only supported his ascension to the throne, but also personally taught him martial arts to strengthen his body.
Moreover, as long as the emperor behaved well in front of the courtiers, there was not much etiquette to restrain him in the harem. After the age of ten, Zhao Tuo was restricted from entering and exiting the palace, and often went to the city for private visits in private.
The Queen Mother was a little nervous at first, but every time she came back to hear that the emperor was very knowledgeable about folk life, people's concerns and market prices, she gradually felt relieved and even encouraged him to go to the folk and see more.
Therefore, this dynasty does not prevent the emperor from entering and exiting the palace. Everything is done according to rules and regulations, and everyone is used to it.
The Imperial City and its palaces are located in the southwest of Chengtian Mansion, accounting for about a quarter of the entire city area.
Some functional areas of the imperial city are not included in the secondary city walls, but are located between the outer outline and the secondary city, such as Lifanyuan, Honglu Temple, Taichang Temple and Taimiao Temple outside Kaiyuan Temple, Suihuang Temple, etc. The three altars in the east of the mausoleum (Temple of Heaven, Temple of Earth and Altar of Xiannong), etc.
In short, the area south of Chengxuan Avenue and west of Jianye Avenue belongs to the Imperial City, and its civil administration belongs to Suiyang County, but the Imperial City Army and Horses Division is responsible for public security.
The Imperial City was also the original area of Yingtian Mansion in the Southern Song Dynasty, and it was originally the most prosperous. But when this dynasty was founded, it was called Guide Mansion, and the population dropped to only tens of thousands.
After the establishment of the capital, a large amount of open land was divided and awarded to meritorious officials and ministers, so the people concentrated in the imperial city were basically nobles and officials.
When Taizu established Jinling as the capital, with Chengtian Prefecture as the accompanying capital, 40,000 descendants of princes and officials' children moved to various places to live in the west of the city, and their place of origin was designated as Yongcheng County.
During the Taizong period, because the city was too empty and the need to further dismantle aristocratic families and wealthy families in various places was followed, Taizu's strategy was followed and another 150,000 people were moved into the capital.
Nowadays, Zhongjing City has a population of 400,000, but it still seems not prosperous enough.
The vehicle arrived at the Bell and Drum Tower, which is the intersection of Chengxuan Avenue and Jianye Street and the center of the city. From here, they went forward to Guide Road and then turned south.
Guide Road leads to Yongcheng County Government Office in the north, Chengtian Government Office and Changpingcang County Government Office in the south, and Sun Moon Lake is further south.
Sun Moon Lake is an artificial lake with three lakes, one large and two small. During flood periods, it receives emergency drainage from Cai River, Imperial City Donghao and other waterways in the city, and is an important source of drinking water in the city.
After entering through the Yanqing Gate Water Pass, waterway vessels can directly arrive at Sun Moon Lake for parking and loading and unloading. The Big Lake is mainly used for civilian ships, the Second Lake is only for official ships to dock, and the Third Lake is smaller and is used by officials and private ships.
The cargo ship that Zhao Tuo wanted to observe today had already been informed by the guards who had arrived earlier that it was at the C-shaped pier, so the vehicles came directly here.
The pier is usually busy with people coming and going. There is a row of shops, teahouses, hotels and restaurants a hundred steps away from the shore. They set up here far enough not to interfere with business on the pier, but at the same time not too far away.
Many shippers, cargo owners and people picking up relatives and friends can sit here to rest and chat. They can not only inquire about interesting anecdotes from all over the world, but also pick up their buttocks and leave when something happens at the dock. It is very convenient.
There are also people who do business with tents and flags with the word "wine" or "tea" on them. There are many traffickers and laborers in that place, but it is not for the use of lords and gentlemen.
After watching the unloading of autumn grain at the dock for a while, Zhao Tuo was actually eager to go to the dock to try carrying sacks in person, but Eunuch Liu did not dare to let him do this, so he had to sit in the carriage and watch from a distance. Go down.
That's what the so-called feeling of missing something is like this. After looking at it for a while, Zhao Tuo tilted his head and thought about it again, and then asked the car to leave.
Not far away, the carriage stopped with a "clunking" sound. Zhao Tuo swayed and saw through the window screen that he saw a two-story hotel with the words "Guixiang Tower" written on it.
A guard came to the window and said softly: "Sir, this is it. Arrangements have been made and people are already waiting for you inside."
Zhao Tuo said "Yeah". The carriage curtain opened, he put his hand on the guard's arm, stepped down on the tiger bench (a two-tier ladder-shaped stool used for guests to get on and off the carriage) placed by the coachman, and looked up around him.
This area is quite open, and there are large willow trees swinging by the water, which makes people feel relaxed. Zhao Tuo took a deep breath, turned around and walked towards the hotel.
When I entered the door, I saw Liang Huaizhong, the chief of guard, sitting facing the door. When I saw him coming in, I nodded slightly and said in a low voice: "The private room No. 3 upstairs."
"Shopkeeper, I've made an appointment with the private room No. 3 above." Zhao Tuo smiled and said to the shopkeeper who was coming to greet him.
"Oh, distinguished guest No. 3, please come upstairs!" Seeing the extraordinary bearing of this young man, and the two jade pendants around his waist, the shopkeeper quickly stepped aside with a smile on his face.
Zhao Tuo nodded as he walked up the wooden stairs. Unexpectedly, there was a corridor connecting the upstairs of his house to the west wing at the back. The place seemed much larger. Looking down again, it turned out to be a patio with four tables.
There were guests sitting around two tables, talking and laughing in Mandarin with the accents of various local dialects. Most of them were Confucian scholars. "Hey, do scholars come to your shop often?" Zhao Tuo asked in surprise.
"Have you forgotten? Next spring is the Great Competition (an imperial examination held every three years). The Emperor has appointed Mr. Su, the Minister of Rites, to be the examiner. These candidates are from all over the country and will live in the guest room behind the shop."
As he pointed with his hand, Zhao Tuo noticed a door on the side and thought it led to the back.
"Oh! I didn't expect that someone would move to Beijing so early!" Zhao Tuo told the truth. It was still early in the spring (February). I don't know why these things happened.
People have actually come to the capital.
The shopkeeper smiled slightly and secretly cursed in his heart that the young master belonged to someone who didn't know whose family he belonged to. It seemed that his family had no worries about food and clothing, and he didn't even need to consider taking the imperial examination. Of course, he didn't understand other people's thoughts.
"You know, Mr. Haojiao, you see these people are all decently dressed, right? They either have their own property or have relatives and friends in the capital, and all of them are not short of money.
Living here at Xiao Lao'er is actually to make it easy to get in and out, and to be able to discuss poetry and make friends. It's close to the pier, and there's a small orangery behind it for gatherings. It's so romantic and elegant!
Therefore, there are people who come early every year. If only half a month passes, there will be people even willing to take the woodshed! "
"I see, the shopkeeper is really thoughtful and enlightened!" Zhao Tuo was surprised. It was unexpected that an ordinary businessman could understand the thoughts and needs of these scholars so thoroughly.
Unexpectedly, the shopkeeper smiled and waved his hand: "This is not an original creation of my family. In fact, Youyu Restaurant in the east started doing this business. After that, all the restaurants on the shore followed suit and opened inns and gardens behind the store. Therefore, the business in this area became more and more popular." The more prosperous it becomes.
All the disciples also know that if the old Mingjing (referring to the person who came to take the scientific examination many times) can point out the new people, and word of mouth spreads, our business will be endless. "
"But..., so what if it's not the year of the competition?" Zhao Tuo turned around and asked.
"Then let the house be rented to the merchants who come and go and the officials who come to Beijing for temporary residence. Even if they don't have the rent and generous rewards, it will be enough to survive."
As he spoke, he came to the door of private room No. 3. It turns out that there are six private rooms in the west wing, No. 1 is at the innermost, and No. 3 is probably in the middle.
The place is relatively spacious. Entering from the verandah are tables and chairs for dining, and there are embroidered piers and coffee tables for viewing by the window. A pot of orchid is emitting fragrance on the flower stand in the corner.
A middle-aged man with gray hair stood at the door and greeted him with his hands. Zhao Tuo walked straight in without saying a word. "Sir, would you like to have some tea and talk first, or should I serve you wine and food now?" The shopkeeper did not follow, but bowed at the door to ask.
Zhao Tuo didn't answer and glanced at the guard at the door. "Shopkeeper You, I'll make the arrangements, please come this way." The guard said and invited the astonished shopkeeper You to the corridor to talk. The other guard closed the door and stood by the door.
"Sit down." Zhao Tuo sat down first and asked, "Are you the secretary sent by Zhongbi? What do you call me?"
"The student's surname is Wei. I don't dare to offend my lord's ears by my name. You can just call me Student Wei."
"Okay." Zhao Tuo tilted his head and looked at him: "I have neither given my name nor introduced myself. How do you know who I am?"
"Although your Excellency is not very young, you have your own magnanimity and authority. If you dare to speculate, I guess you are also a descendant of the Dragon Vein and your title is higher than that of my master. If the students have any offence, I will forgive you!"
After smiling, Zhao Tuo waved his hand: "Okay, just sit down and talk. Seeing that you have come a long way today, no matter what you say, I don't blame you."
At this time, the guard in the corridor seemed to say something, and then knocked on the door several times.
The guard in the room opened the door and saw shopkeeper You sweating on his forehead. He brought the tea tray in and served them tea himself. He also took three kinds of dried and fresh fruits and three kinds of snacks from the hands of the boy outside. He placed them one by one and said, "Please be patient." "Use" and exited.
"You live in his place? Are you still used to it? I see the people downstairs are very noisy!" Zhao Tuo deliberately wanted to liven up the atmosphere, reached out and grabbed a pear and bit it.
"Although they are noisy, they are very interesting. It is very interesting for students to listen to their noise every day."
"Oh? How does it compare to Yu Gan's Li Dan?"
Secretary Wei curled his lips, shook his head and said, "Forgive the students, there is no one similar to Li Sanlang among them."
Zhao Tuo was stunned: "These are all learned examples. I don't know who will be a Jinshi next spring. Why can't I compare with him?"
"My lord, please don't be anxious. My master has ordered the students to bring something. Please take a look at it first." With that said, Secretary Wei took out a thick note from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.
Take it and look at it
On the cover of "Transcript of the Reunion at Sihaiju", Zhao Tuo nodded: "This is the second time they have met. Brother Zhongbi is more serious this time and actually sent someone to record it on the spot. Doesn't Li Dan know?"
"It was recorded at the scene by a student sitting next door. Every word is true!" Kan Shula
Hearing what Secretary Wei said, Zhao Tuo knew that he had met Li Dan in person, and he believed in his judgment just now, and sighed:
"It's a pity that I didn't have time to record the future in such detail for the first time. That's fine, you drink tea first, and I'll take my time to read it." After saying that, he unfolded the notes and read them page by page.
Of course, this letter was later compiled and re-transcribed, recording the entire content of the conversation between Zhao and Li that day, and even included what Zhao Chongbi heard after he went upstairs, that there was no conflict between the investigation of objects and the imperial examination;
Then there is Li Dan’s analysis of the current causes and current situation of the unrest in Raozhou, the strategy of lakes first and mines later, suggestions on preferential treatment and strengthening management of mines after the war, etc.
Zhao Tuo looked at it for half an hour, occasionally stopping to raise his head to think, and sometimes showing a knowing smile.
After reading it, he took the note in his hand and walked to the window. He stood there with his hands behind his back for a while, then turned around and asked, "Is he really two years younger than...the emperor?"
"Note 1: The emperor's personal army includes the Yukun Guards and the Yilong Guards. The former number about 500 people and are dedicated to guarding the inner court and the palace; the latter 2,400 people are responsible for peripheral security and prison management. They are the Ti who Li Dan has seen. ride"
