Compared with these two major achievements, the rest can only be regarded as minor work. For example, Emperor Gaozong issued an edict and approved the East Palace Zhanshifu to appoint special envoys to cities along the coast to prohibit the outflow of copper coins from China; and to collect exclusive rights to various overseas rare books.
Of course, the focus of this matter is actually to collect various species from overseas; especially some foreign crops that are widely available in the contemporary era, so as to improve and enrich the agricultural output of China. The best example in history is the hundred-day ripe rice that was improved from Champa rice.
Another example is that many vegetables and fruits that became popular in later generations can be used to come out in advance... Of course, in Jiang Tian's time and space transmission, there are also similar products that can be provided; but the biggest problem is that there is no problem as food and processing raw materials, but As seeds, they are inactive.
There is no other way, so we can only try to teach them how to fish in this era. But fortunately, after the Donggong sent people to take control of the Shibo Envoy, there were actually two very important potential gains. One is the copper coin exchange at the Haibu Port, which cannot be bypassed by any merchants coming to China.
Moreover, Donggong has natural potential advantages and exclusive competitiveness in this kind of foreign interest negotiation; in the eyes of most people in the world, this almost has the Tianjia background/official credit system to endorse it, let alone those who Overseas vassal merchants who traveled across the ocean;
In addition, the industry under the name of Donggong has secretly arranged the flying money exchange business in the southeastern coastal area where commerce is the most developed; it is almost a strong alliance with complementary advantages, which is enough to form an invisible monopoly and exclusive situation. Naturally, there are advantages and disadvantages, but it should be urgently needed.
One is the overseas purchase of precious metals such as gold, silver, copper, and lead, tin, cinnabar and other bulk materials. In fact, as the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Shaofu Temple, the purchase quantity required for the procedures is relatively fixed, while overseas imports can provide The source is quite vast and unlimited.
Moreover, given the vastness of the Tang Dynasty and the wide range of household registrations, from the princes, nobles, high-ranking families, to the wealthy families, officials and private people, the demand for precious metals and related materials was almost endless. So it's a potentially huge source of revenue if done right.
In addition, under the suggestion of the Queen of Heaven, it was also proposed that the Hongyaye Luoyuan (money) prison in Shangzhou, south of Gyeonggi Province, should be imprisoned because of the high cost of everything in the East Palace. The corresponding revenue generated every year , and also allocated compensation to the East Palace subsidy; and obtained Gaozong's approval.
Although this matter was somewhat over-exaggerated and vaguely flattering, it was quickly passed in the outer court's discussions; and then, the prince Li Hong, who was relatively clear-headed, expressed his gratitude without repeating it. Still, there are many things that can be moved forward if there is enough money.
Relying on power and prestige alone can certainly make people obey, but only by providing corresponding benefits and inputs can long-term maintenance and operation be achieved. It is necessary to not only give people hope for the future and room for advancement, but also provide corresponding material and benefit guarantees; only then can we go further on a common ground.
After all, as the much-anticipated prince who supervises the country, if he wants to cherish his feathers and maintain his reputation, he must try his best to officialize and restrain the behavior of his subordinates in the East Palace; so that he will not be tainted by the advantages of the outside world under the banner of the East Palace, or even If it turns into taking something by force, then provide corresponding treatment.
Therefore, it is just like what Jiang Tian discussed and pondered with him. Money is not a panacea; especially it has limited influence on the power of those in power; but if you want to win over people's hearts, build industries and improve people's livelihood, and plan for a rainy day, you cannot do it without money.
Especially for the little people at the bottom, they may not be able to understand what justice and honor are, what the feelings of family and country are and lofty ideals; but they can appreciate the meager salary before them, the difference between a porridge and a meal, which is very important to them. A profound impact on the family’s daily life.
Therefore, after the east palace was cleaned and the decoration work was completed on the day before the Ghost Festival, the Crown Princess Pei also took advantage of the situation and announced that the thousands of official women and servants serving in the palace would be arranged according to their respective ranks and positions. It is a matter of great joy that the whole world is celebrating with new rules and regulations.
Of course, what could fall into the hands of the lowest-level palace people might be only three to five feet of coarse silk cloth; or a few kilograms of chestnuts and coarsely ground miscellaneous noodles. But it's just right for them. Silk rice noodles can be used as money to replace needed things, and can also be used to improve daily life.
The female historians are more abundant and can be allocated some fine silk and coarse silk; if they have handmade ones, they can be tailor-made, and they can exchange all their outfits if they have any leftovers; and then they can also match them with some food, such as steamed cakes. , cakes, buns and other thick snacks and glutinous rice (maltose).
The middle-level female officials were lucky enough to receive some seasonal fruits before the festival. The Ghost Festival is the time when fruits are abundant after the autumn harvest; therefore, the types of melons and fruits that are the daily tribute in the south are also at their most abundant. Among them, the most abundant and filling ones are all kinds of citrus.
Because it is not only widely cultivated in various parts of the south, but also planted in large quantities in royal palaces in Gyeonggi and Douji provinces. Although it is slightly inferior to the produce in the south in terms of variety and taste, it is better than most of the products in all seasons of the year. Every time, there is a constant supply of one or two nearby.
In addition, pears are in season and are one of the most widely distributed fruit trees; they are planted from the Central Plains to the Hexi Corridor and the Chengdu Plain. There are purple pears, Tang pears, Zhang pears, mountain pears, red pears, etc. from different origins and names; the ones supplied to Donggong are the purple pears that are huge, sweet, crisp and juicy.
There are also persimmons that are popular among the people at the moment, including dried persimmon cakes, persimmon balls and persimmon paste; there are also fire crystal persimmons that soften and absorb the flesh; white persimmons that are peeled and cut into pieces; and yellow apricots, crisp plums and persimmons produced in Guangzhou. Late ripening green plum. That's right, it's Qingmei, because the climate before the mid-Tang Dynasty was relatively warm and humid.
Most of the southern fruits introduced in the inner and outer palaces could survive and bear fruit; elephants could even be raised in Guanzhong until the Tianbao period; and the lychees that Yang Guifei was fond of were not really Lingnan products, but Hanzhong and Zitong generations from Jiannan Road.
And these fruits of various colors are matched with branches and leaves according to size, color, and form a rather exquisite large and small fruit basket; this is a benefit for all the female officials of different ranks. The few women who live in the Mingfu Courtyard will also receive several additional pots of specially cultivated flowers.
Generally, they are the most popular varieties of chrysanthemums such as "Zhaohuang", "Crab Petal" and "Xiaban"; there are also a small number of hibiscus and peony that bloom later in a special insulated flower room. Some people even make their own incense for the purpose of worshiping during the Ghost Festival and for viewing and appreciating during banquets.
Madam Zheng and Wan'er also received a large fruit basket and a small fruit basket; but there was something strange under the decorative branches and leaves. In addition to the melons from Hexi (Guazhou), which are rare in this season and thousands of miles away, there is also a large silver bowl of cherries; this is obviously a special treat from Concubine Pei.
You must know that since the Qin and Han Dynasties, cherries have played an important role in palace life and are known as the first of all fruits. The "Book of Rites·Yue Ling" of the Han Dynasty has a record of "If you are ashamed to hold peaches, you should recommend sleeping in the temple first." The "Cherry Recommendation" originated from ancient sacrificial rituals and is also one of the rituals of sacrificing ancestral temples in the past dynasties.
After the Eastern Han Dynasty, the emperor began to reward ministers with cherries. "Taiping Yulan" quoted from "Shiyilu" records: "Emperor Ming gave a banquet to the ministers in Zhaoyuan on the night of the moon. The high officials brought cherries and used Chiying as a plate to give to the ministers. Looking at it under the moon, the plate was the same color as the peach, and the ministers Everyone laughs, the cloud is an empty plate.”
In the Tang Dynasty, cherries became one of the procedures in the imperial examination system; after the Jinshi Parade with Flowers, the Cherry Banquet and the Apricot Garden Banquet were both important items for Jinshi banquets to connect with emotions, and also represented some kind of future and noble status. Expectations. It is still one of the gifts of the palace that has been passed down to this day.
For example, the "Old Book of Tang·Wen Zong Ji" records that "at the beginning of the Great Harmony, cherries were brought into the inner garden, and the director said: 'Don't give them to the empress dowagers of the three palaces.'" "The Biography of the Concubines in the Old Book of Tang" records that during Wenzong's Great Harmony, "there was a director who tasted the gifts." After the new ferns and cherries were ordered to be presented to the ancestral temple, the envoys distributed them to the three palaces and ten houses."
"New Book of Tang·Li Shi Biography" records that the emperor "had a summer banquet in the vineyard and gave him red cherry blossoms." "Tang Yulin" records that "Xuanzong ordered all the officials to pick them when the cherries were ripe in Zichen Palace." On the first day of the month, cherries were brought into the inner garden, recommended to the sleeping garden, and awarded to various officials."
It can be seen that cherries were planted in the palace gardens of the Tang Dynasty. When they were ripe every year, they were first recommended to the temple. After tasting the new cherries, the emperor distributed them to the ministers as a sign of favor. And left behind works such as Wang Wei's "Edict to Give Cherry to Hundreds of Officials", Cui Xingzong's "Wang Wei's Edict to Give Cherry to Hundreds of Officials", Zhang Ji's "Chaori Edict to Give Cherry to Hundreds of Officials" and other works.
Of course, compared to Mrs. Zheng who was deeply moved by this and couldn't help but remember the past; the girl who grew up in Yeting and had never heard of this thing seemed much more careless; she almost cheered and ate it on the spot. , and then, unexpectedly, his sour little face wrinkled.
"You are such an impatient silly boy. You can't waste this precious fruit like this." Mrs. Zheng smiled and said, "In addition to the routine rewards from the Prime Minister and Prince's family, this cherry given by the palace is not worth mentioning. It is also served at banquets for newly promoted Jinshi. However, it is not like this."
Immediately, she used her delicate hands to pick up a cherry that was as clear and crystal clear as agate, yellow and red. She then opened the small saucer covered underneath, and immediately revealed the yellow-black sugar cane syrup (raw sugar), snow-white and thick syrup. Cheese (light cream) and yellow glutinous rice (maltose syrup); dip a little of each.
Then, under the girl's eager attention and expectant expression, she passed it to Jiang Tian, who was watching the fun, and said: "Sir, he is an extraordinary person, but he is willing to be a role model for his little girl, and he always protects me. I have nothing to do with you." Things can only be used to recommend new things to express my feelings; I hope you will use them slowly."
The girl also reacted and restrained her slightly aggrieved and pitiful expression; she rolled her eyes and grabbed a handful of cherries, dipped them all in the same way on several silver plates, and brought them to Jiang Tian's mouth with great enthusiasm: "Sir, let Nunu honor you twice as much."
Then, the girl stepped on Madam Zheng's skirt, hooking and tugging with familiarity; she screamed "Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh," and fell forward. But most of the cherries covered in sweetness, cheese and sugarcane syrup were thrown on the body and face of Madam Zheng who bore the brunt...
The next moment, she immediately picked up a sticky cherry from the collar of Madam Zheng's half arm, and quickly stuffed it into Jiang Tian's mouth: "Mr. Li Nu, this is what I want!" However, Madam Zheng was unexpectedly behind her, her eyes widened and she said, "Wan'er!"
