In Chang'an in midsummer, there is a bit of warmth everywhere, and the blazing sunshine shines on the whole city extremely brightly. The hottest season is about to arrive, and the people of Chang'an seem to be ready to survive the hot summer.
Since the chaos in Guanzhong, Chang'an has been in turmoil for a while. People's hearts are in turmoil, and there are a lot of discussions among the people, but it is more like a gossip. Although Wang Shun's "rebellious army" caused great trouble in Jingzhao, killing officials and plundering people, and the flames were monstrous, to the people of Chang'an, it was not enough to fear, perhaps because of the city's self-confidence.
It was only after the chaos broke out in Yueyang and Weinan that there was a slight tension. However, Zhao Hongyin, the commander of both, led his army to quickly put an end to it, and with the government's announcement and appeasement, people felt at ease. As a result, Wang Shun, the leader of the rebels who started the rebellion, could not escape the killing by the army. His head hangs on the west gate to this day, warning the world that the majesty of the imperial court is inviolable and rebellion is a dead end.
Chang'an, a thousand-year-old city, the old capital of the Han and Tang Dynasties, is a city that makes people sigh with emotion and yearn for it. The prosperity of the past can still be recalled. Although it has been destroyed by wars, the historical heritage is still there. As time goes by, the more it settles, the heavier it becomes. The whole city also adds a lot of sadness and emotion.
What is even more lamentable is the inevitable decline of Chang'an, which is almost a microcosm of the entire Guanzhong. Investigating its root causes, the destruction of war, climate change, the decline of the Silk Road, the sharp decline in population, and the decline of military status are all factors, but more importantly, it must be the eastward shift of the political and economic center.
But even if it has been in decline for a hundred years and continues to decline, Chang'an's status and influence in Guanzhong and even the entire western Han Dynasty are still very important. A city with a population of over 100,000 people was still considered one of the largest cities in today's Han Dynasty.
When Liu Chengyou arrived, he was also filled with sadness and emotion. With the arrival of the Emperor, it seemed that the enthusiasm that had been buried in the entire city for a long time was channeled out. From the officials and generals to the business people, they all had an extremely positive attitude and welcomed the Emperor's arrival.
On the day Luan arrived at the city, most of the people in the city came to the city gates and streets to welcome him and watch the ceremony. The crowds were so huge that the sky was filled with excitement. It was not an order from the government, but the people came spontaneously, wanting to see the sky and worship the Tao. The mountains shouted long live, and the scene was very lively.
It's not that the scholars and people of Chang'an really have much loyalty and admiration for the Emperor of Han, they either follow the crowd or are curious. In addition, for unknown years, Chang'an City has not welcomed the arrival of a legitimate emperor. Liu Chengyou's arrival seems to have inspired the pride and glory rooted in the bones of the people of Chang'an...
This is Chang'an!
While Liu Chengyou was happy with the enthusiastic cheers of the Chang'an subjects, he could not help but be surprised. When he first arrived, he still responded to the subjects with great enthusiasm, appearing outside Luanjia and waving in response. He also personally met with many representatives of the people and the people, including an old man named Renrui, who was directly awarded him an honorary officer and a salary.
There was an episode where a group of representatives of the people and the people met petitioned Liu Chengyou, hoping to restore his status as the capital. In response, Liu Chengyou smiled. As a suspicious and thoughtful emperor, he would not believe such suggestions unless there was no one to push them.
Of course, they would not agree, at least for the time being. To establish Chang'an as the auxiliary capital would be to compete with Luoyang for status. As far as Liu Chengyou was concerned, there was really no need to cause such trouble. You should know that the title of Yedu in Yuancheng, Daming Prefecture, was abolished by Liu Chengyou not long ago.
Today, the Han Dynasty has a three-capital system, Kaifeng in Tokyo, Luoyang in the west, and Jinyang in the Beijing, which is enough to suppress the world and ensure that the authority of the imperial court can be promoted.
On his first day in Chang'an, in addition to meeting with Beijing officials, generals, and people, he also wanted to inquire about the damage and recovery status of the incident. This was also one of his original intentions.
After preliminary statistics, a rough result has been obtained. In more than a dozen counties affected by the chaos, more than 8,000 officials and civilians died. This was a direct loss of population and the largest loss. As for the loss of economic property, it is difficult to estimate due to statistical methods, but it is always a lot. The large number of acres of land and houses destroyed and the delay in harvesting of summer grain are a large amount.
Of course, for the government, in order to quell the chaos and appease the people, there will be a decrease in the fiscal and tax revenue of the counties and towns that suffered disasters. If there is accurate data in the future, it will be the most intuitive loss data. Of course, the money plundered by the bandits from the people, and the war gains belonging to the officers and soldiers, are another matter. At least, they will not be returned to the people, and there is no way to return them.
In the final analysis, ordinary people are always the ones who suffer during chaos.
By the time Liu Chengyou arrived in Chang'an, various places had basically settled down, and the rebellious troops and people had been basically eliminated. Xiaoxiao, who took advantage of the chaos to do evil, was still attacking. Under the government's relief, people who had fled to avoid disaster were returning to their hometowns one after another, and the summer harvest was also being stepped up. Under the circumstances of the emperor's inspection, no government anywhere dares not to do its best. At the same time, after chaos, it is also the time for political achievements. Officials must have expectations and listen to heaven.
Entering Chang'an, Liu Chengyou stayed at Prince Yong's Mansion.
At night, in the lobby of the palace, Liu Chengxun's family was called and a family banquet was held. The atmosphere was quite harmonious. Twenty-three-year-old Liu Chengxun has completely lost his youthfulness, and his whole person has become calmer. He has a slightly sexy stubble and is becoming more dignified. As the emperor's biological brother, King Yong of the Han Dynasty enjoyed supreme honor.
Princess Wu Yue also grew up, quiet and gentle, no longer the young woman she once was, and she successfully gave birth to a prince named Liu Chun to Liu Chengxun.
"Can you speak?" Liu Chengyou looked very happy. He hugged his nephew, teased him, and asked Liu Chengxun.
"He's just over a year old and he's still learning!" Liu Chengxun's handsome face showed that he was a new father and loved his first son very much. When he talked about him, he couldn't hold back the smile on his face.
"Call uncle!" Liu Chengyou looked at Xiao Liu Chun's bright pupils with a warm expression.
"Uncle...Uncle..." As if he was born to please the strange man holding him, the emperor's nephew called out without hesitation, making Liu Chengyou laugh.
"This kid is very smart!" Liu Chengyou said to Liu Chengxun in a happy mood.
"It must be the kindness of my second brother that made this kid enlightened!" Liu Chengxun said.
"Sanlang! Have you also learned to compliment your second brother?" Liu Chengyou smiled.
Liu Chengxun smiled, feeling much more at ease.
"When he was one year old, what did he catch when he was given the gift of marriage?" Liu Chengyou seemed to like the only emperor's nephew very much and asked with concern.
Liu Chengxun: "A pen!"
"Okay! Maybe in the future, there will be a great literary figure in our royal family?" Liu Chengyou chuckled.
"Then I'll thank my second brother for your kindness on behalf of this kid!"
After caring about the royal bloodline for a while, Liu Chengyou just let it go and gave him a piece of jade. The family banquet continued. Several princes were very interested in their cousin who was still in the cradle. They were extremely surprised and took turns watching and teasing...
The woman said that the two brothers Liu Chengyou were also involved in the crime, and they were drinking and talking. They are brothers in the government, but the monarch and his ministers are always greater than brothers, and Liu Chengyou cannot just talk about family feuds with his brother.
"You have been in Jingzhao for some years. You are far away from the capital, and you often miss your mother. This time, please follow me back to Tokyo, serve your mother, and let her see the grandson she has missed for a long time!" After having a drink with Liu Chengxun, Liu Chengyou ordered calmly.
"Yes!" Hearing this, he said softly, but facing the emperor's instructions, he didn't dare to have any objection at all.
After hesitating for a moment, Liu Chengxun's voice became lower: "Second brother, during the chaos in Guanzhong, especially the severe damage to Jingzhao, I was responsible for my oversight and let you down..."
"This has nothing to do with you, don't blame yourself!" Glancing at him, Liu Chengyou said calmly: "There are other people who manage affairs, so you don't have to bear the burden!"
After hesitating for a moment, Liu Chengxun said: "In recent years, the Imperial Guard has done his best to maintain public security in Beijing and serve as director of the Dianzheng administration. He has done his best to educate the people and benefit the hometown. He has always had a good reputation. I hope, I hope that my second brother can be given a lighter sentence... ..”
"Who said I was going to give up on Li Song?" Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou was amused.
"I guessed it." After a pause, Liu Chengxun said what he was thinking: "With this chaos in Guanzhong, there have been many changes in the Taoist priests. How can Jingzhao be spared!"
"It seems that you have grown a lot in the past few years!" Liu Chengyou seemed to agree with his brother's changes. He took a sip of wine and said leisurely: "I can understand that you care about the relationship between teachers and students. However, There are some things that the imperial court has not yet concluded, so don’t speculate on your own, so as not to cause turmoil in people’s hearts and cause neglect of government and affairs!”
"Yes!" Liu Chengxun opened his mouth and responded in a low voice.
