With the further opening of Jinling City's martial law, and several peace announcements issued in the name of the prince, the entire city temporarily stabilized and regained its vitality, getting rid of the original tense atmosphere.
People who had closed their homes to avoid the disaster began to take to the streets and enter the markets. Shops opened and businesses were open for business. Jinling began to regain its past bustle. After the connection with outside the city was established, merchants and people from all over the world came after hearing the news. Jinling is a big city, a place where wealth accumulates, and a huge market. After being suppressed by the war, it also took the opportunity to explode with strong consumption power.
Of course, in these days, in addition to the soldiers and civilians who normally purchased daily necessities in Jinling City, the main force of consumption was the Han army officers and soldiers in Pingnan. Although most of the troops are stationed outside the city, the camp still provides some benefits to the officers and soldiers below, giving them holidays in batches and allowing them to experience the scenery of Jinling.
Pingnan's soldiers also received rewards three times, and they had some extravagant wealth, which they could enjoy. Of course, compared to the entire army, there are still only a few who live and drink. What they are most interested in is the Qin Lou Chu Pavilion in Jinling, especially the officers and soldiers who will continue to move south to take over the city and suppress public security.
"Jiangnan is indeed a good place, and Jinling is a prosperous city, almost as good as Kaifeng!" Wearing a plain silk dress and a velvet robe, Liu Xu sighed as he strolled through the Jinling market.
In addition to a few guards, there was also a young man, Liu Xu's cousin, Geng Jixun. Hearing what he said, Geng Jixun couldn't help showing contempt and said: "In my opinion, compared with the majestic, magnificent and prosperous Jinling in Kaifeng, this Jinling is far inferior! Furthermore, allowing it to be prosperous is not surrendering to Under the iron hooves of the big man!”
It has to be said that after more than ten years, a kind of pride has developed among the nobles, bureaucrats and common people of the Han Dynasty, which also represents a kind of national identity, although for most people, this identity is still very weak. , but as vested interests, nobles and bureaucrats are full of pride. Therefore, when comparing Kaifeng with Jinling, one will subconsciously belittle Jinling and praise Kaifeng.
Liu Xu smiled and said: "Today, Jinling is also under the rule of the Han Dynasty, not an enemy city. My father said that the Jiangnan area will be an extremely important territory for the Han Dynasty in the future. The accumulation of finance and taxation, and the transportation of money and grain, You shouldn’t have this kind of hostility!”
Hearing this, Geng Jixun noticed the serious look on his little cousin's face and hurriedly said: "I just said it casually, don't take it seriously. Jinling is indeed a good city, but no matter how good it is, it is not a place where we will live for a long time!"
"Why, are you missing your loved ones and home?" Liu Xu turned his head and looked at Geng Jixun, playfully saying, "I am a newlywed. I am supposed to be sentimental, but I have to ask you to leave your beloved wife and accompany me to Jiangnan..."
Geng Jixun chuckled: "My wife is pregnant. Even if she stays in Tokyo, it won't be very interesting. If I go south, I can also expand my knowledge. Why not?"
As he spoke, Geng Jixun blinked and said meaningfully to Liu Xu: "I heard that women from the south of the Yangtze River are gentle and lovely. You are about the same age. Do you want to find a talented woman when you come south this time?"
What young man is not pregnant with spring? Liu Xu was the same. After listening to his cousin's words, a flash of emotion flashed across his handsome face, and he immediately shook his head and said: "That's all. If this is really the case, at such a young age, he is deliberately slanderous. I'm afraid he will be scolded after returning to Beijing." . It doesn’t matter if I get scolded, but you are the one who made the suggestion. It’s hard to predict what the outcome will be..."
When Liu Xu said this, Geng Jixun's expression immediately changed, and he quickly waved his hands and said: "I was just talking nonsense, pretend I didn't say it!"
"Haha..." As Liu Xu laughed, Geng Jixun also laughed.
"You have been wandering around Jinling Market these past few days, saying that you are observing the people's sentiments. What results have you found?" Geng Jixun asked.
"Looking around, everything is about the people's sentiments. Everything you see is people's livelihood!" Liu Xu said this.
He took out a few coins from his arms, gestured to Geng Jixun, and said: "The money circulating in the Jinling market is too much and too mixed. Not only Qianyou Tongbao and Jiangnan official coins, but also Nanyue and Wuyue copper coins. Yes, the quality is different and needs to be rectified..."
In fact, when Liu Xu came here, Emperor Liu also gave him an assignment. Of course, the more purpose was to give him insights.
The two cousins wandered around for a while. Liu Xu, who was at the same height, suddenly pointed to a place in the distance and asked, "Where is that with such strong fireworks?"
Neither the left nor the right knew it, so Geng Jixun asked someone to investigate and replied: "That is a Buddhist temple, called Taicheng Temple. It is quite famous in Jinling. It is said to be the Ancient Jiming Temple with many believers. This time Jinling was spared from the war, and many The people were grateful and rushed to fulfill their vows, so the incense was particularly strong!"
"Being spared from the disaster of war, not caring about the kindness of the court, and the king's righteous deeds, but going to worship the Buddha, what is the reason?" After receiving such an answer, Liu Xu frowned and said, showing a little dissatisfaction in his words.
No one can give an answer to this question. After thinking about it for a while, he said, "There seem to be quite a few Buddhist and Taoist temples in Jinling!"
Geng Jixun replied: "As far as we have seen in Jinling City recently, there are nearly twenty!"
"I have long heard that Buddhism and Taoism are very strong here, and the ministers of the Li family have also built many monks and Taoism monasteries. Now it seems that it is indeed true!" Liu Xu said with emotion, and then ordered: "Four Hundred and Eighteen in the Southern Dynasties Ten temples, I don’t know how many Buddhist temples there are in Jiangnan today. This matter needs to be investigated. It is conceivable that there must be many conflicts with the imperial government’s Buddhist and Taoist temple management regulations!”
"Let's go!" After giving the order, Liu Xu led the people forward.
"Where are you going? Back to your next place?" Geng Jixun asked.
"Go to Taicheng Temple to see it. Since you have seen it, let's go and pay homage! My grandmother is old and her body is getting weaker. I have been raised by her with kindness, so I should sincerely pray for her!" Liu Xu sighed again.
Queen Mother Li has always been a believer in Buddhism. As Liu Xu, who grew up with her, actually does not have much prejudice against Buddhism. However, this son was precociously intelligent, and when there was a conflict between his personal feelings and the court system, he still chose to put public affairs first.
When Liu Xu and his party returned from Taicheng Temple, Liu Xu brought back a spiritual talisman. Of course, this was more of a heartfelt gift. At the same time, according to his opinion, Taicheng Temple needs rectification. It is said that there are more than 300 monks inside and outside this Buddhist temple. Although there is no detailed number, it is obviously a lot.
This is what I mean, just because I believe in you and respect you doesn’t mean I won’t punish you...
Returning to the lower place, Liu Xu received a notice that the prince Liu Yang was hosting a banquet to invite the minister of Jinling. As the eldest son of the emperor, he also wanted to accompany him. That night, the two brothers cooperated well, one was gentle and elegant, the other was agile and majestic, showing the heroic appearance of the Tian family, which played an excellent role in comforting the civil servants in Jiangnan.
Afterwards, these people received notices, ordering them to return home, pack their belongings and luggage, and move their families to Kaifeng for resettlement together with Li Yu. There was no room for objection. These people were also the trophies of the Han Dynasty and needed to be sent to Kaifeng and presented to the palace.
Of course, the more important reason is to remove these bureaucrats from the soil and water of Jiangnan and reduce their inherent influence on the Jiangnan region. At the same time, more nobles and big landowners will also be included in the relocation list. Although the imperial court attaches great importance to the protection of the Jiangnan area and has always been relatively restrained in its conquest methods, such a move is inevitable!
It is conceivable that it will take a certain amount of time and several turmoils to settle the Jiangnan area!
