As spring gets stronger, Kaifeng City gradually longs for the rapid recovery of its former prosperity, just like the rejuvenating vegetation and the awakening of insects and beasts. The capital is prosperous, and its main theme is hustle and bustle. Countless voices from the market fill the streets and alleys, and together they become the strong voice of this era.
In fact, if we only talk about the size of the city, Kaifeng City is already large enough, but economically, there is still huge room for improvement. The benefits brought by unifying the South have not yet fully exploded, and they will only wait for the official and commercial routes between the north and the south to be fully opened.
Before Pingnan, after ten years of operation, with Huainan as a springboard, the economic ties between the Central Plains and Jiangnan had become increasingly close. Of course, there are always limits. After all, there are two forces. The Yangtze River is vast, but it is not as big as the political gap.
However, with the elimination of the Jinling regime, Wu Yue took the initiative to donate land, which completely removed the barriers to economic exchanges. As long as the exchanges were exchanged, business travelers from the north could safely go south and go deep into Suzhou and Hangzhou, and merchants and products from the south could boldly go to Suzhou and Hangzhou. North transport.
However, for some people with broad vision, the current situation has not developed as expected. There seems to be a transparent water curtain between the dry wood and the fierce fire.
The problem was that the imperial court strictly controlled and blocked the Jiangnan area. Although half of the more than 200,000 land and sea troops in Pingnan gradually withdrew northward, the remaining troops and the reorganized local army still blocked the entire Jiangnan and Zhejiang areas.
Just like after the peace of Shu, transportation between Shu and the Central Plains was cut off for several months, and it took nearly a year for economic connections to be restored. The only difference is that the external transportation situation in Sichuan and Shu is really inconvenient, coupled with the large-scale rebellion in Shu, while Jiangsu and Zhejiang are the conscious actions of the court.
From the fall of Jinling to the offering of land to Wuyue, with the imperial court's military and political adjustments, the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions also experienced some upheavals. Mainly under the orders of Emperor Liu, the imperial court was inventorying the "spoils of war", including population, land, finance and taxation. , culture, system, officials, powerful rightists...the ban will not be lifted until a clue is figured out to bring it under control.
If we want to talk about liveliness, it must be the cities in Tokyo, especially Nanshi. There are still many traces of celebrations between the stele pillars and archways. The decorative ribbons are still swaying slightly in the breeze, but they are obviously a little dirty and no longer as bright and beautiful as before. At the same time, some people can still be heard talking about the grandness of the celebration that day.
At this time, Han Xizai was bathing in the spring light, walking and strolling, occasionally stopping to listen to the sounds of the market. The bustling traffic and the huge flow of people are probably the most realistic portrayal of the city. The traffic of cars and horses makes the streets that were greatly expanded in those years look crowded.
Han Xizai had some impressions of Kaifeng. His memories when he was young were very vague, but his feelings about it more than ten years ago were still very deep. At that time, the imperial court retreated from Hou Shu in the southwest and defeated Li Shouzhen in the river. The critical situation was alleviated. In order to resolve the conflict with the imperial court on the Huaihe River line, Han Xizai, who was unsatisfactory at the Jinling court at that time, was ordered to go on a mission.
During that trip north, Emperor Liu and the city of Kaifeng left a very deep impression on him. In Kaifeng at that time, not long after the return to power, everything could be considered stable, but in terms of prosperity, it was far inferior to Jinling at that time. However, from the order established and maintained by forceful means, Han Xizai felt the determination of the court and noticed When you have a high level of ambition, you feel that you are a formidable enemy and are deeply afraid of you.
After many years, he came to the north again, but as a surrendered minister. The change in status was somewhat uncomfortable, but the changes in Kaifeng made him amazed. Han Xizai was a well-educated man and well-read in classics. In his opinion, if the records are correct, in terms of the prosperity of the city, perhaps only Luoyang in the Sui and Tang Dynasties could compare. In terms of economic attributes, Chang'an could not compare.
In the eyes of knowledgeable people, it is not surprising that a court and regime like the Han Dynasty appeared in the northern part of the Central Plains. After all, times make heroes. The world has been in chaos for so long, and sooner or later a hero will emerge. This is the law of history.
But in fifteen or sixteen years, it was possible to correct the past shortcomings, develop the country to this extent, and basically achieve the unification of the country, which is somewhat amazing. Perhaps it was due to the accumulation of the previous three generations, or perhaps it was in line with the general trend of people's peace of mind, but the efforts and hardships experienced by the monarchs and ministers of the Han Dynasty during this process are also indelible.
As far as Han Xizai is concerned, his inner feelings are even greater. At that time, because his family was involved in a rebellion, he had no choice but to leave his hometown and cross the Huaihe River south. Of course, the reason was for refuge, but also because he wanted to do something big in the south.
After all, in the north at that time, although Li Siyuan, Emperor Mingzong of the later Tang Dynasty, came to power and cleaned up the mess, the long-standing shortcomings were difficult to correct and internal troubles continued. There was still enough energy between the central government and the local feudal towns to fight hard and internal friction continued.
On the contrary, it was Xu Zhigao from the south who inherited Xu Wen's legacy, took control of Yang Wu's political power, and recruited talents. At that time, Yang Wu had occupied a vast territory in Huainan and Liangjiang. The politics was stable, the people's livelihood was stable, and the military was not weak. It could be said that they were prosperous and had great potential.
The gambling with Li Gu at Zhengyang Ferry was so heroic. Han Xizai was also high-spirited and confident. However, the gap between ideal and reality is wider than the Yangtze River and the Huaihe River. Without a suitable boat, the hero will feel sad.
Jinling has always been known as the land of kingly aura, where the tiger sits on the dragon's plate. However, it is too difficult to create a hero who has the common people in mind and can conquer the world. For thousands of years, only one Liu Jinu has the aura to swallow thousands of miles. As heroic as a tiger.
However, Xu Zhigao was only Li Min after all. From Li Jing to Li Yu, it was too difficult for them to achieve great things...
Decades have passed, and he has been half buried in the earth. When he comes back again, he returns to his original starting point. He still hopes to do something practical and save some life after his death. He can't help but laugh at himself when he thinks about it.
Obviously, it was better to stay in the north like Li Gu.
Thinking about that day, this old friend of mine was ranked among the twenty-four heroes and left his name in history. How satisfying it was! However, thinking about Li Gu's fate, Han Xizai felt that he might not have lost too badly.
At least when Li Gu was an official in the Tang and Jin Dynasties, his situation was not much better than his own. He could at least talk to the Lord of the Southern Tang Dynasty and participate in military and state affairs. Even if his actual power was weakened, he was still at the decision-making level.
As for Li Gu, if he hadn't met Emperor Liu at the end of the Jin Dynasty, how could he have achieved what he has today. He assisted the mediocre king and a group of ministers who were peaceful in fighting against the destined hero, but ultimately failed and became a captive. This is both Fortune is also a matter of days, so there is no need to feel sorry for yourself...
Well, thinking about it this way, Han Xizai might actually feel better.
The important thing is that now, in the twilight years of his life, he, Han, has taken refuge in the service of the Emperor of Han. This opportunity must be grasped.
Han Xizai has an old heart and rich mental activities, but the more he thinks about it, the more he becomes anxious and begins to worry about gains and losses. That day in Jinling, Li Gu personally visited and expressed his intention to recruit talents for the imperial court. At that time, Han Xizai no longer remained reserved.
Afterwards, he followed Li Yu and went north to Kaifeng. It has been almost two months now. The accommodation has been arranged, but the destination has not been decided. According to the letter from Li Gu, the emperor should still intend to use his own, but he has not been summoned for so long.
Even if he went to Qionglin Garden, he was invited to watch the ceremony, and he was also present at the Chongyuan Hall night banquet, but this was not what he really wanted. You know, even Xu Xuan, who offended the emperor, was assigned to the History Museum to compile "Jiang Biao Zhi" and organize the classics.
Of course, it was not that there were no arrangements for Han Xizai. Because of his reputation, Wei Renpu and Dou Yi originally planned to let him serve as an admonishment doctor under Zhongshu's sect, but he refused. However, he was rejected by Han Xizai. The official who had done most in his life was "admonition", and he was already somewhat resistant.
After reporting the matter to Liu Chengyou, Emperor Liu gave a simple reply, letting him make his own decision. Therefore, during this period of time, Han Xizai observed the people's sentiments and weather in Tokyo with a complicated mood, carefully observed, experienced with heart, and had a deep understanding of the Han Dynasty's system and government operations.
No matter how rich his inner activities are, his outward demeanor is still that of a celebrity, not impatient or impatient.
"Official, you have been walking around the streets all day long. What are you looking at?" Finally, a Xiao Si who was following him couldn't help but ask.
Turning his head to look at him, Han Xizai noticed the light tapping of his feet, and a smile appeared on his face: "Tired from walking? Then find a place to rest!"
