In mid-March, the large-scale spring plowing activities have ended. On the Central Plains, the contiguous acres of mountains, forests and fields have been covered with greenery. They are full of vitality and high-spirited, as if they are telling the story of a man entering a new era.
After staying in the palace for a long time, Liu Chengyou left the palace and walked out of Kaifeng for inspection. However, this was just an outing in the Kinki region of Kaifeng, and there was no fanfare. It was just for relaxation and to inspect the farming in the suburbs of Beijing.
Emphasis on agriculture is the national policy that Emperor Liu has adhered to for more than ten years. Food is the first priority for the people. This is a simple truth. Even though I live in Kaifeng, a city with an increasingly commercial atmosphere, I am not fooled. The foundation of the empire will always be the people and farmers.
Every spring plowing, as long as he was in Beijing, Emperor Liu would personally go to the fields, wield a hoe, and turn over the fields. Even if he was not there, the prime minister would take the lead. This year is an exception. Emperor Liu did not go, but Prince Liu Yang took the lead and went to work in the fields.
In the early years, there was a report from the royal family that in order to express the importance of farming and mulberry farming, two halls for viewing crops and sericulture were set up in the Han Palace. Emperor Liu agreed at that time. However, within a few years, he was abolished by Emperor Liu, and he said bluntly that if you want to see crops and silkworms, why not stop in the palace and pay attention to farming and mulberry. What is needed is not these formal things, and then he showed it with his own actions and national policies. His emphasis on farming.
Of course, that was also the cause of Liu Chengyou's "persecution delusion", and he felt that someone wanted to restrain him within the imperial city. In fact, even if the two palaces of Guanjia and Qinsiji are not abandoned, what should be done can still be done.
The flat Cai River is like a white horse, meandering southward with rippling clear waves. There are also many ships going south and north on the water, and their destination is also direct to Kaifeng. Kaifeng is now the center of the world and the end point of water transportation. Bian and Si are the main transportation channels for water transportation in the southeast, and Caihe River is the main transportation channel in the south.
Riding his horse at a light gallop, Liu Chengyou went south along the Cai River. Liu Chengyou said to Wang Pu who was following him: "Qi Wu, I still remember that when I went to Xuzhou Ruiling from the late emperor's palace, I took this road back to the capital when I returned north. , I also heard you talk about the origin of this river, which gave me the idea of reopening the Cai River!"
After returning to the court, Wang Pu was still one of the most trusted ministers by the emperor, and after so many years of experience, his majesty and demeanor became more and more calm. Hearing the words at this time, Wang Pu responded with a smile: "Fourteen years have passed, and your Majesty is still as bright and wise as before! I still remember that the original Caishui road was dried up and obliterated, melting into the wilderness, where the royal family was. OK, the road has almost been reopened, but now it is a hundred miles of water and it has become an important canal for water transportation from the north to the south!"
When talking about Xuzhou and Ruiling, we have to mention that the emperor's uncle Liu Xin, who was imprisoned in Ruiling and guarded Liu Zhiyuan's tomb for fourteen years, finally couldn't stand it anymore and died on February 19th in the first year of Kaibao. .
When the Xuzhou government reported the matter, Emperor Liu's emotions seemed to be very complicated, with a hint of sadness, even though Liu Xin's ending was planned by him. Of course, considering Liu Xin's crimes back then, it would not be an exaggeration to execute him.
Time is really a powerful thing. More than ten years have passed. Uncle Liu Huang, who committed such crimes at the time, has aroused the sympathy of many people. And when we ask about the people of Xuzhou who were harmed back then, except for a small number of people who were persecuted and their families were destroyed, , most people have also forgotten it. After all, we have to look forward to everything, we still have to live, and resentment cannot be eaten...
If it weren't for Emperor Liu's character and psychology, perhaps under the persuasion of so many people inside and outside, he would have actually issued an edict to pardon and release Liu Xin. Now that the person is dead and all is over, Emperor Liu can have one less thing to worry about.
It may seem harsh and ruthless to the living, but towards the deceased Liu Xin, Emperor Liu finally became kind and tolerant. He ordered the Xuzhou government to give him a grand burial and asked Zong Zhengqing Liu Chengyun to preside over the funeral.
"I still need to thank Wang Qing for his work in regulating the river!" Of course, at this time, Liu Chengyou had completely forgotten about Liu Xin. He sighed as he looked at the Caihe River, shaded by green trees on the banks and rippling clear waves.
The "Wang Qing" in Liu Chengyou's mouth is naturally not Wang Pu, but Wang Pu. The reopening of the Cai River was one of the projects during the reconstruction of the Bian and Si Canals presided over by Wang Pu. At that time, it was just to reopen the water channel with Chen and Caizhou in the south. Later, as the use of this river increased, another dredging process was conducted, and the Zheng River to the west of Kaifeng was diverted as the source. From this, the water transport to the south of Kaifeng was greatly improved, and the finance, taxation, and products from the south entered Beijing through the Cai River, which was the most time-saving and labor-saving. .
"The death of Duke Yan is indeed a great loss to the great Han Dynasty!" The relationship between the two kings was good. Wang Pu had also received advice and help from Wang Pu before, and at this time, he also sighed.
Waving his hand, Liu Chengyou asked Wang Pu: "Some people have suggested that I start river engineering and conduct a comprehensive dredging of various water systems in the Central Plains. This can not only prevent and control floods, but also provide comprehensive access to water transportation. What do you think?"
Hearing this, Wang Pu frowned slightly, thought about it briefly, and reported: "I believe that river engineering and water affairs are closely related to the national economy and people's livelihood. The imperial court needs water transportation to bring wealth and goods from all directions to the capital. If it can be managed well, then The state and the people have their own benefits. However, the world has just been settled, and there are too many things that the court needs to adjust, so it must be done step by step..."
As soon as Wang Pu opened his mouth, Emperor Liu knew what he meant, and he immediately smiled and said: "Don't worry, sir, I don't imitate Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty and don't be greedy for greatness or quick success!"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
"What's ahead?" Liu Chengyou asked, pointing to a town in the south near the Cai River.
"Your Majesty, from Tokyo to the south of Caishui to Chenzhou, there are three towns along the coast. This is the first town, named Tongxu. It was established in the seventh year of Qianyou's reign, with more than 2,000 households!" After hearing this, he followed on the other side! Shi Xizai replied.
When the emperor went on a tour, as a close minister, Shi Xizai was well prepared based on understanding the basic whereabouts. Therefore, when Emperor Liu asked, he immediately explained. After hearing this, Emperor Liu was indeed very satisfied and asked: "How many towns like this have been built in Kaifeng over the years?"
Shi Xizai added: "There are a total of fifteen new and old towns in Kaifeng, including seven new ones, all located along the water!"
"These water networks and waterways are just like blood vessels, and Kaifeng is where the heart is!" Hearing this, Liu Chengyou sighed: "How can I not pay attention to these lifelines and dredge and expand them?"
"Your Majesty, this comparison is very impressive!" Wang Pu said with a chuckle.
"I won't go back to Beijing tonight! I'll stay in Tongxu Town!" Although it was getting early, Emperor Liu had already decided not to return to the palace.
After saying that, he raised his whip and whipped it once. The horse neighed and ran southward along the dirt road. The accompanying attendants and guards saw this and hurried to follow.
While driving, woods, hills, and rivers fly by. Of course, in addition to these scenery, there is also a lot of land. On the plains of Kaifeng Kinki, fields and farmhouses are densely packed together, and most of them have been planted with early seedlings. They are green, with farmers cooking among them. Looking around, it makes you feel relaxed and happy.
Before entering Tongxu Town, Emperor Liu suddenly asked: "The farmland we passed just now is so neat and tidy. Whose farmland does it belong to?"
Unlike Luoyang, the land here in Kaifeng is also fertile, but not many people want to buy land. After all, they are under the emperor's feet, and they don't dare to be so bold in annexing it under the emperor's nose.
Of course, even though it has been curbed to a certain extent, there are still some people who own hundreds of hectares of land. However, Shi Xizai's answer slightly surprised Liu Chengyou. That was official land, an occupational land owned by Chenliu County.
In the Han Dynasty, land was also divided into attributes, generally divided into official land and civilian land, and among official land, there was vocational land. From top to bottom, basically every yamen is assigned a certain share of job fields, which are cultivated by farm laborers or convicts. The output of these job fields is used to share part of the salary and welfare of the officials.
Kaifeng Prefecture has jurisdiction over fourteen counties. It is a veritable prefecture under the jurisdiction of the world. The expansion of its jurisdiction to this point is not only to increase the population of the capital, but also to increase the number of official fields.
Facing Shi Xizai's answer, Emperor Liu was thoughtful. He remembered that among the ministers' petition, there was a memorial to continue to expand his career. Of course, he was inclined to reject this.
The reason is also very simple. It is easy to expand farmland, but the impact may not be beneficial. It is necessary for the imperial court to maintain a certain amount of official land. If nothing else is mentioned, it is obvious that it should share the role of finance.
However, if there is too much, then the problem of farming will be serious. The population distribution of the current Han Dynasty is uneven. At the same time, because of the low population pressure, land conflicts in the north are not prominent.
The common people basically have their own land, labor is limited, and official land is too much. Where can we find people to farm the land?
Today's Emperor Liu is determined to govern the country well. He goes out to the palace for a tour and relaxes, but what he hears and sees will be connected with his general strategy for governing the country...
And after such a long time, Emperor Liu's long-awaited new policy will also be introduced.
