"Sanlang, sit down quickly!" In the East Palace, Liu Yang introduced Liu Xi, who had returned to Beijing, to his seat, poured him a cup of herbal tea, and said: "It's midsummer and the weather is hot. Let's drink some iced drinks to relieve the dryness!"
"Thank you, second brother!" Liu Xi acted free and easy, and sat down, his whole body in a relaxed state.
"This southern tour has been going for more than half a year. Both my father and Gao Niangniang miss us very much. It'll be nice to be back!" Liu Yang said.
"I've already paid homage to my parents!" Liu Xi said with a more serious expression: "Although the scenery in the south is different from the Central Plains, it is also unique. If it hadn't been for the summer and the climate was too hot, and my wife was pregnant, I'm afraid it would still be... Stay longer!"
"Are my siblings pregnant?" Liu Yang asked as if he had grasped something important.
"Yes!" Liu Xi, who was rarely embarrassed, responded, with a smile unconsciously showing on his lips: "I was left in the Yaohua Palace to listen to my mother's nagging."
Upon hearing this, Liu Yang also showed a slightly reserved smile and said, "What a happy event! In this way, the descendants of the Tian family will become more and more prosperous, which reflects the prosperity of the Han Dynasty!"
"Sister-in-law has given birth to another son. Not long ago, Concubine Hui also gave us a fifteenth brother..."
"I have just returned to Beijing and I don't know much about the situation. It seems that I have to prepare two gifts to supplement my congratulations!" Liu Xi said with a smile.
After saying this, Liu Xi keenly noticed a little loss in Liu Yang's eyes, and suddenly thought about the topic of discussion. He opened his mouth but said nothing.
As time went by, the fact that the Crown Princess was infertile and Liu Yang was childless began to be magnified. This is a hidden worry for the country and the family. As a brother, Liu Xi couldn't say anything rashly.
"Sanlang went south this time and visited Hunan, Hunan and Guangxi. How is the governance situation? What do you think? Have you found any problems?" Liu Yang quickly adjusted and talked about business with Liu Xi.
The reason why Liu Xi went south was not just for his honeymoon. The most important thing was to experience the governance situation in Central South and understand the local people's conditions.
"I have to say that my father's vision is as good as that of five people. Although he is good at the Central Plains, he has a clear understanding of the situation in the two lakes and Guangxi!" Mentioning this, Liu Xi became more serious and flattered him from the bottom of his heart. .
Liu Xi briefly stated some of the situations that had been reported to Emperor Liu: "It has been fifteen years since the imperial court took charge of the two lakes. After such a long period of construction, great achievements have been made.
With the benefits of rivers and lakes, we can hope to become a land of fish and rice. As long as development and reclamation continue, the two lakes will surely become the new granary of the imperial court. Hunan has a population of less than 1.5 million, but has 230,000 hectares of registered land, which is rare among Taozhou states in the country.
However, from what I can see, the actual number of acres in Hunan is not just what is registered in the official register. In reality, there should be quite a lot that are not registered. Moreover, given the vastness of the two lakes, the land available for development should be doubled! "
Listening to Liu Xi's story, Liu Yang kept nodding: "It seems that the situation reported below is indeed consistent, but it is still limited by Dingkou!"
"The imperial court moved people to fill Hunan several times. The number of people who moved in from Hunan was about 700,000. Coupled with its own growth, it has reached its current scale and is no longer in the depression of the past.
I have communicated with Li Shijun. According to him, the people of Hunan have been happy to have children in recent years. When this generation grows up, Hunan will develop faster, and as time goes by, its demographic disadvantage will gradually be resolved. ....”
"How is Master Li doing now? Is he ever well?" Liu Yang couldn't help but ask when Liu Xi mentioned Li Fang.
Among the ministers, with whom did Liu Yang have the best relationship? No one else except Li Fang. However, during the years when Li Fang was away from home, perhaps to avoid suspicion, the two of them did not have too intensive contact. Liu Yang only sent people to give some gifts during the holidays to show his affection.
Liu Xi also knew the feelings and relationship between the two, and said: "Li Shijun is a wise minister, diligent in government and educating the people, and at the same time outstanding in literary talent. Hunan has a strong cultural atmosphere and has produced many talented and learned people. From what I heard, those people also surrendered to Li Shijun.
Hunan's successive political officials, from Zan Gong to Bian Gong, and then to Li Gong, all carried out the same policies, focusing on agriculture and raising the people. Therefore, their official reputations in Sanxiang are very good... ..”
Hearing this, Liu Yang smiled a little.
Liu Xi continued: "I stayed in Hunan for a whole month, visiting prefectures and counties. Under the governance of several envoys, the people's livelihood was stable and prosperous, and the public security situation was also good.
What is particularly striking is that the integration and coexistence between Han and barbarians has also made great progress. In the past, whether from classics or local reports, the most unstable people in Hunan were the Man Yao tribe in the west, who almost never gathered together to raise troops to disturb the towns.
Nowadays, such situations are rare, and even if they occur, they are quickly put out. Among them, in addition to the strong suppression and severe suppression by generals such as Pan and Li and the garrison in the early years, it also lies in the imperial court's recruitment policy.
Some Yaoman leaders, headed by Qin Zaixiong, the Marquis of Hongjiang, after surrendering, were regarded as wholeheartedly and led the Chumans to become naturalized one after another. Today, among the registered population of Hunan, the number of naturalized Yao and Miao barbarians exceeds 100,000. I have personally inspected it, and most of them have their own land, woods, and houses. Their hearts are Han Chinese, and their children also learn more Mandarin..."
"Although the people of Hunan are called barbarians, they can still accept enlightenment. This is the effect of psychological attack!" Liu Yang couldn't help but sigh: "With such a result, it means that the established policy of the imperial court is correct!"
This is natural. Furthermore, it cannot be said that the policies led by Emperor Liu were wrong...
"So it seems that Hunan's political and public sentiments are all good?" Liu Yang asked, looking at Liu Xi. Obviously, he felt that Liu Xi was choosing good situations to talk about.
"Of course not!" Liu Xize shook his head naturally and said: "In the early years, for the rapid recovery of Hunan, the court extended favors and reduced taxes and exemptions. However, since the recovery, the burden on the people has also increased. !”
"Huh?" Liu Yang was stunned, and immediately frowned: "Reducing the burden on the people and raising the people is the main purpose of Kaibao's policy. What's wrong with this?"
Liu Xi said: "In recent years, Hunan has built too many various projects, with many large-scale projects and small-scale ones. Hunan's population has naturally resulted in an excessive amount of corvee. Although the government has compensated, the squeeze on people's power is still serious. .”
"Master Li shouldn't be someone who doesn't consider people's sentiments and abuses people's power!" Liu Yang said.
Liu Xi replied: "There are still too few people! Li Gong also responded to the court's policy. Roads, dams, ditches, reservoirs, these facilities are also related to people's livelihood, and even the safety of people, they have to invest a lot of manpower. Although It’s a bit bitter, but Hunan has not had floods or droughts for many years..."
Liu Yang then showed an understanding expression and said thoughtfully: "It seems that we have to go to Hunan to make books, and we should be restrained in the use of people's power!"
"Li Gong was a measured man, so he did not cause any trouble, but the people were indeed tired. Throughout the year, in addition to farming for a living and paying taxes, there were also training of rural soldiers at times, and a large amount of labor in addition to , It’s really hard..." Liu Xi said.
"In addition!" Liu Xi continued: "There are many silver pits in the southern states. In recent years, the annual silver production has exceeded 90,000 taels. However, the people who mine in the mines are too hard, overworked, and disabled. It’s guaranteed that this should be adjusted!”
Liu Yang was obviously also interested and murmured: "This is indeed worthy of attention. The population of mining should be done by more suitable people!"
After coming back to his senses, Liu Yang looked at Liu Xi calmly. Facts have proved that this third brother is lazy on the outside but showy on the inside.
"It seems that you did see a lot of things during this trip to the south! You should also prepare a report detailing what you saw!" Liu Yang said.
Liu Xi nodded happily: "I will write it when I get home, and I will give a copy to my second brother at that time!"
"Okay! Let's talk about the situation in Lingnan..."
