Seventy percent of the officials of the Ming Dynasty came from the south of the Yangtze River, and so did most of the nobles. Except for those who contributed to Jingnan, not many of them were willing to move the capital to Peking.
Perhaps, even the hero of Jingnan is unwilling to go back.
The economic level of Peiping is no different than that of Jinling. The two are not at the same level.
For example: there isn’t even a decent brothel in Peiping!
Any average-to-average restaurant in Jinling is better than the best restaurant in Peiping. Whether it is economy, population, or transportation, it is far from Jinling.
The main reason why Zhu Di opened the canal was to facilitate the transportation of taxes to the new capital.
In the Ming Dynasty, not only officials from the south accounted for 70%, but also taxes. The taxes from the north were too small. Officials in the rich land of the south could get rich and profitable with just a little stretch of their hands, but Peiping...
Peiping in this era and Kyoto in later generations were completely different things.
Beiping is not only poor, but the environment is also very bad. Sandstorms and cold climate...are not as good as Jinling in every aspect.
And the Ming Dynasty has had its capital in Jinling for so long. No matter the nobles or officials, they have all settled here. Their wives and children are all here, and their family assets, children's education... Li Qing smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"Brother Li is frowning. Is there anything that's bothering you?" Li Jinglong asked.
Li Qing didn't shy away from telling him his concerns.
"Indeed." Li Jinglong nodded, "If you don't talk about others, just take me as an example. I don't want to go to Peking either."
"Beiping... is not that bad." Li Qing said, "Yes, it is not as good as Jinling now, but if the capital is moved there, it will definitely develop rapidly in the future."
Li Jinglong shook his head: "The problem is not here. Everyone has a sense of country. Who is willing to drag his family all the way to Peking?"
After a pause, "However, there is no need to worry too much. The current emperor is not Jianwen. What he wants to do can be carried out even if none of the ministers agree;
Like Taizu, he was a powerful Emperor Wu!
There will definitely be resistance to moving the capital, but as long as he is determined to move the capital, no one can stop him. "
"That's true." Li Qing smiled bitterly: "But... I prefer to move the capital calmly rather than forcefully move the capital."
Li Jinglong said: "I'm afraid this will be difficult!"
Li Qing also knew that it would be difficult, but he still wanted to work hard and didn't want to ruin this good situation by moving the capital.
…
The drinking lasted until the afternoon.
After leaving the Duke's Mansion, Li Qing did not go home, but turned around and entered the palace.
~
"I also know it's difficult, but I've decided to move to this city. No one can stop me." Zhu Di's face was serious, and he was determined to do it.
Li Qing sighed and asked, "How long will it take for the new capital to be completed?"
Speaking of this, Zhu Di's face turned ugly, "Originally, according to my wishes, it would be the year after next at the latest, but looking at the current situation, I estimate it will take four or five years."
After a pause, "No, I can't wait that long. The capital must be moved within two years."
"Your Majesty, don't worry. The obstacle to moving the capital is not the construction of Kyoto, but the ministers." Li Qing advised, "Why not test the tone of the officials first."
"you mean……?"
"Vote!" Li Qing said, "Vote by secret ballot."
Zhu Di said angrily, "Isn't this a waste of effort? In that case, most officials will object."
Li Qingdao: "Only in this way can we know the true thoughts of the officials. Voting does not decide whether to move the capital, but to feel out the officials and see how big the obstacles are to moving the capital;
Once you have a foundation, you can respond and plan in advance, and then everything will fall into place. "
"Hmm... That makes sense." Zhu Di hummed, "I want to see how many people oppose moving the capital."
"Someone's coming."
"My servant is here." The small yellow door at the entrance of the palace hurried forward with small steps, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
"I have given an oral instruction that the court will be held tomorrow morning at the Fengtian Palace Square." Zhu Di sighed, "All nobles, including dukes, marquises, and uncles, and all officials in Beijing must be present."
"This slave obeys the order." It was the first time that Xiao Huangmen was on an emperor's mission. He was so excited that his back was a little stiff.
At this moment, he was an imperial envoy. He gave a big salute, turned around, and walked out of the hall with his head held high with a triumphant smile on his face.
"Li Qing, what percentage of officials do you think will object?"
"Eighty percent!"
"It shouldn't be that many!" Zhu Di glanced at him displeasedly and said, "I think it's at most 70%."
After a pause, "I still think we should vote by name so that we can settle accounts in the future!"
"..." Li Qing rolled his eyes, "Your Majesty, the purpose of voting is to expose the problem. Only when the problem is discovered can we prescribe the right medicine and prepare to solve the problem. If names are really required, what's the point of voting?"
"Well... then it works!" Zhu Di sighed, "Do you have any countermeasures?"
"Let's wait until we see the results first!" Li Qing said, "It's too early to say anything now."
Zhu Di nodded and asked about Xu Miaoyun's condition.
In this regard, Li Qing had no good solution, he could only express his dedication.
…
When I got home, it was almost evening.
"Sir, have you been drinking until now?" Wan Ling complained slightly, but more felt distressed.
"No, I went to the palace to discuss business with the emperor." Li Qing said with a smile, "Smell it, do I smell that heavy of alcohol?"
Wan Ling sniffed her nose and said deliberately, "Yes, it stings my nose."
"You girl..." Li Qing laughed and shook his head, then suddenly asked, "Girl, do you want to live in Peiping?"
"I will go if you, sir." Wan Ling helped him take off his coat, took out a thicker robe from the closet, and helped him dress while saying, "Wherever you are, sir, that is your home."
"Haha..." Li Qing stretched out his arms and cooperated with her, "Putting aside sir, between Jinling and Peiping, which place do you prefer?"
"I prefer..." Wan Ling helped him put on his robe, straightened a few wrinkles, and then said, "Of course it's Jinling!"
"Isn't Peking good?"
"Not really, Peking has its own characteristics. When I went there last time, the thousands of miles of ice was really spectacular, but..." Wan Ling pouted and said, "It's okay to visit once in a while, but if you really want to settle down for a long time... Jinling is better. .”
Li Qing smiled bitterly and nodded. Even a woman like Wan Ling, who had no interests to gain or lose, was unwilling to go to Peking. This shows that officials who are concerned with their own interests would be more repulsive.
"Sir, is the imperial court moving its capital?" Wan Ling asked.
"It's early." Li Qing smiled, "I'm just asking for your opinion."
Wan Ling said with a smile, "How can I have any objections? I will go wherever your husband goes."
"Hmm... your mouth is so sweet." Li Qing smiled and held her face in his hands. He wanted to kiss her, but was avoided. "Sir, it's time to eat."
This girl started to feel inferior again. It seemed like she had to be punished tonight... Li Qing made up his mind and went to the lobby with her.
Hongxiu and Lianxiang were waiting. When they saw him coming in, they asked the servants to serve the food.
During dinner, Li Qing asked the two women for their opinions again.
Just like Wanling, when it comes to Jinling and Peiping, they prefer Jinling.
Nothing else, the small bridges, flowing water, people’s homes in the south of the Yangtze River, and the pleasant climate are all incomparable to Peking.
With the three women acting like this, Li Qing couldn't help but feel even more pessimistic about the voting results.
…
The next day, when the sky was just turning green and before dawn, Li Qing entered the palace.
Fengtian Temple Square, where hundreds of officials gathered, was very lively.
Civil and military officials are just a general term. In fact, there are not only hundreds of people who go to court.
It's just that many people are not qualified to enter the palace. They stand outside the palace during court meetings. Since the memorial is urgent, they need to be notified to let the general standing in the palace pass the report first. Only after being summoned can they enter the palace to present the report.
Today, all the dignitaries who do not go to court on weekdays are here. There are thousands of officials in the square, which is much more lively than usual.
The early morning breeze was blowing, mixed with the early morning moisture, and it was still very cold.
Jinling is like this in winter. It's warm when the sun comes out, but at this time in the morning, the temperature is not high, especially when it's windy.
The six bosses usually went to court in the palace. When they came outside the palace rashly, they still wore the same clothes as before. A gust of wind made them all shiver. They looked much younger and were as cold as a grandson.
He looked helplessly at the empty dragon chair and prayed that the emperor would come soon.
Two quarters of an hour later, Zhu Di finally arrived, followed by a group of young eunuchs. One was holding a box, the others were holding pens, ink, paper and inkstones, and two young eunuchs were carrying a table.
The ministers didn't know why, but they followed the usual etiquette of a monarch and his ministers, and the mountain shouted long live.
"Everyone is safe."
Zhu Di waved his sleeves gently and sat on the dragon chair, "I have an announcement!"
