Three years ago, Zhu Houcong had a relatively shallow understanding of water transportation. He only believed that water transportation within the Ming Dynasty system was probably related to millions of water transport workers.
But it's not three years ago now, and Zhu Houcong no longer takes it for granted.
After setting sail from Tongzhou, the imperial ship Zhu Houcong was riding slowly sailed on the Huitong River.
"During the Yongle period, the water ridge was in Jining. The Mongolian and Yuan Dynasties focused on sea transportation, and the more than 400-mile Huitong River was gradually abolished. In the past, Pan Shuzheng, a fellow magistrate of Jining, came up to ask for dredging of the Huitong River. Emperor Taizong ordered Song Liban, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, to Only when this happened can we have the current situation."
Accompanying Zhu Houcong was Li Hao, the former minister of the Ministry of Industry who joined the cabinet after leaving Beijing.
He speculated on the emperor's purpose of bringing him with him - there had been imperial censors patrolling the world before, and the first batch of three-year national policies determined at the national policy meeting included the investigation of floods in the world and water conservancy.
This time the emperor was going south along the canal, on the way to Fengyang and Sizhou Ancestral Tombs. Li Hao had been making preparations for more than a month so that he could answer Zhu Houcong's questions at any time.
As expected, Zhu Houcong asked: "Is it better now that there are too few canals?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, it's much better." Li Hao was beating in his heart, "In the past, Liu Liu and Liu Qi's bandit army attacked Jining and burned more than 1,200 cannons. At one time, the number of cannons was more than 3,200. Qingjiang, Wei Although the river factories can build nearly a thousand large and small watercrafts a year, they may be drowned by wind and waves, or transported by troops to be stolen and sold, or they may be old and unfit for use. When His Majesty ascended the throne in the 16th year of Zhengde, the number was only two thousand. These three Over the past year, the shortage has dropped to more than 1,200."
In front of this man, Li Hao did not dare to hide anything, so he also told the story of the officers and soldiers stealing and selling the ships.
Zhu Houcong nodded without making any comments.
Is this the lifeblood of millions of workers? Of course.
However, compared with the uncontrollable process of transferring food and wages through the sea, the canal is still located on land and is monitored along the coast.
With Beijing as the capital, we have to face the big problem of reliably supplying many materials to Beijing's needs.
But the problem with this canal goes beyond just itself.
Zhu Houcong wanted to see it for himself first.
The boat sailed through the territory of Beizhili. This journey was not Zhu Houcong's focus.
He didn't come here specifically for fun, nor did he intend to go ashore here to see the people's livelihood.
No need. Zhu Houcong did not grow up in the palace. He came from five hundred years later and had many pictures in his mind, which were richer than those painted by Tang Yin and others in Guangdong.
He went ashore to observe the sentiments of the people, but instead he disturbed the people.
Sit on the boat and occasionally look at the conditions on both sides of the canal and the river. If there is more time, just call the accompanying officials to ask some questions.
The emperor never even got off the ship.
Every day at night, the imperial ship will dock at the pier.
There would be local officials and representatives of the gentry waiting there. Zhu Houcong would just show up on the bow deck, ask a few questions and encourage him, and then give up.
The boat was not very big, and Zhu Houcong didn't mind that it would look cramped if he slept on it.
But Wen Suyun and Zhu Zaiyang were very unhappy when they were older and younger.
After the first half-day of freshness, both of them were actually looking forward to having fun on the shore.
The meal was simple. After leaving the palace, Zhu Houcong did not let them talk about the rules, so they ate together around the small round table.
"Whatever you want to say, just say it."
After glancing at Wen Suyun, Zhu Houcong spoke with a slightly raised corner of his mouth.
"...No, it's nothing." Wen Suyun felt that His Majesty was in a hurry and he was in no mood to play - there were still rebels in Huguang.
Zhu Houcong naturally understood what she was thinking, smiled and said: "Be patient for a few more days, and you have to save some time when you get to Linqing. Do you know Linqing?"
…
Linqing is located in Shandong. Wen Suyun naturally knew what kind of place it was.
If we apply the later saying, at this time, Ming Dynasty had three super cities with a population of more than one million: Beijing, Nanjing, and Suzhou.
Next in the row are several first-tier cities with a population of nearly one million. Among these cities, Hangzhou, Yangzhou, Guangzhou, Kaifeng, Xi'an, etc. were all very famous later, but Linqing, Shandong Province was also squeezed into them.
In Daming, the most prosperous and developed city in Shandong was Linqing.
Because of the canal.
And if you include the floating population, Linqing is likely to have a population of over one million for a long time.
In Shandong as a whole, Linqing produced more than half of the people in Shandong.
Linqing's granary can store more than three million shi of grain, making it the largest granary in the entire Ming Dynasty.
The money collected by the banknote checkpoint in Linqing every year was the highest in the entire Ming Dynasty.
To be clear, in terms of commercial taxes, the tax revenue of Linqing Chaoguan is higher than that of the entire Shandong Province, accounting for nearly a quarter of the national tax amount.
To use Zhu Houcong's familiar jokes to express it, Linqing is the prototype place where the story of Ximen Daguanren, who had not yet appeared but later became world-famous, took place.
The wealth is as high as that of Qi County, and the prosperity overwhelms the two capitals.
On October 12, Zhu Houcong was about to arrive in Linqing.
Linqing is a prefecture under the jurisdiction of Dongchang Prefecture, and the city of Linqing itself is not small. The city wall is more than nine miles in circumference, which is larger than its superior city.
However, due to the economic effects brought by the canal, from the early years of Hongzhi, people lived on both sides of the canal from the west of Linqing City to the west. During the Liu Liu and Liu Qi uprising, in order to protect Linqing, peripheral border towns were built.
Today, the area of Linqing Prefecture City is actually only about one-fourth and five-fifths of the entire Linqing urban area.
Li Dongyang left a poem when he passed through Linqing in the past:
Ten miles away, people live on both sides of the strait, and their buildings are as high as the sky.
Official ships and ships passed by one after another, and drums and gongs were heard everywhere.
The rushing water rushes back here after breaking the bank, and the sound of the waves sounds like spring thunder day and night.
Thousands of families are gathering fireworks in the city, and thousands of sails and canopies are coming from the river.
Now Cui Yuan and Li Quanli only felt that they were worried about the safety of the emperor who would stay here for seven days.
Lots of people, lots of mobility, messy!
Before Zhu Houcong, both of them rushed to Linqing City.
Zhang Fujing has already arrived here. After all, Zhu Houcong is not planning to go to Jinan in the southeast, let alone Yanzhou Prefecture and Qufu County.
Those from Shandong who have received "favor" and can come to see your majesty can only be of rank four or above.
Among officials below the prefect, I am afraid that only those in Linqing Prefecture are so lucky.
"We haven't been together for a few months. How is the supervisor?"
Cui Yuan and Zhang Fujing had only known each other for a few days, but they were still greeting each other warmly at this moment.
One is the number one person among the relatives besides the grandson, and he is also related to the army.
One is one of the most popular figures among the officials of the new dynasty, and is as famous as Yan Song.
Everyone is the most loyal member of the imperial party, and their quality is higher than that of Yang Tinghe. After all, being able to hold the current position depends entirely on the emperor's promotion and trust.
So we quickly got to the point: "The guard camp is stationed in the north of the city. Let Uncle Xiangcheng temporarily take over the defense of Linqing City. The imperial chariot is docked outside Beishui Gate, so let's enter the city through Zhending Gate."
"But according to the arrangements made by the staff, the subordinates are already ready."
Although Cui Yuan still has the title of Marquis of Jingshan, the title of Counselor has become the honorific title second only to "Ge Lao" in the Ming Dynasty.
Academicians are all counselors, but senior relatives are not.
After Linqing Zhizhou said this, he glanced at Zhang Fujing, and then said: "Xiaoguan has cleaned up and renovated the Confucian Temple area. I will go and inspect it first to see what else needs to be added."
"need."
Cui Yuan nodded solemnly, walked in front with Zhang Fuking, and then asked softly: "Confucian Temple?"
There were Confucian temples in almost every prefecture and county in the Ming Dynasty, because there were prefectural and county schools everywhere.
Confucian temples were built on a large scale in various places, probably starting from the Tang Dynasty. They became custom-made in the Song Dynasty, and almost took shape after the Ming Dynasty.
Confucian temples are by no means just for worshiping Confucius and sages, but generally for the integration of temples and studies. The official status of the Confucian Temple is actually part of the official school. Generally speaking, the building regulations of the Confucian Temple are relatively high or even the highest in the local area.
Local Confucian temples are all organized and built by local officials, and the Confucian temples in various places all present the architectural styles of their respective regions. Where the academic spirit flourishes, Confucian temples and official schools will develop better and better.
Where is Linqing?
Zhang Fujing smiled slightly and said: "The Linqing Confucian Temple is more elegant and solemn than any place in the city, and it is also the most comfortable. Your Majesty is the master of Dacheng Wenxuan and the master of the new school. Wouldn't it be best to set it up in the Confucian Temple? This is It's a blessing to have Linqing Confucian Temple. Mr. Huang, don't you think so?"
Huang Jin, who came with him to fight on the outpost, only smiled slightly.
Cui Yuan felt that in terms of recklessness, he was afraid that no one in the whole court could compare with him.
The emperor now has a new identity, and the fact of staying in the Confucian Temple may make some people think that one word will pop up-dove occupying the magpie's nest.
What's more, His Majesty also has two concubines and one concubine.
However... Dunlun seems to be a great ceremony of human ethics.
The group entered the city and arrived at the entrance of the Confucian Temple. Cui Yuan looked up and sighed: "As expected of Linqing, this Lingxing Gate is so luxurious."
Lingxing is the spiritual star, the Tiantian star in the sky. It is used in the Confucian Temple to esteem Confucius as comparable to heaven, and because the spiritual star is "the master of winning scholars", it is consistent with the function of official learning.
In terms of regulations, only the Temple of Heaven, Imperial Tombs and Confucian Temples can build Lingxing Gates. Its characteristic is a set of three gates with six columns in total. In a more ordinary place, there are wooden pillars, stone pillars and some wall tiles for decoration. And this Linqing Confucian Temple has built a huge gate house archway.
Entering the door is the standard configuration in the front courtyard of the Confucian Temple - Panchi. There is such a place in every Confucian temple, which is taken from the ancient ritual "The emperor Piyong, the princes pan the palace." Generally speaking, it means digging an artificial pool with a stone bridge over the pool.
The construction of this bridge has gradually come to have a hidden emphasis. Initially, when a Jinshi was born in the local area, a bridge would be added. Later, the imperial examination became more and more prosperous, and the number of Jinshi was also inflated, and it became necessary to add a bridge only after the number one scholar.
Now the Panchi of the Linqing Confucian Temple is not only large and full of ancient trees, but the bridges added later on both sides have also been built like winding corridors on the lake in the garden.
Zhang Fujing introduced to him: "Kuixing Pavilion and Wenchang Pavilion."
Cui Yuan looked at the two directions of his fingers and saw him smiling and saying: "You can overlook the whole city from the pavilion, and it is also convenient for the guards to guard it, right?"
"...What Mao Gong said is true."
"The left and right squares beside the Confucian Temple were originally the places where officials and gentry often lived. I don't know how many high-ranking officials and scholars have lived in the front yard of Linqing Confucian Temple." Zhang Fuking saluted him, "Until the decree is finalized in Jinan, Linqing Confucian Temple will The Qing side only has less than one month to prepare. Although His Majesty has decreed that everything should be kept simple, Sun Shence and Huang Eunuch still have to take a closer look. Those who need to be added must be ordered as soon as possible. Fortunately, Linqing merchants gathered, and the goods It is quick to purchase if it is parallel to the filling."
"We have to listen to Eunuch Huang now."
Cui Yuan saluted the extremely low-key Huang Jin: "Eunuch Huang is always at your Majesty's side, and he knows best."
"Let's take a look first." Huang Jin was still smiling.
He doesn't care whether it is a Confucian temple or not, the world belongs to His Majesty, and he cannot go or stay anywhere?
The ceremony for worshiping Confucius has been changed, and the statue of Confucius in the Linqing Confucian Temple has also been removed. However, it is impossible for the emperor to sleep in the Dacheng Temple and the verandas on both sides where Confucius and many sages are worshipped.
Arriving at a large courtyard, Cui Yuan couldn't help but ask: "Is this Pangongfang newly built?"
On the central axis of the vestibule, located to the south of Dachengmen, which divides the front and rear of the Confucian Temple, Cui Yuan found the layout of Pangongfang to be familiar—a bit like Yangxin Hall.
Zhang Fujing replied seriously: "It was originally there, but it was renovated and the interior and exterior furnishings were changed."
Cui Yuan could only shake his head.
Zhu Houcong has decided to stay in Linqing for seven days, so who dares to neglect Zhang Fujing, Dongchang Prefecture, and Linqing Prefecture?
"Mao Gong is not afraid of His Majesty's blame."
"That's not possible." Zhang Fujing smiled a little cunningly and proudly, "I requested that everything be purchased with silver. Your Majesty has given your permission. When Your Majesty leaves Linqing, I can repurchase some of the artifacts. Sell it. It has been used by His Majesty. Presumably, although Shandong spent a sum of money in advance, he will get back more, right?"
Cui Yuan was a little dizzy and opened his mouth slightly: "Your Majesty, have you given permission?"
Good guy, isn't this using the emperor's name to make money?
Zhang Fujing nodded firmly: "My secret box is played directly, but Cui Shence doesn't know about it. Today, Eunuch Huang is in person, and I will talk to Cui Shence in private. I have a deep understanding and deep admiration for His Majesty's broad-mindedness and open-mindedness in dealing with things." , when I was in Guangdong in the past..."
So they talked about old things like dragons and tigers in Huguang, which not only further brought the relationship between the three of them closer, but also showed Zhang Fuking's understanding of the emperor.
In a few words, it was revealed that he was extremely diligent in discussing the details of the implementation of the new law with the emperor when he was trying out the new law in Guangdong.
Now that I have become the governor and have the secret box, I naturally have to use it better.
Cui Yuan could not imagine how his Majesty would hold an "auction of imperial utensils" in this place where merchants gathered after leaving Linqing.
He could only sigh: Zhang Fujing is a money maker.
Cui Yuan, a rare wise man among his relatives, also understood another intention: Zhang Fujing was too brave and had offended too many officials and gentry. He could only rely on the emperor for the rest of his life and his heirs. And after being promoted so quickly, if he wanted the emperor to continue to trust him, he had to leave some other stains on the emperor.
Making money by selling things used by the emperor. In the future, this innocuous thing will become a "crime" that some political opponents will bring out.
Whether to punish or not depends entirely on the will of the Holy Spirit.
In Pan Gongfang, there are indeed all good things.
It's both noble and not tacky.
Except for a place to place the dragon chair, all other utensils are available. After reading it, Huang Jin could only say: "Zhang Dutai is thoughtful. But since we want to make money, let's talk about some gadgets."
Zhang Fujing looked extremely happy: "Eunuch Huang, please speak!"
Huang Jin said seriously: "Your Majesty said, Mao Gong is really a genius. Since I can come up with this idea by myself, then I can learn to use big calligraphy in exchange for a pen."
Cui Yuan and Zhang Fujing were stunned.
As for that?
But fortunately, it’s not just the pen of criticizing memorials. It proves that it’s not beating, but encouraging.
Zhang Fujing said sadly: "Your Majesty thinks day and night about enriching the country and strengthening the army. I am inexplicably impressed."
The three of them looked at me, and I looked at you, and finally laughed together.
The rich businessman's money will be free if he doesn't take it, right?
We need to counter rebellion, provide disaster relief, patrol the south, and need money!
"This is Linqing! Is it prosperous? I passed by it when I came to Beijing with other beautiful ladies, and we were not allowed to take a look!"
On the canal north of Linqing City, Wen Suyun took Zhang Qinghe's hand and pointed forward to temporarily avoid the shadow of a boat parked on the shore.
"It stretches for dozens of miles, and it's really lively."
Zhang Qinghe had never left the capital, and she was just looking ahead curiously with her lips pursed. It was Zhu Houcong who spoke.
The foreign trade of the Ming Dynasty is not good yet. If we talk about the pure commercial city in the entire Ming Dynasty, Linqing is the best, just like Shanghai many years later.
How could Zhu Houcong not stay in a place like this for a few more days?
Not for fun, but because here, there are also many brilliance and sins nourished by the canal, the great artery of the Ming Dynasty.
Here is the largest wharf in the Ming Dynasty, the three religions and nine streams that are most difficult to find out where they came from, and the noble officials and gentry who are most deeply involved with the market and the stench of copper.
In addition, Linqing also has the most cutting-edge urban planning ideas in the entire Ming Dynasty.
At this moment, in the border town of Linqing, Zhugan Lane, Gutong Lane, Guoshi Street, Mashi Street... starting from Tawan in the north and ending at Touzha in the south, in Linqing's five major "commercial districts" that stretch for dozens of miles, everyone is lining up according to the order. The Beijing camp troops heading to Sanshui Gate and Liulu Gate learned the information.
The emperor is finally coming to Linqing.
To the west of the Zhongzhou District, on the west bank of the Wei River, there are all kinds of boats moored, whether they are docks or not.
Beishuimen is closed to traffic today, and all ships coming and going will dock first, waiting for the imperial driver to leave the ship and land.
At the turn of Wenshui River in the southeast of the city, Linqing Chaoguan was extremely busy.
"If the account is within thirty years, it cannot be missed by any one year! Check it again!"
They had already been asked to start learning double-entry bookkeeping, so they naturally knew how professional the emperor might be in auditing accounts after he came.
And the emperor is always playing with new things, new learning, new methods... Who knows what new ideas he will have about Linqing Chaoguan after he comes to Linqing?
In the block west of Weihe River, a spice shop near Xiyanmen is a common layout with a shop in front and a home in the back.
A businessman is a person who has a fixed shop, a fixed residence and a stable tax payment in the local area. The shopkeeper of this spice shop is named Wu.
"The ships are all docked at the South Banzha Pier?"
"It took twenty taels of silver to park at the pier."
Shopkeeper Wu nodded: "Just wait."
The emperor will stay here for seven days, so there is no need to rush.
He stood up and said, "Go to Sitong Building and book a private room. I want to entertain guests."
This city where millions of people gather is like the heart of the great artery of the Ming Dynasty. How could it completely stop functioning just because the emperor is coming?
Similarly, it will also be a key point of Ming Dynasty.
If something big happens here, its impact will affect most of the Ming Dynasty.
Now, Zhu Houcong's car has docked.
A newly built pier north of Shuimen in the north of the city has been surrounded by guards. On the shore are officials from Shandong's top-down and water transportation systems.
"Your Majesty is here!"
"I respectfully welcome you, my emperor! Long live! Long live! Long live!"
The emperor came to his loyal Shandong.
