Coming from the people and going back to the people, this is not just empty talk.
At least Zhao Jun doesn't think so.
Some people may think it is empty and false, thinking that it is just a slogan and what does it have to do with my 3,000 yuan a month?
But you have to consider that if you earn 3,000 yuan a month, that's because your ability allows you to do so. It doesn't mean that the country is not working hard to improve the welfare of the people and provide security for all citizens.
Because whether we start from idealism or realism, it must be so.
First is idealism.
Zhao Jun has ideals, so he must consider the people.
He can only realize his ambitions by ensuring that all the people of the Song Dynasty have enough food to eat, enough clothes to wear, money in their pockets, and live an ideal and happy life.
Secondly, from a realistic perspective, it is easier to understand.
As the saying goes, the first concern of those in power in all countries is the security of their regime.
The people in your country don’t have enough food to eat, can’t afford clothes to wear, have no money in their pockets, and live a hellish life like cattle and horses.
What if they rebel and overthrow your regime?
So whether for the sake of his own ideals or to protect his own power, Zhao Jun must put the people first.
Now the development of the Song Dynasty is on the right track, but there will definitely be many problems in this process. Therefore, Zhao Jun needs to go to the people from time to time to find out where the problems lie.
In November of the eighth year of the Qingli period of the Song Dynasty, as the end of the year approached, the whole country was still bustling with activity.
Roads are being built and infrastructure is being constructed everywhere.
With the listing of silver dollars worth one string and mianyang banknotes worth five, ten, and twenty strings, the domestic economy became more prosperous.
In the commercial streets of Bianliang city, people no longer needed to carry a large bag when going out to trade. They could even simply use a horse-drawn carriage to load large boxes and carry copper coins weighing dozens of kilograms to trade.
After all, one string of coins weighs three or four kilograms. If you carry twenty strings of coins with you when you go out to do business with others, it is equivalent to carrying sixty or seventy kilograms of things, which is indeed too much exercise for your body.
Kaifeng was the central city of the Song Dynasty and the city with the most developed transportation. Goods from all over the world gathered here, giving rise to a huge business.
With the increasing population mobility, Kaifeng Prefecture registered the influx of foreign population and has confirmed that the population of Bianliang now exceeds three million.
Although it cannot be compared with the populations of 20 million in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in later generations, we must have to know that this was during the Song Dynasty a thousand years ago, when there were only a handful of cities with a population of one million in the world.
During the same period, only Baghdad, the capital of the Arab Empire, and Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, could reach this level.
In contrast, Kaifeng's population exceeds one million, which is three times that of Baghdad and Constantinople!
On November 26th, as the twelfth lunar month was approaching, Bianliang was not only not depressed, but became even busier. Lanterns were hung everywhere in the streets and alleys, and the atmosphere was full of festive cheer.
In the evening, Zhao Jun and Fan Zhongyan went home together after get off work.
Usually, Zhao Jun would just go out of Xihua Gate to go home, but Fan Zhongyan had to go out of Xihua Gate and walk north along Qishengyuan Street to Liangmenli Street, then go west and out of Liangmen to the outer city.
So generally speaking, when everyone left Xihua Gate, Zhao Jun would walk back to his home, while Fan Zhongyan would ride in a sedan chair and part with him under the protection of the guards.
But today, the two men took off their purple robes that represented nobility, put on two sets of casual clothes, and strolled on the streets in the west of the city.
At this time, after they came out of Xihuamen, they went directly to Qishengyuan Street.
Originally, to get here, you need to exit from Xihuamen, follow Xihuamen Street, and pass Xijiaolou Street.
But now, West Corner Tower Street has been incorporated into the scope of the imperial palace. Outside the palace is the Qishengyuan Street running from north to south. The palace wall has been built with reinforced concrete structure and glazed tiles on it.
Groups of soldiers were patrolling along the imperial city wall when they saw Zhao Jun and Fan Zhongyan coming out. Seeing that they were not wearing official uniforms as they walked out of the palace gate, they were about to go up and question them out of duty.
As a result, dozens of people in ordinary clothes came out from behind them. The leader showed his palace badge, and the soldiers left.
"You have a wife and children, I have a wife and children too. You didn't go home after work and insisted on dragging me shopping."
Fan Zhongyan shook his head and said, "You really have nothing to do."
"How can you say you have nothing to do?"
Zhao Jun smiled and said, "This is called an incognito visit to understand the people's sentiments. Old Fan, I'm not saying anything bad about you, but you should get out and about more."
"Isn't this accompanying you?"
Fan Zhongyan waved his hand into the distance, signaling the coachman who was waiting for him at the door to go back.
The prime ministers' coachmen had to wait for a whole day, and it was difficult for them to leave too far away. They had to be kept under constant watch to prevent them from leaving the palace temporarily for some reason, which was also very tiring.
Zhao Jun walked shoulder to shoulder with him. The guards around him changed into their regular clothes and quickly blended into the crowd, walking close to them.
They looked up at Xihuamen Street. The street had not changed much from more than ten years ago. It was still made of wood, with houses standing side by side and stretching into the distance.
Although the industrial age has arrived, urban changes often require the government to play a constructive role. Otherwise, it is obviously unrealistic to rely on residents themselves to improve their living conditions.
Just like Japan had completed its industrialization reform during World War II, but the main buildings in Tokyo were still low wooden bungalows, which gave Li Mei an excellent opportunity for barbecue.
The Song Dynasty was very wealthy at the time, and its fiscal revenue this year might exceed 200 million. However, the cost of renovating the entire inner and outer city of Kaifeng would be astronomical.
The most obvious example is the more than 40 markets in the inner city. Even an ordinary two-story house of more than 100 square meters in Jingfufang, the outermost area, costs more than 10,000 guan. The closer to the palace, the more expensive it is.
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