Someone below presented a batch of rare treasures shipped from the south of the Yangtze River, as well as local specialties.
When the Shaofu steward saw that the gift was good, he sent it to the palace.
Emperor Wende was very pleased.
He called the Shaofu's steward into the palace and praised him.
The Shaofu's household official bowed in thanks and said, "The journey south of the Yangtze River is long. In summer, you can take a boat south, but in winter, the rivers freeze over, cutting off some sections, forcing you to travel overland. The entire section from the capital to Luozhou is paved with cement, which is good. But the journey from Luozhou to the south of the Yangtze River is much more difficult."
The official roads have been trampled by carriages for years and have fallen into disrepair. When the weather gets cold, transporting goods from Jiangnan to the capital is extremely arduous and delays work. However, Jiangnan is rich and has a flourishing literary culture, so the court should pay attention to it.
"I also know that a good road can greatly save travel time and is not bumpy. However, the court has no money!"
Emperor Wende sighed with emotion.
The Ministry of Revenue has finally saved up some money and grain, and it must be used where it is needed most.
Build roads in Jiangnan?
Jiangnan is so far away and far away from the northern battlefield, there is no need at all.
The Minister of the Imperial Household considered this and said, "The imperial court is short of money, but the four seas are rich. Can we follow the example of the two cement roads from the capital to the northwest and to Hexi, and order the four seas to build roads southward?" This old minister thought that this matter was not just a matter of money. The imperial court could also use this opportunity to strengthen its control over Jiangnan.
The imperial court's influence in the south has always been relatively weak, partly due to the long distances and inconvenient communications. If roads were built, imperial institutions could be promptly disseminated to the south, allowing the people there to understand the emperor's will. Jiangnan was a prosperous region, vast, and numerous, yet the commercial taxes collected by the imperial court from the south were less than half of those collected from the capital.
"It's only because the road is so long and the sky is high that the court feels helpless in dealing with Jiangnan. If the road were built, the journey time could be cut in half at least. By dispatching the elite Jinwu Guards, Your Majesty would be able to grasp the situation in Jiangnan in a timely manner. It wouldn't take months for news to reach the capital."
Emperor Wende nodded secretly, thinking that what he said made sense.
Controlling the south of the Yangtze River is what every emperor wants to do.
The difference lies in whether it can be done.
Seeing that Emperor Wende was interested, the Minister of the Imperial Household continued his efforts. "This old minister dares not hope for anything more, but I only hope that Jiangnan's commercial taxes can catch up with the capital, and that customs duties can be increased by one million taels. I will be satisfied. In this way, the Ministry of Revenue's difficulties will be eliminated. With money in the Ministry of Revenue, the court will be able to free up its hands and make great achievements. A prosperous era can be expected."
The four words "a prosperous era can be expected" obviously touched Emperor Wende.
Reputation before and after death is not only important to scholars, but also to emperors.
Everyone wants to leave their name in history, everyone wants to be praised by future generations, and everyone wants to leave a significant mark in this era.
Emperor Wende was a vulgar man, and he had all the same emotions and desires as ordinary people.
He nodded repeatedly. "What my uncle said makes sense. Jiangnan is rich, but the capital is quite far away from it, and the imperial court's influence on Jiangnan is far less than that in the north. When I was young, I also visited Jiangnan. It's a good place. The only downside is that the local powerful families are so domineering that even the government is wary of them."
"Those powerful families have no regard for the imperial court or me in their hearts. Humph! They just rely on the fact that the emperor is far away and I can't control them. This is really too much."
The Shaofu Household Secretary struck while the iron was hot, "If the road from the capital to Jiangnan is paved with cement, the travel time from the capital to Jiangnan can be shortened by at least half. If we gallop the entire way, the travel time can be halved."
We can let the toll booths take on the responsibility of post stations and supply hot water for the horses of the imperial court. If anything happens in Jiangnan, Your Majesty will be able to get the news as soon as possible and issue an order to deal with it in a timely manner. Don't give those wealthy families in Jiangnan time to make trouble.
Emperor Wende deeply agreed. "Grandun's words are gratifying to me. If our Liu clan could have more people like Granduncle, who wholeheartedly share my worries, I wouldn't have to worry about injustice in the world or the arrival of a prosperous era."
"I, an old minister, don't deserve this title. Actually, there are many good people in the royal family, but they just lack the opportunity to stand out."
"I will give them opportunities, but I'm afraid they won't be able to seize them. I hope my uncle will take more care of the education of the royal family's children."
"I, an old minister, will devote myself to your service until my death. I dare not disappoint your Majesty's high expectations."
The king and his minister performed a drama of a wise king and a loyal minister. The Shaofu household official was so moved that his eyes turned red and he shed two tears even at such an old age.
Emperor Wende's eyes also turned red and he was very excited.
While I was excited, I didn't forget the important things.
Since Sihai has the ability to build roads, let Sihai build them.
The cement road from the capital to Hedong proves that the toll station has fallen into the hands of the court and there is no hope of making money.
The court should just do its job well and focus on collecting taxes.
Leave business matters to professionals.
The court saved financial and material resources, collected taxes, and distributed dividends, which was very nice.
Now that the road construction was settled, the Shaofu household official felt relieved.
He finally did not let Gu Jiu down.
A man who eats someone's food is soft-hearted, and a man who takes someone's money is grateful.
When you get benefits, you naturally have to work hard.
The Shaofu Household Officer left Xingqing Palace briskly and sent someone to deliver the good news to Gu Jiu.
When Gu Jiu got the news, he started talking to Liu Zhao, "Thank goodness our ancestors cared about me and didn't let me worry about it. I got it done. I've also finally gotten an explanation for those wealthy merchants from Jiangnan. When the weather warms up in the spring, we can start building the road."
Liu Zhao said: "The old ancestor owes a debt of gratitude to others, so naturally he must do his job with all his heart."
Gu Jiu glanced at the other person with disdain, "You are such a bad person. Be more polite with your words. The old ancestor is at least six points sincere to me, and I cherish it very much."
Liu Zhao smiled apologetically, "Okay, okay, I'll do whatever you say. I promise I won't be disrespectful to our ancestors in the future."
"You said it, you can't go back on your word."
"If you go back on your word, I will be a puppy."
Gu Ji was at a loss for words. He was so old, yet he was still playing childish tricks.
…
Lord Li is having a hard time.
Because he was not so "sensible", Emperor Wende became more and more picky about him.
Lord Li has a stern face all day long, as if he doesn't want any strangers to come near him.
As the end of the year approached, he became angry and simply resigned.
There was no prior discussion with Liu Zhao.
When Liu Zhao went to court and learned about this, he wanted to kill Lord Li.
The Northwest Military Governor's Office has not yet been established. If Lord Li resigns at this time, all his previous efforts will be wasted.
Across the hall, Liu Zhao glared at Lord Li several times.
Lord Li remained unmoved.
He had already resigned, so there was no point in regretting it. And he had no regrets.
Since we can't push it forward, we might as well retreat to advance.
If His Majesty wants him to make room for Lu Shizhong, then he should take the initiative to abdicate and make way for someone more capable, so as to at least leave a good impression on His Majesty.
This sounds a bit like self-consolation.
In fact, it is indeed self-consolation.
Lord Li whispered to Minister Lu, "I will abdicate and let the wiser one take over. Lord Lu, please don't kill me."
Minister Lu glanced at Lord Li and said, "Your Excellency, you are joking!"
Emperor Wende was very satisfied.
Lord Li finally understood what was going on.
Of course, at the morning court session, Emperor Wende pretended to keep Lord Li, and kept his resignation letter in his possession.
Lord Li will resolutely resign in front of all the civil and military officials.
"I am too old to be driven. I am no longer able to share your Majesty's worries. Please allow me to retire."
puff!
Lord Li had a ruddy complexion, was full of energy, and had few wrinkles, yet he begged to retire. How could those old men in their seventies and eighties who were still standing in the court face the public?
Don’t they care about face?
"My dear, there is no need to say more. I will not allow it."
Emperor Wende firmly opposed Lord Li's resignation.
Before Lord Li could express his opinion, Emperor Wende took the initiative, stood up, and left with a flick of his sleeves.
Chang En quickly shouted, "Dismiss the court!"
Then he hurriedly caught up with Emperor Wende and returned to Xingqing Palace.
As soon as Emperor Wende left, the Golden Palace instantly turned into a noisy and bustling vegetable market.
Some court officials gathered around Lord Li, while others stood far away and watched the joke.
More people walked towards Minister Lu and congratulated him in advance.
Minister Lu had a blank expression on his face and said without hesitation, "I am busy with government affairs, so I won't chat with you all. Goodbye!"
He left cleanly and neatly without any drag.
Lord Li suddenly raised his voice and said to the ministers gathered around him, "I am quite free and have no busy government affairs. Feel free to chat with me."
Minister Lu, who had already reached the door, paused, then continued walking forward as if nothing had happened.
Liu Zhao did not join in the fun.
He just gave Lord Li a look and let Lord Li understand it himself.
Lord Li was feeling a bit weak. The weaker he felt, the more excited he became in chatting with the court officials.
Except for Liu Zhao, the other princes exchanged a few polite words with Lord Li before leaving.
The Third Prince whispered to the Second Prince, "Fortunately, I didn't have much contact with Lord Li before, otherwise I would have suffered a great loss."
The Second Prince smiled and said, "Minister Lu is my father's trusted advisor."
"However, Minister Lu always treats us rudely. He has rejected several invitations."
"That's fine! If Minister Lu can't do it, there are others. Not everyone is as stubborn and stubborn as Minister Lu."
…
Liu Zhao was waiting for Lord Li in the backyard of Xianrenju.
If nothing unexpected happens, this is the fixed meeting place for the two.
Lord Li arrived late and looked around before entering.
It seemed that he was worried that Liu Zhao was ambushing him secretly and would be detrimental to him.
Liu Zhao sneered and said sarcastically, "When did Lord Li become so despicable?"
Lord Li, who had just stepped into the room, paused and was almost so angry that he vomited blood and had a stroke.
"I have always been a gentleman, how can I be vulgar? Your Highness, if you can't speak, please don't speak. No one will think you are dumb."
Liu Zhao sneered, "Master Li, don't you want to make a dignified exit?"
Lord Li snorted coldly, "I doubt Your Highness can't see the current situation. If I continue to persist, do you think I'll have a chance to make a dignified exit? Minister Lu is a man who won't yield to any persuasion. Expecting him to help us is simply impossible."
He walked into the tea room and sat on the floor in front of a low table.
Liu Zhao said, "Accordingly, you must submit your resignation once more. Then the Emperor will write a big 'approved'. Given the Emperor's temper, before the end of the year, he will remove you from your position and replace you with Minister Lu. Because of your one action, all our previous efforts have been wasted."
Lord Li said in a pretentious tone, "How can Your Highness know that all previous efforts have been wasted, rather than a bright future?"
Liu Zhao narrowed his eyes, "What do you mean?"
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