On September 13, the 21st year of Chongzhen, at the same time the imperial edict was sent to Shaanxi, an imperial edict was sent to Wangqingtuo, Wuqing County, Tongzhou, Shuntian Prefecture.
(In the Ming Dynasty, Wuqing County belonged to Shuntian Prefecture, Zhili.)
Cao Huachun, who was already 59 years old, did not hesitate at all after receiving the imperial edict and left his hometown to take up the post despite his family's dissuasion.
He understood what Chongzhen meant.
On the one hand, re-employing him represented trust, but on the other hand, it showed that Chongzhen currently had no one else available.
The emperor was in trouble, and he would help him even if it meant his death.
A month later, after traveling through mountains and rivers, Cao Huachun finally arrived at Xi'an, Shaanxi Province.
Lu Daqi, the governor of the three borders of Shaanxi, could no longer wait.
If Cao Huachun doesn’t come, Shaanxi’s currency reform cannot begin!
He will not be able to collect taxes unless the currency reform begins.
If the court does not levy taxes, the people will not only be unhappy, but will also be in panic, fearing that the court will take the opportunity to increase taxes.
And it’s already mid-October.
The Ming Dynasty's autumn grain collection began on October 1st every year and ended at the end of December.
The longer you delay, the more urgent the time will be.
Hearing that Cao Huachun was about to enter the city, Lu Daqi wished he could personally lead people to greet him at the city gate.
It’s a pity that the other party is a eunuch.
If Lu Daqi did this, he would not only be ridiculed by ministers in the court, but also criticized by writers all over the world.
"Where is Cao Huachun?" Inside the Xi'an government office, Lu Daqi stared outside and asked.
"In reply to the Governor, Cao Huachun's carriage has just entered the city gate." The personal soldier replied.
"Send him an invitation immediately and tell him that the governor will welcome him at the Xi'an government office."
"Wait... come back!" The personal soldier was about to leave when he was called back by Lu Daqi.
"What do you want, sir?" The guard bowed.
"Send him an official document and tell him that the governor wants to discuss official business with him." Lu Daqi changed his words.
Just now he suddenly realized that inviting someone to dinner was extremely inappropriate, as it might seem like he was making friends with the emperor's close ministers.
If you want to avoid suspicion, you can only talk about business.
After the guards left, Lu Daqi began to reflect on himself: Be careful and cautious! Don't do anything that is too hasty!
Not long after, the guards came back.
Lu Daqi frowned and asked, "Has the document been delivered?"
"Your Excellency, it has been delivered."
"Where is Cao Huachun?"
"He said he had never been to Xi'an before and went to see the Big Wild Goose Pagoda on the recommendation of the local Jinyiwei. I couldn't stop him and didn't dare to stop him, so I could only let him go."
"Big Wild Goose Pagoda? What's so good about this lousy Big Wild Goose Pagoda?" Lu Daqi was so angry that he cursed. "The whole of Shaanxi is waiting for him to take out money, and he actually has the mind to go to see the pagoda."
"Please calm down, sir!" The personal soldier looked apologetic.
"Let's go," Lu Daqi gritted his teeth in anger, "bring five hundred good fighters with you to go around the Big Wild Goose Pagoda."
"Yes, sir."
Led by Lu Daqi, a group of people rushed towards the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in a mighty manner.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was first built in the third year of Yonghui in the Tang Dynasty (652 AD) and has undergone five reconstructions. The last reconstruction was in the 32nd year of Wanli and has been preserved to this day.
When they were still one street away from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Lu Daqi suddenly felt something was wrong, so he asked the soldiers to stay where they were and only brought a few personal soldiers in plain clothes to the foot of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
It's very lively near Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
There are not only men of letters who are good at writing poetry and lyrics, but also common people and small vendors setting up stalls.
When they saw Lu Daqi, they all bowed to him.
"I greet Lord Lu!"
"Nice to meet you!" Lu Daqi bowed in return.
"Is Lord Lu coming to see the tower too?"
"You guys are busy, I'll just take a look."
After Lu Daqi took over as the governor-general of the three borders of Shaanxi, he reduced taxes and levies, implemented benevolent policies, and strictly enforced the administration, winning him a good reputation among the local people.
After walking around the tower, a personal soldier saw Cao Huachun at the entrance of the tower.
After reporting to Lu Daqi, he walked over to Cao Huachun and said, "Master Cao, how are you?"
"Lord Lu is flattering me. I am just the manager of Daming Bank, not a lord."
"Not really," Lu Daqi said, "Although Lord Cao is only the owner of a bank, he is more important than the governor-general in the hearts of the people of Shaanxi."
Cao Huachun laughed and pointed to a high place and said, "Lü Daqi, this Big Wild Goose Pagoda has seven floors. Let's meet on the seventh floor."
As he spoke, he slowly walked up the stairs.
Although Lu Daqi was unhappy, he had to ask for help from others, so he had to climb up.
The two quickly climbed to the top floor.
One of the tourists upstairs knew Lu Daqi, and after saying hello he tactfully went down one floor.
Cao Huachun stood with his hands behind his back and looked into the distance, with the entire Xi'an city in sight.
"Lord Lu." Cao Huachun suddenly spoke.
"Master Cao, is there something wrong?"
Cao Huachun ignored Lu Daqi's question and said to himself: "Life is like climbing a tower. Every time you climb a level, you can see different scenes. Climbing to the highest point means that you have seen all the scenes."
"Isn't that right?"
Lu Daqi blinked: "About the same."
"That's far from it!" Cao Huachun shook his head. "The scenery we saw when we climbed the tower was only the scenery at that time. The scenery in spring, summer, autumn and winter is different, and the scenery we see is also different."
"In addition to the changing colors of the grass and trees with the changing seasons, there are also wind, thunder, rain and snow. The scene on the tower is different every moment."
"Yes," Lu Daqi nodded, "As long as you stand on the top of the tower, you can see everything."
Cao Huachun retracted his gaze and looked at Lu Daqi: "Master Lu, do you like to climb the tower and enjoy the scenery?"
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