Chapter 247 I want to make Jiaolong cross the Three Gorges

The Boya Building in the Imperial Palace is an increasingly important place for the politics of the Great Song Dynasty, and since the second year of Yanhuang, many major decisions have been made in this Boya Building. Cui He, Ge Hong, and Xue Ji are also accustomed to asking the Son of Heaven in Boya Building, generally speaking, in addition to them, there are often the chief officials of the six departments, the bachelors of the Hanlin Academy or the bachelors of Boya Building.

But on this day, when Zhao and Ju and Cui were in the Boya Building, there were only the two of them.

On the wall of the main hall, there is a huge map, which is the map of the three roads of Sichuan and Shu, in addition to the three roads of Sichuan and Shu, the Tubo tribes and Dali countries connected with these three roads are also impressively in it.

"At the beginning, Wu rebelled against the chaos, and he relied on the dangerous terrain of Shudi, in his mind, if it didn't work out, it would be enough to defend himself and protect himself." Cui pointed to the map and said: "Since ancient times, there are only two ways to enter Shu, one is to take Hanzhong, from the north to the south into Shu, such as the story of Wei destroying Shu Han, all the way up the river, from Kuizhou into Shu, Shu ancestor Liu Bei into Shu is so." ”

Naturally, they were not discussing how to attack Shudi, but discussing the construction of Shudi. This is also a problem that has plagued the Great Song Dynasty for a long time, Shu has sufficient grain and rice, rich resources, and a large population, which is really an important financial grain base for the Great Song Dynasty. At the same time, the north of Shu can go out of the Great Scattered Pass to threaten Qin Feng, and the east can protect the west gate of Jinghu, which is another important strategic location. However, due to the long distance and inconvenient transportation, since Gaozong crossed to the south, Shu was difficult to control, and even caused the Wu Xi Rebellion in Ningzong's time, which led to the former Prime Minister Han's Kaixi Northern Expedition only one way, which could not echo the effect, and had to be defeated.

Cui He once held military and political power in Shu, and he knew his disadvantages well. What the two are thinking about is how to turn disadvantages into advantages, so that Shudi, which is an important resource and human production area, can play a greater role.

"The people of Shu are rich, the output of tea and rice is very large, and the trade with Tubo, Dali and the southwest of the country, there is the so-called ancient tea horse road, if the Yangtze River shipping can be smooth, not only can Shu no longer have the risk of separation, but also can increase foreign trade, add another source of wealth for the Great Song Dynasty." Cui He said: "The minister went to the household department to inquire about the output of silk, silk, cotton cloth and other things in my Great Song Dynasty in the past two years, and I couldn't help but feel worried. ”

"Oh?" Zhao Youju asked in surprise, "Why worry?" ”

"In the first half of this year, the output data has been reported to the household department, raw silk compared with the same time last year, more than doubled, silk tripled, and cotton because of Xuzhou cotton, it has skyrocketed sixfold. Now the cotton of Xuzhou is enough to be clothed by the world, and the wealth of the Great Song Dynasty depends on it, and the people related to the cotton industry are as many as more than one million, and they are still increasing. Wei Liaoweng said to Zeng that if he goes on like this, he will count the Great Song Dynasty, the Jin Kingdom, and the Western Xia, and one day there will be a surplus of cotton cloth, and at that time, he is afraid that the cotton cloth industry will suffer a heavy setback, not only will the country's use be damaged, but also the livelihood of hundreds of people will also encounter big trouble. Cui He said with a smile: "Wei Liaoweng has recently read the "Wealth of Nations" and "Circulation Examination", and has this experience, so he discussed with his ministers, how to go to the disadvantages into advantages, talk and talk, there are many countries in the world, only by opening up trade routes and selling my Great Song Dynasty cotton cloth to any country in the world, can this catastrophe be invisible. ”

"Wei Liaoweng has grown!" When Zhao Heju heard this, he couldn't help but be surprised and delighted.

He did not despise the wisdom of the ancients, but he did not expect that Wei Liaoweng would see the possibility of an economic crisis from the two simple economic books he instructed Yelu Chucai and Chen Zicheng to write. Although their proposal to open up foreign markets could not fundamentally solve the economic crisis, this idea was to be encouraged, which also meant that the idea of economic expansion spontaneously formed among the important ministers without relying on him to use the authority of the emperor.

Economic expansion inevitably leads to political progress, and political progress, in this era, inevitably leads to territorial expansion. If the people of the Great Song Dynasty were aware of this, and realized that economic and political progress would bring them benefits and eliminate their poverty, then a completely different Great Song Dynasty would really stand tall.

This kind of thought appeared in the hearts of the pragmatic Cui He or the pragmatic Ge Hong and Qiao Xingjian, which were not enough to surprise Zhao Heju, and Wei Liaoweng, who was a master of science, thought like this, which meant one thing: In the past three years, the public opinion strategy he has vigorously promoted in newspapers such as "Song Times Weekly" has achieved a major victory.

This is a far more critical and protracted war than against Menghu, and there may even be bloodshed in between, but it is not the territory of one dynasty or another, but the progress of the ideas of the people for thousands of years.

"To open up trade routes, shipping is just one way, some countries without waterways are also the trade goals of our Great Song Dynasty, like Tubo, like Dali, to trade with these Tibetan countries, we must strengthen the transportation of Shu." Cui He said: "I heard that Your Majesty once talked about the steam locomotive, and at that time, the minister was thinking that in the future, those places that are not accessible by water can also be as convenient as boats and waterways. Although this matter is not visible overnight, as the official said, the preliminary preparations must begin now. ”

"Therefore, the minister asks His Majesty to entrust the responsibility of the three roads of Sichuan and Shu again, and the minister is willing to do his best for the rest of his life to operate in the southwest for His Majesty, and when I want to enter the southwest again in the future, the minister can ensure that the money and grain are sufficient and the people's hearts are gathered!"

"Do you want to let it out?"

Zhao and Ju were originally facing the map, but when they heard Cui He's words, they turned around suddenly and said in shock.

"Your Majesty has entrusted the ministers to the position of the prime minister for nearly two years, and now all the ministers in the court and the central government are respectful of His Majesty's holy wisdom, and the ministers are really ashamed to eat in this position, so the ministers intend to invite them out." Cui said solemnly: "Your Majesty's policy, someone must implement it, if you appoint the old people of Your Majesty's palace, I am afraid that some people will not accept it, but if the old minister implements His Majesty's policy in the local area, I think it will not be criticized." ”

From a purely political point of view, when Zhao Heju elected Cui Hexiang, it was originally because he did not trust the central ministers, so he had to seek talent from the opposition, and pick out people from the local or hermit who could suppress the ministers of the court. Now that nearly two years have passed, Zhao and Ju have established unprecedented imperial authority in the Great Song Dynasty, and it can be said that there is no need for a prime minister who is the head of the group of ministers to communicate with the monarch and ministers for him. Cui He begged to go at this time, and he did not completely resign from the government, but just asked for the town to operate the Sichuan-Shu Third Road for Zhao and Ju - this is probably the most difficult place to govern in the Great Song Dynasty at present.

After thinking for a while, Zhao Youju shook his head and said: "I know Qing Xin's intentions, but this matter is categorically not possible, Cui Qing, I tell the truth, at the beginning, I took Qing as the chief assistant, and I did have a transitional heart, but now I feel that Qing is the best person for the prime minister of the Great Song Dynasty." Besides, Qing has had a little trouble since this year, and I don't hide it from you, I hope that you will stabilize the ship for me in the court, don't make it too hasty, and the little bell and Qing are the most compatible, and in the future, the little bell will recruit horses, and I have to ask Qing to be the match......maker."

Little Bell is the nickname of the princess, the princess is not yet a year old this year, and if she wants to get married, it will be at least sixteen or seventeen years later. Cui He knew in his heart that this was the Son of Heaven caring about his body, and he was very moved in his heart. Although his heart to leave the court has been born for many days, it is not very firm, and after hearing the words of the Son of Heaven, this thought was dispelled.

"As for Sichuan and Shu, if the reefs in the river can be removed, the water transportation will be naturally convenient, and then one or two capable officials can be selected to enter the Sichuan government, and there is no need to bother such an important minister as Cui Qing." Zhao and Ju turned their backs again, staring at the Yangtze River entering Sichuan.

Opening up the Three Gorges Shipping Route is not only an economic need, but also a political need. He is not now to let the 10,000-ton giant ship enter Chengdu, but only to let the 1,000-ton ship can easily go up and down the river, which is enough to transport the products of Shu out, especially several good goods in Shu: natural saltpeter, natural asphalt, which are urgently needed by the military and chemical industry of the Great Song Dynasty.

In the middle of August of the second year of Yanhuang of the Great Song Dynasty, Wushan County, Kuizhou Road.

Liu Yuxi sat on the riverside in a daze, looking at the rushing river, and didn't make a sound for a long time. The sun shone on his head, causing beads of sweat to ooze from his dark skin, which he occasionally wiped, but more often than not.

In the past few years, the Great Song Dynasty has been politically harmonious, and there has been no major disaster in Shu, so it is not a problem for the common people to live a good life. However, compared with Huaibei, Lin'an and even Huainan, the development of Sichuan-Shu Third Road is as unhurried as an old ox pulling a cart.

"If you want to marry my daughter, you can either take 200 yuan as a gift, or send a little lady to exchange relatives with my son!"

The roar of Zheng Shijiu in the neighboring village is still echoing in Liu Yuxi's ears, and he doesn't know how many times he has echoed since he went to ask for marriage yesterday. Liu Yuxi doesn't blame Zheng Shijiu for being greedy for money, in a place like theirs, there are no three sunny days and no three inches of flat, Zheng Shijiu's family has one daughter and four sons, and the marriages of the four sons all fall on this daughter. If her daughter can't marry a good family and help her brother, she can't manage it even if she boils Zheng Shijiu's bone marrow out of oil.

It's just that she and Xiu'er are in love, she really loves Xiu'er, and she also has friendship for herself, otherwise why can't she shorten the clothes she worked so hard to weave for her brothers every time?

"Liu Sanlang, what are you doing?"

Liu Yuxi's thoughts were interrupted, and when he turned around, he saw Li Zheng's smiling face.

"What?" Liu Yuxi asked angrily, they are all villagers, and they are all upright, and there is nothing to be afraid of.

"Lin'an City has come to get a big official, to find the most familiar and best water in our village, this is a good job, then Zheng Shijiu didn't ask you for 200 yuan, if you want to please the officials, don't say 200 guan, what is the difficulty of 1,000 guan?" Li Zheng patted Liu Yuxi on the shoulder: "Liu Sanlang, your luck has changed, I recommended you to that big official, and there will be benefits in the future, don't forget me!" ”

"Poof!"

Liu Yuxi snorted disdainfully, and then turned his eyes to the river, but his butt didn't move.

"Hey, why are you still sitting here?" Rizheng pushed him and said.

"Since ancient times, I have only heard that the big officials are looking for us dead people to ask for money, when have you ever seen the big officials give us money? Uncle Huang Jiu, don't tease me, I know you want to marry Xiu'er for your weasel, but you don't need to play tricks on me for fun! ”

"Xiu'er is the most capable little lady in our left and right, which family with a son doesn't want to marry her?" Huang Li was not red or panting on the front: "You guy has no eyesight, and you treat my father's kindness as a donkey's liver and lungs!" ”

Liu Yuxi pursed his lips and was silent, this poor mountain and bad water came out of the people, he was not one of those soft eggs in the flat land who couldn't take a step and wanted to nod when he saw a small errand officer, in the water of this Wuxia River, even in the storm season, he dared to plunge down, why not be afraid of what big official came from Lin'an!

Huang Lizheng saw that he was silent, so he had to retreat, Liu Yuxi looked at the river again, if there was gold in the river, it would be good, maybe he could make up two hundred yuan......

I don't know how long he was stunned, Liu Yuxi heard Huang Lizheng's voice behind him again, he turned around, but looked at two people in strange costumes smiling at him.

Although the two of them were smiling at him, Liu Yuxi was still agitated and stood up suddenly.

He was a very sensitive person, and the two of them seemed to have no malicious intent, but their sharp gaze made Liu Yuxi realize that they were not as kind as they appeared.

"Little brother is turning in the waves?" There was a slight difference in their clothing, one of them had a star sewn on his collar, the other did not, and the one with the embroidered star asked with a smile.

"That's what my friends screamed about." Liu Yuxi glared at Huang Lizheng, these two people can call out his nickname, it must be Huang Lizheng's big mouth.

"We are the blasters of the artillery unit of the Great Song Guards." The person with the stars sewn on him spoke very bluntly: "My surname is Zhang, my name is Lushan, you can call me Zhang Lushan." ”

Zhang ...... Zhang Lushan. Liu Yuxi was a little uncomfortable with this person's style of speaking, and hesitated to call out, and finally felt that it was better not to call the name directly: "Zhang Daguan, what are you looking for me?" ”

"We're looking for someone who is most familiar with the reefs in Wuxia." Zhang Lushan is concise and authentic.

"Reefs? What is the use of you going to look for the boatman, looking for me? Liu Yuxi said lazily.

"Let me tell you this, we have to drill holes in the reefs of the hard waterways in the river and put some things, some of them have to dive into the water, and I heard that you are good at water, so I will ask you for help." Zhang Lushan said: "After the matter is completed, how about sending you a reward of 100 yuan?" ”

A hundred yuan reward money, that's a lot of money, and Liu Yuxi just needs this money. His eyes flashed, and then he shook his head: "This river is surging, and once you enter the water, you will tie your head to the waistband of your pants and play with your life, a hundred times...... A hundred times is not worth selling my life. ”

"One hundred yuan in advance, after the deed is completed, then give one hundred yuan of reward, if there is an accident, our wife and children in your family will cover it." Zhang Lushan said in an unquestionable tone: "That's it!" ”

Liu Yuxi's eyes lit up, and he immediately stretched out his hand: "You want to make money, don't make money!" ”

Zhang Lushan glanced at his companion, and the companion took out a stack of pink paper from the small bag pinned to his waist: "Is this a success?" ”

Huang Li was staring greedily at the paper, swallowing hard, Liu Yuxi was overjoyed: "Gold yuan coupons, naturally become, naturally become!" ”

This is a better thing than making money, although they don't have any products here, but the mouth of Wuxia, from the mouth of the merchant Jia, know this thing, compared to making money, if you use this thing to buy those rare foreign goods, not only convenient and fast, but also may have a discount!

As Zhao and Ju envisioned, with the increasing influence of the Liuqiu Bank, gold yuan bills have replaced money and coins as the most circulating currency in the Great Song Dynasty.