Three years ago, Zhu Houxi's understanding of the Cao Yun was still relatively shallow, and he only thought that the Cao Yun within the Ming Dynasty system was probably related to the millions of Cao Gong clothes.

But it's not three years ago, and Zhu Houxi no longer takes it for granted.

After setting sail from Tongzhou, Zhu Houxi's imperial ship slowly sailed on the Huitong River.

"When the Yongle year was re-chiseled, the water ridge was in Jining. Mengyuan heavy shipping, these more than 400 miles will be through the river gradually abolished. In the past, Jining Tongzhi Uncle Pan was going to dredge the river to ask Junhui to pass the river, and Taizong ordered Song Li, the secretary of the Ministry of Works, to complete this matter, so that there is today's situation. ”

Accompanying Zhu Houxi was Li Qi, the former secretary of the Ministry of Works, who joined the cabinet after leaving Beijing.

He figured out the emperor's intention to bring him specifically - there was a royal history to patrol the world before, and the first batch of three-year national policies determined at the national policy meeting included the investigation of water conservancy in the world.

This time, the emperor was going south along the canal, and on the way to Fengyang and the ancestral tombs of Sizhou, Li Yi had already made preparations for more than a month, so that he could answer some of Zhu Houxi's questions at any time.

Zhu Houxi really opened his mouth and asked: "Is it better to have a shortage of boats now?" ”

"Back to Your Majesty, it's much better." Li Qi beat a drum in his heart, "In the past, Liu Liu's and Liu Qi's thieves attacked Jining, burning more than 1,200 boats, and the shortage of boats once exceeded 3,200. Although the factories in Qingjiang and Weihe can build nearly 1,000 large and small boats a year, they may be drowned in the wind and waves, or stolen by the army, or old and unusable. When His Majesty ascended the throne in the sixteenth year of Zhengde, the deficit was two thousand. In the past three years, the shortage has dropped to more than 1,200. ”

In front of this, Li Li did not dare to conceal it, so he also told the officers and soldiers of Caoyun about the theft and sale of the boats.

Zhu Houxi nodded and didn't make any comments.

Is this the food and clothing of millions of workers? Naturally, it is.

However, compared to the uncontrollable process of transshipment of food and wages through the sea, the canal is still located on land and is monitored along the coast.

If the capital is Beijing, we have to face the big problem of supplying many materials to Beijing.

But the canal's problems are far more than just itself.

Zhu Houxi wanted to take a look for himself first.

The boat traveled in the territory of Beizhili, and this journey was not the focus of Zhu Houxi.

He didn't come here to play, and he didn't mean to go ashore here to see the people's livelihood.

Not necessarily. Zhu Houxi is not a person who grew up in the imperial palace since he was a child, and he already has many paintings in his mind five hundred years later, which are richer than Tang Yin's paintings in Guangdong.

He went ashore to observe the people's feelings, but instead disturbed the people.

Sit on the boat and occasionally look at the banks of the canal and the river. When I have time, I will summon the courtiers who accompany me and ask about some information.

The emperor never even got off the ship.

Every day at nightfall, the Royal Ship will dock at the pier.

There would be local officials and gentry representatives waiting there, and Zhu Houxi would just show up on the bow deck, ask a few words of encouragement, and then give up.

The boat is not too big, and Zhu Houxi doesn't think it will look cramped to sleep on the boat.

But Wen Suyun and Zhu Zaiyun are very unhappy.

After the first half a day of freshness, both of them were actually looking forward to going to the shore to have fun.

The meal was also simple, and when they left the palace, Zhu Houxi didn't let them talk about those rules, so they ate around the small round table together.

"Say whatever you want, say it."

After glancing at Wen Suyun, the corners of Zhu Houxi's mouth turned up slightly.

“…… No, nothing. Wen Suyun felt that His Majesty was in a hurry, and he was not in the mood to play - there were still rebels in Huguang.

Zhu Houxi naturally understood her thoughts, smiled and said, "Endure it for a few more days, and when you arrive in Linqing, you will have to stay for some time." Do you know Linqing? ”

……

Linqing is located in Shandong, what kind of place is this, Wen Suyun naturally knows.

To paraphrase the later statement, there were three megacities with a population of more than one million in Daming at this time: Beijing, Nanjing, and Suzhou.

In the back row, there 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 one of them was also squeezed into Linqing, Shandong.

In Daming, the most prosperous and developed city in Shandong is Linqing.

Because of the canal.

If the floating population is included, Linqing is likely to be in a state of more than one million people for a long time.

In the whole of Shandong, Linqing has lifted more than half of the people in Shandong.

The granary of Linqing can store more than 300,000 stones, which is the largest granary in the entire Ming Dynasty at this moment.

And set up in the Linqing banknote, the tax silver that can be collected every year is also the crown of the entire Ming Dynasty.

To be clear, in the area of commercial tax, the tax revenue of the Linqing Bank Customs is higher than that of the whole Shandong Province, accounting for nearly a quarter of the national tax amount.

To use Zhu Houxi's familiar joke, Linqing is the prototype place where the story of the Ximen Daguan who did not appear at this time, but later became famous all over the world.

Rich Jiaqi County, prosperous and oppressive of two capitals.

On October 12, Zhu Houxi was about to arrive in Linqing.

Linqing is a state under the jurisdiction of Dongchang Prefecture, and the city of Linqing Prefecture itself is not small. The circumference of the city wall is more than nine miles, which is larger than its superior city.

However, due to the economic effect brought by the canal, from the first year of Hongzhi, the west of Linqing City to the west of the canal to the west of the canal was full of people. When Liu Liu and Liu Qi rebelled, in order to protect Linqing, they built the border cities on the periphery.

Today, the area of Linqingzhou City is actually only about four or five times the area of the entire Linqing City.

Li Dongyang left a poem when he passed through Linqing in the past year:

Ten miles of people are divided on both sides of the strait, and the high-rise buildings enter the green clouds.

The official ships and boats passed by one after another, and the drums and gongs were heard everywhere.

The bending shore is frightening to return here, and the sound of the waves resounded day and night with spring thunder.

Thousands of fireworks in the city gathered, and thousands of sails on the river.

Now Cui Yuan and Li Quanli only felt that they were heartbroken about the safety of the emperor who would stay here for seven days in the future.

There are a lot of people, a lot of mobility, and a lot of clutter!

Ahead of Zhu Houxi, both of them rushed to Linqing City.

Zhang Fujing has already arrived here, after all, Zhu Houxi is not going to Jinan in the southeast, let alone Yanzhou Mansion and Qufu County.

Shandong can come to see His Majesty with "grace", and there are only more than four grades.

Officials below the prefect, I'm afraid only the officials of Linqing Prefecture are so lucky.

"Don't wait for a few months, is it okay to supervise the platform?"

Cui Yuan and Zhang Fujing have only been dealing with each other for a few days, but they are still greeting each other warmly at the moment.

One is the number one person other than Sun Jiao among the relatives, and it is also related to the army.

One is one of the most powerful figures among the new courtiers, on the same level as Yan Song.

Everyone is the most iron-clad imperial party, and their quality is higher than Yang Tinghe, after all, the position they can hold today depends on the emperor's promotion of Xinzhong.

So he quickly cut to the chase: "The escort battalion is stationed in the north of the city, and let Xiangchengbo temporarily take over the defense of Linqing City." The royal car anchored outside the North Water Gate, and entered the city through the Calm Gate. ”

"But listening to the arrangement, the lower officials are ready."

Although Cui Yuan still has the title of Jingshan Hou, the title of counselor has become the honorific title of the Ming Dynasty second only to "Pavilion Elder".

Scholars are all counselors, but not scholars.

After Linqing Zhizhou finished saying this, he glanced at Zhang Fujing, and then said: "Xiaguan has already cleaned up the area around the Confucian Temple, and the counselor will go to inspect it first to see what else needs to be added?" ”

"Yes."

Cui Yuan nodded solemnly, and then walked in front with Zhang Fujing before asking in a low voice: "Confucian Temple?" ”

There are Confucian temples in almost every prefecture and county seat in the Ming Dynasty, because there are prefecture schools and county schools in various places.

The construction of Confucian temples in various places should be relatively large-scale from the Tang Dynasty, to the Song Dynasty to become customized, and after the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, it was almost formed.

The Temple of Literature is not just for the worship of Confucius and the sages, but generally for the integration of temple and learning. The official status of the Temple of Literature is actually a part of the official school, and generally speaking, the building regulations of the Temple of Literature are higher or even the highest in the local area.

The local Confucian temples were all built by the local officials, and the local Confucian temples presented the architectural styles of their respective regions. In the place where the style of learning is at its peak, the Temple of Literature and the official school will develop better and better.

What is Linqing?

Zhang Fujing smiled lightly: "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 mantle of the next generation of Dacheng Wenxuan Ancestor and the new master, wouldn't it be best to set up in the Temple of Literature? This is the luck of the Linqing Confucian Temple. Huang Gonggong, you said yes, right? ”

Huang Jin, who came to fight the outpost together, only smiled slightly.

Cui Yuan felt reckless, but he was afraid that no one in the Manchu Dynasty could compare to this product.

The emperor now has a new identity, and the matter of stationing in the Temple of Literature falls on some people's hearts, and I am afraid that a word will pop up - doves occupy the magpie's nest.

What's more, His Majesty still has two concubines and one concubine.

But...... Dunlun also seems to be a great canon.

The group entered the city, and when they arrived at the gate of the Confucian Temple, Cui Yuan looked up and sighed: "It is worthy of Linqing, this Lingxing Gate is also built so magnanimously." ”

Lingxing is the Lingxing, which is the Tiantian Star in the sky, and is used in the Confucian Temple to respect Confucius to be comparable to the heavens, and because of the Lingxing's "Lord Scholar" and the function of official learning.

In terms of regulation, only the Temple of Heaven, the Imperial Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature can build a star gate. It is characterized by a group of three doors with a total of six pillars. In ordinary places, wooden pillars and stone pillars are just decorated with wall tiles. And this Linqing Confucian Temple, built a huge gate house archway.

Entering the door is the standard configuration in the vestibule of the Confucian Temple - Pan Pond. There is such a place in every Confucian Temple, which is taken from the ancient rite "The Son of Heaven Piyong, the Princes Pan Palace." "Generally speaking, it's just digging an artificial pool with a stone bridge on it.

The repair of this bridge has gradually become more and more particular than it is on the surface. At the beginning, when the local jinshi came out, a bridge would be added. Later, the imperial examination became more and more prosperous, and the jinshi also became inflated, and it became a champion to add a bridge.

Now the Pan Pond of the Linqing Confucian Temple is not only large, full of ancient trees, but also the bridges added on both sides have also been built like the corridor on the lake in the garden.

Zhang Fujing introduced to him: "Kuixing Pavilion, Wenchang Pavilion." ”

Cui Yuan looked at the two directions of his fingers, only to see him smile and say, "If you go to the pavilion, you can overlook the whole city, and it is also convenient for the guards to guard, yes or no?" ”

“…… Mao Gong said very much. ”

"The left and right squares on the side of the Confucian Temple are the places where the gentry come and go, and the forecourt of the Confucian Temple in the Qing Dynasty does not know how many high-ranking officials and Confucians have lived." Zhang Fujing saluted him, "The will will not be set in Jinan, and Linqing will only be prepared in less than a month." Although Your Majesty has a decree to keep everything simple, Sun Shence and Huang Gonggong still have to take a closer look. Whatever is to be added, let it be quickly commanded. Fortunately, the Linqing merchant Jia has gathered, and the goods are filled, and it is also fast to purchase. ”

"It's up to Grandpa Huang."

Cui Yuan saluted the low-key Huang Jin: "Huang Gonggong is always with His Majesty, and he knows best. ”

"Let's take a look first." Huang Jin was still smiling.

He doesn't care what Temple of Literature is or not, the world belongs to His Majesty, where can he go, where can he stay?

The Confucius ceremony has been changed, and the statue of Confucius in the Linqing Confucian Temple has also been removed, but it is impossible for the emperor to sleep in the Dacheng Temple and the halls on both sides of the temple, which houses Confucius and many sages.

When he arrived at a courtyard with a large scale, Cui Yuan couldn't help asking: "This Pan Palace Fang is newly repaired, right?" ”

On the central axis of the vestibule, it is located in the south of Dacheng Gate, which is the boundary between the front and back of the Confucian Temple, and the pattern of this Pan Palace Fang, how does Cui Yuan look at it and feel familiar-it is a bit similar to the Yangxin Palace.

Zhang Fujing replied seriously: "Originally, it was there, but it was renovated, and the interior and exterior furnishings were changed." ”

Cui Yuan could only shake his head.

Zhu Houxi decided to stay in Linqing for seven days, so whether it is Zhang Fujing, Dongchang Mansion, or Linqingzhou, where do you dare to slack off?

"Mao Gong is not afraid that His Majesty will blame him."

"Not really." Zhang Fujing smiled a little cunning and proud, "I asked for a decree, everything is bought with silver." Your Majesty has granted it, and when Your Majesty leaves Linqing, I can sell some of these artifacts again. Your Majesty has used it, presumably although Shandong spent a sum of money in advance, it will recover more, right? ”

Cui Yuan was a little dizzy, and opened his mouth slightly: "Your Majesty has allowed it?" ”

Good guys, isn't this using the emperor's name to make money?

Zhang Fujing nodded affirmatively: "I played it directly in the secret box, Cui Shence didn't know." Today, Huang Gonggong met in person, and I talked to Cui Shence in private. I have deep understanding and admiration for His Majesty's open-mindedness and open-mindedness, and I ...... when I was in Guangdong."

So he talked about old things such as Huguang Dragon and Tiger Fierce Medicine, which not only further narrowed the relationship between the three of them, but also showed his understanding of the emperor.

Between a few words, it was revealed that he was very diligent in discussing the details of the implementation of the new law with the emperor when he tried to implement the new law in Guangdong.

Now that I am the Governor and have that secret box, I naturally have to use it better.

Cui Yuan could not imagine that after His Majesty left Linqing, the "Emperor's Imperial Utensils Auction" would be held in this place where merchants gathered.

He could only sigh: Zhang Fujing is a person who can make money.

Cui Yuan, a rare smart person among the relatives, can also read another layer of intention: Zhang Fujing is too brave, there are already too many officials and gentry who have offended, and he can only rely on the emperor for the rest of his life and his heirs. And he was promoted so quickly, and if he wanted the emperor to continue to trust him, he couldn't help but leave some other stains on the emperor.

Selling the things used by the emperor to make money, in the future, this innocuous matter will become a "crime" for some political enemies to talk about.

Whether to punish or not depends on the will of God.

In Pangong Fang, all of them are good objects.

It's both extravagant and not tacky.

In addition to leaving a place to place the dragon chair, other utensils are readily available, and Huang Jin can only say after reading it: "Zhang Dutai is thoughtful." But since we want to make money, let's talk about some gadgets. ”

Zhang Fujing was very happy: "Huang Gonggong, please speak!" ”

Huang Jin said solemnly: "Your Majesty said, Mao Gong is really a ghost. Since I can come up with this idea on my own, then I can learn a big character for a pen. ”

Cui Yuan and Zhang Fujing were dumbfounded.

As for it?

But fortunately, it's not a pen that criticizes the sparse, which proves that it is not a beating, but an encouragement.

Zhang Fujing said sadly: "Your Majesty thinks about enriching the country and strengthening the army day and night, and the ministers are inexplicably impressed. ”

The three of you look at me, I look at you, and finally laughed together.

The rich merchant's money, don't you take it for nothing, don't you?

You want to put down the rebellion, you want disaster relief, you want to tour the south, you want money!

"This is Linqing! Prosperous, right? When I entered Beijing with other show girls, I passed by and didn't let us see more! ”

On the canal north of Linqing City, Wen Suyun pulled Zhang Qinghe's finger and pointed to the shadow of a boat that had been temporarily sheltered to the shore in front of him.

"Stretching for dozens of miles, it's really lively."

Zhang Qinghe has never left the capital, and now she is just pursing her lips and looking at the front curiously, and it is Zhu Houxi who speaks.

The foreign trade of the Ming Dynasty is not good now, if the whole Ming Dynasty is a pure commercial city, it will be the most in Linqing, just like Shanghai many years later.

In such a place, how could Zhu Houxi not stay for a few more days?

Not for fun, but because here, there are also many splendor and sins nourished by the canal, the main artery of the Ming Dynasty.

There are the largest wharves in the Ming Dynasty, the three religions and nine streams that are the most difficult to find out where they came from, and the noble officials and gentry who are most deeply involved in the market and copper smell.

In addition, Linqing also has the entire Ming Dynasty at the forefront of urban planning ideas.

At this moment, in the border city of Linqing, Bamboo Pole Lane, Hoop Bucket Lane, Pot Market Street, Mashi Street...... From Tawan in the north to Touzha in the south, in the five "commercial districts" of Linqing that stretch for dozens of miles, everyone knows the information according to the Jingying army that marched to Sanshuimen and Liulumen.

The emperor is finally coming to Linqing.

To the west of the Zhongzhou neighborhood, on the west bank of the Wei River, all kinds of boats are moored at the wharf, whether they are wharves or not.

The North Water Gate is closed today, and ships coming and going will dock first, and wait for the royal driver to leave the ship and land.

And at the Wenshui turn in the southeast of the city, the Linqing Pass was very busy.

"Within 30 years, you can't be short of any year's account! Try it again! ”

Having been asked to start learning double-entry bookkeeping, they naturally knew how professional they might be in auditing accounts after the emperor came.

And the emperor is always playing with new things, new learning, new laws...... Who knows what new ideas he will have about Linqing after he comes to Linqing?

In the neighborhood west of the Wei River, a spice shop near Xiyanmen is a common pattern in front of the store and behind the house.

A merchant is a person who has a fixed shop, a fixed residence, and a stable tax payment in the local area, and the shopkeeper of this spice store is surnamed Wu.

"The boats are all parked at the South Plate Gate Wharf?"

"It took twenty taels of silver to stop at the dock."

Shopkeeper Wu nodded: "Let's wait for now." ”

The emperor wants to stay here for seven days, there is no need to hurry.

He stood up: "Go to Sitong Building and book a private room, I want to feast guests." ”

This city of millions of people is like the heart of the main artery of the Ming Dynasty, how can it completely stop functioning just because the emperor is coming?

In the same way, it will also be a key point of the Ming Dynasty.

If something big happens here, its impact will affect most of the Ming Dynasty.

Now, Zhu Houxi's car is docked.

A newly erected wharf north of the city's water gate has been fenced off by janissaries, and on the shore are officials from Shandong's top-down and transportation system.

"Your Majesty has arrived!"

"Greetings to the royal driver, long live my emperor! Banzai! Hooray! ”

The emperor came to his loyal Shandong.