At the same time as the unveiling ceremony of the Jiangguan Customs Building was going on, not far away in Songjiang Post, the largest official post in Shanghai, Wang Xuanzhen, the energetic chief envoy of Jiangnan Province, was spreading out a picture and looking hard to Zhao Wang Liu Fang who was patrolling the southeast.

"Promoting" his plan.

This is a water system map of Songjiang River, which relatively clearly presents the hydrological conditions of lakes and ponds in Shanghai, Suzhou and Xiuzhou. The most conspicuous ones are several blue marking lines that connect Dianshan Lake and the canal.

It starts in Huating County, then turns northeast and merges into the Songjiang River, and then flows into the Yangtze River Estuary and flows into the sea.

But obviously, the river represented by the blue line does not yet exist. To be precise, it is not yet a system. What Wang Xuanzhen sold to Liu Fang was to carry out such a trenching and ponding project in Shanghai and Xiuzhou.

, the "major surgery" to sort out the water veins.

Liu Yang was an emperor who loved to patrol. Not to mention how many times he conducted overt and covert inspections in the Gyeonggi area. He had already visited far away places, such as the southwest, northwest, and Monan. Moreover, he was always dedicated to serving the public, keeping the ceremony simple, and never giving up.

There is trouble everywhere and there is almost no parade performance.

The dignitaries and bureaucrats across the country all know that the emperor not only likes to inspect, but also likes to send censors, special envoys, and secret envoys to inspect. This has led to the fact that in recent years, local officials and people in various prefectures and counties have been particularly sensitive to "outsiders."

There is no guarantee that a person dressed as a businessman could be the emperor's secret envoy. There is always a sense of tension in the official atmosphere.

But in such an atmosphere, it also forces local officials to have a more detailed understanding of the political and people's livelihood conditions under their rule. Real control begins with all kinds of disturbances.

This time, Zhao Wang Liu Fang, as the "Jianghuai Patrol Envoy", patrolled on behalf of the sky to inspect the political and people's livelihood conditions in the Jianghuai prefectures. The journey was very low-key, with few entourages, and few honors were displayed, but he brought great benefits to the Jianghuai area

The pressure is extremely high.

Not only the deterrence brought by King Zhao himself, but also because Liu Fang went on patrol with two heavyweight missions, Linzi Gong Liu Wenji and Taiyuan Gong Liu Wenpeng. In today's big Han Dynasty, these three people put together, probably

Except for Emperor Liu Yang, no one could represent the Han royal family better than them.

At the same time, allowing Zhao Wang Liu Fang to go on patrol independently was also a strong political signal sent by Emperor Liu Fang. Zhao Wang Liu Fang had "lifted the ban."

You know, in the past ten years, Zhao Wang Liu Fang was enshrined in the court like a Buddha, and his treatment was the best. The emperor thought of him no matter what the benefits were, and was stingy with other people, except Liu Fang.

Generous.

However, in terms of real power, for Liu Fang, there is no need to mention it at all. Compared with his compatriot Liu Ai, it is far less than it is.

The reason is simply that "a great talent is difficult to control", and these four words have buried countless heroes throughout the ages. In view of the fact that his father was "stuck" in the capital, he had already managed the Beiting Kingdom with some success in the Western Regions.

The eldest son, Liu Wengong, once wrote to Liu Yang, hoping to welcome Liu Fang back to Beiting and reunite his relatives.

In this regard, before Liu Yang expressed his position, Liu Fang directly refused, and later requested the emperor's brother, hoping that the throne of Beiting could be passed directly to Liu Wengong.

Liu Fang rarely took the initiative to ask Liu Yang for anything, so he agreed after only a brief consideration. It was also from that time that Liu Fang's political loosening began.

This time, he was ordered to inspect Jianghuai and even handed over two princes, including Liu Wenpeng, the legitimate son, to Liu Fang. This obviously had deep intentions.

Following the holy will, Liu Fang and his two imperial nephews patrolled and provided education along the way. The main focus of the group was on Huaixi Road. There was no way, the traffic there was relatively congested, the folk customs were more violent, and the economic conditions were insufficient.

It allows people to see some more realistic social features in the Han Dynasty.

Over and over, it took more than two months to visit Shanghai, a commercial capital on the coast of the river and the sea, and caught up with the opening ceremony of the Jiangnan Customs Supervisor Building, and was also taken advantage of by Wang Xuanzhen, the chief envoy of Jiangnan Province.

.

After listening to Wang Xuanzhen's endless talk about his idea of ​​digging the "Qingpu River" in Xiuzhou and Shanghai, and seeing his unfinished expression, Liu Fang was noncommittal, but showed a hint of curiosity and asked: "Wang Xuanzhen, are you from Jiangnan?"

Sir, if you are not the mayor of Shanghai, why are you so concerned about Shanghai’s water conservancy canals?”

When asked, Wang Xuanzhen did not shy away and said directly: "Your Majesty, the emergence of Shanghai is a completely new thing. It has never happened before in China's thousands of years of history. It deserves long-term careful study and development attention by the imperial court and the Han officials and people.

This is a city that thrives on commerce. The port is its heart, the ponds and canals are its blood vessels, and the rivers and seas are its blood. Only by continuously strengthening its foundation and giving full play to its benefits can we ensure its vigorous development and see the future.

A majestic city that transcends ancient and modern times.

To achieve this goal, just one Songjiang River is not enough. Digging a new river to connect the surrounding water systems is also creating history."

When Wang Xuanzhen said this, his old eyes were shining. It was hard to imagine that such a person who is famous for being gloomy and reserved could be so "passionate". However, his statement was really difficult for people to agree with.

Liu Fang is a tolerant person and is always willing to listen to other people's ideas, but he still can't help but question Wang Xuazhen's idea: "Isn't one Songjiang enough? Based on what I have seen in Shanghai in the past two days, Shanghai's development can be continuous.

Both sides of the Songjiang River are not filled up.”

Wang Xuanzhen said: "The upper reaches of the Songjiang River are inconvenient to discharge floods, and the lower reaches are silted up. In recent years, with frequent shipping and overuse, it has become even more congested and unfavorable. In the past ten years or so, the government has invested a large amount of money and manpower every year for dredging and drainage."

At the same time, the rivers are silted up, which also makes the navigable ships low in load and slow in rotation. Many large ships can berth in the outer harbor. During the busy seasons of summer and winter, they need to queue up in the open sea and wait to dock.

All this is not conducive to trade and navigation, and it also hinders the further development and prosperity of Shanghai. If the blood circulation is not smooth, people will not be healthy, and the same is true for Shanghai!"

Wang Xuanzhen spoke so eloquently that Liu Fang couldn't help but feel a little emotional, feeling that his vision was far ahead. However, it was equally difficult to get him to support him. First of all, Liu Fang didn't understand the inner world, and he didn't think Wang Xuanzhen's proposal was urgent.

,necessary.

After pondering for a while, Liu Fang looked at Wang Xuanzhen and said, "Even if your considerations are reasonable, they are too far-reaching! According to your idea, this project is not small. How much manpower and material resources will be consumed? Have you ever thought about it? In Songjiang

If the conditions are sufficient, how can the imperial court agree to carry out such a big project?"

Wang Xuanzhen immediately said: "Fifty years ago, when Wang Yangong (Wang Pu) was governing the Huaihe River, he dug flood marshes and opened the Guishan Canal, which cost a lot of money and took many years. However, the people around the river are still benefiting from it!

"

"You want to imitate Wang Yangong?" Liu Fang glanced at Wang Xuanzhen.

Wang Xuanzhen said: "I don't dare! I'm just an official. I just want to gain fame and reputation, but I also want to leave something for the people under my rule."

"One Shanghai city is not enough?" Liu Fang said calmly.

Wang Xuanzhen: “I hope Shanghai can become more prosperous!”

"You are the chief envoy of Jiangnan Province!"

"I am already old. If I can accomplish one more thing, I will consider myself worthy of this position."

After hearing what Wang Xuanzhen said, Liu Fang was silent for a while, raised his head, and said leisurely: "You are honest, your ideas are grand, and you are very forward-looking.

However, this time I am in the court and am neither responsible for water conservancy projects nor money and food. If you come to me about this matter, you have gone to the wrong temple and worshiped the wrong god."

Wang Xuanzhen bowed and said: "I dare not embarrass the king. I only ask the king to present this picture to His Majesty on my behalf when he returns to the capital!"

Wang Xuanzhen looked very calm, and his eyes returned to calmness. Seeing this, Liu Fang looked at him carefully for a while, rolled up the drawings on the table, and said: "Keep the drawings, I will consider it!"

"Thank you so much, Your Majesty!" Seeing this, Wang Xuanzhen stood up and saluted Liu Fang solemnly: "I'm sorry for bothering you, Your Majesty, but I hope you'll forgive me and resign."

After saying this, he bowed respectfully to Zigong Liu Wenji who was accompanying him and then slowly left the room.

"Why did Fourth Uncle agree to submit the petition on his behalf?" Liu Wenji, who had been drinking tea silently and had not spoken a word, suddenly asked.

Obviously, Liu Fang said he would consider it, but leaving the picture is an attitude in itself. When asked, Liu Fang smiled faintly: "It's a favor, so what if I give it to him?"

"This is not a favor! And the fourth uncle doesn't seem to be a person who follows the crowd, and there is no need to do so." Liu Wenji looked at Liu Fang and said.

Liu Fang smiled again and asked, "You seem to disagree with Wang Xuanzhen's proposal to build the river?"

Liu Wenji shook his head: "It doesn't matter whether my nephew agrees with it or not. What matters is whether the people in power in the DPRK agree with it!"

"You are not optimistic about this proposal!" Liu Fang said.

Liu Wenji pondered for a while and said: "The concerns about Songjiang mentioned by Wang Xuanzhen are not serious at present, and there are many ways to improve them. If the river is narrow, then widen it; if there is sedimentation, then dredge it; use big boats

If there are not enough berths, then the port will be expanded.

In short, it is easier for people to accept it than starting a massive construction project and carving out a river.

Wang Xuanzhen's idea was very big, and his considerations seemed to be far-reaching, but because of this, it was more difficult to realize it. What's more, the matter involved a lot of places, far more than Shanghai and Suxiu Prefecture. The more involved, the more difficult it would be.

OK.

As for whether Wang Xuanzhen’s thoughts are reasonable or not, I can’t jump to a conclusion. Maybe the situation in tens or even hundreds of years will be more severe than what he said today, but the discussion of repairing the river is at least inappropriate at the moment."

Liu Wenji's remarks made Liu Fang both surprised and emotional, and said: "As you said, I am just a 'messenger'. As for whether we agree or disagree, that is a matter for your Majesty and the court to consider!"

Immediately afterwards, Liu Fang asked Liu Wenji: "What do you think of Wang Xuanzhen?"

Regarding this question, Liu Wenji also showed a smile and said: "He is a good official! At least, compared to the flattering officials he has seen along the way, this person can be called a practical person. When talking to his fourth uncle and reporting, he was also

For official business, if you observe his words and actions, it is not difficult to understand that your Majesty will abandon many criticisms and appoint this person."

After listening to Liu Wenji's opinions, Liu Fang couldn't help but look at him carefully. His face with many wrinkles was very calm, but he secretly sighed in his heart: "What a pity."

Feeling the scrutinizing gaze of his fourth uncle, Liu Wenji was also very calm, with a calm expression. He just played with the tea set skillfully and helped Liu Fang pour a cup of tea.

The twenty-six-year-old Liu Wenji has completely matured. After opening the government, he has been studying step by step for seven years. In accordance with the "tradition" cultivated by the Tian family, he went to the military academy and trained in the battalion. Until the past two years, he has been studying step by step.

In the year of 1949, he was assigned to work in the court by Emperor Liu Yang.

He started from some "minor" minor positions, starting from serving as censor in the palace, then commenting on affairs in Dali Temple, and then promoted to official position in Luoyang Mansion. Until this time, he still wore the title of censor of Jiangnan Province.

This kind of progress and speed is much slower than that of the eldest brother who has already been crowned king and participated in the military affairs of the Han Dynasty early. Because of this, although Liu Wenji is the second prince in the court, he rarely pays attention to it. Everyone pays attention to it.

The focus is all on the eldest prince Liu Wenhuan and the growing legitimate prince Liu Wenpeng. As for Liu Wenji, he has not even done anything to manage his reputation and power.

At this time, King Zhao Liu Fang couldn't help but think about the situation of the three princes, the emperor's second brother. With a solemn expression, he immediately ordered the attendant in front of the door: "Come here, go and find the third prince!"

"yes!"

"No need!" As soon as he finished speaking, a slightly excited voice sounded from outside the door, followed by a handsome young man who came in, it was Liu Wenpeng, the third son of the emperor.

Liu Wenpeng didn't know anything about his uncle and brothers. Liu Wenpeng quickly walked in and sat down. He picked up a cup of tea on the table. Without Liu Wenji's dissuasion, he put it into his mouth and then spit it out. He looked at Liu Wenji aggrievedly: "

Second brother, this tea has just been brewed.”

Looking at Liu Wenpeng, Liu Wenji chuckled and said, "You are too impatient!"

"I'm too thirsty!" Liu Wenpeng said, then he raised his eyes, looked at Liu Fang and Liu Wenji, and said: "Fourth uncle, second brother, Shanghai is extremely lively today, there are so many new things here, it's dazzling.
To be continued...