Luo Youdu thought about the long days to come, put away the ripples in his heart, and said to his father-in-law: "It's been a long journey, and the mansion in the city has been packed up. Please get in the car and go back to the house to rest first."
He made a gesture of invitation.
Zhou Zong nodded and walked in front.
Emperor E of Zhou was filled with blessings generously.
Luo Youdu showed the most handsome smile he could think of.
Seeing the three people getting on the carriage, Luo Youdu led a group of people to Yangzhou City.
As the Southern Tang Army withdrew from Yangzhou, Xiang Xun temporarily took over the defense of Yangzhou, and Guo Rong also moved from Hezhou to Yangzhou, preparing to grandly receive Qian Hongchu, King of Wuyue Kingdom, in Yangzhou.
Because Yangzhou was newly acquired, it was heavily guarded and there were soldiers patrolling along the way.
When the soldiers coming and going saw Luo Youdu and his entourage passing by, they all stopped and looked in awe.
When Zhou Zong saw this in the car, he couldn't help but said: "It is really not easy for a scholar to achieve what he has achieved today in the Central Plains."
Zhou Ehuang nodded unconsciously, with a trace of distress flashing in his eyes.
On the Yangtze River, Emperor Zhou E had already learned from Zhou Zong about Luo Youdu's experiences over the years, and also learned some things about those years. He knew that Luo Youdu followed his mother to the north to seek relatives, but his family was killed for the Khitan, leaving him orphans, widows, and an old man.
The servants struggled to survive in Kaifeng.
Jiangnan, where Emperor Zhou E lived, could be described as a paradise on earth. More than once, scholars from the northern Central Plains who fled to Jiangnan talked about the chaos in the Central Plains.
It is said that thieves and bandits are rampant there, demons are dancing wildly, and moral principles and principles of dignity and inferiority are absent.
The soldiers were able to kill the Jiedushi envoys because they did not lead them to rob the people to make money.
Jiedushi was even more arrogant and took rebellion and self-reliance as a matter of course.
Emperor Zhou E had a docile temperament and received a good education since she was a child. She had the most beautiful character of an ancient Chinese woman and was virtuous and virtuous.
Although the process was a mistake, in her heart Luo Youdu was already her husband.
I think about my future husband, living in such troubled times, having to make a career on his own and become famous all over the world. It must be extremely difficult, not only proud, but also a little heart-wrenching.
A group of people entered Yangzhou City.
Today's Yangzhou City is far less elegant than Yang Yiyi'er in the middle and late Tang Dynasty.
The houses in the city are old and even some are dilapidated, and the street control is not satisfactory.
It is obviously a street, but there are still occupied houses that can be expanded to the middle of the street, occupying half of the land, leaving only half of the street for walking.
"well!"
When Zhou Zong saw the scene in the city in the car, he sighed and said: "After so many years of separation, Yangzhou has ended up in such a state." Then he said angrily: "Feng Yanlu deserves death."
Zhou Zong was also from Yangzhou, so he naturally had special feelings for Yangzhou.
After he resigned as Yangzhou governor and settled in Jinling, it was Feng Yanlu who succeeded him as Yangzhou governor.
Zhou Zong regarded himself as a pure man and would not do anything that would harm his reputation.
Yangzhou was too rich and suffered from wars. It recovered a lot of its strength under Zhou Zong. But when Feng Yanlu came to power, he started all kinds of plundering and exploitation.
The dignitaries in the city regarded it as a normal thing to occupy the streets and made Yangzhou a mess.
As long as Li Jing's taxes are in place, he won't care what happens to his stuff.
As a result, Yangzhou, which was so big but so good, became what it is today.
Hearing this, Luo Youdu stopped his horse and walked to the carriage, saying: "The city of Yangzhou has been in chaos, with all kinds of occupation of streets and land, it is hopeless. We discussed this matter with the officials a few days ago, and the officials' intention
Abandon the city of Yangzhou and plan to find a place nearby to build a new Yangzhou. However, I don’t know where it is suitable at the moment. My father-in-law has lived in Yangzhou for a long time. I don’t know what you think?”
Luo Youdu remembered that in history, Guo Rong built a small town in the southeast of old Yangzhou to replace Yangzhou, called Zhou Xiaocheng.
Later, the Song Dynasty expanded the city wall on the basis of Zhou Xiaocheng and called it Song Dacheng.
Yangzhou is located in an important water transportation area. After the unification of the north and the south, in just a few years, Yangzhou once again became the economic and cultural center of southeast China, comparable to the importance of the capital Bianliang.
According to historical records, Yangzhou's commercial tax revenue is 80,000 yuan per year, ranking first in the country.
Zhou Zong became more energetic and talked about the situation around Yangzhou.
"I think the new Yangzhou should not follow the path of the old Yangzhou City. The old Yangzhou City paid attention to both agriculture and business, but the reality is that not many people are willing to farm. The business in the city is too developed, and the annual income of small and medium-sized workers in the city is higher than that of farming.
Many fields were deserted, and wealthy households in the city even bought the land directly to use as summer residences. Directly focusing on commerce and water supply, supplemented by agriculture, further expanded Yangzhou's geographical advantage of convenient land and water."
Luo Youdu praised: "Father-in-law, I have a great opinion. Originally, Yangzhou only had a sub-city, with only four miles from north to south and east to west. It was Huainan Jiedu envoy Chen Shaoyou who expanded Luocheng and connected it with water transportation. Grain, salt, money, iron and steel from the north and south.
All transportation must pass through Yangzhou. Merchants from all over the country have been attracted to live in the city and engage in trade. This has led to a prosperous situation of Yangzhou and Yangzhou. Focusing on commerce and water can indeed further expand Yangzhou's advantages."
He paused and said, "What does father-in-law think of the southeast of Luocheng, Yangzhou?"
Zhou Zong said in surprise: "But the area south of Shaobo Lake and next to the canal?"
Luo Youdu said: "Of course!"
Zhou Zong said with a smile: "I also want to say this place. It has convenient water and land connections. It is connected to Gaoyou Lake and Shaobo Lake in the north. The surrounding land is fertile and can be cultivated. It is adjacent to the canal in the east and not far from Yangzijin in the south. As for the north, it is not far from the old city.
.In the future, when the new city is enriched, the old city can be demolished and re-planned.”
Luo Youdu couldn't help but nod. Zhou Zong's proposal was more comprehensive than what he had discussed with Guo Rong, Fan Zhi, and Wang Pu.
After all, they are locals, and their understanding of Yangzhou is far better than that of outsiders like them.
Weng and his son-in-law talked all the way around New Yangzhou until they arrived at their destination.
Zhou Zong actually had some unfinished ideas.
"gentlemen!"
Zhao Pu walked out of the mansion, bowed respectfully, and said, "Everything is in order."
Luo Youdu nodded with satisfaction.
This Zhao Pu is really a wonderful person.
Luo Youdu had many ministers under his command, many of whom were outstanding in ability.
People like Song Qi, Kou Xiang, Tang Yu, and Dou Yi all have great abilities.
But they all have a kind of character unique to literati.
Simply put, Luo Yudu promoted them and they were willing to work for Luo Yudu.
How Luo Youdu treated them, they worked twice as hard in return.
But Zhao Pu is completely different. He has no character at all and directly puts his status very low.
The position assigned to Zhao Pu by Luo Youdu was the military affairs of the Imperial Camp Division, where he was responsible for trivial matters such as military affairs, directing, class merit awards, capital transfer from the university, internal and external transfers, platoon companies, officer changes and other trivial matters.
As long as Zhao Pu handles his duties well, he will be considered conscientious.
But he shamelessly licked his face and followed Luo Youdu around all day long, helping him deal with the trivial matters in life.
Luo Youdu once thought that he had hired not a subordinate, but a housekeeper.
However, this "butler" handles things extremely efficiently, making it impossible for anyone to find any fault.
Take this time to welcome Zhou Zong’s family as an example.
Luo Youdu's residence in the city was uniformly allocated by the imperial court. Emperor Zhou E had not yet visited, so naturally he could not live in the same place and let others gossip.
Although Luo Youdu thought there was nothing wrong with it, the world didn't see it that way.
Then Zhao Pu had already arranged it, and it was also the former residence of Zhou Zong when he stayed in Rendongdu.
It must have special meaning to Zhou Zong's family.
The servants, maids, and furniture in the mansion are also arranged properly.
How could Luo Youdu refuse such a capable and considerate subordinate?
Zhou Zong got off the carriage and looked at the familiar scene in front of him. He felt a little better. His son-in-law was really attentive.
Zhou Ehuang looked at the long-awaited "home" in front of him, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly behind his veil. He was really thoughtful.
Details determine success or failure.
This is!
When Zhou Xiaomei left Yangzhou, she was still in the stage of ignorance and did not remember that this was her home. However, when she left Yangzhou for the first time, Zhou Xiaomei was very excited and jumped off the carriage again, wanting to see her new residence.
.
Regarding Zhou Zong's arrival, Guo Rong also gave him face. He received him at the Yangzhou Palace as soon as possible, and also asked the two prime ministers Fan Zhi, Wang Pu and Luo Youdu to accompany him.
While Zhou Zong was flattered, he also realized the gap between Guo Rong and Li Jing.
Guo Rong and Li Jing are essentially the second generation of rich people.
One inherited Guo Wei's family business, and the other inherited Li Min's family business.
The Great Zhou Dynasty and the Southern Tang Dynasty each have their own advantages and disadvantages.
When it comes to military strength, the Great Zhou Dynasty inherited by Guo Rong is naturally stronger, but Guo Rong faces a group of arrogant and powerful generals who are difficult to control.
Li Jing inherited a richer family business, but his military strength was relatively weak.
But the development situations of the two are completely different.
Guo Rong took control of the situation bit by bit and suppressed Meng Shu and the Southern Tang Dynasty. However, Li Jing had great ambitions and little talent. He was so intimidated by Min that Chu was resting on his laurels.
Looking at the heroic Guo Rong and thinking about the cowardly Li Jing, Zhou Zong's petty thoughts began to overflow.
Zhou Zong and Luo Youdu left the palace together.
Zhou Zong, who got on the carriage, suddenly said: "Xian son-in-law, please get on the carriage and talk. We, son-in-law, have a good chat."
"Yes!" Luo Youdu followed and got on the carriage.
This carriage was also arranged by Zhao Pu, and it was fully equipped with tea, snacks and snacks.
Luo Youdu filled a glass of water for Zhou Zong and moved it in front of him.
Zhou Zong, however, looked at Luo Youdu with a look of relief and said: "Brother Luo, if he knew that his son had achieved what he has achieved today, he would have closed his eyes. Alas..." He said with a look of sorrow and resentment: "In the past, your father was because of me.
After being demoted to Sizhou, I was forced by the pressure of the old thief Song, so I didn't dare to help openly, so I could only help secretly. I don't want to be careless for a moment, resulting in no news about your mother and son. I searched in every possible way, but found nothing. I feel guilty to this day. Please don't blame me, good-looking son-in-law."
"When you're in an officialdom, you can't help yourself!"
Luo Youdu didn't take this little conflict to heart. Zhou Zong was a politician. Apart from not being a friend, he didn't do any bad things. What's more, now that he was about to adopt her daughter, he didn't want to care about it anymore: "My father-in-law's words are all in the past."
.Besides, my father has never regretted his choice."
Seeing that Luo Youdu was really careless, Zhou Zong felt at ease and asked casually: "Today I see that the Emperor of Zhou is very heroic, and the ancient sage kings are just like this. It's just that he has repeatedly conquered personally, which may affect his successors, which is very inappropriate."