On June 20, the Zhengshitang planned to build Jiannan Road, Shao Shude approved it, and Taichang Qing Guo Fu was appointed as the governor.
Guo Fu was also a person of great temperament. The day after he was officially appointed, he held a banquet for guests and friends at the Peking Mansion. He was not low-key at all.
Both Taichangqing and the governor are third-rank officials, but which one is better depends on different people's opinions.
Senior local officials who want to be transferred to the central government and have ambitions for the position of prime minister often focus on the position of chief official of the Nine Temples to make a transition.
Those who feel that there is no hope of further advancement tend to become a local governor. After all, there is a lot of money and a lot of power in terms of power.
The advantages and disadvantages of Beijing officials and local officials are inherently difficult to explain clearly.
Lao Guo knew that he could not be the prime minister, and he was not that material, so he might as well go to Jiannan Road and enjoy the fun of speaking the truth. After all, in the capital, he would be too close to the prime ministers, and he might take a turn on the road.
I turned the corner and came to your Yamen. It was really depressing.
There is another unspeakable reason.
Jiannan Road was conquered by King Qin, who must have arranged many officials there - King Qin's chief aide Duan Ning, who is currently Chengdu Yin.
Lao Guo is a smart man. He feels that after taking office, he will inevitably have to deal with these people. If he does it well, he might be able to establish a relationship with the King of Qin, which will be of great benefit to future generations.
I didn’t say anything, let’s have a big feast and celebrate.
As for who would succeed Taichang Qing after Guo Jun left office, the prime ministers tacitly agreed not to mention it. Obviously, this was decided by the saint Gan Gang who was in Jinyang.
On June 28, Shao Shude summoned Ding Hui at Hezhai and asked him if he was willing to serve as Taichang Qing.
"Your Majesty, Taichang Qing is in charge of the country's rituals, music, suburban temples, and the country's affairs. What can I do?" Ding Hui was a little surprised.
His only talent in music is singing. But he can't sing all songs. He can't sing "He Manzi" which Meng Cairen, the favored concubine of Emperor Wuzong of Tang Dynasty, is good at. He can only sing elegy.
"It doesn't matter." Shao Shude said: "For some trivial matters, I have my assistant to help."
"That being the case, I obey your order." Ding Hui replied slightly excitedly.
Shao Shude smiled.
Wu Fu just doesn't know how to hide his emotions. Taichang Qing and the title of Marquis of Shifang County have settled Ding Hui. Seeing how happy he is, Shao Shude is also very satisfied.
"Before leaving office, there are still things that need to be resolved." Shao Shude added: "I want to reorganize the Youguo Army."
After saying that, he observed Ding Hui's expression out of habit - it was an old professional habit.
Ding Hui is still a little sad.
The Youguo Army was originally adapted from the Liang Army stationed on Zhang Quanyi's territory. Its maximum size exceeded 20,000, but now it only has about 13,000 people.
Can't the last 10,000 people be saved? Ding Hui sighed and said, "What your Majesty does are all important things that benefit the country and the people. I will obey the holy orders."
The answer was good. Shao Shude was not sure whether Ding Hui really understood what he said, but his attitude was very good. He was very satisfied, so he said: "The Youguo Army has 13,000 people, first select 3,000 old and weak people, and fill them up."
Serve as state soldiers on Hedong Road."
The local armed forces in Hedong cannot be said to have disappeared, but they have also been severely weakened. It is impossible for the imperial court to station a large number of forbidden troops in Hedong for a long time. After all, it will still have to establish regular armed forces at the state level, that is, state soldiers.
The three thousand soldiers of the Youguo Army are only relatively old and weak. In fact, these days, there are very few vulnerable troops. These three thousand people are enough to suppress the place.
"I will eliminate another 7,000 old and weak people from the various departments of the Forbidden Army." Shao Shude added: "With these 10,000 people, Ze Lu, we have the base of the state soldiers in Bafu Prefecture in Hedong. Let us slowly replenish the rest."
The seven thousand forbidden troops he mentioned here are old and weak, but they are actually related to disarmament.
There have been attempts to reduce the number of troops in the Forbidden Army, reducing the number of troops from 30,000 to 25,000. But as of today, not all troops have completed the reduction, and this time they will just fill in the excess people.
In the final analysis, this is a relatively mild disarmament method. That is, no one is forced to be demobilized, and the number of troops is gradually reduced through battlefield losses, natural retirement, etc.
Of course, if he encounters such an opportunity to form a state army, he will not let it pass.
They are old and weak, and their natural ability to resist is weak. But Shao Sheng does not completely deny them a way to survive. Although the state soldiers' treatment is low, it is still a way.
For older soldiers, serving as state soldiers can even extend their careers, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
"The remaining 10,000 people of the Youguo Army will be transferred to the various departments of the Forbidden Army. Each department of the Forbidden Army will transfer 5,000 people to be added to the Youguo Army." Shao Shude added: "The number of the Youguo Army will still be retained as the tenth branch of the Forbidden Army.
The entire army has a full strength of 25,000 troops and an actual strength of 10,000."
Ding Hui was a little surprised and said: "This arrangement is very good."
He was overjoyed that the old brothers who had worked together for many years and even supported each other had not been dismissed. He had to be conscientious. The Youguo Army had brought him wealth and power, and of course he did not want the Youguo Army to suffer the same fate.
An end of disbandment.
Moreover, the relationship between the upper and lower ranks of the Youguo Army was relatively harmonious, and there were very few military disturbances. Ding Hui did not hate the soldiers, but still wished them well.
"Liu Wei, the former envoy of the Longwu Army, was appointed as the envoy of the Youguo Army, and Kong Qing was appointed as the deputy envoy. Li Lin, the envoy of the left wing of the Tianxiong Army, was appointed as the Du Yuhou, and Wang Jiao, the envoy of the right wing of the Wuwei Army, was appointed as the envoy of the Du Youyi.
Wang Yanwen will serve as the military envoy on the left side, and Li Cunxin will serve as the envoy on the right side." Shao Shude told the arrangements of six senior officers in one breath, and it was obvious that he had a clue.
Liu Wei and Wang Yanwen were both members of the original Longwu Army. The entire army was converted into government troops and took root in Andong Prefecture. They were idle for a period of time and are now reactivated.
Kong Qing was an old subordinate of Ding Hui and a member of the Lao Youguo Army. He served as deputy envoy, which was a comfort to Ding Hui.
Li Lin is Shao Sheng's favorite disciple, with a martial arts background.
Wang Jiao was a Mesozoic general in Kansai who grew up.
Li Cunxin is a veteran of Hedong. After the fall of Youzhou Town, he fled back to Jinyang and became "unemployed".
Serving as the right wing of the Youguo Army is a bit condescending to his qualifications. But considering his current situation, it is not too bad. In short, if you love him or not, you will not pull him down. Official positions are in short supply, Shao Sheng still has
I want to give my people more opportunities.
"In the next one or two months, substantial reorganization will begin. Ding Qing can put aside the affairs of Taichang Temple for now and help the Privy Council handle this matter." Shao Shude warned.
This is the time for Ding Hui to use his remaining energy and stand up for the last duty.
"I obey the decree." Ding Hui responded.
"The reorganization will be completed in late August, and then -" Shao Shude smiled and said: "Ding Qing will follow me north to Daizhou to bury King Jin."
Ding Hui was quite moved when he heard this. What the saint meant was for me to...
****
On the first day of July, Shao Shude met Song Le, who had come from Luoyang, in the back garden of Hezhai.
"Your Majesty, when will we return to Luoyang?" Song Le frowned and said: "The main officials from the Political Affairs Hall, the Privy Council, the Six Ministries and Nine Temples have all gone to Peiping. Luoyang has become an empty shell, and the ministers and a bunch of assistants
Officials are so glaring that they can’t make the final decision on big things——”
Shao Shude didn't expect that such an old-fashioned person as Song Le could also use swear words, and laughed out loud.
"Your Majesty!" Seeing the evil smile on Shao Shude's face, Song Le became even more angry and said loudly: "The Forbidden Army soldiers take turns accompanying him, which is nothing. Most of the civil and military officials have their families in Luoyang. What do they look like after being gone for several years?"
"I have rewarded so many beauties..." Shao Shude was stunned.
There must be more than one per person. On average, there are more than two per person - not enough?
But it doesn’t matter. Wang Rong has more than a thousand wives. I will reward them again next time.
"Your Majesty—" Song Le stamped his feet and was about to continue spraying, but was stopped by Shao Shude.
"Why didn't they tell me? If you want to go back to Luoyang, you should have told me earlier. I haven't seen a single memorial." Shao Shude said.
"Your Majesty has won consecutive battles in Hebei, and has newly conquered Hedong. His prestige is growing day by day. The prime ministers Chen, Xiao, Pei, Zhao, and Lu are silent. How can you expect others?" Song Le asked rhetorically.
Shao Shude smiled again. These words made him feel comfortable.
"After defeating the Khitan, we will return to Luoyang." Shao Shude put away his smile and said: "The truth."
Song Le's mood recovered a little, and he cupped his hands and said: "In this case, I am speechless. Although the country has three capitals, Tokyo is actually the most important place. Your Majesty cannot put the cart before the horse."
"Master Song is worrying too much, worrying too much." Shao Shude laughed and said, "By the way, there is a Japanese monk coming to see you today. Master Song might as well listen together."
"I obey the decree." Song Le responded.
After a while, Pugu Chengen led monk Huikong over.
"Zen Master Huikong pays homage to His Majesty the Emperor of Daxia." Huikong saluted.
"Is Prince Zhenrufa, who entered the court with Master Huie during the Xuanzong Dynasty, still alive?" Shao Shude looked at the Japanese monk and saw that he was not old and not tall, but he was very fat. He was suddenly a little strange about the treatment of Japanese monks.
so good?
Prince Shinyoho is the son of Emperor Heijo of Japan and was once established as the crown prince.
Before Emperor Heijo ascended the throne, he married Fujiwara Obako, the daughter of Fujiwara Momokawa, as his concubine, but she later died. He then married the daughter of Fujiwara Momokawa's nephew, Fujiwara Nezumi, and Fujiwara Yakko, as his concubine. Fujiwara Yakko also entered the palace with her daughter.
Later, the mother and daughter served the same husband together, which was the scandal of Emperor Heijo's incest.
Of course, this is nothing. Emperor Heijo also married three half-sisters, and his father even married three full sisters. This is nothing.
In the fourth year of Datong in Japan (809), Emperor Heijo abdicated his throne to his younger brother, Prince Kamino, due to physical discomfort.
Prince Kamino ascended the throne as Emperor Saga. Emperor Saga returned the favor and made Prince Takatake, the son of Emperor Heijo, who was already the Supreme Emperor, the Crown Prince.
Later, Emperor Heijo was too fond of his mother-in-law, Fujiwara Yakoko, and tried to return to the throne under her instigation, but failed. The crown prince, Prince Takatake, was deposed and became a monk. He became Prince Shinyoho, also known as Prince Touta.
Prince Toutuo devoted himself to worshiping the Buddha and followed Hui E into the Tang Dynasty. This is recorded, but that is all.
"Your Majesty, Prince Zhenrufa passed away forty years ago." Huikong replied.
Shao Shude nodded.
This means that he does not know Japanese history. There are no records of the pre-Tang Dynasty, and he has no way of knowing it.
"Now the son of Emperor Udo is in office." Huikong replied.
After that, he explained that it was the emperor who became a monk and gave up the throne to his son, so he was called the "Father King".
Shao Shude nodded lightly. He was not very interested in the troubles between the Japanese royal family. He just wanted to make money, so he asked: "In the past, Japanese merchants relied on Silla relays. Now, Silla is in chaos and trade has been greatly reduced.
Does Japan Junior High School have any ideas?”
"Your Majesty, Zen people only know how to worship the Buddha and have no knowledge of business affairs." Huikong replied: "However, from the territory of Mingzhou, your country, a ship will sail to our country every two years, carrying a lot of goods."
"It only takes one ship in two years?" Shao Shude asked in surprise.
"The storm is dangerous." Huikong shook his head and sighed, and pronounced the Buddha's name.
His meaning is very clear. The trade that only happens once every few years is actually a gamble on life. Japanese monks from the Tang Dynasty and officials sent to the Tang Dynasty often returned to Japan on Tang merchant ships, but the rate of shipwrecks was horribly high. There are many records in Japan.
It's shocking to see.
If they had a choice, Japanese merchants would rather go via Silla than go direct. This was actually the normal state of Sino-Japanese trade during most of the Tang Dynasty. There were no Japanese merchant ships that sailed directly to the Tang Dynasty, but they were relatively few.
The bulk of the profits from Sino-Japanese trade went to the Silla people, who were second-tier traders. Japan and the Tang Dynasty did not get much.
Of course, on the whole, in the late Tang Dynasty after the Anshi Rebellion, due to factors such as Silla pirates ravaging Japan and Silla falling apart, Japan began to change its attitude towards Silla. Tang merchants gradually rose up and ate up some of the shares of Silla merchants.
.These Tang merchants mainly came from Mingzhou, Qian Liu’s territory.
Even though the shipwreck rate remains high, Mingzhou merchants are still going to Japan one after another. There are also merchant ships from Japan coming to Mingzhou, which shows that their profits are high.
In fact, there should be more, but Huikong only knows these categories. Of course, they are almost the same in reality. These are indeed the main export commodities and account for the majority.
"What did you bring back from Japan?"
"Mainly placer gold and copper, with swords, fans, dried seafood and the like, and less."
Shao Shude and Song Le looked at each other and asked: "Japan is rich in gold and copper?"
"There are some mines, but the Chinese smelting method is not available, so the output is not good. We can only sell placer gold and the like at low prices to Mingzhou merchants." Huikong replied.
This monk is very knowledgeable, but he doesn't know anything about business! Shao Shude was a little surprised and said: "Why not sail directly to Daxia? I also have white porcelain under my rule, and Qinghe silk is a famous product in the world, far better than Yue silk. The master may return to his country to report.
, order merchants from your country to come directly to Haizhou. The goods will be as much as they want."
He remembered that Japan had always been rich in gold, silver and copper. However, before the beginning of the 14th century, because the trade volume with China was limited and much of it was in the form of barter, the demand for gold and silver was not large, so it did not stimulate Japan's gold industry.
Silver production expansion.
Later, as the trade volume increased day by day, and China's demand for Japanese goods decreased and exports increased significantly, Japan had to use gold and silver to make up for the trade deficit, which stimulated its domestic silver mining. After demand increased, silver mining technology also
Slowly progressing, with the development of Omori Silver Mountain (Iwami Silver Mountain), silver production increased year by year, becoming one of the main sources of silver in the Ming Dynasty.
Another major source of silver during the Ming Dynasty was Mexico, that is, the Spanish Manila galleon trade.
But the scale of this trade is not large. Once every two years, the Manila sailing fleet sets off from Acapulco on the east coast of the Pacific, crosses the Pacific, arrives at the Cavite Shipyard in Manila to repair and maintain the ships, and then goes north. After the trade is completed, it goes back to
Return to Mexico via the Kuroshio route.
The Manila sailing fleet generally only has 1-2 boats, and it sails once every two years, with stops in between.
Shao Shude felt that the amount of silver imported into the Ming Dynasty through this route may not be as large as that from Japan. After all, the silver from the two major viceroyalties of Mexico and Peru mainly passed through the Flota fleet (home port of Seville) and the Gaia Arnes fleet.
The two fleets (home port of Cadiz) were sent back to the Spanish mainland - these two fleets are very large, each fleet has more than ten ships, usually more than thirty ships, and the tonnage of a single ship is far more than the Manila fleet.
, and luck every year.
Japan actually made outstanding contributions to the currency reform of the Ming Dynasty, which the Spanish could not match.
"Your Majesty, the Zen monks want to practice in Wutai Mountain and do not want to return to their country." Master Huikong looked troubled.
"Isn't the practice the same everywhere?" Shao Shude smiled.
"If you practice diligently in Mount Wutai and die in China, you can be a Chinese in the next life and live in Mount Wutai forever," Master Huikong said.
Shao Shude was silent, this monk's obsession is so deep. I heard that there are many Indians in the "Hall of Fame" in Mount Wutai, and they come here one by one and never leave, wanting to meet Manjushri Bodhisattva. Damn, if you have a business mind, this cliff is a great place.
A pilgrimage tourist destination.
"I heard that Master Huihe once returned home carrying Buddha statues from Mount Wutai. I can ask someone to give you two Buddha statues from Mount Wutai, as well as hundreds of volumes of scriptures translated by eminent monks, for you to take back home. How about it?" Shao Shude set out the conditions and asked.
Huikong thought about it silently, and it seemed pretty good. You can come back after you go back. So he responded: "The Zen people will obey the orders of His Majesty the Emperor."
Shao Shude was overjoyed and immediately summoned Lu Siye and ordered him to draft an order and send it to Hangzhou. He asked Qian Liu to select Mingzhou businessmen and twenty sailors who had been to Japan to go to Haizhou to obey the order.
This time, he planned to ask the Ping Navy to send a ship to carry the goods and Master Huikong back to Japan.
He doesn't care whether Japan resumes sending envoys to the Tang Dynasty or to the Xia Dynasty. He prefers that the trade between the two countries can reach a new level. The more the better.
Without enough precious metals, it would be difficult or even impossible to develop a larger-scale handicraft industry or a simple machine industry.
The simplest example is commodity prices.
In the pre-Tang Dynasty, if there was a good harvest, the price of millet would even drop to two or three cents. History books considered it a peaceful and prosperous era. But in Shao Shude's view, this was severe deflation.
There is very little metal currency in circulation. If someone casts a large amount of Buddha statues and makes copperware, causing a shortage of money in the market, coupled with a bumper grain harvest, such ridiculous prices will appear.
In many tombs unearthed since the Northern Dynasties, a large number of Eastern Roman gold coins were found buried with the tomb owners, which shows how tight precious metals were at that time.
Shao Shude has been promoting accounting currency in Fang City for 20 years. Today, the price of grain in Luoyang has basically remained within the range of 20 to 30 yuan per dou, and 30 to 40 yuan per dou. The shortage of money among the people has been greatly alleviated.
But this is not enough.
Without a price revolution, there can be no industrial revolution. When the monetary system is in a mess, it is impossible for you to still develop industry.
He decided to personally promote the Xia-Japan trade, and he must work hard and quickly to continuously import precious metals to China. This would then stimulate the related mining and smelting industries in Japan, allowing them to mine more gold, silver, and copper.