All the rice purchased from Nanyang was piled up in Luoyang. Because the Yellow River froze and the Three Gorges was difficult to navigate, it could not be transported to Guanzhong. As a result, there was a shortage of food in Guanzhong and the price of rice soared. There was already a hint of a food shortage.
It sounds a bit unbelievable. The country was rich and the people were strong, and the Tang Dynasty was in its prime. At a time when it was threatening the world and running rampant, Chang'an, as the capital, might have a food shortage... but this is the fact.
In fact, there has been a food shortage in Guanzhong for a long time.
In the fourteenth year of the founding of the Emperor, Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty had to temporarily go to Luoyang due to lack of food in Guanzhong. Therefore, he left behind such words as "the emperor chasing food" and "eating in Luoyang", which have been passed down through the ages...
Li Ji looked solemn and said slowly: "Guanzhong is a country of abundance. It is surrounded by passes and is closed inside and outside. It can be self-sufficient as long as the weather and rain are favorable. It is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Since ancient times, it has achieved countless imperial hegemonies. However, once a natural disaster occurs and food production is insufficient, Those passes that usually guard the pass have become natural chasms that block the transportation of food. Although the Yellow River runs from east to west, Sanmenxia is a difficult place for gods and ghosts. Even if the urgent need can be solved, such food shortages will not be possible in the future. If something happens, we should discuss a complete plan to relieve our worries."
Although Guanzhong is a land of abundance, continuous development over thousands of years has caused a sharp decline in land output. In addition, since the Sui Dynasty, Guanzhong has been the capital and political center of the world, and its population has increased dramatically, resulting in an increasingly huge food consumption.
Emperor Taizong's previous expedition to Goguryeo involved almost the whole country's efforts. Countless grains were transported from Guanzhong, which greatly reduced the grain stock in Guanzhong. In addition, the rains in the past two years were extremely abundant, resulting in constant flooding and reduced grain production. At this moment, the Yellow River suddenly Ice cut off water transportation, causing a sudden food crisis.
In fact, the Tang Dynasty was not without food. The rice purchased by the navy from Nanyang and food from Jiangnan, Shandong and other places were transported to Luoyang via waterways. The many official warehouses set up along the Yellow River in Luoyang were almost full, but it was difficult to transport them to Chang'an.
The Yellow River near Luoyang is frozen, and the Sanmenxia chasm is difficult to cross. Only a small amount of food can enter Guanzhong every day, which is far unable to keep up with the consumption of the huge population...
Li Ji, Li Xiaogong, Liu Jie, Ma Zhou, Xu Jingzong and others were all gloomy and helpless. Unless they could make the Sanmenxia natural moat accessible, this would be an unsolvable problem.
Liu Jie said: "The biggest obstacle to grain transportation is blocked roads, and this is within the scope of the Ministry of Industry. Now that there is a grain shortage in Guanzhong, the Ministry of Industry should solve the problem for Your Majesty."
The rest of the people were speechless. Why are you still engaging in struggle blindly at this time? However, it cannot be said that Liu Jie is wrong. Transportation across the country, whether by land or by water, is the responsibility of the Ministry of Industry. Now that food cannot be transported in, the Ministry of Industry cannot escape the blame.
Li Chengqian was also a little dissatisfied, but after all, Liu Ji was right, so he looked at Fang Jun. As an emperor, it was hard for him to speak in favor of others.
Fang Jun turned a blind eye to the gazes around him, put down his teacup, and raised two fingers: "The food shortage in Guanzhong will inevitably turmoil the hearts of the people. The world is not peaceful and needs to be solved urgently. We have two strategies for the ministers."
Xu Jingzong wondered: "The water transport in Guanzhong has been a difficult problem in history. I don't know how many famous ministers and wise men were at a loss, but the Duke of Yue actually had two strategies. Please come quickly and let us clear the clouds and see the sun, and solve our troubles." !”
Everyone was speechless. How was this person so oppressed by Fang Jun in the academy? Even though he was the Minister of Rites, he still had to shamelessly lick him?
Li Chengqian was also curious: "Aiqing told me to come and have a look."
Fang Jun nodded and said: "The biggest obstacle to water transportation in Guanzhong is the Sanmen Gorge. It is difficult for humans and ghosts to cross, and there are no fish and turtles. The three gates in the river isolate the upper and lower parts, and the bridge on the road blocks the east and west. It is the tiger in Guanzhong, overlooking the world. The pass is even better than the Four Passes. My plan is to set up two fleets, one above Sanmenxia and one below Sanmenxia. The grain will be transported to Sanmenxia, and then the ships will be unloaded and taken overland to bypass the mouth of the gorge. Load another fleet upstream, pass Tongguan, enter the Wei River, and arrive at Chang'an."
Li Ji thought about it for a while and said to Wang De: "Get the map of Sanmenxia."
"Here."
Wang De did not dare to delay, so he quickly agreed and trotted to the side hall. After a while, he took out a map. The map was very small in scale, so it was huge and could not be placed on the table. Li Ji simply left the table and unfolded it on the table. In the palace, I knelt down on it, found the location of Sanmenxia, and watched carefully.
The other people also left the table and gathered together. Li Chengqian also simply got up and came forward to watch.
Xu Jingzong praised: "The map of the Ministry of War is so well drawn. Look at the winding river and the mountains on both sides. They are absolutely clear and flawless. With the map in hand, it's like overlooking the country. It's amazing!"
Everyone was speechless. You haven't played yet, have you?
Everyone knows that the level of map drawing in the Tang Dynasty only advanced by leaps and bounds when Fang Jun was in charge of the Ministry of Government and Military Affairs. Fang Jun even went against all odds and invested heavily in this. Now that Xu Jingzong is praising the map, he is clearly reminding everyone not to forget that this is Fang Jun. of credit.
This sycophant...
However, before he finished scorning Xu Jingzong, he heard Li Ji say: "Erlang's method is wonderful! It seems like one more procedure is a waste of manpower and material resources, but it speeds up the transportation of grain to Chang'an as much as possible. What we are lacking now It’s not about manpower and material resources, it’s about the speed and quantity of food transported!”
At this time, they no longer cared about despising Xu Jingzong, and the others gathered in front of the map to carefully examine the terrain and roads near Sanmenxia. After detailed calculations in their minds, they all felt that Fang Jun's seemingly clumsy method was indeed effective.
The fact is that the Tang Dynasty does not lack food now. What it lacks is how to transport more food to Chang'an in a short time. As long as this is ensured, no matter how much manpower and material resources are wasted, it will be worth it.
Liu Ji frowned and said: "It seems that the food shortage crisis in Guanzhong can be solved in the short term, but it will consume too much manpower and material resources. It is like drinking poison to quench thirst, and it will not last long."
Xu Jingzong snorted and retorted: "So what if you drink poison to quench your thirst? Since others have solved the problem, they should express their admiration instead of being picky. The higher the official position, the broader the mind. I'm afraid it is not right for people with narrow privacy to suddenly ascend to high positions. Blessings of the Empire.”
Liu Ji retorted: "It is precisely because we hold a high position that we should seek truth from facts, instead of just settling for temporary worries and muddle along, we must be prepared for danger in times of peace and solve the problem thoroughly."
Li Chengqian waved his hand to stop the quarrel between the two, and asked Fang Jun with a smile: "Ai Qing just said that there are two strategies, upper and lower. Since the lower strategy can solve the problem in a short time, how smart is the upper strategy?"
Fang Jun said: "The best solution is simpler, which can directly solve the problem of lack of supplies in Guanzhong, but relatively speaking, there are many things that need to be done, and that is to move the capital."
There was a sudden silence in the hall.
Liu Ji's eyes widened and he shouted angrily: "How outrageous! Emperor Gaozu raised his troops from Jinyang to attack Chang'an to deter the world. This is the cornerstone of the empire. Whether it is the place of Longxing in Jinyang or the Huanghuang imperial capital of Chang'an, they are all within Guanzhong , wouldn’t it be equivalent to abandoning the foundation if we rush to move the capital? Such words that harm the country should be punished by death!”
Fang Jun was also annoyed, and glared at Liu Ji and said: "If you don't accept it, you can be reasonable. You will be punished by death at every turn. Who do you think you are? You'd better behave more politely when you talk to me in the future. If you continue to be so irritable, I will show you what to do."
That’s real grumpiness!”
The civil and military had different paths, and their interests were conflicting, so Liu Ji targeted him several times, but he didn't take it seriously. In the final analysis, it was just a fight in the court. At most, he had different political views and different positions, but he had no personal grudges.
But this guy probably thinks that he is the head of the civil service, and he is so arrogant that he shouts, beats, and kills at every turn, and he gets used to it!
Ma Zhou, who had not spoken much, asked: "If the capital is moved, where will it be moved?"
Fang Jun said: "Of course it's Luoyang."
Everyone nodded.
If the capital is really to be moved, then Luoyang is indeed the most suitable place. The former Sui Dynasty also encountered difficulties due to poor water transportation. Therefore, Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty and Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty vigorously managed Luoyang, making it the most prosperous place in the world.
It has convenient water and land transportation, overlooks the plains, and intimidates Shandong. It has been the capital of the dynasty since ancient times.
Of course, the reason why Luoyang was visited during the Sui Dynasty was not only to share the material pressure in Guanzhong, but also to be out of breath by the Guan Longmen clan and to strengthen the deterrent against the south...
All in all, at this time, if the world chooses a place other than Chang'an that is more suitable as the capital of the country, it must be Luoyang.
Li Xiaogong shook his head and sighed: "Luoyang is indeed very good. The Grand Canal connects the north and south, and connects the world through the Yellow River. It can fully bear the ever-increasing development and expansion of the imperial capital. However, if we want to move the capital, there are too many involved."
As the capital of the empire, Chang'an City is one of the most valuable cities in the world. It is home to countless wealthy families. High-ranking officials and dignitaries have settled in Chang'an, and merchants have invested huge amounts of wealth in Chang'an. This is an astronomical figure that cannot be calculated.
Once the capital is moved, land prices in Chang'an will plummet and wealth will shrink, and everyone will strongly oppose it.
When Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty came to the throne, he determined to move the capital to Luoyang, and after he ascended the throne, he built the Eastern Capital. With his great talent, strategy, and willfulness, he was unable to fully move the capital until his death, which shows the huge resistance.
Of course, the biggest constraint why Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty failed to complete the move of the capital was the arrogant Guanlong Clan at that time. Now the Guanlong Clan has almost collapsed, and the rest are not worth mentioning. Without this biggest obstacle, Li Chengqian would be like iron
Even if you want to move to the capital, you may not be unable to succeed.
But from now on, the government will inevitably cause violent fluctuations, which will inevitably affect the various new policies that will be implemented around the world...
The other people also looked solemn, as the involvement was really too great.
Fang Jun suggested: "Relocating the capital rashly will naturally have a great impact. It is better to be still than to move now. Stability is the most important. However, for the long-term development of Chang'an, building Luoyang is a perfect strategy. It is better to increase money and silk, deploy craftsmen, or renovate the palaces left by the former Sui Dynasty.
Repair or re-build on the original site. When the Yellow River is completely frozen in winter and water transportation becomes more and more difficult, His Majesty will lead all the civil and military officials to Luoyang for temporary residence, which can greatly alleviate the shortage of supplies in Guanzhong."