"In the past, when people talked about Shu, they often described it as a land of abundance and fertile fields thousands of miles away. I have indeed felt this way during my years in Chengdu. However, in my opinion, there are three main benefits to Shu. The first is salt, and the second is tea.
The three silkworms! In the past few years, I have governed Shu and nourished the people's livelihood. Most of the policies I have used are related to these three!" In the Chongzheng Palace, Song Yanwo, the consort who had traveled thousands of miles to return to Tokyo, presented to Emperor Liu
Talking freely:
"Zhang Meifei is not only capable of arranging supplies and providing military supplies, but also has financial management skills. During the Meng and Shu period, he was extravagant and strengthened military armaments. In addition to increasing taxes, he also imposed heavy taxes on salt and tea, which made a lot of profits.
However, the salt households and tea farmers in the territory have a difficult life and have many grievances.
After some rectification by Zhang Mei, he abolished harsh laws, punished unscrupulous officials, cracked down on unscrupulous traders, raised the purchase price, and formulated reasonable bids. Today, the sales atmosphere of salt and tea has been completely renewed, everything is on track, and public resentment has disappeared.
, and felt the kindness of the imperial court, and brought the people back to their hearts.
In the past, the inequality between rich and poor was particularly prominent in Shu, and the contradictions were sharp. After the Shu Rebellion, the powerful moved away, and the landless people were granted land. As a result, the poor families had hope for a living. What I and Zhao Pu did was nothing more than an explicit order.
Strengthen discipline, be strict in governing officials, and be lenient in governing the people. Although I dare not boast, I dare to say that I have lived up to your Majesty's trust..."
Looking at his confident brother-in-law, Liu Chengyou secretly praised in his heart that even though he was almost forty years old, he was still so graceful and impressive. He chuckled and said, "Brother-in-law, Zhao Pu, Zhang Mei and other ministers have achieved great results."
, I have also heard about it, and it is all your credit that we were able to achieve great governance in Shu and make people rely on it within four years!"
"Your Majesty is making ridiculous compliments, but I don't dare to accept them. This is all under the guidance of Your Majesty and the court, and we act according to the rules!" Song Yanwo said modestly.
Seeing this, Liu Chengyou waved his hand, chuckled and said: "We are all a family, brother-in-law doesn't have to be so restrained!"
Obviously, although Song Yanwo maintained his demeanor in front of Liu Chengyou, in fact, he was still very careful and reserved in his behavior, and did not dare to really treat Emperor Liu as his brother-in-law. Among his relatives, when it came to political wisdom, Song Yanwo was
Yanwo is ranked high.
After the pacification of Meng and Shu, there were five main heroes in governing Shu: Song Yanwo, Zhao Pu, Zhang Mei, Bian Guangfan, and Wang Ming. Song Yanwo was the chief envoy of Jiannan Road, and Zhang Mei was in charge of the financial power of the entire Sichuan and Shu.
As the transfer envoy, Zhao Pu coordinated everything as the governor. It can be said that it was with the joint efforts of these three people that we achieved better results than expected in this short period of time.
Up to now, the annual tax revenue from the Sichuan and Shu regions to the imperial court has reached 5 million copper coins. Compared with the highest income during the Meng Chang period, there is a big gap. However, if you take into account the hardships that the Shu region experienced in those years
The chaos and troubles, coupled with the urgent levy of heavy taxes and exorbitant taxes, you can see how difficult it is to achieve the current achievements after four years.
Liu Chengyou thought for a while and asked: "In your opinion, the imperial court's tax on Sichuan and Shu may be increased again?"
Hearing this, Song Yanwo showed a look of surprise, but noticed Emperor Liu's serious expression, thought for a moment and said: "Your Majesty, with all due respect, the current situation in Sichuan and Sichuan has tended to be stable and good, but the people of Sichuan and Sichuan have
The burden it has borne is not easy. According to this trend, if it takes a certain period of time to recover and there are no disasters, the court can gradually make adjustments. However, at this time, I do not recommend increasing the tax amount to avoid any discrepancies!"
Upon seeing this, Liu Chengyou quickly put away his expectant expression and said, "The situation in Sichuan and Shu is good. Let me just say that since my brother-in-law thinks it's inappropriate, forget it!"
Hearing what Liu Chengyou said, Song Yanwo couldn't help but curiously asked: "May I ask Your Majesty, is it possible that the imperial court is having financial difficulties?"
"Disasters in the north, unification wars, rewards for peace in the south, great rewards for meritorious officials, and adjustments to national policies, the Han Dynasty will have to spend a lot in the future!" Liu Chengyou sighed with emotion.
Song Yanwo raised a question, saying: "Jiangnan, Zhejiang and Zhejiang are rich and prosperous. Since the imperial court has taken them, can't they make up for it?"
Liu Chengyou smiled and said: "It is true that the wealth is real, and the harvest is also abundant, but after all, it cannot be used immediately. Under Li Qian's governance, there are many shortcomings, and it needs to be reformed and refreshed to make it more effective. Return to the hospital and plan for the future!"
Well, Emperor Liu was still thinking about reducing the burden on the common people, and this time he started to raise taxes on Shu. Of course, this is not contradictory. The southern Daozhou has been at peace for many years and has a profound foundation. Sichuan and Shu, and Jiangsu and Zhejiang were both rich and prosperous, and some parts made some sacrifices for the whole. Since they were under the rule of the Han Dynasty, they should naturally give full play to their advantages and provide the court with sufficient money and food.
"That's all, let's talk about the Sichuan-Sichuan matter!" Liu Chengyou said in a relaxed tone: "Brother-in-law returns to Beijing this time, and I intend to keep you in the imperial court. Who do you think can take over the Sichuan-Sichuan matter? ?”
After hearing this, Song Yanwo was slightly surprised. Over the years, in order to strengthen the imperial court's influence and control over the local areas, the appointment of such frontier officials has always been discussed and appointed by the central government and never influenced by the local government. In addition, the emperor's opinion was firm, why? I asked him what he thought. It was also Song Yanwo who had been an official away from home all year round. He was not familiar with Emperor Liu. He did not have close ties with relatives on the surface, nor did he know him that well.
The understanding of Emperor Liu can only be judged through one's own observations and even some rumors. Being a relative of the emperor is not easy. While enjoying the wealth and glory, you also need to bear more pressure and be careful. Therefore, like returning It may not be a bad thing for the relatives you raise to enjoy life with peace of mind.
However, since Emperor Liu asked about it at this time, Song Yanwo decided to answer and gave a positive answer: "Your Majesty, I think the most suitable person is none other than Zhao Pu! Zhao Zeping is a great talent in governing the country, with amazing ability and good at practical work. , I am ashamed of myself. You can govern the world with ease, let alone govern Sichuan and Shu!"
"You have a very high opinion of Zhao Pu!" Seeing Song Yanwo's praise of Zhao Pu, Liu Chengyou smiled and felt that this was also trying to please himself. After all, Zhao Pu was the one who was released from his side. After Chengdu was pacified, Zhao Pu also played the most important role in the pacification and governance of Sichuan and Shu.
"I'm just telling the truth!" Song Yanwo looked calm.
Then, he reported to Emperor Liu: "In recent years, Zhao Zeping has sent envoys to contact the Tubo tribe in western Sichuan to strengthen communication, and many people have come to join him. At the same time, he intends to trade cattle, horses, furs, etc. with them through salt, tea, grain, cloth and other products. Now it has gradually achieved results, and has reopened several trade routes to Tubo..."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu raised his eyebrows slightly. This seemed to be the "Ancient Tea Horse Road"?
Noting Liu Chengyou's expression, Song Yanwo continued: "Tubo is divided and fighting against each other. According to Zhao Zeping's plan, if this situation continues to develop, through trade, infiltration, bribery, and solicitation, the southwestern territory of the Han Dynasty can be greatly expanded... ....”