In the spring night sky, the moonlight was pale, the stars were dim, and there was a bit of coolness. There was a faint mist in the Cangzhou Mansion Office, and the whole mansion was immersed in silence. Sergeant Ouchi in charge of the guard Strict guards, sentries, patrols, and shifts were arranged in the government offices and courtyards, which was very strict.
Liu Chengyou walked in the back office, looking at the slightly desolate moonlight, but his mood was particularly calm. What he saw and heard on his way north was enough to make him feel happy. The nearly ten years of efforts to promote peace and stability had finally paid off. .
In the troubled times at the end of the Jin Dynasty, he witnessed and experienced the wars and exiles and the turmoil of bandits. He would rather be a peace dog than a chaotic person. Although the people of Hebei today are still not rich, they can be called stable.
There are no enemy invaders from outside and no bandits from inside. Although in addition to the two taxes, labor and military service are still heavy, and you will starve in bad years, but compared to the turbulent Nan'an and precarious days, you are much happier.
And these, it can be said without shame, are all the achievements of peace under the leadership of him, the emperor of the Han Dynasty. Although, in essence, Liu Chengyou's actions since he ascended the throne are more aimed at stabilizing his position and strengthening his authority. Centralization of power. However, it is an indisputable fact that the people under the rule of the Han Dynasty gained benefits and stability.
Of course, as time goes by, the people at the bottom will slowly get used to peace, forget the trauma of war, and forget about war for a long time. They can no longer endure long-term poverty. They feel that taxes and conscription are too heavy, and they want to eat Just be well fed and clothed. However, that was also a matter of another big man's development to another stage. At that time, the court should adjust its policies again.
Judging from the places I have visited recently, the burden on the people is still very heavy. The "Two Tax Law" inherited from the Tang Dynasty has caused frequent problems. The rectification of household registration and land acres has been effective, but the distinction between the property of the rich and the poor has not been It is not that easy. It is even more wishful thinking to want to equalize the burdens between the rich and the poor.
Of course, in view of the imperial court's continuous tightening of local governance power, the growing prestige of the central government, political clarity, and the re-establishment and strengthening of the supervision system, local officials no longer dare to arbitrarily apportion and create clever names in addition to regular taxation.
However, the disadvantages of the two tax laws still exist objectively. When Liu Chengyou came to the north, his most intuitive feeling was that money is expensive and things are cheap. There are still insufficient coins circulating in the market. In order to pay taxes, many people had to sell silk at a low price. The value of goods, grain, and silk was also fluctuating, coupled with the hidden dangers of land annexation, etc., many of the shortcomings that had been exposed in the middle and late Tang Dynasty were still difficult to solve.
This is not only a limitation of the level of economic development, but also a flaw of monetary policy. As for the tax system of the imperial court, it is not perfect enough. There are many problems from top to bottom. And it is not that easy to carry out a comprehensive reform and innovation. One of them lacks enough The talents who preside over the national financial reform lack a foundation. On the other hand, too much action can easily cause instability and disorder. For Liu Chengyou, who is currently committed to unifying the world, what he dislikes most is instability.
The more I thought about it, the more confused my mind became. I had to shake my head vigorously, as if it could clear away the complicated thoughts in my mind.
Looking around the back garden of the government office, the whole scene was cold and cold. The slightly swaying lights illuminated the Ouchi guards standing nearby. Each of them was tall and tall, with a burly physique. Under the dim light, they looked even more determined.
Liu Chengyou walked by, all bowing their heads and holding knives to show respect. Standing in front of a young guard, he suddenly squatted down, startling the guard, and subconsciously wanted to do something, when he suddenly heard Liu Chengyou's faint voice: "do not move!"
"Yes!" In response, the guard realized that Liu Chengyou was squatting down to tie his loose shoelaces.
"Don't underestimate this rope. Without it, walking will be uncomfortable. You may lose your shoes or stumble. If you don't pay attention, you will somersault. If you are marching, you won't be able to run fast..." Get up and Liu Chengyou chuckled and said, "I haven't tied anyone's shoelaces for a long time. How tight is it? Is it still suitable?"
Faced with the emperor's gentle words, the guard's face showed some mixed emotions. He was excited, touched, and a little at a loss. After holding it in for a while, he said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Looking at the guard, he was very young, with no hair on his mouth, but still quite tall. Liu Chengyou hesitated for a while and said: "I remember you, your name is Li, Li..."
"Return to your Majesty, your servant Li Shouchie!" the guard said quickly, relieving the emperor's embarrassment.
"Yes! Li Jun's son!" Liu Chengyou looked suddenly enlightened and said with a smile: "There is a bit of your father's brilliance between his eyebrows! He should be less than twenty now!"
"I am eighteen years old!" Li Shoujie responded.
"At this age, it is not easy to be selected into the palace and hold a position in front of the emperor!" Liu Chengyou said, looking at Li Shoujie.
"It's all thanks to your Majesty's promotion and giving me the opportunity to serve as a bodyguard!" Li Shoujie puffed up his chest and said.
"The imperial court took over Jinghu. Your father has made great military exploits. Now he is in Hunan for the imperial court to suppress barbarians, suppress violence and rebellion, and protect the country and the people. He is actually a general of the imperial court!" Liu Chengyou patted his shoulder and encouraged: "You have to Follow your father’s example!”
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"I must bear in mind His Majesty's teachings!"
"Is it Zhang Qiong who is in charge of the guard tonight?" Liu Chengyou suddenly asked.
"yes!"
Liu Chengyou ordered: "Go and get him!"
Looking at the back of Li Shoujie walking away quickly, Liu Chengyou had a smile of satisfaction on his lips. Among the guards in the army who were guarding Liu Chengyou, there were also many generals like Li Shoujie. After bureaucrats, Of course, the selection standards have never been lowered.
Eighteen years old is an age that makes people full of nostalgia and memories. I think of Liu Chengyou. When he was eighteen years old, he had just ascended the throne as emperor and took over a country...
Liu Chengyou suddenly remembered that in his early years, he could name all the guards on duty in front of the emperor, whether officers or guards.
But now it’s not working anymore. Not to mention their names, some of them can’t even remember their appearance. Seeing the big from the small, Liu Chengyou murmured: “I have really changed without realizing it, but I don’t know what this change is.” Good thing or bad thing..."
Weiji, a burly and rugged-looking military general, came over, saluted Liu Chengyou, and said with a strong voice: "Your Majesty, I wonder why you have summoned the last general?"
The name of this general is Zhang Qiong. He is a typical Han Dynasty from Hebei Province. He is bold, brave and good at shooting. When he was young, he led the rogues from his hometown to fight against the Khitan people. After the Han Dynasty was established, he joined the army.
He was later selected into the Forbidden Army and participated in two battles against Hou Shu in Pinghe. He fought very bravely. In the words of Wang Jun and Zhao Hui, he was a fierce soldier who did not care about life and death. He fought without risking his life.
In the sixth year of Emperor Qianyou's reign, he was transferred to Beijing. His bravery was rarely matched by anyone in the army. Later, Zhao Kuangyin valued him and recommended him to Liu Chengyou. Because of his loyalty and bravery, he performed outstandingly in the process of reviewing the army, and gradually After falling into the eyes of Liu Chengyou, he was transferred to the Imperial Army and stood guard in the Forbidden Palace for more than two years.
"It's nothing much, I'm just bored and wanted to inquire about the camp!" Liu Chengyou said.
Zhang Qiong suddenly understood and immediately responded: "The guards entering the city have arranged one hundred soldiers each at the north and south gates. There are one hundred soldiers at the intersections along the streets. They are assisted by government soldiers and state soldiers. There are two hundred soldiers in the government offices divided into three squads. Occupy the middle gate, lobby, and back garden!"
"Where are the government officials, subordinates and waiters?" Liu Chengyou asked.
"Those who went home instead went home, and the rest were all rushed to the west mansion by the general to take care of them!" Zhang Qiong said carelessly.
Hearing his words, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but said: "You, your style is still so rough and direct!"
Zhang Qiong said: "Although those people are members of the yamen, they may be hiding different intentions. The general is too lazy to screen them, so he may just keep them all under guard so as not to threaten the safety of your majesty, your wife, and their highnesses!"
"No wonder I just saw that Chu Zhaofu's face looked a little ugly. It turns out that the problem lies here..." Liu Chengyou said.
"Then Magistrate Chu, do you still dare to accuse the last general?" Zhang Qiong was a little angry.
"He didn't say anything. You guys, don't make any assumptions!" Liu Chengyou glared at him.
Zhang Qiong's expression softened, and she glanced at Liu Chengyou. After a slight hesitation, she cupped her hands and said, "Your Majesty..."
"Speak directly and hesitantly if you have anything to say, that's not your style, Zhang Qiong!"
"Then let me tell you straight!" Zhang Qiong grinned and said: "This matter of arranging the guards is too complicated and cannot make any mistakes. It is really not suitable for me. I beg your majesty to show mercy and let me go out. Fight, fight!"
Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou's eyebrows suddenly raised: "Why, you have been wronged by being my general bodyguard, but you are still not happy, so you want to go out?"