Chen Jingke also heard about Feng Ang and couldn't help but said: "This old man is not confused."
Wu Shu smiled and said: "Look at what you said. Duke Yue has been ruling Lingnan for decades, how could he be so confused?"
"Not only was he not confused, he also chose the right time."
Chen Jingke said: "Oh? Why is it just right?"
Wu Shu said: "The Tang Dynasty defeated Xue Yantuo and completely solved the grassland troubles. Next, there are only three directions of attack, Liaodong, Western Regions and Lingnan."
"Goguryeo is a powerful country in Liaodong. A saint would not easily use troops against it without making complete preparations. As far as I know, the Tang Dynasty has not made relevant preparations at the moment."
"The Western Region is far away from the Central Plains. When planning to conquer this region, we need to plan carefully and not act too hastily."
"And with the beginning of the great voyage, the geographical advantages of the south have become increasingly prominent."
"Not completely controlling Lingnan is always a huge hidden danger."
"So the next step for the imperial court's strategic direction will be to adjust to Lingnan."
"Feng has become the biggest stumbling block. No matter how respectful he is to the court, it is useless."
"The imperial court will not allow such a critical point to be choked by others."
"Either he takes the initiative to hand over power, or the court forces him to hand over power. Once the court breaks out, Feng's end will be worrying."
"Another point is that the imperial court needs to set an example for all separatist forces to see."
"This is to tell the separatist forces that the imperial court will not treat them badly if they give in..."
"So Feng's choice to completely hand over power at this time is a very wise choice."
Chen Jingke scratched his head and said: "These people's minds are really complicated. There are so many calculations behind a simple thing."
Wu Shu rolled her eyes at him, and she also took in what he said.
"This matter is far-reaching and not a trivial matter. No amount of planning is too much."
While they were talking, a Taoist boy came to report: His Royal Highness is here.
Chen Jingke said: "This guy, how come he has time to come here when there are so many things going on in the palace?"
Wu Shu covered his mouth and smiled softly, and said: "My majestic prince, please speak more politely, so as not to be true."
Chen Jingke said casually: "Don't worry, I definitely wouldn't say that in front of outsiders. Okay, I'll go see what he's doing."
As soon as they met, the two of them had a habit of exchanging a few insults, and Li Chengqian explained his intention.
"Have you heard about the Feng family in Lingnan?"
Chen Jingke nodded and said, "I heard it. I was discussing this matter with Shiyi's mother just now. You came to me just to tell me about this matter, right?"
Li Chengqian said: "It will be easier if you know. Have your family elders made any plans for Lingnan?"
Chen Jingke suddenly realized it and said: "So you are here for this matter. They have indeed made some plans, but I don't remember it very clearly."
Li Chengqian showed a true expression and said: "Tell me what you remember and see if you can provide us with something to learn from."
Chen Jingke nodded, thought for a while and said: "If you want to solve the Lingnan problem, you must understand the local situation, so that you can find targeted strategies."
"In fact, Li Liao people also wanted to join the Tang Dynasty and become subjects of the Heavenly Kingdom."
Li Chengqian frowned slightly and said, "But why are they still rebelling?"
Chen Jingke stretched out a finger and said: "There is only one reason, poverty."
“The Lingnan region is bitter, with high mountains and dense forests, infested by wild animals, blood-sucking parasites, malaria, and miasma. The local people are constantly struggling for life and death.”
"Moreover, the land in Lingnan is barren and the crop yield is extremely low. The annual output cannot even satisfy the hunger."
"So what they pursue is to survive, and they will listen to whoever allows them to survive."
Yes, the land in the south is barren. This is not nonsense but a fact.
There are many rainy rivers in the south, and the humus layer on the surface is washed away by the water, resulting in barren land.
After the transformation of Sun Wu, Eastern Jin and subsequent dynasties, the soil in some areas was improved.
However, the land in most areas of Lingnan is still very barren and not suitable for growing crops.
On the contrary, in the bitter cold land of Liaodong, the soil humus layer has accumulated over tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of years, forming fertile black soil.
Li Chengqian said in confusion: "Then shouldn't they submit to the imperial court, so that they can get assistance from the imperial court?"
"Tax." Chen Jingke picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said:
"The reason why the Liao people rebelled and refused to join the Tang Dynasty was because they had to pay taxes as subjects of the Tang Dynasty."
"They can't even hope to survive, and they don't have the money to pay taxes, so they will definitely rebel."
"If the imperial court really wants to solve the Lingnan issue and incorporate it into the territory of the Tang Dynasty, it must solve this problem."
"Otherwise, even if we conquer this place by force, we will not be able to rule it for a long time."
Li Chengqian not only nodded, he also knew nothing about Lingnan and knew that what Chen Jingke said was right.
Do the barbarians really not want to live the same good life as the people in the Central Plains?
No, they thought, they just don't have the ability.
After the rulers of successive dynasties arrived there, their first thought was not how to improve the living environment of the local people, but to strengthen prevention against ruthless exploitation.
If the Liao people cannot survive, they will naturally rebel.
The Central Plains dynasty rarely reflected on whether there were any problems with its own policies, but crudely attributed the responsibility to the barbarians who were barbaric and untamed.
If the imperial court is willing to help Li Liao people live a stable life, will they still resist?
Won't.
"So the problem in Lingnan ultimately lies in the word "poor". If this problem is solved, the Tang Dynasty can complete its rule here even without Feng's help."
Li Chengqian said: "This is the purpose of my coming today. Let me tell you how to do it."
Chen Jingke summarized his summary based on the development process of the South in later generations:
"First of all, there is the problem of local officials. This is actually easy to solve. We can directly implement the idea of dividing a small person into an acre in the local area."
"And exempt Lingnan from agricultural taxes for three to five years...or directly exempt all taxes and corvees."
Li Chengqian interrupted him and said: "It is not difficult to exempt taxes, but if corvee is exempted, who will do the local development work?"
Chen Jingke said: "We spend money to hire local people to work. There is so much money in the treasury, why don't we spend it and keep it?"
"People will shop when they have money, and consumption will revitalize the entire economy, and the court can collect taxes from it."
"This will create a virtuous cycle, and ultimately everyone will benefit."
Li Chengqian pondered for a while, but could not make a decision. He could only say: "The matter is very important, and only Aye can make the decision."
Chen Jingke said: "Just go back and ask him... before talking about anything else."
"Although the living environment in Lingnan is very harsh, it also has advantages that are not available elsewhere."
“The climate is warm and humid with abundant water resources, which is especially suitable for growing rice.
"Rice is one of the crops with minimal fertility requirements, and it can produce good yields even on the barren land in Lingnan."
"The rice seeds I brought back can be properly promoted in Lingnan."
"There is also sugar cane... the fruits can be made into dried and preserved fruits and canned fruits..."
"Lingnan has geographical advantages and is most suitable for industrial development. Various factories can be built there."
"The goods produced are sold all over the world through waterways..."
From appeasing the people, to establishing agriculture, to industry and commerce, Chen Jingke talked about everything he could think of.
As for whether it is suitable and whether it can be implemented at present, that is not his problem. It needs to be judged by Li Shimin and others.
Li Chengqian was very excited when he heard it. It can be said that Chen Jingke's construction of Lingnan is a completely different development and construction path from the past.
Regardless of whether it is suitable or not, it is really unique and can give him a lot of food for thought.
The two continued chatting until noon, and they ended the topic only when Chen Jingke had nothing to say.
Li Chengqian said those words again: "How many great talents have been born in your family? You are so taken care of by heaven that it makes people jealous."
Chen Jingke glanced at him and said, "It is Datang that is envied now."
"Haha..." Li Chengqian laughed proudly: "What is this called? This is called..."
Chen Jingke interrupted him and said: "This is called stupid blessing."
Li Chengqian smiled, not angry, and said: "I allow you to say so after taking advantage of your family."
After chatting for a few more words, Li Chengqian stood up to say goodbye and left. Chen Jingke walked him all the way to the gate.
After sending Li Chengqian away, he did not return directly, but wandered around in the market in front of the Taoist temple.
The first day of the new year is coming soon, Chang'an City is more lively than ever, and the market in front of the Taoist Temple is even more lively, with everything on sale.
Just as he was admiring a piece of clam shell and preparing to buy it home, someone suddenly tapped him on the shoulder.
He was startled, turned around angrily and wanted to scold him, but when he saw the person standing behind him, he was only happy.
"Xunyu, when did you come back?"
The person who photographed him was none other than Yuchi Xunyu.
"Hey, I just arrived this morning and I came to see you as soon as possible. How about it? It's fun."
Chen Jingke was about to say something when his eyes inadvertently spotted a few strawberry marks on his neck, and he immediately understood.
The thief smiled and said: "It's really interesting that you can leave your sister-in-law to visit me. As a brother, I am very touched."
Yuchi Xunyu didn't know that he had been exposed, but he was not embarrassed and said:
"It's about food and sex. If you don't touch a woman for half a year, you'll be more anxious than me."
Chen Jingke smiled and said: "I am convinced... Let's go in and talk."
After saying that, he took him back to Zixiao Temple.
Looking at the prosperous scene around him, Yuchi Xunyu suddenly said with emotion: "The longer you stay outside and the more places you see, the more you can feel how prosperous Chang'an is."
Chen Jingke echoed: "Good and bad are all compared, so as adults we should go out and see the outside world."
At this time, a group of vendors pushed several carts to one side of the square and shouted:
"I'm selling sea fish. I sell sea fish from Dizhou for two cents a piece."
I heard that it cost two cents a piece, and soon the stalls of these vendors were crowded with people buying fish.
Someone said: "Why is this fish so weird? Is it poisonous?"
Someone echoed: "That's right, although this fish is a little thin, it is more than one meter long. There must be something wrong with selling it so cheaply."
Someone was unhappy and said impatiently: "If you don't want to buy, just get out of the way. Don't block the way."
"That's right, I've been waiting here for a long time. If you don't want to buy it, don't bother others."
Those who were still questioning just now shut up immediately, and no one left.
Looking at the people walking by happily carrying fish, Yuchi Xunyu said in surprise: "What kind of fish is this? Why does it look like a snake?"
Chen Jingke said: "This thing is called hairtail, and it can only be found in the deep sea."
Yuchi Xunyu said: "The hairtail does look like a belt, but it's too cheap to sell a fish with such a long length for only two cents."
Chen Jingke said: "Isn't this the Chinese New Year? It's a welfare for the people of Chang'an."
"Welfare" Yuchi Xunyu seemed to realize something, widened his eyes and said in disbelief: "You couldn't have made this thing, right?"
"It's just nothing." Chen Jingke said with a smile.
"Selling it so cheap, you are not afraid of losing money. Even if you want to accumulate good fortune, no one knows that you did this, and no one will think of you well." Yuchi Xunyu said in confusion.
"It doesn't matter, I can afford it. You don't need others to know about virtue accumulation. God sees everything." Chen Jingke said seriously.
"I admire you, I admire you." Yuchi Xunyu said with sincere admiration.
Chen Jingke chuckled in his heart. Of course what he said was not entirely true, at least he would not lose money.
There are too many hairtail fish in completely undeveloped waters. If you use a deep-sea net to catch them, you can catch tens of thousands of them in a single net.
This thing occupies a small area and is very convenient for transportation. A large ship can transport hundreds of thousands or hundreds of thousands of them, and you can make money even if you sell them for a penny each.
He sells hairtail so cheaply, partly to provide benefits to the people and to build up good virtue for himself and his family.
Ordinary people really don't know which kind person is so kind and sells such a big fish to them for two cents.
But everyone who should know knew that Chen Jingke did this, and everyone didn't think much about it.
Doing good deeds and accumulating negative virtues is a concept that has been deeply rooted in people's minds since the Taoist reform.
Chen Jingke's actions are seen by others as his own actions, and there is nothing to say.
So Yuchi Xunyu accepted the matter after being slightly surprised.
Then he raised another question: "Aren't you afraid that someone will resell the hairtail fish to others at a high price?"
Chen Jingke smiled proudly and said: "This is why there are so many kinds of sea fish, but I only sell hairtail."
"The appearance of hairtail fish is very unique. You can see it at a glance. There is no way to fake it."
"The key is that the fishing method for this kind of fish was discovered not long ago. Only my fishing team can do it. It is a unique business."
"I have asked the saint for instructions before and issued a ban in the name of the imperial court. Before the end of the Lantern Festival, the price of all hairtails must not exceed two cents a piece."
"Any violator will be fined ten times the income from selling fish, and the reporter will receive half of the fine as a reward."
