Chapter 4495 Two Capitals Simultaneously
Li Ji nodded in agreement: "It is indeed necessary to build Luoyang to share the pressure from Chang'an. Now the empire is prosperous and there is no shortage of supplies. It is just that it is difficult to transport them to Guanzhong. If things go on like this, countless supplies will be consumed in transportation, and too much national power will be spent. Spend it in vain, be prepared for a rainy day.”
In fact, this is no longer a plan for a rainy day, but an urgent one, because the food shortage has already occurred and the stubborn disease has emerged. If we just sit back and ignore it, it will only get worse day by day until it is difficult to recover.
The pressure to move the capital is indeed great, but it is not necessarily impossible to build Luoyang to share the pressure of Chang'an.
Li Xiaogong said: "It's a pity that after Emperor Taizong conquered Luoyang, he demolished the end gate of the imperial city, burned Zetian Gate and Qianyang Hall, and destroyed countless palaces and palaces. Although he wanted to rebuild them later, he was blocked by admonishing ministers. Let it go, otherwise it would be much easier now.”
Everyone was speechless.
Li Ji shook his head and said nothing...
During the Luoyang War, Emperor Taizong, who had superior military skills, was repeatedly restrained and was very angry. Therefore, after breaking the city, he issued several orders. Not only did he order the demolition of many buildings in Luoyang Palace, he also ordered Qu Tutong to burn down several main halls, and even beheaded almost everyone. Shan Xiongxin, who captured him, was indifferent even if Li Ji begged.
In the early years of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong visited Luoyang and saw that the majestic and gorgeous palace was in dilapidated condition. He regretted the impulsive order he had issued and wanted to renovate the Luoyang Palace. Wei Zheng held his neck and advised him: "I had to act like a child at that time. , I only regretted it afterwards, and now I have to waste money and people, what’s the difference with Yang Guang?” I had to give up.
If it weren't for Wei Zheng's advice back then, things would be much easier now...
Ma Zhou reminded: "Your Majesty, even if the construction of the Eastern Capital is implemented, it should not be leaked for the time being. Otherwise, it will not only cause turmoil in the court, but also cause land and commodity prices to rise in Luoyang, which will be detrimental to the people. You can choose to send an experienced person to take charge of Luoyang. , while summoning craftsmen and preparing materials, we also maintain people's livelihood and guard against someone speculating on land. Once someone disrupts the market, they will be severely punished. ”
At that time, Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty built the Eastern Capital and moved tens of thousands of merchants and wealthy households from all over the country to Luoyang, making it a gathering place of wealth and one of the few prosperous capitals in the world. It was comparable to Chang'an. This has made the price of goods in Luoyang higher than that of other cities. If the news of moving the capital to Luoyang comes out at this moment, more merchants and aristocratic families will rush to Luoyang. Not only will the land price be skyrocketed, but the prices of various commodities will also rise.
In this way, not only did the cost of building Luoyang skyrocket for the imperial court, but it also plunged the lives of the people in Luoyang into hardship and embarrassment, which completely deviated from the original intention of moving the capital.
Li Chengqian looked solemn, nodded and said: "That's exactly it."
Although he does not have much experience in governing, he is not a fool. He understands the interests of the imperial court. As long as there are transfers of officials and supplies, the news of the construction of Luoyang will inevitably be leaked. If you want to hide it, you will definitely not be able to hide it. The only way is A tough official was sent to Luoyang to suppress all parties with thunderous means and frighten those who tried to gain profits through speculation, monopoly, etc.
Whichever hand reaches out, that hand will be cut off.
But it’s hard to choose such a person...
Liu Ping stroked his beard and felt that moving the capital was indeed the right way. Even if it were suppressed now, every time Guanzhong encountered food shortages, lack of supplies, and water transportation difficulties in the future, the matter of moving the capital would be mentioned. There would come a time when it could no longer be suppressed or stopped.
In this case, it is better to take the initiative.
"What Ma Shizhong said is reasonable, but it is not easy to choose such a person. He needs a certain degree of prestige to be able to overwhelm the scornful, he must also be fair, honest, and of high moral character. He must also be selfless and have a strong character, so that he can take on big responsibilities. I have seen many times. In the court, perhaps only the Duke of Yue can take on the important responsibility..."
Hearing Liu Jie's words, the other people's eyes twitched almost at the same time. Although they knew that the two of you were fighting passionately, but it was so obvious that you wanted to transfer Fang Jun out of Chang'an, so you weren't afraid that the stick would be messed up?
Without Li Chengqian's need to speak, Li Xiaogong rejected the proposal: "Now that the Jinwu Guards are at the critical stage of formation, how can we let the Duke of Yue leave? As the most important armed force that will guard Chang'an in the future, the Jinwu Guards cannot afford to slack off. Since the Duke of Yue will follow He has set it up from the beginning and has taken everything into consideration, so he should be responsible until the end. If someone is replaced midway, there will inevitably be many twists and turns, which will do more harm than good.”
Li Chengqian also said: "The formation of the Jinwu Guards is of great importance and cannot be lost."
Although the rebellion of King Jin has been put down, there are still those who are colluding with King Jin in the court, inside and outside the army. If Fang Jun is not in charge of Chang'an and Su Wei Palace, he, the emperor, does not even dare to sleep. How can he let Fang Jun leave?
Liu Jie then said: "If the Duke of Yue cannot go, it will be really difficult to choose this candidate. Or... the imperial censor can do it?"
"Liu Xiangdao?" Li Ji was slightly startled and frowned.
Ma Zhou asked: "Liu Xiangdao is selfless, honest, and capable enough, but he lacks prestige, so it is doubtful whether he can deter Luoyang. Furthermore, if he goes to Luoyang, who will be responsible for the Yushitai?"
In the scene just above the court, Liu Xiangdao could be said to have won a great victory. Liu Ji's previous team at Yushitai not only lost one Li Yifu, but also Li Qianyou, Wang Lun and others were suppressed. Liu Ji proposed at this moment Liu Xiangdao went to Luoyang, not necessarily because he wanted to move this big stone and let Li Qianyu and others take over.
Unexpectedly, Liu Jie said: "You can transfer Xu Shangshu to be the imperial censor. Xu Shangshu has sufficient qualifications and outstanding abilities. The minister of the Ministry of Rites is a noble official, and it is pragmatic and cannot show Xu Shangshu's abilities. If he is allowed to serve as the censor." The doctor will definitely be able to clean up the rules and discipline, subdue the petty things, and make the whole court look new. ”
Everyone looked at Xu Jingzong, who had been silent.
Xu Jingzong said hurriedly: "The imperial censor is in charge of correcting the treachery of hundreds of officials inside and outside, upholding the rules of the court, debating major matters, and correcting small matters. People who are not upright and upright cannot be qualified. Although the ministers have little qualifications, they are capable. It’s not enough for now, so I would never dare to take on this responsibility.”
He spoke humble words, but his eyes kept glancing at Fang Jun, hoping that Fang Jun could speak for him.
He had wasted many years and could only struggle to survive in a corner of the academy. Later, he rose to the top and served as the Minister of Rites. He felt that he had achieved his ambition and his wish was fulfilled, and he was very satisfied.
However, people always look forward. Now that the official position of a censor is in front of you, how can you not be excited?
Although the Minister of Rites is noble and nominally the head of the six departments, he is usually more pragmatic. Although his rank is high, he does not have much real power. How can he be compared to the "Da Sikong", a prominent official who oversees hundreds of officials? Bit?
He naturally understood that the reason Liu Ji recommended him to him must be because he wanted to regain control of the Yushitai, and even had other plans, but even so, it was difficult to resist the temptation of the official position of Yushitai.
Fang Jun naturally received the gesture from Xu Jingzong's eyes, but ignored it.
He has always been deeply jealous of Xu Jingzong and despised his moral character. However, unlike Li Yifu, the latter had no connections and could be trampled to death by him anytime and anywhere. After all, Xu Jingzong was the top ten of the Qin Palace back then. One of the Eight Scholars, a minister of Emperor Taizong's Qiandi, who is too senior.
It is not easy to confine him to a pragmatic position like the Minister of Rites. How can he be allowed to serve as a censor and shoulder the power of supervising hundreds of officials and then soar to the sky?
Therefore, he retorted: "Liu Xiangdao is conscientious and dedicated to his duties. He has made outstanding achievements since he became the imperial censor and is well-known. The chaotic government has just been sorted out. If he is rashly transferred, wouldn't all the previous efforts be wasted? Let's choose someone else."
Xu Jingzong was speechless, unable to hide his disappointment. Liu Xiangdao couldn't leave, so naturally he couldn't take the position. The perfect opportunity was missed in vain...
Li Ji was not sure about the relationship between Fang Jun and Xu Jingzong. It is said that the two men were once the same masters in the academy, and together they punished Chu Suiliang to death. The relationship should be extremely close, but since Xu Jingzong was promoted to the Ministry of Rites The minister, Fang Jun, was always on guard and suppressed, which inevitably made Xu Jingzong feel resentful.
He recommended: "How about Pei Xizai, Minister Zuocheng?"
Ma Zhou said: "But his father is Pei Zhongxiao, who is the most charming person in the world?"
Li Ji nodded and said: "Exactly, this man was born in the Dongjuanfang of the Pei family of Wenxi. His grandfather Pei Zhongxiao served as the Third Secretary of Yitong in the Later Zhou Dynasty and the governor of Jinzhou. However, his family status has not been obvious since the Sui Dynasty. He is a fair and unselfish person with a strong character. If he is given the title of Governor of Luozhou, he will be competent."
During the Sui Dynasty, the two capitals were co-located, and Daxing City and Luoyang were generally the same in terms of political status. If the emperor was in Daxing City, the "Luoyang Remaining Guard" would be set up, and vice versa, the "Daxing Remaining Guard" would be set up. However, although it has been decided to build Luoyang, it is not suitable to announce it to the outside world for the time being, so the "Luoyang Stay" cannot be set up. Otherwise, everyone will know the court's intention, and the original intention of blocking the news will be defeated.
Li Chengqian had an impression of this person. In fact, because Emperor Taizong once held the post of Shangshu Ling, the Shangshu Ling has been vacant since Zhenguan. The highest official of the Shangshu Province is Shangshu Zuopushe, and under Zuopushe, he is Zuocheng .
Because the emperor personally controlled the Shangshu Order, the status of the entire Shangshu Province officials was actually one level higher. Shangshu Zuopushe was the actual head of the ministers and ministers, and Shangshu Zuocheng was the third-in-command of the Shangshu Province, which was regarded as a high-ranking position.
It is very suitable for such a person to serve as the governor of Luozhou and be responsible for the construction of Luoyang.
"Let's do this for the time being. The New Year is about to come, and all the affairs in the court are complicated. It is difficult to plan and build Luoyang for a while. We will discuss it after the New Year."
Li Chengqian made the final decision, and then said to Li Ji: "There is a shortage of grain in Guanzhong, so we have to trouble the British public. According to the strategy just mentioned by Erlang, the two fleets used their hands in the upstream and downstream of Sanmenxia to transport as much grain as possible into the customs. Although it is wasteful Manpower and material resources can also solve urgent needs. ”
Li Ji accepted the order: "Your Majesty, don't worry. I will personally handle this matter and will not dare to cause panic in Guanzhong due to lack of food."
I thought that this matter was over, and it would just be confirmed again after the new year, but Fang Jun suddenly said: "Wei Chen has thought of a more suitable person... What do you think, His Majesty, His Majesty the King of Wei?" (this chapter) End)