Han Shizu

Chapter 1283 With food in hand, don't panic

The arrival of midsummer also means that Emperor Liu will have to go through another period of torment. As he grows older, he seems to be more and more jealous of cold and heat.

Of course, the climate here in Luoyang is relatively comfortable. The problem lies in Emperor Liu's own habits.However, compared to the pain of every cold winter, the scorching summer is nothing. His old cold legs have become a chronic disease. Even in this midsummer, he should pay attention to the use of ice cubes to relieve the heat, so as to avoid the cold from invading his body.

In the palace garden, there is a scene of prosperity in summer. On the bank of the green lake, the willows are blown by the breeze and the branches are swaying, as if they are resisting the gradually hot weather.

In the Chengxin Pavilion built on the lake, Emperor Liu was dressed in a simple dress, and the light plain brocade uniform looked very loose. He didn't wear a hat and his hair was tied with a jade stick. He was in a relaxed atmosphere. middle.

Yan Tuo personally waited beside him with a can of fish food. Emperor Liu grabbed a handful from time to time and sprinkled it into the water.In the lake under the pavilion, fishes of various colors are swarming, and some of them jump out of the water from time to time, which is a lively scene.

"Grandpa, the fish jumped out!" Following Emperor Liu, there was also a little boy, Liu Wenyuan, the eldest grandson of Emperor Liu, who was very excited when he saw the school of fish and was holding on to the railing.

"If someone feeds you, you will never tire of it!" Emperor Liu smiled slightly.

Liu Wenyuan is the eldest son of Qin Gong Liu Xu, born in the fourth year of Kaibao, and now he is almost five years old. Because of his intergenerational relatives, he is also the first emperor's grandson, so he is naturally very favored and will be called into the palace from time to time. In the palace, talk about family relationships.

The little Huangsun's attention was obviously attracted by the school of jumping fish. Emperor Liu was feeding slowly, and felt itchy in his heart. He turned around, grabbed Yantuo's robe, and padded his feet to get the fish in him. Can.

Seeing this, Yan Tuo's knees softened, and he quickly squatted down in cooperation.With small and weak hands, he couldn't catch too much, and even leaked all over the place, and scattered it to the outside of the pavilion, most of which were scattered in the pavilion, but Liu Wenyuan was cheerful, staring at the lake with bright dark eyes, jumping for joy, little boy The fun is that simple.

Emperor Liu was also infected, with a loving smile on his face, and his gaze gradually became deeper as he stared at the school of fish fighting for food under his feet.In his eyes, these swimming fish are like some ministers in the imperial court. They jump out of the water as long as they are given some food and temptation. They are extremely active, fighting for power and profit, and showing their sense of presence
"Are the central government and the various ministries still talking about it like that, and making a fuss?" After a long time, Emperor Liu touched his eldest grandson's head, left Yantuo to play with him, turned around and sat on the stone bench in the pavilion, and asked the attendant Liu who was standing beside him. Xu.

Liu Xu's position has been transferred again. Since the middle of last year, he has served as Zhongshu's assistant minister, walking in the political affairs hall, and assisting in state affairs.When I heard the question at this time, I immediately responded: "Since you issued the imperial edict, there has been silence in the court, and the atmosphere has changed greatly. All the ministers and bureaucrats have kept their duties and worked hard!"

"Hmph! Do I still have to praise them?" Emperor Liu sneered faintly: "Some people are just shouting to share the country's worries, but they are actually hiding their intentions. The soldiers in front are bleeding and dying. People are like gluttons."

Hearing Emperor Liu's heartbreaking words, Liu Xu's face tightened slightly, he looked at Emperor Liu's indifferent expression, hesitated a little, but finally did not answer these words.

Fortunately, Emperor Liu didn't get too entangled in this matter, but said with a serious expression: "This Northern Expedition has mobilized more than one million people, and the spring plowing has already delayed a lot, and the summer harvest will soon be harvested. The imperial court must deal with it! Ahead! Although the military affairs are urgent, the farming work in the rear must not be relaxed!"

When it comes to official affairs, Liu Xu immediately displayed a capable style. Over the years, he has also worked hard in many places, held many practical positions, and done a lot of practical things. While accumulating vision and experience, his ability to handle affairs has indeed been tempered .

"The Political Affairs Hall has already prepared for this matter. Prime Minister Zhao issued an order to strictly urge local governments to organize manpower and animal power to do a good job in summer harvesting and summer tax collection!" Liu Xu replied.

Glancing at Emperor Liu, seeing that he was unmoved, he continued: "This time, the most serious conscripts are the four provinces of Yanshan, Hebei, Hedong and Henan. They are concentrated in the northern Daozhou, Gyeonggi and the southern provinces. Daozhou has little influence, and can maintain orderly production! In the northwest region, the population is slightly smaller, but it is rich in animal power, and it is also an expedition for soldiers and soldiers who are separated from the rear to fight, so there is not much demand for supplies and gifts!"

Emperor Liu nodded and sighed: "It still has to be the Eastern Route Army, with more than [-] people on the front line, that is a monster that devours people's financial resources!"

Liu Xu said: "Thanks to the unobstructed water canals and mature water transportation, compared with the previous Northern Expedition, the number of civilians actually conscripted this time has been reduced. With a large amount of military supplies going north, they are stationed in warehouses and ports in the north. , basically meet the consumption of the army for half a year, and the demand for manpower for canal and land transshipment is also greatly reduced.

The transshipment envoy Zhang Mei has moderately reduced her manpower and released her civilian husbands. Now the northern armies only leave more than 300,000 young men for the forward force of the army and the transfer of food and equipment.

In addition, during this Northern Expedition, a large number of ships were used for water transportation. In terms of military rations, half of them have been transported directly northward by sea from Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Coastal prefectures and counties have been ordered to recruit more than 50,000 fishermen and civilians to make up for the shortage of transport sailors and ensure smooth shipping. , which greatly eased the difficulty of land transshipment.

According to Zhang Mei's prediction, after breaking through the enemy's pass and completely entering Liaodong to ensure the safety of Liaohe water transportation, we can continue to increase the share of sea transportation and further reduce our dependence on land transshipment."

After listening to Liu Xu's report, Emperor Liu finally showed a smile on his face. After all, for the development of sea ships and shipping, it was Emperor Liu who forced the development. Visible convenience, in the face of such gains and results, naturally it is inevitable to be moved.

After thinking about it, Emperor Liu couldn't help but think about the key points again, and said: "Jinzhou and Yaozhou, these two cities have become two powerful shackles, restricting the progress of our army, and I don't know when they will be broken!"

Liu Xu was silent. Considering Emperor Liu's mood, he still tried to comfort him: "Nowadays, the large army is attacking the city, like Mount Tai pressing down on an egg. Although the Liao army's resistance is strong, it's just a stubborn resistance."

"I don't need your comfort!" Hearing what he said, Emperor Liu interrupted him with his hand, and quickly adjusted, changing the subject and asking: "How is the price of food in Xijing now that the war has progressed?"

Liu Xu immediately replied: "During the war, various products were given priority to the frontline soldiers. Xijing will inevitably be affected. The prices of grain, oil, noodles, salt, melons, fruits and vegetables have all risen. Now Doumi has risen to 17 yuan! However, Xijing Guancang There are still 3 million stones of rice, millet, wheat and other grains stored in the government, which can be called at any time!

The grain storage in the north mainly supports the Northern Expedition, but in the past two months, a large amount of grain from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and the two lakes has arrived in the two capitals, and the enthusiasm of the grain merchants is high.

In the past few years, there have been few disasters, and with the construction of water conservancy ditches, the southeastern region has a large harvest. After the introduction of Champa rice in Huainan, the yield per mu has also greatly increased, and the production in the two lakes has also further increased.Therefore, there is not much difficulty in food! "

"With food in hand, don't panic in your heart, this is the most simple truth!" Emperor Liu said: "No matter what time, the people of the big man must not be hungry!"

If the common people can't eat enough, they will rebel!
"You're right!" Liu Xu responded.

With a population of more than one million in Luoyang, officials and civilians consume about 8 million shi of food each year, which of course includes the distribution of government officials and military salaries.

One of the obvious improvements compared to the Northern Expedition is that there is no need to transfer grain from the capital storage to support front-line operations.What was transported from the two capitals to the north were more combat materials such as tents, weapons, gunpowder, and tools.

Looking at Liu Xu who was talking eloquently in front of him, Emperor Liu also showed a smile of appreciation, and praised: "You are becoming more and more capable, especially in terms of the overall situation, you have made great progress. The training you have endured these years, The effect is remarkable!"

Facing Emperor Liu's praise, Liu Xu maintained a humble style, cupped his hands and said, "I rely on your teaching and training, Father. I still have a lot to learn!"

"It's good to be neither arrogant nor impetuous!" Emperor Liu nodded.

After thinking about it, Emperor Liu said: "I plan to go on a tour. I just read your memorials and listen to your reports. I have to go and see it with my own eyes. You are in charge of arranging the tour!"

Hearing this, Liu Xu's face became subconsciously solemn, and he cupped his hands and asked for instructions: "I don't know where to go hunting?"

"Go to Hebei first, go to Dahai in the east, and visit Deng and Lai. After that, let's see the situation!" Emperor Liu said.

"When will we go on patrol? I don't know how to arrange the accompanying personnel?" Liu Xu asked again.

"The weather is getting hotter and hotter. Let's wait until the autumn cools. You should make the early preparations first! The ministers will not take any more. Zhao Pu and Song Qi will stay in Beijing and continue to preside over the state affairs. Li Ye from the Political Affairs Hall will accompany you, and Cao Bin from the Privy Council will deploy the camp. Wang Quanbin will be in charge, and the other bureaucrats will look at the arrangements, and besides, princes and princesses who are over eight years old will accompany them!" Emperor Liu simply ordered.

"Yes!"

Based on Liu Xu's understanding of Emperor Liu, it was obvious that the target was the Northern Expedition, and despite his indifferent face, he was very concerned in his heart.And the time is set after autumn, and there may be no quick expectations for the Northern Expedition.

After receiving the order, Liu Xu retired respectfully, while Emperor Liu continued to summon his grandson to tease him.He is only 40 years old, and his grandson can run and jump.
(End of this chapter)