Shu Chen

Chapter 130 The Silk Road
Invitation from elders is irresistible.

Zheng Pu walked slowly, followed behind Xiang Lang, and walked to his office.

When I arrived, I couldn't help being surprised as soon as I entered.

I heard before that Xiang Lang is the person with the largest collection of books in Shu, and now I know that the rumor is true.

I saw tall furniture on both sides of the office room, piled full of books; even the sides of the desk and the corners of the sitting couch, there were many bamboo slips piled up stitched together.The space, which is not that big, has become particularly cramped, making Zheng Pu feel cramped even for himself.

There was already someone in the house.

The age is about weak crown, the height is more than seven feet, the beard is light, and the appearance is dignified.

The scholar wears regular clothes and has a very bookish air. He should be a member of Xiang Lang's family, not a bureaucrat.

Seeing Xiang Lang and Zheng Pu walking in, he who was sitting in front of the couch reading, got up and saluted, then moved to the side wall to stand.

"Zijin, this is my dead brother's youngest son. His name is Chong, and his writing is high. Since the elder brother Chong and the second brother Ping have both been taught, and they are not old enough, I will stay by my side."

As the host, Xiang Lang introduced Zheng Pu with a smile.

After finishing speaking, he did not forget to wave to Xiang Chong, "Wen Gao, come quickly to pay respects. This is Zheng Zijin, the general who joined the army and led the captives in the Prime Minister's Mansion."

"Chong, meet Zheng Canjun."

Say goodbye to Chongyiyan again.

The voice is gentle, the behavior is calm, and it is quite gentle.

It also made Zheng Pu feel good.

Returning a salute with a smile, he turned his head to look at Xiang Lang, and praised, "In the past, the late emperor once praised Xiang Zhong's leader as "able", and the prime minister also praised him as a good-natured person. Now I can see Wen Gao Xingzhi, and his demeanor is very beautiful. Therefore It can be said that there is no shortage of talents in the Xiang family in Yicheng!"

Well, Xiang Chong is currently in the official position as the leader of the Central Committee, and he is banned by the palace guard.

"Hahaha~~~~~"

Hearing this, Xiang Lang couldn't help laughing heartily, waved his hands again and again and said humbly, "Zijin is too famous! Too famous!" After laughing, he stretched out his hand to lead Zheng Pu to his seat, "Zijin, please."

"Chang Shi, please."

And that Xiang Chong stepped out quite tactfully, and left behind behind closed doors.

When they were seated, the two exchanged a few polite words, Xiang Lang suppressed his smile and said softly, "When Zijin's book arrived in Ji County, the prime minister called me to discuss it in private. Many of the strategies in the book are for me. The big man will benefit. The only thing that can be done is to "spread into the mother". The prime minister hesitated for a long time. It's not because he thinks that Zijin is not careful, but because he fears that it will be bad for Zijin in the future."

Is it bad for me in the future?

Oh, it should be because once this policy is implemented in Hanzhong and Wudu, the nobles in Yizhou will be shocked, thinking that it will be implemented in Bashu in the future, right?
Thinking a little in his heart, Zheng Pu bowed his hands and said humbly, "I don't know why the Prime Minister is worried about me? Please Chang Shi not hesitate to explain me."

"It's because of the honor of the imperial court."

But he didn't want to, Xiang Lang gave a completely different answer, "The late emperor was kind, when he recaptured Hanzhong County in the past, he gave a lot of land to meritorious people because of the barren population of Hanzhong."

After hearing this, Zheng Pu understood.

In the past, after the former emperor Liu Bei established Shu, he wanted to distribute the middle houses in Chengdu and the mulberry fields outside the city to the generals, but was advised by Zhao Yun to stop, and only rewarded those with high merit.After conquering Hanzhong County, he rewarded the land and acres in the county to make meritorious officials.

Among them, most of the Liao Zuo of the Jingxiang Department have fields of mulberry gardens in Hanzhong.

Because when Chengdu was captured, most of the scholars from the Yuan Cong family and Dongzhou had already been rewarded.

Today, if the "spreading into the mu" is carried out in Hanzhong County, it will definitely damage the interests of these nobles.

After all, according to the prime minister's practice of fairness in governance, these nobles must first set an example in implementing the distribution of households into the mu, and there is no paradox in letting the children of the wealthy family who migrated to Hanzhong County.

Therefore, Jing Xiang, whose interests were damaged, did not dare to bear grudges against the prime minister, but would gnash his teeth at Zheng Pu, the instigator.

In particular, Zheng Pu was a Yizhou scholar.

He was born not to please Jingxiang.

The prime minister has always been different from Zheng Pu's talent, and has trained him as a successor to the great Han Dynasty, so he has some scruples about Zheng Pu's inability to dissolve in the Jingxiang family in the future.

"Thank you, Prime Minister and Chang Shi, for your kindness."

Zheng Pu, who was silent for a while, raised his head and said, "However, as a minister, he only seeks to benefit the country and dare not favor himself. Although I am not good enough, I will not be criticized by others in the future."

"nice!"

Hearing the words, Xiang Lang's voice was full of empathy, and he clapped his hands and praised, "Zijin's heart to serve the country can be demonstrated by the sun and the moon!"

Just praise, but then smiled, and said softly, "The Prime Minister knows that Zijin has always spared himself when he is doing things for the country. So he called me to discuss it, just to think about whether we can make up for one or two."

Oh?
The prime minister has thought evil for me?

Raising his eyebrows, Zheng Pu looked a little surprised.

However, after thinking about it, it was not surprising.

According to the prime minister's personal and cautious temperament, he is often used to eliminating many hidden dangers before putting things into practice.

Alas, the Prime Minister is bothering you again.

With an inaudible sigh, Zheng Pu grinned, "I'm stupid, please tell Chang Shi clearly."

"Hehe~~~ Zijin is humble."

Xiang Lang stroked his head and smiled, but did not answer and asked instead, "Zijin still remembers, before His Majesty gave you the marriage, the Prime Minister once said that he would find an in-law for you?"

"Prime Minister Ende, I dare not forget."

Immediately, Zheng Pu restrained his face when he heard the words, and handed over his hands to the prime minister.

"However, Zijin probably doesn't know."

Slightly raising his head, Xiang Lang said in a sad tone, "If Your Majesty does not offer a marriage, the Prime Minister will find my youngest daughter, or the daughter of the old servant Ma Jichang, and give it to you!"

uh~~~
What happened?

The daughter of Zhang Cheqi, who was bestowed by the emperor for marriage, is not the prime minister's evil words!
For a moment, Zheng Pu was stunned.

Xiang Lang sighed, and without waiting for him to open his mouth, he continued to ask, "My nephew Wen Gao, Zijin has just met. I wonder how Zijin sees his talent? If he enters into an official career, it will be of great benefit to the country." no?"

But after meeting for a few breaths, let me assert?

not.
Hearing this, Zheng Pu had a faint realization in his heart, and he didn't make any excuses.

"Changshi has a question, I dare not not answer it. Let's just say, if there is something wrong, I hope Changshi won't blame it."

After thinking about it for a while, Zheng Pu said politely with a smile first, and Fang said, "I think Wen Gao looks dignified, and his body is seven feet tall. He behaves calmly, and he has a poetic spirit in his belly!"

"Hahaha~~~"

Xiang Lang laughed loudly, and he was not humble, "The prime minister also likes Wen Gao very much. I have already told me that when Wen Gao reaches the crown next year, he will be appointed as a assistant to the Prime Minister's Office."

"I tasted it, the awl is in the bag, and the end is seen immediately."

It was said that Zheng Pu smiled sheepishly, and jokingly said, "There is a saying that 'do not avoid relatives in internal promotion'. At the time when the state employs people, Chang Shi has a nephew who has become a talent, but makes him stay at the left and right, which is Qu Cai! "

"Hahaha, Zijin couldn't be more praiseworthy."

Xiang Lang, who was full of joy and cheeks, waved his hands humbly again and again, and finally tried to see him.

Nai Lianrong looked at Zheng Pu and said, "My nephew is young and lonely. Although he is very miserable, he is rare to have a good character and good talent and learning. I am the elder, and I am very comforted. Since he is about to reach the crown, I will I want to find a good match for him. I heard that there is a younger sister in Zijin's family, who is talented and virtuous, I don't know if he is married or not?"

Definitely getting married.
After Zheng Pu heard this, he couldn't help saying something in his heart.

However, there is nothing strange about the prime minister's arrangement.

Xiang Lang has a very good reputation, and he often borrows books from his family to transcribe, and he is known as the elder.And older, the official position is the Minister of the Prime Minister, and he is faintly one of the leaders of the Jingxiang Clan.His nephew Xiang Chong's talent and character were appreciated by the first emperor and the prime minister successively, and he served in the palace to guard the emperor. He will be an important minister of the country in the future.

If Zheng Xiang's family became in-laws, even if he offended some of the Jingxiang clan by saying "spreading into the mother", with the affection of the Xiang family, they would not be attacked by the Jingxiang clan.

Furthermore, Zheng Pu had already made a marriage arrangement with the Zhang family, a relative of the Yuan Cong family.

If there is another stigma of the Jingxiang lineage added, the courtiers of the Han Dynasty in the future will not regard it as a Yizhou scholar to guard against.

In other words, the prime minister is helping him in his future career.

With such good intentions, Zheng Pu was deeply impressed.

And Xiang Chong and his senses are quite good.

Although he is interested in official career, he can allow his marriage to be utilitarian.

However, he never thought about taking little Zheng Yan's lifelong event as a stepping stone for his official career.

Even today's world principles are the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers for blind marriages.

Alas, that's all.

If you refuse, it is also a kindness that does not appreciate the affection.

After a little silence, Zheng Pu cupped his hands and said in a soft voice, "I know the meaning of Chang Shi. However, I dare not specialize in such a big matter. Please also ask Chang Shi to wait for me to send a letter back, and ask my grandmother and The elder brother will make a decision later, and I hope the elder Shi Mowei."

Ok?
Xiang Lang was slightly taken aback by such an answer.

Immediately afterwards, he smiled wryly and nodded slightly, "I forgot that there is still an elder brother in Zijin's family who is in charge. That's okay, it's better to make a decision on this matter after Zijin informs the family."

In his heart, there is no sense of embarrassment.

For one thing, with his Xiang family's reputation and family status, if Zheng Pu didn't decline immediately, how could Zheng Yan who is far away in Sichuan refuse?
What's more, his nephew Xiang Chong is considered a good match among the descendants of the big man.

On the other hand, I appreciate that Zheng Pu has no intention of utilitarianism.

With Zheng Pu's talent and learning, it is absolutely impossible not to predict the benefits that Xiang Zheng's family will gain after becoming in-laws.

However, he didn't respond.

It can be seen from this that this son has no heart to work hard.

That is to say, in the future, he will not become a lone husband who disowns his relatives and only seeks profit because of his desire for power.

After all, everyone has a beast fettered in their hearts.When the power is in your hands, it is the time when the beast breaks free from its cage.Whether it is good or evil depends on each person's heart.

The business was settled, the two chatted for a few words, and Zheng Pu said goodbye.

Returning to the road, with the bumps of the horse's back, I feel tired from the things that have been mixed in, which makes my heart and mind even more haggard.

Simply, he randomly found a small pavilion by the Weishui River to rest his feet, and took a nap while waiting for Zhuge Qiao.

It's just a small pavilion next to the official road, where oxen, horses and vehicles come and go, and the small officials and officials walking along the road are full of noise.

If you look closely, you can see that on everyone's face, there is no look of panic or numb expression, on the contrary, the eyes are burning with enthusiasm.

It has only been one month since the war ended and the flag was changed, yet Li and Shu are still in such a state, which is really rare.

Zheng Pu was very surprised.

So he asked his subordinates to stop a small official over, and asked carefully about the situation in Longyou recently.

It turns out that Longyou's peace and stability is due to the prime minister's trust.

Due to the delay in the spring plowing of Li and Shu due to the war at the beginning of the year, the prime minister fed the people of Li and Shu with grain and fodder in lieu of work.

For logging, stone extraction, leveling roads, construction and many other tasks related to people's livelihood and military affairs, the prime minister used grain and fodder to collect Li and common people to do it, and he could get paid after finishing the work on the same day.

Let Li Shu believe in the Han court.

It also gave birth to countless poor people flocking to the people to live in the village.

The small Qianghu tribe with weak forces in the surrounding area was promised by the prime minister that they could bring cattle, sheep, war horses, or leather horn tendons in exchange for Shu brocade or tea, which were in short supply on the Silk Road.

And the price is very fair.

Even if they only transported Shu Brocade to Xiping County under the jurisdiction of the Wei Army, and traded with the Shaodang, Shaohe, Dangjian, Lejie and other Qiang tribes in the Huangshui River Valley, they could get a lot of profit from the difference.

According to word of mouth, due to the stimulation of practical interests, countless Qianghu tribes in Northwest China came here with their war horses.

According to legend, the Wei army in Jincheng County has already ordered that those who carry Shu brocade should be charged with "collaborating with the enemy" and punished!
However, the various Qiang tribes sneered at this.

Wei Jun provided them with silk and other items along the Silk Road, and the price was too high.

Let them feel that the flag embroidered with "Han" is more exciting than the flag embroidered with "Wei".

Especially, for the Qianghu tribe that thrived in the Huangshui River Valley.

Since the time of Emperor Wu of the Great Han Dynasty, the mainstream of the Silk Road has been divided into three routes: east, middle and west.

The east line is from Guanzhong to Xiaoguan Road in Anding County, enters Wuwei County, and goes up the Zuli River to enter the Hexi Corridor.

Both the central and western routes go from Guanzhong to Longguan to enter Ji County in Hanyang County, and then to Jincheng via Longxi Didao.

Among them, the middle line goes along the Zhuanglang River through Wushaoling and enters the Hexi Corridor; the west line goes up against the Huangshui River, goes out of the territory of the Han Dynasty, passes through the Datong-Daban Mountains, and then enters from Lenglongling in the eastern section of the Qilian Mountains Zhangye County.

That is to say, the Qiang and Hu tribes in the Huangshui River Valley can avoid the Wei army's garrison points and enter the Hexi Corridor by detour as long as they obtain trade items such as Shu brocade and tea.

But the Hexi Corridor is sparsely populated, with yellow sand everywhere.

Wei Jun can only find their whereabouts at Yumen Pass or Yang Pass in Dunhuang County.

However, the two counties of Dunhuang and Jiuquan are the counties with the largest concentration of Haoyou in Hexi.The Qianghu tribe in the Huangshui River Valley traded the Shu brocade to these nobles, and they could return with a full reward.

As for those local tyrants, is there a way to transport the Shu Brocade out of Yumen Pass?
If Wei Jun didn't want the continuous flames of war in the county, he could only choose to turn a blind eye.

Such a situation is the reason why Cao Rui, the emperor of Wei in the past, only gave up half of the benefits of the Silk Road to the temple, which made Yang Fu heartbroken: the Northwest Qianghu tribe and Haoyou would prefer to choose to stand in the Under the banner of the big man!

This is also the third part of Zheng Pu's strategy of "consolidating the foundation and benefiting the state", which is the basis for its implementation: the silk road will be opened again, and the profits of Shu brocade will come.

He advised the prime minister to add a "Shu Brocade Official Camp" after the "Salt and Iron Official Camp" in the late Emperor Liu Bei's time.

Due to the difficulty of the road to Shu, all Shu brocades from Longyou were strictly controlled.

The Shu brocade that is eligible to pass through the four passes in the north of Shu will only be authorized by the imperial court to help the wealthy caravans of the Han Dynasty in the Northern Expedition.

By strangling business routes, and with mouth-watering profits, let the Yizhou wealthy families make their own choices: Northern Expedition against Wei, conquering the Central Plains, would you like to "be in the same robe with your son"?

(End of this chapter)