Late Tang Dynasty Floating Life

Chapter 1004 The Prime Minister
Xiao Dilu was still stranded in Luoyang.

Although Xia Jun and Khitan had already fought in Qinan Grassland, the two countries were fighting each other, and the Henan government did not do anything to Xiao Dilu and his party, they just sent people to keep a close watch on them.

Xiao Dilu was in a good state of mind, he should eat and drink, he didn't feel at all that he was in an enemy situation, instead he kept wandering around Luoyang to increase his knowledge.

In fact, there was no difference, similar to the Youzhou he had been to before, Shao Shude did not bring any changes to the Central Plains.

I heard from some people that Lingxia, Helong, and the western half of Guanzhong are quite different. The local people raise a lot of large livestock, and even each household raises at least one horse, more than ten cows, and more. Hundreds of sheep.

This made Xiao Dilu greatly astonished and also a little frightened.

He is very clear about the advantages and disadvantages of the grassland and the Central Plains.If the Central Plains concentrates on animal husbandry and raises a lot of horses, no matter how decadent their dynasty is, as long as the local soldiers or township soldiers are still capable of fighting, tens of thousands or even [-] households in a state can pull out [-] horses. The grassland can resist it, because the Central Plains also has advantages in weapons and equipment and food and grass.

Even if their combat effectiveness is not very good, they can withstand losing, and even losing ten times won't hurt their roots.With so many people in the country and so many states, it would be a big trouble to train an effective army.

Of course, some people say that the so-called "three-crop rotation" agricultural production method is not so fast because of the large shortage of livestock.Even if the earliest Lingxia was implemented, not all households have implemented it. In Shao Shude's lifetime, I am afraid that he can barely let Longyou Road and Guannei Road be fully opened, and Henan Road will be partially opened. If there is too much, it will be wishful thinking. .

Xiao Dilu couldn't tell the truth from the fake, he thought the truth was somewhere in between.Shao Shude has worked hard for three to forty years all his life, and he can barely complete the agricultural reform in most parts of the north. Even if he can't, it will be almost completed by his son's generation or two generations.

It is indeed difficult to complete this amazing project that fundamentally changes the entire society within one generation.

But even so, it was scary.Xiao Dilu subconsciously wanted to visit Kansai, but most likely he couldn't.After returning, I have to find a way to send some capable spies who are proficient in official language to pretend to be merchants and go to Kansai to have a look.

Xiao Dilu wandered aimlessly in Luoyang, from Dingdingmen to Changxiamen, and then went north along Changxiamen East Second Street.

After visiting Xingjiao, Xuanjiao, Taohua and Jiashan, I came to Nanshi.

Nanshi was called "Fengdu City" in the former Sui Dynasty, covering an area of ​​four squares, with 120 rows, more than [-] shops, and more than [-] shops on the four walls, with a wealth of goods.At the end of the Sui Dynasty, Li Mi took Meng Rang as the general manager, rode [-] paces into the Eastern Capital, and burned and plundered Fengdu.

In the Guo Dynasty, because it was located in the south of Luoshui River, it was called "Nanshi", and its area was also greatly reduced: the eastern half was built as Linbai and Yongtai Erfang, and the western half of the north side was built as Tonglifang, so There is only one and a half squares left.

At this time, Nanshi has improved a bit.

Merchants from all over the place took their hired guards and spontaneously cleaned up many places, intending to do business.

After hearing about it, Dongdu Town approved the matter after asking for instructions.But they were temporarily unable to build houses, so they just set aside a piece of land, and the merchants built their own sheds to buy and sell here.

Even though the conditions were so difficult, Nanshi's reputation slowly spread.There is no other reason, more and more people live in, either officials or generals, they are all wealthy owners, and there is a great demand for commodities.

It is also because of this that Henan County has already bite the bullet and conscripted manpower, and even the family members of the sergeants have been put into corvee service to build walls and storefronts in Nanshi Square, and to dredge waterways.

After Xiao Dilu came to Nanshi, he saw the messy Fangshi and looked down upon it, it was not as good as Youzhou.

"Since Mr. Xianggong is here, is it for the purpose of fighting with Khitan?" Suddenly, Xiao Dilu heard the familiar "Han Eryu", he was startled, he stayed aside for a while, and listened silently.

"Well, it is for this matter. I traveled day and night from Shangjing, crossed the sea from Yalufu, arrived in Dengzhou in three days, and then went to Chang'an non-stop. Old man, when I was young, such a tiring journey is nothing." "Mr. " said the mouth.

Xiao Dilu looked intently, and it turned out to be Wu Zhengdu, Prime Minister of the Bohai Kingdom.

A few years ago Khitan raided Tie Li Mansion, Bo Hai mobilized a large army to help, the two sides confronted each other for several days, and then negotiated a peace and strike.At that time, it was this Wu Zangdu who presided over the peace negotiation, and Xiao Dilu had met him once from afar.

Xiao Dilu knew a little bit about Wu Zendu, he knew that this person had won the Binggong Jinshi examination in the Tang Dynasty in his early years.The so-called Bingong Jinshi is actually an exam prepared by Datang for foreign students. In layman's terms, "foreign students" passed the exam and passed the academic qualifications given to Bingong Jinshi.

The gold content of this degree is very high.In the 13th year of Emperor Yizong's Xiantong (872), Wu Zangdu won the Bingong Jinshi examination and returned to Bohai to become an official. Now he is the prime minister.

There was also a small episode.

After the list was released, Wu Zangdu ranked ahead of Li Tong, a Silla candidate. After hearing about it, another Silla native, Cui Zhiyuan, angrily denounced Li Tong as "a shame for the country forever."In the first year of Qianfu (874), Cui Zhiyuan went to the battle in person and directly passed the Jinshi exam——Cui Jun went to the Tang Dynasty at the age of 12 and entered the Imperial College to study. Before leaving, his father warned him that if he failed the Jinshi exam within ten years, he would be cut off from his father and son. It turned out that I passed the exam in six years, which is really amazing.

Two years ago (897), Silla and Bohai paid tribute to Chang'an.During the court meeting, because the position of the envoys of Silla was ahead of Bohai, the envoys of Bohai refused to accept and requested to adjust the order, but they were rejected.

Cui Zhiyuan wrote another letter "Thank you for not allowing Beiguo to live on the table", and used "the wart tribe, the genus of the scorpion" to ridicule the origin of the Bohai people, which is a little too much.

Why are candidates from Silla and Balhae so different?Xiao Dilu probably also knew a little bit of the reason.

At the time of Emperor Xuanzong, Bohai was relatively powerful and had the ambition to become the second Goguryeo, so Datang ordered Silla to send troops to attack Bohai.After Silla dispatched troops, due to the heavy snowfall, more than half of the soldiers were killed or injured-although they failed to pinch Bohai, the beams formed.

Since then, the two sides have been enemies of each other.Even though the descendants of the Bohai Kingdom vigorously promoted the "Cultural Rule" and stopped expanding, the enmity between the two sides has never been resolved. Shuimohe was eventually destroyed by the Khitan.

"Master, stay in Changshou Temple for a day or two. I know the monk and the abbot well." Another person said.

"I have a heart." Wu Zeng nodded with a smile.

After all, the group headed to the Changshou Temple in the southwest of Nanshi.

Xiao Dilu followed far behind like a thief.

Several people were still talking, but they were too far away to hear clearly.

Xiao Dilu scratched his ears and cheeks anxiously, but he didn't dare to get too close.When I got to the main gate of Changshou Temple, I wanted to go in, but seeing the monk's suspicious eyes, I decided to leave.

He had a clear realization in his heart that the people from Bohai had come to the Central Plains to find their father.At the same time, I also laughed secretly, I have a bird to go to Chang'an!How many soldiers does the emperor of the Tang Dynasty have?Does talking work?

However, this matter does deserve attention.How long has it been since Khan Shen Dejin sent people to pay tribute to Chang'an?He didn't know very well, anyway, he hadn't seen it in the past ten years.

Silla and Balhae still insisted on paying tribute, and many scholars in the middle school studied or even served as officials in the Tang Dynasty. The network of connections should not be underestimated.If they really make something happen, it will be quite troublesome.

Xiao Dilu secretly thought, since Silla and Bohai have enmity, maybe Khitan can tie up with Silla and attack Bohai.

Thinking of this, he suddenly felt that it was time to go back.He has a lot of things to say to Abaoji, and to tell the people in the tribe.

Shao Shude has more than ten armies and hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses, most of them are quite powerful.Especially those cavalry troops of his are as strong as Khan's pro-army, or even stronger.It is unwise to be an enemy of them. At this stage, the priority is to attack and destroy the Bohai State.

Bohai culture and education are popular, the population is large, and all kinds of industries are prosperous. Once eaten, there are many benefits.Take some time to digest, is your own strength.And if there is another change in the Central Plains, it will be even better.

The best soldiers and strong generals attacked each other and were exhausted.

The people of the Li people are neglected in farming, and all industries are withered.

If it continues like this, how much strength is left in the end is really hard to say.At that time, wouldn't it be Khitan's opportunity?Or have a chance to eat Youzhou, which Abaoji has been thinking about.

Xiao Dilu was thinking outside the temple. In Changshou Temple, Wu Zendu paid a visit to Sengzheng and the abbot under the recommendation of Gao Yuangu, a Bohai scholar, and then went to the guest room to rest.

"Sir, there is something I don't know if I should say it or not." After everyone sat down, Gao Yuangu said suddenly.

"Let's talk." Wu Zendu looked quite tired.

"Your Excellency must have known the reputation of Shao Shude, Xia Wang of the Tang Dynasty. He also served as the governor of the three towns of Shuofang, Xuanwu, and Hezhong, with hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Many people know about Jiejin reporting to Luoyang." Gao Yuangu said, "I'm afraid I won't get any results when I go to Chang'an. Even if the emperor of the Tang Dynasty issued an order to reprimand him, would the Khitan listen? What's more, the sage Li Tang might be won't care about that."

"I also know that this matter is extremely difficult." Wu Zhengdu sighed: "However, if we can persuade the sages of the Tang Dynasty to order Youzhou Town to attack Khitan in the north, maybe there is a solution? The relationship between Youzhou and Khitan is not peaceful. .”

"Master!" Gao Yuangu shook his head, and said: "The Jiedu Envoy of Youzhou is Li Keyong, and now he is fighting with Shao Shude, so he cannot be separated. As long as Khitan does not go south to trouble him, he will not send troops. "

Wu Zengdu's expression tightened, but it was because he didn't understand the inside story of the Central Plains.It is located in the Longquan Mansion of Shangjing, too far away from the Central Plains, and the news is too occluded - Bohai Kingdom has been in Shangjing (Ning'an, Heilongjiang) for more than 100 years.

"Nephew, just speak up if you have anything to say." Wu Zendu said with a serious expression.

"Master, the one who really has the final say in the Tang Dynasty now is Xia Wang Shao Shude. It is also Xia Wang Shao Shude who has trouble with Khitan. Xia Wang is in Luoyang, so why should you look far away?" Gao Yuangu suggested.

Wu Zengdu pondered for a while, and said: "If it is true what my nephew said, I really should see King Xia. Is there a way?"

"Did you come here alone this time? With a mission?" Gao Yuangu asked.

"The mission is still on the way." Wu Zengdu understood, and immediately ordered his followers: "Go to Nanshi quickly to buy some expensive gifts. By the way, how old is King Xia?"

"Two out of forty." Gao Yuangu replied.

"What do you like?" Wu Zendu asked again.

"Good shooting, good polo, good beauty."

"Hmm." Wu Zendu pondered again, and said, "I brought a lot of medicinal materials with me, and I presented them to King Xia."

Well, medicinal materials from the Bohai Kingdom are still very popular in the Central Plains.As the Prime Minister of the country, Wu Xingdu is the prime minister, so the medicinal materials he carries with him are naturally top-notch, so taking them out as a gift and presenting them can be said to be the right medicine for the case—well, it will be beneficial to the next thing to talk about.

(End of this chapter)