Aspiring to the Ten Kingdoms

Chapter 694
For Song Qi, Luo Youdu finally gave him the last face, and did not directly question and punish Song Qi, but sent Jing Nan to serve as Jiedu envoy.

Of course this is only the first step.

After all, Song Qi is the leader of the Song Party, and he already has a high status in the court. If he is really going to be beaten to death with a stick, then a large number of officials in the temple who are attached to him must be in danger, thinking that they are involved in some big case, causing unnecessary turmoil.

Release first and then punish, take it slowly step by step.The ultimate goal is to be demoted to Jiaozhi, to shine and shine at the southernmost tip of the imperial court.

Even so, the ruling and opposition parties were also panicked.

After all, the scholar-bureaucrat group had just been disbanded, and Song Qi took over most of the power of the scholar-bureaucrats. Now that Song Qi had an accident again, most of the officials who didn't understand the situation were in panic.

He didn't feel at ease until he saw that Luo Youdu didn't make any unnecessary movements, and was comforted by Dou Yi and Zhao Pu.

South of Bianjing City.

The autumn wind is bleak.

Song Qi bid farewell to her son Song Yixu.

He was a little tangled, but it wasn't just him, many literati in the temple were also tangled.

Song Qi wins over the two of them more than once, but Kou Xiang is stubborn, not only unwilling to conspire, but instead sternly warns him again and again, so that he will never forget his original intention.

Zhuquemen is the most prosperous area in Bianjing, where merchants from all over the world gathered. They carried their business all the way north from Zhuquemen, surrounded Zhouqiao and Daxiangguo Temple, all the way to the vicinity of the imperial palace.

Song Xiong said: "It's not an exaggeration."

Song Qi heard the voice, but her body froze, she looked towards the person who made the sound, and saw Kou Xiang and Song Xiong coming side by side.

But even with a high salary, Song Xiong couldn't afford a house in Bianjing.

Emphasizing agriculture over commerce is the iron law of previous dynasties.

Song Xiong was able to understand the situation of the Dayu court by contacting various officials, which naturally included the economy.

Scholars, farmers, businessmen, the rules set by the ancestors.

Kou Xiang raised his glass and said in admiration, "Listening to what my brother says is better than reading for ten years."

The two walked northward along the flow of people, and halfway through the journey, they both tacitly turned to the west at the same time, and did not continue northward.

The relationship between the two of them did not become stalemate, but it was inevitable that they would lose contact.

It is no secret that the capital was moved to Luoyang.

Kou Xiangdao: "I know that the unobstructed access to the sea and barbarians in Guangzhou led to the gathering of Western Hu merchants in Guangzhou, which brought huge profits to the imperial court at that time. But because of the large number, turmoil gradually arose, and they clashed with Huang Chao, and finally collapsed."

"Your Majesty has been going to the north for two years, and the imperial court has advanced in many ways. Why is the domestic economy not greatly affected? It is because of the support of the countries in the south of the Yangtze River and the South China Sea."

Kou Xiang and Song Xiong have long been used to it, leading the horse and walking side by side.

In addition to guarantees, the Jinzhao Academy also has a task to receive officials from the north and the south who come to Beijing to report on their duties.

Kou Xiang was stunned and said, "Let's say this!"

As the leader of Jinzuo Academy, after years of experience, Song Xiong called him with admiration after three days of farewell, which is no exaggeration.

When the capital was moved to Luoyang, Kaifeng Mansion could not be moved together, and Dali Temple was re-granted its due status. The weakening of Kaifeng Mansion's power was a precursor.

He bowed deeply to Kou Xiang and Song Xiong, looked at the Bianjing city gate in the distance, looked at the merchants and pedestrians coming in and out, and thought about how majestic he was before, shouting at the front and hugging at the back, but in just a few days, there was no one there. Asking about it, I couldn't help but feel the vicissitudes of life, and said: "I don't know if there will be a day to see you again after going here, so farewell, brother Yu, two virtuous brothers cherish it!"

With the help of these two people, the position of prime minister is at hand.

Kou Xiang was startled when he heard that, not knowing why.

If I had been stricter in my original admonition, and even warned against cutting off my robe, would I not have reached this point?
Song Xiong knew what he was thinking, and said: "Actually, I don't think Brother Kou should worry too much about Chu Bao. Your Majesty's transfer of him to the south, in my opinion, is actually a good thing."

One of them was his best friend when he was wandering in Bianjing, and the other was his closest classmate when he was studying in Youzhou.

Judge Kou had also met Luo Youdu and had been protected by him all the time. Otherwise, with his temper, he could barely make it in the peaceful and prosperous age.In the troubled times, to be able to live is considered as an ancestor's high incense.

It wasn't an accident, it was pure crowding.

But they would rather travel five miles more than go through the Northern Suzaku Gate.

Common people, traders and tourists gathered together, talking about the most popular thing nowadays, the conflict between the Karahan Dynasty and the Kingdom of Khotan.

Many times, the headaches of modern people are the same as headaches for ancient people.

When Song Qi went south to Jiangling, she went through the Nanxun Gate.

Just as he came across a restaurant, smelling the smell of caramel, soy sauce and mutton, Song Xiong couldn't help but said: "Brother Kou, I know there is a restaurant nearby, stir-fried mutton is a must, how about going to have a rest?"

Song Xiong joked: "The future of the imperial court is bright, but it may not be all good things. I don't know if I can save enough money for a house in this life..."

Kou Xiang said: "I don't have that intention."

The relationship between the two almost broke down.

Song Qi was wearing a clean Confucian uniform at the moment, her expression was a bit bleak, and she was no longer as high-spirited as before. She repeatedly told her son, "I took a wrong step as a father, and now I regret it. When you become an official in the future, you must remember the lessons of your father, and be serious and simple. , neither sad nor impatient. Your mother is not in good health, as a son of man, remember to serve her life well, and don’t slack off..."

No one knows more about the things in the place under their jurisdiction than them, and Song Xiong has contact with them every day.It reaches Yunzhong in the north, Jiaozhi in the south, the East China Sea in the east, and Liangzhou in the west.In terms of broad knowledge, few civil and military officials in Bianjing can match Song Xiong.

As for Song Xiong's relatively soft manner, he didn't argue with Song Qi who had lost his heart, and after trying to persuade him with no results, he stopped trying to persuade him, as usual, but he pretended not to hear his solicitation.

Kou Xiang said: "You have a clear conscience, why are you afraid of slander?"

"Jiaozhi is located in a remote place, but what is the name of Jiaozhi? Yes, the Red River Delta...is still the name given by His Majesty. It is a piece of unpolished jade. If Chu Bao is relegated to this place, there will be great potential. As for Yazhou, it is not as good as it is." Jiaozhi also has great potential. It depends on whether Chu Bao can grasp the opportunity again."

He also suffered greatly from the congestion in Bianjing.

The two were wandering in Bianjing together at the beginning, encouraging each other and having fun while suffering.

Although Song Xiong is not in charge of the development of Jiangnan, he has a general impression in his mind.

Song Xiong ordered a few popular stir-fries and ordered a jug of wine.

At the end of the Tang Dynasty, the merchant's son had already allowed scientific research.

Song Xiong's heart moved, and he asked: "Brother Kou, do you know the detailed time to move the capital? Some people have to go to Luoyang to see the house first. Some people understand that the sooner the house is bought, the better, if it is late. You have to spend more than you have saved.”

On this day, officials from all over the world gathered together to talk about their local facts.

Kou Xiang was obviously in a bad mood, and was still sad about Song Qi's matter.

Song Xiong smiled and said, "Brother Kou, do you know what the situation in Quanzhou and Guangzhou is like now?"

The two chatted casually.

The business of the restaurant was very good and it was so lively that there were not enough seats in the lobby.

At that time, Song Qi couldn't listen to it, but felt that Kou Xiang and Dou Yi were arrogant and had already come together.

But he didn't expect that when he left, the two of them were the only ones who came to see him off.

Song Xiong didn't point it out, but said: "Huaxia has always favored merchants, and didn't really realize the huge profits behind the gathering of hundreds of thousands of Hu merchants in Guangzhou. Huaxia has maintained itself as a kingdom of heaven since ancient times, and welcomes other countries to trade from afar. The big merchants are going out. Your Majesty has a long-term vision. He adopted active trade methods in the South China Sea and took the profits from the offshore seas for his own use. For this reason, the Hu merchants in the West have made troubles, saying that they are fighting for the interests of the people. Let the governor of Quanzhou, Fu Zhaoxin, be expelled After arriving in Quanzhou...the matter has also reached the ears of His Majesty. His Majesty directly ordered that the countries in the South China Sea not be able to do business with it, and also ordered the South China Sea Navy to not be under escort. The entire South China Sea will dare to obey."

Especially the entrance and exit of the city gate, pedestrians are bustling, and there is a lot of traffic.

Song Xiong was highly valued by Luo Youdu. Since he ascended the throne, Song Xiong has been the head of the state government, and later transferred to Bianjing to take charge of the Jinzao Academy, which is also an excellent position.

But with the development of time, the existence value of businessmen began to be accepted by the world.

Thinking of Dou Yi, Song Qi sighed: "I have no face to face Mr. Dou in this life, and I will apologize for my stupid brother in the future."

Song Xiong put down the wine glass in his hand, and gestured with his hands: "Eight words, thousands of sails compete, hundreds of boats compete..." He said with some enthusiasm: "Your Majesty's layout of the South China Sea is really far-sighted. Merchant ships travel between countries in the South China Sea, exchanging our high-end products for their cheap goods, making a lot of money. All the profits in the South China Sea are under our control. I don’t know the exact number, but according to my estimation, The taxes paid by the entire Jiangnan in these years are equal to the sum of the taxes of Dayu, excluding Gyeonggi."

Kou Xiang has been in Kaifeng Mansion for many years, and Judge Kou's reputation resounds throughout the government and the public.Who in Bianjing doesn't know the stern and selfless Judge Kou?Kou Xiang has a high reputation in the hearts of the people in Gyeonggi, second only to Luo Youdu who is the emperor.

Song Xiong asked: "Brother Kou, have you ever thought about why there are [-] Hu merchants gathered in Guangzhou?"

Feeling in her heart, Song Qi said: "I'm afraid of ruining the future of the two virtuous brothers by wearing the body of a sin."

"Brother Chubao! People are going on a long journey, why didn't you inform me and other old people?"

In the end, they were both favored by Luo Youdu, one of them entered the imperial camp and the other entered the Kaifeng mansion, and each made a bright future.

Song Xiong said calmly: "Your Majesty's transfer of Chubao to the south means that the place of relegation and punishment is likely to be Jiaozhi and Yazhou. Brother Kou may not understand, but in a certain view, Jiaozhi and Yazhou have great potential. .”

Kou Xiang said as a matter of course: "A businessman who seeks profit is naturally profitable."

And Song Xiong took control of the entrance hall and was responsible for the newspaper's publicity.It not only controls the mouthpiece of the imperial court, but also controls the channels for Beijing drifters to become famous.

But he ruined it all with his own hands.

The two circled around and entered the inner city from Xinzheng Gate, their mouths were dry and their feet were numb.

He is mainly responsible for criminal law affairs and does not involve internal affairs. He only hears about economic matters and does not know the details.

Song Xiong shook his head slightly and said, "Brother Kou is noble, he doesn't like businessmen chasing profit, but he doesn't know that this profit can make the court stronger, make the world's scholars have a better reading environment, and make the common people richer..."

This is the current people of the Dayu Dynasty. All affairs in the world can be discussed.

As soon as these words fell, Song Qi got on her horse and headed south without looking back.

Song Xiong said: "Your Majesty knows everything, even if he knows, he won't care."

Scholars, businessmen, and ordinary people walk slowly along the streets, and there are congestions.

Song Xiong said: "So am I."

"Brother Kou, you should know that Huang Chao slaughtered [-] Hu merchants in Guangzhou."

Kou Xiang looked bewildered, Jiaozhi and Yazhou have been barbaric lands throughout the ages, and countless officials died in them in history.People are there, what future is there?

Two young servants followed closely behind on their mules.

Song Xiong had no choice but to open two private rooms, one for himself and Kou Xiang, and one for their entourage.

Kou Xiang shook his head slightly and said, "I just heard that the development is good."

In order to see Song Qi for the last time, Kou Xiang was a little unable to travel between the city and the city, so he readily agreed.

They also entered the city from Nanxunmen. As the Dayu court became more and more prosperous, the population of Bianjing increased day by day.

Most people re-recognize the value and meaning of the existence of businessmen, such as Song Xiong, who is enlightened and fully accepts it.

Kou Xiang replied: "The prosperity of Zhenguan and Kaiyuan, we have no way to experience and witness. However, the prosperity of Yongjing is right in front of our eyes. If we are lucky to see it, this life will not be in vain."

Those with stubborn ideas like Kou Xiang are inevitably a little uncomfortable, but they also admit that businessmen can indeed drive the economy and promote the strength of the country.

Kou Xiangdiao left Fengfu and took charge of Dali Temple in preparation for moving the capital.

The scene of the prosperous age has appeared, but Bianjing can no longer bear such a grand occasion.

Corruption is inevitable, but once the cost of corruption is not equal to the benefits, the occurrence of corruption can be relatively reduced.

He didn't know if he could return to Bianjing this time, and tell his son everything he could think of.

Kaifeng is another name for Bianjing and Bianliang.

The north is the only way to enter the Suzaku Gate, and it is also the shortest road. If they go west, they have to go around the Cai River in the city and walk an extra five miles.

Luo Youdu's salaries to officials are much more generous than Zhu Hongwu's, and he adopts the attitude of high salaries to maintain integrity and severely punish corruption to avoid corruption.

Song Qi didn't say a word, as the first person to follow Luo Youdu, he knew that person's ability best, but at that point, he was fascinated by a ghost, and wanted to take a step forward, even if he paid any price...

Bianjing of Dayu was not as prosperous as the Song Dynasty, which was a city supported by the world, but Dayu was majestic everywhere,
Kou Xiang said: "It's good to move the capital! Now to go out of the city to explore, the way to and from is not long, and it takes half a day to walk, even if there are cars and horses..."

Kou Xiang and Song Xiong watched Song Qi go away, they talked to Song Yixu and returned to the city together.

Even Guo Rong, in his early years, worked as a businessman for a while in order to subsidize his family, selling tea.

Song Xiong said: "It's no wonder Mr. Dou likes to travel on donkeys. With this flow of people, what's the difference between riding a donkey and riding a horse?"

Song Xiong's status in the temple is not as high as Kou Xiang's, so he doesn't know the details.

Kou Xiang said: "I don't know the details, either at the end of the year or after the year."

Song Xiong said with a smile: "Then I have to go to Luoyang quickly to have a look. With the current development momentum of the imperial court, Luoyang will definitely surpass Chang'an in the past in a few years. Before that, I have to live in my own house."

In the words, they are full of yearning and trust for the future of the Dayu court.

(End of this chapter)