Guide to Traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty.

Chapter 230 0225 [Old Su Yuan]

Jinzhou, where Ju Ming is in charge, is part of Jingxi South Road, and the road management is located in Xiangyang.

However, Xiangyang has only one transport judge. As for the transfer envoy and the deputy envoy, their offices are located in Luoyang.

This is because both Jingbei Road and Jingxian Road belong to Jingxi Road, and there is only one Jingxi Road transshipment department, and Luoyang is where the road management of Jingxibei Road is located.

For Ju Ming, this is good news. Without the suppression of the transfer envoy and deputy envoy, he can handle things more smoothly.

Of course, there are still Ti Xing envoys and Changping envoys, and they all work in Xiangyang.

Jinzhou governs five counties, namely Xicheng, Xunyang, Hanyin, Shiquan, and Pingli.

Among these five counties, Xunyang and Hanyin belong to Zhong County, and the other three are all Xia counties, which shows that Jinzhou is generally poor.

Zhu Ming did not hide his whereabouts. After the Lantern Festival, he swaggered to his post on an official ship.

After passing the boundary of Xixiang County, it entered Shiquan County.

On the north bank of the Han River is Raofengling, also known as Raofengling.

At the foot of Raofeng Mountain, there is Raofeng Pass.

The closed wall is dilapidated and has not been repaired for at least a hundred years.Hmm... I should have repaired it too, just use mud to paste the crack, it can't fool people, but it can fool ghosts.

Zhu Ming ordered the official ship to dock and rest at Raofeng Pass tonight.

There is a delivery shop here. When the soldiers knew that Zhizhou was coming, they immediately received it warmly.Immediately after hearing the news, military officers and tax collectors came to greet him.

Zhu Ming led people straight to Guancheng, and asked as he walked, "What is your military position?"

The officer followed carefully: "If you go back to the prefect, I will be the Marquis of General Yu."

Zhu Ming stopped when he heard the words: "There is only one Marquis Yu guarding a pass city?"

The officer said: "My job is not guarding the customs, but patrolling thieves and smugglers. We are all inspectors."

"How many people do you have under your command?" Zhu Ming asked.

The officer quickly lowered his head and said, "25 people."

Ju Ming knew it was a fake at a glance: "Tell the truth, otherwise I will let you gather troops to inspect."

The officer spat out a sentence: "Counting me, there are only six soldiers."

Zhu Ming wanted to laugh when he heard that, six soldiers guarded a pass, and they were also responsible for arresting thieves and smugglers.It's too serious to be paid for nothing!

Zhu Ming asked again: "How much is your monthly military salary?"

The officer replied: "Six hundred Wen."

Zhu Ming didn't ask any more questions. It is estimated that it would be difficult to pay the [-] Wen military salary on time.

At present, the concubine is likely to live by earning extra money.

They can't stop the smuggling gangs, most of them are with the tax collectors, collecting the smugglers' favor fees, and then turn a blind eye.

It is also possible to go to Chang'an through Ziwu Valley, and there are two routes.One is the old road built by Wang Mang, and the other is the new road built by Wang Shennian (Southern Dynasty Liang).Smuggling has never stopped since ancient times. From the Han Dynasty to the Republic of China, it was a paradise for smugglers, and even the merchants repaired the plank road spontaneously.

Zhu Ming became the magistrate of Jinzhou, and Zhang Guangdao was already trying to open up a new smuggling route.

Take a boat from Daming Village to the Han River, cross Raofeng Pass to Shiquan County, then pass Maling Pass to enter Chihe, then go up the north of Chihe River, cross mountains and ridges into Ziwu Valley.

This route is more difficult than the Tangluo Road, but after leaving the mountain, it will be close to Chang'an, and by the way, the village brave's marching ability will be exercised.

The dilapidated Guancheng, the weak soldiers, Zhu Ming glanced at them and stopped asking.

He boarded the wall, took out the binoculars, and carefully observed the surrounding terrain.

Immediately, he handed the telescope to Zhang Tong.

Zhang Tong watched carefully for a while, then handed the binoculars to Li Bao, and said: "Repair and strengthen the pass wall, and then send 3000 soldiers to garrison, and you will be able to stop Hanzhong's east exit throat. It is best to build some piers in the nearby mountains." With the cooperation of the fort, only [-] people are needed, even if there are [-] troops in Hanzhong, it is impossible to pass through."

"3000 people can only hold back for a while, and there must be a navy, and Shiquan County also has to garrison troops." Zhu Ming said.

It is normal for only six soldiers to be stationed in such an important place, because the Song Dynasty has been in peace for a long time.

Let's put it this way, in history, Tong Guan led an army to attack Liao, and when he went to the front line of Hebei, he discovered that the Hebei fortifications of the Song Dynasty had been in disrepair for a long time and could not be used.This is true on the borders of Song and Liao, not to mention the hinterland of Hanzhong.

While observing with binoculars, Li Bao pointed to the mountains on both sides of the bank and said: "Along the river and mountains, build piers every few miles. In the northwest and southwest of Raofeng Pass, build a cottage fortress, which can completely block the throat of Hanzhong. die."

Zhang Tong and Li Bao naturally didn't know what Ju Ming wanted to do, they were purely discussing military issues.

Bai Sheng was not interested in this, he just looked around curiously and listened to their chat with half understanding.

Liu Shiren is a newcomer to the team and serves as Ju Ming's secretary. He folds his sleeves and looks at the river.His ears didn't rest, and he listened to everything without missing a word.

Chatted for a while, too lazy to stay.

Zhu Ming boarded the boat again and arrived at Shiquan County before dark.

"My lord, the prefect Zhu is here!" He rushed into the backyard of the county government.

"Understood, arrange for the handymen to clean up the hotel." Su Yuan continued to write furiously.

He is writing a letter to the Chengdu Fulu Transit Envoy, admonishing the civil and military officials in Sichuan not to initiate border quarrels and not to treat the barbarians harshly.

The [-] Lunan barbarians rebelled. Although it cost a lot of money and food, it took [-] western troops to put it down.However, Zhao Yu was promoted because of his military exploits, so Sichuan officials saw a shortcut, and they all wanted to cater to the emperor and prime minister's great achievements.

As a result, local officials deliberately abused ethnic minorities, and even engaged in the practice of reforming natives.

If the barbarians did not resist, then the land reform was successful, and the officials had the credit for opening up the territory.If the barbarians revolted, they would send troops to suppress it, which would help put down the rebellion.

Next year, Mianzhou Yi (Mianyang) will be aroused to rebel. Unfortunately, the Xiang army in Sichuan is so bad that officials want to make meritorious service, but they can't do it.

Historically, when Su Yuan heard about this, he wrote a letter to Sichuan officials and gave a detailed plan to quell the chaos.Sichuan officials refused to listen, and finally asked the court to come forward and send a capable general, who actually used exactly the same method as Su Yuan, and quickly suppressed the rebellion.

After the matter is over, everyone is happy and everyone has contributed.

Because after the pacification of the chaos, it really changed the land and returned to the people.

Stimulated by this, Sichuan officials treated the barbarians more and more harshly.

As for the heavy burden on the people due to the war, this is not within the consideration of the officials.

After writing the letter, Elder Su Yuan put down his pen and asked, "Can the prefect live in the hotel?"

The attendant said: "Live in the post house outside the city, Mr. Xianggong should go out of the city to meet him, don't bear the charge of neglecting the Shangguan."

Elder Su tidied up his clothes and left the back house. When he arrived at the hall of the county government, he found that the subordinate officials and subordinates were ready, and they were waiting for him to lead the team out of the city.

"Let's go." Su Yuan said calmly.

Elder Su Yuan chooses to lie flat, do a good job in serious work, and then don't care about anything else—it doesn't matter in this life, and it is extremely difficult to get promoted.

Both of his parents died since he was a child, and he adopted Su Zhe as his grandson.

The teenager became famous, but has been wasted until now.

Liang Shicheng claimed to be Su Shi's illegitimate son, and he wanted to get Su Yuan's article, nothing more than to confirm his relationship.Elder Su Yuan refused, offending the great eunuch.

When he came to the posthouse, Su Yuanlao shouted: "Shiquan County Magistrate Su Yuanlao, bring the county officials to meet the eunuch!"

After shouting twice, Zhu Ming stepped out of the room, and the officials saluted one after another.

Elder Su Yuan said: "Please enter the city as the prefect."

Before Ju Ming took office, he had inquired about the situation in Jinzhou, and said with a smile: "I have admired the magistrate of Su County for a long time, and I saw him today, and his demeanor shines on everyone. He is worthy of being a queen of a famous family."

Elder Su Yuan cupped his hands and said, "I have also admired the prefect's name for a long time."

For a half-lying person, the basic etiquette is enough, so he will not curry favor with the superior.

What's more, I am almost 40 years old, and I am only a county magistrate.And Ju Ming was already a Zhizhou when he was less than 20 years old.Can Elder Su Yuan balance his heart?Just getting more and more angry.

The crowd surrounded Zhu Ming into the city, and gongs were played along the way to clear the way, attracting people to the streets to watch.

At the entrance of the hotel, Su Yuan said: "The food has been prepared, and the county is barren, so there is no banquet for the prefect."

Shiquan County is quite poor, which is a valid reason.

The more old Su Yuan was like this, the more Zhu Ming felt that he could communicate, so he took his hand and said, "Others can leave, and County Magistrate Su will have dinner with me."

Immediately screened all the officials and dragged Su Yuan into the hotel.

Elder Su Yuan had no choice but to drink with Zhu Ming.

The family members and attendants were arranged by Ju Ming to eat in another room.

After drinking two cups, Zhu Ming said, "This room is just you and me, brother Zi Ting can talk freely."

Elder Su Yuan smiled and said, "What did the prefect ask?"

"Of course it's about governing the people." Ju Ming said sincerely.

Elder Su Yuan said, "Hua Shi Gang must stop."

Zhu Ming asked: "The flower and stone outline in Jinzhou was donated by local officials on their own initiative, right?"

Elder Su Yuan nodded and said, "The transshipment envoy ordered Jinzhou to offer white glue incense, and the county officials enlisted the people to collect incense in the mountains regardless of cold or heat. The people who were conscripted suffered terribly."

Baijiaoxiang is a kind of resin, which can promote blood circulation and relieve pain, clear away heat and detoxify.

But as a tribute to Huashigang, it is not because of its medicinal effect.But when making alchemy, you need to burn incense and meditate. White glue incense is one of the raw materials for making alchemy.

Zhu Ming immediately said: "The first thing I did when I took office was to order the five counties of Jinzhou to stop the contribution of Hua Shi Gang."

Elder Su Yuan was quite surprised. Although he heard that the Zhu family and his son had a good reputation, they belonged to the lucky generation after all. He didn't expect that they would actually give up Hua Shigang for the sake of the people.

Elder Su Yuan reminded: "Song Sheng, the transfer envoy to the west of Beijing, is Cai You's brother-in-law."

Zhu Ming sneered: "Don't say he is Cai You's brother-in-law, he is Cai Jing's brother-in-law, I am afraid of what he will do!"

"The eunuch is so proud, I admire him very much." Elder Su Yuan finally smiled.

When returning to Yangzhou last winter, when Ju Ming passed by Luoyang, he happened to meet the Tai Chi Palace there.

In order to please the emperor, Song Sheng, who was a transfer envoy, went to supervise the construction of the Taoist temple himself.

Moreover, Song Sheng also painted the walls with cow ashes, just to make the outer walls of the Taoist temple smoother and more beautiful.

Kill the cow, kill the cow, kill the cow!
In the villages near Luoyang, cattle were slaughtered everywhere, and the bones were sent to paint Taoist temples.

Countless people wailed loudly and killed their cattle in pain.

There are not enough cow bones, and some officials suggested that human bones should be excavated from the cemetery instead!

Then, Song Shengzhen ordered the graves to be dug to take the bones, and human ashes were used as painting materials for the Taoist temple.

This guy has already caused a lot of anger in Luoyang.

(End of this chapter)