First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

...

Panyu is very lively today. Although it is not loud with gongs and drums and huge crowds of people, it is still very lively. People passing by stand on the street in eager anticipation, and gather in groups to discuss.

This scene attracted more and more people to stop and watch, and those foreign traders who didn't know why were dumbfounded when they saw it.

"This gentleman, may I ask what you are doing?" A salesman asked, probing his head.

A young man dressed as a student in front of him turned around and cupped his hands casually when he heard this. Seeing that the salesman was dusty, he said: "It is the first time that the envoy is on patrol. We are here to see his face."

"Jing Lue Envoy?" The salesman had limited knowledge after all, so he scratched his head and asked, "What's wrong? A few years ago when Marshal Yang came to Panyu City, it wasn't so lively, right?"

"Chaozhou Marshal Yang?" The student shook his head and smiled, "Shuai Yang can only serve respectfully in front of the envoy."

Seeing that the salesman looked surprised, the student also showed off deliberately, raising his head and saying: "Let me tell you, the military envoy is the largest official in the 120 states of Lingnan."

"Oh my god," the salesman was shocked. "Isn't that a great official? I want to see how dignified he looks."

"Hey, old man," the student stared, "Jing Lue is a handsome and handsome man. Do you know the two beauties of Chang'an?"

The salesman swung his cheeks and shook his head.

"Bohai Gao Youzhi, Fan Yang and Lu Ziyu, are both known as the two beauties of Chang'an, and are praised by the Emperor." The student said, cupping his hands to the north, "They are cousins. Our Lingnan economic envoy is Bohai Gao." Youzhi".

The salesman looked admiring and was about to ask again when he heard a noise in front of him. It turned out that the manager had left the house.

"I won't tell you anymore," the student said immediately and eagerly: "Jinglue's literary talent moves the world. If you are lucky enough to see his face, maybe you can improve your talent a little bit."

"Can it also increase your wealth?" The salesman's eyes widened, "Then I'll take a look, too, and take a closer look." After saying that, he squeezed forward with the load across his shoulder.

Gao Chong was wearing a purple official uniform, showing his majesty. When he came out of Jinglue Mansion, when he saw this scene, Gao Chong's face immediately darkened.

"Yang Changshi," Gao Chong asked in a deep voice, "Is this your arrangement?"

When Yang Shilue saw the high-spirited expression, he quickly denied it when he heard this, "No, no, Jinglue misunderstood. This is the people who came spontaneously, just to see Jinglue's face."

"How did the people know that I was on patrol today?" He was stunned. He didn't expect that he had such a reputation when he first came to Guangzhou, so he didn't care about this question and asked again.

Yang Shilue was stunned and hesitated: "The news came out from the house yesterday that the manager will inspect the port today...".

Gao Chong took a deep look at the officials behind him, took the first step, and left the house with his hands behind his back.

"Jing Lue, please get in the car this way." Yang Shilue stepped forward quickly and stretched out his hand to invite him.

Gao Chong waved his hand without hesitation, "No, the uncle is interested. I have always been used to riding horses."

"Yes." When Gao Chong called him his cousin again, Yang Shilue nodded and smiled, "Jing Lue is a famous general right now."

Gao Chong twitched the corner of his mouth, got on his horse, and waved to the people on the left and right sides.

Upon seeing this, Tian Yangming immediately stepped forward, grabbed a gong from somewhere, and banged it hard. The clanging sound immediately drowned out the crowd, "Silence, silence."

"I would like to ask the Lingnan Economic Envoy, the Governor of Guangzhou, the Champion General, and the Duke of Yan, Ambassador Gao, to give you a lecture," Tian Yangming shouted at the top of his voice.

He was furious. At this moment, he had already thought of a hundred ways for Tian Yangming to die.

All the eyes of the people on both sides of the street were focused on Gao Chong. Gao Chong calmed his mind and said loudly: "I, Gao Chong, have been ordered to guard Lingnan. I will be stationed in Panyu from now on. When I left Beijing, I stood in front of the saint. After accepting the military order, I will do my best to seek welfare for the people of Lingnan.

From today on, a Denwen drum will be set up in front of the Jinglue Mansion. If there are grievances or urgent cases that have not been resolved by the county government or the governor's office, you can beat the drum to report them, and I will deal with them as soon as possible."

After hearing Gao Chong's words, some officials suddenly changed their expressions, and after a moment of stunned silence, the common people burst into loud shouts.

Gao Chong nodded and signaled Yang Shilue to set off.

Yang Shi slightly regained his composure and stepped forward to arrange the departure.

Seeing thousands of elite soldiers following behind him, Gao Chong slightly tilted his head and asked, "How far is the Panyu port?"

"About thirteen or four miles," Yang Shilue answered truthfully.

"It's so close, so many sergeants are needed?" Gao Chong asked doubtfully.

Yang Shilue smiled bitterly, "I know that the good teacher Jinglue knows that although the distance between this place and Nicheng is close, and there is an official road along the way, crocodiles will jump up on the road from time to time in the swamps on the left and right and attack. Jinglue must have seen that crocodile, too. It has thick flesh and is difficult to kill, so for the sake of safety, it is better to bring more people with you."

Gao Chong nodded slowly, "It seems we still need to clean up these crocodiles."

The name crocodile has existed since ancient times. More than a hundred years later, Han Yu was demoted to Chaozhou, and there was also an "Essay on Sacrifice to Crocodile" handed down from generation to generation. Thinking of this, Gao Chong's heart moved.

"Tomorrow, we will set up an altar outside the south gate. I will worship the God of the Sea, Zhu Rong. At the same time, I will order the crocodiles to be wiped out." Gao Chong ordered: "There are no clear crocodiles outside Panyu City. The road to the port is not stable, and it is difficult for the city shipping company to develop. Furthermore, this is also a matter of great benefit to the people.”

Yang Shilue immediately agreed upon hearing the words.

Since the Han Dynasty, many coastal people were fishermen who went to sea, and they tended to deify the god of the sea in awe, just like the ancient ancestors treated other secular gods. They also gave the god of the four seas other names, as quoted from "Tai Gong's Golden Chamber" According to the description, the god of the East China Sea is called Jumang, the god of the West Sea is called Liaoshou, the god of the North Sea is called Xuanming, and the god of the South China Sea is called Zhurong.

As for the eradication of crocodiles, Yang Shilue was not surprised. In the past dynasties, Lingnan officials often eradicated crocodiles, and even used it as a political achievement. This was also good governance to protect the environment and the people. After all, there were too many crocodiles in Lingnan, and they were spread all over the place. They were cannibals. Hurtful things happen all the time.

After leaving the city, it was much quieter. Gao Chong also talked to Yang Shilue about Nicheng, which is the Panyu port that Gao Chong mentioned before. In Panyu, Nicheng is a large-scale outlet to the sea. Generally, large sea ships are here. Mud City approaches the shore.

Nicheng has a long history. Nicheng Wharf was the place where Lu Jia, a doctor of the Western Han Dynasty, landed on his mission to South Vietnam.

In the early years of the Western Han Dynasty, in order to end the division between the north and the south and unify the country, Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty sent the famous debater Lu Jia as an envoy to South Vietnam, hoping to persuade Zhao Tuo, who had proclaimed himself emperor in South Vietnam, to return to the Han Dynasty.

At that time, roads in Lingnan were blocked. Lu Jia's first mission to Nanyue was by water, going straight down from Xijiang or Beijiang, passing through Guanyao and Shimen to the south, and landed at a good port in the west of Panyu City.

Historical records: "When Jia came, Tuo Bu came forward, so Jia built a city to wait for him."

Because Zhao Tuo did not understand Han Emperor Gaozu's policy of peaceful reunification, Zhao Tuo did not go to greet Lu Jia after he landed.

Lu Jia and his party had no choice but to build a ten-mile earth (mud) city as their base at the landing site. They stationed here with their entourage for several months, patiently waiting for Zhao Tuo's change of attitude.Zhao Tuo was finally moved by Lu Jia's sincerity and agreed to meet. Finally, he accepted the South Vietnam King's Seal given by the Han Dynasty and returned to the Han Dynasty as a vassal.

However, after Liu Bang's death, Zhao Tuo once again proclaimed himself Emperor Wu of South Vietnam. After Emperor Wen of Han came to the throne, he sent Lu Jiaer to Lingnan to persuade Zhao Tuo to return to the Han Dynasty again.

In order to commemorate Lu Jia's mission to South Vietnam, later generations called the place where he was stationed Lu Jia City, also known as "Muddy City", and the place where he landed was called Nicheng Wharf.

After leaving Panyu City, there were dense forests or swamps on the left and right. Not long after walking, a sergeant warned. Gao Chong looked over and saw that it was a crocodile crawling on the shore, watching everyone warily.

Gao Chong immediately shouted: "Silence."

Then he reached out to take the bow and arrow from the guard on one side, opened the bow and nocked the arrow, and while the crocodile's attention was on the sergeant on the side, he shot out with a whoosh. The arrow instantly pierced the crocodile's left eye, causing pain to the crocodile. Rolling all over the floor.

The sergeants on the left and right swarmed up, stabbed the crocodile with their spears, and stabbed directly at the exposed belly of the crocodile. After a few rounds, the crocodile's belly was stabbed to pieces. The crocodile was covered with thick armor, and only the eyes and belly were visible. Weakness: Without any protection, a shot to the crocodile's abdomen can severely injure it.

"Jinglue Divine Arrow".

"Jinglue is good at archery".

All the officials praised him one after another.

"This layer of leather armor on a crocodile is a good thing. I see many soldiers wearing crocodile armor." Gao Chongzhi asked: "Your Majesty, how much does a piece of crocodile armor cost?"

"If you don't take into account the process and labor, just a complete piece of leather armor, the value in Guangzhou is about the same." Yang has a business of making crocodile leather armor, and Yang Shilue is also familiar with this.

"So cheap?" As soon as Gao Chong said this, he reacted, nodded and said with a smile: "Yes, these beasts are everywhere."

"A notice will be posted tomorrow that all the people will hunt crocodiles. A complete crocodile skin will cost [-] yuan, and the city's shipping department will notify the purchaser." Gao Chong said while looking at Tian Yangming, "Please take a look."

Tian Yangming nodded in agreement.

Yang Shilue looked puzzled and said directly: "Jinglue, these crocodiles are everywhere in Lingnan. Isn't the usual price of [-] yuan a bit high?"

Gao Chong shook his head and smiled, "The Saint has ordered the formation of the South China Sea Fleet, which is subordinate to the Guangzhou Governor's Mansion. Do you know?"

Yang Shi slightly nodded, "The newspaper has been sent, I know that."

"When the South China Sea Fleet is formed, it will inevitably have to conduct long-distance training. The training can only be done in the coastal waters." Gao Chong walked and said slowly: "There are crocodiles all over Lingnan, but there are very few in the Central Plains. I will report to the sage. Liaison with the Ordnance Supervision, specializes in purchasing Lingnan crocodile skins and transporting them to the Central Plains via sea route."

"After all, the cost of crocodile skin is much lower than that of iron armor. After being tempered, its protective power is very strong. It would be a pity not to use it."

Yang Shilue was overjoyed when he heard this and nodded in agreement.

It is not that no Lingnan officials have thought this way before, but it is a taboo matter involving soldiers and armor. They need to report it to the emperor, and then the weapons supervisor will handle it. Ordinary officials do not have the ability, and those who have the ability are not willing to do it. This is a thankless job.

There is another reason to pay more attention to, and that is transportation. If you have to travel across mountains and rivers to the Central Plains, even if it is gold, it will be a loss-making business. If you take the sea route, no maritime merchant is willing to work in vain.

But now that the South China Sea Fleet is about to be formed, it happens to be practicing offshore and transporting crocodile skins. Isn't this a killing two birds with one stone?

As he spoke, he arrived at Mucheng. Looking at this low-rise Tucheng, there was not even a manager. The merchants coming and going were crowded. The environment could be described in only three words, that is, it was dirty and messy. Gao Chong frowned.

"The mud city has not been repaired in all these years?" Gao Chong asked directly.

Yang Shilue was a little embarrassed, and after thinking for a while he said directly: "The mud city was mostly used for maritime trade. In the past, the government did not interfere with this area, so it didn't take much notice. Only some maritime merchants spontaneously repaired the houses there and made temporary accommodation."

"First, the mud city must be expanded and completely rebuilt. The Guangzhou Governor's Office will pay half of the cost, and I will figure out a solution for the other half."Gao Chong said in a deep voice.

Although he was mentally prepared and knew that Guangzhou's maritime trade system would not be very mature, Gao Chong did not expect that as the largest maritime port in Guangzhou, it would be so dirty and messy, with no planning at all.

Yang Shilue was stunned. He originally wanted to say that the Guangzhou Governor's Office had no money, but after seeing Gao Chong's solemn expression, he did not dare to say anything and had to answer in a muffled voice.

"Second, Panyu Customs is built in Nicheng. You can contact Feng You for specific information."Gao Chong continued: "As for the mud city, I will plan it myself, and you will coordinate the corvee work in the uncle's house."

Yang Shilue agreed again, and glanced at the taciturn Feng You behind him calmly, and became wary unconsciously. It seemed that Feng You had gained a lot from his meeting with the minister yesterday.

Everyone dismounted, and the sergeant maintained order at the scene. Gao Chong began to take a comprehensive look at this seaside earth city.

I have to say that this location is indeed very good. It is a natural and excellent port. It is perfect for Panyu to enter and exit the sea. After all, this is also a mature sea route that maritime merchants have developed based on practical experience for hundreds of years.

Seeing the rickety lighthouse next to him, Gao Chong's lips twitched and he cursed in his heart.

Although the government does not care about maritime trade, after all, this is also the gathering place for Guangzhou's maritime merchants. Maritime merchants are so rich that they do not raise funds to build a decent lighthouse.

This wooden lighthouse cannot even be called a tower. It is just a tall mast with a huge windproof oil lamp hanging on it like a flag. It is too simple and too dangerous.

"This lamp and lamp pole also need to be torn down and rebuilt." Gao Chong pointed to the rickety mast, then turned to look at a high slope behind him. "There, I will personally fund the construction of a lighthouse and incorporate it into the soil." urban redevelopment project."

Yang Shilue hurriedly agreed, and then immediately said: "How can such good deeds that benefit the people be undertaken by Jinglue alone? How about I, Yang, bear [-]% of it?"

Gao Chong glanced at Yang Shilue, smiled and responded, "Since the uncle has this intention, then I will thank the uncle for the Guangzhou maritime merchants."

Feng You on the side also stepped forward after hearing this and said: "The economic strategy will benefit the people, Feng is also willing to invest, and hopes that the economic strategy will be completed."

Gao Chong was startled and had not expressed his position yet, but Wang Chang stepped forward and said, "Wang is also willing to do her small part."

Subsequently, officials from other states and counties also came out to donate funds.

Then Yang Shilue continued: "Suddenly, Jinglue took the lead in rebuilding this lighthouse. I think it's better to call it Jinglue Tower? It would also allow the people along the coast to appreciate Jinglue's kindness."

Gao Chong's face became solemn when he heard this, "How can I be such a famous person?"

Then he waved his hands to stop everyone from trying to persuade him, and after a moment of thought, he said: "This place owes a lot to Dr. Lu from the Han Dynasty, who is also called Mr. Kaiyue by the world. I see that the newly built mud city is called Kaiyue City, and this lighthouse is called Kaiyue City." When I cross the pagoda, I will personally inscribe an inscription to commemorate Dr. Lu’s meritorious service."

All the subordinate officials were very convinced when they heard this, and they all expressed compliments.