Reborn in the late Northern Wei Dynasty

Chapter 350 Sun Salt (5000)

As the most loyal henchman of King Qi, Yuan Xiaoyou never left his body even for a moment during the two days he stayed in Gaocheng in Xindu.

On the day Gao Cheng went to Cangzhou, he cried uncontrollably, wailing as he wondered when he would see Wang Yan again.

Although in the eyes of the young performing artist Xiao Gaowang, Yuan Xiaoyou used too much force in his performance, but he is also a county king and a governor of a state, who can lose all his face, just to please himself, and his heart is undoubtedly moved of.

Especially when he saw all the people in the city singing nursery rhymes praising him and sending them ten miles outside the city, Gao Cheng was even more satisfied with Yuan Xiaoyou's governance in Jizhou.

However, in Yuan Xiaoyou's view, getting married with the Gao family is already the best reward. His family's hereditary prince is not as rich as Gao Yang's Wenmu Wang Yuan Yong, but he is not short of that reward.

As for the once extravagant King Gaoyang's lineage, life is indeed relatively tight now, there is no way, who told Xiao Gaowang to marry two sisters, Yuan Jingyi and Yuan Yuyi, as the son-in-law of the Gaoyang Palace, it is not too much to divide the family property, the former King Gaoyang Now he is still working as a servant in Sun Teng's mansion.

Before Gao Cheng left Jizhou, he made a special trip to Bohai County to worship his grandfather Gao Shu, great-grandfather Gao Mi, great-grandfather Gao Hu and others in the ancestral hall, and set up a spiritual tablet for his father Gao Huan in the ancestral hall.

Afterwards, he rushed to Gao Yi's tomb, cleaned it himself, and Wen Zisheng made the sacrificial oration on his behalf. Such deeds would naturally spread to the ears of Gao Gan, Gao Shen, Gao Aocao, and Gao Jishi.

After finishing these, he temporarily stayed overnight in Jixian County, Bohai County (Jingxian County, Hebei Province), during which he met with a group of elders of the Gao clan, and had a good talk with them.

Set off the next day, heading east to Cangzhou.

Xindu Jianyi, Gao Cheng and his uncle Duan Rong partnered to govern Cangzhou for a period of time, but the base of the people here is far inferior to that of Jizhou. After all, a large number of prefectural and county soldiers were abolished and moved to Cangzhou to boil salt and allocate acres of land for them. the interests of the local people.

The team walked ten miles outside the city of Rao'an (Shan County, Hebei Province), the prefecture of Cangzhou. Gao Cheng pointed to an open space and showed off:
"This is where General Gao Ao Cao set up his camp. At that time, the governor of Gaoqian welcomed his father to the east. General Gao humiliated the governor with his wife's skirt. Gu was only ten years old at that time, so he came here with Gao Jishi. Persuade him to return to Xindu and help his father achieve hegemony."

Amid all the compliments, Gao Yang had a bitter expression on his face. Gao Cheng was able to make achievements at the age of ten, but he himself was sixteen years old, but he had achieved nothing. He was doomed to spend the rest of his life empty.

The car continued to move forward, and Zhang Yao was appointed as the governor of Cangzhou after Gao Cheng succeeded King Qi. Gao Cheng arrived in Rao'an, but did not enter the city.

There are 2666 salt stoves in Cang, Ying, You, and Qing prefectures to cook salt. Cangzhou alone accounts for more than half of the total. Gao Cheng went to inspect without stopping.

It's not that he can't trust Zhang Yao. When the corruption case broke out in Yingzhou in Han Gui, Zhang Yao was the only one who was innocent when he responded to the aides. Gao Cheng took a fancy to his integrity. Take him as the governor of Cangzhou, and act as the governor.

I hurried to the saltworks today, just to see the test results of the new method.

There are two methods for high-clarity Chu salt production, namely, boiling salt method and sun-dried salt method. The boiled salt method is mainly used in well salt production areas, while the sun-dried salt method is mainly used to produce sea salt.

Compared with boiled salt, the sun-dried salt method has the advantages of high output, low cost, large salt crystals, and no need for constant supervision by personnel.

The reason why salt was boiled instead of sun-dried in the coastal areas was mainly because Gao Cheng, a liberal arts student, knew it. However, during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, Gao Cheng's eyes were darkened when he saw the specific process of the salt drying method.

At that time, it was imminent to rectify the salt administration and increase the production of official salt. There was no time for Gao Cheng to order a special person to test repeatedly, and there was the matter of boiling salt in Sizhou.

At this time, it has been four years since Gao Cheng ordered to cook salt by the sea in May of the sixth year of Taichang (537). 538) had already obtained sea salt through sun-dried salt method, but due to technical reasons, the effect was not as good as that of boiled salt.

Two years later, with the joint efforts of the salt artisans who were ordered to experiment with sun-dried salt, and Gao Cheng’s guidance from time to time, the technology of sun-dried salt gradually improved, and the salt artisans finally experimented with the method of ditches and flats:

That is to say, "Dig an earth ditch near the sea to wait for the tide to come in. Next to the ditch, build a sun-drying pool with nine or seven floors. From the height to the bottom, when the tide recedes, two people will tie the willow bucket tightly and pour the ditch water into the pool on the first floor. , fill it up and dry it, then put it into the second pool, then fill the first pool to the full, then put it in the last pool, throw stone lotus to test it, the lotus stands upright, and it is marinated, so it is exposed to the sun for a day, and it becomes salt. . '(Qing Dynasty, Wang Shouji, "Salt Law Discussion")
Gao Cheng discovered this method, and immediately ordered Zhang Yao, who was in charge of Cangzhou affairs at the time, to use it to make salt. When he was in Luoyang, he had obtained Zhang Yao’s memorabilia and praised the new method of salt production. Go to the seaside saltworks to take a look.

Walking to the newly built salt drying field, you can see piles of white salt mountains being shipped by people, ready to be sent to Luoyang.

Gao Cheng asked the person in charge of the saltworks to inquire about the production, and learned that if the weather is good and the sun is sufficient, the daily yield per mu can be 200 catties.

Rao Gao Cheng knew the efficiency and convenience of drying the salt method, and he was completely surprised, not to mention the accompanying people.

With a daily yield of 200 jin per mu, the cost is negligible compared to boiling salt. Everyone knows that once the drying salt method is rolled out, a revolution in the price of table salt will start.

Even if it is a small profit but quick turnover, the imperial court’s transfer income is much higher than before. After all, the official salt production of more than 20 cups in the past can only meet the needs of the military and the country. The huge private market can only be transferred due to production capacity problems. Yu private salt.

This method not only benefits the country, but also benefits the people. After all, salt is just needed, and people cannot live without salt, just like the Great Wei cannot live without King Qi.

Gao Cheng led a group of civil and military officials to stay in the salt field for a whole day. Today was a good day, and they witnessed with their own eyes that more than 200 catties of salt were produced per mu of land in the salt field.

No longer doubts, everyone congratulated Gao Cheng. After accepting everyone's congratulations, Gao Cheng immediately drafted a decree to open government-run salt factories in the coastal states, and ordered people to send them back to Luoyang for review by Menxia Province. Executed by Shangshu Province.

Not only that, Gao Cheng even wrote a memorandum on the spot, rewarding the saltsmiths who experimented with the method of gully and flats with the title of baron, even if the national treasury was poor and empty, he would even take reward silver from the treasury of King Qi's mansion to reward them for their merits.

As a modern person, Gao Cheng knows that science and technology are primary productive forces, and he also hopes to use this as an example to call on more craftsmen to use their brains.

Back in Rao'an City, Gao Cheng's interest remained undiminished, and it was even absurd once in a while, at the reception banquet, after drinking a few more glasses, he danced with the prostitutes to the silk and bamboo orchestra.

The kabuki dancers saw King Qi coming off the stage in person, showing off their enchanting figures enthusiastically, but although Gao Cheng was drunk, he still maintained his rationality and did not do anything messy after drinking.

That night, I stayed in Yuan Mingyue's room according to the order.

Yuanmingyue was already the year of the tiger and wolf, and Gao Cheng was provoked by kabuki, so he had a sleepless night. When he set off on the second day, Gao Cheng, who was sitting in the car, couldn't even straighten up.

The inspection team traveled northward from Cangzhou to Yingzhou. Zhang Dexing, the governor of Yingzhou, was promoted by Gao Cheng from the people. handle.

After resting overnight in Zhaodu Juncheng (hejian, Hebei), the state government, he set off for Youzhou in the north. Since Liaozhou in the northeast was not in Gaocheng's itinerary, Zhang Liang, the governor of Liaozhou, led [-] salt soldiers to go ahead. Go to Jixian County (Jizhou District, Tianjin) to meet Gaocheng.

On May 541, the tenth year of Taichang (27), Gao Cheng, accompanied by Gao Gan, the governor of Youzhou, and Zhang Liang, the governor of Liaozhou, inspected the salt soldiers, and officially abandoned the name of salt soldiers and changed it to Liao soldiers.

During this period, Gao Cheng also went to Fanyang with his concubine Lu Niang to pay homage to his father-in-law, Lu Daozian, the former head of the Lu family's northern ancestor Dafang.

And the news that King Qi had visited Gao Yi's grave had already been known to the high officials, and he was naturally very grateful for it.

After all, Gao Cheng really had nothing to say to their brothers, and Gao Jishi even punched his second brother because Gao Shen had said a few words about Li Changyi. (225 chapters)
When Gao Cheng was having a banquet with the elders of the Lu clan in Fanyang, he made an engagement for the son of the Yuan clan, the fifth younger brother Gao Wei, the Duke of Changle County, and the daughter of the Lu clan.

This tour, apart from promoting the prestige and observing the people's sentiments, is to use the marriage of the younger brothers and the gentry to narrow the relationship between them.

Gao Cheng looked for powerful families to marry his younger brothers, so he would naturally take precautions. For example, when they grew up, they would all stay in Luoyang to take up idle jobs. What a mess.

After staying in Youzhou for a short time, Gao Cheng did not go north to inspect the six states of northern Xinjiang, but he intends to return to his homeland. After all, he has never seen the scenery of his homeland since he went south with his parents to Hebei for food when he was five years old.

It's just that the bitter cold in northern Xinjiang is difficult to provide for the patrolling army, so I had no choice but to give up this idea and go from Youzhou to Dingzhou in the southwest.

In the past, Sanfu Township in Hebei was a grand occasion. After Uncle Duan Shao died of illness, Uncle Lou Zhao was transferred to Chang'an. Now only Uncle Shedi Gan is left alone to manage Dingzhou.

Just seeing She Digan coming out of the city to greet him from a distance, Gao Cheng got out of the carriage, led a group of brothers and sons, respectfully saluted Shedi Gan in front of Dingzhou officials and people, and said solemnly to his brothers:
"Grandfather taught Gu before he died: 'She Diqian, husband of Xianbei, will never be held back.' Gu will always keep it in his heart and never forget it. You should serve uncle with a respectful heart."

After finishing speaking, he said to Gao Xiaozhang and Gao Xiaoyu:
"The same is true for the two of you. If you dare to be disrespectful, don't blame the father for not thinking of the love between father and son."

Hearing these words, She Digan burst into tears. Gao Huan's death was no less sad than Gao's sons to those of the older generation. If they had no true feelings, how could they put life and death at risk Follow him to work hard.

If it is said that in other places, the governor served Gao Cheng, and when he arrived at Zhongshan (Ding County, Hebei Province), the Dingzhou government, it was reversed. Gao Cheng, who is the king of Qi, spent three days in Zhongshan, morning and evening, and did not care about political affairs. , wholeheartedly serving She Diqian and his aunt Leling Lord.

When the news spread, people at the time sighed: If the king of Qi served his aunt and parents like this, how could he talk about double kindness.

Of course, Lou Zhaojun, who was thrown in Luoyang, didn’t know about it for the time being, otherwise he would be furious. At least when he was in Luoyang, his son, let alone morning and evening, could come to greet him every three or five days. It's a rarity.

Gao Cheng didn't ask about the political affairs of Dingzhou because he trusted his uncle She Digan. The spies he placed in Dingzhou only kept an eye on the Cui family of Boling and the Cui family of Qinghe.

On the night of entering Zhongshan, at the banquet held by Shedigan, Gao Cheng, the sixth younger brother Gao Yan of Changshan County, and the seventh younger brother Gao Huan of Pingyuan County, and the daughters of Qinghe Cui and Boling Cui who were attending the banquet respectively. Get married.

Although it was originally aimed at Gao Xiaozhang and Gao Xiaoyu, the marriage of Gao Yan and Gao Huan was barely acceptable to the two families.

Gao Cheng also had doubts about arranging Qinghe Cui's marriage for Gao Yan, but after thinking about it, he and Gao Yang would not die, so Gao Yan could only feel at ease as a younger brother.

Beware of Gao Yan, it was his own accidental death, something Gao Yang should worry about, why should he worry about it? Could it be that the Qinghe Cui family will follow Gao Yan who has no military power to make troubles? in the long river.

As for the Boling Cui family, Gao Cheng really didn't dare to arrange a marriage for his son. After all, Cui Xian, Cui Ang, and Cui Jishu were all his good helpers in government affairs.

That's why the younger brother Gao Yan was matched with Qinghe Cui, but the younger brother Gao Huan was matched with Boling Cui who was more valued.

This is how he is. Before he had any sons, he wanted a son to be safe. When he really had three sons, he started to guard against them again. He is young now. After a few more years, his situation will be even worse. Gao Yang is better.

I also don't know who Gao Xiaozhang, Gao Xiaoyu, the newly born Gao Xiaowan, or even the unborn heir will be the final winner of the old man competition in the future.

Going south from Dingzhou is the last stop in Hebei, Xiangzhou.

Du Bi, the governor of Xiangzhou, is a clean official and a workaholic. He can't rub the sand in his eyes. Gao Cheng never intervened in Xiangzhou's political affairs.

However, when he was in Yecheng, he heard that an 11-year-old boy was selected as a scholar in the county examination in Ye County, and he couldn't help being very curious.

It's not that there are younger scholars in other places. After all, the county test questions are not too difficult, but this is in Ye County, the most elite place in Hebei. In terms of fierce competition, it is one of the best among the counties in the north. The presence.

But after all, he didn't summon that young man, after all, the government examination was approaching, and it was said that this man was just passing the line and was at the bottom of the list, so don't disturb his mood of reviewing.

Because Yinzhou was split by Xiangzhou and Dingzhou, the Li family of Zhao County was also included in the ranks of Xiangzhou. On the way to Yecheng, Gao Cheng stayed in Li Yuchuan for two days, but he didn't do it for Zhudi and Li. Arranging in-laws, Guang Gaocheng himself married three daughters, Li Changyi, Li Zuyi, and Li Zu'e, so there was no need for another marriage.

Therefore, even though the Li family of Zhao County brought many school-age girls to the banquet, Gao Cheng never mentioned the marriage.

After all, Gao Huan had only eleven sons in total, and now there are only the eighth son Gao Yu, the ninth son Gao Zhan, the tenth son Gao Shi, and the No. 11 son Gao Ji who are still unmarried. , you have to save some money.

Gao Cheng left Hebei to take Fukou Xing in the Eight Xings of the Taihang. This was the road he took with Duan Shao and Hu Luguang to contact the gentry in Hebei.

Along the way, Gao Cheng often mentioned to his two sons the interesting stories about Duan Shao and Hu Luguang's emotional rivalry when they were young. It is estimated that it has only been a few years for such a happy scene of father and son.

The army walked out of Fukouxing and walked to the Zhangshui River. Gao Cheng came to the place where Gao Huan and Er Zhuzhao killed the white horse and made a covenant again. In order to win Er Zhuzhao's trust, Gao Huan pulled him out. It was his first time. Acting, his acting skills were a bit exaggerated, but at the time, I was only ten years old and burst into tears, and I actually fooled Er Zhuzhao's idiot.

Gao Cheng rebelled against Gao Huandong's way out, and talked with Gao Xiaozhang and Gao Xiaoyu about the various conspiracies and tricks of the Gao family. He did not shy away from all kinds of conspiracies. blessing.

How could anyone in this world raise their sons to be idiots who don't know the sinister people in order to guard against their sons.

If he really wanted a son who was under Gao Cheng's heavy defenses and relied on his own intelligence to turn the tables, Gao Cheng also recognized it. At worst, he quickly issued an edict to abdicate, and imitated Li Yuan to be the Supreme Emperor, and kept making people in the harem.

A person with this ability probably wouldn't be able to commit patricide. After all, this kind of person loves fame, right, Li Erfeng.

When Gao Cheng crossed the Zhangshui River, he was still lamenting with his two sons that Gao Jianyi was blessed by God. Just as they crossed the river, the Zhangshui River surged and broke the river bridge, so that Erzhu Zhao, who came after him with Qingqi, was only He was able to shout across the river, and crossed the river alone in a boat, hoping to persuade Gao Huan to come back.

In the end, he could only watch helplessly as Gao Huan led 20 people from the six towns and the old part of Jinzhou to the east, leaving Er Zhuzhao on the other side of the river to return to Jinyang cursing.

Gao Cheng crossed Hebei, and when he arrived in Jinyang, he inspected Jinyang's [-] Hu soldiers accompanied by Pan Le, governor of Bingzhou, as usual.

Of course, King Gao still has a bottom line, he can't do things like Wu Qi sucking abscesses for soldiers.

Leaving from the barracks, Gao Cheng asked about the condition of the fields that he was most concerned about. With so many Bingzhou Hus moved in a short period of time, what he was most worried about was the barrenness of the fields.

Fortunately, Bingzhou was already densely populated. After moving away from Bingzhou Hu, not only did the fields not become barren, but a large number of fields were vacated, so that the Han people who could not be awarded according to the amount stipulated in the equal-field system could obtain the land they should have.

The Sanhe region, especially Hebei, experienced a substantial increase in population over the years of peacetime. During his inspection, Gao Cheng also found that many areas could not allocate land to the people according to the amount stipulated in the land equalization system.

　I got up late, and the difference is 3000. I must make it up today. It is 1 words together. I will never delay. If I delay, I will send a red envelope on the 12th.

　　Thank you readers 202102092053063647141 for your reward.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)