People in the Song Dynasty were lawless

Chapter 485: The World's Wealth
At the Guangzhou dock, thousands of sails are competing and hundreds of boats are vying for the current.

The envoys sent by the imperial court to the Middle East, Tan Wenxue and Zhang Youwei, witnessed this grand spectacle with their own eyes.

In the Song Dynasty, only officials of the fourth rank and above were considered senior officials, which was equivalent to deputy senior officials in later generations. The fifth rank could only be considered as a full-time department head.

However, Guangdong Transport Commissioner Wang Han still came to greet him in person, and with him was Guangzhou Prefect Su Yan.

At this moment, the clothes of the two groups are very different.

Tan Wenxue and his friends were wearing Zhongshan suits. They looked quite mature and elegant in their forties.

Wang Han and his men were wearing official uniforms, which were normal official uniforms of the Song Dynasty.

Although Zhao Jun advocated simple clothing, he did not abolish official uniforms, so it was still a habit for most officials to wear official uniforms on formal occasions.

It is mainly used by local officials.

The people are familiar with official uniforms, and wearing them during daily office work, travel inspections, and business trips can inspire awe in the people.

This has also been the custom of feudal dynasties for thousands of years in order to establish the authority of officials.

But what Zhao Jun hoped was that officials would serve the people, rather than letting the people instinctively feel fear when they saw the officials.

So he has been trying to find ways to gradually abolish such a system in order to narrow the distance between officials and the people.

It is definitely not possible to just act brute forcefully, as the result of doing so overnight is the collapse of the official system.

Therefore, the only way is to make the transition gradually, starting with changes in clothing, and then slowly changing things like work style and civilized law enforcement.

Nowadays, central government officials are gradually abandoning official uniforms, and this will be promoted nationwide in the future. This can be regarded as the first step towards narrowing the distance between officials and the people.

"Wang Caosi."

Tan Wenxue looked around and saw sailboats in the distance. He couldn't help but sigh: "This is my first time in Guangzhou. I find the dense crowds of ships so spectacular."

Wang Han smiled and said, "Maritime trade is booming nowadays. I heard that Doctor Tan is from Fuzhou and Doctor Zhang is from Jiangsu and Zhejiang. There should be many such scenes in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Quanzhou."

"The Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas should also be spectacular, but I have never been to Quanzhou, and Fuzhou is still not as spectacular as Guangzhou."

Tan Wenxue thought of the development of his hometown and shook his head, saying, "In Fujian, there are many mountains and few fields. People cannot farm at home to fill their stomachs, so they can only go out to do business. However, the geography is not as good as that of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangnan, so they can only live a hard life."

"It will be fine."

Su Yan said: "The imperial court is currently developing Liuqiu, which is close to Fujian Road, so I think there will be many opportunities there."

"Ah."

Tan Wenxue nodded.

"Okay, everyone is tired from the journey, let's go to the city for dinner first."

Wang Han said: "The imperial court has issued an order. We have found an interpreter for you and ordered the new commander of the Jinghai Navy to send an ironclad ship to escort you. Let's go and meet him together."

"it is good."

Tan Wenxue and Zhang Youwei nodded.

The group then entered the city.

The city is equally prosperous and bustling, with wide streets, crowded with people, and countless merchants coming and going.

People of all skin colors and races, even African blacks, were walking around.

However, these blacks were not merchants, but generally slaves brought by Arab merchants, and were called Kunlun slaves in the Tang Dynasty.

Volume 3 of the Song Dynasty book Lingwai Daida by Zhou Qufei records: “In the southwest sea there is a country called Kunlun Chengqi, connected to a large island. There are many wild people on the island, their bodies are as black as lacquer, their hair is as thick as fists, they can be captured by luring them with food, and sold as slaves for tens of millions.

It can be seen that this island should be Africa. Since the Arab Empire spanned the Asian, African and European continents, Arab merchants would naturally bring these slaves with them when doing business with the Tang and Song dynasties.

Tan Wenxue and Zhang Youwei had never seen such a grand occasion. They were amazed for a moment and looked around curiously on the road.

Soon they arrived at the restaurant.

At this moment, there were many people in the banquet hall of the restaurant. In addition to local officials, there were also generals of Guangzhou city defense, as well as the naval commander and the commander of the Jinghai Navy.

There were also many people of different skin colors, sitting cautiously on the edge of the corner.

Wang Han introduced the envoys one by one: "This is Wang Kai, the military commander of Guangzhou; this is Huang Shu, the inspector of the Pearl River Navy; and this is Wang Shining, the commander of the Jinghai Navy."

"Wang Qianxia, ​​Huang Xunjian, Wang Zhizhishi."

Tan Wenxue and Zhang Youwei nodded and greeted them one by one. Their attitudes were not at all arrogant like those of civil servants, but rather decent and friendly.

The three of them hurriedly bowed to Tan Wenxue and Zhang Youwei.

The other party could just nod in response, but as military generals, they couldn't lose their manners.

The Song Dynasty has always respected civil officials and despised military officials. This desperation was not only reflected in the fact that civil officials were superior to others, but also in the rank and status of officials.

Wang Kai was the military chief of Guangzhou, and only of the seventh rank. Huang Shu was the chief of the local navy, but only of the eighth rank.

The commander of the Jinghai Army was not a local military general, but a military officer directly under the Privy Council. Even so, he was only of the seventh rank.

Basically, most of the local military generals were below the seventh rank. Positions of higher ranks such as the chief steward, deputy chief steward, chief steward, and deputy chief steward were all set up temporarily and not permanently.

Only the states in each region had such low-ranking military officers as the Inspectors, Supervisors, Chief Inspectors, Patrol Inspectors, and Commanders, whose ranks were between the seventh and ninth ranks, and they commanded more than a thousand local troops and patrol soldiers.

Guangzhou is a little special, as it has its own navy.

At this time in history, Nong Zhigao attacked Guangzhou, and the military commander Wang Kai wanted to defend it to the death. The Pearl River naval inspector at the time was Wang Shining, who wanted to use the navy to fight out of the city and intercept the enemy on the river.

As a result, Wang Kai was unwilling and killed Wang Shining, which made the Pearl River Navy very angry. They directly withdrew from Guangzhou during the battle, allowing Nong Zhigao to almost break through the city of Guangzhou.

Now, because the former commander of the Jinghai Army embezzled money when traveling to Mayit Island, it was reported to the Constitutional Council. It happened that Zhao Jun was traveling around the world and arrived in Guangzhou, so Yan Shu reported the matter to Zhao Jun.

When Zhao Jun learned about this, he was very angry and immediately sent people to Mayi Island to capture the commander of the Jinghai Army and bring him back to punish him. The person sent was Wang Shining.

After Wang Shining arrived at Mayi Island, he did not attack immediately. Instead, he designed a plan to capture the other party and successfully escorted him back. Because of this contribution, he was promoted by Zhao Jun to the new commander of the Jinghai Army.

The reason why Wang Han wanted to introduce them to Tan Wenxue was because their contributions were needed in this mission.

The envoys sent by the Song Dynasty were certainly not sent to a specific country, but were heading in a certain direction, and notified the countries along the way wherever they passed.

For example, the destination of the diplomatic delegation going to the Western Regions was Western Heihan Khanate, but it had to pass through Eastern Heihan Khanate and Gaochang. Similarly, the diplomatic delegation going to Japan had to pass through Goryeo, so the diplomatic delegation going to Goryeo was also an diplomatic delegation going to Japan.

This time, Tan Wenxue and his companions will first go to Southeast Asia, to Champa, then to Srivijaya, cross the Strait of Malacca, to the Chola Empire, and then to the Jaroku Empire, the Solanki Empire, the Samara Empire, the Buyid Empire, and finally arrive at the Abbasid Empire.

This route starts from Guangzhou in later generations, first to southern Vietnam, then to Malaysia, through Singapore, across the Bay of Bengal, to Sri Lanka, then north along the Indian Peninsula, all the way into the Persian Gulf.

It is almost equivalent to most of the route of Zheng He's fourth voyage to the West. He will pass through eight countries along the way, and then notify more than a dozen breakaway countries of the Arab Empire and several European countries in the Middle East.

Therefore, when going to Southeast Asia, the local army in Guangzhou will be responsible for escorting, and Wang Kai and Huang Shu will be in charge. After leaving the Strait of Malacca, the Jinghai Army will be the escort.

It can be said that whether Tan Wenxue and his team can successfully complete the task depends entirely on them, so naturally they have to get to know each other in advance.

After introducing the three main generals, Wang Han introduced them: "This is Pu Jin, a great merchant from Srivijaya. He will be your translator during your diplomatic mission to Srivijaya."

"I have met Doctor Tan and Doctor Zhang."

Pu Jin saluted quickly.

The two looked over and saw that it was the merchant who had been sitting in the corner. He had slightly dark skin and looked very adorned with jewels, but he was very reserved in front of them.

"Ah."

Tan Wenxue and Zhang Youwei nodded slightly.

Tan Wenxue actually studied the etiquette of Srivijaya, which is a Buddhist country, not Han Buddhism, but Theravada Buddhism. He also knows the basic etiquette of Theravada Buddhism.

But he is not a Buddhist, and using Buddhist etiquette to respond is not appropriate in such an occasion, and it also seems too respectful to the other party.
Yes, that's because I respect each other too much.

During the Han Dynasty, the Han Dynasty's envoys were very aggressive when they went on missions, forcing you to choose between the Xiongnu and the Han Dynasty. If the other country colluded with the Xiongnu, they would kill the other country's king, prime minister, ministers, etc. Zhang Qian, Fu Jie, and Ban Chao were all outstanding in this, but they were never polite to the other side.

So this is the case with the envoys from the Song Dynasty. Before they left, the governor said that the Song Dynasty would not bully others on its own initiative. Normal etiquette would be observed, but it would never be bullied by others.

The envoy represented the imperial court of the Song Dynasty and was required to follow appropriate etiquette according to his status. Even if the other party was a king, the most he could do was bow but he would never kneel.

Therefore, as he is just a businessman, just nod your head and there is no need to be overly respectful.

However, Pu Jin did not feel angry because the other party just nodded slightly. Instead, he was very happy and showed a flattering smile repeatedly.

Then Wang Han continued, "This is the Champa merchant Sin Yaxianluo, and he is the Champa guide on this trip."

"Hello."

Tan Wenxue and Zhang Youwei nodded again.

"This is Fulian, a merchant from Chola. You are my guide for this trip."

"Hello."

"This is a merchant from Houzhalouqi country."

“This is a merchant from Java.”

“This is a Brunei merchant.”

“This is a merchant from Zhunian State.”

"This is a Arab merchant."

Wang Han introduced more than a dozen businessmen to them at once.

These are big foreign merchants who live in Guangzhou all year round, and basically travel back and forth between their home countries and the Song Dynasty once or twice a year.

When the Song Dynasty was looking for guides and translators in the city, these people, who were obviously top businessmen, all signed up enthusiastically.

You should know that according to the "History of the Song Dynasty", when Nong Zhigao attacked Guangzhou, he abducted tens of thousands of vassal merchants.

Note that it is tens of thousands.

Even if we only count three people in a family, that would be more than 100,000 people.

Including those who were not abducted, the number of foreign businessmen in Guangzhou at this time in history was at least over 200,000.

But now history has changed and maritime trade has become more prosperous. According to data from the Ministry of Statistics, the number of foreign businessmen who settled in Guangzhou all year round reached more than 400,000 last year.

These people were extremely wealthy, their clothes were all embellished with gold, pearls, silk and brocade, and their utensils were all made of gold. The houses they built were magnificent and magnificent, and they became more and more wealthy. The Islamic pagodas and temples they built were so tall that they reached the sky.

Every time they attend a banquet, they spend money like dirt, leaving no one behind, and they put pearls, fragrant shells, and messy seats on the table to show their extravagance. It can be seen that they are rich and live a splendid and luxurious life.

However, when facing Tan Wenxue and the others, everyone was very reserved, and their status was very low at this banquet.

Soon Tan Wenxue met them one by one, and nodded slightly to show friendliness.

Afterwards, Wang Han led everyone to their seats and they sat down.

Tan Wenxue and Zhang Youwei spoke a few words respectively, saying that they were sent to the West on the imperial edict, representing the court, and that they had thanked everyone present for their hard work.

Everyone applauded.

Over the past decade, applause has spread from the Constitutional Court and has gradually become popular in official circles.

After they sat down, Zhang Youwei said to Wang Han curiously, "Captain Cao, I originally thought that they only found some ordinary guides and translators this time, but I didn't expect that they were all businessmen. Are they all going back to their country?"

Wang Han laughed and said, "Doctor, you don't know. Every time you go to a place, you must need the local dignitaries to take you to see the king. If you are an ordinary person, how can you have such power?"

"I see."

Zhang Youwei suddenly realized, and then asked in surprise: "They all know the dignitaries in their country?"

"Doctor, don't underestimate them."

Su Yan also laughed and said, "They have no roots in the Song Dynasty. Secondly, the Song Dynasty is strong, which makes them feel in awe of our dynasty. But if they return to their own country, they will be comparable to local princes."

"Oh?"

Tan Wenxue and Zhang Youwei were both very surprised.

Su Jian pointed at the Champa merchant Xin Yaxianluo and said, "Look at him."

The two looked over.

Xin Yaxianluo had been paying attention to this side. When he saw them looking at him, he quickly put on a flattering smile.

"This man is the younger brother of King Ludharavarman of Champa. He is a powerful person in Champa. In one trade with the Song Dynasty, he can bring 80,000 catties of frankincense, 10,000 liters of pepper, 40 hu of ivory, and many other famous incense and treasures, with a value of hundreds of thousands of strings of cash."

Su Yan said: "It is said that his family spent millions of coins. The previous war between Champa and Angkor was entirely due to the financial support provided by this person. Otherwise, Champa would be in danger. He is so rich that he can rival a country."

"Millions of coins?"

Tan Wenxue and Zhang Youwei were both dumbfounded.

In the Song Dynasty, one xian was equivalent to one guan. If a family property was several million guan, he would be considered one of the richest people in the Song Dynasty. He was indeed rich.

"There is also the Srivijaya merchant Pujin, who has a huge fortune. In one trade, he brought frankincense worth 300,000 strings of cash, as well as countless rhinoceros horns, ivory, spices, and pearls. His wealth is no less than that of Sinyasinra, and he is also one of the richest men in the world."

"Good guy."

"The Chola merchant, Fulian, was very wealthy. He sent out eighty ships to the sea, and each time he carried hundreds of thousands of kilograms of cargo. It was said that he had one hundred and thirty stones of pearls in his house."

"Eighty ships? One hundred and thirty stones of pearls? Are you sure they are stones, not pearls?"

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha."

Wang Han and Su Yan both laughed.

“It’s really a great experience.”

Zhang Youwei smiled bitterly and said, "I am a doctor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but I really don't know much about other countries."

Wang Han smiled and said, "After all, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has only been established for more than ten years. It was the former Honglu Temple. In the past, it was responsible for the etiquette of negotiations with neighboring countries. However, these foreign countries are thousands of miles away, and we Han people don't go there often, so it is normal that we don't understand them."

"Yes, this is also the reason why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established."

Su Yan said, "The dean often says that we should open our eyes to the world. When the Song Dynasty is strong, trains and ships should be everywhere, and the itineraries should be all over the world. We can't just stay in one corner. Isn't it to show that the Song Dynasty is open to all rivers and seas by inviting all countries to come?"

"That's right. Even though they are so wealthy in their own country, in our Song Dynasty, there are many wealthy people with millions of assets. With guns and cannons in hand, who can be their enemy in the world?"

Tan Wenxue became serious and said earnestly: "Now our Great Song should absorb the wealth of the world and expand the country. This is also our mission, to let the name of our Great Song spread far and wide overseas and spread to all directions!"

"it is good!"

"The doctor is very generous."

"Have a drink!"

The other deputy transport envoys and judges of Guangnan East Road who were sitting at the same table also cheered.

Today, there are as many as four or five hundred thousand foreign businessmen in Guangzhou alone in the Song Dynasty, involving more than fifty or sixty countries.

In addition to the trade between Jiangsu and Zhejiang, Shandong and Huainan, the Liao Kingdom, Japan, Goryeo, and the many Jurchen and Bohai tribes in the northeast, there were as many as sixty or seventy countries.

During the Northern Song Dynasty, there were probably less than eighty countries in the world that had truly established themselves. Therefore, it can be said that today's Song Dynasty trade covers more than 95% of the countries in the world.

In this way, the world's wealth poured into the Song Dynasty, and the Song Dynasty's military power was at its peak, with a developed economy, strong military power, and prosperous technology.

How can such a country not be strong!
(End of this chapter)