The Great Tang General

Although the construction of cement roads has not yet begun on the ancient roads between the two capitals, the roads have been further widened since An Lushan's rebellion, especially east of Tongguan. Although there are still some dangerous roads, the rugged terrain is rarely seen.

Building a cement road for the ancient road between the two capitals is a huge project. The sand and gravel plants and cement plants are only near Chang'an, which is definitely not enough.

The imperial court established cement plants in Huayin, Lingbao, Mianchi, Xin'an and other places along the ancient road between the two capitals.

Prepare more cement, sand and gravel.

At the same time, the city was paved with cement and extended towards the Central Plains.

It was a clear and cool autumn day when Li Xuan's convoy arrived in Luoyang.

Upon learning that the Supreme Emperor was visiting the Eastern Capital again, the people in Luoyang and even in the surrounding counties and towns came to the south of the city to welcome him.

Mountains and rivers split apart, Luoyang suffered. That year, the Central Plains was full of iron hooves and cruelty.

It was the Supreme Being who cleared the clouds and fog, saved people from drowning and fire, and the people were all grateful.

Therefore, when Li Longji abdicated the throne to Li Xuan as emperor, most places in the Central Plains supported him unconditionally.

The current prefect of Luoyang is Dugu Jun, who was Li Xuan's staff member when he was in the Western Regions.

Li Xuan met Dugu Jun and other Luoyang officials at Dingding Gate, the main gate of Luoyang City, and greeted the people.

He specially summoned a group of village elders to ask them about the people's livelihood in recent years and inquire about their well-being.

The people were so grateful that they couldn't express it in words.

After entering Luoyang City, Li Xuan temporarily lived in Ziwei Palace.

The maple leaves in the palace are like fire, and the autumn chrysanthemums are blooming wildly, creating a unique kind of autumn beauty.

Li Xuan let his wives play in Ziwei Palace, where they could enjoy the autumn chrysanthemums.

Luoyang's peonies come in various shapes and sizes, and the chrysanthemums are also diverse.

This is their first time in Luoyang.

Wait for more than ten days before setting off again.

Li Xuan summoned Luoyang Prefecture Governor Dugu Jun to Wucheng Hall to inquire about the matter.

"The official system has been changed, with Luoyang as the prefecture, which is different from Henan Province. What do you think is different from the past?"

Li Xuan asked Dugu Jun whether the provincial system had any impact on Luoyang.

Although Luoyang and Chang'an are both capitals, the center is not here.

Luoyang Prefecture extends to the Yellow River and the foot of Taihang Mountains in the north, Xingyang in the east, Tongguan in the west, and Runan in the south.

Although the area is vast, the mobilization of resources is not as convenient as before.

"Replying to Your Excellency, thanks to the convenience of the Grand Canal, food and fodder can easily enter Luoyang, including the grain in Jiacang, which is always full. New grain is exchanged for old grain every month."

"Since the Qianyuan period, especially after the abolition of the system of city registration, most provinces east of Mount Xiao passed through Luoyang Prefecture first. Many Hu merchants also arrived in Luoyang from Chang'an."

"Therefore, in addition to paying taxes to the imperial court every year, Luoyang Prefecture still has a lot of surplus that can be used for people's livelihood..."

Dugu Jun reported the situation in Luoyang to Li Xuan.

After the reform, Luoyang Prefecture developed more rapidly by relying on its reputation as the Eastern Capital.

Almost anything that can be bought in Chang'an can also be bought in Luoyang.

A large number of factories were also built outside Luoyang City.

Literati and poets from all over the world always gathered in Luoyang to create a grand occasion.

"Yes! That's right. Luoyang Prefecture is one of the two capitals of the Tang Dynasty and the most central city of the Tang Dynasty in the Central Plains. When developing Luoyang, don't limit yourself to the north and south walls of Luoyang. Luoyang Prefecture is more than just Luoyang City. Only when millions of people have enough food and clothing can it be considered rich."

Li Xuan nodded, expressing his affirmation to Dugu Jun, while not forgetting to give him some advice.

"I follow the instructions of the Supreme Being."

Dugu Jun stood up, bowed, and said to Li Xuan: "I have a suggestion, please consider it."

"But it doesn't matter!"

Li Xuan asked Dugu Jun to sit down and talk directly.

He is tolerant and will not criticize his subjects harshly for their inappropriate words.

"Reporting to the Supreme, now that the Qianyuan prosperous era has begun, all the troubles in the northwest have been eliminated. The center should be temporarily moved to Luoyang. On the one hand, it can relieve the population of Chang'an and no longer need to transport large amounts of food to Chang'an. On the other hand, we can use the Grand Canal to exert influence on the Central Plains, Huainan, Jiangnan and other regions."

"Guanzhong is a land of barriers on all sides, but the late emperor went to Luoyang for food five times, and it no longer has the strength of a land of abundance. The emperor's residence in Luoyang can allow Chang'an to rest and recuperate for a while..."

Dugu Jun told Li Xuan his thoughts.

Migrate the center and create prosperity.

In conjunction with the new law, Dugu Jun felt that if he wanted to take industry and commerce to a higher level, relocating the central government to Luoyang was a top priority.

Compared with Chang'an, Luoyang can directly influence provinces such as Hebei, Huainan, Jiangnan, Qi and Lu.

These places are all the richest areas in the current Tang Dynasty.

After all, under the provincial system, Chang'an Prefecture is a little far from the core and has insufficient influence on the south, so the supreme ruler still needs to personally tour the south.

Dugu Jun was worried that because Wu Zetian established Luoyang as the capital, the Supreme Emperor would not want to move the center to Luoyang.

After all, the Tang Dynasty was a dual-capital system, and the central government was moved, not the capital.

"I have had such an idea. Although Chang'an cannot directly influence Hebei and Jiangnan, it can influence Hexi, Longyou and the Western Regions through the Silk Road. The tribes there have not yet completely returned to their hearts..."

Li Xuan said slowly.

Chang'an is a place surrounded by mountains on all sides, but Tongguan, Xiaoguan, Wugu and other places have no meaning to an enterprising king like Li Xuan.

Throughout history, the capital was captured six times and the emperor moved nine times.

If it really comes to that, it would be better to destroy the country.

But Li Xuan was interested in Chang'an's control over the western border.

It is true that the core of the Tang Dynasty is east of Mount Xiao, but the Western Regions are very important to China.

In fact, Li Xuan believed that to develop the south, a new capital could be chosen beside the Yangtze River, such as Nanjing.

This will help speed up the opening up of Lingnan and enable it to enter Southeast Asia at an early date.

But Li Xuan didn't want to build a large-scale project.

Moreover, China's terrain has always been high in the north and low in the south.

Therefore, the north is more likely to be the capital.

Li Xuan had never considered Youzhou.

Historically, the capital was established in Youzhou to resist the threat of the Hu people.

Now Li Xuan has cleared all obstacles in the north and northeast.

Youzhou can be the central city of the province.

Although the Tang Dynasty had two capitals, it could only focus on one city.

Choose Chang'an to consolidate Helong, the Western Regions, Shu, Shuofang, the Hanhai Protectorate, the snowy plateau, etc.

If we choose Luoyang, we can rely on its convenient transportation and the Grand Canal to develop commerce in the core area.

"Your Majesty, when I went to Chang'an, Suzaku Street had already been paved with smooth cement. You also plan to build a cement road on the ancient road between the two capitals. If this road is built, the distance between Chang'an and Luoyang is 700 miles, and it will only take three days for a horse and a carriage to reach the destination. By then, the central government in Luoyang can cast a shadow over the west of Chang'an."

Dugu Jun replied to Li Xuan.

"I'll think about it carefully."

Li Xuan did not give a positive answer.

It will take several years for the cement road to be completed. By then, the Western Regions and the Snowy Plateau will have a higher degree of recognition of the Tang Dynasty.

At that time, we will consider moving the center to Luoyang and focusing on developing the area east of Mount Xiao.

He was vaguely persuaded by Dugu Jun.

In the current era, China is a pioneer.

The population east of Mount Xiao accounted for more than four-fifths of the total population of the Tang Dynasty.

The Industrial Revolution must start in the most densely populated areas.

If the Industrial Revolution could be completed, railways and asphalt roads built, and telegraphs and other communications acquired, controlling the Western Regions would be a piece of cake.

What Li Xuan had to do was to complete the agricultural revolution as soon as possible and push industry and commerce to a certain critical point.

The Tang Dynasty must make rapid progress, otherwise the small peasant economy will appear extremely fragile.

The relocation of the central government will be discussed after the cement road between the two ancient capitals is completed.

Li Xuan discussed some other things with Dugu Jun. Finally, Li Xuan asked Dugu Jun: "Are the ships heading south to Jianghuai ready?" "Reply to Your Majesty, one hundred ships of all sizes are ready."

Dugu Jun answered to Li Xuan.

A part of the Tiance Guard went south along the Grand Canal.

The other part followed by boat.

The largest one was the dragon boat that Li Longji had once built. It was rebuilt and became the main ship for Li Xuan's voyage south this time.

"Thank you, Governor."

Li Xuan nodded, and then together with Dugu Jun, he visited other officials in Luoyang Prefecture to express his condolences.

The next day, Li Xuan went to the headquarters of the Tang Monthly for inspection.

Over a period of six years and with the publication of more than seventy issues, the Tang Monthly has established a certain status in the hearts of the people of the Tang Dynasty.

No one doubted the accuracy of the news in the Tang Monthly.

"Journey to the West" written by the Supreme Being himself is still being serialized.

For ordinary people, the story of "Journey to the West" is suitable for all ages and is talked about with great interest.

Li Xuan saw that the distribution of the Datang Monthly was becoming smoother and the movable type printing enabled the Datang Monthly to print newspapers one after another on the third day of the next month and then send them to various places by express horses.

Even to the South China Sea, it can be delivered within two months.

Sitting at home, you can know everything about the world.

The emergence of the Tang Monthly News enabled information to circulate faster, and it unknowingly influenced millions of people.

In the afternoon, Li Xuan came to the Palace of Wisdom in Ziwei City.

The Palace of Wisdom is located in the palace of Ziwei City and was rebuilt from the original Hongwen Hall.

Li Xuan arrived at the Palace of Wisdom for the first time.

There are more than 800 scholars and inventors from various countries, including Afif.

On weekdays, they are responsible for translating classics of their own country.

At the same time, learn the advanced culture and knowledge of the Tang Dynasty.

There are also scholars who study the calendar and mathematics of the Tang Dynasty.

The inventors left them to tinker with it.

The Tang Dynasty also had a group of scholars in the Palace of Wisdom who learned from foreign scholars.

Li Xuan came to the Palace of Wisdom and announced that scholars who translated books could become Tang people forever.

Anyone who invents things that benefit the country and the people will still be rewarded with official positions and titles.

To encourage these foreigners to take root in the Tang Dynasty and serve it completely.

Scholars such as Afef were moved. They were just outsiders and had never dreamed of any title or official position in the Tang Dynasty.

But since the Tang Emperor had promised it himself, they had no choice but to believe it.

Dancing and jumping, his excitement was beyond words.

As the most civilized country, the Tang Dynasty was ruled by the heroic Khan.

Looking at Luoyang's layout and prosperity, everyone wants to live here permanently.

For some Persians, they were originally ruled by the Arabs, but it was the Heavenly Khan who rescued them and allowed them to call themselves Persians.

Everyone tried their best, hoping to create something that would benefit the country and the people, so that the Khan could see their value.

After Li Xuan accompanied his wife and daughter in Luoyang City for several days, one day before leaving, he summoned all members of the Palace of Wisdom to the Palace of Wisdom to listen to his speech.

The current chief priest of the Palace of Wisdom is the famous scholar Xiao Yingshi.

He passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi during the Kaiyuan period. After experiencing ups and downs, he always took it as his responsibility to promote those who came after him, and was known as "Master Xiao."

Li Xuan had previously invited Li Bai to be the chief priest of the Wisdom Palace, but Li Bai was not interested in this kind of Wisdom Palace which focused on translation, mathematics, scriptures, inventions, and philosophical thoughts.

So Li Xuan ordered Xiao Yingshi to be the chief priest.

Although it was a first-rank official position, he did not have much power.

Many people think that the chief priest of the Palace of Wisdom is not even as good as the minister.

The Palace of Wisdom was packed with more than 1,300 Tang and foreign scholars, including officials accompanying Li Xuan.

The layout of the main hall of the Palace of Wisdom was designed by Li Xuan.

Like the conference halls of later generations, it could seat more than a thousand people.

It is more convenient to communicate.

"Greetings to the Supreme..."

After Li Xuan and Xiao Yingshi entered the main hall of the Palace of Wisdom, everyone stood up to greet them.

All the foreign scholars who came to the Tang Dynasty were very intelligent.

They started learning Chinese when they set out, and now most of them can master a certain level of Chinese.

It doesn’t matter if they don’t understand what Li Xuan says. Someone will tell them after the meeting.

Li Xuan raised his hand and all the scholars sat down again.

Li Xuan's status as a great poet, lyricist, writer and inventor meant that every word of his would be regarded as a guiding principle.

When Tang people looked at Li Xuan, their eyes were full of light, and they made no secret of their admiration for Li Xuan.

In the eyes of foreigners, Li Xuan is a legendary god.

"I would like to ask you a question today. Has anyone ever thought about the shape of the world we live in, the land we stand on? Is it square, round, or any other shape?"

Li Xuan stood in the center and raised this question.

Some things, without his guidance, would be difficult to achieve in a short period of time.

He didn't want to have so many titles. But since he was here, he had to leave behind the limited knowledge in his mind.

A stone stirred up a thousand waves.

Why would the Supreme ask this question?

This sentence stumped the scholars.

They have been active in this world, but they have no idea of ​​the scope of the universe.

"I am also a student in the Palace of Wisdom. You may speak freely."

Li Xuan smiled and let everyone speak freely.

In fact, before the beginning of the Age of Discovery, no one could prove that the world was round.

Some of this knowledge is the conjecture and speculation of some people, as well as the fabrication of later generations.

Only when people reach the starry sky can they truly see that the world is round.

Including Li Xuan’s current words and deeds, before the great voyages, all they could be considered were speculations.

"Replying to the Supreme, the earth is vast and boundless, and the fields are flat. The sky should be square so that it can fit in with the squareness of the earth, just like mortise and tenon joints, to build the order of heaven and earth."

A Han scholar used the conjecture that heaven and earth are square to try to prove that heaven and earth are square.

"The ancients had records that the sun, moon and stars rose in the east and set in the west, repeating in a cycle, and guessed that the sky was round."

Another scholar believes that the world is round, which is reasonable and well-founded.

As soon as the two of them finished their conversation, the scholars gathered around Fang Yuan and started arguing.

"Do you think that the world is really vast and endless? Throughout history, only Rome, a vast country, has come into contact with our Tang Dynasty."

"If we believe in the square and the circle, there should be a horizon. Why has no one ever reached it?"

When scholars were arguing, Li Xuan expressed his opinion.

The Chinese people often talk about "the ends of the earth" and "far beyond the horizon", but these are just the imaginations of literati and no one has ever been there.

The Central Plains calls itself the central country, with China at its center and barbarians surrounding it.

Have you ever thought about what is beyond the Rongdi and barbarians?
The scholars did not understand what he meant, but they all listened to Li Xuan's speech carefully like students.

"It is said that practice brings true knowledge. If it is a circle, it will reach the horizon. If the world is a sphere, if you go out to sea from the east, you will return to the origin..."

Li Xuan's words to the scholars meant that the great voyage was about to begin...

(End of this chapter)