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In the spring of the ninth year of the prosperous era, the new city of Youzhou was finally completed.

The city wall is three zhang high, two zhang thick, and forty li in circumference.

The city gate towers are majestic, and the arrow towers stand in rows, making it even more impressive than Bianliang City.

There was a watchtower every hundred paces on the city wall, where the defenders could shoot arrows, observe, and transmit signals.

The city has nine gates, each with a barbican. Even if the enemy rushes into the first gate, they will be trapped inside the barbican and become a sitting duck.

The streets in the city are laid out in a straight line, as orderly as a chessboard.

There are nine main streets running north-south and twelve main streets running east-west, dividing the city into neat neighborhoods.

The palace faces south and has a main hall with nine rooms, five side halls on each side, and seven rear chambers, making it several times more spacious than the imperial palace in Bianliang.

The government offices were neatly arranged on both sides of the palace, including the Six Ministries, the Nine Temples, and the Five Directorates—nothing was missing.

The houses are arranged in a staggered manner, ranging from the grand mansions of wealthy families to the low-walled courtyards of ordinary people.

The common people of this era naturally had no idea about the future Beijing and the Forbidden City, so they didn't know that this new city was a replica of Beijing and the Forbidden City.

Of course, the drawbacks of the future Beijing and the Forbidden City will also be resolved, and it will definitely be able to bear the functions of the capital of China for the next thousand years.

Standing atop the city wall, Zhang Yongde, the Vice Minister of Works, gazed at the city he had built with his own hands, his eyes welling up with tears.

Nine years have passed.

From the first shovel of soil in the first year of the prosperous era to the last brick in the ninth year of the prosperous era.

More than three thousand days and nights, tens of thousands of craftsmen and laborers, and millions of taels of silver.

He witnessed firsthand how the city was built from nothing, from a barren wasteland into the magnificent city he saw before him.

"Nine years... a full nine years..."

He turned around and said to the official beside him, "Submit a memorial to His Majesty: the new city is completed."

When the memorial was delivered to Bianliang, Su Ning was reviewing memorials in the imperial study.

After reading it, he remained silent for a moment, then put it down.

Wei Renpu stood to the side, watching him. "Your Majesty, the new city is completed. As for the relocation of the capital..."

“I know,” Su Ning said. “It’s time to get started.”

The relocation of the capital has never been publicly mentioned in the past nine years, but everyone knows about it.

Which of those court officials didn't know the truth?
The new city of Youzhou took nine years to build, costing several million taels of silver and employing hundreds of thousands of laborers. Could it have been built for nothing?
Those city walls, those palaces, those government offices—weren't they all built to the standards of the capital?
Sima Zhao's heart is well known to passers-by.

But no one dared to say it.

I've said it, it means I'm going against His Majesty.

If you go against His Majesty, the Imperial City Guards will be at your door the very next day.

We're all smart people, so let's just pretend we don't know.

Now that the new city is built, it's time to lay our cards on the table.

In April of the ninth year of the prosperous era, an imperial edict was issued from Bianliang.

"Nobles, meritorious officials, and wealthy households from all countries shall begin their relocation to the new city of Youzhou in stages from this day forward. Each prefecture, state, and county shall organize the northward relocation in batches according to the list compiled by the Ministry of Revenue. Anyone who disobeys this order shall be punished for defying the imperial decree."

The imperial edict caused an uproar in Bianliang.

Those old nobles who had lived in Bianliang for generations all turned pale.

"Move the capital? Are you really going to move the capital?"

"Go to Youzhou? That place freezes to death in winter!"

“Our ancestral graves are all in Bianliang, how can we leave?”

Despite their complaints, no one dared to actually disobey the imperial decree.

The Imperial City Guards are patrolling the streets.

Those spies in plainclothes mingled in the crowd, their eyes sharper than eagles.

Anyone who dares to say "no" will be removed from the list the next day.

Anyone who dares to conspire to cause trouble will be summoned for questioning that very evening.

The first group to migrate north were nobles from various countries who had surrendered.

The Li family of Southern Tang, the Meng family of Later Shu, the Liu family of Southern Han, the Gao family of Jingnan, the Qian family of Wuyue, the Liu family of Northern Han...

A dozen families, numbering several hundred people, set off from Bianliang in a grand procession.

Li Yu stood beside the carriage and glanced back at the house where he had lived for many years.

The house was given to him after he was captured. It wasn't big, but it was decorated very elegantly.

He planted plum blossoms from Jiangnan in the courtyard, which bloomed vibrantly every winter.

He spent several years writing lyrics, drinking, and daydreaming in the courtyard.

"Let's go," his wife whispered beside him.

Li Yu nodded and got into the carriage.

The wheels rolled on, and the house receded into the distance.

The plum blossoms gradually blurred and finally disappeared around the street corner.

Meng Chang sat in the carriage, lifting the curtain to look at the scenery outside, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

When he was captured, he thought he would be imprisoned in Bianliang for the rest of his life.

I spent my days eating, drinking, writing, and drawing, waiting to die of old age. I never imagined that one day I would be able to go to a new place.

“Youzhou…” Meng Chang murmured, “I heard it’s quite cold there.”

Meng Xuanzhe, the son standing beside him, said with a wry smile, "Dad, can we still choose a place now?"

Meng Chang thought for a moment and then smiled, "Yes! We can't be picky. Anywhere is fine, as long as we have food to eat."

Liu Chang sat in another carriage, his face long and drawn.

He was the last emperor of the Southern Han Dynasty and was placed under house arrest in Bianliang after being captured.

He didn't want to leave; it had taken him a long time to adapt to life in Bianliang.

I'm used to living in Bianliang now, with plenty of food and drink and servants to wait on me. Why would I go to Youzhou?
But he didn't dare say no.

He could only sit in the car with a dark expression and no word.

The second batch consisted of the old nobles of Bianliang.

The Fu family, the Wei family, the Li family, the Wang family... are all descendants of the old brothers who fought alongside the Guo family to conquer the world.

Their faces darkened further. "Our ancestral graves are right here in Bianliang. Why should we move them?"

"His Majesty is trying to destroy our very foundation!"

But even so, I still have to leave.

Fu Yanqing sat in the carriage and glanced back at the old house where he had lived for decades.

The house was bestowed by the late emperor. It had three courtyards and three entrances, with front and back gardens, making it a prestigious mansion in Bianliang.

He married and had children there, saw his parents off there, and spent most of his life there.

Now it's time to leave.

"Father," his son Fu Zhaoyuan said softly, "please don't be sad..."

"What's there to be sad about?" Fu Yanqing wiped his eyes. "His Majesty sending us to Youzhou is a sign of respect. Xindu! That's Xindu! So many people want to go but can't."

He spoke with conviction, but anyone could hear the slight tremor in his voice.

Wei Renpu stood at his door, watching his family members bustling in and out, carrying boxes of things onto the carriage.

He is the Grand Secretary and one of His Majesty's most trusted men.

He had known about the relocation of the capital for a long time and had made preparations for it long ago.

But when it was time to leave, I still felt empty inside.

“Master,” the butler said softly, “the move is almost complete.”

Wei Renpu nodded.

He took one last look at the house, then turned and got into the carriage.

The third group consisted of wealthy households from Bianliang City.

Those wealthy families who made their fortunes through business all looked worried and distressed.

"Go to Youzhou? How do you do business there?"

"Our shops, houses, and fields are all in Bianliang!"

Worrying won't help.

Officials from the Ministry of Revenue went door-to-door with the list to urge the officials to submit their requests.

If they don't leave within three days, we'll send troops to "escort" them.

If they don't leave within five days, their property will be confiscated.

The wealthy families gritted their teeth and left!
One carriage after another departed from the north gate of Bianliang and headed north along the newly built official road.

That official road was built by the Ministry of Works in two years.

It was three zhang wide, and the road surface was flat and smooth, so that the wheels did not bump at all when they drove over it.

Willow trees lined both sides of the road, and there was a post station every fifty li for people to rest.

The post station had horses, hay, food, hot water, and a doctor who would treat headaches and fevers on the road.

Someone squatted down and touched the pavement. "What is this? It's so hard and so flat!"

"I heard it's made of cement, commissioned by His Majesty."

"cement?"

"Yes, it's harder than stone, but smoother than a muddy road. Walking on this kind of road is not tiring at all."

Those who were anxious and uneasy found their hearts gradually calming down as they walked on this road.

The road is so good, the other side shouldn't be too bad either, right?
Is the new city of Youzhou really as good as the legends say?

They didn't know. But they soon found out.

……

After a month-long journey, the first group of people migrating north finally arrived in Youzhou.

Officials lined up outside the city gate to welcome them.

"You've all worked hard. Houses have been prepared in the city and will be allocated according to the roster. Please follow us."

The carriage drove into the city.

The streets are wide and the houses are neat.

The streets were bustling with people, and there were vendors selling food, fabrics, and daily necessities.

The shops were lined up, their signs dazzling, just like those in Bianliang.

Strictly speaking, it was more beautiful and complete than Bianliang.

Bianliang City grew slowly over hundreds of years, with winding streets and houses crammed together, completely without any planning.

The new city of Youzhou was drawn from a blank sheet of paper. The streets were straight and the houses were neat and orderly. Drainage ditches, fire lanes, and public toilets were all taken into consideration.

Meng Chang got out of the car, stood on the street, and looked around.

"This...this is Youzhou?"

"Yes, Lord Meng, that's right."

Meng Chang fell silent.

He recalled the rumors he had heard when he was in Chengdu.

It is said that Youzhou is a bitterly cold place, with freezing winters and scorching summers, where people do not live long.

But now that I've seen it with my own eyes, it's not like that at all.

The city is bigger than Bianliang, the streets are wider than Bianliang, and there are more people than in Bianliang.

As for Chengdu, the former capital of Later Shu—it's incomparable.

Chengdu's streets are so narrow that two horse-drawn carriages can't even pass each other. On rainy days, the streets are muddy, and on sunny days, they are covered in dust.

Compared to this place, it's practically a rural town.

“What a wonderful place…” Meng Chang murmured, “What a wonderful place…”

Li Yu also got out of the carriage.

He stood on the street, looking at the neat houses and wide streets, and suddenly felt a sense of emotion.

He grew up in Jiangnan and was used to seeing misty, rainy bridges and flowing water.

Later, when I arrived in Bianliang, I became accustomed to the open and spacious landscape of the North.

Now that we've arrived in Youzhou, it's a completely new place.

“This place,” Li Yu said softly, “is also a good place to write a few poems.”

Liu Chang got out of the car, his face still long and drawn.

But when he saw the scene before him clearly, his face slowly relaxed.

"……good."

Fu Yanqing also got out of the car.

He looked at the new city before him, and his eyes welled up with tears.

It wasn't because I was sad, it was because I was... shocked.

He lived in Bianliang for decades and thought it was the best place in the world.

But now that I see this new city, I understand what real planning is.

"Your Majesty, this...this was prepared long ago."

The son, Fu Zhaoyuan, nodded. "Dad, will we live here from now on?"

“Yes,” Fu Yanqing said, “It’s quite nice to stay here.”

The wealthy families in Bianliang gradually felt at ease.

"This street is even wider than Bianliang."

"There are more of these shops than in Bianliang."

"This business should be easy to do."

Some people have already started planning where would be the best place to open a shop.

……

When the news reached Bianliang, those who hadn't left yet felt at ease.

The roads are easy to travel, and the city is good too.

What's there to be afraid of?
Let's go then!

In the summer of the ninth year of the prosperous era, the initial northward migration was completed.

Half of Bianliang City was empty, while Youzhou City became lively and bustling with people.

Su Ning stood on the city wall of Bianliang, gazing at this central city of the Central Plains.

The city is still the same city, the streets are still the same streets, and the people are still the same people.

But he knew that this city would never be able to fulfill the functions of a capital city again.

As a capital city, Bianliang had too many inherent disadvantages.

With no natural defenses, it is surrounded by enemies on all sides.

The Yellow River could not stop the northern cavalry, and a city wall could not stop the southward-bound iron hooves.

From the An Lushan Rebellion to the Five Dynasties period, this city was captured countless times, and countless people died.

it's good now.

The new capital was in the north, at the foot of the Yanshan Mountains, only two hundred li away from the Khitan.

The emperor guarding the nation's gates is no longer just a figure of speech.

Wei Renpu stood behind him and said softly, "Your Majesty, the nobles and wealthy families of various countries have completed their relocation, and some civil and military officials have also voluntarily moved their families. Shouldn't we discuss the matter of relocating the capital?"

Su Ning nodded. "Yes, we can discuss this in the imperial court. Youzhou will be designated as the only capital of the Great Zhou, and Bianliang will be the future economic center."

"The situation is already settled, and there should be very little opposition in the court."

Wei Renpu nodded.

He understood His Majesty's meaning.

The nobles and wealthy families have all moved away, and the meritorious officials and ministers have also mostly moved out.

Those who haven't moved are either unable to leave or don't want to leave.

Even if they object, they can't stir up any trouble.

The die is cast, and the die is cast.

Suning turned around and walked down the city wall.

In the city, the people are still busy with their daily lives.

The streets were bustling with people, and the cries of vendors rose and fell.

The vendors selling steamed buns, wontons, cloth, and groceries were all busy with their own things, calling out their own messages, creating a lively scene as if nothing had happened.

It was not affected by the relocation of the capital.

Perhaps this is the charm of Kaifeng.

This city has lived for over a thousand years, weathering countless storms and witnessing countless rises and falls.

Emperors came and went, dynasties rose and fell, but the city remained the same, and the people remained the same.

Suning really loves this city.

I grew up here, studied here, made a group of brothers here, even experienced thrilling moments here, and got to where I am today step by step.

He knew every street here, and he knew every shop here.

But some things can't be done just by liking them.

For the long-term stability of the Great Zhou Dynasty, moving the capital to Youzhou was inevitable.

After all, the future defense focus of the Great Zhou Dynasty will be in the north. Even if the Khitan is defeated, the Great Jin will emerge, and the even more powerful Mongol Yuan will appear.

Therefore, neither he nor his descendants have the right to live a life of debauchery. For the next several hundred years, they will be firmly rooted in Youzhou, truly becoming the guardians of the Chinese nation.

He walked down the city wall and boarded the imperial carriage.

The personal eunuch beside him asked, "Your Majesty, shall we return to the palace?"

Suning nodded.

The imperial carriage slowly drove through the streets and the crowds, heading towards the palace.

When people on the street saw the imperial carriage, they all made way to the side of the road and knelt down to pay their respects.

"Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Emperor!"

Su Ning sat on the palanquin, looking at the people kneeling by the roadside.

There were elderly people, children, strong men, and young women.

Their faces showed awe, curiosity, affection, and also bewilderment.

They didn't know why His Majesty wanted to move the capital.

All they know is that life has been better these past few years.

They are content as long as there is no more war, no more hunger, and they can live a peaceful life.

The imperial carriage passed the street corner and disappeared into the crowd.

...(End of this chapter)