Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 645 Someone Privately Minted Kaiyuan Tongbao, Call Qiu Shenji (Part )

In the sixth year of Yongwei, April of summer.

The emperor went on a northern tour.

The huge fleet turned north from Junxian and entered the Yongji Canal from the Yellow River.

The river is wide and the boats are in order.

Countless cavalrymen galloped back and forth on the shore, with spears and lances standing in rows and flags waving.

Li Chengqian stood at the window of the boat, retracted his gaze, and looked at the swaying figure behind the bamboo curtain.

That's Cui Luan.

Li Chengqian brought three concubines, Cui Luan, Wang Youlan and Pei Qian, with him on this northern tour.

But at this time, only Cui Luan was in the cabin. The reason she was there was because her father was there.

……

Li Chengqian turned to look at Cui Zong, who was kneeling in the boat, and said, "It would have been best for me not to go on this northern tour. It would have reduced the burden on the river transportation in early summer and on the court. But I just want to visit Hebei. Some people say that the burden on the people of Hebei is heavy. Only by going there myself can I understand the hardships they face."

Cui Zong bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, the burden on the people of Hebei is indeed heavy, but it is actually mostly due to the war."

Li Chengqian raised his hand slightly.

Cui Zong continued, "In the early years, because of the need to guard against the Eastern Turks, taxes levied on the people of Hebei were far more numerous, diverse, and heavier than in other places. Later, the Eastern Turks were defeated, but hundreds of thousands of Turks needed resettlement, many of whom took up positions in the Hebei army. At that time, Goguryeo was also making moves in Liaodong."

Liaodong and Hebei are separated by just a line.

At that time, not only were heavy troops deployed in Hebei Province, but even taxes became very heavy in order to support the army.

Or maybe the emperor just doesn't trust Hebei that much.

In the early years, many noble families in Hebei conducted private transactions with Goguryeo and gained a lot of wealth.

At the same time, a large amount of news also went to Goguryeo from Hebei.

After the previous emperor was honored as the Heavenly Khan, he became much more tolerant towards foreign subjects, which led to an increasing number of foreigners among the palace soldiers.

On the contrary, the people of Hebei not only had few opportunities to take the imperial examinations, but even becoming a government soldier became increasingly difficult.

Coupled with various miscellaneous taxes, heavy levies, and heavy corvee labor, Hebei's burden will become increasingly heavier.

"In the years since Your Majesty ascended the throne, the lives of the people of Hebei have actually improved significantly. There are many more opportunities for Hebei scholars to take the imperial examinations, especially for the imperial guards. Although it was due to the eastern expedition against Goguryeo, many Hebei men have joined the imperial guards, and the burden on their families has been greatly reduced." Cui Zong bowed lightly, somewhat excitedly saying, "Now, the people of Hebei are full of hope for the future, and they are eagerly anticipating Your Majesty's eastern tour, day and night."

In fact, there is something that Cui Zong did not say.

During the imperial court's eastern expedition to Goguryeo, a large number of Hebei soldiers were transferred to the front line.

These Hebei soldiers only refer to the soldiers of Hebei Zhechoufu, that is, the Hebei people among the soldiers.

Most of these soldiers were from foreign ethnic groups such as the Turks, Khitans, and Xi. Although they fought hard for the Tang Dynasty, the people of Hebei did not like them very much.

When they went to Goguryeo, the land in Hebei suddenly became clean.

Although the people were still burdened with heavy responsibilities due to the Eastern Expedition, their hearts were not actually that heavy.

Li Chengqian nodded gently and said, "Father-in-law, please stand up. I came to Hebei this time. Actually, I am here to encourage some people who are struggling to make a living in Hebei to move to Liaodong and Tuzhou. Now, those who go to Liaodong can be exempted from taxes for three years, and those who go to Tuzhou can be exempted for six years... I am doing my best to reduce the burden on the people of Hebei."

"Your Majesty is benevolent." Cui Zong wanted to say something, but swallowed it back.

Migration is never an easy thing unless you can no longer survive.

But the emperor's starting point was good. Over the years, the shackles on the people of Hebei have indeed been loosened a lot.

Li Chengqian turned sideways to look at the curtains and said, "I am going to Dingzhou this time and bringing my beloved concubine with me. On the one hand, I want her to visit her hometown. After all, there will not be many such opportunities in the future. On the other hand, I also want the people of Hebei to treat me as one of their own. After all, I was the Prince of Hengshan County in the past."

Hengshan Mountain is located in Hebei.

Before Li Chengqian became the crown prince, his fiefdom was in Hebei.

Although his fiefdom was managed by his father at that time, it was ultimately his connection with Hebei.

Cui Zong understood the emperor's intentions somewhat. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty is the ruler of the world. To the people of Hebei, you are both a king and a father. Only Your Majesty can restore peace to Hebei."

"Hebei has always been stable." Li Chengqian slightly corrected Cui Zong's mistake, then said, "The situation in Hebei is difficult, and I can only take it step by step. I can make the people of Hebei better off year by year, but I can't solve all the problems at once."

"Your Majesty is so wise and virtuous that even Yao and Shun cannot compare to you." Cui Cong bowed solemnly.

"Okay, let's talk about Jiangnan." Li Chengqian walked to the long couch in the middle and sat down, then looked at Cui Zong and said, "Father-in-law, when you go to Wuzhou this time, please assist Quzhou with the spring planting. I have already asked Du Gou to transfer the relevant supplies from Hangzhou. Wuzhou only needs to provide manpower to assist."

"I understand." Cui Zong bowed with a serious expression and said, "Minister Cui has already instructed that the Chief Justice of the Dali Temple, Cui Xuanji, will wait until I take up my post before setting off north."

Because of his military achievements in Wuzhou last year, Cui Yixuan was promoted to the position of Dali Temple Minister.

Originally, Cui Xuanji was to be promoted to the post of Chief Clerk of Wu Prefecture, but Li Chengqian directly issued an edict to promote Cui Xuanji to the post of Chief Justice of Dali Temple.

However, Cui Luan's father, Cui Xuanji, was transferred to be the governor of Wuzhou.

Cui Xuanji was from the Cui family of Boling, while Cui Yixuan was from the Cui family of Qinghe. Although the two sides were related, the relationship was not that deep.

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Now that everything has been arranged, you may depart. Wuzhou is still waiting."

After a brief pause, Li Chengqian said seriously, "I have only one final word. This autumn, Wuzhou's harvest must be guaranteed."

"I obey your command!" Cui Zong stood up slightly, then bowed and said, "I'll take my leave."

"Yeah!" Li Chengqian nodded slightly.

Cui Zong raised his eyes, looked behind the bamboo curtain, bowed seriously, and turned to leave. Li Chengqian looked at Cui Zong's departing back and his expression became serious.

However, there is now the Minister of War Cui Dunli in the court, and the Minister of Justice Cui Yixuan, and in Dingzhou there is also the former Vice Minister of Personnel Cui Renshi, and there are many officials from the Cui family in other parties. In particular, the top scorers in the court for two consecutive years were all descendants of the Cui family.

If nothing unexpected happens, these two people will be able to walk to Li Chengqian's side soon.

The Cui family’s influence in the court became increasingly important.

Li Chengqian turned to look at Cen Changqian who was standing nearby and said, "Send the message to Zhang Daxiang, the Minister of Revenue."

Cen Changqian and Shangguan Yi stood up at the same time, bowing and saying, "Yes!"

After the two men walked out of the cabin, Li Chengqian turned around and walked behind the bamboo curtain.

"Your Majesty!" With tears in his eyes, Cui Luan, dressed in light green, stood up and saluted.

Li Chengqian walked to the short couch and sat down, patting his side. Cui Luan then walked to sit next to Li Chengqian.

Looking at Cui Luan, whose eyes were filled with tears because of the separation, Li Chengqian shook his head slightly and said, "According to the imperial system, southern officials are appointed to the north, and northern officials are appointed to the south. This has been the traditional rule. For many years, only people like your uncle, who were specially appointed during the war, were given posts in Dingzhou. But even so, he, the governor of Dingzhou, will have to be transferred this year."

Cui Renshi was appointed governor of Dingzhou and in charge of guarding the Dingzhou granary. This was a temporary compromise made due to the Pingrang War.

With him in Dingzhou, the whole of Hebei will be more stable.

Now that the Pingrang War is over, it is no longer suitable for Cui Renshi to stay in Dingzhou.

One of the important purposes of Li Chengqian's trip to Dingzhou this time was to transfer Cui Renshi to Liaodong.

At the same time, he also wanted the Cui family to set an example by sending some of their members to Liaodong and Tuzhou, and then attracting more people from Hebei to go to Liaodong and Andong.

It is precisely because of this that Li Chengqian places special importance on the Cui family.

"Your father will not be able to stay in the post of governor in the future. He will always be responsible for more important tasks. If you want him to go further in the future, you need to adapt to separation now!" Li Chengqian turned sideways and gently lifted Cui Luan's chin.

Cui Luan tried hard to hold back her tears, forced a smile on her face, and nodded vigorously at Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian smiled softly and said, "When we get to Dingzhou, I'll go out with you. Maybe we'll have children by then. When you become a parent, the passage of time will be faster than you think, and separation will become the most normal thing in your heart."

"Yes!" Cui Luan nodded somewhat confusedly.

Light footsteps sounded at the door. Cui Luan immediately restrained her expression, stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I will take my leave."

Li Chengqian glanced at Xu An at the door, shook his head slightly, and said, "It's okay, my beloved concubine, you can sit and listen for a while."

Cui Luan looked at Li Chengqian in surprise.

Li Chengqian put his finger on his lips and whispered, "Shh!"

……

Li Chengqian sat on the couch.

Zhang Daxiang knelt to one side and said seriously, "In February of this year, the first batch of 5,000 cavalrymen set out from Tuzhou, escorting a large amount of gold and silver jewelry seized from Pingrang back to Hebei, including 30,000 kilograms of copper."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Goguryeo has copper mines, so it's normal for them to have accumulated so much copper."

"Yes!" Zhang Daxiang nodded and said, "They arrived in Liaodong in March and reached Pingzhou at the beginning of this month. I estimate that they will be able to reach Dingzhou soon after Your Majesty arrives."

"When will the Duke of England arrive in Dingzhou?" Li Chengqian asked.

"If it's faster, it will be in July, but if we hurry up, it will arrive by the end of June." Zhang Daxiang bowed slightly.

"Fortunately, the autumn harvest will begin in July. If it were delayed, it would be a huge problem." Li Chengqian leaned over slightly and asked, "How is the spring planting and autumn harvest in Hebei?"

"Although Pingrang City has been taken and we've harvested some, the imperial court's grain and fodder transportation is already very heavy, and it's only been slightly reduced." Zhang Daxiang looked up and said, "However, after autumn, grain and fodder transportation will be reduced by at least half, and corvée labor will also be greatly reduced. Furthermore, I've already spread the word that Your Majesty will exempt rent and taxes this year, and the people are actually more motivated by anticipation."

Li Chengqian nodded. It was he who asked Zhang Daxiang to spread the word that he would exempt rent and taxes in Hebei this year.

When the emperor toured the north, he naturally had to express his gratitude to the local people.

In this way, during the time Li Chengqian is in Hebei, the people of Hebei can be full of hope.

Of course, he has to deliver in the end.

Once he breaks his promise, there will be a devastating backlash.

However, once he fulfills his promise, the people of Hebei, who have been looking forward to it for a whole summer, will immediately burst into great gratitude.

Just one thing, done gently, can earn you more than half a year's gratitude from others.

This is the means of imperial power.

At this moment, Zhang Ananda appeared in front of the cabin door and bowed solemnly to Li Chengqian.

"What's the matter?" Li Chengqian looked up directly.

"Your Majesty, the Xingzhou governor Xu Yushi has a memorial." Zhang Ananda stepped forward and placed the memorial on the desk in front of Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian opened it and took a look, then his expression changed slightly.

"Your Majesty!" Zhang Daxiang looked nervous.

"It's not your business. It's Xingzhou. Someone in Xingzhou is privately minting Kaiyuan Tongbao coins." Li Chengqian turned to look at Zhang Ananda and said, "Call Qiu Shenji."

"Yes!"

(End of this chapter)