Huan Rong

Taiyuan three years, March

In the spring season, the breeze is smooth and the sky is as blue as washing.

After a few drizzles, the herbs are lush, the plums are white and the peaches are red, and there are bursts of sweet fragrance in the wind.As far as the eye can see, there is a scene full of spring.

After Huan Rong and his party left Guzang City, they went south along the old Xunshou road and passed through Tuyuhun without any stopover. They crossed Liang, Jing, Jiang, and Henan states by land, and took a short rest in Youzhou. They arrived in March Jiankang.

At that time, it was the Shangsi Festival, and the Qinhuai River was crowded with people and it was very lively.The flow of people between the square and the city is bustling.

There are long queues of people leaving and entering the city, and there is an endless stream.

Most of the caravans coming from the south are by boat.

As soon as the merchant ship transporting pearls arrived at the pier, they failed to unload their cargo and went to Fangshi. The waiting merchants immediately swarmed up and surrounded the owner of the ship, vying to bid, hoping to buy this year's Hepu pearls.

Most of the caravans from the north and west drove into the city with large carts, with cattle, sheep and camels tied to the back of the carts.The people in the caravan wore all kinds of Hu clothes, and without exception, the leaders of the caravan spoke fluent Luoyang mandarin.

After leading the team into the city, the leader first found the middleman and chose an inn to settle in.When everything was in order, he hurried to Fangshi to get the wooden sign and tax sign.

According to the rules in the city, no matter what kind of goods it is, only by renting a stall with a wooden sign can it be traded in the square market.

Although the rent is not low, the goods must be recorded, and the tax will be paid in full after the market is over, but there is a market price, and the profit is guaranteed, so it is no problem to pay the tax.In addition, there are many rare things in the Southland, and they can be sold at a good price when they are transported back to the Northland and the Western Regions. The merchants do not hesitate to pay a little tax, and they will not risk being expelled to evade taxes.

The foreign teams, especially the Hu merchants, wanted to successfully market the goods in short supply, and they needed both wooden signs and tax signs.

Jiankang didn't have this rule at all, but imitated Youzhou to create Fangshi, and learned the management regulations by the way.

With the mind of the Jiankang gentry, they will never copy it mechanically.

The officials in charge of Fangshi took into account the local conditions, kept the general framework unchanged, and improved the details, and Jiankang Fangshi was able to develop rapidly.Relying on the advantages of the capital city and taking advantage of the waterway of the Qinhuai River, its prosperity is no less than that of Youzhou.

With the development of commerce and trade, there are more and more caravans traveling from south to north, and the population in the city expands accordingly.

According to last year's statistics, the number of households in the city reached 50.If things go on like this, within 30 years, Jiankang's development will reach an astonishing level.It is by no means a fantasy to become a big city with a population of over one million.

Of course, there is a premise for all of this. Huan Han's regime firmly controls the existing territory, and seeks opportunities to expand and further stabilize its rule.

If foreign enemies attack twice in three days, or even soldiers approach the city, no matter how prosperous the city is, it will gradually decline.

Fortunately, Youzhou has developed rapidly, and there are thousands of state soldiers stationed there, which serve as a natural barrier for Jiankang.

The three prefectures of Yu, Jiang, and Jing are all garrisoned by the direct line of the Huan family. Even if the north invades, they are quite sure that they can fight.The outcome is [-]-[-], it all depends on who can persist until the end.

As the gateway to Jiankang, Gushu has the Xifu Army, and Jingkou has the Beifu Army.The former is guarded by Huan Chong, which can ensure safety.The latter is in charge of the Gaoping Xi family, and with Xi Yin's style of doing things, he will never be confused in major matters.I will definitely urge Xi Rong to make great efforts to defend the safety of the capital.

The Qin family entered Chang'an, and the northern region gradually became unified. Murong Xianbei, who was entrenched in the three Koreas, was wiped out, and his territory expanded further.Coupled with the fact that Qin Jing dispatched troops several times, he actually controlled the Monan Grassland. Not to mention anything else, on the surface, the territory under the Qin family's rule has faintly surpassed that of Huan Han.

As for the population, there is no accurate figure because Chang'an has not yet been counted.

The only thing that is certain is that with the Han people in the North and the surrendered Hu tribes, the number of the Qin army will not be small, and the combat effectiveness will not be low.

In future wars, both sides will go all out.

One battle can decide the world, and then unify the Central Plains, and make China the tripod.

Today, the two sides are still considered "friendly".Send credentials to each other and have trade relations with each other.In addition, Qin Ce, like Huan Rong, is doing everything possible to strengthen the monarchy and suppress the high-ranking forces in the north. Huan Rong is more than [-]% sure that within three years, Chang'an will not send troops south.

Petty fights at the border are nothing to worry about.

Chang'an tested Jiankang, and Jiankang would also test Chang'an.Find out about each other and make full preparations for the decisive battle in the future.

Thinking of the possible war, he couldn't help but think of the agreement with Qin Jing.Huan Rong sat on the big lap and pinched the base of his nose lightly.The mood that was bright because of the spring suddenly became heavy again.

"Your Majesty, you can already see the city gate."

Dian Kui reported back in front of the car, Huan Rong suppressed the sudden emotion, opened the door, looked at the majestic Jiankang City, and finally had a smile on his face.

"Send people into the city to deliver letters to the queen mother and the prime minister."

"promise!"

As early as a few days ago, Princess Nankang received the news of Huan Rong's return.More than a hundred miles away from Jiankang, Huan Rong released the pigeons again, just to reassure his mother.

At this time, the main purpose of sending people to the city is to inform Xi Yin and the civil and military officials, so that everyone can prepare in advance.

After the death of the Son of Heaven, Xie An and Wang Biaozhi also felt emotional.

Seeing the familiar city wall and recalling what they saw along the way, the moods of the two became different.There is also a new plan for the way the family will go in the future.

"The official family is the man of destiny."

Although the gentry put their family first, there are always exceptions to everything.

For Xie An and Wang Biaozhi, if Huan Rong can unify the north and the south, end the century of chaos since the end of Han Dynasty, and then restore China, rebuild the foundation of the ancestors, and bring peace to all generations, they are willing to help him.

Xie An pushed the car door open, looked at Jiankang City under the sun, and said with a smile: "This time I am traveling with the driver, I have seen the scenery of the border states, the scenery of the Western Regions, and I have gained something in peace. Officials should not indulge in mountains and rivers all day long, and live up to the good times."

Translated, even when you are old, you have talents. Who dares to play such things as seeking immortality and health, retiring to the mountains and forests, eating cold food and loose food if you have nothing to do, absolutely family law!

Guochao is at the time of employing people, if you want to indulge in the mountains and rivers, you can.First go to Bianzhou as an official, fight a few battles, make real achievements, and then enter the court to "serve" for a few years and make contributions to the family.

When there is a successor, resignation is optional.

Wang Biaozhi deeply agrees.

"What An Shi said is true."

Compared with the Xie family of Chenjun, the Wang family of Langya has just recovered and needs to consolidate its strength in the court and locality.

Talented people came out in large numbers from the Xie clan, and Hu Jiemo was granted the title, and the Yushu of the Xie clan is world-famous.

It will take quite some time for the Langya Wang family to catch up.

However, Xie An and Wang Biaozhi knew in their hearts that at this time and at that time, with Huan Rong's character and ability, he will definitely hold the power firmly in his hands. The era similar to Wang Dao and Wang Dun will not happen again. The situation in the world will never happen again.

For the two of them, this is a good thing and a difficult thing.

Fortunately, the Son of Heaven is strong, and the decisive battle between the north and the south in the future will have a slightly higher chance of winning; the difficulty is that the stronger the monarchy, the family's way of life will have to change, and even make concessions.

The two accompanied them on a hunting tour, their horizons were further broadened, they were sure about major events, and they would make concessions when they should.

People in the clan are not.

To convince everyone that the necessary concessions will not harm the family, and even benefit future generations, will take some talking.

Fortunately, both Xie Xuan and Wang Xianzhi are valued by the emperor. As the most outstanding children of their generation, they know how to make decisions when encountering major events.

What Xie An and Wang Xianzhi had to do was to try every means to persuade the elders of the clan, and wrote letters to their in-laws to persuade everyone not to do wrong things, and to do their best to pave the way for the clan's gentleman.

The dynasty is on the rise, and a strong monarchy is really necessary.

When the north and the south are unified and the world is unified, how the court should operate is another matter.

Huan Rong is the lord of England, and it is still unknown what his successor will be.

A dynasty of flowing water, a family of iron.

Facing Huan Rong, Xie An and Wang Biaozhi could compromise and even make concessions.

If someone else has Huan Rong's ability, let alone, if they don't have enough ability, they won't be able to convince the high school. The power of the monarchy and ministers will ebb and flow, which is not difficult for the deep-rooted gentry high school.

Xie An and Wang Biaozhi had similar ideas, but they didn't express them in words.

As far as the present is concerned, Huan Rong has not yet married, and the heir is still unknown.But whether Huan Rong has a biological child is not important to the gentry.

In the Jin Dynasty, it was not uncommon for brothers to brothers and uncles to nephews.Sima Yi was deposed, and Sima Yu, who ascended the throne, was even a generation older than Queen Mother Chu.

With such a premise, regarding Huan Rong's big marriage, the top aristocrats seldom comment.

Families like the Xie family of Chenjun and the Wang family of Langya mostly married within the gentry, and basically would not send girls into the palace.Therefore, whether Huan Rong is married or not, and whether he has a biological son, has little influence on Xie An and Wang Biaozhi.

As long as the Huan family exists, there is no need to worry about having no heirs.

This is a common practice among nobles.

Xie An focused on cultivating his elder brothers and children, and Wang Biaozhi was willing to make concessions to Wang Xianzhi on behalf of the family, all because of this.

Everyone has selfishness, but in front of the family, selfishness will eventually be crushed.If selfishness overwhelms reason, the family will also become weak.

This is the trick to maintain the continuation of the noble family, which has been passed down from generation to generation and has never changed.

In contrast, those who want to take the status of foreign relatives to go further will often focus on the position of queen.And such a family can't pass the test of Princess Nankang and Mrs. Li at all.

Putting everything together, as long as Huan Rong is willing to become the first single emperor in history, it is not impossible.

With the soldiers galloping into the city, hundreds of officials drove out to meet them one after another, and the news of the emperor's return spread quickly.

The common people passed word of mouth, confirmed that the news was true, and dropped their work one after another, or followed behind the car, or gathered on both sides of the road that must be passed back to Taicheng, waiting eagerly, just waiting for the emperor to appear.

Regardless of men, women and children, they all hold willow branches and herbs in their hands.

The delicate girl was holding hands, and when she heard the sound of the horse's hooves, her cheeks blushed immediately.

There was a Hu businessman who had just arrived and was just halfway through the business when he saw the buyer turn around and leave in a hurry without even an explanation.While stunned, he hurriedly grabbed someone to ask.

"The official is back, who still wants to sell goods!"

The businessman who was caught was very dissatisfied, left a word, turned around and ran out of Fangshi.

In the blink of an eye, most of the square city was empty.

The doors of many shops facing the street were left open, and the goods were left on the shelves, and the shopkeepers and clerks were all gone.On the food shop facing the street, the white and fat steamed buns are steaming, and the freshly baked fried cakes and hubing are exuding a burnt aroma.

A few copper coins were scattered on the ground, and there was no one to pick them up.

Many Hu people even left their goods and rushed out of Fangshi with the people of Jiankang.

The remaining Hu merchants looked at each other, not knowing what choice to make.

Stay and wait?

Or go with others to meet the Holy Driver?

A group of patrolling soldiers passed by, and several civil servants held paper and pens, and every time they passed by a shop, they would write down a few strokes.

Walking up to Hu Shang, seeing the embarrassment of several people, the civil official understood the reason, and said with a smile: "How many are new to Jiankang?"

Hu Shang nodded.

Their Chinese is not very fluent. Fortunately, the clerks use Xianbei and can speak a few simple Xiongnu, so they can communicate with each other without hindrance.

"The officials came back from hunting tours, and the common people went to the city to welcome the saint, and the market will be closed for half a day."

"You can leave your goods here temporarily, or you can take them back to the inn." The clerk paused, and said, "However, the roads in the city are not easy to walk at the moment, so you may have to wait for half an hour to go back to the inn." .”

After discussion, the Hu merchants decided to leave the goods in front of the booth, and at the same time hand over the wooden sign and the tax sign, and the clerks would record them in detail.It's not that they are big-hearted, but that the doors of the sugar shop and the silk shop are wide open, and a few bags of sugar are worth more than his animal skins.

In Jiankang City, the long street leading from the north gate to Yudao was already crowded with people.

Two teams of soldiers stood by the roadside, their armors were bright, their spears were tightly held in their hands, and they looked heroic.

Drums sounded from the top of the city, the city gate was opened wide, and a group of cavalry filed in.

Immediately, the knight carried a longbow on his back and a long knife on his waist. Each of his shoulders was broad and his back was wide, showing a sturdy air all over his body.

The leading knights unfurled the five-element flag, and when the wind swept by, the flag rang loudly.

The crowd held their breath, and the sound of horseshoes could be clearly heard.

Behind the cavalry came infantry in leather armor.

The pawns were divided into two rows, guarding the emperor's big body, and instantly shocked everyone's sight.

The doors and windows of the big body were all open, Huan Rong was dressed in a uniform and a crown on his head, and the twelve o'clock hung down in front of his eyes, shaking slightly with the body, hitting each other, making a crisp sound.

In an instant, the crowd seemed to be pressed on a switch, and the sound of "Long Live" was like a tidal wave, like a mountain roaring and a tsunami.

Amidst the cheers, willow branches and vanilla fell like rain, accompanied by countless silk handkerchiefs and silk flowers, covering the long street in an instant.

"Congratulations to your return, Qianqiu Antai..."

A clear tone sounded, one after another, one sentence after another.The girls harmonized with each other, and their voices were intertwined, forming a net, covering everyone's hearts.

Huan Rong was touched by it, got up and walked out of the big room.

A cluster of sunlight sprinkled from mid-air, the goshawk spread its wings and passed by, the beads dazzled with colorful light, the patterns on the clothes complemented each other, and the cloud patterns on the cuffs seemed to be flowing slowly.

Huan Rong stood in front of the car, and the crowd became more and more excited. The cheers became higher and higher, and they condensed into an invisible flying dragon, which roared and flew straight into the sky.

Amidst the cheers, the silk flowers around the ring were like rain, and the fragrance of the silk handkerchief hit people.

Huan Rong tried his best to maintain a serious expression, and out of the corner of his eye, he looked at the frame where Xie An and the others were.

Although he couldn't escape this encounter, he wasn't the only one who got smashed, that's great.