The road to Shu is bright and sunny, just like the scenery on both sides of the straight road that left Xundong to Luoyang many years ago. Sometimes Geng Shu even thought that it would be nice if they had been walking.
The river was surging, and the monkeys were screaming. The moment he saw Zhongshan outside the city, Jiang Heng really felt that Xichuan had arrived.
"Nine ringings of Zhongshan, change the dynasty." Geng Shu said lazily and casually.
Jiang Heng said with a smile: "The maple water is thawed, and winter will come to spring. The first half of the sentence can't be said nonsense, even the monarch of any country will not want to hear it."
Xichuan has been rich in products for thousands of years. The Central Sichuan Plain is known as a land of abundance and a land of fish and rice. Maple water flows around the country and irrigates thousands of hectares of fertile fields. It is separated by the Shu Road and cannot be connected to the outside world. The war in the Central Plains cannot affect this place. See, the richest place in the world.
Six hundred years ago, the emperor of Jin seized the world and conferred Xichuan with the surname Li Dai, and it has been passed down from generation to generation since then. Two hundred years ago, when the country was rejuvenated, it left Jiangjunling to gain the land of Hanzhong, and then went south to seize Ba County from the Ying Kingdom, expanding this territory to the second largest among the Five Kingdoms, and it was faintly about to win the Central Plains.
And over the past few decades, Daiguo has produced an unparalleled powerhouse. Today, he is the Daiwu King who sits on thousands of acres of fertile land in Xichuan and has more than 200,000 soldiers and horses. If it wasn't for Geng Yuan's qin mingling, the world disrupted the plan of the four kingdoms to attack Yong, maybe the next generation of King Wu had pacified Bei Yong, and he went out of Jianmenguan to compete with the other countries.
The city walls of Xicheon are high and grand, and it is in the early morning of winter. The mist rises in the city. It is a thriving scene, and the people live and work in peace and contentment.
"The people of Xichuan are rich," Geng Shu said to Jiang Heng while unloading the goods, "I don't know if I can see Princess Ji Shuang when I come back this time, and I'm sure I won't earn less money."
Jiang Heng said helplessly: "I don't know how to do business."
Jiang Heng stood beside the carriage, checking the manifest. The people in Xichuan City are rich and prosperous, but the city defense is very strict. I carefully questioned where they came from, and looked at the list of goods, but they were generally very polite and did not accept Jiang Heng's bribes.
"The first time I came back? Merchants can pass through Xichuan without any hindrance," the captain of the guard said casually.
"I'm his companion." Geng Shu said with a dagger in his hand and a sheath, playing a few tricks.
"He's my brother." Jiang Heng had a smile in his eyes, and noticed the word "Li Jin" written on the captain's waistband. Maybe he was a famous royal family
The captain didn't ask them why they had different surnames, presumably it was not a family child.
But during the questioning and answering, it was obvious that Jiang Heng was not a businessman, with an expression that didn't understand anything, like that of a first-time businessman.
"Come in." Li Jin said, "The laws of this country must not be violated. After going to Qingzhou Bridge in the north of the city, Chuanfangliao Division will find someone."
Jiang Heng thanked Li Jin, and Li Jin handed over the order and said casually, "You look quite likable. Will your family be at ease if you let you go out for business?"
"Don't worry," Geng Shu raised his hand and shielded Li Jin's hand with his scabbard to prevent him from touching Jiang Heng. He took the order and said, "So I'm not following?"
Li Jin laughed, Jiang Heng saluted and left with Geng Shu.
The status of merchants in Xichuan is not low. This can be traced back to the eleventh year of King Hui, after the reform of the country implemented by Gongzisheng, the national policy of emphasizing business and raising agriculture. The merchants carried a large amount of materials from the Western Regions, passed through Sichuan, and went to the countries of the Central Plains, forming an intricate network of relationships.
Gold and silver from various countries are poured into Xichuan, and they support the powerful army and wealthy people of the country. Therefore, they are entrenched in the city's chambers of commerce. Large and small businesses have an influence that cannot be underestimated, and even influence the next generation. The king's choice.
"Ji Cong highly respects Li Hong's way of governing the country," Geng Shu said to Jiang Heng when he found the inn in the city, "to earn money, raise soldiers, and if you have enough money, you can recruit an army that is not afraid of death. He once hoped that Yong Guo We can also resume trade with the four countries in the south... Let's go shopping later, let's find a place to stay first."
"To defeat a country," Jiang Heng said, "what method must be used? The four southern countries have been very smart all these years... They know that if they attack the Yong army by force, they will not be able to get any good, and they will suffer heavy casualties."
"Yeah." Geng Shu said, "Yong Jun is still very strong. If it were you, how would you defeat the Yong Kingdom?"
Jiang Heng thought for a while, and replied: "In my case, first of all, I will block all the roads of trade with foreign countries, and jointly suppress Yong, so that they will not be able to make money. Without the purchase of the state, the people of the country alone will not be able to consume it completely. The treasury is becoming empty, and the juice Cong cannot support the soldiers, so they can only turn to heavy taxes on the people in the country.
"No matter how strong the cohesion of Juicong is, until the day when the army cannot be paid, unless the army is cut, it will definitely lead to a rebellion. As long as the four countries are patient, do not spend a single soldier or a single soldier, and use the method of drawing salaries from the bottom of the pot, Juicong can be consumed to death. ."
In these days, Jiang Heng heard Geng Shu talk about a lot of Donggong's decision-making, and knew that the courtiers were reminding Juicong of this, and they had to come up with countermeasures.
The first countermeasure is to increase the population, consume the resources in Yong Kingdom, and let them farm and support more troops.
The second is to get out of the customs as soon as possible, and can't wait any longer. There are many dreams at night, and waiting is tantamount to waiting for death. Together with the war, the prisoners of war, money, and food taken back from the Central Plains should be able to supplement Yong's treasury.
Jiang Heng observed the scenery and people in Xichuan City all the way, and saw that there are shops in the east, west, north, south, and four streets, and there are also caravans from Tianshui, Western Regions and other places that travel thousands of miles to the Western Regions to do business. , there is a resounding sound of gold and silver being put into the pocket.
There are quite a few inns where the caravans are entrenched, and Geng Shu checked in smoothly with the documents issued by the county magistrate of Song County.
"But it also proves two points," Jiang Heng said. "First, the laws and regulations are clear; second, the people are civilized."
Geng Shu said "um" and did not comment. Jiang Heng knew very well in his heart that it would not be possible to make the capital a commercial hub. First of all, it was necessary to protect the safety of merchants' transactions. Otherwise, who would dare to do business? The second is to have a considerable amount of energy, allowing trade to influence, and even to a certain extent, influence the decision-making of the monarch.
In addition, businessmen should be allowed to "discuss politics" and speak ill of the monarch.
Juicong can do the first point, but for the last two points, with Yong Guo's style, I'm afraid it will be difficult. If it wasn't for the son's victory over the public's opinion, the implementation of reforms, and the promotion of businessmen to such a position, I am afraid that with the temperament of replacing King Wu, it would be difficult to do it.
The only thing that King Wu Li Hong believed in was his younger brother. Li Sheng was also an unparalleled talent in the world. With him in charge of the country, he could retreat to keep the prosperity of Xichuan for a hundred years, and advance to the Central Plains.
2kxs.la
It's a pity that Li Sheng, who had no power to tie the chicken, was stabbed to death by their father in Anyang like a chicken.
Geng Shu registered the name "Nie Hai", while Jiang Heng still used his original name.
"When are you going to see my sister-in-law?" Jiang Henglai came, and he was not in a hurry. He lay on the couch and poked open the window. The winter sun from Xichuan came in, and the snow-covered Zhongshan Mountain was vaguely visible outside, and the scenery inside the window frame Just like a painting.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Geng Shu frowned and said, "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, I don't even think about it, why do you miss your sister-in-law so much?"
Geng Shu ordered Jiang Heng to give in, the two brothers lay side by side, Jiang Heng laughed, smeared Geng Shu's face with his fingers, and said, "I just want to see."
Jiang Heng couldn't tell the reason. When he came to Xichuan with Geng Shu, he seemed to be carrying a certain responsibility. It was a big event in his life to witness his brother get married, but he couldn't help but feel empty for a while, as if he was about to lose something. The uneasiness caused him to unconsciously bring up this matter repeatedly.
"I didn't say I wanted to marry her." Geng Shu said.
Jiang Heng looked sideways at Geng Shu, their lips and the bridge of their noses were next to each other, just like when they were children.
"Oh." Jiang Heng thought about it and had to answer, "I don't rush you, but you really don't have to mind. If you like her, just try it?"
For some reason, Jiang Heng suddenly had a little cosmic delight. After the reunion, he hadn't had enough time with Geng Shu, and naturally he didn't want to hand him over to others in such a hurry.
Geng Shu put one hand on Jiang Heng's shoulder, thought about it, and said, "Doing her a favor doesn't mean marrying her, not to mention... Forget it."
Jiang Heng said blankly, "What's more?"
What Geng Shu wanted to say was, not to mention that he is not going back to Yong Kingdom now, so there is no need to mention this marriage. Prince Yong is the one who will marry Prince Yong, not Geng Shu—this has always been clear to Geng Shu. . No matter in Luoyan or Xichuan, everyone only cares about his other identity, that is, "Prince".
For him, there is only one person in the world, no matter who he is, treat him as always, and this person is Jiang Heng.
But Geng Shu didn't say this, he just looked at Jiang Heng seriously and said, "Let's go? Go shopping? Make two clothes for you?"
Jiang Heng laughed, just like before, as long as Geng Shu gets the money, the first consideration is to feed him, and the second is to make him new clothes and keep him clean and beautiful. This is his responsibility.
Jiang Heng took the manifest and went to the market to start buying, most of which were self-made medicinal materials. Then, the local merchants in Song County were notified to pick up their goods.
"Ambergris, safflower, scorpion shell..." Jiang Heng planned to buy enough medicinal materials at one time, referring to the list.
"You will still be a doctor?" Geng Shu said, "It seems that you have learned a lot, and it was taught by your master? Hey."
"Why do I always feel sour when you mention my master?" Jiang Heng glanced at Geng Shu.
When he was still in Xundong and Luoyang, Jiang Heng had roughly read the medical classics, studied under Luoxuan's school, and learned a lot of poisoning and detoxification.
"Don't dare." Geng Shu said boredly.
"Stand still." Jiang Heng said with a smile.
The two stood in the tailoring shop, and Jiang Heng chose the best Shu brocade to make new clothes for Geng Shu. Geng Shu said: "I don't like Yong Yi, just change it, black one will do."
"As long as you wear black," the tailor said patiently, an old man, "it's all like Yong style, it can't be changed. Soldier? Yo, this body."
Jiang Heng suggested: "Do you want to be my brother's body and martial arts sleeves?"
Geng Shu stood up straight, Jiang Heng's suggestion was good no matter what: "The civil and military sleeves are good."
"Okay," said the old man, "brother, what is your brother wearing? Come on, stand here."
Taking advantage of him measuring his body, Jiang Heng said to the old tailor, "Is this the best tailor shop in Xichuan?"
"That's natural," the old man replied. "The Wang family is also doing it here."
Geng Shu sat beside him and was about to speak when he suddenly thought about it and did not interrupt Jiang Heng's words.
Jiang Heng gestured with his eyes, smiled smartly, and said, "I heard that the princess is a great beauty. Have you ever made her clothes here?"
"That would ruin the old man," the tailor murmured while bending over to measure Jiang Heng's waist and legs, "The mansion chose satin, and they were all made at home. How could the princess come in person?"
"Ah," Jiang Heng thought for a while and said, "Can you please send a letter to her when the old gentleman comes to the door?"
As soon as the tailor stopped, Jiang Heng smiled and took out a letter from his arms and handed it to him.
"Young master wait a moment." The tailor nodded and said, took the letter, turned around and walked into the back hall.
"What was written in the letter?" Geng Shu didn't expect it at all, and Jiang Heng was fully prepared to go out.
"There's nothing," Jiang Heng explained, after paying the money, and letting Geng Shu carry the small bag containing the medicinal materials on his shoulders, as if using a mule and horse, he naturally explained, "There is only a blank piece of paper in the envelope."
Geng Shu was inexplicable: "How do you know that this tailor shop has contact with Ji Shuang's Princess Mansion?"
Jiang Heng said: "Guess, there is no loss anyway, right?"
The corners of Geng Shu's mouth twitched, Jiang Heng patted him, took his hand, and said, "People who go, will naturally describe what we look like. Only the sister-in-law who writes for help, she will understand as soon as she hears it."
"Don't call me sister-in-law." Geng Shu threatened in a low voice.
"Sister-in-law in the future." Jiang Heng changed his tune.
"I didn't want to marry her," Geng Shu said. "Don't say that again, or I'll be really angry. After this fate, I should let go of my mind."
"Then who do you want to marry?" Jiang Heng said with a smile, "This is not your truth, why every time you talk about this, your mouth is wrong."
"There's nothing wrong with my words," Geng Shu said, "I just want to watch over you and live a good life."
Jiang Heng knew that Geng Shu was a little hesitant, and wanted to make some jokes, but he felt that Geng Shu might really be angry, so he stopped talking. Geng Shu added another sentence: "I'm clumsy, you understand it, don't keep saying it over and over again, it's boring."
In the world, Geng Shu can only say this to Jiang Hengshi.