Three thousand miles in exile

Zhao Fuling was admitted to Juren last year, and he himself proposed to think of training in northern Xinjiang.

Now that Beijiang is employing people, Liu Zhan immediately agreed when he received Zhao Jizhang's letter.

Zhao Fuling is different from Liu Zhan's two ignorant cousins. The Zhao family has a strict family style, and Zhao Fuling is also simple-minded, so he is a usable person.

It's not that Zhao Fuling was arranged to supervise the recruitment matters as soon as he arrived.

"Hey, don't push, don't push, there's a lot of work, all lined up and registered first." Zhao Fuling, wearing the official robe and belt of an eighth-rank civil servant, stood in front of the work shed angrily, letting the crowded crowd back away .

"General Qi Yun wants to build the city wall, so there are plenty of quotas. After the thieves and tricksters register their names, you will not be able to get any work in the Yamen. If you understand clearly, come and pledge."

The young and strong who went to apply reported their names, ages and places of origin, and a few of them wrote in a straight line, and both sides drew notes on the spot.

Zhao Fuling rolled up his sleeves and checked every contract with his official seal. This contract is the proof of payment.

He had been in northern Xinjiang with his wife and children for two months, and Liu Zhan was afraid at first that he wouldn't be able to adapt.

Perhaps it was Zhao Fuling's carefree personality, and he was not discouraged after taking over this eighth-rank official. He was so busy every day that he didn't touch the ground, but his life was fulfilling.

His wife, Ji Shiyuan, is not quite used to it yet, and she doesn't know how to make money even if she has money in her hand.

A few days ago, Liu Zhan gave away [-] acres of fertile land and a shop. With these family properties, he has a direction. Ji's busy business every day makes him feel at ease.

Now that Zhao Fuling doesn't say it himself, others can't see that he is a son of a family from the imperial capital.

"Master Zhao, there is another fight ahead!"

"Call the yamen servants to arrest them all and put them in jail!" Zhao Fuling gritted her teeth angrily, already busy enough, these people are still making trouble.

The construction site cannot start after heavy snow covers the ground in November in northern Xinjiang. It is midsummer at this time, and several construction sites are rushing to catch up with the construction period.

Liu Zhan wants to set up Songliao Pass at the entrance of Songliao Mountain, build a city wall against the mountain to completely separate it from Yandi, and dig plank roads to connect the north and south. These three projects alone require a lot of young and strong people.

It happened that Xirong invaded Hanzhong, and the number of people who fled from Hanzhong increased day by day. These people who fled from Hanzhong solved the problem of strong labor, but there were still many thorny troubles among the refugees.

"There were several fights on the construction site yesterday, all caused by quarrels, and there were no casualties because they were pulled away in time." Zhao Fuling reported to Song Fenglin every three days.

It was fighting again, Song Fenglin stopped writing when he heard it. "Why is the weapon fight still being investigated?"

One or two weapon fights are accidental incidents, but there must be a reason for there being weapon fights for several days in a row.

Zhao Fuling didn't dare to hide it. "It's because some people from Hanzhong are clamoring to go back as soon as Xirong retreats. The local people think that they are ungrateful, and they have taken every cent of the compensation for settlement, but in the end they are still thinking about leaving."

Due to the excellent settlement policy in northern Xinjiang, many people in Hanzhong sold their wealth in advance and moved their families northward. When they came to northern Xinjiang to open up wasteland, they could enjoy tax exemption for about two years without losing money.

Strictly speaking, these people cannot be regarded as refugees because they have never experienced war or fleeing disasters. Therefore, it is not surprising that they are always thinking about returning to their homeland.

Song Fenglin's face remained calm. "Take my warrant and go to the camp to transfer a thousand soldiers, and let the soldiers watch them do things. Anyone who deliberately provokes troubles will be driven away with twenty army sticks."

"Yes." Zhao Fuling obeyed everything, and took the warrant issued by Song Fenglin to the camp to transfer troops.

These people who have been thinking about returning to their homeland all day long do not know that it is nonsense to want to leave after General Qi Yun establishes the country in another year.

Furthermore, the situation in Hanzhong is not optimistic, and Xi Rong has the upper hand, and this battle may be protracted.

Look at how the Yan people destroyed the Cangxia Plain. As long as the war lasts for three to five years, no matter how good Hanzhong is, there will be nothing but devastation.

Song Fenglin spread out the half-drawn drawings again.

Several city defenses under construction have been planned, and Song Fenglin also has time to start planning the new residence.

"This is the floor plan of the new mansion?" Liu Zhan didn't know when he came behind Song Fenglin.

In the scorching summer, the ice basin in the study room is much cooler than outside the house. Liu Zhan opened his neckline to enjoy the coolness. He was obviously afraid of the heat but still stubbornly huddled with Song Fenglin.

Song Fenglin was used to this.

"Construction started this year and it will be ready for use next year. Now the mansion is crowded, and hundreds of officials can't stand at every regular meeting." Song Fenglin removed the town ruler that was pressed in the middle so that Liu Zhan could see the whole picture clearly.

Officials of the seventh rank and above from all prefectures and counties must be present at the regular meeting every three months. There are as many as 30 to [-] local officials alone.

In addition to the generals in the barracks, as well as the officials above the eighth rank in Jinyang City, hundreds of people could not stand up in the meeting room and had to move chairs to sit in the yard.

"Is there still a place to build a mansion in Jinyang City?" Liu Zhan's eyes were full of surprises, and he had been entangled in this matter.

"The Phoenix Hill in the northeast corner of the city can be circled and built into a new mansion." Song Fenglin spread out the map of Jinyang City again.

Fenghuanggang is a small hill in Jinyang City. It is a place for literati to go outing on weekdays. It has no other purpose except that it is just flat and the size is suitable.

"I thought that the new General's Mansion doesn't need to be very luxurious, it just needs to be majestic and full of functions. At the beginning of the construction, it was only called the General's Mansion, and it would be easy to change its name in the future." Song Fenglin took everything into consideration.

It is said to be a general's mansion, but in fact it is laid out according to the scale of a royal palace.

Liu Zhan was all smiles. "My wife is still thoughtful."

"It just so happens that you are free today, I have an idea, listen to it?" Song Fenglin got up and dragged Liu Zhan to the side hall to talk.

Liu Zhan naturally listened attentively.

"Ah San, serve some refreshments to the general."

Li Ah San quickly brought iced melon and fruit syrup, and some pastries, and quietly left after serving them.

"Now that northern Xinjiang is stable inside and outside, should I take my family to live in Jinyang? The city is always more comfortable than the mountains." Song Fenglin brought a bowl of white fungus and lotus seeds to Liu Zhan.

"I thought about it too, just." Liu Zhan looked at him. "Second uncle and third uncle can divide the mansion. The old lady and my father and mother will naturally live with me. If you feel embarrassed and live separately in Song's mansion, I will not agree."

After years of Liu Zhan's perseverance and subtle hints, there is no one in northern Xinjiang who doesn't know that Song Fenglin is his husband and wife.

Everyone knows that the two are not husband and wife, but they are better than husband and wife, and they share weal and woe and cannot be separated.

Song Fenglin didn't express his opinion immediately, knowing that he needed time to accept it, Liu Zhan didn't rush to pick up the sugar water at hand and ate it, twisting a piece of watermelon into his mouth from time to time, it was sweet and refreshing.

While eating Liu Zhan, he paid attention to Song Fenglin's reaction calmly, saw that he did not show any resistance, and thought that this time it would definitely work.

"Although we live together, the place is actually so big. The vestibule is the meeting hall and the Six Bureaus and Six Offices. The place where we live is surrounded by another area, and the office is divided into six courtyards. There is no other intersection except to say hello on weekdays. .”

According to the specifications of the royal palace, the two people's bedroom is divided into the front hall and the back hall in the middle. This place alone is as big as the current General's Mansion. Even if the two families live together, they are independent of each other and not under the same roof.

"Your father and mother should not separate and set up another residence. They live together, and it will be convenient for the younger sister to take care of the two on weekdays." Liu Zhan persuaded gently.

What made Song Fenglin nod in the end was the word filial piety.

Now that the elders in the family are getting old, Song Yijun's health has fallen to the root of the disease and his physical condition has been repeated. Song Fenglin also wants to take them to Jinyang as soon as possible.

"That's it." Song Fenglin finally agreed.

Happiness was written all over Liu Zhan's body, and he leaned over and smacked his face loudly. "That `s a deal."

Knowing that Song Fenglin still had some pimples in his heart, Liu Zhan wisely stopped talking and changed the subject. "Second uncle and third uncle's government must share some family property, how much do you think is appropriate?"

If you give too little, you will inevitably feel resentment, but if you give too much, you are afraid that they will not be comfortable in the room.

This matter has to be settled earlier, so as not to have long nights and dreams.

"Each person will be given [-] mu of fertile land, and in addition, each person will be given three shops, and a bonus from Liuji Commercial Bank." Song Fenglin had considered this question a long time ago, and then asked Liu Zhan after speaking. "how do you feel?"

"A lot." Liu Zhan ate the watermelon. "One cent of the bonus from Liuji Commercial Bank is enough for them to live and live in this life."

You must know that Liu Ji Trading Company has monopolized the big business in Beijiang, and other firms can't surpass Liu Ji if they want to do business in Beijiang.

Before Song Fenglin relied on Liu Ji Trading Company to support Qi Yunjun, one can imagine how huge the annual profit is.

"Let's give the second uncle the general's mansion we live in now, and buy a similar house for the third uncle, and that's it." Liu Zhan said the same thing, and the matter of dividing the mansion was decided.

The family matters are settled, and there is one more thing, Song Fenglin said. "The Yunzhong Academy will also have to move out. The academy in Cangyun Town will continue to be retained, and another academy will be built to gather students above the scholar level to study."

Liu Zhan leaned back on the chair after eating and drinking. "Yesterday Yan Qixiu came to look for me and wanted to sell Prince Rui's Mansion where Emperor Wen lived before, and asked if I wanted it."

How can the current Yan family afford such a big house, it is dilapidated after only two years of repairs, but the houses are all good, and they can be used after some repairs.

Song Fenglin thought it was feasible. "I just bought it and turned it into an academy."

Nowadays, Yunzhong Academy can be regarded as a government-run academy in northern Xinjiang. Officials of all sizes in the yamen are selected in the academy. In the long run, it will inevitably become solidified and it will not be conducive to the discovery of talents.

Song Fenglin pondered. "Yunzhong Academy can be used as a government-run academy, but it cannot be the only way to become an official. Now we have parted ways with the imperial court, and the imperial examinations have to be held."

There must be no mistakes in all matters related to the imperial examination, and Song Fenglin was silent while talking.

"Then conduct the imperial examination by yourself." Liu Zhan's eyes were bright, and he made the final decision.

"Officials don't need so many. The imperial examinations are too intensive every year. The government examination and palace examination will be changed to every three years. 30 people will be admitted in the government examination, and ten people will be admitted in the palace examination. This is enough."

With one hand resting on the small table, Liu Zhan continued: "The conditions for being an official must also be improved. In the past, there was a lack of talent and talent to be a dirty official. From this year onwards, only a person can be qualified to be a dirty official, and a decent official above the county magistrate must be an official." Jinshi background."

Song Fenglin agrees very much, although Liu Zhan usually doesn't like to take care of people's livelihood, in fact, he can see clearly and far in his heart than anyone else.

"Also, abolish the Jiupin Zhongzheng system and abolish the hereditary bureaucracy. The only way to become an official in our northern Xinjiang is the imperial examination. At the same time, the county magistrates no longer have the right to appoint and dismiss. All official positions are allocated by the general's office."

Liu Zhan leaned on the back of the chair and looked at the leafy courtyard outside the door. The anger that had been pent up in his heart for many years was finally released today.

The abolition of hereditary bureaucracy is equivalent to the abolition of family privileges. Song Fenglin still remembered that Liu Zhan once said that princes, generals and generals are kind, and now he has really done it.

"When everything is ready next year, we will announce the founding of the country." Liu Zhan made the final decision.

Sure enough, this is General Qi Yun's style of conduct, and it is not him who is timid.

Song Fenglin laughed, and Liu Zhan also laughed.

Now that Liu Zhan has decided to establish his own country next year, many things must be prepared in advance.

For example, the standard of the dragon robe crown and official uniform crown belt must be finalized, and there are also official positions in the six bureaus and six institutes. There are too many things to deal with.

In late August, the construction of Fenghuanggang in Jinyang City began.

At the same time, Liu Cheng organized the best embroiderers in northern Xinjiang to come to Jinyang to sew dragon robes for Liu Zhan.

"Mr. Song means that the crown clothes follow the Zhou rituals, according to the style of the princes and kings, and the regular clothes are according to your preference, the general." Liu Cheng brought the embroidery chief to ask Liu Zhan for instructions.

"Do you have a style for me to see?" Liu Zhan leaned lazily on the couch.

The embroidery manager immediately handed over the pattern. "General, these are the styles of the dragon robes of the previous dynasty. If you are not satisfied, I will change them according to your wishes."

Liu Zhan looked at it quickly, and finally chose the one with the simplest style, because he felt that it looked a bit like the Ming system he had seen in his previous life.

"This is a dragon robe adapted from Hu's clothing, which is convenient for riding and shooting." The embroidery chief explained immediately. "It's just...there's a little bit less dignity."

"Bring a brush." ​​Liu Zhan raised his hand, and Liu Cheng immediately handed over the brush, and he brushed a few strokes on the royal robe.

"Embroider a walking dragon, with the dragon's head on the chest and the dragon's body hovering over the shoulders and back. You don't need too many other embellishments. The color of the dragon robe is black."

The embroidery chief took over the blueprint, only to think that such a royal robe was unheard of, but it was indeed a bit majestic.

"There are more." Liu Zhan nodded the desktop. "Make a silver suit again, the style is the same as mine, according to Mr. Song's size, don't tell him, you secretly took his clothes to measure the size."

Liu Chenghe, the head embroidery manager, had a clear mind and respectfully agreed.

"There is also the crown belt for ordinary clothes." The embroidery chief handed over the style drawing again.

The belt is easy to handle, it is nothing more than a gold belt and jade belt. As for the crown, Liu Zhan is not satisfied after turning it over and over again. "Mianfu is enough for formal occasions, and you don't need to make a hat for ordinary clothes. You can just make a golden crown and tie your hair. Mr. Song is the same."

This is really the simplest dragon robe crown. You must know that King Yan's crown is also inlaid with several agate gemstones.

The chief embroidery officer felt that it was too simple, but he didn't dare to refute Liu Zhan face to face, so he had to agree.

After leaving the meeting hall, the chief embroidery officer immediately grabbed Liu Cheng. "Master Liu, look at this..."

Liu Cheng also knew what he was struggling with. "Just do what the general wants. You should spend more time on the fabric and shading. Also, the general doesn't like bloated hair crowns. The gold crown is mainly simple, so make more pendants on the belt."

These days, the chief craftsman who is in charge of all kinds of work keeps coming in and out of the general's mansion, and there are too many places for the two to make up their minds.

There was a lot of construction in northern Xinjiang, Jinyang City was only building private houses, and the movement in Songzhou was very eye-catching. Naturally, such a big movement could not be hidden from the Imperial Capital.

But for more than a month, the news of Northern Xinjiang spread throughout the streets and alleys of the Imperial Capital through the mouths of business travelers.

"General Qi Yun captured Guzhu City, renamed it Songzhou, and took the entire Songliao Mountains into his pocket. He didn't report victory to the court for such a big event."

"What's the difference between reporting victory and not reporting victory? Anyway, the imperial court will not reward you."

There was a lot of people in the teahouse, and several well-dressed tea drinkers chatted happily.

"None of the three major vassal armies in the world will recognize the new emperor, and each of them will separate themselves as the uncrowned king. In my opinion, it will be reversed sooner or later."

"I heard that General Qi Yun is already building a palace. The size and scale are not like ordinary mansions. No one in northern Xinjiang knows now."

"It's not just General Qi Yun, I heard that General Wuwei and General Pingman are also making frequent changes."

"Damn, the left and right Chu are all dead, why should they look at the court's face when they have land and soldiers in their hands?"

The tea guest pointed to the direction above his head. "Didn't those big shots just rack their brains to stop this matter? Maybe they will still agree to be named kings with different surnames."

"I bet, the court won't be able to settle the matter of conferring the king for a year."

No one in the imperial capital knows that the Emperor Liang's ink marks, a decree can be delayed for ten and a half months to make up his mind, and there is no prime minister, everything is done, but nothing is done.

For example, the fact that Fang's conferment of the king had not yet been designated as a fief, was delayed again and again until several uncles made a fuss in front of Emperor Liang to ask the palace to spend money.

At that time, Emperor Liang was furious.

"Do you know how much money the treasury loses in a year without the tax revenue of San Francisco?" Tianzi Liang had a splitting headache, and he held his forehead.

"I shouldn't listen to your nonsense. Let's see that the three feudal states are all embracing their own soldiers, and they don't pay attention to the imperial court at all. Do you know what the common people say about me?"

Liang Tianzi was very angry. He felt that if he had established a good relationship with the generals of the San Francisco in advance, he would not have developed into what he is now.

"It's all a bunch of mediocre officials!"

The memorial flew over the heads of the ministers, and several confidant ministers crawled on the ground and did not dare to lift it.