Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

The floods in Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi have receded, but the relief work is far from over.

Many people lost everything. Their houses, livestock, food, furniture, money... were all ruthlessly washed away by the floods. They survived by various means.

There are also many people who, because of their quick escape, barely took away some of their property, but it is difficult to resume basic life in the short term.

The public security problem is also very serious, especially in places far away from cities. The disaster destroyed the original order, and many criminals made a living by cheating and robbing.

The Ming court responded to the disaster relief very quickly, quickly transferring grain from Huainan and the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and even appointed a full-time governor of the three provinces for disaster relief (with the power to temporarily open a government).

Local officials also responded quickly to the disaster, and they did their best even before obtaining the central government's approval. Including gentry and temples, they also contributed money and grain. No matter what they thought in their hearts, at least they had to be able to get by on the surface.

In fact, in ancient China, local officials, gentry and temples were the main disaster relief bodies most of the time - officials forced donations, rich households donated grain, and gentry and temples took the initiative to provide porridge.

Generally speaking, the various losses caused by this flood are equivalent to fighting a war to destroy a country.

It will take at least half a year for the disaster area to basically resume production.

When the six second-generation officials came to Zhejiang, the Jiangnan Canal had completed post-disaster dredging, which was the top priority of disaster relief.

However, traces of the flood can still be clearly seen in the villages on both sides of the canal.

Large tracts of rice fields were completely destroyed due to the flood, and the soaked rice collapsed in the fields.

When Lu You passed by Wangting Town by boat, he saw an official ship docked.

Two officials posted notices outside the town, and literate residents came to read them. Then someone cheered and shouted: "Quickly notify the heads of each village, the relief grain and rice seeds have arrived! Villagers take the copies of the household registration to the county to collect grain. Each person can get one stone of rice and one liter of late rice seeds. If the copy of the household registration is damaged or lost, go to the household office of the county government to reissue it!"

When the news came out, people from all over the country told each other.

This is the second batch of relief grain. The first batch was even less, and it belonged to the local Changping warehouse. This batch is transferred from other places, and late rice seeds are also transferred for replanting.

When the heads of the village received the news, they immediately called a meeting of the villagers.

Those who had boats sent boats, and those who had people sent people, and they organized themselves to go to the government to collect grain.

During special periods, it was also very fast to reissue the household registration book.

Don't think about taking advantage of loopholes to get more. The original copy of the household registration book is in the hands of the government, and the people get a copy instead, which clearly states how many people are in a family.

People who were not registered before could not even get relief food this time!

"Is the disaster so severe?"

Fan Chengda looked at the rice fields that had failed to harvest, and his expression became a little serious, because his hometown was only a few dozen miles away.

The other five second-generation officials spoke to comfort him.

Fan Chengda hurried back home, and he felt a little better.

His mother followed her husband to work as an official outside, and only his grandfather and uncles were at home.

Grandfather Fan Shiyin said to Fan Chengda: "This place was not flooded, but the area around Taihu Lake was flooded. Wangting Town was completely flooded, and the canal over there was not navigable last month. Wujiang County was also flooded quite badly, and the governor of disaster relief sent a staff officer to guard it."

"It's good that my home was not flooded," Fan Chengda sighed, "People's livelihood is so difficult."

Fan Shiyin said: "As long as the government is not corrupt, no matter how big the disaster is, it doesn't matter. I am an old man who is half buried in the ground, but I have never seen such an effective court in disaster relief. In the pre-Song Dynasty, Wu also suffered more than one disaster. The foolish emperor and treacherous ministers not only did not provide relief, but also levied more and more exorbitant taxes."

Bai Shihou immediately said: "When the holy emperor was alive, the whole court was full of wise ministers, and there were many competent officials in the local areas."

"What the young marquis said is right." Fan Shiyin smiled and flattered.

Bai Shihou waved his hands repeatedly: "I am the second son in the family and cannot inherit the title."

Fan Shiyin said: "You can also call me that."

Bai Shihou laughed.

Fan Shiyin did not pass the imperial examination and did not serve as an official in the former Song Dynasty, but he was definitely not an ordinary country old man. After all, one of his daughters-in-law was the granddaughter of Cai Xiang and the granddaughter of Wen Yanbo.

He was a commoner, but he became the in-law of the prime minister. You can imagine the influence of the Fan family at that time.

The six second-generation officials asked where the governor of disaster relief was. They learned that he had opened a government in Nanjing, so they did not rush to go to sea and rushed to Nanjing to help.

Although they all had achievements, under normal circumstances, it was impossible for them to be hired by the governor's shogunate.

What really worked was the "descendants of a famous family".

The temporary power of the governor of disaster relief to open a government was limited to the number of official positions. They soon became contract workers for a period of three months, and were paid as first-class clerks, doing some writing and statistical work.

Every day was very busy, but felt particularly fulfilled.

At the end of the three-month employment period, the six people left without receiving their salaries and each wrote a poem to the governor of disaster relief.

On the passenger ship, Li Zuqia asked: "Brother Zhineng is really talented, why don't you hurry up to take the imperial examination and become an official?"

"I probably won't pass the exam, and I still need to improve my knowledge," Fan Cheng laughed, "While I am young, I might as well go out more. When my horizons are broadened, the articles I write will naturally be different."

Bai Shihou said: "I can't even graduate from the Imperial College. If I really take the imperial examination, I can only pass the exam as a scholar. Anyway, my father is a rough man, and I am also a rough man. I don't expect to pass the imperial examination, so I can run around with a sword. Your family is different. It has been a scholarly family for generations. If your grandfather knew you were going to sea, he would probably break your legs."

Fan Chengda said: "I have an elder brother who has passed the imperial examination for several years. After my brother passed the imperial examination, the family discipline was not so strict. But it's better to take a detour this time and don't pass by my house again."

"Hahaha!"

Everyone laughed when they heard it.

They took a boat to Shanghai and changed to a sea ship to Hangzhou, planning to find a ship to go to Southeast Asia at Hangzhou Outer Port (Yanpu Town).

Due to the floods in Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi, Hangzhou Port was affected to a certain extent, and many goods increased in price to varying degrees.

The six people and their followers asked around in the town and learned that there was still a month before the season of favorable winds and waters, and they also asked for a lot of fleet information.

Lu You said: "There are many ships heading south, but they can be summarized into three types. One goes to Fujian, one goes to Guangdong, and one goes to Annan and beyond. We can go to Fujian and Guangdong first, go ashore for a tour, and then change ships to overseas vassal states. We can also directly choose ocean-going ships and not change ships in the middle. Which one do you think we should choose?"

"All are fine," Qi Qi'an said, "but I found a very interesting fleet. They only have three ships, and they are still recruiting more crew members. Have you seen the recruitment notice? It says that there are iron cannons on all three ships!"

Bai Shi Hou smiled and said, "I know the details of these three ships. They fished up the Liao Dynasty's imperial seal and did not ask for any other rewards, just to be given ships to go to sea. The government asked them to study at Kangguo (Zhoushan) Naval School for half a year, and then go on a cruise with the navy. They became captains this year. The iron cannons on those ships were all eliminated from warships. They were also allowed to recruit retired naval soldiers."

Wang Lianqing's eyes lit up: "This is very good, it can be considered a semi-official ship!"

...

Wang Chongdu, Gao Wenbao and Li Bin were busy purchasing goods.

These three ships, along with the cannons on the ships, were sold to them on credit at a low price. The professional sailors on the ships were also seconded to them by the navy.

They can only sell goods at Chinese coastal ports when they return to the voyage to prevent these guys from only doing domestic trade and not sailing far.

After hanging out at the naval school for half a year and going to sea with the navy for another half a year, this time they led the fleet themselves. The funds for the first purchase of goods will be temporarily provided by the royal family.

"Second brother, six scholars are outside, saying they want to take a boat to the sea." Li Bin hurried in.

Wang Chongdu smiled and said, "It's rare for scholars to go to the sea."

Li Bin whispered, "They are all children of officials. There is the son of Lord Bai, the son of Minister Lu, and the nephew of Prime Minister Li... The one with the worst family background, his father is also a royal painter. If they are not allowed to board the ship, they will offend these children of officials. If they are allowed to board the ship, if something happens to them when they go to sea, they will offend their parents."

"This..." Wang Chongdu was a little dumbfounded.

Li Bin said, "No matter what, let's meet them first."

The six people came in quickly, without any airs of the second generation of officials, and greeted each other very politely.

The two sides saluted each other and were considered to have known each other.

Wang Chongdu gave a warning: "Going to sea is extremely dangerous."

"We know it."

"If you are not careful, you will be eaten by fish."

"Since you are going to sea, you are not afraid of death."

"Why are you going to sea?"

"Traveling around the world to learn and gain experience."

"This... I don't keep idle people on my ship."

"We are willing to pay the ship fee."

"Well..."

Bai Shihou said: "I learned archery and horse riding, and I can also use muskets and cannons. I have five followers, three of whom have served in the army."

Lu You said: "I know a little about astronomy and geography, and I have also read some overseas materials , I also learned some bow and sword dancing. ”

Wang Lianqing said: "I am good at drawing, I also know a little about medicine, and I have learned Persian. ”

Fan Chengda said: "I also know some astronomy and geography, and I have studied Buddhist scriptures, so I can deal with overseas monks. ”

Qi Qi'an said: "I often go to the Hanlin Academy to communicate with overseas scholars there. ”

Li Zuqia said: "I don't know anything else, but I know how to boil sea salt. My family has a salt field. If I drift on a deserted island, I can teach the crew to boil salt. ”

Wang Chongdu didn't know what to say, and he was muttering in his heart: I can see that you all have skills. But my temple is small and can't accommodate the great Bodhisattva.

It has to be accommodated even if it can't be accommodated, and it has to be served well.

After more than a month, the winter wind came, and everyone set off excitedly.

Although the three ships were not large, they used new triangular sails.

This kind of sail is not very useful for near-shore sailing, and the speed is far less than that of traditional straight sails. But in areas with chaotic wind direction, especially for offshore sailing, it has a very important role.

Six second-generation officials were going out to sea for the first time. They were excited about everything they saw, and no one was seasick.

On the contrary, two of their followers vomited continuously.

When passing by the sea area of ​​Xiepu Town, Dinghai County (Zhenhai), Wang Chongdu introduced it casually, saying: "It is the largest fishing port in Zhejiang. Most of the fish and crabs caught by nearby fishing boats are transported to Xiepu Town for pickling. There is Minghe Salt Field to the north, and the sea salt there is very cheap. Further ahead is Jiaomen, where it is rumored that there are dragons under the water... There is a naval school in the islands of Changguo County (Dinghai), and there is a fishing port called Ligang, which is also very large..."

The second-generation officials listened carefully and asked questions from time to time.

Bai Shihou suddenly pointed at a black sailor and said: "Why are there so many Kunlun slaves on the ship?"

Wang Chongdu explained: "They were recruited in Guangzhou, and Yaxing has helped to raise them to maturity. They come from Nanyang, have excellent water resistance, and are not afraid of death. The wages are not high, just give them to those who stutter, and occasionally reward them with good things to make them grateful." . They are also very obedient and will obey orders no matter how dangerous the situation is.”

"Do you understand people's language?" Qi Qi'an asked.

Wang Chongdu said: "They can understand people's words, but they can't speak it themselves. Well... they can also speak, but it's not easy to speak."

Six second-generation officials sometimes chatted with the ship owner and sometimes asked professional sailors for advice.

When crossing the Taiwan Strait, Wang Chongdu introduced: "There is a Taiwan Island opposite, and the name was given by His Majesty. There were not many Han people on the island, but in recent years, tens of thousands of gold diggers have flocked to it."

"Is there gold on the island?" Li Zuqia asked excitedly.

Wang Chongdu said: "Not only are there gold mines, but they are also accompanied by copper mines, and they are all rich ores."

The gold mine in Taiwan mentioned by Wang Chongdu is the Keelung Jinguashi Gold Mine.

Another time and space was discovered during the Guangxu period, when railway workers discovered alluvial gold in the river. At that time, Japan's gold mines were exhausted, and Taiwan's Jinguashi gold mine was once known as the number one in Asia.

That gold mine is not difficult to find. A few years ago, merchants went to buy furs, and some natives used gold nuggets in exchange for salt.

After asking, I found out that it was picked up from the river at the foot of Keelung Mountain.

As the news spread, gold prospectors from Fujian flocked to the place.

The Taiwanese county magistrate quickly hired professional craftsmen to survey, and soon found veins of gold and copper mines.

Ever since, the vigorous gold mining operation began.

The Fujian gold diggers were digging for gold sand in the river, but the government was too lazy to take care of it. They only stipulated that they must sell the gold sand to the government. As for the gold mines in the mountains, capture the raw fish from the south of the island to mine them.

Wang Chongdu said: "If it were not for livelihood, coastal people would rarely take the initiative to go to sea. Taiwan's gold mines attract many people, and the same is true for Malacca."

"Where is Malacca?" Lu You asked.

Wang Chongdu said: "Malacca is the territory of Srivijaya, and this name was also given by His Majesty. In fact, there are no gold mines in Malacca. There are only two to three hundred miles around it. Moreover, the climate and terrain are complex, so gold mining can only be done by Shengfan and sold to the sea." business."

Fan Chengda guessed what was going on: "Deliberately deceiving people?"

Wang Chongdu nodded and said: "It's just a lie. Your Majesty wanted to get a port from Srivijaya, but the King of Srivijaya was very respectful to the court, so it was difficult to directly send troops to occupy it. So he adopted a compromise plan and chose a port on the north bank of the strait. Build a port in a fishing village. The land there is barren and not suitable for farming. The King of Srivijaya agreed to sell the land. It was poor and far away and could not grow much food. He could only deceive the Han people with fake gold mines. , His Majesty did not know about this, it was fake news released by the Navy.”

Qi Qi'an asked: "Where did the Han people go and find that the gold mine was fake, so they wouldn't make a fuss and go home?"

"Will they swim back to the vast sea?" Wang Chongdu said with a smile, "Although you can't farm there, there are many things that can make money. All kinds of aromatic woods are very valuable, especially sandalwood. And they also produce the best rosin. They rely on You can make a lot of money by cutting down trees and collecting rosin, which is probably more profitable than gold mining. By the way, there is also a tin mine in Malacca, and the governor ordered the arrest of Shengfan to mine it. "

Shengfan is not a native of the country, and the scholars do not think it is cruel.

Li Zuqia asked: "There is a governor in Malacca? It is not suitable for farming. Where does the usual food come from?"

Wang Chongdu explained: "There are many grain-producing places in the surrounding area, which can be easily exchanged for silk and porcelain, and sea transportation is cheap and can arrive overnight. Relying on the Han people who were deceived and the raw meat captured from the local area, Malacca not only A port was built, as well as a castle and a fort. Now, King Srivijaya regrets it to death."

Bai Shihou asked: "Why does King Srivijaya regret it?"

Wang Chongdu said: "Malacca is located at the throat of shipping. Malacca does not force ships to enter the port, but the port entry tax is lower than Sriwijaya. Moreover, the Ming Navy stationed there also provides force protection to merchant ships from various countries. Sriwijaya does not If you dare to attack our warships, you can only watch the merchant ships leave. It has only been three years since the establishment of Malacca Port. Sixty-seven of the merchant ships passing through the strait choose to replenish drinking water and repair their ships. "

"So, King Srivijaya can only be anxious." The second-generation officials couldn't help but smile.