Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

Li Bao was delayed for a long time. By the time he arrived in Tokyo, it was almost winter.

Zhu Ming didn't just wait around. Through Min Zishun, he got to know several officials from the Ministry of Industry. He would come out for a few drinks from time to time, saying that his relatives wanted to open an iron smelting yard and help inquire about the situation.

Speaking of the shortage of blacksmiths, officials from the Ministry of Industry immediately responded and asked Ju Ming to go directly to Xuzhou to recruit.

Xuzhou is conducive to state supervision and has a total of 36 large-scale private iron smelting plants. Their products are mainly sold to Hebei, but the competition is too fierce. There is a large circle of iron smelting bases surrounding Hebei. The imperial court has repeatedly banned the sale of Xuzhou ironware to Hebei.

Su Shi once sent a letter to the public, saying that the imperial court had recently refused to allow the Xuzhou Railway to travel north, and all households in the industry were worried about losing their jobs. Those iron smelting households are many hungry and cold people who are desperate and strong, and it is very dangerous to continue like this. Either allow Xuzhou iron to be sold to Hebei, or reorganize the iron smelting households, otherwise something will happen sooner or later if this continues.

As a result, the imperial court unified the management of private smelters in Xuzhou and temporarily allowed them to sell goods to Hebei again.

But as the current situation changes, it is sometimes banned and sometimes released. In recent years, it has been banned again. Xuzhou Iron is in a very embarrassing situation. It has an iron smelting base in the north and an iron smelting base in the south. It is squeezed out wherever it sells.

The thirty-six private iron smelting plants in Xuzhou are gradually reducing their production capacity. The unemployed workers are living in poverty, and some have even turned into thieves.

Ju Ming called Shi Yuangong: "I plan to smelt iron in Jinzhou, but Jinzhou is closed and the population is sparse. All households go to mining gold and growing tea, and the iron smelting industry is not prosperous. Many iron smelters are unemployed in Xuzhou. You take your gold and silver and go to Xuzhou to recruit blacksmiths. Would you like to go there?"

"You will live up to your command!"

Shi Yuangong was very happy. He finally had something to do, and he couldn't help but ask: "My Lord, you are smelting iron, but you want to make... what are those things?"

"Don't ask too much," Ju Ming said, "I asked Deng Chun to accompany you to Xuzhou. When recruiting blacksmiths, it's best to recruit those with families and take their families with them."

"Yes!" Shi Yuangong accepted the order.

This can be regarded as a test of Shi Yuangong's ability. If things are done well, he can be reused in the future. If you can't recruit people to do the job well, then use them as ordinary civil servants.

Zhu Ming invited officials from the Ministry of Industry to drink again and got an official document for Shi Yuangong to take with him. It was said that the imperial court planned to develop the iron smelting industry in Jinzhou and sent official Shi Yuangong to Xuzhou on business. The official delivery shops along the way must cooperate, and Xuzhou must also cooperate.

Shi Yuangong carried the official documents, and Deng Chun carried the gold and silver. Four male sumo wrestlers from the Zheng family also accompanied him for safety.

In late autumn, Shi Yuangong set out by boat.

This guy is very ambitious. Ju Ming asked him to recruit at least twenty households, but he wanted to recruit forty households. Only by completing tasks beyond your limit can you show your abilities.

Shi Yuangong was very sure that Ju Ming must want to make weapons, otherwise why would he be smelting iron for no reason?

After Shi Yuangong left Beijing for several days, Li Bao finally came.

After this guy came home, he actually got married and took his newlywed wife with him. He is the third eldest child, and there are two older brothers in the family. Parents can just leave it to the older brothers to take care of them.

Li Bao also brought a follower and introduced him: "Ms. sir, this is Liu Kui, the little brother from my village and my brother-in-law (brother-in-law). He insists on traveling with me to see the world."

Liu Kui was only fifteen years old this year and was very young. He was very excited to see Zhu Ming and immediately said: "Kui pays homage to Xianggong Zhu! I have already heard about Xianggong's deeds in Puzhou. I am willing to follow Xianggong to do great things." !”

Ju Ming asked: "You are still young, can the elders in your family allow you to travel far away?"

Liu Kui said: "I have four brothers in my family, and my parents are taken care of. I am not good at studying, and I prefer to play with guns and sticks. This time I come to follow my husband, and my elders also agree."

"Then let's go on the road together." Zhu Ming was willing to accept it, although it was of no use for the time being.

When I left Beijing, I bought some horses.

In the middle and early stages of the Northern Song Dynasty, there was a serious shortage of horses, not only for war horses, but also for folk horses. Before Wang Anshi's reform, people in Tokyo mostly rode donkey carts, and even officials often rode donkeys.

After the introduction of the Horse Preservation Law, although war horses were still insufficient, ordinary horses became plentiful. Especially after Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty came to the throne, horse politics continued to change, and horse farmers were exploited wildly. Bad horses were rampant in Tokyo, and horse-drawn carriages gradually replaced donkey-carts.

Ju Ming's new bad horses were all used to carry graphite.

He was afraid that this kind of heat-resistant material would not be available in Hanzhong and Jinzhou, so he simply purchased it in Tokyo.

Graphite, also known as Shidai and thrush in ancient times, was used to make eyebrow pencils used by women.

Friends send each other off and set off westward.

Passing through the Guanzhong area again, Ju Ming found that the situation here was even worse. The imperial court continued to fight against Xixia, which seriously affected the people's livelihood in Shaanxi, especially at Qinfeng Road, where the situation was even more obvious.

When they entered Baoxie Road, it was already the tenth month of the lunar calendar.

According to the situation in previous years, it should have snowed long ago, but this year it has been delayed.

Zhang Boring said: "There may be a drought and locust disaster next year."

"You still know how to predict the climate?" Ju Ming said with a smile.

Zhang Boring replied: "I have read the Art of War. The Art of War says that as a general, you should know astronomy and geography. If there is no snow this winter, there will probably be a severe drought next year."

"I hope there won't be another severe drought." Ju Ming sighed.

In the past ten years or so, there have been many droughts in Shanshan and Shaanxi areas. Although not as severe as in the late Ming Dynasty, it also caused widespread harvest failures. There has been little rain in the upper reaches of the Yellow River for many years, and some sections of the lower reaches have even become clear. There are auspicious reports of "the Yellow River is clear" from various places.

When they arrived at Guochuan Town, they heard that Zhu Ming was passing by, and guard Jia Zhongfu and tax collector Cao Shu hurriedly greeted him.

"Jia Zhongfu (Cao Shu) pays homage to the junior official!" The two bowed their heads and bowed.

Ju Ming smiled and said, "Why do you call me a junior official?"

Cao Shu said: "Your Majesty is a high official, and Lang Jun is a small official."

Ju Ming asked: "Do you know my father?"

Jia Zhongfu said: "We were once blackmailed by eunuchs. Zhu Daguan not only tied up the eunuchs, but also returned all the money he had extorted. I have seen countless officials, but I have never seen an upright official like Zhu Daguan. The official family valued Zhu Daguan. Man, all the people in the world will be blessed.”

"Hahaha, you can talk." Ju Ming laughed.

Jia Zhongfu said: "Everything I say is true."

Zhu Ming encouraged: "It's good to guard Guancheng, don't let the bad guys pass."

Jia Zhongfu said: "I will do my best."

Ju Ming said: "Since you are here, let's stay and eat."

Jia Zhongfu and Cao Shu were overjoyed. They knew that the Zhu family's father and son were in good health, and they might be promoted if they curry favor. This poor place is located in the mountains and deep valleys. Although it can make some money, it is too remote.

While eating and drinking, Ju Ming looked kindly to them and said a few words of praise from time to time.

This is not to recruit, but to pave the way for future success.

At that time, some people will be sent to directly trap them. Without any effort, they will be able to seize Guancheng and firmly occupy the exit of Baoxie Road.

Continue walking along Baoxie Road and enter the eleventh month of the lunar calendar in a blink of an eye.

There was only sleet and snow in the sky for two days. It seems that there will be no snow this year, and the climate seems quite abnormal.

Next year, there will be a severe drought not only in Shanxi and Shaanxi, but also in Xixia, causing both warring parties to be short of food. During the Song Dynasty, Hebei, Shandong, and Henan were drought-stricken for several months. In the summer, heavy rains suddenly continued and the Yellow River overflowed and drowned millions of people!

Even the city of Tokyo is in danger, and it will be flooded into the city if you are not careful.

Before the twelfth lunar month, Ju Ming finally arrived at Xingyuan Mansion (Hanzhong).

The magistrate of Xingyuan has changed again, and his name is Li Youwen. This man was a member of the Zheng Party, personally recommended by Zheng Juzhong, and had several entries in the history books.

When Fang La raised his army, Li Youwen was demoted to Ningbo, Zhejiang. Facing the crazy rebel army, this guy's first reaction was to worship God and worship the lake god of Dongqian Lake. He actually held back the rebel army - it was actually a conquest by the imperial army, and the main force of the rebel army was fighting against Tong Guan. Ningbo's is just a remnant.

But Li Youwen was very lucky. He was promoted to a court official due to his meritorious service and was granted the title of Zhilong Tuge.

Hearing that Ju Ming was living in a posthouse outside the city, Li Youwen called all the officials at the prefecture and county levels and went out of the city to see him with great fanfare.

Now Cai Jing is the big boss, and although the other officials do not openly unite, they secretly cooperate with each other. Zheng Juzhong vigorously wooed the Zhu family and his son, and Li Youwen naturally followed suit.

"Li Youwen, the magistrate of Xingyuan, brought all the officials to pay homage to Tanhualang!" Li Youwen's posture was very low, as if Ju Ming was his superior.

Ju Ming quickly took the other person's hands and said, "Sir, why are you so polite? You are the magistrate and I am the magistrate; you are older and I am younger. Due to both sentiment and reason, it is my turn to pay him a visit."

Li Youwen said: "Those who are wise are the first. I have admired him for a long time. I have already admired him for being a man of talent and caring for the people. When I see him today, he is indeed worthy of his reputation. I also plan to ask for advice on governing the people."

"I dare not take it seriously." Zhu Ming smiled.

Li Youwen said: "Please Tanhua Lang go to the hotel to rest."

Ju Ming did not refuse and followed Li Youwen into the city. He needs to show his face more in Xingyuan Mansion to intimidate the officials at the prefecture and county levels, so that it will be easier to do things in the future.

When the people in the city heard the commotion, they took to the streets to inquire about the situation.

When they learned that it was Tanhua Lang who was coming, even the eldest girl and the young daughter-in-law stood by the roadside to watch the excitement.

There have been no Jinshi candidates in the Hanzhong area for many years, but three people finally passed the exam last year. There is no news about Bai Chongyan and Min Zishun, only Zhu Ming is the most popular, not to mention Yangzhou, even Xingyuan Mansion has various legends.

In particular, Zhu Guoxiang was conquered many times by the emperor, and the eunuchs were also taken into custody. It was also rumored that he had harvested ten thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum. Coupled with fairy food such as corn and sweet potatoes, the food is said to be extremely magical, and some even say that Zhu Guoxiang is a god descended to earth.

Only gods descending to earth can do so many things and give birth to a son who will pass the top tier exam at a young age.

"Tan Hua Lang!"

A prostitute shouted excitedly, throwing fruits over her, and the others burst into laughter.

The atmosphere is even more lively. This is Hanzhong’s local Tanhua Lang (the concept of Hanzhong already existed in the Song Dynasty).

Ju Ming rode on the cornucopia and held his hands toward both sides of the street. As he said before, he showed up in advance to let the people remember him.

Li Bao's brother-in-law Liu Kui, where has he ever seen such a scene? The cheers of the people all over the city seemed to be welcoming him to his ears, and he felt that he was following the right person this time.

Zhang Boring also rode a horse, straightening his back, wishing that one day he would be admitted to the top three universities, and that he would be able to gain the support of his fellow villagers when he returned to his hometown rich and powerful.