Chapter 1069 Inside and outside the Geng character scroll

Feng Ziying can understand some of Cao Yu's thoughts. Returning home in fine clothes is definitely a happy event in life. Jinling and Yangzhou will be the highlight in the future. Of course, he will not give up these two territories.

Although Feng Ziying strives to revitalize the northern economy, he also knows that this will not be achieved overnight, and the foundation of Jiangnan is indeed not comparable to that of the north.

Since the Tang Dynasty, China's economic center of gravity has begun to shift to the south. This is of course closely related to the war, transportation, and climate in the north. However, agriculture is the core element of the economy of this era, and the advantages of Jiangnan's water, soil and climate are even more important in this era. Highlight, and it is undeniable that Jiangnan is also significantly more open-minded in its concepts and attitudes towards industry and commerce, which is also a very important factor.

Now Beidi has brought some variables due to its own emergence. One is the construction and development of the Yongping coal-iron complex and the building materials industry. The other is the emergence of three new crops: potatoes, corn and sweet potatoes. The third is the Yuguan project promoted by itself. , Dengzhou and the future opening of Sancha River Estuary (Niuzhuang or Yingkou), Jinzhou Zhongzuo Suo (Lvshun), and Yalu River Estuary (Dandong) in Liaodong, which will undoubtedly promote the development and development of the entire Northland economy. transformation.

One of the major advantages of Jiangnan is the transportation advantage reflected by the dense water network. However, if Northland can vigorously develop the building materials industry, mainly the cement industry, it can at least make up for the gap with Jiangnan to a certain extent in a certain area. Of course, it can only be Make up for it a little bit.

In any case, Jiangnan will still be the economic lifeline and core area of ​​the Great Zhou Dynasty in the future. This will not change just because his appearance will improve the situation in the Northland. At most, it will prevent the gap between the Northland and Jiangnan from widening. It's just too big.

The decline of Yangzhou in later generations was mainly the result of the canal's status due to the prosperity of shipping and the decline of the salt industry. However, in this era, Yangzhou's prosperity would at least last for a long time. Feng Ziying was not confident enough to leapfrog the era and create such black things as the steam engine. Technology is really not something you can challenge casually.

Similarly, Jinling's status as the center of the southern Zhili region and even Jiangnan will not change, so he will not ignore these two places.

 Feng Ziying discussed with Cao Yu the next step in the content tendency of "Today's News".

 He mentioned a few points to Cao Yu.

The first is to boost the morale of the people in the north, which can properly analyze the disadvantages and shortcomings of the Mongols, and at the same time emphasize the impregnability of the capital city. Feng Ziying, the Ministry of Rites, asked to exaggerate the victory of the Qian'an Interdiction War. After all, the Beijing camp was in the Santun camp. That battle was really demoralizing. If we didn't come up with a victory to cover it up, the people in the capital city would feel that the east side was just as unstable.

Feng Ziying was actually not willing to exaggerate the victory in the Battle of Qian'an, but she knew that this could only be done according to the court's rhythm.

 The second thing is to appropriately introduce the bravery and good fighting of the Datong Army and the Xuanfu Army. This is also to cheer up the people of the capital and avoid shaking the people's hearts.

The third thing is to emphasize that the Mongolian invasion is a threat to the entire Zhou Dynasty. Once the north falls into war and refugees move south in large numbers, it will also have a huge impact on the entire south. Helping the north stabilize the situation is also helping the south.

This is probably the direction. The specific content is up to Cao Yu to grasp and refine. There is no need for Feng Ziying to give more guidance on this point. Cao Yu already has a large number of article masters who are good at this, most of whom are multi-disciplinary. The down-and-out literati who failed in the imperial examination only need some guidance on the content and direction of the article. The writing style is not a problem.

When Cao Yu left, Feng Ziying also recommended someone to him, Zhou Chaozong, his classics teacher at Qingtan Academy. He was also from Lishui County, South Zhili. He originally passed the exam early, but in the spring, he failed He failed many tests and was dismissed for some reason within a few years of taking office, so he had to teach at Qingtan Academy.

When Feng Ziying went to the academy last time, Zhou Yongchun and Bi Ziyan talked to them about Zhou Chaozong. Zhou Chaozong himself had no intention of having an official career, but he felt that he had been a little miserable in Qingtan Academy for so many years and wanted to find a more suitable one. After thinking about where to go, Feng Ziying thought that he could also be placed in "Today's News".

It's not that I don't believe Cao Yu, but the key point of such a propaganda mouthpiece is that if Cao Yu is allowed to hold power alone, it is inconsistent with the principle of balance of power. Even Wang Wenyan has vaguely reminded Feng Ziying, and now let Juren's background Zhou Chaozong entered the editorial department of "Today's News". As Cao Yu's assistant, he can undoubtedly play a good balancing role.

  ************

Wang Xifeng just had time to get up. Next to her, Xiaohong was combing her hair full of silk, while one hand was rubbing the string of sugar-knotted blue beads on the dressing table.

The weather is getting colder and we haven’t had time to burn the earth dragon yet, but there is a smoker cage set up in the house, but the burning hasn’t started yet.

"Grandma, you'd better keep your clothes on. The musk coal and silver frost charcoal from outside haven't been brought in yet. It seems to be cold earlier this year. Don't catch a cold." Xiao Hong carefully combed the hair of the charming young woman in front of her. While shaking her head, she was really envious of the shocking fullness under the woman's tube top in the dressing mirror in front of her.

The color of jade is like a screen, and the slender and plump pink neck is set off. The slightly lazy pink dimple, the eyebrows are like black, the lips are like red, the slender and plump thighs are slightly tilted, and the bulging buttocks are outlined in an extremely attractive way. The arc is like a enchanting woman in her youthful season.

"Little hooves, it's so cold wherever you go. If this word gets out, the master will scold me again, saying that the soldiers in Shunyi and Pinggu outside the city are still lying in the fields fighting the Mongols. We are not satisfied staying here in this mansion. ?" Wang Xifeng was borrowing what Jia Zheng sighed when he came back from the public house the day before yesterday, and Xiao Hong didn't care.

Although I have not been with this grandma for too long, I also know that this master is a cold-faced and cold-hearted master, but he is very protective of the people in his house.

A few days ago, I went to deliver something to my eldest wife, and I accidentally knocked over a large box made of embroidered silk and gold. It fell below the limit at that time, which caused Wang Shanbao's family to scold me. Grandma rudely yelled back, Only Wang Shanbao's family was trained so that they didn't dare to raise their heads.

"What grandma said has nothing to do with us. Fighting outside is the business of the gentlemen. Those of us who are slaves at the moment can just serve the gentlemen and their wives well at home. How can we be needed?" Xiao Hong continued. Words.

"Xiaohong, you are becoming more and more sharp-tongued. If the Mongols invade the city, who in the whole city will be better off? You may be kidnapped by the Mongols and taken to the grasslands as slaves. Servant, can you bear not being able to take a bath once a year and sleeping with cattle and sheep all day long?"

Wang Xifeng said angrily.

"My slave has good intentions, why is grandma here looking for this slave?" Xiaohong pouted, complaining a little, but she refused to give in, "That is a matter that belongs to the gentlemen in the first place. What is there in the Beijing Camp?" There are 100,000 or 200,000 people. In previous years, we could see them in small groups on the streets. Why is it that when the war started this year, there were no traces of them?"

Xiaohong's words made Wang Xifeng's heart skip a beat. Others in the house might not know it yet, but she had already heard it.

I heard that the start of the campaign in the capital was unlucky and they suffered a huge defeat in the east. Tens of thousands of people were taken prisoner by the Mongols. I also heard that the Mongols wanted to drive these tens of thousands of people over to attack the capital city. If they refused, they would dig them all out. The pit was buried alive.

This news has not spread in the city yet, but someone in the mansion already knows about it.

The old man came back from court the day before yesterday and was talking to his wife. She happened to go to say hello and overheard half of what he said, and her face turned pale with shock. The old man and his wife told her not to tell anyone about it, but how could such things be hidden? If there is no one to live in, in a few days, the news will definitely spread throughout the city.

What if the Mongols really invaded the capital city? Wang Xifeng was also in a state of confusion, but what could women like them do?

 But now she couldn't bear to hear such unlucky words.

With a look on his face, Wang Xifeng clapped his hands on the dressing table, "Don't be so careless. How do you know about the things happening outside? If word spreads, it will make the house unstable!"

Hearing Wang Xifeng's deep voice, Xiao Hong knew that the mistress was really a little angry. Although she didn't know how her words had offended her, she still kept her silence.

Glancing at the timer incense stick that was lit after getting up, Wang Xifeng reached out and asked Xiaohong to help her put on the embroidered brocade trimmed with gold jacket. She took the longan soup and pear juice that Xiaohong handed over. After taking a sip, he said: "Where did Ping'er die? Why didn't he see this person when he got up?"

“Sister Ping’er went out early in the morning and said she wanted to go to the front yard to have a look.” Xiaohong explained.

“Hmph, Ping’er’s little hooves seems to miss a man too. He ran away early in the morning…”

Wang Xifeng knew that Ping'er was following her own wishes and went out early in the morning to read the "Today's News" delivered to her. Generally speaking, this newspaper was sent to the master first. After the master read it, the rest was Baoyu or temporarily suspended. Jia Huan wanted to take a look when he came back, and Ping'er wanted to go to Baoyu or Jia Huan to get some news.

Even though they could only listen and watch what happened outside the city, they could get good news and feel much more at ease when they went to bed at night.

"Grandma, what you said is unconscionable. Sister Ping'er is very loyal to grandma. How can she be like what grandma said?" Xiaohong naturally knew that her grandma was just scolding Ping'er out of habit, but she was deeply loyal to Ping'er. However, Er's trust has not diminished at all, so he naturally wants to help argue and please both sides.

Wang Xifeng snorted coldly and was about to speak when she heard a rush of footsteps outside, and Ping'er's panicked voice rang out: "Grandma, grandma, something happened!"

 (End of this chapter)