Chapter 564: Nation‑Founding Endeavor: A Tight Squeeze

Li Lin only needs to wait in Chenliu to ascend the throne, but Fang Chongyong has many more matters to consider.

The most important is constructing Bianliang City.

This not only concerns the completion of a new capital, but also is closely tied to the operation of the Grand Canal.

It is Fang Chongyong's top priority in Henan!

Kaifeng County City is the confluence of four or five rivers (excluding the Yellow River), most of which can be used for grain transport. Except for the stretch toward Luoyang, which cannot yet function, the other rivers, including the Tongji Canal, are bustling with transport before winter ice sets in.

Therefore the presently modest Kaifeng City can no longer meet the growing transport demand and must be overhauled. The scattered ferry points and warehouses outside the city need to be consolidated.

After much weighing, Fang Chongyong feels that instead of expending effort on renovation, it is better to build a new city. In the northeast of the original Kaifeng County City, several rivers would flow into the city, and ferries would also be established within.

In other words, let a satellite city of Bianliang City exist outside Kaifeng County City, so the two can serve as mutual defensive flanks.

Thus the newly built Bianliang City cannot be small in area.

Then, when Jia Dan handed the hand‑drawn terrain map of the city's footprint (not a design plan) to Fang Chongyong's desk, and Liu Yan calculated the approximate time, materials, and manpower required, the ever‑unflappable Jiedushi Fang was so excited he nearly fainted.

With the manpower and resources of the Henan Circuit he now commands, this massive city cannot be finished in less than ten years—it simply cannot be built.

The earthworks alone amount to astronomical numbers, and there are no electric cranes these days! All digging and backfilling must be done by shoulder and hand.

That doesn't even include the corresponding timber, bricks, raw iron, and the sand needed for surrounding roads—together they are no small sum.

Just thinking of these things makes one's scalp tingle.

"We won't follow ordinary regulations; no market streets or walls at all!"

Fang Chongyong took a charcoal pencil from the desk and continued sketching on the draft.

He drew while saying, "No distinction of market streets; the innermost layer is the imperial palace, the second layer the imperial city, the third layer the outer city wall. That's it—three layers in total.

Then place the ferries inside the city, build water gates where the water enters, and calculate exactly how much manpower and material are needed!"

He shoved the sketch into Liu Yan's arms, and the latter could only give a helpless wry smile.

Chang'an City was rebuilt and expanded by the Great Tang on the foundation of the Sui Dynasty's Daxing City; for over a hundred years it has been constantly under minor repairs each year and major overhauls every few decades, never truly halted.

This Bianliang City, once built, will hardly be an easy task!

"Jiedushi, actually, we could first erect a bare imperial palace, using its walls as the city walls.

There is precedent, such as Jiankang of the Southern Dynasties, which at first consisted only of scattered forts like the Terrace City and Stone City.

Later, as more people settled, it grew into the renowned Jiankang City.

Thus the subordinate suggests building an imperial palace first; it should be finished in less than a year. Using that as a foundation, we can expand gradually, counting each stage as it comes.

"Ten years is also acceptable to wait."

Jia Dan cautiously performed the double‑hand salute to Fang Chongyong and offered the suggestion.

After a moment of thought, Fang Chongyong gave a slight nod, indicating approval.

It truly is a good emergency measure. Though not very dignified, it can achieve the ultimate goal step by step.

As for the later imperial city and outer walls, we can build them slowly; what does it matter!

Fang Chongyong suddenly recalled something and, looking at Jia Dan curiously, asked, "He Laohu said you've been borrowing money everywhere lately; why do you need so much?"

Jia Dan gave no answer, lowering his head as if embarrassed.

Seeing his awkward demeanor, Fang Chongyong hinted,

"Your unspoken trouble must be the upheaval in the Su family of Chang'an. Madam Su is aging, and the Su family likely wants you to marry soon, otherwise she'll be given to some official, right?

You've been traveling while your family fell into decline; where could you find enough money for a bride price? It seems that's all there is to it."

Hearing this, Jia Dan looked up in disbelief, eyes fixed on Fang Chongyong, his face shocked.

He borrowing money was obviously for the bride price, a fact many knew. But the Su family's upheaval he never mentioned to anyone, and Fang Chongyong managed to guess it almost spot‑on!

Indeed, not simple.

"Go fetch Li Sheng, then check how much provisions remain in the storehouses."

Fang Chongyong gave a command to the nearby Yan Zhuang.

Soon, Li Sheng, who was directing subordinates to inventory grain at the ferry for transport as military supplies, arrived alone at the Bianzhou Prefecture Office study.

"Take my handwritten letter and the jar of golden Kaiyuan Tongbao we seized from the sea merchants last time, travel to Chang'an, bring Madam Su to Bianzhou to marry Jia Dan.

Select a few quick‑witted brothers, act according to the situation. Speak politely; avoid violence if possible.

If the Su family refuses, you will raid them at night and take them; depart now."

Fang Chongyong whispered the orders.

"Understood, I will see to it."

Li Sheng clasped his fists in salute and said.

After speaking, he seemed about to say more, so Fang Chongyong asked puzzled, "Is there anything you haven't told me?"

"Brother‑in‑law, when will you bring sister back to Bianzhou?"

Li Sheng asked softly.

"Wang Yanshu has already gone to Bozhou; after your sister learned of her father‑in‑law's suicide, she fell gravely ill, and her body hasn't fully recovered, plus she is pregnant.

It would be better to carry the child in Bozhou."

Fang Chongyong sighed; every household has its own hardships. Since his wives and concubines cannot come to Bianzhou, there is nothing he can do but wait until after the child is born.

Wang Yunxiu, upon hearing that Wang Zhongsi committed suicide, suffered a severe illness and nearly died.

Moreover, several pregnant women in Bozhou have limited mobility, making it truly unsuitable to come to Bianzhou.

Li Sheng could only obey and depart.

"Jiedushi, after winter the soil freezes, making construction inconvenient; we must wait until after spring plowing to break ground.

However, from now on we can start stockpiling timber and the like.

Until the canal freezes, transport will not be a worry."

Liu Yan pulled a sheet from his satchel, listing the major materials needed to build the imperial palace; many are large timbers that must be shipped from the south via grain transport.

Now there is less than a month left before the freezing period; transport is possible, but how much can be transported is hard to say.

The number of large trees needed as house pillars can be calculated. Bluish bricks, used for the city wall and palace wall, can be estimated by calculating the wall's length. Earthworks must be estimated based on the city's area; the Ministry of Works previously had a complete calculation method.

The layout of the imperial palace is regulated and relatively fixed; unlike a city, it cannot be designed arbitrarily. Material estimates are still fairly accurate.

Liu Yan handed the estimation results to Fang Chongyong, making him feel a shiver run through his scalp. This is only the imperial palace; if the palace city were added, it would be even more overwhelming.

No wonder, the imperial clan, in order to build palaces and launch massive construction, often burdens the people and drains wealth. Fang Chongyong finally understood why, at the end of the Sui, so many rose to oppose Yang Guang.

Bianliang City currently has only an outer wall, which can be built gradually. Later, many civilians and merchants will volunteer—those with money will fund, those with labor will provide labor.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, as the saying goes.

But to build a capital city from scratch is far from easy. Fang Chongyong does not want massive construction, yet Bianliang City must be built, so he can only grit his teeth and get it done.

This is the greatest leverage to change the current political and economic landscape, and also the only way out without digging a dead end in Chang'an.

He who controls the Grand Canal controls the realm; Bianliang sits at the canal's core, enjoying unparalleled geographic advantage. If Heaven does not grant it, disaster will follow. Whether or not Bianliang becomes the capital, it must be built.

"Build, even if we have to smash pots and sell iron, we must build. It must be completed before next year's autumn harvest!"

Fang Chongyong gritted his teeth and said, he had also decided to go all out.

"Then we must set up checkpoints at the ferry ports; every ship that docks must be taxed.

Otherwise, there will be no money to build the imperial palace."

Liu Yan spread his hands, indicating he was helpless.

Labor can be sourced by conscripting civilian workers, but materials still require money to purchase. Bianzhou is in a rapid expansion phase, everything costs money—especially military expenses, which cannot be reduced. It's not as if they only build Bianliang City and ignore everything else, so the current difficulties are understandable.

The shortage of funds is foreseeable.

"Issue salt permits to merchants, letting them recruit nearby laborers to help with construction. Do not tax the ferry ports; if merchants do not support building Bianliang City, do not give them salt permits. Use incentives to involve outsiders in the building, rather than focusing on that small tax and driving people away."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand lightly, rejecting Liu Yan's suggestion to add a grain transport tax.

As the saying goes, free things are the most costly. If we tax the canal ports, it will scare away the merchants who specialize in grain transport.

Consequently, the entire Grand Canal would run empty. Ships would be seen on the canal, but merchants would refuse to dock in Bianzhou, let alone stimulate consumption and trade.

Without merchants, there is no prosperity; lacking traders, how could Bianzhou develop? Charging ships a berthing fee brings more harm than benefit.

Obviously, only by not charging a berthing fee can we attract more foreign ships to dock, boost the local economy, and ultimately collect more other taxes.

"Jiedushi's words are indeed correct."

Liu Yan gave a slight nod without further comment; he still needed to take Fang Chongyong's plan back for further study. Regarding money matters, Liu Yan would not underestimate Fang Chongyong, treating him as an outsider.

He then pulled a sheet of paper from his chest, handing it to Fang Chongyong. It listed the issuance numbers and rules for the first batch of salt permits.

Obviously, these schemes had long been prepared by Liu Yan.

"Tell me, what exactly is lacking for the city construction now?"

Fang Chongyong glanced at Liu Yan, noticing that the fellow seemed to do everything leisurely, yet seemed to have everything under control.

You ask a question, he answers appropriately, but he is unwilling to say it all at once.

"Returning to Jiedushi, if you truly ask what's missing, I can say this: for constructing Bianliang City, everything—whether manpower, material, or funds—is lacking; whatever we need, we have none."

This is a capital city, not a defensive outpost; even just constructing the government offices requires a great sum.

Liu Yan said solemnly.

Fang Chongyong knew there was more, so he nodded, indicating for the other to continue.

"But material and financial resources are relatively easy to solve; by issuing salt permits we can cover a large portion. The only hard part to solve is manpower."

Now Fang Chongyong understood.

What is lacking for building Bianliang City? Materials?

Actually, not; with the Grand Canal's convenience, any material can be shipped over.

What truly lacks is people, or labor.

Currently, we directly or indirectly control over ten prefectures, but not everyone can come to Bianzhou to build the city.

Because Bianzhou itself is a commercially prosperous prefecture, as are the neighboring counties. Apart from the agrarian population, most others make their living around the canal.

They are already deeply involved in commercial activities and provide Fang Chongyong with valuable taxes. Concentrating these people would inevitably affect other industries, even agriculture.

To build Bianliang City, we must enlist these people into the massive labor force. The faster we push the schedule, the greater the impact on other sectors.

"You mean, building Bianliang City requires displaced people from elsewhere. If we settle them and use them for construction, the labor problem is solved. Is that correct?"

Fang Chongyong said thoughtfully.

Liu Yan nodded and said: "Displaced people are indispensable. Therefore I believe that for this matter to succeed, favorable timing, geography, and harmony among people are all essential; now is not the time. Once war breaks out around Bianzhou, displaced people will naturally be abundant, and then we can launch massive construction."

"Well said."

Fang Chongyong let out a sigh; he had to admit Liu Yan was very reasonable—there's a saying that haste makes waste.

Often, when he thinks of these tedious issues, he becomes impatient, hoping to solve them in one go.

Yet the more he rushes, the slower it proceeds.

Fang Chongyong's plan, when formulated, was very conservative.

First step, Li Lan ascends the throne and declares himself emperor; this Jiedushi is promoted to Grand Marshal of the realm's armies, also becomes the chief inspector of the Hall Front Office, upgrades the Silver Spear Elite Corps into the Imperial Guard, and expands the forces, eventually forming ten thousand professional elite soldiers and fifty thousand troops that can engage in field battles.

This goal will take roughly one to two years to achieve.

Second step, construct and perfect Bianliang City as the capital, leveraging the Grand Canal to vigorously develop commerce while observing the shifting situation. Strategically, the focus is on strengthening our own power and moderately expanding southward.

This process will take about three to five years.

The third step would be to consider conquering Hebei, first subduing Hebei, then Hedong, and finally Guanzhong, sweeping the realm.

This process should be completed within ten years.

Whether to say it or not, this strategy is still very conservative.

But when it comes to execution, Fang Chongyong wishes time could fast‑forward to the eve of unifying the realm. It's like playing a strategy game on a computer—'Ding—' and the task is done.

Only after his mind cools down does he dejectedly realize that none of this will go as smoothly as planned.

For example, as long as it doesn't affect agriculture and commerce in his domain, the laborers needed to build Bianliang City, Fang Chongyong still can't gather enough. He needs "external expansion" to gain more manpower, only then can he build a capital capable of sustaining the canal-transport economy for the next hundred years.

This is actually because the original plan still placed too much emphasis on "peaceful development." And in this age of great contention, Bianzhou, as a battleground of four wars, cannot possibly be so peaceful. Major wars will definitely not be lacking.

The spoils of war are the major variable affecting the plan.

"Eh? Why are you still here?"

Fang Chongyong suddenly noticed Jia Dan standing awkwardly to the side, and asked doubtfully.

"Jiedushi, sir… I haven't, I haven't written an IOU."

Jia Dan said embarrassedly.

"Don't worry, the money the Su family dares not accept—no need to write an IOU for it."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand and said, without explaining why the Su family dared not accept that jar of gold-made Kaiyuan Tongbao.

On the other hand, Liu Yan was more kind-hearted; he smiled and explained to Jia Dan: "Being able to produce a jar of gold-made Kaiyuan Tongbao already shows your ability, so you don't need to worry about the Su family not marrying off their daughter—just rest assured."

Jia Dan nodded as if half-understanding, seeming to have grasped something.