Chapter 693: Luoyang

The ninth day of the seventh month, Luoyang.

At this time Luoyang City has basically recovered from the ruins of the late Sui wars, but it is not yet as luxurious as the secondary capital during Empress Wu Zetian's era.

As the essential transshipment hub for grain from the Guandong region that travels via the Yellow River and Luo River into Guanzhong, Luoyang's location is strategically critical, controlling the strategic passes of Shandong, Hebei, and Jianghuai, and it stations a sizable force of militia.

In the fourth year of the Wude era, after Li Yuan pacified Wang Shichong, the title of Eastern Capital for Luoyang was abolished, it was renamed Luoyang Palace, and a Luoyang Palace Governor was appointed.

After Li Shimin ascended the throne, Luoyang's status fell below Chang'an, yet it retained a full set of secondary‑capital‑level institutions and facilities.

It can be said that Luoyang is a quite important capital city of the Tang Dynasty.

The convoy moved through Luoyang City, and Chen Yan's gaze, peering through the gaps in the carriage curtains, lightly surveyed the city.

Since entering the city, Luoyang's first impression on him has been that its population is huge.

As Minister of Revenue, Chen Yan has some knowledge of Luoyang's population, but having never conducted a large‑scale census before, he does not know the exact current number.

He recalls that the currently registered population of Luoyang is only about 130,000 people.

However, just judging by the scale of pedestrian traffic outside, the number surely exceeds that.

Chen Yan slightly furrowed his brow: "The post‑Sui wars ended long ago; even though this place suffered Wang Shichong's devastation, many years have passed and there have been several years of recovery. The registered population of Luoyang is certainly far higher than the recorded figure."

"It seems that not only the land needs attention, but the registration of the population must also be put on the agenda."

Li Shimin, hearing this, glanced outside and said evenly, "Luoyang is one of the most prosperous large cities beneath Chang'an; the common folk who can make a living here require certain basic conditions."

"We are currently in the South Market, the largest and most bustling trading hub in Luoyang; many people from outside the city come here daily for small transactions."

"It's normal for this place to look crowded; elsewhere there are far fewer people."

"Of course." At this point Li Shimin paused, sighed, "Whether in Luoyang, elsewhere, or even Chang'an, the registered population and the actual population inevitably differ to some extent; that's normal."

"A thorough population audit is generally difficult; if you intend to do it, it's best to find a way for the people to volunteer to register, otherwise they will devise every means to evade the audit."

"If pressed too hard, it could spark popular resentment."

Chen Yan nodded slightly: "I understand, but we have plenty at hand—potatoes, Champa Rice—these are powerful levers for the common folk."

"We may have to distribute these items later; perhaps we should allocate them according to the number of heads and the size of each household's fields—more people and land get more seeds, fewer people and land get fewer."

"In that case, I believe many hidden residents will no longer be able to stay idle."

Li Shimin, hearing this, saw a flash of light in his eyes: "You still have a solution, kid. This method not only lets us survey the fields but also the population—a win on multiple fronts."

"Good! Once we have enough seeds, we'll do just that!"

Chen Yan smiled, "We should still leverage the influence of the Great Tang Daily, lay the groundwork in advance, and then follow the old method—centered on Chang'an, expanding outward bit by bit."

"If you just tell them how abundant our potato harvest is, the people won't necessarily believe it; only after they have planted and seen it with their own eyes will they trust it."

"This can be put on the schedule this year; the scale of potatoes and Champa Rice is already considerable. We'll start preparations this year and have the people plant them next year."

"I was thinking the same," Li Shimin said contentedly.

On this outing, his main purpose was naturally to walk among the people properly, and also to see the Champa Rice harvest with his own eyes.

He plans to disseminate the news next year, perform the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai at year's end, and by the tenth year of Zhen Guan usher the Tang fully into a flourishing era.

Chen Yan, hearing Li Shimin say that, felt reassured.

He continued to glance outward through the carriage curtain gap; the street bustled with people—those carrying loads, pushing carts, pulling children along the road—teeming with lively, smoky atmosphere.

Such a scene always irresistibly captivates.

"Zi Anxiong…"

Li Tai, slumped and weak, said, "Can we find a place to stay first? These few days of traveling have exhausted me; my stomach is growling now."

"I really can't hold on any longer!"

Li Shimin, with a hint of sarcasm, said, "Look at you. Your two younger sisters have also been on the road for this long, and they don't look like this."

"Too bad you're still a man; even your two sisters outdo you!"

Chen Yan silently added, "Xiao Sui An is getting more and more excited."

Li Shimin was taken aback, then understood, and with a hint of disdain said, "Did you hear? Xiao Sui An is only a little over a year old, traveling with us, and she never complained of fatigue. Why are you crying 'tired'?"

"Bai Chang has so much flesh now."

Li Tai: "......"

Seeing a ghost.

Xiao Sui An was carried the whole way, so of course she wasn't tired.

My own butt is sore from sitting.

Can that be the same?

"Alright, alright, we'll find a tavern to stay in right away, stop howling." Chen Yan also felt speechless—just when things seemed settled, this again.

Li Tai immediately rejoiced, already eager to take a good bath and enjoy a delicious meal.

Chen Yan looked at him and said, "Brother Qingque, you really should cut down on your flesh; being overly fat isn't a good thing."

"I feel I've already lost a lot of weight," Li Tai sighed.

Li Shimin glanced at him, "Stop calling out. We'll stay in Luoyang for two days, then switch to water routes; you should use this time to rest properly, and when we board the ship, don't call out to me."

"Otherwise, go back to wherever you came from."

Li Tai, hearing this, instantly became frantic.

Traveling with Chen Yan and the others was tiring, but along the way they indeed saw many customs and scenery they had never encountered before.

He really didn't want to return to Chang'an.

"Sir, the two young masters, we have arrived."

Outside, Li Junxian's deep voice came.

The three slowly stepped down from the carriage, looked up, and Li Tai was instantly speechless again.

Well then, it's still Zui Xian Lou.

Li Shimin was quite pleased; after all, it's his property, the more it opens, the better.

"Alright, let's go in, hurry and tidy up a bit; after we eat, we'll go out and have a proper stroll."

"......"