Chapter 86 177 "Sea Dragon King" Qian Liu

In the more than 50 years since Zhu Wen established the Liang Dynasty, five short-lived dynasties have changed in the Central Plains—Liang, Tang, Jin, Han, and Zhou (in order to distinguish them from the previous dynasties with the same name, they were called in history. Later Liang, Later Tang, Later Jin, Later Han, Later Zhou), collectively called the Five Dynasties.During the Five Dynasties period, there were still many separatist regimes in the south and Bashu, some were called emperors, some were called kings, and a total of nine countries were established (former Shu, Wu, Fujian, Wuyue, Chu, Southern Han, Nanping, and later) Shu, Southern Tang), plus the Northern Han Dynasty established in the north, there are ten kingdoms in total.Therefore, the Five Dynasties period is also called the "Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms" period.Not long after Zhu Wen ascended the throne, Qian Liu (sound liu), the governor of Zhenhai (the seat of the government today in Hangzhou, Zhejiang), first sent people to Bianjing to congratulate him and express his willingness to be a minister.Zhu Wen was very happy and immediately made him King of Wuyue.

Qian Liu was originally from a poor family. When he was young, he worked as a salt seller. Later, he went to Zhexi Town to serve as a general under Dong Chang's subordinates.When Huang Chao's uprising army attacked eastern Zhejiang, Qian Liu used a small force to keep Lin'an (now Hangzhou, Zhejiang).The Tang Dynasty considered him meritorious, and named him the Commander of the Capital, and later promoted him to be the Jiedushi. After Qian Liu became Jiedushi, he acted extravagantly.He built a luxurious house in Lin'an, and when he went out, he was escorted by soldiers on horseback and chariot.His father was very dissatisfied with his behavior.Every time I heard that Qian Liu was going out, I avoided it on purpose.

Qian Liu was disturbed when he learned that his father avoided him.Once, he went to his father's house on foot without chariots, horses, or entourage, and asked the old man why he avoided him. The old man said: "My family has lived by fishing and growing crops for generations, and there has never been a wealthy or powerful person. Now that you have earned this position, you are surrounded by hostile forces, and you have to compete with others for the city. I'm afraid that our Qian family will suffer in the future." After hearing this, Qian Liu said that he must remember his father's instructions.Since then, he has been cautious, only trying to keep this separatist area.At that time, Wuyue was a small country, and Wuyue in the north was stronger than Wuyue, and Wuyue was often threatened by them.

Qian Liu has lived in a chaotic and turbulent environment for a long time, and has developed a habit of staying vigilant.When he sleeps at night, in order not to let himself sleep too soundly, he uses a piece of round wood as a pillow, which is called a "police pillow". When he is tired, he leans against it to rest; coming.He also put a plate of powder in the bedroom, and when he thought of something at night, he would immediately get up and write it down on the plate so that he would not forget it during the day. He not only keeps himself vigilant, but also has strict requirements on his soldiers.Every night around his residence, there are soldiers on patrol.One night, the soldier on watch sat at the foot of the wall and dozed off.Suddenly, a few copper marbles flew from the partition wall and fell right beside the soldier, waking him up.The soldiers later learned that these copper marbles were shot from the wall by Qian Liu, so they didn't dare to take a nap when they were on duty.

Another night, Qian Liu put on civilian clothes and entered the city through the north gate.The city gates are closed.Qian Liu shouted to open the door outside the city, but the gatekeeper ignored him.Qian Liu said: "I was sent by the king to do business, and now I am in a hurry to go back to the city." The little official said: "It's late at night, let alone someone sent by the king, even if the king comes in person, he can't drive." Qian Liu circled half a circle outside the city, entered the city through the south gate.The next day, he called the little official in charge of the north gate, praised him for his seriousness, and gave him a reward.

Qian Liu relied on his prudence to maintain his dominant position in Wuyue.Although Wuyue Kingdom is small, its economy has gradually prospered because it has not been damaged by war for a long time. Qian Liu consolidated his rule and lived a life of luxury.He expanded Lin'an City by 30 miles, built large pavilions and pavilions, and built his palace like a dragon palace.Doing so will naturally increase the burden on the people. Qian Liu also conscripted migrant workers to build stone embankments of the Qiantang River and sluices along the river to prevent seawater from pouring in; he also asked people to chisel down large rocks in the river to facilitate the passage of ships.Because he did a little work in building water conservancy, the folks nicknamed him "Sea Dragon King".