Chapter 89 The outrageous officialdom of the Tang Dynasty
The political situation in the center of the Tang Dynasty and the court situation were closely related to the situation in local areas and border towns.
For example, in the 15th year of Kaiyuan, the Tubo generals Xinuoluo Gonglu and Zhulong Mangbuzhi captured Guazhou (Jiuquan) and captured the governor Tian Yuanxian alive. They not only robbed the city of all supplies, but also deliberately demolished Guazhou.
The city wall of the state city.
Also in this year, the former Hexi Jiedushi Wang Jun? was attacked and killed by a Turkic tribe.
The drastic changes in the military and political situation in Hexi made the Tang court worried, so Prime Minister Xiao Song, who was over sixty years old, was ordered to serve as the military governor of Hexi and judge Liangzhou affairs.
This is a typical example of corruption in border towns, where central officials end up taking charge of the overall situation. This is because ordinary bureaucrats in border towns can no longer bear the responsibility for strategic collapse.
Similarly, officials who perform well in border towns will also serve as important officials in the center. For example, Zhang Shougui, Niu Xianke, etc.
This is also the normal flow between the border towns and the center of officialdom in the Tang Dynasty during the Kaiyuan period, and it has a strong positive significance.
Now, Wang Zhongsi led troops to conquer the new city of Tubo, and Cui Xiyi's transfer has led to a new round of reshuffle in the power structure of Hexi. Cui Xiyi's departure is not a big deal, but according to the old rules of the Tang Dynasty regime, his staff and assistant officials
He was also dismissed from office.
These people who were familiar with local affairs in Hexi either found other jobs or switched to other people. In short, this wave of changes caused many vacant official positions in the Hexi region. Not only the local forces in Hexi were eyeing these vacancies, but also the central court was also eyeing them.
Extraordinary attention.
Subsequently, specific battle reports and related matters, as well as a mountain of memorials, were sent to Chang'an by different local officials in Hexi Province through the post channel. Among the complicated information, "Fang Chongyong", a senior official who should not have appeared in the public eye, instead
Appears frequently in memorials.
Almost all of them are complimentary words.
Even Wang Zhongsi did not hesitate to praise him, saying that his future son-in-law "although he did not have the merits of being strong and strong, he still had many good plans and was beneficial to the military." Cui Xiyi said that Fang Chongyong was "benevolent and loves others, does not hesitate to work hard, and has high morale."
Invigorate".
It may be true that Fang Chongyong did something, but his father Fang Youde was the governor of Youzhou, and many bureaucrats were willing to carry people in sedan chairs, which is a key factor that cannot be ignored!
So Li Linfu, who took advantage of the opportunity, suggested to Li Longji that he should be rewarded according to his merits and promote Fang Chongyong to the Sima of Liangzhou based on his merits, and not ignore him because of his age.
The official position of Liangzhou Sima is the second-in-command who assists the Liangzhou governor in managing the internal affairs of Liangzhou. In short, he is the chief officer who manages the specific affairs of Liangzhou City. Because of the special characteristics of the Hexi region, this official position is sometimes held by Liangzhou.
The governor of the state also serves as the governor.
In the Tang Dynasty, a state generally had three administrative officials, one chief and two deputy officers. The chief officer was called the governor, the deputy officers were called Sima and the chief officer.
Sima and Changshi do not have high or low official positions, nor do they even have a strict division of labor. Their work is assigned by the governor, and the errands are assigned to whoever is assigned, and they are considered to be "doing practical things".
Under these three people are the full-time officials, that is, the six officials. For example, the Bing Cao is responsible for the development of the state's armed forces, the Fa Cao is responsible for the law, and so on.
The power of the state capital, which is almost unusable, is to join the army. It is not a big problem to put a pig in charge, since the pig will not find trouble anyway.
But if Liangzhou Sima is appointed to a pig, that would be a big problem! Xiao Jiong originally served as Liangzhou Sima and deputy envoy of Hexi Jiedu. Now Xiao Jiong serves as Hexi Jiedu envoy. It is appropriate to give up the position of Liangzhou Sima.
meaning.
It's just that no one expected that Li Linfu would play like this! A ten-year-old child serving as the second-in-command in Liangzhou... It is really an exaggeration. No one with a normal mind would be able to play such a childish game.
The levels of each state in the Tang Dynasty were different, and they were roughly divided into three levels: upper, middle and lower. The Sima in the upper-level states might be from the fourth rank, while the lowest Sima in the lower-level states was from the sixth rank. And the outlying states were basically all lower-level.
State, so these Sima are only Sesame Officials from around the sixth rank.
Liangzhou does not belong to the upper, middle or lower class, but belongs to the "super-class" Liangzhou Prefecture. Its status is similar to Shenzhen in Fang Chongyong's previous life! The whole state has a population of nearly one million, and the city of Liangzhou alone has more than 100,000 households and a population of hundreds of thousands.
.
It is incredible to think that such a large population is managed by a ten-year-old child!
Without exception, Li Linfu's memorial met with fierce opposition from both the government and the public.
Under Li Linfu's personal instruction, even his close associates fiercely opposed this matter.
Zheng Shuqing, the governor of Qizhou, also wrote to Li Longji to increase his presence, saying that Fang Chongyong was "young, ignorant, dissolute and invisible, and should not be entrusted with important responsibilities." If the sage really didn't know how to place him, he could be transferred to Qizhou as Sima.
.
Anyway, Qizhou Sima's term has just expired this year and there is a vacancy. Place this person in Qizhou, so that it is close to Chang'an and no big trouble will happen.
The memorial, which was just like an invitation to favor, was quickly submerged in the denunciation and curse of Li Linfu from the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, saying that he "sees state affairs as child's play and is not worthy of being a prime minister."
Li Longji also felt hesitant and surprised about this.
What's surprising is that Fang Youde's unscrupulous man seems to have some skills. After arriving in the border town, he can actually do tricks and get everyone to praise him. So many people say good things for him.
The hesitation is that the position of Liangzhou Sima is too important, and its importance is even much higher than that of the governor of other states and counties.
Not to mention giving this position to Fang Chongyong, Li Longji was a little hesitant even if his father Fang Youde took it. Because Lao Fang only knows how to fight and is not good at dealing with foreign races, he may not be an expert in the management of nodes in the Western Regions.
Good player.
If Fang Youde goes to the Western Region, he will definitely cause chaos there.
Li Linfu suggested that Fang Chongyong be appointed Sima of Liangzhou, just to show outsiders that he was not "jealous of talents". As long as he was talented, he was willing to promote him regardless of his status or age.
Li Longji knew what he was thinking and didn't take it seriously. These were the tricks of various prime ministers since the Kaiyuan Dynasty. He was still very satisfied with Li Linfu's ability to handle government affairs.
Everyone in the government and the public is scolding Li Linfu. Doesn't this just prove that he can always sit in the position of prime minister? If all the civil and military officials in the dynasty share their anger with the prime minister, then what is the use of himself, the emperor of Chang'an and the sage of the Tang Dynasty?
?
Li Longji did not alienate Li Linfu because he was scolded, but trusted him more.
However, Li Longji clearly rejected Li Linfu's ridiculous suggestion of promoting Fang Chongyong, a ten-year-old boy, to be the Sima of Liangzhou. Instead, he promoted Su Zhilian, who was serving as the governor of Ganzhou at this time, and transferred him to neighboring Liangzhou to serve as the Sima of Liangzhou.
Su Zhilian was born in the Su family of martial arts. He started serving as the governor of Ganzhou at the age of 24 and was familiar with Hexi affairs. Moreover, this man is young and powerful. He is exactly 28 years old this year. He has served as governor for four years. He should be rotated to serve as an official elsewhere or be idle.
I am waiting at home for the election of officials.
It is just right for him to serve as the Sima of Liangzhou, and he has many acquaintances in Liangzhou and is easy to handle.
As for the vacancy of the governor of Ganzhou, Ouyang Jin, the military envoy of the Jiankang Army belonging to Ganzhou, will temporarily take over. Ouyang Jin is brave and good at fighting. He was originally appointed as the envoy of the Jiankang Army to succeed Zhang Shougui. He continues to this day and is regarded as Zhang Shougui's direct descendant.
Then there was a series of official transfers and vacancies, but nothing happened to Fang Chongyong. He appeared frequently in memorials, but not even a hair was caught.
As for Su Zhilian, he was able to serve as the governor of Ganzhou at the age of only twenty-four. In contrast to Fang Chongyong, who was able to become an official in Hexi at the age of ten, it was not a big deal.
The imperial court had no objections to Li Longji's edict, and the edict was successfully sent to Liangzhou along with the post system.
This kind of government decree, which was in line with the basic organizational structure of the Tang Dynasty, was like eating and drinking to people in the officialdom, and it did not cause any waves.
Some people with good intentions have speculated on Su Zhilian's official experience and found that if this person had been in the imperial examination, he would have been a Jinshi at the age of ten. He had been promoted all the way. He was so lucky that he could serve as a minor when Su Zhilian served as the governor of Ganzhou.
State governor.
They couldn't help but lament that in the officialdom of the Tang Dynasty, it was difficult for children from poor families to become officials.
After all, you can only take part in the imperial examination at the age of fourteen, and you must be at least sixteen when you take the Jinshi exam. After winning the Jinshi, you have to wait for three years to be elected and you will be nineteen. You are already considered a high-ranking school clerk, and you will be twenty after four years.
Three years old. By the time he is transferred to the position of governor, he will be thirty years old at the earliest. It is normal for him to serve as governor in his forties.
Therefore, Li Bai's dislike of the imperial examination was not entirely due to his background as a businessman.
The main reason is that he can only write poetry and has limited talents in other areas; secondly, even if he is admitted, it will take years and months to stand out. Li Bai, who advocates "life is short, walk at night with a candle", naturally believes that instead of taking the imperial examination, it is better to kneel down
Licking the powerful comes quickly and easily, so who makes him not a powerful person?
…
Fang Chongyong still didn't know that he had caused quite a stir in the court. He was very busy now. Apart from not going to the Yamen of Jiedu Prefecture and Liangzhou Prefecture at all, he was busy all day long.
However, his so-called "busy" was just walking around in and around Liangzhou City, watching, listening and learning more, without paying attention to any specific things.
On this day, Fang Chongyong came to Dr. Li's medical clinic again to see how the development of Brother Ji's health medicine was going.
However, this medical officer with superb medical skills handed an ordinary small clay pot to Fang Chongyong.
"The saint's medicine is still being tested, and we are about to have some clues. However, what envoy Fang Jun entrusted is very easy to handle."
After the two sat down, they opened the black clay pot that looked ordinary and was only about the size of a palm.
"Envoy Fang said to semi-carbonize the hemostatic medicinal materials. I tried it. Anyway, there are related records in ancient books. I found a few people with knife wounds to apply the medicine and found that the hemostatic effect is indeed good, and..."
"And medicinal materials can be stored for a long time and will not go bad, right?"
Fang Chongyong asked with a smile.
Medical Officer Li was stunned for a moment, then nodded slightly and said, "That's true."
Semi-carbonization of Chinese medicinal materials to stop bleeding has been mentioned in books since the Han Dynasty. However, due to the lack of information and the lack of urgent need after the change of dynasties, this direction has been shelved without any substantial progress.
Previously, Fang Chongyong asked Dr. Li to try "Quick Stop Bleeding" because he wanted to get a "battlefield first aid kit".
"It is indeed a good way to tie the bleeding limbs with linen strips boiled in boiling water, and then use semi-carbonized medicinal materials to quickly stop the bleeding.
The key is that both of these things can be packed in a clay pot, can be stored for a long time, can be carried with the army, and can be used by everyone in times of war.
In fact, it is not difficult to come up with these things, but no one thought of it before. Now Fang Canjun has thought of it. This alone will save countless lives of soldiers on the west side of the river in the future."
Medical officer Li sat in a wheelchair and bowed deeply to Fang Chongyong and said.
He has seen quite a few "Yamen". After all, when he was with Xin'an King Li Yi, it was not uncommon for anything to come out of that circle. Some were scheming, some were naive and ignorant, and some were bullying men and dominating women without knowing how to behave.
There are, but there are no people like Fang Chongyong who do practical things without seeking fame and wealth.
The temperament of this half-grown child is very strange. He is like a tourist who is free from officialdom but does not enter it deeply.
"Hey, I'm in my position to do my own thing. I, the deputy military envoy of the Baiting Army, are just a bastard. I can't carry it on my shoulders. It's best to ask about the specific military affairs.
Joining the army in the state capital is a position that can be managed but is inconvenient. Nowadays, Hexi affairs, both civil and military affairs, are running smoothly, and there is no need for me to interfere. I will take care of those bad things, and others will be annoyed when they see me.
You still have to spend time dealing with me, how annoying it is!
It's not like now, I don't look for trouble, everyone in the Hexi government gives me convenience, I can go wherever I want, I can get what I want, and no one will make things difficult for me, isn't that good?"
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Fang Chongyong waved his hand and explained nonchalantly.
Now he is almost "walking sideways" in Liangzhou, because Fang Chongyong has a strong desire in his heart not to interfere in the government and military affairs of local officials and not to cause trouble to those people.
Anyway, he has a strong background and has an official position in the state capital's army. Wherever he goes, relevant officials will greet him and provide him with the greatest convenience. It's a bit like what Fang Laique often said, as long as you are willing, you can go wherever you want.
You don’t have to pay for meals, and you don’t have to pay for anything wherever you go.
As long as Fang Chongyong, the "Yamen", is happy and responsible, the local officials in Liangzhou don't mind giving the green light. Fang Chongyong can go wherever he wants to visit. There will be people providing service and escort all the way, which makes him feel embarrassed!
Including two salaries for joining the army in the Prefecture and deputy military envoy of the Baiting Army, as well as local officials at all levels sending people to serve and serve as tour guides. This kind of high-level treatment of food and entertainment is probably the first time since the Kaiyuan Dynasty.
Fang Chongyong has no doubt that it is thanks to his young age. If he were a little older, he would have to play with all the orchids with different styles from all over the Hexi Corridor. Whatever type he wants, someone will diligently offer it to him.
And there is no need to spend money, no need to think about the consequences, just play freely.
"Why don't you take the envoy of Fang Jun to visit the Chishui Army and present this thing?"
Medical Officer Li said with some attentiveness.
Fang Chongyong nodded slightly, feeling a little emotional in his heart.
Fame and fortune are indeed an iron curse that no one can escape, and the medical officer in front of me is no exception.
"That's natural. Let's set off now. Go to Chiwu Town. Set off now. You can arrive before sunset."
Fang Chongyong said with a smile, not taking this matter too seriously.
Medical Officer Li seemed impatient to wait a moment, and he didn't mind being a favor. Compared with making "health medicine" for Brother Ji, Fang Chongyong felt that battlefield first aid was a great benefit to Hexi locals.
Before the two of them went out, Medical Officer Li asked Anaye to guard the door of the medical clinic, and then took the initiative to find someone to rent a carriage.
Anaye pulled Fang Chongyong aside, lowered her voice and asked urgently: "I heard that many people are saying that you are going to be promoted, why are you still so indifferent?"
Although she didn't say it, she already regarded herself as the other party's future concubine in her heart, and her attitude was naturally very different from before.
"I just want to please my father, it's just human nature. My current official position has far exceeded the organizational structure I should have. I just need to return to Chang'an smoothly in the future. Why should I be promoted? You really think too much!
"
Fang Chongyong laughed and shook his head.
He knew that many people wrote letters to Chang'an to give Ji Ge advice, saying that he, the yanei, had done a lot of practical things in Hexi and should be rewarded.
These people are just selling out their scumbag father. I guess Brother Ji will put this nonsense away after complaining in his heart.
After all, letting a child less than ten years old become a high official is like a pill from the Tang Dynasty!
Fang Chongyong looked at Anaye and found that this girl from the Western Region didn't seem very smart.
"Don't believe it, there was an official named Su Zhilian who came to Liangzhou City to see a doctor before. When he first came to Liangzhou City to take up his post, he was only 24 years old, and he was already the governor of Ganzhou! My father treated him, and he still treated him
Leave behind a word that says the doctor’s benevolence!”
Anaye said anxiously, Fang Zhongyong climbed too fast, which made her feel a sense of crisis beyond words.
"Twenty-four-year-old governor of Bianzhen? Is the court's affairs so outrageous?"
Fang Chongyong was startled and realized that he didn't seem to be the only yamen in Liangzhou! There was actually another one who was even more outrageous!
Being a governor is not a sinister job like joining the army in a state capital! It is about doing practical things!
You must know that Lao Zheng has such a strong background. He was already in his thirties when he became the governor of Kuizhou!
"How do I know about the affairs of the imperial court?"
Anaye rolled her eyes and said.
Seeing Medical Officer Li coming, Fang Chongyong waved his hand and said, "We are going to the Chishui Army Station. We will be back tomorrow."
After saying that, he pushed Dr. Li's wheelchair and left the hospital.
Anaye looked at the two people's leaving figures and felt uneasy. For a moment, she didn't know whether she should call Fang Chongyong or not.