Gu Kuang was very trustworthy and wrote an official document, stamped with the official seal of the warden and his personal seal, saying that he was not in a good position to protect the farmland. The soldiers burned half of the farmland when they burned it, and now it was too late to replant it.
, please punish me.
He handed it to Zheng Shuqing for review. After the two of them exchanged polite greetings, Gu Kuang said goodbye and left.
Then he left a note for Fang Chongyong "on the way" and arranged to meet by the river outside the city.
To go or not to go, that is the question. Logically speaking, Fang Chongyong can actually ignore Gu Kuang.
However, Fang Chongyong was very embarrassed to see an honest man being cheated, so he went to the pavilion by the river outside the city. He saw Gu Kuang in a coarse cloth robe already waiting there. The river wind ruffled his unkempt hair.
Looks a little embarrassed.
"Young man, you are very careful, and you screwed me up all of a sudden."
Gu Kuang invited Fang Chongyong to sit down and said with a wry smile.
"Taking care of everyone..."
"You can't afford it. The young man is a child prodigy, and the first born is a great figure who enlightens the deaf and enlightens the deaf."
Gu Kuang said very politely, obviously still angry.
"Brother Gu, actually, although this official document seems to have cost you a lot, in fact, it is very likely that you will be promoted to Chang'an as a capital official, which will be a blessing in disguise. Not to mention being held accountable."
Fang Chongyong said with a mysterious smile.
"Well, thank you for your kind words. If the Central Committee doesn't dismiss me and investigate, I will burn incense and worship Buddha."
Gu Kuang had a look of despair on his face. It was estimated that he would not be able to eat well or sleep well until the imperial court issued the order.
"Brother Gu, think about it, the red lotus rice you asked to be shipped away before was not missing at all, was it all sent to the palace treasury? Can the emperor eat so much?"
Fang Chongyong asked a question that tortured the soul.
"That's not true."
Gu Kuang sneered and said, although he is an honest man, he is not completely ignorant of the truth here. Just because he dare not reach out to the tribute does not mean that others do not dare either.
There are so many dignitaries in Chang'an, either rich or powerful, who want to eat some local specialties. Is that a big deal? If the emperor doesn't reward them, will these precious red lotus rice just rot in the treasury?<
/p>
Obviously impossible!
Even in the past, red lotus rice would be lost due to various reasons. The ones delivered to Li Longji were half of what they were when shipped, just because some people looked good after eating them!
Gu Kuang was very surprised as to why Fang Chongyong knew so much about the officialdom of Chang'an despite his young age.
"When Gu Xiongtai wrote that official document, he gave cover to many people.
How could these people go out of their way to retaliate after benefiting from Brother Gu? Therefore, not only is there no danger in this matter, but Brother Gu is also likely to be promoted as a result.
After all, there doesn't seem to be much difference between taking care of the fields in Kuizhou and taking care of the fields in Chang'an. Those people don't mind if an informed and knowledgeable person like Gu Xiongtai is closer to them, right?"
Gu Kuang seemed to have listened, and Fang Chongyong began to explain in detail why this move would be absolutely fine.
Gu Kuang handed over all the red lotus rice, but only 50% of the quantity was written on the "manufacturer". Then the other 50% became goods beyond the scope of the court's surveillance. In other words, it would be "drifted away" openly.
Even if Li Longji knew about it, he wouldn't do anything. It's very likely that he doesn't know about it at all, or he doesn't have time to pay attention to such a trivial matter.
Because in previous years, it would also "float", but the process may be a bit tortuous. For example, some people will report that a tanker ship sank and the red lotus rice on the ship was also washed away.
Those dignitaries in Chang'an would definitely repay Gu Kuang's kindness and help cover it up. Otherwise, who would take the initiative to "honor" them next time?
"I originally thought that the court was bright and clear, and the government was clear and clear, but I didn't expect that there were so many joints."
After listening to Fang Chongyong's explanation, Gu Kuang sighed and already had the intention of resigning and going home to study.
"If Brother Gu can go to Chang'an and see the scenery of Chang'an, his life will be worthwhile. Why bother to say such dejected words?"
Fang Chongyong comforted him.
He didn't answer, just shook his head and sighed, got up and left.
He left, and Fang Chongyong watched the canals passing through the Kuimen River Pass one after another on the river. He also looked at the majestic Baidi City on the other side, and suddenly felt that his mind was exceptionally clear.
During this period, he was overwhelmed by the many complicated events. But now he has sorted out all the weirdness.
"Not the Prime Minister is in a dream, only Zheng Shijun is in a dream."
Fang Chongyong couldn't help but lamented that he had seen through the mystery, but he didn't intend to tell everything to Zheng Shuqing.
"Fang Youde, courtesy name Quanzhong, was an old friend of Emperor Qianlong. He had an only son, Fang Chongyong, who was stupid since he was a child and could not speak.
What I see today is that the ancients believed that what they heard was false and what they saw was true. I will not deceive you sincerely. Your name as a child prodigy is not only what Zheng Shuqing said, but it is also wrong."
Wei Qing's unique voice came from behind Fang Chongyong.
"The angel was so ridiculous, I can't afford it, I can't afford it."
Fang Chongyong stood up and saluted Wei Qing and said.
"Well, you are not an ordinary person, so I want to talk to you about the court affairs. After all, your father supported me back then."
Wei Qing said with emotion on his face, straightened his spotless robe, and sat down carefully.
"What's going on in the court? How to talk about it?"
Fang Chongyong asked pretending to be confused.
Wei Qing turned his head, looked at the green river in the distance, and said with some emotion: "In the 21st year of Kaiyuan, there was a severe drought in Guanzhong, and Chang'an was short of food. In March of the following year, the saint brought hundreds of officials to Luoyang to eat.
After returning to Chang'an, the saint was furious and thought he had been disgraced, so he ordered Pei Yaoqing to rectify the water transportation on the Yellow River and Jianghuai River.
The three-year period has come and Mr. Pei has made outstanding achievements, but..."
In many words, I am afraid of the word "but".
Fang Chongyong heard Zheng Shuqing say this. Although Pei Yaoqing had rectified the water transportation of the Yellow River, he had blocked the water transportation of the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers, causing freight rates to skyrocket. In addition to Chang'an receiving food, the people and officials in Lianghuai and Jiangnan complained endlessly.
Of course, for the court ministers, as long as Li Longji is satisfied, the rest is not important.
"I think Mr. Pei should have intercepted rice, grain, cloth and other items from the Jianghuai River and built Changping warehouses in Mengjin and other places in the middle reaches of the Yellow River to suppress food prices in Chang'an and stabilize people's livelihood."
Fang Chongyong said nonchalantly, you can guess this ending with your buttocks.
Hearing this, Wei Qing laughed dumbly and said: "You are no longer an ordinary prodigy, but an auspicious one for the country. You are right. Mr. Pei ordered the construction of Heyin Cang, Jijin Cang, and Sanmen Cang along the Yellow River.
The world rents grain and goes up the river from Mengjin to the west. In three years, it has accumulated 7 million shi of grain and rice, saving 300,000 taels of freight.
And use this money as government and city expenses."
The so-called Heshi is a market opened with foreign exchanges in border towns, which can be understood as the national import reserve.
In other words, Pei Yaoqing used the money for public use instead of handing it over to Li Longji's treasury.
Fang Chongyong thought to himself, if he were Li Longji, he would have a smile on his face, shouting "Aiqing" in his mouth, and feeling numb in his heart.
Is becoming an emperor to benefit everyone in the world?
There may be such an emperor, but the vast majority of people who want to be emperor, whether they become emperor or not, their final thought must be to enjoy life better!
Seeing that Fang Chongyong remained silent, Wei Qing frowned slightly and continued:
"Wang Yu, the envoy of Jiannan Festival, was recommended by Pei Yaoqing. Now Wang Yu has been dismissed from office because of the Nanzhao incident, and Xianggong Pei has been implicated. He has been dismissed as Prime Minister and served as Minister of the Ministry of Punishment. Of course, this is only a superficial reason. The real reason is
The reason is...you don’t need to be so straightforward with me."
"I understand, I understand. Don't say anything you shouldn't say."
Fang Chongyong nodded and waited for Wei Qing's next words.
He doesn't know Pei Yaoqing and has no interests related to him. I believe that this is not what Wei Qing wants to say.
"Your father secretly returned to Chang'an this time and went to the palace to meet the saint. He did the same thing as Xianggong Pei did, and then asked me to take you back to Chang'an if there is a chance. Of course, I don't recommend it.
You go back to Chang'an now.
The current situation in Chang'an is a bit strange. You are the son of a close minister of the emperor, so it is easy to get involved in the whirlpool."
Wei Qing said helplessly.
"Some people may not be able to remember if you are nice to them; they will remember it for the rest of their lives if you are not nice to them."
Fang Chongyong couldn't help but hum.
"I just thought you were complaining about your father."
Wei Qing frowned slightly and said with a hint of displeasure in his tone.
It is precisely because of Li Longji that they, the children of Liyuan, can enter and leave the upper class society in Chang'an. Therefore, there are many things that Fang Chongyong can say that they absolutely cannot say.
Of course Wei Qing could hear that Fang Chongyong was complaining that Li Longji was mean and ungrateful, and only held grudges but not kindness. Wei Qing also admired what Fang Youde did. But Li Longji would definitely not be happy.<
/p>
From this point of view, Fang Chongyong seems to have said nothing wrong.
"Now that Prime Minister Li is responsible for rectifying water transportation, are you really sure that you can handle the matter at Jiangguan in Kuizhou? If not, I will take you back to Chang'an now, and you can escape unscathed. If things don't go well in the end, Zheng Shuqing will definitely
Even if you're unlucky, you won't be in a good position!"
Wei Qing couldn't help but mention that Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing are not relatives, so there is really no need to sink with this ship.
"The customs duties of 300,000 guan in Kuizhou have already been figured out. The angels can go back and report to the saints. It will definitely be done before the Lantern Festival next year."
Fang Chongyong said confidently.
"And...that's all, let's wait and see when you arrive in Chang'an."
The words didn't make sense, Fang Chongyong didn't make any progress, and had no intention of following him back to Chang'an. Wei Qing sighed helplessly.
Fang Youde hoped that Fang Chongyong could enter the palace and find a job in the Forbidden Army. He did not expect that the other party had the potential to be a "rebellious son". It seemed that he had no intention of following the steps arranged by Fang Youde.
As for studying and taking the imperial examination, is Fang Chongyong’s foolish appearance the same as before?
"Go ahead. I will return to Chang'an today to report on my work. I also want to see the mountains and rivers of Kuizhou before setting off."
Wei Qing said with some emotion, leaving Fang Chongyong a little confused. What is this person doing who has been grieving the spring and the autumn?
He put his hands together in a salute, then turned and left. Fang Chongyong has only done half of Zheng Shuqing's matter. Whether it can be accomplished or not depends on two things. He is just slapping someone in the face and pretending to be fat.
After Fang Zhongyong left, Wei Qing stood up and looked at Baidi City on the other side of the river, recalling the scene he accidentally saw in the opera garden.
……
"Quan Zhong, thank you for your hard work on this trip."
In an inconspicuous pavilion in the opera garden, Li Longji, who was in his early fifties but looked like the emperor of the Tang Dynasty in his thirties, was wearing an ocher yellow dragon robe and a sky-high crown. He knelt on the ground to worship a tall and thin man.
As a gift, a middle-aged man wearing a black military uniform of the Tang Army helped him up.
This middle-aged man is Fang Chongyong’s scumbag father Fang Youde.
"I don't know what the sage wants, but I will definitely do what the sage orders."
Hearing Fang Youde's words, Li Longji nodded with satisfaction, and the two of them walked in the pear garden.
"What do you think of Kuizhou government affairs?"
Li Longji asked casually.
"Returning to the saint, the top and bottom of Kuizhou are working together to make the Kuimen Jiangguan a mess. The mediocre and mediocre tunes are in vain, and they deceive the superiors and conceal the inferiors..."
Fang Youde wanted to say more, but Li Longji waved his hand.
These are not words he wants to hear.
After Zheng Shuqing left, Kuizhou sent many more mediocre tunes than before, and that was enough. As for those details, he didn't care, and couldn't care less.
"What do you think about the situation with the Jiannan Army?"
Li Longji asked in a deep voice.
"Wang Yu took bribes from the leader of Nanzhao and delayed the military plan and deserved to be killed; Zhangchou Jianqiong incited a mutiny. Although he had military exploits, it was not enough to offset his crime, so he also deserves to be killed."
Fang Youde said with great certainty.
"That's all, the position of supervisory censor is also embarrassing for you. It's hard for you to return to Chang'an. Let's take a good rest this time."
Li Longji said sadly, as if he had something on his mind.
"I have something I want to report to the saint."
Fang Youde's eyes were firm, and he bowed his hands to Li Longji.
"Tell me, you are an old minister from the Qianlong period, I know it well."
Li Longji nodded slightly and said.
"The Khitans frequently invaded the territory, and the situation in Youzhou was unstable. The Jiedu envoy had no financial power, and soldiers were in urgent need of military pay for training, so the minister transferred the 300,000 tax dollars sent by Zhangchou Jianqiong to the Youzhou vassal town for support.
Military supplies should be earmarked exclusively to prevent those gangsters from expropriating money in Hebei."
Hearing this, Li Longji, who was still calm at first, suddenly had a dark cloud on his face!
"Fang Youde! You are so brave! How dare you misappropriate my money!"
Li Longji turned around and looked at Fang Youde, glaring at him angrily!
Fang Youde quickly knelt down on one knee and said:
"Wei Chen only has saints in his heart. Saints are the masters of the country and are rich all over the world. Doing things for the country means doing things for saints. Wei Chen knows that the 300,000 yuan in taxes is used to organize the Shangyuan Festival next year.
As well as rewards for the princes of the Ten Princes' Houses.
But Wei Chen believes that state affairs in Bianzhen are the most important, and the rest are not worth mentioning.
In Weichen's heart, only the saint is the master. Weichen doesn't care what the other princes think. Weichen will never seek refuge with them, nor is he afraid of offending them."
After hearing these words, Li Longji looked slightly calmer and said: "You are doing it for the country, but I have lost face. Isn't my face important?"
"This...Wei Chen can't take care of it."
Fang Youde said sarcastically, obviously feeling guilty.
"That's all. There is a vacancy for a minister in the Ministry of Rites. You should go to the Ministry of Rites and become an official. Don't run around."
Li Longji waved his hand and sighed.
A person like Fang Youde has strong beliefs and is loyal to the point of being pedantic. There is nothing Li Longji can do against him.
A lackey who is so loyal that his master is reluctant to even kill him.
"People's hearts in Hebei are unstable. This time Zhang Shougui received help from a minor minister in times of need. The same is true for many soldiers in Youzhou. They must have neglected to take precautions. Please ask the saint to demote the minor minister to the Youzhou army. The minor minister should be treated as a saint and hide in the dark.
Keep a knife handy for emergencies."
Fang Youde suddenly knelt on the ground and made a prostration.
"Why is this...don't you believe in my ability?"
Li Longji helped Fang Youde up and held on to his arm, sighing deeply.