Wushan County has a small territory. It is bounded by the Yangtze River in the northeast, the Wujiang River in the west, and the Fujiang River in the south. The county seat is located where the three rivers converge, and it has been the throat of eastern Chongqing since ancient times.
After arriving in Wushan County, Fang Chongyong finally understood why the imperial court wanted to move the garrison here. Because compared with the constant flow of ships near Kuizhou City, with countless ships queuing up for customs clearance, the river here is narrow and the channel is single, which is obviously much easier to control.
, it is easy to block the river.
The shrinking of the imperial court simplified the defense of the southwest, so it would naturally choose the most economical and labor-saving method. Kuizhou Fucheng and Baidi City, which were the places where troops were stationed, naturally gave up most of their military functions due to the prosperity of the commercial ports.
Of course, Wang Zhongsi came to Fang Chongyong not just to "recruit a son-in-law", but because he had something urgent to do. There were many people in Kuizhou Prefecture and it was inconvenient to handle it. He could only go to Dongyang Prefecture in Wushan County to get it done.
The outskirts of Wushan County are humid, with dense vegetation, and there are many snakes, insects, rats, and ants. Wang Zhongsi ordered his people to imitate the building habits of the Liao people and build many stilt houses (that is, stilt-type structures) in the outdoor camps, which are similar to the residences of the Liao people.
They look the same.
It has to be said that even if this general was reprimanded, he still paid attention to military affairs after he came to the local government.
The two climbed up to a simple stilt house, where the furnishings on the bamboo walls were all bows, crossbows and swords. After the two sat down, Wang Zhongsi handed Fang Chongyong a letter sent from Chang'an for inspection.
While Fang Chongyong was reading the letter, Wang Zhongsi sighed: "I was demoted to Dongyang Mansion, and I didn't have a single staff around me. Now when I encounter big and difficult decisions, no one can give me advice. It's sad to say that I worry about my family's small size, so sometimes
I really envy your father for being decisive and doing great things without sacrificing his own life."
This letter was written by Prince Li Ying.
It is a bit strange that Li Ying wrote to Wang Zhongsi. Because the latter grew up with Li Heng and had a close relationship with him, but he did not have much contact with Li Ying and there was no friendship at all.
But now Li Heng can't do anything to help Wang Zhongsi. Even after being demoted to Dongyang Mansion, he didn't even write a letter.
Li Ying told Wang Zhongsi that he could find a way for the latter to return to Chang'an smoothly and serve as the commander of the imperial guards in the palace. I wonder what Wang Zhongsi thinks.
And Li Ying also emphasized that Li Heng already knew about the matter and did not express any objection. It is up to you to decide.
The meaning is this. The original text was written very politely and warmly. Basically, the tone was that Wang Zhongsi was treated as a brother in the house of the Ten Kings. To be honest, when Wang Zhongsi was raised in the palace, his treatment was indeed not much different from that of a prince. This letter put Wang Zhongsi in a dilemma.
On the one hand, he has no future here in Dongyang Mansion, and has no chance to even go to the battlefield. He is looking forward to returning to Chang'an day and night.
On the other hand, even Wang Zhongsi, who didn't have a very good sense of politics, noticed that Li Ying was planning something big!
In the Tang Dynasty, there were so many dramas about father's farewell and son's laughter, and the killing of brothers that people had to think about it. Wang Zhongsi would rather believe the words of Fang Youde's son than to believe Li Ying's
Commitment.
Unless the situation forces it.
"The prince wants to rebel."
Fang Chongyong said four words that made Wang Zhongsi tremble.
"Be careful, even though you are smart, you can't talk nonsense about this kind of thing."
Wang Zhongsi exclaimed in a low voice.
"General Wang, isn't this matter obvious? If it were not for rebellion, what would the prince have to say to a lieutenant general in the Southwest who had great military exploits but was denounced in the southwest?"
Fang Chongyong's words made Wang Zhongsi silent. Many things were separated by a layer of window paper. After being exposed, it was just that. Before, he just deliberately didn't want to think about it.
"Li Ying has been the crown prince for twenty years. I also heard some rumors from Zheng Shuqing about the current situation. The saint doted on Concubine Wu Hui, and he loved Concubine Wu Hui as much as he loved her. He also loved Concubine Wu Hui's son, King Longevity Li Xuan.
Does the prince think that the saint has plans to depose the prince?"
Fang Chongyong asked in a deep voice.
These words made sense. If Li Longji really wanted to depose the crown prince, Wang Zhongsi would not be surprised at all.
"Then what should I do with this letter?"
Wang Zhongsi pointed to the "letter of solicitation" placed on the desk.
"This is just Li Ying's plan to ask for directions. Maybe he has written to other people. For Li Ying, if General Wang responds to the letter, it will be an unexpected surprise; if he doesn't reply, it doesn't matter. Anyway, he has decided to leave.
There is nothing to worry about when you take this road."
Unexpectedly, the matter was so serious. Wang Zhongsi suddenly didn't know what to say. For a general like him who leads troops into battle, when faced with similar things, he is actually testing his own shortcomings. Those rich battle experiences are not worth the slightest bit.
Can't even show it.
Concubine Wu Hui's origin aroused the sensitive nerves of the princes. If Li Long, the longevity king, becomes the prince and ascends the throne and proclaims himself emperor in the future... what will happen is simply unimaginable.
We can’t say that Li Ying is “trickling the people to harm me”, because Li Longji is indeed very dissatisfied with him!
"At the beginning of this year, the saint was still in Luoyang. But for some unknown reason, he finally returned to Chang'an early. Not long after, I was relegated to Wushan County."
Wang Zhongsi was thoughtful as he spoke. He felt that these things were nothing when viewed individually, but when connected together, they were somewhat meaningful. Li Longji returned to Chang'an early. Did he notice any changes in Prince Li Ying in Chang'an? Fang Chongyong does not dare to overestimate Li Longji today. This man’s integrity has been lost!
"In your opinion, how should I reply?"
Seeing that Fang Chongyong didn't speak for a long time, Wang Zhongsi couldn't help but ask.
I received Li Ying’s letter and there are many ways to deal with it.
The stupidest way is to "read without replying" and pretend that nothing happened.
On the surface, it seems very safe, but in fact, this is the riskiest response method. "It has been read and cannot be read back." On the surface, Wang Zhongsi understands the situation, but wants to sit back and watch. This attitude is the worst in Li Longji's eyes.
It's even worse than participating in it.
Participating in it is just a lack of brains. If you can’t read it back, it means you have ulterior motives. A general who leads an army has ulterior motives. Just thinking about it makes people’s hair stand on end!
"General Wang..."
Fang Chongyong stretched out his hand and looked at Wang Zhongsi.
"What do you mean?"
Wang Zhongsi asked with a confused look.
"The so-called estrangement cannot lead to a close relationship. A saint has a nurturing grace for a general; a loyal king and a general have brotherhood. I am just the son of a colleague. As the saying goes: a distant relationship cannot lead to a close relationship. There are many things that need to be said with the right status.
.Otherwise, how can the general believe what I say?"
Fang Chongyong sighed helplessly.
Hearing this, Wang Zhongsi was overjoyed and quickly took out the red paper from his arms and handed it to Fang Chongyong.
"For the time being, you can call me uncle and I will call you my nephew. After you return to Chang'an, you will live in the Wang family residence."
Wang Zhongsi took out another letter from his arms, making Fang Chongyong wonder whether the other party was actually a human-shaped mailbox.
When I opened the letter, I still saw the handwriting of my father Fang Youde, the handwriting was stiff and powerful.
Fang Youde said in the letter that he and Wang Zhongsi had a close friendship and they were brothers. Now that he was going to Youzhou to do a big job, he probably would not return to Chang'an again, so he had no time to take care of Fang Chongyong, so he could only foster him in the hospital.
Wang family, just follow Wang Zhongsi’s arrangements.
Daddy's usual style is that he never asks Fang Zhongyong whether he can do it or not. He will talk about it after it's done anyway.
"Uncle, this matter is very important. We must not treat it as if we don't know what to do."
Fang Chongyong naturally changed his title and said.
Wang Zhongsi nodded slightly, he also thought of this.
"How should we deal with it?"
"He directly replied to the letter and refused, and then scolded the prince in the letter that he should abide by his duties. The court has its own laws, and it is not a bargaining chip for him to use to win people's hearts. As for this letter, there is no need to send it to the saint specifically. If you send it, it will
He is suspected of being a thief with a guilty conscience."
Fang Chongyong expressed his opinion.
If you don't reply to the letter, you have ulterior motives, and if you forward the letter to Li Longji, you have a guilty conscience. Only by discussing the matter and rejecting it flatly can you prove your innocence.
"It makes sense, and it should be so."
Wang Zhongsi nodded slightly.
In fact, many matters lack capable people to discuss and decide, so the parties involved are easily confused. As long as you can find a confidant who always has an idea, it is easy to make a correct judgment. Regarding how to reply, Wang Zhongsi already had an idea in his mind, and Fang Chongyong just
It just confirmed his thoughts and strengthened his determination.
"Uncle, I want to learn the art of war."
Fang Chongyong put his hands together in salute, bowed deeply to Wang Zhongsi and begged.
"I understand the things on the battlefield, but I can't teach you. If I just try to deal with it, I might kill you by then."
Wang Zhongsi said with some annoyance.
This future son-in-law is really good. Firstly, his background is the son of an old friend, so he will not develop into a white-eyed wolf. Secondly, he is resourceful and has a calm mind at a young age. He will become a great asset in the future! If possible, Wang Zhongsi would certainly be willing to give him all his money.
Teach, teach the art of war.
But no matter how smart Fang Chongyong is, he can even write poems out of his mouth, but now he is just a child who can't even ride a horse.
The true experience and experience on the battlefield cannot be described in words. At most, I would like to remind you when you are on the scene. The ability to fight needs to be learned in the war. Whether Zhao Kuo talked about it on paper is another matter, but it has never been the case in history.
There is a lack of waste that can only talk on paper.
If Wang Zhongsi is digging his heart out, it depends on whether Fang Chongyong can understand his painstaking efforts.
"I understand, it's not too late. My nephew, let's go back to the capital of Kuizhou. The things there are related to when I can return to Chang'an. After I return to Chang'an, I will organize my uncle's promotion and transfer. My uncle only has his own hands.
Only by holding military power can we protect ourselves. Otherwise, even Li Ying and his ilk will show their fangs to my uncle."
Fang Chongyong said seriously, his tone and demeanor made Wang Zhongsi not doubt whether this matter could be done.
"That's okay..."
Wang Zhongsi nodded slightly. It was not that he was anxious to recognize his son-in-law, but now he smelled the coming rain.
He also knows that he is not the kind of person with a very sensitive political sense.
Li Ying's letter made him understand that it doesn't mean that hiding in a remote place can avoid political threats.
Fang Chongyong’s words are not bad at all.
"I'll take you back to Kuizhou Fucheng."
Wang Zhongsi sighed, looking melancholy.
……
"Okay! Okay!"
Zheng Shuqing was more excited to see Fang Chongyong return just one day later than to see his own beautiful concubine.
He came over and whispered into Fang Chongyong's ear: "I checked the accounts today and found that I have collected 150,000 guan. Many people did not redeem the 500 guan deposit after returning, but added 500 guan."
Shipbuilding. This month we should be able to raise enough money to send back to Chang'an..."
Seeing Zheng Shuqing so excited, Fang Chongyong weakly interrupted: "Shijun, I have an ominous premonition. Haven't you noticed that General Wang and his party are making too smooth progress in Baidi City?"
All goes well? Our Tang Dynasty is invincible and we have just wiped out a few bandits. Do we need to go to war? Isn't this a matter of course?
Zheng Shuqing was stunned and had no idea what Fang Chongyong wanted to say.
"We need to speed up the progress. We will call all the merchants from the shipyard here today. The construction period will be accelerated. We will recruit more manpower and rotate it three times a day."
Fang Chongyong said eagerly.
He remembered that there was a huge loophole in his move and wondered if the court had discovered it. With Li Longji expressing his support for Zheng Shuqing, it was temporarily impossible to change customs clearance back to the original system. However, the inability to change the system did not mean that some
There is no other way to recover losses.
How can the people in Kuizhou eat such a big piece of cake like resetting the canal boats?
Half a month later, Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing were extremely busy, trying their best to speed up the progress and speed up the ship update. Finally, including the advance payment, they finally collected 300,000 yuan! Almost at the same time, the court
The new decree has arrived.
In the study room of the Lianhuachi Villa in the north of Fucheng, Zheng Shuqing was pacing back and forth angrily, holding the imperial decree and documents in his hand. He wanted to throw it to the ground several times and step on it, but finally he restrained himself.
"It's too much! It's too much! What do you think we should do now?"
Zheng Shuqing started to get anxious again. Once he is anxious, he likes to go to extremes. He thought about it all night last night, and his brain hurts today. He even considered the bad idea of pretending to be a bandit to rob a merchant ship.
"The government order requires us to adhere to the customs clearance policy after restructuring, but it also says that Kuizhou is located in a remote area. Once something happens to the shipyard, it will affect the water transportation plan. Let us deliver the drawings of ship types suitable for passing the Jiangguan in Kuizhou to the imperial court, and implement a quota system every year
, let Jianghuai's shipyard also build such ships, so as to avoid vicious competition and eventually build ships that are unusable.
To be honest, I think this move is quite reasonable."
Fang Chongyong sighed helplessly. Afterwards, he finally understood why the group of "thieves" deliberately came to Baidi City to kill people.
Many ministers in the imperial court also formed a "logical closed loop".
Because the Kuizhou shipyard was almost attacked, it was very risky to throw all the ships that could clear customs into Kuizhou for production.
Because ship production is threatened, water transportation from Shu to Yangzhou is also threatened.
Because changing or expanding the production area does not affect the customs clearance system, it is also acceptable to produce similar tank ships elsewhere.
Because decentralizing production spreads risks, the imperial court should issue an order to Kuizhou to force it to transfer some of its ship production orders.
The plan works! Perfect!
Everything was exactly as Fang Chongyong expected. As long as there was a loophole, someone would definitely take advantage of it. If it could be delayed for so long, he estimated that Li Longji must have exerted his strength inside. But the emperor's power is not unlimited. What the emperor needs is ability.
, a dog that can do things, rather than a dog that needs to be maintained or even protected by itself.
Now Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing have one foot ashore and the other foot is still in the water.
How to get the remaining 100,000 yuan, which is the additional money Li Longji requested?
Zheng Shuqing showed Fang Chongyong the so-called "quota" of the imperial court. The orders received by Kuizhou this year have already exceeded the quota!
Should we take the risk and treat the imperial decree as if it does not exist, or should we... find another way?
Another seemingly insurmountable mountain was placed in front of Fang Chongyong.