"Thank you, the prince, thank you... the young gentleman."
After being invited by Zheng Shuqing to sit down, the man quickly thanked him. He looked very downcast, as if he had been on the road for a long time, and his clothes were extremely dirty.
"Although the postmen at the post station are also people who look after people and serve food, they will not drive away the officials who came in like just now. Who are you? Why do those postmen want to drive you away again?"
Zheng Shuqing asked with a puzzled look on his face, and poured the man a glass of wine.
The wine they drank was Huadiao wine, a specialty here in Xiangyang, and it tasted just as good as Honglianchun.
However, Honglianchun, as an "Internet celebrity wine", is obviously more famous among the nobles of Chang'an. Zheng Shuqing and Fang Chongyong both brought some wine back to Chang'an as gifts to their relatives and friends.
Of course it is impossible to open and drink at the inn.
"Well, I am from Jingcheng, Cangzhou, Hebei Province. I worked as a small official under Zhang Shougui, the governor of Youzhou. As a result, an observer was appointed from Chang'an this year. He didn't like me, so he took a little hold of me.
A small mistake framed me. In the end, I was transferred to the Five Lingnan Prefectures to continue to serve as the Kong Mu Officer under the command of the Five Prefectures of Lingnan.
Isn’t this going to kill me? That place in Lingnan is used to exile officials! Miasma and poisonous insects, both will kill people!”
The young man in front of him said angrily. His officials have done a good job. Kong Muguan is the kind of official who can be promoted. If he does well, there is no future.
As a result, the imperial court parachuted an observation envoy to Youzhou Fan Town and "abolished" him simply and rudely!
"So, you were kicked out by them just because you refused to go to Lingnan and deliberately stayed at the station in Xiangyang?"
Fang Chongyong stared into the man's eyes and asked.
"Well... to be honest with you two, it seems so."
The man lowered his head in embarrassment. The reason why he had been dragged from Youzhou to Xiangyang, and every time he stayed at the inn until others rushed him, was to delay his appointment and wait for the transfer.
Generally speaking, Jiedu envoys would also serve as observers part-time. But for some reason, this time the imperial court just airborne an observer envoy, and Zhang Shougui didn't mind this at all, and even called him brothers.
"This dog officer is really good! I will definitely read his book when I return to Chang'an."
Zheng Shuqing said angrily, suddenly thought of something, and asked doubtfully: "By the way, what is your name, and what is the name of the dog officer?"
"Oh, sir, don't worry about that. This dog official is an old minister of the saint Qianlong, and he is deeply favored by the saint. I am solemn, and I will never forget the kindness of a meal, so let's say goodbye." p>
Yan Zhuang realized that he seemed to have said something he shouldn't have said, and it was taboo to talk briefly or deeply.
He was about to get up when he suddenly found the eight or nine-year-old kid who didn't talk much pulling on his clothes.
"If you have anything to say, it doesn't matter. Under such a bright world, can't you explain a single word of truth? No matter how great the official is, can it be greater than the prime minister? This Zheng Shijun dares to speak uprightly in front of the prime minister. What's wrong?
Said?"
Fang Chongyong put Zheng Shuqing on the fire and winked at him.
After a few drinks, Zheng Shuqing became more courageous and said: "Just say it, you are a big and small official, I can easily save you from trouble with a wave of my hand."
Zheng Shuqing secretly thought that after joining the center, he would become a leader on his own, so recruiting some useful thugs and minions seemed to be the right thing to do.
"Your Majesty is so righteous! That dog's official name is Fang Youde. You can find out with just a little inquiry."
Yan Zhuang said excitedly, feeling as if he had found a backer.
Zheng Shuqing and Fang Chongyong looked at each other, each seeing the helplessness in the other's eyes.
"Well, we don't have to deal with him in a hurry. Let's talk about you first. Why did you get demoted? Let's see if Commander Zheng has any way to help you."
Fang Zhongyong asked without changing his expression, his toes were digging out three rooms and one living room on the ground.
The same position was transferred from Youzhou to Lingnan, which is a proper demotion.
"Alas, it was still the drinking that caused the trouble."
Yan Zhuang sighed helplessly and said: "Fang Youde just arrived in Fanyang City, and all the staff were present at the reception banquet. I drank too much and complained to my colleagues that the imperial court was too oppressive in Hebei! Isn't this true?
As a result, Fang Youde happened to hear it and said that I had slandered the court and had evil intentions! I just said a few fair words, so he wanted Zhang Jiezhen (Zhang Shougui) to kill me as a warning to others!
At that time, many people tried to persuade me, and Zhang Jiezhen also said that I was talking nonsense because I drank too much, so I was able to save my life.
The result was great, within a few days I was retaliated against and demoted to Lingnan! Do you think I was unjust or not?"
Dad's skills are very sharp, but his brain is still not working well.
Fang Chongyong complained in his heart and asked: "What did you say at that time?"
"Is this... important?"
Yan Zhuang was stunned, he didn't expect Zheng Shuqing's son (mistakenly) to be so curious!
He then explained helplessly: "Fang Youde boasted about Pei Yaoqing's achievements in regulating water transportation during the dinner, saying that he transported 7 million shi of grain to Guanzhong in three years, which shocked the ancient and modern times during the prosperous period of the Tang Dynasty.
I told my colleagues that these are the people of Hebei, and it is the imperial court that suppresses us Hebei people to death! The prosperous times are nothing!
Isn’t it?
Pei Yaoqing's seven million stones of grain and grass came from eight states, five of which are in Hebei, namely Xiangzhou, Weizhou, Beizhou, Dezhou, and Cangzhou, and the other two are from Puzhou (Puyang) and Yunzhou, which are close to Hebei.
State.
If the people of Hebei are short of food, they will not even be able to find food to buy in neighboring prefectures and counties.
Isn’t this a search for Hebei, breaking the bones and sucking out the marrow? Am I wrong? Why should Fang Youde, that dog officer, target me?”
The more Yan Zhuang talked, the angrier he became. He wanted to slap the table and scold his mother. Zheng Shuqing quickly interrupted: "Be careful what you say, be careful what you say."
"Sorry, I'm really angry..."
Yan Zhuang said with shame.
Fang Chongyong saw this and remained silent. Yan Zhuang is just a young man who has never been beaten by society. When he matures, he will naturally understand that there are laws behind the movement of all things.
"Actually, the Yongji Canal, the canal north of the Yellow River, is closer to Luoyang and gentler, making it easier to collect and transport grain. However, the Tongji Canal in the south is quite difficult to transport grain from the Jianghuai River to Guanzhong.
As for what the court will choose, it is actually clear at a glance."
Fang Chongyong said in a deep voice.
The court's idea is very simple. This canal route in Hebei can save freight and can suppress Hebei and continue to suck blood. In this case, why not do it more thoroughly?
I have worked hard for the people of Hebei to make Chang'an more prosperous. Can this deal be done?
Fang Chongyong assumed the identity of Li Longji, and he found that an emperor who was already over fifty years old did not seem to need to consider such issues!
If people die and birds look up to the sky, how can there be anyone who lives forever in this world? Live the present moment well and make money when you are happy first. What do you want to do in the future?
Let’s talk about it if something goes wrong!
The transportation of grain and grass from the Jianghuai River to Chang'an is very expensive. The freight for one stone of rice is almost fifty cents when it arrives in Chang'an. In good years, the price of rice in Chang'an is only this amount. In other words, according to today's freight
Come to think of it, the cost of sending it to Chang'an has doubled, so you will lose as much as you transport!
This does not include the losses caused by countless canoe boats that capsized in the Yellow River in Shaanzhou!
These things were all told to Fang Chongyong by Zheng Shuqing when he was in Kuizhou. The water transportation of the Tang Dynasty was related to the fate of the country. But the position of Chang'an was unsolvable. Unless the capital was moved to Luoyang, the aging of the empire could be delayed.
Otherwise, continued inefficient water transportation will drag the empire into the abyss sooner or later.
However, it doesn't matter to Li Longji. Anyway, as long as Chang'an and Guanzhong are happy, he really can't care about the rest.
Doesn’t Confucian etiquette, justice, benevolence and trust also emphasize distance and distance?
Li Tang's clan originated from Guanzhong and has no connection with Hebei. Most of his supporters are Guanlong nobles. These people are "relatives", while Hebei people are "sparse".
From Li Longji's perspective, does he need to care so much about what people in Hebei think?
Fang Chongyong feels that this seems to be an unsolvable proposition. There is only one bowl of rice, but two people eat it. Even if they share it equally, no one is full. What should I do? Is there any choice?
"After I return to Chang'an, I will ask Prime Minister Li to test your knowledge. If you are still passable, then stay in Chang'an and serve. I will write a letter and send it to the Lingnan Jiedu Envoy. You are just a big official.
, come to think of it, no one wants to make things difficult for you.
As for complaining about the imperial court, it would be better if you say less in the future. Don’t you understand that disease comes from the mouth and disaster comes from the mouth?”
Zheng Shuqing said nonchalantly.
"Thank you, Mr. Zheng, thank you, Mr. Zheng!"
Yan Zhuang saluted Zheng Shuqing respectfully, wishing he could kowtow and kneel down.
"It's too much of a compliment. You can't call me my husband now. If you call me my husband, how will Prime Minister Li handle himself?"
Zheng Shuqing scolded him with a straight face.
Fang Chongyong thought to himself, although Lao Zheng said no, he was still very honest. After all, only the prime minister can be called "Xiangong". Lao Zheng was about to be promoted, and he really started to tremble.
It’s human nature, human nature.
"Well, this young man is..."
Yan Zhuang suddenly noticed that Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing didn't look much alike, but they looked very familiar to him, as if he had seen them before somewhere.
"Young kid with a yellow mouth, what's the big deal? I'm the only son in the family. From now on, you can just call me Fang Dalang."
Fang Chongyong couldn't help but tease.
Yan Zhuang nodded slightly, hiding the question in his heart. He always felt that something was not quite right, but he couldn't explain it.
The group rested for a day in Xiangyang, replenished some dry food and drinks, and then took the carriage provided by the post station to continue northward. The next stop was far away, which was Xiangxian County in Dengzhou. Going further north was Neixiang County, which we entered.
Wuguandao goes directly to Chang'an.
Due to the delay caused by the ice on the waterway, Zheng Shuqing suspected that they would not have time to return to Chang'an before the Shangyuan Festival. After the Shangyuan Festival, there might be twists and turns in Zheng Shuqing's election of officials. This kind of thing often happens, so when officials are dismissed, they will also
New positions will be filled in a timely manner.
Otherwise, his new position is likely to be replaced by those officials to be elected.
However, the court is also experiencing troubled times now. Pei Yaoqing has been dismissed as prime minister, and Zhang Jiuling and Li Linfu are in conflict. It is normal for Zheng Shuqing to be unable to decide on his official position. It would be strange if he decided on a new official position immediately.
Regarding this, Zheng Shuqing was unhappy all day long. In addition, he discovered that Yan Zhuang was very talented and witty, which was an unexpected surprise.
What Zheng Shuqing, Fang Chongyong and others didn't know was that when they arrived in Chang'an, the situation here was completely different from what they had expected when they set out from Kuizhou.
……
Zhang Jiuling's residence is in Xiuxifang, which is in the southeast corner of Chang'an City and very close to Furong Garden. But unlike Li Linfu, Zhang Jiuling is an upright and honest official, and his house is also very small, far less grand than Li Linfu's house.
This is also related to his humble background.
Essentially, Zhang Jiuling was a very traditional and conservative Confucian scholar-official, and he disliked the extravagant and lustful atmosphere in Chang'an City. Confucian scholars have always had a view: the wealth of the world is constant.
Regarding government affairs, they prefer to adopt the method of "reducing expenditure" to maintain the balance of fiscal revenue and expenditure. "Increasing revenue" means "competing with the people for profit." Confucian historians have always been severely critical of things done by financial officials. If the ruling class uses more resources, there will be fewer people. This is where the so-called "competing with the people for profits" comes from.
From this point of view, it is not surprising that Zhang Jiuling was disdainful in his heart and disapproving of Li Linfu's help in making money for Li Longji. This is due to academic inertia. It is somewhat similar to Fang Chongyong, an undergraduate who looked down on college students in his previous life.
However, at this time, Zhang Jiuling's life was not as comfortable as outsiders thought. He was not waiting for the New Year in the revision workshop, but followed Li Longji out of Chang'an to "appreciate the snow" in Zhongnan Mountain.
However, Zhang Jiuling, who has experienced many storms, can feel that Li Longji is going to do big things this time!
Because there are various signs that the prince Li Ying, whom Zhang Jiuling supports, is making solid preparations... to commit rebellion.
There was a severe drought in Guanzhong two years ago. Li Longji visited Luoyang eastward and brought hundreds of officials to Luoyang to "eat". The then prince Li Ying did something that I don't know how to describe.
At that time, Li Ying asked Li Longji's thirteenth son Li Yan (later renamed Li Yan) to borrow two thousand pieces of armor, but Li Yan did not give it. Not only did he refuse, but he also reported the matter to Li Longji.
Li Longji, who had been trained in the palace for a long time, naturally knew what borrowing armor meant. So he called Zhang Jiuling and asked if he wanted to depose the crown prince!
Zhang Jiuling said at the time that the crown prince was the foundation of the country and should not be tampered with. He felt that this matter was quite strange, because Li Yuan was only leading the Pinglu Jiedu envoy from afar, and those soldiers, horses, and armor were all in Hebei.
Where can he turn into two thousand armors?
In other words, it is certain that Li Yuan reported the prince. But whether he made a false accusation or whether he was instructed to play such a trick of "confusing the truth with the false" is anyone's guess.
Li Yan has no possibility of inheriting the throne, and it is impossible for him to take his turn anyway. In terms of age and wings, he is far inferior to Li Heng; in terms of the degree of favor his mother is favored, he is far inferior to the longevity king Li Xuan.
Therefore, it is very likely that Li Yan was instructed by someone to deliberately falsely accuse the crown prince Li Ying. In other words, even if Li Ying wanted to rebel, it was impossible for Li Yan to find such a big loophole.
So who is behind the instigation has already been revealed!
Zhang Jiuling didn't even dare to think about this!
"The snow scene is very beautiful. Could you please compose a poem to entertain me?"
Li Longji walked to Zhang Jiuling and asked, pointing to the snow-covered mountains in the distance.
"The humble minister is worried about national affairs... I really don't know what kind of poem to write."
Zhang Jiuling said humbly to Li Longji.
"Are you worried about national affairs...or are you worried about the prince?"
Li Longji asked suddenly, making the hairs on Zhang Jiuling's body stand up!