"Well, this matter is really difficult to explain. By the way, Li Kui is a distant relative of General Wang's wife's family, and he is temporarily staying here."
When Li Kui saw Fang Chongyong take out the red paper with Wang Yunxiu's birth date written on it, he immediately realized that something big was about to happen.
Fang Chongyong was invited into the main room by Li Kui, but he saw that there was only one servant cleaning the yard. The whole yard looked empty, and no one from the Wang family could be seen.
I don’t know if I have traveled far away or if I have something to do and I have to go to another place in Changan temporarily.
After sitting down, Li Kui sighed helplessly: "After General Wang was demoted, this house can no longer be maintained. Chang'an's food, clothing, housing, transportation, and the care of this house are not something ordinary people can afford.
A certain person was studying in Chang'an and preparing for the imperial examination. To be honest, he couldn't afford to rent a house, so he had to stay temporarily with a distant relative. General Wang's wife, Mrs. Li, was from the aunt of the Li family in Longxi, and she was of the same clan and branch as the certain person.
.So I took a certain person here to look after the house and prepare for the imperial examination."
There is a bitterness in Li Kui's words that cannot be expressed by others.
Wang Zhongsi's family, his mother Kuang is a descendant of Kuang Heng in the Han Dynasty, and they are already a small family today. They say that marriage must be well-matched. If Wang Zhongsi's father Wang Haibin has a rich net worth and a powerful background, it is enough to talk about marriage.
Is the marriage between the Kuang family so miserable?
Now in Chang'an, the Wang family are all orphans and widowers, and they have no income at home. Living in Chang'an is very difficult. And the house given by Li Longji cannot be bought or sold at will.
You will be labeled as "bullying the emperor".
Li Kui himself also has difficulties.
Although he was born in the aunt of the Li family in Longxi, all the money and silk belong to the family and can only be used when there is an urgent need. There are many children in the family, and they all find their own way and develop themselves. The prices of goods in Chang'an are astonishing, even for the children of the aristocratic family.
, you can save whatever you can when you get here.
To take the imperial examination, you have to go around Chang'an to find connections with "noble people", otherwise there is no chance. So what if Li Kui comes from a noble family? As a result, no one has the same background. When the time comes to fight for connections and backstage, Li Kui is not sure of it.
of.
As soon as he heard that Wang Zhongsi's wife, Li, wanted to quit Chang'an and return to her hometown to settle down, someone in the family provided a guarantee for Li Kui to stay here temporarily, and paid Wang Zhongsi and his family a sum of money every month to improve their lives.<
/p>
There are many benefits to doing this. Because Wang Zhongsi is only temporarily depressed now, once he recovers, his house in Chang'an will still be there, and his family, including the Li family, can also move back from their hometown.
Moreover, Li Kui only stayed here temporarily for the imperial examination. Once he passed the imperial examination, he would immediately jump over the dragon gate. A child from a family like him would not lack connections in Chang'an once he passed the imperial examination. Of course, he would not be as miserable as Bai Juyi later.
You have to save money to buy a house.
Seeing that Li Kui did not look like a cunning person, Fang Chongyong had a question in his mind. He pondered for a moment and asked: "My father-in-law is from the Wang family in Taiyuan and has a good family background... Why did he live in Chang'an once he was demoted?
What if you can’t afford a house?”
"Even if it is a family of officials, how can everyone be well-dressed and well-fed?"
Li Kui pointed at the robe he was wearing and asked, the dissatisfaction on his face was clear. The navy blue magnolia robe was so simple that there were no accessories.
The aristocratic family is really too big, and he has not yet passed the imperial examination, let alone become an official. There are many children from various branches of the family. If everyone has good clothes and good food, the gold and silver mountains will not be enough.
To live a luxurious life, you must be an official in Chang'an, or your father and brother are officials in Chang'an. He yearns for such a life, and is willing to achieve it through his own efforts. The current situation is only a thin line away from "depending on others", and it is strongly
His pride made Li Kui unwilling to live here permanently.
"Then Brother Li, does he know where my father-in-law and his family have moved?"
Fang Chongyong asked helplessly, Wang Zhongsi, who was riding a horse, was so unreliable that he didn't even notice when his family moved.
Where is the sweet childhood sweetheart and my promised wife?
"General Wang's family has moved back to his hometown in Zheng County, Huazhou. He has not said anything to XX. To be precise, XX has not met them since coming to Chang'an. It was just that a long time ago, when General Wang got married,
I just met them once when I went out to have a drink."
In other words, Li Kui was arranged by his family to live here temporarily and manage the house. Wang Zhongsi's wife, Li, had no contact with him. It was the Li family who pulled the strings and handled the matter.
"Zheng County, Huazhou..."
Fang Chongyong was silent, wondering where this place was. The names of the Tang Dynasty were quite different from those of the previous eras. The system was changed from a three-level system of prefectures, counties, and counties to a two-level system of prefectures and counties, because there were often many unfamiliar names with "state" in them.
The place name of the word.
"Zheng County, Huazhou is at the foot of Huashan Mountain, about eighty or ninety miles away from Chang'an. It takes about two days to get there by oxcart."
Li Kui said indifferently that he probably also knew the reason why Wang Zhongsi's family moved away from Chang'an.
There are no relatives in Chang'an, prices are astronomical, and Wang Zhongsi does not serve as a general in the court, so why stay in Chang'an? Zheng County's hometown is not far away, Wang Zhongsi's family has relatives and land there, even if he returns to Chang'an, it will be
It’s just a two- or three-day journey. It’s really not worth the inconvenience of living in Chang’an.
"Okay, then I'll leave for Zheng County from now on."
Fang Chongyong no longer knows what to say. These adults, who is Fang Youde, who is Wang Zhongsi, who is Zheng Shuqing, both of them are cheaters! They are all trying to make things difficult for him, a half-grown child!
"Could it be...that you are Fang Jieshuai's son?"
Li Kui wanted to take the imperial examination, so he naturally paid attention to whether there were powerful people in Chang'an who could find a way. Fang Youde was actually one of the so-called "connections", but he had already gone to Youzhou. When he thought of the family that married Wang Zhongsi, Li Kui thought
Thinking of this.
After all, the joke about "holding hands for marriage" has been spread everywhere. As a relative of Mrs. Wang Zhongsi's family, it is natural that she is aware of this.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
"Who else could be there besides me, the unlucky guy?"
Fang Chongyong sighed and was ready to get up and leave.
"Actually, you are still young, so you don't have to think about marriage. Since Fang Jieshuai has already made arrangements, it will naturally fall into place when the time comes." Li Kui persuaded him kindly, and his intention to please people could not be more obvious. p>
Fang Chongyong is Wang Zhongsi's son-in-law and Fang Youde's son. Wang Zhongsi's wife is from the Guzang Li family, and she is also from the Guzang Li family. Isn't this the way to go?
Li Kui felt hot in his heart, and his eyes changed when he looked at Fang Chongyong.
"This matter is too long to be described in detail. I can only wait until I see my mother-in-law before making a decision. I apologize for any inconvenience, and I will leave now."
Fang Chongyong raised his hands and saluted Li Kui.
Unexpectedly, Li Kui pulled his sleeve enthusiastically and said: "There is a man named Wang Sheng in Xuanpingfang who is good at drawing lots and telling fortunes. He and I hit it off immediately, so why not go to Xuanpingfang today?"
"That's okay, Xuanpingfang is not far from my home anyway."
Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and did not refuse.
Li Kui has selfish motives, and his intention to build relationships is obvious. But Fang Chongyong thinks it doesn't matter, people are social animals, and relationships are mutual. He has just arrived in Chang'an not long ago, and the future is quite slim. Many friends have many paths.<
/p>
Anyway, it was quite interesting to see how the magic sticks of the Tang Dynasty performed tricks on the way home.
Fang Chongyong thought in his heart.
……
Youzhou Jicheng (Beijing) is nine miles from north to south, seven miles from east to west, has ten gates, and has a city circumference of thirty-two miles. It is a rectangular city that is slightly longer from north to south and slightly narrower from east to west. It is a large city of considerable size by ancient standards.
.
This is Youzhou, or even the northernmost core area of Hebei.
Northeast of Jicheng is Tanzhou City (Miyun District, Beijing). Go north past Gubeikou and continue walking northeast. The Tang Army set up a military garrison here: the Eastern Army guards and captures!
Not only for farming, but also for military training and border defense.
Shouhuo is a border defense institution unique to the Tang Dynasty and not found in other dynasties. The chief is called the Shouhuo general. The number of troops stationed in Shouhuo ranges from 300 to more than 7,000. The setting is very flexible and can be regarded as a border garrison establishment.
Rather than the establishment of the source of soldiers.
The officers and soldiers guarding the capital may include regular troops, that is, government soldiers, or united soldiers, or even prisoners. There are also many local people hired by Youzhou Jiedushi to garrison. The sources are very complex, including both Hu and Han Dynasties, but they are all
It is unified management.
Whether you are on the Fubing Fan or recruiting locally, there is a rule here.
Further to the northeast is Modou Mountain. The Tang State and the Xi people used Modou Mountain as their national boundary. The Tang Army established a border army here called the "Modou Army" and stationed troops across Yunling (Tongling) to prevent the Xi people from crossing the border illegally.
Although spring has arrived and the flowers are blooming, the weather in Duyunling still makes people feel chilly.
Fang Youde, the envoy of Youzhou Observation and Disposal, wearing a large cloak and leather armor, was inspecting Mo Dou's army with his bodyguards. Zhang Shougui, the envoy of Youzhou Jiedu, stood aside quietly and watched without saying a word.
It seems to give Fang Youde a lot of face.
It is indeed impossible not to give face. Although Zhang Shougui's official position is slightly higher than that of Fang Youde, his relationship with Li Longji is more than a little worse than the relationship between Fang Youde and Li Longji.
It can even be described as the difference between cloud and mud.
There are rumors that the reason why Li Longji decisively launched a coup to kill Princess Taiping was because Fang Youde was the mastermind. Just because this person keeps a low profile does not mean that he has little energy.
Kneeling in front of Fang Youde was a burly young man. The armor on his body had long been taken off. He was only wearing a single coat and was tied up with stripes. He was looking at Fang Youde with an angry face and said nothing.
"Cui Qianyou, the evidence that you stole military rations is conclusive. Now that the Commander-in-Chief is using your head to warn the three armies and enforce military discipline, do you have anything to say?"
Fang Youde pulled out his sword and pressed it against Cui Qianyou's hair, in a very insulting and provocative manner.
Zhang Shougui on the side couldn't understand what Fang Youde wanted to do, but Cui Qianyou was just a small corps leader of the Mo Dou Army, so he would be dealt with. If killing this person can lead to Li Longji, then kill him again.
He doesn’t mind ten.
In the officialdom, the life of a soldier is nothing. Of course, killing is okay, but killing in front of so many people is not okay!
"Bah! If you didn't take it, you didn't take it. If you want to incriminate yourself, just do it!"
Cui Qianyou yelled while holding his neck, spitting at Fang Youde, and was immediately rushed over by the soldiers beside him, punched and kicked.
First, the army reported that the rations were missing, and then the next few bags of rations "magically" appeared in his camp. Finally, Pao Ze, who ate and lived with him, stood up and testified against him, saying that when Cui Qianyou stole the rations and brought them back,
The other party happened to see it.
All this frame-up and frame-up scheme seems to have been planned. If this is not a frame-up, then it is really a damn thing!
"Wait a minute."
Zhang Shougui walked over slowly and pulled Fang You aside.
"In the border towns of Youzhou, there are many traders and soldiers, and it is not uncommon to commit crimes. This is just like when Ban Chao conquered the Western Regions. The Han troops in the Western Regions were all brave and ruthless. .
This Cui Ganyou is just a corps commander. Although he is from the Boling Cui family, his family has long been in decline, and he is nothing more than an ant in the eyes of the government. It would be better for someone to expel him from the military, return him to his home, and then hint to the local government to distribute him What does Gongtai think of corvee service?"
Zhang Shougui asked calmly.
He is the governor of Youzhou! Fang Youde is just the envoy of observation and disposal.
If he had his cooperation, Fang Youde would be able to walk around the border town of Youzhou and deal with whoever he wanted. If he didn't have his cooperation, Fang Youde wouldn't be able to do it even if he had more saints! The worst he could do would be to break up and cause trouble. Go before the Emperor.
The observation and disposal envoy is an illegal member of the picket army. Cui Qianyou committed a crime (obviously framed) and was captured by Fang Youde. This is also the other party's responsibility.
It's not impossible to kill the border soldiers in front of Zhang Shougui, but you can't use such despicable frame-up methods.
Just punish me if you want. Killing is absolutely not allowed.
If Fang Youde can kill people randomly in his own army, how can Zhang Shougui command the three armies?
"Zhang Jieshuai pleads for you, and he will be spared the death penalty. He will be beaten with fifty military sticks and escorted back to his place of origin!"
Fang Youde waved his hand, turned around and left.
The group of people rode back to Youzhou City. This time, Fang Youde's inspection of the military situation on the border was completed. Zhang Shougui entertained Fang Youde with a warm banquet, and the food was all local game. There were no other people waiting at the table. Zhang Shougui thought of Cui Qianyou's incident. Fang Youde asked in confusion: "Cui Qianyou is just a corps leader, so why does Gongtai go to war?"
"The punishment cannot be known, and the power cannot be measured. I know he is innocent, but as Commander Jie said, there are countless criminals in the Youzhou border army.
Cui Ganyou and others are in danger of being punished by military law. Will those who really steal military rations continue to steal without scruples?"
Fang Youde expressed his own theory.
Zhang Shougui nodded slightly. Although he did not completely agree with Fang Youde's approach, he had to say that if the punishment is unknown, the power is unpredictable. It may not be easy to deal with ordinary people, but the border troops are very fond of his methods.< /p>
Fang Youde used an innocent soldier to establish his authority. Among this group of frontier soldiers Qiu Ba who had a very indifferent concept of right and wrong, he was really easy to use. If there were no rules in his actions, it would be difficult to predict them; if they were not easy to predict, it would mean that there were super powerful people. Deterrence.
After bidding farewell to Zhang Shougui, Fang Youde returned to his residence. After retreating, he took out a thread-bound booklet placed close to his body.
Turning to the second page, Fang Youde took out his ink pen and marked the name "Cui Qianyou" heavily. And on his booklet, a series of names were written.
An Lushan, Shi Siming, Yan Zhuang, Cui Qianyou, An Shouzhong, Li Guiren... among them, the names of Yan Zhuang and Cui Qianyou have been crossed out with a red pen.
"Anyone who ruins our prosperous Tang Dynasty will die!"
Under the illumination of the weak candlelight, Fang Youde murmured to himself, put the booklet into his pocket and put it away, with a look of relief and satisfaction on his face.
If the problem cannot be solved, then solve the person who created the problem. Fang Youde's thinking is very simple and crude. As for whether it is effective, you can only ask the sky.