Zhang Song sat by the fish pond in the other courtyard, lost in thought, rehearsing the game in the court over and over in his mind.
What exactly does he want to do with the Fa's rectification?
Kill Zhang Ren?
Huh, whoever really believes in what Fa Zheng says on the surface is a real fool!
In recent years, Fazheng has solved many corruption cases and won great reputation among the people; he has made friends with heroes and is also popular among local families; he planned to retreat the Qin army and captured the northern fortress Jianguan for Shu, which can be attacked. , retreat can defend.
A county magistrate became the most popular figure in Shu in just a few years.
Zhang Song would not dare to be careless with such a person.
"Sir, someone from the Dharma Festival Wine House has sent a message to invite you to come over and have a drink."
Save Zhang Ren?
There was a trace of surprise on Zhang Song's face. He really couldn't see through this colleague with whom he had a good friendship.
"Tell the person who is coming that I will change my clothes and go there later. You go down and prepare the carriage."
"Yes, sir."
······
Fazheng's house is far away from the city center, in a corner of Dongcheng District.
Zhang Song took a closer look and found that although Fazheng's official position was high, he had only a short time to accumulate money, and the house was far inferior to that of the Zhang family.
Under the guidance of his servant, Zhang Song walked into a side hall. The maid came forward and served tea and a fruit plate, then turned and left.
"Brother Ziqiao comes to visit my humble home. Sometimes you are not welcomed from afar, but sometimes you are not welcomed from afar."
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Fazheng walking over from behind the screen.
"Takanao is too polite. What kind of friendship do we need?"
The two looked at each other and laughed.
Then the two of them sat down one by one. Fazheng straightened his posture and spoke first.
"I won't be polite anymore. The reason for inviting Ziqiao here this time is to discuss the matter of sending an envoy to Chu State."
On a mission to Chu?
Didn't he invite me here to save Zhang Ren?
Zhang Song's pupils shrank slightly and he answered casually.
"Is there any discussion on this matter? This time we sent troops rashly, my king will definitely send an envoy to Chu State to explain the reason and explore Chu State's attitude. However, the choice of the candidate still depends on the king."
Zhang Song took a slow sip of tea, put down the cup, and looked at Fazheng with confusion.
Fazheng chuckled twice, and an inexplicable light flowed in his eyes.
"Why should Ziqiao evade with empty words? The military is a major event of the country, the place of life and death, and the way of survival. At present, apart from you and me, who can the king send to the civil servants in the court?"
"Looking at the world, only Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Ce can rule the roost. Only these three can complete the great cause of unifying the world. Looking back today, Sun Ce is particularly outstanding. Isn't this opportunity for you to go to Chu as an ambassador for a long time? A good opportunity?"
Zhang Song shook his right hand and knocked over the teacup he had just put down. He placed the tea cup in a panic, a look of fear on his face.
"Why are there such shocking words about filial piety? What do I expect from this? You and I are inferior to each other, and above ten thousand people, we cannot say these nonsense. If it reaches the ears of the king, it will only cause trouble!"
Fazheng looked at Zhang Song's nervous rebuttal, but the smile on his face did not stop. He took another sip of tea, began to suppress his smile, looked at Zhang Song seriously, and continued.
"Does Zi Qiao know why Chu's food is inexhaustible?"
"Zhuge Jin proposed two strategies. One is the tax law. Farmers only need to pay a share of the tax. The land is publicly owned, and tenant farmers no longer need to pay land rent to the aristocratic family. So that the cultivators have their own land! The Qi Min Law lifted the slaves' dependence on the aristocratic families. , causing farmers to return to their fields, craftsmen to trade, and strong men to join the army, one will decline and the other will increase, the family will be weak but the country will be prosperous."
Fazheng gradually took the initiative in the conversation. Zhang Song wanted to interrupt but held his breath.
"Zi Qiao knows that the state of Chu only pays one tax, so why is the money inexhaustible?"
"Ji Shu distributed profits from the iron ore, shipbuilding, military and horse industry, and salt industries that were originally controlled by the state to aristocratic families in various places. He used the power of the aristocratic families to expand the scale of the industry, stabilized the aristocratic families whose land had been taken away, and recruited female workers and idlers. To expand industry, as far as Jiangdong is concerned, the industries in each county have expanded more than six or seven times compared to Sun Jian's time. Ji Shu also established a guild, so that all merchants relied on the guild to carry out bulk trade. The public inspected the quality and provided guarantees, thoroughly Monopolize all industries and take a commission from them! Although the King of Chu did not collect taxes from them, he participated in all large-scale trade and gained wealth."
"Zi Qiao, do you know why there is such an endless supply of talented people in Chu?"
"Sun Ce selected talents by promoting filial piety and integrity in parallel with the imperial examination, opening the door to the upper class for scholars from both aristocratic and poor families, and only using their talents. He also recruited unsuccessful scholars and martial arts masters, established private schools and escort agencies, and taught people how to read and write for free. Some superficial kung fu. Those who died in the war were given fields, and those who retired were employed as escorts, instructors, and craftsmen, so that the soldiers no longer have to worry about anything. So the soldiers use their hearts and the soldiers use their lives."
"When I look at all the countries, within ten years, the strength of Chu will be able to sweep across the world and once again complete the unification of China."
Fazheng seemed impassioned at one moment and eloquent at the other. Zhang Song was shocked.
Fazheng continued with a smile on his face and a confident expression.
"How about it, Zi Qiao, I've already talked to this point, do you still understand my thoughts? The King of Shu is stupid, I have long wanted to surrender to the King of Chu, what do you say?"
Only then did Zhang Song come back to his senses.
His eyes widened. He never expected that after years of secret planning, he would meet his confidant at this critical moment.
Hahaha~
Zhang Song laughed a few times, but he didn't look as submissive as before.
"When the world was in chaos and the Han Dynasty was in danger of overthrowing, Liu Yan accepted the leadership of Shuchuan but stayed in seclusion. When the emperor abdicated, the princes competed for territory in the Central Plains, but Liu Zhang only knew how to introduce scholars from outside to check and balance the local families and consolidate power. Ancient and modern factions are the mainstay. It’s done, Liu Zhang is hiding in the house playing party quarrels again, how can he look like the hero of the world?”
"What you, Fazheng, said today are far beyond the comparison of those mediocre people fighting for power and profit in the court! You are actually my life-long confidant. Even if it was a trap today, I, Zhang Song, stepped on it! Yes, Zhang had already intended to counterattack Western Shu, dedicate the land of Shuchuan to the Ming Lord."
"Fa Zheng, are you going to kill me today, or do you really want to join me in surrendering to the Ming Lord?"
Fazheng was overjoyed and quickly stood up and went to Zhang Song's table to bow.
"Okay, okay, this is how I got to know Zhang Ziqiao. I thought you had been polished off by so many years of courting, but you still didn't disappoint me. Brother Ziqiao, I leave it to you for this mission."
Seeing this, Zhang Song finally believed in Fa Zheng. He quickly stood up and bowed in return.
"Since Xiaozhi is sincere, we are 60% sure of this matter if we join forces. When I go to Jianye to see if Sun Ce is the legendary king of the world, you and I will discuss it in detail."
"Ziqiao, don't be anxious. I'll discuss some matters with you first. It will come in handy later."
With that said, Fazheng pulled Zhang Song to sit down again, and the two of them chatted from noon until dinner time in the afternoon before finally stopping.
Zhang Song said goodbye happily and left, and Fazheng sat back in his seat in a daze. The servants lit the candlesticks, put two side dishes and rice on the table and left. Fazheng looked at the flickering candlelight and murmured.
"Sun Ce, Sun Ce, I have put out the bait, do you dare to bite it?"
Three days later, the Shu State sent a luxurious envoy headed by Zhang Song to the Chu State. Five hundred elites set out guarding the carloads of valuable gifts.
