Fang Laique didn't know where he was taken, but Fang Chongyong was not put in prison, but was taken to a "siheyuan" with a very obvious difference in height!
Kuizhou City is located near mountains and rivers, with the Yangtze River ferry crossing at a low point, where commerce and trade flourish. It occupies the entrance of Qutang Gorge and has a dangerous situation. It has always been an important military town in eastern Sichuan and a battleground for military strategists.
Behind the city is Lotus Mountain, with five mountains juxtaposing each other. Its foothills stretch toward the river, resembling an upside-down lotus. The lotus pond is in the center between the two mountains, and the courtyard of the governor Zheng Shuqing is here.
It was too dark to see what the scenery was like, but Fang Chongyong guessed that this was the best area in Kuizhou, bar none.
As for why he knew that the scarlet-robed official was Zheng Shuqing, in fact, his father Fang Youde's letter had already clarified the interests.
Just think about it for a moment.
Anyone who is a thief will inevitably feel guilty. Fang Chongyong understands that Zheng Shuqing's action is the only thing that is consistent with human nature and logic.
After passing through the front hall and the middle hall and arriving at the study room in the back hall, Fang Chongyong realized that this place was completely different from the simple official residence where he lived. The grade difference is more than thousands of miles.
However, the two towering ancient trees in the courtyard, with their lush branches and leaves, looked a bit ferocious in the darkness.
Fang Chongyong was not too worried that he would be killed. If Zheng Shuqing wanted to trouble him and Fang Laique, there were plenty of ways to do it, and he didn't need to make such a big fight to put on a show.
After the two sat across from each other at the desk in the study, Zheng Shuqing squinted his eyes and looked at Fang Chongyong, but never spoke. He remained silent, and Fang Chongyong also remained silent, waiting for the other party to speak first.
"Did you know that your father is in trouble, and it will also affect the whole family!"
Zheng Shuqing said in a deep voice with solemn tone.
If he hadn't heard Fang Laique say that Zheng Shuqing and Fang Youdeshicheng had a bad relationship, Fang Chongyong might have truly believed this. But after reading the letter, Fang Chongyong now felt as if he knew what the opponent's trump card was when playing stud, and he was not at all panicked.
"Did your father tell you anything important before he left?"
Seeing that Fang Chongyong didn't speak, Zheng Shuqing continued to bluff.
"Zheng Shijun, I think everything is fine. I just guessed that Zheng Jun is the one who is facing the disaster."
Fang Chongyong said calmly, looking at Zheng Shuqing without any stage fright.
He had guessed that Zheng Shuqing would be in big trouble before, but it was not the nonsense mentioned in Fang Youde's letter!
Misappropriating tariffs from Jiangguan in Kuizhou to support the use of troops in Jiedu in Bianzhen is actually a big or small matter!
Because tariffs do not have to be sent back to Chang'an, there are many examples of tariffs being used nearby over the years. Wherever it is closest or urgent, it will be used first.
For example, at the pass set up at Dayuling in the south of Lingnan, the customs duties collected were basically cloth and copper coins. How could it be possible to transport them back to Chang'an after such a long distance? It must have been approved by the central court and used nearby, such as Guangzhou.
Zheng Shuqing dared to misappropriate tariffs because Li Linfu was at the center who could approve official documents for him. As long as there is an official document, illegal things become legal. Li Linfu is both an athlete and a referee, so he is sure to win! If the complaint is filed with Li Longji, there will be no consequences.
Although Fang Chongyong had never eaten "pork", he had seen many pigs running in his previous life, and their movements were quite coquettish.
Therefore, if it was just about misappropriating tariffs to give to Jiedushi, Zheng Shuqing did not need to panic at all. He could fool it by using the words "obey power in emergencies".
The "evidences" that Fang Youde talked about are all unspoken rules in the gray area! After the Anshi Rebellion, vassal towns had not yet been established in various places, and commercial and tax duties would be divided up by the neighboring Jiedushi envoys!
As long as there are vassal towns, similar situations will inevitably occur.
Of course, the feudal town had just been established a few years ago, so it was still a bit taboo to do this, and Fang Chongyong was not sure what the "measure" was. Kuizhou is the gateway to Chongqing. It is certainly more cost-effective to send tariffs to Sichuan than to Chang'an.
This principle can be seen through at a glance as long as it is not deliberately referring to a deer as a horse.
"Haha, a child with a yellow mouth is talking too much."
Zheng Shuqing had a sneer on his face, but he was secretly surprised in his heart.
How did Fang Youde, an idiot, give birth to such a son?
"Since you are not ashamed to speak so loudly, I won't say it anymore. If you want to kill or behead me, please let me kill you as you please."
Fang Chongyong yawned and said.
"well!"
Zheng Shuqing sighed. Although he knew that Fang Chongyong would soon become a dead man, the feeling of being manipulated was really not good.
"Forget it, you don't live long anyway, so I'll tell you the truth. After your soul goes to the ground, just blame your father."
Zheng Shuqing stared at Fang Chongyong's face, but instead of showing fear, the latter seemed to want to laugh.
"I'm going to die anyway. If you have something to say, there's no harm in saying it."
Fang Chongyong clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to Zheng Shuqing.
People must ask for something when they are polite. If Zheng Shuqing is willing to talk nonsense to him, he must want something. He might as well listen to it before talking.
"Your father is the supervisory censor, that is... anyway, he is here to check on me, and this is no secret. Now I just want to put all the blame on your father, but..."
Zheng Shuqing spread his hands towards Fang Chongyong, and what he wanted to express was very clear.
He sought medical treatment in a hurry, but there is also basic logic to biting him randomly. He just found that the logic of his mess was very naive, and he was afraid that Li Longji would eventually become murderous, so he wanted to try his luck on Fang Chongyong to see if he could open a breakthrough.
There is orange sesame wheat peel, but now he doesn't know whether to use it as pulp or not.
"Your Majesty, you can trust me to help you get through this difficult time."
Fang Chongyong bowed deeply to Zheng Shuqing again and said. This is not because he recognizes the thief as his father, but because the other party has murderous intentions. No one cares if they crush an ant! It’s that simple!
Unless that ant is really awesome.
"It's just you? Are you worthy of helping me get through this difficulty? Why do you think so?"
Zheng Shuqing seemed to have heard the funniest joke in the world. The sneer on his face almost fell on Fang Chongyong.
Everyone rumored that Fang Youde's son was stupid, so he had to take his son with him wherever he went. Unexpectedly... this person is not only stupid, but also quite narcissistic.
"Because I'm a child prodigy."
Fang Chongyong pointed to his nose and said, his immature little face looked serious! I don't think I'm saying anything ridiculous at all.
"Oh, prodigy, I have prodigies in the Tang Dynasty, even if I don't have one thousand, there are still eight hundred. Which prodigy are you?"
Zheng Shuqing's tone was contemptuous and he asked disapprovingly. He just wanted to give this ignorant melon a few slaps now.
"That's not important. As long as you know that I am a child prodigy, a child prodigy can do things that others cannot."
Fang Chongyong turned on the repeater mode with a serious look on his face.
It doesn't matter if he is a child prodigy or not, he just wants a chance to survive. Otherwise, I'm afraid it would be difficult to get out of this villa.
"A child prodigy? Yes! Liu Yan was also a child prodigy back then. He could write eulogies to the emperor at the age of nine. You are a child prodigy, so why don't you write a poem and see if you can be admitted to the imperial court?"
Zheng Shuqing's face was full of disdain.
It is not that there were no young men in the Tang Dynasty who could write poems, but those who could write magnificent poems were rare. Moreover, poetry itself actually has routines and "creation methods", which are somewhat similar to Fang Chongyong's "propositional composition" in his previous life.
There were many poets in the Tang Dynasty. In addition to the cultural atmosphere, it was also because of the courses they went to school when they were young. The teachers would teach them how to write poems and what routines to use to write poems!
I heard that this virtuous son never went to school for a day because of his stupidity. If he could compose poetry, he would definitely be worthy of the title of "child prodigy". I taught myself without a teacher when I was young. What is that but a child prodigy?
But, is this person worthy of the word "prodigy"?
"He was a hero in life, but a hero in death. I still miss Xiang Yu and refuse to cross the Yangtze River."
Fang Chongyong "composed" a five-character quatrain using a child's voice.
Zheng Shuqing immediately felt a surge of pride coming to his face! It’s like substance!
This horse riding! What a prodigy!
"this……"
He stood up immediately, not daring to underestimate Fang Chongyong again!
An expert will know if there is one as soon as he takes action.
This poem is not only majestic and bold, but also vaguely expresses the other party's determination to "rather be broken into pieces than destroyed"!
The lyrics are ambitious and catchy.
"The war in Jiannan is tense, so I mobilized the Kuizhou Jiangguan treasury to support the front line... This is also what the left prime minister (Li Linfu) meant. Your father is pedantic, how do you know what state affairs are the most important thing!"
Zheng Shuqing sat down again and sighed softly.
"In this way, Ambassador Zheng is indeed worthy of the title of "Gancheng of the Country", but...I'm afraid things are not that simple, right?"
Fang Chongyong chuckled.
Will Li Longji care about this little thing? Maybe it will happen on the surface, maybe Zheng Shuqing will be demoted.
But it won't be long before Zheng Shuqing will rise again, or even be promoted to the central government. The reason is very simple. Datang belongs to Li Longji. Although Zheng Shuqing did things illegally, he was doing things for the country and Li Longji.
The vassal town in the Kaiyuan period was not the vassal town in the late Tang Dynasty! The imperial court has absolute control over it!
This drizzle-like mistake is not worth worrying about at all. After all, Zheng Shuqing did not use the tax money for himself! As long as he doesn't collude with the prince to establish a new king, everything is a trivial matter to Li Longji!
"Mr. Lang is indeed young and wise."
Zheng Shuqing sighed, and then said: "The problem lies behind. Zhangchou Jianqiong had promised beforehand that if he captured part of Nanzhao's land, he would plunder the place to repay part of the Jiangguan tariff. In this way, Kui It’s also justified on the state’s books!”
Hearing this, Fang Chongyong couldn't help but nodded slightly. Li Linfu's move was really powerful. He first lent money to Zhangchou Jianqiong, and then asked him to lead his troops to rob the border town. The obtained property was used to pay back the money, and finally the money was settled!
The country's affairs were taken care of, and his own affairs were also taken care of. He also attracted party members and eliminated dissidents.
Fang Chongyong wanted to applaud Li Linfu loudly!
"But! The team sent by Zhangchou Jianqiong to deliver money was robbed near Kuizhou! Right under my nose!"
Zheng Shuqing slammed the table in excitement! He was so angry that the veins in his neck bulged, and his eyes almost bulged out.
Whether the Jiangguan tariffs should be appropriated or not is a trivial matter. The meat rots in the pot. But if your taxes are robbed, that’s a big deal!
This matter is so secretive and few people know about it. Who is the problem?
Zhangchou Jianqiong's side, or Zheng Shuqing's side?
The boat transporting goods was robbed near Kuizhou. Who has the bigger problem? Needless to say?
The huge Jiangguan customs duties were gone and the accounts were inconsistent. How could Zheng Shuqing explain to Li Linfu and Li Longji? This illegal thing cannot be hidden in the end!
So Zheng Shuqing thought of a crooked trick, as long as he passed the responsibility to the supervisory censor Fang Youde. When the supervisory censor found out about this matter, he became greedy and colluded with mountain bandits and water bandits to rob the canal. It seems that... ...Well, that sounds a bit insulting to IQ.
Fang Youde was missing and probably died of drowning. Many residents here in Kuizhou make boats their home. Countless people drown every year, and Fang Youde is one of them. If this were not the case, Fang Youde had been gone for more than a month, why not come back to find his son?
However, Zheng Shuqing felt that after hearing this explanation, Li Longji would think that he was deceiving the emperor.
It will be difficult to come back to this matter.
"Zheng Shijun, I have a question that I don't understand. My father is not a native of Kuizhou. Like Shijun, he has lived in Chang'an for many years. There are not many followers around the supervisory censor. How can he be so secretive in such a secret place? What about plundering the ships under such circumstances?"
Fang Chongyong looked at Zheng Shuqing as if he were a fool and asked.
"But your father is dead! Dead people cannot speak. If something goes wrong, the responsibility should be passed on to the dead. You are a child prodigy. Don't you understand this!"
Zheng Shuqing was off guard by Fang Chongyong's question, and roared at Fang Chongyong, completely losing the manners a governor should have!
Laughing dumbly, Fang Chongyong understood why Zheng Shuqing wanted to kill him and Fang Laique.
Four words, "Death without proof", are enough.
Zheng Shuqing may not have many conspiracies, he is just a dead horse acting as a living horse doctor.
People who fall into the water always have to struggle. Zheng Shuqing understands that if the goods used to fill the customs holes are lost, he will definitely die. How about going crazy before death and maybe reviving the chess game?
Fang Youde has not appeared for so long and has not heard about the Chang'an activities. He is probably really dead.
There was an awkward silence in the study room. Fang Chongyong discovered that although the other party had shown his cards, he... seemed unable to handle this hand!
"Uh, Mr. Zheng, can I take the liberty to ask, how much of the withheld customs duties and taxes are...?"
Fang Chongyong asked tentatively.
If there were too many, he probably wouldn't be able to get out of the yard. If Zheng Shuqing is going to die, he will definitely not mind dragging a few more unlucky ones to die first. We all walk together on the road to hell, and we are not alone.
"What's the use of talking about this now? That's three hundred thousand yuan! You know nothing!"
Zheng Shuqing completely lost his composure, his voice roaring like a beast. At the beginning, he participated in Li Linfu's arrangement obsessively. He expected to return to Chang'an and serve in the central government after the matter was completed, but he did not expect that such a thing would happen.
"It turns out there are only three hundred thousand strings."
Fang Chongyong breathed a sigh of relief.
If it's more than a few million dollars, it's probably going to be crushed to death by this "money mountain". But if you only have 300,000 yuan, you can still consider operating it.
Three hundred thousand copper coins are too heavy to be transported efficiently?
That's true, but who stipulates that tariffs must be in copper coins?
One tael of gold at this time, which is 37.7 grams, can be converted into ten guan of money! If the three hundred thousand guan were exchanged for gold before shipment, would it take up a lot of space and be inconvenient to transport?
Fang Chongyong already had an idea in his mind, but he needed time to plan it carefully.
"How can you... be so arrogant that you don't take 300,000 yuan seriously? Even if I sell you, how much will it cost?"
Zheng Shuqing complained dissatisfiedly, Fang Chongyong's confidence is certainly not a bad thing, but what's the use of just having confidence?
"Zheng Shijun, I actually think that the princes in the court will not care whether the Kuizhou customs duties have been diverted to the border town, nor will they care about the Jiannan Army plundering Nanzhao. There is no name written on the money, as long as If you can make money and plug the holes, the game of chess will survive."
Fang Chongyong persuaded calmly.
Zheng Shuqing was stunned. It felt like he suddenly saw a bright light in the fog!
That's right, as long as it's money, it doesn't matter if it was robbed from the border town or it was made up by oneself.
"If Mr. Lang can figure out a way to make up for the money... I will take you to Chang'an, send you to a school, and take the imperial examination to gain fame! After this matter is resolved, I will have no grudges with your family, and there will be no life-and-death struggle between us. conflict.
Is there anything you can do? There are not many wealthy households here in Kuizhou. "
Zheng Shuqing asked in a low voice, not forgetting to remind him at the end.
Obviously, he originally thought about killing a few pigs to repair the holes in Kuizhou, but for some reason he didn't make it in the end.
"Give me three days, and within three days, there will be an answer."
Fang Zhongyong said decisively.
