"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 miserable, as if he had been on the road for a long time, and the clothes on his body 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, and I work as a small Kongmu officer under Zhang Shougui, the Jiedushi envoy of Youzhou. But this year, an observation envoy was appointed from Chang'an. He didn't like me, so he caught me a little bit. A small mistake framed me. In the end, I was transferred to the Five Lingnan Prefectures to continue to serve as the Kongmu Officer under the Ministry of Economic Strategy and Attack.
Doesn't this cost me death? That place in Lingnan was used to exile officials! Miasma and poisonous insects, which one doesn't kill people! "
The young man in front of him said angrily. His officials did a good job, and Kong Muguan was the kind of official who could be promoted. If he did well, he would not have 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 asked, staring into the man's eyes.
"That... to be honest with you two, it seems so."
The man lowered his head in embarrassment. The reason why he kept dragging him from Youzhou to Xiangyang and stayed at the inn until others rushed him was to delay his appointment and wait for the transfer.
Generally speaking, Jiedu envoys also work as part-time observers. But for some reason, the imperial court actually airborne an observer this time, and Zhang Shougui didn't mind this at all and even called him brother.
"This dog officer is so damn good! I will definitely read his book when I return to Chang'an."
Zheng Shuqing said angrily, suddenly thinking of something, he 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."
Yan Zhuang realized that he seemed to have said something he shouldn't have said, and it was a 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 speak a single word of truth? No matter how big the official is, can he be bigger 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 entering the center, he would become a leader on his own, and it seemed appropriate to recruit some useful thugs and minions.
"The Lord is so righteous! The dog official's name is Fang Youde. The Lord can find out after just a little inquiry."
Yan Zhuang said excitedly, feeling as if he had found a supporter.
Zheng Shuqing and Fang Chongyong looked at each other, and each saw the helplessness in the other's eyes.
"Well, there's no rush to deal with him. 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 digging out three rooms and one living room on the ground.
The same position was transferred from Youzhou to Lingnan, which was a proper demotion.
"Oh, it's because of drinking."
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 some 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 had drunk 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 am unjust or not? "
The scumbag'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 who have sacrificed their lives and that the imperial court is suppressing us Hebei people to death! What a fart!
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 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 states and counties.
Isn’t this a search for Hebei, breaking the bones and sucking out the marrow? Am I wrong? Fang Youde, why should 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."
"I'm sorry, I'm really angry..."
Yan Zhuang said with shame.
Fang Chongyong saw this and remained silent. Yan Zhuang is now just a young man who has never been beaten by society. When he matures, he will naturally understand that there are laws behind the operation 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. But the Tongji Canal in the south is quite difficult to transport grain from the Jianghuai River to Guanzhong. As for what the imperial court will choose, it’s 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 suppress the Hebei region and continue to suck blood. In this case, why not do it more thoroughly?
Can the people of Hebei suffer a lot and make Chang'an more prosperous? Can this deal be done?
Fang Chongyong assumed the identity of Li Longji and found that an emperor who was already over fifty years old did not seem to need to consider such issues!
When people die and birds look up to the sky, is there anyone who lives forever in this world? Live the present moment well and make money when you feel good 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 Jianghuai to Chang'an is very expensive. The shipping fee for one stone meter is almost fifty cents after arriving in Chang'an. In good years, the price of rice in Chang'an is only this amount. In other words, based on today's shipping costs, the shipping cost to Chang'an has doubled, so you will lose money no matter how much you transport!
This does not include the losses caused by countless canoe boats that capsized in the Yellow River in Shaanzhou!
Zheng Shuqing told Fang Chongyong these things when he was in Kuizhou. The water transport of the Tang Dynasty was related to the destiny of the country. But Chang'an's position is unsolvable. Unless the capital is moved to Luoyang, the aging of the empire can be delayed.
Otherwise, continued inefficient water transportation will sooner or later drag the empire into the abyss.
However, it didn't matter to Li Longji. Anyway, as long as Chang'an and Guanzhong were happy, he really couldn't care about the rest.
Doesn’t Confucian etiquette, justice, benevolence and trust also emphasize the distance between people near and far?
The Li Tang clan originated from Guanzhong and had no connection with Hebei. Most of his supporters are Guanlong nobles. These people are "close", while the people from Hebei are "sparse".
From Li Longji's perspective, does he need to care so much about what people in Hebei think?
Fang Chongyong felt that this seemed 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 is willing to make things difficult for you.
As for complaining about the imperial court, it would be best if you say less in the future. Don’t you hear the saying 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. You've called me my husband. How will Prime Minister Li handle himself?"
Zheng Shuqing scolded him with a straight face.
Fang Chongyong thought to himself, Lao Zheng said no, but his body 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 gentleman 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. You can just call me Fang Dalang from now on."
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 put it into words.
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 is far away, Xiangxian County in Dengzhou. Going further north is Neixiang County, which leads directly to Chang'an on Wuguan Road.
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 Lantern Festival, there might be twists and turns in Zheng Shuqing's election of officials. This kind of thing happens often, so when officials are dismissed, new positions will be filled in time.
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 secure his official position. It would be extremely strange if he were to secure a new official position immediately.
Regarding this, Zheng Shuqing was unhappy all day. Apart from that, 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 was an honest official and his house was 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 held a view: the wealth of the world is constant.
For government affairs, they prefer to adopt "spend-saving" methods to maintain a balance of fiscal revenue and expenditure. "Open source" 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 money, then the people will have less money. This is where the so-called "competing with the people for profit" comes from.
From this point of view, it is not surprising that Zhang Jiuling despised Li Linfu for helping Li Longji make money and expressed disapproval on his face. This is due to academic inertia. It's a bit like Fang Chongyong, an undergraduate student in his previous life who looked down on college students.
However, at this time, Zhang Jiuling's life was not as comfortable as outsiders thought. He did not wait 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 preparing to...rebellion.
Two years ago, there was a severe drought in Guanzhong. Li Longji visited Luoyang eastward and brought hundreds of officials to Luoyang to "eat". The prince Li Ying at that time 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 Xian) 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 has been trained in the court for a long time, naturally knows what borrowing armor means. So he called Zhang Jiuling and asked if he wanted to depose the crown prince!
Zhang Jiuling said at the time that the prince was the foundation of the country and should not be touched lightly. He felt that this matter was quite strange, because Li Yuan only led Pinglu Jiedushi 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 Yan reported on the prince. But whether he made a false accusation or whether he was instructed to play such a trick of "confusing falsehood with truth" is anyone's guess.
There is no possibility for Li Yan to inherit 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 his mother's favor, 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 Prince Li Ying. In other words, even if Li Ying wanted to rebel, it would be impossible for Li Yan to catch such a big loophole.
So who is behind the scenes is already revealed!
Zhang Jiuling didn't even dare to think about these!
"The snow scene is very beautiful. Could you, Prime Minister, compose a poem to entertain me?"
Li Longji walked to Zhang Jiuling and asked, pointing to the snow-covered mountains in the distance.
"The minister is worried about national affairs... I really don't know what kind of poem to write."
Zhang Jiuling raised his hands to Li Longji and said humbly.
"Are you worried about the country's affairs...or are you worried about the prince?"
Li Longji asked suddenly, making the hair on Zhang Jiuling's body stand up!
