Li Longji often gave official positions to his ministers after weighing many aspects. Factors such as the other party's merit, proximity, ability, and political checks and balances were taken into consideration. Everyone bids a price, and he only sees what the food is, and throws away the bones according to the dog he raises.
In other words, the "price" offered by Li Longji can definitely only be regarded as an "average price", and there are even many big pitfalls. No one without great wisdom, courage, great wisdom or great ability can do this.
Zheng Shuqing was worried. He was just a person with ordinary ability, ordinary background and ordinary luck in the officialdom of the Tang Dynasty. If you want to climb up, you have to do unusual things and take unusual paths.
In a word, you can't get far just by yourself.
Uncle Zheng cleared his hands and came to Li Linfu's house in Pingkangfang, preparing to ask the other party for an official position. Ever since he refused Jing Zhaoyin's appointment, Zheng Shuqing understood that he was now on Li Longji's blacklist for selecting officials. Without Li Linfu's help, he would probably be kicked back to his hometown in Xingyang as a young boy after he could no longer stay in Chang'an. The official died alone.
It didn't take long, and Zheng Shuqing, as a peripheral member of Li Linfu's party members, was quickly received.
Now that Li Linfu is employing people, this kind of clique formation for personal gain is still within the scope that Li Longji can accept. If every big boss at the center of the imperial court has no party members, how can the decree he wants to implement be implemented smoothly?
This is a very real problem. We cannot let the horse run well without giving the horse grass to eat. It is necessary to form a party in the DPRK, otherwise even the normal government affairs required by the emperor will not be handled, not to mention that Li Longji, who is very happy with his achievements, often makes extra demands.
"Things are going well in Kuizhou. If you have any questions, I can help you with your questions."
Seeing Zheng Shuqing with dark circles under his eyes and no energy at all, Li Linfu smiled and said, very cordially.
"If you miss the election of officials, please ask the left prime minister to help me."
Zheng Shuqing took out a piece of paper from his sleeve, handed it to Li Linfu and said: "The rents in Kuizhou are all purchased by the government, and there is quite a surplus. Now the accounts are in order, which is better than before. I can't use this surplus, please." The Prime Minister of the Left will make arrangements at his own discretion, thinking that the public has money."
"It's wonderful to do things properly."
Li Linfu took the piece of paper and nodded slightly. This was a note issued by a large bank in Chang'an. It totaled five thousand guan. There was no need to withdraw the money. The merchant would send the interest money every month.
It’s not a lot of money, but it’s definitely legal!
It is very common for local governments to "dispose of" the fiscal surplus they obtain due to "reasonable operations" (not greedy) in a reasonable and compliant manner.
Li Linfu turned the money into "public money" and gave it to businessmen for lending, which was also reasonable and compliant.
The interest on this "extra" public money fell into Li Linfu's own pocket. This matter was also reasonable and compliant. It was a blind spot in the law. The officialdom acquiesced and was beyond reproach.
Chang'an officialdom has always done this, and no one said anything inappropriate. If it is not appropriate, who will think of ways to help the government save money when handling government affairs in the future?
As an official, I took risks to help the yamen save money.
In the end, if things go well, it won't do me any good. If things go wrong, the superiors will hold me accountable for "not following the rules", so I might as well just lie down from now on!
So even if I don’t take the money, it’s okay to let me eat some interest on the public money, right?
I have to say that Lao Zheng handled this matter very authentically and was impressed by Li Linfu's work style and behavior habits.
Corruption also operates within the body and does not violate the unspoken rules of officialdom.
"The purpose of setting up this situation is to take down Wang Yu, the envoy of Jiannan Jiedu, and Wang Yu is Pei Yaoqing's man. Now that Pei Yaoqing has resigned, Wang Yu is being questioned, and you have played the most important role in it.
But the sage still had a grudge in his heart, thinking that you had the intention of deceiving the emperor, so he asked you to make money in Kuizhou and use it after your reputation was ruined.
I just didn't expect you to be able to collect that money. It's really eye-opening.
I deliberately did not tell you the truth because the sage had something to say about this matter first and cannot be said. You won’t complain about the truth, right? "
Li Linfu asked with a smile.
Zheng Shuqing understood deeply, nodded slightly and said: "Thank you, Prime Minister Zuo, for taking care of my subordinates in the court, otherwise a prison sentence would have been inevitable. I am so grateful that I have something to offer to Prime Minister Zuo to express my sincere feelings."
Zheng Shuqing put the "red yeast" that Fang Chongyong had given him, as well as Hong Lianchun's book on the method of making koji and brewing wine together on the table in front of Li Linfu.
"So this is Red Lotus Spring."
Li Linfu checked the red songs that didn't look very good and said thoughtfully.
"A common man is not guilty of carrying a jade. You dedicate such a precious thing to me, how do you want me to deal with it?"
Li Linfu looked at Zheng Shuqing with a smile and asked.
"Back to Prime Minister Zuo, red yeast wine will definitely enter the homes of ordinary people, but it will not happen overnight. Now that Prime Minister Zuo has the method of making koji, whether he brews it himself or offers it to the saint, it is a happy event. Zuo You can make your own decision."
Zheng Shuqing suggested calmly.
Li Linfu lacks nothing, and it is not appropriate to give him anything valuable. This is the only way to make red yeast wine and make wine. There is no harm in accepting it, and everyone is happy to give it away.
Zheng Shuqing knew very well that success or failure depended on this.
"Now, the position suitable for you is Minister of Household Affairs."
Li Linfu put away the koji and the method of making wine, rubbed his hands, and spoke slowly.
"Please tell Prime Minister Zuo that I am willing to accept any arrangement."
Zheng Shuqing bowed and made a big salute.
Li Linfu nodded slightly and said: "It's easy to say. I estimate that Wei Jian has the intention to become the prime minister. According to the usual practice, most of the people who become the prime minister have the experience of Jing Zhaoyin. If Wei Jian is the Jing Zhaoyin, no one in the court will be with you. Competing for the position of Minister of Household Affairs.
When the time comes, I will petition the Emperor to grant you the position of Minister of Household Affairs. What do you think?
Wei Jian is proficient in financial management and is the brother-in-law of King Zhong (Li Heng). You can't compete with him. "
Hearing this, Zheng Shuqing instantly understood that he had indeed made the right gift this time! If we look at the officialdom's skills, among the big shots in the imperial court today, there are only a handful of people who can withstand Li Linfu for one round!
Aren’t you Wei Jian awesome?
Then try the position of Jing Zhaoyin!
This is the fast track to becoming prime minister. Are you going or not?
It was impossible for Wei Jian not to go, because there was Li Heng standing behind him! His sister is Li Heng's princess, so for a simple reason, Wei Jian had to rush to the front.
Having the position of Jing Zhaoyin can bring a lot of convenience to Li Heng.
When he becomes prime minister in the future, Li Heng is more likely to be crowned prince.
Now everyone in the court can see that it is only a matter of time before Li Ying is deposed. Li Longji has already chopped off few of his wings!
It must be said that Li Linfu has his own accurate judgment on the direction of the court situation. Wei Jian is good at managing money and can't stop him from rising to the top, so he might as well help him and push him to a higher position to prevent the other party from taking over the household department and destroying his base.
This is a big chess game. Zheng Shuqing appeared in the right place, just in time to replace the power vacuum caused by Xiao Jiong's demotion. In this way, Li Linfu can play this game of chess successfully. In addition, Zheng Shuqing is obedient and filial, so it is not difficult to rise to the top.
There is a popular saying in Chang'an official circles:
Follow Zhang Jiuling and he will pull you in depending on the situation. You don't have to help him, but if something goes wrong, he will help you talk to him depending on the situation.
If you follow Li Linfu, he can find a way to push you up. You have to help him with things, but he won't protect you if something goes wrong.
Send money to Gao Lishi, but he will not do anything after receiving the money. If you don't give money to Gao Lishi, he will definitely ruin your affairs.
Zheng Shuqing could only count himself as half begging for an official. He still had to go to Gao Lishi.
"By the way, how about Fang Youde's son?"
Li Linfu suddenly remembered this incident and asked.
"Back to Prime Minister Zuo, this guy has some quick wits. He may be able to do something in twenty years' time, but it's not worth mentioning now."
Zheng Shuqing said very contemptuously.
"Well, I think so too.
Go ahead and think about how to help the saint manage his finances when you have time. Nowadays, the expenditure of this center is getting bigger and bigger. At that time, the truth is that the decision is only rough, and it is you who actually does the work.
If the Ministry of Revenue's errands go wrong, don't blame the truth for being unkind. "
Li Linfu said calmly, his face had returned to calmness, as if those smiles just now were all fake.
"Please rest assured, Prime Minister Zuo! My subordinates will do their best!"
Zheng Shuqing wanted to slap his breasts so loudly that it made a loud noise!
…
Marriage is a major event in life. Although Fang Chongyong has not yet reached the age, the marriage has been decided. For this reason, he is extremely uneasy and feels uneasy.
Late at night, he invited Fang Laique's father, Fang Dafu, to have a long talk by candlelight and inquire about the situation of the Fang family and Chang'an.
"The engagement is indeed true, and the old slave also knows it very well. I just don't want Wang Zhongsi to fall into this state, and Alang has become the observation envoy of the Youzhou feudal town, one step away from the Jiedu envoy."
Fang Dafu couldn't help but sighed.
"So, this marriage is real?"
Fang Chongyong frowned slightly. In life, he often cannot make free choices.
The marriage between Zha's father and Wang Zhongsi's family is not something he can have the final say on. Wang Zhongsi will revolt sooner or later, and Zha's father is already a high official in Youzhou. The dissolution of a marriage represents a political upheaval. The impact will far exceed Fang Chongyong's expectations.
"The annulment of the engagement is no longer possible. Let's go to the Wang family's residence tomorrow and have a look."
Fang Chongyong lamented.
He is still a child now, why does he have to take on so many things!
"In Huaiyuan Square, leave the square gate and walk northwest."
Fang Dafu said concisely and concisely.
Fang Chongyong nodded, it seemed that he had to go to Wang's house. It would be unjustifiable for Wang Zhongsi not to tell his family members about his achievements in border towns.
Because things like "operation" can sometimes be harmful. There are countless operations in history that fail to succeed but fail to succeed.
"Alang said before that you should not stay in Chang'an, and you should never even return to Chang'an. But... you still came back."
Fang Dafu couldn't help but sigh.
Fang Chongyong was greatly surprised by these words. He asked in confusion: "Chang'an has many opportunities for development, why shouldn't it be in Chang'an?"
"Because Alang said that Chang'an will not be prosperous forever, and maybe one day a disaster will come. There are many people here, and there are a lot of disputes. You were a bit dull when you were young, and Alang thought you might not be able to protect yourself. Fang Laique is also very stupid. You two How does an idiot cope with the impending disaster?"
Fang Dafu also didn't understand why Fang Youde insisted on leaving Fang Chongyong in Kuizhou to handle matters on his own. Perhaps, there may not be any plan involved. In Fang Dafu's eyes, Fang Youde is omnipotent.
"It doesn't matter. In Datang, if not Chang'an, where else could we be?"
Fang Chongyong sighed and said, coming to Tang Dynasty without eating grilled fish is like going to a grilled fish restaurant without eating grilled fish. He is not a stoic person who can endure loneliness. Even if he doesn't come to Chang'an now, he will come sooner or later.
"By the way, the Wang family's mansion should have been given by a saint, right?"
Fang Chongyong suddenly remembered that Xu Yuan and others said that the monthly rent for a house like theirs started at seven dollars, and it was still a single room! The rent alone is this price, so you can imagine how expensive it is to buy a house in Chang'an!
It is said that when Bai Juyi first came to work in Chang'an, half of his monthly salary had to be paid for rent. After working as an official for thirty years, he was promoted step by step before he could collect the money to buy a house.
This is true for all officials, which shows how terrifying the housing prices in Chang'an are.
Of course, Chang'an is very big. In terms of residential layout, it is "densified in the north and sparse in the south" and "rich in the west and noble in the east." The slums in the south not only have poor public security and are crowded with people from all walks of life, but they are also not fully occupied.
"Yes, although Wang Zhongsi is a general, his father also sacrificed his life for the country. But without the saint's gift, he would not be able to afford a house in Chang'an."
Fang Dafu said with great certainty that he usually buys food and cooks, and has a very intuitive understanding of the prices in Chang'an. The reason why Li Longji will reward a house is because the housing prices in Chang'an are too high, which has reached an appalling level.
Ordinary officials really can't afford it.
However, as a general in a foreign town, you must have family members in Chang'an (not necessarily all family members). This is also a rule. During the Anshi Rebellion, An Lushan's son was also in Chang'an, but unfortunately he was beheaded by Li Longji.
After all, Wang Zhongsi had been a general before and came from the palace. It is strange that there is no house in Chang'an! Fang Chongyong thought about it and felt that the Wang family's life in Chang'an should be relatively difficult.
Wang Zhongsi was demoted and his salary was reduced a lot. How will the Wang family live? Not very optimistic when I think about it. Even for people like Zheng Shuqing, who came from an aristocratic family, there were a lot of people in the family crowded into one courtyard, and the living conditions were not comparable to those in his hometown.
There was nothing to say all night, and the next day he was afraid that the big-mouthed Fang Lai Que would talk nonsense, so he just took A Duan to Huaiyuanfang. According to the address given by Wang Zhongsi, go find the residence of the Wang family.
Is my fiancee, Little Loli, a cute girl, or a fat guy?
I heard that Wang Zhongsi’s wife was betrothed by Li Longji’s order. She was born in the aunt of the Li family in Longxi, and her family background is very impressive. This little loli should be pretty good-looking, right?
With a feeling of worry about gain and loss, he successfully passed the gate of Huaiyuanfang and found the place. Fang Chongyong knocked on the door of the Wang family.
"Who are you looking for?"
A handsome young man opened the door, and the smile on his face disappeared as he saw Fang Chongyong's appearance.
"I am the son-in-law of the Wang family. I have something to discuss with my mother-in-law."
Fang Chongyong bowed and said neither humble nor arrogantly.
"Since he is the son-in-law, why didn't he even know that the Wang family had moved away? You are not an imposter, are you?"
The handsome young man looked at Fang Chongyong with a confused look on his face, and the two of them stared at each other with big eyes and small eyes.
