"Teacher, this is Honglianchun, which was famous in Chang'an."
In the study room of He Zhizhang's residence in Xuanpingfang, Fang Chongyong handed a jar of newly brewed "Red Lotus Spring" to He Zhizhang. This is a privately brewed wine at home. Fang Chongyong doesn't know how good Fang Dafu's craftsmanship is, but there is no doubt that it is definitely not as good as the one brewed by a professional winery.
The threshold for brewing red yeast wine is very low. In his previous life in the rural areas of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian, many places have the tradition of home-making red yeast wine after the autumn harvest. It does not require complicated brewing equipment. It can be said that as long as there is a yard to prepare red yeast wine, it can be done. You can start it.
"You're welcome, you're welcome."
He Zhizhang put down the drink with a smile, and then took Fang Chongyong to sit at the table.
"Write a few words and see."
"Okay, teacher."
Fang Chongyong nodded slightly, sat in front of the desk, polished the ink very skillfully, and spread out the large paper.
He had practiced calligraphy in his previous life, and even took elective courses in college. After joining the workforce, he even attended a so-called "calligraphy training class."
To be honest, he is quite confident about this. When I was in Kuizhou, Lao Zheng never complained about my writing.
Fang Chongyong immediately picked up a pen and wrote two lines on the paper:
Where there is a will, things come true, the cauldron sinks the boat, and the hundred and two Qin passes finally belong to Chu.
The painstaking efforts of man and nature will not let him down, and he will suffer hardships while sleeping on the firewood. Three thousand Yue Jia can swallow Wu.
After finishing writing, he handed his hands to He Zhizhang for inspection.
"These two lines of writing are excellent... But this word, I don't know who taught it by a mediocre person. It is full of craftsmanship and there is no cure. Alas."
He Zhizhang sighed with some regret.
Fang Chongyong was speechless. He couldn't even remember the name of the teacher in the open calligraphy class.
"You just learn to write from me, and you won't need to say anything else until I approve it."
He Zhizhang made the final decision and sentenced Fang Chongyong to "death".
"Teacher, don't you teach some poetry or something?"
Fang Chongyong looked at He Zhizhang speechlessly and asked. This old man is so wiry and bad, what a teacher he is, he’s just fooling around!
What is the use of learning calligraphy?
This is the tuition fee for 80 pieces of Tang brocade!
That's it?
Fang Chongyong scolded He Zhizhang in his heart for being old, disrespectful and shameless, but he did not dare to show any emotion on his face.
"If you can't even write well, why should you write an article? I'm going to drink, so you can write here. I'll come back to see you in the evening. After you finish practicing calligraphy, you can go on your own."
He Zhizhang said casually and perfunctorily. After that, he carried the fake version of Red Lotus Spring out the door, not knowing where he went.
"Hey, if you use money to do things, don't expect people to take it too seriously."
After He Zhizhang left, Fang Chongyong sighed softly. Many things cannot be controlled as one wishes.
There is actually a natural gap between the social class that He Zhizhang belongs to and the class that Fang Youde belongs to.
Although it is absolutely impossible to have money in this world, there are indeed certain limitations. Lao He takes money to do things, of course it's fine as long as he means it. How do you expect others to give you everything?
If you are allowed to play a big role in the future, you will be regarded as a very generous person.
Zheng Shuqing's guess was indeed correct, but Fang Chongyong did not expect He Zhizhang to be so straightforward and unwilling to even do face-saving work.
"Just practice calligraphy, alas!"
Fang Chongyong saw a copybook written by He Zhizhang on the desk, and already understood what the other party meant: Just write it down, kid, don't be lazy.
…
"My subordinates are going to Hanjiacang, Luoyang on a business trip tomorrow, so I came here today to say goodbye to the Prime Minister."
In a small study in Li Linfu's residence in Pingkangfang, Zheng Shuqing was bidding farewell to Li Linfu and was preparing to leave Chang'an.
Although he was already the Minister of Household Affairs and the transfer envoy, Zheng Shuqing was still able to treat Li Linfu with courtesy. It must be said that even Fang Chongyong felt that Old Zheng was a person who could bend and stretch.
He did not forget how he got his position just because he became a high official.
"Hey, why are you so polite and bring so many gifts to my door?"
Li Linfu took the gift list from Zheng Shuqing with a smile, obviously in a good mood.
"My subordinate is responsible for transferring grain to the west of the canal this time, and I have to rely on the support and help of the Right Prime Minister. But after I go there, I won't be able to do anything without the right Prime Minister to help me in the court. I also ask the Right Prime Minister to teach me how to deal with this. good."
Zheng Shuqing asked humbly.
"There is plenty of grain in Hexi. There will be no shortage of grain for a while. Regarding the transshipment, we are just worried about the protracted war. After you go to Hanjiacang, you can finish counting the grain. There is no need to worry about the transshipment."
Li Linfu waved his hand. He admired Zheng Shuqing's "not understanding anything" look.
Only this kind of person can be truly obedient!
If you get someone who knows everything, who does things according to his own ideas and insists on screwing with you, isn't that going to be a bad start?
"If you find that there is a shortage of food in Hanjia Cang, you don't need to report it to the court. Just prepare a book and the original information first."
Li Linfu said calmly.
"The right minister is saying..."
Zheng Shuqing was startled and asked pretending to understand.
"We'll talk about it when the time comes. Just follow the way you usually do things, and don't make any extraneous matters."
Li Linfu smiled slightly, making the hair on Zheng Shuqing's back stand up.
Of course Lao Zheng didn't know what Li Linfu was planning. The newly appointed right minister of the Tang Dynasty was working hard to clear out political opponents and recruit a large number of people who could do things.
Taking Hanjiacang in Luoyang as an introduction, this wave can cut off a large number of officials from non-own factions like wheat.
There is definitely a shortage of food in Hanjia Cang, because over the years, Hanjia Cang has been desperately transporting grain to Chang'an, and Hanjia Cang is probably mostly empty. Otherwise, Li Linfu would not think about increasing household taxes in Hebei.
Recently, Fang Youde, the governor of Youzhou, wrote a letter saying that the border town of Youzhou was unstable and that some grain crops from Hebei needed to be intercepted for military use. He wanted to manage Liaodong and expand territory for the imperial court.
Li Longji Dayue has ordered that except for the six Hebei states along the Yongji Canal that need to supply grain and fodder to Luoyang, the remaining Hebei states and counties will make every effort to ensure the supply of grain and fodder to the border towns of Youzhou.
In addition, Fang Youde also interceded for Wu Zhiyi, saying that he knew military affairs, was mature and prudent, and hoped that the court would not replace the military envoy without reason before the term of office expired.
It is conceivable that under such circumstances, Wu Zhiyi has become Fang Youde's lackey. A joint action between the two vassal towns in Youzhou Border Town seems to be brewing.
At the beginning, Pei Yaoqing was in charge of collecting grain in the Luoyang area. Now we can use the excuse that Hanjiacang is empty to clean out the remaining members of Pei Yaoqing.
Do these people have any responsibility?
If we follow the rules, there is no responsibility, because they are also working hard to transport grain. Hanjiacang was once full, but the grain was transported to Chang'an.
But for Li Longji, what he wants is not the process of doing things, but the results of doing things. Now he needs food in Hanjiacang, but those people cannot satisfy him. This is the original sin!
The emperor was willful and often unreasonable. Those who work below should never have the illusion that "I am impeccable in my work."
Li Linfu knew this well.
"Yang Yuhuan takes over, what do you think about this matter?"
Seeing that Zheng Shuqing was silent and seemed to be deep in thought, Li Linfu asked casually.
"Ah? My subordinates don't know about such a thing, but King Shou will definitely not be able to become the prince. This is human nature."
Zheng Shuqing said hesitantly.
Li Linfu nodded noncommittally. Even a fool could see this. Li Longji took Yang Yuhuan away, and then established King Shou as the prince. Wasn't this just causing trouble for himself?
"The saint recently established a flower and bird envoy and appointed Lei Haiqing to take this position. He then went out to Chang'an to search for beauties across the country and collected them in Chang'an for the saint's entertainment. Do you think this matter has something to do with Yang Yuhuan?"
Li Linfu asked another question that Zheng Shuqing didn't know how to answer.
"A saint wants so many beauties... can he be busy?"
Zheng Shuqing asked doubtfully.
Li Linfu was amused by his words, waved his hand and said, "Don't you have to worry about this kind of thing? I actually thought that this might be the saint's secret plan to seduce Chen Cang. In the future, Yang Yuhuan will become a noble concubine... I'm afraid it's inevitable. .”
He couldn't help but sigh.
In the spring of this year, Li Longji killed three sons in one day. At that time, the longevity king Li Xuan was so high-spirited that he seemed to be the next prince.
How is the result?
His mother, Concubine Wu Hui, died of a mysterious illness, and Princess Yang Yuhuan was forcibly taken away by her father, Li Longji. How could it be such a tragedy?
The ups and downs of life are really sad.
"Then, does the right minister want to recommend the new prince to the saint?"
Zheng Shuqing asked in a low voice, confused.
This question stopped Li Linfu.
The prince is the foundation of the country. Others don't need to ask who the prince is, and they don't need to worry about whether to establish a prince. However, only Li Linfu, who served as the right prime minister, could not.
When Zhang Jiuling sided with Prince Li Ying, it was not because he thought Li Ying was so wise and powerful. But because he is the right prime minister and is responsible for the country.
According to Confucian views, the prince is the foundation of the country, and Zhang Jiuling must take charge of it.
But now, it's Li Linfu's turn to face this problem. What should he do?
"If you want to recommend, which prince do you think is best to recommend?"
Li Linfu asked pretending to be relaxed.
"The saint has no legitimate son, but the loyal king (Li Heng) is older and will definitely be the prince in the future. It is just a matter for the right minister to decide who to recommend as the prince. How dare my subordinates speak nonsense."
Zheng Shuqing said cautiously.
Li Linfu's eyes lit up, and he nodded approvingly and said: "What you said is true. Since returning from Kuizhou, things have been handled quite appropriately. I'm going to ask you now, if you were asked to handle this matter, who would you recommend?"
How do I know this?
Zheng Shuqing was so anxious that he almost cried. He quickly bowed and saluted, and said in panic: "This subordinate really doesn't know. He didn't mean to deceive the right prime minister. How can I make such nonsense and misunderstand the right minister's important matters!"
"Understood, this matter must be kept secret and must not be told to outsiders."
Li Linfu nodded slightly and said, he also felt that Zheng Shuqing did not seem to be the material for Quan Dou.
I was thinking about who would be the prince. Almost every minister would guess, and it didn't matter if Zheng Shuqing guessed it. But it's one thing to feel it in my heart, and it's another thing to recommend Li Longji!
"Don't worry, Prime Minister, my subordinates are very strict with their mouths." Zheng Shuqing assured him.
"Go ahead. When you get to Luoyang, see more and talk less."
Li Linfu waved his hand, signaling Zheng Shuqing to get out of here.
After the latter left the house, Li Linfu fell into deep thought.
The prince is the foundation of the country, which does not mean that the next emperor must be transformed from a prince.
Let’s not talk about other dynasties, let’s talk about the Tang Dynasty. There are almost no princes who can safely inherit the throne.
Either they broke down and sank in the sand, or they waited tremblingly until the emperor died.
But this does not mean that establishing a prince is unimportant.
Because the prince is here, many princes will not openly form gangs to fight for power, and the country's political situation can enter a stable period without ups and downs.
If there is no prince, then I'm sorry, but all the ministers, whether in the inner court or in the border towns, will naturally look for backers, because everyone knows that every prince has the opportunity to become the emperor.
As long as you have the power of Conglong, you can ensure that your family will prosper for at least several decades!
In this case, the country's political situation will not be even theoretically stable.
Therefore, whether Li Linfu is in public or private life, he will recommend a candidate for the crown prince to Li Longji. This is a sure thing.
The question is just who to recommend!
Now even Zheng Shuqing and others see that the loyal king Li Heng is very likely to become the next prince, so will Li Linfu recommend Li Heng to Li Longji?
the answer is negative.
The right prime minister of the Tang Dynasty wears a pair of trousers with the prince, is that a statement to Li Longji: It is better for you to abdicate quickly, the country no longer needs you.
Is this okay?
Of course not, this is what Li Longji is most worried about. And as he gets older, he becomes more sensitive to such issues.
After Li Heng becomes the crown prince, Li Linfu, the right prime minister, will have to fight to the death with him! This is what Li Longji desperately hopes for.
Li Linfu tapped the back of his hand with his fingers, thinking about countermeasures.
Yang Yuhuan was robbed and imprisoned in the palace as a forbidden concubine. Li Longji wanted outsiders to know about this, but he didn't want outsiders to discuss it.
This subtle ambivalence made Li Linfu weigh repeatedly.
"It seems that I still need to tell the saint to recommend King Shou as the crown prince."
Li Linfu couldn't help but sigh.
This kind of recommendation is unnecessary and seems to have low IQ.
Everyone knew that the daughter-in-law was already in the father-in-law's bed. How could this miserable son become the prince?
But after talking to Zheng Shuqing today, Li Linfu confirmed his thoughts.
What the foreign ministers did not want to see may be what Li Longji expected.
The meaning of the existence of the Right Prime Minister is to share the worries of the saints.
…
At night, Fang Chongyong was sleeping soundly when he suddenly heard the sound of fighting in the yard!
He quickly got up from the bed and hid under the desk. After a while, the sound of fighting disappeared, and a familiar child's voice came from outside the door.
"Mr. Lang, get up quickly. There is a thief in the house! My grandfather has caught him."
Fang Chongyong climbed out from under the table and opened the door carefully, revealing a crack. They saw Fang Laique holding a torch and Fang Dafu pressing a young man to the ground.
"Someone dares to steal from the back door of Xingqing Palace. It's really weird."
Fang Chongyong looked at the man who was being pinned down on the ground with a puzzled look on his face.
"Mr. Lang, be careful. This man is hungry. If he wasn't hungry, I might not be able to beat him."
Fang Dafu still held the kitchen knife in one hand and did not dare to let go.
"Bring it to the lobby and we'll find out after a trial."
Fang Chongyong snorted.
He just wanted to see, he didn't offend anyone, but someone actually came to his house to steal. What on earth did this person want to do!