"This old man is really a drunkard."
After finishing today's calligraphy practice, Fang Chongyong looked at his "work" with satisfaction. He felt a little proud and couldn't help but complain.
In his opinion, in this era when the Anshi Rebellion has entered the countdown, it is of no use to practice calligraphy specifically.
There is a fine line between wasting time and wasting time.
However, humans are social animals and cannot do whatever they want. Since Zheng Shuqing gave him a "gift" of interpersonal relationships, he had the obligation to perform the role well.
"Jiang Gao heard the dawn bell, and he ignored the truth and returned it to shame.
The sea tide comes around every night, and the dew on the river melts in the morning.
I first saw birds on the sand, still buried in the clouds outside the peak.
My hometown is boundless, and I have friends to follow. "
The copybook copied by Fang Chongyong is an early poem by He Zhizhang. It was written when he left his hometown of Yongxing County when he was young and went to the capital city of Chang'an to take the exam.
I don’t know if He Zhizhang left this poem for Fang Chongyong to copy, because he hoped that he would take the imperial examination in the future, or if he was simply telling his original mood.
Fang Chongyong compared the first article he wrote more than a month ago with the one he wrote today, and found that the two copied copybooks did not look like they were written by the same person.
From being dull and lifeless at first, now at least it looks decent.
He Zhizhang was a drunkard and a lazy man, but he would occasionally give instructions on Fang Chongyong's calligraphy. Based on this alone, it is worthy of the reward of eighty pieces of Tang brocade.
"Kung fu is not wasted after all."
Fang Chongyong couldn't help but sigh.
He is most afraid of wasting time, but sometimes he has to "waste" time, doing things he thinks are unnecessary, and then gets entangled again.
On the one hand, Fang Chongyong feels that writing good calligraphy can be regarded as decorating his appearance, which is of great use.
On the other hand, he felt that the trend of Datang's collapse did not seem to have changed at all. For him, practicing calligraphy is just useless work.
Fang Chongyong placed the copybook on the table, pressed it on the paperweight, said goodbye to the servants of He Zhizhang's family, and left Xuanpingfang.
It must be said that after this period of training, his calligraphy has improved by leaps and bounds.
Of course, Fang Chongyong's requirements for He Zhizhang were also very pure. Nothing else, just borrowing a name.
The progress of calligraphy is an unexpected blessing.
Fang Chongyong is a very down-to-earth and even vulgar person. He never feels that there is anything special about himself.
A nine-year-old child doesn't seem to be looking handsome in the future. Instead, his skin is a bit rough and he has some martial arts background.
He didn't feel that he was "shocked". He Zhizhang thought that he was a talent and introduced him to the circle of literati in which he belonged.
Fang Chongyong didn't even think that the other party would treat him as a closed disciple after accepting 80 pieces of Tang brocade, and teach him everything he could.
As for thinking that He Zhizhang's daughter is obsessed with him, let alone the age being inappropriate, even if the age is not a problem, he is not the type to show off his face for a living.
A nine-year-old child thinks that these are all for free, and children are children.
Fang Chongyong has no illusions in his heart, and he doesn't think that others will look down on him for no reason or because of a trivial matter.
Facts also proved that He Zhizhang hardly talked to him and seemed not even to be perfunctory. After each review of what I wrote that day, I would take the wine bottle to the bedroom to drink and sleep.
Very businesslike.
"When can we leave Chang'an?"
Walking on the more than 120-meter-wide street of Chang'an City, Fang Chongyong exhaled a breath of turbid air, forming a white mist in the air.
It gets dark early in winter and there are not many pedestrians on the road.
Many people put on thick jackets, with various fillings stuffed into the silk layers to keep them warm.
However, some of the slaves were wearing thin clothes and had their bodies curled up. They seemed to be shopping for goods outside and were in a hurry. They felt that they could keep out the cold by walking faster.
The world of Chang'an is very exciting.
The world in Chang'an is very helpless.
It all depends on who the person is.
The technology of reincarnation is much more important than personal efforts.
The efforts of slaves are to make their masters live a better life. In Chang'an, different people's efforts have different meanings, connotations, and effects.
It's sad, and there's nothing we can do about it.
With complicated thoughts in his heart, Fang Chongyong knocked on his door. As soon as he entered the door, he saw Wang Zhongsi, a tall man with a tired face written all over his face, sitting in the lobby chatting with Fang Dafu. The two seemed to know each other very well.
"Father-in-law is finally back!"
Fang Chongyong said excitedly.
"Yes, thanks to you, let me tell you in detail in the study."
Wang Zhongsi nodded slightly.
After the two sat down in the study, Wang Zhongsi sighed and said, "I don't know if you used too much force, but the saint actually promoted me to the general of the left army of the Longwu Army. I can't leave Chang'an, alas!"
He couldn't help but sigh. Only his family knew about his own affairs.
Being a servant in the Chang'an Forbidden Army was not a good job for him.
Wang Zhongsi has already found out what the Longwu Army does. This is the new core of the Tang Dynasty's Forbidden Army. In terms of organization, it can be regarded as Li Longji's "private guard." Therefore, this nature determines that Long Wujun will not have any chance to make meritorious deeds, and it is even unlikely to leave Chang'an.
Wang Zhongsi has been in the army for many years and grew up in the palace. He knows very well what an army like the Longwu Army is.
Since Taizong, the strongest armies of the Tang Dynasty were all border troops, showing a situation of strong branches and weak cadres. The Imperial Guards are by no means the most capable troops.
"If you join the Longwu Army, you will be trusted by the saints, but you will never be able to make meritorious deeds throughout your life. You will have to live in confusion in Chang'an, which is not what I want."
Wang Zhongsi couldn't help but sigh again.
"What my father-in-law said is true. My son-in-law has been to the place where Longwu Army recruits soldiers. All the children of wealthy businessmen and powerful people signed up there."
Fang Chongyong made a stab without taking it seriously.
Hearing this, Wang Zhongsi could only smile bitterly. This should not be considered an unexpected "accident".
"Well, I have to go to the palace to meet the saint. Let's talk about it after the interview."
Wang Zhongsi's face darkened, he vaguely knew what happened in Chang'an.
Nothing good anyway!
"Li Linfu suggested to the saint that his father-in-law should take up a post in Jiannan Fan Town. Du Xixi and others hoped that his father-in-law would go to Hexi. My son-in-law also felt that it would be better to go to Hexi than to Jiannan.
At present, the initial goal has been achieved. My father-in-law has left Dongyang Mansion in Kuizhou and has basically returned to his previous official rank.
The next step is to leave Chang'an and go to Liangzhou. "
Fang Chongyong gave Wang Zhongsi a copy of the letter written by his future mother-in-law to Li Longji for review.
"To move with emotion, to understand with reason; people are not grass and trees, and saints are no exception. What my son-in-law can do is to let his father-in-law return to Chang'an first. As for the next step, we still need to figure it out slowly."
Hearing this, Wang Zhongsi nodded slightly. His son-in-law was really capable of what others could not do. He could no longer treat him like a child, but should be treated as a partner who could discuss important matters.
"After the Lantern Festival this year, the saint killed three sons in one day, including the prince Li Ying. Does my father-in-law know about this?"
Fang Chongyong asked in a deep voice.
Wang Zhongsi is in Dongyang Mansion, which is located next to Wushan County, which is more remote than the capital of Kuizhou. How can he know what is happening in the imperial court.
"I don't know, but...that's all."
Wang Zhongsi sighed.
"After that, Concubine Wu Hui also died suddenly. The cause of death is unknown."
Fang Chongyong continued to add more money.
Wang Zhongsi was silent. Although Fang Chongyong didn't say much, he could guess that Concubine Wu Hui was probably killed by Li Longji.
There can never be evidence for such a thing, only mental testimony.
How everyone thinks things will be is what they really are. It doesn't matter whether Li Longji comes forward to explain or not.
"Shou Wangfei Yang Yuhuan has now become a female Taoist priest. But she is the forbidden wife of the saint, and the saint is taking her to the hot springs in Huaqing Palace. My father-in-law wants to enter the palace to meet the saint, but he is afraid that he will not be able to see anyone. "
Fang Chongyong said with a "heavy" face.
"The saint actually..."
Wang Zhongsi was speechless.
His life experience is very simple. Where have you ever seen such fancy gameplay?
How could Li Longji do such a thing like removing the ashes of his daughter-in-law and killing his beloved concubine?
In Wang Zhongsi's memory, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty should not be such a person.
At that time, when Wang Zhongsi was still young, Li Longji tested his military skills and said personally: You will be a good general in the future.
At that time, it was not clear that Li Longji would remove the ashes of his daughter-in-law.
However, time can really change a person slowly and steadily for a long time, making him become completely different and hideous.
“So, now that my father-in-law goes to Huaqing Pool to see the saint, it will only make him angry.
My father-in-law grew up in the palace when he was young. If he saw the saint actually removing the ashes of his daughter-in-law and playing in the hot spring together..."
Halfway through, Fang Chongyong fell silent. He believed that Wang Zhongsi must understand this truth.
"Oh, I understand."
Wang Zhongsi sighed and was speechless. Thousands of words are contained in this sigh.
Wang Zhongsi had a bad feeling in his heart. The current saint was no longer the same saint as before. Perhaps the saint has always been like that, but he just didn't show it before.
I originally thought that after leaving Dongyang Mansion in Kuizhou, the opportunity to make great achievements was just around the corner, but unexpectedly... it was all in vain.
"Father-in-law, I want to go to Hexi to have some experience. The water here in Chang'an is too deep, which is not conducive to my growth."
Fang Chongyong suddenly raised a question that caught Wang Zhongsi off guard. But thinking about it made him relieved.
"Chang'an... is indeed not suitable for you."
Wang Zhongsi nodded slightly and did not object. Many things are obvious. There are too many powerful people in Chang'an, and Fang Chongyong is still too young, so he has very little interaction with this circle.
However, Fang Chongyong cannot always be nine years old. Once he is over fourteen years old, he will be an adult, and it will be a matter of time for him to interact with the powerful circle.
And this circle, to be honest, is completely rotten now, so rotten that it stinks.
When Fang Chongyong enters this circle, he will either stand out from the crowd and be isolated and attacked, or he will join in the trend and become a waste.
"You need an official position, just like when Liu Yan was the crown prince at the age of ten. For example, it would be good to join the army in Liangzhou.
This is an official position for joining the army in the state capital, and it is very flexible. "
Wang Zhongsi smiled and said that he had found a tailor-made official position for Fang Chongyong.
"But, I can't be an official."
Fang Chongyong was confused. He didn't know what this so-called "state capital soldier" did.
Wang Zhongsi laughed loudly, waved his hands and said:
"Don't worry, the state capital joins the army to undertake special tasks. The so-called special tasks are special orders issued by the court.
For example, if you are given a job to detect lawlessness, you can get involved in everything. Of course, it’s not you who has the final say on what is illegal? "
In the Tang Dynasty, it was not a problem for children to become officials. The problem is when something happens to an official!
The official position of joining the army in the state capital is an official position that Fang Chongyong will never get into trouble no matter what he does.
"Tongdian" says that the state government's participation in the army "has no permanent duties, and is sent as an envoy when necessary."
Entering Hexi and participating in the defense of the Hexi Corridor is what is called "something troublesome." As for the specific matter, we will wait for the court to arrange it.
Liangzhou is the "Shangzhou", and there are six Cao Cao who join the army, which is the collective name of the Tang Dynasty state government's military positions such as Gong, Cang, Hu, Bing, Fa, and Shi. These are all fixed official positions, a carrot and a pit.
The state government's participation in the army does not belong to this. They are officials "airborne" from the imperial court.
The state government can take care of everything when it joins the army, or it can take care of nothing! Belongs to "idle without permanent employment"!
The imperial court wanted to abolish this position again and again, but in the end it failed due to various reasons.
The official system of the Tang Dynasty was very casual. The abolished officials (such as the six ministers after the Anshi Rebellion) were regarded as honorary titles, and then any official positions were "created" when the demand arose.
If there is a need to manage borderland farming, a "camping envoy" is established.
If it is necessary to manage the military power of border towns, a "Jiedushi" is established.
If it is necessary to manage the government affairs of the border town, an "observation and disposal envoy" should be established.
If water transportation needs to be managed, a "transshipment envoy" is established.
As for those messy chores that are difficult to break down, I like to find some "baskets" to put them in. For example, the army in the state capital is a crap basket. It can take care of everything, and it can also ignore everything.
Fang Chongyong felt dizzy after hearing Wang Zhongsi's introduction to these border town official positions.
Fortunately, it is not the last year of Tianbao's reign, and there is no rule that the son of Jieduzhi will come to Beijing to serve as a hostage. Going to Hexi this time should not be a big problem.
But from now on, it will be hard to say.
Fang Zhongyong thought with lingering fear, not daring to say these words to Wang Zhongsi.
"Father-in-law, be prepared for everything. Before going to Hexi, you need to visit someone first."
Fang Chongyong suddenly said seriously.
Wang Zhongsi was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said: "Who is so powerful?"
"Niu Xianke."
Fang Chongyong spit out three words.
"Niu Xianke?"
Wang Zhongsi is no stranger to this name. When Xiao Song came out of Hexi, he recommended Wang Zhongsi as his subordinate many times. Since Niu Xianke had been in Hexi since his debut, it was naturally impossible for Wang Zhongsi not to know Niu Xianke.
Of course, Wang Zhongsi and Niu Xianke, one was in the military and civil affairs system, and they did not have much contact with each other. Wang Zhongsi only knew that Niu Xianke knew a lot about Hexi affairs.
"Know yourself and your enemy and you will be victorious in any battle. Once the war with Tubo begins, it will not end quickly. It is normal for the offense and defense between each other to last for three to five years.
Once Liangzhou is in the middle of a war, the farmland will be affected, and there is also the risk of logistics being cut off. The more preparation you do now, the easier it will be to deal with it when the time comes.
It is not convenient for the father-in-law to come forward directly, so it is better to ask the son-in-law to contact Niu Xianke and arrange a place to meet and chat. What does your father-in-law think? "
Fang Zhongyong spoke eloquently, with a confident smile on his face.
If he goes to Hexi and fights, he will definitely have nothing to do.
But apart from things other than fighting, Fang Chongyong felt that he should not be an outsider.
He was determined to be an observer and learn the skills to survive in this era, while also doing what he could.
"That's fine. I have to go to the Longwu Army camp to report on my duties. Then you can just go to the inn to find me."
Wang Zhongsi nodded and said, got up and left.
