Although it was known that it was difficult to recruit soldiers who met the standards of the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army in the Guanzhong area, Fang Chongyong still tried his best to recruit and achieved less than impressive results.
Not many, only a dozen people!
With the holiday approaching the end of the year, Fang Chongyong took a day out and prepared to go to the Daming Palace with the "report" he had written. He asked for instructions on whether to go to border towns to recruit warriors in the next stage, and where the first stop would be better to recruit warriors. .
Why go to Daming Palace instead of Xingqing Palace, which is just across the wall from my home? Because Brother Ji has temporarily moved to the Liyuan of Daming Palace.
It is said that Fang Chongyong does not know whether it is true or not. It is said that Brother Ji has been having nightmares in Xingqing Palace recently, dreaming that the prince's former concubine Wei Sanniang turned into a ghost and demanded her life, which caused Brother Ji to often wake up from nightmares. .
Therefore, Ji Ge temporarily moved his residence to the Liyuan of Daming Palace, eating and living with the opera troupes in the Liyuan.
Not to mention, there are rumors that after Brother Ji moved to the pear garden in Daming Palace, his waist and legs no longer hurt, and he no longer has nightmares. Rehearsing dance music with the "artists" in the opera house every day, playing, playing and singing is such a joy!
No longer disturbed by nightmares, I even have to eat three more bowls of food every day!
Fang Chongyong didn't know if these rumors were true, but it was absolutely true that Brother Ji's health improved after moving to Liyuan. Even the number of times he summoned Fang Youde was much more than before.
Of course, this is also related to the military reform of the Forbidden Army.
Brother Ji is very concerned about the reform of the Forbidden Army. Even if he trusts Fang Youde, he will do everything in detail and pay attention to the specific details of everything. And Fang Youde can be regarded as a typical example of "asking for instructions early and reporting later". Basically, he should make changes according to Brother Ji's instructions.
Even if he disagrees, he will patiently convince Brother Ji.
The advantage of this is that no one will slander that the Fang family and his son want to rebel; the disadvantage is also obvious, that is, the recruitment speed of the Shence Army is much slower than Fang Youde originally expected.
As soon as he left the square gate and came to Chunmingmen Street, Fang Chongyong ran into the Jinwu Guards led by Zhang Guangsheng. The team led by Zhang Guangsheng towed dozens of flatbed trucks. Each car is covered with a straw mat, and you can’t tell what it is at first glance.
Only occasionally can you see the looming hair covered by the white snow.
This is a car that drags corpses, and there are a lot of corpses on the car!
Seeing Zhang Guangsheng and the others' skilled appearance, Fang Chongyong felt a chill in his heart and sighed secretly.
This winter, even if Zheng Shuqing's "massive killings" to rectify the illegal minting of copper coins are not included, the number of people who were frozen to death by the severe cold weather was probably quite large. The price of charcoal and firewood in winter is much higher than in previous years, making it difficult for many people to afford it.
Even Fang Chongyong's family didn't light a fire to keep warm, so they had to hug their girls to keep each other warm at night so they could sleep, let alone those ordinary people's homes with simple houses?
"Why are you so busy after becoming the general of the Jinwu Guard?"
Seeing Zhang Guangsheng walking towards him to say hello, Fang Chongyong asked teasingly with a smile.
"In winter in Chang'an... it's not as good as Shazhou. At least Shazhou doesn't lack for a bite of food. Chang'an has everything and lacks everything."
Zhang Guangsheng sighed and pointed at the cars containing corpses behind him.
There is no need to say too much about something that can be understood at a glance.
Fang Chongyong had seen a documentary in his previous life, which said that during the winter in Bianliang City during the Song Dynasty, in order to keep warm, some of the firewood and coal were transported from thousands of miles away, but the supply was still in short supply.
It was like this at the peak of the Northern Song Dynasty, and it still occupied the convenience of the canal. How about Chang'an in the Tang Dynasty now? In fact, just thinking about it, you can tell that the situation is not good.
It's normal for a snowstorm to freeze to death.
Fang Chongyong didn't want to express his cheap and useless sympathy, so he patted Zhang Guangsheng on the shoulder and said, "Go and do your work. I will go to the Daming Palace to meet the saint now, and we will meet again another day."
Zhang Guangsheng bowed his hands and bowed, then led a group of people out of Chunming Gate.
Why should it be sent to Chunmingmen instead of the mass graves to the west or south?
Because the bodies of these people were not disposed of casually.
There is a "Yizhuang" to the east of Chang'an. Of course, Jin Wuwei has to be more particular about his work. These temporarily unclaimed corpses must be placed in the Yi Zhuang and wait for people from their hometown to take them away.
People in the Tang Dynasty were very taboo about family members "died in a foreign land". Anyone who had the conditions to bring their deceased relatives back to their homeland would go to great lengths to do so. The people who allowed General Jinwuwei Zhonglang to lead the team to drag out the body would not be the lowest level of society in Chang'an City.
Or in other words, there must have been another group of people who froze to death (perhaps more in number), and other Jinwu guardsmen transported them to the mass graves in the west and south of the city, and buried them in random pits.
Fang Chongyong did not dare to think about it further, so he had to say goodbye to Zhang Guangsheng in a hurry.
It has been five or six years since he came to this world. One cruel reality after another made Fang Chongyong understand a profound truth:
If you can't change the situation, then shut up and put away the boring and incompetent compassion in your heart. Many people do not deserve sympathy from others, and many people are not qualified to sympathize with others.
Fang Chongyong's mind was filled with all kinds of messy thoughts. After he came to the Daming Palace to report, he was taken into the Liyuan of the palace by Gao Lishi, which was also Ji Ge's temporary bedroom.
Before seeing Brother Ji's figure, Fang Chongyong heard the beautiful and moving sound of orchestral silk and bamboo not far ahead.
Seeing Fang Chongyong's silly look, Gao Lishi introduced: "This is the sage's adaptation of the song "The Colorful Feather Clothes", how do you like it?"
"How can I comment on the music score written by the saint?
I don’t dare to comment. "
Fang Zhongyong said fearfully.
"You, you, you are still so naughty!"
Gao Lishi laughed, then came over and whispered:
"Your father organized the Shence New Army to guard against bandits outside. Although the saint was satisfied, he still felt that it was a bit disappointing.
The silver spear of filial piety is to guard against domestic thieves. You will have to go to Chang'an to handle this matter after the new year. Progress is too slow now. "
There was a hint of persuasion in Gao Lishi's words, and Fang Chongyong had no choice but to smile bitterly and said: "It's better to be lacking than to be indiscriminate. The sage said that we don't want to imprison the general's disciples, so I have to be careful to look for him outside."
"That's why I said, hurry up."
Gao Lishi suggested calmly.
In fact, whether it was Chen Xuanli, Fang Youde or Gao Lishi who was killed before, they all belonged to Brother Ji's "hidden forces". The interests of these people and the local faction in Guanzhong are not completely consistent.
For example, it is difficult for Fang Youde and others to cooperate with Brother Ji's heirs, and they have no feelings at all! There is no interest in twisting ties.
However, the Guanzhong local faction can cooperate with Ji Ge's descendants without any psychological barriers and become the "new rich" after Ji Ge's death, such as talents from Webster's and Pei's families, etc.
The Shence Army can prevent rebellions outside the capital, but it may not be able to prevent the "omnipresent" local forces in Guanzhong.
Fang Chongyong instantly understood why Brother Ji had to find an excuse to move to Daming Palace!
Because compared to the Taiji Palace near the Xuanwu Gate and the Xingqing Palace that was built only a few decades ago, the Daming Palace in the northernmost part of Chang'an is the safest and most heavily guarded! It's not that Xingqing Palace is bad, but the terrain is just an enhanced version of the prince's government office, and the defense is too weak!
The rumors about evil ghosts seeking their lives were probably spread by Brother Ji himself! By the way, he hinted to outsiders that he definitely didn't like the current prince!
What an old coin!
Fang Chongyong couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Although he realized it later, he completely understood Brother Ji's thinking. Sure enough, after several princes were released and crown princes were established, Brother Ji's thinking also changed!
The only thing that remains unchanged is the omnipresent calculation.
Arriving at the rehearsal venue, Brother Ji was composing music in front of a desk, and the floor heating had already made the semi-open palace as warm as spring. Fang Chongyong quickly raised his hands and saluted: "Meet the saint."
I don't know if it was his own illusion, but Fang Chongyong felt that Brother Ji seemed to be more radiant. Could it be that after he was established as a prince and the princes were driven out of Chang'an, his mood also improved?
Seeing Fang Chongyong's humble salute, Brother Ji didn't say much and waved his hand gently. Gao Lishi led a group of Liyuan disciples to file out. In the semi-open palace, only Brother Ji and Fang Chongyong were left.
"Silver Spear Xiaojie, how is the recruitment going?"
"Back to the saint, there are only about ten people. They are from Guanzhong. They seek excellence rather than quantity."
Fang Chongyong said carefully.
"Yeah, it's good to ask for more, not more."
Li Longji nodded slightly, put down the pen in his hand, looked at him with his slightly cloudy eyes and asked: "I have something on my mind recently. I wonder if you can give me some advice."
Upon hearing this tone, Fang Chongyong's heart suddenly rose to his throat, and he asked in a low voice: "Excuse me, saint, what is going on?"
Damn it, don’t say you’re looking for a woman from me, don’t think that I won’t kill the king if you push me hard!
Fang Zhongyong cursed secretly in his heart, but his face remained calm.
"I'm old."
Li Longji spit out three words, which made Fang Chongyong slightly stunned.
"Why did the saint say this?"
Fang Chongyong asked doubtfully.
"Look, you just can't flatter me."
Brother Ji laughed, and then sighed: "Guess how many maids there are serving me in Chang'an City?"
A palace maid?
"What do you mean...it's got to be three thousand people, right?"
Fang Chongyong said in a low voice.
"No, no, no, guess again." Brother Ji waved his hand casually, with a smug look on his face.
"Then... six thousand?"
Fang Chongyong boldly reported a number that he thought was very large. Among ordinary ministers, the maximum allocation is four hundred slaves. Otherwise, the emperor will wonder what you are doing in Chang'an with so many people.
The maids who serve the emperor are ten times as good as the ministers, which is already saying too much.
"Yeah, it's a bit close, guess again."
Brother Ji encouraged Fang Chongyong and said.
"Six thousand one hundred?"
"No, it's sixty thousand!"
Brother Ji made a "six" gesture.
This sentence directly broke Fang Chongyong's guard.
You have 60,000 palace maids, and you have to rob the longevity king twice? No wonder he is getting hairy!
Fang Chongyong couldn't help complaining in his heart, but he crossed his hands and saluted Brother Ji and said, "It's the humble minister who has become dull."
"Hey, that's not what you said."
Brother Ji waved his hand and said, not caring at all.
Fang Chongyong didn't know that it was normal for his emperor to have so many maids. Brother Ji felt very relieved.
On the other hand, if you know it in detail, it means you have ulterior motives and you have to be on guard.
"I feel very embarrassed now. You said there are so many palace ladies, what should I do with them?
There are so many women, even if they are like flowers and jade, I am old and have no power. "
Brother Ji said with regret on his face, feeling quite useless. So many women are "unable to play" because they are old. Isn't this just useless?
What you eat has no meat, what you throw away has flavor!
For a man, the only beautiful woman he owns is called his wife; the ten beautiful women he owns are called wives and concubines; and the one hundred beautiful women he owns are called playthings.
And the 60,000 beauties we have, then these beauties are just...a string of numbers!
That's right, it's a series of "numbers" that even Brother Ji can't figure out how to deal with.
Let alone a woman, even the person who likes burgers the most would be confused if there are 60,000 burgers in front of him!
"Sage, beauty is easy to grow old, and beauty is easy to pass away. Those palace ladies who have not been blessed by the saint, let them return home."
Fang Zhongyong said bravely.
"Hehe, you are kind."
Brother Ji couldn't help but sneered.
"Wei Chen is terrified."
Fang Chongyong quickly crossed his hands and saluted to apologize.
"Yeah, you have a point."
Brother Ji suddenly nodded slightly and continued: "I understand."
knew?
Fang Chongyong didn't understand what it meant, but that didn't stop him from immediately crossing his hands and saluting and saying, "Sage, Saint!"
As if he remembered something, he took out a memorial from his sleeve and said: "Please read it, the saint, about the recruitment of the Silver Spear Filial Filial Festival..."
"You figure it out. After the new year, go to the border town to recruit brave men for me. It's better to have a shortage than to have too much!
It’s better to go back now! I won’t keep you in the palace to eat if I have something else to do. "
Brother Ji forcefully patted the strong muscles on Fang Chongyong's arm and said.
"Then wei Chen resigns."
Fang Zhongyong thanked him sincerely and said goodbye, feeling very confused in his heart.
With Brother Ji's character, would he easily agree to reduce the number of maids in the palace?
But he couldn't ask further questions, so he had to leave angrily.
After returning home, Fang Chongyong informed Wang Yunxiu and Anaye about the incident.
When the two girls heard that Fang Chongyong had actually done such a good deed, they couldn't help but serve him passionately at night, for several days in a row, and almost made Fang Chongyong unable to resist in bed.
However, the days of sexual bliss had not passed for a few days, and Fang Chongyong soon discovered that for the same sentence, his mind and Brother Ji's would never be on the same level.
Compared with Brother Ji, he is not even a younger brother, only a grandson!
…
"The saint is going to hunt in the Liyuan Forbidden Garden outside the city tomorrow? All the ministers will participate?"
Looking at the little eunuch named Bian Lingcheng who came to the house to deliver a message, Fang Chongyong asked in confusion.
"Hui Fang Censor, it's true. Of course, you can ask for leave if you have something to do."
Bian Lingcheng said cautiously, not daring to be too presumptuous in front of Fang Chongyong.
"It's winter now, where can we find any prey?"
Fang Chongyong expressed his inner worries.
"I don't know about this. I have to go to other families to deliver the message. I ask Yushi Fang not to embarrass the Za family."
Bian Lingcheng crossed his hands and saluted.
"Understood."
Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and said, he was quite thoughtful and did not return the courtesy to Bian Lingcheng.
Early the next morning, Fang Chongyong rode his horse to the Liyuan Forbidden Garden in the north of the city. Before he entered, he met Fang Youde who was patrolling with Long Wu's soldiers.
He turned over and dismounted and saluted, but saw that the old man looked extremely ugly. As soon as he saw them, he dismissed his soldiers and asked, "Did you and the saint suggest this activity?"
"what activity?"
Fang Chongyong asked with a confused look on his face.
"you do not know?"
Fang Youde was also confused.
"What would I know?"
Fang Chongyong still didn't understand what happened.
"The saint wants to shoot the girl!"
Fang Youde said angrily, almost growling in a low voice.
"Shooting girl?"
"Yes, today the court officials enter the forbidden garden to shoot women. If any palace maid or concubine is shot, the officials can take them home and dispose of them as they please!"
Fang Youde let out a breath of turbid air, clenched his fists hard and was so angry that he was going crazy.
"If you are hit by an arrow, won't you die?"
Fang Chongyong still hasn't understood Brother Ji's brain circuit.
"You idiot, it's Feng Liujian! Don't you even understand Feng Liujian?"
Fang Youde was so angry that he slapped the hat off Fang Chongyong's head, turned around and left.
Fang Chongyong picked up the hat and put it on his head angrily, and then walked into the Liyuan Forbidden Garden.
As soon as he entered it, he was pulled aside by Zhang Guangsheng who was on duty and asked in a low voice: "Brother, are you going to cum today?"
"Shoot what?"
Fang Chongyong asked, pretending to be confused.
"Cum a woman! What else can you cum!
I'm ready. With my shooting skills, if I don't shoot ten of them back, my surname will not be Zhang! "
Zhang Guangsheng rubbed his hands and said excitedly.
Chapter 2 delivered
(End of chapter)
