Hearing the prince's answer, Wang Wenzuo smiled but said nothing. Li Hong had been with Wang Wenzuo for a long time and knew that Wang Wenzuo acted cautiously. When getting along with people of higher status than himself, if he didn't agree with the other person, he would at most not speak. If it’s not true, please speak out, Saburo!”
"Don't dare!" Wang Wenzuo smiled: "Let's put it this way! If His Royal Highness really orders this, even if it doesn't backfire, it will probably backfire!"
"Oh? Why do you say that?" Li Hong asked.
"It's very simple. Your Highness, do you still remember the rent regulations of this dynasty that I just mentioned? These are all based on household registration, so the more household registrations in a state or county, the more taxes paid in the local area. The officials in the state and county You will be praised and promoted. If you move your household registration from the state, what is the difference between cutting off the flesh and blood of these officials? "
"You mean the officials in each state will resist the decree?" Li Hong asked.
"That's not possible, but I will definitely try to postpone it and find various reasons to shirk it. In the end, the matter will definitely be unresolved!" Wang Wenzuo sighed: "Your Highness, you have to understand that even if you really ascend to the Supreme Palace in the future, You can't do anything you want, at least you can't do anything that goes against the wishes of all officials!"
"That's true!" Li Hong nodded: "Then we'll temporarily stop assessing household registration in these states and counties!"
"Then it's even harder!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile: "Zuyongdiao is the lifeblood and cornerstone of the country. If the assessment of the household registration numbers of officials in the prefecture and county is temporarily suspended, what will be used to determine the promotion of officials? Moreover, Guanzhong is the imperial court. The heart of our country, as it is now, Chang'an is still short of food every three days, and the emperor even has to go to Luoyang from time to time to get food, and neither the Political Affairs Hall nor the Ministry of Revenue will agree!"
In the political culture of ancient China, an important criterion for evaluating whether a politician is successful is whether the number of household registrations has increased. For example, in "Mencius and King Hui of Liang", King Hui of Liang asked Mencius: "As for the country, I only have my heart and ears. If there is trouble in the river, move the people to the east of the river, and move the millet to the river. The same goes for the trouble in the east of the river." Observing the government of neighboring countries is nothing compared to the intentions of a few people. If the people of neighboring countries are not reduced, and the people of the poor people are not increased, there is no use." A big reason is that until the Manchu Qing Dynasty abolished the poll tax, the state of ancient China A large part of the tax revenue is poll tax, that is, Ding Fu and Suan Fu. Labor service and tax-free money are actually also a type of poll tax. Since it is a poll tax, the financial resources of the country are directly proportional to the number of household registrations. No matter how determined a monarch is to do something, if it hurts the country's tax base, it will be difficult not to stop.
"If it's like what you said, Sanlang, isn't there nothing we can do?" Li Hong asked.
"There is a way, but you have to touch the military registration of the soldiers!" Wang Wenzuo said: "As far as I know, before Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, the military registration of the soldiers was separate from the civilian registration of ordinary people!"
"That's right!" When Li Hong heard this, he immediately became energetic: "That happened in the tenth year after the founding of the emperor. Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty issued an edict to naturalize all the soldiers in the government. So far, the households in the government no longer have a fixed address. This is really great good governance!”
"Your Highness, what Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty did in the beginning was indeed good governance, but today is different from the past. Now the Guanzhong area is already densely populated, and there is simply not enough land to house the soldiers. In my opinion, it is better to list the household registration of some military mansions specifically. Enlist them in the military and then move them to a place with extra land, this is the real solution!”
"This is a good idea!" Li Hong thought for a moment and then asked: "What are your plans, Sanlang?"
"Let's start with Weinan County first!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile: "First, count the household registrations of the soldiers at that time. If there are any shortages, fill them with refugees and remaining residents, and then look for a place with free land to set up a military mansion, and then Plan the costs of relocation and then implement it last!”
"That's good, that's good!" Li Hong was very happy to see Wang Wenzuo's thoughtful consideration: "Then I'll just wait for the good news!"
——————————————————————
After bidding farewell to the prince and leaving the Yanxi Gate, Wang Wenzuo got on his horse. Surrounded by the accompanying ceremonial guards, passers-by gathered on both sides of the road, rubbing shoulders one after another, casting envious glances at the figure on the horse among them, and cheered a few times. , cheers and whistles rang out.
Wang Wenzuo knew very well that the object of these cheers was not himself - it was the mighty and neat team, the gorgeous brocade robes of the servants, and even the horses under his crotch, but it was not him. If someone were to be in his position tomorrow, these would People will also cheer for him. Chang'an is such a place. The residents here like lively, beautiful, and gorgeous things, but their preferences are also fickle. Today they will cheer for you, and tomorrow they may cheer for your hanging head in front of the West Market Gate. Spit. This is Chang'an, like a beautiful woman, seductive and dangerous.
When they returned to their residence, the door of the palace had been opened. Cui Yunying and several maids greeted him at the door of the hall. Wang Wenzuo handed the reins to Sanqiu and walked up the steps: "His Royal Highness the Prince of the East Palace has given me snacks today. I'm not hungry! "
"Then I will wait for you to wash up first!" Cui Yunying said with a smile: "I have learned some massage skills from the doctor these days, and I can push your shoulders for you!"
"Okay!" Wang Wenzuo nodded with satisfaction. Cui Yunying can be said to be a perfect wife: beautiful, considerate, smart, knowledgeable, and good at housekeeping. As long as she is at home, everything will be arranged in order. Wang Wenzuo doesn't need to spend any money at all. After a little thought, he finally understood why the men of the Tang Dynasty made marrying the daughter of the Cui family one of their lifelong pursuits.
Back in the house, Wang Wenzuo changed into a middle coat, let Cui Yunying sit on him, rubbed his somewhat stiff shoulders, and made pleasant hums from time to time, and soon he was in a state of half asleep and half awake.
"Lang Jun, there is a guest in the house today!" Cui Yunying's hand suddenly stopped.
"Yeah! Don't stop!"
"Yes!" Cui Yunying responded and quickly moved his hands: "It's Lu Zhaolin!"
"Lu Zhaolin?" Wang Wenzuo snorted: "Be careful, I have food and shelter, isn't he in Chengdu?"
"Hey!" Cui Yunying responded, and quickly added another three points of strength: "He came to Chang'an in March this year, which is less than three months later than us!"
"Oh, why did he come to Chang'an?"
"He didn't say much today!" Cui Yunying said in a low voice: "But based on my guess, it's probably because he wants to get an official position!"
"Hmm!" Wang Wenzuo grunted twice and twisted his neck contentedly. When Cui Yunying saw this, she didn't know what her husband's attitude was. She hesitated for a moment and whispered: "I look at him as if he is in Chang'an." Not having a successful life? Even the clothes he was wearing were a bit old, so I gave him fifty strings as a gift, and he accepted it!"
"Oh!" Wang Wenzuo responded noncommittally: "It's not easy for Migui to live in Chang'an! By the way, who did he choose to seek an official position this time?"
Cui Yunying was stunned when she heard this, thinking to herself that people have come to our door, and you still don't know whose connections you want to find? She didn't know what Wang Wenzuo was thinking, and didn't dare to speak out. She said cautiously: "I didn't ask in detail. I guess I found a connection with a certain sect king, right?"
Wang Wenzuo snorted and remained silent for a long time. Just when Cui Yunying thought her husband had fallen asleep, she suddenly heard Wang Wenzuo say: "If he comes again, let him stay and have a meal with me when I come back!"
"Okay, I remember it!" Cui Yunying laughed, happy that the poet he had loved since childhood was getting a new opportunity.
But Cui Yunying did not wait for Lu Zhaolin's next visit. Four days later, Lu Zhaolin's servant came to the palace in panic and begged to be received by his master. His master had been imprisoned for offending a nobleman in the court at that time. In jail.
"Don't be impatient. Speak slowly and make it clear bit by bit!" Wang Wenzuo said in a deep voice.
"Yes, yes!" The slave was obviously frightened and was already speaking incoherently: "Two days ago, a friend invited the master to be a guest. He said that Lantai Taishi Ling compiled a strange book and invited scribes from all over the world to come. After tasting, if anyone can point out something that is wrong, Lantai Taishi will give him a thousand gold coins. The master then went, but the next day he was taken away, saying that the poem was ridiculing me, and he would be severely punished!"
"Lantai Taishi Ling? What kind of official is this?" Wang Wenzuo frowned. Although he traveled through time for many years, he spent most of his time commanding troops in border battles. He was not very familiar with the official system of the DPRK. In addition, since Li Zhi ascended the throne, After that, he changed the official's title every three days, and he couldn't remember it at all.
"Do you know that noble man's name?"
"It seems that the surname is Wu, no, it seems to be He Lan——"
Looking at the slave who was kneeling on the ground scratching his head and trying to remember, Wang Wenzuo finally despaired: "If you can't even figure out that noble man's last name, then there's nothing I can do!" He stood up and was about to leave, when Cui Yunying stood beside him. He whispered: "Mr. Lang, I remember that the queen had a nephew named He Lan Minzhi. He seemed to be the official. The queen loved him very much and let this nephew inherit her father's title, so she changed her surname to Wu. , could it be him?"
"Is it him?" Wang Wenzuo slapped his forehead: "If it is really him, then Lu Zhaolin will be hopeless!"
No wonder Wang Wenzuo said this. The Helan Minzhi whom Cui Yunying mentioned was the son of the Korean Duke Helan Anshi, and his mother, the Korean lady, was the sister of Wu Zetian's compatriot. According to the practice at that time, the queen's relatives would be specially awarded with official titles and high positions. However, because Wu Zetian's biological mother was treated unkindly by her two brothers, Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang, after Wu Zetian was named queen, not only did she not treat the Wu family well, she also Instead, he exiled his two brothers to the southwest region, and gave this political resource to his nephew Helan Minzhi, who was given the surname Wu, inherited the title of Wu Zetian's father, the warrior Xun, and served as secretary supervisor (Lan Minzhi). Taishi Ling), presided over the Hongwen Hall. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that this was to recruit talents and accumulate fame by compiling books, and go all the way to the political hall. If Lu Zhaolin really offended this uncle, he would really be hopeless.
"Mr. Lang, this Lu Zhaolin must have just made an honest mistake. His family and mine are family friends, and he is a well-known scholar in the world. If possible, we should save him!" Cui Yunying said.
"The specific situation is still unclear. It's too early to talk about whether to rescue or not!" Wang Wenzuo called Cui Hongdu and asked him to find out the whole story first and not mention the slave.
In the evening, Cui Hongdu came back. The news he brought back made Cui Yunying pale. It was indeed He Lan Minzhi who Lu Zhaolin had offended. What's worse, the document he criticized at that time was "The Spring and Autumn of the Thirty Kingdoms". This book It was actually compiled on the orders of the Queen.
"Brother Lu, this is too ignorant of current affairs!" Cui Hongdu whispered: "Who in the capital doesn't know that behind He Lanmin is Empress Wu? Compiling "The Spring and Autumn of the Thirty Kingdoms" is also to increase the empress's popularity, and Lu Zhaolin I once worked as a literary attendant for King Deng, and this time I returned to Chang'an and followed the path of a certain sect king. This is a pawn across the river! If He Lan Minzhi doesn't kill him, where will the queen's face be? Sanlang, I think this is It’s better not to worry about this matter!”
Wang Wenzuo didn't say anything. He really didn't expect that Lu Zhaolin would get himself into such a big hole after not seeing him for two days. The city of Chang'an was really full of landmines! No wonder there were so many noble clans during the reign of Emperor Taizong that few are left now. Line struggles are always present. If you accidentally say the wrong word, the whole family will be sent to the execution ground. After thinking for a while, he said: "Let's take a look first! Yunying, give that slave a hundred dollars and ask him to bribe the jailer, so that Mr. Lu can live a more comfortable life in prison. This case will last for a while." It won’t be over, as long as you don’t die, there is hope!”
"Yes!" Cui Hongdu responded and went out. Cui Yunying glanced at Wang Wenzuo with shame: "Mr. Lang, it's all my fault. I almost got my family involved too!"
"I can't blame you!" Wang Wenzuo patted his wife on the shoulder: "Even I wouldn't have known there was someone like He Lan Minzhi unless I asked. Forget it, I think Mr. Lu may not be able to do it this time. Death, after all, this is a fight between gods, but it is inevitable that he will suffer a lot. Besides, he is from Hebei and has no one in the court. It is really difficult for him to make a way in Chang'an with only poetry. Even if he is really allowed to become a fifth- and sixth-grade official, without strong support, he could accidentally be involved in an inexplicable case, lose his life, and even implicate relatives and friends. Why bother? If he If he can come out alive this time, please advise him. If he wants to be an official, I will give him an official position in Waguo and Xiongjin. Although it is not as good as the officials of the Tang Dynasty, the salary is not as good as that of officials in the Tang Dynasty. It will be less!”
"Yes!" Cui Yunying nodded after hearing this: "Husband, what you are saying is that if Mr. Lu can come out this time, his thoughts will definitely change, and he will listen to you!"
"That's good!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile: "As the saying goes, if you survive a catastrophe, you will be blessed later! Mr. Lu's misfortune this time may become a blessing later!" (End of this chapter)
