National color raw owl

Xu Congyang took a sip of tea, put down his teacup, and said, "Lin Qianhu has been investigating this matter recently. According to the current judgment, Zhao Guangqing should be a member of the Tianmen Dao."

"A person from the Heavenly Clan?" Chu Huanwei was a little surprised and said, "Zhao Guangqing is the magistrate of a state. How could he be so confused and join the Heavenly Clan?"

Xu Congyang sighed: "The old man didn't think clearly before, but after thinking about it carefully for a while, I'm afraid Zhao Guangqing was unwilling to be reconciled, so Tianmen Dao took advantage of it and bought him over."

"Unwilling?"

Xu Congyang stroked his beard and said: "As you can see, the conditions in Tongzhou are harsh, and they are not as prosperous as those in the south of the Yangtze River. With Zhao Guangqing's talent, he has been working as a magistrate for so many years. Even if he can't be transferred to Beijing, he should be another It’s just that the environment in Tongzhou is complicated. Seven out of ten years are years of famine. Since the founding of the country, there have been accidents almost every year, and it has become more serious in recent years. It’s really not a good job to be in Tongzhou. If you don't have real talents, let alone have been in Tongzhou for so many years, I'm afraid you won't be able to stay in Tongzhou for a few months."

Chu Huan still knows the situation in Tongzhou very well. Famines occur every year, and there is no commercial foundation to rely on. It has always been a relatively poor prefecture. Sitting in the position of the governor of Tongzhou, not to mention other things, the tax collection pressure he faces every year Right and wrong are no small matter. When Zhao Guangqing was in office, he faced tax urging from the Ministry of Household Affairs every year, and every now and then there would be rounds of impeachment against Zhao Guangqing, saying that he was unfavorable in his work and delayed paying taxes year after year.

Zhao Guangqing was in Tongzhou, although he also wanted to raise taxes, but Tongzhou was originally a poor state, and it might not be able to pay heavy taxes from the imperial court even in a bumper harvest year, not to mention the successive years of famine. There are people making troubles, and some people with ulterior motives wantonly incite the people to fight against the government. If the Tongzhou governor is too lenient, he will not be able to account to the court. In the position of Tongzhou Zhizhou, it looks majestic, but it is actually sitting on the stove and being roasted.

Fortunately, Zhao Guangqing really had some tricks to deal with both sides. Although Tongzhou was in constant chaos, there was no major chaos. If Zhao Guangqing hadn't been in charge, Tongzhou would never have been in such a stable state. It might have become one of the birthplaces of civil strife.

But it has to be said that Zhao Guangqing has always been carrying a big stone on his back. Over the years, the impeachment books on him have piled up like a mountain. If the court didn't find this person useful, those charges would have killed Zhao Guangqing ten times or eight times. Zhao Guangqing probably also knows it well, and now he can still be safe. If he is a little careless, the previous crimes will flood in, even the king of heaven and I may not be able to keep it.

"The imperial court asked him to sit in Tongzhou. After all, it's because he can control the situation here." Xu Congyang shook his head and sighed: "There are only you and me here. I might as well talk about something in my heart. Zhao Guangqing betrayed me." It is certainly hateful for the imperial court to join the Heavenly Gate, but when it comes to blame, although he has committed a serious crime, it is not entirely his fault!"

"What do you mean by Grand Master?"

"Zhao Guangqing was born in a poor family. When he was in Beijing, he was very upright and offended many people." Xu Congyang sighed: "He didn't know how he offended An Guogong, and was transferred to Tongzhou. I have always wanted to get rid of him. Fortunately, Shengshang Shengming knew that this person was available, so he kept it. Think about it, the prince and Hanwang's henchmen, even if they don't have much talent, can still get a good position. Zhao Guangqing's political achievements in Tongzhou are also considered Zhuo Zhuo, but he has been held in this place all the time, do you think he is willing? Tianmendao must have known the reason and grasped Zhao Guangqing's mind, so he took advantage of it... After thinking about it, the old man must have made a promise to Zhao Guangqing. The great benefit, coupled with Zhao Guangqing's resentment, this is the wrong path."

Chu Huan understood, and said: "So that's the case. Today's way is really pervasive, not only to confuse the people, but even the court officials, they have been making up their minds!" But he was thinking in his heart, Zhao Guangqing took the risk, but there was something behind it. There is a faint shadow of party struggle in the court.

Xu Congyang said: "Tianmen Dao is a serious problem. Now it is causing troubles in Jianghuai Dao. I don't know when it will be calmed down. But I sometimes think about it. If you hadn't exposed Zhao Guangqing last time, Mr. Chu, the consequences would be unimaginable. Zhao Guangqing used the stone If he makes trouble in Tongzhou, Tongzhou will definitely respond to the Jianghuai chaos, and the passage to the northwest may even be blocked. I still feel a little scared when I want to come here occasionally."

Chu Huan asked: "Grand scholar, Duan Xun, the former commander of the Tongzhou Camp, should be Zhao Guangqing's best friend. Is there any whereabouts of this person?"

"I've been looking for it all the time, but there's no whereabouts." Xu Congyang shook his head and said, "Tianmen Road is like ghosts and ghosts, and it's hard to find traces. Although Lin Qianhu has found some clues, they are often destroyed before they can be found. It seems that there are still some masters in Tianmen Dao. However, Zhao Guangqing died soon, and his party members were killed by Lin Qianhu. Even if there are disciples in Tianmen Dao who are still in Tongzhou, they can only stay in the cave and dare not act rashly Well, there is still no storm in Tongzhou."

Chu Huan pondered for a while before saying: "This time I am going to Xiliang as an envoy, what else do the Grand Scholars want to teach?"

Xu Congyang's expression became serious, and he said earnestly: "The old man also communicated several letters with General Yu last time. The current situation in the Northwest is not optimistic!"

"Oh?"

"Three roads in the northwest, Xiguan, Tianshan, and Beishan. Now most of Xiguan Road is in the hands of Xiliang people. A large number of refugees have poured into Beishan and Tianshan Road. After the Xiliang army stopped fighting, General Yu arranged An arc-shaped line of defense was established. In the north, the governor of Tianshan Road, Zhu Lingyue, led 16 remnant troops to garrison Tianmang Mountain in Tianshan Road. General Yu deployed defenses in the south of Ningshan. The situation has changed." Xu Congyang explained: "The morale of our army is low now. When we were defeated, many soldiers even threw away their weapons and armor, and refugees from the northwest flooded into Beishan Road in large numbers, and food was in short supply. The situation in the northwest, but it is still very chaotic there, and all kinds of supplies are in short supply."

Chu Huan looked sad.

"Chen Yang's warehouse has been exhausted, and now the old man is instructing the governor of Xishan Road, Qiao Mingtang, to lead people to collect food and supplies in Anyi and Xishan, and hurry up to transport them to the northwest." Xu Congyang shook his head and sighed: "The chaos in the Jianghuai Tianmen Road, the imperial court can no longer Throw all the energy to the northwest side. I heard that the war in the Jianghuai area is tense. The imperial court sent a large amount of supplies to the Jianghuai side to faint. Moreover, the rest of Hebei Qingtian King is already ready to move after the chaos in the Jianghuai area... Anyi The two roads of Xishan and Xishan can still hold on for a short time, but after a long time, it will be very difficult and they will not be able to continue to assist the Northwest." He stared at Chu Huan and said solemnly: "Actually, this peace negotiation, our Daqin will have to do it no matter what. After the negotiation, there must be no mistakes, only the stability of the northwest can restore production in the northwest, otherwise the northwest will always be in war, and our Daqin treasury is not full, so it will be difficult to hold on for too long!"

Chu Huan nodded and said: "The meaning of the Grand Scholar, I have already understood, the official will go to Xiliang this time, and I will welcome the princess of Xiliang back, and let the Xiliang army withdraw from the northwest!"

"This trip is very difficult, Master Chu must take care of yourself." Xu Congyang sighed: "It's also fortunate that the people of Xiliang offered to negotiate peace this time. Otherwise, I really can't imagine what my Great Qin will look like." He shook his head and said : "Don't look at my Daqin Wanli Jiangshan, who looks extremely powerful, but is already weak in his bones and cannot stand a big battle!"

Chu Huan frowned and said, "Big scholar, when I was in the household department, I knew that the empire's finances were already struggling to make ends meet. Although I negotiated peace with the people of Xiliang this time, in fact, I, Daqin, bowed my head to them and wanted to pay compensation. 600 million taels of silver, and a huge amount of food and other supplies, I think, given the current situation of the empire, it may be very difficult, I am afraid...!" At this point, he paused, but did not continue .

Xu Congyang said: "Lord Chu, just say what you have to say, don't worry."

Chu Huan said: "The lower official is presumptuous, but I just feel that the court may try to collect it from the people for such a huge amount of compensation. The lower official is dull, but I also feel that if the tax continues to increase at this time, the common people will be unbearable." I am afraid it will lead to even greater disasters, so...!"

Xu Congyang nodded and said: "What do you mean, I understand. I have been thinking about this all the time. You are right. The people are already in dire straits. If taxes are collected again, the consequences will be unimaginable. The old man has been preparing for the past two days. In the past, I stated the pros and cons, and I only hope that the Holy Majesty can listen to the old man's words and stop increasing taxes!"

Chu Huan cupped his hands and said, "A university scholar is highly respected. Your Majesty will definitely listen to your words!"

Xu Congyang shook his head and said with a wry smile: "Master Chu, if you can think of making a living for the common people today, it is because the King of Qi has not misunderstood the person. This old man is very relieved. It's just...it's not like it was back then. His Majesty can listen to the old man's advice. I have to go in, but now the Holy Majesty can't listen to a few people." He sighed, full of embarrassment.

Chu Huan opened his mouth, but stopped talking. It was always disrespectful to talk about the emperor behind his back.

Xu Congyang is such a shrewd person, he knew Chu Huan's thoughts, and said: "This old man will try his best to write a letter. The Holy One is obsessed with cultivating Taoism, and he was born with a temperament that would not give up until he reached his goal. This is the case in the world, and it is also the case in cultivating Taoism now. In the past few years, his energy has been placed on cultivating Taoism, and it is not easy for others to persuade him. But this time he was humiliated by mere Xiliang people, the Holy One is a strong person, not necessarily Can't revive the flag and drums, and strive to govern, as long as the Holy One has the heart, calm down the gate of heaven, recuperate with the people, develop agriculture and commerce, and strive for governance, my Daqin will be able to regain its glory, and he will never dare to face Xiliang I, Da Qin, have the heart to covet it."

Chu Huan nodded slightly. He didn't know if the emperor would really do this. If he could tell Xu Congyang that the emperor was woken up by a stick from Xiliang, it would be a blessing for the people of Daqin.

"My lord Chu, I only hope that you will have a smooth journey and complete the entrustment of the sage." Xu Congyang said honestly, "Buy time for my Great Qin to recuperate, and for the sage... to strive for time to improve our governance. My Great Qin... ...There is still hope!" His last words were full of emotion, and he wondered whether he really thought so.