Neon Clothes and Iron Clothes

Chapter 886 Bad News

"General! Something is strange!"

"What's wrong?" Wang Wenzuo buried his head in the pillow, his voice a little dull.

"That's what happened. In the past two years, the imperial court has deployed troops in the west, and the money, grain, cloth, and silk transferred to Chang'an have been increasing every year. Normally, the local prefectures and counties should be depressed, but looking at the commercial taxes of Dongdu, Liyang, and Yangzhou, they are all The household registration and agricultural taxes in Hebei are also increasing. Why is this?”

Wang Wenzuo patted the brocade couch twice. The maid quickly stopped massaging and stepped aside. She took a piece of clothing and put it on for her master. Wang Wenzuo sat up and smiled: "Actually, the reason is very simple. The court has not messed around in the past two years!"

"Aren't you messing around?" Lu Zhaolin asked, "I'm confused!"

"What's so puzzling about this?" Wang Wenzuo smiled: "If we talk about good governance in ancient and modern times, it can't be better than the early Han Dynasty. Is what I said right?"

"That's natural!" Lu Zhaolin nodded: "In the early Han Dynasty, the people's customs were mellow, the officials were clear-minded, the emperor was wise above, but the common people sang songs below, and later generations could not match it!"

"What about this dynasty?" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile.

"Not even!" Lu Zhaolin said: "Although Emperor Taizong and Gaozong of this dynasty are also wise kings, the people in power are extravagant and lustful. Dogs and horses also eat beams and clothes. There are many greedy officials in various states and counties. In the good years, the people are only left with chaff and hungry. In the old days, they filled ravines, cut off their hands to escape from labor, and went into the mountains and forests to become thieves. How can they be compared with the early years of the Han Dynasty? "

"Well, why is this dynasty not as good as the early Han Dynasty?" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile.

"This -" Lu Zhaolin was stunned. This question was too big, and he couldn't say anything for a while.

"I'll just say a few words casually! The former Han Dynasty carried out the rule of Huang Lao, and the superiors did not disturb the people, cherished the people's strength, and rested with the people. Therefore, the people were happy and the people's customs were simple!"

"What the general said is true!" Lu Zhaolin said with a smile: "But what does this have to do with the current situation?"

"Don't you find that there are some similarities between now and the early Han Dynasty?" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile.

"In the early years of the Han Dynasty? Why do you say that?" Lu Zhaolin asked curiously: "Although the emperor is kind and kind today, he is still very different from Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing, right?"

"I'm not talking about whether the emperor is personally kind or not!" Wang Wenzuo said: "It's about the situation. The Western Han Dynasty had both the Chang'an court and the vassal states!"

"If you put it that way, it is somewhat similar!" Lu Zhaolin laughed: "If it is true that the Wenjing rule can be restored as the general said, then his name will definitely be left in the history books of future generations!"

"Do your best!" Wang Wenzuo smiled and made a gesture for Lu Zhaolin to step back. He lay down on the brocade couch again and asked his maid to continue massaging for him.

Although Lu Zhaolin was from Hebei, what he said just now basically represents the evaluation of the early Western Han Dynasty at that time and even later generations. Ancient Chinese historians generally believe that the people's livelihood and politics in the early Western Han Dynasty were the pinnacle of all dynasties, that is, the political style and the people's customs were pure and beautiful. Emperor Wen of Han was also the pinnacle of evaluation among ancient emperors. Even Li Shimin himself admitted that he could not compare with Emperor Wen of Han Dynasty in terms of culture and governance. Of course, there are certain factors that favor the past over the present, but generally speaking, it is consistent with historical facts.

The reason is related to the special political and economic environment in the early Western Han Dynasty. In 202 BC, the great ancestor Liu Bang established the Western Han Dynasty, which was the second unified dynasty in Chinese history. However, in the first half century of the Western Han Dynasty, from the founding of the country to the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the empire was actually a dual-track system - with Chang'an As the central unification, there are also a large number of vassal states in the eastern and southern parts of the empire. These vassal states are quite independent. Especially before the Seven Kingdoms Rebellion, the vassal states had their own army, internal affairs, Taxation can be regarded as a number of independent political entities. Of course, these political entities recognize the suzerainty of the Chang'an court and can be understood as the Han Dynasty version of the Western Zhou Dynasty. However, the difference is that these vassal states have a long-term relationship with each other and with the central government. Keep the peace.

Under such circumstances, it is not difficult to understand that the central government in the early Western Han Dynasty chose the Huang-Lao politics of "governing by inaction". The common people are long-legged. If the Western Han prefectures and counties squeezed the people's power more than the vassal states, then the living The people in the prefectures and counties of the Western Han Dynasty would migrate to the adjacent vassal lands, which would undoubtedly weaken the power of the central government of the Western Han Dynasty; and vice versa, so in the early Western Han Dynasty, both the central government and the vassal states would squeeze the people under their jurisdiction more. There is a lower limit. This point is clearly recorded in history. Needless to say, the thirty-one tax during the reign of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing. As for the vassal states, take the state of Wu as an example. Since the state of Wu produces salt and copper locally, King Liu Bi of Wu can cast it himself. Money, its copper content is better than the central currency, and people all over the world like to use it. The King of Wu abolished taxes on the people of Wu. When Wu soldiers went to garrison according to regulations, they would be given an equal monetary price as travel expenses by Liu Bi. All this was in sharp contrast to the situation during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.

So why does this change occur? Is this just because Emperor Wen, Emperor Jing, and King Wu had high moral standards, and the later Emperor Wu of Han was cruel and cruel? Obviously not. The reason why Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty allowed the world's household registration to be halved to support his external military expansion and his domestic extravagance was because the central government of the Western Han Dynasty had already controlled the world, and it was impossible for the people to vote with their feet through migration. Just imagine what would happen if Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty banned the minting of money by counties and states, promoted the official operation of salt and iron, and evened the losses, promulgated the order of calculating and suing, and levied heavy taxes on merchants?
Obviously, since the imperial decree only took effect in the states and counties, it would only make many merchants and craftsmen defect to the princely states, greatly increasing their strength. Under the circumstances of the ebb and flow, it is very likely that the central government of the Han Dynasty would be in trouble in the subsequent civil war. If he failed, Emperor Wen of Han himself would also die. Why did Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty not have such consequences? Because the military and political power of the vassal states had been basically eliminated by his father and grandfather, they were no longer able to compete with the central government during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and no longer had the original independence. No matter how brutal the oppression of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was, the people could only Be able to endure it obediently. Therefore, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and all the unified autocratic monarchs after Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty did not need to suppress their desires like Emperors Wen, Jing, Emperors and Wu kings, and exchanged benefits for the people in exchange for their support. This is why the Huang-Lao rule of the Western Han Dynasty cannot be repeated. Because the social basis that produced this kind of politics no longer exists.

After the rise of Wang Wenzuo, the central government of the Tang Dynasty actually lost control of Hebei. Although Wang Wenzuo still maintained respect and obedience to the emperor on the surface, anyone with a discerning eye could see that the power of the vassal town had been reduced internally and externally. Generally formed. Under this circumstance, the imperial court in Chang'an also had to be more restrained in gathering resources. In addition, more resources were imported from the wider overseas territories, which naturally showed various good performances in economic activities.

"The two brothers Hu Liang and Yanliang captured Qin Ling's wife and children. This was a heavy blow to Qin Ling's prestige. Li Jingye had already launched an attack! In this way, the weak ruler in Tubo was strong and the ministers were strong. The situation can't be maintained! Something big is going to happen!" Wang Wenzuo thought of this and sat up suddenly, but he heard an exclamation. When he looked back, it was the maid who was massaging him, who was frightened by what he had just done. He knelt on the ground and shivered, probably because he was afraid that his heavy hand would hurt him.

"It's none of your business, please step back first!" Wang Wenzuo waved his hand.

"Thank you, Master!" The maid kowtowed and hurriedly retreated. Wang Wenzuo got off the brocade couch, walked to the window, and looked outside the courtyard. He saw rockery, waterside pavilions, beautiful trees and beautiful flowers outside, decorating the not-so-large courtyard in an orderly manner. Every step of the way is a scene, and every step is a state. , I don’t know which famous craftsman is the proud work of it.

"Even in ancient times with backward technology, people at the top of the ruling class could live a very good life, it just depends on the price!" Wang Wenzuo whispered to himself. After a rough calculation, he had lived in the Tang Dynasty for as long as It was almost the same time as in modern times. Sometimes he even doubted whether he was a real time traveler or just a wild fantasy in his mind. "Husband!"

"It's Yunying!" Wang Wenzuo turned around, not knowing when his wife stood behind him: "When did you come in? I was just thinking about something and didn't notice you!"

"Just now, when you were talking to yourself!" Cui Yunying placed a porcelain bowl on the table: "The Tremella lotus seed soup you just made, drink it while it's hot!"

"Oh, thank you!" Wang Wenzuo picked up the porcelain bowl and took a sip. Cui Yunying looked at her husband with a bit of worry in his eyes. He stretched out his right hand, touched Wang Wenzuo's temple and sighed: " Hey, I haven’t noticed for a few days, and there are a few more white hairs!”

"As people get older, they will always have gray hair!" Wang Wenzuo laughed: "I'm already doing pretty well. What's wrong, do you think my husband is getting old? It's too late! We are already an old couple!"

"Bah!" Cui Yunying spat, a trace of blush flashing across his face: "You are being glib again, you are so old and you don't have any appearance at all!"

"There are no outsiders, so it doesn't look good!" Wang Wenzuo smiled and put the empty bowl back on the table: "It's good to be comfortable at home. What's the point of putting on airs all day long for others to see? Apart from making yourself uncomfortable, what's the point!"

"Hey, that's you!" Cui Yunying sighed and suddenly asked: "By the way, I heard that Hu Liang won the battle. Is this true or false?"

"Well!" Wang Wenzuo showed a satisfied smile: "The Tubo people tried to sneak attack, but were discovered by the hot air balloon. Yan Liang led the troops to fight back and achieved a great victory, killing Qin Ling's younger brother Blenzan Blade. Then he led the light troops to advance quickly , the old capital of the Tuyuhun people, Shudun City, was captured. Qinling’s wife, children and family, as well as the savings of the Tubo people in Qinghai, all fell into the hands of Hu Liang! "

"Then, isn't that a complete victory?" Cui Yunying asked anxiously.

"That's not the case. As the saying goes, a cunning rabbit has three burrows. With Qinling's sophistication, he will definitely not only have one den in Shudun City. Moreover, his main force is not damaged yet, and there will be more to fight in the future." At this point, Wang Wenzuo said a little. After a pause: "It can only be said that we have taken the lead, and the situation will be very favorable to us!"

"That's good, that's good!" Cui Yunying whispered, looking a little dazed. Wang Wenzuo also noticed it at this time and asked: "What's wrong with Yunying? You don't look happy!"

"No!" Cui Yunying shook his head: "It's just, just, husband, I remember you said that when Hu Liang returns in triumph this time, you will resign from the court and return to Hebei to retire!"

"Yes, I did say it! What's wrong? Don't you like it?"

"That's not true!" Cui Yunying shook his head: "I'm just worried about whether Hu Liang can shoulder this responsibility if he stays in Chang'an!"

"So that's it!" Wang Wenzuo laughed: "You will definitely encounter some troubles at the beginning, but no one can learn it in the mother's womb, and you will learn it slowly. I can't keep working in Chang'an until I die, right? This stall will eventually be handed over to future generations!”

"Can we delay it a little longer?" Cui Yunying asked.

"Delay?" Wang Wenzuo finally realized his wife's intention: "Yunying, you don't want Hu Liang to stay in Chang'an instead of me, do you?"

"No, it's not!" Cui Yunying quickly denied: "I just think it's a little early, you are still young!"

"Didn't you just say that my hair has turned a lot grayer, and now you say that I am still young, isn't it contradictory?" Wang Wenzuo laughed: "Forget it, I probably know what you mean, and I won't treat you badly. Brother Sheng. Don't worry too much. Staying in Chang'an may not be a good thing, really!" After that, he patted his wife on the shoulder and walked out. Only the worried Cui Yunying was left.

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"Brenzan Blade is dead and Shudun City has fallen!" Gar Zandro said.

"Yes, my lord." The messenger's voice was dull with fatigue. On the front and chest of his torn clothes, dried blood stains covered the original gorgeous pattern.

All the Tibetan officers fell silent and listened to the messenger describe what happened. In the spacious and airy longhouse, only the firewood in the stove was crackling.

After experiencing the long march through the Qilian Mountains, Gongren was very excited to think of a place with a roof to rest for a while, even though it was only for one night. Qin Ling strictly ordered the entire army to march at a speed that exhausted their physical strength, resulting in heavy losses. If a sprained or sick person cannot keep up, he or she will be left to become food for snow leopards and wolves. Every morning when they set out, some people always fell on the roadside and fell asleep and never woke up; in the afternoon, there were other people paralyzed by the roadside exhausted; in the evening, some people even became deserters. , escaping into the night, even Gongren himself wanted to go with them.

A few minutes ago, he was sitting by the campfire, staring attentively at the roasted meat steaming with oil. The arrival of the messenger interrupted all this, and he immediately realized that there was bad news, and the good news would definitely not be so timely. This terrible forced march, the corpses abandoned by the roadside, and the deserters... all came to nothing. The Tang army had killed Brenzan Blade and captured Shudun City.