Doctor of the Great Song Dynasty: In the beginning, Li Qingzhao and Li Qingzhao made a private decis

"Tongguan!"

In an instant, everyone in the entire Chui Gong Hall was stunned, including Tong Guan himself.

"Fan Taicheng, I..." Tong Guan looked around, trying to defend himself.

However, Fan Zheng stood up and came to Tong Guan's side, saying loudly: "Everyone, please look at Eunuch Tong. He is tall and looks like a military commander. Not to mention that he is a close servant of an official. He can naturally represent the royal family of the Song Dynasty and is more important to the officials." The family is very loyal, and being in charge of such a huge overseas fortune can also make everyone in the court feel at ease."

Su Song glanced at Tong Guan and nodded slightly.

It took a long time to open up the Maritime Silk Road, and there were constant storms at sea. Naturally, the weak civil servants were not qualified. Although the generals were physically strong, the Song Dynasty relied on civility to control military affairs, so they distrusted military generals and did not trust a general to control military power and financial resources. Hanging overseas.

A member of the royal family is naturally very suitable, but overseas risks are high and unsuitable. Tong Guan has the demeanor of a military commander and is also a close servant of an official. He is proficient in royal etiquette and can better represent the imperial power. For example, Zhang Qian was the servant of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty back then. Lang Guan is indeed a suitable candidate.

Lu Dafang frowned and said: "If you use eunuchs as envoys, does it mean that there is no one left in the country?" "

The old party attached great importance to etiquette, and Lu Dafang naturally couldn't stand it. A eunuch served as an envoy to overseas countries.

Zhang Dun also nodded and said: "If there is no suitable candidate, I propose Wang Di, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy, to be an envoy to overseas countries."

The risks of going to overseas countries are indeed high, but the rewards are also great. If it is successfully completed, it will be as famous as Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions in the future. Zhang Dun believes that as long as the news is spread, there will be many officials who are willing to go to overseas countries. .

At that moment, he thought of Wang Di, who was depressed and frustrated. Once Wang Di returned from his mission to overseas countries, he would definitely be able to rise to prominence.

At present, the new party and the old party unanimously began to oppose Tong Guan as an envoy, and both wanted to elect themselves as envoys.

Tong Guan couldn't help but show a trace of regret in his eyes when he saw this. The eunuchs of the Song Dynasty were not inactive and could become powerful ministers for the supervisory army. His godfather Li Xian was a powerful general in the army.

Tong Guan also had an opportunity to stand out at that time, that is, when Fan Zheng proposed to build Pingxia City, he could go to Pingxia City to serve as a supervisor. However, when Pingxia City narrowly escaped death, he did not strive for it. In the end, Fan Zheng stepped forward. , personally served as the supervisor of the army, and became famous after the first battle.

In the future, Tong Guan regretted it and determined to seize the opportunity in the future, secretly study the art of war, and prepare to show off his skills when he has the opportunity to supervise the army in the future.

However, Fan Zheng once again proposed the integration of civil and military affairs and implemented a dual-officer system of generals and supervisors in the army. From then on, the supervisors were controlled by civilian officials, and Tong Guan lost his last chance to make contributions.

Just when Tong Guan was disheartened, Fan Zheng actually recommended him as an envoy to go to overseas countries. This immediately made Tong Guan overjoyed, but he did not expect that he would be opposed by the two prime ministers of the dynasty.

Although Su Song did not express his position, it was not that the Medical Party had no talents and was not interested in the position of envoy. It was only because of Fan Zheng's face that he did not object.

Zhao Xu was also caught in a dilemma. On the one hand, he was opposed by his personal attendants, and on the other hand, he was opposed by the two prime ministers.

Seeing this, Tong Guan sighed helplessly: "I would rather serve you by the official's side."

Tong Guan was the best at observing words and emotions, so he naturally understood that the trust of officials was his greatest asset. If he forced himself to get the important task of being sent to overseas countries and offended the officials and the prime minister, he would probably lose more than he gained in the end.

Zhao Xu also nodded slightly, preparing to make amends to Tong Guan if he had the opportunity in the future.

However, Fan Zheng still said: "I still think that Eunuch Tong is the best candidate to go to overseas countries as an envoy."

Tong Guan couldn't help being shocked, and looked at Fan Zheng in surprise again, even more surprised than when Fan Zheng recommended him the first time.

Lu Dafang looked at Tong Guan and Fan Zheng suspiciously, and sneered: "Fan Taicheng is so determined to recommend Eunuch Tong, could it be..."

Lu Dafang's words can be described as murderous and heartbreaking. The ministers of the current court colluded with the official's personal eunuch. If this spread, it would definitely lead to the impeachment of the ministers.

Even Su Song and others looked at Fan Zheng in confusion.

Tong Guan suddenly turned pale and quickly defended: "The officials clearly know that I have never had any transactions with Fan Taicheng. Moreover, Fan Taicheng proposed to open up the Maritime Silk Road, and then discussed the matter of going to sea here. During this period, I and Fan Taicheng were together." There is no intersection at all.”

Zhao Xu nodded slightly, turned to look at Fan Zheng and said, "Fan Aiqing, what other reasons do you have for insisting on nominating Tong Guanke?"

Zhang Dun snorted coldly, if Fan Zheng couldn't explain clearly today, he would definitely impeach Fan Zheng for having a personal relationship with an eunuch.

Fan Zheng nodded and said: "The reason why I recommend Eunuch Tong to be the envoy is because Eunuch Tong has an incomparable advantage over other ministers, that is, he is a eunuch."

"Eunuch's body?"

Zhao Xu couldn't help but be stunned. What kind of reason was this? Everyone knew that Tong Guan was an eunuch. How could it become an incomparable advantage?

Su Song's heart moved and he suddenly became thoughtful.

Fan Zheng explained: "You only see the risks of sending an overseas mission and the honor comparable to Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions, but you don't realize that there is another crisis, and that is the problem of people themselves."

"People's own problems?"

Zhao Xu was puzzled.

"If you want to go on a diplomatic mission to overseas countries, it can take as little as half a year or as long as one year. Being alone overseas for such a long time, according to medical research, will naturally produce physiological needs." Fan Zheng said without hesitation.

"Physiological needs?"

The three prime ministers couldn't help looking at Fan Zheng with strange expressions.

"Cough! Cough!"

Zhao Xu choked on his own saliva. He was already married, so he naturally knew what his physiological needs were. However, Fan's majestic discussion of the matter in the court caught him off guard.

"There is a tradition on sea ships that prohibits women from boarding ships."

Su Songnai is a Confucian scholar and a doctor, and he understands Fan Zheng's meaning best. Moreover, his ancestral home is Fujian, and he also understands the rules of going to sea. There is not a single woman on the entire ship, and in addition, all of them are men. They have been wandering at sea for a long time, but their physiological needs cannot be met.

In this case, there are only two ways to solve the problem. One is to find a local woman to solve the problem when getting off the ship, and the other is to use Long Yang's Hao.

As an envoy to overseas countries, any situation like this would probably damage the reputation of the Song Dynasty. From this point of view, eunuchs with no physiological needs turned out to be the most suitable candidates.

Now everyone's eyes turned to Tong Guan again.Tong Guan couldn't help but his heart jumped. He had already given up this opportunity, but he didn't expect that Fan Zheng would help him win it again, although he used a rather evil method.

"Tong Guan, you may be willing to represent the imperial court on missions to overseas countries." Zhao Xu looked at Tong Guan and said solemnly.

Tong Guan suppressed the ecstasy in his heart and said: "I am willing to serve the officials to the death and promote the prestige of the Song Dynasty!"

Lu Dafang and Zhang Dun couldn't help but sigh with regret. Although Fan Zheng's reasons were evil, they were irrefutable.

When Zhang Qian went on an envoy to the Western Regions, he was captured by the Huns. He also married a Huns wife and gave birth to a son. However, he stayed with the Huns and did not bring him back, which became a stain on his life. Instead, he appointed Tong Guan as an envoy and the envoy of the Song Dynasty. There will be no more flaws.

........................

"Thank you! Fan Taicheng strongly recommended it, and Tong Guan is grateful."

After the three prime ministers left, Tong Guan went to Fan Zheng and bowed solemnly.

Fan Zheng waved his hand and said: "Fan recommended Eunuch Tong from a medical perspective, because Eunuch Tong is the best candidate. I was slightly offended by my language before, so please forgive me!"

Tong Guan said with a miserable look on his face: "Fan Taicheng is too polite. It's too late for our family to be grateful, so how can we blame it? No one thought that our physical disability is our family's greatest advantage!"

Tong Guannai was an eunuch and was already discriminated against by the courtiers, but who would have thought that his status as an eunuch would become his greatest advantage as an overseas envoy.

"Look up to the sky and go out laughing, we are not Penghao people! Eunuch Tong's mission to overseas countries has the same significance as Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions. If this trip is a great success, it will promote the prestige of the Song Dynasty and the name of eunuch Tong Guan Maybe it will go down in history." Fan Zheng said solemnly.

"go down in history?"

Tong Guan couldn't help but his breath was stagnant. He was not the famous powerful official and six thieves in later generations!He also has certain ideals and ambitions to make great achievements, so he is naturally very excited about being famous in history.

Seeing Tong Guan's performance, Fan Zheng nodded slightly. He went on a mission to overseas countries and was alone overseas. Tong Guan had great power. Coupled with his disability, the dark side in his heart will explode. The only thing that can restrain Tong Guan is his reputation. This one.

"Tong Guan, thank you Fan Taicheng for your advice!" Tong Guan said solemnly to Fan Zheng.

He naturally knew Zhang Qian's deeds, and when he thought of being able to rival Zhang Qian, he was so excited that he couldn't control himself.

"It's just that our family has won the trust of the officials and suddenly took over this important task. We are afraid of delaying the official affairs. It was Fan Taicheng's idea to open up the Maritime Silk Road and send envoys to the countries on the sea. I would like to ask Fan Taicheng to give me some advice." Tong Guan Again.

Fan Zheng pondered for a moment and said, "Do you know why the imperial court wanted to open up the Maritime Silk Road and send envoys to overseas countries?"

Tong Guan said without hesitation: "Because of the national debt crisis!"

He has experienced the whole process of court disputes, and naturally knows that the origin of all this is that the national debt of the Song Dynasty is about to explode.

Fan Zheng nodded and said: "Yes, national debt is the greatest weapon for officials to carry out their great ambitions. However, the huge pressure of national debt will cause harm to the Song Dynasty. Therefore, Eunuch Tong wants to open up the Maritime Silk Road and send envoys to all maritime countries. The most important thing is money.”

"Money?" Tong Guan was thoughtful.

Fan Zheng nodded and said: "Yes, building an ocean-going fleet requires a huge amount of money. Traveling to overseas countries along the way also requires money. Food and salary for soldiers also require money. Officials also need money to make up for the gap in the national debt. All of them The core of everything is money.”

Tong Guan stayed there for a moment. After being reminded by Fan Zheng, he suddenly realized how heavy his task was. I am afraid that even millions of Guan would not be able to fill this big hole.

"Please Master Fan, please save me!" Tong Guan asked for help without hesitation.

Fan Zheng suggested: "Fan once said that misfortunes are diverted from the east."

"Use merchants to make money for the Song Dynasty?" Tong Guan's eyes lit up and said: "Tong will recruit merchants to buy silk, tea, porcelain and other goods to make money for the Song Dynasty!"

Fan Zheng shook his head and said: "What Eunuch Tong said is wrong. Eunuch Tong is an envoy of the imperial court. He is destined to be famous in history and be as famous as Zhang Qian. How can he manipulate the affairs of merchants? Wouldn't it leave a stain on his reputation?"

Tong Guanyi gritted his teeth and said: "For the sake of the official family and the Song Dynasty, Tong doesn't care about his posthumous name!"

Fan Zhengdao: "Even if Eunuch Tong doesn't care about his posthumous reputation, he still needs to worry about purchasing goods, sending them overseas to sell in other countries, then purchasing specialties from other countries, and returning to the Song Dynasty to sell them. There are so many things to worry about, I'm afraid he will miss important official affairs. "

"Uh!" Tong Guan was stunned for a moment.

"Moreover, the affairs of merchants were done within the Song Dynasty and were criticized by the scholar-bureaucrats. Moreover, with so much money, even the slightest mistake would lead to trouble. Furthermore, there would be profits and losses on the goods. Everyone would be happy if they made a profit, and they would be happy if they lost. It's Eunuch Tong's responsibility," Fan Zheng said again.

As Fan Zheng explained the shortcomings of Tong Guan's personal manipulation of merchants, Tong Guan suddenly broke into a cold sweat.

"If it hadn't been for Mr. Fan's guidance, our family would have been ruined, and we would have almost missed important official matters!" Tong Guan said with lingering fear.

Fan Zheng continued: "We are members of the imperial court, and what we should do is our duty, which is to collect taxes!"

"Collect taxes?" Tong Guan was confused and looked at Fan Zheng in confusion.

Fan Zhengdao: "Overseas countries have great demand for the Song Dynasty, and the Song Dynasty also has a great demand for overseas treasures. Naturally, there are fleets willing to follow the Song Dynasty Shenzhou on missions to other countries. Every ship that goes to sea with the mission, Mr. Tong How about charging a certain amount of money as a fee, say five hundred guan?"

"Five hundred strings?" Tong Guan thought in his mind.

Ten ships would be worth [-] guan, and a hundred ships would be [-] guan in taxes. Moreover, it was a steady stream of business that was sure to make a profit without losing any money. He himself did not have any risks. "

"Eunuch Tong can adjust the fee appropriately according to the distance of the route and the country he reaches. Of course, Eunuch Tong can't just collect money. He also needs to ensure the safety of merchant ships and escort merchants' trade, even when merchants are in When other countries overseas encounter trouble, Eunuch Tong should send someone to solve it for them, so that a win-win situation can be achieved for both the mission and the merchant ship." Fan Zhengdao.

"Let our family protect those merchants?" Tong Guan frowned. He was an envoy representing the imperial power. How could he lower his status and protect the merchants?

Fan Zheng spread his hands and said: "Eunuch Tong protects the safety of the merchant ships that follow them and allows those merchant ships to make money. Naturally, he is willing to pay taxes for the mission. At the same time, he also attracts more merchant ships to follow the mission. When the huge Shenzhou and the densely packed ships Merchant ships reached overseas countries, which country would not be intimidated by the Song Dynasty, and Eunuch Tong's important mission of sending envoys to overseas countries could be accomplished with half the effort."

Tong Guan couldn't help but was shocked, and suddenly understood that the mission and the caravan could be said to be one, and when necessary, he could even use the power of the merchant ship to boost the country's prestige.

"The Za family just learned today that Master Fan has a wonderful prescription for rejuvenation. With Master Fan's prescription, our family's trip will definitely be a success." Tong Guan said sincerely.

Without Fan Zheng's guidance, he almost made a big mistake. Now that he has obtained Fan Zheng's prescription, there will be no obstacles to his mission to overseas countries this time. (End of chapter)