First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 579 Wei Fengwei handles the case

...

After Gao rushed away in his car, Liu Yanchang was anxious every day and sent two urgent letters to neighboring Nankang Prefecture.

Nankang Prefecture Dudufu, the former Xin'an County in the Sui Dynasty, was established in the fourth year of Wude. It was located in Duanxi County and governed Duan, Kang, Song, Long and other prefectures. It was also a relatively large Dudufu in Lingnan. Duanxi is only more than five hundred miles away from Bobai.

In the eighth year of Wude, Li Shimin ascended the throne and abolished the Governor's Office of Nankang Prefecture, and established Nankang Prefecture under the Governor's Office of Guangzhou.

The current governor of Nankang Prefecture is Liu Jie, who comes from the Nanyang Liu family, and is now the person in charge of the Nanyang Liu family.

In the fourth year of Wude, Gao Chong pacified Xiao Mian and promoted Lingnan. Liu Jie, who was the Huangmen minister of the Xiaoliang regime at that time, happened to be pacifying the official rebellion in Xin'an County (i.e. Nankangzhou). Hearing that Xiaoliang was subjugated, he had to go to court and surrender.

Gao Chong also heard about Liu Jie's name. Later, when he became prime minister, he specifically mentioned Liu Jie in his report.

Li Yuan liked this kind of people who surrendered most. This made it even more clear that the Tang Dynasty was destined by fate. He immediately abolished Xin'an County with a stroke of his pen, established the Nankang Prefecture General Governor's Office (i.e. the Governor's Office), and appointed Liu Ji as the governor of Nankang. The history of the governor of the state was later restructured, and the governor's office was changed to the governor's office, which became the governor's history of the governor's office.

After Li Shimin abolished the Governor's Office of Nankang Prefecture and incorporated it into the jurisdiction of the Governor's Office of Guangzhou, he appointed Liu Ji as the governor of Nankang Prefecture.

The Liu family in Baizhou has always recognized themselves as being from the Liu family in Nanyang, and they have been in contact with each other for many years, especially after Liu Ji took office in Lingnan.

No matter how dim Liu Yanchang was, he still noticed that something was wrong with the situation. How could Gao Chong be so calm?Why can Pang Xiaojie be upgraded several levels in a row?There must be something fishy about this.

It's a pity that Liu Jie of Nankang Prefecture has not replied yet, so Bai Prefecture has received the order from Chang'an.

Remove the post of commander of the army and abolish Shuiming Military Mansion...

After Liu Yanchang received the imperial edict, he fainted without any warning, and then he grabbed the envoy from the Ministry of War who announced the edict and burst into tears.

"Angel knows clearly, I have absolutely no intention of slander. That Ponzi is really treasonous and rebellious..."Liu Yanchang grabbed the angel's sleeves and shouted in fear.

The messengers who declare decrees on behalf of heaven are called envoys of the Son of Heaven and are honored as angels.

This time the person who announced the decree was not an eunuch, but a doctor from the Ministry of War.

The imperial edict stated that Shuiming Military Palace was to be abolished and another military palace was established in Jianning.

The military government is stationed in various places and is the local government army organization. It cultivates during the farming season, trains during leisure time, and recruits during wartime. It has great responsibilities and is the grassroots organization of the government army.

Since the Western Wei and Northern Zhou dynasties, the military mansion has gradually taken shape, and was gradually improved in the Sui Dynasty. It has been in use for more than a hundred years.

At the beginning, the chief of the military government was called Kaifu, and his deputy was called Yitong. In the early Sui Dynasty, the chief was called Hussar General, and his deputy was Chaqi General. In the late Sui Dynasty, they were changed to Ying Yanglang General and Yingshi Lang General.

Later, when the Tang Dynasty was established, they were renamed military leaders and deputy generals. In the seventh year of Wude, they were renamed military leaders and generals.

Abolition of the military government only requires a decree, but choosing a location to set up another military government requires field inspections by the Ministry of War. The official doctor is in charge of maps, towns, forts, beacons, etc. This arduous task of traveling through mountains and rivers is the turn of the official doctor. On.

After going through hardships and arriving in the barbaric land of Lingnan, the doctor on staff had already complained. Now that he saw that Liu Yanchang still didn't know whether to live or die, he was also angry and laughing.

Before Liu Yanchang could finish his words, the doctor on staff took out his sleeves and kicked him over.

"Shut up," the doctor on the staff twitched at the corners of his mouth, "You don't know how to live or die."

After saying that, he turned around and left, heading straight to Bobai City.

Liu Yanchang and all Liu family's assistant officials were left alone, stunned and stunned.

After a while, there was suddenly a loud shouting and cursing at the door.

Liu Yanchang was in a state of panic and became angry when he heard the voice. He angrily yelled at the dazed boy on one side: "Why don't you go out and take a look."

The old man went out for a while and came back in less than half a quarter of an hour. He came trotting all the way in and shouted: "Aye, it's not good, it's not good, those veterans and thieves are causing trouble...".

"The government soldiers are causing trouble?" Liu Yanchang was startled when he heard this, and then quickly understood that the military government should be abolished, and by the way, this group of people should also be laid off.

The soldiers of the Shuiming Military Mansion are basically all people from Shuiming Fort, and more than half of them are also from the Liu family. This is not because the local people are loyal to the emperor, but because of their own interests.

In places like Shuiming, where there are many mountains but little land, the Tang Dynasty implemented the rent-yong modulation. Ren refers to the land tax, that is, two stones of millet per year, and Yong refers to hard labor, that is, 20 days of corvee service every year or the corresponding silk cloth is paid in lieu of it. The modulation refers to different regions. Pay a ration of production, that is, a certain amount of silk, cloth, linen, etc.

This kind of rent-yong modulation was aimed at the common people of the Tang Dynasty, but it did not include the government soldiers. As long as they prepared their own weapons and voluntarily participated in the government soldiers, they could be exempted from the rent-yong modulation.

If you become a soldier, you can also gain meritorious service through combat and obtain additional land grants. Even if you do not have military merit, you can still be allocated a field when you retire from the army when you are old enough.

This is also the reason why adult men are vying to become government soldiers. Of course, there are certain conditions for becoming a government soldier, that is, the family background should not be too poor, and at the very least, they must prepare their own weapons and food.

The eight hundred soldiers of the Shuiming Army were originally from well-off families in the local area. Through their status as soldiers, they were free of rent and mediocre. Now that the military government has been disbanded, these people are no longer soldiers, and they will have to work normally in the future. How could this group of people be willing to pay taxes?

"Veteran slave", Liu Yanchang sat up and spat: "You are looking for death. Even if your family is not the leader of the army, I am afraid that you and other veteran slaves will not succeed."

As he spoke, he hurried to the door.
His eldest son opened his mouth, stretched out his hands, and hesitated to speak, but when he saw Liu Yanchang's angry look, he did not dare to speak out to stop him.

"Silence." Liu Yanchang came to the door and saw hundreds of people gathered in a crowd, pointing at his Liu residence. He suddenly became angry and said, "I, Liu Yanchang, what are you doing here?"

"That bullshit official, he has been dismissed from office...".

"That's right, he was involved in the dismantling of the military government...".

"Liu Yanchang, you caused trouble by killing Master Sima Pang indiscriminately for your own selfish desires...".

"We also have to pay taxes..."

When Liu Yanchang finished speaking, someone in the group of hundreds of people scolded him angrily.

"Who?" Liu Yanchang said angrily, "Get out of here and tell me face to face if you can."

The Liu family has been rooted in Shuiming for hundreds of years, and Liu Yanchang has been in charge of the military government for many years and has some authority. Seeing Liu Yanchang's anger, the scene was silent for a while.

"Hmph", Liu Yanchang was very satisfied when he saw this, and snorted coldly, "Go back, all of you. I'm shaking you up. I tell you, even if the military government is abolished, the Liu family in Shuiming will still be there, and the Liu family in Nanyang will still be here. After some operation, I am still an official."

These soldiers looked at each other, you looked at me, I looked at you, and they didn't dare to speak again.

Liu Yanchang glared fiercely and was about to turn around and leave. Suddenly, he heard a shout from the crowd.

"Wait a minute".

A trace of cruelty flashed in Liu Yanchang's eyes. When he looked back, he didn't know who had spoken, "Who is it? Come out and speak if you dare."

More than a hundred soldiers from the palace were busy, pushing and shoving, and they were busy retreating. Finally, they gave way to an open space, with only four people in the field.

Liu Yanchang took a closer look and looked a little suspicious, "Looking at the face, you are not Shui Naruto?"

"Wei Fengwei is handling the case, everyone is waiting, get out of the way." The black-faced man at the head took out an iron token from his arms and shouted in a deep voice.

"Weifeng Guard?" Everyone was in an uproar again. After half a year of publicity, the Di newspaper spread the decree to all states and counties in the world. The world also knew about the existence of Wei Feng Guard. They only knew that Wei Feng Guard had the power of inspection and arrest, and could directly inspect state and county officials. , very impressive, but I have never seen it with my own eyes.

Liu Yanchang's expression changed, and he suddenly lost his previous arrogant expression. He hurriedly walked down the steps and came closer. He took a closer look and saw that the token was engraved with a majestic phoenix, and on the back was written the three characters "Weifengwei". Showing solemnity and majesty.

"General, may I ask what's going on with Lai Shuiming?" Liu Yanchang asked with a smile on his face and cupped his hands.

"After investigation, Liu Yanchang, the former commander of the Shuiming Army, committed eleven major crimes, including bending the law for personal gain and neglecting the military. After verification by the Baizhou Governor's Office and approval by the Lue Office, he is now officially arrested," the black-faced man said expressionlessly.

"Liu Yanchang, you have committed a crime, come with us."

"What, what?" Liu Yanchang looked stunned, "What are the eleven deadly sins? What are you doing...".

But before Liu Yanchang could react, the three guards behind the black-faced man stepped forward and detained Liu Yanchang.

"What are you doing?"

"Stop, this is Shui Ming...".

Upon seeing this, Liu's people immediately rushed out and shouted curses at the four people. Some of them even drew their swords.

The black-faced man showed a rare smile when he saw this, "Drawing a sword on Wei Feng Wei? Have you thought clearly about it? Can you afford the crime of treason and annihilation?"

Liu Yanchang's heart skipped a beat when he heard this, and he quickly shouted: "Stop, don't rush into the police."

"Aye..." The big boy's eyes suddenly turned red.

"Why are you crying? He's not dead yet." Liu Yanchang was angry and anxious. "Go to Duanxi County, Nankang Prefecture to find your uncle Si Dao. You must be quick."

Liu Jie, the governor of Nankang Prefecture, was named Sidao.

The big boy burst into tears and nodded hurriedly in response.

The black-faced man watched silently, waiting for Liu Yanchang's instructions to be clear, and then said calmly: "Have you settled all the funeral arrangements?"

"What's going on?" Liu Yanchang's mouth twitched, his eyes turned black, and he almost fainted from fright.

In full view of the public, Liu Yanchang, the head of Shuiming Liu family and the former commander of Shuiming Military Mansion, was taken away like a criminal. Many Liu family members looked on angrily, but no one dared to act rashly.

"Aye, that Wei Feng Wei Tai is so powerful...".Among the crowd of onlookers, a young man said with a look of surprise and envy in his eyes.

"Don't look at me, idiot," the man next to him slapped him, "That's a big shot, just dig up the ground."

In Bobai City, Pang Xiaotai stood at the city gate, watching Liu Yanchang being escorted into the city. He felt so happy that he twisted his beard and laughed.

Hearing the voice, Liu Yanchang looked up and his eyes suddenly turned red, "The thief is hurting me...".

The black-faced man glanced at him, and with just this glance, Liu Yanchang didn't dare to make any mistakes again.

"Captain Chen, you have worked hard all the way." Pang Xiaotai walked down the city quickly and came to greet him with crossed arms.

Even if the person in front of him was just a classless captain, Pang Xiaotai would not dare to look down upon him.

"It's my duty." The black-faced man returned the salute with his hands raised, and then looked at Liu Yanchang behind him, "Liu Yanchang has been brought here, please send Mr. Pang into custody and report to the competent authority for trial and punishment."

Pang Xiaotai was startled, "Isn't this, Captain Chen, your handling?"

The black-faced man shook his head when he heard this, "Weifeng Guards are only responsible for patrolling and arresting, and have no power to judge and deal with Liu Yanchang's eleven crimes. The evidence of the crime is complete. How to deal with it? I hope Commander Pang will handle it impartially."

Pang Xiaotai was stunned for a moment, then responded hurriedly, and then looked at Liu Yanchang with a look of relief, "Liu Yanchang, did you think of today when you killed my third uncle?"

"Bah, you're a bully," Liu Yanchang struggled and cursed angrily, "You must be the one who framed your family."

When the black-faced man saw this, he couldn't help but frown. He looked at Pang Xiaotai, cupped his hands and said, "I've brought you here. I'm going to say goodbye. I just hope that Pang will act impartially and don't betray the trust of the manager."

Pang Xiaotai was shocked, put away his hatred, and nodded solemnly, "Please rest assured, the manager, I will handle the matter impartially and will never abandon official duties for personal reasons."

Pang Xiaotai is not stupid. He knows that Gao Chong does not want to act in violation of the law. Helping him this time is also within the law.

Because Liu Yanchang's eleven charges were all true, the occupation of land and acres was the norm, and it was true that he was slacking off in the military.

According to the system, the training of government soldiers is extremely strict. Daily training is indispensable during the off-season every year. However, after a secret investigation by Wei Feng Guard, Liu Yanchang, as the commander of the army, neglected to drill and had loose discipline. He completely failed to follow the drills issued by the Ministry of War. , this is one of the great sins.

In addition, Shuiming Military Mansion was mostly members of the Liu clan, and there were even multiple people sharing a set of weapons to obtain military status and avoid being rented.

Anyway, there are some problems with local officials like this now. It just depends on whether anyone is willing to dig into it.

At this time, Gao Chong had already left Bobai City in Baizhou.

To the east of Baizhou is the lofty Yunkai Mountains, which are densely covered with rivers and hundreds of Liao tribes, large and small.

This place was originally desolate and smoky, with very few outsiders setting foot there.

But in the eyes of the Longzhou Chen family, this is where their achievements lie.

In the fourth year of Wude, when Gao Chong conquered Lingnan, this place belonged to Huaide County of the former Sui Dynasty, and he was inspired by the great virtues of the Sui Dynasty.

In fact, the local chiefs are still autonomous. The county government is just a decoration. Not only does it not have any taxes, but sometimes it needs to be paid back by the court. It exists more because of political significance. Here, the chief is more important than anything else.

It was not until the fifth year of Wude that Chen Longshu returned to Longzhou to take up a post. He worked hard to revitalize the Chen family and followed suit to open up the mountains of Yunkai.

Several counties were opened up one after another. I don't know what kind of coercion and inducement methods were used to win the local chiefs to join the imperial court, and set up Teliang, Fulai and other counties here.

This kind of civilizing contribution of opening up territories and expanding prefectures has always been highly valued by the imperial court. Li Yuan issued an order to name the newly expanded land Nanfu Prefecture, and made Chen Longshu concurrently serve as the governor of Nanfu Prefecture.

But for now, it seems that this so-called Nanfuzhou is still "in name only" and in name only.

Gao Chongtang, the Lingnan Economic Envoy, left Baizhou and headed east, intending to enter Longzhou via Nanfuzhou.

However, when he set out, he received a letter from Longzhou, advising him not to pass through Nanfuzhou and to detour to Tongzhou. The reason given by Chen Longshu was that Xinzhou was located in the mountains, remote and wild, there were no official roads, and the journey was difficult.

In fact, it was the Dongxi Liao people in the mountains of Yunkai who were dissatisfied with government management and resisted household registration and naturalization.

In this regard, Gao Chong did not reveal Chen Longshu's intentions. After all, this was also his achievement, and he could not be exposed even if the situation was difficult.

They had to leave Baizhou, detour to Tongzhou to the northeast, and then enter Longzhou. The guard of more than a thousand people marched around the mountains for three days before finally arriving in Tongzhou.

Lingnan is wild.

This time Gao Chong really experienced the experience. Who would have thought that in the knee-deep stream, there would be crocodiles eating people? When he was stationed in the camp, he was even attacked by wild elephants. Gao Chong also broadened his horizons.

(End of this chapter)