First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 580 Luo Dou Liao Ren
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Going all the way around the Yunkai Mountains and arriving in Tongzhou, Gao Chong experienced the wilderness of Lingnan for the first time. The places he visited before were basically prosperous places in Lingnan, such as Gaozhou, Qinzhou, etc. Of course, this prosperity was just Relatively speaking, it is inferior to Zhongyuan Prefecture and County.

This time while traveling through the Yunkai Mountains, there were basically no established official roads. All kinds of wild beasts were infested, and smoke miasma was everywhere. Even the guards lost dozens of soldiers, some died at the feet of wild elephants, and some died from poisonous miasma in the forest.

After going through hardships and dangers, he finally arrived at Beiliu County, the seat of Tongzhou. Gao Chong found that the location of Tongzhou was quite good. It ran through Lingnan from east to west, with Guangzhou in the east and Qinzhou in the west. The geographical location was strategic, with Yunkai Mountains in the south and Dashan Mountain in the north. Rongshan and Beiliu County are in the middle. The terrain is low and gentle, which is conducive to farming.

Moreover, the territory has various terrains, including mountains, hills, and plains, with fertile fields scattered throughout, and many rivers for convenient irrigation. The Guijiang River flows from south to north, hence the name. In this land of Lingnan, with such conditions, it is really It can be said to be uniquely blessed.

When he heard that the big mountain in the north was called Rongshan, Gao Chong knew where this place was.

After Li Shimin consolidated his power, he felt that the naming of prefectures and counties in the world was confusing, so he issued an order to name the prefectures and counties after famous local mountains and rivers. The largest mountain in Tongzhou was Rongshan, so Tongzhou was changed to Rongzhou.

Rongzhou is very famous. During the Kaiyuan period, it was promoted to the governor's office and moved to Puning County. In the 21st year of Kaiyuan, Rongzhou was appointed as an official envoy to govern the fourteen states in Lingnan. Later, Rongzhou was even called "Guangdong Province". "Guitong thoroughfare", because it is located on the main transportation road, has developed very rapidly.

Today's Tongzhou is still very barren. After the entire Lingnan territory was annexed in the fourth year of Wude, Li Yuan analyzed Puning County in Yongping County and Beiliu County in Hepu County in the former Sui Dynasty and established Tongzhou with only two counties under its jurisdiction. Compared with Guangzhou and Qinzhou and other places are really poor.

When Gao Chong arrived outside Beiliu County, Tongzhou Governor Yang Hou respectfully came out of the city to greet him.

"Yang Hou, the governor of Tongzhou, met Gao Jinglue."

Yang Hou's attitude was very humble. He had already received the imperial report, and the person in front of him was someone he could not afford to offend.

"Yang Shijun is so polite." Gao Chong got off his horse, folded his hands in return, and laughed loudly: "Since entering Tongzhou, I see that the people of Tongzhou live and work in peace and contentment. This is the result of Yang Shijun."

This is not a deliberate lie by Gao Chong. Due to its unique geographical location, there are no wars or external intrusions in Tongzhou, and the people cultivate according to the rules, so they can barely live and work in peace and contentment.

Yang Hou was very happy when he heard this and said humbly: "It all depends on the Holy King to rule the world. The seas, rivers and rivers are clear. The lower officials dare not take the credit."

"Jing Lue has worked hard all the way, please come to the city to rest for a while," Yang Hou said sideways.

"You're welcome, Mr. Yang." Gao Chong nodded and said with a smile, "Come with me."

They immediately entered the city together. Gao Chong looked at Beiliu City, and he was quite satisfied in his heart. He had received Chen Longshu's letter and temporarily changed his route to Tongzhou. He didn't send someone to report until thirty miles outside the city, so Yang Hou didn't have time to prepare. Surface work.

At present, it seems that although Beiliu City is not very prosperous, the streets are neat and the people are in order. Yang Hou can be considered a talent.

"Not bad", Gao Chong did not hide it, and did not hesitate to praise. "Just looking at Beiliu's appearance, you can tell that Yang Shijun has the people in his heart."

These words were a bit abrupt, but the people... were easy to understand. Yang Hou was also quite emotional, and sincerely sighed: "Since the day when I took office, I have been fearful and fearful of living up to the emperor's kindness."

"The Han officials in Tongzhou live together, and the land is small and there are few people. It is not easy for Yang Shijun to reach such a point," Gao Chong nodded and said in relief.

Yang Hou was moved when he heard this. Among central officials these days, who cares about this?

During the year-end evaluation, if I see that you have no taxes and no outstanding political achievements, if you are lucky, you will be rated high. If you are unlucky, you will be directly rated as inferior and you will not be promoted for several years.

In the following conversation, Gao Chong discovered that Yang Hou actually came from the Hongnong Yang family, and his ancestor was Yang Zhen, a famous scholar in the Eastern Han Dynasty.

However, it is now regarded as a branch of the Hongnong Yang family. When Yang Zhen served as the governor of Jingzhou in the Eastern Han Dynasty, he lived in the Xiaoxiang area of ​​​​Jingchu for many years, and Yang Hou was one of the descendants.

When Gao Chong heard Yang Zhen's name, he understood that this was the later famous Yang Family Sizhitang, a county magistrate that developed independently from the Hongnong Yang Family.

When Yang Zhen was the governor of Jingzhou, someone offered him a bribe late at night. Yang Zhen refused to accept it. The man said, "No one knows anyway." Yang Zhenyi spoke sternly: "God knows, God knows, I know, I know, what is ignorance?" ?”

Yang Zhen's reputation as a clean and honest man has been remembered for centuries, and later generations used Sizhitang as the commander-in-chief of the county. Later generations gave birth to an outstanding national leader who was extremely prosperous.

"It turns out that I am a descendant of Master Kansai. I am disrespectful." Gao Chong raised his hand to express his respect.

Yang Zhen studied heaven and man and read the classics extensively. The world called him Kansai Confucius, also known as Kansai Master, which shows his high reputation.

Yang Hou hurriedly waved his hand humbly, "It's just a partial background, for fear of humiliating our ancestors. What I have said is too harsh."

Arriving at the post house, Yang Hou looked at the guards behind Gao Chong and said with some embarrassment: "The post house is small, it is only a second-level house. It may be difficult to accommodate the guards of Meridian Mansion. Can they be placed in the camp in the north of the city?"

Gao Chong's eyes narrowed and he said bluntly: "Of course it is possible, but with Yang Shijun's arrangement, I will set off tomorrow morning with the help of one night."

Yang Hou accepted the promise and continued: "Prepare some wine at the governor's house in the evening, so that I can wash away the dust of Jing Lue and hope that Jing Lue will be appreciated."

Gao Chong couldn't refuse. After Yang Hou left, Gao Chong and others took a comfortable bath.

As Pei Xingjian packed his bags, he said with great interest: "This Yang Shijun is a loyal and honest gentleman, completely different from the state officials we have seen along the way."

Gao Chong lay on the couch and kneaded his swollen thighs. Hearing this, he became interested and said, "Tell me, why are they completely different?"

Xue Rengui and others also put down what they were doing and came closer.

"How should I say it?" Pei Xingjian rubbed his chin and considered the words.

"First of all, what Master said, the city style, this Beiliu City is not like other Lingnan cities at all, but more like a Central Plains city, and this Yang Shijun is not like other state officials, look at Longzhou Chen Shijun , Baizhou Pang Shijun, at a glance, there is a clear difference."

Gao Kan disagreed and said bluntly: "There is nothing strange about this. After all, Yang Shijun comes from a famous family in the Central Plains, so it is normal for him to be different from the local slang."

After hearing what Gao Kan said, several teenagers also felt that it made sense and no longer struggled with this point. It was just Gao Chong who was thoughtful?
At this time, Tian Yangming and Pang Xiaojie came back together, with smiles on their faces, which was called joy.

"What?" Gao Chong raised his eyebrows, "Did they give you a gold ingot, or a beauty? Are you so happy?"

The two of them paused and looked at each other.

"Brother Ziguang, you..." Pang Xiaojie twitched the corner of his mouth, his expression was very complicated, both angry and aggrieved.

"It's not me, I didn't, I didn't say it." Tian Yangming waved his hands in a hurry and denied it three times in a row.

Then he looked at Gao Chong with wide eyes.

Gao Chong shook his teacup leisurely, and at this moment he had some understanding in his heart.

"Don't look at me. Wei Feng Guards is short of manpower, and I don't have the time to monitor you."

Gao Chong glanced at the two of them and said, "If you really can't help it, the people in the room can keep them, and those miscellaneous things can be sent back intact."

Things, this word generally refers to concrete or abstract things, such as buying things, giving things, etc.

In fact, this word appeared very early, as early as the Eastern Han Dynasty. At that time, Luoyang in Tokyo and Chang'an in Xijing were prosperous in commerce and had a wide variety of goods, so the saying "thing" came naturally.

It is not because of the East Market and West Market in Chang'an City in the Tang Dynasty that the term "East and West" came into being, because as early as before the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the term "East and West" appeared many times in historical materials.For example, Nan Liang's "Nan Qi Shu" states: "Products are produced in all directions, and the East and West are mentioned, just like the four seasons of the History, and the Spring and Autumn Period are mentioned." This is the most straightforward expression of the word "East and West".

There is also a saying in the widely circulated "Mulan Ci": "Buy a horse in the east market, buy a saddle in the west market." The age of "Mulan Ci" was during the Southern and Northern Dynasties. At least Gao Chong can now see this Yuefu poem .

After hearing Gao Chong's unquestionable words, the two had no choice but to agree.

Tian Yangming scratched his head and said with some embarrassment: "Jing Lu is angry, it's not that we are greedy for money, it's just that Yang Shijun is too enthusiastic."

Pei Xingjian and others also understood after hearing this, but they were not too surprised.

Giving away gold, silver, and beauties is a common practice that is not surprising. It has even been made public. What's more, this is the barbaric land of Lingnan, which has been like this since ancient times.

"How many people have gone to the camp in the north of the city?" Gao Chong asked after thinking for a while.

"According to your instructions, only the personal guards will be left in the post house. Everyone else has gone," Pang Xiaojie answered truthfully.

Gao Chong nodded silently, "Pay attention to your diet and no drinking. You will stay in the camp tonight."

Pang Xiao nodded and agreed.

Tian Yangming reacted with a look of astonishment on his face. Seeing that there was no one around him, he immediately went up and asked in a low voice: "Jing Lue, do you think there is something wrong with Yang Hou?"

Gao Chong was noncommittal and simply said: "No matter if there is any problem or not, there is nothing wrong with being cautious when going out."

Pei Xingjian and others also nodded in agreement.

At this time, Xue Rengui, who had been silent until now, suddenly said: "It's not clear whether there is a problem, but he must be hiding something from Master."

Gao Chong looked at Xue Rengui and then at the others, "What do you think?"

"I don't think it's right to be so unconventional," Pei Xingjian said bluntly.

"Is it possible that he has rebellious intentions?" Tu Dijin said coldly, "Is that why he sent the guards to the camp in the north of the city?"

When everyone heard this, their hearts trembled.

"He's not stupid, he definitely won't seek death like this." Gao Chong waved his hand and said with a smile, "You have all received good things. It makes no sense whether I should accept them or not. We will find out tonight."

There are only two counties in Tongzhou. The territory is small and there are few people. There is not even a military headquarters here. Yang Hou has no popularity and no capital. How can he rebel with a poor man.

Soon it got dark, and Yang Hou personally came to the post house to greet him.

Everyone seemed to know nothing about what happened before, and they walked all the way to the Governor's Mansion.

However, upon entering the Governor's Mansion, Gao Chong felt something was wrong. When he saw the guards at the gate of the Governor's Mansion, he felt frightened and secretly glanced at Gao Da. Gao Da immediately understood and immediately led his personal guards to disperse and take over the guarding of the mansion gate.

When Yang Hou saw this, he just smiled bitterly and didn't say anything.

Come to the hall and sit down each.

Gao Chong stopped making excuses with him and said directly: "Mr. Yang, I see there are many officials outside the mansion. Are there any distinguished guests who have not yet arrived?"

Yang Hou was greatly admired and said: "Jing Luo observes the details carefully, and the subordinates admire him. If Jing Lui waits for a while, I will...".

However, before he finished speaking, he heard footsteps coming from the back of the hall, "You don't need Governor Yang to shout, I'll do it myself."

Tian Yangming's expression suddenly changed, his hand was already on the handle of the knife at his waist, and he glared high, signaling him not to act rashly.

I saw a short, dark-faced official walking in from behind. He looked like a standard official.

Gao Chong sat firmly in his seat, motionless as a mountain, just looking at this man without any scruples.

"Are you the biggest official in Lingnan?"

The fellow was also sizing up Gao Chong, his face was a little cautious, and he didn't look too arrogant.

"Insolent", Tian Yangming said, "This person in front of me is the Lingnan Economic Envoy, the Governor of Guangzhou, and the champion general. Why don't you salute quickly?"

The Liao man glanced at Tian Yangming and didn't get angry, "I'm what you call a wild man from the mountains. I don't understand those etiquette."

Then he looked at Yang Hou and said, "Prince Yang, is this young man really the biggest official in Lingnan? Maybe he can help me?"

Yang Hou wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and secretly looked at Gao Chong. Seeing that Gao Chong was not angry, he felt a little calmer in his heart and said directly: "Chief Luo, you will tell all the reasons for the matter, and you will handle it fairly." Chief Luo was actually a little in awe.

"The official is high-impact".

Gao Chong finally spoke, without any fluctuation, without showing any emotion or anger, and without announcing his official position, "Who are you? Why are you looking for me?"

Seemingly seeing Gao Chong's extraordinary aura, the official hesitated for a moment and then chose to believe him. He also believed in Yang Hou and sat down directly on the desk below.

"My name is Luo Li. I have grown up in the Yunkai Mountains since I was a child. I am the chief of Luo Dou Gedong River. I am looking for you, the biggest official in Lingnan, to say a word to our colleagues."

Luo Li must have some knowledge and continued: "We Liao people have been living in the mountains for generations. We can listen to the government's discipline, or we can be naturalized, but we don't have any extra cloth to pay taxes."

At this point, Luo Li seemed to get angrier as he spoke, and tugged on his clothes, "We don't have much cloth, and we have to trade prey with you Han people to buy a lot of it. Where can we find any cloth and hand it over to the government? This is unreasonable, not only I don’t agree, and neither do my people.”

Gao Chong was a little surprised. Although he knew that Yang Hou's anomaly might involve his colleagues, he didn't expect it to be this problem. He immediately looked at Yang Hou and asked, "Tongzhou actually collects taxes?"

Yang Hou blushed, shook his head and said: "No, not only did Tongzhou not receive any taxes from the people, but at the end of last year, they even posted them to the treasury."

At this time, Luo Li also reacted and hurriedly said: "I'm not talking about Governor Yang. Governor Yang is a good official. Last year, there was a flood in Dou River and many people died. He was the one who went to rescue. I'm talking about Longzhou." The surname is Chen, no, now you are called Nan Fuzhou."

Gao Chong understood completely when he heard about Nan Fuzhou.

This matter is actually not complicated. In the fifth year of Wude, Chen Longshu of Longzhou expanded the territory to Yunkai Mountain Kaizhou, persuaded the local officials to join the imperial court, registered their households, opened up Teliang and Fulai counties, and established Nanfuzhou. .

This was Chen Longshu's achievement, and he was praised for it and served as the governor of Nanfuzhou.

It's just that Chen Longshu should have concealed something from the local officials, and also concealed it from the imperial court. At least in the eyes of the imperial court, it was best not to collect taxes from the officials at all, and not to allow the government to pay back taxes.

(End of this chapter)