Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 11 Li Longji's troubles
After Wang Zhongsi appeared with more than a dozen government soldiers armed to the teeth, he instantly suppressed the onlookers.The merchants and their entourage began to disperse slowly, and the news of the restructuring of Jiangguan in Kuizhou began to spread in the city. Seeing the chaos coming, the capital city of Kuizhou gradually returned to calm.

There are very few merchants who travel north and south, and those who lack vision are rare. Looking at this posture, you know that things cannot be changed in the short term.

If it was just the unified soldiers in the city who came out to restore order, then the restructuring of Jiangguan was probably just a "whim" of Zheng Shuqing, the governor of Kuizhou.

But if the soldiers in armor also come to town, the meaning behind it must be unusual.Because the military government and the local state capital are essentially independent of each other and do not belong to each other.The Kuizhou government government can mobilize the united soldiers, but cannot directly mobilize the government soldiers.

So wealthy merchants directly chose to go through the customs clearance documents, take the number plate, go to the local dock in Kuizhou to order a "standard ship", park the original old ship at the shore ferry, and wait for the situation to change.

There are also many merchants who do not believe in evil, and directly pay a "guarantee deposit" of [-] Guan and leave Kuizhou.These merchants were backed by descendants of aristocratic families or clans, and they did not believe that Zheng Shuqing could cover the sky with one hand.If you pay five hundred gu now, the Kuizhou government office will pay it back with profits!
There are also many small merchants connecting with each other, inquiring about each other's final destination, and choosing to pool money to "share the boat". Several families buy a large "standard boat" together, and then decide on the distribution of benefits after passing the Jiangguan.

The situation was not as earth-shaking as Zheng Shuqing had expected. The vast majority of merchants still chose to give up for the time being. As for whether they had any other options, that was another matter.

Yes, Zheng Shuqing's request seemed outrageous, but compared with the profits gained by the merchants, it was nothing more than that.The height difference in the Three Gorges section of the Yangtze River is quite large, and many ships capsize and sink every year.The demands from Jiangguan in Kuizhou are not completely unreasonable and random.

Unifying the tank boats can unify the tariff standards, and it is more convenient to keep the weight of the goods constant. Whether it is good for merchants or for the tax collectors in Kuizhou Jiangguan, it simplifies the process.

Changing the ship, no matter how expensive it is, is a one-shot deal, and the tariff has not increased.

For goods below [-] catties, there is still no tax; if more than [-] catties, tax is charged proportionally, which is not much different from before.

In terms of changes, it's not that there are no changes. It's not good or bad now, but it's more refined than before.

The newly promulgated tax order requires that if the ship does not exceed the standard waterline, the tariff will be charged on the whole ship, regardless of whether it is full or not, even if it is empty.

If it exceeds the waterline, charges will be based on the scale. This scale is engraved on the side of the standard ship. In fact, it is used to calculate the weight of the cargo, which is the same as Cao Chong's principle of weighing elephants.

For small boats that do not charge cargo tax, the weight of the cargo on board cannot exceed two hundred catties, and the number of passengers, including the boatman, cannot exceed five, and the tax is collected on a head-by-head basis.

In other words, there are only three types of ships that can pass through the Kuizhou Jiangguan in the future.

The first type is the official ships and tank ships under the jurisdiction and operation of the imperial court. This type has never been taxed and can be passed directly.

The second type is a private boat with a very small load capacity, which basically has no cargo capacity and is taxed on a per-capita basis.

The third type is the standard tank boat used by merchants to transport goods. The tariff is charged according to the weight of the goods, and there is no poll tax.However, when taxation is made, all crew members, including passengers, must be on board.

Other ships are not allowed to pass through the Kuizhou Jiangguan, and there is no room for bargaining. Those who force their way through are considered water bandits.

Suddenly, the news spread rapidly from the capital of Kuizhou, and countless letters flew like snowflakes to Chang'an City, thousands of miles away.A new game is brewing.

……

"Come, come, drink tea. Try this Yixing Yangxian tea."

Just after nightfall, Zheng Shuqing personally made tea for Fang Chongyong in the study of the Lianhuachi other courtyard. It was obviously not the first time he did it skillfully.

The long face that looked slightly older looked like flowers.

"Fifty thousand guan was collected in one day. This money is really like growing wings. I'm afraid that someone will steal it if it's all piled up in the treasury. If I have this speed, I can make a deal this month. Tsk tsk, what are you doing?" Think of this move?"

Zheng Shuqing asked excitedly while breaking the tea cake.

If you don't accept it, you can't do it, the rebellious son of Fang Youde's family is really terrifying!
"Zheng Shijun, you are not very good at this craft. The tea made by your maid is better."

Fang Chongyong teased with a smug look on his face.

"It doesn't matter, just replace it."

Zheng Shuqing didn't mind the other party's slap in the face at all.As long as he can make money at this speed, if Fang Zhongyong slaps him on the left cheek, he can also extend the right cheek to let the opponent slap him.Fight until Fang Chongyong is satisfied.

"Come here, everyone has withdrawn, and bring the tea here."

With Zheng Shuqing's order, several beautiful maids came over and neatly cleaned up all the table cases.

"Have you written the official document to Chang'an?"

Fang Chongyong asked seriously, not being polite to Zheng Shuqing at all.Now the relationship between the two has been completely reversed, and unknowingly, he has become the dominant person.What's even more frightening is that Zheng Shuqing actually accepted all of this!
"I wrote it, please read it, Mr. Xiaolang."

Zheng Shuqing handed over the official document he wrote today to Fang Chongyong for review.

I saw Zheng Shuqing complaining to the imperial court in his official documents, saying that the Kuizhou section of the river was turbulent, and many treacherous merchants used large ships to load their goods, causing the ships to run aground on the river and block the waterway.Quzhou Jiangguan often needs to send people to rescue people who have fallen into the water and salvage sunken ships that block the waterway.

If the ships can be unified, firstly, it can minimize the capsizing of ships due to overweight or over-specification; secondly, it can reduce the labor of officials at Kuizhou Jiangguan and speed up the customs clearance time; thirdly, it can make it easier to pick up prohibited items and search for them according to the map.

It is hoped that the imperial court can approve the official approval document.

The official document only said so much. As for the compulsory purchase of Kuizhou-made standard tank boats, and the need to pay a security deposit that can only be refunded after one year for forced customs clearance, etc., it didn't mention a word.

The other two points are easy to talk about. The third point is mainly because when applying for the customs clearance certificate, you need to fill in the information of the ship owner, so that once contraband is found, you can quickly find clues and facilitate investigation.

Seeing that all the content that should be written has been written, Fang Chongyong handed the official document to Zheng Shuqing and said: "This policy is a last resort, and it may not last for a long time. If the imperial court does not make an order, then the envoy can use this to escape from the sea of ​​suffering. If If the imperial court makes a decree, the envoy will be demoted, and he will return to Beijing to report on his duties, or he may be imprisoned."

Fang Chongyong said with a heavy tone.

"What is the current plan?"

Zheng Shuqing asked a mantra of Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han Dynasty.

"First send the [-] guan from the Kuizhou ship merchant to Wushan County overnight, and then let Wang Zhongsi escort the money to Chang'an. Just add this sentence in the official document."

Fang Chongyong threw out his trump card.

After pondering for a moment, Zheng Shuqing sighed: "It is necessary to send money, but Wang Zhongsi can't send it. How about this, I will let Yang Ruoxu bring the cronies to escort the money to Yangzhou, and enter Chang'an through the way of the capital water supervisor. The water supervisor is under the control of Li Xiang, and there is no problem.

As for the fact that Kuizhou was unattended during this period, it would be fine for Wang Zhongsi to send soldiers from the government to the city. "

Zheng Shuqing rejected Wang Zhongsi's suggestion to escort him, but he also believed that sending the [-] tax money back to Chang'an to Li Longji as soon as possible was a major event that could not be delayed.

Zheng Shuqing can invite Wang Zhongsi to come to Kuizhou Fucheng to see the show, because this in itself is one of Wang Zhongsi's obligations.

In addition to training soldiers, the military government of the Tang Dynasty also had the task of protecting the safety of the state and county (not daily security) and coping with sudden military and civilian conditions.Although this situation is not common, it is clearly written in the charter.

This is the same as the "General Manager's Office" system in the Sui Dynasty, which managed the soldiers of the government and was also responsible for the security of the states and counties.

However, if Wang Zhongsi is ordered to escort [-] guan of wealth, it means that Zheng Shuqing's political stance has changed, which is a very serious political mistake!Of course Wang Zhongsi would not refuse to go back to Chang'an day and night, and the government soldiers escorted the taxes, which was justified, but it was hard to say what Li Linfu would think.

Fang Chongyong is still a bit immature in politics and doesn't understand these twists and turns.Zheng Shuqing is an old man in the officialdom, so it is impossible not to know this.

"That's okay, you still have a lot to do."

Fang Chongyong took a sip of the tea served by the maid, and it had to be said that it tasted better than the local tea in Kuizhou.I am now a guest, and the treatment is rising steadily.

"Is there anything else? What else?"

Zheng Shuqing was taken aback for a moment, he was already planning to lie down and collect the money, how could something happen?

"Shijun, those merchants are all descendants of big families and clans. Shijun himself comes from everyone, don't you feel it?"

Hearing this, Zheng Shuqing was thoughtful, and his expression gradually turned grim.

Fang Chongyong is right, most of these merchants are "gloves" standing at the front desk of the great families, nobles, and clans.

They are usually needed to make money.

At critical moments, they need to come out to take the blame.

The noble master of aristocratic family, whose poems, calligraphy and etiquette are all handed down from generation to generation, how can he be tainted with the smell of copper?

Although it is impossible for these old men from aristocratic families to engage in cheap business related to making money, if someone makes it difficult for him to make money and cuts off his way of making money, then these people will stand up and make trouble.

As the saying goes, there are no waves without wind, and political problems do not necessarily require political means to solve them.In this regard, Zheng Shuqing has seen many storms and waves.

"What's your plan? Do you want me to use my family relationship?"

Zheng Shuqing asked in a deep voice.

He can indeed use his family connections to settle this matter, but the benefits he has to pay will be unimaginable, or it will be difficult for him to turn around in his life!

"Four words, unite as one!"

Fang Chongyong stood up and said firmly in his unique childish voice.

"Then how can we unite as one?"

Zheng Shuqing looked at Fang Chongyong with a puzzled face and asked.It's hard to imagine that he, who is a majestic governor of a state, was actually led by the nose by a yellow-mouthed child.

"The Kuizhou River Pass has set new rules, and a large-scale change of ships passing through the customs is inevitable. Do the docks on the shore need to recruit people? Do the ferry for unloading cargo need to recruit people? Do the merchants and their servants staying in Kuizhou need to eat and live? shop? Do these businesses need people?

With so much livelihood, will the people of Kuizhou live better or worse?If there are outsiders making trouble at the ferry, should they stand behind the emperor to support him, or should they help outsiders destroy the various thriving businesses in Kuizhou Prefecture?

Isn't the answer very clear? "

In a daze, Zheng Shuqing seemed to see Li Linfu lecturing in front of him.The governor murmured to himself: "With the help of your father's grace, you will be the prime minister one day."

……

Chang'an, Daming Palace, Zichen Hall.The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Li Longji, was holding his forehead, looking at the vermilion pillars in the hall where several people were hugging each other in a daze. The turmoil of state affairs and the chattering of family affairs only made him want to escape from this suffocating palace.

Originally, his beloved concubine Wu Hui had been blowing pillow talk about making Li Ju, the king of longevity, the crown prince.It's just that there is already a prince named Li Ying, how can another prince be established?

Not to mention that Li Ying has been the prince for 20 years.

The court was also not worried, Pei Yaoqing was replaced, and Li Linfu took his place as a servant. In the three-phase structure, there was still a lack of a prime minister.Li Longji wanted to promote Zhang Shougui, the Jiedu envoy of Youzhou, to return to the court as the third rank of Tongzhong Shumen, but he was strongly opposed by Zhang Jiuling.

The new Hexi Jiedushi Cui Xiyi reported to the court that the previous Hexi Jiedushi Niu Xianke was well-versed in government affairs. Under his management, the Hexi vassal town had full treasury and well-equipped military equipment. He had the talent of being a prime minister and assistant.I hope the court can promote him and reuse him.

At this time, Niu Xianke had gone to Shuofang to serve as the general manager of Shuofang's march.

Seeing Cui Xiyi's letter, Li Longji was very generous and directly proposed that Niu Xianke be transferred back to the capital to serve as the Minister of the Six Ministries.In fact, I want to observe the Niu Xianke, and if it is suitable, directly push it into the phase.

However, this appointment was also fiercely opposed by Zhang Jiuling.

Zhang Jiuling's reason was that Niu Xianke was only familiar with Hexi affairs and was not necessarily qualified to serve as prime minister.He started as a petty official in Hexi and rose up step by step. His ability can only shine in Hexi, and he will not be able to use it once he arrives in the capital.

This is a true statement, and it is also a true statement that can only be said by a veteran with extremely rich experience in government affairs.

Li Longji reluctantly agreed to Zhang Jiuling's suggestion, but he was very annoyed.

The emperor always wants to have the power alone, and he can do whatever he says!How can it be decent for a courtier to tell himself all day long that this is not okay, and that is not necessary!
Today, Li Longji was thinking about whether to replace Zhang Jiuling with an obedient one in Zichen Palace, or even... Let Li Linfu try to be the prime minister alone. There is a new wave of prime ministers every year.

In Li Longji's view, dealing with these courtiers is actually very tiring.You must be familiar with the tempers of these people, you must be good at using these people to do things, and you must be able to control these people to prevent them from misbehaving and prevent them from always doing things that are not in line with the emperor's wishes.

"The sage, Zheng Shuqing, the governor of Kuizhou, ordered someone to deliver goods worth [-] guan, as well as an urgent official document."

Gao Lishi, who was nearly fifty years old, walked gently into Zichen Palace, came to Li Longji and whispered, handing the official document in his hand to him.

Nowadays, Li Longji has begun to slack off in politics. If the urgently delivered official documents are sent directly to the palace, Gao Lishi will read them first and find them valuable before passing them on to Li Longji.As for the official documents that go through the court channel, they are processed by the three provinces and six ministries before being submitted.Gu Kuang's official document from Hongliandao had been delivered for several days and had been processed long ago. Li Longji didn't even know what Gu Kuang said in the official document.

"Uncle Zheng is indeed talented in governance, but Mr. Zhang is old."

After reading the urgent document, Li Longji sighed, and said to Gao Lishi: "Lishi, write an edict for me, send it to Zheng Shuqing, and ask him if he can help me get some money. I want to celebrate this day."

"Saint, please rest assured." Gao Lishi saluted respectfully and said.

　In the early years of Tianbao (742), Li Longji granted Gao Lishi the titles of General Champion, General Right Prison Guard, and Duke of Bohai.In the seventh year, he was granted the title of general of Lishi Hussars.Later, he jokingly called Gao Lishi "General" when no one was around, but he still called him by his first name at this time.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)