Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 124

The "Water and Land Dharma Assembly" held in front of the Ganzhou government office in Zhangye City really helped the local Buddhist temple regain a lot of face.It once again showed the local believers in Ganzhou: the power of the local Buddhist temple is still strong, the Dharma is still profound, and at least the recitation of scriptures is still fluent.

All local Buddhist temples in Ganzhou send elites to participate. Those "masters" are either extraordinary or friendly. They not only have good looks, but are also proficient in Buddhist language and have allusions at their fingertips.

After all, although there are many fake monks in various temples, they do have real masters, otherwise they would not be able to establish themselves locally.

However, the monk who shined this time was the "Holy Son" who had only been in Saigyou Temple for a few days and had recently become famous.

I don't know if it was a deliberately arranged repertoire, but many eminent monks came forward to "challenge" the Holy Son and recite scriptures in front of the Holy Son.After memorizing it, ask the Holy Son to repeat it again.

From the perspective of ordinary people, this is actually a very difficult job.It is true that many people have photographic memories, but those are comprehension memories.Not only that, such behavior consumes a lot of mental energy.

Even if you can really have a "photographic memory", it is common for you to eventually collapse under the wear and tear of long-term fatigue battles and wheel battles.

However, this tantric "holy son" can do this effortlessly, which can only be described as miraculous.

Of course, this Holy Son is quite mysterious.An eminent monk came to ask questions in Buddhist language, but the other person kept his eyes closed and looked very mysterious.

It is said that the eyes are the windows of the soul. If the windows are closed, outsiders will naturally not know what is going on in this person's mind, and they will naturally become tall and mysterious.

This holy son, who was rumored to be blind, would always calmly reply to the monks who came to ask questions: "Buddha said: Don't tell."

It cannot be said, not that I don’t know. This would be suspected of being opportunistic.

But in fact, there is no harm in playing this way. "Buddha said it cannot be said" itself is one of the tricks used by eminent monks to deceive.

With "great supernatural powers" by his side, no one dared to question Fang Laique's extraordinaryness, and that was enough.Everyone is in the circle of magicians. What should be said and what can be said are all agreed by convention. Many times, when you try to dismantle others, you are dismantling your own.

If they were not completely sure, no one would do such a stupid thing of killing a hundred enemies and damaging themselves by a thousand.

So in such a solemn and friendly atmosphere, the local Sutra and Esoteric Buddhist temples, which were already at war with each other, actually united to hold a land and water Dharma assembly that could be described as a "happy gathering".

The local people in Ganzhou came here happily and left with satisfaction. It can be said that everyone is happy.

Subsequently, the Ganzhou government and Buddhist temples discussed the make-up examination matters for the professional qualification assessment, namely:
Endorsements still determine the outcome, but the number of endorsements is no longer stipulated. The only requirement is that the bottom [-]% of the unqualified candidates be eliminated!
In other words, [-]% of the monks who are temporarily "laid off" can be "re-employed". As for the remaining [-]%, the government will arrange their livelihoods, and a plan will be released soon.

It is similar to Fang Chongyong’s famous “last elimination system” in his previous life.

Fang Chongyong neither extorted nor suppressed. This matter was handled fairly and openly, and no one could find fault.

Various actions show the sophisticated methods of a "mature bureaucrat", which is not to be underestimated.

Everything he did was seen by Niu Xianke, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, and recorded in detail.

……

On this day, the Ganzhou government office welcomed a team of craftsmen sent by the imperial court to support Ganzhou's smelting. The leader was one of the three directors of the Ministry of Industry.

The Ministry of Industry at the center of the Tang Dynasty had a minister and a minister, who were in charge of the promulgation of various projects, craftsmen, farming, water conservancy, transportation and other government orders.

It is divided into four departments, namely the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Tuntian, the Ministry of Yu, and the Ministry of Water.

Among them, the Ministry of Works Department has one doctor, one member, and three directors, each with their own powers.Zhang Yunyang, the director of the Ministry of Industry, is the person in charge of forging, smelting, minerals and other undertakings in Datang.

The power is great, but the official position is not great, only the ninth rank.

This also reflects the characteristics of the official system of the Tang Dynasty: an official is an official, a job is a job, and an envoy is an envoy!

Those with high official positions may not have the power, and those with low official positions may not be indifferent. If there is an official but no position, it is just a decoration.

"Niu Shangshu, Fang Shijun, my subordinates are polite."

Zhang Yunyang's official robe was dark, as if he had rolled in a pile of coal.In fact, he had just returned from Shandan County.

"Is there a place south of Shandan that produces coal?"

Niu Xianke asked with a smile.

Zhang Yunyang is not only in charge of smelting, but also the exploration of minerals.Of course, the so-called "management" actually means that the local state government reports it after discovering it, and then the central government sends people to verify it.

If we really want to consolidate the power of exploration into the Chang'an center, even if the scale of the Ministry of Industry is expanded a hundred times, the manpower will definitely not be enough.

"Returning to the minister, it is indeed the case. According to the guidance of the local herdsmen, it is in a cave in a mountain col. It is not a big problem to collect a little and use it back, but if you want to mine on a large scale, you must open a mine, and you still need some construction. of."

Zhang Yunyang crossed his hands and saluted.

"Is there any problem with making dry charcoal out of this charcoal? What do you think?"

Niu Xianke asked calmly.

"Returning to Shangshu, I don't think it's a big problem. But whether it's feasible or not, we still need to build related workshops, and we can only confirm after everything is ready.

Or send it to Chang'an... In short, everything will be decided by the Minister. "

Zhang Yunyang said very "obediently".

Niu Xianke waved his hand gently, and Zhang Yunyang slowly exited the government office's study.

After he left, Niu Xianke handed a memorial to Fang Chongyong and said, "Just sign it. I will have someone send it to the center today."

Fang Chongyong took the memorial and opened it. Niu Xianke said in the memorial:

A location for collecting coal has been found in Ganzhou. It seems that the use of coal to smelt iron ore in ancient times did not come out of nowhere.

Wei Chen will inquire about the iron ore here, and then return to Chang'an to report on his work after he has more information.Fang Zhongyong, the governor of Ganzhou, said that he already had an idea of ​​the location of the iron mine, but the specific location had not yet been found and was still being searched. He hoped that the court would be patient for the time being.

To put it simply, Niu Xianke set up a stage and asked Fang Chongyong to sign the official document before the court approved it.

The role of Niu Xianke is "limited guarantee".That is to say: I don’t think the problem is big, but I don’t rule out that Fang Chongyong’s deception skills are too high and he deceived me too.

From this memorial, we can see that Niu Xianke's style of government was both professional and self-protective, sincere and yet leaving room for leeway.

Even the people who have a bad reputation for being "mediocre" in history are actually likely to be people with outstanding talents. Their failure is due to the limitations of the times, and it is more likely that the infighting in ancient official circles has reached its peak.

Modern people standing in their position may not be able to do better.

This is the so-called "nothing new under the sun".

Fang Chongyong readily signed his name, stamped it with the seal of the Ganzhou government office, and then handed it to Niu Xianke.

“I’ll leave everything to Niu Shangshu.”

Fang Chongyong crossed his hands and bowed respectfully.

Niu Xianke used his authority as Minister of Industry to send a professional team to find the suspected coal mining site, which really helped Fang Chongyong a big favor.

In fact, this is also easy to understand. Even if Niu Xianke has reached the center, his roots are still in Hexi, where his relatives, friends and youth are all over the place.

Within the scope of his authority, Niu Xianke naturally didn't mind doing Fang Chongyong a favor.He is not helping Fang Yanei, but building his hometown and contributing to his hometown. "Hey, your Majesty is putting it politely, now it's not you who is begging me, but I am beseeching you.

This memorial was handed over, and there was no turning back. If the saint had not seen the iron ore found in Ganzhou, I was not sure what he would have done in a rage.

It is the right thing for me to entrust you to your envoy. "

Niu Xianke laughed and patted Fang Chongyong on the shoulder, crossing his arms in return.

It was originally a very complicated and clueless problem. Fang Zhongyong peeled off the cocoon and broke it down into small problems. He then solved the simple ones and left the difficult ones to concentrate on tackling the key problems.

This kind of ability is the quality that people who do great things must have!
Niu Xianke sees this clearly, and has high hopes for Fang Chongyong!
As long as the smelting workshop is completed, even if the quality of the iron tools here is not as good as that of Chang'an, weapons cannot be made.Even if it can be used to make agricultural tools, it is still good. This can greatly improve the local people's livelihood, which can be regarded as a good thing that benefits the country and the people.

The question now is just: where is the iron ore?

"Niu Shangshu, don't worry, I already have a comprehensive plan in mind, and now it's almost the last stage."

Fang Chongyong put away his smile and said with certainty.

"Well, so good."

Niu Xianke put away the memorial and left the government office directly, preparing to return to Liangzhou Prefecture.When he came to Hexi this time, in addition to smelting iron ore, he was also awarded the status of "observation and disposal envoy".

Obviously, coming to Ganzhou to see if the rumors of smelting here are true does not require the position of an observer.Niu Xianke came to Hexi with a secret mission, and even Li Linfu may not know about it.

During the Kaiyuan period, the government affairs of the Tang Dynasty were basically managed by the prime minister, and Ji Ge generally did not interfere.But he was very afraid of the prime minister's deep involvement in military affairs. He often issued secret edicts directly without informing the prime minister about military matters.

On the surface, observation and disposal make this position have nothing to do with the military.But in fact, the observation and disposal envoys could not only lead troops, but also intervene in local affairs and report directly to the emperor.

In Ji Ge's strategic plan, the management areas of the Jiedu Envoy and the Observation and Disposal Envoy do not completely overlap, but only partly overlap.Generally speaking, there are more prefectures and counties managed by observation and disposal envoys than Jiedu envoys.

This overlapping and non-interfering system is itself intended to restrain Jiedushi from abusing his power in border towns.So far, these systems are still operating normally without any major disturbances.

Niu Xianke was awarded the Hexi Investigation and Disposal Envoy and went directly from Shuofang to Liangzhou. No one could understand what he was going to do.

After Niu Xianke left, Fang Chongyong found Yan Zhuang and asked in a deep voice: "Is there still no clue about the search for iron ore in Shandan County?"

Everything is ready and all we need is the east wind, and now all we need is this hammer!
Fang Chongyong looked confident on the surface, but in fact he was still very anxious inside.

"Returning to the envoy, we have sent several waves of people to look for it at Longshou Mountain, but so far there is still no progress. No, it should be said that not even a hair has been touched, and there are no clues."

Yan Zhuang said in frustration.

Was it difficult to explore mineral spots in ancient times?
This question depends on the situation and cannot be generalized.

If any local villagers or mountain people have seen it, it is basically a matter of catching the snail with three fingers, and you are [-]% sure of it!

However, without the blessing of "black technology", most of the ancient ore prospecting was done by "experts among the people." The so-called "professionals" may not actually have stronger search capabilities than the locals.

When you only know the general outline and no detailed clues, the difficulty of prospecting will skyrocket!

For example, it has been determined that the location of the mineral point is within a radius of ten miles. This is considered very certain news, and it is a very small range, right?

But in fact, even if the information is specific to this level, it is probably because the mineral point is in a complex terrain a hundred meters away from the prospector, but the prospector turns a blind eye to it!
Besides, many iron ores look ordinary, and even have different colors and shapes due to different reasons for their formation.Only when you pick it up and weigh it, you will feel that the density is significantly higher than ordinary stones.

In other words, holding a stone and weighing it is much more reliable than relying solely on your eyes.

To put it simply, if there are no clues, this method of finding is almost like looking for a needle in a haystack!Yan Zhuang actually didn't understand where Fang Chongyong's self-confidence came from!

"Okay, I understand. Come here, I have something important for you to do."

Fang Chongyong lowered his voice and waved to Yan Zhuang.

He muttered for a long time to Yan Zhuang, who had his ear close to his.

After a long time, Yan Zhuang finally applauded and said: "Wonderful, Shijun's move is so wonderful! Why didn't I think of it? No wonder Shijun wants to make a fuss around the Holy Son!"

Yan Zhuang sighed in his heart, Fang Chongyong has enough brains to be a prime minister when he grows up.

"Go and do things. Don't talk about whether you have these things or not."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand calmly, looking like a master.

……

In the past few days, a magical thing has happened in Zhangye City. Although it is not big, it is enough to attract people's attention!

The "Holy Son" who practices in Saigyou Temple was rumored to be blind!

However, a few days ago, he suddenly opened his eyes without warning and told the abbot of Xihang Temple: There is a cave twenty miles south of Shandan County, which produces black gold. It can be lit to keep warm during the winter.The common people can take it for themselves. This is the Buddha’s illumination for all living beings!

News came yesterday that a mine was actually discovered twenty miles south of Shandan. There was a lot of coal in it, with countless layers upon layers!Herdsmen from Shandan County have already gone to pick it up, and now it has been blocked by the government. There are countless people who can confirm this news, and there is absolutely no way it can be faked!
As expected, there were many people standing outside Xihang Temple today, waiting for the Holy Son to "open his eyes" again!
There were rumors in the past that this holy son was originally a follower of the current governor of Ganzhou. When he was in Chang'an, he stopped the governor when he was begging. When they met, he said that he would soon go to Hexi to serve as governor.

The ten-year-old governor, is it weird or not?
Seeing that he was pitiful, Governor Fang took him with him, and was subsequently appointed Governor of Ganzhou.

Later, the holy son said that the Buddha told him in a dream that he would go to Xixing Temple to practice, so he came to Xixing Temple to become a monk.It is said that as long as he opens his eyes, there will be a "big prophecy" that will surely come true!
Everyone originally thought that these were all made-up stories, but they didn’t expect that this holy son was really the “Buddha appearing as a saint”!

"The Holy Son, please come out and show your holiness! People's livelihood is difficult, and I beg the Buddha to save all sentient beings!"

Outside the gate of Xihang Temple, the solemnly arranged dog caretaker shouted loudly and made a bowing ceremony.

Behind them was a group of local melon-eating people who didn't know the truth but liked to join in the fun, and they also followed suit and saluted together. The scene was spectacular.

Just watch the fun and don't be afraid of big troubles. It doesn't matter whether the Buddha wants to "show his holiness" or not, as long as you have fun!
After a while, Fang Laique, who was sitting in a wheelchair, was pushed out, his eyes wide open!
There is still no energy, and the temperament on his body is lazy, as if he has eaten too much all day long.

"Buddha said: There are heavy stones in Longshou Mountain to the north of Shandan! You can make metallurgy if you get them! One stone is worth [-]% gold!"

Fang Laique shouted, then his head tilted and he fainted.

Then he was pushed into Xihang Temple by the expressionless Abbot Facheng and never came out again.

The melon-eating crowd dispersed as if they were bowing and kowtowing. No one knew how the news would spread, but one thing is certain, the autumn in Ganzhou this year will not be peaceful.

In the corner of the temple not far away, Fang Chongyong, who was hiding to watch the excitement, complained to Anaye behind him, who was smiling like a shrimp and could not straighten up: "Fang Laique is really not good at acting, so... One look at the performance and you can tell it's a trick.

Alas, this is all it can do now. "

“No, no, no, Lang Jun, that’s not the case.

I was laughing at his serious look, as if he was telling the truth.If Lang Jun hadn't told me the truth last night, I would have almost believed it just now. "

Anaye stopped laughing and explained, her face turned red.

"Really? It turns out that some people really do this."

Fang Chongyong was doubtful, crossed his arms and muttered to himself.

　The second more sent
　　
　
(End of this chapter)