Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 13

Zheng Shuqing, the governor of Kuizhou, stirred up a hornet's nest and seriously violated the interests of many dignitaries.

Of course, Kuizhou is nothing. What scares them is that Kuizhou's customs clearance strategy is likely to form a "demonstration effect" that other places in Jiangguan will follow suit.

There are many merchants operating secretly, and there are many tank boats, all of which are conducting large-scale transactions in private, ranging from grain and cloth to slave trafficking.There are also many spokespersons in the court.It is obviously impossible for these dignitaries to let Zheng Shuqing go.

All of a sudden, memorials to the Ministry of Education were sent to the Ministry of Education like snowflakes.

The politics of the early Tang Dynasty were generally more open-minded, and they did not block the way of speech, nor practiced literary prison.

There are many examples of low-level officials reporting to the emperor after reporting layer by layer, and there are also cases of successfully standing in line at critical moments and getting promoted by leapfrogging.

These essays are generally divided into two opinions.

The first one believes that Zheng Shuqing acted recklessly and disregarded the court's laws and regulations, so he should be removed from his post and investigated to make an example.After the investigation is completed, the criminal responsibility will be tried again.The policy of accumulating wealth and disturbing the people at the Kuizhou River Pass should be abolished immediately to get rid of the root cause.

There is another opinion that Zheng Shuqing did want to investigate and deal with it, but the "New Deal" he promulgated in Jiangguan was endorsed by the credibility of the court.Now that it has been implemented for more than half a month, should it be abolished immediately?Isn't this a change of orders overnight?
Where is the majesty of the court's law?
If a similar New Deal is implemented in the future, and those whose interests have been harmed will start calling out again, will the New Deal also be abolished?

Even if the decree of Kuizhou Jiangguan is unreasonable, it has to be operated for half a year to see what the specific effect is and what the gains and losses are.The decree cannot be abolished just by letting some people make noise.

This opening is a hundred times more dangerous than what Zheng Shuqing is doing now.

Anyway, under the excitement of the crowd, almost everyone believed that Zheng Shuqing should be dismissed and investigated, and sent to Chang'an before being convicted.

Of course, the same rice feeds a variety of people, and there are so many officials in the Tang Dynasty, there will always be no shortage of different kinds.

Among these melodies of shouting and killing, there is an alternative article that "stands out from the crowd".

Prince Zhengzi (similar to Fang Chongyong’s former deputy director of the National Library) Liu Yan, wrote a letter praising Zheng Shuqing’s ability to manage money, and the strategy of Kuizhou Jiangguan can be applied to the canal water transportation from Yangzhou to Luoyang, reducing the number of water ships due to oversized water ships. Large enough to capsize or run aground, causing blockage of the canal channel.

The implication is that not only should Zheng Shuqing not be investigated, but he should also be promoted, and his experience should be generalized.

Of course, Liu Yan is a small central official who spends all day compiling documents, and no one cares what he says.This solo is submerged in the drum noise and is inconspicuous.

Others thought that Li Longji was pretending to be deaf and dumb, and would not even read these melodies.

Who would have known that not long after Liu Yan's memorial was delivered, Li Longji ordered Zhongshu Province to draft a transfer order, kicking Liu Yan out of Chang'an and ordering him to serve as county magistrate in Xia County, Jiangzhou, Hedong Province.

For a time, all the ministers, from the prime minister to the errand boys, could not understand what Li Longji meant by this operation.

Is this a promotion in the open and a fall in the dark, or are the officials sent out to practice before they are promoted?Both scenarios seem possible.

Although the crown prince has no real power, he is a "pure and noble" official. If he stays in the center, he can easily be promoted to an official position such as the servant of the Huangmen, and become a close minister of the emperor.

Although the rank of the county magistrate is high, he is a local official, which is obviously a rising and falling.

However, the promotion and reuse of officials in the Tang Dynasty often required the experience of going to the local area.An important reason why Zheng Shuqing was called to be beaten and killed was because he was a Beijing official who was sent out, and he would return to Chang'an to report on his work after his term of office expired.Judging from the current achievements, it is very likely that he will be promoted to Uiro, a member of the household department, with real power in his hands.

If he went up, there must be someone who would not be able to go up, so we worked together to block this person outside Chang'an, this is a secret that cannot be told in the court.

On this day, Li Longji convened the two prime ministers Li Linfu and Zhang Jiuling in the Zichen Palace to discuss the matter of the unauthorized restructuring of Jiangguan in Kuizhou.Zichen Hall is not the main hall. It used to be a place where the emperor and ministers chatted and had private conversations. There was no need for etiquette or court clothes.

After the 21st year of Kaiyuan, Li Longji seldom held court meetings in the main hall, Hanyuan Hall, unless it was a festival celebration, he would go there occasionally.Generally, government affairs are dealt with in the Zichen Palace, where the rules are the least, and the relationship between the monarch and his ministers is also the most casual, which is more in line with Li Longji's preferences.

"The matter of Kuizhou is related to the water transportation in Shu, what do you two think?"

Li Longji asked casually while pinching the sore and swollen jaw of his hand.He played polo all afternoon yesterday, and now his hands are sore.

No matter how skilled he was when he was young, and how much he cared about taking care of his body, Li Longji had to admit that time is not forgiving, and he has long since lost the vigor of the past.

"No matter what Zheng Shuqing did, the imperial court cannot encourage this kind of arrogance. Wei Chen suggested that he be escorted to Chang'an and interrogated by Dali Temple before making a decision."

Zhang Jiuling, who had dark skin and gray beard and hair, folded his sleeves and saluted Li Longji.

"Well, what about Jiangguan's strategy?"

Li Longji asked plainly, as if he was thinking of something else.

"Before the new year's holiday, all localities have to report the local people's sentiments and income for the year. At that time, this policy can be abolished. Now many people have followed Zheng Shuqing's arrangement and replaced the tank boats. If the central government abolishes the new customs clearance law, only I am afraid that those people will also feel aggrieved in their hearts, and troubles will inevitably arise. Let the sage rule."

Zhang Jiuling also said in an orderly manner.

He thought very clearly that this matter has become a bad debt, and now that the crowd is excited, the more he does, the more wrong he does.It is better to hand over Zheng Shuqing to settle the dispute.People are dead, the government is over, Zheng Shuqing is no longer in Kuizhou, and the controversial Jiangguan New Deal in Kuizhou will inevitably not be maintained.

When the time comes, just let time dilute this farce, and the court doesn't have to do extra things.

"Brother, what do you say?"

Brother Nu is Li Linfu's nickname, and it can be seen from the address that now Li Linfu has more trust and closeness with Li Longji than Zhang Jiuling.

"The policy of Kuizhou Jiangguan can be extended to the canals and rivers. As for Zheng Shuqing, I can't comment on it. Everything is determined by the saint. This is the new policy of Kuizhou Jiangguan compiled by the minister. Please look at it."

Li Linfu handed the memorial to Gao Lishi with both hands, and Li Longji let Gao Lishi read it pretendingly.In fact, they already knew what happened at the Kuizhou Jiangguan, and everything now is just a formality.

Although the emperor is rich all over the world, the money that can be used directly may not be as much as outsiders imagined.

A few years ago, Li Longji met the Wang brothers, the richest man in the Tang Dynasty, and bluntly said that the Wang family had more money than him. This was not a self-effacing statement, but a real complaint.

The money from the national treasury has to go to the accounts of the Ministry of Accounts, and Li Longji can't use it as he wants.

The money in Li Longji's internal treasury, the tributes from all over the country, and the spoils of war turned in, etc.Many things are not money and cannot be used directly, especially many of them are not easy to cash out directly.

For example, are Wang Xizhi's calligraphy valuable?That must be priceless.

But if Li Longji wants to sell it, who can afford it, and who really dares to buy it without fear of death?

Li Longji still has a lot of things like this, he sometimes feels like a beggar with a golden rice bowl begging for food.

Therefore, the 40 guan in Kuizhou Jiangguan may not be seen by the treasury, but for Li Longji, it is his pocket money for this year and next year!What about the country, what about the border, so what?

If the country is prosperous and strong, he, the emperor, must feel it!He may not be able to intuitively feel the victory at the border. The freshness will be gone after passing, and it is impossible for Li Longji to go to the border to inspect it.

But if you have 40 yuan in your hand and can spend it as you want, your life will be nourished!
Li Longji felt that Zhang Jiuling and the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty were going to punish Zheng Shuqing. Wouldn't this add trouble to him, the emperor?

After Zheng Shuqing is dealt with, who will make money for himself?

"Lishi, what do you think of Kuizhou's Jiangguan strategy?"

Li Longji hinted calmly that this is a routine he is used to, and let Gao Lishi come out to speak for him.The success is his own, and the failure is Gao Lishi's.

Gao Lishi understood and said slowly: "Time is still short and it is difficult to judge. It is better to wait until after the Lantern Festival next year to discuss it. If Zheng Shuqing is investigated, it will inevitably lead to the death of the people and the government's demise, which is extremely inappropriate."

Both Zhang Jiuling and Li Linfu knew what was going on. Gao Lishi himself had no opinion, his opinion was Li Longji's!

"Since this is the case, please ask the sage to issue an edict to quell the dispute between the government and the opposition."

Zhang Jiuling saluted Li Longji and said that he actually didn't care much about this matter. In Chang'an City, which has been undercurrent recently, this is the most inconspicuous government affairs.Now the storm is gradually forming, and I don’t know how long it will take to turn into a violent storm.

Zhang Jiuling was so worried all day long that he had no energy to take care of Kuizhou's "trivial things".

Li Longji's beloved concubine Wu Hui has been planning to abolish the crown prince Li Ying!Although Li Longji loved Concubine Wu Hui's son Li Wei very much, he did not intend to abolish the prince for the time being.

Concubine Wu Hui's actions like this reminded people of Wu Meiniang back then. Yes, Wu Meiniang was the aunt of Concubine Wu Hui.Crown Prince Li Ying was also very afraid of Concubine Wu Hui's success. The Wu family's fine traditions are always fine, so let's not talk about it.In the Tang Dynasty, there were endless women participating in politics, starting with Wu Meiniang, followed by Webster and Princess Taiping, which really numbed people's nerves.

The more Li Longji doted on Li Chen, the more dissatisfied and fearful Li Ying and others became.

Zhang Jiuling had already heard about some things in the palace, but as a "supporter" who tried to protect the prince Li Ying and persuaded Li Longji not to abolish the prince, he was not sure what Li Ying and others were planning.

"Brother slave, you go and handle this matter. Give Zheng Shuqing the official position of Chao Yilang."

Li Longji said very casually.

Zheng Shuqing sent himself [-] guan. In his eyes, he is a good dog...a good official.Since he is a good official, he should be rewarded.Chao Yilang is a scattered official of the sixth rank, while Kuizhou is in Zhongzhou, and the governor is the fourth rank, so it is very suitable for a scattered official of the sixth rank.

"Saint, Zheng Shuqing violated the court's law in Kuizhou, it's not appropriate to add an official to him."

Zhang Jiuling stood up and stopped him.Don't care about Kuizhou's affairs, how can you add officials to the culprit?

"I've made up my mind, so there's no need to say more. If Kuizhou breaks out into chaos, I'll just punish Zheng Shuqing for his crimes."

Li Longji raised his hand to signal Zhang Jiuling not to talk too much.

"Weichen will do it now."

Li Linfu bowed and retreated, Zhang Jiuling had no choice but to retreat.When he reached the palace gate, he caught up with Li Linfu, who was walking like flying, out of breath, and asked out of breath, "Why don't Prime Minister Zuo speak out to persuade the saint?"

"I think Zheng Shuqing's policy is beneficial to the country, so there is no need to say anything to stop it. Why does the Right Prime Minister say this?"

Li Linfu pretended to be surprised and asked.

"Ugh!"

Zhang Jiuling let out a long sigh and walked away!

Looking at his leaving back, Li Linfu's eyes flickered coldly.

It's not that he has no followers, although the number is not many, there are actually quite a few people who secretly take refuge in him.

This time, he ordered those people to shout and kill Zheng Shuqing together.In this way, it seems that the civil and military officials of the whole dynasty belong to Zhang Jiuling!

From Li Longji's point of view, it was as if Zhang Jiuling was forcing him into the palace. It would be hell if he agreed to deal with Zheng Shuqing.

But to Li Linfu's expectation, Li Longji actually appointed Zheng Shuqing as a dismissal official, this move is very unusual.Li Linfu walked towards Pingkangfang, while enduring the noises of playfulness and hustle and bustle around him.

"In the Qin Dynasty, the moon was bright and the Han Dynasty was at the Pass, and the people who marched thousands of miles have not yet returned.

But so that the Dragon City Feijiang will be there, he will not teach Huma Du Yinshan.

good poem!Congratulations to my Tang Dynasty!Drink this cup to the brim! "

There was the sound of a toast from a wild scribe next to his ears, and Li Linfu had a mocking expression on his face, but it passed by again.

These people are still living in a dream!Don't you know that this is no longer the situation in the early years of Kaiyuan.

Li Linfu let out a sigh of relief. He has already noticed that times have changed.That's right, the era that belongs to him, Li Linfu, is coming!
……

In response to possible surprise attacks, Zheng Shuqing followed Fang Chongyong's suggestion and sent people to spread rumors in Kuizhou City, saying that illegal foreign merchants colluded with water bandits and bandits in an attempt to burn down and destroy the shipyards along the Kuizhou River Pass. Kuizhou Fucheng!
For a while, people in the city were panicked, but excited.

Soon, Zheng Shuqing invited the representatives of the big and respectable households in the city into the government office to discuss major issues. He had nothing to say, and directly admitted that some people were not used to Kuizhou's local big money, and wanted to destroy the current situation of stability and unity!
what can we do about it.

When everyone was at a loss, Zheng Shuqing brought out the countermeasure that he had discussed with Fang Chongyong overnight. In a nutshell, it is: use magic to defeat magic!

Every outsider who enters the Fucheng will be followed secretly by the locals, and if there is any wrongdoing, someone will report to the Fucheng.Zheng Shuqing divided the government office, including the ferry, into twelve "strict control areas"; the shipyard outside the city was further divided into ten "patrol areas" that were relatively far from each other, and each family was responsible for one area.

Each large family is responsible for organizing the surrounding merchants and private households to follow, monitor, and report abnormal situations every day. If there is an emergency, it needs to report to the government office immediately.

Under the governor's command, Si Gong, Sicang, Si Hu, Si Tian, ​​Si Bing, Judiciary, and Si Shi joined the army.Of course, it was actually Fang Chongyong himself who screened the daily summary information.

The idea he gave Zheng Shuqing was to mobilize the masses, organize the masses, and let the masses participate.

Not enough solidarity soldiers in the city?
Then turn the entire city into "Unity Soldiers"!
They don't need to guard against thieves for a thousand days, they only need to guard against thieves for one to two months.

This method has received enthusiastic responses from large local households, and the continuous shipbuilding orders have brought them a lot of incidental benefits. Now that someone wants to do something, they will absolutely not agree.

Fang Chongyong originally thought that his method could frighten off those people with unruly intentions, but he did not expect that after three days of implementation, several people in Fucheng tipped off the news, saying that a group of people set off from Baidi City to Kuizhou Fucheng in the morning and returned to Baidi City at night. imperial city.It's like this every day, and the behavior is very suspicious!

(End of this chapter)