Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 141 Spring tide brings rain late

Customs duty rebates, a trick that seems inconspicuous to outsiders, actually has a lot to offer.

According to Fang Chongyong's idea, as long as the luxury goods from the Western Regions entered Dunhuang, it would be a big deal if they didn't sell them. It would be a shame for the extravagant brother Ji and the many profligate Chang'an dignitaries.

However, such a routine of fishing from the lake has great disadvantages, and it was not Fang Chongyong’s original intention.

The trick is to keep the water flowing slowly and steadily, and the food should not be too ugly.If we suppress the Hu merchants in the Western Regions too hard, they will turn to Tibet. Doing so will overturn the table and will be counterproductive.

While making money, tightly tying these Western Regions barbarians to the chariot of the Tang Dynasty was what a border town governor should do.

Therefore, although heavy taxes are still collected, if merchants can transport necessary materials such as grain and cloth to Dunhuang, then they can be given a "tax refund"!Depending on the type of product, the tax refund ratio is also different.

It turned out that Shazhou was more than two thousand miles away from Chang'an, and at least several months had passed since I had been doing business back and forth.And in the past few months, if something happens to the businessmen, I'm sorry, the tax will be confiscated automatically.

Because the tax refund and tax refund documents must correspond one to one, others cannot do it for them.

And even if the businessmen finally get the tax refund, Fang Chongyong will not lose money at all.During these few months, the tax money has been deposited in the Shazhou government office and can be used as desired.

As long as the flow of goods entering and exiting the customs continues and is not interrupted by war, then the accumulation of this "floating in the air" tax amount will be an extremely huge windfall!It is enough to solve the financial difficulties that Dunhuang has accumulated over time.

As for why I need to tell Zhang Chan about this, it is because these policies will not be implemented smoothly without the support of local Han powerful people.After all, a policy on paper is just a piece of paper, and the power of execution is the key to the success of the policy.

People who can only talk nonsense will not be able to achieve anything in government affairs.

"The big households in Dunhuang have the merit of protecting the land. It is appropriate for the government to give you some preferential treatment.

Zhang Yuanwai can call together the local big business owners, and the government will decide the amount of tax you can reduce or reduce each year.In this way, the business that is difficult for you to do on weekdays will become easier to do. "

Fang Chongyong hinted meaningfully.

What does it mean to do business easily?With the channel advantage of saving money, business will naturally be easier to do. Everyone knows this kind of thing, no need to go into details.

Zhang Chan looked thoughtful, nodded slightly, and generally understood what Fang Chongyong meant.

In the past, the Sogdians formed a partnership to monopolize the pricing power on the trade route from the Western Regions to Dunhuang. Local Han tycoons could not get involved here, and there were no partners at the source.

But now, with the "tax-free quota" specially approved by the government, the local Han powerful people also have their own say in the trade routes of the Western Regions, and can compete with the Sogdians.

This group of local tycoons lack neither land nor troops, but isn't that what they are lacking?
As for the disadvantages caused by this, Fang Chongyong felt...he was not the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, and he was not Brother Ji!When the four-year term is up, just pat your butt and leave.How can you think so far ahead?Being able to help Shazhou Prefecture solve the financial problems of the army and the government now is a great achievement. How can we consider things many years later!
We can only talk about future matters later!

"The envoy's policy can be described as far-sighted. However, these matters are of great importance. I dare not decide alone. Is this possible?"

Zhang Chen hesitated for a moment and then continued to ask:
"In three days, please come here to talk about it. At that time, all the big people in Dunhuang will come here. Today, I will show them all the decree you want to implement and let them weigh it.

Some people think that it is generally not bad and should not be a serious problem. "

Zhang Chan smiled and nodded, and the other party Chongyong was deeply impressed.Apart from the four words "terrible", he had no other words to describe the other party.

Anyway, when he was a teenager, he didn't have this ability.

"Although Fang Jieshuai was demoted to Lingnan as the Jiedushi, I believe that he will only come back sooner or later. Fang Shijun does not need to worry too much. As fellow countrymen, we will stand by Fang Shijun."

Zhang Chan comforted Fang Chongyong and said.

Um?Daddy was demoted?

Fang Chongyong was shocked. He had only learned the news now, and then he said with a calm expression on his face:

"That's natural. I am also originally from Dunhuang. Although I was not born here, I still can't bear to have this feeling of hometown.

Everything is troublesome to Zhang Yuanwai.I had some official business and wanted to go back early, so I took my leave. "

Fang Chongyong bowed deeply to Zhang Chan, then stood up and left.

The scumbag father was demoted to Lingnan. This horse riding joke was too big.Fang Chongyong decided to ask Yan Zhuang to inquire about the news after returning to see what was going on.

But be sure not to ruin his important affairs in Shazhou.

……

On an early summer night, a crescent moon hung in the sky.The silver moonlight shines on the medicinal spring in the shape of a missing moon, making it look sparkling, magnificent and mysterious.Fang Chongyong was sitting alone on the edge of a pier where several cruise ships were moored, quietly thinking about a series of issues he had encountered since traveling to the Tang Dynasty.

Yan Zhuang had already inquired in Luocheng that a series of major events had indeed occurred in Lingzhou City this spring.

The emperor Li Longji formed an alliance with the Tiele tribes in the grassland to erect a monument, which was very successful.

However, after the alliance ended, due to the accidental death of a female Taoist priest around him, the emperor transferred Youzhou Jiedushi Fang Youde to Lingnan and served as the economic and strategic envoy of the five Lingnan prefectures. His powers were basically the same as those of the Jiedushi, but his name was slightly different. difference.

At the same time, Zhang Qiqiu, the governor of Shuofang, was also unlucky. He was transferred to a middle and lower state in Hedong to serve as the governor.

As for the generals who were implicated, there were even a lot of them.

Yan Zhuang also found out a piece of gossip that the dead female Taoist priest, named... Yang Yuhuan, was the ex-wife of King Shou and Li Longji's forbidden wife.

After hearing the news, Fang Chongyong felt very nervous, so he didn't even take a few bites of the table of meals carefully prepared by Anaye before he came to the shore of the medicinal spring to think about life.

"It's all a mess."

Fang Chongyong sighed. Although Yang Yuhuan was gone, with Brother Ji's style, "Yang Guifei" couldn't escape.The only difference lies in whether the person's surname is "Yang", or whether there are several people.

Recalling everything that had happened from when he arrived here until now, Fang Chongyong suddenly had a strange feeling:

Is it because he is so capable that he encounters so many things?
If he really lay down and died, would his situation be different?
If he had not met Zheng Shuqing at the beginning, he would most likely have been taken away by Wang Zhongsi and returned to Chang'an.

If he didn't stand out in Chang'an and didn't seek to come to the Western Regions, then he would most likely be living in the colorful world of Chang'an and waiting to die.

If he doesn't make plans and do practical things here in Liangzhou and Ganzhou, then he will just play around in Hexi and then return to Chang'an.

If he doesn't plan big things here in Dunhuang and can't stop fooling around, then sooner or later he will be transferred back to Chang'an by Brother Ji and work at home, and there won't be such nonsense.

After all, these things are all caused by being too "stubborn" and causing trouble!

As long as he is a little stupider, a little cowardly, and pretends to be a fool and shouts for help when necessary, then...it doesn't seem like he, a stupid kid, needs to live too hard!
Feeling familiar footsteps coming from behind, someone sat down next to Fang Chongyong, so he put his arm around Fang Chongyong's shoulders and sighed: "Follow me to Chang'an from now on, I will let you live a good life, and you don't have to be homeless like you are now. ."

"Oh, I think so too, but seeing that Mr. Lang is like this, it's probably unlikely."

Anaye sighed and leaned against Fang Chongyong.

"That's right.

In today's world, where the fire is cooking, there will be no stability for a few more years.

Dunhuang is pretty good here. Around Chang'an, there is no traffic for the powerful, but ordinary people have no place to stand.Not many people can support their family by practicing medicine in a medical clinic like your father.

The imperial court's expenses increased year by year.I was the governor of Dunhuang and was already a master at making money. I felt that the treasury was not enough, let alone elsewhere.
If local officials cannot make money through ordinary methods, they can only think of ways to make money through sideways.The world will only get worse and worse until someone stands up and takes action! "

Fang Chongyong couldn't help sighing.

The imperial court's mediocre rhetoric is too misleading.Li Linfu used the method of reducing rent adjustments and increasing household taxes, which was implemented in many places in the country.It cannot be said that it has no effect, but it has indeed adjusted the number of people who collect taxes.

But for Brother Ji, it's not enough.

If the top can't provide money, then the bottom can only try their best to make money.Strictly speaking, the tax reform implemented by Fang Chongyong in Dunhuang has seriously violated the power of the Ministry of Revenue.However, since the top does not give money, then the bottom is not allowed to change ways to make money. Does this count as being both responsible and effective?
Therefore, Fang Chongyong was very sure that as long as he could ensure the surplus in the accounts of the government, government, military and civil affairs, then the court would turn a blind eye to what he did in the local area.

As long as there is nothing going on below, then the central leadership will not look for trouble.

As long as people have the ability, they can do whatever they want in border towns and places, except for rebellion.

The Central Committee is now too busy to take care of itself. If Li Linfu can fill the hole dug by Brother Ji, he is already a capable minister and official. It is impossible to expect him to solve the big problems that have been backlogged for hundreds of years in the Tang Dynasty!

No one has that strength.

Fang Chongyong thought that he was not yet a wicked person, but among the 10,000+ official officials in the Tang Dynasty, there were probably as many wicked people as there were crucian carp crossing the river.

It can be expected that the grassroots level of Datang will only become more and more lively.

"Young people don't know the taste of sorrow, and fall in love with the floors. To love the floors, to express sorrow for new words.

Now that I know all the sorrow, I want to stop talking.I wanted to give up, but I said it was a cool autumn. "Fang Chongyong sighed as if he was carefree.

He is so sad, he has been borrowing the tiger skin from his scumbag father Youzhou Jiedushi.Now that he knows that his father killed Yang Yuhuan, should he run away with his sister?

Yang Yuhuan is dead. The Tang Dynasty can no longer stay here. The few historical details in his memory are completely useless!
"I don't understand it at all, but autumn hasn't arrived yet."

Anaye shook her head and said that she had been studying medicine since she was a child and was very partial to science. She was almost illiterate in poetry and articles.

"That's right, you don't understand, that's right..."

Halfway through Fang Chongyong's words, he rested his head on Anaye's lap and fell asleep from exhaustion.

……

Three days later, in order to prevent them from being killed by the big Hu merchants from the Western Regions who had harmed their vested interests, Fang Chongyong placed Anaye and the others in the backyard of the government office in the small town, which itself was also the place where the governor should live.

After nightfall, Fang Chongyong led a group of people to Zhang's house. Huge raindrops actually started falling in the sky, and then the raindrops got heavier and heavier, forming a heavy rain!

In a place where the rainfall does not exceed [-] millimeters a year, it rains heavily.This surprised Fang Chongyong, who was rarely seen. This was the first time he had seen a heavy rain since he came to Dunhuang. Even light rain had only been seen once before!

Representatives of local surnames in the main room of Zhang's mansion seemed to be extremely surprised by such a heavy rain, and all of them had expressions of surprise on their faces.Even the older people seemed a bit panicked.

"Zhang Yuanwai and other clan leaders, have you all thought about it?"

Fang Chongyong looked at everyone and asked.

"We have no objections to the matter of insurance premiums, and we firmly support the envoy to do things. If there are people who are disobedient, we will definitely get things done."

Zhang Chan spoke calmly on behalf of everyone.

Taking money to do things, this little thing is easy for them.No one would be stupid enough to stop it, saying it was against the rules.

Things that are good for everyone will become rules if they are not rules.

"As for the tax reduction, we have no objection. We just want to know how much reduction can be achieved?"

Zhang Tan was no longer hinting, but directly stated what they were hesitating about.

If the tax exemption is much greater, then the local big business must be dispatched at will by the Shazhou Prefecture.

If the reductions and exemptions are small, then the big local households can just deal with the orders from Shazhou Prefecture.

Dunhuang produces local grain, with an annual output of only 30 shi.Because it relies on snow water for irrigation, the output is relatively stable, but the agricultural income is indeed average.These local giants look at the scenery, but in fact they just have more tenants and farmland under their command, and they may not have much money.

The tax-free policy not only adds a windfall every year, but also allows businessmen from the Western Regions to put down their humility and cooperate with them. Therefore, the tax-free limit is very important!
It can be said that quantitative changes produce qualitative changes!
"Every year, you will discuss the share of [-] silk. This is the preliminary target. I will increase or decrease it based on next year's tariff amount and your support for Shazhou Prefecture."

Thirty thousand silk!

Looks like less?

No, no, no, this is just the tax-free amount!

So how many related goods are there?
How much business is driven by this?
There will be too many to imagine!
Don’t be too little, silk has a strong purchasing power in Dunhuang!
Zhang Chan felt that his breathing was a little heavier.

The lobby fell into a deathly silence. Fang Chongyong said that the big families like them combined had [-] silk.So who should take more, and what obligations should those who take more fulfill?
Very difficult to deal with!
At this moment, a servant ran in in a panic, his clothes all soaked.

In Dunhuang, a place where everything seems dry, this scene is really rare.

The servant whispered in Zhang Chen's ear for a long time, and Zhang Chen's expression suddenly changed.

"No, the sweet spring water (Dang River) has overflowed and burst its banks!"

"how come?"

"Why not? It's not the first time?"

"Why this time?"

There was a lot of discussion among the people present.

The sweet spring water is the mother river of Dunhuang Town and Luocheng. The sweet spring water is overflowing. Although the two cities are fine, the situation outside the city is hard to say.

"Is there a flood?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a puzzled look on his face.

Does anyone know why there are floods in the desert?

Fang Chongyong felt bad all over. He never expected that floods would occur in Dunhuang, which was so desperate for water shortage!
Fortunately, he didn't continue to ask questions and expose his shallow knowledge.

"Your Majesty, please wait here for a moment. We are all the owners of the Canal Society, and now we have to take the members to protect Caoqu. Your Majesty, please rest assured that this city has gone through many hardships and will be fine."

Zhang Chan said confidently.

At this moment, the big drum from the tower also sounded.Like a reminder, it resounded through the silent night sky.

Boom!Boom!Boom!Boom!Boom!
It seemed to hit everyone in the lobby.

"Why does the tower's big drum sound?"

Zhang Chan frowned slightly and asked, this time it was really not what he expected.

Representatives of other local surnames were just like him. They were also confused and looked worried or even frightened.

Only when the small town is attacked by the army, the big drum of the tower will sound.

"Here they come! The Tibetans are here and are attacking the city wall!"

At this moment, another servant rushed into the lobby in embarrassment and shouted directly to Zhang Chen, no longer caring about superiority and inferiority!
Everyone looked at Fang Chongyong with expressions of admiration, confusion, and fear.They originally thought that spreading rumors about the Tibetan attack was deliberately done by Fang Chongyong, a big liar, to advance his own agenda.

Before coming to the meeting today, they confirmed this even more.

Unexpectedly, this little kid is really serious!

"As the training envoy of the Shazhou Regiment, I order you to take your family's songs with you to assist the border troops in defending the city!
From today on, all of your tribes have been recruited by me as united soldiers.

Within half an hour, I will see you and your troops in the signing room of Shazhou City Wall! "

Fang Zhongyong took the opportunity to take out the Tuan Lian Envoy Fish Talisman hanging on his waist and showed it in front of everyone!
Although he was panicking in his heart, in the eyes of outsiders, he showed no emotion or anger, and was as stable as Mount Tai.

Everyone present had the experience of serving in the Tang army. Of course they knew that Fang Chongyong was using chicken feathers as command arrows, and the regiment training envoy had no power to mobilize the united troops.

It's just that the matter was urgent and the Tubo people rushed to attack the small city of Dunhuang. It was too late to investigate these things. Is it reasonable and legal? Do you want to listen to it?

For the sake of "procedural justice", it has never been the style of the border army to stop eating due to choking.

Now Fang Chongyong is the backbone. If the sky falls and there is a tall man to hold it up, then of course you have to listen to him, otherwise what else can you do!

"We will obey your orders!"

Everyone knelt down on one knee and saluted.

"I'll take the first step!"

Fang Chongyong walked out of Zhang's house. In the dark place where there was no one, his body was too weak to move. He was supported by Anaye, and his legs were shaking.

"Lang Jun, can you do that?"

Anaye asked in a low voice. At this time, the rain had stopped and even the stars could be seen in the sky.

Fang Chongyong also recovered. He stood up straight and took a deep breath and said: "If you can't, you have to. If the city is destroyed, I will kill you first and then myself, so that you will not be captured and humiliated as a slave."

Hearing such decisive words, Anaye held his hand tightly, nodded slightly and said, "Okay! If I die, I will die with my husband!"

　The wolf is crying, do you have any tickets?

　　
　
(End of this chapter)