Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 15

Wushan County has a small territory. It is bounded by the Yangtze River in the northeast, the Wujiang River in the west, and the Fujiang River in the south. The county seat is located at the convergence of these three rivers, and has been the throat of eastern Chongqing since ancient times.

After arriving in Wushan County, Fang Chongyong finally understood why the imperial court wanted to move the garrison here.Because compared with the constant flow of ships near Kuizhou Fucheng, with countless ships queuing up for customs clearance, the river here is narrow and the channel is single. It is obviously much easier to control, and it is easy to block the river.

The contraction of the imperial court simplified the defense of the Southwest, and naturally they would choose the most cost-effective and labor-saving method.Kuizhou Fucheng and Baidicheng, which were the places to garrison troops, naturally gave up most of their military functions because of the prosperity of commercial ports.

Of course, Wang Zhongsi came to Fang Chongyong not just to "recruit a son-in-law", but because he had something urgent to do. There were many people in Kuizhou Prefecture and it was inconvenient to handle it. He could only go to Dongyang Prefecture in Wushan County to do it.

The outskirts of Wushan County are humid, with dense vegetation and many snakes, insects, rats, and ants.Wang Zhongsi ordered people to imitate the building habits of the Liao people, and built many stilt houses (that is, dry stilt structures) in the field camp, which looked the same as the residences of the Liao people.

It has to be said that even if this general was reprimanded, he put his heart into military affairs after he went to the local area.

The two climbed up to a simple stilt house, and the bamboo walls inside were full of bows, crossbows and swords.After the two sat down, Wang Zhongsi handed over a letter sent from Chang'an to Fang Chongyong for inspection.

While Fang Chongyong was reading the letter, Wang Zhongsi sighed: "I was demoted to Dongyang Mansion, and I didn't have a single staff around me. Now when I encounter big and difficult decisions, no one can give me advice. It's sad to say that I worry about my family's small size, and sometimes I really envy your father for his decisiveness and his willingness to sacrifice his life to accomplish great things."

This letter was written by Prince Li Ying.

Li Ying wrote a letter to Wang Zhongsi, which was a bit strange.Because the latter grew up with Li Heng and had a very close relationship, but he didn't have much contact with Li Ying, and there was no friendship.

But now Li Heng can't help Wang Zhongsi, even after he was demoted to Dongyang Mansion, he didn't even write a letter.

Li Ying told Wang Zhongsi that he could find a way for the latter to return to Chang'an smoothly and serve as the commander of the imperial guards in the palace. I wonder what Wang Zhongsi felt.

And Li Ying also emphasized that Li Heng already knew about the matter and did not express any objection. It is up to you to decide everything.

The meaning is this, the original text is very polite and warm, basically the tone is to treat Wang Zhongsi as a brother in the ten kings' house.To be honest, when Wang Zhongsi was raised in the palace, it was true that all the treatment was not much different from that of the prince.

This letter put Wang Zhongsi in a dilemma.

On the one hand, he has no future here in Dongyang Mansion, he doesn't even have a chance to go to the battlefield, and he looks forward to returning to Chang'an day and night.

On the other hand, even Wang Zhongsi, who doesn't have a good sense of politics, can sense that Li Ying is planning something big!
The father of the Tang Dynasty resigned and the son laughed. There were so many dramas about killing brothers and killing brothers that people had to think about it.Wang Zhongsi would rather believe Fang Youde's son's words than Li Ying's promise.

Unless circumstances compel.

"The prince wants to rebel."

Fang Chongyong said four words that made Wang Zhongsi tremble.

"Be careful, even though you are smart, you can't talk nonsense about this kind of thing."

Wang Zhongsi exclaimed in a low voice.

"General Wang, isn't this matter obvious? If it wasn't for rebellion, what would the crown prince have to say to a military general who has made great military achievements but was demoted to the southwest?"

Fang Chongyong's words made Wang Zhongsi silent.A lot of things are separated by a layer of window paper. After it is pierced, it will be the same. Before that, he just deliberately didn't want to think about it.

"Li Ying has been the prince for 20 years. I have also heard some rumors from Zheng Shuqing about the current situation. The saint doted on Concubine Wu Hui, and he loved Concubine Wu Hui as much as he loved her. He also doted on Concubine Wu Hui's son, Prince Longevity Li Xuan.

Does the prince think that the saint has plans to depose the prince? "

Fang Chongyong asked in a deep voice.

These words made sense. If Li Longji really wanted to depose the prince, Wang Zhongsi would not be surprised at all.

"Then what should I do with this letter?"

Wang Zhongsi pointed to the "Letter of Solicitation" placed on the table.

"This is just Li Ying's way of asking for directions. Maybe he wrote it to other people. For Li Ying, if General Wang replied, it would be a surprise; if he didn't reply, it's okay, anyway, he has already decided to leave. On this road, there is nothing to scruple about.”

Unexpectedly, the matter was so serious, Wang Zhongsi immediately didn't know what to say.Generals like him who lead troops into battle are actually testing their own weaknesses when facing similar things, and those rich battle experience can't be used at all.

Concubine Wu Hui's background touched the sensitive nerves of the princes.If Shou Wang Li Wei becomes the crown prince and becomes the emperor in the future... I can hardly imagine what will happen.

It cannot be said that Li Ying is "trickling the people and harming me", because Li Longji is indeed very dissatisfied with him!

"At the beginning of this year, the saint was still in Luoyang. But for some reason, he finally returned to Chang'an early, and I was demoted to Wushan County not long after."

Wang Zhongsi was thoughtful while talking, feeling that these things are nothing to look at individually, but when they are connected together, they have a lot of meaning.Li Longji returned to Chang'an ahead of time, did he notice any changes in Prince Li Ying in Chang'an?
Fang Chongyong didn't dare to overestimate the current Li Longji, this person's integrity has been lost!
"In your opinion, how should I reply?"

Seeing that Fang Chongyong hadn't spoken for a long time, Wang Zhongsi couldn't help asking.

After receiving Li Ying's letter, there are many ways to deal with it.

The most stupid way is to "read it and never read it back", pretending that nothing happened.

On the surface, it seems safe, but in fact, this is the most risky way to deal with it. "I can't read it back", it seems that Wang Zhongsi understands the situation, but wants to sit and watch.This attitude, in the eyes of Li Longji, is the worst.Even worse than participating in it.

Get involved, just no brainer.It’s just that it’s ulterior motives if you can’t read it back.A general leading the army has ulterior motives, just thinking about it makes the hair stand on end!

"General Wang..."

Fang Chongyong stretched out his hand and looked at Wang Zhongsi like this.

"What do you mean by that?"

Wang Zhongsi asked with a confused look on his face.

"The so-called inseparable relationship means that a sage has the kindness of nurturing a general; a loyal king and a general have a brotherly relationship. I am only the son of a colleague. There is a saying: inseparable relationship. Many things can only be said with a suitable status." Otherwise, how can the general believe what I say?"

Fang Chongyong sighed helplessly.

Hearing this, Wang Zhongsi was overjoyed and quickly took out the red paper from his arms and handed it to Fang Chongyong.

"For the time being, you can call me uncle, and I can call you nephew. After returning to Chang'an, you will live in the Wang family's courtyard."

Wang Zhongsi took out another letter from his arms, making Fang Chongyong wonder if the other party was a human-shaped mailbox.

When I opened the letter, I saw that it was still Dad Fang Youde's handwriting. The handwriting was stiff and powerful.

Fang Youde said in the letter that he and Wang Zhongsi had a close friendship, and they were brothers. Now that he was going to Youzhou to do a big job, he probably would not return to Chang'an, so he had no time to take care of Fang Chongyong, so he could only foster him in the hospital. For the Wang family, just follow Wang Zhongsi's arrangements.

The scumbag's usual style never asked Fang Zhongyong if he could do it or not. He would talk about it after it was done anyway.

"Uncle, this matter is very important, and we must not pretend that we don't know anything about it."

Fang Chongyong naturally changed his title and said.

Wang Zhongsi nodded slightly, he had also thought of this.

"Then how should we deal with it?"

"Reply directly to refuse, and then denounce the prince in the letter that he should stick to his duty. The court has its own laws, and it is not a bargaining chip he uses to buy people's hearts. As for this letter, there is no need to send it to the saint. There is a suspicion of being a thief."

Fang Chongyong expressed his opinion.

Not replying to the letter is ulterior motives, and forwarding the letter to Li Longji is a guilty conscience.Only by discussing the matter as it stands and categorically rejecting it can you prove your innocence.

"It makes sense, and it should."

Wang Zhongsi nodded slightly.

In fact, many matters lack competent people to discuss and make decisions, so the parties involved can easily become confused.As long as you can find close people who always have ideas, it will be easy to make a correct judgment.Regarding how to reply, Wang Zhongsi had already had an idea in his mind. Fang Chongyong just confirmed his idea and strengthened his determination.

"Uncle, I want to learn the art of war."

Fang Chongyong put his hands together in salute, bowed deeply to Wang Zhongsi and begged.

"I understand the things in the battle formation, but I can't teach you. If I just try to deal with it, I might kill you by then."

Wang Zhongsi said with some annoyance.

This future son-in-law is really good. Firstly, he is the son of an old friend, so he will not become a white-eyed wolf. Secondly, he is resourceful and has a calm mind at a young age. He will definitely become a great person in the future!If possible, Wang Zhongsi would of course be willing to teach him the art of war with all his money.

But no matter how clever Fang Chongyong is, he can even utter poems, but now he is just a child who can't even ride a horse.

The real experience on the battlefield cannot be described in words. At most, I will mention it when I am on the scene. The ability of war needs to be learned in the war. Lack of waste that can only be talked about on paper.

If Wang Zhongsi is digging his heart out, it depends on whether Fang Chongyong can understand his painstaking efforts.

"Understood, it shouldn't be too late. Nephew, let's go back to Kuizhou Prefecture. The matter over there is related to when I can go back to Chang'an. After I return to Chang'an, I will work on my uncle's promotion and release. Uncle has only one hand. Only by holding the military power can we protect ourselves. Otherwise, even Li Ying and his like will show their fangs to uncle."

Fang Chongyong said seriously, and his tone and demeanor made Wang Zhongsi not doubt whether this matter could be accomplished.

"So... that's fine."

Wang Zhongsi nodded slightly. It was not that he was anxious to recognize his son-in-law, but that he now smelled the coming of rain.

He also knows that he is not the kind of person with a very sensitive political sense.

Li Ying's letter made him understand that it doesn't mean that hiding in a remote place can avoid political attacks.

What Fang Chongyong said is correct at all.

"I'll take you back to Kuizhou Prefecture."

Wang Zhongsi sighed, looking melancholy.

……

"Good! Good!"

Zheng Shuqing was more excited to see Fang Chongyong return in one day than to see his beautiful concubine.

He came over to Fang Chongyong's ear and whispered: "I checked the accounts today, and I have collected 15 guan. Many people did not redeem the [-] guan deposit after returning, but added [-] guan to build the ship. We should be able to collect enough money to send back to Chang'an this month..."

Seeing that Zheng Shuqing was so excited, Fang Zhongyong interrupted feebly: "Master, I have an ominous premonition, don't you realize that General Wang and his party are progressing very smoothly in Baidi City?"

smoothly?I am invincible in the Tang Dynasty, I just wiped out a few bandits, do I need to go to war?Isn't this what it should be?

Zheng Shuqing was stunned and had no idea what Fang Chongyong wanted to say.

"We need to speed up the progress. Today, all the merchants in the shipyard are called, the construction period is accelerated, and more manpower is recruited, and the rotation is non-stop three times a day."

Fang Chongyong said eagerly.

He remembered that there was a huge loophole in his move, and he wondered if the court had discovered it.With Li Longji expressing his support for Zheng Shuqing, it is temporarily impossible to change customs clearance back to the original system. However, the fact that the system cannot be changed does not mean that some people have no other ways to recover their losses.

How can the people in Kuizhou eat such a big piece of cake by resetting the tank boat alone?

Half a month later, Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing were so busy that they tried their best to speed up the progress and speed up the progress of the ship renewal. Finally, including the advance payment, they finally got together 30 guan!Almost at the same time, the court's new decree arrived.

In the study room of the Lianhuachi courtyard in the north of Fucheng, Zheng Shuqing was pacing back and forth angrily, with the imperial government documents in his hand, he wanted to throw them on the ground several times and stomp them on his feet, but finally held back.

"It's too much! It's too much! What do you think we should do now?"

Zheng Shuqing became anxious again. Once he was anxious, he liked to go to extremes.I thought about it all night last night, and my brain is hurting today. I even considered the bad idea of ​​pretending to be bandits and robbing merchant ships.

"The government decree requires us to adhere to the customs clearance policy after the restructuring, but it also says that Kuizhou is located in a remote place. Once an accident occurs at the shipyard, it will affect the water transportation plan. Let us deliver the blueprints of ships suitable for passing through the Kuizhou River Pass to the imperial court, and implement a quota system every year. , so that Jianghuai's shipyard can also build such ships, so as to avoid vicious competition and eventually build ships that are unusable.

To be honest, I think this move is quite reasonable. "

Fang Chongyong sighed helplessly. Afterwards, he finally understood why the group of "thieves" deliberately came to Baidi City to kill people.

Many ministers at the imperial court also formed a "logical closed loop".

Because the Kuizhou shipyard was almost attacked, it is very risky to throw all the ships that can clear the customs into production in Kuizhou.

Because ship production was threatened, water transportation from Shu to Yangzhou was also threatened.

Because changing or expanding the production area does not affect the customs clearance system, it is also acceptable to produce similar tank ships elsewhere.

Because decentralized production disperses risks, the imperial court should issue a decree to Kuizhou to force it to transfer some of the ship production orders.

Plan to pass!Perfect!

Everything really went as Fang Zhongyong expected, as long as there is a loophole, someone will definitely take advantage of it.To be able to delay for so long, he guessed that Li Longji must have worked hard inside.But the power of the emperor is not unlimited. What the emperor needs is a dog that is capable and able to do things, not a dog that he needs to maintain or even protect all the time.

Now Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing have one foot ashore and the other foot is still in the water.

What to do with the remaining [-] Guan, which is the extra money Li Longji asked for?
Zheng Shuqing showed Fang Chongyong the so-called "quota" of the imperial court. The orders received by Kuizhou this year have already exceeded the quota!
Are you going to take the risk and treat the imperial decree as if it doesn't exist, or... are you going to find another way?
Another seemingly insurmountable mountain was placed in front of Fang Chongyong.

(End of this chapter)