Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 16

After all, Zheng Shuqing still didn't have the guts to directly oppose the government's decree.He honestly handed over the blueprints of the tank boats. Although Kuizhou was still taking orders to build ships, since the imperial court sent officials from the Capital Water Supervision Station directly to Kuizhou to supervise the production of ships, those should have been handed over to the Kuizhou government. The profits of the yamen were directly taken over by the people of the Dushui Supervisor.

Resistance cannot be resisted. Li Linfu is in charge of the Dushuijian, and this road has been completely blocked.Such as selling the quota for next year's ships, playing "scheduled ships" and other coquettish operations, all of them cannot be used, otherwise it will be another matter if it will succeed or not. Slapping Li Linfu in the face is not fun.

Kuizhou has a prosperous shipbuilding industry, but now he can't even make a penny. Zheng Shuqing is heartbroken.Watching so many yellow and orange copper coins and even gold and silver and other property pass under your eyes every day, it feels so depressing.

Not only that, but he also had to ask Yang Ruoxu to escort 25 guan of goods to Yangzhou for transshipment, leaving only [-] guan to see if Fang Chongyong could think of any way to "return the money".

Looking at the empty treasury, thinking of how he had worked hard to make money in the past six months, Zheng Shuqing felt that all the strength in his body was drained.

Deng Tu prodigal son Ye Yu Shi Daughter was not as tired as he was.

On this day, Zheng Shuqing was wearing a double-breasted linen blouse, loose trousers that exposed ankles, and a bamboo hat that Kuizhou people often wear. Apart from his staff and entourage, he was dressed almost like a fisherman by the river.He came to the edge of the river beach outside the city alone, looking at the Kuizhou Jiangguan, which had basically resumed normal traffic, with mixed feelings in his heart.

In the past half a month, Zheng Shuqing felt that the sky was raining copper coins when every water boat was delivered. Now, seeing these water boats piled up with mountains of money, they are happily going to and from the Kuizhou River Pass, and the speed of customs clearance is faster than that of Kuizhou. In the past, it speeded up a lot, and I didn't know whether to cry or laugh for a while.

The main road to making money has been blocked. Now there is still [-] guan that has not been sent to Chang'an. How can we make money with the [-] guan in hand?

Turning the [-] guan in his hand into [-] guan before the Lantern Festival next year, Zheng Shuqing, who had never run a business before, was in trouble.Once the business scale becomes large, quantitative changes will lead to qualitative changes, and the business will no longer be a simple business.

The network of relationships, contacts, and umbrellas needed to maintain a business are like a bottomless lair.You have no idea what monsters are hidden in this lair. If you want to double the fifty thousand to one hundred thousand in a short period of time, it's not easy!

"Zheng Shijun seems to be very relaxed, without the trouble of copper smell, and has become fat. I also slept soundly last night, and I haven't slept so soundly for a long time."

Fang Chongyong's childish voice came from behind, Zheng Shuqing raised his eyebrows angrily.

Don't you see that I'm upset?
"Whatever you say, it's over this time... completely over."

At this moment, Zheng Shuqing is like a fisherman's salted fish that has been dried in the sun, completely giving up treatment.He sat casually on the sandy ground by the river, feeling in advance the openness and open-mindedness of returning home to be unemployed after being dismissed from office.

With so much money saved, it's probably safe to save his life. Thinking of this, Zheng Shuqing smiled wryly.

This "sage" in the Daming Palace in Chang'an City is really not just greedy.

"Your Majesty, a profiteering industry cannot be sustained unless the government intervenes to monopolize sales through taxation.

You see, the customization of tank boats has now become a tax in disguise. Even though new tank boats have been built in various places, the customs clearance certificates are firmly held in the hands of the government. The price of tank boats has not been reduced at all. They were all raided by local governments and sent to Chang'an.

I heard that merchants from all over the world now jokingly call it: taxation into the grass.Thousands of years later, Shi Junke became famous. As the first governor to collect taxes, his name will last forever. "

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but tease Zheng Shuqing when he saw Zheng Shuqing giving up on treatment.

"Let's just say a few words, this tank boat enforces uniform standards, who made it, others don't know, don't you know?"

Zheng Shuqing was too lazy to chat with Fang Chongyong, the "culprit".

"Mr. Zheng, please don't feel resentful."

Fang Chongyong sat next to Zheng Shuqing, also looking at the river, the two of them were basking in the sun together like two salted fish.

You can sunbathe with your eyes open, or sunbathe with your eyes closed!

"Mr. Zheng, would you like to hear a story about a saint?"

Fang Chongyong asked suddenly and abruptly.

Zheng Shuqing was almost like a dead dog at the moment, he snorted and didn't speak.

"Sage, at the beginning of the establishment of Jiedushi, they were prevented from rebelling. There were various systems that constrained them, and in many cases, the food and military salaries needed for war were not completely provided by the local area. At the beginning , it is not a big problem to do so, because Jiedushi still has a lot of soldiers under his command, and they are often rotated."

What Fang Chongyong said was not unreasonable, but Zheng Shuqing couldn't understand what the other party wanted to say.He is just a local official who is proficient in civil affairs. To talk about Jiedushi is to praise him.

"So, so what?"

Zheng Shuqing couldn't help but ask.

"The sage believes that if the army of the feudal town is supplied alone to farm in the frontier, it should actually be enough for the army. In fact, the army ration is rarely provided by the center now.

But the military salary was still tightly held in the hands of the imperial court and refused to let go.A considerable part of the wealth and silk produced in the border towns still needed to be transported back to Chang'an, and the financial power was not completely controlled by the Jiedushi.

For example, in this confrontation between the Jiannan Army and Nanzhao, the imperial court did not move according to Wang Yu's plan, and the soldiers and horses under his command could not move around, because without rewards, there is no way to form an army.

On the surface, the imperial court did not allow local government agencies to contribute money, so the Zhangchou Jianqiong incident occurred.And I went to check. In fact, the money and silk were delivered in the name of Xiuleshan Buddha. You did it very secretly. "

After Fang Chongyong finished speaking these words slowly, Zheng Shuqing stood up like a spring, as if he was suddenly awakened!
"You mean, the saint didn't want to let go of his financial power, and he had to use troops in emergencies, so he seconded Kuizhou's customs duties and silk?"

Zheng Shuqing suddenly understood this line of thought that he had never thought of!The more I think about it, the more chills I feel all over my body!
"That's exactly the case. Moreover, Nanzhao was paralyzed through Wang Yu who didn't know about it. Zhangchou Jianqiong's actions achieved suddenness, and Shijun Zheng really contributed to the country."

Fang Chongyong said with a hint of regret.

Full riding is a routine, from the very beginning!Li Longji can only say that he is extremely shameless!
"So, the money and silk sent by Zhangchou Jianqiong were also robbed by people from the imperial court and finally delivered to Chang'an..."

Zheng Shuqing was awakened, and immediately cleared his mind.If Li Longji was behind the scenes, then everything would be logical.

"It's just...why does the sage want me to raise another tariff?"

Zheng Shuqing couldn't figure it out, and he couldn't get a bad breath out of his chest.Since Li Longji knew everything, it would be too much to play like this.

You have paid 30 yuan to Li Longji, as long as you are an individual, no one will be calm!
"Because Mr. Shijun has always committed the crime of deceiving the king. Of course the saint will vent his anger on you all the time. I dare to bet that if Shijun hangs himself and tries to commit suicide and is rescued by others, and the news spreads, he will be fine." Overcome the difficulties calmly. However, the envoy's official career will come to an end here."

Fang Chongyong said slowly.

Zheng Shuqing sat down on the sand, dumbfounded.

"Someone also speculated that the imperial court actually lacks a talented branch official who can help Prime Minister Li implement the detailed new financial management policy.

The sage or Prime Minister Li probably thought that Shijun was qualified, so he wanted to test his ability to make money... and manage money.Kuizhou is a commercial port, and the mediocre rents are in name only. There are a lot of commercial taxes, and the customs duties are even more frightening.In this way, interference can be eliminated, and it is easy to see how capable the envoy is.

Perhaps both the sage and Li Xiang want to see where the limit of Shijun's financial management is. If there is no huge debt behind Shijun, it may be difficult to use all his strength.Of course, this is just a guess.

However, I am sure that if Shijun can make up the money requested by the sage, then after returning to Beijing to report on his duties, Shijun will serve as the official of the imperial court, and even become the prime minister in the future. It should not be too far away. "

After hearing these words, only four words came to Zheng Shuqing's heart:
Horror!
"actually……"

Fang Chongyong still wanted to say something, but seeing Zheng Shuqing looking at him suspiciously, he swallowed everything he wanted to say again.After all, it was about his father, Fang Youde, and now the road back to Chang'an hadn't been paved yet, so it's better not to make extra troubles.

The intention of the imperial court to pilot "currency taxation" in Kuizhou this time is very obvious. I hope that my father Fang Youde can take a good look at the local people's livelihood and provide first-hand materials for the pilot.The imperial court has been fully aware of the situation in Kuizhou for a long time. The long-standing alternative tax payment method obviously has its merits, and it is worthy of careful study and promotion by the central government.

It's a pity that my stubborn father Fang Youde didn't think that much at all. He kept saying that the local bureaucrats were colluding and so on. He only thought that Zheng Shuqing and his like were deliberately destroying the court's laws. .

The imperial court should have now realized the shortcomings of renting mediocrity, and these are closely related to the disintegration of the military system. Monetary tax reforms can be carried out in certain key places (such as Yangzhou and other places), as well as adjusting the renting mediocrity in different regions. Tax ratio, optimization of material transportation routes, etc.

However, the water transport reforms in the past few years had little effect. It was extremely expensive to transport grain from the Kanto to Chang'an, which made Li Longji doubt the importance of water transport to support the prosperity of Chang'an.

Since the canal is not easy to use, I will think of other ways.

As a result, many reforms have not yet begun. They are only preliminary pilot projects and have already been aborted.

Thinking of this, Fang Chongyong couldn't help but sigh with emotion. Maybe Zheng Shuqing was a qualified Tang Dynasty bureaucrat, and maybe he could be an official in Beijing with ease.But telling the other party about the trends of these times is definitely going too far.

When the overall social atmosphere is "I am invincible in the Tang Dynasty", saying these "inappropriate" words is obviously going to become "non-mainstream" in society.

At this moment, Zheng Shuqing and Fang Chongyong saw Gu Kuang carrying a baggage and preparing to hit the road with simple luggage, as if he was looking for them.

"Zheng Shijun, Fang Xiaolangjun, and Gu are going to Chang'an to report on their duties."

The joy on Gu Kuang's face could not be restrained, but also a little melancholy.

"Brother Gu, I said you wanted to be promoted, and you can see that you have been promoted."

Fang Chongyong teased.

The expression on Gu Kuang's face changed, and finally turned into a long sigh.

"It's really... humbling to get this official position."

Gu Kuang didn't think it was such an honor to mention this matter. He wrote a letter saying that Red Lotus Rice was burned, and he was actually promoted!

What kind of world is this!

I don't know whether it was the official document that pleased the dignitaries, or Fang Chongyong's song "Weeding the Harvest Day at Noon" was appreciated by some high-ranking cultural people. Anyway, Gu Kuang took advantage of this gust of wind and now everyone in Chang'an is very happy. I know that there is an honest and humble official in Kuizhou who works hard in the red lotus rice fields.

"By the way, Brother Gu, if someone asks you in Chang'an whether the red lotus rice was really burned, you should answer, as if, I don't remember much. It's fine to be vague, don't be too sincere."

Fang Zhongyong reminded him with an earnest reminder.

Gu Kuang nodded and said with some hesitation: "The imperial court sent people to Kuizhou again to take care of the hundreds of hectares of red lotus rice fields. I don't think I can even give them to you, so I'm really sorry."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand indifferently, Gu Kuang still hasn't figured out the situation.

Once the official document was delivered, his mission was completed.As for the delivery of rice in the future, it is natural that the "own people" of this line will contact to ensure that every link can taste the lingering fragrance of red lotus rice and ensure the integrity of the rice from the source.

Otherwise, what Gu Kuang said in the official document was one thing, but when the time came to do it, it was another thing. Wouldn't that mean that people would be tricked to death?
"Then take your leave, and see you in Chang'an."

Gu Kuang bowed deeply to Zheng Shuqing and Fang Chongyong, then turned around and left, very neatly.

"Have you thought of any way to manage money?"

Zheng Shuqing asked in a low voice.

Now he has great ambitions in his heart again, he wants to go back to Chang'an and become a Zhidu official!To be a Beijing official, to take power!

Whether it can be done or not depends on Fang Chongyong's hammer deal!
"If you want to destroy Duke Cao, you should attack with fire; everything is ready, and you only need the east wind."

Fang Chongyong looked at Gu Kuang's leaving back and muttered to himself.

It's a pity that Zheng Shuqing, who has never watched "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms", has no idea what this joke means.

"There really isn't anything we can do now. But we'll be dormant for a month, and after the autumn harvest, there will be a way."

"Wait for the autumn harvest? Why wait for the autumn harvest?"

Zheng Shuqing asked in bewilderment.Kuizhou does not produce much grain, and most of the grain consumed in the commercial port is imported from Shu, and some of it comes from Jingxiang.

"After the autumn harvest, there will be food in Shu and Jingxiang, and the price is very low. With the [-] guan in our hands, we can buy a lot of food."

Fang Chongyong said with a mysterious look.

Zheng Shuqing waved his hand and said, "During the past few years in Datang, no matter when, the price difference of grain is not high, and you can't make much money by selling grain."

"It's not reselling, we're here to make wine."

Fang Chongyong looked into Zheng Shuqing's eyes and continued: "Wuxia Chun can be bought everywhere in Brewing City."

Spring was often used as a suffix for wine in ancient times.For example, Wuxia Spring and Jiannanchun are all examples.

"What's so good about Wuxia Spring? The only good wine in Kuizhou is Yun'an Qumi Chun."

Zheng Shuqing frowned slightly, not yet understanding Fang Chongyong's brain circuit.

"Wine is not drunk like this; it's not sold like this either. Shijun will know when the time comes."

Fang Chongyong stretched his waist and said: "Whoever said that salted fish can't turn over, before the Shangyuan Festival next year, I just want to prove that even dried salted fish can turn over!"

(End of this chapter)