Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 165
There is a very important concept in Wang Yangming's psychology, that is: it is easier to know than to do.

In other words, it is easy to talk clearly and know how to do things; but it is not easy to do it well, do it beautifully, and move forward smoothly.

Fang Chongyong knew that actually doing things was more difficult than "persuading" Zheng Shuqing with his rhetoric, but he never expected that it would be so difficult!

Fang Chongyong sadly discovered that at the critical moment, Zheng Shuqing's old habit relapsed.

After Lao Zheng took the chicken blood, he wanted to rush to the front line, but when he was about to hit the door, he discovered the biggest problem:

Not only that there are not enough staff in Jingzhao Mansion, confidentiality has also become a big problem.

Not to mention, the fighting power of these bureaucrats is not very strong. After all, most of these people are civil servants who are inferior to Qiu Ba, and they may not be able to defeat the servants and servants of Xing Mansion.

Zheng Shuqing did some statistics and found that there were only a dozen or so people who could be used as "thugs" to raid homes!Perhaps, there are not as many servants as the wealthy Xing family.

Besides, some of them don’t want to “work overtime”!I don't want to get involved in this!

In the absence of an imperial edict, not all officials in Jingzhao Mansion's Yamen were willing to follow Zheng Shuqing to raid their homes!
The reason for this situation is actually related to the official structure of the Tang Dynasty.

Chang'an's Jingzhao Mansion Yamen has always been lazy. It only became slightly more powerful during the Wu and Zhou Dynasties, and since then it has been continuously reducing its staff.There are only 30 people in the formal establishment, which is still a lot of money.

In fact, there has always been a serious shortage of formal officials in the Tang Dynasty government, and this has been the case since the founding of the country.

So what should we do whenever the yamen needs to do something big and is in urgent need of manpower?

The answer is: Every time, "sexual labor" was launched to make the people of Chang'an work in corvee for free.

Put on a "work uniform" and do the work at the grassroots level of the yamen according to the different abilities of each person. Once the things are done, they will be disbanded.

Since Jingzhao Mansion continues to have its authority reduced, these "temporary workers" have not had the opportunity to work for a long time.

Over time, the Yamen of Jingzhao Mansion no longer required sex workers.Just rely on that formal establishment to maintain the basic framework of the yamen.

Zheng Shuqing has been a dog official doing nothing for four years. In fact, it is not entirely his intention to lie down.But within the existing government framework of the Tang Dynasty, the Jingzhao Mansion Yamen only had so few people, making it impossible for him to accomplish anything!Any central government office can come and give Zheng Shuqing a beating.

This is the strength of the Jingzhao Mansion Yamen itself, and Zheng Shuqing is not allowed to change the status quo!
"What should I do? What should I do?

Although the news has not been leaked, half of the officials in the yamen have left, and there are only a dozen people left. What can they do? "

Zheng Shuqing walked back and forth in the lobby of the government office. Time passed little by little, but the Jingzhao government office was completely unable to organize the corresponding forces to handle this huge event.

But if you go to find someone from Jinwu Guard, the news will be leaked and the whole city will be in trouble before the matter is completed.

Considering the Xing family's "status in the world", although the number of slaves in their home would not exceed 400 (the limit of officials' unwritten rules), it is normal to have 200 servants.

Zheng Shuqing took more than a dozen people to ransack his home. It was not certain who would clean up who!

There are too many examples of people who beat snakes but do not die, and instead suffer harm from them. We must control all the people of the Xing family, and then ransack their homes and everything!

No matter how you play, if there are not 500 people at the bottom, it’s really hard to play!

"I remember that Jingzhao Mansion seems to be able to launch corvee labor."

Fang Chongyong said in a deep voice. He was also very upset, but he was still calm.

"It's already this time, it's already this time, how can we start corvee work when the gates are closed..."

Zheng Shuqing was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot.

"Zheng Fuyin! Calm down, there is still a way!"

Fang Chongyong roared at Zheng Shuqing!
Zheng Shuqing then slowly and feebly sat down on a soft cushion in the lobby, feeling that all the strength in his body had been drained.

Why!Why is it so little different!
Zheng Shuqing felt that he was just a little bit away from success this time, really just a little bit.

As long as the Xing family can be successfully confiscated, they will be favored by the sage Li Longji and the right prime minister Li Linfu.

Then he can get rid of the pitiful and uncomfortable position of Jingzhao Prefecture Yin, and then get out of the trough period of officialdom that has lasted for four or five years, and finally become a six-bu minister, or at least a six-bu minister.

hateful!Why is it so small!Why does the Jingzhao Mansion Yamen not have a handyman department, even if it has 100 people?
"Go and find someone."

Fang Chongyong stood up, rubbed his stiff shoulders, looked at Zheng Shuqing with a determined expression and said.

"Where to find someone?"

Zheng Shuqing blurted out and asked.

“There are one hundred and eight squares in Chang’an, and there are millions of people, but no one can be found there?

The Jingzhao Mansion Yamen has never been short of people. What it lacks is the way to organize people! "

Fang Chongyong said nothing and went out to meet Zhang Guangsheng who was guarding nearby, calling him to follow him.

"Your Majesty, where are we going now?"

Zhang Guangsheng held his hand on the handle of the knife and asked in a deep voice.

"We'll do some tiring work later, but it won't be any more tiring than dealing with those Sogdian Husbands in Hexi.

If that doesn't work, then we have no choice but to kill. "

Fang Chongyong's tone was a bit helpless. Zheng Shuqing had the common bad habits of Tang Dynasty civil servants, that is, he had high vision but low hand, and poor execution ability.

If the other party's execution ability is not good, then you can only make up for it yourself. You can't just watch things collapse.

Fang Chongyong always follows one principle when doing things: never leave the key to victory or defeat to others until he is cornered!

"Hehe, that's a good relationship. Those of us who serve as soldiers and feed ourselves are most familiar with this routine."

Zhang Guangsheng grinned at the side, looking friendly and simple, and his hand holding the knife seemed more stable.

……

"The Xing family's residence is in Chongyefang.

Now that the Fang gate has been closed, and the Xing family is a big player in it, Fang Zheng is probably one of their people, so we can't count on this and can only think of other ways.

Chongyefang is adjacent to Zhuque Street, on the west side of the street, and has a good location.

Therefore, this street will be patrolled by a large number of Jinwu Guards.We try not to alarm them.Therefore, we can only try our luck in Huaizhenfang to the west of Chongyefang, Anyefang to the north, and Yongdafang to the south.

Get any one of them right and half the job is done.

Now go to Huaizhenfang first, and then try them one by one. "

Fang Chongyong said as he walked, making Zheng Shuqing click his tongue in surprise.

"Why do I feel that you are more familiar with the structure of Chang'an City than I am?"

Zheng Shuqing asked curiously.

"Everything will be done if it is done in advance. If it is not done in advance, it will be ruined. There is nothing to say."

Fang Chongyong replied casually.

While everyone was talking, they walked quickly across Suzaku Street. Soldiers patrolling the Jinwu Guard came towards them from a distance, but there was no other movement.

It is true that there is a curfew in Chang'an, but the width of each main road, the widest Zhuque Street, is more than 150 meters, and the width of other main roads between lanes is more than 120 meters.With such a wide distance, it is normal for several people to be hidden in the shadows.

Therefore, when the Jinwu Guard patrols the streets, as long as there are no groups of people wandering around, they will not go out of their way to check.Only when you get closer and encounter someone, will someone come forward to inquire.

Fang Chongyong and his party arrived at the east gate of Huaizhenfang, which was already closed.Fang Chongyong frowned slightly. He hurriedly rushed but was still a step too late. It seemed that he could only shout and smash the door.

"Open the door! There are rebels in Huaizhenfang! Jingzhao Mansion is searching for the rebels!"

Fang Chongyong shouted inside at the top of his lungs.

Anyone who knows a little bit about politics will understand the power of the word "anti-thief".Soon, the door of the square, which was only about four meters wide, was opened. A middle-aged man wearing a linen robe yawned, stretched out his hand to Fang Chongyong sleepily and said: "This is Fang Zheng, have you brought your seal?" ?You can’t enter the square without a seal.”

Obviously, similar searches are commonplace for Fangzheng, and it can even be said that they are not strange.

"I am the governor of Jingzhao. Please bring me in!"

Zheng Shuqing scolded the man in a low voice with a straight face.

"Oh, okay, okay, I understand!"

The Fangzheng nodded quickly and introduced the group into the Fangzheng.

Chang'an City was structured in this way, with each square being a module, and finally formed the Sui and Tang Dynasty Chang'an City, which dominated Guanzhong and was famous both at home and abroad.It is very different from the city in Shazhou. Each square is an independent unit and forms its own system, similar to the community in Fang Chongyong's previous life.

Although the sizes of the workshops are different and not all are the same size, the political structure within the workshops is similar. Jingzhao Mansion will designate a person as the leader of the workshop to manage the daily affairs of the workshop, and in Jingzhao Mansion. It is archived in the Yamen and can be held accountable at any time.

This is the private land of Jingzhao Mansion Yamen!Fang Chongyong can be said to have a keen eye and found the only advantageous project of Jingzhao Mansion.

Arriving at the lobby of Fang Zheng's house, Fang Chongyong took out the bronze waist badge hanging on his waist and said:

"I am the Qianniu Guard General of the Imperial Imperial Guard, and I work under the sage's secret orders.

This matter is a secret and is very important. If the secret is accidentally leaked, you will have your family confiscated and your family destroyed.

Therefore, you are not qualified to view the secret edict!This is also for your own good!
The only thing I can tell you is that the Xing family from Chongyefang next door is preparing to plot a rebellion!

They have some connections in the Imperial Forbidden Army. The matter is serious, so I have to seek help from you nearby, so as not to alert the enemy!
Now I want to dispatch 500 young people in your village to surround the Xing family's house, and then enter it to hunt for the rebels.

Do you have any problems organizing manpower now? "

Fang Chongyong coaxed and bluffed, leaving Zheng Shuqing stunned.

Thinking that his words were far less convincing than Fang Chongyong's, Zheng Shuqing shut his mouth very wisely. Only when Fang Zheng looked at him did Zheng Shuqing nod solemnly.

Rao Fangzheng had met many officials and was considered a well-informed ordinary citizen. At this moment, he was frightened by Fang Chongyong's words.

He knew that Mrs.

But if it is said that they are planning to rebel, is it too much to make a fuss about?
But now it's not a big problem for me to gather 500 people in our workshop.

Fang Zheng just felt that Fang Chongyong and the others acted too suddenly, and he was afraid of taking responsibility.

"Actually, I thought the matter wasn't that serious, or that I might have informed Jin Wuwei. After all..."

Fang Zheng was about to say more, but Fang Chongyong patted the scabbard of the Swift Wind Phantom Knife on his waist and said:
"The Xing family has many accomplices in the surrounding villages, so a certain Quanfangzheng would like to think clearly before speaking.

Otherwise, the Xing family will certainly be wiped out and will not survive tonight.

But what if the saint blames us afterwards and says that we did something bad, or thinks that Fang Zheng, you are not cooperating with us, maybe you are also one of the Xing family's gang members, that would be terrible. "

Fang Chongyong's words were soft yet strong, which was not easy to accept.

This fellow quickly put away the laziness on his face, patted his chest and assured: "It's only 500 people, it's a trivial matter! Within half an hour, we'll all be young and strong and we'll set off!"

"So, that's the best."

Fang Chongyong said expressionlessly, with a businesslike tone.

The number 500 people was not just a lie, but the result of his repeated calculations.

In the Tang Dynasty, the number of residents in each square in Chang'an City was different. In the densely populated squares near the East and West Markets, a single square could have 5 to [-] people living there.

Some of the villages in the far south have very few residents, with only a few hundred people at their peak.

On average, there were between 1 and 2 people living in a single square in Chang'an during the prosperous Tang Dynasty. This is only the fixed population and does not include the active population such as Hu merchants and foreign students.

It is still very easy to choose one of the 20 people, not to mention that the number of residents in Huaizhenfang is not only [-].

Not only that, the number of 500 people was not large enough to alert the imperial guards in Chang'an City to dispatch a large-scale deployment, but it was also enough to deal with the Xing family, which had a large family and business.

After Fang Zheng left, Fang Zhongyong sat down with a golden sword and placed the Swift Wind Phantom Knife on his thigh.Zheng Shuqing came over cautiously and whispered in his ear: "Is that okay?"

"It's a gamble, it's pretty much the same."

Fang Chongyong shook his head helplessly and continued: "Anyway, this is not the first time you and I have gambled."

Thinking of the risks the two had experienced together in Kuizhou, Zheng Shuqing couldn't help but sigh and said: "Yes, I did it!"

……

It was already nightfall, and in a study in Li Linfu's house in Pingkangfang, the right prime minister of the Tang Dynasty still didn't fall asleep.

He was reading a letter that was very important to him.

"Zheng Shuqing is very capable."

Putting the letter sent by someone on the table, Li Linfu had already understood the implication of the letter.

To sum it up: this opportunity is not to be missed and will never come back again!

Using the chess piece Xing Xuan, you can pry Zhang Yi, the censor Zhongcheng, over and win more holy favors for yourself.

Now Zhang Shougui is very busy because of the troubles in Hexi, and now he wants to knock off his henchman Xing Xuan.

This step is simply wonderful!
However, things have to be done, but they cannot be done too roughly.Zheng Shuqing's plan was still too taken for granted, and some of the details needed to be completed by him, the Right Chancellor of the Tang Dynasty.

The loopholes that need to be filled must be filled, and the game must be a perfect game.

Li Linfu wrote a letter. After finishing it, he felt satisfied.He felt that after Li Longji read the letter, there was no reason why he should not be moved.

Li Linfu called his servants and said, "Prepare the car, I am going to Xingqing Palace now."

In fact, he should have waited for the dust to settle before taking action, but the current situation in the court was not entirely favorable to him.

Li Longji seems to be interested in restoring the "three prime ministers" structure of the past, so that each prime minister can check and balance each other, so as not to bother him.

Therefore, Li Linfu felt a strong sense of crisis.

Now that the opportunity was right in front of him, he could only take risks and go to Xingqing Palace to explain the interests to Li Longji before the matter was completely settled.

He also sought a forbidden army from the other party to participate in the confiscation and liquidation of Xing Xuan's home.

After weighing things up repeatedly along the way, by the time he arrived at Xingqing Palace, Li Linfu had already made a decision in his mind.

After he handed the written letter to the sergeant on duty outside Xingqing Palace, he quietly waited outside the door, waiting for Li Longji's summons.

However, he waited for more than an hour and still did not see Li Longji come out.

In the end, Gao Lishi hurriedly walked out, bowed deeply to Li Linfu and said, "Right Prime Minister, I will go with you and ransack Xing Xuan's house together. You won't mind, right?"

"With General Gao going with us, this matter will be settled." Li Linfu crossed his arms and returned the greeting to Gao Lishi.

"Well, the saint was furious about this, but he didn't quite believe that Xing Xuan, who is usually gentle and gentle, would do such a thing as a beast."

Gao Lishi said meaningfully, vaguely implying that Li Linfu was looking for excuses to attack his political opponents.

"Whether it is yes or no, we will know after a quick investigation. Please rest assured, General Gao, the truth will only be watched from the sidelines."

Both of them had deep eyes, and after a slight touch, they separated and stopped looking at each other.

Gao Lishi directly called on the two hundred Longwu Army guards who were on duty at Xingqing Palace, and rushed to Chongyefang in a mighty manner.

　Didn't you guess what happened next? Nothing in the world is that easy.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)