Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 176 When a fellow countryman meets a fellow countryman, he takes a shot in the back

Seeing him building a tall building, seeing him entertaining guests, seeing his building collapse!

In just one hour, Du Fu and Yuan Jie saw how Fang Chongyong was able to control the wind and rain in Xinghua Tower at the beginning, and "sway people" to move Zheng Shuqing, Yin of Jingzhao Prefecture.The latter rubbed the face of Zhang Shi, the son of Zhang Yi, the censor Zhongcheng, on the ground, and then took him and his accompanying friends away.

Then Fang Chongyong talked about his "history of struggle" with Du Fu and Yuan Jie. Those experiences made people envious, jealous, and hateful. Even people like Du Fu Yuan Jie who had suffered a lot of cold looks felt like they were dying.

Call it hateful, but Fang Yanei is considered a nobleman of mine. He is willing to help with the paperwork for free, and even invites them to have dinner at the most upscale restaurant in Chang'an.

But if you want to say that this kind of person is very kind, it will make Du Fuyuanjie hate him so much.

Of course, they don't hate Fang Chongyong himself, but they hate the world!
The powerful, even the most talkative among them, walk sideways in the officialdom. At most, they will not kill you if you don't block their way.

"Fang Shijun is kind to us. No matter what, it is best to go to Yongjiafang and inform his family about this matter."

Yuan Jie, who was more thoughtful and more diplomatic, said to Du Fu.

"Indeed."

Du Fu nodded slightly.

Although he felt that Fang Chongyong was probably going to die, because the Jinwu Guards took him away without even asking, so it was obvious that he was targeted and not unprepared.

Fang Chongyong wants to get out of trouble on his own, but it's not that difficult!
But eating people is short-tongued and taking advantage of others is soft-handed.If something happens to Fang Chongyong, they won't say anything in this imperial examination and they will just fail!
It’s better to give it a try quickly, maybe there will be a turning point!

The two left Xinghua Tower quietly and headed toward Yongjiafang, which was not far from here.They have been to Fang Chongyong's house and are now familiar with the road, hoping it's not too late.

Du Fu and Yuan Jie were both filled with worries.

……

In the study room of the Zuo Xiang Mansion, that is, the study room of Zhang Shougui's house, the left prime minister of the Tang Dynasty was sitting quietly on the soft cushion, waiting for the news.

His eldest son, Zhang Xiancheng, was walking around the study a little anxiously, clearly looking restless.

Seeing that the other party was so restless, Zhang Shougui chuckled and said: "Fang Chongyong has been an official in Hexi for four years, and our father and son also made their fortune in Hexi. After all, we are still fellow villagers. You, Qiu Ba, Hexi, to him, Hexi Qiu Ba didn't show mercy at all."

Zhang Shougui's words were full of appreciation, and he obviously didn't think Zhang Xiancheng had done anything wrong.

Because this is politics!
"Father, in my humble opinion, it will be very difficult for Zhang Yi to be the prime minister this time, and his son Zhang Shi is a loser. If he hadn't ruined something big in Xinghua Tower, it would have been easy to handle the things entrusted by my father.

A certain person had already organized a group of scribes to spread rumors that the right prime minister was going to commit massive fraud in the imperial examination in various restaurants and bars in Chang'an.Once the rumor mill builds momentum, we can move forward with our next steps.

Unexpectedly, Fang Chongyong made a decisive decision and asked Zheng Shuqing to arrest Zhang Shi for cheating in the imperial examination, thus stealing our lead.The Right Prime Minister must have punished Zhang Xi to death on the pretext of detecting fraud in the imperial examinations, surrounded Wei to save Zhao, and made Zhang Yi available to them!
Now if we spread similar rumors again, the only one who will be unlucky is Zhang Yi, and we may even draw the fire onto ourselves, which will not hurt the Prime Minister in the slightest.

Zhang Xi is a loser who succeeds only when he fails. His father cannot cooperate with Zhang Yi to deal with the right prime minister, otherwise there will be endless troubles. "

Zhang Xiancheng persuaded patiently.

"As a father, I'm thinking about this too."

Zhang Shougui nodded slightly and said.

As a left prime minister, mastering high-end power fighting skills is just a standard skill in itself. Without this skill, you will not be able to last long in the position of prime minister.

Zhang Shougui was naturally unwilling to be seconded. Even if he didn't care before and was worshiped as the left prime minister, he learned and grew very quickly.Especially after he saw Li Linfu's technique of killing people without making a sound, he was even more amazed by it and admired it in his heart!

Learn from Li Linfu, defeat Li Linfu, and become Li Linfu.

Zhang Shougui not only has no prejudice against Li Linfu, but also attaches great importance to this opponent, just as he attaches great importance to his enemies on the battlefield!

Back then, Zhang Shougui and Zhang Jiuling had no hatred at all. They were even considered a family 500 years ago!But when Li Longji asked Li Linfu and Zhang Jiuling whether Zhang Shougui could become prime minister, Zhang Jiuling flatly rejected it and said many bad things about Zhang Shougui in strong words.

But Li Linfu is more in favor of letting Zhang Shougui become prime minister!
Doesn’t Zhang Jiuling have a better official reputation? Why did he stop Zhang Shougui from becoming prime minister?In fact, there is no right or wrong in this kind of thing. Human beings are animals of power.

If Zhang Shougui becomes prime minister, Yan Tingzhi, the former censor Zhongcheng who was supported by Zhang Jiuling, will not be able to take the position.

Now, Zhang Shougui and Li Linfu are fighting to the death for the power of the prime minister. The reason why Zhang Jiuling stopped Zhang Shougui from becoming the prime minister is exactly the same.

Li Linfu knows how to wield power, but can't he Zhang?
Li Linfu was indeed superior in power fighting skills, but Zhang Shougui found it very difficult to deal with it and often suffered hidden losses.

However, there is no need for him to compete with Li Linfu. He can also get help and turn the "two strong confrontations" into a "three-legged confrontation"!

This time, Zhang Shougui used Zhang Shi's middle rank as the condition, and also promoted Zhang Yi to become prime minister in exchange for the full support of the censor's station where Zhang Yi, the censor Zhongcheng, was located.

With Zhang Yi's support, Zhang Shougui's shortcomings can be greatly strengthened, that is, his weak strength in the central government office and his strength is mainly concentrated in the Ministry of War.This status quo actually had the tacit approval of Emperor Li Longji of the Tang Dynasty.

Ji Ge shows extraordinary closeness and promotion to Zhang Yi on weekdays, which is a hint in itself.

Therefore, the person who is really "cheating" is not only not Li Linfu, but the "leftist forces" headed by Zhang Shougui.

In the process of this "two confrontations", whether the imperial examination itself had any shortcomings has become insignificant.

Whoever wins Jinshi and who doesn't is nothing more than a political weight.

While Zhang Shougui was thinking hard, a Jinwu Guard was being brought into the study by his servants. He bowed his hands and saluted him and said: "Prime Minister Zuo, I have been caught and there is no resistance. I am now at the Jinwu Guard Yamen."

Become!

Zhang Shougui was overjoyed when he heard the news!

He was very worried about a situation: when his eldest son Zhang Xiancheng came back to report, Fang Chongyong had already gone home or gone elsewhere.At that time, it will be difficult for them to find a reason to arrest people.

Since Zhang Shi appeared in Xinghua Tower, he was a cheating candidate.So could Fang Chongyong, who also appeared in Xinghua Tower, also be a cheating candidate?
This possibility cannot be ruled out.

Therefore, Jinwu Guard invited Fang Chongyong to the Jinwu Guard Yamen... to sign a security room and put him under house arrest on the grounds of suspected imperial examination fraud.

After all, the opponent has the empty duty of being the general of the Qianniu Guard. With this status, the Jinwu Guard cannot put him in jail at will.However, it is still possible to detain Fang Chongyong in Jinwu Guard on the grounds of "investigation and questioning", and then release him without charge after Li Longji returns to Chang'an or after his own affairs are completed.

This hand is clean, leaving no excuse!

Is Fang Chongyong suspected of cheating in the imperial examination?
Of course there are.

Did you find the problem?

We haven’t found it out yet, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t check it out!
Even the son of Zhang Yi, the censor, can be investigated, but Fang Youde's son cannot be investigated?

This is typical procedural justice!

As for why Jinwu Guard wanted to investigate and not transfer it to Jingzhao Prefecture, it is of course because Fang Chongyong has a good relationship with Jingzhao Prefecture Yin Zheng Shuqing!When a case is being tried, it is a basic principle that relatives and friends should avoid it.

Therefore, this time Zhang Shougui took action quickly, accurately and ruthlessly, with strict logic, leaving no consequences, and did not get things done completely.As long as the person is caught, the matter is done!

If Fang Chongyong's father Fang Youde asks, Zhang Shougui can explain: Your son has been involved in the political struggle at the top of the Tang Dynasty. I put him under house arrest to protect him. You don't need to thank me. We were once The relationship between Pao and Ze who worked together in Youzhou!
Fang Youde probably couldn't say anything, and they didn't do anything to his son!
Zhang Xiancheng also breathed a sigh of relief. After coming out of Xinghua Tower, he rode a horse and hurried home.And he persuaded Zhang Shougui in one go, and immediately mobilized the Jinwu Guards who maintained public security in Chang'an City, and first "invited" Fang Chongyong to the Jinwu Guards Yamen to "assist in the investigation."

If you don’t go to jail, you don’t have to go through the process.Without following procedures, outsiders will have no fulcrum to interfere and cannot dictate the internal affairs of Jinwuwei!

As long as Fang Chongyong is not abused, beaten, or even died accidentally inside, then there will be no flaws in this matter!

"The previous plan can't be used, so what should we do now?"

Zhang Shougui looked at his eldest son Zhang Xiancheng and asked.

This son has been extremely intelligent since he was a child. When he grows up, he is even more flexible and has a strong ability to act according to circumstances.On any important matter, Zhang Shougui would first consult his eldest son for advice.

"Father, cheating in the imperial examinations cannot be pursued, it will only hurt us.

There is no need to worry about Zhang Yi. Sooner or later, he will be implicated by his son Zhang Shi.

Now, before Zheng Shuqing's interrogation comes out, let's cut off one of his ten fingers instead of injuring ten of his fingers. Don't do anything, just chase after Jingzhao Mansion and beat him!
Abolition of the Jingzhao Mansion Yamen will destroy the aggressive momentum of the right prime minister, and the direction of the central government officials will also be knocked back. "

Zhang Xiancheng said calmly.

Zhang Shougui stood up from the soft cushion and paced back and forth in the study, thinking about Zhang Xiancheng's countermeasures in his mind.

"So, how to get rid of Zheng Shuqing? That dog officer is as slippery as a loach, and it is difficult for anyone to catch him!"

Zhang Shougui said with a slight frown.He had already figured out what kind of characters the people around Li Linfu were like.

Zheng Shuqing is a freak who has almost no ability to do things, but his official skills are incredible.As long as I don't do things, others will not be able to find any flaws. This seems to be Lao Zheng's motto.

"Father, I have a trick that can not only get rid of the Jingzhao Mansion, but also drag down the right minister who presides over the imperial examination!"

Zhang Xiancheng had a bad smile on his face, rubbed his wrist and said.

"Where does the meter come from?"

Zhang Shougui asked in a low voice.

Zhang Xiancheng leaned into Zhang Shougui's ear and talked for a long time.The expression on the latter's face became more and more relaxed, and finally he laughed!
"Hahahahahahaha, good! This trick is really good! Even I can't think of anything better than this!

As a father, I am very happy to have a tiger son in my family.

You have learned to use the art of war in government affairs. Over time, someone’s achievements will not be as good as yours! "

Zhang Shougui laughed happily and patted Zhang Xiancheng's shoulder hard.

"Father is so ridiculous. These are just some little tricks that don't stand up to the public. Compared with my father's iron horse, it's still far behind."

Zhang Xiancheng bowed with his hands crossed very modestly, not as arrogant and domineering as Zhang Xi, a young man from Chang'an Wuling.

Qiu Ba, the top player in Hexi, is as forbearing as a wolf and can kill with one strike.

Living is the most important thing, and profit is the first priority. What's the use of being arrogant?
Zhang Xiancheng felt that Chang'an's comfortable environment had cultivated a large number of unintelligent and courageous young people. Their bodies had long been drained by drinking and sex, and their brains were almost broken.

On this stage, sooner or later it will be the turn of officials and officials like me to play the leading role.

Zhang Xiancheng thought secretly in his heart.

Among the younger generation he knows now, only the Fang Chongyong he met today makes him fearful.

……

"What to do? What to do? What to do?"

Anaye walked back and forth in the lobby of the house, her eyes red from crying, and she was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot.

When he was in Hexi, Fang Chongyong was a figure like the overlord of Shazhou. He responded to every call and had countless supporters. How could he be kidnapped?

When Du Fu and Yuan Jie came to report the news, she was already frightened.Anaye had never thought about what would happen if Fang Chongyong was gone. She didn't even dare to think about such an accident, just like an ostrich burying its head in the sand!
"To shut up!"

Wang Yunxiu yelled at Anaye!Looks gloomy!

With Fang Chongyong's family background and his marriage relationship with the daughter of Hedong Jiedushi, he would not be offended by ordinary people in Chang'an, let alone walking sideways!

Now that he was captured by the Jinwu Guards, there must be something fishy about him.Listening to what Du Fu and others said, it seems that... it may be related to the imperial examination.

At this moment, Zheng Shuqing's shouts came from outside.

"Nephew Fang Xian! Come and help quickly, I'm going to be overwhelmed here!"

While Zheng Shuqing was shouting, he was led to the lobby by Zhang Guangsheng, and then he saw two women from Fang Chongyong's family. One of them had her eyes red with tears, and the other had her arms folded and looked gloomy as if she was about to draw a knife to kill!
"Madam Wang, I have something important to ask of your Alang. I wonder if it's not convenient for us to meet now?"

Zheng Shuqing asked cautiously.

In fact, he felt strange when he entered the door, because Fang Chongyong usually came out to greet him in person.As for his follower Zhang Guangsheng, he actually said nothing and remained tight-lipped. When faced with his questions, he only made a "please come in" gesture.

"My Alang was captured by the Jinwu Guards, not long after Zheng Fuyin left Xinghua Tower."

Wang Yunxiu saluted Zheng Shuqing with folded hands.

"what?"

Zheng Shuqing thought he heard wrongly!

He interrogated Zhang Shi, and it turned out that this tough-talking guy said that he had not cheated in the imperial examination, and shouted that Zheng Shuqing could not have any evidence, and that he just went out to drink with his friends.

As for Zhang Shi's so-called "friends", they all unanimously said that there was no fraud and that they wanted Jingzhao Mansion to release him.

Zhang Xi's father, Zhang Yi, also sent people to ask what was going on, why he wanted to arrest people for no reason, and whether there was any evidence.

Zheng Shuqing felt that he could no longer bear it.

"I have made it very clear that my Alang was captured by the Jinwu Guards."

Wang Yunxiu said angrily.

(End of this chapter)