Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 182: Saving the useless Jin Wuwei

"Ah Sheng, what do you think of Chang'an's Jinwu Guards based on the situation in Shazhou?"

Just as Zhang Guangsheng was about to leave, Fang Chongyong suddenly asked a seemingly insignificant question.

"General, do you want to hear the truth?"

Zhang Guangsheng approached Fang Chongyong and asked in a low voice.

He had to be cautious, because it was very dangerous and inappropriate to speak ill of his colleagues without restraint or even fire map cannons in an army.

Even if you are facing Fang Chongyong, you can't speak freely and without restraint.

"Of course it's the truth. What's the point of talking politely between you and me?"

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and said.

"No matter how you look at it, they are just window-dressing trash, embroidered pillows."

Zhang Guangsheng commented with disdain.

These words hit the nail on the head!
However, although he said this, he didn't have much contempt for these "colleagues" in his heart.

The people in Jinwu Guard are somewhat commendable, that is, they all know that they are useless.I know that now I am a "has-been star" who is disliked by my father and mother, and is disliked by my brother.

Unlike the Long Wu Army, they are all trash from the market, but they all feel good about themselves. They think that they are Brother Ji's pro-army, so they become "invincible" and can walk sideways in Chang'an City.

Since the government's military system collapsed and became ineffective today, the quality and organization of the soldiers of the Sixteenth Guards of Nanya have plummeted.

The elite soldiers of the Tang Dynasty now all come from the border towns, and there is almost a consensus between the government and the public.Among them, the Hexi armies, which had long controlled the grassland and Tubo directions, were the most elite and had the largest number of war horses.

Zhang Guangsheng said that Jinwuwei was filled with embroidered pillows. He was confident in saying this, and he was not just bragging out of boredom.

"First of all, Jin Wuwei's armor is too heavy. It is just for appearance and does not consider the needs of combat at all. The general wore this armor to guard in front of the Jingzhao Mansion Yamen. It looks good, but he can only walk around casually. If you really have to wear this armor to fight, you won't be able to move your body, and you will die if you go into battle."

Zhang Guangsheng first complained that Jinwuwei's armor was too bulky and not as effective as the camel leather armor from Hexi.The armor and weapons of Bianzhen have been repeatedly verified in long-term practice.It's not that they use whatever weapons the imperial court issues to them. They all have choices in private.

Wearing Jinwuwei's armor, let alone fighting, even catching thieves can't keep up, and can only be dragged to death by others.

"Yes, I have also thought about this issue. The existence of Jinwu Guard is just..."

Fang Chongyong thought for a long time and didn't know how to describe it.

You think the Jinwu Guards are useless? They are actually maintaining the security of Chang'an City and dealing with things that are inconvenient for the petty officials who are recruited by the sex labor force.

Once a serious security incident occurred in Chang'an City, and it did not rise to the level of rebellion, it would be the Jinwu Guards who would settle such troubles.

But to say that they are of great use is not necessarily true.The Jinwu Guards can't solve any major cases, and their ability to monitor officials and gather information is mediocre. Their number is extremely small, and they barely occupy any of them.

If you really want to say it, Fang Chongyong thinks they are a typical "the same thing without it".

"What does General Fang want to do? With these 500 people, there is nothing we can do. When we were in Shazhou, the general would never go out for more than [-] people at a time."

Zhang Guangsheng said a little discouraged.

"It's not your style to just sit back and wait for death. Even if you serve as the general of the Jinwu Guard for a month, you still have to make a name for yourself."

Fang Chongyong tapped the wooden board with his fingers and said "Why are Jinwu Guards said to be useless?"

Hearing this, Zhang Guangsheng was shocked. He asked in disbelief: "Can General Fang only be the lieutenant general of the Jinwu Guard for a month?"

"Yes, within a month at most, after the saint returns to Chang'an, this position will be replaced.

Don't you really think that with your qualifications, you can hold the position of General of the Kingo Guard for a long time? "

Fang Chongyong sighed and said, he knew very well that this time he was being used as a weapon by Brother Ji again.

However, similar pain points are actually just the norm for officials.

Anyway, in Brother Ji's eyes, everyone else is just a dog, just of a different kind. There is really no need to worry about his position in the emperor's heart.

As an official, you should do what you are supposed to do, and that's it. Everything else is just delusion, so don't mention it.

Fang Chongyong saw this very clearly, almost to the point of being strong without desire.

"Alas, it turns out that I can only be a Jinwu guard for a month."

Zhang Guangsheng couldn't help but sigh, Jinwu Guard was not good at all, but it was quite majestic to show off his power in Chang'an City.

"It's all about experience. Don't be too greedy. There will be many opportunities in the future."

Fang Chongyong looked at the torch in the signing room and said with burning eyes.His days are still long and there is still a lot of time.Such a long time is enough to do many seemingly incredible things.

"Go back and have a good rest. We may be in big trouble recently."

Fang Chongyong sighed quietly and said to Zhang Guangsheng who looked regretful.

……

"This game is lost."

In the study of Zuo Xiang Mansion, Zuo Xiang Zhang Shougui shook his head in disappointment after hearing the report from his eldest son Zhang Xiancheng.

The Jingzhao Mansion Yamen's response today was very appropriate. It can even be described as amazing. He couldn't find any flaws!
Unless extreme measures are used!

Sitting next to Zhang Shougui was a thin, frail middle-aged man, Zhang Yi, the censor Zhongcheng.

After some tossing and careful thinking, Zhang Yi completely fell in favor of Left Prime Minister Zhang Shougui, thereby rejecting the olive branch extended by Right Prime Minister Li Linfu.

No matter how Li Linfu tried to win over him, Zhang Shougui's conditions for Zhang Yi to become prime minister far exceeded the former's price.Of course, it is impossible for Li Linfu to support Zhang Yi in becoming prime minister, as that would only weaken his own authority.

Therefore, in this battle, holding Zhang Shi was actually the key to winning or losing, but Li Linfu, who was already able to pop the champagne at halftime, was still stepped in by Brother Ji.

In fact, the power that Zhang Yi currently controls is very complementary to that of Zhang Shougui, who is in charge of military affairs in the border town. The effect of the two of them joining together is definitely not simply one plus one equals two!
Li Linfu's power base lies in the Six Ministries. If Zhang Yi becomes prime minister, he will definitely reach out to the Six Ministries to snatch Li Linfu's power.

Under normal circumstances, Zhang Yi could only fall towards Zhang Shougui.

Power animals only see power.

Li Linfu got close to Fang Chongyong and even wanted to win over Fang Youde. The reason was that he wanted to strengthen his influence in the border town. This was also because of power, not because of how loyal Fang Youde was to Ji Ge or how well Fang Chongyong handled things. Alert.

"Zheng Shuqing was able to cope with it today. Why did we lose?"

Zhang Yi asked with some dissatisfaction.

Zhang Shougui waved his hand, not wanting to explain too much.

But when he saw that there seemed to be a displeased look on Zhang Yi's face, he patiently explained: "Zheng Shuqing's approach is just to retreat in order to advance and to delay changes. If we go to spend time with him here, then It really hit the spot.”

Seeing that Zhang Yi didn't seem to understand, Zhang Shougui felt so fed up that he suppressed his anger and said:

"X does not have many close friends in the six ministries except the Ministry of War. The right minister does not care about military affairs. Although X is in charge of the Ministry of War, his hands and feet are tied up by military affairs.

The sage asked Zhang Yushi to examine the matter of imperial examination fraud. In fact, he also hoped that you would not interfere with the imperial examination.

Therefore, it is obvious that the battle between a certain person and You Xiang can only be carried out around the Yamen of Jingzhao Mansion, and the battlefield must not be expanded to the entire court. This is the meaning of the saint.

Letting Fang Chongyong serve as the general of the Jinwu Guard is also a way to balance the strengths of both sides.Now that Fang Chongyong is clearly favoring Zheng Shuqing, we cannot attack by force and can only find other ways. "

Zhang Shougui expressed his understanding.

Li Longji's recent personnel adjustments can be said to be very subtle.In a vague way, the struggle between the left and right ministers was concentrated in a small area, and they did not even want the imperial examination to be affected.He also deliberately pushed aside and asked Zheng Shuqing to release Zhang Shi, the son of Zhang Yi, the censor Zhongcheng, just to prevent the Right Prime Minister from pursuing the victory.

"Don't worry, I will definitely keep an eye on the Right Prime Minister. Once there is any news about the preparations for the imperial examination, I will get to the bottom of it."

Zhang Yi vowed to Zhang Shougui. When he said this, he seemed not to remember at all. Not long ago, his son Zhang Xi publicly went to Xinghua Tower to celebrate his success in the imperial examination!
It is so arrogant to pass the exam before you take the exam. It is completely beyond the category of "cheating in exams". It is an out-and-out disregard of the law.

Perhaps, in the eyes of people like Zhang Yi, laws are formulated for others to abide by. If they can't abide by them, they will definitely find ways to avoid them.

"The news has been very tense recently, so Zhang Yushi should be cautious in his words and deeds."

Zhang Shougui warned meaningfully.

Zhang Yi felt the sarcasm in the other party's words, snorted coldly, stood up, saluted, and left.

After he left, Zhang Xiancheng said to Zhang Shougui with a worried look on his face: "Father, it would be unwise for someone who thinks this is not going to be a big deal to cooperate with them."

"You still talk about other people's bad things about yourself, and I haven't even had a chance to teach you a lesson!"

Zhang Shougui couldn't help but complain, and then he immediately adjusted his mood and asked: "Now that things have happened, can you still use that trick?"

"Back to dad, this trick is better to use now."

Zhang Xiancheng said nonchalantly, obviously not thinking his father's worries were necessary.

"Fang Chongyong is now the general of the Jinwu Guard, after all, and he still has five hundred soldiers in his hands.

If you do that, you will definitely drag him into the water.By then, we won't be dealing with Zheng Shuqing alone.

Didn’t you say that Fang Chongyong is very powerful?Why not avoid the enemy's edge? "

Zhang Shougui asked in confusion.

"Father, can't you still see that Fang Chongyong has turned to the Right Prime Minister?"

Zhang Xiancheng said eagerly.

Zhang Shougui may not be anxious yet, but he is already very anxious.Because he knew that he had offended Fang Chongyong to death.I'm afraid it will be difficult to resolve the grudge against the other party.

"Oh, what you say makes sense. But what would the saint think? Have you ever considered it?"

Zhang Shougui sighed.

"Father, the saint hopes that someone can share the power of the right prime minister. He certainly does not want this person to be too weak and unable to suppress the right prime minister at all.

If the father is not such a person, then the saint will find another suitable one.If my father doesn't fight, he will really lose. "

Zhang Xiancheng persuaded patiently.

Zhang Shougui thought for a while, and finally nodded slightly.

To put it harshly, the saint just wanted him and Li Linfu to fight over a meat bone like wild dogs in a mud pit!If you don't dare to fight at all, then you will lose its use value.

At this time, there really is no way to take a step back.Even if some of the things you do may make the saint feel uncomfortable, you must not shrink back when you should take action.

Li Linfu had absolute control over the Shangshu Province, so only Zhang Shougui had an overwhelming say in military affairs. Otherwise, he had to join forces with Zhang Yi and use Yushitai as a springboard to find trouble with Li Linfu.

In short, as long as nothing happens in the border town, they will be passive no matter what.

These yamen are all Li Linfu's home. He has been in business for many years, has many party members, and is quite powerful.

Only by avoiding the competition among the six yamen and jumping out of the basic framework can the strengths of both sides be brought to the same dimension and compete for the general trend on this local battlefield.In fact, Li Longji had the same idea, otherwise Zheng Shuqing would not have let Zhang Shi go.

"In this way, remember to do things cleanly and don't be afraid of spending money. We can cut it clean at any time.

If the situation cannot be restored in the end, then the brave man must cut off his wrist. "

Zhang Shougui ordered decisively.

Zhang Xiancheng was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said: "Father, we have spent a lot of money to feed those people. When the time comes, we will give up."

"Yes, if we keep the green hills, we don't have to worry about running out of firewood. As long as we don't get caught by the saint, that's our chance."

Zhang Shougui's tone was very cold.

"I understand, father, please don't worry."

Zhang Xiancheng crossed his hands and bowed.

"Go."

Zhang Shougui waved his hands helplessly, his mood extremely bad.

In this world, everyone has to fight, but only saints can avoid fighting.

What about the prime minister?As long as you sit in this position, everything is out of your control.

Whatever the saint says, it must be what it is.Li Linfu is like this, and he must be like this too.

He walked out of the study and came to the courtyard, looking up at the crescent moon in the sky, which was as bright as a picture.

"The fight is about to begin."

Zhang Shougui sighed quietly, in the past four years, nothing happened at the border, and the saint also neglected government affairs.

All kinds of scum appeared in the court, and his struggle with the right prime minister Li Linfu was just a symptom. The saint did not establish a prince for a long time, which was the source of the chaos in the court.

The prince is the foundation of the country, this sentence is not just said casually!
But, why didn’t the saint establish a prince?He is about to reach his sixtieth birthday. Since ancient times, how many emperors have lived past sixty?

Zhang Shougui had a judgment in his heart, but he didn't dare to tell anyone.

Perhaps, the saint never thought about his posthumous affairs at all; perhaps, he would only think about the issue of his successor when he was about to die.

What an old man!

Zhang Shougui couldn't help but secretly scolded Li Longji for being greedy and shameless.

……

The current establishment of Jinwu Guard is not large, but there are many officials in it. It is still the configuration of the "large establishment" in the past.It can be said that it is a classic situation where there are too many officers and few soldiers, and the phenomenon of redundant officials is extremely serious.

Take the Zuojin Wuwei as an example. There is one Zhonglang general, one chief historian, one person who records affairs and participates in military affairs, two people who are responsible for military affairs.

There are also two senior officers, three middle-ranking officers, five senior officers, and five halberd-bearers.

If we also include General Jinwuwei, who is often not deployed among Chang'an officials and is basically used for empty duties, there are 25 officers, but only a staff of 500. On average, one officer has [-] soldiers, and this does not include "Team integrity" at the grassroots level.

Many of these official positions were already in name only, but the court still arranged for the powerful children to live in them, which can be said to be extremely overstaffed.

At this moment, when it was time to go on duty, Fang Chongyong called more than 20 officers to his signing room.

"Everyone, you should understand what the current situation of Jinwu Guard is like.

So, I want to discuss a big matter with you. "

Fang Chongyong said loudly, and wrote two large characters with flying dragons and phoenixes on the large wooden board painted with white paint:
Make money!

　In addition to this chapter now, there is another chapter during the day.There are still more than a dozen to order before they are all high-quality products. Those who can afford them should order them all.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)