Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 220 is very interesting, but also very boring

Fang Chongyong had no reason to stay in Sanshui County for a long time.

After handling the "official horse loss case" and confirming that the three retired horse thieves from Qiu Ba were sentenced to exile, Fang Chongyong rushed back to Chang'an without stopping.

Well, except for the news that King Shou has become a prince and holds a "semi-artifact", everything in Chang'an City is as usual, and the singing and dancing are as good as before.

After returning home and hurriedly washing up, and not having time to "exercise" with Wang Yunxiu and Anaye on the bed, Fang Chongyong sorted out the relevant information about the Pizhou coal mine pit in the study, and then worked non-stop. Arrive at Li Linfu's house in Pingkangfang.

There was already a curfew at this time, so Fang Chongyong asked the patrolling Jinwu Guard to apply for a temporary "pass" before he could enter Pingkangfang.When he saw Li Linfu, he found that the right minister of the Tang Dynasty seemed to be troubled by something and did not speak for a long time.

"Does the Prime Minister have any unspeakable secrets?"

In the narrow and depressing study room of Li Linfu's house, Fang Chongyong asked cautiously.

"Eh? No, no, you are worrying too much. Why did you come to find the truth this time?"

Li Linfu asked with a smile.

"After inspection by the lower official, I found that there is a way to solve the problem of burning firewood in Chang'an, but it requires mining charcoal in Pizhou."

Fang Chongyong saluted Li Linfu with folded hands, and then handed the copy he had brought to him for inspection.

Unexpectedly, Li Linfu didn't even look at it, so he put it beside him, rubbed his wrist, and asked with a smile: "What benefits do you want to get from doing things so diligently? I remember that this doesn't seem to be your job." Work."

benefit?

Fang Chongyong was stunned for a moment, and then he crossed his hands and saluted, saying: "This is just a matter of convenience. I didn't think about getting any benefits from it. The right minister will preside over the follow-up of this matter. I don't have any merit at all."

Hearing this, Li Linfu also looked incredulous, and then asked: "Don't you think that you have promoted the coal mining in Pizhou and can transport the coal to Chang'an, and the people in the capital will be grateful to you?"

"Back to Prime Minister, I have never thought of it this way."

Fang Chongyong said honestly.

Li Linfu nodded slightly, then sighed and said:

“It’s good that you didn’t think so.

Do you think the truth doesn’t know about the Pizhou Charcoal Pit? The truth has been known for a long time.It's just that this is something that cannot be done, and it cannot be done. Even if it is done, the gain outweighs the loss.

The transportation of coal from Pizhou to Chang'an will definitely alleviate the shortage of fuel coal in the capital.However, saints and dignitaries would not use this kind of thing, and ordinary people may not be able to afford it.

Even if the people can really afford it, they will only worry about whether they have enough money to buy charcoal, instead of thinking about where the charcoal comes from.

The charcoal business is not something you can manage. Saints, clans, and dignitaries all have a hand in making money, and you have no share in it.

What's more, more charcoal will reduce the price of charcoal.

Many woodcutters who make a living by cutting firewood and burning charcoal will become worse off because the charcoal is sold cheaper. In the end, their families will be ruined.

They will definitely curse you in private for not having a good death, and will never be grateful to you for finding coal in Pizhou.

Even so, do you still want to move forward with this matter? "

Li Linfu patted the copy written by Fang Chongyong and asked.

"Returning to your right minister, there are definitely not enough trees around Chang'an to cut down. It is a general trend to promote the people of Chang'an to burn charcoal. Please understand clearly."

Fang Chongyong bowed respectfully to Li Linfu and said.

"Well, I understand the truth, so what's your plan?"

Li Linfu asked with interest.

"Back to the Prime Minister, this is what I think.

In winter, the Jingshui River freezes and cannot be transported.In spring, summer and autumn, the Jingshui River does not freeze, so coal can be collected in Pizhou, and Changping warehouse can be set up in Chang'an to store large amounts of coal.

In spring, summer and autumn, ordinary people in Chang'an have no need for heating, and there is enough firewood around Chang'an.

In winter, the imperial court would release the charcoal from the Changping warehouse to stabilize the price of charcoal in Chang'an, thus filling the needed gap. "

After listening to Fang Chongyong's introduction, Li Linfu nodded slightly, already agreeing with the other party's suggestion.It is definitely not possible to directly replace charcoal and firewood with pebbles, but using the method of ever-opening warehouses, which are mined in spring, summer and autumn, and released in winter to stabilize prices, will indeed have less impact on the existing system.

It is also easy to control.

"Well, that's right. If that's the case, are there any difficulties in this matter?"

Li Linfu pinched his shoulder and asked.

"Back to Prime Minister, the biggest difficulty is building roads.

From the coal mining point to the ferry on the Jingshui River, there is a hillside blocking it. A special route for transporting the coal needs to be opened to the ferry on the Jingshui River, and then transported by water to the ferry on the outskirts of Chang'an.

In addition, this mine needs to be mined and the mine shaft needs to be repaired, which requires a lot of manpower. "

Fang Zhongyong crossed his hands and saluted.

"Manpower, it's a bit difficult... The saint will expand the Xingqing Palace next year, expand the Huaqing Palace again, and expand the scale of the weavers' color service. The prolific production of fine cloth will be used in your palace. I'm afraid there won't be much color. Servants can be used to build roads and open mines.

This... is a bit stretched. "

After speaking, Li Linfu was silent, feeling that this matter was quite difficult.

For him, as long as the matter he is doing does not interfere with Brother Ji's business, it will be executed smoothly.

If it interferes with Ji Ge's needs, then this matter must be put on the back burner and Ji Ge should be the priority.

"Well, Youzhou will send five thousand Khitan prisoners to Chang'an, and let these prisoners build roads and carry soil.

The truth is, I heard that digging coal is hard work. Once the road is built, let these people dig coal. "

As Li Linfu spoke, he read the copy written by Fang Chongyong at a glance, and then stamped his personal seal on it.

"Send it to the Ministry of Industry and let the people from the Yubu Division see if this mine can be opened. If so, the Ministry of Accounts will pay for it, and the rest has nothing to do with you.

It's getting late, and the truth is going to rest. "

Li Linfu rudely issued an eviction order.

"Farewell sir."

Fang Chongyong bowed respectfully with his hands crossed, and then left Li Linfu's house.

After leaving Pingkangfang, he raised his head and looked at the moonlit night above his head, and couldn't help but sigh.

As expected, Li Linfu knew about the Shitan Pit.

Li Linfu also considered the plan of digging charcoal for transportation to Chang'an.

Fang Chongyong had been wondering why no official in Chang'an had proposed such an obvious solution.

Sure enough, there are deep internal reasons for the government's inaction.

Although this matter can solve the energy crisis in Chang'an, it may not be beneficial to Li Linfu, the Right Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty.Forcing this matter forward will not be helpful to Li Linfu's official interests.

The senior officials of the imperial court do not lack the basket of charcoal, so why do they do these thankless things?
In the final analysis, introducing coal to Chang'an and opening up coal trade routes is a very interesting but "very boring" thing in itself.

For the officials themselves, it would be better not to do this than not do it.

It is impossible to gain the gratitude of ordinary people, and it is impossible to control this big business that affects the people's livelihood in Chang'an.Those who voluntarily do things that involve neither fame nor fortune are outright fools!
Would people who eat pork still be grateful to the butcher for killing pigs for them?

Would people who buy pork in a butcher shop be grateful to the butcher for killing pigs for them?

Why do you do such a thankless thing?
That's all, just have a clear conscience.

"In life, you will always do some stupid things."

Fang Chongyong murmured to himself and walked towards his house in Yongjiafang.

There were two young women, freshly washed and waiting for his comfort on the bed.

When you are busy and tired outside, it is the normal state of life to go home and play with your wife to relax.

...The weather in Chang'an is getting colder and colder, and the noble heart is getting colder and colder.

After following Fang Chongyong to Chang'an, he was arranged to live in a courtyard with a down-and-out official named Yang Yan.The house they lived in was arranged by Zheng Shuqing, a high official in the imperial court and the censor Zhongcheng.Every day someone delivers meals and vegetables. The food includes vegetables and meat. It is neither good nor shabby.

But Gao Shang couldn't even see Zheng Shuqing's face, and he didn't want to talk to Yang Yan, who had a straight face all day long.

Yang Yan, who helps Uncle Zheng settle accounts almost every day, is too lazy to talk to Gao Shang, a handsome guy who even looks a bit oily and pink-faced. The two of them are the type who can't stand each other when they meet.

However, such days did not last long. On a sunny morning ten days later, Fang Chongyong came to the house where Gao Shang lived and led him out.

"If you have to meet the saint later, remember to look more and talk less."

Fang Chongyong said to Gao Shang in a deep voice.

"Face Saint?"

Gao Shang was shocked. Didn't he agree to recommend him to King Yong?Why go to see the emperor all of a sudden?
He found that what Fang Chongyong promised and what he was going to do now were completely different things.

"Yes, we are going to Xingqing Palace now."

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and said.

"Ok."

Gao Shang looked uneasy and had no choice but to follow Fang Chongyong closely, worried about what bad things would happen next.

Arriving at the gate of Xingqing Palace, Fang Chongyong simply said hello to the guards on duty and led Gao Shang into the palace gate. This scene could not help but surprise Gao Shang.

This is the Xingqing Palace where the saint lives!Just say hello and come in casually, which is enough to see that the holy family is in full swing!

Gao Shang's heart was full of uneasiness and excitement. He was worried that he would be recommended by Fang Chongyong to join the palace as a eunuch, and at the same time he was vaguely looking forward to what good things would happen in the next meeting with the saint.

Outside the Huaxianhui Building, the eunuch on duty has been in for a long time.After a while, Gao Lishi came down leisurely. After seeing Fang Chongyong, he took him to the lobby on the first floor of the Qinzheng Building where the lockdown had been lifted but Ji Ge did not go there on weekdays to talk.

As for Gao Shang, he could only wait outside and was not qualified to enter at all.

"You want to recommend talents to someone? That's not it, right?"

After the two of them sat down in the hall, Gao Lishi looked at Fang Chongyong with a strange look on his face and asked with some confusion.

"Yes, I heard that General Gao wants to drive at any time, and there is no one to take care of the house at home, and the management is in chaos. This time when I went to Pizhou, I saw that this man was smart and knowledgeable, and he also had the same surname as General Gao.

Therefore, he was recommended to General Gao to look after the home and take care of the house.If General Gao doesn't need it, it would be a good idea to arrange to serve in the Ten Kings' house. "

Fang Chongyong bowed respectfully and said.

What does it mean?
Gao Lishi fell into deep thought, then gently waved his hand, signaling Fang Chongyong to bring Gao Shang into the hall.

After Gao Shang came in, Fang Chongyong immediately retreated outside and closed the door.

"Your name is Gao Shang?"

Gao Lishi asked in a deep voice.

"Back to General Gao, you are noble."

"Well, he has the same surname as me."

Gao Lishi thought for a while and decided to take the exam for Gao Shang.

"There is a wealthy family. The owner is old, but has not yet decided which son will inherit the family business.

Later, he decided that a certain son would inherit the family business in the future, but he did not want to hand over the family business to this son now.

If you were the owner, how would you handle this household chore? "

Gao Lishi asked with a mysterious smile on his face.

"Back to General Gao, if someone is the owner of that big family, he only needs to tell his other son that he thinks it would be good to hand over the family business to him in the future, and then leave some small things in the family to this son to take care of.

Then the servants in the family will definitely not be able to unite to evade their master. Instead, they will form their own factions led by the two sons and fight openly and secretly.

The owner can mediate conflicts and sit firmly on the Diaoyutai.Until the end of life, the family property will be entrusted to one of them. "

Gao Shang said calmly.

"Isn't that imitating the story of the late emperor's Xuanwu Sect?"

Gao Lishi asked with a cold face.

Hearing this, Gao Shang carefully explained: "My master usually teaches his children to be brothers and sisters, so how can there be a story about the Xuanwu Sect?"

"Well, that makes sense. Let Yushi Fang take you back. I, the general, still have to serve the saint."

Gao Lishi stood up directly and walked out the door, without giving Gao Shang any face at all, and he didn't even bother to do anything superficial!
Gao Shang stared at Gao Lishi's back, clenched his fists, and finally took a deep breath to suppress the bad breath in his chest.

He secretly vowed that if he could become successful in the future, he would definitely make this old dog look good!

But the most important thing now is to stay dormant. Only if a man can endure it can he achieve great things!

Gao Shang walked out of the lobby on the first floor of the Qinzhengwu Building with a calm expression. When he saw Fang Chongyong, he crossed his hands and saluted, "General Gao said that I can go home and wait for news."

"that's it?"

Fang Chongyong looked unbelieving.

Gao Shang reluctantly replied: "That's indeed the case."

"That's fine."

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly without comment and left Xingqing Palace with Gao Shang.

After they left, in the corridor of Huaxianhui Building, Li Longji held a charcoal heater in his hand. He looked at the departing figures of Chongyong and Gao Shang above the street and asked Gao Lishi, "Did this person say anything?"

"I asked in a roundabout way, and the man said that when two sons fight, their father mediates, and the one who is weak helps the other."

Gao Lishi said calmly.

Hearing this, Li Longji nodded slightly, thought for a while and said: "You can recruit this person and send it to...someone, and then let this person provoke a conflict between him and the prince. First, he will serve in your house and observe one time."

"Who?"

Gao Lishi asked doubtfully.

"Well, King Yong."

Li Longji waved his hand casually and said.Didn't take it seriously.

All you need to do is pick one of your sons to compete in the ring with Prince Li Chen. It doesn't matter anything else, anyone can do it.However, King Yong is usually the most frivolous, has a bad temper and is relatively simple, and is the easiest to be bewitched and manipulated.

Naturally, he is the most suitable choice.

"Slave will do it."

Gao Lishi said with crossed arms and a salute.

"Hang on, how's the matter with Guozhong going? I'm looking for Shi Tan."

Brother Ji suddenly remembered this incident and asked.

"Back to the saint, the right minister has reported this matter and is progressing. It will be too late this year. Next winter, the people of Chang'an will probably be able to use charcoal."

Gao Lishi told the truth.

"Well, Guozhong is still diligent in his work, so let's make his wife a royal wife and a county prince. Anyway, he has also been a fourth-rank official."

Li Longji said lightly.Titles are not valuable anyway, you can get whatever you want.

In this regard, he has always been very generous.

(End of this chapter)