Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 269: Do you voluntarily share the saint's worries, or do you share the saint's worries after being beaten?

In the yamen of the inspection institute, Zheng Shuqing sat in front of the desk, looking at the list in his hand, not daring to be careless at all.

Although this plan is 100% certain, anything is possible until the bonds are sold out!

In the past two days, Zheng Shuqing has cast the net.

For all the people who were prominently listed on the list, their children were grabbed by their pigtails and threatened by him to be dismissed from office or removed from their titles.

This time, Zheng Shuqing handled the matter with a "selfless" attitude. He didn't even issue a fine, but just dealt with it to the end.

Anyway, in one sentence: As long as you don’t come to me, your child will lose his skin even if he doesn’t die.

Zheng Shuqing believed that officials or nobles from the clan would come to his door soon and ask him to "give a noble hand".

“With this list in hand, can Yushi Zheng persuade those who are unwilling to pay to buy bonds?

I feel like those people are not so easy to talk to. "

Liu Yan, who was sitting at the desk next door and was seconded by Brother Ji to work, asked with some confusion.

"Hehe, if I'm in charge of settling accounts and issuing debts, I'm not as good as you.

But if you play to attack the mind, you will be far inferior to me.

Within today, the Yamen of the Inspection and Inspection Institute will definitely be stepped down. Liu Sicao will wait and see. "

Zheng Shuqing stroked the long beard on his chin and laughed.

When it comes to doing practical things, Zheng Shuqing feels that he may not be that good at it. But when it comes to being a dog for Brother Ji, he is definitely a professional!

Now it's just a matter of handling the officials and clan nobles, it's not a big deal at all.

"Zheng Yushi, I would like to remind you. In fact, this kind of bond without interest is no different from just taking money and throwing it into the water.

We are now stealing money directly from hundreds of officials and clan nobles. "

Afraid that Zheng Shuqing would not be able to figure out the situation, Liu Yan kindly reminded him with a puzzled look on his face.

Comparatively speaking, no one is willing to throw their own money directly into the water.

As long as the interest-free bonds maturing in ten years are sold, a "bond pool" will be formed that will not dissipate. After the bonds mature, new bonds will be used to replace the old bonds. The buyers of the current batch of bonds will still have to buy them when the time comes, and they will never be able to get out of the trap!

In fact, the issuance of bonds by the central government in the feudal era was not a new operation.

According to historical records, it began in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, and was carried forward in the Western Han Dynasty.

But no matter how you look at it, it seems that you only heard that the government issued debts, but never heard of any emperor paying back the money.

Liu Yan had been a child prodigy since he was a child, and he naturally knew that this time it was the emperor who was robbing the wealth of bureaucrats and powerful families. This approach is certainly shameless in terms of personal ethics, but if it is based on the country and the people, Liu Yan supports it with both hands.

Of course, Ji Ge made a lot of money from the bureaucrats and powerful families, so once the latter have the opportunity, they will make up for it tenfold and a hundredfold from the common people. In essence, many things have not changed. The principle that wool comes from sheep has never changed.

But then again, even if Brother Ji doesn't seek money from the powerful, won't those powerful people reach out to the common people?

This kind of accounting cannot be calculated clearly.

Liu Yan sighed lightly and continued to write the regulations for the issuance of bonds. He decided to issue bonds within a controllable range and not to extort too much from officials and dignitaries. In Liu Yan's view, there is no need to borrow too much, just enough. Too much will be a burden on the country.

At this moment, a middle-aged man in his early thirties, wearing a bright yellow brocade robe, strode to the Yamen of the Examination Institute and walked up to Zheng Shuqing. This person is Li Longji's brother, Li Jing, the eldest son of Emperor Li Xian.

He is the eldest grandson of Li Dan, Ruizong of the Tang Dynasty, and he is very handsome and can be said to be a majestic person. He was especially good at bows and arrows and Jie drums. He was deeply loved by Brother Ji, and he was canonized as the king of Ruyang at a very young age.

Li Jing looked calm and casually bowed to Zheng Shuqing, then said with a hint of arrogance:

"My brother Li Yu, King of Hanzhong, was actually threatened by Zheng Yushi to remove his title.

He was just riding a horse in Chang'an. As long as Zheng Yushi should be punished according to the punishment rules of the Inspection Institute.

Why don't you forgive others?

Zheng Yushi doesn't think that you can use the temporary system promulgated by the saint to deal with the clan's children at will, right? "

Li Jing's attitude was very arrogant. To put it simply, he looked down on Zheng Shuqing who used chicken feathers as an arrow.

Everyone knows that Brother Ji set up some kind of inspection institute just to collect fines and make money. He has not seen anyone lose their official position because of trivial matters. Brother Ji's original intention was not to let Zheng Shuqing interfere with the operation of the court system.

On the surface, it seems that Zheng Shuqing can fine anyone he catches to death, but in fact he can only use this to help Brother Ji make money. The big stick in Zheng Shuqing's hand was only used to scare people. He was not worthy of actually using it to hit people!

How could Zheng Shuqing be so virtuous and capable? How could he be qualified to deprive him of his title as a noble of the Tang Dynasty?

Li Jing was extremely dissatisfied with Zheng Shuqing, who was pretending to be powerful but the latter had the support of Brother Ji, so he really didn't dare to do anything to him. If Zheng Shuqing hadn't used chicken feathers as an arrow this time and found a small excuse to cut off Li Yu's title, Li Jing would have been intolerable.

He is too lazy to deal with a loser like Zheng Shuqing!

"The matter of the King of Hanzhong is very difficult to deal with. This is the wish of the sage and cannot be accommodated."

Zheng Shuqing didn't even raise his head. He stared at the list in his hand and began to pick on Li Jing, making it clear that he would not let go of the eagle when he saw the rabbit.

"Is Zheng Yushi determined to seize the power of Zongzheng Temple and cut off my brother's title on their behalf?"

Li Jing asked in a bad tone, making it clear that he had bad intentions and was trying to get on the line.

After hearing this, Zheng Shuqing put the list in his hand on the table, then looked at Li Jing with an arrogant look, corrected the other party's wording and said:

"I would like to emphasize that it is the saint who wants to be deprived of his title, and I am only acting under orders. There are rules for how Zongzheng Temple operates, but in any case they are no greater than the saint!

Now the saint won't let go, and I have no choice.

Eat the king's salary and bear the king's worries. If Your Highness is not convinced, you can go to Xingqing Palace to find a sage for comment.

As long as the saint is willing to let go, I have no objection to this. "

Li Jing originally wanted to make use of the topic, but was beaten back by Zheng Shuqing. Suddenly I felt that this kind of old bureaucrat was difficult to deal with!

Lao Zheng always said the same thing: if you have the guts, go find Brother Ji to fight in the ring, or shut up.

"Okay, okay, Yushi Zheng is really strong and strong, setting an example for all officials.

Then I won’t disturb Zheng Yushi’s office, we will wait and see. "

Li Jing snorted coldly, turned around and walked away.

Before he walked out of the Yamen, he heard Zheng Shuqing's slow voice behind him.

"Actually, there is no way to keep the title of King of Hanzhong.

But His Highness can't just talk in vain. Everything needs to be done to prove his sincerity.

The so-called sincerity leads to the opening of gold and stone. As long as His Highness proves his sincerity to the saint, then the originally difficult things may become easier to handle. "

Zheng Shuqing said while smiling.

Li Jing stopped reluctantly, then turned around and returned to the desk where Zheng Shuqing worked. Then he bowed respectfully and said, "I would like to ask Yushi Zheng for some advice. I would be very grateful. "

Zheng Shuqing nodded, pointed to Liu Yan at the table next to him and said:

"Liu Sicao is following the sage's instructions to prepare for the issuance of bonds. This move is to raise food and wages for the northwest frontier army.

For this matter, it can be said that the saint did not think about food and drink every day, and devoted himself to thinking about it.

If His Highness can buy some bonds to share the saint's worries, then the Saint will definitely see His Highness's determination to serve the country.

In this way, the behavior of the King of Hanzhong in riding horses in Chang'an is not unforgivable. If you know your mistakes and can correct them, there is no greater good.

Now that the saint's anger has subsided, won't the title of King of Hanzhong be kept? There is no need for me to embarrass His Highness. "

Zheng Shuqing's words perfectly explained what "official characters have two mouths". He has the final say whether he is dead or alive.

"Well, I would like to ask, how much is the interest on this bond, and how many years will it mature in?"

Li Jing asked in a low voice, looking at Liu Yan, who had a round and chubby face. It seems that it is impossible not to buy it now, so I might as well ask.

"Ten years, no interest. Upon maturity, it will be redeemed by the treasury."

Liu Yan said calmly. He worked closely with Zheng Shuqing and would not interfere with the latter's affairs.

As soon as he heard this, Li Jing immediately became unhappy and his anger started to rise!

Interest-free bonds still mature in ten years. Isn't this just robbery?

Li Jing finally understood which song Zheng Shuqing was singing now. In other words, what on earth did the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty want to do behind him!

Bureaucrats and clan nobles who are willing to buy bonds are "serving the country's heart with fists and fists." With such a "sincere" attitude, the trivial matters that Zheng Shuqing deliberately found trouble with before can naturally be turned into nothing.

Those who are unwilling to buy bonds are typical "people who have a heart that can be punished" and are subjectively unwilling to share the worries of the saints.

Even if Zheng Shuqing only caught a few pigtails before, it would turn into a big deal later.

If you don't do it right, people will die!

"Buy, of course you have to buy bonds, it is my duty.

As a descendant of the clan, of course you have to share the country's worries. "

Li Jing's handsome face was so twisted that he was about to twitch. Asking his family to pay for bonds was really more uncomfortable than killing him.

However, Li Jing also knew that now he had just cut off a "King of Hanzhong". If the situation continues, it does not rule out that the emperor will continue to add more money. How long can their clan last?

Isn't it just money? As long as the status is still there, the money taken out will be recovered sooner or later!

"Well, how much bond does Zheng Yushi think it is appropriate for me to subscribe for?"

Li Jing asked cautiously, his heart bleeding.

“The number of bonds your Highness is willing to buy will reflect the respect you have for the saint in your heart.

As for the amount of subscription, ten thousand dollars is not too much, and one thousand dollars is not too little. His Highness can decide it by himself.

Of course, the more you buy, the greater the possibility of preserving the title of King of Hanzhong.

This specific number cannot be determined by the official. It will be whatever His Highness thinks it is. There will be no limit on the lower limit and no cap on the upper limit. "

Uncle Zheng said with a smile on his face.

Zheng Shuqing, who knows a lot about human nature, understands that among all kinds of requests, the word "casual" is the most difficult to serve.

He said that buying a bond with a consistent amount is not too much. How dare Li Jing dare to buy just a single bond? Giving the right of choice to the other party, buying less would be a humiliation to Brother Ji. Everyone understands this, but Zheng Shuqing sees through it but doesn't say anything.

"Okay, I will... subscribe for 50,000 yuan first! Buy it with silk."

Li Jing gritted her teeth and said a number that made her heart bleed!

For bonds like this, Brother Ji issued them this year, and it will be difficult to ask officials and nobles for them next year, because after all, it is a waste of money.

So it’s really not okay to pay less!

"Oh my, your Royal Highness the Prince of Ruyang County really understands justice! I admire you so much!"

Zheng Shuqing stood up, holding Li Jing's hand tightly and said excitedly.

Seeing that the other party's face was not good-looking, he quickly added: "Your Highness is so dedicated to the country and the people that he is willing to share the worries of the saint. Then I will take it upon myself to forgive the King of Hanzhong for his mistakes. I believe that the saint will not blame him."

"Then we have Yushi Lao Zheng."

Li Jing said expressionlessly.

After receiving this stab, he felt very unhappy, but even if he was unhappy, what could he do?

You can't rebel just for this little money, right?

"Liu Sicao, please record it and ask the emperor to subscribe for 50,000 bonds."

Zheng Shuqing specifically ordered Liu Yan next to him.

"Farewell."

Li Jing dropped these words coldly, suppressed his anger, turned around and walked to the Yamen of the Inspection Institute.

"Your Highness, please walk slowly. I will send you off to your Highness."

Zheng Shuqing said with a smile on his face and a flattering look on his face.

"No need, Yu Shi Zheng, please stay."

Li Jing was so disgusted that she didn't want to stay here any longer.

After Li Jing left, Liu Yan looked at Zheng Shuqing with a strange expression, as if he was hesitant to speak.

He didn't speak, and Zheng Shuqing didn't speak either. The atmosphere in the yamen was a little awkward for a while.

After a long time, Liu Yan said quietly: "Zheng Yushi is really a good official. Such a difficult matter was solved neatly by Zheng Yushi."

Zheng Shuqing's method is not glorious, but it is really effective. The high officials and dignitaries in the court must stay here when the dragon comes, and they must lie down here when the tiger comes.

"Hey, Liu Sicao was so ridiculous, they were just some little tricks that didn't make sense.

Hahahaha, not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning. "

Zheng Shuqing was extremely proud, but with a nonchalant expression on his face, he waved his hands calmly and said.

"It seems that Prince Ruyang is not the only one today."

Liu Yan muttered to himself while writing the details of the bond issuance.

Zheng Shuqing smiled slightly and said proudly: "That's natural. I said that the threshold of the Yamen will be stepped down today."

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Pei Kuan, who was born in the Pei family of Jingzhao, walking into the Yamen with a calm face, and saluted Zheng Shuqing directly as if there was no one else around.

"Some of my nephews and nephews in my family offended Zheng Yushi for some reason.

Now I ask Zheng Yushi to give me face, show your noble hand, and punish me as much as I deserve. "

Pei Kuan, who was already old, begged Zheng Shuqing in a low voice.

"Don't be polite, Mr. Pei. We are all doing things for the saint. Come on, come on, sit down and talk."

Zheng Shuqing led the elderly Pei Kuan to sit across from his desk, and then continued: "As long as the saint knows Pei's intention to serve the country with fists, it will not be difficult to reverse this matter."

"Then how can we let the saint know our thoughts?"

Pei Kuan asked quietly in a low voice.

"The saint is going to issue ten-year bonds in the near future in order to supplement the salary of the northwest frontier army. As long as Pei can buy some bonds to relieve the country's worries. The saint will naturally know that Pei is understanding of the saint's difficulties.

In this way, things that were originally difficult to handle will naturally not be difficult to handle. "

Zheng Shuqing followed suit and said what he just said to Li Jing again.

Hearing this, Liu Yan, who was writing on the side, couldn't help but pause, and then continued to write something on the paper.

"Well, what Zheng Yushi said is indeed true.

But, how many bonds is appropriate for Mr. Pei to subscribe? "

Pei Kuan asked doubtfully.

"Pei Gong can discuss it with his family after returning home.

Of course, the more subscriptions, the greater the possibility that the saint will change his mind.

I also act according to the wishes of the saint. "

Zheng Shuqing crossed his hands and saluted.

"I understand. I'll take my leave now and come back to visit you tomorrow."

Pei Kuan nodded slightly and said, having already made up his mind.

(End of this chapter)