Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 28 Simple tasks

The chances of life are often unpredictable.

For all living beings, the road ahead is bleak.The changes are so drastic that they often exceed previous expectations.

Fang Chongyong was like this, and so was Zheng Shuqing.

On the surface, it seems quite tragic that Zheng Shuqing, who worked hard in Kuizhou and made great achievements, was falsely accused and imprisoned in Dali Temple as soon as he entered Chang'an.

But actually he wasn't that miserable.

After Zheng Shuqing arrived at Dali Temple, he went directly to go through the formalities, and the official on duty canceled his sea arrest document, and sent someone to send him to Xingqing Palace to wait for his face.

Of course, Zheng Shuqing was dusty, had a strong smell, and was unshaven, so naturally someone had to help him bathe and change clothes, and then he could be groomed before he could meet Li Longji.

Moreover, during the day, Li Longji was still composing music in the Liyuan and had no time to see Zheng Shuqing. Therefore, the former governor of Kuizhou could only quietly and anxiously wait for the emperor in the side room of the Qinzhengwu main building. summoned.

On the contrary, Fang Chongyong, led by Fang Laique, came to Yongjiafang's own courtyard behind, but found that the situation in front of him was completely different from what he thought, and it could even be said to be a thousand miles away!
"Who are you? Why are you at my house?"

Fang Laique, who was beside Fang Chongyong, looked at the young man who opened the gate with a bad tone and asked.

This man has dark skin, bright eyes, and looks powerful but not thick.

He seemed a little stunned by this question.

"Eh?"

Another young man came out of the yard. This man looked fairer and did not have the heroic spirit of the other man. He looked more refined and gentle.But he looks quite mature, has a long beard, and looks like a typical scribe.

"Why are you two at my house?"

Fang Chongyong asked doubtfully.

He leaned over to whisper in Fang Laique's ear and asked, "Is there really no mistake?"

"Absolutely not. When Ah Lang and I left, my grandpa was also at home. He should still be here now. Did you forget?"

Fang Laique looked at Fang Chongyong in confusion and asked.

"Ah, it turns out he is the benefactor's son! Why is he so kind-hearted? Please come in!"

The fair-faced young man quickly and warmly invited Fang Chongyong and his group to come in.

"My name is Xu Yuan, and this is Zhang Xun. We are all scholars who came to Chang'an to take the imperial examination. Originally, the rent in Chang'an was extremely expensive, seven thousand Wen per month. By chance, it was Fang Engong who took him in. We study here and we don’t get any money.

If the young man doesn't come, we won't be able to live comfortably, so we must accept the money. "

Xu Yuan quickly brought a large bag of copper coins from the house and weighed it at least a thousand coins.

After he handed it over to A Duan, both of them respectfully saluted each other bravely: "Fang En is just and righteous, and regards the country as his home. We are really touched. This little money is really just a token of affection.

Now that Xiao Langjun is back, we are too embarrassed to stay here anymore, so let's say goodbye. "

Xu Yuan bowed deeply to Fang Chongyong and said, Zhang Xun on the side also saluted.

Fang Chongyong saw that they were all honest people, so he quickly waved his hands and said, "You're welcome. When anyone is not in distress, you can stay here with peace of mind. Anyway, there are extra rooms here, so it doesn't matter."

At this moment, a middle-aged man in an apron appeared, still smelling of food.As soon as he saw Fang Chongyong, he came over and lifted him up high, and said dotingly: "The young man is back! Okay, okay, let me cook some dishes today."

He then saw Fang Laique standing stupidly aside, and yelled at him: "You son of a bitch, you don't even look at me, and you don't even wash the vegetables!"

"Oh."

Fang Laique reluctantly left.

"Young gentleman, I have gone to the kitchen. The two of them were invited by the gentleman to live at home. They are scholars who came to Beijing to take the exam, and they are considered friends of A Lang.

Mr. Xiaolang should be treated as a junior. "

Fang Laique's father also greeted Xu Yuan and Zhang Xun, then hummed an unknown tune and walked towards the kitchen in the inner courtyard.

"Don't you dare? I just need to meet Mr. Xiaolang in the same generation. Since he is the son of the benefactor, he is also our benefactor."

Xu Yuan was very polite and invited Fang Chongyong to sit in the lobby.

There is a main house (bedroom) in this courtyard, plus four wing rooms.The main house faces the direction of the courtyard door, and there are two wing rooms connected to each other on one side, separated by a door through the middle.

Behind the master bedroom is a woodshed connected to the kitchen, and in front of the door is a small concierge.

A main room is surrounded by many houses, and a courtyard is surrounded by corridors, where jujube trees are planted.

This is the typical narrow and long "siheyuan" structure of the Tang Dynasty, which is mostly the case for ordinary dwellings.

Now two wing rooms have been rented out to Xu Yuan and Zhang Xun. Fang Laique's father lives in one, and the master bedroom has always been empty.

Fang Chongyong watched all this happen with a dazed expression, before he recovered, he had already taken his seat in the lobby.

Fang Chongyong was still a child in this life, but he had seen many big scenes in his previous life.If the courtyard in front of me does not have a few thousand guan, it is absolutely impossible to take it down in the area next to Xingqing Palace and Dongshi.

It can even be said that if Fang Youde is not because Fang Youde is Li Longji's confidant, no matter how rich you are, you can't buy this place!

What if someone with evil intentions lives here, separated from Xingqing Palace by a wall, and finally assassinates Li Longji?
This yard itself represents the word "grace".

Fang Youde, a scumbag, seems to be more powerful than he imagined.

Fang Chongyong couldn't help thinking.

After a while, Fang Laique's father served a lot of home-cooked dishes.Onion porridge, bilo, boiled chicken, steamed pears, cold raw leeks... the variety is acceptable, but there is no crystal rice.

The fragrance of the dishes is overflowing, and it can be seen that the craftsmanship is very extraordinary.

"You two just treat yourself as if you were at home. My Alang works for a saint, so I definitely won't say that I'm treating my friends harshly."

Fang Laique's father said proudly.

The unremarkable words, which seem bold, actually imply that Fang Youde has an extraordinary status.

"Since the Kaiyuan Dynasty, the atmosphere in Chang'an has become increasingly extravagant, the imperial court has been weakened, and the courtiers have all taken pleasure as their own responsibility. Only Fang Jieshuai has always cared about the country and the people, restrained himself and returned to etiquette, and is truly a role model for our generation."

When Xu Yuan mentioned Fang Youde, he was full of praise.

"Speaking of the Youzhou matter, the Khitan has always been a serious concern. The previous Youzhou Jiedu failed to suppress the prestige of the Khitan people. Only after Zhang Jieshuai (Zhang Shougui) took office did things get better.

I wonder if Fang Jieshuai can change the situation of the border war after serving as the observer.We worry about national affairs all day long, but there is no place for our heroes. Compared with Fang Jieshuai, the light of a candle is incomparable to the brightness of the bright moon. "

Zhang Xun, who was on the side, sighed with emotion.

"When I entered the city, there were still a few buckets of red lotus spring, but they were taken away by the people of the Jinwu Guard. Otherwise, the wine and food now, wouldn't it be beautiful."

Fang Chongyong sighed with regret.

"Red Lotus Spring?"

Xu Yuan and Zhang Xun couldn't help but exclaimed.This wine is now available in Chang'an for fifty guan a dou, and most people can't buy it yet!

Don't want to drink?Feel expensive?
It's okay, just go away, there are many rich and powerful people queuing up to buy.

Fang Chongyong thought they made a lot of wine, but in fact, the wine consumption was not as much as Chang'an's!After that little output was thrown into Chang'an, it disappeared in the blink of an eye, not to mention that many powerful people hoarded it and acted as second-rate dealers.

Anyway, the older the wine is, the better it is. What does it matter? Just put it in the warehouse. I don't need that little money.

Many Chang'an dignitaries have this attitude towards Hong Lianchun.

Nowadays, fifty pens on the market have to rely on favors to buy them, and ordinary people can't even see the goods.

At this moment, Fang Laique's father walked over quietly, and the other party saluted bravely: "Jin Wuwei just sent some jars of wine, put the things down and left."

These words shocked both Xu Yuan and Zhang Xun.

"It's nothing. People who can drink this kind of wine must be extraordinary. They can't be provoked by a few pawns of the Jinwu Guard. I predict that they will definitely send them back."

Fang Chongyong slapped his face and said like a fat man.

When you send it back, call Zhizhu in your hands.

If he is not sent back, it means that the court is unjust, the son of the emperor's close ministers cannot protect himself, and the country will be ruined.

Anyway, he always has something to say.

But according to common sense, it is indeed human nature for those Jinwuwei people to send the wine back.Because people who can afford this kind of wine have a background that they can't afford.

Honglianchun is now extremely expensive, and those wines are worth several hundred guan. I'm afraid that the captain of the Jinwu Guard who wants to fish in troubled waters has his hands and feet trembling now.

"Isn't it suitable for us to drink this wine?"

Xu Yuan looked at the bowl of red and translucent wine in front of him and asked doubtfully, wanting to drink but timid.

I'm afraid it's worth a few pennies if you drink it down. What you're drinking is not wine, but gold!

"Just open it up and drink. If you don't have enough wine, there will be more!"

Fang Chongyong laughed and said.

"Then I will be disrespectful."

Xu Yuan and Zhang Xun picked up the bowls and drank little by little. They seemed to be intoxicated by the aroma of the wine.

"Honglianchun... really deserves its reputation. If there is no Mr. Xiaolang, we probably won't be able to drink it in this lifetime.

It's a shame that the red lotus rice, a tribute from Kuizhou to the imperial court, was used by criminals to make wine!In today's world, alas! "

Xu Yuan sighed with concern for the country and the people.

"The red lotus springs were exchanged for ordnance and food. I don't know how many frontier soldiers can be supported. It turned out that they all went into the pockets of unscrupulous merchants. It's really sad. However, I can only complain here, and nothing will happen. can not do this.

When Xu Yuan and I rank first in the imperial examination, we must do our best for the country, and we must not let such unhealthy trends ravage our Tang Dynasty again! "

Zhang Xun took a big gulp of wine, clenched his fists and said.

Fang Chongyong found out that these two people have the same brain circuit as Fang Youde, no wonder the old Fang can keep them here as free tenants.Fang Chongyong was a little emotional for a while, and found that he and these "loyal people" had very little in common.

Honglianchun was hyped up to help Li Longji make money.

Fang Chongyong's ex-factory price is actually "not high", and he even "only took" 3000 guan in total.

Fang Chongyong had a guess about who Wang Yuanbao, the richest man in Chang'an with white gloves, was standing behind, but he didn't dare to think about it.I heard that Li Longji had friendship with Wang Yuanbao back then, and praised him for having more wealth than himself. Perhaps there is no need to repeat the story here.

Honglianchun's hype in the aristocratic circle actually helped the court recover a lot of "coins in the circle", which is good for the country's finances.

It is hard to say whether the "goodness" that Zhang Xun and the others see is good;
The "evil" they see is not necessarily evil.

Fang Chongyong felt that he, the chief culprit of hyping Honglianchun, had better keep a low profile and not speak.

"I won't come home if I don't get drunk today. There is plenty of red lotus spring, so you can just drink it without worry."

Fang Chongyong said to Xu Yuan and Zhang Xun in a comprehensive manner.

……

The top floor of Qin Zheng Wu's main building is Li Longji's study.It was already night, and Li Longji stayed in the Liyuan for most of the day. When he came back in the evening, he found out that Zheng Shuqing had been waiting in Xingqing Palace for several hours. He quickly sent someone to call him to the study to meet him.

"Oh, I'm busy with business, and I wronged Aiqing."

As soon as Li Longji saw Zheng Shuqing, he walked over and held his hand and said.

"It is the duty of a humble minister to share the worries of a saint."

Zheng Shuqing burst into tears of gratitude and almost knelt down in front of Li Longji.

As soon as he heard this, he knew that he had landed.

"The reason why I went to the sea to arrest you is because many good people are gossiping behind your back. After I give you a new official position, these criticisms will disappear."

Li Longji laughed and invited Zheng Shuqing to sit across the table.

"That 40 yuan is very good. Aiqing did me a big favor. This year's Shangyuan Festival is celebrated by all the people in Chang'an, and it is all thanks to Aiqing. I want to appoint Aiqing as Jing Zhaoyin, but I don't know what Aiqing wants. ?”

Jing Zhaoyin?
No, no, no, I have never heard of Jing Zhaoyin who has no backer and can finally get out of it.Zheng Shuqing was very vigilant!For this official position, it is better to return to Kuizhou and become the local tyrant!

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, only relatives of the emperor have been comfortable with this position. If ordinary bureaucrats ascend to the position, they will only cause trouble.

Jingzhao Yin was established under the personal order of Li Longji in the first year of Kaiyuan of the Tang Dynasty. Jingzhao Mansion is under the jurisdiction of Gyeonggi Province and has 23 counties under its jurisdiction.

Under normal circumstances, Jing Zhaoyin is a third-rank official rank. There are two Jingzhao Shaoyins under his command. Yu Fang Chongyong was an official at the "bureau" level in his previous life.

The official is very big, but this official is also very difficult to do.

The reason is very simple, because if you don't come to Chang'an, you won't know your official status.Jingzhao Yin is in charge of various miscellaneous affairs in the Chang'an area. In Chang'an, except for rebellion, as long as all major and minor matters are reported, the first stop is Jingzhao Mansion!

For example, if there is a high-ranking official, such as the prime minister's family members committing crimes, will Jing Zhaoyin take care of it, or not?
If you want to control it, then you will definitely be put on small shoes, warned, and offended people.

If you don't care, then where is the prestige of Jingzhao Mansion?
If Jing Zhaoyin keeps sacrificing his connections for so-called "justice" during his tenure as an official with a solid official position, then after he leaves this position, the final result will be that he will be promoted and demoted secretly, or he will find an excuse to be sent to a border town. Jieduzhi would serve as some kind of supervisory official, or simply go to a place like Lingnan as a governor.

Anyone with any sense knows what to do.

Those who can make peace with each other will never come up with clear and unmistakable conclusions.

Those who can be fooled will never come out to catch rocks with their heads stretched out.

If you can not offend others, absolutely don't mess around to offend others and block your own official path.

During the Kaiyuan period, the speed of Jing Zhaoyin's replacement has reached the level of fifteen or ten years, with an average of one and a half officials replaced every year.

As an old bureaucrat, how could Zheng Shuqing jump into the pit foolishly!Not even if it is recommended by the emperor!

"The talent of a minor minister lies in financial management. Although Jing Zhaoyin has a high and powerful position, a minor minister is not qualified for the job. It may delay the saint's important affairs."

Zheng Shuqing pleaded earnestly, making it clear that he would not jump into the pit.

"Hey, I've thought about this too, but there's no one available for Jingzhaoyin at the moment, so let's just leave it like this. You've worked hard after being out for many years, why don't you take care of yourself at home first. The selection of officials at the beginning of the year is over. There is no suitable official position for Ai Qing at the moment, why not wait until early summer to see."

Li Longji said with regret.

Zheng Shuqing bowed deeply with gratitude and then left Xingqing Palace under the guidance of Gao Lishi.

As soon as he came out, his smiling face fell instantly.

"Bitterness, bitterness! Alas!"

(End of this chapter)