Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 421 Open your eyes to see the world
It had just fallen into the night, and the wine shops in Pingkangfang were busy again, not affected by the curfew at all.

Facts have proved that no matter in ancient or modern times, at home and abroad, those places with bright lights and feasting just don’t have that atmosphere during the day. When it gets dark, it's a good time to release your desires and stress.

The curfew can stop ordinary people, but it cannot stop the pursuit of pleasure among dignitaries.

In a private room in Fenglai Building, the largest wine shop in Pingkangfang, Zhang Jun, the Minister of Punishment, hosted a banquet for Li Shizhi, the Right Prime Minister, and Xianyu Zhongtong, the commander of the Shence Army.

The three of them were all "literary people". They drank and ate vegetables while reciting poems and writing poems. It was a very pleasant meal.

After drinking for three rounds, Xianyu Zhongtong put down his wine glass and asked with a smile: "General Gao (Gao Lishi) recently informed the subordinates to cooperate with the right minister. I wonder what the right minister wants to do?"

coming!

Li Shizhi and Zhang Jun exchanged glances, and then Li Shizhi laughed loudly and said: "Hey, brother Zhongtong, this is boring to say. Today we only talk about Fengyue, hahahahaha!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jun almost vomited blood.

Li Shizhi's excuse was too lame.

He just doesn't understand. If you want to give out rewards, give them out, and if you don't, don't give them out. What does this have to do with the Shence Army?

"How to do this?"

"Well, regarding the reward for the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army, I have been very anxious recently.

"I think this seems inappropriate, right? What does the right minister think?"

He himself is in charge of part of the Shence Army, so he naturally knows that now even the military pay is not paid. Both money and food, not even a grain of rice or a piece of cloth should be missing, must be distributed in full.

If you send Jiaozi, doesn't that mean you don't send it?

"So that's what happened."

Of course, this is not without the intention of "incidentally" knocking Fang Chongyong and his group of arrogant soldiers. Of course, it's just by the way, not intentional.

This situation is actually quite common.

But looking at it from another perspective, these people are also very difficult to appease. If you don’t have money, you are just a chicken!
"It was precisely because he was worried about the mutiny of the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army that the sage told General Xianyu to cooperate with the Yizhengtang on errands.

Xianyu Zhongtong put away the playful look on his face and became serious.

With a smile on his face, Zhang Jun poured a glass of wine for Xianyu Zhongtong.

Xianyu Zhongtong said solemnly, with no trace of smile on his face. He has been dealing with Qiu Ba from the Shence Army all day long, so he naturally knows what those people are.

You are the Right Prime Minister, and you are brothers with the commander of the Shence Army. To put it bluntly, are you worthy of Xian Yu Zhongtong? It's obvious that people must ask for something if they are polite, so what are you pretending to do now?
It’s better to just go straight to the point!
"Brother Zhongtong, actually tonight is not all about fun and entertainment. There is a big matter to discuss with you, and we can only tell you."

Xianyu Zhongtong was very worried. He knew that he was not qualified to be a brother to the right minister. This time, he was just asking for something.

Discuss merit and reward, strictly, it’s that simple!
To a certain extent, these people are easy to appease and there is no need to talk to them about big things.

If we want to issue rewards, we have to plunder the people's wealth and raise taxes in different ways.

Of course he knew why he became the commander of the Shence Army. Isn't it just because he can get along well in the circle of literati? The saint hopes that he can always cooperate with the Yizhengtang in doing things.

It is common for a small Shence Army, numbering around a hundred or even a few dozen people, to go out on business and obey the orders of the Council of Government.

People's livelihood is in hardship, the truth is unbearable! "

Li Shizhi only learned about this kind of thing after he became the right minister.

At least, when Li Linfu was here, he had not worried about money. Although his official reputation was not good, he was not bad either.

Li Shizhi sighed deeply, he didn't know how expensive firewood and rice were when he was not a householder. Now he really admires Li Linfu.

Zhang Jun made a stab in his mouth with a very disdainful tone.

Similar things must be done by the Shence Army, and in terms of organizational structure, since the Yizhengtang and Liubu Yamen are unable to formally mobilize the Shence Army, someone who can speak on both sides is indeed needed to make the decision.

The Shence Army has no meritorious service to be rewarded!
Seeing that Li Shizhi and Zhang Jun were silent, Xianyu Zhongtong cursed the other party in his heart for not respecting martial ethics, but he still pretended to be ignorant and asked: "Then I want to ask more, does the right minister really not intend to reward you?"

"Right Prime Minister, if you do this, the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army will mutiny."

For example, exterminating bandits, protecting important officials when they go to their posts, escorting grain and crops for short-distance transportation, etc.

These remarks are not entirely hypocritical. From a factual perspective, the people of the Tang Dynasty have indeed had a difficult time in the past two years. As a prime minister, is it wrong to be considerate of the people?
There seems to be no problem.

Xianyu Zhongtong was shocked. He didn't expect that this was the "plan" of Yizhengtang.

He was able to get money, but he didn't let himself become a stone in the cesspit, and he still sat in the position of prime minister for so many years. Li Linfu does have some abilities.

The treasury is empty and has nothing to sustain.

"No, no, no, the rewards will still be distributed. It's just that according to the number of merit reports, 30% of the Guanzhong Jiaozi will be distributed, and the other 70% will be exchanged for officers and titles."

Li Shizhi sighed and said.

It's useless for you to talk to Qiu Ba about your family, country, and world! They will think that those are things that prime ministers and emperors worry about. Their job is to fight and kill.

Ok?
Xianyu Zhongtong thought he heard wrongly.

Xianyu Zhongtong asked doubtfully.

"Your Majesty, please speak! I will definitely cooperate with you!"

“What is needed for disaster relief is rice, grain, and cloth. If Yinjiaozi can deal with it, why bother with this?
The soldiers had no choice but to suffer. "

With Shence's army around, those arrogant and powerful generals didn't dare to move. "

Xianyu Zhongtong nodded slightly, without comment.

This is not a joke, how can you play like this?

Sure enough, the world is not afraid of good things but good people. He shouldn't have come to this banquet today.

"This matter is serious. I should go back and ask the saint first!"

Xianyu Zhongtong was so anxious that he wanted to stand up, but Zhang Jun, who had quick eyes and quick hands, held down his shoulders.

"General Xianyu, the saint has informed the truth, and the matter can be handled by the prime minister with full authority."

Li Shizhi warned in a cold tone. He had changed from calling brothers to doing business.

"Then, what should we do specifically?"

Xianyu Zhongtong asked doubtfully, with a bad feeling in his heart.

"South of Chang'an, at the intersection of three rivers, there is a Buddhist temple named Xiangji Temple, which is surrounded by mountains and rivers. It is surrounded by dense trees, which is suitable for hiding soldiers.

The Yizhengtang will send people to inform the various departments of the Yinqian Xiaojie Army to come to Xiangji Temple to receive the reward, and promise them to pay it in full. However, Xiangji Temple is a Buddhist pure land, and soldiers and armor are not allowed.

When those people came to collect the reward and found that the amount was wrong, they would definitely be dissatisfied.

As long as they dared to make trouble, General Xianyu would order the sharp soldiers of the Shence Army who had set up an ambush to shoot and kill those who made trouble.

Afterwards, just plant a label of conspiracy to rebel. After the commotion started, they themselves would be worried about whether they would be exterminated, so naturally they would not pursue the matter of rewards.

Of course, this is just an extreme case. If they accept the reward, then this matter will be over, and there will be no need for General Xianyu to take action. "

Zhang Jun chuckled.

How does this make!
Xianyu Zhongtong was so frightened that he was just a scholar in essence. How could he do such a thing?

"General Xianyu, I heard that the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army is also a forbidden army and has made great achievements in battle. Fang Chongyong is young and has a bright future.

If he returns smoothly, if the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army returns to glory, it is up to you whether the Shence Army has the final say or whether the status of the Shence Army will decline.

This matter is also very beneficial to you. "

Seeing that Xianyu Zhongtong refused to submit, Zhang Jun calmly encouraged him.

Xianyu Zhongtong fell silent, because he knew that he had no ability to lead troops in war, and he was incomparable to Fang Chongyong, a young man who was sweeping across the Western Regions and who was in full swing with the Holy Family. Zhang Jun just stated this embarrassing reality.

"General Xianyu, you are worrying too much. When the time comes when Qiu Ba sees the elite soldiers of the Shence Army ambushing all around, what can they do? Do they dare to move?
How can you fight against the Shence Army without any weapons?
This matter will definitely not come to that point.

What Zhang Shangshu said was only the worst case scenario. When the time comes that you will come forward to testify, it is the people of the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army who have mutinied, and you will have no choice but to take action.

That's it for this matter.

Our original intention is not to do anything to them, but to solve the problem of rewards. Zhang Shangshu just said it first. "

Li Shizhi waved his hand and said, defending Zhang Jun.

At this moment, a young waitress came in carrying several wine bottles. Zhang Jun was furious and cursed: "Who let you in!"

"Slave, I'm just giving wine to a few gentlemen. The store is giving away wine for free... I'm leaving now, I'm leaving now!"

The waitress was so frightened that she almost cried.

Xianyu Zhongtong glanced at the young woman who was crying so hard that her eyes suddenly turned straight!

This look, this figure! Simply invincible!
It’s so seductive! How come this kind of "good guy" is reduced to serving as a bartender?

"Ms. Zhang, don't be so rude."

Xianyu Zhongtong stepped forward and quietly touched the waist of the wine girl.

Very thin, very soft and very moist!

"Forget it for today. Next time I come here, you have to have a drink with me. Go ahead and have a drink with me."

Xianyu Zhongtong waved his hands pretending to be angry, and the waitress nodded and bowed her thanks quickly, and exited the private room with unsteady steps.

Seeing this, Li Shizhi touched the long beard on his chin and said with a smile: "Brother Zhongtong is really a compassionate person. Why don't you let me have a drink with you today? How about having this girl drink with you?"

"Let's wait another day. How can we abolish public service for personal reasons?"

Xianyu Zhongtong had a smile on his face, but in his heart he was scolding Li Shizhi and the others for ruining his love affair. You drag me to talk about business, how can I pick up girls!

"Brother Zhongtong, what do you think about this matter?"

"This, I'm afraid it's a bit..."

Xianyu Zhongtong still didn't want to let go, mainly because Zhang Jun and the others were playing too big a game!
Seeing that the other party did not let go of the rabbit but the hawk, Li Shizhi took out a letter from his arms and handed it to Xian Yu Zhongtong: "There is a letter to prove that Brother Zhongtong is acting on the orders of the Yi Zhengtang."

Xianyu Zhongtong took out the letter from the envelope, read it again and again, and then put it into his cuffs thoughtfully.

"Since it is the request of the Yi Zhengtang, I will just do as I please. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave."

After Xianyu Zhongtong finished speaking, Zhang Jun stopped him and said, "This letter is in two copies. Please sign it, Brother Zhongtong."

Like a magic trick, Li Shizhi took out another letter from his arms. Even if Xianyu Zhongtong didn't read it, he knew that it must be exactly the same as the one in his hand.

No one is a fool, and Li Shizhi was also afraid that Xianyu Zhongtong would rebel.

This pirate ship seems to be impossible to board today!

Xianyu Zhongtong sighed helplessly, asked the store to send him pen and paper, and signed his name on the letter.

Both parties collected the letters and breathed a sigh of relief.

Now that we have "formed an alliance", there is no need to talk in circles. Xianyu Zhongtong asked in a deep voice: "When will the right prime minister plan to take action?"

"We will start in five days. We will send someone tomorrow to inform the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army Camp that it will take time to prepare money and food. We are seriously solving the problem and asking them to be patient."

Zhang Jun explained for Li Shizhi.

"Indeed, if the national treasury were not empty, the Prime Minister would not have come up with this strategy."

Li Shizhi sighed and said.

If they were in a border town, they would never dare to do this.

But this is Chang'an!

In Chang'an, no army dared to mutiny. Mutiny is rebellion, and it will kill the three tribes!

This is the confidence of Li Shizhi and others!
"Five days are enough to arrange deployment."

Xianyu Zhongtong nodded slightly, it seemed that he still had plenty of time. If he said he had to do something tomorrow, his claws would really be numb.

"Since this is the case, I will take my leave now and go to the Shence Army camp to prepare."

Xianyu Zhongtong stood up, bowed to Li Shizhi and the others, turned around and left.

As soon as he walked out of the private room, he bumped into a young woman and spilled his drink on the floor.

Xianyu Zhongtong took a closer look and saw that it was no coincidence that she was the same wine girl just now.

At this moment, the woman was looking confused and at a loss, standing aside like a child who had done something wrong.

"Mr. Lang, I will wipe it for you, but please don't tell the shopkeeper!"

After the woman came to her senses, she clumsily wiped the drink off Xianyu Zhongtong's body with her sleeves, which made this bad old man who had not been with a woman for many days feel itchy.

"That won't work. Why don't you kiss me and I'll forget about it? How about that?"

Xianyu Zhongtong smiled evilly, but he never thought of using force.

If you have to resort to tricks to seduce a barmaid, wouldn't that be embarrassing for a powerful person? This kind of woman should take off her clothes and crawl into her own bed!
In their hearts, all women have a price, including the first wife. As long as you have power and money, you can break the waistband of any woman and even let them bear children for you.

You can't break it open just because you don't have anything. Just because you can't break it doesn't mean others can't break it open either.

In this matter, under the social background of the Tang Dynasty, which was a paradise for the powerful, they could do whatever they wanted.

"My lord, how good are you?"

The waiter said with a shy look on his face, touched his face with her lips, then picked up the wine bottle on the ground and ran away like a frightened rabbit.

Xianyu Zhongtong laughed loudly, that's how interesting flirting is. Get this woman into bed, that's what you'll do next time you come here.

He walked out of Fenglai Tower with a satisfied look on his face, and the stars were shining brightly outside.

……

"It's okay if you come back, why do you bring a bird with you?"

Wang Yunxiu complained helplessly as she watched Fang Chongyong sneaking home in casual clothes, acting like a thief.

The other party was holding a large cage in his hand, and the big parrot inside was really strong and powerful. This was the first time Wang Yunxiu had seen such a big man, and it was an eye-opener.

"I've met Mrs. Jieshuai!"

Che Guangqian and others behind Fang Chongyong cupped their fists and saluted.

"Hey, come in and talk, and then we'll talk in the yard!"

Wang Yunxiu was very happy after hearing this, and quickly called Fang Chongyong and others into the yard.

She glared at Fang Chongyong with resentment, not knowing what to say.

This damn ghost doesn't even know what his own son looks like, right?
It’s been more than a year since I left!

"You're so naughty! You're so naughty!"

The five-color parrot in the cage suddenly shouted twice without warning!
Ok?
Wang Yunxiu had already turned around and entered the yard. When he heard the male duck's throaty howl, he turned around instantly and looked at Fang Chongyong angrily.

(End of this chapter)