Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 434: Small Sections and Great Meanings

In the late autumn of the 11th year of Tianbao, the Emperor of Chang'an issued a decree and appointed Yan Zhenqing as the envoy of the three roads of Huainan and Jiangnan East Road in Henan Province. He was responsible for inspecting matters related to canal water transportation, visiting various places, exploring the public sentiment, and detecting lawlessness.

The governors of each state must unconditionally cooperate with Yan Zhenqing and his party in handling government affairs.

At the same time, the imperial court issued a decree to establish the post of Huainan Jiedushi to govern Yangzhou, with jurisdiction over Yangzhou, Chuzhou, Chuzhou, Hezhou, Luzhou, Shouzhou, Shuzhou, Guangzhou, Qizhou, Anzhou, Military affairs in Huangzhou, Shenzhou, Mianzhou and other places.

The Huainan Army is mainly composed of naval forces. Its purpose is only to crack down on bandits and maintain the safety of water transportation on the Yangtze River and canals. The number of soldiers is only 10,000. After the Huainan Jiedu envoy takes office, he will recruit soldiers.

The local capital of Yangzhou has an armory with enough weapons to arm 100,000 people, so there is no need to worry about ordnance issues.

In conjunction with the personnel appointments, the imperial court appointed the Prince of Pingxi County and the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army Envoy Fang Chongyong as the first Huainan Military Envoy. He also took three thousand Silver Spear Xiaojie Army with him and followed Yan Zhenqing southward to Yangzhou to obey his orders. act.

As for whether Fang Chongyong would return to Chang'an in the future, and whether the Huainan feudal town would be temporarily established and later abolished, or whether it would be retained and continued, Ji Ge did not say anything in the imperial edict, and no one in the court asked.

Of course, this is all on the surface.

As for the real purpose of Fang Chongyong and Yan Zhenqing's trip south, all the officials in the imperial court knew it in detail, but they remained silent and did not mention it on weekdays if they could.

Fang Chongyong is like toothpaste now. Yan Zhenqing squeezes it and he speaks a little.

There really is only one point!
"If there is no need for an imperial edict, should I...let me order the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army to go and rob the houses of wealthy local families?"

I might as well say a bold word to Yan Yushi: This time the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army went south, it was called official work, but it was actually for repairs. It was the time to unblock the muscles and bones.

"Since Zhenguan, the land of Huaihe and Jiangnan has been in peace for a long time, and the people live and work in peace and contentment, and I haven't heard of anything happening.

As for seeking political power in one's position, Yan Zhenqing's idea of ​​having nothing to gain was too good.

A certain person went south with his own troops, just to dredge the river and hunt down the bandits.

In this case, who would put the "secrets that cannot be told" on the table?

When things are done, it means the emperor’s grace is great and the saint’s wisdom is great.

Yan Zhenqing pointed to the brocade "Splendid Mountains and Rivers of the Tang Dynasty" hanging on the wall and said with a dry smile. This kind of searching for something to say made him extremely embarrassed.

Because it’s so embarrassing!
He, the chief officer, actually came to ask for help from a military leader who was accompanying the escort. He said that there was no place for his old face.

If things go wrong, it means that the executive official falsely conveys the imperial edict, which is a heinous crime.

In the study room of the palace, Fang Chongyong looked at Yan Zhenqing, who was a little uncomfortable and felt a little funny, but it was not convenient to show it.

If you can't use it, try not to use it. "

Everyone knows in their hearts that this is not about appointing officials and releasing them, but they are just going to make money! It's hard work, dirty work, tiring work!
If you don't go to Lianghuai and Jiangnan to make money, then you have to make money in Chang'an and Guanzhong! We all have families in Chang'an, and the fire at the city gate has affected the fish in the pond. If we want to cause trouble, it's better to go somewhere farther away!

Local officials have the right to complain to the court!
If a quarrel breaks out, who will win and who loses in the battle of wits will have to be debated!

The accompanying mission is only to protect Yan Zhenqing and his scribes who collect and calculate money. It's just to ensure that the collected money can be safely transported back to Chang'an.

Now that Brother Ji is playing like this, it can be said that Yan Zhenqing has been forced into a corner and there is no way to retreat.

Commonly known as making money.

It can be said that I am eager to try it!

Yan Zhenqing asked dryly, even speaking a little awkwardly.

This kind of "seal and leave blank" imperial edict is somewhat similar to the "golden finger" in the hands of the imperial envoy. If used, it can naturally subdue local bureaucrats who are disobedient to discipline in an instant and make government orders passable.

As for how to make money, that is not Fang Chongyong's responsibility. In essence, he is just the head bodyguard responsible for escorting people along the way!

"The joy of moving to a new house is obtained by the saint's love and gift from the emperor. You can only watch it from a distance and don't play with it."

Otherwise, how could he lose face and come to Fang Chongyong for help?

"The decorations in Fang Jieshuai's home are quite unique."

To put it bluntly, letting external officials fill in the decrees on their own and do whatever is convenient for them is a typical example of "I will take the blame and I will send you to death."

Fang Chongyong pretended to be confused and did not follow Yan Zhenqing's words at all.

So you have to ask someone what they think about going to Lianghuai Jiangnan to eat, drink and have fun. To be honest, there are not only some, but even many.

Anyway, the emperor is right.

"The army is about to leave tomorrow, leaving Guanzhong and heading to the south of the Huainan River. I wonder what Fang Jieshuai thinks about Huainan?"

Fang Zhongyong replied concisely and concisely, saying correct nonsense.

Fang Chongyong also replied carelessly, waiting for Yan Zhenqing to talk about business.

As the departure was about to begin, Fang Chongyong had not yet gone to Yan Zhenqing to discuss the itinerary. Instead, Yan Zhenqing came to the Pingxi County Prince's Mansion in Lantian County to discuss with Fang Chongyong how to "raise money" for the court.

Yan Zhenqing was an experienced official and was used to seeing flies and dogs.

This is not the first time that Brother Ji has used this method of only giving imperial edicts but not government decrees.

"If Yan Yushi really wants someone to say something, then someone can only say that this thing is Xiao He's success or Xiao He's defeat.

"The imperial court asked me to go to the Huaihe River and Jiangnan this time. The purpose was nothing more than money and grain. However, the saint gave me some blank and sealed imperial edicts and asked me to issue decrees on my own. How to do this?"

Seeing that Fang Chongyong didn't take the bait, Yan Zhenqing thought for a while, and finally sighed softly:

But if you ask someone what he thinks about the military affairs there, he can only say: There are no invincible chiefs on this trip, and he really has no idea at all. "

This time Yan Zhenqing was the "interview envoy" and was responsible for making money; the Yinqian Xiaojie Army was a forbidden army and was inconvenient to work in the Huaihe River and Jiangnan, so Fang Chongyong wrote to Brother Ji and asked for a temporary job as the "Huainan Jiedu Envoy".

But the imperial envoy who uses this thing also bears the risk of using gold fingers.

Yan Zhenqing asked doubtfully.

"Yan Yushi is just disturbing the place, taking bribes and perverting the law. You can go on your own.

For the sake of his colleagues, I just pretended that I was blind and couldn't see.

But it was wrong for Yan Yushi La to go into the water. The Silver Spear Xiaojie Army was a meritorious force that swept the Western Regions for the Tang Dynasty. How could it do such a thing as robbing families and homes?

Even if someone is willing to do it, the loyal and brave soldiers will not. "

Fang Chongyong shook his head and sighed.

His attitude is very obvious: No matter how you hint, I just won’t fall for it!
Fang Chongyong's Tai Chi move made Yan Zhenqing anxious.

"This trip south to raise funds is related to the safety of the Tang Dynasty. Please teach me, Your Highness."

Yan Zhenqing saluted Fang Zhongyong with his hands crossed, not daring to put on the airs like before.

Seeing Yan Zhenqing's surrender, Fang Chongyong sighed, shook his head and said: "Yan Yushi, I want to ask you, if the Tibetans rush down the plateau and march eastward with overwhelming force, how long will it take to reach Yangzhou City? "

ha?
Yan Zhenqing was stunned. He never expected Fang Chongyong to ask such a question, which seemed to have nothing to do with the topic.

"Even if the Tang Dynasty is gone, it will be difficult for the Tubo people to attack Yangzhou!"

Yan Zhenqing smiled bitterly.

"Yes, the court understands this, you and I understand it. And the big locals in Yangzhou are not stupid, they understand it too!

So they have no interest at all in what happens to the imperial border troops or the imperial imperial guards!

For those people, they have fertile fields all over the land, shops on the streets, and tenants under them to help them countless people, and they can't even count money.

The Tubo people can't attack their home, and the Khitan people can't attack their home. To put it bluntly, even if a certain prince came to power through a coup, they would still do whatever they were supposed to do. Anyway, those rights and wrongs are far away from them, and they don't care who is in charge of the court.

Now Yan Yushi is going to Yangzhou to tell those people that the court is in difficulty and they must come up with real money and silver to help the court build a forbidden army.

Do you think they would be happy? "

After Fang Chongyong's words, Yan Zhenqing was silenced!

In Yan Zhenqing's view, the court is now in difficulty, and the south of the Yangtze River and Huaihe River is not as good as Hebei. These places are far away from the war, and the long-lasting peace is all thanks to the Tang Dynasty.

Shouldn't these places and these people be grateful to the court?
Even if you don’t have to force yourself, you can still make some money, right?

But after hearing what Fang Chongyong said, he realized that he was too naive!

Be grateful? Not happening!
The fertile land was inherited by me from my ancestors and had nothing to do with the imperial court. The tenants' helpers work for me as a matter of course, neither stealing nor robbing. My wealth is all due to hard work, so what does it have to do with a dog like you, the imperial court!
I won’t rebel, so don’t stop me from becoming a rich man!

Sure enough, there should be more people who think this way.

Huainan is located in a peaceful corner of the south of the Yangtze River. The geographical conditions are all natural, and it deserves to be comfortable. What does this have to do with your court!

It’s not surprising that some big households in the south of the Yangtze River, Huaihe River, and Huaihe River would do this, it’s just human nature.

Just like many officials of the Tang Dynasty, they thought that doing some errands while in office was their own fault and had nothing to do with the court system.

Even if they understand concepts such as lip loss and teeth cold, carrying forward with a heavy load, they will pretend not to know.

In the eyes of these people, it is enough to pay taxes every year according to the rules of the court. They have no intention of rebelling, and the court should not interfere with their peaceful and worry-free life!

Everyone is fine, so what's the problem?

"Hearing what His Highness said, I would like to resign from the saint and return home."

Yan Zhenqing sighed helplessly, shook his head and smiled bitterly.

“Normally, it’s very difficult to get big business owners in these places to contribute money.

Even if it is forcibly implemented, I am afraid it will be infamy for thousands of years in the future.

Yan Yushi came here, presumably because he didn't want to be criticized by the world. "

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and did not deny Yan Zhenqing's statement.

In fact, Yan Zhenqing came here to seek help from Fang Chongyong because he cherished feathers and did not want to leave a reputation in the history books for "scavenging places, doing everything he could, and leaving too much to write down".

Otherwise, why would he go to all the trouble to go around in circles. When we get to the south of the Yangtze River and Huaihe River, wouldn't it be enough to put a knife on the necks of the rich?

In the past, in Xinghua Tower, all we talked about were strategies and how to do it, not specific implementation.

At that time, Yan Zhenqing also felt that the problem was not big. There should be many "people with lofty ideals" in the areas south of the Huaihe River and the Yangtze River, who were willing to contribute to the country, donate their family property, and "loan" to the central government.

Under the overthrow, there is a complete egg.

Is there anyone who really doesn’t understand this truth?

But listening to what Fang Chongyong said, it seemed that was not the case at all.

"There is no personal pain, there is no life-or-death stakes, but it is indeed very difficult to let unrelated people give up their family property."

Yan Zhenqing sighed helplessly and said that he also wanted to understand this.

"It's just that the Holy Order is difficult. I don't know what Prince Pingxi can teach me."

Yan Zhenqing asked sincerely.

"Well, actually there is no way."

Fang Chongyong touched the short beard on his chin and said slowly.

He just stopped here and refused to go on, making it clear that he would not let go of the rabbit before he saw the rabbit.

Yan Zhenqing felt helpless, knowing that it would be impossible without spending money.

He gritted his teeth and said: "I can write a letter of guarantee. After I go south, everything will be handled by Prince Pingxi. Related matters, government orders, appointment and dismissal of personnel, reporting to the court and other matters will all be decided by Prince Pingxi."

This is tantamount to automatically handing over the power in your hands and giving up treatment. I just hope that there will be a proper result in the end that satisfies all parties.

No matter what the process is.

After hearing this, Fang Chongyong smiled, waved his hand and said:
"Yan Yushi is so polite. You are so polite. Originally, this is also my official responsibility, but since Yan Yushi has already said it, I will write a deed in two copies. You and I will each keep one copy. .

In this way, it is also convenient for us to work together to get the job done. Yan Yushi, do you think this is the truth? "

Fang Chongyong asked with a smile.

"What His Highness said is absolutely true. I will write the deed now."

Yan Zhenqing was a straightforward person and did not show politeness to Fang Chongyong. He found pen, ink, paper and inkstone in the study and started writing by himself.

After writing two copies, he took out his personal seal and stamped the deed. After the ink is dry, hand it over to Fang Chongyong for observation.

"Yan Yushi's sincerity has already been felt by me. This trip is going south to the Huaihe River and the Yangtze River. Yan Yushi will be cautious in his words and deeds. I will take care of everything."

Fang Zhongyong shook the deed in his hand and said. Now that Yan Zhenqing has surrendered, there is no need for him to continue to manipulate the other party.

Is this just a "deed"?

Indeed, but not entirely.

This is a handle that cannot be made public! Even after the matter is over, Fang Chongyong can get hold of Yan Zhenqing's key items!

This is the strategic cornerstone for establishing an "offensive and defensive alliance" in the future.

I helped you this time, and you have to help me if I have trouble in the future. Here is the evidence. If you don't cooperate then, throwing out this letter will be enough to ruin your political credibility.

Yan Zhenqing obviously knew how important this thing was, so he had always been talking about him, hoping that Fang Chongyong would work for free.

After some pulling, he finally gave in.

"In that case, I'll ask Prince Pingxi to make arrangements."

Yan Zhenqing nodded slightly and said. This matter was somewhat unreasonable, but it did not exceed his political red line.

Yan Zhenqing wanted to do something big for the country, and raising military expenses for the Forbidden Army was a "big thing" that was in line with his righteousness. For this reason, political alliances with certain people are a last resort.

It's just for the sake of justice, it's not unacceptable.

After all, Fang Chongyong is considered a "royalist" and not a rebel, so why can't he cooperate with him? Since we want to cooperate, we must pay a price.

"Please rest assured, Censor Yan, I will keep my word and will never break it."

Fang Chongyong nodded and put the deed into his arms.

"Your Highness, I don't know how to operate it?"

Yan Zhenqing humbly asked for advice.

"Hey, we can't say it yet. It won't work if we tell it in advance."

Fang Zhongyong waved his hand, looking enigmatic.

(End of this chapter)