Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 482 My father is my father, and I am my father

Before coming to Heyin County, Fang Chongyong and the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army were downtrodden lions with low morale and no idea of ​​their future.

But when they left Heyin County, the grain boats in their team were filled with all kinds of food, fodder, supplies, silk, and even a lot of fine wine!
The morale of the soldiers in the army immediately increased and they were full of confidence in the future!

Eat hot pot and sing songs, cook good wine and eat dishes.

At this moment, in the cabin of the canal boat, Fang Zhongyong invited Lu Mai to come here to drink and chat. Most of the generals of the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army were also here.

After making a big deal, of course you have to celebrate properly. This is also a common way to maintain relationships and morale.

However, for Lu Mai, Fang Chongyong robbed Lu's treasury like a thief covering his ears and stealing the bell, and also invited him to eat, drink and have fun together. It is hard to say that this is not a "murder and heartbreak".

Anyway, the young and energetic Lu Mai felt uncomfortable sitting in the cabin, like a crane standing out among a flock of chickens.

After three rounds of drinking, Fang Zhongyong put down his glass and said to everyone with a smile: "I will give you a question in this section. If you answer it correctly, there will be a huge reward!"

"General, what's the reward?"

He Changqi asked excitedly.

All the generals were looking at Fang Chongyong, only Lu Mai was drinking in a corner. He was not used to such a rough banquet with so many soldiers.

He also didn't care what Fang Chongyong would reward him with.

"You want a beauty, this commander will give you a beauty; you want money, this commander will give you money, how about this?"

Fang Chongyong laughed.

The Silver Spear Filial Piety Army was about to expand, so even if someone asked for an official position, he would be able to give it to them.

"That's great, Marshal Jie, please give us the questions!"

He Changqi patted his chest confidently, as if he could answer any question Fang Chongyong asked.

"listen!

Walking down the street with nothing to do, carrying a pot to buy wine;
Double the price when you see a store, drink a bucket when you see flowers;
I met a shop and flowers three times and drank all the wine in the pot.

How much wine was originally in the jug?"

Fang Zhongyong stroked the short beard on his chin, looked around at everyone and asked.

Eh?
The soldiers were good at taking up swords and fighting on horseback, but they were a little confused about these complicated things.

Wine, shops, and flowers, what the hell is this!

"You can't say that!"

Fang Zhongyong pointed at Che Guangqian and said.

Strictly speaking, Xiao Che is a scholar, and joining the army is just a sideline. He must know the most basic math problems in the Nine Chapters of Arithmetic.

"General Jie, this is such a difficult question, I can't guess it!"

He Changqi touched his head and said.

The generals were all at a loss, with similar expressions to He Changqi. The atmosphere in the cabin suddenly became awkward.

"General Jie, it's seven-eighths!"

Lu Mai in the corner mentioned this.

The whispering in the cabin suddenly stopped. Some generals like He Changqi were still wondering what this "seven-eighths" meant.

"Seven-eighths means seven out of eight, which is the same as two-thirds of ten! He meant eight-seven dou, which is less than a dou of wine!"

Che Guangqian reminded He Changqi in his ear!
"Oh! I see... I don't understand at all."

He Changqi thought about it, but still didn't understand why the answer was like this.

"Mr. Lu is great, come on, take a seat!"

Fang Zhongyong pointed at Lu Mai and told him to come forward and sit next to his desk. Obviously, Lu Mai was right.

Lu Mai was flattered and sat down. He found that Fang Chongyong seemed to be more talkative than expected, so he asked boldly: "General, you led people to rob the Lu family's manor because the Lu family treated the tenants harshly, which caused public resentment. Are you trying to enforce justice?"

As soon as he said this, the cabin, which was as noisy as a vegetable market, suddenly became quiet.

The soldiers who were playing finger-guessing and swearing also stopped and looked at Fang Zhongyong. The originally casual atmosphere in the cabin suddenly became tense!
"Mr. Lu, I want to remind you of something in this section."

Fang Zhongyong paused and continued, "The food and fodder in the canal boats were given to us by the manager of the Lu's Manor as military supplies. Moreover, we also wrote an IOU. When the war is over in the future, the Lu's can ask the court for these supplies. There is no looting."

His words directly blocked Lu Mai's subsequent questions.

I am a royal army officer, and my responsibility is to protect the country and the people. How could I do something like plundering other places?

Those murders and robberies must have been committed by bandits, at most bandits wearing Tang army armor! It has nothing to do with us.

You can eat whatever you want, but you can’t say whatever you want!
"That's what Commander Jie said."

Lu Mai said helplessly, feeling that he could not win against Fang Zhongyong. Because the group of people in the cabin were holding knives in their hands.

As if sensing that Lu Mai was a little unconvinced, Fang Zhongyong sighed and said, "But, that group of bandits probably didn't kill people because they wanted to eliminate harm for the people."

"Appreciate further details!"

Lu Mai was filled with anger. He had never been convinced and thought that Fang Chongyong and his group did whatever they wanted just because they had knives in their hands. If they really argued with him, they would definitely not be able to win.

"The managers of the Lu family manor are actually the branch of your Lu family. I don't know how they treat the tenants, but I think that with the Lu family's shrewdness, they won't treat the tenants too badly.

Just imagine a shepherd who tries his best to feed his sheep; a cattle herder who tries his best to feed his cattle.

Otherwise, how could these animals help them plow the fields and bring them what they wanted? If Lu treated the tenants too badly and made them unable to survive, who would do the piles of work in the manor?
This question is actually very easy to understand.”

Fang Zhongyong explained patiently.

He Changqi and others in the cabin also pricked up their ears to listen. After all, they always followed orders and never seriously thought about why Fang Chongyong wanted to kill the Lu family's branch.

He killed five or six in one breath!

“Well, I’ll assume that the Lu family treats the tenants very well and doesn’t charge them high rent, making them more comfortable than ordinary self-employed farmers.

Then I ask you, has the Lu family paid enough taxes, labor service, and corresponding silk and cloth to the court?
If not enough, by how much?”

Fang Chongyong looked at Lu Mai and asked.

This question is really hard to ask. Although Lu Mai is very simple, he is a rare smart man!
Since you are discussing the truth in person, you cannot fool the other person. You cannot deceive yourself while deceiving others.

The imperial court now collects taxes based on the number of people. Those tenants are all illegal households and are not considered "people". The Lu family only needs to pay a few taxes to the administrators.

Anyone with eyesight can see the trick here!

"In fact, you also know that the food, clothing and other expenses of your Lu family in Luoyang all come from the taxes that you should have paid to the court!
Those tenants should have paid taxes to the state, but you collected them on their behalf because they had no land. But you did not pay them to the state, but used official methods and loopholes in the court's laws to smooth them over and keep the money for yourself.

You treat your own farmers well, but that doesn't mean you treat the self-employed farmers who pay taxes to the country well! In fact, it is because of your existence that their burden is heavier, so much so that when a disaster year comes, they have to sell their children!

Even so, do you still dare to say that you are innocent? "

Fang Chongyong looked at Lu Mai and spoke righteously.

Lu Mai was stunned for a long time, trying to digest Fang Zhongyong's words and find loopholes in his words. However, he thought for a long time and couldn't find where the other party was wrong.

Wealth does not appear out of thin air. The Lu family's wealth came from the hard work of their tenants. In order to better seize wealth, the Lu family also used official power and the flaws in the court system to "avoid taxes" through various means.

This is equivalent to intercepting the taxes that the tenants pay to the country and using them for personal use. In the long run, the harm to the country is obvious.

To put it more clearly, they are parasites of the country!
"Have you figured it out?" Fang Chongyong asked with a smile.

"Think about it now. You will suffer the consequences if you bring trouble upon yourself."

Lu Mai felt bitter and finally understood why Fang Chongyong wanted to kill Lu's people.

Because of this general's ambition, if anyone wanted to withhold taxes from the court, it would have to be him, the governor holding a knife!
How could Lu do such a thing?
Since we are all intercepting the imperial tax revenue, there is no distinction between good and bad people, and everyone depends on their ability. I have a knife in my hand, why don't you listen to me?
This is the simple logic of a soldier.

"I understand. When we get to Bianzhou, this commander will have a lot of documents to issue, so you will be very busy.

But you can rest assured that you will get the salary you deserve."

Fang Chongyong laughed and said.

"I humble my position and take orders."

Lu Mai felt mixed emotions, and the other party saluted with his hands crossed.

"Come on, let's drink to our heart's content today! When we get to Bianzhou, we'll capture the city! I wish you all a successful start!"

Fang Chongyong filled his glass with wine, picked up the glass, and drank it all in one gulp!

Wait, capture the city?
He Changqi and others, who habitually raised their glasses, stood there in a daze, looking at Fang Chongyong with confusion.

"General, won't Bianzhou open its gates to welcome the royal army?"

He Changqi asked in disbelief.

"Bianzhou will indeed open its gates to welcome the royal army, but... we are rebels, at least for now."

Che Guangqian added.

……

The ferry outside Kaifeng City was still busy with people coming and going, and was not affected by the war at all.

If there is any impact, it is that it is busier than ever!

The supplies from Lianghuai and Jiangnan were blocked in Bianzhou and would not go any further, because the two armies were facing each other in front of them, and the merchants were worried about being robbed by the Hebei bandit army! This indirectly led to the prosperity of Bianzhou.

Li Jiaqing, a general under Fang Youde, was appointed by Crown Prince Li Heng as the Jiedushi of the Zhongwu Army, responsible for transporting grain and fodder from Bianzhou to Luoyang.

The Konghe Army is directly under the command of Fang Youde, while the Zhongwu Army only has some newly recruited soldiers with poor combat effectiveness, and can only handle logistics for now.

However, transporting grain and fodder by water to Luoyang was not an easy journey, as the canal from Bianzhou to Luoyang had been abandoned for more than ten years, and only small boats with very small loads could be used, relying on the same ant-like movement of water transport.

As for dredging the canal, no one knows when that will be done. At least, it cannot be during a war.

Early in the morning of that day, Li Jiaqing had just gone to the top of Kaifeng City for inspection when a scout came to report that a large fleet of grain ships was coming from the north!

If they came from the north, they could only have come from the Yongji Canal in Hebei, so their identities would be obvious!
It could only be the Hebei rebels! He had actually been worried about this, but he didn't expect it to finally happen!

"Quick, quickly deploy defenses! Close the gates of Kaifeng, and no one is allowed to leave the city!"

Li Jiaqing quickly gave the order! His heartbeat accelerated violently!
With the current defense level of Bianzhou, they can only implement "mobile defense", exchange space for time, and use the water network to fight guerrilla warfare with the Hebei rebels. Kaifeng City cannot be defended!
After a while, a team with shining helmets and armor got off the boat and lined up under the city. There were both infantry and cavalry, and they looked very capable, but there were only two or three thousand people.

Kaifeng's city wall, according to the court regulations, is the second to last type, and the wall is 15 feet high. Because it is a commercial port, it is larger than an ordinary county town, but the length and width are less than 2,000 meters.

If we were to be attacked by tens of thousands of people, we would be unable to defend it no matter what.

Seeing that the other side did not have many people, Li Jiaqing breathed a sigh of relief.

Whoosh!
Suddenly, an arrow shot onto the city wall from below. The guard picked it up and handed it to Li Jiaqing.

When he opened it, he saw only these sixteen words written on it: "Silver spear of filial piety, obeying the will of heaven to quell rebellion; the prince ascends the throne, may you live forever."

Silver Spear Filial Piety Army! Fang Chongyong!
After finding out the other party's number, Li Jiaqing was immediately overjoyed!
"Fang Guozhong is in person at the foot of the city!"

Li Jiaqing shouted towards the city.

"That's right! Fang Quanzhong's son has come with his troops to defend the king!"

Fang Chongyong walked out of the army formation and shouted towards the top of the city wall.

"Who is the witness?"

Li Jiaqing was still a little worried. After all, he had never met Fang Chongyong. What if someone pretended to be him?
"Inside the city there is Fang Laique, a servant of the Fang family, who can serve as a witness. Come here to find him!"

Fang Zhongyong suddenly remembered that Fang Laique and Fang Youde left together and should be in Kaifeng now. As for whether Wang Yunxiu and the others had arrived in Kaifeng, Fang Zhongyong had no idea and did not dare to mention it.

"Go to the Fang family mansion and find Fang Laique."

Li Jiaqing gave instructions to the soldiers around him.

"Order!"

The soldiers took the order and left.

After a while, Fang Laique, who had a dull look in his eyes and a calm expression and had grown much taller than a few years ago, was brought in by Li Jiaqing's personal soldiers. Also coming with him was Fang Chongyong's wife, Wang Yunxiu.

"Is this person below the city Fang Guozhong?"

Li Jiaqing pointed at Fang Zhongyong under the city and asked Fang Laique.

"No, he is Fang Zhongyong, not Fang Guozhong."

Fang Laique said this confidently, his dead fish eyes showing no wavering expression.

Alas, this child is such a fool!

Li Jiaqing showed a helpless smile and looked at Wang Yunxiu, hoping that she would speak out.

"General Li, why are you still hesitating? Open the city gates! My husband and his trusted followers are just outside the city!"

Seeing Fang Chongyong riding on a horse, Wang Yunxiu was so excited that her whole body was shaking.

"My husband Alang said not to open the city gates to Fang Chongyong. If he comes, tell him to get out of here as soon as possible."

Fang Lai Que reminded Li Jiaqing in an emotionless voice.

"General Li, how can father and son harm each other? The Silver Spear Filial Piety Army has been designated as a traitor by the tyrant emperor. Now they are leading troops to support the prince. Do you still doubt it?"

Wang Yunxiu persuaded Li Jiaqing and immediately pushed Fang Laique aside.

Li Jiaqing looked at Fang Laique, whose intelligence was completely different from that of a normal person, and then at Wang Yunxiu, who was smart, capable, and spoke clearly.

He still decided to open the city gate and let the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army enter the city.

After all, my father is my father, and I am my father's son!

Do I need to say more about the principle of not alienating close relatives?
Marshal Fang's power and wealth will sooner or later belong to Marshal Fang Jie.

It is common sense that the son inherits the father's property. Li Jiaqing did not think that if he offended Fang Chongyong now, he would get any benefit from Fang Youde.

They are the father and son!

"Madam Wang, what you said makes sense. Come on, open the city gates and welcome the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army into the city!"

Li Jiaqing waved his hand and ordered the city gate to be opened.

Accompanied by a sound of teeth-grinding, the gate of Kaifeng City, which had not been opened for a long time, opened wide. Li Jiaqing and his confidants walked out of the city to welcome Fang Chongyong.

(End of this chapter)