Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 634 Give Him a Green Hat
Although Li Lin was very stupid, he was a puppet emperor and was not without any threat.

This time Li Lin showed signs of interfering with the imperial examinations, and Fang Chongyong decided to "publicly execute" him at the court meeting tomorrow.

He was determined to show Li Lin how the civil officials could use legitimate means to restrain the words and deeds of an emperor with a "united will".

Thinking of this, Fang Chongyong looked at the "Five-Year Development Outline" on the table, but he was still not very satisfied with it.

In terms of military affairs, the central government should reorganize the imperial guards, and local governments should expand the united army. The imperial guards should be controlled by distributing land to military households.

In agriculture, the focus is on rest and recuperation, developing water conservancy projects, and promoting cotton planting.

The oil lamp on the table flickered, and his eyes seemed a little vague.

Fang Zhongyong's plan was very slow, slower than most people in the court had predicted. It was an inevitable trend to transfer the political center from Guanzhong to Guandong. Otherwise, the blockage of the canal transportation at Sanmenxia alone would be enough to make people worried.

Opening up the Grand Canal for logistics between the north and the south will be the pulse of the times for the next thousand years, and it cannot be erased by willpower alone.

Creating an economic center out of thin air in Henan, and then developing a political center based on it, is not an easy path to take, and we can only explore it slowly.

One advantage of slowly building your own base is that there won't be any celestial dragons getting in the way.

Just as Fang Zhongyong was racking his brains to think of a solution, he suddenly saw Da Zhenhui out of the corner of his eye, sneaking around the back door of the study like a mouse, as if she wanted to come forward, but he felt a little embarrassed.

"What are you doing?"

Fang Zhongyong turned around and asked.

Da Zhenhui stepped forward shyly and handed him a thick stack of manuscripts. Her face was slightly red, but it was not so obvious under the light of the oil lamp.

"Ask. I guess you have questions."

Fang Zhongyong held Da Zhenhui's shoulders and made her kneel on the cushion next to him.

"Ah Lang said he wanted to make the people prosperous. Is it really because of those reasons?"

Da Zhenhui asked uncertainly. She didn't expect that Fang Zhongyong's grand and noble wish was actually based on such a dark purpose.

“You may not believe it, but I think it’s true.”

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and said.

He noticed that Da Zhenhui didn't seem to believe it, so he sighed and explained:

“When the people are rich, it will be expensive to hire them to work. Then those who hire them will find ways to use machines that don’t eat, don’t drink, and don’t even need to rest at night.

In addition, we want these machines to be as efficient as possible and to continuously innovate.

This way, there is an incentive for technological progress. Everyone is willing to use new technologies instead of exploiting labor.

For example, the loom you saw that day was a prefab loom. During the peak season, He Fugui had arranged for the weavers to work in three shifts, so the machine would not complain of being tired.

Why is He Fugui like this?
Because if we don't use such machines and only let the weavers do the work, the efficiency will be too low and He Fugui won't make that much money. In short, machines are much more useful than people.

If the people are too poor and are willing to work day and night for a little money, then it is possible that new machines will be more expensive than human labor.

People like He Fugui are not willing to buy new machines. Because things like pre-sale machines will gradually wear out and need repairs from time to time. "

Fang Chongyong gave a long speech, breaking it down and explaining it to Da Zhenhui.

The latter suddenly realized that this principle is actually very easy to understand and all farmers understand it.

If the use of oxen costs too much, the landlord will make the tenants work as oxen, depending on the level of rent.

If people are also considered as “objects”, then they actually have usage costs. Whether it is a wealthy businessman or a landlord, hiring people to do work has costs.

If human life is worthless and cheap, then it is even worse than cattle and horses. Of course, the landlords are happy to spend less money and use people like cattle and horses.

Such a self-evident truth made Da Zhenhui completely unable to refute it.

“So, no matter how good the world is in the future.

Those who farm, work, fish, cut wood, or even work as dancers and singers in restaurants or as musicians playing musical instruments can only make a living and cannot become rich.

It's good enough to have something to eat, right?"

Da Zhenhui asked quietly.

"Yes, it's almost like eternal damnation, at least that's the case now.

Those who live near the mountains and forests make a living by logging, and the sons take over the business after the father's death.

Those who live near lakes make a living by fishing, and the sons take over the business after the father's death.

Those who dig for food in the fields and make a living by farming, the son inherits the family business after the father dies.

It is easy for officials to emerge from the families of intellectuals. If a landlord collects rent, his son will also collect rent.

The emperor's son is a prince, born rich.

This is called caste.

Once a person has been reincarnated, that is roughly what his fate will be.

So what is the distinction between the upper nine classes and the lower nine classes? It is OK for the upper nine classes to go to the lower nine classes, but if the lower nine classes go to the upper nine classes, they will get hurt.

Everyone has a destiny that he cannot escape.

What I want to do is to open a path for them, build a ladder, and give them the opportunity to climb up.

that is it.

If I can’t do it, then I will leave a book to tell future generations how to open a path and how to build a ladder.”

Fang Zhongyong said with a long sigh.

"Ah Lang, my father is far inferior to you."

Da Zhenhui said very seriously.

"If your father knew you said that about him, he would definitely hang you up and beat you."

Fang Zhongyong pinched Da Zhenhui's nose and teased.

"From now on, I will help Alang organize the manuscript. I will keep it a secret. From now on, I will be Lanling Xiaoxiaosheng!"

Da Zhenhui hugged Fang Zhongyong's arm and said excitedly.

"Do you understand?"

Fang Chongyong was a little surprised. This girl from Bohai Kingdom was very smart!

"Okay, I understand. I will help Ah Lang do this great thing! These days I have been thinking that I am a parasite. I don't want to be a parasite anymore."

Da Zhenhui grabbed Fang Zhongyong's sleeve tightly and said.

"The night gave me a pair of black eyes, but I use them to find the light."

Fang Zhongyong gently held Da Zhenhui in his arms and murmured to himself. The oil lamp on the table seemed to be brighter, and the red flame was dancing.

At this moment, Da Zhenhui felt that her heart had been conquered. She regarded the man who was embracing her at this moment as a bright light in her life.

Boom boom boom!
There was an inopportune knock on the study door.

"come in."

Fang Zhongyong shouted and let go of Da Zhenhui. The latter's face flushed, and she lowered her head to pick up the manuscript on the table and hid it behind her.

Soon, a handsome young man walked into the study. Seeing Da Zhenhui was there, he was stunned for a moment. Just when he was about to turn around and leave, he turned back abruptly.

"Great wisdom, it's so late, do you have something important to report?"

Fang Zhongyong asked with a gloomy face.

"General, the Houmo Chen family of Daxiangguo Temple..."

Da Congming hesitated to speak.

Fang Zhongyong stood up suddenly, looking horrified.

He pointed at Da Congming and yelled, "How could you seduce the queen? Is this something you can do?"

"Please calm down, Marshal. How could I possibly do such a vile thing? It was not me who did it. It was the lecherous monk from the Daxiangguo Temple!"

Da Congming quickly explained.

"Let's go and catch the adulterer!"

Fang Zhongyong hung the Wind Phantom Blade on the wall around his waist, took Da Zhenhui's hand and left. He also put the manuscript into the bookcase.

"How dare this bitch, how dare she?"

Fang Chongyong walked while cursing in shock and anger.

Da Congming explained in a low voice: "The queen wanted to return to Chenliu County, but the emperor hated her deeply for killing Concubine Zheng, so he refused to let her go back, so..." He couldn't continue.

It is hard to say that Houmochen's move was not to retaliate against Li Lin.

However, those who understand the little things in the Tang Dynasty's aristocratic circles know it. Noble women who are not satisfied with their married life like to look for ducks in temples. It is a traditional program.

This has been a common occurrence since the founding of the Tang Dynasty.

Houmochen's move may seem abrupt, but in fact, every step she takes can be traced back to Li Lin.

The three of them, under the protection of Zhang Guangsheng, rushed to Daxiangguo Temple in a hurry. When the abbot of the temple saw Fang Zhongyong, his face turned green and his legs couldn't help but tremble.

"You'd better pray to Buddha, the head will still be on your neck later."

Fang Chongyong patted the fat face of the abbot of Daxiangguo Temple with the handle of the Gale Phantom Knife.

The group headed straight for the courtyard where Houmo Chen lived. As soon as they walked in, they heard a woman's cry coming from a meditation room.

The voice sounded like laughing and crying, gentle and melodious.

It seemed as if it was wailing in great pain, but also as if it was extremely comfortable. From time to time, cheerful laughter and sighs could be heard.

This really made Dacongming and Dazhenhui, a pair of siblings who had no idea what sex was like, feel very confused.

Zhang Guangsheng, who had already tasted the sweetness of women and knew how wonderful women were, showed an ambiguous smile on his face and couldn't help but sigh with admiration.

"Go kick the door. Kick it hard."

Fang Chongyong gave instructions to Zhang Guangsheng with an unpleasant look on his face.

Bang!

The sliding door made of wooden strips was kicked to pieces in an instant.

"oops!"

Da Zhenhui screamed, hid behind Fang Zhongyong, and covered her eyes with her hands. Da Congming stared with his eyes wide open, afraid of missing anything.

There was a naked couple hugging each other in the Zen room, and the scene was disgusting to watch.

"Marshal Fang!"

When Hou Mochen saw who was coming, she immediately pushed away her adulterer who was hugging her, and her face turned pale with fright!

Now Fang Zhongyong is the person she fears the most, no doubt about it.

Because of the current situation, even if she acted like a whore, Li Lin wouldn't dare to do anything to her!
The prerequisite is that Fang Zhongyong is protecting him!

Seeing Marshal Fang's livid face, Hou Mochen was completely at a loss.

"A monk actually committed adultery!"

Fang Zhongyong roared, drew out the Wind Phantom Blade, and stepped forward to chop to death the monk who was sitting on the bed because of his weak legs!

"Marshal, spare me! It was the Emperor who asked me to seduce the Queen! It was not my idea!"

The strong adulterer monk cried out loudly for justice.

But Fang Zhongyong acted as if he didn't hear it and just raised his knife and chopped it down.

"what!"

With a scream, the adulterer's blood splattered all over Hou Mochen!
"Marshal, don't kill me, don't kill me!"

Houmochen screamed and picked up a piece of clothing on the ground and wrapped it around herself.

Of course Fang Chongyong would not kill her.

This matter is obviously what it is, what is there to say?

He turned around and left with Da Zhenhui and others.

When they arrived at the gate of Daxiangguo Temple, Fang Zhongyong looked at the abbot who was too frightened to move, and asked in a deep voice: "If someone else asks, has the abbot thought about what to say?"

"Yes, there was a thief who disguised himself as a monk and sneaked into the temple. He was accidentally beaten to death by the warrior monk who was guarding the temple."

The abbot spoke stutteringly.

"Daxiangguo Temple has failed in its duty. Abbot, you need to reflect on this."

Fang Zhongyong said to the abbot with a forced smile.

"Please rest assured, Marshal. I will be careful with my words and actions."

The abbot hurriedly continued speaking, fearing that Fang Chongyong would chop him to death with a single blow.

When the group arrived at the gate of Kaifeng, Fang Zhongyong, who had been thinking for a long time, said to Da Congming: "Go and inform the prince now and ask him to take the queen to live with him."

"Order!"

Da Congming took the order and ran away very fast.

After Dacongming left, Fang Zhongyong looked at Zhang Guangsheng and said to him in a low voice: "Follow the old rules in Shazhou. I don't want to hear any rumors. Go and prepare now."

Seeing Fang Zhongyong's serious expression, Zhang Guangsheng nodded. He looked at Da Zhenhui thoughtfully, then turned and left.

"What are the old rules?"

There were no outsiders around, so Da Zhenhui asked curiously.

"Nothing else, just murder and arson."

Fang Zhongyong said lightly.

Da Zhenhui was so frightened that she shuddered and instantly swallowed the words she was about to ask.

At this moment, she remembered that Fang Zhongyong's current status was not given by others, but was carved out by him one sword at a time.

How could such a person be as docile as a little white rabbit?
“I just killed Houmo Chen’s adulterer with a single knife, not because I hated him, but because I was afraid that he would confess more things.

The abbot of Daxiangguo Temple has been bribed by the emperor. This is a trap set against Houmochen, with the purpose of finding an excuse to depose the queen.

The only way to prevent Hou Mochen’s affair from being spread was to wipe out every person here and burn them to death.

The queen is the prince's backer, and the prince can balance the restless emperor. Deposing the queen because of promiscuity will greatly weaken the prince's appeal. All of this is politics.

In other words, it is something that cannot be tolerated in politics.”

Fang Chongyong didn't seem to have any intention of entering the city at this moment. Da Zhenhui guessed that he was waiting for Crown Prince Li Wei to come to Daxiangguo Temple to pick up Hou Mochen and leave.

Da Zhenhui then realized how cautious Fang Zhongyong was. To be on the safe side, he decided to see Hou Mochen being taken away by Li Wei before returning to the government office.

As long as the prince took Queen Houmochen away, Li Lin's conspiracy would be eliminated without a trace.

As for how shameless it was for Li Lin to hire someone to seduce his original wife, and how despicable it was for Hou Mochen to indulge in carnal desires, none of that mattered.

At least it’s not important to Fang Zhongyong.

"Cut the Gordian knot."

Da Zhenhui muttered to herself, and suddenly this idiom came to her mind.

Tonight, Fang Zhongyong was cutting the Gordian knot, from discovery, to confirmation, to disposal, to the end.

It only takes one night.

When Li Lin received the news after dawn, everything had been settled.

Da Zhenhui glanced at Fang Chongyong. It was hard for her to imagine how Marshal Fang, who looked very ordinary and even a little honest, could have such delicate political skills.

After a while, Li Wei hurried over and saw Fang Chongyong waiting for him at the city gate. He immediately crossed his arms and saluted with gratitude. Behind him, someone was carrying a "shoulder sedan chair" covered with thick Shu brocade on all sides. It seemed to be prepared for Houmo Chen.

"Go."

Fang Chongyong pointed in the direction of Daxiangguo Temple to Li Wei.

Soon, Zhang Guangsheng also came on horseback with a team of personal soldiers. Each person's horse had a piece of flaming oil hung on it for ignition.

They arrived at the city gate at the same time as Li Wei who had returned. After exchanging a few polite words, they went about their own business.

"You are the emperor's accomplice. It is unreasonable not to inform the emperor. Go to Chenliu County now. Say that Daxiangguo Temple caught fire and the queen is missing.

You don’t need to say more about the rest.”

Fang Zhongyong patted Dacongming on the shoulder and said.

"Order!"

Da Congming said excitedly, feeling that he was treated as a confidant.

(End of this chapter)