Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 65

"Will this move of yours work?"

In the study room of Fang's house at the back door of Xingqing Palace, Zheng Shuqing looked at Fang Chongyong suspiciously and asked.

It was already late at night, and the two of them were still plotting here.

There are many things to do next, the most critical one is: discuss with the head of the Shaofu Supervisor, Zheng Shuqing's relative, Shaofuqing Zheng Yan, and quickly make these Tang brocades into clothes for the dancers.

It won't delay important things.

Urgent, high-quality, at least the workmanship cannot be inferior to the grade of the fabric!

Except for the Shaofu Supervisor, there is really no family in Chang'an that has the strength to make such a request.

Before discussing with Zheng Yan, Zheng Shuqing needed to confirm with Fang Chongyong for the last time whether this deal could be done!

"Actually, there is a shortcut this time. There is no need to go to Wei Qing, let alone help from Aunt Gongsun."

Fang Chongyong said quietly.

Lao Zheng was most afraid of him saying such things, so he quickly lowered his voice and asked, "How do you say this?"

"This is the time when Yang Yuhuan is favored. As long as Zheng Shilang orders a few sets of clothes for her and lets her wear them during the celebration, the saint will definitely be happy. The batch of Tang brocade is not a problem.

This method is safe and economical, and can also please Yang Yuhuan and indirectly please the saint. "

Fang Chongyong explained the advantages of this method to Zheng Shuqing: good curative effect, quick results, and save money.

Lao Zheng, who is a native of China, knew as soon as he heard that this matter had great side effects, and quickly asked: "Is there anything wrong with it?"

"Of course it's inappropriate. The hidden dangers are huge! Just believe me, there are many things that cannot be explained for a while."

Fang Chongyong sighed lightly. He couldn't say that at least many people in this era would blame Yang Yuhuan for the Anshi Rebellion in the future and believed that it was closely related to it.

If he got involved in the affairs between Li Longji and Yang Yuhuan, it would be like planting a bomb around him that could explode at any time!

"Well, that's fine. I also think it's inappropriate to ask Yang Yuhuan about this matter."

Zheng Shuqing nodded slightly. He said this purely because of his intuition of survival in the officialdom after being an official for many years.

Countless ancestors have proved with their blood lessons that as long as you have a relationship with the concubine in the palace, it can certainly take you away when it is beneficial.However, if there is any trouble, it is very likely to be implicated and fall for no reason.

Originally, the imitation of the new Sogdian brocade was a good thing for the country and the people, and it might have a great impact on the future textile industry of Datang.

Because of this foundation, Zheng Shuqing did not want to take the wrong approach.Don't say that Fang Chongyong didn't mention it, even if he did, it's unlikely that he would accept it.

Providing high-quality clothes and fabrics for the dancers in Liyuan is one of the jobs of the Shaofu supervisor, which belongs to "public to public".

Impeccable.

This is also the main reason why Zheng Shuqing often looks to Fang Chongyong for advice.

The ideas of this little prodigy are often extremely operable, and they are compliant and legal!

"Letting Mrs. Gongsun show her face this time will definitely offend Yang Yuhuan. She may not say anything now, but once this incident leaves a root cause, it will be difficult to eliminate hidden dangers.

What the future will bring...it's hard to predict.

But the future is too far away and I can’t care about it for the time being. "

Fang Chongyong looked at Zheng Shuqing very seriously and said.

"A favored woman can be so dishonest in her position. What kind of disturbance can she cause?"

Zheng Shuqing said disapprovingly, Fang Zhongyong's reminder was ignored.

The mere Yang Yuhuan, as the Princess of Shou, was snatched by the sage as a plaything.

What kind of tricks can this woman pull off?
Zheng Shuqing didn't think Yang Yuhuan could do anything about this woman. Maybe Li Longji would get tired of playing casually for half a month?

However, it is foreseeable that the "performance costumes" provided to Aunt Gongsun's apprentices this time, but Yang Yuhuan, who is favored, is not asked. This matter will definitely plant a thorn in the latter's heart.

After all, there is no harm without comparison.

Is it to flatter Yang Yuhuan to climb up the ladder, or "deliberately" to embarrass this woman who is destined to become a noble concubine?
There are few things in the world that have the best of both worlds. Often, if you please one side, you will offend the other side. Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing both made the choice to avoid the future Concubine Yang!
……

In a study room of Li Linfu's house in Pingkangfang, on the desk of the newly promoted Right Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty, there was a memorial from Cui Xiyi, the governor of Hexi Province.

It said: This year's grain harvest in Hexi was poor due to drought, and the output was much lower than last year.It is hoped that the imperial court can support Hexi from the capital.

Li Linfu fell into deep thought.

In fact, this is not the first time that what is mentioned in this memo has occurred.

The total grain output of the Hexi Corridor has been under the influence of the continuous decline in the yield per mu, showing a phenomenon of weak succession.

In the Hexi Corridor, where Liangzhou and Ganzhou are the main grain-producing areas, the increase in overall grain production in the past few years is only due to the continuous reclamation of wasteland in Liangzhou by border residents.

But now the areas that can be reclaimed are basically all reclaimed, and the annual grain production is declining slightly.

Now, not only are there no redundant oases for farming, but there are some areas that were developed very early. Due to the intensification of desertification, the local Tang army has abandoned large areas for cultivation.

The army was downgraded to guarding, and guarding was downgraded to garrison. They even directly withdrew from the oasis swallowed by the desert.This phenomenon occurs from south to north. The farther away from the upstream icebergs and snow melt, the more severe the desertification.

These things used to be like pricking the back of Li Longji's hand with a needle, but now they have become steel nails piercing the palm of his hand, making people have to deal with these difficult problems.

The room leak happened to rain overnight, and this year, because of the full-scale war with Tubo in the Hexi and Longyou areas, the army needed even more food and grass.

Not only is the Hexi Corridor unable to transport grain from Liangzhou back to Chang'an as before, but there is a food gap of about 80 shi, which needs to be provided by the Gyeonggi region.

Li Longji ignored this question and threw it directly to Li Linfu.

This sage is busy fooling around with Yang Yuhuan in the pear orchard, so who cares whether Liangzhou will be short of food.

I am invincible in the Tang Dynasty, if something happens, it is the problem of the officials, just kill a few and punish.

Li Longji thought so.

He thought: If the country's affairs are different from each other, and the six ministers can't handle it, what's the use of them?

These people serve the emperor and the country, rather than trouble the emperor himself!
Now the newly appointed left prime minister Zhang Shougui has no knowledge of central government affairs and is not familiar with the situation in the court, so he is not qualified to tell Li Linfu.

All in all, now is a good opportunity for Li Linfu to vigorously seize power and install party members, but it is also a time to test his administrative abilities.

If you don't have the ability to deal with complex situations, the current good situation will collapse in a very short period of time.

"To transport rice and grain to the Western Regions, it is necessary to recruit mules, horses and cattle from all over the country, which is not advisable. Hu merchants transport grain and grass to Hexi, and then use the method of peace and purchase, which is a wise move."

Li Linfu said to himself.

"But the total number is certain. Hu merchants transported Chang'an's grain away, and the gap must be filled."

Li Linfu knew very well in his heart that Li Longji was very happy and wanted everything.But if the military support for the Hexi Corridor caused a famine in Chang'an, then he, the right minister, would definitely end up in the end.

The amount of grain and fodder coming from Hebei is large enough, and the transportation cost through the Tongji Canal is the least, so... we can only continue to suffer from Hebei, and increase the amount of water transportation in Hebei.

Well, transportation alone is not enough, there must be something to transport, so the tax should be increased a bit, and the household tax in Hebei should be increased.Zuyong tune means that the "ancestral family law" is not easy to be lightly abolished, the household tax is flexible and flexible, and the household tax is increased.

Li Linfu thought that it was necessary to increase the collection of grain from the Hebei region to meet the logistical needs for troops in the Western Region and Hexi region.

It's just that collecting taxes is not enough, how to transport these grains to Chang'an is the most important thing.In this way, the problem has been turned around, and it is back to Water Transport.

During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, there was a food shortage in Chang'an. The imperial court also tried to find a way to transport grain and grass to Chang'an by land. Then... more than [-]% of the mules and horses responsible for the transport died from exhaustion, but the food shortage in Chang'an was not fundamentally alleviated.

That slap in the face almost wiped out Datang's ambitions.

Therefore, the grain and fodder needed by Chang'an later had to rely entirely on water transportation.However, water transportation also has problems with water transportation, that is, the river courses need to be sorted out for a long time, and the freight cannot be said to be cheap.

Nowadays, water transportation to supply Chang'an is already very difficult. If Chang'an is turned into a transit point for grain and fodder to supply the Hexi Corridor, it will be a burden that the national finance cannot bear.

Therefore, the method Zheng Shuqing proposed at the beginning is a good way. Let the merchants in the Western Regions transport the grain to the Hexi Corridor to sell it to the people, and then use the method of reconciliation to receive the grain from the people into the Changping warehouse, and finally use the grain in the Changping warehouse for military supplies.

Li Linfu has already seen these benefits.

But it's not enough.

"Water transport, water transport... Where does the food come from?"

Li Linfu fell into deep thought and felt that there was nothing he could do with the existing transportation conditions.

Unless, dig a new canal?
Once this idea appeared in my mind, I couldn't let it go.

He took out a map of canals from the cabinet and held up an oil lamp to examine it.

Yongji Canal has always been smoother and is much shorter than Tongji Canal.Therefore, there is not much potential to be tapped in this section.

The main points where water transportation is stuck are the section from Chang'an to Luoyang. The steepness of Sanmen Gorge has caused tanker ships to lose as much as [-]% to [-]% in transit!

The idiom "mainstay" comes from this.

That pillar alone, it is no exaggeration to say that the degree of pitting Datang is no less than a few major earthquakes.

"Can we open another canal between Shaanzhou and Chang'an?"

Li Linfu was thinking about whether to open a new canal.

"Forget it, let's talk about it after the prisoner offering ceremony."

Li Linfu felt powerless.

Everyone has the desire to take power, which is called self-motivation at best, and the desire to control at worst.Li Linfu wanted to take power, but he also knew that it was useless to rely on power alone, and it had to be able to solve the real problems of the court.

Now he has an idea, that is, whether to open a channel to solve the problem of food and grass for troops in the northwest, and what kind of benefits he can get from this matter.

The country's affairs must be handled, and his own affairs must also be handled. This is Li Linfu's belief.

"It's better to cast stones first and ask for directions."

……

On the day of the celebration banquet, Zheng Shuqing ordered someone to send Fang Chongyong a set of robes made of Tang brocade, navy blue, solemn and elegant.

Fang Chongyong's temperament is completely different when he wears it on his body. It is estimated that no one doubts that he is a son of the clan.

"Lang Jun, this dress looks good, it probably costs several thousand Wen."

Fang Laique said with an envious look.

How many thousands of text?
That is manual fee!
The fabric of Tang brocade is not available in the market now, and it can only be obtained with the special approval of the sage.

Wearing it on the body is a status symbol, which money cannot buy.Not everyone can wear it.

This is the strict and unspeakable hierarchy of Tang Dynasty society.

Fang Laique, a fool, knew nothing, and Fang Chongyong didn't even bother to scold him.

"After attending today's banquet, this robe will be given to you."

Fang Chongyong said angrily.

"Really, Lang Jun? Wouldn't this be good?"

Fang Laique asked in embarrassment, looking at Fang Chongyong with bright eyes.

"Don't get out! It's a shame!"

Fang Dafu slapped Fang Laique on the head, and said to Fang Zhongyong with a worried look on his face: "Langjun, Langjun should not go to such an occasion."

"I also know, but this time the sage is going to give my father an official position, so I have to go. Isn't the banquet held this time just because my father defeated Khitan in Youzhou?"

Fang Chongyong sighed, this Hongmen Banquet is not something you can't go if you don't want to.Gao Lishi also sent an invitation card behind, that is to say, Fang Chongyong now has two invitation cards in his hand!

This is a celebration banquet related to his father Fang Youde, it's fine if I don't go on business in Youzhou, but can my son in Chang'an also not go?

I just wanted to slap the saint in the face, but that’s not how I did it.

"In this case, I will send you husband to the outside of the pear garden."

Fang Dafu sighed. What Fang Youde was most worried about was that his son would be involved in the political whirlpool.

Contrary to expectations, Fang Chongyong seems to be getting closer and closer to the political center.

The group arrived at the Liyuan and were immediately taken in by Wei Qing who was waiting outside the door.Today he is the official responsible for guiding guests to their seats.

Wei Qing had several identities. He was not only a scholar who failed the imperial examination, but also a vocalist. He was also a manager of a troupe and a close confidant of Li Longji.

It is still the general of Jinwuwei who inspects the school, although this official position is of no use for the time being.

While there was no one around, Wei Qing leaned over to Fang Chongyong and said, "The sage is very satisfied with the Tang brocade clothes you made."

satisfy?He doesn’t even know what he looks like, but he’s so satisfied!Shouldn't it be kept secret for now?

Fang Chongyong looked at Wei Qing blankly, and didn't speak for a long time.

"The sage personally ordered to use Tang brocade to make a set of brocade clothes for nobleman Yang. Today, the sage will order Li Guinian to play the song of neon clothes and feather clothes here, and Yang Guiren will be the backup dancer. That set of brocade clothes is for dancing."

"The saint is very satisfied with the clothes, but he is very dissatisfied with Zheng Shuqing's attitude. Do you want to embarrass the saint if you give such beautiful clothes to Mrs. Gongsun's apprentice and not Yang Guiren?

Zheng Shuqing is in danger. Stay away from him. "

Wei Qing warned in a stern voice.

Li Longji, who was riding a horse, did not forget to curry favor with Yang Yuhuan!

Fang Chongyong cursed in his heart, but nodded calmly on his face.

I'm afraid it will be difficult for Lao Zheng to get out of the trap this time.It couldn't be easier for the emperor to find trouble for his officials.

So what if something is well done, if you don't give it to your concubine, you won't give face!

Fang Chongyong suddenly saw the brocade clothes on his body, and Wei Qing seemed to have come to his senses at this time.

He sighed and said, "You can do it yourself."

"Is it still too late to go back and change?"

Fang Chongyong grabbed Wei Qing's sleeve and asked.

"What do you say?"

Wei Qing pointed to the crowded guests not far away, and replied with a bitter face.

(End of this chapter)