Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 358 Establishing Prestige
Fang Renyu took a few steps back, finding it hard to accept.

He always thought that he was militarily helpless against the Baekje rebels, and never thought that he had made mistakes in governance.

His administrative strategy was specially guided by Fang Xuanling, and he has always been proud of it, which has won him a lot of reputation in these years of governance.

Who would have thought that at the most glorious time in life, he would fall here?

He was still dissatisfied and said: "How can we appease the people if we don't win over the lofty and respected gentry?"

Chen Qingsi asked back: "To appease the people, why do you need to rely on others? Besides, even if you need help from someone, you can't use the horses and horses to win over the landlord. Who are they?"

Fang Renyu was so angry that he almost stamped his feet and said: "What can be questioned about a certain person? They are all the most famous people in the local area..."

He looked at the sarcastic face of the young man in front of him, but was speechless for a moment. He had already realized something and his face turned pale.

Chen Qingsi hummed and said: "A person with a good reputation, no matter what his heart is, has something to praise. How can he cooperate with Fang Gong to 'help the emperor to do evil'? In their hearts, it is still unclear who is righteous and who is evil. How can they see the effect if they blindly win over each other?" ?”

Chen Qingsi guessed that Fang Renyu was so angry that he couldn't eat anymore, so he ate his share with a wasteful and shameful attitude.

In fact, at the beginning, Chen Qingsi planned to complete the handover amicably with Fang Renyu.

Do the last thing at hand, and then go to each other's side with the road facing the sky.

However, Fang Renyu expressed his friendly attitude, but there was no cooperation in his actions. At least until now, he had not taken the initiative to introduce the generals in Xiongjin. He knew that the former Xiongjin Protector in front of him was not satisfied with his replacement. unsatisfied.

In this case, Chen Qingsi did not intend to save face for him.

Fang Renyu watched Chen Qingsi feasting happily, and finally couldn't help but said: "There must be a reason to take them down, right? If word spreads about such a reckless action, people in Baekje will definitely be panicked, and they may turn to the traitors. "

Chen Qingsi smiled and said: "My husband doesn't know, but yesterday's assassin was jointly arranged by the wealthy gentry in the city. It is not clear who participated in it. It is reasonable for me to assassinate the governor in the street and kill them all. Now, Just putting them in jail for investigation is already a sign of mercy for me, but if it had been anyone else, they would have been bleeding like rivers."

Fang Renyu frowned slightly.

Chen Qingsi couldn't hide what he said.

Baekje did not master the technology of making fine crossbows. The crossbow used by the assassins cost no more than five hundred dollars in Baekje, and it was purchased from Goguryeo at a high price.

Goguryeo was extremely valuable for this kind of technology. Apart from being disarmed by the enemy on the battlefield, Baekje was the only one who bought 477 of them through lip service.

After the fall of Baekje, all 477 crossbows were collected by the military for their own use.

Even the wealthy gentry of Baekje cannot obtain it easily.

Fang Renyu blindly guessed Goguryeo yesterday, but Chen Qingsi here said that he was a wealthy gentry in the city. It was obvious that he was following the trend and directly used the assassination to make a fuss about rectifying the atmosphere.

Only at this moment did Fang Renyu understand that it made sense for Li Zhi to send Chen Qingsi.

Yesterday's life-and-death situation would have made ordinary people frightened and angry, but the young governor in front of him took advantage of it calmly.

Fang Renyu didn't know what the new governor in front of him had in mind, but it was by no means as simple as he imagined.

However, he couldn't help but lower his head, and said forcefully: "I hope the Governor will not regret his actions today, and say goodbye!"

Chen Qingsi watched him leave with a smile.

But after a while, someone called Fang Renyu back for the first handover.

Fang Renyu did not make any small moves during the handover, everything was coordinated, and the handover between the two parties was very smooth.

It is winter now, and winter in Haidong is still extremely cold.

In this era, materials are scarce and there is a lack of cold-proof clothing. Most people hide in their homes during the winter. Only a small number of people go out to make a living when they are really forced by life.

The rebels have not appeared since winter.

There are many mountains and deep forests in Baekje, and I don’t know where to hide to rest and avoid the cold.

As for the Tang army, they did have clothing to protect themselves from the cold, and they had the ability to fight in the severe cold. However, they were forced by the terrain, and they were constantly restrained from searching for the enemy. The veterans of the division were tired and their morale was not high. They were resting in various military camps.

Therefore, Baekje at this stage shows a rare calmness.

Except of course Ungjin Castle.

Chen Qingsi immediately detained nine highly respected gentry in the city and did not know whether they were dead or alive. Their family members were in panic and confusion, as if they had lost their backbone and were uneasy.

Chen Qingsi seemed to have forgotten the matter, and used this rare peaceful time to hand over the work to Fang Renyu and take over Baekje's affairs.

Until this day, Chen Qingsi received news from Master Ci'an requesting an audience.

Chen Qingsi raised her head in her busy schedule and asked, "Who is Master Ci'an?"

Fang Renyu said: "Master Ci'an is one of the eminent monks of Baekje and a direct disciple of Master Qianyi. He lives in Hongguang Temple outside the city. He has profound Buddhist teachings and is deeply loved by the people."

Chen Qingsi smiled and said: "Then we must meet! Please!"

He said politely, but his body remained motionless. He just asked Lu Zhaolin to invite him into the hall.

Master Ci'an has a simple face and extremely long eyebrows, even reaching the corners of his eyes, giving him the air of a distinguished monk.

Chen Qingsi did not lose his etiquette. After all, China is a country of etiquette, so he stood up and greeted him.

As the Grand Governor of Xiongjin Prefecture, his status was equivalent to that of the king of a vassal state, and he considered it a very high treatment to welcome him.

But Master Huitong was unhappy...

Baekje believes in Buddhism. Since the Eastern Jin Dynasty, when the Sanskrit monk Marananda established a Buddhist temple in Hanshan Prefecture, Buddhism gradually became the only belief of Baekje's rulers and ministers. Many of them went to the Tang Dynasty to study and learn Buddhism. They even made a special trip to tell the story of Master Xuanzang and went from Baekje to Tianzhu to seek the true scriptures.

Master Qianyi, the mentor of Master Huitong, is one of them. He studied abroad in the Tang Dynasty, but felt that he could not satisfy himself, so he went to Tianzhu to specialize in Sanskrit and Vinaya. After returning to Baekje, he became the first person in Baekje Buddhism.

Because they respected the Buddha too much, many high-ranking officials in Baekje were monks, and even their generals had many monks.

Of course, the monks in Baekje allow the six impure roots... In this country that respects Buddha, Master Huitong, as the only disciple of Master Qianyi, has a high status within Baekje. Even the former King of Baekje Buyeo Yi Ci invited him to the palace to give lectures, so he personally went out to welcome him.

Now?

Did you receive a cold reception?
Just stand in your seat and hold your hands?
Why do the people of the Heavenly Kingdom have such a sanctimonious and rude man?

Master Huitong secretly cursed, but he still had the kind smile of a monk on his face because of his extremely high status: "Amitabha, this poor monk has seen the great governor."

Chen Qingsi sat down and asked, "I wonder what the master has come to see the governor for?"

Master Huitong saw that Chen Qingsi did not invite him to take a seat, so he kept chattering in his heart, but he said indifferently: "The poor monk was entrusted by the family members of Donor Jin, Donor Wu, Donor Kun and others to plead with the governor. I hope the governor will be more generous and spare them."

Chen Qingsi immediately turned gloomy and asked, "Master, does he know what crime they committed?"

Master Huitong bowed and said: "I heard that it is related to assassins, but I can guarantee that the donors are all noble people and will never resort to such means..."

He hasn't finished speaking yet.

Chen Qingsi was so angry that he slapped the case and said angrily: "Master guarantees, what guarantee does master have? With your mouth, or do you have evidence to prove their innocence?"

He was furious at this moment. Master Huitong was frightened and swallowed what he was about to say.

Master Huitong today relies solely on the support of his followers and has no real power. When he encountered someone who refused to show his face, his attitude changed instantly and he became more humble. He bowed deeply and said: "Master, please calm down. I have no evidence, but I believe it." The conduct of several donors..."

He said it bravely, but he was complaining in his heart. If he had known that the new governor would be so difficult to serve, he would not have come.

He glanced at Fang Renyu while thinking, secretly wondering, why is there such a big gap between the same number one person, the Governor and the Protector?
Chen Qingsi caught Master Huitong's gaze and knew in her heart that these bastards had been used to trouble by Fang Renyu's Corporal Li Xian. Do you really think they had to do it?
"Do you believe in their character? Or do you know the inside story, Master?"

Chen Qingsi's eyes were burning.

Master Huitong looked horrified and said hurriedly: "The governor misunderstood. The poor monk was just entrusted by others and did not know anything about it."

Chen Qingsi laughed angrily: "You dare to come and plead for mercy without knowing anything about it. How brave you are. Someone, please take this Master Huitong into custody and keep him safe."

He was particularly upset and said: "Okay, very good. The governor just wants to investigate a detail. As long as they are proved innocent, he will naturally let them go. Ha, yes, he actually asked someone to intercede directly. I really thought that arrow , suffered in vain?”

"Zhao Youyi, you are conveying this governor's order. Jin, Wu, Kun, Yu, Teng and other nine families are involved in the assassination of this governor. Everyone in the family is only allowed to enter and not leave. Anyone who dares to violate it does not need to report, and will be punished on the spot. Execution."

Chen Qingsi's tough attitude made Fang Renyu, who originally wanted to speak to plead for mercy, hold back everything he said.

After Chen Qingsi was escorted away by Master Huitong, Chen Qingsi instantly regained his composure. He was not anxious at all and just said: "Continue."

Zhao Guerrilla is the guerrilla general Zhao Chiman. Under the arrangement of Chen Qingsi, he started his old profession and was temporarily responsible for the security of Xiongjin City.

He led his men and horses to seal off the nine powerful gentry families including Jin, Wu, Kun, Yu and Teng, and arranged for manpower rotation.

Among the nine wealthy gentry families, the family surnamed Kun was not the largest, but it was the most domineering one.

Because our ancestors are descendants of Kungi, the younger brother of the 22nd king of Baekje, they belong to a branch of the royal family.

The Kun family was used to being arrogant in this three-acre area of ​​Xiongjin, and they were dissatisfied with the Feng family and were very uncooperative.

After Zhao Chiman heard the news, he resolutely carried out Chen Qingsi's order. After killing the loudest one, there was no more resistance.

A young man from Baekje watched Zhao Chiman's merciless murder in the crowd. A trace of joy flashed in his eyes. He ran back to his home quickly, looked at his elderly father, and told him excitedly what he had seen.

The young man waved his arms excitedly and said, "Great, great, the Kun family is here today."

The young man named Xie Yuha is a member of Baekje Xie family.

The Jie family was also a popular family a hundred years ago. At that time, during the period of King Wenzhou of Baekje, the head of the Jie family was named Jie Chou, and he was the military officer Zuoping.

Baekje's official positions are headed by Zuoping, which is similar to the prime ministers of the Central Plains. However, their Zuoping is not one person, but six. They are Zuoping of the inner minister, Zuoping of the inner head, Zuoping of the inner court, Zuoping of the guard, Zuoping of the court, and Zuoping of the military officer. To put it bluntly, That’s six parts.

The internal ministers are responsible for the cashier, which is similar to the Ministry of Personnel. The internal minister is responsible for finance, similar to the household ministry. The internal law is responsible for diplomacy and etiquette. The imperial court is responsible for prisons. The military officers are responsible for internal and external troops. Naturally, they are the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Punishment, and the Ministry of War.

The most important of the six great Sappeis are the chamberlain Sappei, who is responsible for cashiering the king's orders, and the soldier Sappei, who is responsible for the internal and external troops.

At that time, the Kunjia of the Kun family was Zuoping, the chamberlain, and Zuoping, the soldier, was the soldier. The two families had been fighting all their lives. In the end, the Jie family won, so that they used their power exclusively, and finally assassinated King Munzhou, causing the royal power of Baekje to fall apart. It was not until King Munyeong came to the throne that the royal power was restored.

As a result, the Xie family was liquidated and plummeted.

The Kun family originally let the Jie family trample under their feet. After gaining power, they turned around and kept trampling on the Jie family.

It’s not that the Jie family didn’t have the opportunity to rise in recent years, but due to the interference of the Kun family, it all ended in vain.

The hatred between the two families has a history of hundreds of years, which means that the national conditions here in Baekje are different. In other places, their deep hatred would be enough to destroy the family and confiscate the family.

Hearing that the Kun family was in trouble, Jie Yuxia was so happy that she couldn't close her mouth from ear to ear.

However, the eyes of the elderly head of the Jie family, Xie Kang, were shining, and his lips were trembling with excitement. He was speechless for a moment, and his face turned red from holding back.

"Abba, Abba!"

Xie Yuxia screamed in horror, thinking that his father was going to lose his temper and wanted to give him a pat on the back.

Xie Kang slapped his son's hand away and cursed: "Idiot, are you really not aware of this God-given opportunity?"

Xie Yuxia looked confused.

Xie Kang said excitedly: "This new Grand Governor is much more powerful than the previous Fang Governor. The Fang Governor shows kindness but does not establish authority, but this new Grand Governor establishes authority and rules as soon as he comes. Does he really want to kill all the nine family members with this method? No, he is trying to establish his authority and force the nine family members to compromise with him and do things for him. To put it bluntly, he is acting like a dog, and anyone who bows his head will be stubborn. In the end, it will become the object of establishing authority.”

Xie Yuxia said clearly: "This move is much better than Fang Duhu's."

"idiot!"

Before Yu Xia could understand what he meant, Xie Kang cursed again, and then explained: "The purpose of the Governor is to have someone stand up to help him appease the people. He doesn't care who will be the dog. If our Xie family By standing up and replacing the Kun family, our Jie family can not only avenge us, but also rise again. Baekje is dead. We don't need to be loyal ministers of Baekje. We only need to be loyal ministers of the Tang Dynasty. Maybe someone is talking about us behind our backs now. After all, who will care after ten years?"

(End of this chapter)