Chapter 2 Tianhe (Four Upper)

Although this is a nondescript statement, it sounds true. Immediately, there was another sound of flattery. Yang Guozhong shook his head with a smile, ordered someone to take a pen and paper, and in front of everyone present, hung his wrists and elbows, and wrote two letters by himself, one to Hexi and one to Anxi.

The first half of both letters is largely the same. It is nothing more than to congratulate the envoys of Anxi and Hexi in their private capacity, and swear that as long as they can still speak in the court, they will be the strong backing of the two major festival towns to ensure that they will never have worries.

However, in the second half of the letter, Yang Guozhong promised to give the two major festival towns very different treatment. The letter to Feng Changqing was full of high-sounding and beautiful words, and he was very "frank" to tell him that because the town of Anxi was too far away, every time the imperial court transported grain and grass to Shule, there would be great losses on the way. Therefore, starting from this year, the center will no longer allocate a centimium to Anxi. As a benefit that Yang worked hard to win for the Anxi Army, Feng Changqing also received the following authorizations: First, he could dispose of battlefield seizures casually without handing them over to the treasury. Including land and pastures, the Anxi army could be at its disposal, and the imperial court would never ask questions afterwards. Second, the tribal leaders and local officials under the rule of Anxi Town can be disposed of at will, without consulting the central government in advance, so as not to make a mistake in the long way. Third, the taxes that should be transported to the imperial court from all parts of Anxi can be withheld at will to make up for the lack of military supplies. Of course, as for the current total population of Anxi Town, whether the taxes withheld by Feng Changqing are enough to support the soldiers under his command, such a trivial issue is not within the scope of the Prime Minister's consideration.

In the letter to Ge Shuhan, the treatment that the Hexi army was about to receive was different from that of the Anxi army, one in the sky and the other in the ground. First of all, Yang Guozhong solemnly suggested that Ge Shuhan double the total number of soldiers in the Hexi Army on the current basis. The lack of ordnance, baggage, grain, grass and silver shall be deducted from the local taxes by Geshuhan. Second, if the local taxes are still not enough to expand the army, the center will allocate additional funds and will never be in arrears. Third, the center is currently short of soldiers, if there is a suitable person under Ge Shuhan's command, I hope he can take the initiative to recommend it to the imperial court, and there is no need to avoid suspicion. Fourth, the imperial court is about to refer to the model of reorganizing the Flying Dragon Guards in White Horse Fort the year before last, reorganize the left and right dragon guards, and strengthen the defense force of the Beijing Division. In this regard, the Prime Minister's Office deliberately left the opportunity to the Hexi Army. It is hoped that when Ge Shuhan returns to the DPRK after the war to offer prisoners, he can lead a group of elite soldiers and strong generals to build the shelf of the new Longwu Army first.

I have to say that although Yang Guozhong has not read for a few days, his writing and calligraphy are still quite good. The two treatments, which are almost from the ground to the sky, were explained by him casually, not only seemed flawless, but also showed a cordial taste between the lines. Even if Feng Changqing knows the gap in the future, it will be difficult to pick out any "reason" from it. After all, the distance from Chang'an to Shule is clear there, and at the same time, Brother Shuhan also took on the important responsibility of reorganizing the Longwu army.

Song Yu, a member of the Zhongshu House, waited for it and cheered in unison again. When the ink on the paper was dry, Yang Guozhong called in a few henchmen from outside and ordered them to requisition the official post horses and deliver the two letters to Feng Changqing and Ge Shuhan respectively before the arrival of the holy decree in an expedited manner of 800 miles.

"No!" The two cronies brought by Yang Guozhong from Jiannan clenched their fists and took the order, turned around and strode away. Before the person could walk out of the door of the council hall, a guard on duty suddenly rushed in from outside, rushed to Yang Guozhong in three steps and two steps, bowed down and reported, "Lord Qizuo, the scribe who delivered the letter earlier has turned back." Say that there is something important, please ask Lord Zuo for advice! ”

"It's not over yet. He wouldn't think that Yang's reward here was too easy to earn! Let him wait outside, think through everything that needs to be reported, and then come in! Yang Guozhong frowned and ridiculed. After thinking about it, he shouted to the guard on duty again, and changed his words with a smile, "Forget it, let's get cheaper of this kid again." Send him in and say that Yang is here, please! ”

"Prime Minister Zuo has an edict, please Lord Dong!" The guard on duty immediately walked to the door and shouted out Yang Guozhong's orders.

"Prime Minister Zuo has an edict, please Lord Dong!" Several guards repeated in unison, and the sound was transmitted all the way to the gate of the Prime Minister's Mansion.

How can Dong Guoan, an errand boy sent by Shangshu Province, be worthy of the word "please"? Quickly wiped the sweat that came out of the hurry, and rushed in, as soon as he entered the door, he immediately bowed down and apologized, "The subordinates are incompetent, and they have repeatedly disturbed Lord Zuo Xiang to deal with official business." Please forgive your sins, forgive your sins! ”

"Forget it!" Yang Guozhong smiled and waved his hand politely, "It's all for the imperial court, so don't bother if you have anything to disturb." You forgot something important just now, so let's talk about it! ”

Although he spoke slowly, he was still frightened and the scribe surnamed Dong shrank his neck, "This, this, it's not that my subordinates have forgotten!" Really, I really ran back and forth twice, please, please Zuo Xiang's Mingjian! ”

"Two trips?" Yang Guozhong's eyes widened, "What's the urgent matter that requires you to run to me one by one?" Who is on duty in Shangshu Province today? Don't you have any opinions? ”

"Yes, it's Zhao from the Ministry of War, Lord Zhao is on duty." The scribe surnamed Dong was afraid that Yang Guozhong would blame him, so he took the initiative to explain to his boss, "He, he said that there are some things, and it is better to ask Lord Zuo Xiang to check it." lest the people below think it out and delay the major national events! ”

"It turned out to be Zhao Shilang! And no wonder! For Lord Zhao in the mouth of Secretary Dong, Yang Guozhong was extremely impressed, knowing that this guy was an eight-sided exquisite glass ball, and no one would offend. Thinking that this person was very respectful to himself, he decided not to pursue this person's dereliction of duty, smiled, and ordered in a low voice, "Say, what is there that he can't do?!" ”

Hearing that there was no anger in Yang Guozhong's words, Secretary Dong wiped his sweat again and asked for advice in a low voice, "Zhao, Lord Zhao wants to ask Zuo Xiang, who is more appropriate to send to Hexi and Anxi to announce the decree!" ”

I thought it was a big deal, but who expected it to be trivial. Yang Guozhong was so annoyed that he couldn't help but scold angrily, "This glass ball, what did you do today!" Isn't it the same for everyone who goes?! ”

As soon as the words fell, he immediately tightened his eyebrows. In his heart, he quickly deduced Zhao Shilang's intentions, "No. Since he has the heart to reconcile with the two towns of Hexi and Anxi, he can't just send two people over to deliver the decree. Two of their own must be sent, and the status must not be too low. Otherwise, either it will not achieve the effect of wooing, or it will make Ge Shuhan, Feng Cripple and the two soldiers under their command think that they are deliberately contemptuous. But these two places are not good places. Hexi Town is still close to the Central Plains, Anxi, but it is so poor that even birds don't fly there.....

As he thought, he traced his eyes to the heads of several henchmen. I hope someone will take the initiative to come out and ask for help. However, Song Yu, Yu Wende and the others all seemed to be tired and dizzy, and they lowered their heads one by one, refusing to meet his gaze at all.

It's no wonder that everyone refuses to take the initiative to share his worries. It's easier on the Hexi side, and if you hurry up, it's enough to bring it back for a month and a half. However, Shule is more than 3,000 miles away from Chang'an. Nearly half of the roads are deserted. When I went over there to announce the decree, I was surrounded by wolves on the way, and I couldn't even find a corpse. Even if he can reach Shule safely, with the upright temper of the lame, the proclaimer will not use any oil and water to take. And it takes at least three or four months to go back and forth, and after leaving the center for so long, after coming back, his previous position has long been someone else's.

"Uh-huh!" Yang Guozhong was a little disappointed in his heart, frowning and coughing.

At this time, Song Yu, a member of the Zhongshu House, didn't dare to take the lead and pretend to be stupid again. Hurriedly raised his eyes and said cautiously: "My subordinates have also had a good relationship with Ge Shuhan, so it doesn't hurt to go to Hexi for my lord." But Feng Changqing's side is a little difficult to deal with. Adults also know that Feng Jiedu has a very strange temper, and if he doesn't deal with it well, it's easy to get into trouble with him. If the candidate is not suitable, it is easy to make mistakes. ”

"Hmm!" Yang Guozhong continued to snort coldly, very dissatisfied with Song Yu's procrastination.

This hammer immediately had a miraculous effect. The latter groaned slightly, and quickly added in a low voice, "However, my subordinates know a suitable candidate, I wonder if Prime Minister Zuo can give him a chance to contribute to the country?!" ”

"Who?" Yang Guozhong's eyebrows jumped slightly, and he asked in a deep voice.

"This person's surname is Xue, and he is a county magistrate of Shangxian who went to Beijing to report on his work, and according to the custom, the imperial court should give him a position of assassination. But there has been no vacancy in the position of the assassin recently, and this person's qualifications are really limited. So after coming and going, this person stayed in Jingshi. The Zhongshushe hesitated for a moment, and responded with a smile while being ruthless in his heart. (Note 1)

Fufeng County ordered Xue Jingxian to sweep everyone's excitement at the banquet that day, and Song Yu had been holding back his strength to clean him up. But this person hasn't even filled the official vacancy at the moment, so it's hard to find an opportunity to put on small shoes for him. Now, the opportunity to make him suffer has finally come. Shule, it will take 2,000 miles after leaving the Jade Gate! The exiled officials of the imperial court will not be exiled to such a far place! Let the surnamed Xue go, it's best to be left by the dwarf to be a magistrate after you go, and take care of a group of savages who can't even speak official words, and you want to come back again in this life!

was thinking happily, but a happy inquiry came from his ear, "Are you talking about Fufeng County Commander Xue Jingxian?" I've heard Yu Yao mention him, and it's said that he's still a talent! ”

"Exactly!" Song Yu secretly glanced at Yang Guozhong, and his eyes showed surprise that was difficult to hide. He didn't expect Xue Jingxian to be such a faceless and skinless person, and he could still be appreciated by Mrs. Qiuguo. It's bad now, Yang has always been fond of his sister. In case Xue Jingxian was promoted to a high position in the future, wouldn't Song have made himself a strong enemy in vain?

The more I worry, the more I come. Soon, Song Yu heard Yang Guozhong's decision, "Okay, just him." I believe in Yu Yao's vision! First let the officials add him the title of a middle doctor. Then you send someone to inform him, and ask him to do his best to do his errand. When he comes back from the Western Regions, Ben Xiangnuo will also move him to a position in the history of the Shangjun Assassin! ”

Note 1: The counties of the Tang Dynasty were divided into upper, middle and lower counties. Depending on the rank of the county, there is also a difference in the rank of local officials.