At that time, a gambling game similar to that of today's dice was prevalent in the palace. Yang Zhao, who is addicted to gambling, is very familiar with gambling, but at this time he is not qualified to participate in the game, but is responsible for bookkeeping, who wins every time, who loses how much.

Li Longji checked the account book recorded by Yang Zhao and found that it was exactly right, and immediately discovered his financial talent. Staying by the leader's side for a long time, "the advantages are the characteristics, and the disadvantages are the advantages".

Li Longji is an excellent career planner. He placed Yang Zhao as a judge under Wang Jie, an official in charge of the empire's financial affairs.

In his later years, Li Longji's life became more and more extravagant, and the state finances were overwhelmed. After Wang took office, the country's revenue and expenditure situation was greatly improved.

Yang Zhao followed Wang Ji into a period of rapid rise in his career. Only three years later, Yang Guozhong was promoted to the post of Zhongzhong and Yushi Zhongcheng, and was responsible for the division (responsible for financial revenue and expenditure matters).

Yang Zhao's status as a relative undoubtedly provided a shortcut for his meteoric prosperity. Although opportunities always favor those who are prepared, opportunities are often more precious than ability, because Maxima often has them and Bole does not always have them.

Despite this, it cannot be denied that Yang Zhao does have extraordinary political talent. Whether it is Yang Cheng or Yang Qi, the relationship between Yang Qi and Yang Guifei is much closer than Yang Zhao, but neither of them has Yang Zhao's official status.

Nepotism is just a stepping stone, and ability is the fundamental factor to go further in officialdom.

There are no eternal friends, no eternal enemies, only eternal interests; There is no eternal leadership, no eternal subordinates, only eternal power.

In the ninth year of Tianbao (750 AD), at the request of Yang Zhao. Li Longji gave the name "Guozhong". At this time, Yang Guozhong became a high-ranking official of the empire second only to the prime minister.

This year, under the advocacy of Gwen. The ambitious Yang Guozhong began to challenge Li Linfu's power.

Li Linfu's important confidant, the imperial historian Song Hun, was exiled to Chaoyang County for embezzlement, but Li Linfu could do nothing about it. He knew that the fledgling Yang Guozhong had begun to seize power!

The eleventh year of Tianbao (752 AD). Yang Guozhong pointed the spearhead of the blow at his former old leader Wang Jie.

Wang Jie, who was deeply favored by Li Longji, served as the head of the household at this time, and also served as the imperial historian, and Jing Zhaoyin, and also served more than 20 envoys at the same time.

Wang's younger brother participated in the rebellion orchestrated by Xing Xuan. Yang Guozhong insisted that Wang Ji must also be involved.

Li Longji was skeptical of Yang Guozhong's words, because the favored Wang Ji had no motive to rebel, and the key was that Wang Ji personally participated in the military operation to quell the Xing Wei rebellion.

The hesitant Li Longji convened the prime minister to discuss. The right minister Li Linfu naturally tried his best to defend Wang Jie, but Chen Xilie, the left minister, thought that Wang Jiao must be involved.

Li Longji ordered Chen Xilie and Yang Guozhong to try the case of Wang Jie's conspiracy. In fact, at this time, Li Longji already had a strategy in his heart to deal with Wang Jie, and he was just giving Li Linfu a step down.

The outcome of the trial can be imagined. Wang Jiao was sent to Huangquan Road by the trumped-up crime of treason, and Yang Guozhong undoubtedly became the biggest beneficiary. Jing Zhaoyin and more than 20 envoys fell on Yang Guozhong's head. The battle between Yang Guozhong and Li Linfu became completely clear and sharpened.

Li Linfu is worthy of being a master and veteran of political struggle, and as soon as he made a move, Yang Guozhong appreciated his strength.

In the autumn of that year, Nanzhao repeatedly invaded the Tang Dynasty border. Li Linfu took the opportunity to speak. Yang Guozhong, who was also the envoy of the Jiannan Festival, should rush to the front to direct the military struggle.

Li Longji obviously could not refuse Li Linfu's reasonable reason. Li Linfu's real intention was to exclude Yang Guozhong from the central government.

Before leaving, Yang Guozhong cried to Li Longji about his grievances and Li Linfu's insidiousness. Yang Guifei also persuaded Li Longji to withdraw his life on the side.

Li Longji comforted: "Aiqing just go, I will soon summon Aiqing into the court!" ”

Although Li Longji's promise brought a little comfort to Yang Guozhong, Yang Guozhong still went to Jiannan, where he had lived for a long time, with endless regrets.

The lost Yang Guozhong would not have imagined that the situation would change irreversibly in such a short period of time.

In October of that year, Li Longji went to the Huaqing Palace in Lishan as usual to escape the cold. Li Linfu, who was old and frail, was naturally among the accompanying officials, but his condition deteriorated rapidly.

In view of the power vacuum that might be left after Li Linfu's death, Li Longji hurriedly recruited Yang Guozhong, who had gone to Jiannan to take up his post, to quickly return to the dynasty.

Yang Guozhong, who was on his way to his post, was overjoyed when he saw the Chinese envoy sent by Li Longji, so he rode his horse and whipped back to Chang'an, which was haunted by his dreams.

At this time, Li Linfu was already silently waiting for the coming of death in a private mansion near Huaqing Palace.

Li Longji basically wanted to visit Li Linfu's mansion, but the people around Li Longji said that it was ominous for Li Longji to visit at this time.

In fact, these people are just adhering to Yang Guifei's will. Because she was worried that Li Linfu would do something unfavorable to Yang Guozhong and the Yang family at the last moment of his life.

Li Longji climbed the Huaqing Palace to look at Li Linfu's mansion from afar, and at the same time shook the red silk scarf in his hand.

Li Linfu, who was lying in bed at home, dragged his weak body and reluctantly stood up with the support of his family, looking at the faint red color in the direction of Huaqing Palace.

This is Li Longji not far away, looking at himself from afar!

Li Linfu, who was physically weak, hurriedly ordered someone to pay homage in the direction of Huaqing Palace instead of him.

The next day, Yang Guozhong, who returned to the capital, visited Li Linfu, a political enemy who had seen the same situation, as a victor.

Although Yang Guozhong showed a look of pity on the surface. But my heart was filled with joy.

O God! O earth! Which fairy sister gave me this evil breath!

Li Linfu, who knew that he would die soon, entrusted the aftermath with tears, hoping to "cry and enmity" with his former political opponent.

Li Linfu said sadly: "I will die soon, and you are the prime minister." You'll be bothered by the rest of the story! ”

Yang Guozhong not only did not show a trace of joy, but was so nervous that he sweated. Because he doesn't know what this political strongman who has been in charge of the DPRK for only twenty years will do to him next!

Li Linfu, who was dying, still had such a great deterrent power when he was dying. This reflects the far cry between the two men's ability to manipulate politics.

Not long after this meeting, Li Linfu, a generation of traitors, closed his eyes forever.

It was only five days after Li Linfu's death. Yang Guozhong replaced Li Linfu as the right minister.

Li Linfu's political plea on his deathbed did not arouse Yang Guozhong's compassion. On the contrary, it inspired his revenge, because the political struggle does not believe in tears!

Yang Guozhong framed Li Linfu for having a father-son relationship with the rebel general Absi. Intended to rebel.

Of course, the sophisticated Li Longji would not trust Yang Guozhong, but he had to believe it later.

Li Linfu's son-in-law, Yang Qixuan, is a villain who sees the wind and steers the rudder. In order to avoid political involvement, he did not hesitate to fall into the trap for his father-in-law, who had just died.

Li Longji, who believed it to be true, issued an edict to reprimand Li Linfu, whose bones were still cold. And after the pursuit of all the officials and lords, and finally buried with the etiquette of the concubines.

Li Linfu, who was once powerful, did not expect to be ruined after his death.

"Zizhi Tongjian" recorded: "An Lushan is cunning and cunning to Li Linfu, so he is afraid of it." and Yang Guozhong are the prime ministers, and Lu Shan regards it as contemptuous, because there is a gap. ”

Li Linfu can be suppressed, that is, he can "hold" An Lushan, but his successor Yang Guozhong does not have such superb political skills.

Yang Guozhong, who climbed to the pinnacle of power, began to plan his own power territory, and An Lushan, who was deeply favored, became a thorn in Yang Guozhong's side and a thorn in the flesh!

Although Yang Guozhong aimed his attack at An Lushan, he was not in a hurry to tear his face with him.

Yang Guozhong recommended Ji Wen as the middle of the imperial history. Interview and disposal envoy in Gyeonggi. Behind Ji Wen's promotion, An Lushan's conspiracy to control Hedong Town through Ji Wen was completely bankrupt!

After that, Yang Guozhong installed his confidant Yang Guanghui as the governor of Taiyuan Prefecture, the governor of Hedong Province. This also made An Lushan unable to fully control Hedong Town.

Although Yang Guozhong did this for his own selfish interests, he objectively saved the Hedong region.

The most effective means of striking a military general is to say that he is rebelling. Yang Guozhong used this killer move without exception!

Is An Lushan really ready for a rebellion?

Rebellion can be a complex and systematic project, requiring the preparation of soldiers, weapons, horses, and military expenses.

In terms of soldiers, An Lushan concurrently served as the envoy of the three towns of Fanyang, Pinglu and Hedong. The three towns had jurisdiction over nearly 200,000 elite soldiers, and the number of troops accounted for 40 percent of the total number of border troops in the entire Tang Empire. This is extremely dangerous for the Empire.

An Lushan used the convenience of his position and personal charm to bring together a large number of ministers and generals around him.

Gao Shang, Yan Zhuang and Zhang Tongru became An Lushan's senior think tank.

Sun Xiaozhe, Shi Siming, An Shouzhong, Li Guiren, Cai Xide, Niu Tingju, Xiang Runrong, Li Tingwang, Cui Qianyou, Yin Ziqi, He Qianqian, Wu Lingxun, Neng Yuanhao, Tian Chenghei, Tian Qianzhen, and Ashina Chengqing became An Lushan's henchmen and generals.

An Lushan adopted 8,000 warriors from the three ethnic minorities of Tongluo, Xi and Khitan as adopted sons, known as "Drag the River", which is actually the meaning of a strong man. These 8,000 "Falling River" later became invincible pioneers. An Lushan also selected hundreds of people who were good at archery among the domestic slaves and trained them strictly.

Weapons. In the name of resisting the Khitan attack, An Lushan built Xiongwu City on the north side of Fanyang City to store weapons and military rations.

In terms of horses, horses are the most important means of warfare and transportation. The quantity and quality of horses determine the combat effectiveness of a force.

Hebei is located at the intersection of the agricultural civilization of the Central Plains and the nomadic civilization outside the Saiwai. An Lushan hoarded a large number of horses through border trade. There are 30,000 horses of excellent varieties of single and true horses. An Lushan later served as the director of the national horse farm, and later collected a number of high-quality horses to equip his troops.

In terms of military spending, money is needed to buy military rations, and money is needed to buy weapons and equipment. Money is needed to pay soldiers, and money is needed to reward soldiers. Money is needed everywhere, but can An Lushan get that much money?

An Lushan also served as the economic envoy of various names, such as the envoy of the degree support, the envoy of the camp, the envoy of land transportation, and the envoy of transshipment.

Nevertheless. Before the Anshi Rebellion, the Jiedu envoys did not have real independent financial power. There are two types of military spending: self-financing and allocation.

The military expenditure allocated by the imperial court to the major military regions mainly consisted of two parts: clothing and military rations. The data on military rations are incomplete and the records of different historical books are quite different, so they do not have the value of analysis and comparison.

Through the above table, we can find that there is a huge difference in the per capita clothing value of the major military regions. Although there are slight differences in the implementation standards of military spending in various parts of the empire, there is a relatively unified standard, that is, "subject to the long-term purpose" repeatedly mentioned in the history books, but the per capita clothing value of Fanyang is significantly lower than that of other military regions.

This illustrates a little-known but extremely important issue, that is, Fanyang Town's self-raised military spending accounts for a large proportion of the entire military expenditure, and its dependence on central funding is limited. The self-raised military expenditure mainly came from the income from the camp and land rent, and An Lushan had complete freedom to dispose of this huge income, so Fan Yang's troops could still survive without the financial support of the central government.

This is closely related to the level of local economic development. During the Tianbao period, the number of households in Hebei Province accounted for 16.57% of the total number of households in the country, and the population accounted for 20.09% of the total population of the country, ranking first among the fifteen provinces of the entire empire.

Although the Tang Dynasty did not yet have GDP statistics, the level of local economic development was generally measured by population in ancient times, because labor-intensive industries occupied an absolute dominant position in the imperial economic system. The total economic volume of Hebei Province must be among the best in the entire Tang Empire!

An Lushan obviously has the strength to start a rebellion, but will he really take a risk?

Fueled by the two Han people, An Lushan finally went to the point of no return for rebellion. One is the noble secretary, who is responsible for the "performance of the notes", and his duties are equivalent to those of a confidential secretary. One is the Confucian official Yan Zhuang, who is responsible for the "management of books", and his responsibilities are equivalent to those of the office director.

Gao Shang's ancestral home was Yongnu County, Fanyang County (now Wuqing District, Tianjin), but Gao Shang was not willing to honestly farm at home or teach in a private school.

There is an old Chinese saying: "Parents don't travel far", but the hardcore traveler Gao Shang is not bound and bound by traditional ideas, and even when his elderly mother begs because of poverty, Gao Shang still has no intention of returning home.

Since he chose to run to the ideal distance, there is nothing to stop him from moving forward.

It is certainly a good thing for a person to have a dream and persevere in it, but it is good for the noble to be eager for quick success and quick profit in order to achieve the ideal.

He once looked up to the sky and sighed: "I'd rather die vigorously than live in a nest!" (When you do great things and die, how can you gnaw at the roots of the grass and seek to live evil)".

Noble travels not for the sake of sightseeing, but for the sake of opportunity, because he firmly believes that gold always shines!

Noble self-confidence has capital, because he is "good at learning words". The down-and-out noble finally won the appreciation of one person with his talent. This person is Ling Fox Chao!

The fox tide's home became his temporary harbor, and this brief anchorage made for a beautiful encounter.

Gao Shang fell in love with a maid in the fox tide family and gave birth to a daughter. (To be continued......)