The tea ceremony is very exquisite, completely out of the category of drinking water, and has become a high-class art. Xue Chongxun felt a little embarrassed, as a prince and nobleman, he didn't know much about it, but he also understood that tea drinking was a state of mind, and he was very particular about the environment, atmosphere, and etiquette, and he had to create an atmosphere from all aspects to be a tea ceremony.

Today, since he proposed to treat Zhang Shuo with tea, Xue Chongxun also attached great importance to it in his heart, so he thought about it and took Zhang Shuo to the backyard. There is a courtyard on the bank of the "Listening to the Rain Lake", which was originally Xue Chongxun's study, although he rarely goes to the study, but the environment there is quite quiet.

The group walked slowly along Tingyu Lake, Xue Chongxun turned his head and glanced at the lotus flowers in the lake, and felt some pain in his heart, the name of this pond was still taken by Princess Jincheng. For a moment, his mind flashed through Jincheng's beautiful voice.

The bamboo dock is dust-free and the water threshold is clear, and the acacia is separated from the city. The autumn clouds do not disperse, and the frost flies late, leaving the residual lotus to listen to the sound of the rain......

……

The two of them entered the study, but saw that there was a back door inside, Xue Chongxun went to open the wooden lattice door, and saw a back porch, the plants outside the corridor were green and oily, very life-like, and the door was immediately refreshing.

Zhang said that he was also overjoyed when he saw this, and said with a smile: "Xue Lang's back porch is good!" There is the fragrance of books in the house, there is the fragrance of flowers outside the house, and it is really a blessing in life to be able to enjoy a cup of tea and read an article after the next value. ”

Xue Chongxun said: "I'm ashamed to say that I rarely come here on weekdays, and it's difficult to have that kind of leisure and fun." If it weren't for the relationship with an elegant person like Zhang Xianggong, I would really be a layman. ”

He listened to Zhang's artistic conception of tasting tea and reading, and suddenly felt the taste of the literati. However, at first, when Xue Chongxun took out the precious silk to reward Li Guinian, Zhang Shuo on the side had greed in his eyes...... It seems that high-grade literati must be pure-hearted and have few desires.

But what Xue Chongxun admires most is not Zhang Shuo's taste, but his greed. A person who loves possessions and treasures is more likely to be of use to me; If it's something bad, it's not good.

"Xue Lang is humble." Zhang said hugging fists.

Xue Chongxun pointed to the back corridor outside and said, "Since Zhang Xianggong likes this back porch, how about we go to the stone table outside?" ”

"Please."

The two walked out of the door, walked to the stone table in the corridor and sat down, and Xue Chongxun shouted, "Come on, serve tea." ”

At this time, I saw two women, one big and one small, walking in with various things. One is Pei Niang, who is as small and cute as Lori; One is Dong, the butterfly-like red fetus on her cheekbones looks bewitching and seductive, with bulging breasts and plump skin, like a ripe apple.

Xue Chongxun said with a smile: "They are my close attendants, what does Zhang Xianggong think of his appearance and temperament?" ”

Zhang Shuo was slightly taken aback, and arched his hand without squinting: "Rude and rude." ”

Such a beautiful maid must be the one who sleeps with Xue Chongxun, that is a family member! Although the Tang Dynasty was open, the inner family would not come out to meet guests lightly, unless it was a good friend who wore a pair of pants, so they didn't need to pay attention to these courtesies...... Now Xue Chongxun actually called his woman out to make tea, what does it mean?

Zhang said that he was not a stupid person to get into the position of prime minister, and he already understood what Xue Chongxun meant.

Dong and Pei Niang walked to the stone table together and carefully began to do the work of making tea. Both of them are from very low backgrounds, they have never seen any big scenes, except for Xue Chongxun, they rarely see men in the mansion on weekdays, and suddenly facing an important person at the level of a prime minister like Zhang Shuo, they are all a little nervous, and they just keep their heads down and do things.

Xue Chongxun was originally a martial artist, so he didn't pay much attention to these elegant things, and it was obvious that Dong and Pei Niang couldn't figure it out, so they could only follow the usual procedure of making tea for Xue Chongxun. Fortunately, tea is a good thing, which makes up for the lack of many etiquette rules.

Zhang said that he was a connoisseur, and when he saw the tea leaves in the pot, he praised it: "This tea is the best!" ”

Xue Chongxun only asked the housekeeper to get the most expensive tea, but he couldn't figure it out, and just when he talked about this thing, he humbly asked, "How did you see it?" ”

Zhang said: "Gu Zhu purple bamboo shoots, the best in the tea, but it is divided into grades: the best hugging each other like bamboo shoots, the best buds are quite young and the leaves are slightly longer, and they resemble orchids. Xue Lang, please look at the tea in the pot, the appearance is tight, complete and beautiful, it is the best. ”

Xue Chongxun owed his body, and after a closer look, he couldn't help laughing and said: "I understand, it's very easy to distinguish, be taught and taught." ”

Zhang said: "Today has a mouthful, this tea is famous, verdant and fragrant, intoxicating to smell, and pleasing to sip......"

Sure enough, after the tea was brewed, there was a different fragrance wafting from the back porch, and the fragrance smelled in one word: cool!

"The color is emerald green, the silver quill is obvious, the fragrant pregnant orchid is clear, the taste is sweet and fresh; The tea soup is clear and bright, and the bottom of the leaves is delicate and delicate. The tea tastes fresh and mellow, the aftertaste is sweet, and there is really a sense of penetrating people's lungs......" Zhang said full of praise.

Xue Chongxun was stunned when he heard this, he only had one thought in his heart: the expensive thing is his mother.

Zhang Shuo picked up the small cup and took a sip gently, his face intoxicated. Xue Chongxun didn't speak, and sipped the tea carefully, and the surroundings were very quiet and comfortable.

Well, maybe tea is a peaceful state of mind.

At this time, Zhang said that he might want to recite a poem, but he didn't chant a poem, but just raised his head and sighed.

Xue Chongxun asked, "Why did Zhang Xianggong sigh?" ”

Zhang Shuo had an ambitious expression on his face, as if he had suddenly become a man with lofty ideals, and said slowly: "Being in the temple, I should have shown my talents and learned to serve the country and do something great, but the road is so difficult, how can it not make people sigh?" ”

Xue Chongxun nodded, listened very carefully, and said in his heart: Sure enough, Zhang said that he was very unhappy to be excluded in the court, and he wanted to do things but no one supported him.

Zhang Shuo lowered his head and sighed, looked at Xue Chongxun and said, "When Xue Lang impulsively killed the Tubo Lang clan, I was very indignant, do you know why? I, Zhang, am also a Tang Dynasty boy and a bloody person, but I understand that it is never wise to start a war with Tubo! ”

Xue Chongxun said: "I was indeed at fault for that incident last time, and I don't care about Zhang Xianggong's reprimand. But for the sake of this, please make it clear to Zhang Xianggong. ”

Zhang said: "Xue Lang's mind and courage are admirable, but fighting for strength on the battlefield is not something that can be won as long as you are bloody. The Tubo people can gather at least 500,000 people in a few months, but on the other hand, our Tang Dynasty is overstretched, and the Zhichong Prefecture cannot be fully conscripted all year round...... Is it because my Datang national strength is not strong? Why? ”

Xue Chongxun actually had some thoughts in his heart, but he wanted to hear Zhang Shuo's thoughts, so he repeated: "Why? ”

Zhang Shuo raised his head, his eyes seemed to be far away, and he said with such an expression: "When Emperor Taizong was emperor, he was afraid of martial arts, because there were soldiers on the battlefield in hand; After Emperor Gaozong, the population of the whole country gradually increased, but the number of household registrations under the control of the household department decreased year by year, and the Juntian system almost existed in name only. Without households, it will not only become more difficult to recruit soldiers, but in the long run, there will also be a crisis in finances and taxes. If the law is not changed, not to mention the fiscal and tax issues, it will be difficult to cope with the current big war, how can we fight without soldiers? ”

Xue Chongxun said: "The law must adapt to the times, if the times change and the law does not change, it will naturally become a stumbling block to the development of the country, I support the change of the law, but the law cannot change randomly, it is better to listen to Zhang Xianggong's high opinion first." ”

"Regardless of changing the rent and tax system for the time being, I am the secretary of the military department, so let's talk about the military system first. It was difficult to recruit troops in Zhechong Prefecture, and the imperial court had to pay for the recruitment of warriors to form the Long March athletes, so that they could be greatly armed and defend the Quartet. Zhang said confidently.

Long March athletes? Xue Chongxun pondered, isn't this a change from the military system to the conscription system?

As a matter of fact, the method proposed by Zhang Shuo is very suitable for the current situation, and the conscription system, coupled with the corresponding fiscal and taxation reforms, can not only enhance national defense, but also stimulate the economy.

In recent years, the southern Jiangnan Province has developed rapidly, especially along the canal, which has been stimulated by commerce, and a metropolis with a population of one million has emerged; On the contrary, the people's livelihood in Guanzhong Road and near the left is still difficult. The reason for this situation may be related to the military system. The Tang Dynasty was based on Guanzhong, condescending, and used Guanzhong to control the whole country, so most of the main battle troops came from Guanzhong, and the men all went to war, and they had to bring their own grain and grass and some equipment to serve, and the lack of labor would naturally affect the economy; However, because the Jiangnan side is too far away from the Beijing division and the border pass, it is difficult to go to Tibet, and there are relatively few conscriptions, so even if the tax is heavy, it can still develop.

If Zhang Shuo's idea is used to recruit warriors to replace the government soldiers, then the economy of Guanzhong, the fundamental place of the Tang Dynasty, will definitely recover...... Xue Chongxun remembered that the material prosperity of Kaiyuan's rule may have a lot to do with the conscription system! Then the rule of Kaiyuan, which will disappear in history, may be able to be recovered if Xue Chongxun supports Zhang Shuo.

However, Xue Chongxun has always had a shadow in his heart: the division of feudal towns. It has a lot to do with the collapse of the government and military system.

One of the great advantages of the government military system is that the central government can control the military forces very effectively, and it is difficult to form a situation in which warlords divide their territories. There is a reason why this system existed in various dynasties.

However, the current situation, as Zhang Shuo said, is that the government military system can still cope with national defense, but a major war is imminent, more troops are needed, and the old methods cannot cope with the situation...... Needless to say, is there any other way?

Xue Chongxun pondered for a long time, glanced at Zhang and said, "This matter is very important, let me think about it for a while." ”

Zhang Shuo looked at Xue Chongxun with expectant eyes and said: "For the sake of the country and the society, Zhang is in the position of prime minister, and he must not be a vegetarian meal!" Please Xue Lang think twice! ”

Xue Chongxun remained silent, thinking about it, Zhang said that if he wanted to do it, he really needed his support. Xue Chongxun is not the prime minister, and he has not participated in the decision-making of the political affairs hall, and now he can't even protect the throne because of his mistakes, but he has a certain amount of influence, at least he can influence Princess Taiping. Zhang said that he was the object of defense in the court, and whatever he said would be suspected of ulterior motives, but if Xue Chongxun, the confidant of Princess Taiping, could speak for him, he would be able to eliminate a lot of resistance...... This is also one of the reasons why Zhang said that he couldn't wait to form an alliance with Xue Chongxun.

Because of the opportunity, Xue Chongxun knew the general trend of history, but it made him in a dilemma; If it weren't for that, he would definitely immediately support Zhang Shuo, not only in favor of the public, but also in line with Zhang Shuo's alliance...... However, people have a sense of historical responsibility, and they know that future disasters are well known, so don't they want to do their best to avoid them?

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