Chapter 443 Ji Zhen

Yu Wenxiao mentioned that the pro-kingdom shogunate wanted to share Xue Chongxun's worries, and Erling also thought of some ways. Although as officials of the Xue faction, the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty had to be humble when they saw them, but there was a division of labor in their authority, and they still could not interfere in the tax system and national policy, and the general direction was still controlled by Zhang Shuo of Zhongshu Ling and the elders of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of the Political Affairs Hall; Otherwise, what do you need to do with the government hall, the three provinces, the six ministries and other imperial court institutions?

One day Wang Changling said to Zhang Jiuling in the official office: "Since Liu Xianggong presided over the reform of the 'three policies' (salt administration, river administration, and grain administration) and the implementation of the two tax laws of the money law, he has lightly benefited the country and the people, and the world has not complained but has greatly increased its revenue, and the annual revenue of the state treasury is expected to reach more than 38 million yuan this year. According to the previous state use, such a situation has long been rich and surplus, but now the military and government are bloated and huge, and they have reached a place of embarrassment. ”

Zhang Jiuling nodded from time to time and did not speak.

Wang Changling said: "The bulk is still the war and military expenditure, and it has been opened many times over the years, often spending millions of dollars, not counting the labor and property of local people. It was originally a major event of a century-old achievement, and it had to be forced in a short period of time, if it were not for the strong national strength of the Tang Dynasty, it would have reached the point where the people were not able to make a living. I think that the top priority at the moment is to advise Xue Lang Mo to be happy with his achievements, to put the people's livelihood and peace first, to stabilize the surrounding areas and diplomacy, and at the same time to abolish the bloated government and military government, the prosperity is not far away, which is also our duty as a minister; Instead of abetting his mistakes. ”

He said a lot of truth, but Zhang Jiuling was noncommittal, but suddenly looked left and said: "Do you know Ji Zhen?" He Zhizhang. ”

Wang Changling was stunned and silent for a moment, not understanding why Zhang Jiuling wanted to divert the topic, did I say it wrong: Or is this not only the reason for the security of the country and the people, but also the consideration of Xue Chongxun in power?

He didn't understand it for a while, so he exhaled and replied coldly: "I haven't met him, but I've seen his poetry and calligraphy." I wonder where he is now? I haven't seen it in Chang'an. ”

"In Luoyang." Zhang Jiuling said calmly, as if chatting, "Ji Zhen and I moved out once, at that time, I felt that my career was bleak, so I resigned and went home to repair roads and benefit the people, but he complied with the transfer of the imperial court and went to Luoyang to be an official. Recently, I heard that he planted cotton and spun white felt on Yongye Field, and made a lot of money. ”

Wang Changling was stunned: "It's not good to be an official and plant cotton, and sacrifice great righteousness for small profits." ”

Zhang Jiuling smiled and shook his head: "The most white felt is in Xizhou, and the Central Plains can also be planted, but there are still very few of them, so they are expensive." This is a good thing, from sowing seeds to spinning into a white felt, it takes much less manpower and material resources than silk, and it does not take much effort than linen, but it is more comfortable and beautiful to wear than coarse linen. Shao Bo thinks about it, most of the common people can't afford to wear silk fabrics, but wearing that linen cloth is not very close to the body and does not keep warm in winter, if white felt is not scarce and expensive, isn't it a good thing for all people to have clothes to wear? It is also the duty of the people to let the common people not be cold or hungry. ”

Although he benefited the country and the people one by one, Wang Changling also heard the voice: "This is also a way to increase income, and at present, there is little cotton in the Central Plains, and it is also a huge profit at the beginning." ”

Zhang Jiuling smiled and nodded: "The treasury is not embarrassed, it's just that Xue Lang has been in a hurry to use troops against the Turks recently, and it takes extra money to go from training and governing the army to going out on the expedition." We are not in the political hall, as long as we can make a contribution, we have fulfilled our responsible attitude, and the national policy, why should we work in vain if we are not in our position? ”

Wang Changling groaned: "After all, He Zhizhang is a petty official, and it is not difficult to see the special minister (Zhongshu Ling) entrust him to open his mouth and transfer back to Chang'an. ”

After the two discussed, they first wrote a letter and sent it to Luoyang to contact He Zhizhang.

…… He Zhizhang is in his fifties, and his career is getting worse and worse, Wu Zetian was awarded the title of Doctor of the Four Gates of the Kingdom as soon as he was a Jinshi, and his future as a Beijing official in Chang'an is bright, but he has been an official for nearly 20 years, and now he can be mixed up in Luoyang. According to the path of officialdom in the Tang Dynasty, if a person who is bent on climbing to the top and realizing his ambitions, it is an unbearable thing to go out and a waste of time. He Zhizhang not only released it, but his grade did not rise, and he didn't know what truth he realized.

However, he is usually an optimistic and open-minded person, and he is also at ease in Luoyang, and has a very good relationship with the local nobles, and more than 50 people are still unruly and often visit the Qinglou restaurant under the Liu Gong in Luoyang to enjoy the rhythm and dance. Liu Gong is one of the richest families in Luoyang, after claiming to be the ancestor of the Han Dynasty, he is not only rich and rivals the country, but also has a lot of connections in black and white, and is also very good at handling things, such as He Zhizhang is famous among the literati, poetry and calligraphy are good, Liu Gong often feasts and makes friends, so that he can indulge uninhibited in the Qinglou and do not collect money. In fact, He Zhizhang is not short of silver, and he has been idle and engaged in a lot of side jobs.

Living in such a free and easy state of mind, He Zhizhang's body is still very good, his hair is a little thin, but his face is ruddy and shiny, his forehead is wide and full, and a lot of hair has fallen out on the top of his head, which makes the area above his eyebrows and forehead larger.

As soon as he received the letter signed by Zhang Jiuling, he immediately smiled and said that he could do something serious this time. His friend Liu Gong also gave him face, and immediately called the three friends and four friends of the officialdom Shilin to celebrate him in Xiaojin Building. Xiaojin Lou has the name of "Pinjin Grotto" in Luoyang, which is very luxurious and rich, it is a good place for drunken gold fans, and at the same time, it is also the face of Liu Gong to set up a banquet here.

He Zhizhang smiled and said in public: "The person who wrote to ask me to return to Chang'an is the old man Zhang Zishou, and Liu Gong must know that Zhang Zishou is now a celebrity in front of King Jin...... Haha, the old man has been an official for decades, and there are always people in the officialdom. ”

He Zhizhang was originally a madman, and everyone was not surprised, and they echoed: "Congratulations to the drunken immortal, congratulations to the ......."

Liu Gong raised his glass and said: "Drink first as a respect, and congratulate my brother on his grand achievements in Beijing." ”

The famous prostitute who was sitting next to He Zhizhang said with a smile: "The concubine has never been out of Luoyang since she was a child, she only knows that Luoyang is prosperous, and the drunken immortal thinks that Jingshi is better than Luoyang?" ”

Every time He Zhizhang came to Xiaojin Building, Feiyan almost had to accompany him to drink. Not only does He Zhizhang look up to Feiyan's artistic attainments, but Feiyan also admires his poetry and writing, and the two of them are introduced as confidants and have a good relationship.

He Zhizhang drank a glass of wine, and soon chanted: "Chang'an Avenue is narrow and sloping, and the green ox and white horse are seven incense cars." The jade chariot crossed the main house, and the golden whip flocked to the Hou family. The dragon title covers the sunrise, and the phoenix spits tassels with the sunset. A hundred zhang gossamer competes around the tree, and a group of delicate birds cry flowers. Crying flowers and butterflies on the side of a thousand doors, green trees and silver platforms of ten thousand colors. The double road crosses the window as a acacia, and the double que is connected with the wings of the phoenix. The Liang family painting pavilion rises in the sky, and the Han Emperor's golden stem is straight outside. I don't know each other in front of the building, and I don't know each other. borrowed a to Ziyan, and once learned to dance for a long time. If you have to become a fool, why not die, I am willing to be a mandarin duck and not envy the immortal......"

He finished singing the long poem in one breath, still out of breath, looking calm, and said with a smile: "I wish to be a mandarin duck and not envy the immortal, that sentence is the best." ”

As soon as the joyful banquet passed, the host Liu Gong discussed with the shopkeeper: "The king of Hedong Jin is as powerful as the "Green **" martial arts in the middle of the day, which can be called the dragon among people, and the view is more like an emperor. My Luoyang Liu family has not declined for three generations, not only because of several generations of painstaking management, but also because the head of the family often has foresight, and I will not let go of the opportunity to make friends with the powerful people of Beijing. If Ji Zhen wants to go to Beijing, he must be treated well, and all the details of the travel expenses must be considered carefully to show my heart. ”

The shopkeeper hurriedly bowed down and said, "The old slave respectfully obeys Ah Lang's instructions and gets things done." ”

Liu Gong thought for a while and said: "In addition to the thoughtful gifts, I also have to give Ji Zhen an extra surprise gift, which can be enough to show the sincerity of my Liu family's friendship." ”

The shopkeeper suddenly said: "He Minggong seems to like non-cigarettes very much, she is already out of breath, and her role in Xiaojin Lou is getting smaller and smaller, it is better to give it to him as a favor." ”

Liu Gong pondered for a moment and then nodded: "That's fine, I also think that the value of non-cigarettes will fall, and I can't sell it at a good price if I keep it." After Li Sanlang was pacified, the Eastern Capital was no longer a place for officials and inkmen who had fallen careers to drink to kill their sorrows, and the atmosphere in the officialdom world changed, and there was a tendency to pursue the atmosphere of Chang'an. We have to be ahead of everything to have a chance, the two plump newcomers in Xiaojin Building, you give more opportunities. ”

The shopkeeper said with a look of adoration: "Ah Lang has a wide range of knowledge, and the old slave respects it from the bottom of his heart." ”

Liu Gong accepted the farts calmly under his hand, and said indifferently: "But Feiyan is also the nominal righteous daughter of my Liu family, this identity shows that I value her care, and now I give it to Ji Zhen, I hope he can understand my intentions." ”

After he finished the order, he was about to leave, and the shopkeeper couldn't help asking: "Feiyan once left Luoyang, and I don't know when I will be able to reunite with Ah Lang, does Ah Lang want to see her alone and talk?" ”

"No need, I have other important things." Liu Gongtou said without looking back.

The shopkeeper originally wanted Liu Gong to go and talk to Feiyan about this in person, so that he would not be able to say it, after all, Feiyan used to be a celebrity in Xiaojinlou, and he has always been respected by everyone here, although he is just a singer, a prostitute is a cash cow, and no one dares to be too rude to her...... But now the shopkeeper is the only one who has to say it, but since the owner has expressed his position, he can't help but smoke.

The shopkeeper of Xiaojin Building is a domestic slave of the Liu family, and he is the actual person in charge here. He went to the door of the non-smoking room in person.

Feiyan heard the voice of the shopkeeper, and soon opened the door to meet her, she grew up here, and of course she knew the people in power inside. If it's a mother or bustard, if she doesn't want to see her, she can not give that face, but she has to respect each other for this unattractive old man. Q