The relevant "inspection" work of the inspection institute of Zheng Shuqing's abbot can be described as fruitful.

Not to mention that the waves are not alarming, at least it can be said that chickens fly and dogs jump.

With the acquiescence of Brother Ji, the "inspection envoys" of the inspection institute were moved, whether it was the major yamen in Chang'an City, or the noble family, there was no shortage of these people coming in and out, all with calm faces and smirks.

They beat ninety-nine on top and children on the bottom. Whether it is the prime minister or the six Shangshu, or the young and powerful children of the five tombs with the title. As long as it is a violation, you will not be able to run away if you are fined a sum of money.

As for the reason for the punishment, it can only be said that there are many kinds of tricks, and it cannot be generalized. In short, from copywriting typos, to illegal construction of homes that exceed the prohibition, they will be fined if they are caught.

That's right, the inspection institute will not impose any other penalties other than fines. Anyway, if you don't pay the money, you will be dismissed, and you will be stripped of your title, and you will eat all over the world with one trick. This move can be described as feared by everyone in the elite circle of Chang'an.

And things like suing the procuratorate, no one cares about it at all, and all the impeachment notes have been suppressed by Ji Ge and not dealt with. And to say a thousand things, these "can be caught or not caught" pigtails, spread out in the sun, there is no room for quibbling.

Put a "yellow coat" inside the brocade robe, are you still reasonable? This kind of thing is too abstract to talk about.

Under the measures of various high-intensity fines, the silk silks that transported the Longyou army were piled up in the treasury, and one after another were transported to Lanzhou, and then transferred from Lanzhou to Shanzhou, and finally distributed to the sergeants and soldiers on the right side of Longlong.

Wang Zhongsi was lucky that Fang Chongyong had already paved the road in front, and he didn't need to deal with the arrears of the border army. Wang Zhongsi only needed to think about how to deal with the onslaught of the Tibetans in the autumn.

Of course, there is no shortage of military salaries now, which does not mean that there will be no shortage in the future. What will happen in the future can only be said in the future.

However, after a "great purge", the bureaucrats at all levels and the nobles of all walks of life in Chang'an City also learned to behave. They began to dress meticulously, in full compliance with the regulations, even if they were stripped naked, they were not afraid of the people in the inspection institute to find fault.

The over-the-top houses built by the nobles in the past were demolished on their own initiative, and no matter how they investigated, they were impeccable. Some officials even transferred their homes to relatives and "rented houses" outside for themselves.

The house I rented, it's none of my business, right?

As for the pigtails of typos, the response of officials at all levels is to write official documents that can be avoided. As long as I don't write official documents, it is impossible for you to be caught in the wrong place.

If you have to write it, check it again and again, and check it with your colleagues. As for saying that this will affect office efficiency, then do less and leave work on time every day.

All in all, there are policies and countermeasures, although the "inspection" likes to take the unusual road, but the small pigtails that are checked can actually be classified into categories, and there are traces to follow.

To put it bluntly, there are only so many routines that can be used. After a long time, these tricks will not work. After all, everyone is an official only for the sake of wealth and development, not to make trouble for themselves. There are many rules, and there are naturally ways to deal with them.

Yan Zhenqing originally wanted to take the opportunity of raising military expenses to cleanse the bad habits of Chang'an officialdom. However, the atmosphere on the surface has indeed been corrected a little, but all kinds of unspoken rules have begun to prevail.

It's as if officials really don't dare to collect money openly, but they can make money by selling poems and paintings! The handwriting is good, and the rich people buy a pair of ink treasures for thousands of times to go back to worship and collect, is there anything that can't be done?

What kind of positive role can the inspection institute really play in picking up trivial things such as picketing copywriting typos, in addition to collecting money?

In this regard, Yan Zhenqing was worried and went to Zheng Shuqing to discuss countermeasures.

However, Zheng Shuqing didn't care, and replied directly: Since the inspection is not good, why don't we suggest to the sage to sell the official mantle?

Yan Zhenqing was speechless for a moment.

The two have different philosophies, and they can't talk about going together. Zheng Shuqing is what Brother Ji wants him to do, since the inspection is no longer good, then the next step can only be on the repertoire of all dynasties "Selling Officials".

As for chores such as correcting officialdom, Zheng Shuqing didn't think about it at all.

This kind of thing is not in a hurry, what is he, a courtier, in a hurry?

The two parted unhappily, and Yan Zhenqing didn't want to toss anymore.

On this day, Gao Lishi came to the inspection institute and informed Zheng Shuqing to go to Xingqing Palace for discussion. After Zheng Shuqing arrived at the study room of the diligent government affairs building, he found that in addition to himself, there was also a young man who had several relationships, who should be a central official and worked in the sixth department.

"Zheng Aiqing, what is the amount of fines collected by the inspection institute this month?"

Brother Ji asked with a smile, looking like a kind old man.

Zheng Shuqing didn't dare to slack off, and saluted with his crossed hands: "Back to the saint, it is less than 100,000." ”

Hearing this, Brother Ji's face twitched a few times, and then he sighed lightly and nodded slightly.

He looked at the young red-robed official in front of him, and asked with a calm face: "Liu Yan, back then, I asked you to be the crown prince, how many words did you correct?" ”

"Back to the saint, all the words have been corrected, only the words of friends have not been corrected."

Liu Yan replied with a crossed salute.

In the Chinese characters, the comparison is mainly horizontal and vertical, and there are horizontal and vertical words for "positive", and only the friends of the friends are crooked. Liu Yan's answer not only illustrates his own wisdom, but also shows his political views.

Forming a party for personal gain, what you do is a fly camp and a dog's business, how can there be "right"?

Liu Yan's answer, Brother Ji understood, nodded with satisfaction, and continued:

"This is very good, after three days, I will take out a hundred treasures and show off the treasures in the main hall of Daming Palace.

Hundreds of civil and military officials, honorable clans and noble clans must participate. Bid to get the treasure, the highest price wins.

The silk silk sold by the treasures was used as military expenses. The starting price of the treasure must be measured accurately.

Liu Yan, how about you do this? ”

Brother Ji asked with a smile.

Liu Yan hurriedly crossed his hands and saluted and said: "This kind of thing for the benefit of the country and the people, Weichen will definitely do it well, and he will not live up to the expectations of the saint." ”

"Well, you were promoted to an official by me since you were a child, and now it's time to serve the country. Go ahead, and the Takauchi will show you how to do it.

Now that this matter has been done, there will be very important matters that you need to handle personally. ”

Brother Ji said with a slight wave of his hand, motioning for the other party to step back.

Liu Yan hurriedly took the order and left. After he left, Brother Ji beckoned to Zheng Shuqing and motioned for him to come to his side.

"Three days later, you send a few trusted inspectors to take note of the people who have made the bids. Which ones are the most bids and which ones are the ones that don't pull a dime.

There are many bids, high bids, and people who don't pull out a dime, all of them are recorded by me, and I am of great use. ”

Brother Ji said in a deep voice.

Zheng Shuqing didn't know why, he didn't understand what Brother Ji wanted to do at all. But it doesn't matter, isn't it just to record who is generous and who is not pulling out a dime at the "Treasure Club".

This kind of trivial matter according to the map is still easy to do.

He hurriedly crossed his hands and saluted and said, "Sage, please rest assured, Weichen will definitely do a good job." ”

"Well, you go get busy, I'm looking forward to it."

Brother Ji nodded expressionlessly.

Zheng Shuqing was very curious in his heart, is the lack of military funds now lacking to the point where the saint wants to sell the treasures in the palace and go to the powerful to raise funds?

But he didn't dare to ask more, and he didn't even dare to look up at Brother Ji's expression, and cautiously withdrew from the diligent government affairs building. When he got out of Xingqing Palace, Zheng Shuqing breathed a sigh of relief, he found that his back was full of cold sweat, and his clothes were already wet, and the more he thought about it, the more scared he became.

Datang, a saint, really won't stop and toss just because he is getting older!

Immediately there will be another good show.

……

The road leading directly from Lanzhou Jincheng to Wuwei in Liangzhou is an official road, but the geographical conditions are relatively harsh. To the north along the river are mountains on both sides, the widest part is only 2,000 meters, and the narrowest place is less than 300 meters. Occasionally, there are a few trails that lead from the mountains to the outside, but none of them are structured.

At the time of the Tang Dynasty, it was under the jurisdiction of Lanzhou.

Guangwu County (Yongdeng County) to the south of this road and Changsong County (Gulang County) to the north of the road are both built on this road in areas with better geographical conditions, and the population and arable land are extremely barren.

Even in the Tianbao period, the combined population of the two counties was only more than 2,000 households!

Fang Chongyong passed through Guangwu County with more than 300 elite soldiers of the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army, and found that there was neither a post station here, nor a county commander and other officials who came to greet him. I sent someone to inquire and found out that the county order of Guangwu County had been pending for many years, and there were no officials in the imperial court who were willing to come here to serve as magistrates.

The local government affairs are all the agents of the state government of Jincheng County, Lanzhou, and there are not many government affairs to deal with.

With a population of more than 1,000 households, the population of the county will not exceed 10,000 based on the calculation of six people in a household, and it is indeed not worth building a county government office in the local area.

After all, it costs money to maintain the operation of the yamen. During the Tianbao period, there were nearly 1,600 counties in the Tang Dynasty, and not every county had a county order.

This kind of situation of "there are counties but no officials" has not been seen by Fang Chongyong before, but this time it can be regarded as a long insight.

After walking for dozens of miles, after passing through Changsong County in the north, the terrain in front of me suddenly rose, and the mountain road began to be suddenly narrow and rugged! Suddenly snow fell in the sky, and everyone in the team felt their bodies soaked in the cold wind, and they couldn't help but shiver.

The road beneath your feet also began to become steep and uneven, and the mountains were full of rocks. The people on the horses had to turn over and dismount and lead the horses up the hill on foot.

Familiar with the terrain, An Chongzhang, as a guide, stepped forward and said to Fang Chongyong:

"Wei Qing and Huo Qubing crossed the Hongchi Ling Pass, attacked the Xiongnu in the west, built the Great Wall west of Lingju City (now the northwest of Yongdeng County), passed through the Reverse Water River (Zhuanglang River) valley, and crossed the Hongchi Ling (Wusheling) mountain range.

The Great Wall built by the Han Dynasty has ruins in front of it. ”

An Chongzhang pointed to the ruins of the broken walls that appeared in the mountains not far away, and continued:

"It's snowing here in June, and it's unusually cold. Every year, the mountain people who accidentally freeze to death here have heard of it, and they also ask the festival marshal not to order the camp, and it is better to pass through this place as soon as possible.

Crossing the mountains, there is the garrison of Wucheng, where the army can rest again. ”

Indeed, as An Chongzhang said, according to the Ming Dynasty's "Xingdu Si Zhi": "Lingbei is connected to the Gulang realm, which is twenty miles long, and the wind rises in midsummer, and the snow is everywhere. There are earthen houses and rafters on the mountain today. The mountains of the pole are connected to each other, and they go straight to the outside of the gate. The snow at the end of the ridge is dazzling, and there are big mountains in the extreme west, towering in the sky, which is suspected to be a snow-capped mountain. Five miles down the ridge, fifteen miles away, there is a fort city, the land lives in the mountains, and the road leads to a line. ”

"That's very good."

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and said.

The terrain of the Longyou region is dangerous, and only by being familiar with geography can we fight big battles and vicious battles. Once the Longyou barrier was lost, the Tubo people could bypass the barrier of the Hexi Corridor and invade Guanzhong from Lanzhou.

Fang Chongyong originally thought that the Tubo people took advantage of the opportunity of the Anshi Rebellion in history to take advantage of the fire, swallowing Hexi and Longyou, and pushing the battle line to the front line of Fengxiang.

But since he was an envoy in Longyou, he found that this idea was a bit one-sided and taken for granted.

The Tibetans are not in the fire, but have a long-term and careful deployment, and every subsequent step of the siege is planned, they are just patiently waiting for the opportunity. Their actions to attack Longyou can be said to be bold and careful, and they plan comprehensively, without hurrying or slowing.

Even if there is no Anshi Rebellion, Datang's military deployment beyond the support of national power has reached as far as the area west of Kashmir in his previous life, and in the end it cannot be supported, and strategic contraction is inevitable.

Of course, it is unlikely that the Tubo people will be counted as having an Anshi Rebellion, but they may not be unaware that it is only a matter of time before the Tang Dynasty's military shrinkage is only a matter of time, and then it will be time for a large-scale counterattack.

In other words, the Tubo people have been planning all along, waiting for the strategic contraction of the Tang Dynasty, rather than choosing to do it when they saw the opportunity of the Anshi Rebellion.

Moreover, the border towns of Hexi Longyou and other border towns in Datang were not lost all at once. did not return to Guanzhong and Shuofang, and chose to stay in the local Western Army, in fact, there were not many of them. There are historical records that can be checked, including the Doulu Army in Shazhou, Hexi, and the Jiankang Army in Guazhou, none of whom returned to Guanzhong.

They chose to stay in Shazhou as a whole, using it as a base camp to continue to resist Tibet.

There were also thousands of elite soldiers in Liangzhou who did not follow the Chishui army eastward.

If these armies had a unified command and could unite, it would be enough to wrestle with the Tibetans.

It took the Tubo people a decade or two to eat the territory of Longyou, Hexi.

Therefore, it is not so much that after the Anshi Rebellion, the emptiness of the Tang Longyou army allowed the Tubo people to succeed, but rather that the passage from Guanzhong to Longyou was cut off by the Tubo people for the first time, and the Tang army left in the west lacked supplies, so they could only go their own way, and were broken one by one by the Tubo people who had the advantage of troops.

Fang Chongyong felt that just like the line he took today, it seemed to be an excellent place to fight the encirclement and annihilation battle. As long as there are tens of thousands of strong troops in his hands, it is enough to slowly survive with the Tubo people.

Of course, Datang's basic plate is rotten, and no matter how desperate the border town struggles, it is just in vain.

Although Brother Ji is a wave, the ability of Suzong, Daizong, and Dezong to take over is also not flattering. Even if there is no Anshi Rebellion, the descendants of Ji Ge will not be able to control the scene.

The emperor himself tried hard, and it seemed that he could change something, but this kind of thing could not be thought about. Once you think about it, you will find that Datang has accumulated a lot of difficulties. Only if it is not broken and does not stand, and then it is the road.

members of the Li Tang clan, and even the prince and even Ji Ge himself.

They can't smash their own yards, can they? If the Li people don't smash it, then who will?

Thinking of this, Fang Chongyong's heart was clouded. He frowned, didn't talk to anyone, just kept silent, and led the team through the Hongchi Collar (i.e., Wusheling Ridge).

The Qing Dynasty poet Yang Weichang's poem "Wuling Towering to the Sky" seemed to be recited in his ear:

Ten thousand mountains surround the lonely Chong, looking down on the rock and the rock to imitate Dai Song.

Shu Road should be inferior to danger if the sky is like a day, and Kuang Lu entered the Han Dynasty without being a hero.

The thunder roars quietly, and the starry cliff is in the sky.

Looking back, I was even more suspicious that the road was near, and I was suddenly in the white clouds.

Jishi County, which has just been earthquaked, is where the Jishi Army under the command of the Longyou Jiedu is located. What were the economic conditions in the Tang Dynasty, you can guess a few points by looking at the news pictures.

(End of chapter)