Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 724: The main attack on Shunchang
The early autumn wind still carries a hint of summer heat.

The water of the Yongji Canal shimmers in the autumn sunshine, like countless pieces of silver sprinkled on the water, dazzling people's eyes.

At the ferry not far south of Weizhou Yuancheng, Shi Siming's widow, Mrs. Xin, sat in the cabin, looking through the half-rolled curtain at the scenery outside the window that was slowly receding and occasionally slowly stopping.

They had already arrived in Weizhou by boat, where they were going to wait for people from the court in Bianzhou to contact them, and then settle down in Bianzhou.

Of course, this is a nice way of saying it. The ugly way of saying it is: I am the fish and others are the butchers.

Everything is beyond my control.

Her fingers unconsciously stroked the embroidery on a handkerchief in her sleeve. It was the peony embroidery she had made in the embroidery workshop in Youzhou City for the last time. But now it had faded and looked dull.

This book was originally intended for Shi Siming, but unfortunately he passed away before it was delivered.

Shi Siming was Xin's support, her heaven, and her everything. But now that Shi Siming was gone, the road ahead was long and arduous. Xin was extremely anxious and uneasy, but she just tried to stay calm.

Shi Siming was dead, and her two brothers certainly didn't care. It didn't matter who they followed. No one could understand Xin's bitterness and helplessness at this moment.

Outside the cabin, Shi Chaoqing stood at the bow holding the railing, his eyes focused on nowhere and seemed a little empty.

Shi Chaoqing lowered his head and sighed. Although his robe was still made of brocade, it was no longer as luxurious as before, and there were even a few frayed spots on the cuffs and lapels.

His eyes occasionally swept over Che Guangqian, the Youzhou military commander who was also standing at the bow, holding the sword at his waist, and a complicated look flashed in his eyes.

But he quickly lowered his head, not daring to look any further.

Che Guangqian had a stern look on his face, his eyes always looking straight ahead, watching the laborers working on the shore. He seemed to have no interest in the mother and son behind him.

Che Guangqian's mission was to escort them back to Bianzhou, then report to Fang Chongyong and wait for the next step. As for how they felt, Che Guangqian didn't care.

He has planned his life well. As a founding hero, the Che family will surely flourish again. And this time, there will be no more boring deeds like his ancestor Che Yin's "catching fireflies".

Che Guangqian's achievements were all achieved one by one. Many people say that he is Fang Qing's sharp claw and hawk, and he does not deny it.

The Tang Dynasty is about to die, and a talented person must find a way out. He cannot just hang himself on this tree.

It is the Tang Dynasty that has failed the people of the world, not the people of the world that have failed the Tang Dynasty. Could it be that Che Guangqian has caused the current situation of the world being torn apart?

He thought this through very clearly.

The passenger ship moved slowly along the Yongji Canal. The trackers on the shore seemed to be in a commotion, and bursts of noisy sounds came from the river bank.

Mrs. Xin tilted her head slightly, opened the gap in the cabin curtain, and saw a group of laborers busy on the river bank.

Their figures looked particularly thin and ragged in the sun, but they were working hard. Some were waving shovels and throwing soil onto the river bank; some were pushing wheelbarrows and transporting gravel to the dam; others were standing in the river and reinforcing the embankment with wooden stakes.

Silt was constantly being dredged out of the canal and piled on the shore. This was the reason why the passenger ship that Mrs. Xin was on had to be towed when passing through this place: the Yongji Canal from Weizhou to Liyang was undergoing large-scale repairs, which had affected navigation, and some sections had to rely on manpower on the shore.

However, once the project of dredging the river and repairing the river embankment is completed, the transportation between Henan and Hebei will be greatly enhanced. Its significance is so profound that ordinary people find it difficult to comprehend and only realize it later.

Madam Xin sighed softly and looked at the faces of the peasants. There was no resentment on their faces, but an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

She vaguely heard an older laborer say to the young man beside him: "Er Gouzi, work slowly and don't tire yourself out. Although this job is tiring, it makes us feel at ease. We are all working for ourselves, so there is no need to rush to complete the task. Slow work produces fine results."

The young man wiped his sweat and replied with a smile: "Uncle Zhang, don't worry, I'm very strong! Besides, the court exempted our Weizhou from taxes for three years, so what's the big deal about doing this? After repairing the river bank, when the spring flood comes next year, our fields won't be flooded. We can also use canal water for irrigation. Where can we find such a good life?"

This man named Uncle Zhang nodded, and the wrinkles on his face smoothed out:
"Yes, the imperial court has been kind to us, and we must be worthy of it. Once the Yongji Canal is repaired, our lives will be better. With more merchants coming and going, we can make a lot of money by renting out a few more rooms at home.

Once the canal is repaired, everything will be fine along with it..."

Mrs. Xin felt sad as she listened to their conversation.

She thought back to her days in Youzhou City, those days of luxury, food and attention, but now it seemed like a dream. She gently lowered the curtain, closed her eyes, and tried to calm the waves in her heart.

The people of Hebei did not seem to resent the Bianzhou court, so it was obvious who they had been resentful of before.

Apart from Shi Siming, Mrs. Xin couldn't think of anyone else those people hated. Perhaps she was also one of the objects of their resentment.

The passenger ship continued to move forward, and the laborers on the river bank gradually went away, but their voices seemed to still echo in her ears. Mrs. Xin suddenly felt exhausted, and the laborers' satisfaction was like a thorn, deeply piercing her heart.

Shi Chaoqing happened to be back in the cabin to rest at this time. He heard his mother sighing softly and couldn't help but whispered, "Mom, what's wrong with you?"

Mrs. Xin shook her head and did not answer.

She looked out the window again and saw a field in the distance. The summer wheat in the field had been harvested, leaving only bare stalks, swaying gently in the autumn wind.

She suddenly remembered that she hadn't seen such a scene for a long time.

In Youzhou City, she saw only high walls and palaces, heard only the sound of swords and horses' hooves, and heard Shi Siming's constant whispers: "I'll take care of everything!"

At this moment, Che Guangqian suddenly walked into the cabin, glanced at them, and said coldly: "Weizhou Yuancheng is ahead. Rest there tonight and set off for Bianzhou tomorrow."

There was no trace of human touch in his words, as if a dead person was speaking. After saying this, he turned and left without stopping, nor did he ask what Mrs. Xin and her son thought.

This is normal. The butchers never ask the fish whether it feels pain or not. They only listen to the orders of the butcher!

Mrs. Xin nodded without saying anything. She looked at Che Guangqian's back and smiled bitterly.

Her eyes fell on the laborers again and saw that they were still busy on the river bank, as if the disputes in this world had nothing to do with them.

To be honest, Mrs. Xin was really envious, envious of their simple satisfaction.

People always envy what others have that they don't have, even if they have it, or have had a lot, far more than those people.

The passenger ship slowly sailed into the ferry on the shore of Yuancheng and stopped. There was a market town formed by the canal transportation on the shore of the ferry. The road was bustling with people coming and going, making it particularly lively.

Mrs. Xin followed Shi Chaoqing and saw street vendors hawking their wares, children chasing and playing in the fields, and an old woman selling fruits and vegetables sitting next to her stall mending clothes.

Everything seemed so peaceful, as if the war had never happened. No one in that place was born to kill people, and people always pursued a beautiful and peaceful life.

Even tigers look cute when they are not hunting their prey.

Shi Chaoqing seemed to sense Xin's complicated mood. He leaned over and whispered, "Mother, the people here seem to be living well. Bianzhou doesn't have harsh policies."

Madam Xin nodded, but she felt bitter in her heart. She knew that the peaceful life of these people was bought with the blood and lives of countless people.

And she was once a part of that dispute, an even ignominious part.

That night, under the leadership of Che Guangqian, they came to the newly built inn located on the outskirts of Yuancheng to rest.

After the Bianzhou court took over Weizhou, it rebuilt the post station and the official connection with Henan. Everything was once again moving towards the direction of a unified empire, gradually incorporating Hebei into its territory.

Because of the three-year tax exemption policy, any wealthy and powerful people who opposed the Bianzhou court would be resisted by the local people and would not be able to implement their methods. After nightfall, Mrs. Xin sat in front of the window, looking at the moonlight outside the window, with a lot of thoughts in her mind.

Mrs. Xin thought of the words of the peasants and their satisfaction, and suddenly felt that she had been playing an ignominious role for so many years.

When people scolded Shi Siming, they were actually scolding her. Shi Siming plundered the people's wealth in Hebei, and she also had a share of it.

Shi Chaoqing walked into the room and saw that Xin was in a low mood, so he whispered to comfort her: "Mother, you should rest early. We still have to travel tomorrow. It's still a long way from here to Bianzhou. It's better to rest well after the long journey."

Mrs. Xin nodded, but did not move. Her eyes were still on the moonlight outside the window, as if she was looking for something. Not far away, in the moonlit open space, Shi Siming seemed to be waving at her.

Looking closely, it was only the shadow of the tree that was shaking.

Mrs. Xin covered her face and sobbed softly, her heart was in turmoil. In the eyes of others, Shi Siming was a devil, but in her eyes, he was the best man in the world.

Now that Shi Siming is dead, he died at the hands of Fang Qing, and it was because of the general trend of the world, not because of personal vengeance.

After going to Bianzhou, she will have to face Fang Qing's decision. How can she sleep well?
The next morning, they continued on their journey. The passenger ship moved slowly along the Yongji Canal, and the laborers on the river bank were still busy. The ship moved farther and farther west along the canal, and the laborers on the river bank gradually disappeared from sight, and the river became wider.

Madam Xin gently lowered the curtain, closed her eyes, and tried to calm herself down, trying to convince herself of the sincerity of the Bianzhou court and Fang Qing's sincerity.

After all, apart from belief, she and Shi Chaoqing now have nothing.

Madam Xin has been pondering over this matter these past few days. She always feels that the Bianzhou court must be treating the people of Hebei in this way for the sake of its long-term plan, and will certainly not do anything to her.

What was the point of a regime that aspires to unify the world making things difficult for Shi Siming's family and sentencing them to death?

Of course, those who have committed evil deeds and have countless blood debts on their hands are excluded.

This is done for the world to see.

If they really wanted to kill him, they could have just killed him quietly in Youzhou City and blamed it on the looting by the rebels. There was no need to escort him back to Bianzhou and then execute him.

Xin thought that she had never killed anyone, not even a chicken, let alone a human. The Bianzhou court had set an example this time, and more people would join in the future.

Perhaps his life was saved, but he didn't know if there would be other hardships. Xin sighed and closed his eyes to rest.

……

In the luxurious lobby of He Baiwan's house, Fang Zhongyong raised his wine glass and said to the many big merchants in Bianzhou:
"With great power comes great responsibility! I am very optimistic that you can do something for the people and their livelihood, and your names will go down in history."

He said something, but no one responded.

Businessmen are all shrewd people, and they are very good at observing people's words and expressions. As soon as Fang Zhongyong opened his mouth, they knew what was coming next, and none of them dared to respond.

"The reason why the government came here to give you face today is for three things!"

Just when no one spoke, Fang Laique appeared from behind Fang Chongyong and shouted to the merchants.

Damn, you are so blunt!

Fang Zhongyong was furious and was about to beat him out with a stick, but he heard Fang Lai Que continue: "Three things. The first one is about money. The second one is also about money. The third one is also about money!"

“The court wants to do something big.

Within five years, we will unify the world, and within ten years, we will rebuild the prosperous Tang Dynasty!
The court doesn’t have that much time to wait!
Now the imperial court needs to mobilize all the merchants in the society. Your wealth is just gathering dust at home, it is useless and is just feeding the parasites!
It would be better to take it out and open a money shop together with the government to benefit the people.

What's the point of keeping money at home if you can't bring it with you when you are born or when you die? Bianliang City will be built soon and will be expanded. All walks of life need money. People can't wait for money! We have to move!

I have a suggestion here. It’s not really a suggestion, but I think it’s a favor for you all to do me a favor.

I plan to build a Bianzhou Construction Company in the core area of ​​Bianliang City in the name of the imperial court. It will provide low-interest or even interest-free loans to ordinary people from all walks of life in the future, help them to start their own businesses, and help their livelihood.

I have finished speaking, who supports and who opposes? "

Fang Laique asked with his hands on his hips, his eyes still dead, dull and not knowing where he was looking.

Hearing these words, Fang Zhongyong slapped his forehead and cursed in his heart, "Fuck it!"

I was so careless that I forgot this guy has a photographic memory.

Fang Laiqiao said this exactly as he had said when he practiced at home, but in a banquet like this, how could he say it so bluntly?

What's the difference between this and robbery?
As expected, everyone present looked embarrassed and no one spoke.

This money invested is basically like throwing meat at a dog, it is just to maintain the relationship between himself and the court. No, it should be said that it is the relationship between him and Fang Qing.

Moreover, the amount of money cannot be too little. If it is too little, it will be considered an insult to the government, and if it is too much, it will be painful. For the money-loving merchants, it is more painful than killing their own sons.

But Fang Qing is not the emperor yet! Is his promise reliable?

Including He Baiwan, all the businessmen had question marks in their minds.

At this moment, a businessman at the table seemed to think that Fang Laiqiao, the servant, was a little mentally ill and his words were funny and ridiculous.

Then a smile appeared on his lips, but it quickly disappeared.

As a result, this scene happened to be seen by Fang Laique.

He rushed over like a madman and overturned the merchant's table with force.

Fang Lai Que pointed at the panicked merchants and cursed: "The government is worried about the people of Bianzhou, worried that they will starve without food and freeze without clothes. Now it proposes to build a business to help them, and you can still laugh! What's so funny! The government will confiscate all your money and make you work as hard as ordinary people. I don't think you can still laugh!"

"enough!"

Fang Zhongyong slammed the table and shouted loudly!
"General Zhang, take this slave of mine back to the palace and let Madam Wang discipline him properly! Don't let him go crazy and run wild for no reason!"

Fang Chongyong gave instructions to Zhang Guangsheng behind him, who dragged Fang Laique out of the lobby like a dead dog.

After the farce was over, everyone present had varying expressions on their faces. Many businessmen exchanged glances with each other, but no one spoke a word.

"Don't be offended, my servant is ignorant. I will definitely not bring him to the next party.

Oh, right, where were we just now? "

Fang Zhongyong asked as if he suddenly realized something.

"Sir, you just said that we are willing to support your proposal, but I don't know what your proposal is specifically. Could you please elaborate?"

He Baiwan asked with a flattering look on his face, and all the merchants echoed him one after another, and the scene became harmonious again.

(End of this chapter)