Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 729 The scenery over there is unique
Bilibilipa! Bilibilipa!
Not far from the Bianliang Palace, on a street near the canal, a new business was opening. The sound of firecrackers was heard everywhere, and the door was decorated with lanterns and colorful lights, attracting many passing tourists to watch.

It is not entirely true to call it a business bank, but perhaps a more appropriate name is a money house. This money house focuses on "small loans" and only serves local residents who are planning to run small businesses, such as carriage shops, brick and tile shops, wine shops, etc.

The development strategy of the Bianzhou court was very clear, which was to build Bianzhou into a new commercial and logistics center. Since Bianzhou had five rivers for water transport and they all converged here, it was a natural choice to develop these advantages.

Everything we do is just taking advantage of the situation.

The plaque in front of the bank reads "Bianzhou Developer Bank" in large gold-plated characters. As soon as it opened, a long line of people lined up in front of the bank, all waiting for loans.

Many of them are retired soldiers.

This business was "spontaneously" funded by big merchants in Bianzhou. It was specifically designed to help retired soldiers and provide them with interest-free loans to help them buy property. It was also set up by Fang Chongyong to implement his disarmament policy.

When officials do their work, they must be strict and not fool around. Only in this way can they gain universal support.

The so-called authority is accumulated bit by bit in this way.

At this moment, in front of the Bianzhou Development Bank, Fang Chongyong looked at the soldiers queuing up, all of whom had happy expressions on their faces, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The elimination of elite soldiers has been a difficult problem since ancient times. The government's proper solution to their practical difficulties not only finds a good way out for the retired soldiers, but also sets an example for the soldiers currently serving.

This may seem like just a small matter, but in fact it is a major event that affects military morale.

Fang Chongyong had been paying close attention to the military's movements since the beginning of the layoffs of the old, weak, sick and disabled. He was relieved only when the decrees he issued were truly implemented without causing any disturbances.

"He Baiwan, you have contributed a lot this time, I will remember it.

For merchants who support the imperial court, the imperial court is prepared to grant them the title of Yuanwai, and will give priority to cooperating with them in future policies.

You are the first official in Bianzhou."

Fang Chongyong patted He Baiwan's shoulder, squinted his eyes and smiled, looking really harmless.

However, Fang Zhongyong could be humble, but He Baiwan did not dare to be arrogant. He quickly crossed his arms and saluted, saying, "You are too polite, sir. This is my duty."

"Okay, okay. Today we have the archery test. Are you interested in going with me, Mr. He?"

Fang Zhongyong laughed and seemed to be in a good mood.

He Baiwan secretly groaned in his heart, this was Fang Qing showing off his military power to him.

You know, what these businessmen do is closely related to the resettlement of veterans of the army.

Fang Qing asked him to go along to observe the archer selection in Bianzhou, obviously wanting He to think carefully about the consequences of not doing things seriously.

The two came to the parade ground not far from Guoqiao, only to see that the place was packed with people, surrounding the parade ground in three layers inside and outside.

There were many people watching the fun, and of course, there were also some family members of the candidates who came to cheer.

Fang Chongyong was an official, so naturally he couldn't squeeze into the crowd to watch the archery like those people. With Zhang Guangsheng and his personal soldiers leading the way, Fang Chongyong brought He Baiwan to the high platform of the training ground. Later, every archer who participated in the examination would get a number plate from him and take the exam with the number plate.

The "archers" who were admitted today are likely to become the backbone of the army in the future. For these people, this exam is very important.

He Baiwan looked at the fearful faces passing by Fang Chongyong one after another, and then respectfully received the number plates from them, as if he understood something.

The so-called authority is invisible and intangible, but it is clearly there and anyone can feel it.

This person did not claim to be an emperor, but his authority in Bianzhou was infinitely close to that of an emperor.

These outstanding archers who participated in the examination were all selected from the preliminary examinations in various states. In other words, today's examination may very likely determine their future in the Imperial Guard.

In the past, the Tang Dynasty Chang'an did not give these people a way out, so they could only seek refuge with the governors of the vassal states and become the backbone of their guards. But now Fang Zhongyong has given them a way out, so they will naturally follow the "court" and go to a place with better treatment.

It is always like this with people’s support; it is always real money, not empty words.

"The assessment begins!"

Examiner Wang Nanjin shouted loudly.

The autumn sun made the blue bricks of the nearby training ground hot. The first batch of twenty examinees, wearing ochre arrow robes, lined up in two rows in front of a vermilion lacquered wooden sign, ready to take the test.

Wang Nanhai lifted the yellow silk to reveal three mulberry wood bows. This was the first level and also a test of arm strength.

There is nothing fancy about it, but it really tests your personal strength!

"Chen Sanlang, fire the five-stone bow!"

The black-faced man stepped out in response. Just as he put his thumb on the cowhide string, the invigilator Wang Nanyi suddenly poured a bowl of cold water on the bow.

This move was quite unexpected and also very "vicious".

The situation on the battlefield is very complicated. If there is some interference from the outside world, one will not draw the bow. It is better not to have such people.

The soaked bow arm suddenly felt heavy, veins popped up on Chen Sanlang's neck, and his arrow sleeve cracked. When the bow was seven-tenths open, the mulberry wood creaked under the heavy load, and the two bowstrings broke at the same time.

"Next!"

Wang rarely used a red pen to tick the name on the list, but he didn't say whether it was qualified or not.

Candidates took the test one after another, and most of them had no pressure at all.

Next, they started shooting at fixed targets, which was also the start of showing off their skills. The examiner did not forbid showing off their skills, but he also did not say that showing off would add extra points or anything. In short, it was rare for Wang to express his opinion on the spot.

When it was the turn of a fair-skinned young man to play, the incense burner on the sidelines had already burned three inches, and many people before him had already shot.

The man's bow-drawing posture was quite peculiar, with his left arm wrapped in non-slip suede and his right hand holding the bowstring with three fingers like picking a flower. When the arrow was shot, a west wind blew by, and the carved feather arrow drew a trajectory in the air and steadily hit the target a hundred steps away.

Intent on showing off his archery skills, he switched hands and shot another arrow, which hit the bull's eye again. It was almost face to face with the previous arrow.

The whole process was as smooth as flowing water without any obstruction.

"What a great way to shoot with both hands!"

Wang slammed the table and stood up, his eyebrows were full of joy. But he still only said one sentence: "Next!"

He Baiwan was dumbfounded in the stands. What happened before was still normal. He had heard of people shooting arrows with both hands before.

However, he later saw other fancy moves such as "curved arrow" and "catching white arrow with bare hands", which were like juggling archery skills.

I don't know how those people trained themselves.

"You see, archery is one of the six arts of a gentleman. Bianzhou is prosperous in martial virtue, so you can do business with peace of mind."

In the stands, Fang Chongyong had a mysterious smile on his face and spoke meaningfully to He Baiwan.

He believed that He Baiwan should have understood what he wanted to express today.

If they were honest in their business, these soldiers would protect them from being robbed by bandits. If they were dishonest, Fang Zhongyong would not mind teaching them what the "Six Arts of a Gentleman" meant.

Being tied up and shot at as a target is definitely not a fun job.

……

South of Yuzhang City is the main camp of the Jingxiang Army.

The autumn rain continued to fall, and after a while, the temperature would drop a little. At this moment, inside the central army tent, wax tears condensed on the celadon candlesticks, as if they were crying.

Yan Zhenqing, who was soaked like a drowned rat, took off his straw hat, but water was still dripping from his raincoat.

Lu Jiong stepped forward and saluted, then waved his hand to dismiss the guards, and the sound of weapons clashing suddenly rang out outside the tent. The guards in straw raincoats were not afraid of the rain, and surrounded the tent like an iron barrel, not allowing outsiders to approach.

After the two of them sat down, Lu Jing smiled bitterly and lit a charcoal basin for Yan Zhenqing to warm himself. "Mr. Yan, you have worked hard on the way, but why did you wade into this muddy water?"

Lu Jing grabbed the burnt Hu pancake from the charcoal basin, broke it open, and handed half to Yan Zhenqing. The burnt crumbs fell on the water fort defense map of Poyang Lake. He sighed helplessly and said, "Your Majesty actually believed the nursery rhyme made up by the traitor Lu Qi? How could Your Majesty not even see through such a crude rumor?"

There was a strong sense of dissatisfaction in Lu Jiong's words.

Yan Zhenqing did not say a word. He stared at the location of the Bianzhou military water fort in Poyang Lake on the map. That was the location that Lu Jing had ordered his scouts to repeatedly investigate and confirm in recent days.

The two armies faced each other, and there were no apparent flaws. It looked like this battle was going to be a fight.

Yan Zhenqing sighed and slammed three newly minted copper coins on the table, causing the charcoal fire to crackle.

"I bought this at the black market in the city this morning. If it weren't for the money, Yan wouldn't have been caught in the rain."

Yan Zhenqing stroked the burrs on the edge of the coin with his fingertips and continued, "The casting process is ordinary, but it contains nine cents of copper, which is three cents heavier than the official coins. If it circulates in Hongzhou for three months, the people will spontaneously destroy the official coins and cast private coins. Now the people of Yuzhang all say that this coin was cast by you. How do you think this matter should be dealt with?"

The copper coins of the Tang Dynasty are very wonderful objects.

The imperial court can mint it, the wealthy and powerful can mint it, the military governors can mint it, and even the fearless merchants can mint it if forced to do so. The industry threshold is extremely low, and there are no technical problems.

There are also copper coins from various dynasties mixed on the market. Everyone uses "copper or not" as the evaluation standard. The value of the currency has a very "elastic" scale and cannot be generalized.

The imperial court has always minted big coins and small coins, and the people have their own ways of dealing with them.

The "big coins" of the Southern Chen Dynasty are typical examples.

Minting small coins was more common, which was to shrink the original copper coins and reduce the copper content. For example, the Southern Liang Dynasty directly minted iron coins, which was completely unpretentious and openly robbed.

These are the crude means by which the government plunders the people's wealth. There is no technical content, it all depends on holding a knife in hand.

The famous "Kaiyuan Tongbao" in the Tang Dynasty found a balance between minting large coins and minting small coins, and thus became a famous copper coin that was widely circulated.

This is the viciousness of Lu Qi's move. The operation is small, but the impact is huge, and it will cause harm!
Seeing these three copper coins, Lu Jiong was speechless. This kind of thing is not easy to prove, but it is also difficult to disprove. Although the court cannot be sure that it was Lu Jiong who did it, Lu Jiong has no way to prove that he did not do it!

The more he explained the matter, the worse it got. He no longer knew how to defend himself.

"Mr. Yan should know what kind of person Lu is. If he wanted to rebel, he wouldn't have to wait until now. He would have had plenty of opportunities back then."

Lu Jiong sighed and said.

"Your Majesty has his own difficulties. Now the only way is to win this battle, and all the rumors will be dispelled."

Yan Zhenqing waved his hand to stop Lu Jing from continuing. It was useless to say anything now. If they just talked about the results, there would be no room for a villain like Lu Qi to perform.

"It's not easy to defeat the Bianzhou army."

Lu Jing pulled out a piece of paper from under the paperweight on the table and handed it to Yan Zhenqing.

This is the situation on the west bank of Poyang Lake discovered by the scouts, as well as the foundation of the navy under Li Guangbi's command.

"At the beginning, Fang Qing handed over the backbone of the Bianzhou navy to Li Guangbi, and exchanged them with the cavalry under Li Guangbi. So what we are facing now is not some northern men who are incompetent in water and boats."

Lu Jiong said with a serious expression.

As the saying goes, knowing yourself and your enemy will ensure victory in every battle. He knew that Li Guangbi had a powerful navy under his command, so he could not act rashly!
"So that's it."

Yan Zhenqing suddenly realized that they didn’t even know such important information before!

“In addition, Li Guangbi is Wang Zhongsi’s adopted son, and Fang Qing is Wang Zhongsi’s son-in-law, so Li Guangbi will definitely fight to the death in this battle to plan for his own future.

Using tactics to divide and win over people is unlikely to work.

In my humble opinion, the only way to win is to delay the game.

The longer it takes, the stronger the navy under my command will be. Li Guangbi's troops are just a detachment of the Bianzhou court, and they will not increase in the short term.

This is why I said we cannot rush into war."

Lu Jiong patiently explained to Yan Zhenqing.

He knew very well that he had been caught up in the internal strife within the court's civil service group, and that Lu Qi was using all means to stir up trouble.

At this time, he could only tell the truth to Yan Zhenqing and explain the truth to him. Only if the two of them worked together could they have a chance of survival.

Otherwise, with powerful enemies outside and treacherous ministers inside, this battle is doomed to be lost.

"I understand. Then I will go back to Xiangyang and convince His Majesty."

Yan Zhenqing stood up, his face full of worry.

In fact, at this moment he also understood a truth that he had never realized before: Li Lu was afraid of him!

That’s right, Prince Li Lu was supported by Yan Zhenqing.

Therefore, since Yan Zhenqing had the ability to support Li Lu, he could naturally support other clan members. Without Yan Zhenqing, how could the current Jingxiang court be established?
As the saying goes, success and failure are both due to Xiao He. Yan Zhenqing came to his senses at this moment. He wanted to devote himself to the country until his death, but the emperor who was helped by him might not be truly grateful to him.

There may be gratitude, but there is more worry and fear.

Since ancient times, powerful officials have to stay away from power to save their lives, otherwise they will surely die. However, once they are away from power, how can they "serve the country with loyalty"?

Li Lu now not only relies on Yan Zhenqing, but is also afraid that he will depose and enthrone the emperor.

That's why villains like Lu Qi jumped up and down, because Li Lu didn't dare to use people who were close to Yan Zhenqing, he had to rely on villains like Lu Qi.

In the future, after everything is settled, it would be appropriate to use a villain like Lu Qi as a sacrifice.

It's not that Li Lu didn't know that Lu Qi was a villain, it's just that villains have their own ways.

"General Lu, the state affairs are difficult, you have to bear more responsibility. Yan has returned to Xiangyang, you also take care of yourself.

Defend Hongzhou well, this battle must not be lost."

Yan Zhenqing patted Lu Jing on the shoulder and turned away. He put on his raincoat which was not yet completely dry, and went out again in the wind and rain to work for the Jingxiang court.

For a moment, Lu Jing felt that it was not worth it for Yan Zhenqing. If Yan Zhenqing had joined Fang Qing, he would have been able to do well. However, Fang Qing would definitely usurp the throne, or he was supporting a puppet emperor.

This was unacceptable to Yan Zhenqing, who had a "moral cleanliness obsession".

"Prince Yan, you said that Li Lu was the wisest of the late emperor's sons. Why is he beginning to be suspicious of you now?"

As Yan Zhenqing stepped out of the military tent, he heard Lu Jing asking questions behind him.

"Yan did not do this for Li Lu, but for the Tang Dynasty. His heart is clear to all."

Yan Zhenqing turned around and smiled at Lu Jing: "I just want to have a clear conscience. Personal gains and losses are not important."

"How Fang Youde ended up, couldn't Mr. Yan see?"

Lu Jiong asked again.

Yan Zhenqing was speechless and could only wave his hand gently, turned around and left, looking a little embarrassed.

"Oh, why is it like this!"

Watching Yan Zhenqing's figure disappear in the rain, Lu Jiong sighed.

What's the point of fighting this battle? Half the battle is lost before it even starts!
Lu Jiong cursed in his heart.

(End of this chapter)