Guiyi Fei Tang

Chapter 281 Tang Man Breaks Up
"Dang...dang...dang..."

"Crackling——"

The morning bells ring and firecrackers explode, while the spring breeze blows through thousands of homes.

With the arrival of New Year's Day, the Tang Dynasty entered the Xiantong period from the Dazhong period.

The so-called Xiantong was even taken from the line "Hai Yue Yan Xiantong" in "Tai Bian Chu Music Lyrics" composed by Emperor Xuanzong in the past.

It can be said that Li Yi, Wang Zongshi and others were expressing the concept of "following the position and following one's will" all the time.

But compared to the common people, they don’t worry whether the person sitting on the throne is the Dazhong Emperor or the Xiantong Emperor. They only care whether the emperor increases taxes, reduces taxes, or exempts taxes…

However, something disappointing happened to them, because the new emperor did not issue an edict to abolish the "Nine-cent Tax". Even after the New Year, he issued a new edict to all prefectures and counties, preparing to increase taxes on salt and iron.

For the group of people in the temple, raising taxes on salt and iron did not seem to have much to do with the people.

But the problem is that all tax policies will be reflected on the people.

After the price of official salt increased, people in counties and prefectures could no longer afford the official salt and had to buy private salt.

As the demand for private salt increased, the number of private salt dealers also increased, and their competitiveness gradually became more prominent.

The problem was that the imperial court had cracked down very hard on private salt, so many people who sold private salt either sought refuge with the local county salt authorities or formed armed private salt teams.

Among this group of people, the Huang family from Yuanju County, Caozhou, undoubtedly has both.

Because of this, after the tax on salt and iron was increased, Huang's business of selling private salt also improved.

"County Magistrate Wang, I offer you a toast."

"Mr. Huang is the elder, so I should be the one to toast him."

"Ha ha ha ha……"

There are more than 8 million people in Henan Province, and Caozhou accounts for more than 700,000 of them.

There are seven counties in Caozhou, and Yuanju County is one of them. Its population and economy are ranked in the middle, with nearly 100,000 people making a living in and around Yuanju County.

The Huang family was the largest private salt family in Yuanju County, and a large number of people in Yuanju County were buying and selling their private salt.

However, since the people were eating cheap private salt, no one bought the official salt anymore.

Even if the officials had been bribed, it was impossible for them to buy the official salt with their own money, so the official salt usually required Huang's help.

Before the implementation of the salt monopoly system, the price of a dou of crude salt in Henan Province was only a little over ten wen. After the implementation of the salt and iron monopoly, the price soared to more than one hundred wen.

Nowadays, the official salt in Caozhou costs 350 wen per dou, while the private salt costs no more than 200 wen per dou, a price difference of nearly two times.

Because of this, no matter how proud Huang Chao was, for the sake of his clan's business, he still had to drink and chat with those he hated at the dinner table.

During the period, he left the table because he drank too much. When he came back, several main officials of Yuanju County had already left.

"Aye, how much official salt did you buy?"

Huang Chao took the handkerchief that had just been scalded with hot water from the maid, wiped his face with it, and couldn't help asking.

"Eight thousand buckets!"

Before Huang's father could speak, a teenager could not help but say, "These dog officials took our gift list and asked us to buy so much salt!"

"Eight thousand buckets?!"

Huang Chao took a deep breath. After all, the Huang family sold only 17,000 to 18,000 buckets of contraband salt every year, and the profit was only more than 3,000 strings of cash.

At the current price of official salt, eight thousand dou of official salt would require at least nearly three thousand strings of money.

If we deduct the annual gifts to the officials of Yuanju County and the expenses of maintaining the more than one hundred servants under his command, he not only did not make any profit at the end of the year, but actually lost money.

"Ugh……"

Father Huang sighed and said, "Since ancient times, the people have never fought against the officials."

"You have all seen last year's accounts. We only made 3,800 guan from running private salt business."

"The expenses for servants and maids in the house are no less than 2,000 strings of cash per year, and the purchase of salt costs another 2,800 strings of cash."

"Fortunately, my Huang family has been selling salt for generations, and we purchased 5,000 acres of farmland in Yuanju County."

"Based on the grain prices this year, after we harvest 60% of the harvest, we should still have a surplus of several hundred guan after selling grain and buying salt."

"I hope the imperial court can lower the tax as soon as possible. Otherwise, if things continue like this, I don't know how many commoners will fall."

Huang's father was quite moved, but Huang Chao was surprised after hearing this: "Don't we only charge 50% rent for our farmland?"

"The government has increased taxes, so we have to pay them, but we can only raise them to 60%."

There was some melancholy in Father Huang's voice, and he continued:
"The price of salt will probably go up this year. Let's start with an increase of twenty cents."

"Yeah yeah!" Upon hearing what Huang's father said, Huang Chao's nephew Huang Cun couldn't help but say:
"Now there are private salt dealers everywhere. If we raise the price, people will probably buy from others."

"If the private salt can't be sold, the official salt will be a waste of money!"

Huang Cun's words made the other Huang family members feel resentful. Fortunately, Huang's father preferred stability, so he comforted everyone:
"Since the county government has taken our money, it will have to do its part to crack down on those idle traders."

"The current situation can still be maintained, but each of you will have to cut your pocket money in half."

Huang's father was helpless. Everyone knew how hard he worked and no one quarreled with him over this matter.

However, Huang Cun could not help but complain after hearing this: "If Wang Shouwen had made things worse, we would have joined the army, become military leaders, and surrendered, just like Wang Xianzhi from Puzhou."

"Wang Xianzhi?" Huang Chao looked at his nephew. He had some impression of that man.

The fellow learned martial arts in his early years. He started out by selling illegal salt with others, and later he formed his own gang and expanded his business.

When I went to Chang'an for the imperial examination two years ago, I heard that he had thirty or fifty salt smugglers under his command.

"Yes!" Huang Cun said with a little yearning:
"Wang Shouwen came to Puzhou to cause chaos, and Wang Xianzhi brought several groups of private salt dealers to join the rebels."

"Later, Wang Shouwen was defeated and killed, and this group of people followed the military commander Zhu Huai to surrender to the government army."

"I heard that Zhu Huai was killed after trying to cause a rebellion, and Wang Xianzhi and others were incorporated into the Tianping Army and appointed as lieutenants."

"Now this fellow has hundreds of people under his command, and he is living a prosperous life by selling illegal salt with his status as a lieutenant."

"Humph!" Huang's father snorted coldly, "He is a fellow who defected from the rebel army. Since there is no war in the imperial court, he can still hang around in Puzhou for a while."

"When the imperial court has a war and needs to recruit them to fight, I wonder if they can still laugh!"

Huang Chao listened to what his father said and thought that if there was a war, the imperial court would probably exploit them, the commoners, first.

"It would be great if my uncle could become an official..."

"You guy!"

Huang Cun's casual remark immediately caused Huang's father to scowl.

The old man in his sixties quickly looked at his own Dalang.

Huang Chao's expression remained unchanged, but he was gloomy in his heart.

"Okay, let's all go down and have some rest."

Huang's father was worried that Huang Chao might have wild thoughts, so he quickly dispersed everyone.

Huang Chao's nephews and nieces were not blaming Huang Chao, but they really hoped that there would be an official in the family to take care of them.

Huang Chao returned to his courtyard without saying a word, and sat in the main seat for a long time, unable to help but clench his fists.

"Even a scoundrel like Wang Xianzhi surrendered after the rebellion and became a lieutenant. I, Huang Chao, was successful in my studies and was recommended to take the imperial examination, but I failed repeatedly..."

"Oh my god! Is it because I don't have enough knowledge, or are those people in the court unable to distinguish right from wrong?"

Huang Chao couldn't help but question the heavens, but received no response.

A few days later, when he saw that his family had spent a lot of money to buy a bunch of official salt of questionable quality, he felt even more angry.

If he could still survive and his parents and brothers were still alive, he would probably move to Longyou and give up his dignity to find Chen Ying and Yang Xin.

However, this thought usually only appeared for a moment before he suppressed it.

Less than half a month later, the Huang family took the lead in raising the price of private salt in Yuanju County, causing widespread complaints from the people.

The people cursed the Huang family but did not dare to curse the government office. The Huang family members could only hold their anger and use all the money they earned to subsidize the government office.

The experience of the Huang family was similar to that of the common people in all prefectures, counties and districts that the Tang Dynasty could directly govern.

The tax on farmland was increased by nine cents, and officials extorted as little as two or three cents.

Salt and iron were subject to heavy taxes, with an additional 50 coins levied on each dou.

In addition, heavy taxes were imposed on products such as wine, tea, sauce, oil, vinegar, etc.

The common people had a hard time, so they could only pass the pressure on to the ordinary people, which led to an increasing number of fugitives across the world.

“There are people living on this kind of mountain?”

In the north of Shangluo County, Shangzhou, Zhang Wenshi, who is no more than 30 years old, stood beside the Dan River, looking at the lush mountains in the distance, and couldn't help but sigh.

Dozens of armored officers and soldiers not far from him laughed and said, "There are many on these mountains!"

Upon hearing this, a lieutenant stepped forward and spoke to Zhang Wenshi in a low voice:
"The government has repeatedly increased taxes, and many people have fled to the mountains." "Some have become bandits, while others have gathered in villages and fled to the mountains when the government troops were searching for them, returning only after the troops left."

"Of the tens of thousands of people in Shangzhou, at least 10,000 fled into the mountains."

Liexiao's words made Zhang Wenshi stunned. He simply boiled stream water beside Danshui River, poured the boiled stream water into a water bag, and brought it to the carriage on the official road not far away.

"Cough cough..."

"Father-in-law, the water is coming."

As soon as Zhang Wenshi got into the car, he saw his wife serving a white-haired old man.

This old man was his father-in-law and also the benefactor who enabled him to serve as an official in Beijing.

As for this old man, he was naturally Bai Minzhong, who was rushing from Jingnan to Chang'an and would soon serve as prime minister and take charge of the government.

At the beginning of the month, Bai Minzhong caught a cold after entering Shangzhou and took a rest for more than half a month.

Now that his condition has improved a little, he has set out again on the journey to Beijing.

Zhang Wenshi skillfully used hot water to make a cup of ginger tea for Bai Minzhong, which was then handed to him by his wife.

After Bai Minzhong drank a sip of ginger tea, his complexion improved a lot, and he said in a soothing tone:

"I saw you talking to that lieutenant colonel last time. What did you talk about?"

Zhang Wenshi did not avoid the question and immediately told Bai Minzhong what had happened.

Bai Minzhong sighed and said, "Taxes have been raised three times in one year, and now they are increasing taxes on salt, iron and other miscellaneous items."

"Although these taxes are paid by the nobles and commoners, in the end, it is always the common people who pay the taxes."

"As we headed north, you all saw how many people fled to the mountains and wilderness."

"I heard that Nanzhao in the south ignored the angels. I estimate that it won't be long before Nanzhao and the Tang Dynasty will rekindle the war."

"Although the imperial court laid off tens of thousands of old and weak people, the little money and food saved may not be enough to fight against Nanzhao."

"I know Xiahou Zi well. He has no real talent. I'm afraid that the cavalry and mule troops in Xichuan are not well trained under his command."

"When Nanzhao invades, I really can't imagine what kind of situation Jiannan Dao will face..."

Bai Minzhong can see it clearly, but this is the general trend. Even if you can see it clearly, you can't stop it.

The Tang Dynasty had been established for 242 years. Since the First Emperor unified the country, only the Western Han Dynasty had a national fortune of more than 200 years.

The remaining Eastern Han Dynasty, Jin Dynasty, Northern and Southern Dynasties, etc., rarely lasted more than two hundred years.

However, Bai Minzhong also understood that if the current trend continued, the Tang Dynasty might really be in danger of collapse.

"Any news from Longyou recently?"

Bai Minzhong suddenly asked about the situation in Longyou. Zhang Wenshi nodded and said:
"Liu Jilong took advantage of the loss of Liangzhou by the imperial court to send troops to recapture Liangzhou, and took in the people who had fled from Jiannan, Shannan and other places, and relocated them to Liangzhou."

"In addition, the Uighur Khan Pang Teqin sent someone to deliver a message to Fengzhou from the south of the desert, saying that Liu Jilong and Zhang Huaishen had sent troops to harass Anxi, and asked the court to appoint them as the Grand Protector of Anxi."

"You dare to think like that, Hu Za." Bai Minzhong called Pang Teqin a Hu Za without any hesitation, even though Pang Teqin was in charge of the Anxi Uighurs.

"It's better to use Liu Jilong's energy in the west than to let him do nothing."

Bai Minzhong commented, but Zhang Wenshi observed him while carefully continuing to fill his cup with ginger tea.

"But there are many voices in the court saying that he has ulterior motives in taking in refugees. Given time, it may be difficult to eliminate them."

"There is nothing wrong with that..." Bai Minzhong did not refute, but admitted:
"We should have gritted our teeth and mobilized troops from Tianxiong, Xichuan, Shuofang, Fengxiang and other garrisons to recapture the three states before Liu Jilong recaptured Helin and Weizhou."

"Afterwards, Liu Jilong became powerful, and the imperial court was unable to suppress him. It has been dragging on until now, and it has become too powerful to be eliminated."

"Cui Taishuo (Cui Xuan) was in full swing in suppressing the rebellion in eastern Zhejiang. He had just recovered Ming and Taizhou at the beginning of the month, but Qiu Fu had fled to Haizhongzhou again."

"I heard that he is preparing to build a navy and cross the sea to Haizhongzhou to defeat Qiu Fu."

"If the southeast is not peaceful, the imperial court will have problems with money and grain, and Nanzhao in the south is ready to make a move."

"In this situation, if you still want to deal with Liu Jilong..."

Bai Minzhong let out a long sigh, as if he didn't know what to say.

Perhaps he should have said "stupid" more bluntly, but the reason why such a tone appeared in the court was probably intentional by the current emperor.

"It seems that the current emperor and the previous emperor have never given up Longyou..."

While thinking, he drank the ginger tea in the cup clean, and finally said calmly: "Let's go, it's better to get to Chang'an earlier."

"Yes." Zhang Wenshi agreed, then got off the car and talked with the officers of the government army.

Soon, dozens of officers and soldiers escorted them and continued to move towards Chang'an.

At the same time, the second group of envoys sent by the Tang Dynasty to Nanzhao arrived in Yangzhumie City in mid-February.

However, compared with Yang Zhiwen, who was tactful and knew when to advance and retreat, the Chinese envoy sent this time was extremely domineering.

Not only did they ignore the reminder from Qingping official Dong Cheng, they even acted condescendingly in front of You Shilong.

"Your Majesty heard that the King of Yunnan ignored the envoy who came to ask for mercy from the Heavenly Dynasty, so he sent me here."

"May I ask the King of Yunnan whether this is true?"

The Chinese envoy acted condescendingly. Yu Shilong, who was sitting in the main seat on the top floor of Wuhua Building, narrowed his eyes, the anger in his heart had been ignited.

On the other hand, the Chinese envoy opposite him, even though he had seen that You Shilong was angry, to him, a young man of sixteen or seventeen years old was not worth his attention.

Moreover, before he set out, officials from the Northern Division had told him that this time they should demonstrate the prestige of the Celestial Empire and not be timid.

When someone is backing you up, what do you have to be afraid of?

"This is true..."

You Shilong spoke in a deep voice, and the Nanzhao officials in the hall also looked at the envoys coldly.

"Why did the King of Yunnan snub the envoy sent by the Celestial Empire to express his condolences? Doesn't he know the etiquette that a vassal state should follow after the death of the previous emperor?!"

The envoy's voice suddenly rose, causing the Nanzhao officials to clench their fists. The Qingping official Dong Cheng also stepped forward to smooth things over:

"Although my king is strong, he is still young after all. He doesn't care much about some details. Please forgive me..."

"Ridiculous!" The Chinese envoy interrupted Dong Cheng, who looked at him in surprise.

But before Dong Cheng could continue to try to smooth things over, the emissary snorted coldly, "Even if it was not my intention to snub the emissary who came to ask for condolences, what's your name?"

"Are all the people in Nanzhao fools who don't know the name of our Emperor Xuanzong Ming and don't know how to avoid taboos?!"

The Chinese envoy suddenly brought up the question of names, which stunned everyone in the hall.

They naturally knew Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, but Li Longji had forced the Nanzhao to rebel in the past, and the Nanzhao rulers and ministers had no good feelings towards him.

What's more, the kings of vassal states avoid such things and usually don't take them too seriously. Who would have known that this person would suddenly say such a thing.

"My name was given by the previous king. The previous king didn't care much about my name!"

Yu Shilong was very angry at this group of idiots, and continued with a cold face:
"Besides, our country is also in mourning. Why doesn't the court send an envoy to offer condolences?"

"To offer condolences?" The Chinese envoy snorted coldly, "If the King of Yunnan is willing to change his name to avoid taboos, this envoy will offer condolences to the late king!"

"Hehe..." You Shilong laughed angrily, with anger mixed in his laughter.

When Dong Cheng heard the laughter, he couldn't help but sigh and closed his eyes.

After hearing the laughter, Du Yuanzhong and other young and strong people couldn't help but get excited.

Faced with this laughter, the emissary sent by the Northern Division remained arrogant as always, with his chin held high.

"If the King of Yunnan is unwilling to change his name, not to mention that I will not offer condolences to the late king, your enthronement ceremony will also be postponed indefinitely."

"In addition, the imperial court will close the official roads between Nanzhao and Annan, Qianzhong, Lingxi, Jiannan, etc., and stop all commercial exchanges!"

The Chinese envoy was still domineering, but You Shilong could no longer tolerate it.

He stood up slowly. Although he was in the southwest and was still young, he was still about five feet six or seven feet tall, otherwise he would not have been called "majestic" by Dong Cheng.

"Close the business road?"

You Shilong walked up to the Chinese envoy, only three steps away from him, and the Qingping officials such as Du Yuanzhong on his left and right also hurriedly stood up and walked to the hall, guarding You Shilong on both sides.

Yu Shilong's fierce gaze made the originally domineering Chinese envoy feel as if he had fallen into an icy cave.

As their eyes met, You Shilong said calmly: "Then let's try closing it off..."

"If the Tang court won't give it to me, I'll go get it myself!"

"I?" The envoy widened his eyes and pointed at him, saying, "King of Yunnan, you..."

"Shut up!!"

You Shilong stopped him from speaking, drew the sword from his waist, walked forward and cut off the flag representing the angel, and glanced at him.

"From today on, Nanzhao will change its name to Dali, and I will change the era name to Jianji!"

(End of this chapter)