The Emperor ordered Zhao Tang

Chapter 32 Drawing fire from the bottom of the cauldron
Before Li Ye could ask, Du Rangneng said anxiously, "Wang Jian repeatedly asked for the flag and the imperial seal but was refused, and threatened to stop the troops. This wave has not yet subsided, another wave has risen. Zhu Quanzhong sent an envoy to the court with a huge fortune, he must have some purpose. Last year he asked for the post of Salt and Iron Commissioner, and wanted to manage the finances of Jiangnan, but was refused, Quanzhong was very angry. I heard that the people of Bian attacked Wei Bo in the north and killed 10,000 people. Zhao and Wei were forced to follow him because of the military power. He also fought with Li Keyong and won a great victory. He also had no plan to conquer Yun, Qi, and Xu in the east. I am afraid that this time he came to the court not only to ask for the post of Salt and Iron Commissioner."

"The Xuanwu Army's memorial office released a message to me, saying that if I don't grant it, they will cut off the water transport in Bian, Luo, and Shaanxi, and prevent the southeast from paying tribute."

After receiving the treasures at Dayingku, he communicated with Jing Xiang, the envoy of Bian, and learned of his intentions. He went straight to Daming Palace without even changing his clothes as soon as he entered the city. This bad news was no less than a rebellion by a vassal state in the capital!

"Let me think about it." Li Ye took a sip of water and fell into deep thought.

After the An-Shi Rebellion, the country was still in turmoil, trapped both internally and externally. To meet national defense and military needs, making money became the top priority of the court in Chang'an. During the Dali period, Liu Yan took office as the Salt and Iron Commissioner, and set up thirteen patrol offices in the hub transportation states of Yang, Chen, Xu, and Bian on the Jianghuai fiscal and taxation line, and appointed one or two prime ministers to lead them. After Emperor Dezong, he continued to strengthen financial power, and patrol offices were set up in the Ministry of Finance, Salt and Iron, and even the Ministry of Revenue, from the Dao to the state, forming a three-level system of Liuhou, patrol offices, and sub-pantry offices.

In layman's terms, the Ministry of Finance directly dispatched working groups to various provinces and cities, including Yangzi, Heyin, Jiangling, Luoyang, Xuchang, the capital, Guangzhou and other places, including ports, docks and markets with frequent trade. Each dispatching agency and its leaders were directly responsible to the prime minister in charge, and implemented a one-vote veto system. No matter how prominent their family background, how strong their backers, how noble their morals, or how capable they were, "they were responsible for the inspection of money, the management of the treasury, the transportation of fields and salt water." If they did not do a good job, they could not get money out of the Jiedushi's mouth, and they would be kicked out directly.

Why do this?
There were many vassal states, and the military governors were willing to establish their own regimes, so rebellions were frequent.

Since you can't count on the integrity of the Jiedushi, you can only make money yourself.

Thus, the Thirteen Courts of Jianghuai, which were responsible for the salt profits, taxes, tea and horse, and water transport in the southeast, the various tax envoys in charge of the salt profits, taxes, tea and horse, and water transport in the northwest, and the tax envoys in charge of collecting the wealth of the rich and powerful, together with the various Qingmiao rent and labor envoys, plus the contributions from the local vassal states, together formed the financial system after the middle of the Tang Dynasty. In recent years, the war has spread to the south of the Yangtze River, and the Thirteen Courts have been greatly affected, but they still have millions of strings of cash a year and are still the mainstay of the court's income. Now Zhu Quanzhong has volunteered to serve as the Salt and Iron Envoy to manage the country's finances?
What company is so stupid as to outsource its finances?

Recovering his mind, the sage pondered and asked, "What does the Privy Councilor mean?"

Du Rangneng waved his sleeves and said sternly, "How can we give the country's interests to others? Quanzhong holds this position concurrently, and it is difficult to replicate it. Who in the Central Plains will be his rival in the future? If you insist on asking for it, you must raise an army! As long as I am still the prime minister, let alone the Privy Councilor, even if the court and the public put pressure on me, there will be no room for debate. Anyone who dares to speak up for Quanzhong to give salt and iron will be considered a traitor to the country."

"Quanzhong is also a master-devouring villain!"

Du Rangneng, who was always mature and prudent, could no longer sit still. He stood up and paced back and forth anxiously, his face raging with anger: "These people started from the Chaoqun. The late emperor praised them for saving the country and made them keep the emperor's integrity. Now the world is in turmoil and the country is in danger. Even if they don't want to repay their loyalty, they shouldn't come up with such a vicious plan and take advantage of the situation. They are so evil! If it were ten years ago, all the sects would have joined forces to kill him under the lonely pine tree."

He had known that he couldn't have too high expectations on these remnants of the nest of thieves, but who would have thought that they would be so bastard. He was well fed and had two cakes in his pocket, but he looked at the saint's half bowl of rice and said: I'm so hungry.

"Why is the commander so angry? Quanzhong has not yet recruited troops and has not yet advanced into the interior of the country... He only asks for a diplomatic post and the court can still mediate." Zhao brought a cup of honey water and placed it on the table, and consoled him.

Du Rangneng was so angry that he pushed the copper cup away and said, "The country has been destroyed in my hands. How can I face the emperor in front of him?"

Maybe not anger.

It's fear.

The army can still be managed by the eunuchs, and the plundering of Jianghuai's financial resources is like cutting off the fuel from under the cold pot.

He knew better that when the forces of Yang Xingmi, Sun Ru, Shi Pu and others were destroyed, Zhu Quanzhong would not need to ask for this position. He controlled all of Jiangnan, and the territory was his. If he didn't obey, he would just kill them. Why did he need the imperial court to issue an order to the Thirteen Courts?

Can we still protect this precarious country?

Du Rangneng sighed, and covered his face with tears. How could the state affairs suddenly become like this? He had been the prime minister for more than ten years, and he could not escape the blame... Was he still worthy of being the prime minister? Perhaps it was really as the eunuch accused the court officials: the well-dressed family had integrity, why did it end up like this?

However, once the dynasty changed, if he failed to assist in governing the country, his death would not be a pity, but the saint had only been on the throne for three years, so what crime could he have committed?

Li Ye felt very uncomfortable seeing this.

The old man's attitude was very clear. If Zhu Quanzhong insisted, then both sides would have to rely on their own abilities to raise troops. But this matter required the Southern Court and the Northern Court to reach a consensus and prepare for the worst.

Li Ye stood up and told his attendant Xiao Feng, "Go and ask the Privy Councilor to come to discuss how to send the Bian envoy back to report."

This is indeed a difficult matter.

Don't obey?

Zhu Quanzhong doesn't even need to threaten with force, just cutting off the water transport will make you dead. You should know that the southeastern Fujian, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Hai are not unwilling to pay tribute, but now they are hindered by the war between Sun Ru and Yang Xingmi, and the roads are blocked. When the war is over, they will continue to pay tribute. When Zhaozong was stationed in Huazhou: the wealth and treasures of the world, the towns and towns all gathered in Tongguan, and the carriages and horses were blocked.

Huainan is in chaos right now, but there are still people paying tribute.

For example, Dongchang in Zhejiang.

Last year, 500 soldiers were sent with baggage to Beijing via a long detour. In short, this route is quite profitable, provided that Zhu Quanzhong does not interfere. Otherwise, he cuts off the waterway, and over time, the southeastern vassal states will not be able to survive. Huihui people take a detour, who can afford the cost? People also need to make a living.

……

Next to the West Market, Guangdeli.

Jing Xiang, the envoy of King Bian, brought his followers and military officers to live in the Xuanwu Army's Jinzouyuan. The sound of people shouting and horses neighing attracted the attention of the people nearby. Seeing those majestic military officers of Bianzhou, they couldn't help but talk about it. Don't say it, it's really scary. The temperament and eyes of those who fought in the sea of blood and corpses are very different from the good-for-nothings of the Shen Ce Army. If these military officers were to be added to the imperial army, would the vagrants still dare to rob and fight?

Jing Xiang picked up a Hu bed and sat down by the courtyard gate. Without saying a word, the officials who reported to the emperor understood and brought over their desks and writing materials. Emissaries, clerks, military officers, and officials who were in contact with the court came in and out. Accounts and intelligence reports were sent to Jing Xiang for review, and official documents were signed and taken away.

Jing Xiang answered fluently without stopping, and scolded from time to time, making the officials silent as if frightened. The scene was comparable to the government hall in the palace.

"Such an important event, why didn't you report it earlier?" Jing Xiang pointed at the written record of Yang Fugong's appointment as the military supervisor of Hedong, and loudly rebuked the official Cui Dan: "A certain eunuch has lost his position, and he must report it as soon as possible, and then decide who to bribe again. The rules that have been announced long ago are turning a deaf ear to you!"

Facing Prince Bian's confidants and the core leaders of the Xuanwu Army's shogunate, Cui Dan didn't even have the courage to open his mouth to explain.

"Who is in charge of the Northern Division now?" Jing Xiang asked again.

Cui Dan immediately replied: "It is said that the Privy Councilor Ximen Chongsui is not in harmony with the sage and regards the emperor as a puppet. The Southern Court hates him very much."

"It is said?" Jing Xiang stared at the officials who were reporting to him, "How can we infer the affairs of the palace based on the word 'it is said'? Check it out immediately to find out what his authority is and what he loves and hates. The king's plan this time must be approved by the eunuchs. If he can't make the decision, don't bribe him!"

"Yes."

Jing Xiang picked up another record: "Yang Shouliang, Wang Xingyu, Li Maozhen, and Li Jikan were fighting each other. Who is in control of Fengxiang now? What is the attitude of the court?"

"Whether the winner or loser is clear, the court sits back and watches."

"Heh." Jing Xiang snorted. It seemed that the imperial court has always been like this.

"How does the saint view the king?"

"A month ago, the Huazhou Jinzouyuan plotted something illegal, and the Saint sent troops to kill them all and seized a number of letters." Cui Dan was sweating profusely when asked, and replied tremblingly: "After the incident, the eunuchs learned that the vassal state was spying on the secrets of the palace, and they were furious. They searched inside and outside, and the capital was shocked. Since then, the officials and servants around the Saint have been difficult to bribe, so I don't know how the Saint views the king."

Jing Xiang waved his sleeves and clapped his pen: "Incompetent! You know what would happen if the saint was instigated by the traitor and was dissatisfied with the king? The fly is on the body, and although the body is not injured, the mind is exhausted. The saint... has such cruel means."

He was unexpectedly captured and killed by soldiers sent by the saint in the middle of the night at the Huazhou Jinzouyuan.

Like a poisonous snake, it seized the opportunity and attacked, leaving no chance for anyone in Huazhou Jinzouyuan to survive.

This way of doing things, where the sword is not unsheathed but blood is drunk when it is drawn, is not the caged emperor in his impression.

It now seems necessary to re-evaluate the power struggle between the sage and the eunuchs, and also to let the King of Bian restore the practice of submitting a report once a month to maintain the friendship between the monarch and his subjects. Otherwise, the sage will trip him up and miss the big plan. After all, Shi Pu, Li Keyong, and the Zhu brothers have not been pacified, and he has a premonition that the emerging Yang Xingmi in the south will also be a big problem in the near future. If he does not have a good relationship with the sage, he will be manipulated by this "common master of the world" and it will be a headache.

Although the possibility is small, it is better to be prepared.

The premise is that the saint has not completely fallen into a disadvantage in the tug-of-war with the eunuchs. A complete puppet is not worth investing energy in.

Thinking of this, Jing Xiang stared at Cui Dan and said in a hoarse voice: "In the future, act as secretly as possible and don't give people any evidence."

"Yes."

"in addition……"

Jing Xiang changed the subject and whispered, "The chaos in Fengxiang has harmed the people. The sage just sat back and watched the outcome, acting as the fisherman who benefited, and did not issue an edict to reconcile, causing the war to continue until now. From this point of view, he is not as merciful as the previous emperor, but rather a bit tough as a new emperor. I think it will be difficult for Prince Bian to seek the position of Salt and Iron Envoy. We have to suppress the sage's determination and let him know the general situation."

The officials who were presenting the memorial were silent for a while.

After a long time, Cui Dan, who was eager to restore his impression, finally came up with a plan.

"Wang Gong of Shanzhen is cruel and is adjacent to the Guannei area. Zhang Quanyi of Heyang is a follower of the King of Bian. Li Hanzhi of Henei is a cruel lunatic. Perhaps we can spread the word that the three towns hate the monopoly of power by the eunuchs and want to go to Chang'an to eliminate the internal strife. Then we can send a large amount of money and goods to make Li Han submit a petition to intimidate. Then the King of Bian can mediate. If the saint appreciates the King of Bian's loyalty, then it will not be difficult to grant him the Salt and Iron Envoy and the Ziqing Jiyue."

Jing Xiang remained silent after hearing this.

This strategy is just so-so. It was used by Zhu Mei, the governor of Fengxiang in the previous dynasty. However, Zhu Mei did not threaten the emperor, but really pursued and killed the previous emperor under the banner of clearing the court of evil officials and established a royal family.

Having said that, since the purpose is just to scare the saint and make him submit, then this precedent can be used.

It just so happened that the imperial court had already been traumatized by this.

Even if the saint saw through the essence and understood that this was pressure from King Bian, it was about the supreme throne and the lives of his wife, daughters and children...

The saint is still young, there is no need to suppress him for this.

What if Li Hanzhi really led the cannibal soldiers to Chang'an, what if he really deposed the saint?
(End of this chapter)