Chapter 23: Speechless

"Thank you, my lord, and thank you, young master."

After Zheng Shuqing invited the man to take a seat, he hastily expressed his thanks. He looked utterly destitute, as though he had traveled a long way, and his clothes were filthy beyond belief.

"The station attendants may be the sort to judge people by their status, but they wouldn't normally drive out an official who has already checked in. Who are you? And why did those attendants drive you out?"

Zheng Shuqing asked with a puzzled expression, conveniently pouring the man a cup of wine as he did so.

The wine they were drinking was Huadiao wine, a local specialty of Xiangyang, every bit as good as Red Lotus Spring.

But Red Lotus Spring, as a "trendy wine," was obviously more famous among the nobility of Chang'an, and both Zheng Shuqing and Fang Chongyong had brought some along, planning to gift it to friends and family upon returning to Chang'an.

Naturally, they wouldn't open it to drink at the relay station.

"Alas, I am a native of Jingcheng in Cangzhou, Hebei, serving as a minor clerk under Zhang Shougui, the Military Commissioner of Youzhou. As a result, this year an Observation Commissioner arrived from Chang'an to take up his post, took a dislike to me, and seized on some minor mistake of mine to frame me. In the end, I was transferred to serve as a clerk under the Military Commissioner of the Five Prefectures of Lingnan."

"Isn't that sending me to my death? Lingnan is a place used to exile officials! Miasma and venomous insects—which one of those doesn't cost a person their life!"

The young man before them said indignantly. He had been doing perfectly well as a functionary; a clerk was the kind of position from which one could rise, and doing the job well was not without prospects.

But the Youzhou regional command had an Observation Commissioner parachuted in by the court, who simply and brutally "dismissed" him!

"So, because you refused to set out for Lingnan, you deliberately lingered at the relay station in Xiangyang, and that's why they drove you out?"

Fang Chongyong stared into the man's eyes and asked.

"Well... to be honest with you two, it seems so."

The man lowered his head in embarrassment. The reason he had dragged his way all the way from Youzhou to Xiangyang, lingering at every relay station until someone drove him off before he would leave, was simply to stall for time and avoid taking up his post, waiting for a turn of fortune.

Generally speaking, a Military Commissioner would also concurrently hold the post of Observation Commissioner. But for some reason, this time the court actually parachuted in an Observation Commissioner, and Zhang Shougui was seemingly not the least bit bothered by it, even befriending the man like a brother.

"That dog of an official—his death would be a good one! When I return to Chang'an, I shall certainly memorialize the throne against him."

Zheng Shuqing said indignantly, then suddenly thought of something and asked in confusion, "By the way, what is your name, and what is that dog of an official's name?"

"Alas, my lord, do not trouble yourself over that. That dog of an official is an old retainer from before His Majesty ascended the throne, and enjoys deep imperial favor. I am Yan Zhuang. I shall never forget the kindness of this meal. I will take my leave now."

Yan Zhuang realized that he seemed to have said things he should not have. Revealing too much to a shallow acquaintance was a great taboo.

He was about to rise when he suddenly noticed that the quiet boy of eight or nine was tugging at his clothes.

"Whatever you have to say, feel free to say it. Under this bright sky, can there not be a word of reason spoken? No matter how high an official's rank, can it be higher than the Prime Minister's? Lord Zheng here dares to speak righteously even before the Prime Minister—what is there that cannot be said?"

Fang Chongyong put Zheng Shuqing on the spot, giving him a meaningful look.

After a few cups, Zheng Shuqing's courage had grown, and he made a sweeping promise: "Just say what you will. For a petty official of your size, I can wave my hand and free you of your troubles as easily as turning it over."

Zheng Shuqing thought to himself that now that he had entered the court's inner circles, he was establishing his own faction. Recruiting some useful hatchet men and underlings seemed only fitting.

"My lord is truly righteous as the heavens! That dog of an official is named Fang Youde. My lord need only make a few inquiries and you will find out."

Yan Zhuang said excitedly, feeling as though he had found a backer.

Zheng Shuqing and Fang Chongyong exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.

"Uh, there's no rush to deal with him just yet. Let's talk about your situation first—why exactly were you demoted? Let's see if Lord Zheng has any way to lend you a hand."

Fang Chongyong asked without changing his expression, his toes curling so hard on the ground they could have dug out a three-room apartment.

The same position, transferred from Youzhou to Lingnan—that was unequivocally a demotion.

"Alas, it was wine that brought this trouble upon me."

Yan Zhuang sighed helplessly and said, "Fang Youde had just arrived in Fanyang City. At the welcoming banquet, all the staff officers were present. I drank too much and complained to the colleague beside me that the court was oppressing Hebei far too severely! Is that not the truth?

As it happened, Fang Youde overheard, and accused me of slandering the court and plotting rebellion! I merely spoke a few fair words, and he wanted Commissioner Zhang (Zhang Shougui) to behead me as a warning to others!

Many people pleaded on my behalf at the time, and Commissioner Zhang said I was just talking drunken nonsense, which was the only reason my miserable life was spared.

And the result? Within days I was struck with retaliation and demoted to Lingnan! Tell me, am I not unjustly wronged?"

His scumbag father's methods were sharp indeed, though his brain still wasn't much good.

Fang Chongyong grumbled inwardly, then pressed further, "What exactly did you say at the time?"

"Does... does that matter so much?"

Yan Zhuang was taken aback, not expecting Zheng Shuqing's son (as he mistakenly assumed) to be so curious!

Only then did he explain helplessly, "At the banquet, Fang Youde was boasting about Pei Yaoqing's achievements in reforming the grain transport, claiming that in three years seven million shi of grain had been shipped into Guanzhong, and that the Great Tang's prosperity outshone all of history.

I said to my colleague that all of that was the fat and marrow of the people of Hebei, that the court was crushing us people of Hebei to death! Prosperity my ass!

Is that not so?

Those seven million shi of grain from Pei Yaoqing came from eight prefectures, five of them in Hebei—namely Xiangzhou, Weizhou, Beizhou, Dezhou, and Cangzhou—with two more being Puzhou (Puyang) and Yunzhou, right next to Hebei.

If the people of Hebei run short of grain, they cannot even find grain to buy in the neighboring prefectures.

Is this not scraping Hebei to the bone and sucking its marrow? Was I wrong in what I said? On what grounds does that dog official Fang Youde target me?"

The more Yan Zhuang spoke, the angrier he became, looking as though he wanted to slam the table and curse. Zheng Shuqing hurriedly interrupted, "Choose your words carefully, choose your words carefully."

"Forgive me, I was simply overcome with indignation..."

Yan Zhuang said in shame.

Fang Chongyong watched in silence. Yan Zhuang was still just a young man who had not yet been beaten down by society. Once he matured, he would naturally understand that behind the workings of all things, there were inherent laws.

"In fact, the Yongji Canal north of the Yellow River is closer to Luoyang, and moreover it is gentler and more convenient for storing and transporting grain. The Tongji Canal to the south, on the other hand, is quite difficult for shipping grain from the Jianghuai region into Guanzhong. As for how the court would choose, it is actually perfectly clear at a glance."

Fang Chongyong said in a low voice.

The court's logic was simple: the Hebei canal route saved on transport costs while also suppressing the Hebei region, continuously draining its blood. Since that was the case, why not do it thoroughly?

Make the people of Hebei suffer a bit, so that Chang'an could live more prosperously—was that not a worthwhile bargain?

Putting himself in Li Longji's shoes, Fang Chongyong realized that an emperor already in his fifties seemingly had no need to consider such questions!

When a man dies his bird points to the sky—what person in this world lives ten thousand years? Live well in the present; if you enjoy yourself first, you've already won. Why bother thinking about the future?

Cross that bridge when it comes!

Shipping grain from Jianghuai to Chang'an was inherently expensive in transport costs. The freight for a single shi of rice, by the time it reached Chang'an, came to nearly fifty wen. In a good year, the price of rice in Chang'an was about the same. In other words, at current transport rates, the cost doubled by the time it reached Chang'an—ship as much as you like, you lose on every shipment!

And that was not even counting the losses from the countless grain boats that capsized in that stretch of the Yellow River at Shanzhou!

All of this was what Zheng Shuqing had told Fang Chongyong when he was in Kuizhou. The grain transport of the Great Tang was tied to the fate of the nation. But Chang'an's location was an unsolvable problem—only by moving the capital to Luoyang could the empire's decline be slowed.

Otherwise, the continued inefficient grain transport will sooner or later drag the empire into the abyss.

But for Li Longji it doesn't matter; as long as Chang'an and Guanzhong are comfortable, that's enough—he really can't worry about anything else.

Confucian rites, righteousness, benevolence and trust also stress the degrees of closeness and distance, don't they?

The Li Tang imperial clan originated in Guanzhong and has no ties to Hebei. Most of his supporters are also nobles from Guanlong. Those people are "close," while the Hebei folk are "distant."

From Li Longji's perspective, does he really need to care so much about what the people of Hebei think?

Fang Chongyong thought it seemed like an unsolvable problem. With only one bowl of rice for two people, splitting it leaves both hungry—what can be done, is there any choice?

"When I, the officer, return to Chang'an, I'll have Minister Li test your learning. If you pass, then stay in Chang'an for a post. I will send a letter to the Lingnan Military Governor; you're only a petty official, so I doubt anyone would trouble you."

As for complaining about the court, it's better you say less of that in the future. Haven't you heard the saying that illness enters through the mouth and disaster comes out of the mouth?

Zheng Shuqing said indifferently.

"Thank you, Prime Minister Zheng, thank you, Prime Minister Zheng!"

Yan Zhuang respectfully bowed to Zheng Shuqing, as if he were about to kowtow.

"You're flattering me; you can't call me Prime Minister yet. By calling me Prime Minister, how should Minister Li conduct himself?"

Zheng Shuqing scolded with a stern face.

Fang Chongyong thought to himself that Old Zheng said he didn't want it, but his body was being honest. After all, only a Chancellor can be called "Prime Minister." With Old Zheng's promotion imminent, he indeed trembled.

Human nature, human nature, you know.

"Um, this young gentleman is…"

Yan Zhuang suddenly realized that Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing didn't look very similar, yet he felt an uncanny familiarity, as if he'd seen them somewhere before.

"A yellow‑mouth brat, not worth mentioning. I am the sole son of my family; from now on just call me Fang Dalang."

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but tease.

Yan Zhuang gave a slight nod, keeping his doubts to himself. He always felt something was off, but couldn't articulate it.

The party rested a day in Xiangyang, replenished some dry food and wine, then took a carriage provided by the post station to continue north. The next stop was far away—Xiang County of Dengzhou. Continuing north led to Neixiang County, where the Wu Pass Road led straight to Chang'an.

Because the waterways were frozen, Zheng Shuqing doubted they could return to Chang'an before the Shangyuan Festival. After the festival, Zheng's appointment might encounter setbacks; such things happen often, so when officials are dismissed, new posts are promptly filled.

Otherwise, his new post could easily be taken over by those awaiting selection.

But the court is currently tumultuous; Pei Yaoqing was dismissed as Chancellor, and Zhang Jiuling and Li Linfu have become mortal enemies. It's normal that Zheng Shuqing's appointment can't be settled; if a new post were assigned immediately, that would be truly bizarre.

Because of this, Zheng Shuqing was gloomy all day. Apart from that, he found Yan Zhuang to be very talented and exceptionally clever—a pleasant surprise.

What Zheng Shuqing, Fang Chongyong, and the others didn't know was that when they arrived in Chang'an, the situation there was completely different from what they had expected when departing from Kuizhou.

……

Zhang Jiuling's residence is in Xiuzheng Lane, located in the southeast corner of Chang'an City, close to Furong Garden. Unlike Li Linfu, Zhang is incorruptible and his house is modest, far less grand than Li Linfu's mansion.

This is also related to his modest background.

Essentially, Zhang Jiuling is a very traditional and conservative Confucian scholar‑official who dislikes the extravagant atmosphere in Chang'an City. Confucian scholars have always held the view that the world's wealth is constant.

In governance they favor "thrift" measures to maintain fiscal balance, while "revenue generation" is seen as "competing with the people for profit." Confucian historiographers have always harshly criticized the actions of financial officials.

If the ruling class takes a bit more, the common people get a bit less; that's where the notion of "competing with the people for profit" originates.

From this perspective, Zhang Jiuling's contempt for Li Linfu's helping Li Longji embezzle wealth is unsurprising; he despises it inwardly while showing no outward concern. This is due to academic inertia, somewhat like Fang Chongyong in his past life, a bachelor's student looking down on college students.

However, Zhang Jiuling's days were not as comfortable as outsiders might think. He wasn't staying in Xiuzheng Lane waiting for the New Year; instead he accompanied Li Longji out of Chang'an to Zhongnan Mountain to "enjoy the snow."

Yet Zhang Jiuling, who had weathered many storms, could sense that Li Longji was about to undertake something major!

Because various signs indicated that the Crown Prince Li Ying, whom Zhang Jiuling supported, was steadily preparing… a rebellion.

Two years earlier, during a severe drought in Guanzhong, Li Longji toured east to Luoyang, bringing officials there to "dine." At that time, Crown Prince Li Ying did something indescribable.

At that time, Li Ying asked Li Longji's thirteenth son Li Yun (later renamed Li Jiao) to borrow two thousand sets of armor, but Li Yun refused. Not only did he decline, he also reported the matter to Li Longji.

Having long experience in the court, Li Longji naturally understood the implication of borrowing armor. He therefore summoned Zhang Jiuling and asked whether the Crown Prince should be deposed!

Zhang Jiuling replied that the Crown Prince is the foundation of the state and cannot be moved lightly. He found the matter suspicious, because Li Yun only held the distant title of Pinglu Military Governor, and the troops and armor were all in Hebei. How could he have produced two thousand sets of armor?

In other words, Li Yun's accusation against the Crown Prince is certain. Whether it was a false report, or if he was instructed to stage this "mixing falsehood with truth," no one can say.

Li Yun has no chance of inheriting the throne; he could never succeed. In terms of age and support, he is far behind Li Heng; regarding his mother's favor, he is far inferior to Prince of Longevity Li Chang.

Therefore, Li Yun was likely instructed to deliberately false‑accuse Crown Prince Li Ying. Even if Li Ying intended rebellion, he couldn't have left such a glaring flaw for Li Yun to catch.

So the mastermind behind it is practically shouting to be revealed!

Regarding all this, Zhang Jiuling didn't even dare to think about it!

"The snowy scenery is beautiful; can the Right Prime Minister compose a poem to amuse us?"

Li Longji walked to Zhang Jiuling's side, pointing at the snow‑capped mountains in the distance, and asked.

"My humble self worries about state affairs… I truly don't know what kind of poem to compose."

Zhang Jiuling clasped his hands and humbly said to Li Longji.

"Worried about state affairs… or worried about the Crown Prince?"

Li Longji's sudden question made the hairs on Zhang Jiuling's body stand up!