Chapter 404: The Iron Rooster Won

In the summer of the tenth year of Tianbao, Fang Chongyong arrived in Guanzhong with the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, but did not head straight for Chang'an; instead he bivouacked on the outskirts of Wugong County, less than a hundred li west of Chang'an, awaiting imperial orders.

In fact, troops transferred from the frontier to Chang'an always follow this procedure; the court cannot let an army march straight into the capital without any control.

If some people are driven by greed and try to gamble amid the chaos, what can be done? Therefore, systematic preventative measures have always been carried out with meticulous rigor.

Yet for several days, the Council Hall had not prepared the award documents for the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army.

On one hand, the requested reward amount was too large; on the other hand, the state treasury was empty, and much of the funds originally allocated to the Ministry of War had been spent on frontier troops, leaving nothing earmarked for Fang Chongyong's men.

The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army had previously kept a low profile, with few soldiers and still expanding, and had not attracted attention from court or officials.

But now it can no longer be ignored; it has become a distinguished unit that campaigned in the Western Regions with great achievements, and it must be properly handled.

Li Shizhi and others were unwilling to produce money and did not know how to respond, so the delay stretched to three days.

In the end, Ji Ge sent an imperial edict to the Council Hall, urging the chancellors to resolve the matter quickly. He did not say how, but it was clear that the money could not be taken from the Taifu Temple under his control; it had to come through the state treasury.

"Zheng Xianggong, what do you think of this matter?"

Li Shizhi glanced at Zheng Shuqing, who held the third rank of Tong Zhongshu Menxia and also served as Minister of Works, and asked.

During the High Tang, any official whose title included "Tong Zhongshu Menxia" was a de jure chancellor. But if they did not serve as Shizhong or Zhongshu Ling (the left and right prime ministers), they were essentially nominal "minor chancellors."

Or put another way, they are a tool placed by the emperor inside the Council Hall, who stays out of sight normally but intervenes at critical moments as a "troublemaker."

In fact, Zheng Shuqing perfectly fulfills this role, embodying the saying "whether he's present or not, the same," yet without being obtrusive.

Since becoming this "minor chancellor," Zheng Shuqing clocks in each morning, works (studies), drinks tea and wine, and clocks out to go home.

He rests whenever possible and never voices dissent on any state affairs.

But Zheng Shuqing does occasionally speak. The things he says most often are, for example:

"Hmm, it's fine." "Perhaps let the sage decide." "Might as well try." "The Right Prime Minister decides."

Such vague remarks never result in him handling or deciding even a single matter!

Li Shizhi's question left Zheng Shuqing a little stunned.

"Right Prime Minister, as long as you decide, I have no objection,"

Zheng Shuqing didn't think, he reflexively replied.

Those words made Li Shizhi's blood boil!

"Zheng Xianggong, you are also a chancellor; why do you shirk responsibility when the matter comes to a head!"

Li Shizhi, already ill‑tempered, retorted, and the atmosphere in the Council Hall instantly grew tense.

"Li Xianggong, you are the Right Prime Minister, I am not!"

All the court's affairs, big and small, still need you to make the final decisions; I cannot overstep my bounds.

Even if you want me to speak, my words would count for nothing.

In my position, I can only advise; if I said to verify and pay according to the merit list Fang Guozhong sent, the court would still not listen to me.

If I were to do such a foolish thing, it would only embarrass you.

Right Prime Minister, only the matters you decide will be processed by the court; whatever you need me to do, I will do.

What I say is probably irrelevant; you see, that's the logic, right?

Zheng Shuqing didn't get angry, answering with a smiling grin; it was like a needle hidden in cotton, slick enough to be hard to grasp!

"You old dog!"

Li Shizhi cursed Zheng Shuqing in his heart as shameless and despicable! Yet he had no way to deal with him!

Zheng Shuqing's meaning was clear: I'm just a transparent chancellor, having no real power, and my words carry no weight.

Now that a big trouble arises, you want to make me take the blame, but there's no way!

"Zheng Xianggong, I have heard you have a past with Fang Guozhong. Why not have you represent the court to the troops in Wugong County this time? That should be within your duties, right?"

Left Prime Minister Fang Guan, seated across from Li Shizhi's desk, asked leisurely.

Although smiling, his face clearly showed ill intent.

Since the court could not provide rewards, Zheng Shuqing going to the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army's main camp would inevitably end in humiliation.

Moreover, Zheng Shuqing found it hard to refuse or deflect this request.

Because the chancellors were all "very busy," and Zheng Shuqing was the most idle, almost describable as having nothing to do.

Since you are the most idle, running errands should be your rightful duty, right?

"Just running errands, it's a trivial matter; I will tidy up today and go tomorrow."

Zheng Shuqing said nonchalantly, taking on the whole task without concern.

Fang Guan had already thought of what Zheng Shuqing would say if he refused, but unexpectedly the other side answered affirmatively, making Fang Guan feel as if a punch had landed on cotton, almost causing internal injury.

"Zheng Xianggong, are you joking?"

Fang Guan could hardly believe it; someone actually volunteered to jump into the trap.

"The Right Prime Minister can be a witness, then."

Zheng Shuqing was very magnanimous, not even bargaining, and agreed outright.

Li Shizhi was also a bit doubtful; with a worried face he asked:

"Zheng Xianggong, this is no joke. The court truly cannot produce the reward funds. This year there have been disasters everywhere; the court has spent a lot of money and is still dealing with them."

"Can you persuade those Qiu Ba?"

"Even if I cannot persuade them, the Right Prime Minister is still stationed in the Council Hall; he will always have a way."

Zheng Shuqing chuckled.

"Very well, Zheng Xianggong, go test the waters first."

Li Shizhi was also left with a pounding head.

Earlier this year came a locust plague, then floods; many regions across the country required disaster relief, and the treasury's silk and grain were being shipped out cart after cart!

Being a chancellor is not easy for him either. Since Zheng Shuqing is willing to "scout the way," let him do so first.

Li Shizhi was somewhat regretful. The rewards for the other divisions of the Anxi Expeditionary Army had already been disbursed by the court in advance, and those troops had all returned to their original Jiedushi's commands.

But the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, which had contributed the most merit and effort, had received no rewards. It had been dragged out until now, and the national treasury was rather empty.

He wanted to discuss with Fang Chongyong whether they might reduce the monetary rewards and instead give more honorary titles and noble ranks. This was not an easy request to make, so they would certainly need someone to test the waters first.

Zheng Shuqing was the most suitable candidate.

"Rest assured, Right Minister."

Zheng Shuqing bowed with hands crossed and said this. At the very least, he looked quite sincere. As for what he was actually thinking, perhaps only he himself knew.

"Then I must trouble Minister Zheng to serve as Pacification Commissioner and make a trip to Wugong County."

Li Shizhi nodded slightly. The court had pulled the trick of granting only noble ranks without rewarding actual merits many times before, but it had always been directed at border armies, and had never caused any real trouble.

He believed this time could be resolved smoothly as well.

……

Inside the central command tent of the Shence Army's grand camp outside Wugong County, Fang Chongyong was playing chess with the civil official from the Ministry of Rites whom the court had previously sent to the Western Regions for the handover.

This person was none other than the "cultured man" Fang Chongyong had known since his early years: Gu Kuang!

Because he had no patron, Gu Kuang had been dispatched by the court to handle the matter of the diplomatic mission being wiped out by "bandits." After that, he had followed the army all the way back to Guanzhong.

He had originally been temporarily promoted by "rising three ranks in a row." Now that he was returning to Chang'an, he might even get promoted again. One could say he had profited from misfortune.

"Speaking of this journey, it was truly frightening but never truly dangerous. You could constantly hear about people being robbed by bandits."

Gu Kuang absentmindedly pushed a pawn forward, still somewhat shaken by the memory.

"Does Director Gu know why the court still has not let us return to our commands?"

Fang Chongyong asked with some puzzlement.

No rewards were being issued, they were not allowed to enter Chang'an, and they were not permitted to enter the Xuanwu Gate garrison.

What was the court up to?

Fang Chongyong was puzzled and felt that something was not quite right.

"Your Highness, this humble official will lay it out plainly for you. It is likely simply that the court has no money. The various ministers at court do not want to issue rewards, yet they cannot find a proper excuse to delay or renege, so they still have not settled on a plan.

You have been away on campaign and would not know, but the court's tax revenues are growing ever smaller. Heh heh!"

Gu Kuang was a great "angry young man" who had long been fed up with many things!

"Oh? Such a thing exists? Are people not having more and more children? Could the registered population actually be shrinking?"

Fang Chongyong asked curiously.

"Your Highness, this is where you do not understand. People are indeed growing more numerous, but those who pay taxes are growing fewer! The two are not contradictory. When taxes cannot be collected, the court naturally has no rewards. What is so strange about that?

Perpetual landholdings have been distributed and cannot be taken back, and all manner of powerful families and those who attach themselves to them do not pay taxes.

So of course the revenues keep shrinking."

Gu Kuang's foul mouth delivered these biting commentary without the slightest mercy. And these were words that ordinarily could never be spoken—to say them was taboo.

The "ancestral law"—the Zu-Yong-Diao system—had seen its early benefits gradually disappear, while in recent years its flaws had begun to erupt wildly. No matter the social class, everyone was finding ever more creative ways to exploit loopholes for profit.

The aristocracy not paying taxes was only one aspect. The inherent irrationality of the Zu-Yong-Diao system itself also turned many farmers into unruly subjects.

Lacking the privilege to simply stop paying taxes, they chose to merge small households into large ones, change men into women on the household registers, or affiliate themselves under the names of powerful families. There was no shortage of such shady tricks.

Gu Kuang could not even be bothered to elaborate.

"That would be quite troublesome indeed."

Fang Chongyong let out a long sigh and could not help shaking his head.

To win military merit yet receive no rewards—those proud and fierce soldiers would rebel! Fang Chongyong had never seen any army that could remain invincible without rewarding merit!

"Jiedushi, someone from the court has arrived. They are just outside the camp."

Feng Changqing suddenly walked into the command tent and whispered into Fang Chongyong's ear.

"You see, speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives.

Let us go together to welcome the court's envoy."

Fang Chongyong laughed heartily and got up to leave.

When everyone came outside the camp, they saw Zheng Shuqing standing all alone, without even a single attendant by his side, looking nothing at all like someone who had come to read an imperial edict.

Fang Chongyong said nothing, and Zheng Shuqing said nothing either. The two stared at each other, while a large crowd of rough soldiers watched impatiently from the sidelines. The atmosphere turned awkward in an instant.

After a long while, Gu Kuang finally stepped forward to break the ice, saying, "Minister Zheng, why don't you read the imperial edict?"

If I could read an edict, I would be swaggering right now!

Zheng Shuqing cursed Gu Kuang inwardly for not being able to read the room.

"Minister Zheng has had a tiring journey. Please enter the camp and rest first."

Fang Chongyong thought of a possibility and stiffly came to Zheng Shuqing's rescue. Based on past experience, whenever he ran into Old Zheng, it was absolutely never good news!

He had been swindled numb!

"Of course, of course. This minister is indeed a bit tired."

Zheng Shuqing said with a dry laugh.

But the moment he heard this, He Changqi, who was watching the spectacle from the crowd, muttered loudly with sarcastic malice: "Tired from riding a few dozen li on horseback—just like a woman."

Hearing his words, all the generals snickered endlessly, making Zheng Shuqing, who stood to the side, extremely embarrassed. He had no choice but to pretend he had gone deaf and could not hear a thing.

"Minister Zheng, this way please."

Fang Chongyong made a gesture of invitation, pretending not to be acquainted with Zheng Shuqing.

"Of course, of course."

Zheng Shuqing felt as though a great burden had been lifted. He followed behind Fang Chongyong and walked into the camp.

He had not gone far when he heard a general of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army behind him jeering: "Minister Zheng, where is our pay and provisions? Where are our rewards?"

The moment he heard this, Zheng Shuqing immediately quickened his pace, terrified that those rough soldiers would seize hold of him and not let go, demanding to know about the rewards.

It's not that rewards shouldn't be given, but the court's treasury is now empty; there really is no money to give!

Arriving at the marshal's tent, Fang Chongyong dismissed the miscellaneous personnel, then solemnly looked at Zheng Shuqing and asked, "Any major matter?"

"Sigh, it's not really a major matter; the court just has no money and wants to pay you with some exchange notes that aren't even usable in Chang'an."

Zheng Shuqing rubbed his hands, sighed helplessly, and his face was clouded with worry.

After Li Linfu was assassinated, the court transferred the right to issue exchange notes in the Luoyang region, because many in the court suspected Li Linfu of forcibly reclaiming the exchange note rights in Henan, which led to his brutal assassination. They feared they would be next.

Then, following Li Linfu's assassination, Liu Yan yuan went to Hebei to conduct a "salt tax pilot." At Ji Ge's request, the court strongly promoted the second version of the Chang'an exchange note, exchanging old for new at a ratio of one for five.

Five old exchange notes were exchanged for one new note of equal face value.

Due to lack of reserves, the new exchange notes quickly began to depreciate, and the Hexi exchange notes further increased their share in the Guanzhong market.

And the currency value is stable!

Li Shizhi repeatedly tried to reclaim the issuance rights of the Hexi exchange notes, moving the printing to Chang'an and then sending the cash to Hexi, but all attempts failed for various reasons.

Now Chang'an's commerce is in chaos, much worse than when Fang Chongyong left Chang'an.

If the new Chang'an exchange notes were given as rewards to the soldiers of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, it might turn out badly… better not to issue them at all.

Those soldiers who have been deceived and are hot-headed might do anything when emotionally agitated; it's really hard to say.

This is the main reason Zheng Shuqing was sent by Li Shizhi.

After explaining all this, Fang Chongyong simply didn't know what to say.

Don't look at the fact that the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army has already profiteered privately; those gains don't count toward military merit. However much military merit they have, the court should give that much.

That's completely two different matters.

In his previous life, ordinary companies would face worker protests if wages weren't paid for two months, yet the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army marched ten thousand li there and back, taking over a year!

Is this reward something you can just decide not to give?

"The soldiers have gone through life and death, marched ten thousand li, and returned having achieved merit and established their careers."

Does the court just want to say a word of thanks and then be done with it?

Fang Chongyong retorted in disbelief.

"Although I don't want to say this, the Right Chancellor just wants to not give a single penny."

I came here also to negotiate with you, so as not to embarrass ourselves by breaking ties.

Of course, it certainly won't be nothing, but it definitely won't be much.

Just tell me what to do.

Zheng Shuqing sighed helplessly.

(End of chapter)