The two of them were worrying about themselves when someone came quickly from outside and reported: "Someone came out of the palace of King Wei of Shangshanfang and rode out of the city, heading straight for Chang'an."
Pei Huaijie's face was expressionless, which confirmed their suspicions.
Duan Baoyuan shook his head and sighed: "His Majesty, the King of Wei, actually resorted to such shameless tricks. It is really... surprising."
"Although it's a little shameless, it's not unexpected. It's just that I accidentally fell into the trap because of my carelessness. Who can blame me?"
Pei Huaijie poured himself a cup of tea and took a sip. When he found out that his guess was correct, he calmed down.
Now that the matter has come to this, it is useless to complain and blame others. The most important thing is to find a solution.
Although he has the support of local nobles, he has also blocked the tentacles of countless people from reaching out to the rich land of Luoyang City. As long as those people are given a chance, they will all work hard to remove him as a stumbling block.
Will the wealthy family in Luoyang, the wealthy family in Hedong, or even the Nanyang family, which has always been inconspicuous, openly go to war with the imperial court to save Pei Huaijie?
This may not be the case.
If the situation is irreversible, then it is very likely that a secret agreement will be reached in private to give up part of the benefits in exchange for local elites taking control of Luoyang City.
For the members of aristocratic families whose interests are paramount, no one cannot be lost...
But who in the court can speak for him?
Duan Baoyuan thought for a moment and whispered: "For those in the imperial court, Luoyang City is a piece of meat. Everyone wants to pounce on it and take a bite, but they have nowhere to bite. As long as the situation is disturbed by King Wei, Fu Yin, your
The situation is extremely dangerous, and there is a risk of overturning at any time... Perhaps it is best to prepare as early as possible."
Pei Huaijie held the tea cup and sighed: "If that's the case, I'm afraid I won't be able to stay in Luoyang City."
No matter which side he chooses, he will be transferred back to Chang'an after the incident. Even if he is promoted to a high official, how can he compare with the current official who is a feudal official and a pastor?
Power is the most intoxicating thing. Once you have tasted the feeling of giving orders like a mountain and following your words, it will be difficult to accept the bitterness after losing it.
But he also understood that once his "crimes and mistakes" were impeached by the Yushi Yanguan, it would be difficult to remain unharmed under the fire of all forces. If he could not choose one side to surrender completely, he would definitely end up in a miserable end.
"I'm so careless..."
Pei Huaijie was still worried about his drunkenness last night.
Duan Baoyuan comforted him and said: "You don't need to be so concerned about the governor. King Wei is in charge of Luoyang City. You are the Yin of Henan. It is inevitable to have contact with each other. If he makes up his mind to frame you, it must be impossible to guard against it. He is not drunk today.
There will be other things going on, but it is better to do this. After all, it is just personal morality. If His Highness the King of Wei does not succeed in this plan and tries another one, and comes up with a crime of corruption, the matter will not end.
.”
"Infringing on the prince's concubine" seems very serious, but in fact it can be big or small. After all, it is just a "concubine" and not a "concubine"... This is a "private morality" and can be openly condemned, but it does not violate it.
law.
But "corruption and corruption" are different. It would violate the laws of the Tang Dynasty. Either Pei Huaijie could prove his innocence and put the King of Wei into a "false accusation" situation, or he would be dismissed from office and punished by Dali Temple, with no room for change.
Pei Huaijie nodded helplessly. Now that things have come to this, he may not be able to stay in Luoyang City in the future.
It's just that I have been working in Luoyang for many years and have spent half my life here. How can I be willing to lose everything today?
As long as you choose a party to surrender to, you must stir up troubles before leaving, and ruin the good things of King Wei...
*****
Ashina Zhong rubbed his dizzy head and climbed out of bed, washed himself briefly and walked out of the bedroom. He saw Wei Wang Li Tai and Fang Jun sitting in the flower hall drinking tea and talking. He walked up and raised his eyebrows at Fang Jun.
He expressed his admiration with his thumb, then sat on a chair beside him and said with a hint of pain: "I'm getting older. I'm not as drunk as I was back then. Last night I was so drunk."
After Pei Huaijie escaped in embarrassment last night, the three of them celebrated and challenged Fang Jun in high spirits. As a result, they were drunk and fell unconscious...
Now let's confirm Fang Jun's drinking capacity, and then try to defend himself to earn some face for himself.
Li Tai smiled and scolded: "Have a rest. This guy has been known as the 'God of Bacchus' for many years. He can't get drunk after a thousand cups. I don't know how many heroes have fallen drunk in front of him... You are also old. You want to live a few more years."
It’s better to have some self-awareness.”
Ashina Zhong smiled awkwardly and clasped his fists at Fang Jun: "I have always been a good drinker, and I never give in to others when it comes to my drinking capacity. This time I fell in front of Erlang, and I am convinced!"
Fang Jun smiled and didn't take it seriously: "As long as the county master doesn't blame you for staying out all night."
Ashina Zhong shook his head: "That's not the case. The county master is modest, gentle and virtuous, and it has never been my business."
Not many of the princesses of the Old Li family are good-tempered, and each one is more domineering than the other, but the head of Dingxiang County is not a descendant of the Old Li family...
Li Tai took a sip of tea and asked, "When will Erlang leave for Jiechi?"
Fang Jun held the pot and poured tea for Ashina Zhong: "We will set off immediately when Zheng Xuanguo arrives in Luoyang."
Li Tai frowned and expressed concern: "Although it is a great move to win over the Zheng family from Xingyang, don't have too high expectations. The Zheng family from Xingyang is the mainstay of the Hedong family. No matter how hard you stand on His Majesty's side, you will never
You have completely fallen out with the Hedong family, so you still have to rely on yourself to rectify the salt affairs."
Since ancient times, salt and iron have been the most profitable. The Hedong family has controlled Jiechi for many years. Even the wealthy people in Luoyang and Nanyang have been unable to intervene in the operation and can only share a small profit. You can imagine what Fang Jun will face after he comes to Jiechi to rectify the salt affairs.
resist.
Cutting off someone's money is like killing one's parents. It is not an exaggeration to say that one is an enemy of life and death...
Fang Jun was confident: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I already have a charter. I am dragging the Zheng family in Xingyang into the water just to make use of their connections. I will not place the heavy responsibility of rectifying the salt affairs of Jiechi on them."
The foundation of the Zheng family in Xingyang lies in Xingyang, but salt profit is the family's biggest source of wealth. How can they join forces with Fang Jun to destroy the foundation of the Hedong family in Jiechi?
It would be nice not to confront him...
Li Tai nodded, feeling slightly reassured: "As long as you know what's going on, I'll be at ease when you do things."
The construction of Dongdu requires an unprecedented stable situation. If the salt affairs rectification causes turmoil in the entire Hedong, Luoyang, Nanyang and other places, resulting in constraints from all parties and blocked policies, then he, the King of Wei, will be helpless.
Pei Huaijie is just a rock exposed on the river. The power hidden under the water of various aristocratic families is the most terrifying...
Ashina Zhong took the tea filled by Fang Jun, thanked him, took a sip, hesitated, and couldn't help asking: "Does His Highness have specific regulations for the construction of the Eastern Capital? If there is a need for minor ministers, please
Speak bluntly, without any hesitation."
Li Tai shook his head: "This is much more troublesome than rectifying the salt affairs of Jiechi. There are currently no specific plans to repair palaces, build city walls, dredge rivers, conduct population censuses, and rectify merchants... Luoyang has been war-torn for a long time and has been abandoned for a long time. It does not have the status of a capital city.
If you want to restore the weather to its original state, you will have to make great efforts everywhere, and everything will be troublesome. However, if you need help from Duke Xue, I will naturally not be polite."
Even more than that, he also had some speculations about the "measurement of acres", and he always felt that His Majesty would not miss the good opportunity for him to come forward to confront the entire Nanyang family and make him "infamous" in the eyes of the famous families in the world.
That’s what really gives me a headache…
Naturally, he doesn't care who Ashina Chu is loyal to, as long as he can help him break through a gap in the iron wall built by the local forces in Luoyang City, that will be enough.
He doesn't plan to establish himself as emperor in Luoyang City and separate the east-west rule from His Majesty, so why should he care about Ashina Chu's loyalty?
Just give them enough benefits to be able to follow you against the local clan.
Fang Jun said: "Wang Xuance will be transferred back to Chang'an and serve as Zuo Jinwu's guard chief to reward his service. Soon the humble Wu Mei Niang will rush to Luoyang to take charge of the business. If your Highness has any needs, you can contact Mei Niang directly."
Li Tai shook his head and sighed: "You are also fooling around. Where in the world is there a family with concubines who are in charge of financial power? They are not afraid of meeting a handsome boy who likes Zhong Yi, taking away the family wealth and flying away."
Fang Jun laughed: "If you don't even have this bit of self-confidence, how can you be called a man?"
If it were Jin Wang Li Zhi who was in charge of Luoyang at the moment, Fang Jun would definitely not let Wu Meiniang come and help him build the Eastern Capital. That boy probably has an "Oedipus complex" and putting fat in his mouth is extremely dangerous, but in front of Li Tai
Then there is no worry.
Not to mention that Li Tai is not as "eager" as Li Zhi, but his fat body is not what Wu Meiniang likes...
Just as he was talking, a relative quickly walked in and reported: "Your Highness, there is someone outside the door claiming to be Zheng Xuanguo. He begs to see Your Highness and says he has made a treaty with the country of Yue so that we can meet him."
Fang Jun suddenly stood up and said loudly: "Your Highness, Mr. Xue Guogong, I will take my leave now and set off for Jiechi, trying to reorganize the salt affairs as soon as possible. After completing His Majesty's entrustment, we will return to Luoyang and get drunk together!"
Ashina Zhong laughed and stood up to see him off: "Then I will wait in Luoyang and sacrifice my life to accompany you!"
Li Tai also stood up, patted Fang Jun on the shoulder, and warned: "Jiechi Salt Affairs is the money bag of the Hedong clan. It has always been regarded as a forbidden favor by them. Outsiders will never be allowed to interfere. You must plan it slowly and securely."
Otherwise, if you are a little impatient, you may encounter strong resistance, and it will be difficult to open up the situation again. "
Fang Jun said with a smile: "Since ancient times, tactics and military methods have emerged in endlessly, but there is only one thing that has never changed, and that is the importance of military speed! When everyone in the world thinks that this is a safe profession, why not do the opposite?
How about breaking through the situation with lightning speed? Don't worry, Your Highness, you only need to wait for good news in Luoyang, and I will take my leave."
After saying that, he turned around and strode away.
Li Tai watched his tall back disappear at the door. He couldn't help but feel a headache and said to Ashina Zhong: "This guy is extremely confident and will definitely resort to thunderbolt means. The Hedong family is in trouble."
Ps: The custom of "thumbs up" is said to come from the Colosseum in ancient Rome, and it is said to have originated from the Han Dynasty. The specific details are unknown.