Since Yangzhou City was once the Jiangdu of the former Sui Dynasty, its commercial economy was extremely developed and became the third largest city in the Tang Empire after the Western Capital Chang'an and the Eastern Capital Luoyang.
Among many businesses, the fat piece of salt road is undoubtedly the most jealous. Faced with the embarrassment of more wolves and less meat, how to coordinate the interests of all parties is the primary issue that major salt merchants need to consider. After all, for them,
What is needed is the official approval of the salt transportation. As for the money that respects officials at all levels, it seems to them as a matter of course.
It’s like you want to take the imperial examination and want to pass the Jinshi. In addition to the normal food and accommodation costs for the exam, the documents obtained by visiting famous officials and nobles are also essential. Compared with your absolute results in the imperial examination, a recommendation letter from a famous official is also essential.
Faith can often play a greater role. This is the rule of this empire. Since you are powerless to change, you can only adapt. The same is true for the salt path.
The small Jiangdu governor's office covers all forces. Whether it is the direct line of the prince represented by Cui Yuanshan and Cui, or the confidant of the Yongwang represented by Xu Runda and Xu Changshi, or the big and small, who are all planning their own goals.
Local officials all hope to get a share of the pie. So how to share this pie requires an agreement.
This agreement that is destined to be reached in secret cannot satisfy everyone. People who are dissatisfied are destined to disrupt the situation in various ways. This is what the so-called "a mouse ruins a pot of soup".
In the Jiangdu governor's mansion, Cui Yuanshan was pondering.
Earlier, he received a report from an informant that the Jianghuai delegation envoy Li Kuo obtained a secret letter related to the Jianghuai salt transportation, which contained a detailed list of officials who received bribes from salt merchants. The Jianghuai Land was the old nest that the Yongwang had run for a long time.
, Of course, it is his old nest. If King Yong is not on this list, he will not believe it if he is beaten to death. Once he gets this secret letter and submits it to the heavenly listening, he can knock down King Yong in one fell swoop and bring down His Royal Highness the Crown Prince
A strong enemy.
Since the eldest son of the emperor, Li Cong, died of illness, the crown prince has taken on a strong enemy. But who knew that the front door had just driven the tiger, and another evil wolf was welcomed by the back door. Because of his origin, Li Zhen was not listed as an opponent by His Highness, but who knew that
A few years later, he opened a literary museum and edited classics, and received support from a group of scammers and corrupt literati. The momentum was very high that he would surpass His Royal Highness the Prince. (Note 1)
In addition, today's emperor intends to use the power of King Yong to suppress His Highness the Crown Prince, and His Highness's form is even more difficult. King Yong was raised by His Highness the Crown Prince, and His Highness treats him like his mother's brother, but who knew that this son was a tragic guy.
He actually wanted to compete with His Highness for the position of crown prince. He knew people but not the heart!
Since Emperor Taizong Wen, the position of the crown prince has been a staggered field. Few crown princesses can ascend the throne smoothly, and the loser will only die and die. As a firm member of the crown prince, he will never allow eternity.
The king has the slightest chance to change his fate against the will of heaven.
This is not only about him, but about the Cui family lineage.
How could he turn a blind eye to such an excellent opportunity in front of him? Before coming to Yangzhou, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince gave him more advice during the secret meeting and he must get the salt profit of Jianghuai.
If you can take this opportunity to move King Yong, you can take over the interests of JAC Salt Transportation naturally. The most important thing at the moment is to win the support of Li Kuo and get the top-secret letter from him.
But this is not an easy task. According to common sense, Li Kuo was originally from the Eastern Palace and should have worked hard for His Royal Highness the Prince. It is said that this son had been involved in the Prince's reign after the Battle of Shibao City for some unjust things that were not worthy of being told to the outside world.
His Highness broke up. Although the relationship between the two sides was calmed after multiple repairs, it was definitely impossible to return to its original state.
In this way, even if this son does not pose a threat to His Highness the Crown Prince, he will not take the initiative to help His Highness. It is probably not easy to get the documents from him.
Alas, Your Highness is still too impatient. He is in the position of the second-class throne. He should do his best to fight for such important ministers. How could he force him away?
"Master, General Li is here!" The butler Cui Fude had arrived near Cui Yuanshan at some point and whispered.
"Well, please invite me quickly!" Cui Yuanshan sorted out his appearance and ordered in a deep voice. Since this guy is still here to see him, there will be some discussions on this matter. After all, Your Majesty is old now and has no energy to train again.
The position of the crown prince is very stable, and there is no need for him to sing a counter-tune with the Eastern Palace at this time!
Thinking of this, Cui Yuanshan felt a little calm and a smile appeared on his face.
Soon, Li Kuo walked into the living room under the guidance of the butler.
"Late child Li Kuo pays homage to Senior Cui!" Li Kuo walked into the main hall and gave Cui Yuanshan a student tribute, which made Cui Yuanshan happy. You know, if you are in terms of position, he is even better than the Jianghuai Group Training Envoy.
The upper half. Even if he was too high in literature and low in martial arts, Li Kuo would never have the reason to salute him. Now he takes the initiative to worship him in the future with the etiquette of his younger generation, which shows that he intends to repair his relationship with the Eastern Palace.
"Oh, Kuo Xian Nephew got up quickly." Cui Yuanshan also helped him with a slight help, giving Li Kuo enough face. "Guo Xian Nephew came to Jianghuai to serve as a tutor. How could I, the governor of Yangzhou, not have enough landlords?
Friendship?"
What he said was very hypocritical. You must know that it took him a few days to come to Yangzhou to take office, and both Li Kuo could be considered new officials.
Li Kuo smiled slightly and said, "Uncle Cui is so serious. You are a senior. You are here to pay a visit. But I have been busy training for soldiers these days and can't get rid of them. I rushed over when I heard your summons."
Compared to his youthfulness when he first entered the officialdom, Li Kuo was already much more round at this time. But he really didn't understand why Cui Yuanshan wanted to come to him at this time.
"Haha, the prince used to talk to me about you, saying that you are a man of great power and extraordinary. At first, I didn't believe me, but now when I see you, my nephew is really extraordinary."
Cui Yuanshan stroked his beard and looked at Li Kuo carefully, trying to figure out how this young man, who was only over 20 years old, reached such a high position step by step.
Li Kuo's heart sank, but he didn't expect to finally lead the topic to the prince. It seemed that Cui Yuanshan was mostly a lobbyist for Li Heng.
Cui Yuanshan nodded and said, "I heard that Li Xian's nephew is deeply loved by the loveliness of the top Huangfu Yun of Zimo Pavilion. Not only did she decide to give her a promise, she also gave you a treasure. Nicholas, I don't know what to do.
Is there such a thing?"
Although he spoke calmly, Li Kuo was still shocked. How did he know that he had obtained the letter from Huangfu Yun? Could it be that the informant who had already appeared in his mansion by Cui Yuanshan?
Li Kuo's mind was running rapidly and replied: "I'm not to hide it from it. But I am friends with Miss Huangfu Yun. As for the gifts, they are just gifts like fragrant tea."
"Cough cough!" Cui Yuanshan coughed a few times, thinking that Li Kuo was cunning, but he didn't think he was annoyed, and slowly tentatively: "I have always heard that the salt transportation of Jianghuai has huge profits, and it has also breeded a lot of greed in the local governments.
I wonder if my nephew is interested in investigating this aspect?”
Li Kuo waved his hand and smiled bitterly: "My uncle is joking. My nephew is just a reckless man and can only play tricks. How can I get involved in those investigations?"
"Oh! What you said is wrong. As the saying goes, both civil and military talents are talents. In my opinion, you are a civil and military talent that is not born in the Tang Dynasty."
Cui Yuanshan threw the praises to Li Kuo without any hesitation, but he did not blush at all. He is now willing to do anything for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
Li Kuo's expression slightly stopped and said, "I wonder if Uncle Gao can give me some advice?"
Seeing that Li Kuo had turned into defense into offense, Cui Yuanshan secretly praised this boy for being a little trick!
"Well, this salt transportation case is simple and simple, and it is complicated. The main reason is that we must grasp the psychology of the salt merchants. If the salt merchants want to obtain a license to sell salt, they must bribe the officials in the yamen to ensure benefits.
Everyone does not tell the truth. They usually prepare a small book to record the officials they have bribed."
After a slight pause, Cui Yuanshan continued: "They will order people to copy this small book into several copies, and several core leaders will hold it. Therefore, as long as we obtain this small book, we can root the entire interest group.
remove."
Cui Yuanshan nodded proudly at Li Kuo and threw the pressure to him again.
Li Kuo was silent for a long time and smiled: "It's just that this book is so important that we will not easily obtain it."
Cui Yuanshan was a little angry when he was still pretending to be crazy and stupid at such a moment, but in order to get Li Kuo's support, he still maintained the attitude of a charity elder and advised: "Nephew, this life is sometimes like climbing a mountain, you are climbing.
When you go up, you will encounter many scenery on both sides of the mountain path. If you are asked to pay attention to the scenery beside you, you will definitely say that there are better scenery on the back road. But the prosperity will lead to decline. If you wait until you walk down the mountain, you will want to see it.
The enviable scenery in the past is not easy.”
Note 1: King Qing Li Cong: In May of the 11th year of Tianbao (752), he died of illness and was posthumously named Prince Jingde by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Li Longji.