Chapter 4720: Surrender
Countless money, gold, and materials poured into the Tang Dynasty from the sea routes, which indeed brought rapid changes to the Tang Dynasty. The changes were so fast and so great that even former imperial rulers like Xiao Yu Sukeya felt overwhelmed and unable to accept.
And those who suffered the greatest impact in the world were the aristocratic families.
The longer the inheritance is and the more traditional the consciousness, the more difficult it is to accept the changes in the general trend of the world, because the foundation of their inheritance has been shattered to pieces under this wave.
The term "farming, reading and inheriting the family" is easy to understand. Many aristocratic families do this. It sounds very noble, pure and simple, but in fact, the true meaning is to annex land by any means and use every means to monopolize education.
By annexing land, one's own land will become more and more, and the land of the poor will become less and less. Naturally, more and more people will depend on one's own family for survival. By monopolizing education, one's own children will become better and better, and their knowledge will become more and more advanced. Those illiterate people will naturally become more and more easily dominated by their own family.
As for when there is no land left to hold, public dissatisfaction boils over and changes the land, what's the big deal?
At worst, a new emperor or even a different dynasty would be replaced, and land and education would be redistributed in name, but in reality they would be the ones who control the most resources.
This is the inheritance of aristocratic families, soaked in suffering and flesh and blood every year and every day.
But now, those things that were passed down from family to family are suddenly of no use...
The output of the land is far behind the speed of imported wealth from overseas. The means of annexing land, gathering wealth, and controlling resources no longer work. The poor will no longer work hard and depend on the land. More factories and workshops will be provided to them. Three meals a day or even more wages, and an extra way to survive, means that the family members can no longer exploit and squeeze as they have in the past thousands of years.
Zhenguan Academy compared the so-called "natural sciences" with the classics and history. More and more practical talents flooded into the officialdom. The old bureaucrats holding "The Analects of Confucius" simply could not understand the ideas and practices of young people. "Professional matters let "Professionals will do it" has become a slogan for young officials, gradually eroding the status and power of those older bureaucrats.
Even family heads like Xiao Yu use the same old methods to educate their children, which often results in the children holding their necks and shouting, "Sir, times have changed!"
……
He took a boat up the river and returned to Jinling. He wrote a memorial overnight and asked his servants to send it to Chang'an. Naturally, your Majesty would not refuse him to return to Chang'an to teach. His Majesty will definitely be very happy when he receives this memorial. Lanling Xiao, a leader of the Jiangnan gentry, expressed his loyalty to His Majesty and followed the central government's decrees, which would be a huge breakthrough for Jiangnan to be completely integrated into the central government's jurisdiction.
Then Xiao Yu packed his bags, without notifying any of the other Jiangnan nobles, and took a boat to Chang'an after dawn...
As the leader of the Jiangnan gentry, Xiao Yu's every move naturally attracted much attention. When the other Jiangnan gentry learned that he quietly took a boat north to Guanzhong, there was an uproar.
Everyone recommended Xiao Yu to test Fang Xuanling but there was no response yet. As a result, the "leader" left without saying goodbye. Could it be that something unknown happened?
Could it be that after His Majesty measured the acres of land and introduced paper money, he implemented any measures against the Jiangnan gentry?
For a time, the whole Jiangnan people were panicked. Many people could not sit still and tried to go to Huating Town to see Fang Xuanling to see if they could find out what happened. Unexpectedly, after arriving in Huating Town, Fang Xuanling studied behind closed doors and did not see outsiders. .
Faintly aware of the danger, many Jiangnan nobles had to curb their newly expanded ambitions, and quickly took back some of the measures they had planned in advance to avoid unnecessary complications...
*****
If God can give Zhang Liang a chance to come back, he will definitely not take the initiative to seek refuge with Liu Jie to seek the position of General Youjin Wuwei.
Now, although he gave up his last bit of love to get Li Ji's support and finally took office smoothly, he was still struggling in Youjinwu Guard and his life was like a year.
In the past, I had read the word "puppet" in books and heard others say it, but I never thought that one day it would appear in my body...
Youjinwu Guard is a very strict and huge organization, with more than 30,000 regular soldiers, plus various auxiliary troops, heavy baggage troops, gang leader soldiers, etc., a total of 40,000 people, as well as more than 10,000 mules and horses, chariots and so on. There are more than 5,000 racks.
Different from the previous soldiers who brought their own armor, ordnance and even war horses and food, all the Jinwu Guards on the left and right are recruited soldiers. Recruitment is paid, plus the mules and horses that eat forage, and the frames for daily maintenance. Maintenance and training The daily cost of damaged ordnance is an extremely huge number.
The combat power of the left and right Jinwu Guards, which is superior to the rest of the Sixteen Guards Army, is supported by huge amounts of money and silk.
As a general and top leader, you must be in control of personnel and financial power, otherwise how can you have prestige? How to impose prohibitions?
However, the reality is that these two items are all in the hands of the Ministry of War. The power of promotion, appointment and dismissal of officials of the seventh rank and above in the entire army, whether civil or military, lies with the Ministry of War. The allocation of money, wages, food, and supplies also In the Ministry of War.
But the Ministry of War belongs to Fang Jun. Although Fang Jun has long since resigned as Minister of War, all the top and bottom members of the Ministry of War are his old ministers. They stick to their word and follow the law. Who cares about Zhang Liang?
Not only were the people above being "stuck" in various ways, but the generals and captains below also didn't stop.
Sun Renshi, who was originally chosen by Fang Jun to serve as the general of Youjinwu Guard, was Zhang Liang's biggest opponent, but this old man kept a low profile and took twenty days off a month for various reasons, such as a concubine giving birth, his mother passing her birthday, and training injuries. , sows giving birth... But although Sun Renshi is low-key, Wang Xuance is very capable.
Either he is chasing for pay, or there is insufficient food in the army, or the cost of ordnance maintenance is unsustainable, or various official transfer documents of generals and school officials are waiting for approval... Zhang Liang is very anxious, and he is always vigilant, fearing that he will be These subordinates planned to fall into a big pit and be unable to extricate themselves.
"Commander, the Sima who joined the army in recording affairs and the army has repeatedly asked Helan Chushi about the punishment results. He needs to report it to Weiwei Temple and Shangshu Province. I don't know how to respond to this humble position?"
As long as Zhang Liang is in the military camp, Wang Xuance will definitely come to see him early and perform the ceremony with such courtesy that it is impossible to fault him. Then Zhang Liang is tired of dealing with all kinds of trivial matters.
Regarding the Helan Chushi incident, it is now considered a relatively famous incident in Youjinwu Guard. Wang Xuance repeatedly asked for a ruling as soon as possible, but Zhang Liang remained unmoved.
"This matter is rather complicated and complicated. It is far from being as simple as it seems on the surface. I also asked Helan Chushi twice. He refused to plead guilty to his corruption and dereliction of duty. So I can only carefully screen and patiently examine. After all, everything is It's a comrade from Paoze. You can't use torture to extract a confession, right? In short, it's just corruption and dereliction of duty, not murder and arson. It won't be too late for me to figure out the context and find out the truth."
Zhang Liang is not stupid. Since it is inappropriate to deal with Helan Chushi no matter what, then just don't deal with it at all. You can delay it until I take office, but can't I keep delaying it?
Wang Xuance looked hesitant, slightly hesitant.
Zhang Liang asked curiously: "If you have anything to say, why not speak up?"
Wang Xuance then whispered: "It is true that there have been some rumors circulating privately in the army recently. I don't know if I should let the commander know about it."
Zhang Liang felt something bad: "But what about me?"
Wang Xuance nodded.
"It's just rumors, why should you care? But I've just arrived here, and I think some people are not convinced. It's normal to talk nonsense and fabricate rumors. I have no other abilities, but I am proud of my broad mind... Let me tell you."< br>
Wang Xuance said: "There are many rumors that the reason why the commander-in-chief is reluctant to deal with Helan Chushi is because you deliberately arranged for Helan Chushi to enter the front station of Youjinwu Guard, and his corruption and dereliction of duty is precisely because you are behind him. This is the reason why you ignore the military law and refuse to punish Helan Chushi even though you know that he has committed many crimes and the evidence is solid.”
Zhang Liang was shocked: "As far as I know, the reason why Helan Chushi was able to enter Youjinwu Guard was because he had access to Fang Jun's family. How did he become my person?"
Wang Xuance shook his head, with an innocent look on his face: "Now Helan Chushi's case has a great impact and has been targeted by Weiwei Temple. Once His Majesty learns of the case and orders the 'Baiqisi' to intervene in the interrogation, once Helan Chushi talks nonsense, The commander is in trouble.”
Zhang Liang had a splitting headache.
He and Helan Chushi were just acquaintances. Whether he joined the Youjinwu Guard or was corrupt and derelict in his duties, he had nothing to do with him. But would Helan Chushi confess him under torture?
He felt that as long as Fang Jun secretly reminded Helan Chushi, this situation would very likely happen.
So what Zhang Liang now wants to avoid is that Helan Chushi is convicted, because no matter which yamen interrogates the case, Helan Chushi may talk nonsense and bite at will. As long as Zhang Liang is dragged into the water, he will not be able to explain why.
But directly pardoning Helan Chushi is not an option. The evidence is conclusive for this man's corruption and dereliction of duty. Once he pardons him, someone will accuse him of being ignorant, shielding and conniving, and even confirming the rumors currently circulating in the military...
A dilemma, a dilemma.
Zhang Liang pondered for a long time, and finally let out a long breath and said dejectedly: "Now that the matter has come to this, Chang Shi might as well speak frankly about what he wants to do? Don't talk about those scenes. I am also from the military and act straightforwardly. If you have anything to say, just say it Right." From the moment he entered Youjin Wuwei, he fell into a big net. It was not that he was incompetent, but that there were enemies in front and behind him. It was like being pricked by thorns in a thorn forest and bleeding. What can I do?
You have to be cowardly, and you can do whatever you want, otherwise there will be no good end if you persist. You are the meat on the chopping board now. Don't wait until it is chopped into pieces before you want to give in. It will be meaningless.