Chapter 4 Chapter 17 An Han once touched the dragon

Banzhong, Houyuan, Yaojinchi. In the back garden of the imperial palace in the Song Dynasty, due to the injection of water from the Jinshui River, there were many ponds, and these ponds were also connected to each other to form a large lake, which occupied a considerable area of ​​the back garden, and you could even go on a dragon boat in it.Among them, Yaojin Pond was dug by Song Yongchen during the Xining period, and lotus flowers were planted all over the water. It was the favorite place of Daxing Emperor Zhao Xu during his lifetime. At this time, both Zhao Xu and Song Yongchen are no longer alive, and the lotus leaves in Yaojinchi still look dilapidated and withered in this season.Standing by the Yaojin Pool, whether it is the Empress Dowager Xiang, Concubine Zhu, or Concubine Wang Xian, it is inevitable to add sadness.Standing beside Empress Dowager Gao, the three of them couldn't help weeping softly as they watched Qinghe and Roujia release the red carp into the Yaojin Pond.Even Empress Dowager Gao, although she looked calm, her eyes were red.She has been holding back her grief, and now, she is the master of this palace.Those who hold the supreme power not only have to make the people below respect and love you, but also make people fear you, especially in this palace. If the Empress Dowager Gao can't make the harem fear, nothing else, just ask for it People who say it will be endless.The harem, clan, and relatives are the ones who are most able to make progress.

Especially at this special time. Empress Dowager Gao is not the kind of woman who doesn't study. She has received strict court education since she was a child, and she also knows a little about the history of various dynasties.As far as governing the country is concerned, Empress Dowager Gao believed that the rule of Wenjing in the early Han Dynasty was the most ideal era since the Qin and Han Dynasties.She also knew that after Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty made great achievements in military affairs, the reason for Zhaoxuan Zhongxing was all due to recuperation. Therefore, Empress Dowager Gao's idea is clear. From the perspective of maintaining power, she needs a period of stability to slowly establish Or to consolidate her own prestige; from the perspective of governing the country, she believes that what the Song Dynasty needs today is the recuperation under the rule of inaction.

This is also her expectation for Sima Guang and Shi Yue.Unlike her son Zhao Xu, Empress Dowager Gao is on Sima Guang's side from the bottom of her heart.Regarding Shi Yue, Empress Dowager Gao had much more complicated ideas.During the Xining period, the Song Dynasty did not take the wrong path of Wang Anshi. From the perspective of Empress Dowager Gao, it was indeed Shi Yue's credit; and for all the achievements during the Xining period, Empress Dowager Gao also admitted that she had a great relationship with Shi Yue.It can be said that before the curtain was drawn, she had a good impression of Shi Yue.However, since the curtain was drawn down, Empress Dowager Gao has always had a grudge against Shi Yue.She herself didn't realize this clearly. Deep in her heart, she always regarded Shi Yue as a threat to her to save Zhao Hao's life.She hopes to keep Zhongming safe, but even if Shi Yue does nothing, she can't help thinking that Shi Yue will destroy everything in her subconscious mind. In fact, it's not that Shi Yue has never done anything!

Besides, she didn't rely so much on Shi Yue's ability from the bottom of her heart.She did recognize Shi Yue's ability, but from the heart of Empress Dowager Gao, she didn't think she needed Shi Yue's ability much.She firmly believes in doing nothing to rule and recuperate, and it seems that she doesn't need a capable minister like Shi Yue.However, the situation in front of her is far more complicated than that in the later period of Han Wupan. The ministers in the court, even Sima Guang, rely heavily on Shi Yue, and Shi Yue's power has gradually grown. As for Shi Yue's countermeasures to deal with various current crises, as long as the two governments do not object, she has to obey.

However, Shi Yue is indeed a troublemaker. Now that everything is not going well, he instigated his party members to throw out some feudal South China Sea proposals, which disturbed the palace and the court, and there was no peace for a day. She originally wanted to press both ends, suppressing the clan at the same time and dismissing Wu Conglong from his official position at the same time, so as to calm things down for the time being, and then make a long-term plan in the future.However, although this idea was superficially supported by Sima Guang and Shi Yue, it actually had no effect. First, Wu Conglong's dismissal from office encountered huge resistance from the ruling and opposition parties.A man named Wu Li believed that Wu Conglong was not at fault, so he not only rejected the imperial edict, but also refuted it three times and handed it over to the court.Empress Dowager Gao checked the experience of this Wu Li. This gentleman is only in his twenties and has a real name. He was promoted from the position of county magistrate by Daxing Emperor Yuexu himself. Other thoughts, in short, his fierce attitude, has caused the incident to escalate rapidly.Before his refutation was handed over to the court, the controversy over Chao Zhongliang's matter had intensified. Not only did the number of officials participating in the debate gradually increase, but also the complaints came and went, and the mutual attacks between words became more and more undisguised. The tranquility of the Song Dynasty seemed so fragile. The grievances between officials of different factions and between public and private had long been deeply rooted. As long as there was an opportunity, the tit-for-tat confrontation in several memorials could spark sparks flying everywhere.

The pressure on Empress Dowager Gao and the two governments is also increasing. Officials involved in the dispute gradually point their fingers at the decision makers, asking them to clearly express their attitude or support themselves. The pressure doesn't just come from the DPRK and China. Scholars in the opposition did not know when they joined the debate. Unlike the current debate between the DPRK and China, which is fairly evenly matched, as Sang Chongguo and others expressed their positions one after another, the public opinion was almost overwhelming. The feudalism applauds, and almost all non-governmental newspapers can only see voices praising the feudalism of the South China Sea.

Empress Dowager Gao knew the attitude of Sima Guang and Shi Yue. After Sang Chongguo took the lead in breaking the silence of the opposition Qingyi, she already knew that unless there were Zaizhi who insisted on opposing it in the two governments, the voice of supporting feudalism would become louder and louder.In the end, all the pressure will be concentrated on her.She turned out to be quiet.The idea that one thing more is worse than one thing less, after Wu Li refuted it, has completely come to nothing. Empress Dowager Gao was not sure whether there was someone manipulating the incident, but the clan clearly felt the crisis.There are more and more clans seeking Empress Dowager Gao to lobby, complain, and argue about this matter.Those clans who didn't want to leave Bianjing, and didn't want to give up the worry-free life in front of them, knew in their hearts that the Empress Dowager was their only hope.They hope to impress the Empress Dowager with their family affection and protect their lives with the righteousness of ethics.

Moreover, there is still no clan that agrees with feudalism.Under such circumstances, if the imperial court wants to enforce feudalism, both the Empress Dowager Gao and the two governments will inevitably have to bear tremendous pressure.Even Empress Dowager Gao, it is impossible to implement feudalism in such a situation. If the clan is unanimously opposed, Empress Dowager Gao must avoid it, otherwise she will inevitably be regarded as Empress Lu and Empress Wu. What's more, the Empress Dowager Gao, who is regarded as superior in the eyes of outsiders, is actually still just a woman and a mother.She will calculate feudalism and founding a country for her two sons. There are indeed many benefits. There is no need for those ministers to repeatedly emphasize that she also hopes that the descendants of each of her sons can control a country. She is not even unable to see this. .She did not want her son to leave her side, but this was not insurmountable.However, Empress Dowager Gao also conducted a secret investigation, and regardless of the dangers of sea navigation, the miasma in the South China Sea islands is indeed not for fun, especially for northerners living there, dying of illness and dying of illness are commonplace.If the price of feuding the state and establishing the country is the life of the son, the Empress Dowager Gao will never agree to such a thing!

Therefore, when Empress Dowager Gao was at the very center of such a vortex, she knew she had no choice.If she still wants to be able to grasp this matter, she must let people know that they are afraid of her, that she is not so easily moved, not so easily influenced by others.Ultimately, she holds the final decision-making power.If people know that she is strong enough, then they will be the first to compromise. Now that she is the master of the world, her weak side should never be exposed again. Can the little empress pray to the emperor after releasing these carp?The voice of Wen Guo, who was standing next to the Queen Mother and Wang Xianfei, made people feel a kind of anger in this sad and depressing atmosphere.Empress Dowager Gao also liked the eldest princess more and more. She felt that Wen Guo, the granddaughter, was most like herself among all the princesses.Empress Dowager Gao knew that Wen Guo was asking Concubine Wang Xian, and Wen Guo liked to call Concubine Zhu the Big Mistress and the Wang Concubine the Little Mistress.

Seeing Concubine Wang Xian wipe away her tears, she replied softly: Yes.The Buddhists say that among all virtuous practices, the merit of releasing lives comes first. Then I also want to put a few tails Wen Guo said in his mouth, but it was Empress Dowager Gao who was looking at him. Empress Dowager Gao felt sour in her heart and nodded involuntarily. The concubine also made a vow and watched Wen Guo walk towards the pond. Concubine Wang Xian also walked up to Empress Dowager Gao, knelt down and said in a low voice: Concubine wants to use her monthly salary to release a thousand golden-tailed carps for Emperor Daxing. Also begging the Empress Dowager

Empress Dowager Gao nodded slightly, this is your wish, you ask the servant to buy it and then release him However, the concubine hoped to release the carp to the Yellow River. Although Concubine Wangxian was a little hesitant, she still mustered up her courage and said. Yellow River?Empress Dowager Gao couldn't help being a little surprised, where is it not to release life?Why go to the Yellow River on purpose? Concubine Zhu sensed the displeasure in Empress Dowager Gao's tone, and quickly smoothed things over: Yes, sister, if you release life, it would be better to stay in the back garden.At least no one fishes here, if released in the Yellow River, it may not be But they are carps!Concubine Wang Xian stubbornly interrupted Concubine Zhu, saying that they should be released in the Yellow River. Even Empress Dowager Gao didn't understand the meaning of Concubine Wang Xian's words. If the carp is in the Yaojin Pond, it is true that they can be leisurely and carefree, without worrying about being caught by others and becoming food for the population, but they can only be carp for a lifetime.Concubine Wang Xian raised her head and looked into Empress Dowager Gao's eyes without any intention of retreating.Only when they are in the Yellow River, can they become dragons one day!Even if it might become a delicious meal on the plate, even if they have to compete with other fish for food and go up the dragon gate, they will have to suffer a lot of hardships, but if not, they will not be able to become dragons.Emperor Daxing is the incarnation of a real dragon, and now the dragon controls Bintian, as the emperor of Daxing, even if he releases a thousand carp, how can he release a real dragon? Your kindness is commendable.Empress Dowager Gao responded lightly.She glanced at the concubines next to her. These women were either whispering or clasping their hands together to worship Amitabha. They didn't know whether they were laughing at Wang's ridiculousness in their hearts, or they were pretending to praise her ambition. Maybe some people were secretly jealous of her. please yourself.None of these stupid women can understand what Wang is talking about The Empress Dowager is gracious You yourself are not allowed to leave the palace casually, so you can ask Lord Cheng'an County to help you realize your wish. Thank you Empress Dowager for your grace. Wang kowtowed to thank her, but Empress Dowager Gao had no interest in paying attention to her anymore.She cast her eyes on the Yaojin Pond, and the carp king's analogy is quite appropriate. Aren't the descendants of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong just like the carp in this Yaojin Pond?Even if you have the blood of a dragon, you can turn into a dragon one day, but in this Yaojin pond, you can enjoy wealth and wealth, no matter how fat you grow, you have to be a carp for a lifetime! However, apart from these principles, Empress Dowager Gao clearly felt that this feudal vortex was getting bigger and bigger.Wang's admonishment to herself so bluntly, of course, also has her own calculations to get rid of King Yong, Wang gave her two grandsons.Although due to age reasons, in the leaked Zhazi of Wu Conglong, there is no feudal state of the sons of Emperor Daxing, but as long as the feudal policy is determined, although it may not be feudal from generation to generation, at least the feudal state of the Zhaohous, But it's only a matter of time.If Mrs. Wang stays in Bianjing's palace all the time, she will be nothing more than a dowager concubine in the future, living a life of a widow with no desires, and dying for the rest of her life.But if her two sons can establish a state and establish a country, then she is the queen dowager of two vassal states that are more dear than Koryo! Empress Dowager Gao couldn't help worrying. With a well-informed Wang family, sooner or later the concubines who gave birth to a son for Emperor Daxing would realize this.At that time, she will have to face challenges and resentment from the entire harem. Shi Yue has been listening carefully to Cai Jing's suggestion. It's already February, and the service of the Outer Court is about to be removed, and then everything will gradually return to normal: the postponed provincial examination will start to be locked after the service is removed; in addition, after the team uniform, the plan to issue salt bonds will also To be officially promulgated!Shi Yue was still a little uneasy. This plan was only passed secretly in the Zhengshitang, and it was neither handed over to the court, nor even fully consulted with the two governments and the Academy of Sciences. Reaction In addition, the threat of the Liao Kingdom has not been lifted. During this month, the envoys from both sides can be said to be endless.The Song court sent Fan Xiang and Zhang Dun envoys to Liao successively, one to mourn and the other to inform the new emperor to succeed to the throne.According to reports from Zhifangguan and Xiongzhou, Lord Yelujun of the Liao Dynasty had received Fan Xiang in Xijin Mansion in Nanjing, and ordered Zhao Xu to stop court for three days, and the soldiers and civilians should wear plain clothes to express their condolences.Su Shi and Pu Yancheng also set up a mourning hall in Xijin Mansion, and the Liao Lord led hundreds of officials to pay homage in person.The memorial and condolence envoys sent by the Liao Kingdom to the Song Dynasty had already arrived in Bianjing. Judging from these actions alone, the close relationship between the two countries can be called a country of brothers as stated in the covenant. But on the other hand, it is a completely different scene.Both Zhifangguan and Xiongzhou reported that the number of Khitan troops and tribal troops gathered in Xijing and Nanjing of the Liao Kingdom was increasing.The memorial and consolation envoys of the Liao Kingdom all pretended to be deaf and dumb when it came to matters other than their mission, and talked about it in vain.And the latest explanation from Han Tuo Gulie is that this is because the queen of Yelujun wanted to see her Nanjing Xijin Mansion, and this was just an ordinary hunting in the south. Therefore, as long as Yelujun and his wife's hunting in the south is not over for a day, Guo Kui's exercise in Hebei cannot be over for a day. The assembly and training of the imperial army in Hebei consumes a lot of national money every day, and continues to waste the poor treasury of this country. The privy envoy Han Wei has already proposed the idea of ​​salt debt more than once. He constantly lobbied Sima Guang and Shi Yue, trying to persuade The two mobilized more and better imperial troops to Hebei and Hedong Apparently, many officials in the Privy Council have been brooding over the embarrassing withdrawal of the Imperial Army from Yizhou.After the reform of the military system in Xiningjian, the personnel structure of the Privy Council has undergone great changes. In the past, there were more and more civil servants, and the situation of gaining more and more power was restrained to a certain extent. Although Wen Yanbo also valued civil servants more, he After all, he was the one who presided over the military administration. In order to meet the needs of the whole army, he focused on promoting some military officers who had military exploits and could read and write from the army to enter the Secret Academy and entrust them with important tasks.In addition, more and more military officers entered the secret academy through martial arts examinations and lectures on martial arts.Today's Secret Academy is controlled by these two types of people plus some young and strong civil servants.Most of the military officers among them were from the Western Army, and had experienced victories in the war against Xia. These people had no fear of Khitan, and the failure of Yizhou made them even more eager to save face. Maybe it was influenced by these people, maybe Han Wei also wanted to do something in the Privy Council, but at some point, Han Wei has become a complete foreign hardliner. Shi Yue didn't notice Han Wei's selfish intentions. Although he was also an auxiliary minister, considering the current situation, it was almost a foregone conclusion that the Political Affairs Hall would completely overwhelm the Privy Council; It may surpass Sima Guang and Shi Yue.Although Han Wei has a very good personal relationship with Shi Yue, he is neither Shi Yue's subordinate, nor Shi Yue's echo.Han Wei also hopes to have his own influence on the government and the direction of the military and state affairs. But if Sima Guang's strategic contraction strategy is followed, the Secret Academy will only be weakened more and more, and he, Han Wei, will only become more and more powerful. dispensable.At this time, Han Wei's tougher attitude will not only win him the support of the Privy Council and the hardliners in the court and stabilize his prestige, but also give him a bargaining chip with Sima Guang and Shi Yue. But apart from these selfish intentions, Han Wei also has his public intentions.Chao Gei, who was once the Minister of the Taifu Temple, of course knew that it was impossible for Shi Yue to use the salt debt for other purposes before it was issued; Han Wei, who had nothing to do with the military and politics most of the time, was not a belligerent person at all.However, Han Wei, who is almost seventy years old, can be regarded as an old traitor. At this time, he dressed himself as a hardliner, and he also intentionally played with Sima Guang and Shi Yue.Sun Gu, Minister of the Ministry of War, was a stubborn old Confucian. He supported Sima Guang's proposition in his heart, so he would not say anything against his will. However, Han Wei believed that a tough attitude was also a kind of morale. Emperor Daxing spent more than ten years It took a lot of time to cultivate this kind of mentality that is not afraid of Khitan, and it can't be suppressed all the time.As a privy envoy, he stands on their side with a clear banner, which is not only a kind of support for this morale, but also easy to control Han Wei's behavior almost fooled everyone. The Khitan gathered troops in a large scale, but did not send envoys to threaten the Song Dynasty to seek benefits. Instead, Han Tuogulie continued to comfort the Song Dynasty. This kind of behavior is completely inconsistent with the behavior of the Khitan people in the past 100 years. The situation in the north is reassuring.If the Khitan people mobilize their troops like this, if they don't take advantage of the fire to gain benefits by looting, and don't take it seriously as a crime, it can be called an act of harming others and themselves, which is completely unreasonable.Therefore, Shi Yue had to suspect that Khitan might be serious this time.And Han Wei's request to increase troops to Hebei cannot be said to be completely unreasonable. However, Shi Yue was unwilling to be led by the nose by Yelu Jun. Insist on not increasing troops to Hebei, in case something happens, Shi Yue will have to bear the political consequences; but if it does increase troops, the Song Dynasty will bear the economic consequences.Although the Khitan gathered troops, if the imperial court showed peace, even if there were concerns in the country, it would not panic. Some of the people in this regard would trust the official government.However, if the Song court also sent a large-scale army to respond, it would be of no avail even if the court issued a 10,000-way safety notice. This is a consequence that Shi Yue cannot bear. He can only gamble.While appeasing Han Wei and the secret academy, he hoped that Fan Xiang and Zhang Dun would bring back good news.Although Shi Yue believed that Fan Xiang and Zhang Dun had brought enough bargaining chips and concessions, when he woke up every morning, Shi Yue still secretly prayed that Hebei and Hedong would not come back with bad news. There are so many important things hanging in his heart, at this moment, Shi Yueyi really thought about delaying the feudalism for a while.This is a millennium plan, no matter how enthusiastic he is in his heart, he knows that there is no need to rush to implement it within a few months.For the past ten days, Shi Yue just watched the feudal dispute between the government and the opposition with a cold eye. He didn't care about Wu Conglong's official career.A little-known refutation brought Wu Conglong and feudalism to the center of the vortex again.However, at this moment, Shi Yue was watching all this like an outsider. The pressure on the two governments is not worth mentioning.The real pressure is all on Empress Dowager Gao.Shi Yue didn't really understand why Empress Dowager Gao held a hesitant attitude towards feudalism. He always believed that it was impossible for Empress Dowager Gao not to understand the benefits of feudalism.But since he didn't understand the reason for Empress Dowager Gao's hesitation, he was even less anxious.Regardless of whether the feudal proposal was temporarily suppressed by Empress Dowager Gao, or whether Empress Dowager Gao could not bear the pressure and was forced to accept it, Shi Yue could accept it. But Cai Jing's suggestion at this time reminded Shi Yue of his original intention. Even if nothing else is mentioned, only for the smooth issuance of salt bonds, Xianggong should make good use of the feudal proposal. Cai Jing tried his best to lobby Shi Yue, for the way of politics, some people like to be quiet, while others like to cause trouble.Cai Jing is the latter.In Cai Jing's heart, opportunities come from making troubles.He had already figured out the intentions of Shi Yue and Sima Guang, and he had even guessed that Wang, Ma, Shi, and others had reached a consensus on feudal matters.That's why he is so keen to intervene in this matter. If this matter can be facilitated, he can not only score points in front of Sima Guang and Shi Yue, but also win the favor and trust of the people around the little emperor. Cai Jing is absolutely unwilling to give up halfway. of.What's more, he has now disguised himself as one of the advocates of restoring the feudal system.If this matter is suppressed like this, it will be a big setback for his official career.This is something that Cai Jing absolutely cannot allow. Cai Jing knew what Shi Yue was nervous about. In addition to abolishing banknotes or issuing new banknotes, the more positive way to solve the banknote crisis is the Shu currency that has been decided to be implemented on Yizhou Road. This is to transform national banknotes into regional ones. sex banknotes.This policy is, in essence, the policy of the old party.Another policy, proposed by Shi Yue, is to borrow money in the form of salt bonds to resist the crisis of banknote delivery. All officials in the Song Dynasty who were good at financial management recognized that these two policies were feasible on paper.But relatively speaking, everyone knows that the old party's Shu currency policy has less risk and is more likely to succeed, and even if it fails, the scope of influence is limited.On the contrary, although Shi Yue's salt debt plan is ambitious, it is full of unknowns.Not only will it face strong moral pressure in the court, but in actual operation, it is also difficult to know whether it will be issued smoothly, and it is even more difficult to know what kind of troubles it will face during the issuance process. If it works, all is well.But in case of failure, not only will the currency and finance of the Song Dynasty face collapse, but it will also deal a heavy blow to Shi Yue's political reputation!Especially when the Shu currency policy appears to be extremely successful, the failure will be even more glaring in comparison. In today's imperial court, the old party is the most powerful, and the old party's tolerance and respect for Shi Yue is largely due to Shi Yue's ability to solve problems that they do not have.From Sima Guang down, the ministers of the DPRK and China are more or less superstitious about Shi Yue's ability.But if Shi Yue fails this time, he will be the culprit, and the old party's dissatisfaction with Shi Yue in the past is likely to erupt all at once.At that time, the only one who can save Shi Yue is the Khitan!Maybe the old party will simply drive Shi Yue to Hebei or Hedong Road to serve as a minister, in order to make the best use of everything. Cai Jing didn't know that Wang Anshi would preside over the overall situation in Hangzhou.But he knew that Shi Yue would attach great importance to the plan to issue salt bonds. This is exactly what Cai Jing can take advantage of. When issuing salt bonds, if it can arouse the feudal disputes between the government and the public, it can play a role in diverting attention no matter what.Compared with the once-in-a-millennium event of restoring the feudal system of the Western Zhou Dynasty, what is the issue of salt bonds and the sale of a few nominal titles?Although it was opposed every time, it was not that the Great Song Dynasty never sold officials! Cai Jing didn't know that Shi Yue had this plan at the beginning, but he knew that Shi Yue would definitely understand the benefits. For Cai Jing, as long as there are still quarrels about the restoration of feudalism, he can find opportunities.Moreover, quarreling is sometimes beneficial. People with the same views will gather together because they have common opponents, forming a kind of power unconsciously.The quarrel also shows an attitude, which can let the little emperor and the people around him know who is the real loyal minister Baishuitan Debate Hall. Therefore, Liu Zhi's "Zheng Dian" says: Since the Han Dynasty, although feudalism lost its way, all the princes still belonged to the country. Today, the feudal children have their names but no country. Clothes tax is insufficient for national use. Although Liu Zhi was a Tang man, what he said is actually the same as today! On that day, Emperor Taizong of Tang tried to read "Zhou Guan", and sighed with emotion: "Without well fields, without feudalism, it is not enough to rule the three generations!"It's a pity that the officials at that time could not follow the good will of the British Lord, so that the living people could not see the rule of the three generations again. After a hundred years, there will be chaos in Anshi. Isn't this the will of God?Fifteen years after Mr. Shi wrote "The Rule of the Three Dynasties", there are ministers in the imperial court who propose feudal monarchs, gentlemen!Isn't this God's will? Sang Chongguo stood quietly at the back of the debate hall, looking at the students who were frothing and impassioned on the stage, he had mixed feelings in his heart. Ever since it was reported that Wu Conglong, Cai Jing and others advocated the restoration of the feudal system, Baishuitan and Taixue have long since exploded, and everyone is debating whether the feudal system should be restored.Even Gongsheng students who are going to take the provincial examination cannot help but wonder whether feudal affairs will become the topic of policy discussion?But then came the news of Wu Conglong's resignation from office, which indeed poured cold water on the heads of those passionate students. Sang Chongguo thought that these feudal disputes would gradually subside, but he never thought that a person who was too close to Baishuitan Closely refuting the matter in the matter is like throwing another handful of dry wood into the stove that is about to be extinguished.Sang Chongguo found that students who openly supported feudalism not only became louder and louder, but also increased in number! Sang Chongguo supported the restoration of the feudal system in his heart. In any case, Sang Chongguo was also a Confucian scholar. It is impossible for a Confucian scholar in this era not to be excited about well fields and feudalism.And even Sang Chongguo also understands that the feudalization of the South China Sea is conducive to stabilizing the throne of the little emperor! However, although he is no longer the head of Baishuitan, no one knows these students in Baitan better than Sang Chongguo.Sang Chongguo faintly felt that there seemed to be some forces behind his back encouraging the students to support feudalism, which made him very disturbed. Sang Chongguo couldn't help but think of what He Zhu said to him yesterday. He Zhu just wrote a well-known "Fu on Feudalism", praising the feudal righteousness of Zhou officials.However, Sang Chongguo inadvertently discovered that he, a proud student, invited a few classmates to build an expensive courtyard in Hejialou, where he ate happily.Sang Chongguo had known for a long time that this Guitou He was a person who couldn't keep money in his hands. Sang Chongguo had already ordered the accountant to give him his salary and brush in "Bianjing News" once every five days, lest he would spend it all when he got it. Suddenly being so rich, there must be something special in it. Sure enough, under his questioning, He Zhu readily admitted that his "Fu of the Feudal Times" was commissioned by others.He Zhu received two hundred coins from others, without even asking about the origin, and wrote the colorful "Fu on the Feudal". Sang Chongguo couldn't help feeling worried. But he is also extremely contradictory in his heart. He supports feudalism and hopes to help the little emperor, but he also does not want Baishuitan to get into trouble again, and he does not want Baishuitan to be used by anyone.However, this is by no means an easy task. Xining eighteen years, February 7th. In the morning, in the sky of Bianjing, the edges of those thick clouds, which are as thin as light silk, are reflected with light clouds.Cao Youwen rode to Jieshen Lane early in the morning.This day is the opening day of the first day of the new year for the exchanges in Jieshen Lane. Yesterday, that is, February 6th, the outer court has already removed the obedience. In other words, the imperial court has basically ended the national mourning.Not only will the monastery supervisors of the two prefectures and six ministries resume normal work from today, but many merchants also choose to reopen on this day. When Cao Youwen came to the gate of the Gold and Silver Exchange, Ru Xiaobiao, the dental man he hired, had already come out with a few servants to welcome him. When he saw Cao Youwen, he hurriedly made a bow and said with a smile: "The official came very early." Lao Ru, it's been a long time.Cao Youwen dismounted from his horse, clasped his fists together with a smile, and said: "Mr. Li, have they arrived yet?" Not yet.Ru Xiaobiao answered with a bow, leaned closer to Cao Youwen, and laughed in a low voice: Since the day before yesterday, there have been messages flying all over the sky, and I think the officials have heard some of them. oh?What are the rumors?Cao Youwen pretended to be stupid, but he didn't stop walking. He just walked towards the gold and silver exchange. Ru Xiaobiao hurriedly followed behind him, and said with a smile: The officials are here to play tricks on the young one.It is widely rumored that the Zhengshitang has an important edict announced today, and who doesn't know that the official is Shi Xianggong's favorite student? Among these pervasive and extremely shrewd toothmen, there really are no secrets.In just a few short months, Cao Youwen in Jieshen Lane was no longer the fledgling Cao family member, but a Cao family official with all-hands-on-the-eyes. Lao Ru wants to talk nonsense about the proud student.Cao Youwen smiled and shook his head, someone had led him into a big room earlier, Ru Xiaobiao hurriedly took a step forward, helped Cao Youwen remove the dust that did not exist on the spotless white fox fur, smiled and invited Cao Youwen After sitting down, he took a step back and stood with his arms crossed. He smiled again: All the family members and officials are waiting for the edict from the Eastern Mansion. Payment will definitely go up.This, I dare to reassure officials. Cao Youwen smiled, picked up the milk presented by the maidservant, took a sip, but didn't speak.No one in Jieshen Alley knows this better than Cao Youwen.But even Cao Youwen is not sure what kind of magic weapon Shi Yue will sacrifice?There have been various rumors in the market for a long time, and some people even dug up Shen Kuo’s memorial to the Daxing Emperor many years ago. People suddenly discovered that even before Shi Yue, Shen Kuo had put forward a view similar to the so-called currency multiplier effect; When Shen Kuo discussed monetary policy in his memorial, he certainly did not foresee today's banknote delivery crisis, but to solve the problem of money shortage. However, several methods proposed by Shen Kuo actually included the part of strengthening the credit of banknotes!Of course, people turned out his memorials back then, not to admire Shen Kuo's genius, but to notice another proposition of Shen Kuo. Shen Kuo once suggested to the Emperor Daxing that gold and silver should be regarded as legal tender and the price of gold coins to copper coins should be increased. Compare prices to alleviate the money shortage.Although the situation was quite different at this time, most people believed that the imperial court was very likely to relieve financial pressure by minting gold and silver coins.Others believe that the policy of the Shu coin area may be imitated and implemented throughout the country. In fact, the policy of delineating the Shu coin area has had unexpected effects. People were worried that the imperial court would be forced to abolish it due to financial difficulties. Handing over banknotes or allowing them to depreciate significantly.However, on the same day that the Shu Coin Bureau was established, at least the fear of abolishing the payment of banknotes almost disappeared.Merchants in Bianjing soon realized that the imperial court had a greater chance of turning banknotes into various local currencies.In such a case, handing over money will become less valuable, but at least it will not become waste paper. So, no matter what, what Ru Xiaobiao said is not wrong.Before that, since Guishizi's payment had already risen, today's Jieshen Lane is unlikely to be an exception.However, since there are rumors of minting gold and silver coins at the same time, the price of gold and silver is also worth looking forward to. Cao Youwen spent tens of thousands of dollars that day, and bought so many banknotes in Jieshen Lane. It was originally just a political investment, so he had the right to throw it into the water.But today, Cao Youwen suddenly discovered that his investment that day may bring him rich returns.In addition to the mortgage confiscated to him and the huge debts on the books, the banknotes in his hand are also huge in the millions. If Shi Yue can really save the banknotes, it will undoubtedly be Cao Youwen's life. The most successful business ever. For such a huge sum of money, regardless of the original intention, it is absolutely impossible for Cao Youwen to be indifferent. Although Jieshen Lane was eagerly awaiting the order from the Eastern Mansion, an hour passed in the blink of an eye, and Yaren, who was waiting for news outside the imperial city, still failed to send back the news.However, the previous rumors were unusual. It was said that the source was very reliable, and it was conclusively stated that there would be an important edict to be announced after the deactivation of the server. Therefore, people in Jieshen Alley were still waiting patiently.Cao Youwen kept seeing Ru Xiaobiao beckoning his servants to run in and out, reporting to him the price comparison of handing over banknotes.Everything was as expected, the price of copper coins for banknotes rose modestly little by little, but the price of gold, on the contrary, rose even more. Cao Youwen is still just eating snacks in his spare time, chatting with Ru Xiaobiao at the same time.Seeing that it was time to arrive at Si Shi, Li Tiannan, Li Chengjian, Yang Huai and others came late. These three people had come to Jieshen Alley to see them. The servant beside him handed a small box to Ru Xiaobiao, and said with a smile: "Mr. Ru, please weigh it for me." This is Ru Xiaobiao took the box, he felt his hands sinking, this small box is quite heavy, he hastily placed the box carefully on a table, opened it carefully in front of everyone, Ru Xiaobiao felt a burst of pain The golden light was dazzling, and in the middle of this small box was a box full of golden melon seeds! Although Ru Xiaobiao was taken aback, but he is an old man after all, he quickly spread his hands, and carefully placed the open side of the box facing Li Tiannan, and said with an apologetic smile, please Forgive me, Mr. Li, the rules of this world, yellow and white items, for example, have a special person inspect the goods face to face, please wait for a while, and the small ones will call someone over immediately Your family is well behaved.Li Tiannan smiled and said, you just call someone to check the scale, but I am impatient and can't wait As he was talking, he saw a toothless man trotting all the way, rushed in in a hurry, without even being polite, he panted and said: "Big event, big event, salt debt issue salt debt!" What did you say?Ru Xiaobiao didn't care about Li Tiannan anymore, grabbed the man and asked, what salt debt?Please speak clearly! 那牙人好不容易才喘過氣來，說道︰大事情，一個時辰前，司馬相公與石相公簽發敕令，要以十年的鹽稅做抵押，發行五千萬貫鹽債，贖回交鈔，為錢莊存款提供擔保詳情還不清楚，敕令已送往門下後省書讀，消息是政事堂放出來的！不過，這是今日的《新義報》，剛剛出來，上面有石相公的文章《國家之信用與債務》！ 他一面說著，一面從懷裏掏出一張墨漬未乾的報紙，顫抖著遞到茹孝標面前。果然眾人早已全都站了起來，曹友聞快步上前，一把搶過報紙，果然，《新義報》在最醒目的位置，印著尚書右僕射石的字樣！ 他抬頭望了眾人一眼，捏了捏手中報紙，高聲讀道︰昔日管仲云︰不能調民利者，不可以為大治。輕重之術才讀到一般，早又有一個牙人跑了進來，手舞足蹈地大聲喊道︰大漲！大漲！交鈔大漲！ 門下後省。 都給事中梁燾望著面前的黃紙敕書，神色凝重，他新任都給事中不過幾天的時間。梁燾雖是進士出身，但一生歷宦主要卻在樞府，因為曾經上書反對新法，反對宦官領兵，替被罷官的御史鳴不平等種種事跡，他被視為直臣。司馬光亦因此推薦他繼任門下後省的長官。這是一個既可以碌碌無為，又可以舉足輕重的位置，能擔任給事中這個官職，亦被士大夫們視為一種榮耀。但是，要對得起這種榮耀，卻並非那麼容易的事。 梁燾此時面臨的抉擇，正是大部分的給事中們經常會遇到的事情。 在他面前的這張黃紙上簽押的，有他的薦主司馬光，有聲譽極高的石越，還有好幾位參知政事 按照新官制，只要有給事中在這張黃紙上簽一個讀字，這張黃紙便可以成為正式的敕令，頒佈實行。 但是，戶房給事中沐康明白無誤的拒絕書讀！ 而這一張黃紙，乃是所謂的敕，指的是得到過皇帝的旨意，有宰相、參知政事簽押。新官制規定，這等大敕令，即便給事中不肯書讀，只須有門下後省長官都給事中書讀，亦得以頒佈施行。 梁燾看看這張黃紙，又看看案邊的毛筆，耳旁響著沐康憤怒的聲音︰借債！賣爵！若是那奸相庸臣所為，倒也罷了！國人皆視司馬君實與石子明為賢臣名相，他二人竟冒天下之大不韙，開此惡例！始作俑者，其無後乎？ !始作俑者，其無後乎？ 君且稍安毋躁。梁燾一面安撫著激動的沐康，一面再次審讀著面前的《發行鹽債以贖交鈔敕》。但無論他如何再三細讀，亦改變不了這一現實︰這敕書是國家公開向富民舉債！即使漢武帝、桑弘羊也沒做過這等事！還有公然變相賣爵，這是令所有的正人君子都痛心疾首的惡政，而且，這也是開了先例，大宋朝以前只賣過官，這還是頭一回賣爵！ 只要想想那些商賈，因為花了一點臭錢，便可以堂而皇之地被尊為男爵、子爵，梁燾便不由感到發自內心的噁心。表面上，爵位只是虛名，這比賣官要好些，但是，在感情上，卻更令人受不了。即使只是虛名，但爵位所代表的東西，比官更加尊貴，梁燾實在無法接受它被銅臭玷污。 而且，沐康所說的，亦是他心裏所想的，今日司馬光、石越能通過這種手段借錢斂財來應付交鈔危機，他日就不怕沒人效仿，來斂財借朝廷揮霍！此例一開，只怕從此大宋朝都要債台高築，永遠沒有還得清的那一天！ 他又抬眼看了看沐康。 沐君所言雖然有理，只恐朝廷之議甚堅 so what?沐康厲聲打斷了梁燾，夕郎（注一）乃慎政之官。朝廷置我輩於此，正為今日。 梁燾不置可否，卻忽然問道︰沐君是哪一年的進士？ 沐康不由得一怔，但上官見問，卻不敢無禮，因回道︰下官乃先帝龍飛榜進士。 梁燾忽然笑了笑，道︰那入仕亦有十八年了，十八年還只是七品青瑣，想來是脾氣不太好了。 下官生來便這臭脾氣，倒叫大人見笑了！沐康以為梁燾取笑，愈發憤怒，陰陽怪氣地回敬道。 不料梁燾卻不以為意，笑了笑，跟著說道︰沐君既然不在乎這給事中的俸祿，某也沒甚好在乎的。 （注一）夕郎，後文的青瑣都是給事中的別稱。 門下後省駁回？ 敕令被門下後省駁回！ 界身巷金銀交易所內，突然之間，鴉雀無聲。 那些個蠢貨！ 不知是誰發出第一聲咒罵，但幾乎只是轉瞬間，伴隨著各種口音的詛咒、粗口，原本幾乎是一路暴漲的交鈔，馬上停止了漲勢，開始緩慢下跌。 官人且放心，這鹽債的消息既然放出來了，雖然封駁了，大夥還會看情形的茹孝標強擠著笑容，安慰著曹友聞。從曹友聞的臉色，是看不出什麼的，他膚色本身就是黑紅黑紅的。一個多時辰內，眼見著交鈔一路暴漲，但曹友聞卻始終不為所動，這份從容淡定，已是令茹孝標十分的欽佩。要知道，倘若曹友聞早一點放了手中的交鈔，他至少已經賺了一百萬貫。即使在界身巷，這也不是小數目。 便見曹友聞微微點了點頭，卻並不多話。 倒是黎天南等人正在躊躇不決，這三個海商見著交鈔暴漲，黎天南有備而來自不用說，連李承簡與楊懷亦追著買了不少。便見三人各自想了一會，李承簡與楊懷叫茹孝標過來，賣掉了手裏的交鈔；黎天南卻笑瞇瞇地吩咐他繼續買進。 果然，茹孝標的判斷並沒有錯，這邊吃過午飯，便再次傳來振奮人心的消息石相公異常的強硬，竟然這麼快便再次將敕書發往門下後省！ 交易所內再次沸騰了！ 李承簡與楊懷後悔不迭，黎天南卻得意洋洋，只有曹友聞依然是不動聲色。茹孝標很難想像，他面前的這個曹友聞，竟然就是幾個月前被界身巷傳為笑談的那個人。 茹孝標在界身巷算是見多識廣，但是賺進上百萬貫而面不改色的人，他的確還是頭一次見著。 但這似乎註定將是跌宕起伏的一天。 交易所內的沸騰持續不到半個時辰，便再次傳來了門下後省封駁的消息。 界身巷這次的氣氛，比第一次封駁時更加冰冷。 所有的人都知道這意味著什麼！ 給事中不肯屈服。如此一來，石越若再次要求門下後省審讀，雙方便可能要付出巨大的代價。 今天已不太可能再送過去了。茹孝標坦率地向曹友聞提供自己的判斷，這鹽債或許又要拖上一段日子，大夥都會觀望，因此交鈔價位，也不會跌太多，官人若要穩妥 但曹友聞的目光卻投向了黎天南。 黎兄，你以為如何？ 黎天南笑了笑，端起酒杯來，輕輕抿了一口酒，笑道︰咱們這些海商，要壓注的話，定要壓到石相公身上。我又是番人，那非得押雙份注到石相公身上不可！ 曹友聞一愣，旋即縱聲大笑︰哈哈黎兄說得不錯，說得不錯 此刻，政事堂。 子明政事堂內，所有宰執的目光，都集中到石越身上。司馬光輕輕叫了聲子明。欲待說些什麼，卻望見石越凝重的臉色，又抿住嘴，沒有繼續說下去。 石越沒有看任何人，只是默默地注視著被封駁回來的那份黃紙敕書。那輕輕的一頁黃紙，便平放在他面前的書案上，彷彿有千鈞之重。 此時的石越，並不知道有人要押雙份注到自己身上，他只知道，自己又要面臨一次大麻煩。 他知道，便在當天，熙寧十八年二月七日，按照計劃，王安石已經在杭州開始發行鹽債但王安石奉的是所謂的中旨。不經政事堂宰相畫押，未經門下後省書讀的詔旨，其法律地位是沒那麼穩固的。而且，極有可能受到台諫的指責、彈劾。而若是碰到有強硬的地方官員不肯奉詔，那便會更加橫生事端。 因此，石越急需獲得正式的敕書。 原本以為梁燾雖然是舊黨，但畢竟是司馬光舉薦，上任又未久，斷斷不會在這等大事上作梗，卻不料，偏偏在這裏出了問題。 三駁！ 石越當然也清楚，發行鹽債也罷，變相賣爵也罷，如若交付廷議，將興起多大的風波。他原想先將事情以迅雷不及掩耳之勢推行下去，事後的批評與責難他再一併承受，但此時既然在門下後省受阻，那麼，只要今日這敕書得不到給事中畫的那個讀字，無論是否出現三駁，麻煩都將不可避免。 拖延即意味著無休止的爭吵。 這個道理，人人都懂。 梁燾的強硬，也令得政事堂發生動搖。宰執們都希望竭力避免發生三駁這樣極端的事情。司馬光欲言又止的神情，已經告訴他石越，他也希望尋找一種轉圜的方法。 but 子明相公，是否要召梁燾與沐康來政事堂范純仁試探著說道。 石越苦笑著搖了搖頭，他知道，對於這些舊黨的宰執來說，心情亦是複雜的，他們雖然支持自己的政策，但在心裏，他們對梁燾、沐康，是不是又有更多的理解，甚至是讚許呢？ 石越都不用多想，因為這幾乎是肯定的。 這正是舊黨君子們所嘉許的君子。位居政事堂的宰執們，需要折衝妥協，但是如司馬光、范純仁這樣的人，他們心裏真正嚮往的，真正稱許的，不正是梁、沐這樣的操守嗎？ 他們對梁、沐的理解，幾乎肯定要多於對石越這份《鹽債敕》的理解！ 石越在心裏苦澀的笑著，抬眼掃視政事堂的宰執們，臉色卻又變得沉重、嚴肅。他有幾分嚴厲的目光一一掃過眾人，最後落到了范純仁的臉上︰范公以為召見梁、沐，便能使二人改變心意嗎？ this 做不到的。石越替他說了出來，君實相公比我更知道這二人的脾性。 或許可以曉之以理這畢竟是為了公利 石越默認望著范純仁。 一切後果，由石某承擔。石越淡淡說道，但語氣卻已不容置疑。敕書一字不改，再次發往門下後省！ ah!Everyone was stunned. 一日之內，三下敕書！ 石越卻彷彿沒看見眾人的臉色，竟好整以暇地正了正帽子，坐下悠閒地喝起茶來。 事已至此，那便只好借兩個給事中的前程，來向天下人表露一下他石越的決心！ 界身巷，二月七日，約申正時分。 金銀交易所酉初關門，曹友聞已經準備起身離開，他剛剛下到交易大廳，諸位，諸位，大事情，大事情，東府第三次將敕書發往門下只見一個牙人衝進廳內，手裏揮舞著一個什麼東西，幾乎是發狂般地喊叫著。 What? What? 一日三下敕書？ 界身巷內，彷彿是被這個消息驚呆了。連跟在曹友聞身後的茹孝標也突然欣喜得大叫起來︰一日三下敕書！沒有人知道，茹孝標自己，也偷偷買了兩萬貫交鈔！ 一日三下敕書曹友聞也被這意外的消息震驚了。他絕未想到，石越竟然表現出如此堅決的決心。 金銀交易所只沉寂了一會兒，眼見所有的人腳步開始加快，但就在此時，又一個牙人跑了進來，幾乎是顫抖著喊道︰三駁！三駁！ 曹友聞幾乎以為交易所又要冷卻下來。 但他卻聽到身後的茹孝標罵了一聲︰讓他娘的三駁見鬼去！ 只見交易所內，彷彿沒有人聽到三駁的消息，轉眼間，便再次沸騰。 錢鈔，一比十五！ 錢鈔，一比十！ 一比八 一比六 一比五！ 一比五！ 一比五！ 各種口音的喊聲，在大廳內此起彼伏，每個人的聲音中，都帶著狂喜，曹友聞親眼見證，短短半個時辰內，界身巷金銀交易所內，銅錢對交鈔的比價，暴漲到一比五！ 熙寧十八年，二月七日。 當石越在汴京一日三下敕書，卻遭遇給事中三駁的時候，大名府通判唐康，正在驛館設宴，宴請使遼歸來的告哀使范翔。 因為范翔的身份特別，宴會亦十分簡單、樸素。沒有歌妓助興，甚至連葷腥也沒有，簡簡單單的幾樣素菜，令得來作陪的大名府官員，都沒什麼胃口。彼此敷衍一番之後，身為東道主的唐康，更是藉口范翔鞍馬勞頓，公然下起逐客令來。那些大大小小的官員們，亦是順水推舟，紛紛告辭離開。沒多久，驛館當中，便只剩下了范翔與唐康兩人。 但待大名府的官員走後，唐康卻沒有半點兒顧惜范翔鞍馬勞頓的意思，竟然又吩咐下人另外在小廳裏重新置了酒菜，拉著范翔過去坐了，一面笑道︰全走了這才清靜。我原是有些事情想問問仲麟兄，這些沒相干的人甚是礙事。 范翔使命在身，本也無意與大名府的官員過多的周旋，但他也頗知為官之道，更絕不願意這麼無緣無故得罪同僚，更何況大名府乃是大宋朝的北京，亦算是僅次於東西兩京的權貴聚居之地。唐康這作派，雖是為了他解了圍，卻也令他暗暗嘆氣。方才在宴會間，范翔便已看出來了，大名府的官員們，都有點兒懼怕這位年輕的通判。而唐康也顯得很看不起他麾下的官員，除了對范翔，他幾乎不拿正眼去瞧別人。 范翔自然也是知道唐康的身份，石越如今貴為右相，桑充國有事天子之師，唐康自也是跟著水漲船高，他的確亦與一般官員不同，這大名府的官員權貴，免不了都要巴結他。但范翔亦知道，大宋朝與歷朝歷代不同，自慶歷以來，朝中分黨結派越來越理所當然。宰相雖貴，但也要面對各方面的政敵，明槍暗箭，稍不小心便會中箭落馬。甚至堂堂宰相，被小小的台諫官扳倒的事，在大宋朝也不是多稀罕。如今的朋黨，雖然多是由政見不同而引起，但仍有少數人，卻根本便是由平時一系列的私怨而各為朋黨，互相攻訐，而這些官場恩怨，絕大多數，正是這些官員們在州縣任職時結下的。范翔便聽說過這樣的事例，有個官員因為做知縣時，到旁縣同年那裏借些木材被拒，便惱羞成怒，與昔日好友割袍斷交，一直到了兩個人都做到朝中大臣，依然互相攻訐不已。他冷眼旁觀唐康的所作所為，簡直便是哪樣不招人忌恨他便不肯做哪樣。 他一面笑著應酬唐康，有心要規勸幾句，卻又顧慮著與唐康並無深交，不便冒昧。但若不說，心裏又覺得愧對石越知遇之恩，且唐康當真闖出禍來，所謂城門失火，他范翔又豈能真的不受波及？一時間真是如鯁在喉，卻幾番都是欲言又止，喝下去的酒，吃下去的菜，皆是食不知味。 但范翔本不是特別有耐性的人，如此煎熬一陣，想來想去，終於還是按捺不住，說了幾句閒話，便不動聲色地轉過話題，笑道︰大名府多鐘鼎世家，難為康時 有什麼難為不難為的。唐康不待他說完，便笑著接過了話頭，不過，在這北京為官的難處，不滿仲麟兄，我早已領教過，如今竟是習慣了。我這個小小的通判，除了處理民政，還要協築修造城寨，這中間，與這些所謂的鐘鼎之家，可沒少打交道哩 唐康一面起身給范翔滿了一杯酒，又語帶諷刺地笑道︰來此北京不足一年，弟便專學會了與這些豪強打交道。不瞞仲麟兄，我初來之時，原是有洗心革面之意的，既想把事情辦好了，又想不得罪人，總想令上上下下，都誇我會做人。pity, pity 可惜什嗎？范翔忍不住問道。 唐康端起酒盞來，勸了范翔一杯，方又笑道︰可惜到頭來我發覺，和這等可以通天的豪強打交道，不是他壓倒你，便只能你壓倒他。我若不想和他們同流合污，還想為朝廷做點事，便只有比他們更強橫些，他們才肯服我。這笑臉迎人，有時候還真是不如五色棒管用啊。 唐康笑嘻嘻地說著，差點沒把范翔給噎著。他望了唐康一眼，幾乎疑心他看穿了自己想說什麼，特意說這些話來堵他的口。 仲麟兄不是外人，亦不必瞞兄。唐康旁若無人地夾了口菜送到嘴裏，我可不是啥君子，這大名府不知有多少人恨透了我，也有人指使人在汴京彈劾我，嘿嘿他們若有本事扳倒我，我便認命；但若扳不倒我，我亦沒啥肚量，大丈夫恩怨分明，管他家多大勢力，有何背景，我既是這一郡通判，要令他家雞犬不寧，亦不過是反掌之事。這些個豪強、官吏恨我，懼我，亦是理所當然，我如今是蚤多了不癢、債多了不愁，怨恨我的人多了，我亦也習慣了。我曾一日之內，在衙門將五個鐘鼎之家薦進來的小吏打得半身殘疾；這府衙裏的公人不聽使喚，我便敢尋了個由頭，用軍法一次斬了二十名公差，好叫仲麟兄知道，在這大名府，我也有個外號，豪強、官吏管我叫二閻羅，嘿嘿 唐康輕描淡寫的說著他這些事蹟，范翔已是聽得目瞪口呆。 怎的我此前，竟從未聽過 這點小事，豈敢勞動尊耳。唐康笑著又喝了一杯酒，意味深長地說道︰有些時候，還是要用刀棒的成本最低。 范翔本是最玲瓏的人，但此時亦只能苦笑搖頭道︰這亦只是對康時而言，若換了別人，早落了個沒下場。這卻已是他能說的最直率的話了，他心裏也明白，能夠輕描淡寫的和他說出那些話來的唐康，是根本不可能聽得進他的規勸的。 果然，便聽唐康嘆道︰可惜便是這句大實話，這大名府也沒人敢當面對我說。他的語氣中，竟有幾分失望。但他旋即換過話題，笑道︰不想卻說了這許多閒話，見笑，見笑。仲麟兄當知我想請教的是何事？ 原來方才所說竟是閒話？范翔不再說話，實施默默在心裏苦笑。 唐康卻當他在等自己開口，不待他回答，又繼續說道︰契丹聚兵於燕薊，想必也是明白，和大宋做生意，還是用弓馬來取成本才低些。此番仲麟兄與章子厚相繼使遼，所為何事，我大概也知道一些。今日之勢，若不能息契丹之兵，這大名府，便難免要淪為戰場。朝廷煞費苦心，要以大名府為樞紐，構築一道火炮防線，以捍衛京師，只可惜，這防線如今 如今又如何？范翔聽出他話裏的蹊蹺。 唐康搖了搖頭︰耗費了許多的錢糧，動用了不知多少人役，只是卻不知令多少人中飽了私囊。 ah?這范翔不由得大吃一驚，手一抖，懷中的酒都幾乎潑了出來。 唐康的神色卻仍然十分淡定從容︰我來大名府後，仔細巡視了，朝廷若再給我三五年時間，足錢足糧足人，我盡力彌補，保管到時候令契丹輕易難越此防線一步！但若是如今，嘿嘿仲麟兄若是親去看看便知，有些城寨，樞府的圖上令修在甲處，因要佔了哪家豪強的風水寶地或良田莊園，或因當地早已有無數的民宅，拆遷不易，結果往往修到了幾十里之外！如此南轅北轍的城寨，不下十餘座。此外，偷工減料，無論完工與否，幾乎處處皆有，譬如樞府明令，為防契丹火炮，城寨須以石頭、水泥築成，如此才能堅固可用，但我可以肯定，至少有三座城寨，報的是石城，實際卻依舊是土城，只不過是用石頭築了個城門以充門面。 這范翔已聽得聳然動容，康時，這可開不得玩笑，此前這乃是呂公著監修 呂公著又如何？唐康冷笑道，要修築如此多的城防，在大名府居然沒弄得怨聲載道，我卻不信誰又有這個本事！只不過君子們自有說辭，此事說不定反成一件不肯擾民的美談呢！便是這大名府，仲麟兄只看見這大名府的南城和北城，可沒見著東城和西城吧？東城西城的城牆之下，商鋪民房蓋滿了護城河的兩岸，延綿數里，至今沒有拆完。呂公著只拆完了北城外的房子，南邊的是我搞得怨聲載道，才勉強清除的。不論士紳豪強，還是市井小民，都只知道天下承平已久，如今乃是太平盛世，只要契丹