Crown Tang emperor

When Li Guangshun saw Li Tong returning to the mansion, he hurried forward, and sighed: "It's good that Sanlang comes back, I really don't know how to deal with this matter."

"Is it related to the thieves? Could it be that this matter is also related to brother?"

Seeing his elder brother's expression, Li Tong asked.

Li Guangshun nodded, and said helplessly: "It's really unexpected, that thief, that thief is actually an official. It's already July, and the officials of the state came to ask how to deliver the autumn food this year. I'm at ease." When the mansion received him, he thought that he was a good talker and mighty warrior, but Shi Xianwei suddenly identified him as a thief..."

The kings entrust food to the capital with the autumn tribute. Sometimes local officials are responsible for collecting and transporting food, and sometimes the palace sends state officials to collect it.In the past few years, the three kings were all in service, and the number of government officials was greatly reduced. Therefore, all affairs of the state were entrusted to local officials to manage on their behalf.

Now that the Three Kings have taken off their service, the situation will naturally change.Li Shouli's feudal state is near the surface of Guanzhong, while Li Tong's feudal state is in Puzhou, Hedong, so the local officials have been sent to inquire before.The eldest brother, Li Guangshun, was in Guanghan in the middle of Shu, south of the Qinling Mountains, so he arrived later.

Hearing Li Guangshun's narration, Li Tong couldn't help but become more curious. No wonder Tian Shaoan said that this matter was too strange, and Li Guangshun looked so distressed.It’s fine that the thieves are officials, but they are actually local officials far away in Sichuan. Is this taking advantage of the time when they are in Beijing for business to make some extra money?

Li Tong couldn't help refreshing his understanding of the wild ways of our officials in the Great Zhou Dynasty, but he still couldn't help asking: "It's been confirmed? Is it a misunderstanding?"

"It shouldn't be. Captain Shi Xian is confronting the thieves in the house. Although he doesn't admit it, he doesn't deny it either."

"Come on, let's take a look before we talk."

Li Tong waved his hands after listening, and went to the middle hall of the king's residence together with his elder brother.

At this time, Shi Sizhen sat on the side of the middle hall of the king's mansion with the support of the government officials, staring at the person opposite with an angry expression.

The man was wearing a blue round-neck gown, and he was standing against the wall surrounded by the guards of the palace, with a look full of astringency.He really didn't expect that there would be such a coincidence in the world. He committed a crime the day before yesterday and met the sufferer today. It's just that the situation is different. Now that he is under the control of others, he is both helpless and apprehensive.

"The king is here!"

The government officer at the door shouted, and then the two kings walked into the chamber hand in hand. Just as Shi Sizhen got up to help the case, the young king waved his hand and said, "You are injured, so there is no need to be polite. It is this person, did you admit your mistake?"

While speaking, he turned his head to look at the opposite corner, but seeing the heroic posture of the other party, he couldn't help being a little bit surprised, and then asked Li Guangshun, "What's the name of this person? What position does he hold?"

"His name is Guo Zhen, and he is the captain of Tongquan County. The seal has been verified correctly, but it is not known whether he is the person. He has the courage to subdue the officials and rob the criminals. Is it possible to intercept the messenger and steal the money?" Official talisman? Do you want to send someone to Tongquan County to collect evidence?"

Li Guangshun frowned and analyzed, he didn't notice that Li Tong's expression was already in a daze.

Guo Zhen?Guo Yuanzhen?

It's been a long time since Li Tong felt stunned by celebrities in the world, but after hearing this name, he still enjoyed it again.

In the Tang Dynasty, most of the important ministers were generals and prime ministers, and they were not the rotten Confucian soldiers of the later generations, but they really had general talents in civil and military affairs.This phenomenon was most obvious in the early Tang Dynasty, and one of the reasons for the Anshi Rebellion in the Tianbao period was that this practice was artificially destroyed.

It was difficult for Wu Zhou Dynasty to explain all the foreign affairs, and of course it cannot be said that there were no bright spots, especially in the war against Tubo, Tang Xiujing was naturally a late-blooming veteran.

But in fact, there is another person who has made a more profound contribution than Tang Xiujing. Under his initiative, it indirectly led to the Zandonglu family who had been in charge of the military and political power in Tubo for decades, that is, the Karma The family was expelled as a whole, and this person was Guo Yuanzhen.

Before the prosperity of Kaiyuan really came, Guo Yuanzhen could be said to be the most critical figure connecting the early Tang Dynasty and the prosperous Tang Dynasty, and the Tang Dynasty's control over the Western Regions!

Li Tong didn't answer the elder brother's question first, but carefully sized up the person who was cornered by the Wangfu, and then asked curiously: "Tongquan County is located in Guanghan?"

"Tongquan County was named Yongquan, and now belongs to Zizhou. Guanghan used to belong to Liangzhou, and then entered Yizhou, and now it belongs to Hanzhou. The names vary from time to time, but they are also similar on the surface. Lingnan Muzhi is different from the two capitals. There are often vacancies for state and county officials and assistants, and everything can be done at a low price according to the situation, so this time the humble post was borrowed to come to Beijing to ask the king for a job."

Seeing that others in the room were speechless for a while, Guo Yuanzhen, who was forced into the corner, took the initiative to explain.

After Li Tong heard the words, he understood a little bit. To be honest, if these ancient place names were not some major cities, he really couldn't think of them for a while.Especially during the Southern and Northern Dynasties and the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the names of prefectures or counties changed frequently, which naturally became more chaotic.

As for the borrowing of local officials, this is normal, and Shi Sizhen was unlucky because of this.Of course, if it weren't for the loose control in Lingnan, it would be difficult for Guo Yuanzhen to harm the countryside for many years in office.

After understanding the twists and turns, Li Tong gradually understood, and then he said to Li Guangshun: "If it's an ordinary thief, he wouldn't be so knowledgeable and knowledgeable. Let's interrogate him first. Anyway, this matter is indispensable. To announce the place."

Even so, he can basically confirm it.If it was someone else, he might be a little suspicious, but Guo Yuanzhen in history was indeed a street ruffian in Tongquan County during this period.

"Tie up the people first, and the rest will leave."

Li Tong took a look at Guo Yuanzhen's strong physique, raised his hand and said, don't care about your identity, anyway, you're messing with yourself now, so you don't have to be polite.As for the following conversation, it is not easy to have too many people present.

"Humble job doesn't show the face of a thief, but such a physique is rare, and coupled with the pattern on the back of the neck, it can basically be identified."

Shi Sizhen said again at this moment.

Li Tong nodded, and watched the equally burly Yang Sixu go up to tie up Guo Yuanzhen with ropes and push him into the hall, before asking: "Did you do it? Don't think that a layer of official status can protect you much." Well, County Captain Shi is my former member, so it makes sense, and I will continue to ask about this matter."

Guo Yuanzhen lowered his head, grinned at the corner of his mouth, and said in a muffled voice: "I have seen such a monster, so what room do I have for sophistry? It is indeed the work of a humble official, but this county captain, I also want to advise you, There are many traitors hidden in the wilderness, and the accumulated merits of education are limited. Lizhi is like being in an enemy country. When you rule near the capital, it is rare to see poor villages, poor and treacherous, so you lose your caution.

For the mistake this time, we should not blame others alone and owe self-examination.What's more, the shape of a barbarian like you is rare in the wild and easy to attract people's attention. If there is any negligence, it will be easier for others to take advantage of you. "

Shi Sizhen couldn't help being ashamed and annoyed after hearing the words, I was not careful so you justified me in beating me?What's wrong with Laozi Huren's shape, that is also the baby in the arms of parents!

"You don't need to talk about how Lieutenant Shi Xian behaves. I would like to ask you a question, why did you do this illegal thing because you are born and used by the state? What does the prisoner you took away have anything to do with you? where?"

Li Tong raised his hand to signal Shi Sizhen to be calm, and continued to interrogate.

"If the humble official confesses the details, can the king not report this matter to the public?"

Guo Yuanzhen raised his eyes to peek at the young king's expression, and continued: "Your Majesty is full of vigor and spirit, and I don't think he would be interested in asking about criminal matters. This time he offended an old member of His Majesty's family, and he deserved the punishment for his humble position. But there is no doubt that How can the humble official hurt the king? If he harms the public because of personal interests, it will inevitably delay the autumn seal of the King of Guanghan. As for the hardships suffered by the Shixian lieutenant, the humble official will definitely give a satisfactory answer. "

Hearing what Guo Yuanzhen said, Li Tong couldn't react for a while, and even wondered if it was true as Li Guangshun said, this guy in front of him was a fake?

Although he also knew that Guo Yuanzhen had no human form when he was young, but the guy in front of him was so unscrupulous that he was plausible when he was caught directly, which really made him unable to see the demeanor of a famous minister.

Harm the public for personal gain?How could you say this without changing your face?I can't intervene in criminals because I'm handsome?

Seeing that the young king was speechless, Guo Yuanzhen turned to look at Shi Sizhen and said, "Shi Xianwei, this time it was Guo who offended me, and I hurt you so much. If you have any resentment, just vent it to me, and Guo respectfully accepts it. But after the anger is resolved, there is always an end to the official affairs. I will help you settle the matter, and you will no longer punish me, and both sides will win. They are both Yaguan Weizuo. You should know that there is a limit, and it is up to me , may not make you rise to the top, but you need to be careful in daily life if you have a grudge and die."

"You, you, a bold thief, breaking the ban for an official is already an unforgivable crime, and you dare to threaten the official!"

When Shi Sizhen heard this, her eyes widened with anger, she stood up from the table, groaned in pain, and curled up with her belly in her arms.

"Send Shi Xianwei to recuperate first, brother, you also go to do other things, this guy, I will take care of it."

Li Tong raised his hand and said, looking at Guo Yuanzhen with strong interest already in his eyes.

Chapter 0297

During the Wu Zhou Dynasty, there were many controversies, and there were many discussions about Wu Zetian's employment strategy.

On a large level, it is natural to suppress those aristocratic families, especially the nobles of Guan Long, and vigorously promote personnel from poor families.On the other hand, don't care about the good and the bad, just hug them and use them first.

One consequence of this is that the upper limit of talents emerging from the Wu Zhou Dynasty is really high, and they will not fall behind in all feudal dynasties.And the lower limit is really outrageously low, it can be said that it has all kinds of poisons.

Guo Yuanzhen also came from a famous official family, and the Guo family in Taiyuan is also a family with a long history.But personally, this guy is indeed an unconventional talent.

History books clearly record many illegal deeds during his tenure as Tongquan County Captain, such as minting private money, plundering and selling people, etc. It can be said that he is basically not left behind for all the evils that tyrants and bandits can do.This point is not clear, including the epitaphs written by Chen Ziang, Zhang Shuo and others for their family members.

There are so many crimes, but after being summoned by Wu Zetian, instead of being questioned, they were expelled.

One is naturally that Wu Zetian really needs talents for side affairs, even Xue Huaiyi, a handsome Buddha who can only travel in autumn, is a big deal.The second reason is naturally because Guo Yuanzhen is really talented, Wu Zetian still has vision, and the facts have proved that this time breaking the rules has indeed received great rewards.

When the rest of the hall had withdrawn, leaving only a few confidantes, Li Tong looked at Guo Yuanzhen and said seriously: "Evil words may be justified, but they are not justice after all. Do you think these words can really convince me to forgive you?" guilt?"

Guo Yuanzhen smiled wryly after hearing the words: "The humble job is also a way to do your best, and it is a little extravagant. This encounter is really unexpected, so perverse, it makes people feel exhausted, whether you succeed or not, you have to try before you will be reconciled."

When Li Tong heard what Guo Yuanzhen said, he felt quite the same. He often had such thoughts in the past. The difference is that the difficulties he encountered were inevitable, while Guo Yuanzhen kind of took the initiative to kill himself. means.

"You came from a famous family, but you can get your birth with your own ability without relying on your ancestral shadow. It is not lacking in ambition. Now you have a bad record and are good at testing the laws of the country. Isn't this letting yourself down? If you do a little bit of discipline, you can have a future Sigh of poverty?"

Leaving aside the matter in front of him, Li Tong is really curious about what kind of inner world Guo Yuanzhen is.

Guo Yuanzhen didn't answer the young king's question first, but after hearing the words, he looked surprised and said, "Your Majesty knows me?"

"In the old days in the city of Shendu, I used to discuss gossip with Chen Boyu, and heard a few rural affairs from him, and you were among them."

Li Tong also spoke nonsense. Although he met many worldly celebrities in Shendu City, Chen Ziang really had no direct contact with them, but it didn't hinder him from borrowing a little bit to bring up the topic.

After Guo Yuanzhen heard the words, his face showed a bit of embarrassment, and he said in a muffled voice: "The people of Shu say that I don't want to say anything. The noble family in his hometown has a lot of quarrels with me, the governor."

As you are, it would be strange if you didn't have trouble with people.

"Hearing your words to persuade County Captain Shi, you have your own opinions, and I think you have also suffered from the troubles of nostalgia and forced government orders. Could it be because of this that you abandoned yourself, so you neglected things and wandered around?"

By asking this question, Li Tong had already fabricated an image of Guo Yuanzhen in his heart, who was high-spirited and went to a distant country, but was bumped into walls everywhere by the joint resistance of the country sect thieves, and finally became disheartened and had to share the same filth as the world.

After Guo Yuanzhen heard this, suspicion appeared on his face, and he said uncertainly: "Except for the immediate matter, there seems to be no old grievance between the lowly position and the king? Could it be that the king still feels that this crime is still minor, and wants to pursue my crime of dereliction of duty?"

Li Tong was speechless after hearing the words, this guy is a hob meat, you are now alert, and your tone is tight.

"What I mean is, you are in charge of the state, and your salary is paid, why do you have to engage in many crimes and ruin your own future?"

He lowered his face and continued to ask.

"A humble job likes beautiful utensils, loves Chinese clothes, loves to be excellent and enjoys making friends, and the salary is so thin that it is not enough for us. Naturally, we have to find another way. The rural situation in the Shu border is just like what the king said, and the stubbornness is even more stubborn than other places. Hakka officials have neither the expertise in business nor the support of their hometown, so they can only manage insurance business."

Guo Yuanzhen took it for granted.

You guy has a lot of hobbies!

Li Tong slandered, he couldn't help being a little disappointed after hearing this answer, but he was relieved after thinking about it.It can't be said that being greedy for money and lust is exclusive to guys like Wu Youyi, while people like Guo Yuanzhen can only stay away from vulgar desires and make contributions.

It's just human sentiment that people who can achieve great things must be self-denying and prudent, with a noble character and both ability and political integrity.But it must be known that no matter how beautiful the skin is, there will be moments when the face turns red due to constipation.

Although the "New Tang Book" also said that Guo Yuanzhen was anxious for public good and righteousness, and his family sent 40 yuan in money. Someone came to the door and said that the fifth generation had not been buried and borrowed money for the funeral. In the end, Guo Yuanzhen lent all the money to the other party without asking the other party's name.

But this incident seems a bit weird, Li Tong suspects that Guo Yuanzhen may have hired a gunman to decorate it after his fortune, or it may be a result of future generations.

Because this is not in line with human nature, not Guo Yuanzhen, but the person who borrowed money. You said that your five generations of ancestors were not buried.

40 yuan is [-] yuan, Tang Taizong used [-] yuan to marry his second daughter, and Li Tong, a first-rank county king, had a salary of [-] yuan a year.

There were rumors in later generations that Guo Yuanzhen was Zhang Jiazhen's son-in-law, but the beard on his face seemed to be a bit bigger than Zhang Jiazhen's, so it was unreliable.

Li Tong himself has just used many means to swallow other people's wealth, but it is not easy to persuade Guo Yuanzhen that the so-called gentleman likes to follow the way, and after thinking for a while, he smiled and said: "Wealth is sick and things are lacking. For Han Shu, it is a livelihood. It’s a big deal, but it’s nothing more than a nuisance to you, it’s not worth risking your life. Since you’re in this kind of trouble, just enter my door, and I can help you out, so how can you repay me?”

After Guo Yuanzhen heard the words, his face suddenly changed. Because his arms were tied behind his back, he could only touch his forehead to the ground and said: "It's true that I have offended the king's old member in a lowly position, but it is really unintentional. I beg the king not to kill me..."

Seeing this state of affairs, Li Tong's expression sank immediately, and he snorted coldly, "Which one is going to kill you? You said that you are greedy for pleasure and have limited resources. I am willing to help you with things, but it is a kindness. If you respond with this attitude, you What do you mean? Do you think I am not worthy of enslaving you? Or is my family's property biting your hand?"

After Guo Yuanzhen heard the words, he became even more shy: "Your Majesty, Zongzhi, has a great reputation, and what he knows and appreciates is extraordinary. But there are ordinary emotions, who dares to refuse the teacher? Of course, the humble job is no exception. Walking In my duty, I dare not make unreasonable demands. It must be very useful to add me with your kindness.

A lowly position has neither outstanding merit nor reputation, and all virtues have been lost, and the king knows it.Those who want to steal ideas are the only ones who are bold enough to escape the law.A person in a humble position fulfills his desires, and all his plans are nothing but copper and silk.The king lives in Gaobang, and he still has to visit and recruit talents outside the business. I dare not speak too much about my lowly and lowly job... Wealth and dead things will naturally not hurt people, but if the situation is bad, it can kill people.Your Majesty's training has already exceeded the capabilities of a humble job, so I really dare not follow it! "

Li Tong originally looked at Guo Yuanzhen differently because he knew the history and funeral, but when it came to the person in front of him, he was somewhat disappointed.But after hearing these words, his mentality has changed. To be able to accomplish extraordinary things, he really has extraordinary characteristics.

But in addition to being surprised, his complexion also became a little unsightly. Most people with deep thoughts are always afraid of revealing their true feelings to others. A casual sentence by himself leads to Guo Yuanzhen's insightful guess, which naturally makes him feel a little awkward.

When Guo Yuanzhen kowtowed, he also raised his eyes to peep, and when he saw that the young king's expression was a little uncertain, he panicked again, and hurriedly said: "The lowly position is really selfish and obsessed, how dare you speak evil words to the king, and ask to be tolerated outside the law. Self-examination Surprised, I implore the king to punish me, and I am willing to be punished by the law of the country!"

Li Tong was a little disturbed at first, but after hearing what Guo Yuanzhen said, he couldn't help being happy, pointing at this guy and sneering, "Do you think you can still live your own life right now?"

Guo Yuanzhen froze for a moment, looked at Yang Sixu who had approached, and said in a shy voice: "When you enter the mansion with a lowly position, the public can see it, and there are official matters in the body, and there are records in the administration... There are all kinds of things, it is by no means coercion. , it’s just that the safety of a mere life is a small matter, and I really dare not involve the king in a messy dispute.”

"I really hate mixed feelings and disputes, and I like to spend my days at leisure, but there are always people who don't know how to do business and provoke people. Whenever this happens, it's nothing more than a knife. Didn't you also say that you need to be careful in your daily life if you have a grudge? I am impatient with this kind of long-term harassment, and if you are sent to prison, it is inevitable that there will be grievances, so I will simply end here."

At this point, Li Tong stood up, walked in front of Guo Yuanzhen, bowed his head to look, and continued to laugh: "How much trouble can a lieutenant from a distant county do? I can bear such slander and worry. You Juzhi has neglected many duties, and now you are still committing crimes across borders, and you accidentally offended an old member of my sect, and you killed him out of love, for a reason. Although you committed crimes outside the law, you are worthy of the reputation of empathy."

He raised his hand and patted Guo Yuanzhen's thick shoulder, and said in his mouth, "It's a pity, it's a pity, but it's not for me to enter my hall so bravely. I'm a permanent stable, and I only wait for famous horses. Since you cherish your own horsepower, then I will too." I can only pick up the bones to show the matter."

Guo Yuanzhen broke out in a cold sweat when he heard this. He was very wild. He didn't expect that this king's handsome skin was full of black belly, and he had already calculated how to manage the public opinion after killing him.

"Ordinary people talk about marriage, and there are also books and appointments. The king wants to stick to his own danger, can't be a little bit patient? The prime of life is short, and the poor country is wasted, can you not be depressed? Fortunately, the famous king has favored eyes, and he is sincere and fearful, mistakenly pretending to be reserved. It is natural that a humble official dares to speak out and speak profoundly, and the reason why he hides his secrets is only boasting that he has the ability to see things clearly, and I hope that the king will be more serious!"

Guo Yuanzhen said here with an extremely solemn expression: "The king's dragon dives into the abyss, and changes shape with the situation. Although the lowly position does not enter the wonderful realm, since I admire the ancient righteousness of the Spring and Autumn Period, the common people meet me, the common people repay me, the national scholars meet me, the national scholars repay Yes! If you are small, you will forge ahead in things, and if you are prominent, you will conspire with the country, and you will spare no effort. I will never owe this kindness. I will come back to Lingyan Pavilion in the coming year, and I will be among the public!"

Hearing this, Li Tong saw Guo Yuanzhen's wide-eyed expression of "I'm really not forced", and felt that both of them had tarnished this impassioned declaration. The mouth is a ghost!

Chapter 0298

What Guo Yuanzhen said, Li Tong felt that it was enough to listen to it, and then climbed to Lingyan Pavilion, of course you are there, you should be there, but there is no fucking me in the first place!

Not to mention that it is only the first time we meet, even if we get along for a long time, people like Guo Yuanzhen will never be as loyal as Yang Sixuan.

Such a person is wise enough to seek a country in a big way, but a person in a small way. Whether he is good at dancing or adapting to changes, the trust given by the king is just a stage for such a person to show his ability. .

What they are loyal to is their own talent, not a specific individual.For example, Tang Taizong tolerated Wei Zheng, if Li Shimin died at Xuanwumen, if Li Jiancheng could tolerate the Tiance government officials, maybe he could also create a situation that is not inferior to the rule of Zhenguan.

However, Guo Yuanzhen said that he had already given his heart to him, and he only pretended to be reserved in order to show his ability, but Li Tong felt that it should be true.

After all, he is not an ordinary idler now. Even the two county magistrates in Chang'an City, his big cousin Fang Rong from afar, saw him, and his molars were so happy that his back teeth were exposed. Wannian County Magistrate Quan Huai'en also acquiesced. Nephews walk by their door.

Although Guo Yuanzhen came from a famous family and was a young Jinshi, he was in his thirties and had a big beard. He ended up living in a small place in Sichuan as a street ruffian. If he didn't feel depressed, it was a lie. Nothing could be more normal.

If the "Sword Chapter" had already been written, he might have brought it with him, planning to invite the young king to reward the great sword after talking about the business.But I didn't expect that I would be so unlucky. I committed a crime on my front foot, and was bumped into by the suffering master on my back foot.

It is no longer possible to make a normal visit, so you can only adjust your thinking and pretend to be alarmist.

In fact, it is normal for Zongwang dignitaries to recruit some outsiders. As long as they are not in particularly sensitive positions, such as Li Dan and Wu Chengsi, who can pose a direct threat to the imperial power, there is no need to go online.

The reason why Guo Yuanzhen said that was because he wanted to attract more attention.

When the status of each other is not equal, it is a very effective way of communication to speak up and arouse the fear of the superior, allowing the inferior to have more say.

Not to mention those strategists and speculators in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods, even Li Tong himself deliberately used "Shengshou Le" as his grandfather Li Zhi's birthday song to scare Xue Huaiyi last year, and asked Xue Huaiyi to support him in rewriting a new song.

However, Guo Yuanzhen still underestimated his bad luck today. He probably didn't expect that this bad mouth would hit him at the first glance. The young king really had a dangerous plan, so he should be really a little nervous at the moment.

But no matter whether this guy is credible or not, at this point, both of them can be honest with each other. As for whether they can trust him, this is Guo Yuanzhen's own business, and Li Tong doesn't have to worry about it.If you still feel that you are too slippery in the end, then you should simply not go out.