Guiyi Fei Tang

Chapter 325 Lingxi Uproar
"You bastard, this place is not for human beings!"

"Damn it, I'm going home this time and I won't come here again no matter what!"

Although September is already autumn, the Lingxi region is still unbearably hot.

Even though it was already night, the wind in the air seemed to be carrying flames, making people's hearts burn with unbearable heat.

In Xuanhua County, Yongzhou, Wang Xianzhi, who was in the military camp, touched his forehead and felt many pimple-like spots.

Feeling these bumps, his face couldn't help but look a little ugly, and beads of sweat oozed out of his forehead.

"Damn it, I've had rashes all year long. How much dampness and toxins do I need to remove before I can feel better?"

Wang Xianzhi cursed and swore, and during that time he couldn't help feeling his breathing become heavy, as if he had been licked by a cow.

"Be patient, King..."

The medical officer was giving him acupuncture, trying to remove the "fire poison".

Problems that could be solved with a cup of herbal tea in later generations were considered difficult and complicated diseases in this era.

"Is there no way to completely eliminate it?"

Wang Xianzhi questioned the medical officer, who nodded and said, "As long as we return to the Central Plains, the climate there will surely gradually eliminate this Lingnan fire poison."

"Damn it!" Wang Xianzhi cursed inwardly. After all, he couldn't leave now.

However, compared to the fact that he was still considering the overall situation, the listless soldiers around him said in high spirits after hearing this: "We should have left long ago!"

"This damn place is really not for humans!"

"Yeah, how could it be so hot and humid in the autumn in the Central Plains?"

"Alas... We are suffering here!"

Wang Xianzhi felt sad when he heard the soldiers' complaints.

How could he not want to return to the Central Plains, to see the familiar mountains and rivers, to feel the refreshing autumn breeze and the warmth of his hometown?

But now their guard duty has not yet ended, and no matter how uncomfortable it is, they still have to persevere through these few months.

"When can we go back?"

A soldier in the Tianping Army couldn't help but ask, his eyes full of anticipation.

Wang Xianzhi was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "In theory, our guarding period will end after the Lantern Festival next year."

"It's just that the last time I went to see Li Jinglie, Li Jinglie said that the imperial decree had not yet arrived, so we should wait a little longer."

"But don't worry, I believe the imperial edict will be delivered soon and won't delay our return home."

Although Wang Xianzhi said this, he couldn't help but feel suspicious during the long wait.

During the days when he had the pimples, every time when it was late at night, he would dream of the fields of Puzhou and his relatives in his hometown.

But when he felt real and tried to go home, he woke up quickly and had to face this strange land and endless miasma and humidity.

"This court is really procrastinating!"

"I don't care. After the Lantern Festival, I must go home!"

"Whoever wants to stay in this damn place can stay here. I have to go home."

"Damn it, I haven't seen my wife for three years, and I don't know how things are going at home..."

The soldiers' complaints grew louder and louder, and some even began to curse the court in their whispers.

Wang Xianzhi saw it but did not stop it.

After all, he joined the army because of Wang Shouwen's rebellion, and then used the lives of Wang Shouwen and others as merit, and transformed himself into an official soldier.

He naturally knew what the situation was like in the Tang Dynasty.

If he wanted to force Li Hongyuan to allow them to go home, he had to create an atmosphere of dissatisfaction among the brothers and make Li Hongyuan aware that this atmosphere was spreading.

Sure enough, while he was creating this atmosphere, the Pinglu Army stationed with them in Xuanhua City, Yongzhou, soon received the news.

Compared with the Tianping Army, the Pinglu Army's barracks were slightly smaller. This was mainly because only 800 Pinglu soldiers were transferred to guard the border, and many of them died of illness on the way south. Now there are only more than 500 left.

Because of this, the garrison soldiers of the Pinglu Army were as eager to return home as those of the Tianping Army.

However, compared with Wang Xianzhi, the Pinglu general Song Wei seemed to be more scheming.

"The army is making a fuss. The Tianping Army is making a fuss!"

A lieutenant came trotting into the gate and bowed to report to Song Wei who was drinking tea at the main seat.

"Wang Xianzhi finally made a scene."

Song Wei exhaled when he heard this, and the lieutenant who came to report also hurriedly said: "General, do you want our people to cooperate as well?"

"Cooperation? Cooperation is a bummer!"

Song Wei cursed subconsciously: "Wang Xianzhi is a bandit under Wang Shouwen's command. It's best for them to stir up trouble."

"It's no wonder that Yeye (Grandpa) has been playing dominoes with him for so long. He finally made something happen."

"Now we won't help either side and will just watch them make things worse."

"When the time comes, Li Hongyuan will be unable to bear it and will naturally urge the court to let us return home!"

Song Wei is worthy of being from a military family. Although his official rank is only that of a general, he knows all the ins and outs of the vassal state very well.

The Pinglu Army refused to help either side, which was enough to express its attitude.

What's more, he had sent people to inquire about the troops in other towns early on, and basically the troops from the eight towns who were assigned to guard the border were already getting a little impatient.

Thinking of this, Song Wei leaned comfortably on the main seat and waved his hand, saying, "Let them make a fuss for a while, you go down..."

"Yes!" Upon hearing this, the officers withdrew from the Pinglu Army's barracks. At this time, Li Hongyuan, who was in the Yongzhou government office, also learned about the Tianping Army's commotion through his officials.

"Bastard!"

In the government office, Li Hongyuan slammed the table and stood up, walking back and forth while complaining:

"There are still three months until the end of the garrison period. Are they so impatient?"

Seeing him walking back and forth, Lingxi Chief Clerk Liu Cong slowly stood up and bowed, saying;
"The court does not want to dispatch garrison troops to replace the Eight Garrison Troops. If this news gets out, the Eight Garrison Troops will surely make a fuss."

"Jinglüe, we have to make plans early..."

Facing Liu Congze's words, Li Hongyuan gnashed his teeth in anger and cursed directly:

"They want the horse to run, but they don't feed it grass. When it makes a mistake, they put the blame on us. This court..."

He did not continue to curse. After all, if he continued, he might end up scolding the emperor.

"The only solution now is to save yourself!"

Li Hongyuan realized that it was impossible for the imperial court to take care of the affairs of the garrison troops in the Eight Garrisons.

By then, he will have to take care of the mess in Lingxi, and if he fails to do a good job, he will be demoted and transferred away.

While thinking, Li Hongyuan simply cursed: "Anyway, there are many evil miasma in the west of Lingxi. Even if I don't want this official position, I have to leave this place!"

He looked at the Chief Clerk Liu Congze and said to him, "If you and I don't leave now, we will be held responsible for the court's actions."

"Why not use someone else's mouth to report to the emperor and say that you and I were leading troops on a border patrol and were accidentally infected with miasma, so how about resigning from our posts?"

"At worst, I can wait until things are settled, use my connections and transfer him to another place!"

Liu Congze could also roughly think of what Li Hongyuan could think of.

The current situation is complicated and it is hard to say what the final outcome will be. It is better to get out of it first and then plan for an official position in the future.

"So good!"

Liu Congze nodded when he heard this, and then discussed the details of the operation with Li Hongyuan.

Half an hour later, a fast horse came out of Xuanhua City and headed north towards Chang'an.

At the end of September, when fast horses rushed into Chang'an City and delivered urgent reports to the Southern Court, Wang Shi, who had been transferred to the capital, was also reporting on his work in the Southern Court.

"How is it possible that both the Jiedushi and the Changshi were infected with miasma?"

In a courtyard of the Southern Court, Lu Yan, who was sitting in the main hall, snorted coldly, and the person in front of him was Wang Shi, who came to report on his work.

Facing Wang Shi, Lu Yan was not so domineering. He just smiled and nodded and said, "County Lord Wang, you must be tired from the journey. Go back and rest today."

Wang Shi has now come to report on his duties as the Grand General of the Left Jinwu Guard and the Founding Duke of Qi County. In terms of rank alone, his rank is higher than that of Lu Yan, who is now temporarily in charge of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Finance.

Facing Lu Yan's words, Wang Shi bowed slowly and said in a steady voice, "I wonder when I can enter the palace to see the emperor?"

Hearing this, Lu Yan could only express his helplessness and said, "The Supreme has not received any foreign ministers for half a month. Even Prime Minister Pei and Prime Minister Jiang rarely see the Supreme..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Shi nodded and said, "In that case, I will take my leave first..."

He turned and left the main hall, and after he left, Lu Yan asked the attendant beside him, "Is this person sensible?"

The attendant shook his head. Lu Yan snorted coldly when he heard this: "You have a blockhead. Even if you are appointed as the General of the Left Jinwu Guard, it will be difficult for you to be appointed to an important position!"

After saying this, Lu Yan continued to handle government affairs with his head down, while the attendant next to him looked at the memorials from Li Hongyuan and Liu Congze.

"Prime Minister Lu, how should we deal with this memorial from Lingxi?"

Although Lu Yan was only temporarily replacing Bi Zhen, Sheren still called him "Prime Minister".

Facing Sheren's remarks, Lu Yan asked with a little impatience: "Are you sensible?" "Of course..." Sheren saluted and then responded in a low voice.

Hearing this, Lu Yan nodded in satisfaction, and then said, "Since he is so seriously ill, let's transfer him to another place."

"In addition, report the matter of Lingxi to the heavens, and then return the gifts."

In order to seek connections, many officials have been giving gifts to Lu Yan in private these days, but he has openly refused them with righteous words.

This action was not because he did not value money, but he knew that the emperor was still watching him and he had not passed the test yet, so he had to behave honestly.

After he passes the test and becomes prime minister, that will be the time for him to accumulate wealth.

At this moment, he could not touch any money.

But just because he can't touch it doesn't mean others can choose not to give it to them.

This Wang Shi was so proud of his achievements that he did not take him seriously. He would definitely find a way to teach him a lesson in the future.

As for officials like Li Hongyuan who are sensible, he would first take note of them, and after he gets things done, when he is confirmed to be promoted in the future, he thinks they will return the favor...

While Lu Yan was doing this, Wang Shi also found Pei Xiu's courtyard, walked into the hall, bowed and said:
"Xiao Nian greets Mr. Gong Mei..."

"It's Xiaonian, get up and sit down."

Pei Xiu is now seventy-two years old, which is considered old among the people in the court, while Wang Shi is only fifty-three years old, which is relatively young.

The two had met before, but they were not very familiar with each other.

However, there are few officials with real talents and practical abilities in the court and the country nowadays, so Pei Xiu recommended Wang Shi at the beginning.

Not only him, almost everyone with talent knows Wang Shi's abilities.

If Wang Shi had not once made friends with the eunuch Wang Shoucheng, he would not have stayed in Hedong for so many years.

"Sir, I would like to present a memorial to the Supreme."

After Wang Shi sat down, he immediately explained his purpose.

Pei Xiu nodded and said, "You tell me first, and I will see if I can go to the palace to persuade the Supreme for you."

"Yes..." Wang Shi nodded and immediately told Pei Xiu about the situation in Henan Province and Huainan.

"Sir, the situation in Henan and Huainan has reached a point where it is out of control."

At the beginning of the topic, Wang Shi gave the conclusion first and explained in a deep voice:
"In the He and Huai regions, officials exploited the people, and after fleeing, they either starved to death in the countryside or became bandits."

"Not to mention other places, just the Longji Mountain in the Xusi area is home to hundreds of bandits, large and small, with some having hundreds of people and others having dozens."

"Even those inconspicuous hills can be home to several gangs of bandits."

"Merchants traveling far away have to spend a lot of money to hire state soldiers for escort, or recruit hundreds of guards to barely pass."

"I am not exaggerating, this is the truth."

Wang Shi set the tone very high, which made Pei Xiu frown. His fingers tapped the table unconsciously, making a dull sound.

Although he had long known about the hardships of the people in Henan, he still felt a sinking feeling in his heart when he heard Wang Shi's description.

"There are countless abandoned fields. The reason why the people fled is because the imperial court imposed excessive taxes and local officials exploited them excessively."

Wang Shi continued, with a hint of indignation in his tone: "If we don't rectify this in time, I'm afraid the situation in these two areas will get worse."

"Alas..." Pei Xiu sighed and said slowly: "How could I not know what Xiaonian said?"

"When I was sent to Xuanwu Army as a military governor, I saw that the people of Henan were suffering."

"It is heartbreaking that the situation has become even worse after several years."

Pei Xiu showed some helplessness when he said this: "If possible, I would also like to change the bad policies and reduce taxes for the people of the world."

"But the imperial court today can no longer withstand such turmoil."

"There are millions of soldiers and horses in the country, and the annual military expenditure is nearly 17 million strings of cash, which almost exhausts the tax revenue of the court."

"The court is still able to maintain itself today because it relies on spending money it doesn't have to earn in advance. Therefore, not only can we not reduce taxes, we even need to increase them."

Wang Shi heard this, his expression and emotions became even more serious: "If this continues, the people will have no choice but to flee from the exploitation of corrupt officials, or starve to death in the wilderness, or become bandits."

"If the imperial court does not try to change, I am afraid the world will fall into greater turmoil."

Pei Xiu nodded, with helplessness in his tone: "Xiao Nian is absolutely right."

"It's just that the imperial court is now in trouble both internally and externally, so tax cuts may be difficult to achieve."

"If you were to tell this matter in front of someone, it would be fine. But if you were to tell it in front of the Supreme, I'm afraid the Supreme would not be happy..."

At this point, Pei Xiu also showed some signs of old age, and had no choice but to wake him up:
"If you still want to go out to the town, or take up an important position in the capital, then you'd better keep these words in your heart..."

"..." Wang Shi fell silent, not knowing how to answer Pei Xiu.

The Tang Dynasty today really cannot withstand any more turmoil. If it does not, it can still survive, but if it does, it will be in danger of death.

Wang Shi was more inclined towards survival, while Pei Xiu and others who had recognized the situation clearly were already thinking about staying alive.

"I will go back and think about this carefully..."

Wang Shi stood up after a long silence, responded, and bowed to Pei Xiu before saying goodbye.

Seeing this, Pei Xiu stood up, personally sent him to the door, and then watched his back disappear.

As Wang Shi disappeared, he stood there for a long time. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to report the matter to the emperor, but he was not prepared to mention the tax reduction.

"Prepare the carriage. I need to go to the palace."

Pei Xiu gave an instruction to the servant at the door, and appeared in Xianning Palace half an hour later.

After not seeing him for nearly half a month, the emperor seemed to have gained some weight.

Pei Xiu did not dwell on such details for too long, and immediately put Wang Shi's remarks in front of the emperor and his ministers.

Li Yi, who was originally upset because Pei Xiu had interrupted his listening to music, immediately calmed down after hearing these words and focused:
"The people are fleeing because of the exploitation of corrupt officials. What do you think, Prime Minister Pei?"

Pei Xiu couldn't help but smile bitterly when he heard this.

The emperor clearly knew the root cause of the people's flight, but now he still pushed these problems onto the officials.

Thinking of this, Pei Xiu felt that his choice was very correct. After all, considering the current emperor's ability, maintaining the situation steadily is the best option.

If the emperor does not have the courage to burn his boats, then his ministers who choose to do so will not have a good ending.

Emperor Wuzong of Tang and Li Deyu, and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Li Deyu are two obvious examples.

Pei Xiu is old and has seen too many things, so he knows that it is impossible to do it.

But even so, he still wanted to see that courage from the current emperor.

It’s a pity that the emperor did not have the courage to burn his boats, and the Tang Dynasty could only survive in a state of mediocrity.

Perhaps he should be thankful that he is old and will not see the day when the Tang Dynasty falls.

"Prime Minister Pei?"

"I'm here..."

Li Yi's voice woke Pei Xiu up, and he bowed and said, "I think we can send imperial censors to supervise Henan and Huainan to make corrupt officials restrain themselves."

"Yes, I think so too." Li Yi nodded in agreement, while Pei Xiu sighed in his heart.

Both he and Li Yi knew that this was only a temporary solution and not a fundamental solution.

"I wonder how Prime Minister Bi is doing these days. Is he feeling better?"

Li Yi suddenly mentioned Bi Zhen, but Pei Xiu shook his head and said, "I have no private contact with Prime Minister Bi, so I don't know his current situation."

"If your majesty is worried, why not send a royal physician to check on Prime Minister Bi's residence?"

"That's exactly what I meant." Li Yi nodded in response, then looked at Tian Yun in the corner:
"Tian Yun, take the imperial physician to check on Prime Minister Bi's health."

"If necessary, all the medicinal materials in the storehouse can be withdrawn."

"As you command..." Tian Yun bowed in response, and Pei Xiu also bowed upon seeing this:
"Your Majesty, I will take my leave..."

"Prime Minister Pei, take care." Li Yi raised his hand to signal, and Pei Xiu also left Xianning Palace afterwards.

After he left, the memorial sent by Lu Yan was also seen by Li Yi.

Faced with the fact that Li Hongyuan and Liu Congze were seriously ill, he seemed a little impatient.

After all, in his opinion, the Nanman had been badly defeated by Gao Pian and would need at least a few years to recuperate.

Lingxi had been plundered by the southern barbarians before, so it would definitely not become their target.

Because of this, Li Yi said impatiently:
"For matters like this, let Nan Ya decide on its own in the future. Don't bother me!"

"I accept my order..."

The attendant sent by the Southern Court quickly agreed and then left the Xianning Palace with the memorial.

After the memorial was returned to the Southern Court, Lu Yan transferred Li Hongyuan, Liu Congze and others to Haizhou in Henan Province.

As for the vacancy of Lingxi Governor, he sent the censor Cai Jing south to take over.

After all, in his opinion, the southern barbarians were unlikely to invade Lingxi, so sending an official who didn't know how to fight was nothing...

(End of this chapter)