Life is like a journey. You don’t have to care about the destination. What you care about is the scenery along the way and the mood of seeing the scenery. Twilight and morning come and go, and everyone is just a hurried traveler.
Li Hong was no longer anxious about which day he would arrive in Luoyang. This advertising slogan had been running around in his mind for the past two days. As Li Zhi felt more and more along the way, Li Hong felt I am increasingly realizing that perhaps it is time for Li Zhi’s life to be summed up.
It rained for three whole days. On the second day, the local county magistrate rushed over after a long journey and brought a large amount of supplies. However, other officials from neighboring counties came because they did not have His Majesty and the Supreme Emperor did not dare to appear at the foot of the mountain after being summoned, and could only watch from a distance.
It's just that Li Zhi, who always liked liveliness and reprimanded Li Hong as the Supreme Emperor in front of other officials, rarely reprimanded Li Hong this time. Instead, after glancing at the county magistrate, he made another into his tent.
The little tiger cub was just born, but Li Zhi and Wu Mei got the news at some point. The chubby little tiger cub was like a cat, and Li Zhi and Wu Mei took turns holding it in their arms.
And Nuxia Wen, who had already planned to be the mother of the little tiger cub, faced the doting of the little tiger cub by the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. She kept a silly smile on her face all day long, as if her child had been favored by Li Zhi and Li Zhi. Wu Mei's favor made her face feel bright as a mother.
The county magistrate went all out, but in the end he never even saw His Majesty's face. Even the few eunuchs and celebrities in front of His Majesty, the county magistrate had no chance to see.
But even so, the county magistrate is still leading officials, big and small, to serve him from a distance. Even with all the efforts of the county, he must make sure that everything done by his majesty, the emperor and the empress dowager within his jurisdiction is done beautifully. Bright.
Wu Mei, who was holding the little tiger cub, looked more intimate than holding her own grandson. She taunted His Majesty Li Hong with a look of gloating: "Are these the officials under your rule? Look at the mountains and seas of supplies, roughly After all, I'm afraid he has to take away 50-60% of his county's taxes, right? Just for you and your father, and they may not be needed, and then... even if you, the emperor, don't need these supplies? , who will dare to use it in the future? I’m afraid someone will line their pockets.”
Li Hong shook his head speechlessly, but he had to admit that Long Ma, who always knew everything, was absolutely right!
These supplies brought by the county magistrate, even after being rejected by himself, his father, and his mother, these supplies are not something that ordinary people can consume or afford, so next, Thunder and Rain are all based on your kindness. , these supplies will eventually be divided up by the wealthy families in the county, as the queen mother said, and in the end this account will still be recorded on the royal family.
At the very least, I, the current Holy Emperor, as well as my mother, queen, and father, can never escape the relationship.
So when Li Hong appeared in front of the magistrate, the magistrate did not recognize that he was the current emperor. So after several "heart-to-heart" conversations, the magistrate concluded that this young man could take on the responsibility in front of his majesty. The confidant generals treated him like a relative, and even told Li Hong everything he knew about a small county magistrate.
Just as Wu Mei said, just as Wu Mei guessed, these materials dropped after being screened by the royal family will eventually enter the hands of wealthy families in batches, and they do not cost a penny, and can even be used by wealthy families. The prestige of the wealthy family was further enhanced.
The reason is very simple. All materials left behind by the royal family will naturally become part of the royal family after being promoted by a county magistrate and a wealthy family. After all... everyone in the world is surnamed Li.
So when the royal family passes through this place, the remaining things... that should be called filial piety, will be transferred into their own pockets by the county magistrate and wealthy families in the way of praising the royal family's favor.
However, this year is not the case. In previous years, when Li Zhi and Wu Mei were on their way to Luoyang, although they were greeted by officials from various counties and states, they would always sing praises to the royal family when they dropped off the supplies. This year, they were greeted by the royal family. The main theme is extravagance and waste. In order to highlight the extravagance and waste of materials due to the royal family in counties, states, and even prefectures, a trend of waste and extravagance dominated by scholars was launched.
"Luoyang Cheng's idea? Are you sure? Do you know that if I tell His Majesty, you will be implicated, even though you are just a small county magistrate." Li Hong was very surprised that Luoyang Cheng Du Shenyan really had Are you so bold to confront the royal family, or even slander the imperial court and the royal family
The county magistrate gave Li Hong an unfathomable smile, then stroked his beard and said: "Although Xiaguan is loyal to the court, Lord Du is Xiaguan's benefactor. If not for Lord Du's recommendation, Xiaguan would not be where he is today." ? Therefore, just like the body, hair and skin are given by parents, while Xiaguan is loyal to the court and the royal family, he needs to understand who gave him the opportunity to show his glory and be loyal to the country. "
"Then if you tell me this, you are not afraid that I will tell His Majesty?" Li Hong asked, looking at the county magistrate who showed no fear and looked calm.
In fact, no need to ask, Li Hong can guess roughly, but the officials recommended now still only have benefactors in their eyes, not the court and the royal family, which is why the benefactors are now greater than the royal family, and they would rather risk their lives for the so-called loyalty. presence of a group of officials.
"Afraid, how can I not be afraid? But for a subordinate to have such achievements, to be able to serve the country with loyalty, to govern the Tang Dynasty and stabilize the people, is it the royal eye and recognition, or is it the recommendation of a benefactor of the official? What's more, a gentleman cares The most important thing is benevolence and righteousness. Gratitude is an unavoidable topic. If the lower officials were not appreciated by Mr. Du, how would they be today? The royal court does not respect the world's scholar-bureaucrats, but Mr. Du has always focused on cultivating virtuous people for the court. In this way, , Even if the official dies in the court, if he can get the court to value and use the scholar-bureaucrats in the world, wouldn't he be able to leave his name in history? "
"But isn't your life important? What about your wife, children, and children? Aren't you the backbone of your family?" Li Hong looked at the county magistrate, feeling as if he had seen an MLM master in his previous life.
"Haha..." Sure enough, just as Li Hong had guessed and predicted, the county magistrate said with a hearty and generous smile: "If the official's death can bring peace to the court, and your majesty to give up on the The world’s scholar-bureaucrats are biased, so why should they fear death?”
"Are all the scholar-bureaucrats in the world right? Du Shenyan recommended you, so you think that Du Shenyan was more kind to you than the court?" Li Hong was stunned for a moment, and finally asked: "What the hell is that? Did the court give you the gift of knowledge, or did Du Shenyan use the power given by the court to give you the gift of knowledge? If Du Shenyan was not Luoyang Cheng, if Du Shenyan was just an ordinary commoner, he said that he I appreciate you and want to recommend you to the court, so is it a compliment or a insult to you? "
"This..." The county magistrate did not expect that the famous man next to His Majesty would question him from such a tricky angle.
Although when he came, he had done enough homework to make things difficult for him in all aspects, but from this perspective, he put himself in the status of a benefactor and asked himself, is it because of the status of others that he is grateful, or is it because he is grateful? Do you think you already have great talents
Looking at the county magistrate who was stunned by the official road, Li Hong patted him on the shoulder and said as if to comfort him: "The person who gave you the kindness of knowing and finding someone is like his parents. In fact, it was just the court that gave him the kindness of knowing and finding someone. So, To put it bluntly, the so-called kindness of knowing and encountering in your mouth is still the imperial court in the final analysis, but if you treat Luoyang Cheng, the person who was given the kindness of knowing and meeting by the imperial court, as your reborn parent, isn't it ignoring the facts and just following the combination of appearance and interests? "
Li Hong stood up and had an absolutely firm idea in his mind about Luoyang and his party. Even if his father's trip to Luoyang would end in sadness, for the sake of his country, his country, and the stability of his throne, he must keep his position. Luoyang's wealthy families and the so-called scholar-bureaucrats suppressed them.
"A scholar dies for a confidant. I believe that if the imperial court is filled with people who care about the country and the country of the Tang Dynasty as much as I do, then the Tang Dynasty will not have the current internal troubles." The county magistrate looked at Li Hong. From behind, he suddenly saluted seriously and said.
"If it weren't for the so-called scholar-bureaucrats in the world, how could we have internal worries in the Tang Dynasty? When a scholar dies for his confidant, he must die in a worthy manner to realize his greatest value, instead of relying on the favor and support of the court and the royal family. , for your own personal gain! In the final analysis, let’s just look at the appearance. Tell me, are the people the ultimate beneficiaries? Is it the court or the benefactor in your heart who gave you the favor? What benefits can be obtained? It is just to bear the reputation of being extravagant, so as to achieve the goal of serving the country, but in fact, you are just an inconspicuous pawn!" Li Hong looked back and pointed at that look. said the confused magistrate.
The tiger cub ran out of the tent staggeringly, but was kicked away by Li Hong. His majesty was obviously not in a good mood, and he was absolutely hostile and dissatisfied with everything he could see in front of him.
"What about you? What's wrong with you? This chapter is nonsense. It's just a chapter that I suppressed to express my gratitude to readers for their support and to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Are you so angry and resentful?" Wu Mei held it in her hands. On the feather duster, there was something written in his own handwriting: I wish all Li Hong’s readers a happy new year and auspicious blessings in the Year of the Dog. He looked at Li Hong and said with dissatisfaction.
"The reason why supporters support Erchen is because they want to see the development and continuation of the story, rather than seeing the entire plot and your picture... Can you remove the sentence "Auspicious Year of the Dog", Mother? Shangguan Wan'er salutes all readers with sincerity, and this is the same sentence!"
"Then let's wish all readers a Happy New Year! All the best, all your wishes will come true, good health, and your family will be happy!" Wu Mei opened the words, looked at you in front of the screen and blessed.
(End of chapter)