PFC Chapter 173 "Integration of Language and Literature" is not as good as a box of caramel eg
Chapter 173 "Integration of Language and Literature" is not as good as a box of caramel eg
Xiao Si mentioned: "'Chinese language' is really good at checking household registration! And the Chinese language is also quite good."
"Oh?"
"Haha, no wonder he's called Yuwen Rong."
The peasants wandered from place to place, and by the Kaiyuan era, this problem had become an extremely serious social issue.
The hardworking farmers, burdened by heavy taxes and forced labor, had no choice but to leave their hometowns.
Some became "floating people" (i.e., migrants) wandering from place to place, while others became tenant farmers for landlords.
As a result, the number of registered households across the country plummeted, which severely impacted the Tang Dynasty government's fiscal revenue.
Yuwen Rong was quite politically astute; he immediately recognized the seriousness of the social problem and knew that Emperor Xuanzong was having a headache over it.
So, he struck while the iron was hot and wrote a letter to Emperor Xuanzong of Tang on the 28th day of the first month of the ninth year of Kaiyuan (721 AD), suggesting that the government should investigate and investigate those farmers who had fled, so as to increase the government's tax revenue.
Xiao Si said, "Yuwen Rong's idea of checking household registrations was exactly what Emperor Xuanzong wanted, so the emperor immediately ordered Yuwen Rong to formulate a plan to investigate and clear out the runaway households."
In less than two weeks, Yuwen Rong produced his plan to investigate and clear out absconded households, along with a PowerPoint presentation outlining the specific operational steps. This plan then spread throughout the country.
Qu Youjiu said, "His execution ability and ruthlessness are beyond the reach of ordinary people. As the envoy, he acted swiftly and decisively, searching for those farmers who had fled according to the household registration records, and soon achieved good results."
Emperor Xuanzong was impressed with him and promoted him from an eighth-rank censor to a sixth-rank assistant minister in the Ministry of War.
Lower-level dimension projection:
Farmer Xiao Jia: Sigh, life is unbearable. Taxes and forced labor are suffocating us, forcing us to leave our hometown and wander around.
Farmer Xiaoqi: Yes, look at those who became "floating people" and those who became tenant farmers for landlords, it's really tragic. As a result, the national population plummeted.
Farmer Xiao Jia: I heard that the imperial court is also having a headache over this matter. I wonder if there is any solution.
Upper-level dimension projection:
Yuwen Rong: Your Majesty, I have a plan that can help the country prosper.
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang: Oh? My dear minister, please speak freely.
Yuwen Rong: Your humble servant believes that the country needs reform in order to reach a higher level. However, Grand Secretary Zhang Shuo seems to be dissatisfied with your humble servant's proposal and has repeatedly opposed it.
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang: Minister Zhang Yue is an important minister in the court, and his opinions cannot be ignored. However, please speak freely, my dear minister, and I will make my own judgment.
Yuwen Rong: Your Majesty, I am grateful for your trust. In fact, I and the Imperial Censor Cui Yinfu have discovered that Lord Zhang Shuo has done something wrong. He secretly invites sorcerers at night, and he condones his subordinates' misconduct and accepts bribes.
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang: Is this really true? I need to investigate this thoroughly.
(After some investigation, Zhang was indeed dismissed from his post, much to Yuwen Rong's secret delight. However, no conclusive evidence was found, and he was ultimately released. Alas, what a future trouble!)
Zhang said: Yuwen Rong, you have framed a loyal official, you will surely be punished!
Yuwen Rong: Hmph, Lord Zhang, are you just jealous of my talent and His Majesty's favor?!
Cui Yinfu: Lord Yuwen, we must be careful not to let His Majesty discover our ulterior motives.
Yuwen Rong: Don't worry, Lord Cui, I know what I'm doing. You see, I'm a smooth talker, I can get by... In short, I won't let you down!
(The court was in turmoil, with events swirling and unsettling. Emperor Xuanzong looked at the memorial in his hand, his expression growing increasingly serious. Suddenly, he glanced at Yuwen Rong standing to the side and sighed softly.)
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang:
Yuwen Rong, I originally thought you were truly devoted to the country, but it turns out you've become obsessed with power struggles and turned into a "gossip master" in the palace.
I can see that you, Zhang Shuo, Cui Yinfu, and the others aren't plotting for the country at all; they're simply staging a power struggle. I saw through this move long ago!
Yuwen Rong: Your Majesty, this humble subject… (He hurriedly tried to explain, but found that Emperor Xuanzong had already raised his hand to interrupt him.)
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang:
No need to say more. My mind is made up. Hmm—let Zhang Shuo retire in peace, and let Cui Yinfu go home and enjoy his retirement.
As for you, well, I think you're a good person, but you're too good at "outsmarting and outmaneuvering," so I've decided... to transfer you to Weizhou as a minor governor. Perfect timing, they need someone there to manage water conservancy issues.
Yuwen Rong: (His heart tightened, for he learned that he seemed to have been exiled) Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to live up to Your Majesty's trust!
(Therefore, Yuwen Rong was exiled to Weizhou. Although he harbored some resentment, seeing that his power had been taken away, he said nothing more. Not long after, the Yellow River breached its banks, causing severe flooding in the Weizhou area. Upon seeing this, Yuwen Rong quickly directed his men to engage in disaster relief work.)
Yuwen Rong: (Standing on the embankment, hand on chin, eyes slightly narrowed)
This is truly a "huge project"—nine waterways, which must be made good use of.
Although it's a disaster, it's also an opportunity to bring some benefits to the people—and incidentally, a chance for myself to "show off." If the court sees that I've done a good job, I might even be able to come back and become a high-ranking official. Hmph, dream on!
(Therefore, Yuwen Rong began a large-scale water conservancy project. While directing the repair of the dikes, he also devised a brilliant plan.)
Yuwen Rong: (Writing a memorial in his study, looking smug)
Your Majesty, I believe that since the Yellow River is so "troublesome," we should do something about these nine waterways.
Reclaiming rice paddies can alleviate floods, allow people to live and work in peace and contentment, and most importantly, greatly reduce transportation costs, thus significantly increasing the government's revenue! It's truly a win-win situation.
(He smiled slightly, thinking that this suggestion was a safe way to "advertise" and earn him points.)
Yuwen Rong: (Narrator)
This move not only solves the flood problem but also saves the imperial court money; it's a brilliant strategy that's as easy as squeezing toothpaste!
I bet His Majesty would be grinning from ear to ear if he saw this. Having made such a big "deal," and getting to show off as well, why not?
(Yuwen Rong's proposal to cultivate rice paddies was approved by his superiors. Order gradually returned to Weizhou, and the people lived in peace. Yuwen Rong himself also gained considerable prestige from this event.)
Yuwen Rong: (Standing in the field, holding the "Rice Paddy Transformation" plan, feeling very pleased with himself)
Look! Isn't my move as brilliant as Zhuge Liang's "borrowing arrows with straw boats"? I never thought I could become famous and achieve great things in this small Weizhou!
(Thus, Yuwen Rong made great strides in Weizhou. Although the court did not give him much power again, he still remained active on the stage of history as a "meritorious official.")