Chapter 23 Inner's Families

Tea ceremony is very particular, completely separated from the category of drinking water and has become an upper-level art.

Xue Chongxun felt a little ashamed. As a prince and noble, he didn't know much about this, but he also understood that tea was a state of mind, and was very particular about the environment, atmosphere, and etiquette. He had to create an atmosphere from all aspects to make the tea ceremony.

Since he proposed to treat Zhang Shuo with tea today, Xue Chongxun attached great importance to it. After thinking about it, he took Zhang Shuo to the backyard.

There is a villa on the bank of Tingyu Lake. It was originally Xue Chongxun's study. Although he rarely goes to the study, the environment there is quite quiet.

The group walked slowly along Tingyu Lake. Xue Chongxun turned his head and looked at the budding lotus flowers in the lake. He felt a little painful in his heart. The name of this pond was chosen by Princess Jincheng.

In an instant, the beautiful voice and appearance of Jincheng flashed through his mind.

The dust-free water in the bamboo dock is clear, and the lovesickness is far away from the city.The autumn clouds do not dissipate the frost and fly late, leaving the remaining lotus to listen to the sound of rain...

……

The two entered the study room, but saw a back door inside. Xue Chongxun went to open the wooden lattice door and saw a back porch. The plants outside the porch were green and had a very lifelike atmosphere. As soon as the door opened, it made people feel refreshed.

Zhang Shuo was also happy to see this and smiled and said: Xue Lang’s back porch is good!There is a fragrance of books in the house and a fragrance of flowers outside the house. After the deposit, you can enjoy a cup of tea and read an article. This is a blessing in life.

Xue Chongxun said: To be ashamed, I rarely come here on weekdays, and it is difficult to have that kind of leisure and leisure.If I hadn't been dating an elegant person like Zhang Xianggong, I would be a real person.

He heard Zhang Shuoshe’s artistic conception of tea and reading, and he immediately felt the taste of the literati.

However, at first when Xue Chongxun took out the precious silk to repay Li Guinian, Zhang said on the side had a look of greed in his eyes...

It seems that a high-quality literati must be pure and have few desires.

But what Xue Chongxun admires most is not Zhang Shuo’s taste, but his greed.A person who likes wealth and treasures is easier for me to use; if he is a bad person, it will be difficult to use.

Xue Lang is modest.Zhang said with a clasped his fist.

Xue Chongxun pointed to the back hall outside: Since Mr. Zhang likes this back hall, how can we sit on the stone table outside?

please.

The two walked out of the door and sat down next to the stone table in the corridor. Xue Chongxun shouted: Come on, come on, serve tea.

At this time, two women, one big and one small, walked in with all kinds of things.

One is Pei Niang, who is as small and cute as a loli; the other is Dong, whose butterfly-like red fetus on her cheekbones look weird and attractive, with her bulging breasts and plump skin, like a mature apple.

Xue Chongxun smiled and said: They are my close servants. How do you think your appearance and temperament are you?

Zhang Shuo was a little surprised and bowed without looking sideways: It's rude.

Such a beautiful servant must be the one who sleeps with Xue Chongxun, and that is the inner relative!

Although the Tang Dynasty was open, the inner relatives would not come out to meet guests easily, unless they were good friends wearing pairs of pants ignored these etiquettes...

Now Xue Chongxun actually called his woman out to make tea. What does it mean?

Zhang said that he was not a fool to get into the position of prime minister, and he already understood Xue Chongxun's meaning very well.

Dong and Pei Niang walked to the stone table together and began to make tea carefully.

Both of them were very low-class and had never seen any big scenes. They rarely saw men in their mansion except Xue Chongxun. Suddenly, they faced Zhang's words that such a prime minister-level official made them a little nervous and just lowered their heads to do things.

Xue Chongxun was a martial artist, so he didn't pay much attention to these elegant things. Obviously, Dong and Pei Niang didn't know much about it, so they could only do it according to the routine of making tea for Xue Chongxun.

Fortunately, tea is a good thing, which makes up for the shortcomings of many etiquette and rules.

Zhang said he was an expert. When he saw the tea in the pot, he immediately praised: This tea is the best!

Xue Chongxun only told the housekeeper to get the most expensive tea, but he couldn't figure it out. As soon as he talked about this thing, he asked humbly: How did you see it?

Zhang said: Guzhu purple bamboo shoots are the best among tea, but they are divided into grades: the best hugs like bamboo shoots, the top buds are straight and tender leaves are slightly longer, and the shape is similar to orchids.Xue Lang, please look at the tea in the pot. It is tight and clean, complete and elegant, and is the best.

Xue Chongxun owed his body. After a closer look, he couldn't help laughing and said: I understand, it's very simple to distinguish, I'm taught.

Zhang said: I have a good taste today. This tea is famous for its green and fragrant, intoxicating, and pleasant to sip...

Sure enough, after the tea was brewed, a different fragrance wafted in the back porch, and the fragrance smelled one word: cool!

The color is green and the silver hair is obvious. The fragrance is clear and sweet, mellow and fresh. The tea soup is clear and bright, and the leaves are tender.The tea tastes fresh and mellow, and the aftertaste is sweet, which really makes people feel heart-wrenching... Zhang Shuo praised it endlessly.

Xue Chongxun was shocked when he heard this. He had only one thought in his mind: expensive things are fucking good.

Zhang Shuo picked up the small cup and took a sip, his face filled with intoxication.Xue Chongxun didn't say anything, and when he savored the tea carefully, the surroundings were very quiet and comfortable.

Well, maybe tea is a peaceful mindset.

At this time, Zhang said that he might be going to recite a poem, but he did not recite the poem, but just raised his head and sighed.

Xue Chongxun asked: Why did Mr. Zhang sigh?

Zhang Shuo's expression with lofty ambitions on his face seemed to have become a benevolent person at once. He slowly said: In the temple, he should have demonstrated his talents and knowledge to serve the country and do something big, but the journey is so difficult, why don't people sigh?

Xue Chongxun nodded and listened very seriously. He thought to himself: As expected, Zhang said that he was very unhappy to be excluded in the court, and he wanted to do things but no one supported him.

Zhang Shuo lowered his head, sighing, and looked straight at Xue Chongxun and said: When Xue Lang was impulsive, I was very angry. Do you know why?I, Zhang, are also a man of the Tang Dynasty and are also a bloody person, but I understand that going to war with Tubo is by no means a wise move!

Xue Chongxun said: I was indeed at fault for that last time and I didn’t care about Zhang Xianggong’s reprimand.But please inform Zhang Xianggong.

Zhang said: Xue Lang's mind and courage are admirable, but pursuing strength on the battlefield cannot be achieved by just being bloody.The Tubo people could gather at least 500,000 string-controlling men within a few months. On the other hand, our Tang Dynasty was short of troops, and the Zhechong Mansion could not recruit soldiers for a full year... Is it because our Tang Dynasty was not strong?No, why?

Xue Chongxun actually had some thoughts in his mind, but if he wanted to hear what Zhang said, he repeated: Why?

Zhang Shuo raised his head and seemed to be looking far away. He said with such an expression: During the reign of Emperor Taizong, the civil and military achievements of the Manchu Di were frightened because there were soldiers on the battlefields of hundreds of wars. After Emperor Gaozong, the population of the country gradually increased, but the number of household registrations controlled by the Ministry of Revenue decreased year by year, and the equal-field system was almost in name only.Without private households (self-cultivated farmers), it will not only become more difficult to conscript troops, but will continue to be in crisis in finance and taxation.If the law is not changed, not to mention the financial and taxation issues, the current war is difficult to deal with. How can we fight without soldiers?

Xue Chongxun said: The law must be adapted to the times. If the law does not change, it will naturally become a stumbling block hindering the development of the country. I support reform, but the law cannot change randomly. It is better to listen to Zhang Xianggong's high opinions first.

I will change the tax system for the time being. I am the Minister of War, so I will talk about the military system first.The Zhechong Mansion has difficulty conscription, so the court must pay for the recruitment of warriors and form athletes in the Long March to greatly boost the force and guard the four directions.

Zhang Shuo said confidently.

A Long March athlete?Xue Chongxun thought, wasn’t this changing the government military system to the recruiting system?

In fact, in this practical situation, the method proposed by Zhang Shuo is very suitable for the timely. The recruitment system and corresponding fiscal and tax reforms can not only improve national defense, but also stimulate the economy.

In recent years, Jiangnan Road in the south has developed rapidly, especially along the canal, with commercial stimulation, and a metropolis with a population of one million have appeared; on the contrary, the people's livelihood around Guanzhong Road is still difficult.

The reason for this situation is probably related to the military system.

The Tang Dynasty took Guanzhong as its fundamental place, and was condescending to control the whole country with Guanzhong. Therefore, most of the main combat troops came from Guanzhong. When men fought, they had to bring their own food and grass and some equipment to serve. Insufficient labor would naturally affect the economy. However, because the Jiangnan side was too far from the capital and border, it was difficult for Shangfan to go, and there were few conscriptions, so even if the tax revenue was heavy, it could still develop.

If you use the idea of ​​Zhang Shuo to recruit warriors to replace the palace soldiers, then the economy of Guanzhong, the foundation of the Tang Dynasty, will definitely recover...

Xue Chongxun remembered that the material prosperity of the Kaiyuan rule may have a lot to do with the recruitment system!

Then if Xue Chongxun supports Zhang Shuo, the Kaiyuan rule that will disappear in history may be recovered.

However, Xue Chongxun's heart has always had a shadow: separatist rule of the feudal states.It has a lot to do with the collapse of the military system.

The government system has a great advantage, that is, the central government can control its troops very effectively, and it is difficult to form a situation of warlord separatism.There are reasons for this system to exist in various dynasties.

But the current situation is as Zhang Shuo said. The government system could still deal with national defense, but the war is imminent, and more troops are needed. The old methods are still unable to deal with the situation...

Without Zhang’s method, there are other ways?

Xue Chongxun pondered for a long time, looked at Zhang and said: This matter is of great importance, so let me think about it for a while.

Zhang Shuo looked at Xue Chongxun with anticipation and said: For the sake of the country and the country, Zhang is in the position of prime minister and must not be a corpse!Please think Xue Lang!

Xue Chongxun remained silent. He thought that Zhang said that he wanted to accomplish this and really needed his support.

Xue Chongxun is not the prime minister and has not participated in the decision-making of the Political Affairs Hall. Now he is not even able to protect the throne because of his mistakes, but he has a certain influence, at least it can influence Princess Taiping.

Zhang said that he was the object of being guarded by others in the court. He said that he would be suspected of having ulterior motives, but if Xue Chongxun, Princess Taiping's confidant, could speak for him, he could eliminate many obstacles...

This is also one of the reasons why Zhang Shuo can't wait to join Xue Chongxun.

Because of the secret of heaven, Xue Chongxun knew the general direction of history, which made him feel embarrassed; if not, he would have decided to support Zhang Shuo immediately, not only for public benefit, but also for a smooth alliance with Zhang Shuo...

But people have some sense of historical responsibility. They know the future disasters, don’t they want to try their best to avoid them?