Chapter 19 Yang Guozhong: The flamboyant turn of the little gangster

Yang Guozhong, whose real name is Yang Zhao, was born in Yongle, Puzhou (now Yongji City, Shanxi), and the distant cousin of Concubine Yang.His father and grandparents are all unknown, but there is one uncle who is famous, that is, Zhang Yizhi, the late male favorite of Empress Wu Zhao.When Zhang Yizhi was favored, Yang Zhao was still in his infancy and did not get the glory of his uncle. When he was a little older, Zhang Yizhi had long ago lost his braids in the Shenlong coup, and left behind him the infamy of relying on favor and messing with politics, and he deserved to die, so This relationship did not help Yang Zhao at all.

Although Yang Zhao's ancestors were also the famous Hongnong Yang family, Yang Zhao's family suffered a more severe defeat than Yang Yuhuan's.Yang Yuhuan's father is still a seventh-rank official, equivalent to today's division-level civil servants, but Yang Zhao's father is an ordinary citizen with a poor family background, so Yang Zhao has not received any formal education since he was a child. A fool, when he grows up, he has no other skills, he only learns to drink and gamble. However, if a person wants to survive in society, it is not scary to have no culture, not to be afraid to have a diploma, but to be afraid of not having a skill.Yang Zhao likes gambling, although it is not a hobby that is beneficial to the body and mind, but he has developed one skill from gambling, that is-sensitivity to numbers and outstanding computing power.

We must not underestimate this kind of ability, because there were no electronic calculators at that time, not even an abacus (the current abacus appeared only in the Northern Song Dynasty, and the calculation tools used in the Tang Dynasty were chips made from bamboo sticks. ), if a person can give you multi-digit addition, subtraction, multiplication and division in the blink of an eye, of course you have to call him a genius. Later facts proved that it was precisely because of this ability and the financial management ability developed on this basis, coupled with the nepotism of Concubine Yang Gui, that Yang Zhao climbed from a small gangster to the peak of power step by step, and became Tianbao's favorite in the last years of the emperor. Minister and Imperial Prime Minister.

However, although Yang Zhao had a talent for numbers early on, his relatives, friends and neighbors did not recognize his genius.In their eyes, he was always just an ignorant, drinking and gambling gangster, so they always kept him at a respectful distance. Yang Zhao's self-esteem was seriously hurt due to long-term blindness.Finally one day, he was determined to become stronger——I am going to join the army, and I will show you when I come back as a high-ranking official! Yang Zhao's angry situation is roughly similar to that of Ge Shuhan.But brother Shuhan is a prodigal son who doesn't change money, and makes meritorious deeds as soon as he runs to the border, but Yang Zhao's bad habits are hard to change. After serving in the army in Sichuan, he still drinks and gambles, which is probably because he violated military discipline once. , and was severely whipped by the boss.

Fortunately, Yang Zhao still has a skill - the ability to manage money, so after enlisting in the army, he was not sent to the front line, but stayed in the rear to work in farming.Tuntian was the main source of income for the frontier troops at that time, and it had always been highly valued by the military and the imperial court.In this position, Yang Zhao finally had a place to use his skills and made some achievements. He was immediately appreciated by Shangfeng and promoted to Xindu County Captain. Yang Zhao has worked in this position for three years, but unfortunately he has not been promoted.According to the personnel system at that time, if an official's term of office expires, if there is no promotion or transfer, he can only temporarily stay at home.After three years as a lieutenant in Xindu County, Yang Zhao was unemployed, and his source of income was suddenly cut off. Trapped in Sichuan.

Just when Yang Zhao was in a predicament and couldn't do anything, someone extended a helping hand to him in time.This man was called Xianyu Zhongtong. He was not only well-informed and intelligent, but also wealthy. He served as an interview envoy under the command of Jiannan Jiedushi Zhangchou Jianqiong at that time, and was the Jiedushi's confidant and staff.This Xianyu Zhongtong was very shrewd. After meeting Yang Zhao several times, he decided that Yang Zhao was by no means a person who lived under others for a long time, so he often donated money generously and spared no effort to help him.

Xianyu Zhongtong believes that Yang Zhao is a good political investment target.Therefore, we must give him a drop of water when he is extremely hungry and thirsty, in exchange for his future repayment. In the fourth year of Tianbao (745 A.D.), Yang Yuhuan was canonized as a noble concubine. Zhangchou Jianqiong decided to take advantage of this "antenna". No one, it is easy to be excluded by Li Linfu. Recently I heard that Yang Guifei is favored by the emperor. This is a very good opportunity. If you can go to Chang'an for me and make friends with the Yang family, I will be ready for any danger. "

Xianyu Zhongtong immediately realized that as long as Yang Zhao was allowed to take this trip, this young man would surely make a fortune in the future, and his investment would also be rewarded handsomely!As expected, just a few years later, Yang Guozhong, who had become the emperor's favored minister, gave him an absolutely worthwhile reward - the post of Jiannan Jiedu Envoy.This is something. Having made up his mind, Xianyu Zhongtong said to Zhangchou Jianqiong, "I'm from Sichuan, and I've never been to such a big place as the capital. I'm afraid it will ruin your business." He glanced at Zhangchou Jianqiong and paused. After a pause, he continued, "However, I can recommend someone for my lord. If this person comes out, I will definitely not disappoint my lord."

This is how Yang Zhao's good luck came. Zhang Qiu and Qiong summoned Yang Zhao immediately after hearing the words.At first sight, Zhangchou Jianqiong was overjoyed.He found that this Yang Zhao was not only handsome, but also eloquent and extremely alert. He was indeed a suitable candidate to enter the court.In addition, there is the most important point - he is the elder brother of Concubine Yang Gui.Nepotism is the best passport to use in officialdom at any time, so don't say anything, it's this kid! In the days that followed, Zhang Qiu Jianqiong not only appointed Yang Zhao as the promotion officer, but also often summoned him when there was nothing to do, and always asked him about his health and cared for him, which made Yang Zhao feel grateful and flattered.

In the autumn of the fourth year of Tianbao, Zhang Qiu and Qiong ordered Yang Zhao to be responsible for transporting tribute to the court. Before leaving, he suddenly said to him in a casual tone: "I have something in Pixian County, and I can give you a few days' money. Just take it with you when you pass by." After Yang Zhao arrived in Pi County, he was stunned when he saw the "little thing" that Zhangchou Jianqiong mentioned. That was a cart full of dozens of gifts, all of which were famous specialties and rare treasures in Sichuan. Yang Zhao roughly estimated that the value was at least ten million (ten thousand) based on his mental arithmetic ability.

Yang Zhao understands—this errand is not only to pay tribute to the court, but also to pay tribute to the noble concubine's family, not only to help Zhangchou Jianqiong "set up the antenna", but also to help himself "jump the dragon's gate"! Is there a better beauty in the world than this? Yang Zhao was ecstatic, and immediately packed dozens of carts of gifts, and went straight to Chang'an day and night. After arriving in Chang'an, Yang Zhao brought presents and visited the three cousins ​​non-stop, telling them: "This is all from Master Zhangchou, the Jiedu envoy." , trying to advocate how talented and capable Zhangchou Jianqiong is, and so on.Soon after, Zhangchou Jianqiong was transferred to the court as he wished, and was honored as the Minister of the Household Department. Among the three sisters of the Yang family, Yang Zhao did not distribute the gifts equally, but gave half of them to the second cousin (later Mrs. Guo Guo), and the other half to the other two cousins.The reason why Mrs. Guo Guo takes the lead is because she and Yang Zhao are not just cousins. As early as when the three sisters were still in their boudoirs (Yang Yuhuan was still young), Yang Zhao often visited their house and had an affair with the second cousin.Later, the second cousin got married, and Yang Zhao himself got along very badly, so the relationship between the two was broken.Now, when this distant cousin who hadn't seen him for many years reappeared, he actually brought such a precious and rich meeting gift, how could it not make Mrs. Guo State elated?And coincidentally, Mrs. Guo Guo had just been widowed not long ago, full of loneliness and nowhere to rest, Yang Zhao unexpectedly appeared at this time, how can we not let her old love rekindle and her heart flutter? Therefore, as soon as he arrived in Chang'an, Yang Zhao lived in Mrs. Guo's house logically. In the days that followed, the three sisters of the Yang family often mentioned their cousin to Xuanzong, especially Mrs. Guo Guo, who spared no effort in recommending Yang Zhao to Xuanzong, extolling a lot of his advantages, and among them the most One thing that impresses Xuanzong is that Yang Zhao is good at playing with chu (chu). The so-called Apocalypse is a gambling game similar to rolling dice, but the rules are much more complicated than ordinary rolling dice, and the result of winning or losing requires precise calculation, which is exactly what Yang Zhao is good at. Xuanzong liked to play the most at that time. As soon as he heard that someone was good at playing with scorpions, he summoned him immediately, and then appointed Yang Zhao as Jinwu soldier Cao Canjun, and allowed him to enter and exit the forbidden center as a worship officer.From then on, whenever Xuanzong played with Azalea in the palace, Yang Zhao was specially in charge of calculating the points and winning or losing. Every time the calculation was fast and accurate, Xuanzong couldn't help but admire: "Good Duzhilang!" (Volume 21 Fives) Dojiro means financial official.At that time, Xuanzong loved money in addition to playing. If anyone can help him make a lot of money and keep him on the rise overnight, such as Yu Wenrong in his early years, and Wei Jian, Yang Shenjin, and Wang Yu later, it was all because he was good at Gathered and became a big celebrity in front of the emperor. The three sisters of the Yang family immediately grabbed Xuanzong's words and pestered him every day, asking him to make Yang Zhao an official in charge of finance.Xuanzong couldn't resist, so he had to let Yang Zhao go to the household department as an errand, and soon promoted him to be a doctor of Duzhi and a servant of the censor, and let him serve under the censor Zhongcheng and the Gyeonggi interview envoy Wang Yu. Later facts proved that Xuanzong's decision was quite wise.Because Yang Zhao's ability to make money not only did not disappoint him, but also far exceeded his expectations. From the moment Yang Zhao was appointed as Duzhi doctor, he bid farewell to the past of being poor and depressed. The surrounding scenery suddenly opened up, and the future suddenly became infinitely bright... In the next few years, Yang Zhao tried his best to spy on Xuanzong's likes and dislikes, and tried every means to cater to him. He has held more than a dozen financial positions. In the seventh year of Tianbao (748 A.D.), Yang Zhao "moved to Shizhong, who also served as the censor Zhongcheng, and specialized in judging Duzhishi (in charge of the national financial work), and his kindness is growing day by day". (Volume 216) The little gangster who used to hang out in the market, drink and gamble excessively, and this little official in Sichuan who was depressed a few years ago, has now been reborn and has become a high-ranking official in the court.The group of relatives, friends and neighbors who respected him back then must be regretful now—why didn't they see that this kid had such a great ability in the past? ! In order to let the emperor have an intuitive and good impression of his political achievements, since Yang Zhao became the Minister of Finance, he ordered all parts of the country to exchange the grain turned over to the central government into silk, and at the same time use the income from various exorbitant taxes to buy cloth. Collected into the treasury, and then played Xuanzong frequently, declaring that the money in the treasury has been piled up like a mountain, reaching the richest level in history-"The treasury is full of money, and it is rare in ancient and modern times!" (Volume 216) The country is not short of money, Xuanzong is of course happy.In February of the eighth year of Tianbao (749 A.D.), Emperor Xuanzong summoned all the civil and military officials to visit the treasury happily. After a look, it was exactly as Yang Zhao said-the treasury was full and the property was piled up. Looking at ancient and modern times, there are rare treasures. match! Witnessing such a grand occasion, all the civil and military officials in the Manchu Dynasty were stunned, and the emperor of the Tang Dynasty couldn't stop his eyes from shining. The current Tang Empire is not only not short of money, it is simply rich and smoldering! Xuanzong was so excited that he couldn't express it, and immediately announced that all civil and military officials in the Manchu Dynasty will be rewarded, and all will be given corresponding cloth according to the size of the official rank; at the same time, Yang Zhao will be given a third-rank purple robe and a goldfish bag to show his supreme favor. Since the late Kaiyuan period, Xuanzong had not taken money seriously when rewarding his favored ministers. Since this "treasury observation", his thoughts have been unprecedentedly liberated, and he has reached the realm of treating money like dung. "There is no limit to rewarding a lucky family." (Volume 216) seems to regard the national treasury as an inexhaustible treasure. In the ninth year of Tianbao (750 A.D.), Yang Zhao presented a memorial to Xuanzong, requesting to vindicate his uncles Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong.Xuanzong didn't say anything, and immediately acted. On the grounds that Erzhang had persuaded Emperor Wu to welcome back Zhongzong and made contributions to the country, he issued an edict to recover Erzhang's official title and bestow one of his sons as an official.A few days later, Yang Zhao asked Xuanzong to give him a new name on the grounds that his name contained "golden knife", which coincided with a certain prophecy, and was unlucky to the emperor and the court.Xuanzong responded to every request, and immediately named him "Guozhong". Youdao is the name of righteousness, and the reason why Yang Guozhong came up with these two tricks at this time is by no means the product of a whim, but the result of careful consideration over the past few years.In other words, his purpose of doing this is to repackage himself and pave the way for future power grabs.First of all, by rehabilitating Er Zhang, he is no longer the remnant of a rebellious minister, but transformed himself into a hero, and has a very glorious background from then on; He made a clean break, and through the emperor's naming, let everyone realize how honorable and extraordinary his identity is. From now on, there will no longer be that little man named Yang Zhao in this world, and it will be replaced by Yang Guozhong, the descendant of this hero named by the emperor himself. The old gangster turned around gorgeously. Don't mention the past, life has been full of storms. I really want to break the past and let tomorrow continue. From now on, Yang Guozhong will appear in the eyes of the world with a brand new attitude, charging towards the pinnacle of power. Of course, the road to the pinnacle of power is always steep and narrow.Just like a road in Huashan since ancient times, if you want to climb quickly on this trail that only allows one person to pass, you must do everything possible to squeeze the guy in front of you from the cliff.Until you mercilessly push all those who stand in your way into the abyss, you can reach the climax of the infinite scenery before everyone else. In fact, Yang Guozhong has been doing this since the sixth year of Tianbao. The person who planned behind the scenes and cooperated closely with him was Li Linfu. In the middle and later stages of Tianbao, they joined hands to set off one bloody prison after another, and severely attacked all political opponents, "squeezing and trapping hundreds of families". (Volume 216) Among the dissidents who were eradicated by them, the ones who died the most ugly were the two financial masters who were favored by Xuanzong before Yang Guozhong-Yang Shenjin and Wang Ji.