A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Starting from the Village Chief

Chapter 676 Proud of the Spring Breeze
Zhang Liang walked out of the East Palace and mounted his horse.

Dressed in fine clothes and riding a spirited horse, with an undisguised smug smile on his lips.

Left Guard General, Duke of Changping County.

He was the son of a farmer from Xingyang, and now he has acquired a purple robe, a jade belt, and a goldfish.

Riding high on his success, Zhang Liang didn't immediately go home to share the good news with his wife and children. Instead, he headed straight for Shengyefang.

The Wutou Gate of the Prince Dai's Mansion was tall and imposing.
Inside the walled enclosure were two halberd stands, with a set of halberds on each side.
Eight painted lacquer halberds on the left, eight painted lacquer halberds on the right.
Zhang Liang counted the two rows of halberds one by one. Sixteen halberds in a row—this was no ordinary honor.

The emperor used twenty-four halberds, while the crown prince used eighteen.

Those who hold the rank of Grand Master of the Palace, Prince of the Commandery, Pillar of the State, or Pillar of the State with official duties of the third rank or above, as well as Governor of Yongzhou and Grand Commander, are all granted fourteen halberds.

Li Yi was not only a first-rank official with the title of Grand Master of the Palace, but also the Prince of Dai, the Pillar of State, the Attendant-in-Ordinary, the General of the Left Guard, and the Governor of Yongzhou.
But he also held the positions of Minister of Works and Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince.
This qualified him to be among the sixteen halberds of the gate.
This is unique among all the officials of the Tang Dynasty today.
Others, such as Prince Zhao, Li Xiaogong, Prince Yan, Li Yi, and Prince Wei, Li Daoxuan, could only have fourteen halberds in their ranks.

Zhang Liang was filled with envy.

However, he will soon be able to apply to the Ministry of Rites for a gate halberd, as he has just been granted the title of Left Guard General, which is a third-rank official.

Having an official rank of third grade, one can apply for the position of "Halberd within the Gate".

Wearing purple robes and gold fish ornaments, with halberds lined up inside the gate, this was truly stepping into the ranks of ministers.

In addition to the title of Duke of Changping County,
Zhang Liang stood up and became a new elite in Chang'an.

However, he kept in mind that he could not forget his benefactor, Li Yi, for all he had.

When he surrendered to the Tang Dynasty with Li Shiji, the Tang Dynasty appointed him as the prefect of Zhengzhou. However, Zhengzhou was under the control of Wang Shichong at the time, so he could not take up the post. Later, he only managed to obtain the position of prefectural military commander.

He met Li Yi, who appreciated him and entrusted him with important responsibilities. He gradually accumulated merits, and with Li Yi's support, he was able to rise through the ranks. In the end, Li Yi recommended him to the King of Qin, and now he has achieved great success.

Li Mi was Zhang Liang's first benefactor.
Now, Li Yi is his greatest benefactor.

Outside the Wutou Wall, Zhang Liang dismounted early and didn't even have his attendants bring the gift box to retrieve the gold-embossed name cards.

He straightened his clothes, went to the front of Wutou Gate, and politely greeted the guards and servants of the Prince of Dai's mansion: "Zhang Liang has come to pay his respects to the Minister of Works."

The gatekeeper recognized Zhang Liang; he was a regular customer and had a good relationship with his master. He came out to greet him, saying, "General Zhang, your timing is perfect. My master left early this morning and just returned. I'll inform you of your arrival."

Zhang Liang smiled and pulled out a bag containing gold leaf arranged in the shape of book pages, weighing about an ounce.

The gatekeeper waved his hand and laughed, "I am a distant relative of the Third Mistress's family. I used to help Ah Lang with some things in Yu Su countryside. Now that I'm older, I've come here to guard the gate."

However, the family also owned about 300 acres of land for rent, and they also grew mulberry trees, raised silkworms, and had cattle and sheep. Coming to the princely residence in the capital, the treatment was quite generous; they received not only a monthly allowance but also rewards during festivals.

I know that other noble and high-ranking officials' households require a gatekeeping fee, especially when asking for favors; otherwise, they won't even give permission after being informed.
But our place is different; the doorman doesn't accept door bags, no matter how much or how little.

Even when facing a third-rank official, this old doorman surnamed Luo spoke with the same arrogance. It's said that even a seventh-rank official is in front of the prime minister, and that's not just a saying.

Moreover, this old Luo also has a son who has been selected as a soldier in the government army, and he is already a ninth-rank squad leader.

Even in the countryside, Lao Luo would be considered a person of status.

But he was still willing to come to Chang'an to do something for Li Yi, even if it was just guarding the gate. Besides, he was a gatekeeper, not a servant.

Zhang Liang silently took out another gold leaf.

Old Luo was getting a little angry. "General Zhang, I'm only being polite because you're familiar with my son. If you keep this up, I'll really get angry."

Don't even mention two taels of gold, even if you offered twenty taels, I, Lao Luo, wouldn't take it.

The people of our Prince's Mansion aren't so greedy.

Zhang Liang was surprised that the old gatekeeper didn't really care about two taels of gold; in the countryside outside Beijing, that amount could build a small courtyard.

He had once toiled in the fields and knew how valuable this money was to ordinary people. For the average commoner, let alone gold, they rarely even saw copper coins and couldn't save any cash. In good years, they could at most save some grain and some silk.

He felt that he might not have paid enough.
After all, everyone knows that Li Sikong is incredibly wealthy and powerful, and is currently extremely popular. Perhaps the generous gifts from those who come to visit him have inflated his appetite.

He picked up another gold page.

Old Luo was really angry this time. He snorted and turned to leave.

Zhang Liang was left stunned for a long time.

He, a dignified third-rank Left Guard General and newly enfeoffed as the Duke of Changping, was actually looked down upon by an old gatekeeper from the countryside.

Is this looking down on people, or bullying others by taking advantage of one's power?

He had experienced this kind of thing before; he had previously visited the home of his lover, Widow Li, and climbed the gate of the Li family in Zhao County.
The gatekeeper of the Li family was just as arrogant, and even after receiving a generous bribe, he still spoke to him in a sarcastic and condescending manner.

Somewhat awkwardly, I stood at the door waiting.

Even a third-rank duke wouldn't dare put on airs in front of Li Yi's door.

Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long.

Old Luo is back. "Ah Lang wants you to go to the polo field to see him. Come with me."

Zhang Liang smiled at Old Luo and quickly followed.

Li Yi's polo field was very large, covering dozens of acres, which seemed extravagant in Shengyefang, the eastern part of Chang'an.

Several polo teams are training at the same time.

On a row of polo training fields, hooves thundered as knights, clad in rattan armor, chased each other, brandishing their crescent-shaped staffs.

These polo players were mostly veterans from the battlefield.

They also play polo with a touch of ferocity.

While this kind of polo may not be as technically advanced as that of professional players,

A violent collision,

Yet it's incredibly exciting to watch, highly entertaining. "Why didn't Sikong go up and fight?"

Zhang Liang came over and said with a smile.

"It's hot, playing polo is a bit of a torture. In this weather, I still prefer swimming. I was just about to go swimming anyway, let's go together."

Zhang Liang naturally agreed.

Right there in the polo field, Li Yi also built a large swimming pool, which is very pleasant to swim in during the summer.

Swimming is also a great way to exercise.

He didn't particularly like the training methods of the household guards and servants; they focused more on strength training.

Eat a lot and exercise a lot.

They all trained to look like Mongolian wrestlers: big, muscular, covered in fat, and strong in strength, endurance, and explosiveness.

Li Yi didn't like this type of person, mainly because he felt it didn't fit his aesthetic preferences. He preferred someone more robust, rather than someone with a huge build, especially someone with a potbelly.

He prefers a more balanced physique, and swimming has a good shaping effect.

Li Yi is proficient in all swimming styles.
Zhang Liang could only doggy paddle, and he looked at Li Yi like a white streak in the waves with great envy.

"His Highness originally intended to appoint you as the Crown Prince's Household Steward, but I told His Highness that making you the Grand Steward of the Eastern Palace would be a waste of your talents."
"I recommend you to the Censorate, where you can start as a Supervising Censor." Li Yi swam around, returned to shore, and lay down on a bamboo recliner.

The Crown Prince's Household Steward was a fourth-rank official. The Crown Prince's Household Steward's Temple, along with the Crown Prince's Palace Attendant's Temple and the Crown Prince's Palace Attendant's Temple, were collectively known as the Three Temples of the Eastern Palace. These Three Temples of the Eastern Palace were functionally modeled after the Nine Temples of the Imperial Court.

The Imperial Household Department was in charge of food and beverages, as well as storage. It comprised three offices: the Chief Food Officer, the Granary Officer, and the Treasury Officer.

Although the Imperial Censor was only a fifth-rank official, he was the second-ranking official in the Censorate and often actually presided over the affairs of the Censorate when the position of Grand Censor was vacant. It was an important position.

This position was originally called the Imperial Censor-in-Chief. During the Sui Dynasty, it was changed to the Imperial Censor-in-Chief to avoid using the emperor's name. Later, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, it was changed back to Imperial Censor-in-Chief to avoid using the emperor's name. After the mid-Tang Dynasty, the position of Imperial Censor-in-Chief was often vacant, so the Imperial Censor-in-Chief became the de facto head of the Censorate and his rank was raised to the fourth grade. However, the Imperial Censor-in-Chief was often able to be given the title of Prime Minister.

"The current Imperial Censor Huangfu Wuyi is His Majesty's man and will be replaced sooner or later. You should first become a Supervising Censor and gradually take charge of the daily affairs of the Imperial Censorate."

Zhang Liang was a little surprised.

"The Crown Prince has just appointed me as General of the Left Guard,"

"This doesn't matter. Your position as Left Guard General is a concurrent post. With this third-rank official position, you can wear a purple robe and a gold fish-shaped pouch. Your main focus will still be on the Censorate."

"Look at me, I also hold the title of Left Guard General, but when have I ever been to the Left Guard's office?"

Zhang Liang immediately replied, "I will follow Sikong's arrangements."

"This was not my arrangement, but His Highness the Crown Prince's, and it was also approved by the ministers of the Council of State Affairs."

Imperial court official system

The appointment of officials of the third rank and above was in the hands of the emperor; the appointment of officials of the fifth rank to the third rank was generally in the hands of the prime minister; and the selection and appointment of officials of the sixth rank and below was in the hands of the Ministry of Personnel.

Zhang Liang's appointment as a third-rank Left Guard General was directly nominated by the Crown Prince Li Shimin, then approved by the Council of State, and finally submitted to the Ministry of Personnel for official appointment.

The position of Imperial Censor, a fifth-rank official, was recommended by Li Yi at a meeting of the Council of State. After discussion among the prime ministers, the appointment was submitted to the Crown Prince, who then gave his approval before a formal imperial edict was issued.

Without going through the Secretariat and the Chancellery,

Even if Li Shimin was acting as regent, his direct appointment of Zhang Liang as Imperial Censor was illegal and constituted a sham appointment.

The edict had to be reviewed by the Secretariat and then handed over to the Minister for execution; this process was indispensable.

Fortunately, now that the coup has occurred,
The four chancellors of the Secretariat and the Chancellery are all people of the new crown prince. Although the two vice ministers of the Chancellery are old chancellors, they have no influence over the Council of State Affairs.

"Next time you come to my house, don't send the doorman a door bag again. Don't be so formal, and don't corrupt my family," Li Yi said with a laugh.

Zhang Liang quickly agreed.

"I heard you're going to divorce your wife and marry someone else?"

"Yes, I will definitely invite you to my wedding banquet."

Li Yi shook his head at him, "As the ancients said, 'A wife who has shared hardship should not be abandoned.' How can you divorce your first wife as soon as you become rich and powerful? You should think twice before you act."

Zhang Liang gritted his teeth.
"It's not that I despise my wife who has shared my hardships, but this woman is both stupid and greedy. Now that I've become rich, she's done many shameful and even illegal things behind my back."

She accepted gifts from others behind my back, tolerated her family's misconduct in the village, and even used my name to swindle and deceive people.

She'll take any money she wants and promise anything she wants. If I don't divorce this stupid woman, she'll ruin me.

Li Yi knew that Zhang Liang's wife was someone he married before he became successful. Back then, Zhang Liang was a farmer's son, and his wife was naturally an ordinary farmer's daughter.
Average appearance, clumsy hands are inevitable, lack of knowledge, sudden wealth, and momentary greed are also inevitable.

But Zhang Liang didn't think about teaching her to change; he only thought about divorcing his wife and marrying someone else.
Ultimately, it was the Li woman he wanted to marry—a member of the Zhao County Li clan, one of the Five Surnames and Seven Clans. Even if she was a widow with a less-than-stellar reputation, Zhang Liang didn't care.
He wanted to marry a woman from one of the five surnames, even if she was a widow with a bad reputation.

He would divorce his wife and then marry her.

Li Yi's persuasion was of no use.

Seeing this, Li Yi could only frown and stop trying to persuade him, but he was thinking to himself, "Zhang Liang, after becoming so wealthy, abandoned his first wife to fawn over the five powerful families."

It is not very suitable for you to preside over the affairs of the Censorate. Censors have a great responsibility to supervise, and their job is to supervise all officials. If you yourself are not morally upright, how can you supervise others?

Or, why not simply send Zhang Liang to serve as a governor in a remote region, allowing him to gain experience there for a few years?

The position of Imperial Censor should be filled by someone else.

He thought of someone, Zhang Xuansu, the registrar of the Prince of Dai's mansion. He also came from a poor family and started as an official outside the capital. At the end of the Sui Dynasty, he became the head of the household administration in Jingcheng, Hebei. After being captured by Dou Jiande, he was successively appointed as the Imperial Censor and the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

Later, Li Yi followed Li Shimin to pacify Hebei, and Zhang Xuansu became an official in his palace. Although he was only a military advisor, he performed very well in the past few years.

perhaps,

He could be recommended to Li Shimin to serve as the Imperial Censor, which would be better than Zhang Liang, who is now determined to divorce his wife and marry a widow from the Li family of Zhao County.

(End of this chapter)