Chapter 107: Fang Laique's One Battle to Ascend

Inside the Great Buddha Hall of the Western Journey Temple and in the large courtyard outside, monks filled the area.

As the only esoteric sect temple locally, its number of monks was not small; it exceeded that of any temple in Zhangye City.

"Begin reciting the sutras."

Fang Chongyong stood at one side of the Buddha Hall, expressionless, and said.

However, his words seemed of little effect; the abbot Fa Cheng, who was overseeing the assessment, helplessly looked toward the smiling Niu Xianke.

The Inspector, though wielding great local power, was still no match for the Minister of Works sent by the court! Moreover, Niu Xianke had served in Hexi for decades and was old acquaintances with the petty heads of these local forces.

After Fang Chongyong transferred Niu Xianke from Liangzhou to Ganzhou, this place was no longer the one‑word hall of Fang's yamen.

Although Ganzhou may have only his brother Yong as a "brother," Hexi has Niu Xianke, the "Ox Elder."

In the Ganzhou prefectural office, Niu Xianke's words are more effective than his.

In other parts of Hexi, Niu Xianke's words are still more effective than his.

In a sense, people in Hexi would rather trust Niu Xianke's words than those of Brother Ji, let alone Inspector Fang Chongyong.

Whether one is close or not, it's hometown affection; whether one cares or not, it's hometown people. Naturally, Ganzhou trusts Niu Xianke, who has served in Hexi for decades.

Fang Chongyong felt helpless yet understood.

The local factional ties are not something this "outsider" can replace with his own wit.

"Eh, don't ask me; these are all Lord Fang's jurisdiction. I'm not in Ganzhou for the monks' assessment. Here, Lord Fang decides."

Niu Xianke waved his hand and said, clearly supporting Fang Chongyong.

And not undermining him.

Hearing this, Fa Cheng could only look at Fang Chongyong and ask, "Lord Fang, may we begin?"

"Then let's begin."

Fang Chongyong gave a slight nod and said.

The monks in the Buddha Hall formed groups of five and stepped forward to draw lots.

In the box holding the lots were five types: top‑top, top, middle, low, low‑low.

The corresponding assessment method is only sutra recitation, but those who draw different lots must recite different amounts of scripture; the difference can be quite large.

In the past, that kind of "Buddhist qualification assessment" in many prefectures used a "seated meditation Q&A" format.

It was somewhat similar to the Gu Long‑style dialogues Fang Chongyong had read in a previous life.

The questioner asked, "Where is the sword?"

The examinee answered, "The sword is in the heart."

After a few rounds of such Q&A, they were considered to have passed.

In Fang Chongyong's view, this triviality was child's play. A monk should be harsher on himself; how can one pass the assessment by such opportunistic tricks?

So Fang Chongyong directly reverted to the rules of the early Kaiyuan era, examining nothing, just seeing who could recite best!

The unified standard left everyone convinced. As for why lots were drawn, Fang Chongyong believed that whether one was favored by the Buddha was also a criterion for becoming a monk.

As the saying goes, "Luck is also part of strength."

The Diamond Sutra consists of a single volume with thirty‑two "sections," each recorded on a separate scroll.

If a monk drawing lots gets the "top‑top" lot, he must fully recite two hundred such scrolls to pass!

At first glance, this seems very difficult.

But considering these monks do not engage in production and spend all day "serving" the Buddha in the temple, a year to memorize these scriptures is actually quite lenient!

A scroll contains at least a hundred characters, at most several hundred; is it hard to memorize them in a year?

For genuine monks, it's no trouble at all. But for those fake monks who fish three days and sunbathe two, it's even harder!

Those who draw the "top‑top" lot must recite two hundred scrolls. For the others, each lower tier adds twenty more scrolls to recite!

Fang Chongyong placed both hands behind his back, expressionless, and loudly announced.

"Lord, what's this…"

Fa Cheng's face turned green!

Wasn't it said earlier that those who drew the top‑top lot only needed to recite fifty scrolls to pass?

Fang Chongyong remained silent, as if he hadn't heard him. Fa Cheng looked again at Niu Xianke, and this court‑sent Minister of Works and Hexi Observation Officer gently comforted, "Master Fa Cheng, just watch; this time Lord Fang is exercising his authority, which is permissible and does not exceed the court's regulations."

"Alas!"

Fa Cheng let out a long sigh and stepped aside.

Not only did Fa Cheng's face turn green, but the five monks participating in the assessment wore expressions as if their parents had died. They were sure they couldn't recite that much, yet dared not defy Fang Chongyong, the Ganzhou Inspector.

So these few stood like wooden stakes, unmoving, neither reciting nor leaving, seemingly waiting for Fang Chongyong to lower the requirements!

But they were disappointed; Fang Chongyong at that moment was calm as ever, as if sleeping with his eyes open.

"If you can't recite it, you may step down and await the disposition of the Ganzhou office.

Stop standing there and step down!"

Yan Zhuang, standing beside Fang Chongyong, shouted at the five,

The five monks stepped down, and the next batch of five proceeded to draw lots.

Niu Xianke continued to watch the spectacle, not saying a single extra word.

The farce continued; the assessment starting at two hundred scrolls saw few qualifiers—out of a temple of over a hundred people, fewer than ten passed in a single morning.

The pass rate was less than one‑tenth!

Since the Kaiyuan era, Buddhist professional qualification assessments have grown increasingly lax; temples are a mix of all sorts, and the overall quality has dropped sharply compared to when the assessment was first carried out.

Chang'an is the same, let alone remote border towns like Hexi. Filth hidden in temples is the norm; no household is spotless.

Finding a few bandits who once robbed homes in these temples is not at all surprising.

Finally, the Western Journey Temple's Buddhist qualification exam ended; aside from one newcomer who hadn't been assessed, every other monk was failed by Fang Chongyong.

The Holy Son has arrived.

Is that the blind man?

He's only been here a few days? Can he recite two hundred scrolls of sutras?

Hehe, otherwise why would they call him the Holy Son?

At that moment, murmurs of ridicule whispered inside the Buddha Hall.

Everyone saw the eyes‑closed Fang Laique being supported by a monk, walking to the lottery spot. In the entire Western Arrival Temple, he was the only one who had not taken part in the assessment.

Since the abbot says you are the Holy Son, then go ahead and draw the next lot.

My Buddha is merciful; if I do not enter hell, who will? The Holy Son is under the Buddha's protection, so naturally he fears no hardship.

The Holy Son may begin.

Fang Chongyong pretended not to recognize Fang Laique, and loudly said in a cold tone.

When Fang Chongyong said that, everyone's gaze in the Buddha Hall turned to Fang Laique.

Usually Fang Laique's absent‑minded, reckless demeanor even made Fang Chongyong worry he'd cause trouble when he went out for soy sauce, but today he at least seemed reliable.

Hearing Fang Chongyong's words, Fang Laique's expression remained calm as he began reciting the Diamond Sutra.

The esoteric Buddhist canon has three major sections:

The first is called the Gathering and Inviting of the Three Outer Vehicles, also known as the Three Sections of the Exoteric Teaching.

That is, the Śrāvaka Vehicle, the Pratyekabuddha Vehicle, and the Bodhisattva Vehicle.

The second part of the esoteric canon is called the Ascetic Bright Awareness of the Three Inner Vehicles, also known as the Three Outer Sections, referring to the Sthira Vehicle, the Carya Vehicle, and the Yoga Vehicle.

The third part is called the Profound Secret Following‑Transformation Convenient Three Inner Vehicles, also the Inner Three Vehicles, namely the Yoga Vehicle, the Sub‑type Yoga Vehicle, and the Supreme Yoga Vehicle or Unsurpassed Yoga Vehicle.

These final three vehicles constitute the Great Perfection of the Mahāyāna esoteric canon.

Fang Chongyong understood none of this and had no idea what Fang Laique was reciting.

Fang Laique himself didn't know what he was reciting, yet he remembered it perfectly, word for word! Even the few misread characters from when Fa Cheng first taught it, he recited unchanged.

But no one present noticed.

Unwittingly, Fang Laique had finished reciting three hundred scrolls when the monk recording the session was about to signal the assessment's end, but Fang Chongyong waved his hand, indicating not to disturb Fang Laique's show.

Three hundred, four hundred, five hundred… the monk tallying the scrolls broke into a cold sweat.

This 'blind man' has been at the temple only a few days; whether he truly is blind or pretends, memorizing all those sutras in such a short time is no ordinary feat!

This kind of 'mechanical memory' heavily tests one's recall ability; it is far harder than comprehension‑based memory.

"Enough, truly worthy of the Holy Son; these sutras were indeed directly revealed to you by the Buddha,"

When Fang Laique reached the six‑hundredth scroll, Fang Chongyong suddenly cut him off and said,

"His purpose has already been achieved, so there's no need to continue this pointless exercise,"

"Monks who failed the assessment should not leave the temple for now; await notice from the Ganzhou Prefecture Office. The assessment of the Western Journey Temple is over; tomorrow we will begin assessing the Xianzong Temple, and all unrelated personnel may disperse,"

Yan Zhuang, receiving Fang Chongyong's signal, announced loudly,

No one paid attention to him; everyone's eyes were on the dazzling Fang Laique.

Today's feat of recitation by Fang Laique was a "one‑battle deification," instantly earning him the title "Hexi Recitation King."

Leaving the Western Journey Temple, Niu Xianke smiled wryly at Fang Chongyong,

"I've played this part with you; shouldn't you tell this official your plans? You write family letters for the soldiers in Hexi, and they all call you the Family‑Letter Prefect; that comforts me greatly,"

From that, one knows Niu Xianke crossed Hexi to assist Fang Chongyong, with no intention of picking a fight.

"Please summon the Niu Shangshu Prefecture Office study for a discussion; I happen to have important matters to convey,"

Fang Chongyong respectfully performed a clasped‑hands salute to Niu Xianke.

…

"After receiving the saint's edict in the northern frontier, I rode nonstop to Hexi; some matters are inconvenient to discuss en route. Could you tell me the truth—did you tell a colossal lie to exempt Ganzhou from miscellaneous taxes?"

Upon entering the Ganzhou Prefect's office study within the prefecture, Niu Xianke asked straightaway,

He fears such tricks most; lying is easy, but covering it up is far harder.

He knows Hexi's situation well; there are no smelting conditions. If there were, they'd have been arranged long ago—why waste decades in office here with no achievements?

Because he is familiar with Hexi's local customs, Niu Xianke is very cautious.

Fang Chongyong's method is not unfamiliar to Niu Xianke, though the execution differs slightly.

Previously, local officials from Hexi would complain to the central authority or claim to have found an omen; after presenting it to Chang'an, they usually obtained some tax relief.

No one always implements the central edicts to the letter.

However, the reverse‑host, reverse‑hand‑money model of Fang Chongyong is the first Niu Xianke has seen.

"Not so; north of Shandan County lies a mountain range with iron; south of Shandan County lies a plain with coal. I have heard of it before, but the exact locations are unclear,"

Fang Chongyong said with confidence.

North of Shandan County, the mountain range centered on Longshou Mountain forms an iron ore vein not far from Zhangye City. This belt stretches continuously from Shandan County's border to Zhangye County's border.

The only problem is: where is the exposed iron ore?

This is a known piece of information paired with an unknown question.

In a past life, he had watched a documentary in which villagers north of Shandan discovered a stone of great density, locally called "Heavy Stone."

Testing revealed its iron content exceeded 45%! Guided by this clue, the exploration team located the iron ore.

But where exactly the stone was found and the precise exploration site remain unknown to Fang Chongyong. He can only confirm that north of Shandan County there is indeed such stone, with many mining sites.

He cannot convey these details to Niu Xianke with precision.

The coal mines south of Shandan County date back before the Ming, likely discovered by the Western Xia in the Song era; extraction is presumed easy, but this is not Fang Chongyong's focus.

Sure enough, Niu Xianke sighed,

"The herders near the pasture south of Shandan occasionally pick up black, combustible coal; this is not baseless. Had it not been for that, I wouldn't be sitting here in secret with you now."

In the Ministry of Works, artisans have developed something called dry stone coal, made by processing stone coal, which can be used to smelt iron ore; I came here precisely for that.

That person set out from Chang'an; he should arrive in a few days. Gan Prefecture can send someone to guide him around to look for places producing stone coal; it's not impossible to find.

But having stone coal without iron is also no good; can you tell me where the iron is in Gan Prefecture?

What I'm most concerned about now is whether we can find iron ore.

Niu Xianke handles things very practically; after receiving Li Longji's order, he organized all this neatly, feeling that the crucibles and other items unearthed from the Heishui State ruins provided by Fang Chongyong are indeed not nonsense. His earlier questioning was merely to confirm his own thoughts.

He has been an official in Hexi for decades and has occasionally heard similar 'strange tales,' but lacking confidence and not wanting to invite complications, he never gave them much thought.

If it weren't like this, Niu Xianke wouldn't have come to Gan Prefecture in person himself; with his status, sending a few subordinates would have sufficed to report back.

"Iron ore is not easy to find, but it's not impossible either."

"Minister Niu can first reply to the court saying that smelting in Gan Prefecture has great potential, and at the same time send people to look for stone coal."

"I've already arranged the search for iron ore; it should be fine."

Fang Chongyong said confidently.

Niu Xianke was half‑believing, half‑doubting, but thinking that if Hexi could smelt, it would greatly improve local livelihood and strategic position, benefiting the area, he still gave a slight nod, assenting to Fang Chongyong's words.

"A detachment of the Red Water Army is already stationed at Doudouba Valley; if the Tubo army comes to attack, they will surely be beaten black and blue."

Niu Xianke told Fang Chongyong good news.

More than ten years ago, the Tubo army forcibly broke through Doudouba Valley, then swept around Gan Prefecture before withdrawing. Lord Ji's order to move a detachment of the Red Water Army to Doudouba Valley actually amounts to learning from past experience.

Lord Ji's arrangement poses no problem.

"In that case, I can rest easy. Gan Prefecture's troops are few and cannot withstand Tubo harassment."

Fang Chongyong sighed in relief and said.

Niu Xianke also said: "Liang Prefecture has already pledged to transfer four thousand able‑bodied persons to Zhangye City for Guo Ziyi's training; all expenses will be allocated by the Liang Prefecture government. Of course, Liang Prefecture is a transshipment hub, so in fact these funds come from the central authority—two hundred thousand bolts of silk."

"The other two thousand can be recruited from the vicinity of Gan Prefecture's own city, with the money coming from the central authority."

This…… seems unlikely, doesn't it?

Fang Chongyong was also startled by Lord Ji's grand gesture.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great favor."

Fang Chongyong, overwhelmed by favor, said.

"Don't rush to thank me yet."

"I just want to tell you, the emperor has given everything that ought to be given; if you cannot accomplish what he wishes to achieve, I wonder what the consequences will be—you understand that in your heart."

Niu Xianke said in a heavy tone, patting Fang Chongyong on the shoulder.

Fang Chongyong didn't know what to say.

Seeing his embarrassed appearance, Niu Xianke couldn't help but tease:

"In my view, the emperor seems to have a plan to lure the Tubo army into Doudouba Valley and encircle and annihilate them, using Gan Prefecture as bait; I fear the Tubo side already knows that Gan Prefecture can smelt iron ore."

"Thus this move could be blessing or disaster—truly hard to put into words."

Hearing this, Fang Chongyong suddenly realized he might have been hasty.

Although he occasionally does not act like a person, Lord Ji is really a dog!

How can one expect this heartless scoundrel who pulls out X to follow his own routine completely?

(End of chapter)