Chapter 14: One Foot on Shore (Part 1)

Someone is planning trouble in Kui Prefecture! And it's after the news spread that Li Longji promoted Zheng Shuqing to the rank of Court Counselor, a minor official.

Why? Why?

Zheng Shuqing is a bit confused, unable to figure out those people's thinking. Not only has he been pardoned (for now), but the court also promoted him, so why are some people so oblivious?

Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing discussed and decided to have Wang Zhongsi and Yang Ruoxu lead troops to launch a night raid on White Emperor City!

On the surface it sounds thrilling, but in reality it's like chasing rats with an iron rod—an extremely boring job.

In the early Tang, White Emperor City was a strategic military stronghold, tasked with dispatching forces from Bashu to conquer Jingxiang.

Because of its uniquely advantageous location, the opposite riverbank houses the Kui Prefecture capital city and the Kui River Pass, and the Yangtze's grain transport can supply it continuously.

At that time White Emperor City had a large garrison, using it as a base to project power in all directions; the warships moored along the shore were so numerous they blocked the sun.

However, after Bashu, Jingxiang, and Jiangdong were pacified and the Grand Canal was reopened, the Yangtze grain‑transport route from Bashu to Yangzhou was reactivated. Development of the Kui Prefecture capital city accelerated, leaving White Emperor City far behind.

Since there were no battles, the garrison left White Emperor City long ago, and the vacant ground became a tourist spot for scholars and poets; countless Tang poets visited and checked in there, so it appears very frequently in Tang poetry.

Imagine if this were still a military stronghold—could those well‑fed poets still stroll freely through the camps, drinking and composing poems?

Today White Emperor City is abandoned; the Kui garrison has moved to Wushan County east of the Kui Prefecture capital, leaving only a military office that trains local militia.

The reason is simple: no commander wants to go to White Emperor City (except those exiled as demoted officials). The westernmost part of the Shannan East Road has no battles, while the grain transport is a total mess!

Overall, the Tang's forward direction is only toward the Western Regions, where the main enemy is Tubo.

There are two defensive fronts: one against the Khitan and Shiwei tribes of Youzhou; the other along the southwestern border with Tubo and the rising Nanzhao.

Among the Tang frontier fanzhen, those on the western side that campaign into the Western Regions are the strongest; the Hebei fanzhen defending against the Khitan are next, and the weakest are the Jiannan fanzhen.

Elsewhere, apart from Chang'an and Luoyang, field forces are virtually nonexistent!

No one cares whether White Emperor City has a white dragon! How did the Shu army defend it during the Three Kingdoms?

Nowadays restless hearts only think about how to make money and get by.

Not to mention here, even the water‑transport hub Yangzhou lacks a standing Tang army. The Tang's national condition places elite troops in border towns and the capital; elsewhere, no regular forces are needed.

Conversely, after the An Lushan Rebellion, Kui Prefecture rose again as a military stronghold, White Emperor City revived, and by the Southern Song it shone brilliantly, withstanding the Mongol onslaught without falling.

Those are stories for later.

This time Wang Zhongsi and his men intend to go into the abandoned White Emperor City to eradicate bandits.

As for whether this sortie will kill the wrong people… Zheng Shuqing doesn't want to consider it, and Fang Chongyong is even less willing.

The Tang's rule is that only strength and influence count; in the end, it's the fist that speaks. Without strength or influence, dying is just a waste.

That night, Zheng Shuqing led armed laborers to patrol the walls along Kui's riverbank; inside the city, groups of five laborers bearing torches could be seen on night patrol everywhere.

Fang Chongyong, perched on the city wall, stared across at the flames on White Emperor City's side, his heart pounding.

He knows they're killing people over there!

Fang Chongyong thinks that Wang Zhongsi and Yang Ruoxu's attack on White Emperor City is probably just the intensity of the anti‑bandit effort, so nothing unexpected should happen.

At this critical moment, Fang Chongyong even discovers he can't help at all—he's simply a useless man, and being able to keep himself safe is already good.

This makes him feel depressed, a sense of powerlessness as the situation slips beyond his control.

"It's coming!"

Fang Laique couldn't help but shout, and Fang Chongyong turned his head, glaring at him in displeasure, "What's coming."

"General Yang is back, using fishing lights to give me orders?"

Fang Laique defended himself.

Fang Chongyong was startled, then recalled the secret signal Yang Ruoxu and Zheng Shuqing had agreed on before setting out.

He hadn't even memorized it himself, yet Fang Laique managed to remember it just from the description.

Every ruler has its short side, every inch its long side; it's just like that.

As expected, Zheng Shuqing walked over, relieved, and said to Fang Chongyong, "The matter is settled; go see what kind of saint has arrived over at White Emperor City."

Within a short while, Wang Zhongsi, with Yang Ruoxu, led a group of fewer than a hundred men, almost everyone carrying a blood‑splattered head, looking exceptionally terrifying. It reminded Fang Chongyong of scenes from horror movies.

"These are death soldiers; they couldn't defeat us and all ended up committing suicide. Handle this as you see fit."

Wang Zhongsi said in a deep voice to Zheng Shuqing, showing no pleasant expression.

Zheng Shuqing was too lazy to say more, merely offering a simple bow.

"I'll take the person away first; in two days, send someone to Wushan County to fetch him. If the time is missed, I'll send him back to Chang'an—that's his father's request."

Eh? The God of Wealth can't leave!

Zheng Shuqing was startled, about to rush forward to seize the person, but recalled that Wang Zhongsi's status was not to be trifled with, so he held back.

Mainly because he couldn't win a one‑on‑one duel.

He couldn't help but threaten, "The new policies at Kui River Pass were all devised by Fang Xiaolangjun alone. If there's any trouble here that still needs his handling, General Wang, don't delay the saint's great affairs!"

Zheng Shuqing pronounced the word 'saint' with great emphasis.

"You are the Governor of Kui Prefecture; you can't even decide on such a trivial matter and have to listen to a yellow‑mouth child?"

Wang Zhongsi retorted.

Zheng Shuqing was at a loss for words; he truly felt bewildered.

After all, he had never before seen such a prodigious child.

Fang Chongyong remained silent the whole time; he realized that whatever he said was in vain. Wang Zhongsi's hand on his shoulder was like iron tongs, pinning him so he couldn't move a muscle!

"General Wang is admirable."

Zheng Shuqing tossed out a harsh remark and left with his many followers. Now he has no place to threaten Fang Chongyong; the other side can leave Kui Prefecture at any time if they wish.

"Don't worry, whatever matters arise, I'll deal with them when I return."

Before leaving, Fang Chongyong tossed out a line and, without looking back, followed Wang Zhongsi.

……

In the cabin, Fang Chongyong and Wang Zhongsi sat opposite each other; the atmosphere was awkward, and neither knew how to speak to break the deadlock.

Wang Zhongsi himself was a tight-lipped man, not good with words.

"Years ago, your father and I drank together outside Chang'an. We played Wo Shuo, and your father lost twenty to me."

Wang Zhongsi recalled the past and said with considerable emotion.

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly—he happened to know what Wo Shuo was.

The game was similar to a special version of Five-in-a-Row. The board was divided into upper and lower paths, twelve paths in each direction, converging into a total of twenty-four paths that made up the game. The pieces, just like the Five-in-a-Row played nowadays, came in black and white, fifty pieces of each color.

At the start of the game, one side rolled dice for a result, then began moving from the upper right; the other side did the same, but had to start from the lower right.

As for the specifics of how to play and what the rules were, he had no idea.

"Twenty strings—that's a big bet."

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but remark.

"No, no, no, not twenty strings, but twenty cash. And your father didn't even have twenty cash at the time. He simply took out your birth chart, handed it to me, and said: I pledge this unworthy son to you; I'll redeem him later when I have money. To this day, he has never redeemed you."

A rare smile appeared on Wang Zhongsi's stern face.

I'm only worth twenty cash?

Fang Chongyong looked dumbfounded—just how little did his deadbeat dad think of him!

Lately, the money that had passed through his hands already totaled tens of thousands of strings, alright? If he hadn't found it tiring, the money passing through his hands could have reached a hundred thousand strings!

Seeing Fang Chongyong's dumbfounded expression, Wang Zhongsi laughed heartily and said, "I won't hide it from you anymore. I used to hear that you were foolish by nature—if I took you as a son-in-law, it wouldn't be helping you but harming you, and I was quite troubled by this."

I didn't want to break my word to someone, nor did I want to ruin you and my daughter.

Now it seems those were just rumors, and you are no ordinary person.

I've now fallen to the point of having only a dozen-odd militia troops under my command, and the military commandery I oversee exists in name only.

And that may not even be the worst of it—in the future I might end up even more destitute. It's not out of the question that things will only get worse.

For the sake of my years of friendship with your father, would you be willing to become my son-in-law and help me shoulder the responsibility of reviving the family?

If you can't manage that, then taking good care of my daughter—that would be acceptable too."

Wang Zhongsi said with great sincerity, pulling a piece of red paper from his chest and placing it on the table in front of Fang Chongyong.

This was his daughter's birth chart!

Wang Zhongsi was right—if he continued to decline, then his children's marriages would become a major problem. Even if his daughter barely managed to marry, she wouldn't be marrying into any good family.

This was also one of the main reasons Wang Zhongsi had come to Kuizhou Prefecture city earlier: he wanted to see whether his future son-in-law was, as Fang Youde claimed, a fool.

If he was, then there would probably be no way to protect his daughter in the future.

Only, looking at things now, this arrangement seemed somewhat unfair to Fang Chongyong. This prodigy's reputation now preceded him—he was no simple figure.

Wang Zhongsi's setting aside his seniority to befriend him was also out of consideration for this.

"A thousand miles of yellow clouds, the white sun dimmed; the north wind blows the wild geese, snow falling thick and fast.

Grieve not that the road ahead holds no kindred soul; in all the world, who does not know you?

General Wang, please take heart."

Fang Chongyong pushed that piece of red paper back in front of Wang Zhongsi.

This poem was truly... an awakening thunderclap. It sent Wang Zhongsi's thoughts back to his first campaign, charging forward against the Tibetans with reckless abandon, remembering his comrades-in-arms falling beneath the blades of Tibetan soldiers.

Who knew them? Who remembered them?

"In all the world, who does not know you!" How did he write that!

"Interesting. Are you trying to comfort me?"

Wang Zhongsi forced a smile, his nose stinging a little, and for a moment actually didn't know what to say.

He had actually been comforted by a child of eight or nine!

"Then I'll thank you for your kind words."

Wang Zhongsi waved his hand, pretending not to care in the least, and put away that piece of red paper.

Fang Youde's prodigy son indeed had a mind of his own. The matter of a marriage alliance was more complicated than he had imagined.

"Has General Wang ever considered why the Sage set you aside?"

Fang Chongyong asked in a low voice.

"Enough, I said I wouldn't bring this up."

Wang Zhongsi seemed unwilling to discuss this topic.

In truth, even to this day he still couldn't understand why Li Longji had demoted him—and demoted him straight to Wushan County at that! Wasn't it just because he had said that Wang Yu's border strategy was off? What was the problem? Wang Yu had already been dismissed and was under investigation!

Thinking about all this, Wang Zhongsi was full of anger too.

"I've heard that when General Wang was young, you fought battles recklessly, narrowly escaping death several times, and the Sage was quite worried."

Fang Chongyong did not fall silent, but continued: "Perhaps the Sage was simply worried—afraid that you might fall on the battlefield—and that's why he set you aside? Is that not a possibility?"

Hearing these words, Wang Zhongsi fell into deep thought. Neither of them continued speaking; the only sound by their ears was the flowing water from the moving boat.

"What you say may have some reason, but... it doesn't matter anymore."

Wang Zhongsi said, utterly disheartened.

"If I can return to Chang'an this time, perhaps I could make it possible for General Wang to return to Chang'an as well—who knows."

Fang Chongyong suddenly said with a smile.

"Truly?"

Wang Zhongsi leapt to his feet at once, his head striking the cabin's deck, yet he felt no pain at all!

What returning to Chang'an meant—for a general, no description could be an exaggeration!

"What is hard for one is easy for another. For General Wang to do this himself would be extraordinarily difficult, but for this child to do it is as easy as flipping my hand."

Fang Chongyong said, taking the whole matter upon himself.

Wang Zhongsi suddenly wanted to force that piece of red paper from his chest into Fang Chongyong's hands!

He remained silent for a long time, then slowly opened his mouth to ask: "Do you really not want to be my son-in-law?"

Wang Zhongsi's tone carried a hint of resentment; he felt a bit regretful, wondering why they hadn't settled things earlier instead of having to listen to Fang Youde say they'd meet first and decide later.

"General Wang, if I want to marry someone, I'll handle it myself; I don't need to rely on my father's legacy. Whatever I set out to do, I can certainly accomplish!"

Hearing this, Wang Zhongsi sensed the other's resolve and nodded slightly.

Talented people have high aspirations and cannot be judged by ordinary standards. For example, the child prodigy Li Mi, who could write poetry at seven, is no ordinary person. Because of his good relationship with Li Heng, Wang Zhongsi had met Li Mi several times and was likewise impressed by his wisdom.

That's why he these few times reluctantly helped Zheng Shuqing—not aiding a political rival, but paving the way for his future son-in-law!

"Do you want to know how this time the Kui Prefecture tax funds went missing?"

Wang Zhongsi suddenly asked in a low voice; he originally didn't want to say it to Fang Chongyong, but seeing how clever the other was, speaking would better demonstrate sincerity.

"General Wang, please speak freely."

Fang Chongyong always refused to call him "uncle"; before they had any rapport, doing so would make him feel awkward, and he didn't want to live in Fang Youde's shadow.

"The tax funds sent by Zhang Choujian Qiong were seized by your father; I went to meet them, but the order… came from the Sage himself to be relayed."

Wang Zhongsi told Fang Chongyong a "meaningless" secret.

"Zheng Shuqing, embezzling the River Pass customs tax behind the Sage's back, could escape the death penalty but not punishment; being quietly punished by the Sage is inevitable, and all this is to be expected."

Fang Chongyong sighed and said he had long guessed the full picture, merely lacking evidence before.

Zheng Shuqing's embezzlement of customs duties didn't end with a beating, but Li Longji is that sort of person—stingy and ungrateful, only ever harming others, never being harmed himself. Embezzling customs duties violates the law; how could Li Longji be courteous to Zheng Shuqing, seizing the customs funds sent by Zhang Choujian Qiong and giving him a harsh squeeze? That's only to be expected.

"It seems you're not at all surprised; instead, you leave me a little disappointed."

Wang Zhongsi burst out laughing.

Fang Chongyong gave an embarrassed laugh, sighed, and said nothing.

He not only knew the tax funds were seized by insiders of the court, but also knew that Li Longji and Li Linfu had a bigger scheme in Kui Prefecture—a scheme Wang Zhongsi couldn't see, and there was no need for him to speak up about it.

Fang Chongyong had a premonition; seeing Li Longji's demand for an extra 100,000 strings this time, this emperor already lacked any grand ambition to attend to state affairs.

It's a bit of a pity, but this scheme could only be put on display for Zheng Shuqing to show off.

Who could understand the urge to go out in fine clothes at night?

At this moment, Fang Chongyong gazed at the calm-faced Wang Zhongsi, lost in thought.

He suddenly felt that Wang Zhongsi was actually a gold mine that could shore up what he currently lacked most.

Who could guarantee that the An-Shi Rebellion wouldn't really come more than ten years later?

Should we learn some military tactics to preserve our lives?

This idea, once it entered Fang Chongyong's mind, would not go away.