Chapter 153: Exploiting Bugs

Among ordinary Tang dynasty commoners, bathing and purifying oneself at home had already become common practice, using a bathing tub, also called a bathing basin.

The bathing basin was typically quite large and rather deep, allowing the entire upper body to be submerged in the water. Not only that, a stool called a bathing rack was placed at the bottom of the basin, so one could sit while soaking and easily stand up when finished.

At this very moment, Fang Chongyong was bathing in a small room specially set aside in his home in Chang'an, his entire body submerged in the water, yet the faint scent of blood lingered in the air.

He had killed someone tonight, though it was not his first time killing. During his four years governing Hexi, as the top authority over both the legitimate and underworld sides of Shazhou, there were several people he had killed with his own hands, and those he had indirectly ordered Zhang Guangsheng or A Duan to kill were too numerous to count.

A few years had passed, and he had become a thoroughbred frontier soldier, his way of thinking already able to connect seamlessly with those soldiers! This was also an important reason why the Hexi frontier army liked him, Commissioner Fang.

Killing was nothing remarkable. It was merely a trade for making a living—it was nothing to be proud of, nor anything to despise; it was simply a tool one had mastered.

Fang Chongyong closed his eyes, and the scenes of flashing blades and clashing swords he had experienced at the Shazhou frontier flashed through his mind one after another.

Splash!

A pale, bare figure slipped into the bathing basin as well. Fang Chongyong opened his eyes and discovered that the person was not Anaye, who had followed him through the arduous journey all the way here, but Wang Yunxiu, who had been managing the household all along, keeping the empty house in perfect order!

That's right—this one had run away from home and no longer intended to return to her family in Hua County. The reason Wang Yunxiu set aside a girl's modesty and stubbornly stayed here refusing to leave was truly because she was now beset by troubles both internal and external, with grievances she could not voice!

Internally, there was that "shameless fox" Anaye, spending day and night with Fang Chongyong, their bond deep. Wang Yunxiu understood that even if she left, Fang Chongyong would not be without a woman by his side.

Externally, many people had gone to Hua County to lobby Wang Yunxiu's mother, urging their family to break off the engagement with the Fang family.

Fang Chongyong was now a Shazhou Commissioner in his teens, a fourth-rank official with real power. An ordinary examination scholar, after passing the exams, would need ten to fifteen years even under the most favorable circumstances to achieve such a rank! And that was the fastest possible pace!

Their starting point was already more than fifteen years behind Fang Chongyong's.

Wang Yunxiu had never imagined that in just a few short years, Fang Chongyong would have become the most sought-after catch in the Tang dynasty's marriage market.

"What does that shameless fox cook for you to eat every day? You haven't been seen for a few years and now you've grown to be almost like a bear? How can you be this burly?"

Wang Yunxiu spoke with a note of sourness, using her small hands to stroke the firm muscles on Fang Chongyong's arm as she asked, her heart pounding wildly.

The first time the two of them had been intimate, the virile masculine aura on Fang Chongyong's body had intoxicated her to the point of nearly fainting.

"Don't say it so unpleasantly. Anaye is the illegitimate daughter of Prince Xin'an, Li Yi. You'd better speak a bit more politely from now on."

Fang Chongyong reminded her in a low voice.

"There's such a thing!"

Wang Yunxiu was so startled she stood straight up, her graceful figure flickering in and out of view beneath the dim firelight.

"Don't tell her. I'm only telling you because you are the principal wife—her background is quite extraordinary."

Fang Chongyong narrowed his eyes and said in a lowered voice.

"Sigh! What a bitter fate! How did I end up with a monster like you?"

The straightforward-natured Wang Yunxiu sat back down into the water helplessly, meeting Fang Chongyong's gaze, her face bearing a helpless faint smile and a light blush.

Now, if she wasn't careful, she feared she might not even be able to keep her position as the principal wife.

"Don't worry, I made you a promise."

Fang Chongyong grasped Wang Yunxiu's small hand and looked at her with great sincerity as he spoke.

"These past few years when I wasn't in Chang'an, you were the one managing things here. Thank you."

As he spoke, Fang Chongyong pulled Wang Yunxiu into his embrace, their bare skin pressed together as they held each other tightly.

Anaye was still a maiden, but Wang Yunxiu was already thoroughly and completely Fang Chongyong's woman. Toward his principal wife, Fang Chongyong's possessiveness was extremely intense; he made no pretense of politeness with her. Losing this principal wife would bring unimaginable losses to Fang Chongyong on every front—he absolutely could not lose this marriage.

Whether he liked it or not, it was all the same.

Not to mention, he actually did quite like Wang Yunxiu.

So the last time Wang Yunxiu had gone to Hexi, the two of them had already enjoyed the pleasures of the marriage bed.

Anaye absolutely could not get away, but Wang Yunxiu's position was precarious. Fang Chongyong was very worried about her, so he used this manner to tell her that since they had already consummated their marriage, their engagement absolutely would not undergo any change.

"You have no idea how formidable you are now. Even Right Chancellor Li Linfu sent someone to speak with my mother, hoping we would break off the engagement so he could take you as his son-in-law!

Tell me, isn't this person absolutely outrageous!"

Wang Yunxiu rested her head on Fang Chongyong's neck, kissing him while sighing and complaining softly.

For Wang Yunxiu, having so many people fighting over her fiancé Fang Chongyong greatly satisfied her vanity.

But even so, it shouldn't be someone of Li Linfu's stature coming to cause trouble!

Thinking about it, this kind of troublesome matter was actually quite normal. A commissioner in his teens—Li Linfu would be very tempted too. After all, the Right Chancellor of the Great Tang had over twenty daughters, so the margin for error was enormous! Landing a son-in-law like Fang Chongyong was a fantastic deal no matter how you looked at it!

Over twenty daughters—could it be that Fang Chongyong wouldn't fancy a single one of them?

If he could land over twenty sons-in-law like Fang Chongyong, Li Linfu could directly go overthrow Brother Ji!

"Why would the Right Chancellor want to recruit a son-in-law come looking for me? Who doesn't know by now that you and I are already engaged?"

Fang Chongyong asked in bewilderment.

Given how Wang Zhongsi had desperately used his authority to look after Young Master Fang when he was in Hexi, others should all understand what was going on.

"The situation in Chang'an is different! You bear of a man, you really have a wooden head! How many people in the Great Tang can become a commissioner at your age!

What does face matter? Even if you wanted to take a concubine now, there would be noble and powerful houses willing to hold their noses and send their daughters over!"

Wang Yunxiu complained with dissatisfaction.

"Don't be angry, let me scrub your back."

Fang Chongyong applied honeylocust powder onto Wang Yunxiu's smooth back and began to rub slowly. He had practiced on Anaye and was confident his technique was absolutely not bad.

"Tomorrow, come with me to the West Market to buy some fine, luxurious fabrics to make clothes—we need to have yours and mine both made, and we'll need them right away."

Wang Yunxiu said, humming with comfort while trying her best to speak in a calm tone.

"What are they for?"

"The Sage's... birthday."

Wang Yunxiu's breathing gradually grew rapid, and she murmured, already barely able to hold on.

"Understood, I'll go, but you cannot go. The Sage is extremely lustful; once he sets his eyes on you, you'll be in trouble.

From now on, absolutely never appear before the Sage. Even if he comes to the house, you must keep your distance and not come out—pretending to be ill is fine."

Fang Chongyong warned in a serious tone.

Wang Yunxiu blinked slightly, then felt extremely sweet in her heart, and nodded, saying:

"Okay, then I won't go. Actually I planned to go with you to the palace to attend the Sage's birthday banquet, just to make a vow, to tell others you are my husband. Let those people not have any ulterior motives."

"But hearing you say this now, I feel doing so would be superfluous."

"If A Naya is a soft-spoken but kind-hearted girl who understands reason, then Wang Yunxiu is a wise wife who grasps the greater good and will certainly do what she promises."

Fang Chongyong immediately relaxed, and with some doubt asked: "I previously asked you to gather news about all aspects of Chang'an; could it be that the Sage has something going on?"

Wang Yunxiu blinked, then nodded and said:

"Yes, the Sage's current life is extremely decadent. You said the Sage, upon seeing a beauty, would be lustful—I believe that."

"The three ladies of the Yang clan, although conferred titles by the Sage, are all licentious and keep male concubines."

"Yet the Sage often stays with them, distancing himself from the palace consorts; I find nothing strange about whatever licentious, depraved acts he commits."

"In recent years, Chang'an's morals have deteriorated greatly; young women going out are often harassed or even abducted by the offspring of the powerful, while the Jingzhao Prefecture is nominal. When I go out now, I also wear a veiled hat and carry swords at my side, not daring to be careless."

"By the way, you told that flirtatious… A Naya to be careful when going out."

Wang Yunxiu also complained about the incompetent official Zheng Shuqing.

"I want to resign my office."

Fang Chongyong suddenly spoke softly.

"Hmm?"

Wang Yunxiu blinked, then puzzledly asked: "Why resign?"

"The court affairs are gradually growing dark, and I am already a Prefect, having risen too fast with an unstable foundation."

"All power comes from the Sage's grant; the higher you climb now, the harder you'll fall later."

"While no one notices me, I'll resign, return home to study, and then take the imperial examinations."

Fang Chongyong uttered a decision that almost made Wang Yunxiu explode with anger.

"Give me a moment."

Wang Yunxiu took a deep breath, rubbed her temples, and pressed: "You are resigning, right?"

"Yes, after reporting my duties, I just won't go select an office."

Fang Chongyong said this fearlessly.

"Um, then you said you'd go study, at places like the Imperial Academy, right?"

Wang Yunxiu continued asking.

"Roughly, any will do—Hongwen Academy, Chongwen Academy, etc., are fine.

"Anyway, it's just to get exam eligibility."

Fang Chongyong continued to placate.

"Alright, alright, we won't mention those. Then, if you take the exams, in the best case you'd pass this year, wait three years, and then participate in the official selection, right?"

Wang Yunxiu, a girl who has studied since childhood, is vastly knowledgeable—far beyond what a Hexi country lass like A Naya can compare. Although A Naya has grown quite alluring now, her learning is still limited to medicine.

In personal knowledge, Wang Yunxiu far surpasses her.

"That's roughly how it is."

Fang Chongyong doesn't really understand either, since he never previously considered taking the exams.

"Although I am not a man, I also know a principle: someone who has held office, if they have no position, can go to the Ministry of Personnel for assessment and be immediately granted an office.

"Or waiting at home for selection is fine; I will not be anxious nor urge my husband to take office.

"But… who has ever seen an official who was a Prefect go back to study, then pass the exams and become an official again!"

By this point, Wang Yunxiu felt utterly unwell!

"You say you haven't seen such a case, but isn't this very person before you exactly that?"

Fang Chongyong pointed at himself and retorted.

Wang Yunxiu smacked her head, now only wanting to go out, grab a knife, and stab Fang Chongyong to death!

Seeing her somewhat angry, Fang Chongyong continued to counter: "Do court regulations say that those who have held office cannot take the examinations?"

Hearing this, Wang Yunxiu suddenly froze.

"Someone who has been a Prefect and then takes the exams is certainly a pure fool. Yet the court seems indeed to have no rule saying that former high officials cannot go back to take the exams!"

"It's just that no one wants to do that, but that doesn't mean the path is blocked."

Seeing Wang Yunxiu now understand this, Fang Chongyong said triumphantly: "See, I'm right, right?"

"Yes, my husband, you are so clever—you can think of such a good idea, and you and that Hexi country lass are truly a match made in heaven; hurry back to Liangzhou to cool off.

"Chang'an is not suitable for you."

Wang Yunxiu, unable to retort Fang Chongyong's twisted logic, muttered angrily under her breath.

"Chang'an, this den of fame and profit, the waters are too muddy.

"Stepping aside helps one see the situation clearly, remove oneself, and the bystander sees clearly.

"Moreover, my father-in-law's military authority is not that stable; it relies entirely on the Sage's favor.

"If I were to become an official now, I would start as a fourth-rank border garrison Prefect, and after selection would certainly enter the central government as an official.

"Think about it: my father-in-law is a Military Governor, my father a Pacification Commissioner; if I remained a high official in the central government, what would the Sage think?

"If we were to get close to a certain imperial prince, would the Sage think we're trying to glom onto his dragon's merit?

"Haven't you heard that when the moon is full it wanes? Safety first."

Fang Chongyong patiently persuaded, and in the process put his arm around Wang Yunxiu's shoulders.

"Sigh, look at my mind—I only see one side, not the other.

"My husband, you're absolutely right—let's take the exams!"

Wang Yunxiu took in Fang Chongyong's words, and instantly felt that the idea of taking the exams was splendid!

Right?

If a sage asked me why I take the imperial examinations, I would say I don't want to rely on my ancestors' patronage; I want to become an official by my own strength.

Even if I pass this year, I still have to wait three years for the appointment.

Three years later, it will be a completely different situation.

Fang Chongyong stared at the faint candlelight in the room and muttered as if to himself.

"Um, does A Lang think the imperial examinations are easy?"

Wang Yunxiu looked at Fang Chongyong with a strange expression and asked.

"Taking the imperial exams is, to me, like reaching into a bag and pulling out an object."

Fang Chongyong said with an indifferent look.

Some people who take the exams can be certain they will never pass; but others, no matter what, will always pass.

That is the injustice of the Great Tang.

Even if Li Linfu prevents Fang Chongyong from becoming a Jinshi, Ji Ge will make him pass. Otherwise, the matter would turn into a prelude where the two military governors Wang Zhongsi and Fang Youde lose power and the court undergoes a major shift!

Ji Ge hasn't even had time to enjoy himself, so why bother with all this trouble!

While Wang Yunxiu wasn't looking, Fang Chongyong seized her by the waist and lifted her; his sharply defined muscles contrasted starkly with Wang Yunxiu's graceful, gentle curves.

You want to die, you black bear—haven't you already had enough of torturing me in Hexi last time?

Wang Yunxiu replied with a coquettish, silk‑like glance.

"Come, let's go see if A Na Ye has fallen asleep."

Fang Chongyong said, biting Wang Yunxiu's ear.

……

The Ministry of Personnel, the head of the Six Ministries, has had Li Linfu as Right Prime Minister serving continuously as Minister of Personnel for several years without change.

In theory, the Ministry of Personnel only handles official appointments and does not engage in "real governance", so it should be the most idle department.

However, contrary to expectations, ever since the Ministry of Personnel was established, it has been one of the busiest organs in the central administration. Those awaiting appointment truly swarm here like flies.

The offices of the Six Ministries are all located within the palace city, south of Taiji Palace and north of the Grand Temple of Rites, in a place called the Ministerial Office.

That day, Fang Chongyong entered the palace city with his Inspector's credentials and arrived at the Ministry of Personnel's office. Upon entering, he saw many people already queuing there for appointment.

The line was even longer than when the bank was bustling in his previous life.

Fang Chongyong deliberately placed himself at the end of the line, but before an incense stick burned out, a junior official in a green robe from the Ministry of Personnel approached, crossed his hands in salute, and said, "Lord Fang, Minister Li requests you, this way, this way."

"Which Minister Li?"

Fang Chongyong asked, puzzled.

The man seemed shocked by Fang Chongyong's ignorance, hurriedly pulled him aside, and whispered, "The Right Prime Minister!"

Since he didn't have to queue and had someone specifically to guide him, and because Fang Chongyong's tall, robust build was imposing, he instantly became the focal point of the hall, drawing everyone's eyes.

"Confess, confess!"

Fang Chongyong, embarrassed, bowed to the surrounding people, looking unusually humble, which left them bewildered.

A fourth‑rank Inspector's official robe, still so young, and already favored by Li Linfu—could that even walk down a street in Chang'an?

Is such humility even necessary?

Little Fang's teasing act is about to begin.

(End of chapter)