Chapter 156: Saving Private Zheng Shuqing

In the none-too-spacious main room of Fang Chongyong's home, the large table was set with a full spread of dishes, meat and vegetables paired in rich abundance.

The pastries, chicken rice, pickled vegetables, steamed fish, and seasonal fruits that Tang people commonly ate were almost all present without missing a single one. At a glance, this was the dining style of a wealthy and noble household; Wang Yunxiu managed the household impeccably—at the very least, she had not lost face for Fang Chongyong.

But at this very moment, the hall was filled with an awkward atmosphere.

Wang Yunxiu, who had been bustling about attending to things inside, did not know whether she should leave, while the uninvited Zheng Shuqing and Du Fu and Yuan Jie, who had followed Fang Chongyong home as guests, felt as though they were sitting on pins and needles, unable to stay even for a moment!

Unfortunately, every one of them had a reason to remain here.

Du Fu and Yuan Jie needed to curry favor for the imperial examinations, Zheng Shuqing was here on account of a major matter for his own office, and Wang Yunxiu had a life-or-death matter that she needed to urgently discuss with Fang Chongyong.

"Gentlemen, allow me to introduce—this is the Mayor of Jingzhao, Zheng Shuqing, and this is my humble wife."

Fang Chongyong said to Du Fu and Yuan Jie by way of introduction.

Inviting guests home only to find that guests—important guests, no less—had already arrived was a very awkward situation and one that could easily give offense. Why Du Fu and Yuan Jie did not leave was something Fang Chongyong understood perfectly well in his heart.

Unfortunately, Old Zheng's matter was certainly more important. The moment she heard the words "my humble wife," Wang Yunxiu blushed crimson and withdrew into the bedroom, never coming out again to disturb Fang Chongyong's so-called important business.

"I still have official business to discuss with Mayor Zheng today. Tomorrow I will come to the guest residence to share drinks and good cheer with you both. Rest assured, I will certainly be there."

Fang Chongyong said to Du Fu and the others with great courtesy. The two men were also people who knew how to read a situation—a "high-level gathering" where a fourth-rank Inspector discussed major affairs with the Mayor of Jingzhao was not something two scholars preparing to sit for the imperial examinations could insert themselves into.

Hearing one extra bit of information meant one extra measure of risk.

An old residence bestowed by the Emperor, a high-ranking guest from the Xingyang Zheng clan, a full cartload of gifts given as casually as could be, marrying the daughter of the Hedong Military Commissioner as a wife... the myriad things Du Fu had seen at Fang Chongyong's home today dealt him an enormous shock—his entire worldview collapsed.

The social circles of the powerful and noble were indeed full of power and high-class prestige! He felt firsthand just how profoundly deep Fang Chongyong's background truly was!

This sense of powerlessness from being crushed on every front left him without even the heart to feel jealous.

He was far, far behind. Whether Fang Chongyong had gotten where he was through his own striving or through the shelter of his family's legacy was no longer important. In short, Du Fu had come to recognize his own measure.

As for what Yuan Jie was thinking, he was not clear; the two of them had only met and joined up on the road—they were not childhood friends who knew each other inside and out.

All Du Fu knew was that Yuan Jie was a very pragmatic person.

After seeing the two men out, Fang Chongyong brought Zheng Shuqing to the study. Once the two of them were seated, he looked at Zheng Shuqing with a face full of helplessness and asked, "Mayor Zheng never visits the treasure hall without reason—you even brought a whole cart of gifts. What is this about?"

Heavy gifts meant heavy favors!

Zheng Shuqing had brought Fang Chongyong a cartload of salted fish, dried meat, rice, unfiltered wine, and other such goods—the total weight was quite alarming, but these things were not worth much money!

There was not even a single item among them worth more than one string of cash.

"There is indeed a major matter. Those gifts were merely to deflect eyes and ears."

Zheng Shuqing said with a solemn expression, then produced a voucher from his sleeve and sat quietly without speaking further.

"This is..."

Upon seeing this "voucher," Fang Chongyong instantly felt as though a lifetime had passed!

Wasn't this exactly the thing over in Hexi that he had named the "Item Retrieval Voucher"! With this ticket, one could collect goods at the "Hexi Luxury Goods Boutique" in the Eastern Market! Whatever item had been reserved, one could obtain it based on the product number and cabinet number.

He had devised the entire set of rules himself—how could he not be familiar with it?

This shop operated on a "membership system"—it accepted vouchers, not cash, and did not sell to non-members. It sold only futures, not spot goods, operating entirely on a "presale system." Without a reservation, without a deposit, without having pre-ordered in advance, even if you hauled up a cartful of gold, they would not sell to you.

It could be said to enjoy "outstanding reputation" in Chang'an!

This shop was sixty percent owned by the Wang clan, the wealthiest family in Chang'an, while the various forces on the Shazhou side—including the Western Region Hu merchants who supplied the goods—collectively held forty percent of the shares. It had not a single copper's worth of connection to Fang Chongyong. It was now the largest shop in Chang'an's Eastern Market, and its clientele consisted entirely of high officials and nobles from across the Great Tang.

To summarize, it could be seen as a members-only boutique for preselling luxury goods, opened by Brother Ji! The goods it sold were all items that no other shop in all of Chang'an carried—some were even entirely unique!

Brother Ji bore no risk whatsoever, while the other parties' forty percent stake was responsible for the risks along the entire route. One could say that the lion's share of the profits from this business ultimately went to Brother Ji.

The voucher that Old Zheng had now given him was an "Item Retrieval Ticket" for that shop in the Eastern Market, redeemable for a mysterious item. What exactly it was would not be written on the voucher, the shopkeeper would not say, and the cabinet would not even be opened inside the shop.

Only the person who had reserved it knew what it was—the shopkeeper did not even know, because they were not the ones who had packed the crate.

The Eastern Market shop was only responsible for collecting payment and dispensing goods, while transporting, packing, and selling the goods were handled by different merchants and different people. There were not only reservations but also auctions, blind-box openings, door-to-door sales, and other such methods.

To others, these things might seem very novel, but to Fang Chongyong, he had long since grown aesthetically fatigued.

"I have already settled the balance. Inside is a pair of gold masks inlaid with rubies. They are said to have once belonged to a certain noble from Da Qin—they are extremely valuable, and rare enough to be priceless."

Zheng Shuqing said casually, his heart full of pride.

At this moment, he believed that Fang Chongyong should first be shocked, astounded, and bow in admiration, and then beg him to reveal just how much this thing had cost.

After his vanity was satisfied, he would then casually drop a figure so large that even he felt a pang of heartache, and finally Fang Chongyong's worldview would shatter into pieces. He would cry out that the gift was far too generous to ever repay, and could only throw his full strength into helping him through his crisis, holding nothing back.

However, Young Master Fang merely looked at the voucher with curiosity, then casually set it down on the desk, his expression calm.

This made Old Zheng very displeased in his heart, yet he could not understand where the problem lay.

"One does not accept a stipend without having earned it.

When I went to raid the Xing clan's household before, that was purely doing you a small favor while conveniently resolving my own problem. The salted meat that Mayor Zheng had the ox cart deliver today is more than enough to repay that debt of gratitude."

Fang Chongyong pushed that exquisite voucher in front of Zheng Shuqing and said.

"I do have a matter to ask of you. Please, you must help."

Zheng Shuqing pushed this "Item Retrieval Voucher" back in front of Fang Chongyong.

"Tell me the matter first!"

Fang Chongyong refused to yield an inch and pushed the "Item Retrieval Voucher" back again!

In the end, it was Old Zheng who was left speechless, tucking the voucher back into his sleeve.

Fang Chongyong had spent several years in Hexi, and was no longer as easy to manage as before!

"It is like this. Tomorrow, the Sage intends to invite all the imperial princes to go hunting together at Zhongnan Mountain! It is said they will stay for a long time—perhaps even one or two months, staying until his sixtieth birthday celebration before returning!"

Zheng Shuqing said with a helpless sigh.

With the realm at peace, Brother Ji's neglect of governance had been going on for more than a day or two. Absurdities of this sort had happened more than once or twice already—it was just that Fang Chongyong, not being in Chang'an, did not know about them.

"So the Sage has asked you, the Mayor of Jingzhao, to accompany the imperial retinue, and then you confirmed that someone is plotting rebellion?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a face full of confusion, somewhat unable to figure out what act Zheng Shuqing was putting on.

"Nonsense! Who would dare rebel now! What on earth are you thinking!"

Zheng Shuqing could not help but loudly scold him, and then sighed in lamentation:

"You really don't understand?"

The Sage knows the Left and Right Prime Ministers are fighting too fiercely, so he took the princes and left Chang'an for dozens of li, then at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain he cultivated while watching the court's vicious struggles!

This time the Right Prime Minister is acting as regent! The Left Prime Minister handles the daily affairs of Chang'an's imperial guards!

Zheng Shuqing said irritably.

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly; he had also heard some of the news.

Since the time they repelled the Tibetans, Zhang Shougui, favored for his military achievements, has recruited many marginal figures that Li Linfu had previously torn apart, and with his adopted son An Lushan cooperating locally, his power has expanded considerably!

In particular, he also recruited Zhang Jiuling's former court allies, now strong enough to wrestle with Li Linfu.

But the power struggle between the Left and Right Prime Ministers has two sides, because the Tang Empire ultimately belongs to Ji Ge, not to the Left or Right Prime Ministers.

When the Left Prime Minister says something should be done, the Right Prime Minister says it cannot; such deadlock delays official business, and every matter requires Ji Ge to make the final decision or even mediate conflicts, which makes the otherwise lazy‑in‑government Ji Ge feel annoyed.

Recently that was the case: Zhang Shougui wanted to open an "Enke"—an extra recruitment—but Li Linfu said it was unnecessary, just a waste of labor and money with no real use.

The two fought for over a month, and finally Li Linfu compromised, opening the imperial examinations after Ji Ge's birthday this year, specially recruiting a batch of jinshi.

Du Fu and others rushed to the capital for the exams because of this; otherwise the test would have been postponed until next spring.

This made Ji Ge recall Zhang Shuo's early Kaiyuan days, when he fought Yu Wenrong to the death. Fighting fiercely is fine, but it must not affect one's daily life; Ji Ge's governing principle is clear.

Now, Li Linfu, adept at finance, is likened to the former fiscal official Yu Wenrong; and Zhang Shougui, skilled in military affairs, is likened to the former effective border‑town reformer Zhang Shuo.

Such a situation makes Li Longji extremely annoyed.

Ji Ge set up two dogs as "leaders" to handle affairs, manage the other dogs, and keep each other in check.

It is not to let those two dogs lead a pack to "walk" their master!

Thus Ji Ge's method is simple:

You all like to fight, right? OK, shall I step aside and let you fight to your heart's content!

Let Li Linfu control the overall situation, but give part of the authority to Zhang Shougui, so the two can team up for a round—truly a "match of equal strength"!

With Ji Ge gone, the Left and Right Prime Ministers will certainly clash.

As soon as they start fighting, someone will inevitably lose, and when Ji Ge returns, he can resume overseeing the overall affairs.

Those who should be punished get punished, those who deserve reward get rewarded. When they're tired of fighting, they'll honestly do their jobs, at least for a while.

Frankly, Ji Ge's scheme is not without merit, though it is a bit unscrupulous.

After understanding this round, Fang Chongyong couldn't help but remark: Ji Ge may be wicked, but he is truly a veteran in governance, rich in experience. Especially in battling prime ministers for power, he has a considerable edge!

"So why did you give me such an extravagant gift?"

Fang Chongyong asked helplessly. Of course he knew that the pair of golden masks could not be cheap; according to Hexi prices, even the low end would be at least ten thousand bolts of fine silk per piece.

That price refers to a "single"—a one‑of‑a‑kind piece.

Paired masks are usually one male and one female, both crafted by the same artisan.

The price is far beyond what twenty thousand bolts of silk could cover!

These are top‑tier artworks from West Asia, rare and unattainable. To connoisseurs, their value is incalculable, depending entirely on the buyer's offer.

In the Western Regions and the Hexi Corridor, virtually no one would buy such items. If one cannot bring them to Chang'an to sell, it becomes a zero‑cost trade: grabbing them is profit, being killed for them means lack of skill!

Pragmatic Hexi folk, no big fool would deal with this.

Fang Chongyong understood that a gift always carries a request. The price Zheng Shuqing quoted would inevitably bring considerable trouble.

He could not agree rashly.

"The Right Prime Minister has already received concrete information. On the Left Prime Minister's side, they are preparing to avenge the Xing family's house‑raiding! The anticipated breakthrough point is the most problematic Jingzhao Prefecture! Specifically, that certain one!"

Zheng Shuqing sighed helplessly in reply.

The Prefect of Jingzhao is a post notorious for producing "dog officials".

However, it is also an important barometer of central court politics!

Usually, whichever faction holds the Prefect of Jingzhao, that faction gains an advantage in court affairs. The logic is simple: the Jingzhao Prefecture claims to manage everything yet manages nothing well.

The Jingzhao Prefecture is like an early‑warning bell: it cannot catch thieves, but it readily reveals the condition of Chang'an and surrounding counties, and the health of governmental operations.

The most typical example is the relative stability over the past four years. Li Linfu's henchman, Zheng Shuqing, has sat steadily in the Prefect of Jingzhao position without moving, symbolizing the balance of the political situation!

Ji Ge has not replaced anyone, nor knows who would be more suitable; Li Linfu continues to hold a slight edge in the power struggle!

Now, Chang'an's political landscape has reached the tipping point from stability to chaos. The Left Prime Minister faction led by Zhang Shougui aims to remove the Jingzhao Prefect aligned with Li Linfu's camp, thereby breaking the balance.

Zheng Shuqing is only the beginning, also the first target of collective fire from Zhang Shougui's side! Whatever plans follow are not matters for someone of Fang Chongyong's standing.

In short, if the Left Prime Minister's forces blow up Zheng Shuqing, that moment will likely be when Ji Ge returns to Chang'an and readjusts the prime ministers' authority.

Zhang Shougui becomes the Right Prime Minister, Li Linfu is demoted to Left Prime Minister, and after Ji Ge splits and recombines the various powers they hold, it aligns well with Li Longji's expectations and the basic laws of political struggle.

It will not break the power structure long cultivated by the Tang Emperor.

That is to say, Li Linfu may only take a beating in this contest, not enough to break bones; but Zheng Shuqing, as the directly involved party, could very well be killed with a single blow!

Moreover, old Zheng this time also took out the Left Prime Minister's Vice Minister of Honglu Temple, Xing Shu, "by accident," becoming the vanguard that opened the political struggle. Being first out and first down has always been an iron rule in all kinds of conflicts.

To be fair, it was Fang Chongyong who dragged Zheng Shuqing into the water!

If we compare it to Jungle Chess, yesterday Li Linfu's tiger (Zheng Shuqing) ate Zhang Shougui's leopard (Xing Shu).

Now the opponent has lost a piece first, but has shifted from light to dark, gaining strategic initiative, and no longer has a natural loophole like Xing Shu.

Whether it's a blessing or a curse, both can be said.

In contrast, the Jingzhao Prefecture office where Zheng Shuqing serves, during his term, has accumulated over five hundred files!

Although most are petty matters like cattle theft or dog killing, there are also some major cases.

Just the charge of lazy governance would be enough to strip old Zheng of his official robes, but previously everyone pretended not to see it.

One could say the underside of the Jingzhao Prefecture office is now full of droppings! Even from a distance it attracts a swarm of flies.

If a group of court veterans were to focus fire on it, Zheng Shuqing wouldn't just lose his post; he might even be prosecuted with the encouragement of schemers!

"The backlog of old cases in your office's accounts, some estimate that many are already poised to erupt."

In less than two days, aggrieved parties will come to the Capital Prefecture to file complaints. You don't need many—if ten cases arrive in a single day, you won't be able to handle it!

Fang Chongyong gave a wicked grin and said to Zheng Shuqing.

This time, if Old Zheng does nothing at all, he'll definitely get beaten up badly.

"I've figured these out, but this is a yang scheme—what else can I do?"

Zheng Shuqing gave a bitter laugh and asked back.

"How about this: the Right Minister has a dinner tonight; I'll first ask him if he can lend you a hand."

Fang Chongyong spread his hands and said. For something that can only be met move by move, what else can he do?

Seeing Zheng Shuqing's pitiful look as if he were about to cry, Fang Chongyong casually chuckled and said:

"What kind of virtue does the Capital Prefecture office have? I'm sure the sage knows too—it's truly utterly useless, it's normal that old cases can't be finished."

If someone wants to mess with you, they definitely won't haggle over this matter, because haggling might not even bring you down.

Speaking of military strategy, this is merely a necessary relief against the enemy; they're likely just trying to wear you out with these old cases. The real killing move must be something else!

Hearing this, Zheng Shuqing's eyes lit up, and he immediately asked back: "What is it?"

Fang Chongyong spread his hands, making a helpless gesture.

Asking him about this—he'd rather ask someone else.

This time coming to Chang'an, Fang Chongyong felt that the political situation in Chang'an had become much more chaotic.

Political infighting, which had been lurking beneath the surface, has gradually emerged, showing a trend toward openness. Jige's attitude toward various conflicts has also shifted from actively handling them to sitting back, watching the tigers fight, and then reaping the benefits.

This Chang'an city looks like it's about to enter a turbulent autumn! Fang Chongyong couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

This is a transitional chapter; I'll post it early. Tomorrow I'm leaving Western Peace.

(End of chapter)