Chapter 161: Old Acquaintances Meet, a Shot in the Back

He watched him build the high tower, he watched him host his guests, he watched his tower collapse!

In just one short hour, Du Fu and Yuan Jie saw with their own eyes how Fang Chongyong had summoned wind and rain at Apricot Blossom Tower, "calling in reinforcements" to summon Jingzhao Prefecture Governor Zheng Shuqing. The latter ground the face of Zhang Shi, son of Censor-in-Chief Zhang Yi, into the dirt, then took Fang Chongyong himself and his companions away.

Then Fang Chongyong talked at length with Du Fu and Yuan Jie about his "struggle to success"—those experiences that provoked envy, jealousy, and resentment. Even men like Du Fu and Yuan Jie, who had endured their share of cold stares, felt their hearts turn to dead ash.

You could call him hateful, but the young master Fang was still their benefactor, willing to help forward their examination essays for free, and even treating them to a meal at the finest restaurant in Chang'an. He was condescending himself to befriend them, giving them all the face they could want.

But if you said this kind of person was warm and friendly, that would make Du Fu and Yuan Jie gnash their teeth in resentment.

Of course, they didn't hate Fang Chongyong himself—they hated this world!

Those with power and influence, even the most approachable among them, still walked sideways through officialdom. At most, if you didn't block their path, they simply wouldn't deal you a killing blow.

"Lord Fang has shown us kindness. No matter what, we should still go to Yongjia Ward and notify his family."

Yuan Jie, who was deeper in thought and more worldly in temperament, said to Du Fu.

"Indeed."

Du Fu gave a slight nod.

Though he felt that Fang Chongyong was most likely doomed—because the Jinwu Guard had seized him without even asking questions, clearly acting with deliberate purpose rather than coming unprepared.

For Fang Chongyong to escape on his own would be extraordinarily difficult!

But eating someone's food ties your tongue, and taking someone's gifts softens your hands. If something happened to Fang Chongyong, they could say nothing of their own exam prospects—they'd fail outright, and that would be that!

Better to make a quick effort; perhaps there was still a turning point!

The two slipped quietly out of Apricot Blossom Tower and made their way without drawing attention toward Yongjia Ward, not far from here. They had been to Fang Chongyong's house before and knew the route well. They hoped they weren't too late.

Both Du Fu and Yuan Jie were filled with anxiety.

……

In the Left Minister's residence's study—that is, the study of Zhang Shougui's household—the Left Minister of the Great Tang sat quietly on a soft cushion, awaiting news.

His eldest son Zhang Xiancheng paced the study with some anxiety, plainly unable to sit still.

Seeing him so unable to settle his mind, Zhang Shougui chuckled and said, "Fang Chongyong served as an official in Hexi for four years, and we father and son also built our fortune in Hexi. By that reckoning, we're practically fellow townsfolk. You Hexi grunt, striking at this other Hexi grunt—didn't soften your hand one bit, did you?"

Zhang Shougui's words were full of admiration; he clearly didn't think Zhang Xiancheng had done anything wrong.

Because this was politics!

"Father, in my humble view, Zhang Yi will have great difficulty becoming a minister this time, and his son Zhang Shi is nothing but a wine sack and rice bag. If he hadn't ruined my grand plan at Apricot Blossom Tower, the task Father entrusted to me would have been effortless.

I had already assembled a group of literati, ready to spread rumors in every major restaurant and tavern in Chang'an that the Right Minister intended to commit massive fraud in this examination. Once the rumors were stirred up, we could execute the next phase of the plan.

Who would have thought Fang Chongyong would act so decisively, having Zheng Shuqing arrest Zhang Shi on charges of examination fraud and stealing our initiative. The Right Minister will surely use the pretext of investigating exam fraud to crush Zhang Shi utterly—besieging Wei to save Zhao, forcing Zhang Yi into their service!

Now if we spread similar rumors, the only one to suffer would be Zhang Yi, or even draw the fire onto ourselves—not harming the Right Minister in the slightest.

That waste Zhang Shi can't accomplish anything but can ruin everything. Father, you must not cooperate with Zhang Yi against the Right Minister, or the consequences will be endless."

Zhang Xiancheng patiently made his case.

"I have been thinking about this very matter myself."

Zhang Shougui gave a slight nod and said.

As Left Minister, mastering high-level political maneuvering was simply a standard skill—without it, one could not last long in the position of chancellor.

Zhang Shougui was naturally unwilling to fall behind others. Even if he hadn't cared before, after being appointed Left Minister, he had learned and grown rapidly. Especially after witnessing Li Linfu's technique of destroying people utterly without batting an eye, he was awestruck and admired him immensely from the bottom of his heart!

Learn from Li Linfu, defeat Li Linfu, become Li Linfu.

Zhang Shougui held no prejudice against Li Linfu whatsoever; rather, he took this opponent very seriously, just as he took enemies seriously on the battlefield!

Back then, Zhang Shougui had no grudge whatsoever with Zhang Jiuling—the two could even be considered one family five hundred years ago! But when Li Longji asked Li Linfu and Zhang Jiuling whether Zhang Shougui could be appointed chancellor, Zhang Jiuling flatly rejected it, speaking harshly and saying many bad things about Zhang Shougui.

It was Li Linfu who was more in favor of letting Zhang Shougui become chancellor!

Wasn't Zhang Jiuling supposed to have a good reputation? Why would he block Zhang Shougui's appointment? In truth, there was no right or wrong in such matters—humans are creatures of power.

If Zhang Shougui became chancellor, then the former Censor-in-Chief Yan Tingzhi, whom Zhang Jiuling supported, would not be able to rise.

Now, Zhang Shougui and Li Linfu were fighting to the death over the power of the chancellorship, for exactly the same reason Zhang Jiuling had blocked Zhang Shougui's appointment.

Li Linfu knew how to play power politics—couldn't our Zhang do the same?

Li Linfu's political maneuvering was indeed a cut above; Zhang Shougui struggled to cope and often took hidden losses.

But he didn't need to clash head-on with Li Linfu. He could just as well recruit allies and turn a "two-power standoff" into a "three-way balance"!

This time, Zhang Shougui used Zhang Shi's passing the exam as a condition, plus the promise of facilitating Zhang Yi's appointment as chancellor, in exchange for the full support of the Censorate, where Censor-in-Chief Zhang Yi served.

With Zhang Yi's support, he could greatly shore up Zhang Shougui's weakness—namely, his relatively weak influence in the central government organs, with his strength concentrated mainly in the Ministry of War. This state of affairs had, in fact, received the tacit approval of the Tang Emperor, Li Longji.

His Majesty had, in ordinary times, shown Zhang Yi an extraordinary degree of closeness and promotion—this in itself was a signal.

So the ones truly "committing fraud" were not Li Linfu at all, but rather the "Left Minister's faction" led by Zhang Shougui.

And in this "battle between two ministers," whether the examination itself had flaws had already become irrelevant.

Who passed and who failed was nothing more than a political bargaining chip.

Just as Zhang Shougui was deep in thought, a Jinwu Guard squad leader was shown into the study by a servant and bowed to him, saying, "Left Minister, the man has been captured. He did not resist. He is now at the Jinwu Guard office."

Done!

Hearing this news, Zhang Shougui was overjoyed!

He had been worried about one scenario: that by the time his eldest son Zhang Xiancheng returned to report, Fang Chongyong would have already gone home or elsewhere. Then they would have had no good pretext to arrest him.

Since Zhang Shi, who appeared at Apricot Blossom Tower, was a cheating candidate, then could Fang Chongyong, who likewise appeared at Apricot Blossom Tower, also be a cheating candidate?

That possibility could not be ruled out.

So the Jinwu Guard, on the grounds of suspected examination fraud, "invited" Fang Chongyong to the Jinwu Guard office's… signing room, and placed him under house arrest.

After all, he held the honorary title of Acting Grand General of the Thousand Bull Guard. With that status, the Jinwu Guard could not simply throw him into prison. But detaining Fang Chongyong at the Jinwu Guard under the pretext of "investigation and questioning," then releasing him without charges after Li Longji returned to Chang'an or after their own business was concluded—that was perfectly feasible.

This move was clean, leaving no handle for anyone to exploit!

Did Fang Chongyong have any suspicion of examination fraud?

Of course he did.

Did you find the problem?

We didn't find it, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't look!

If the Imperial Censor‑in‑Chief Zhang Yi's son can be investigated, why can't Fang Youde's son be?

This is a classic case of procedural justice!

As for why the Jinwu Guard is investigating instead of passing it to the Jingzhao Prefecture, it's obviously because Fang Chongyong has good relations with Jingzhao Prefect Zheng Shuqing! When handling a case, relatives and friends must recuse themselves—that's a basic principle.

So this time Zhang Shougui's move was swift, precise, and ruthless, logically tight, leaving no after‑effects, and also not taking the matter to an irreversible end.

As long as we catch the person, the matter is considered settled!

If Fang Youde's father asks, Zhang Shougui can explain: "Your son has already become involved in the Great Tang's central high‑level political struggle. I placed him under soft confinement to protect him, so you needn't thank me. After all, we share the bond of shared robes from our time together in Youzhou!"

Fang Youde would probably have nothing to say; they didn't do anything to his son!

Zhang Xiancheng also breathed a sigh of relief; leaving the Apricot Blossom Tower, he rode his horse at a gallop back home, and in one breath persuaded Zhang Shougui to immediately mobilize the Jinwu Guard that maintains Chang'an's security, first "inviting" Fang Chongyong to the Jinwu Guard office to "assist the investigation."

If he isn't imprisoned, there's no need for formal procedure. Without procedure, outsiders have no leverage to meddle in the Jinwu Guard's internal affairs!

As long as Fang Chongyong isn't abused, beaten, or accidentally killed inside, the matter will have no flaw!

"The previous plan can't be used now; what do we do?"

Zhang Shougui looked at his eldest son Zhang Xiancheng and asked.

This son has been exceptionally clever since childhood, and as an adult he is even more resourceful and quick‑thinking. For any important matter, Zhang Shougui always consults his eldest son first.

"Father, the route of cheating in the imperial examination can no longer be taken; it will only hurt us."

"Zhang Yi need not be involved; he'll eventually be implicated by his son Zhang Shi."

"Now, while Zheng Shuqing hasn't yet interrogated anything, we should either cripple all ten of his fingers or just cut off one. Do nothing else; just pursue Jingzhao Prefecture relentlessly!"

"If we strike down the Jingzhao Prefecture office, we'll also crush the Right Chancellor's aggressive momentum, and the central officials' wind will be knocked off course."

Zhang Xiancheng said calmly.

Zhang Shougui rose from the cushion and paced back and forth in the study, his mind weighing Zhang Xiancheng's plan.

"Then, how do we take down Zheng Shuqing? That slippery dog‑official is as slick as a mud‑skipper, hard to catch a flaw in!"

Zhang Shougui frowned slightly and said. He had long figured out the personalities of the few people around Li Linfu.

Zheng Shuqing's ability to get things done is almost nonexistent, yet his official competence is explosively extraordinary—a freak. "If I don't act, others can't find a flaw," seems to be Old Zheng's motto.

"Father, I have a trick that not only can eliminate Jingzhao Prefecture but also drag the Right Chancellor who presides over the examinations into the water!"

Zhang Xiancheng showed a wicked grin, rubbed his wrist, and said.

"Where does the plan come from?"

Zhang Shougui lowered his voice and asked.

Zhang Xiancheng leaned close to Zhang Shougui's ear and talked for a while. The latter's expression relaxed more and more, finally bursting into laughter!

"Hahaha—good! This move is truly well used! Even I couldn't think of anything better!"

"Having a tiger cub at home, I, his father, am very pleased."

"You have already learned to apply military strategy to state affairs; given time, my achievements will be no match for yours!"

Zhang Shougui laughed with satisfaction, giving Zhang Xiancheng a hearty pat on the shoulder.

"Father's praise is misplaced; these are merely petty tricks that cannot be shown publicly. Compared with Father's golden spears and iron horses, they are far inferior."

Zhang Xiancheng bowed modestly with crossed arms, lacking the arrogance and overbearing of someone like Zhang Shi, a young man of Chang'an's Wuling.

Qiu Ba of Hexi, top‑tier, endures like a wolf, a single strike is lethal.

Staying alive is the most important, profit comes first; what use is sheer arrogance?

Zhang Xiancheng felt that Chang'an's comfortable environment had bred a huge number of foolish and cowardly youths, whose bodies had long been hollowed out by wine and women, and their minds were nearly ruined.

This stage will sooner or later have someone like me, a son of an official family, play the lead.

Zhang Xiancheng thought to himself.

Among the younger generation he knows now, only the Fang Chongyong he met today fills him with dread.

……

"What to do? What to do? What to do?"

Ana Ye paced back and forth in the great hall of the residence, her eyes red from crying, frantic like ants on a hot pan.

When he was in Hexi, Fang Chongyong was the kind of ruler of Shazhou who could command countless supporters with a single call; there was no way he could be seized.

When Du Fu and Yuan Jie came to report the news, she was already frightened into a stupor. Ana Ye had never imagined what it would be like if Fang Chongyong were gone; she didn't even dare to contemplate such an accident, like an ostrich burying its head in the sand!

"Shut up!"

Wang Yunxiu shouted at Ana Ye! Her face was grim!

Given Fang Chongyong's family background, plus his marriage alliance with the daughter of the Hedong Military Governor, in Chang'an he is not merely untouchable; at the very least he is unchallengeable by ordinary people!

Now that he was seized by the Jinwu Guard, there must be something fishy. From Du Fu and others' statements, it seems… likely related to the imperial examination.

At that moment, Zheng Shuqing's shout rang from outside.

"Fang Xian's nephew! Come quickly to help, I'm about to be overwhelmed here!"

Zheng Shuqing shouted while being led by Zhang Guangsheng into the great hall, where he saw two women from Fang Chongyong's household: one tear‑eyed and sobbing, the other crossing her arms with a grim, murderous look.

"Madam Wang, I have an urgent matter concerning your son Ah Lang; may I meet you now?"

Zheng Shuqing asked cautiously.

In fact, when he entered, he sensed something odd, because Fang Chongyong usually comes out personally to greet guests. Yet his attendant Zhang Guangsheng remained silent, tight‑lipped, and only made a "please come inside" gesture when questioned.

"My son Ah Lang was seized by the Jinwu Guard, just after the Jingzhao Prefect left the Apricot Blossom Tower."

Wang Yunxiu crossed her arms and bowed to Zheng Shuqing.

"Huh?"

Zheng Shuqing thought he had misheard!

He interrogated Zhang Shi, and the stubborn fellow simply said he had not cheated in the imperial examinations, and he shouted that Zheng Shuqing could not possibly have any evidence; he was merely out drinking with his friends.

As for those so-called friends of Zhang Shi, they all unanimously said there was no cheating situation, and they demanded that the Capital Prefecture release the person.

Zhang Shi's father, Zhang Yi, also sent someone to inquire, asking what was going on, why they had arrested someone for no reason, and whether there was any evidence.

Zheng Shuqing felt he could no longer hold out.

"I have already made it clear, my husband was taken away by the Golden Warrior Guard."

Wang Yunxiu said angrily.

(End of chapter)