Chapter 202: A Commoner's Ambition

In the high-end bedchamber arranged by Li Qiwu, a beautiful maidservant was washing Fang Chongyong's feet.

Her soft little hands rubbed over Fang Chongyong's foul-smelling large feet, and the beads of sweat on her forehead dripped into the basin, yet she could not spare a moment to wipe them away.

Even though she had already been exhausted from serving Li Qiwu during the day, at night she still had to force herself to stay alert and serve this young censor from Chang'an.

"Censor Fang, is this servant's handiwork to your satisfaction?"

The maidservant asked in a coy tone.

Looking at this maidservant—who, whether in appearance or massage technique, was a downgraded version of Ana Ye—Fang Chongyong gave a hearty laugh and gently waved his hand, signaling her to withdraw.

This maidservant, who had originally been hoping to serve this promising censor tonight and soar onto a branch to become a peacock, was momentarily stunned upon hearing Fang Chongyong's words, then silently dried the water from his feet.

After apologizing, she picked up the basin and sheepishly withdrew from the bedchamber.

Leaving only Gao Shang alone, watching in dumbfounded silence, not knowing what to say. With a beauty before him, the one who should have been screened out was himself!

For a moment, Gao Shang could not fathom what Fang Chongyong was thinking.

Just now Fang Chongyong had washed his feet right in front of him without the slightest inhibition, then sent away that beautiful maidservant who, after washing his feet, had been all but soliciting his favor—truly he had no idea how this investigating censor could be so impervious to romance.

"I have heard a little about your past affairs.

No need to beat around the bush—speak directly: what is it you can teach me?"

Fang Chongyong placed his feet on a soft cushion that provided warmth, looked at Gao Shang, and asked with a burning gaze.

Gao Shang gritted his teeth. That disgraceful affair of his from years ago was naturally known to no small number of people in official circles.

But knowing was one thing; saying it so openly was quite another.

The other party being this rude, this high-handedly arrogant, fully demonstrated that… his own opportunity to seek office was right before his eyes!

If some powerful noble were to speak to him in a servile manner, or even as an equal, then Gao Shang would fear that one day they might sell him out!

Nobles—arrogance is normal; condescending to befriend one's inferiors is what's truly dangerous!

"I wonder how Censor Fang views the current court situation?"

Gao Shang quietly closed the door, then came over and asked in a lowered voice.

"Great Tang is at the height of its power, its might subduing the four seas. I am the Sage's hound—how else could I view it? Of course I believe our Great Tang shall endure for ten thousand generations."

Fang Chongyong said with a placid expression.

"Hehe, Censor Fang need not be modest. I am opening my heart to Censor Fang, and naturally I shall speak of matters that Censor Fang finds interesting.

Censor Fang came to Binzhou to find coal—is it not because even something as trivial as charcoal has left the hundred officials of Chang'an overwhelmed and exhausted?"

Gao Shang gave a very subtle display of how well-informed he was.

Fang Chongyong put away his smile and gave a slight nod without speaking.

In fact, as a member of the imperial clan, Li Qiwu naturally had his own information channels. And with Gao Shang as Li Qiwu's confidant, it was not at all strange for him to know things that local officials did not.

Besides, before Fang Chongyong came to Binzhou, the Ministry of Works had already sent an official dispatch to the prefectural office, ordering the local authorities of Binzhou to fully and unconditionally cooperate with Fang Chongyong in surveying coal pits. As the "Prefectural Office Bureau of Works Adjutant," Gao Shang could be regarded as the "Prefectural Minister of Works"—it was not at all strange for him to know the purpose of Fang Chongyong's visit.

What was truly admirable about Gao Shang was that from Fang Chongyong's arrival in Binzhou, he had connected it to Chang'an's energy crisis! To the bloatedness and incompetence of the court's institutions!

This was not something an ordinary person could manage.

"What I said just now was merely a jest. You may speak now—what exactly is the state of the current court?"

Fang Chongyong said sternly.

"To answer Censor Fang: I believe that Great Tang today is on the verge of great chaos. In ten years at most, upheaval across the realm will inevitably erupt."

Gao Shang spoke as though making alarmist predictions.

This kind of talk was, in truth, no different from a street swindler grabbing a passerby and telling him his forehead looks dark and disaster is imminent.

If one didn't make it sound severe, how could one frighten anyone?

Yet the memories of Fang Chongyong's past life told him that Gao Shang's words were by no means alarmist!

"Interesting. Go on, then—I'm listening."

Fang Chongyong produced a delicate file from his sleeve and made a show of grooming his nails, pricking up his ears to listen to Gao Shang's "grand discourse."

Seeing Fang Chongyong's impenetrable demeanor, Gao Shang gritted his teeth, hesitating over whether to say what was on his mind.

Gao Shang had already understood that playing tricks on this Censor Fang—who had performed the meritorious deed of saving the sovereign and had served four years as the prefect of Shazhou—would not produce any positive effect.

If he didn't bring out some "substance," his goal of "advancement" would be entirely unattainable.

"From my observation, the court has oppressed the people of Hebei far too severely, and has guarded against the sons of Hebei's great families entering the upper echelons of the central government to participate in governance. If this continues, Hebei will hate the court to the bone, from top to bottom. At the first sign of trouble, they will be the first to rise up!

And for the court to deal with such a situation, it will inevitably prioritize granting various military and political powers to the Military Commissioners of Youzhou and Pinglu, enabling them to forcefully suppress Hebei—this is the simplest solution.

If the powers of those several Military Commissioners in Hebei are not expanded, then the popular unrest cannot be suppressed, just as in the year when the Khitan's Li Jinzhong rebelled against Tang.

And once the powers of those several Military Commissioners in Hebei are increased, then their becoming too powerful to control—and even secretly colluding with Hebei's great families—would be a matter of course.

As Military Commissioners are rotated one by one, there will eventually appear a bold desperado who takes the desperate gamble.

In short, Hebei will certainly have an incident—it's only a matter of when and in what manner.

This is the first point."

Gao Shang said in a low voice.

"Interesting. Continue—I'm all ears."

Fang Chongyong feigned great interest and encouraged him. In truth, he had long since known all this tired old talk.

"Second: the Sage has already passed sixty, and the newly enthroned Crown Prince has no power base whatsoever in the court.

Not only that, but the Sage has also transferred several princes out of Chang'an. In the future, the weak Crown Prince and the strong princes will inevitably struggle against each other without end.

The court officials will each take sides, supporting the prince they favor for the throne. The day the Sage passes will be the day they turn on one another."

Gao Shang said with absolute conviction.

"Presumptuous! The Sage's affairs—are they for you to speak of!"

Fang Chongyong rebuked angrily.

"Please forgive me, Censor Fang. I spoke without thinking."

Gao Shang saluted Fang Chongyong with a crossed‑hand bow and said, his face showing no shame.

"Then you continue speaking."

Fang Chongyong gave a slight nod; his anger was also feigned.

"Furthermore, let's set aside other places and focus on this pass."

The rich have lands criss‑crossing endlessly; the poor have not even a place to drive a stake, and after a year even basic sustenance is hard to obtain.

A common farmer's boots are worn by the grandfather, then the father, then the children—a single pair lasts three generations.

They must not only pay taxes but also shoulder various extra servile duties.

If this continues, can there be no problems?

Gao Shang asked with a cold smile.

Chang'an, as the capital, brings population and environmental pressure to Guanzhong, need not be elaborated.

Suddenly, hundreds of thousands of "non‑productive" people appear; to feed them, the surrounding populace bears countless various labor obligations.

The Great Tang pays the central officials in Chang'an a "salary" that includes "forced labor". In other words, the servile populace is sent to officials' homes to work for free, counted as part of the officials' compensation.

This forced labor may involve working in official fields, cleaning, hauling goods, etc., depending on what the officials require.

Given the massive bureaucracy in central Chang'an, the monthly demand for forced labor is considerable. Who provides it? Ordinary citizens of Chang'an and those from surrounding prefectures and counties.

These matters are coordinated by the "Servile Labor Office."

Compared with Hexi, Chang'an's situation is far more complex.

"Indeed, the watchmen at Binmen Post are as skinny as firewood, their faces showing hunger; it is truly so."

Fang Chongyong gave a slight nod and said.

"It's not just the hungry looks; Binmen Post is a small station, and those from the sparsely cultivated parts of the province bear the burden, assuming profit and loss themselves.

The prefectural government lacks funds and has long delayed their operating payments; this matter is being handled by someone.

Binmen Post has already driven out several wealthy households here; changing every year, or even multiple times a year, is commonplace."

Gao Shang couldn't help but sneer. The central court officials still think all is peaceful, unaware that the regions have long been unsustainable.

The money to run the post should come from land taxes, earmarked for that purpose.

But clearly, as the number of Tang officials grew, interactions became more frequent, officials' extravagance increased, and land tax collection lagged, among other factors.

This has led many local small posts to be managed by the regional prefectures.

Yet the regional prefectures also have no money!

Thus their solution is "private contracting," offloading the burden, then reducing operating costs via fiscal subsidies and tax exemptions.

Such practices were commonplace during the Wu Zhou era. In the early Kaiyuan period they were briefly reformed, but now the old ways have resurfaced, even more aggressively.

"I know that Fang Yushi is the saint's confidant.

But the saint is already old; once the saint is gone, where will Fang Yushi go?"

Gao Shang asked calmly.

"Interesting. Then, what's your idea?"

Fang Chongyong pretended to be nonchalant and asked.

"The saint, to make the Crown Prince a shield and to prevent the Crown Prince from threatening his own power, will certainly support a strong prince."

All that is needed is for Fang Yushi to recommend someone to that prince.

If that prince gains power, the future emperor will certainly not mistreat Fang Yushi.

If that prince never rises, then the matter is like a stone sinking in the sea, causing Fang Yushi no harm at all.

"So you were planning to use the Dragon‑Slaying Technique."

Fang Chongyong exclaimed, suddenly enlightened.

Someone like Gao Shang harbors immense ambition; ordinary minor officials can never satisfy his appetite.

Only becoming a high‑ranking official is his lifelong goal. Thus, even if he could take the imperial examinations, he would not pursue them lightly; perhaps he despises everyone.

Including Li Qiwu, including him, Fang Chongyong.

Helping equals an extra investment.

Not helping isn't really a big deal. Could Gao Shang even do anything to Fang Chongyong?

However, such a petty person has no bottom line; being targeted by him is not a good thing.

"Among the princes, who do you favor most?"

Fang Chongyong asked softly.

"Prince Yong Li Lin."

Gao Shang uttered four words.

"Prince Yong?"

Fang Chongyong looked puzzled. To know, when Ji Ge turned sixty, Prince Yong publicly dragged a beautiful dancer into a small grove and made advances—an impulsive figure. Why would Gao Shang favor such a person?

"Prince Yong, what's special about him?"

Fang Chongyong asked in doubt.

"Prince Yong is young and impulsive, prone to rage. If the saint wants someone to spar with Crown Prince Li Chang, it must be Prince Yong."

Other princes aren't impulsive enough; if they just watch, the saint's effort would be wasted.

Gao Shang spoke at length, saying his insight was far deeper than Fang Chongyong's understanding.

Fang Chongyong still thought of handling real affairs, while Gao Shang's mind was left only with the Dragon‑Slaying Technique!

"What you say isn't without reason."

Fang Chongyong gave a slight nod, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

In his view, whether it's Crown Prince Li Chang or Prince Yong Li Lin, they are merely marionettes in Ji Ge's hands. The difference is that some realize they are marionettes, others are completely unaware.

But no matter what, the road Gao Shang walks is a defiant one; a slight slip would bring death and the annihilation of his clan.

However, for people like that, toiling in the lower ranks may truly be worse than betting on a dragon‑slaying technique. If the gamble wins, there has never been a greater achievement than conquering a dragon; then wouldn't they have everything?

But what benefit does Fang Chongyong gain by introducing Gao Shang to Li Lin?

The answer is obvious: to drive a nail into the future court politics!

Gao Shang can be used, but not in the way he himself intends!

"I am going to survey a coal pit in Sanshui County these days; you should come with me.

I will see whether you are diligent in your work, and then make a decision."

Fang Chongyong's expression remained unchanged; he gave a slight nod and said nothing in response to Gao Shang's request.

"Thanks to Censor Fang, thank you for Censor Fang's support!"

Gao Shang, excited, knelt on the ground and performed a grand kowtow.

"Go then, I need to rest now."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand away and said coldly.

Gao Shang hurried out of the house, shut the door behind him, and his face broke into ecstatic joy.

Heh, what does one Fang Chongyong matter? After the sage passes away, the Fang father and son will be nothing at all.

These days, what one can do is no longer important; what matters is how to seize power! As long as one can grasp authority, one can control everything!

Now that's what life is!

Gao Shang muttered silently in his mind, secretly despising that Fang Chongyong, despite his excellent conditions, does not know how to seize power and still wants to go after that useless coal pit.

Nevertheless, although he deeply despised Fang Chongyong for not exploiting the chance to seize power, his body remained honest, placing itself in a role equivalent to a 'servant.'

Gao Shang silently stayed in the courtyard's gatehouse, lying on that cold, hard wooden plank bed, keeping watch for Fang Chongyong and refusing to leave.

So tired....

(End of chapter)