Chapter 210: Pear Garden Shooting Maidens (Part 1)

Ji Ge wore a thick cotton coat today; the style and material are familiar to Fang Chongyong, because the padding comes from Shazhou, and even the "modern elements" inside were added according to Fang Chongyong's suggestion, making it extremely practical.

The "luxury goods" from the Western Regions indeed dominate the high‑end market in Chang'an.

Fang Chongyong muttered a silent complaint in his heart.

"Your servant arrives late; please forgive my offense, Your Majesty."

Upon meeting, Fang Chongyong crossed his hands and saluted Li Longji.

In fact he was not late at all—he even arrived a bit earlier than required—but he couldn't help that Ji Ge had camped here last night. Otherwise, Fang Youde, who is in charge of security, couldn't have been patrolling outside the Pear Garden so early.

"No offense, no offense; you arrived neither early nor late—just right."

Ji Ge smiled, seeming in a good mood. He waved at the eunuch beside him, a young eunuch named Bian Lingcheng, who handed the small bow—clearly smaller than a hunting bow—to Fang Chongyong.

Along with it was a pot of arrows, containing ten arrows.

Fang Chongyong took the bow and arrows, examined them repeatedly, and gently drew the string. He then discovered, to his surprise, that the bow was extremely "soft"; its maximum range is modest—perhaps only ten or twenty steps—so don't expect much. These days even a girl could play with such a "toy".

He pulled out an arrow from the pot and glanced at it, noticing it lacked a tip and that the shaft was made of paper, coated with charcoal powder, emitting an indescribably sharp fragrance.

"This is the Flirtatious Arrow; it hits the flirt without harming anyone. Have you ever seen one, Your Majesty?"

Li Longji asked with a flushed face.

Fang Chongyong sheathed the bow and arrows at his waist, then crossed his hands and saluted Ji Ge: "Not only unseen, but also unheard of."

He was speaking the absolute truth.

Fang Chongyong thought that shooting women with arrows—a game not even played in Shazhou—was being wildly enjoyed in the Pear Garden Forbidden Garden; who would believe that? It's normal not to have seen it, but having seen it becomes abnormal.

"Hehe, no need to have seen it before; today you'll open your eyes and see enough."

There are ten Flirtatious Arrows here; if you don't have enough after shooting, come ask me for more. You are young and full of vigor, so you must shoot several more this time.

Don't foolishly shoot any palace maid you see; pick the young, the beautiful ones.

Ji Ge, like a cynical little old man, flashed a mischievous grin and couldn't help but offer a "pointer" on how Fang Chongyong should "shoot the maidens".

"Your Majesty, I fear I cannot partake in today's activity; I might kill someone."

Fang Chongyong said apologetically.

"Eh, I had thought of that already; as I said, the Flirtatious Arrow cannot kill."

Li Longji laughed heartily.

"No, Your Majesty… I do not know how to shoot arrows. I cannot use this Flirtatious Arrow."

Fang Chongyong spread his hands helplessly, sighed, and said.

In truth he can shoot, even from horseback, having trained for four years in Shazhou; his skill is merely average, not worthy of high praise.

The reason Fang Chongyong doesn't want the "Pear Garden Shooting Maidens" is simply that the atmosphere at home is pleasant; Wang Yunxiu and Anaye get along well, and the family is united. Adding more women would only bring trouble.

So why bother? He isn't lacking women now.

As the saying goes, a harmonious family brings prosperity; Fang Chongyong is someone who greatly fears trouble.

"Can't shoot? I have heard you, Your Majesty, often lead troops in Shazhou; you are the son of Fang Quanzhong, yet you tell me you cannot shoot?"

Ji Ge asked in a harsh tone.

Just moments ago he was smiling, eager to tell Fang Chongyong a lewd story; now his expression is as dark as water, his mood flipping like turning a page.

The terror of serving a ruler like serving a tiger is indeed not just a legend.

"Your Majesty, I truly cannot shoot arrows; I only know how to use the black dart. In battle formations and killing enemies, I mostly employ the black dart."

If today I were to use the Flirtatious black dart in the Pear Garden, it would kill people.

Fang Chongyong bowed, crossed his hands, and saluted while explaining.

"Use the black dart?"

Ji Ge, unfamiliar with battle formations and Tibetan customs, had only heard of the black dart and did not fully understand its use. He gave a glance to Gao Lishi, who immediately bowed and whispered an explanation.

"Yo, I didn't realize you, Your Majesty, could use the black dart!"

Ji Ge looked at Fang Chongyong, with a fake smile, and continued: "General Gao, send someone to the Inner Treasury to fetch a Tibetan tribute black dart; today I wish to broaden my horizons and see how a fine Tang man wields the black dart."

He seemed quite displeased with Fang Chongyong's 'lack of sense'; in Ji Ge's view, if you can't shoot arrows, you can at least join the fun—being absent is your fault!

Soon, a eunuch on horseback rushed to the Inner Treasury and handed Fang Chongyong a black dart made of gemstone‑inlaid, yak‑hair‑woven yarn, along with a box of 'Stone Projectiles' that match it.

Fang Chongyong opened the wooden box and saw sixteen stone projectiles, each identical in size and very smooth.

From any angle, it's clear this set of black darts is a craft piece, not meant for combat. Coupled with the stone projectiles, it could fetch a good price if sold to Tibetan nobles on the Hexi frontier.

But now Fang Chongyong is in a bind; if he doesn't properly use the black dart today, Ji Ge won't let him off the hook.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me; I shall now make a spectacle of myself."

Fang Chongyong crossed his hands and saluted Ji Ge.

"Do you see that sparrow? Bring it down for me."

Ji Ge pointed at a sparrow perched on a nearby branch and said.

"There!"

Fang Chongyong performed the salute, but Gao Lishi slowly approached, handing him an iron finger ring and saying, "Your Majesty bestows this upon you; use it to properly wield your black dart."

Although using the black dart doesn't require an iron finger ring, the meaning of the imperial grant is unmistakable.

Fang Chongyong took a deep breath, placed a stone projectile into the black dart's 'eye', and began to spin it in his hand.

He stared intently at the sparrow on the branch, recalling a Tibetan from Shazhou who taught him the secret of the black dart: no matter how it spins and stores energy, the outcome hinges on the instant it is released.

Aiming and striking are one; the more decisive the swing, the straighter the trajectory!

"Snap!"

The branch snapped, the sparrow fell onto the snow, flapping wildly yet unable to fly; clearly it was not killed.

"Good! Good! Well shot!"

Ji Ge shouted while running over like a child who hadn't had enough fun, observing that the sparrow was merely bruised, still hopping on the ground, but certainly not dead—just unable to fly.

Killing a sparrow dead was nothing remarkable—after all, the distance was short. But "shooting down" a sparrow without killing it was extremely difficult!

"Your Majesty just now instructed your humble servant to shoot the bird down, and so your humble servant has shot it down.

Killing living creatures without cause for amusement is something Your Majesty would not do, and your humble servant would not let Your Majesty be disgraced either."

Fang Chongyong walked over, clasped his hands in salute, and said.

Brother Ji only said to shoot the sparrow down, not to kill it! What if the sparrow really died—what if Brother Ji threw a tantrum over it?

Not only did Fang Chongyong's mindset of being a cunning subject who harms his sovereign run deep, but he was also exceedingly cautious in handling matters. Brother Ji said "shoot it down," and he truly just shot the sparrow down—watertight in every respect.

"Good, well said! Exactly what I meant!"

Brother Ji was extremely pleased. Looking at Fang Chongyong, who remained bowed in salute without rising, he suddenly thought of a mischievous idea.

"Hmm, there must be a reward.

Then I shall enfeoff you as Marquis of Wuduo, and grant you fourteen hundred mu of perpetual estate lands."

Brother Ji laughed heartily and said.

Hearing these words, several eunuchs beside him all looked at one another in bewilderment, not knowing what this "Marquis of Wuduo" was supposed to be.

Tang dynasty enfeoffments, though no longer "substantive fiefs," still generally had respectable names, because in name the holder was to collect "taxes" from the fief—for example, "Duke of Zhao" or "Marquis of Huaiyin."

What was this "Marquis of Wuduo" for?

Although Tang dynasty marquisates were by this point essentially useless, with actual power and influence smaller than that of a seventh-rank county magistrate, the ceremony of enfeoffment was nevertheless extraordinarily grand.

It first had to be proposed by a chancellor or the Son of Heaven, pass review by the Three Departments and Six Ministries, then be submitted to the Censorate for review, before it could be issued as an imperial edict. The person granted the title also had to come to Chang'an and participate in the investiture ceremony before the enfeoffment as a marquis was set in stone.

Where had there ever been a Son of Heaven who could complete the entire process with a single casual remark? One must understand that political procedure, to a certain extent, represented political power!

Brother Ji casually enfeoffing a subject as a duke or marquis was in effect a disguised stripping of power from the Three Departments and Six Ministries and the Censorate—this was a declaration of war against the entire civil official system!

"Your Majesty, you must not."

Gao Lishi hastily stepped forward to dissuade him. He had no choice but to speak up, because although this was a small matter, it could lever the entire system and cause enormous waves.

"Besides, the Great Tang has no Marquis of Wuduo to grant either."

Gao Lishi continued in a low voice by Brother Ji's ear.

"Can I not create one?"

Li Longji said in an unfriendly tone.

"Your Majesty, even if you create one, you must still complete the process through the Three Departments and Six Ministries and the Censorate. This cannot be skipped."

Gao Lishi urged earnestly.

"Then remember to remind me—I shall issue an imperial edict tomorrow and give Genü a heads-up."

Brother Ji waved his hand impatiently and said. He knew that whatever the Censorate's position might be, Li Linfu on the Three Departments and Six Ministries side would not let him, the emperor, be put in a difficult position.

"I thank Your Majesty for your grace."

Fang Chongyong clasped his hands in salute, feigning great excitement, but in his heart he was pondering what Brother Ji's true intention was with this move. A marquisate or whatever, Fang Chongyong did not care about in the least. But those fourteen hundred mu of perpetual estate lands—he felt there was something significant behind them.

It was very likely that these lands came from the eliminated faction of Li Heng.

Brother Ji had been steeped in power and intrigue for decades; he could not possibly do something completely meaningless based on his mood.

Consider the late Northern Qi, when Gao Wei bestowed titles upon a whole host of hounds and hawks he kept—for example, things like "Red Tiger Commander of Unequalled Honor," "Lady of Xiaoyao Commandery," "Lady of Lingxiao Commandery," and so forth.

Even animals could receive "titles"—Brother Ji granting him the title of "Marquis of Wuduo" didn't seem all that outrageous by comparison.

Fang Chongyong thought to himself as if in self-consolation, though he did catch a faint whiff of the aura of a falling dynasty from this.

Was not a dyke of a thousand li destroyed by an ant hole exactly like this?

Just then, the Right Chancellor of the Great Tang, Li Linfu, arrived with a group of officials to pay respects to the Son of Heaven. Everyone completely ignored Fang Chongyong and stepped forward to salute Brother Ji.

In Fang Chongyong's expectations, these men should have been standing to the side in their refined scholarly manner watching the spectacle, and would never have joined the "shooting beauties" game. To his surprise, they seemed to know in advance what was going to happen—every one of them wearing Hu-style long trousers and half-sleeves in the middle of winter, apparently planning to join the "fun" shortly as well.

This was not Fang Chongyong's conjecture, but rather Li Linfu taking the lead in accepting the "equipment"—namely, a limp little bow and "romance arrows" made of paper. The assembled officials felt not the slightest shame, let alone raising any objection.

Fang Chongyong suddenly felt that indeed he was still too young!

"Hahaha, anyone who does not shoot today is deceiving the sovereign! My beloved ministers, keep an eye on one another!"

Brother Ji feigned displeasure, putting on a fierce expression as he threatened the assembled officials.

"We respectfully obey Your Majesty's command!"

"Censor Zheng, you are in charge of supervision and recording!"

Brother Ji pointed at Zheng Shuqing and said.

Fang Chongyong was taken aback—he hadn't expected Old Zheng to come join the fun too. These one and two important court ministers, with nothing better to do, coming to play the "Pear Garden shooting beauties" game with Brother Ji—their integrity could be said to be shattered all over the floor.

If they had ever had any integrity to begin with, that is.

"Today at noon, the game officially begins. My beloved ministers may go over to the camp over there for some fine food.

General Gao, take them there."

Brother Ji instructed Gao Lishi.

"Gentlemen, please follow me this way."

Gao Lishi made an inviting gesture, then led the way at the front.

After the many central court officials had departed, Brother Ji summoned Fang Chongyong to his side and sighed softly, asking, "Do you think I am an unprincipled sovereign?"

"In reply to Your Majesty, your humble servant has not thought so."

Fang Chongyong said without changing expression, his face calm.

"Oh? Then tell me—what is it you think?"

"In reply to Your Majesty, this activity in the Pear Garden appears absurd on the surface, but in truth it is Your Majesty's compassion for the palace women, who are lonely and wasting away their youth, and so you found a pretext to grant them release and give them a new life.

It is an act of kindness."

Fang Chongyong argued on Brother Ji's behalf against his own conscience.

"Exactly so. I am already in my twilight years—what use do I have for sixty thousand palace women?

Today I released five thousand palace maids; after the New Year I will release another five thousand. Within three years, I will reduce the number of palace maids to under ten thousand.

Everyone thinks I'm just messing around; who could know my painstaking efforts?

Ji Ge sighed with feigned sympathy.

At this moment, Fang Chongyong quietly reckoned up a bill for Ji Ge in his heart. Keeping one palace maid in the palace costs at least one string of cash per person per month on average; fifty thousand maids cost fifty thousand strings a month, six hundred thousand strings a year.

Moreover, according to standard procedure, the Inner Court must give severance pay each time palace maids are dismissed; this money comes entirely from the inner treasury, not from the state treasury.

Including these severance payments, it comes to about twenty strings per person, which totals one million strings.

All together, it adds up straight to two million strings! Besides, the palace often doles out rewards here and there, with every level from top to bottom skimming a little more—I daren't even think how much money it would take to keep so many women.

All these expenses come from Ji Ge's private coffers.

Yet Ji Ge has enjoyed no real benefit or pleasure from these fifty thousand palace maids; he hasn't even touched a single one of them!

Ji Ge bears the infamy of monopolizing tens of thousands of women, yet he hasn't snatched any real benefit; any normal person would not want this situation to continue!

Ji Ge spent those several million strings all on himself—surely he must feel pleased and enriched?

What's the point of keeping fifty thousand beauties?

At this moment, Fang Chongyong understood!

On the surface it looks like Ji Ge cherishes fragrance and jade, but in reality it's merely a "year‑end inventory clearance" reeking of copper.

The officials enjoyed the pleasure of "Pearl Garden shooting beauties"; Ji Ge saved a large sum on severance and upkeep; the palace maids gained the longed‑for freedom, "flying into" ordinary officials' homes.

All three parties took part, all three were happy—this trick is literally a three‑for‑one!

Were it not that the present occasion forbids excess enthusiasm, Fang Chongyong would go crazy cheering for Ji Ge.

Just then, as he was dazed, an inappropriate remark suddenly reached his ears.

"Sage, your humble servant begs you to halt the licentious gatherings in the Pearl Garden; this conduct disgrace the nation's dignity!"

Before Ji Ge knelt a middle‑aged man with a whitish beard; Fang Chongyong had met him once before, and he seemed to be the Palace Censorate Investigating Official Yan Zhenqing!

"Insolent! Are you saying I am a dim ruler, I am King Zhou, I am playing in a wine pool and meat forest?"

Ji Ge turned around and heaped abuse on Yan Zhenqing, who was kneeling on the ground.

"In reply to the Sage, that is indeed so; please, Sage, withdraw your order."

Yan Zhenqing still performed the clasped‑hand salute, stubbornly refusing to rise from his kneel.

(End of chapter)