Chapter 222: Bian Que Meets Duke Cai Huan

In the Tang dynasty there was a law that when an official took up an appointment, he could not stay at the same post station for more than three days.

Of course, it was a lenient rule that already counted the time officials spent sightseeing when assuming office; it was not meant to prevent deliberate delays, but to worry that many low‑ranking officials would loaf and feast at the station, making it inconvenient for the station master and staff to deal with them.

After the contest, Fang Chongyong ordered Guan Chongsi and He Changqi, together with a few escort guards—namely the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army soldiers recruited earlier in Guanzhong—to hunt in the forests around Longshan, and to also take Pei Xiu, the club‑wielding brute, away.

Meanwhile, Fang Chongyong went with Cen Shen to a guest room at the station for a private discussion of important matters.

Many matters are not convenient for someone like He Changqi, a petty official, to know; Fang Chongyong knows well the character of these people, whose unfiltered tongues only cause trouble.

"Judge Cen, could you write a letter? I have a great purpose."

In front of the desk, Fang Chongyong said to Cen Shen with a serious expression.

"Censor Fang, please speak."

Cen Shen said nothing more, spread a large sheet of paper, ground ink, and lifted his brush, ready to begin writing.

Seeing his demeanor, Fang Chongyong recognized him as an experienced staffer; he smiled and waved his hand: "Judge Cen, don't be nervous. I know you served for years as a non‑civil official in the Anxi Protectorate, so you're familiar with such errands. There's no rush right now—listen to my explanation, and you can write later."

Cen Shen hurriedly set the brush down; Fang Chongyong summoned a station attendant and poured a pot of the station's common green‑ant murky wine, and the two chatted while brewing the wine.

Fang Chongyong not only paid for the wine but also tipped the attendant, showing no hint of official airs.

"Regarding the An Ren Army, if we go through the normal channels it certainly won't be resolved. In truth, the sovereign isn't entirely clueless about the affairs on the Longyou side."

"There is no such thing as a hundred officials deceiving the sovereign."

Fang Chongyong let out a light sigh and said.

From every aspect of the 'Liyuan Archer' project, he sensed Ji Ge's difficulty. In short, "every penny is taken, every use is like sand"; Ji Ge's problem is that his operation is spread too wide to be contained.

In fact, how much of the court's expenditure actually lands on Ji Ge himself?

A simple example: historians of Fang Chongyong's previous life often condemned Ji Ge for feeding lychees to Yang Yuhuan, exhausting the people and spending money on station horses to transport the fruit over thousands of miles.

But in reality, such matters have not been exceptional since the pre‑Qin era; the nobles then lived in drunken revelry, far more extravagant than sending lychees by station horses.

Moreover, when the total cost of lychee transport is tallied, Ji Ge would spend only a few coins on the fruit itself.

After the Tang, the scholar‑official class sought to lock imperial power 'in a cage,' naturally emphasizing certain points to argue that a nation's downfall stems from a tyrant's misrule.

It's as if the Anshi Rebellion was caused by eating lychees.

In fact, Fang Chongyong judges from what he sees and hears that the aristocracy's expense is headed by "display," not by Ji Ge's personal spending.

In Chang'an's palaces, the palace maids and eunuchs each drop a grain of rice from the tip of their nails daily; collected together and fed to Ji Ge, it could give him pancreatic cancer!

The greatest expenditure in Chang'an and the Guanzhong region comes from the imperial clan, nobles, and even bureaucratic groups, who sustain many 'unnecessary' people to preserve the dignity they deem 'should exist.'

These non‑productive individuals account for over 15% of Chang'an's total population—some two to three hundred thousand people!

To some extent, this can be seen as the 'tertiary industry' of Fang Chongyong's previous life.

Ji Ge indeed knows that frontline troop pay is not that sufficient.

But, how to put it, since Longyou is not at war now, we can simply save what we can.

Fang Chongyong saw this, Ji Ge knows it, and officials of the Ministry of War and the Censorate mostly know as well.

Why does no one raise such a serious issue?

Because, according to the 'who asks, who solves' principle, a treasury that cannot generate money leaves central officials forced to turn a deaf ear to these problems.

The transition from local militia to conscription, and the militia's replacement by Long March Youth, comes at the cost of massive military expenditure, unavoidable.

Now the Tang frontier is generally calm, but the Khitan region of Youzhou is more turbulent due to An Lushan's disturbances, so military funding naturally prioritizes Youzhou.

Additionally, the pruning of the Longwu Army and the creation of the Shence Twelve Regiments all require spending.

Who receives funds and who does not depends on the relationship between border troops and high‑ranking court officials, and the priority order within the frontier defense system.

This cannot be clarified in a sentence or two.

Ge Shuhan sent Guan Chongsi to Chang'an to pay respects at the dock, showing he is clever. Yet knowing where the road is does not mean one can follow it. Ge Shuhan's dock‑paying has no gate—it is a textbook failure.

When Fang Chongyong said this to Cen Shen, he was also filled with helplessness.

"Indeed, over at the Anxi Protectorate, it also relies on the Western Regions…"

Cen Shen thought of the word 'smuggling,' but Fang Chongyong raised his hand to stop him.

"This time, you write a letter—well, give it to my father. Sending it directly to the sovereign may not work well."

"In the letter write: The Tubo people on the Longyou border are restless, plotting mischief. The An Ren Army's commander Ge Shuhan plans to feign offering Datong City, pretending to surrender to the Tubo."

"Then, with inside and outside collusion, strike the Tubo with a crushing blow."

"Datong City to the north leads to Dadouba Valley, opening a route into Hexi."

"To the south one can attack Shan City, thereby pressuring Shanzhou, where the Longyou military governor is stationed. I believe this bait will greatly interest the Tubo; refusal is unlikely, at worst they'll dispatch troops to test the waters."

The An Ren Army has not received winter clothing for two years; now Ge Shuhan will claim the Tang court has cut troop pay, causing discontent, as a pretext for a fake surrender.

The Tubo, upon investigation, will find the matter genuine and will surely believe it.

Thus the odds of victory in this battle are quite high.

Finally, the letter should stress: ask my father to discuss this with the sovereign, and dispatch a capable commander to Longyou to take charge, and in one battle eliminate the Tubo's arrogant momentum.

Du Xiwang is old and frail, and may encounter mishaps in battle; if they die, morale will be affected, so the court must replace them with a young, vigorous person as the Longyou military governor.

Even if this feigned surrender fails, the Tang army suffers little loss, and the Tubo can be dealt with gradually later, without serious harm.

Fang Chongyong finished in one breath, leaving Cen Shen stunned beyond words.

Heaven above, what is interference in state affairs and affecting central planning? This is probably the most typical example!

Cen Shen swallowed a mouthful of saliva, hesitated, and asked: "Can this really work? After the court reads this letter, will they truly replace Du Xiwang? Will they really replenish the An Ren Army's pay?"

He finds it hard to believe that the central court could be led by the nose by a single Fang Chongyong.

"If the An Ren Army's feigned surrender becomes a real surrender, which central official can bear such responsibility?"

Fang Chongyong, upright and confident, retorted.

Cen Shen slowly nodded, fully agreeing; no one dares to take responsibility for such matters, and the final decision will inevitably be made by Li Longji himself.

One must admit, Fang Chongyong's tactic of retreating to advance is exceedingly ingenious.

He forged a "Ge Shuhan feigned surrender" plan; the central court had only two options: either cooperate with Ge Shuhan, launch a major clash in Longyou, and carry out a massive encirclement‑and‑annihilation battle against the Tufan.

or pacify the An Ren army and make up the winter garments owed for two years.

To cooperate with this military action, many troops would have to be mobilized in the Longyou region; consequently, the court would have to fully pay the overdue army wages of the Longyou troops, at least a large portion.

In chaotic times, the emperor knows he must not have starving soldiers!

Moreover, this is the "Prosperous Tang" now; before a war, if you don't reward the three armies, which border‑town Qiu Ba would risk his life for you!

Sending the border troops into battle requires money, and it must be cash! No credit!

Otherwise the army can't even guarantee basic morale, let alone talk about winning.

Those Qiu Ba responsible for battlefield melee, from top to bottom, have ten thousand ways of doing work without exerting effort!

As the protagonist of the "feigned surrender scheme," the An Ren army, to avoid alarming anyone, will certainly not fully replace the winter garments for now. But they will receive certain guarantees, lavish post‑war rewards, and generous relief.

Therefore, whether plan one or plan two, the An Ren army's winter‑garment issue can be alleviated or even completely resolved. Thus, Fang Chongyong's promise regarding Guan Chongsi is also properly settled.

At the same time, they sold Ge Shuhan a favor.

"But if the Sage remains indifferent, and the court does nothing, what then?"

Cen Shen asked in puzzlement.

As a low‑level official who has served many years in the Anxi Protectorate, he knows very well the virtues of how the court conducts business.

Border towns can only rely on their own people, those with local vested interests. Never expect the central court to solve urgent real‑world problems!

Just as the practice dating back to Emperor Taizong's era of "keeping it in the archives" (not called that name, but essentially the same), what if Ji Ge keeps this letter in the archives and doesn't send it?

Cen Shen's question showed his own superb political acumen.

"If left unaddressed, Longyou could descend into chaos, the An Ren army might truly mutiny, and the matter would only get bigger."

Fang Chongyong let out a long sigh and continued:

"But someone is a Censor‑in‑Chief, recruiting the brave in Longyou. Someone has already done what they can; if the Sage does not listen, Great Tang will pay a painful price.

Great Tang belongs to the Sage, to the court, and to the Li clan princes.

It is not my side's someone."

Fang Chongyong spread his hands toward Cen Shen, his tone full of helplessness.

He already gave Ji Ge options; if Ji Ge stubbornly pretends not to see them, it's like when Bian Que first met Cai Huan Gong, the famous physician said: "Your illness lies in the interstices; if left untreated it will become severe."

Duke Cai Huan Gong ignored the advice, his untreated illness eventually killed him. If Ji Ge ignores the counsel, and the state falls ill and ultimately collapses, that too is inevitable.

At least Fang Chongyong has done what he can; he owes nothing to Ji Ge, let alone to Great Tang!

"I observe the gentlemen of Chang'an, countless in drunken revelry and idle dreams. If this continues, great disaster may loom."

Cen Shen couldn't help but sigh and lament.

Within Chang'an, from top to bottom, no one is seen downgrading consumption; instead, various luxuries flourish. Outside Chang'an, in Longyou, the front line confronting the Tufan cannot even pay regular army wages properly.

Anyone with a clear mind can see where the problem truly lies.

"Cen, the magistrate, do not mourn the spring and autumn; writing the letter is urgent. Once finished, we will rest a bit today, and tomorrow we must head to Qingshui County.

West of Qingshui County lies Qin Prefecture (Tianshui); beyond Qin Prefecture, we cannot be as lax as now."

Fang Chongyong gently shook his head, signaling Cen Shen not to utter those "politically incorrect" remarks. Many things, clever people see with their eyes. But seeing is one thing, thinking is another, and speaking is yet another.

For example, officials, even if they despise a colleague in their heart, as long as they don't voice it, they can at least preserve outward harmony and later "grow closer," maintaining flexibility in their stance.

But if they say it to the person's face, they will have offended them to death.

The myriad chaos of Great Tang, from surface to core, is not unusual. Seeing it and staying silent is one thing; speaking out loudly is another.

Cen Shen looked at the towering, muscular Fang Chongyong, feeling that this young official in Fang's office was truly rock‑solid, his governance flawless. Cen Shen's thoughts flowed like a spring; he took up his brush and wrote a passionate plea for aid, and after the ink dried, handed it to Fang Chongyong to read.

"Alright, let's do it that way."

Fang Chongyong gave a slight nod and said.

Though his facial expression was as impassive as a millennial turtle, the shock in his heart was beyond measure.

Cen Shen truly lived up to his reputation as a "cultured person" from a past life whose letters could be read with exhilarating, soul‑stirring feeling, as if this act could indeed defeat the Tufan.

To avoid raising his own banner, Fang Chongyong did not tell Cen Shen how Ji Ge might choose. But based on his knowledge of Ji Ge, the latter will surely pacify the An Ren army and maintain peace in Longyou.

The reason is none other than war being too costly.

This emperor, already over sixty, only wishes to avoid trouble, especially not to stir up pointless conflict; how could he lightly spark a war?

……

"Isn't the Sage just causing pointless trouble!"

In the study of Li Linfu's residence in Pingkang Lane, his son‑in‑law Yang Qixuan complained to the Great Tang Right Minister, his voice eight octaves higher.

Yang Qixuan serves in the court as a Censor‑Consultant, his duties being "to advise on merits and faults, and to accompany and support the prime minister."

In short, he's a professional heckler, pointing out the shortcomings of the emperor, prime minister, and other high officials, and offering counsel.

This time Li Linfu tasked him with a death order from Ji Ge: to hang the portrait of the "Prince of Bohai" (before his enthronement) inside the Lingyan Pavilion!

Yang Qixuan, always timid, was terrified to the point of losing his composure upon hearing Li Linfu assign him this "big matter," unable even to observe basic etiquette.

No one who survives at court is truly a fool; there are only those who pretend and those who sell their foolishness. After a brief contemplation, Yang Qixuan realized the matter was very deep, even bottomless.

Does Li Linfu have any faction allies?

In fact he does, and there's no need for Yang Qixuan to step in.

Yet Li Linfu did not assign the task to a more capable ally under his command; frankly, he was just vigorously flattering Ji Ge.

If Li Linfu's son‑in‑law hadn't stepped forward first to raise the issue, how would Ji Ge know it was Li Linfu's suggestion?

How would the ministers know it was Li Linfu who advocated it?

This is insincere!

Li Linfu wants Ji Ge and the ministers to see that this prime minister, in his boundless kowtowing to the emperor, is single‑mindedly the emperor's most loyal lackey.

What about literary integrity or scholar's spirit? Li Linfu doesn't care at all; he's not a scholar!

Li Linfu only knew that if he didn't come out to kneel and lick the boss, then his position as chancellor would be over. And over the years in office, Li Linfu had offended not a few people. When those people's remnants started to take revenge, the powerless Li Linfu simply couldn't withstand it.

As for the matter of letting Li Longji enter the Lingyan Pavilion, Li Linfu also couldn't personally show up.

After all, he is the chancellor; even a slight move would stir up turmoil in the court. Having his own son step forward would seem like he's trapping his descendants. So letting his son-in-law handle this is the most appropriate.

Yang Qixuan, whose official post was closest to that of a "sprayer", was "fortunately" selected by Li Linfu.

"What the sage is like is not for you to comment on."

"If you can't handle this matter, there's nothing to be done; I, as the chief minister, will have no choice but to transfer you to a southern post as a prefect, lest the sage's wrath leave you with no way to finish."

"You might as well never return to Chang'an in your lifetime."

Li Linfu wore a look of shaking his head and sighing, as if he felt great regret.

After a moment of silence, Yang Qixuan gritted his teeth, clenched his fists tightly, and said, "All right! Then I, as the son-in-law, will obey my father-in-law!"

"Mm, that's right; the young one is teachable."

Li Linfu smiled, nodded, and continued: "Tomorrow at the Purple Majesty Hall court audience, one hammer will set the tone—you can only advance, not retreat!"

(End of chapter)