Chapter 227: The Person Hasn't Arrived, Yet the Official Post Arrives First

The Yellow River, a short distance southwest of Lanzhou, has a huge elevation drop, its steepness indescribable.

In Fang Chongyong's previous life, the state built a hydroelectric plant there, also called the Liu Family Gorge Reservoir. It serves for power generation, flood control, irrigation and water storage, and is a vital piece of infrastructure in the Northwest.

From the Liu Family Gorge Reservoir, the Yellow River continues eastward and splits into a tributary called the Tao River, which flows southeast. From then on, the Tao River and the Yellow River heading northeast toward Lanzhou part ways.

Both banks of the Tao River are deep canyons, but stretches of plain a few to a dozen kilometers wide along the banks are ample for settlement. About a hundred plus kilometers southeast of the Liu Family Gorge Reservoir lies the Tang Dynasty's Linzhou.

It is also Lintao County from Fang Chongyong's previous life.

However, at that time it was not yet called Linzhou; had the An Shi Rebellion not occurred, it probably would never have been named Linzhou.

For now this is merely Didao County, the economic hub of southern Lanzhou. Yet Didao County has long been the seat of Longxi Commandery; Jincheng, i. e., Lanzhou City, only rose to become the prefectural seat during the Tang.

Thus today's administrative divisions are completely altered—not because pre‑Tang peoples liked to cause trouble, but because the Sui and Tang dynasties kept expanding the northwest frontier, and the old political layout could not keep pace with the new realities; the changes in administration are merely a matter of keeping up with the times.

About ten‑plus li east of Didao County stands a fairly sizable post station, converted from a military camp. Not far from a Tang army outpost on a nearby high mountain, the station is called Wu Jie Post.

The mountain is named Gaocheng Ridge; descending it leads directly to Wu Jie Post. Gaocheng Ridge functions like a border‑inspection outpost, guarded by only a few dozen soldiers, yet its location is crucial—travelers passing through are rigorously inspected for cargo and paperwork by the stationed Qiu Ba.

Immediately west of Gaocheng Ridge lies a modest settlement that grew around Wu Jie Post; it boasts a flashy name: Dragon Gate Town!

Fortress; post station; merchants, officials and travelers constantly passing through, and the settlement called Dragon Gate Town. Standing before the gate of Wu Jie Post, Fang Chongyong feels a sudden dizziness, wondering whether he has slipped into a movie.

In his memory, the Tsui Hark film "New Dragon Gate Inn" was pretty good back in the day.

Fang Chongyong pulls out the post road map and examines it repeatedly, then notices that these place names are boldly written on the map, realizing that everything is merely a coincidence.

"Why don't you go into the post station?"

He Changqi and the others have already entered the post station to arrange their gear; Pei Xiu sees Fang Chongyong standing outside, staring blankly, and asks in puzzlement.

"Swords have no eyes, the jianghu road is long; a hero's vigor wanes, while love for children endures."

Fang Chongyong replies absent‑mindedly, having no idea what he's saying.

The place names along the way make Fang Chongyong deeply uneasy. Ancient toponyms often have rich histories, frequently tied to wars; a name can be a footnote to a massive conflict.

For example, the "Didao" they are about to reach—"Di" being a generic term for the northwestern Hu peoples—needs no further explanation. Likewise, places they passed earlier such as "Fuqiang Valley" and "Anrong Pass," recorded in histories, were named because of wars.

This suffices to show that the place where they now stay is far less safe than imagined.

"Hey, those four lines are decent; even if the wording is off, they sound catchy."

Pei Xiu can't help but praise, noting that in her impression, Fang Chongyong is a brawny Qiu Ba, and she didn't expect ivory to come out of a dog's mouth.

"This is already a border‑town zone; just don't run around."

Fang Chongyong waves his hand nonchalantly, as if he hadn't heard Pei Xiu's remark.

The party sits down in the dining hall of Wu Jie Post; the post clerk brings out flatbread, mutton, lamb soup and other dishes, and just as he is about to step back, Fang Chongyong quickly calls him over to ask a question.

"Could there be a Tubo raid here?"

Fang Chongyong lowers his voice and asks.

If it weren't for the red official robe he wore, the clerk would have almost shouted.

"Sir, how could that be? Didao County hasn't seen a major battle in decades."

"But the battles back then were horrific; tens of thousands died."

At that time Wu Jie Post was still a Tang army garrison.

The battlefield lay at Changcheng Fort, not far north of Didao County, where General Wang Haibin held back several times the number of Tubo troops. Multiple Tang armies encircled and annihilated tens of thousands of Tubo soldiers in the valley.

In that campaign they beheaded twenty thousand Tubo warriors, seized eighty thousand warhorses, and captured a total of forty thousand cattle and sheep taken by the Tubo.

However, General Wang Haibin fell on the battlefield, which was especially regrettable.

This clerk is a "military enthusiast," recounting the wars near Wu Jie Post decades ago in vivid detail, as if he had been there himself.

Upon hearing the name "Wang Haibin," Fang Chongyong instantly becomes interested, because that man is not only General Wang Zhongsi's father, and it was precisely this battle that gave Wang Zhongsi the chance to be adopted by Li Longji into the palace and receive the best education.

He didn't expect the battlefield to have been right nearby; Wang Haibin indeed garrisoned Wu Jie Post back then!

Apart from that clerk, everyone present involuntarily looks at Fang Chongyong, since they all know he is Wang Zhongsi's son‑in‑law, and Wang Zhongsi is Wang Haibin's son.

This Fang official, hearing of his father‑in‑law's glorious past deeds, can't help but feel a stir of emotion in his heart.

"Come, come, sit down and speak properly; there's a reward."

Fang Chongyong pulls out a dozen or so Kaiyuan Tongbao from his sleeve and hands them to the clerk, saying.

"Eh? All right, all right."

The clerk is overjoyed; a few jokes can earn him a dozen wen of money, and such a boon is rare for those who serve the elite from the saddle to the rear. Tang aristocrats did not treat their servants as "brothers," as some dramas claim.

Historical records note that once a servant stole a noble's salt; when the theft was uncovered, the noble personally beat the servant to death.

"How much was that pinch of salt?"

These days, the mindset of the powerful is that straightforward—they prefer to solve problems physically, plain and unadorned.

At this moment, the clerk at Wu Jie Post feels that a simpleton son of a landowner like Fang Chongyong is a rare sight.

"Decades ago, not only Wu Jie Post but even farther east at Weizhou were targets of Tubo raids. Back then Tubo cavalry appeared and vanished like ghosts; we could only hold a few county seats and had no means against them."

The clerk begins describing the military pressure on Longyou in the early Kaiyuan years, summarizing in one sentence: "The common folk live in constant dread, day after day."

At that time, the rise of Tubo saw the Tang army beaten down by the Tubo commander Lun Qinling, leaving Longyou severely short of elite troops. In the early Kaiyuan period, the Tubo forces were on the offensive, and Longyou's military situation then was far worse than during the Tianbao era.

The Wu Jie Post where Fang Chongyong stands now was then the front line, and everything west of Wu Jie Post was nowhere absolutely safe, all within Tubo's raiding range! Later, after periodic large battles every few years, the Tang army gradually pushed the front line toward the area near Qinghai Lake.

In the years before the Wu Zhou, the Great Tang's control over this region was extremely weak—essentially "if you claim it, it's yours, but we only care whose fist is bigger," a pure era of map‑making expansion.

Today, the Tang's actual control over this territory is straightforward: it's truly Ji Ge's achievement, though it also becomes Ji Ge's political burden. During the Wu Zhou period, the Tang made several concessions to Tubo in Longyou, but Ji Ge would not retreat a single step.

After being beaten, one must reclaim the ground.

This tract was only firmly seized by the Tang during the Kaiyuan era. Therefore, Ji Ge will not let the Tubo take it away under any circumstances; it's on Ji Ge's record of merit, and losing it would have severely detrimental political repercussions.

In other words, whether the Longyou border strip is a chicken‑rib or a juicy piece, even a barren wasteland, as long as Ji Ge remains emperor, the Tang will spare no effort to hold it.

The clash between the Tang army and Tubo will persist as long as the Great Tang regime exists, a life‑and‑death struggle, unless Tubo willingly retreats to the plateau to eat stones in peace.

Thinking of the historic fierce contest between the Great Tang and Tubo over Shibao City, it almost reached a level of national mobilization without regard for casualties. A careful calculation shows there was a fair amount of pride‑driven rivalry involved.

After the Tubo successfully raided Shibao City, the following year they were struck by Huangfu Weiming, the military governor of Longyou, who left them unable to sustain themselves, suffering heavy losses of troops and generals.

Shibao City did not give the Tubo people an absolute strategic advantage.

And after Ge Shu Han recaptured Shibao City without counting casualties, the Tang army still did not obtain an absolute strategic advantage over the Tubo; before the An Shi Rebellion broke out, the defeats that should have been suffered were still suffered.

The Great Tang and the Tubo contested the Hexi region for control of the Silk Road; the contest in the Longyou region was for the fate of the nation, for a breath of life.

But, from another angle, since this place was seized back then under Ji Ge's vigorous push, it was a concrete display of the Great Tang's peak power. So could it be possible that, in the future, the Great Tang's weakening might cause Longyou to fall again to the Tubo, or to some newly rising steppe power?

Thinking of this, Fang Chongyong no longer wanted to keep pondering; the aftermath of the An Shi Rebellion had already provided the answer.

He only did not know whether this place could still be held without the An Shi Rebellion. From the reports along the way, it is hard for the Great Tang to keep all its territories; the manpower and material required are incalculable, and it would be a loss.

Being able to retain Lanzhou and the Silk Road is already quite good.

Overall, the outlook is worrisome.

After dismissing the post station guards, Fang Chongyong said to the group, "Judge Cen and Pei Xiu stay at the relay station; the others follow someone to the Great Wall Fort north of Didao County for a look."

Go to Great Wall Fort?

Hearing this, Guan Chongsi asked in doubt, "Censor Fang, the Great Wall Fort was destroyed by fire in the great battle of old and was never rebuilt; it is only a ruin now—what is there to see?"

His words hit the point.

Frankly, that valley is now desolate wilderness with no garrison; what on earth does Fang Chongyong want to see?

Fang Chongyong waved his hand and said, "Didao County is the fork of the relay road. Heading north leads to Lanzhou; Great Wall Fort lies in the valley beside the road. Continuing west leads to Shanzhou, the seat of the Longyou Jiedushi."

"If we miss this stop, we won't be able to observe there in the future. Since we have idle time, it's better to take a look."

Fang Chongyong understood clearly; since arriving in this world, living well from his eight or nine years old to now is not solely due to heavenly protection, nor solely because his father is Fang Youde.

Rather, Fang himself constantly maintains a vigilant mindset of "troublesome subjects harm the throne," always keeping a retreat and two‑hand preparations.

Being prepared prevents trouble—a simple and clear principle. Perhaps the preparations made earlier will save a life sometime in the future.

From the battlefields where the Great Tang once fought the Tubo, who knows if the two armies won't clash here again? Having a chance to see the previous "exam" "test paper"—as a small‑town quiz enthusiast, Fang Chongyong naturally cannot miss such a good opportunity.

……

The Tang dynasty relay station system imposed strict date requirements on officials traveling on the road; no delay was allowed, and arrival times at each post were clearly stipulated.

Especially for officials departing from Chang'an, they must go to the Du Ting post within Chang'an city to process a "travel guide," which includes official identification and an itinerary.

However, overall, the so‑called "strictness" was merely to prevent officials from goofing off on the road; there was relatively ample time. In fact, travel for officials used to be unrestricted; only after some officials lingered at a post for a month refusing to leave did the rules become stricter.

Fang Chongyong and his party strolled and looked around on the way to Shanzhou, not hurrying. Yet the "special envoy" sent by the palace rushed forward at a speed of over three hundred li per day, sprinting between posts like a meteor, changing horses.

Therefore, when the eunuch named Bian Lingcheng arrived in Shanzhou with the appointment letter for the Longyou Deputy Jiedushi, Fang Chongyong himself was still strolling in Yanquan City of Hezhou (Linxia County), the garrison of the Zhenxi Army, moving at a leisurely pace.

Inside the great hall of the Longyou Jiedushi's office in Shanzhou city, the army envoys under the Longyou Jiedushi gathered for a meeting; the ailing elderly general Du Xiwang, looking helpless, stared at the equally stunned Bian Lingcheng, not knowing what to say.

"Censor Fang, really didn't come to Longyou?"

Bian Lingcheng asked cautiously, thinking to himself that this was not good; he just wanted to return quickly and had no desire to stay longer in Longyou.

"Cough cough cough."

Du Xiwang coughed a few times, then sighed and said, "Longyou is vast; Fang Chongyong may have reached Longyou, but he definitely hasn't come to Zhengzhou, let alone Zhengzhou City. To know exactly where he is, one must ask at the various posts in Longyou."

Now there are people from the Tubo side wanting to surrender, which has already left Du Xiwang in a frantic mess; how can he possibly attend to that little brat Fang Chongyong!

Upon hearing Bian Lingcheng's appointment, the many Longyou border army generals present were indifferent; who becomes the Longyou Deputy Jiedushi is none of their business!

Only the border general Gai Jiayun, who is currently the Longyou Deputy Jiedushi, was extremely displeased.

Originally Du Xiwang was gravely ill, about to be transferred or simply die in office. Now the Tubo people are ambitious and may cause trouble at any time. To make the Longyou border army better prepared for the imminent battle, having the Deputy Jiedushi succeed the Jiedushi is a natural, appropriate move.

When that time comes, winning a battle and submitting the record of merit will greatly increase the Deputy Jiedushi's chance of being "regularized."

What kind of situation is this Fang Chongyong? He arrived before even attaining an official post?

Damn, to become Deputy Jiedushi without any merit—could it be just because his father is Fang Youde?

The young and vigorous Gai Jiayun does not think his ability is lacking; he believes it's probably because his father isn't as supportive as others'.

It's just that the Great Tang bureaucracy is a world of nepotism; Gai Jiayun now seems to have nothing to say, and opposing the court's appointment is even more impossible.

It's only a Deputy Jiedushi; only when the Jiedushi is absent can the role take effect, nothing remarkable. The emperor removing his own Deputy Jiedushi position seems to pose no problem, publicly or privately.

Contrary to outsiders' speculation, in the Tang dynasty the threshold for becoming a Deputy Jiedushi was not high, because not every Deputy Jiedushi could be "regularized" into a Jiedushi.

Not to mention Fang Chongyong, many civil officials have also served as Deputy Jiedushi.

For example, Cen Can wrote in "Sending Zhang Langzhong to the Longyou Provincial Inspector (at that time Zhang also served as Deputy Jiedushi)" as follows:

Zhonglang Feng, a single feather; in the world alone a worthy hero. Having just come of age, already bears a silver seal; his origin is only a treasured sword.

Home minister Yue Jiong, the moon distant, the stars over Long are high. Beneath the curtain many acquaintances, border reports drunk and lazy to act.

Although this poem is Cen Can flattering Zhang Langzhong, here Zhang Langzhong is the Longyou Deputy Jiedushi, and his original post was not a high rank.

"Jiedushi Du, what shall we do now?"

Bian Lingcheng, feigning ignorance while understanding, asked.

If the new Deputy Jiedushi hasn't arrived, then the current Deputy Jiedushi will continue; what else can we do!

The unwritten rule is like that, but Bian Lingcheng cannot say this; speaking out would bear responsibility!

At that moment, a messenger soldier rushed in, shouting to Du Xiwang and the generals, "Jiedushi Du, generals, a serious matter— the An Ren Army has mutinied! The main camp is now being emptied! The soldiers have disappeared!"

At that moment, Ge Shu Han, the An Ren Army envoy who was meeting in the great hall, was suddenly stunned, realizing everyone was staring at him.

For Ge Shu Han, the situation had become very complicated.

The good news: this An Ren Army mutiny seems to have cleared his treason charge.

The bad news: a major offense of lax military discipline appears unavoidable, and further penalties may be added.

But what was even more crushing: the aged, ill, and recently overworked Longyou Jiedushi Du Xiwang, upon hearing the news, went black‑eyed and collapsed unconscious before Bian Lingcheng.

All the army envoys in the great hall of the Jiedushi's office turned toward Bian Lingcheng.

It seemed to say: "Brother, it doesn't matter who is Deputy Jiedushi in ordinary times. Now with this sudden crisis, your Deputy Jiedushi appointment can decide who temporarily replaces the Jiedushi, and it could even involve lives!"

The generals' attitude left the eunuch, who had only come to deliver a message, in a dilemma, not knowing how to act.

(End of chapter)