Chapter 230: Unfathomable Depths of Moral Depravity

Although Fang Chongyong wasn't so licentious as to, in the small town where the Tang troops are garrisoned, have a daytime tryst with Pei Xiu, in the records room of the garrison commander's office of Longzhi City, seeing Bian Lingcheng's face full of obsequiousness and fatigue, he still felt a wave of disgust.

"Why has Eunuch Bian come to Longyou?"

Upon meeting, Fang Chongyong suppressed his inner disgust and asked doubtfully.

"Imperial Censor Fang, you enjoy the emperor's great favor; I have received the sovereign's order to deliver your appointment document."

"Imperial Censor Fang, you are now the Deputy Military Governor of Longyou!"

Bian Lingcheng smiled, took out a yellow silk scroll from his sleeve, and handed it to Fang Chongyong. Upon opening it, Fang saw it was an ordinary imperial edict appointing him Deputy Military Governor of Longyou; the rest were mere pleasantries, nothing more.

"Thank you for the sovereign's grace."

Fang Chongyong turned, bowed solemnly toward the east where Chang'an lay, then politely said to Eunuch Bian, "Thank you for delivering the message, Eunuch Bian; you may now return to make your report."

He produced a greenish jade ring from his sleeve, likewise a mutton-fat jade from the Western Regions, and handed it to Bian Lingcheng.

After receiving the jade ring, Bian Lingcheng lowered his voice and said to Fang Chongyong, "I come from the Longyou Military Governor's Office to inform you, Imperial Censor Fang, of a major matter. It's not convenient to speak here; let's find a secluded place to talk in detail."

Seeing the other's furtive demeanor, Fang Chongyong nodded calmly and gave a glance to Cen Shen. The latter led the two to a courtyard with a stone mill, apparently a grain store that also processed grain; there was no one around.

There was nowhere to sit; Bian Lingcheng looked around, then stepped close to Fang Chongyong and whispered, "The Military Governor of Longyou, Du Xiwang, has fallen unconscious. The Deputy Military Governor, Gai Jiayun, was supposed to act as his substitute."

"Du Xiwang is unconscious? Really?"

Fang Chongyong was shocked; this damn joke has gone too far!

He had originally planned to negotiate with Du Xiwang, select brave soldiers from the Longyou frontier troops, and thus form the core of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army. He never expected that Du Xiwang would already be out of action before he even arrived!

"It really is the case."

Bian Lingcheng put on an expression of grief and indignation, though in truth he felt nothing at all.

Even if the border troops were to die in a shipwreck, what would that have to do with him, a eunuch?

The core duty of eunuchs has always been just one: to serve the emperor well.

Of course, eunuchs who run errands for the crown prince must serve the crown prince well; the same principle applies.

Regardless, what eunuchs of this era want has nothing to do with the frontier troops, and they don't care how the frontier troops cause trouble in the border garrisons. This is determined by the awkward position of eunuchs, not by what they themselves think.

"Um, Eunuch Bian, you just said Gai Jiayun was supposed to act as Military Governor; why can't he fulfill his duties now?"

Fang Chongyong suppressed his unease and asked.

Actually, Fang Chongyong well understood what the deputy post meant: it was simply finding something to do to give himself a veneer of prestige—worse than a tiger pelt, only fit for a cat skin!

Normally it's utterly useless; the deputy position is something anyone who wants can take, and Fang Chongyong had no thoughts about it.

Of course, it's no matter that Elder Brother Ji let Fang Chongyong, the young master of the Fang household, serve as deputy; after all, Longyou already had a deputy, namely Gai Jiayun. Then when Du Xiwang had his mishap, Gai Jiayun stepping up was perfectly natural.

Since Military Governor Du Xiwang is out due to illness, Gai Jiayun should just take over—after all, the Tang bureaucracy isn't lacking in rules!

Fang Chongyong thought that Gai Jiayun acting as Military Governor was also good for him. He only hoped that someone on the Longyou side could liaise with him on his task of selecting brave soldiers; as for who would be the Military Governor of Longyou, it was none of his business!

However, Bian Lingcheng's earlier words hinted at something bigger going on.

"Alas, Gai Jiayun was supposed to act as Military Governor, but right at this juncture the Pacified People Army mutinied!"

Bian Lingcheng said, worried.

"The Pacified People Army has indeed mutinied."

Fang Chongyong sighed, seemingly not surprised.

Geshu Han had sent a confidant to Chang'an to pay respects, probably realizing he could not go to the capital to demand payment; the Pacified People Army's internal resentment was great. Indeed, Geshu Han still failed to suppress them, and the Pacified People Army's troops marched out armed!

However, this wrongly blamed Geshu Han; the Pacified People Army's troops mutinied while Geshu Han was at a meeting, and it really had nothing to do with him.

"How did they mutiny?"

Fang Chongyong asked curiously, suddenly wanting to know the details.

Bian Lingcheng blinked, then thought and said, "I'm not entirely sure, but it seems the troops collectively fled the main camp, leaving their weapons and armor behind. However, these deserters have been blocked by the River Source Army and settled beside the River Source Army's main camp outside Shan City."

Hearing this, Fang Chongyong relaxed, patted Bian Lingcheng on the shoulder, and laughed, "Isn't that settled then? It's already taken care of—why are you still nervous?"

It's just a matter of deserters—no big deal.

During the Wu Zhou period, militia desertions were commonplace; even when conscripting thirty-plus people, few would reach their garrison before most had fled! Upon arriving at camp, abnormal deaths and mass desertions occurred everywhere—during the early Tianbao era, viewing it with that mindset would be simply inconceivable.

That said, Elder Brother Ji's change of the militia into the Long March Vanguard really strengthened the Tang army's organization and discipline. In the Wu Zhou period, the Pacified People Army's incident would be utterly insignificant.

"But the River Source Army also sent soldiers to deliver a message, apparently also seeking the Military Governor to demand the winter clothing the court owes them!"

Bian Lingcheng said anxiously, fearing Fang Chongyong wouldn't grasp the stakes, and he added:

"The River Source Army is the elite and main force of the Longyou troops prior to the Lin Tao troop redeployment; their demand for winter clothes will prompt the other Longyou armies to also seek the Military Governor for the owed pay."

Du Xiwang had fainted and was still unconscious when I left.

Although Gai Jiayun had gone to pacify the troops, I heard he was just making vague promises, saying that once Imperial Censor Fang served as deputy and acted as Military Governor, he would give everyone an explanation, to be given after Fang Chongyong reached Shan City.

Yesterday the Pacified People Army had already returned to its garrison to stand duty. The officers and ringleaders involved in the mutiny were then detained in the River Source Army's camp.

Furthermore, the White Water Army to the west seems to have sent someone to say they will come to demand provisions.

I saw the situation was amiss, so today I specially rode hard to come here and inform Imperial Censor Fang. I expect the people from the Longyou Military Governor's Office should also be on their way.

"Gai Jiayun is the deputy, but he is not acting as Military Governor. Letting me, an outsider, act as Military Governor—is that how it is?"

Fang Chongyong stared at Bian Lingcheng, astonished; in all his years he had never seen such a damned situation!

"Although it seems a bit absurd, it does indeed appear to be the case."

Gai Jiayun is an insider of the Longyou frontier army; everyone from top to bottom knows exactly how capable he is and whether he can secure provisions from the court.

Even if Gai Jiayun tried to guarantee raising the provisions, those soldiers would not believe him.

On the contrary, Imperial Censor Fang's words still have a chance to be trusted; at least it's not hard to suppress the Longyou frontier army's resentment.

Bian Lingcheng said, helpless.

This truly is an unfathomable depth of moral depravity! Fang Chongyong couldn't help but let out a long sigh; this time he had witnessed the shameless baseness of the border troops, and indeed he had underestimated their talent for passing the buck!

"Given what Eunuch Bian said, I have no choice but to go, right?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a wry smile.

Now they are stranded in the county seat of Longzhi County, under genuine military administration; this army is still under the Lintuai Army, and the acting military envoy happens to be Gai Ji Yun!

According to court rules, Gai Ji Yun can, using the imperial edict in Brother Ji's hand, discard the big pit of the acting Longyou Military Governor, yet legitimately take over the Lintuai Army!

This is truly a massive fiasco!

Fang Chongyong felt a bit regretful—why didn't he stay a few more days in Didao County? If he had known the news there, he could have headed north to Lanzhou! In Lanzhou, relying on his positions as Military Supervisor and Censor, he could have taken it easy and done nothing!

The Longyou border army has already turned chaotic; why should I go to a frontier town? As long as I slip away quickly, the pot will never fall on my head!

As it turned out, this wave ran slow, so I can only grit my teeth and take this black pot.

"We don't know either, but… it seems we have to go. Maybe after Censor Fang goes, we can improvise.

We need to return to Chang'an to report, Censor Fang, be cautious above all. If it truly doesn't work, write a letter pleading to the Sage, and it's fine for us to bring it back."

Bian Lingcheng, with a face of "sincerity," spoke the blame‑shifting words, leaving Fang Chongyong with a belly of anger nowhere to vent.

After all, he's just a eunuch! Being able to pass a message is already very loyal, worthy of the gifts he received.

Fang Chongyong fully knows how terrifying Tang eunuchs will become in the future, so naturally he cannot vent his temper on Bian Lingcheng. Of course, the proper demeanor must still be maintained.

He immediately returned to his own bedroom, began grinding ink to write a letter, and had Bian Lingcheng wait outside the room.

At this moment, Pei Xiu had already gotten up and done her makeup; although she appeared no different from usual except a slightly languid posture, Fang Chongyong felt that the heroic aura in her brows and eyes had faded, subtly carrying a gentle charm.

"What's wrong?"

Pei Xiu walked with a slightly odd gait, came to sit beside Fang Chongyong, and asked softly.

"We'll talk later; you rest first, we will set off soon."

Fang Chongyong spoke while his brush danced like a dragon and snake, not even glancing at the other person.

Pei Xiu, seeing the characters on the paper, was surprised to find that although Fang Chongyong is very muscular, his calligraphy is quite good, clearly having studied under a famous master.

Recalling that last night she had been entwined lovingly with this robust body, Pei Xiu's ears flushed bright red.

She glanced at her own pale wrist exposed outside, then at Fang Chongyong's skin, a yellow‑black hue tinged with rosiness, and his sturdy muscles.

What does the blend of rugged grandeur and pale softness look like? Imagined vivid scenes swirled in her mind, making Pei Xiu feel dizzy, longing to collapse into Fang Chongyong's arms and be freely kissed.

In fact, Pei Xiu saw nothing in the darkness last night, but today, seeing Fang Chongyong's appearance, so unlike the handsome youths of Chang'an, she felt an indescribable oddity.

It even made her breathing feel difficult.

Heaven had pity; before meeting Fang Chongyong, a brute like this, Pei Xiu wouldn't even glance twice.

Ugly, bulky, and crude! Which woman would like that!

Yet this absurd scene actually unfolded!

Pei Xiu's heart was in extreme turmoil; on one hand she yearned for intimacy again, on the other she was shocked that she could sink for a man so rugged in appearance!

Both shy and guilty, her mind tormented repeatedly, causing her to fidget with her clothes, tangled thoughts written all over his handsome face.

Suddenly, Pei Xiu noticed that Fang Chongyong had finished the letter and was staring intently at her, his eyes full of curiosity.

She cleared her throat to mask her embarrassment and said, "Fine, that's okay, I have no problem."

Fang Chongyong didn't think further, gave a slight nod and said, "Hmm, now I'll go take care of something first."

Outside the door, Fang Chongyong handed the letter to Bian Lingcheng and said, "I have told the Sage in the letter that the Longyou matters will naturally be settled. Please have the court also prepare a batch of silk and send it to Lanzhou as soon as possible."

"Lanzhou?"

Bian Lingcheng was startled, doubting he had heard wrong.

Shanzhou is the garrison of the border army; why would the court send silk to Lanzhou?

"It's Lanzhou, specifically to Jincheng (Lanzhou City)."

"Shanzhou is too far; we must think of another method."

Fang Chongyong sighed and said.

It's not that he wants to cause trouble, but having the court ship cloth to Shanzhou is truly unrealistic. In fact, he had already studied the operational model of the Longyou border army on the road; there are many aspects that need improvement.

He hadn't seen Shanzhou's road conditions directly, but he had personally experienced how expensive courier fees were when sending parcels to Qinghai Province in his past life. The customs here in Longyou differ greatly from those in Hexi. Using the same method to solve different problems yields completely different results.

Fang Chongyong thought that if he merely let Brother Ji cover the overdue military pay in Longyou and have the court ship silk directly to Shanzhou, then… it would be better to have Brother Ji transfer himself to Hexi to recruit the Silver Spear Xiaojie troops!

"Censor Fang really doesn't ask the Sage to cover the military pay? As long as the silk from Chang'an reaches Shanzhou, everything will be resolved smoothly."

Bian Lingcheng kindly advised, and he began to look at Fang Chongyong with newfound respect. Having witnessed the salary unrest himself, he didn't think Fang Chongyong could handle it. Yet since this Fang Yanei was so confident, he must have his own way.

Thus, this person cannot be underestimated!

Bian Lingcheng secretly resolved to cultivate a personal connection with this Divine Strategy Army Grand General, the son of Fang Youde. Of course, it also depends on whether he can resolve this Longyou border army salary unrest.

Since the Tang dynasty began recruiting soldiers, arrears have accumulated gradually, while salary unrest erupts suddenly. Solving the border army's salary unrest is actually highly instructive.

Bian Lingcheng saw a glimmer of hope in it, a hope to climb upward!

After seeing Bian Lingcheng off, Fang Chongyong gathered the party, including Pei Xiu, and told everyone, "After lunch we will set off, without stopping, directly to Zhengzhou City."

The others didn't have time to observe Pei Xiu's odd state, and prepared to leave the house to arrange their gear.

Pei Xiu leaned over and whispered, "Did something big happen?"

"Yes, it could even cost lives. But since you're already my woman, stay close to me and don't think about any chaotic trouble."

Fang Chongyong whispered into Pei Xiu's ear. Then, under the astonished gazes of onlookers, his arm, like steel tongs, tightly wrapped around Pei Xiu's slender waist, as if swearing sovereignty.

…

It was already deep night, yet the main hall of the Longyou Military Governor's office was lit with torches, as if an army were about to set out.

On the main seat of the hall, Fang Chongyong, with a calm expression, looked at the many generals inside.

Gai Ji Yun, Wang Nande, Ge Shu Han, Gao Xiuyan… each a renowned general known to later generations, were gathered here, awaiting Fang Chongyong to speak. After Fang Yanei rushed through the night to Shanzhou City, he immediately arrived at the Military Governor's office without delay.

The commanders of the various Longyou armies had long been waiting here, having learned from the men sent from Longzhi County that Fang Chongyong was heading to Shanzhou.

They stared eagerly, waiting for Fang Chongyong to come and "fill the pit".

If not for this, these border‑town commanders would never be willing to be dictated by a teenage court appointee.

"Generals, you may return to soothe the troops and report the overdue military pay."

Within one month, this Jiedushi will settle things properly.

Fang Chongyong said with a solemn expression.

Upon hearing this, everyone present breathed a sigh of relief. The son of the Jiedushi Fang, indeed is an outstanding person; setting aside his ability, just look at this sense of responsibility—truly, a tiger father has no dog son!

"I will dutifully follow the Jiedushi's orders!"

The officers all clasped their hands in salute and thanked!

After personally seeing off the various military officers of Longyou out of the Longyou Jiedushi's office, Fang Chongyong then coldly watched their retreating backs!

Heh, dare to dig a pit for me, in a few days I'll make you lot of soldiers know what a truly 'unfathomable moral low' is!