Chapter 245: Auspicious Omen at Mount Taibai

"Sigh, this transfer order from the court is truly without reason!"

In the study of the Longyou Jiedu Prefecture, Cen Shen, who was exchanging toasts with Fang Chongyong, could not help but complain. He also knew that criticizing the court was harmless enough. But as a matter of caution, it was best not to complain about the Sage — such talk getting out would be bad.

"How can everything in life go as one wishes? I have already held high office at a young age, so let's not dwell on it — there's nothing to complain about."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand and said, then downed the cloudy wine in his cup in one gulp!

Damn it! Brother Ji is truly a dog!

Fang Chongyong cursed Li Longji in his heart as shameless and despicable, yet had not the slightest recourse.

The sudden transfer order had disrupted his entire deployment and ruined his long-term plans. But then again, isn't that the very nature of life?

Plans can never keep up with changes.

In certain games, in certain ones, the protagonist can always act according to his own whims. He can casually manage Longyou for over a decade, turn the national army into his own private force, and treat the emperor as his personal ATM.

That kind of thing where the emperor transfers a military commander away with a single order — that never happens.

But in reality, during times of peace, unless the emperor believed this person would not live much longer, various constraints would always exist. A single transfer order removing someone from the position of frontier commander was not only not rare, it could even be called the norm of an official career.

"I suddenly had a flash of inspiration and composed a quatrain, to offer to the Jiedushi."

Cen Shen, having drunk a little wine, suddenly felt a surge of poetic inspiration and said.

"Don't write poems that are detrimental to unity — if they get out, it will be bad for your career."

Fang Chongyong secretly warned Cen Shen, also afraid that if the other man's poem was too well-written and spread far and wide, Brother Ji would think that he, Young Master Fang, was dissatisfied with the Sage and harbored resentment!

"Rest assured, Jiedushi Fang — I have a sense of proportion about such matters."

"The Jiedushi newly destroyed the Hu, men and horses in high spirits. Desolate, the enemy dust is cleared; looming, Mount Lou stands alone.

How about the title 'Song of Destroying the Hu'?"

Cen Shen stroked his short beard and smiled.

The tallest hill south of Datong City was called "Mount Lou" by the locals, and this poem fit the occasion well, because the main battlefield of the last battle had been at Datong City, north of Mount Lou.

Cen Shen's poetry leaned toward realism; his literary flair was not equal to Li Bai's. But he was far more reliable at handling affairs than Li Bai, and far more low-key as a person — following orders and working tirelessly before and behind the saddle, he was very capable. Moreover, men like them who were famous for their poetry could build connections under the guise of "gathering friends through literature," and the role they could play went far beyond merely following orders.

"It is a good poem, but alas, it comes at the wrong time."

Fang Chongyong sighed and said.

His time in Longyou was destined to be brief; the next stop, Hexi, would likely see him stationed there for a long time, unavoidably.

The past few years had been the years of least military pressure in the Hexi Corridor. The Hu to the north were in a period of dormancy and infighting; after the New Turkic Khaganate was destroyed, the northern steppes had entered a new round of reshuffling, with no new power rising yet.

Therefore, the military affairs of the Hexi Jiedushi only needed to focus on defending against Tibetan diversionary forces — there was no risk of being caught in a two-front pincer.

Although the Jiedushi was a powerhouse controlling the military authority of a region and should in principle be held by someone well-versed in military affairs, Brother Ji would also appoint different types of people as Jiedushi depending on the region and the military challenges faced — not every one of them was a brawny, thick-waisted martial brute.

Given that Hexi currently had very little military pressure, there was naturally no need for a muscle-brained thug who only knew how to fight in battle formations to take the position. Fang Chongyong's rise to power seemed absurd, but in fact had a clear logic — it could be called making the best of circumstances.

"Pack your belongings today and set out first thing tomorrow morning for Lanzhou, to set up ahead there.

Right now only the imperial edict has arrived; the political and military orders from the court's center have not yet come. The court's directives will be sent to Lanzhou and will not proceed further to Shanzhou.

I still need to arrange some aftermath matters here in Shanzhou, and will rejoin you in Lanzhou in a few days. At that time, the Tianwei Army will also go with me to Lanzhou for rest and reorganization, and to select the elite of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army there.

I will write to the Sage requesting to depart slightly later for Liangzhou to take up my post — I believe the Sage will grant this small request."

Fang Chongyong said with a look of melancholy.

Cen Shen was his aide, so naturally he would go with him to Liangzhou to take up the post. But men like Gai Jiayun and Wang Nande were a different matter — they had to stay in Longyou to serve as military commissioners. This was also one of the Tang court's measures to constrain the frontier Jiedushi.

The relatively stable, low-turnover military commissioners commanded the troops, ensuring the army's combat capability would not devolve into soldiers not knowing their generals and generals not knowing their soldiers.

And frequently replacing the Jiedushi prevented these regional powerhouses from building up personal forces and holding their own weight.

The court's control over the frontier commands was institutionalized and routine — it was by no means left to run its own course.

Cen Shen crossed his hands in a salute and said, "Rest assured, Jiedushi — your humble servant will handle these matters well."

"Mm, go on. We'll meet again in Lanzhou."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand weakly and said.

Cen Shen hesitated for a long time, but ultimately could not help asking:

"Jiedushi, although your careful arrangements in Longyou ultimately went unused, Hexi is the foremost of the ten major commands, with elite troops and ample provisions. Hexi is also a major command, the indispensable route to the Western Regions, and its wealth is something the harsh, cold Longyou cannot compare to.

You are now the Hexi Jiedushi — if you want power, you can have power; if you want money, you can rake in money. Why so gloomy?"

Cen Shen had never been able to figure it out — even if Fang Chongyong's efforts in Longyou had been for naught, going to Hexi still made him a regional powerhouse.

Fairness demanded the acknowledgment that this Young Master Fang truly enjoyed the Sage's unrivaled favor!

What on earth was he troubled about?

From Cen Shen's understanding of Fang Chongyong, this Young Master Fang was usually rather low-key in his dealings — one might even call him precocious. He was not the type to moan and groan over every little thing.

He simply could not understand why Fang Chongyong seemed so reluctant to go to Hexi to take up his post — this was indeed rather unreasonable.

Back then, Fang Chongyong had earned the nickname "Hexi Qilin Child" in Hexi, having cultivated deep roots in Shazhou for four years — acquaintances were everywhere.

If Fang Chongyong went to Hexi as Jiedushi, even if he didn't walk on eggshells, he could at least walk sideways.

Was Liangzhou really that frightening?

"It's all a mess of trouble — you'll understand when you get there."

Fang Chongyong held his forehead and said feebly.

Back then, he had thought it impossible for him to ever return to Hexi, so he had set up a sustainable drain-the-pond Ponzi scheme of a giant pit!

Fang Chongyong had figured that the "pass the parcel" game of Hexi smuggling could at least last eight or ten years. He never expected that after returning to Chang'an for just a year or two, the whole thing would collapse!

Even the Heng Tai Team hadn't collapsed this fast!

Fang Chongyong remembered that when he left Hexi, the accounts there were still passable, and nobles from Chang'an and Hu merchants from the Western Regions were continually "entering the pit."

Wang Chu was not guilty of corruption and perversion of justice — he had lost the money meant as tribute to Brother Ji, and was called to account for it afterward! Otherwise, why would the An clan have bothered feuding with Wang Chu?

The Lianghou An clan was itself a major shareholder in the business, responsible for the smuggling transit along the Lianghou route — their position was extremely important. They hammered Wang Chu simply because this smuggling trade route could no longer yield any profit, and they were cutting ties early.

Eliminating a Jiedushi served as an explanation to the Chang'an nobles, Brother Ji included — and who knew what other giant pit was waiting for him over there.

If he could avoid going, Fang Chongyong absolutely would not go to Hexi!

He vaguely remembered that in the history of his past life, the An clan of Liangzhou was a family with the strength to rebel. But in the end, still bound by path dependency, they chose the court route, deeply tying themselves to the Li-Tang clan. If one disregarded willingness, their odds of a successful rebellion were far higher than An Lushan's!

This trip to Liangzhou did not look promising!

Thinking of this, Fang Chongyong let out a long sigh. He was already too exhausted to complain about this kind of operation where he dug a pit and buried himself.

"Sure enough, a date you asked for yourself, you've got to finish even if you have to do it with tears in your eyes."

Fang Chongyong muttered to himself.

"Uh, then... this humble official takes his leave."

"Mm, go ahead."

Regarding Fang Chongyong's "lamenting spring and grieving autumn," Cen Shen was completely baffled and found it inexplicable, and could only take his leave with an embarrassed smile.

After Cen Shen left, Pei Xiu tiptoed into the study. Seeing Fang Chongyong's troubled expression, she hugged him from behind and coaxed, "Going to Hexi is just going to Hexi, it's no big deal. Wouldn't becoming the official Military Commissioner be even better?"

Fang Chongyong had no way to explain to someone of Pei Xiu's intellect, so he teased, "This year you are eighteen years old, and your father is thirty-five. How many more years will it take for your age to catch up with your father's?"

"Is that even a question? Seventeen years, of course! Such a simple question."

Pei Xiu blurted out.

"You see, this is why you're carefree all day. I really envy you."

Fang Chongyong had Pei Xiu sit on his lap and whispered into her ear.

……

The warm spring in Chang'an arrived quickly, and the climate was very comfortable.

A heavy rain had just fallen yesterday, and today it cleared. Sunlight poured into the bedchamber. The Tang Emperor, Li Longji, had a rare good night's sleep and a beautiful dream, and got up sitting alone in a daze.

In the dream, he had returned to the year he was twenty, but his identity was still the emperor. He personally led a campaign to conquer the Western Regions, fighting all the way to Congling (the Pamir Plateau), and then personally campaigned in Western Asia—how exhilarating!

After waking from the dream, a wave of melancholy washed over him. He had already gained the world, yet could never defeat time.

Immortality—what a wonderful dream that would be!

In a bedchamber of the Calyx and Petal Pavilion, Ji Ge, wearing a reddish-yellow sleeping robe, sat blankly on the edge of the bed, seized by waves of melancholy.

The breadth of his life was sufficient, but the length could still be extended a little—best if it were... ten thousand years!

"Sage, Wang Yu has already entered the capital and is now outside Xingqing Palace awaiting your decree.

Does the Sage wish to see him?"

Gao Lishi whispered into Li Longji's ear.

Wang Yu had sent Gao Lishi a generous gift that was impossible to refuse, so even if he would not speak on Wang Yu's behalf, passing along the message was still quite necessary.

This concerned a eunuch's credibility!

"Wang Yu? Which Wang Yu?"

Upon hearing this name, Ji Ge reflexively asked in return out of habit.

"In reply to the Sage, the former Hexi Military Commissioner, Wang Yu."

Gao Lishi reminded him without batting an eye.

"Oh, oh, oh, you mean that Wang Yu. Bring him in."

Ji Ge stroked the already graying long beard on his chin and said.

"Right, have Fang Quanzhong wait in Xingqing Palace. I will want to see him shortly."

Ji Ge waved his hand at Gao Lishi.

Before long, Wang Yu was brought in. This man who had once held military authority over Hexi now looked little different from a wretched old man. His clothes were worn, his beard disheveled, his complexion swarthy, and he was utterly devoid of vitality and spirit.

If not for Gao Lishi's trustworthiness, Ji Ge would truly have suspected that this Wang Yu was a beggar from the streets of Chang'an in disguise.

"You have suffered, beloved official."

Ji Ge walked forward without a word, reaching out to help Wang Yu, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet.

"This humble official botched the Sage's assignment. I beg the Sage for forgiveness."

Wang Yu knelt on the ground and refused to rise, kowtowing to Ji Ge several times with loud thuds.

"Why does my beloved official say such things? Although you can no longer serve as Military Commissioner, I still have another appointment for you."

After helping Wang Yu to his feet, Ji Ge patted the dust off his clothes and said. Why Wang Yu had been dismissed from office was understood without needing to be spoken.

"The chaos in Hexi, I have already arranged for someone to handle. What the An clan wants to do, I understand in my heart as well.

Let me put it this way: I have an important errand for you to handle. I wonder if you have the time to make a trip for me?"

Ji Ge asked with a beaming smile.

"I am willing! I am willing! Please, Sage, give the order! This humble official will certainly get it done!"

Wang Yu trembled all over with excitement.

"Here is the matter."

Ji Ge pondered for a moment, pacing in the bedchamber as he said:

"There are rumors that an auspicious omen has appeared at Mount Taibai. Li Hun, a man of Mount Taibai, claims to have encountered an immortal with white hair and a youthful complexion in the Golden Star Cave, and found a jade treasure talisman left within a stone, inscribed with text that no one can recognize, suspected to be the method of immortality.

I now appoint you as the First Capital Commander of the Divine Strategy Army. Lead your officers and soldiers to Mount Taibai, bring back the jade treasure talisman, and enshrine it in the palace.

This isn't a difficult task, is it?"

An immortal in a cave? A jade treasure talisman?

What the hell kind of bird-brained nonsense was this!

Wang Yu, well-traveled and experienced in the Hexi Corridor, had become a man inclined toward "materialism." Matters like seeking immortality and pursuing the Dao were, in his eyes, all baseless nonsense!

If such things truly existed, then why had he never seen them himself?

Matters like the jade treasure talisman were nothing new either. It was obvious that slanderous officials beside the Sage were spouting fabrication. All of this was just an act, wasn't it? The purpose was to satisfy the Emperor's desire for immortality, endlessly weaving a great web of lies in hopes of gaining high office and generous pay.

Prepare the items in advance, then release the news, and finally blow it up into a "divine miracle." Such tricks carried no difficulty whatsoever.

The Sage actually believes this sort of thing?

Wang Chui had no words to reply, yet no way to refute it either, for he was now a man bearing guilt. So he clasped his hands in salute to Brother Ji and said, "Rest assured, Your Sage Majesty, your humble servant will see it done."

"Mm, this matter is of great importance. Nothing must go wrong."

Brother Ji emphasized.

"Rest assured, Your Sage Majesty."

"Mm, go ahead."

Brother Ji raised his hand, signaling Wang Chui to withdraw.

Before long, Fang Youde in full military attire was brought in. These days he had been training the Divine Strategy Army and culling its troops; whenever he was not sleeping, he was essentially in armor.

The Divine Strategy Army's troop count had now dropped from twelve thousand to over six thousand, but every man who remained was strong and robust.

Brother Ji had reviewed the Divine Strategy Army once and was highly satisfied with the results of Fang Youde's troop selection.

"Quanzhong, Wang Chui just came by. I have assigned him a task: to lead the First Capital Troops of the Divine Strategy Army and then carry out an errand at Mount Taibai. You have no objections, do you?"

Brother Ji asked with a smile.

"To reply to Your Sage Majesty, the Divine Strategy Army is your private army, not your humble servant's. Your Sage Majesty need not consult your humble servant's opinion."

Fang Youde said cautiously.

"Mm, that is so. My appointment of Fang Guozhong as Hexi Military Commissioner was not a whim. I must make myself clear."

Brother Ji suddenly said with a grave expression.

"Your humble servant listens to Your Sage Majesty's instruction."

Fang Youde hastily clasped his hands in salute, not daring to overstep.

Seeing his attitude, Brother Ji nodded in satisfaction and said:

"Guozhong, though young, still understands the bigger picture. The recent great victory over the Tibetans in Longyou also shows he has the makings of a famous general.

Hexi has no war at present. Letting him serve as Military Commissioner to gain experience — that is not unreasonable, is it?"

Fang Youde had no words to reply, and could only clasp his hands in salute without speaking.

"Furthermore, he has governed Shazhou for four years with considerable achievements, is familiar with Hexi's local conditions, and is well acquainted with the military and civil officials of Hexi.

I am not mistaken, am I?"

"To reply to Your Sage Majesty, that is indeed so."

Fang Youde answered helplessly.

"Mm, it is good that you understand, my beloved minister.

The An clan of Liangzhou has deep roots and a broad base. An ordinary person serving as Military Commissioner might not be able to keep them in line.

You and your son are both my trusted confidants. The An clan will still have to give me some face."

Brother Ji explained patiently.

As for the matter of smuggling in Hexi, he did not bring it up, nor did he want Fang Youde to know.

Seeing Fang Youde remain silent, Brother Ji patted his shoulder and said, "Gonu does have selfish motives, but sending Guozhong to Hexi this time is also my intention. Do you understand?"

"Your humble servant is terrified. My son and I both hold high positions; your humble servant treads on thin ice and dares not be negligent. I can only repay Your Sage Majesty's grace of recognition."

Fang Youde knelt and performed a full prostration before Brother Ji.

"Train the troops quickly. Once the Divine Strategy Army is ready, I shall personally lead a campaign."

Brother Ji sighed softly, speaking with waning enthusiasm.

Hearing these words, Fang Youde, who had just been about to rise, froze where he stood.

(End of this chapter)