Chapter 289: Loyalty! Sincerity!

He quietly glanced at Fang Chongyong, who was trimming his nails with a small file, and Zhang Tongru couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva, nervously picking up the tea cup on the table and taking a sip to steady his tension.

He had no choice but to be nervous; if he failed to seize the opportunity before him, his future would turn bleak, perhaps even cease to exist!

"Originally An Lushan actually had a chance to survive, and I strongly opposed his suggestion, thinking that taking the Henai Road to Hebei would be better."

But at Fengling Ferry, An Lushan used the Fire Worship Sect's method to divine for himself, which said that marching north to Taiyuan was auspicious, so the two of us then split our forces.

I made a loud, flamboyant march as a cover, while he led part of the troops north to Taiyuan through Sparrow‑Rat Valley.

Zhang Tongru said slowly.

Fang Chongyong suddenly retorted, "How does the Fire Worship Sect's divination work?"

Is this really important?

Zhang Tongru felt odd inside, not understanding why Fang Chongyong asked, but he still spoke about the Joy Scroll.

This divination requires drawing a star chart for the day on the third day of the third month each year, then using two bone dice and a mysterious incantation; Zhang Tongru wasn't entirely clear on the exact procedure.

Fang Chongyong nodded thoughtfully and said, "That's truly a self‑inflicted doom. Keep going; no need to repeat those foolish sayings about An Lushan."

He clearly didn't care at all how An Lushan died!

Nevertheless, to think that An Lushan's fortune‑telling predicted his own death struck Fang Chongyong as a truly bizarre case!

"An Lushan, in fact, has long harbored secret rebellious thoughts, making preparations that cannot be spoken of."

He has been purging dissenters in Pinglu Town, favoring his own, with a large group of trusted followers.

Zhang Tongru lowered his voice.

"Is that all?"

Fang Chongyong was taken aback, never expecting Zhang Tongru to be so childish! Every border‑town Jiedushi now practices nepotism!

Moreover, An Lushan's plotting a rebellion is indeed a big matter, but the value of that secret is limited to the time while An Lushan is still alive.

If the man is dead, there's no point in a rebellion! Those so‑called witnesses and evidence become insignificant.

Sensing Fang Chongyong's displeasure, Zhang Tongru quickly gestured, slightly agitated, and said, "Jiedushi Fang, don't be impatient; I haven't mentioned the crucial part yet."

Fang Chongyong gave a noncommittal nod, remained silent, and signaled Zhang Tongru to continue.

"I know which people in Pinglu Town are close to An Lushan; in the future, Jiedushi Fang, when you have me by your side, I can point them out. No, today I'll write down a list of those people for Jiedushi Fang's reference, along with some secret information about them."

Zhang Tongru knelt on the ground, kowtowing and pleading.

I must admit, that does have some appeal; it could help me inherit An Lushan's political legacy in the future.

"It's indeed intriguing… but still not enough."

Fang Chongyong slipped the file back into his sleeve, then looked calmly at Zhang Tongru and said.

Kneeling on the ground, Zhang Tongru remained silent and dared not look up to let Fang Chongyong see his expression.

He didn't want to throw all his chips on the table at once; betrayals after a favor have happened far too often.

The situation remained deadlocked.

"What I, the Jiedushi, need is a single word: loyalty!"

And loyalty comes at a price. Men are indifferent to loyalty; they are loyal only because the stakes for betrayal aren't high enough!

I, the Jiedushi, can offer you a chance at rapid success to buy your loyalty.

You must also prove your worth to me, the Jiedushi—does that make sense?

Think carefully about what else you have to say. Once we pass this village, there won't be that shop any more.'

Fang Chongyong stood, looked at the kneeling Zhang Tongru, and said coldly, preparing to leave.

"Jiedushi Fang, when An Lushan was in Chang'an, he colluded with several princes, especially Prince Yong, Li Lin!"

They all wrote secret letters to An Lushan; I have hidden those letters not far from Wulan Pass, in a place called Water Buffalo Village on the right bank of the Yellow River!

As for the exact spot in the village, I can take the Jiedushi's troops to search for it!'

Zhang Tongru finally threw out his biggest chip.

It wasn't only Prince Yong, Li Lin, who had dealings with An Lushan, but Li Lin acted most recklessly and without restraint, offering the highest price among the princes!

However, Zhang Tongru didn't specify exactly where in Water Buffalo Village those letters were.

That settlement was actually established by the Tang authorities specifically to guard a floating bridge, located not far south of Wulan Pass. The villagers are retired frontier soldiers and their families.

"Besides Prince Yong, there were actually other princes involved?"

Fang Chongyong crossed his arms and paced inside the betting room, muttering to himself. This news indeed surprised his original expectations.

"Answering the Jiedushi, indeed so, at least four or five. Because An Lushan had no solid base, he was easier to win over."

"But I'm also not sure whether those princes colluded with other Jiedushi; they could be playing both sides, or even multiple sides, which is quite possible."

Zhang Tongru lowered his voice.

"Jiedushi, have He Laohu lead a unit of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army to Water Buffalo Village, bring those letters here, and thereafter you can follow me."

Fang Chongyong lifted the frail Zhang Tongru to his feet, patted the dust off him, and said.

"Thank you, Jiedushi Fang! Thank you, Jiedushi Fang!"

Zhang Tongru's face was full of excitement; this Jiedushi Fang was far more easy‑going than the 'Old Jiedushi Fang', at least at this moment he seemed to think similarly.

"He Laohu!"

"Jiedushi, what orders?"

He Changqi hurriedly entered the betting room, crossing his hands in a salute and asked.

"Take him to Water Buffalo Village south of Wulan Pass, then bring the items back."

"If he tries any tricks on the way, kill him on the spot—no need for further discussion."

Fang Chongyong pointed at the trembling Zhang Tongru beside him and said.

"Jiedushi, rest assured, I will see to it!"

He Changqi clasped his fists and said, then glanced at Zhang Tongru, who shivered and obediently followed behind, leaving the betting room together.

After everyone left, Fang Chongyong knelt and sat before the desk, his mind pondering the changes in the political situation.

Although he pretended not to care in front of Zhang Tongru, the information this person provided was actually very valuable.

At first Fang Chongyong discussed a question with Fang Youde: if An Lushan of the Anshi Rebellion could not be defeated at all, or if the Tang court did not act recklessly and steadily employed suitable generals without deliberately sending them away, then the main battles of the suppression could be concluded within one to two years.

Thus a question arises: besides his poor health forcing rebellion, why didn't An Lushan seek the "optimal solution," namely find a reliable prince and emulate Taizong's Xuanwu Gate plot?

In fact, Ji Ge has already shown Fang Chongyong and Fang Youde the answer through his actions.

All the princes have been "detained" inside the Ten Kings' Residence, raised like fat pigs, now useless as investments, or essentially never having a chance to receive a minister's "angel investment."

Consequently, only two outcomes can occur.

The first is that these princes obediently remain as pigs, living day by day.

The second is low‑level power struggles, exploiting Ji Ge's nap, using the few imperial guards to seize power, and playing the "Xuanwu Gate succession law."

Therefore, angel investors like An Lushan cannot secure a "project," and must forcibly start one, leading to the fish‑die‑net‑break mutual ruin.

Now Ji Ge has adopted the "better to loosen than to block" method, limiting the collusion between princes and ministers to a bounded scope, and a new game mode has emerged.

The collusion between An Lushan and many princes marks the beginning of this new game.

Yet from another angle, Ji Ge's method eases the vicious infighting at the political core of Chang'an, avoiding treating every minister as a rebel and the need for a "prime minister versus crown prince" drama.

One can say both modes have pros and cons; the key lies in balancing the interests of all parties.

In a feudal dynasty, the national conditions dictate that a flawless system does not exist.

"Old Fang, I think the great Tang enterprise has been completed; you may rest.

But I feel the real vicious struggle has not yet begun!"

Fang Chongyong could not help but sigh, muttering to himself.

At the moment when the great Tang is about to reach its pinnacle, being a clear‑sighted person is truly exhausting.

Only those fanatics who are convinced that the Tang golden age will last for millennia are the lucky ones of this era.

When everyone is laughing, if you alone howl and weep, even with good reason, you will be treated as an outcast and shunned by all.

Suppressing the distracting thoughts, Fang Chongyong spread out a map of the Western Regions, took out a "magnifying glass," and examined the names and lines on the map.

There are many kinds and many versions of Tang maps.

What he now holds is the official Western Regions map issued by the Ministry of Works; in every respect, this map is of a super‑spec level for the era and even for the feudal age—truly rare.

From the map Fang Chongyong sees that west of Dunhuang is an endless desert, a barren zone separating the Anxi and Beiting Protectorates.

Heading northwest from Guazhou leads to the Western Regions' first stop, Yizhou (Hami); northwest of Yizhou belongs to the Beiting Protectorate, while its southwest is Xizhou (Gaochang).

After reaching Xizhou, directly west lies the Anxi Protectorate seat at Kucha, and directly north lies the Beiting Protectorate seat at Tingzhou. These places are firmly under Tang control, with local households and a high proportion of Han, making them suitable logistical bases.

Yet further west the reach is no longer absolute Tang control; the territories are small states and towns, scattered like stars in the night sky.

Elsewhere, caravans, wanderers, bandits, and the like are everywhere; their identities can change at any moment, and the game rules differ completely from those of the agrarian zones.

Even the rules of the steppe are different!

In other words, even if Fang Chongyong sweeps the Western Regions with ten to twenty thousand elite Tang cavalry, no one dares to provoke him, but the locals may not cooperate with his actions either!

Fighting there requires first a united front; if the various peoples of the Western Regions, even the Turkic or Tiele of the steppe, can be unified, they can sway the outcome. Second, a rapid long‑distance raid is needed—whether the strike lands or not, one cannot linger to die; a quick withdrawal to the supply zone awaits the next opportunity.

The special geography dictates a special tactic: one man, one horse is the basic setup, and the elite opening force may even need one man with two horses.

"Indeed, nothing succeeds in this world without effort."

After studying the Western Regions map for an hour, Fang Chongyong placed it into a box specially for storing important maps and letters, stood up, and stretched lazily.

"No wonder they say the most important technology of this age is the killing art that can defeat ten thousand men. I think I've finally seen it."

He could not help but sigh and mutter to himself.

Whether it is playing with Jiaozi or devising daring operations, the intrinsic value never matches leading troops in battle, brandishing weapons, deciding the lives of ten thousand.

Fang Chongyong's choice to expedition into the Western Regions is already picking the softest soft persimmon. Even so, he has never felt relaxed.

With a sharp blade in hand, murderous intent rises!

A battle‑undefeated, weapon‑wielding, hard‑won commander like Qiu Ba cannot tolerate a person like Ji Ge, who has barely touched a sword, telling him what to do!

I was born and died on the frontier, not to let you insects ride on my head and defecate!

At that moment, Fang Chongyong understood why, in his previous life's era, An Lushan ultimately chose rebellion.

He estimates that he himself may, or most likely will, walk the same old road as An Lushan.

Because once one becomes Qiu Ba, there is no way back; only a single path leads to darkness.

Even if Fang Chongyong someday wishes to lay down his sword, others must be willing to believe it first!

While Fang Chongyong was daydreaming, He Changqi walked ahead carrying a box, and Zhang Tongru followed cautiously behind; the two, dusty and weary, entered the seal‑deposit room.

He Changqi's face was constantly smiling, his mouth almost split open, clearly having reaped a rich haul.

"Fang Jiedushi, found it! It's all here!"

He Changqi gently placed the box on the desk, suppressing his excitement as he spoke.

Fang Chongyong weighed it; although not large, it was heavy! There must be precious metals inside!

He opened it and saw many land deeds, bronze seals, bronze keys, letters, and gold Buddhas—treasures that cannot be directly "liquidated."

Zhang Tongru explained to Fang Chongyong: "The land deeds and gold Buddhas were sent by those princes. Of course, each prince has someone behind them, though I don't know who they are. Some deeds are from Hebei and even Youzhou, clearly these people are not simple. Their forces are strong!"

"Hmm, very good!

From now on, when you wear a mask in public, this Jiedushi will address you as Mr. Zhang.

He Laohu, you as well."

Fang Chongyong pointed at Zhang Tongru and said.

Hearing this, Zhang Tongru rejoiced, immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed like crushing garlic! He had feared his identity might be exposed, but Fang Chongyong had already prepared.

"You should understand, your identity will die once it sees the light."

Fang Chongyong solemnly reminded Zhang Tongru.

「I understand, I understand! In the future I will certainly die for the Jiedushi, never wavering! 」

Zhang Tongru was so moved that hot tears streamed down, splashing onto the stone slabs of the document room!

An Lushan died, but he didn't die! This is fortune! This is qi luck!

At this moment, Zhang Tongru finally believed that there are deities three feet above one's head!

「Hmph, you all retreat first, each tidy up, this Jiedushi still has matters to attend to. 」

Fang Chongyong, without smiling, waved his hand; He Changqi and Zhang Tongru hurriedly retreated, closed the door, and slipped away.

「Interesting, An Lushan's connections are indeed extensive. 」

Fang Chongyong, while sneering, took out a letter and began reading it; it was indeed the letter written by Prince Yong Li Lin.

In the letter, Li Lin promised An Lushan that when he ascended the throne, that would be the time An Lushan served as Grand Commander of the Tang's armies, second only to the emperor, above all others!

Randomly promising and drawing big pies, it's basically saying whatever sounds good; at a glance it's clearly impossible to fulfill in the future.

If An Lushan truly believes Li Lin, then in the end, even breaking through the heavens would end up as a splendid funeral.

Originally Fang Chongyong thought such a letter was childish, but then he thought, now Prince Yong Li Lin is seeking help, so naturally he'd promise anything; after all, selling one's father's field for a son doesn't hurt.

And could An Lushan really have been fooled by Prince Yong? Of course not; he feigned agreement while secretly making preparations on both sides, which is only natural.

Mutual deception, that's love!

Who is deceiving whom?

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but snicker, placing Prince Yong Li Lin's letter into the box.

He also discovered letters from Prince Rong Li Wan, Prince Yi Li Li, and others; however, these princes didn't dare write as boldly as Li Lin, nor did they make extravagant promises like him, merely expressing their appreciation and admiration for An Lushan.

These few green tea types aren't as fierce as Li Lin, but their affectation of flaunting charm to hook up is also obvious.

「Damn, no prince came to bribe me; are they looking down on me? 」

Thinking of this, Fang Chongyong couldn't help but curse.

(End of chapter)