Chapter 292: The Gradually Collapsing Establishment Faction

"Fang Jiedushi, this humble officer is Liu Gong, Military Commissioner of the Dadou Army. I request to enter the camp to speak in detail."

Outside the Dadou Army camp near the Dadou Ba Valley, a middle-aged general with a somewhat unfamiliar face, looking no less than fifty years old, wearing the black military uniform of the Hexi border army, without armor but wearing an official general's hat, came out of the main camp to welcome Fang Chongyong.

His words were exceedingly humble.

Who the hell was this?

Fang Chongyong was taken aback. He had returned to Chang'an once, and Geshu Han, who had originally served as Military Commissioner of the Dadou Army, had been transferred away, replaced by this someone-something Liu Gong!

He had never even met the man!

"Where is Geshu Han?"

Fang Chongyong asked Guo Ziyi beside him with a puzzled expression, not knowing where this worn-out old man of at least fifty came from.

"Geshu Han was transferred by the Ministry of War to serve under your father-in-law. He was previously with the Dadou Army. This Liu Gong now is a well-connected man."

Guo Ziyi said without changing his expression, his voice very low.

"His father Liu Jian once served as Military Commissioner of the Lintao Army. His wife, née Zhu, is the aunt of Zhu Tao, Military Commissioner of the Jingsai Army under the Military Commissioner of Youzhou Fanyang."

"This man has extensive connections within the Ministry of War at the court center."

Seeing that Fang Chongyong did not speak, Guo Ziyi continued to introduce him in a low voice.

Damn it, taking advantage of the window while he was away in Chang'an, the Ministry of War actually dared to stab him in the back! Without even giving him a heads-up!

Fang Chongyong's anger flared up instantly, and he shot Liu Gong an unfriendly glare!

In truth, Fang Chongyong's fury at this moment was merely impotent rage—completely useless.

Because according to court regulations, a Jiedushi had no authority to interfere with the appointment of Military Commissioners under his command. Everything was decided by the Ministry of War. This was also one of the court's killer moves to check and balance the border Jiedushi.

But in actual practice, it was generally the Jiedushi who first had his own people serve as Military Commissioners, then submitted the recommendation list to the Ministry of War for them to stamp, and in turn issued the appointment in the form of an official document.

Therefore, the turnover rate of Military Commissioner positions in the border armies was extremely high! Basically, any Jiedushi who actually wanted to get things done would install his trusted aides as Military Commissioners in each army!

Otherwise, he could not command the border army!

Then why did the court's so "excellent" system fall apart in practice?

Don't ask. If you ask, the answer is that the frontline generals knew the local situation, while those civil officials who never left their offices on ordinary days didn't know a damn thing! If they had the guts, they should come to the border towns first and take three strikes from fierce Tibetan soldiers before running their mouths!

So the Ministry of War's action this time conformed to the court's explicit rules, but did not conform to the "unwritten rules" of the border towns.

The reassignment of the Dadou Army Military Commissioner severely infringed upon Fang Chongyong's personnel appointment authority as Hexi Jiedushi! If he could not freely appoint Military Commissioners as he wished, which of his trusted aides would stand wholeheartedly with him in the future?

"Then what about the Two Dragons of the Gate?"

Fang Chongyong continued to ask, suppressing his anger.

The Two Dragons of the Gate he spoke of were the brothers Wu Cheng'en and Wu Chengci, distant relatives of Wu Zhiyi.

Back when Fang Chongyong served as Inspector in Shazhou, he had heard that these two Wu brothers were extremely formidable in battle, holding the post of Pacification Vanguard. When they guarded the gate of the main camp, no one could charge in, so the army gave them the nickname "Two Dragons of the Gate."

"What Two Dragons are there? Implicated by Wu Zhiyi's rebellion, they are now nothing but ordinary soldiers, still in the same Dadou Army where they were all those years ago."

"If the Jiedushi had not asked, no one would dare mention that name on ordinary days."

Guo Ziyi said with a bitter smile.

In the Great Tang, heaven and earth were vast, but Brother Ji was the greatest. The mess Wu Zhiyi had stirred up back then had left Brother Ji depressed for a long time. That Wu Zhiyi's relatives were not implicated and exterminated as a clan was already Brother Ji showing extraordinary mercy. And they still wanted to continue serving as generals in the Hexi border army?

What a beautiful fantasy!

"Fang Jiedushi, is there... something amiss?"

Seeing Fang Chongyong whispering privately with Guo Ziyi off to the side, Liu Gong asked cautiously.

A young general in his twenties beside him seemed indignant, restless and apparently wanting to step forward and argue with Fang Chongyong.

Fang Chongyong looked closely and saw that this man bore an eighty-percent resemblance to Liu Gong—he must be Liu Gong's legitimate son. Like father like son in battle, it was very common for father and son to both serve as generals in the same army. For example, Lun Gongren's family had father, sons, and brothers all serving together, and were only forcibly split apart later to avoid suspicion.

"This Jiedushi is now speaking with the Military Commissioner of the Dadou Army. What status do you have, and what are you barking about?"

Fang Chongyong drew the Gale Phantom Blade and pointed it at the young general as he asked.

Hearing these words, Liu Gong hastily turned around and viciously slapped the young general across the face, angrily rebuking: "I am speaking with the Jiedushi—what business is it of yours to act insolent? Get back to the camp at once! You disgraceful thing!"

The young general who had taken the slap retreated to the side, more than ten zhang away, reluctant and unwilling to leave.

The scene instantly turned awkward!

Liu Gong hurried forward, grasping Fang Chongyong's large hand and saying warmly: "I have already prepared a banquet to welcome you and your party, Fang Jiedushi. This way please, this way please."

His face was plastered with smiles, which put Fang Chongyong on guard again and again.

This Liu Gong was so deeply shrewd. He had just deliberately picked a fight and humiliated his son, yet the man could endure it.

With the campaign imminent, not a single hidden danger could remain. This man absolutely could not be kept!

Having been played by the court, Fang Chongyong dared not entrust his back to this deeply shrewd old snake whom he was meeting for the first time today.

"Military Commissioner Liu is too courteous. Military matters are urgent—a simple meal will do."

"Let us go, let us go."

Fang Chongyong said with a hearty laugh.

In the brief moment they passed each other, Liu Gong finally lowered his voice and said: "I came from the Pinglu Garrison. In years past, I was a trusted subordinate of Old Jiedushi Fang. I was pushed out here by An Lushan. Fang Jiedushi, please do not be suspicious."

Huh?

Fang Chongyong was taken aback, never expecting that this was actually the arrangement of his own cheap father!

Liu Gong's words were easy to verify and unlikely to be a lie.

Moreover, considering that Geshu Han had been transferred to serve under Wang Zhongsi, if Wang Zhongsi had refused the appointment, that transfer order would have been difficult to carry out as well.

Then the logical relationship within was very obvious.

Fang Chongyong understood instantly. This man came from a military family in Youzhou, and even his wife came from a Youzhou border army general's family. He could be considered part of the Youzhou "local faction." Because An Lushan kept installing his own people—that is, continuously arranging the mixed-barbarians from his city-side tribes to serve as generals in the border army.

So Liu Gong, of the Youzhou "local faction," was squeezed out by An Lushan to the Hexi side.

Of course, it was also very possible that this man had previously served under his deadbeat father Fang Youde. The reason he came to Hexi rather than Shuofang or Hedong was also deeply significant. A border army general without local connections would find it very difficult to survive.

And for a general who could not survive, the only outcome was death. The marginalized Liu Gong had no choice but to find allies to cling to.

The complexity and subtlety of the interpersonal network lie right here.

Fang Chongyong somewhat understood why An Lushan was taken down by Huangfu Weiming.

This fellow, having no foundation and no restraint in eliminating opponents, it's a marvel that he hasn't been killed as a troublemaker by partners!

Who wants to kill An Lushan is not only Huangfu Weiming alone.

Liu Gong, expression unchanged, nodded at Fang Chongyong, his eyes full of goodwill.

"Old Liu, why did you go to Hexi for your post and not come to Liangzhou to say hello to me? That's too aloof."

Fang Chongyong suddenly clasped Liu Gong's shoulder, as if he were a longtime friend.

…

Inside the Jiedushi's command tent of the Da Dou army, a big iron pot was simmering pickled vegetables and fat meat as the base. Fang Chongyong skillfully sliced tofu with a small knife and tossed the pieces into the pot. The tofu bobbed and sank in the boiling water, surfacing and submerging repeatedly.

Soon, the tent was filled with an appetizing aroma.

"Having eaten pickled vegetables and boiled tofu, the old emperor… cannot compare to me."

Fang Chongyong lifted a piece of tofu, ate a bite while it was hot, and praised it.

He looked around, eyes flashing like lightning, his gaze lingering on each general for a moment before shifting to the next, extraordinarily sharp!

The people gathered around the iron pot showed slight changes in expression, then all broke into knowing smiles. Fang Chongyong's words were absurd, yet the phrase "old emperor" was not absurd at all.

The western side of the Hexi border town borders the vast Western Regions, while to the south the Tubo are watching hungrily; describing it as fraught with danger is very apt.

As a commander of the Hexi border army, whether a bold Jiedushi is reliable, or the "old emperor" who never leaves the deep palace in Chang'an is reliable, any sane person can understand.

If you want to survive, or even gain rank and title, you must cling to the Jiedushi's thigh! The emperor in the deep palace only issues edicts! In ordinary times the officials seem capable, but in critical moments they're useless!

What's wrong with a Jiedushi being a bit arrogant? Without arrogance, how can he reward his subordinates?

"Fang Jiedushi, do you intend to launch a surprise attack on Tubo from Da Dou Ba Gu?"

Liu Gong picked up a piece of tofu and placed it on the plate in his hand, his expression calm as he asked.

"Indeed so, this Jiedushi is certain the court will send Hexi troops to Shan Prefecture to support Longyou Town."

When Hexi troops reach Shan, they will face strong enemies outside and have no supplies inside. The Longyou Treasury relies on Guanzhong support; the situation is crystal clear.

Rather than waiting for the court to issue orders to move troops, we should dispatch forces from Da Dou Ba Gu first, cutting off a Tubo arm!

If we follow Da Dou Ba Gu southward to attack Wei Yuan, drive out the Tubo forces there, and burn their supplies and baggage, we can ensure the Jiedushi of Longyou's northern defensive line is secure, freeing them to engage Tubo on the western front at Shibao City.

"In that case, it would be a great help to Longyou Town."

Fang Chongyong sighed with emotion.

The future of Hexi troops lies in the Western Regions; how can it be wasted on the Longyou front! If Wang Zhongsi were not my father‑in‑law, Fang Chongyong would certainly provide every service to Longyou Town beyond mere assistance.

"But traversing Da Dou Ba Gu requires crossing mountains and ridges; the risk is too great. Tubo wait for us to tire, and our forces are few; the odds of victory are low."

Guo Ziyi sighed.

"Perhaps you have many doubts, but let me put it this way. This Jiedushi asks: since the establishment of the Hexi Jiedushi, how many times have Hexi forces launched attacks on Tubo via Da Dou Ba Gu?"

Fang Chongyong looked around at the crowd and asked.

Guo Ziyi fell silent for a moment; in fact, only Wang Zhongsi once served as the Chi Shui army envoy! In the early Kaiyuan era, Tubo forces marched out of Da Dou Ba Gu, set fire to Guazhou City, then calmly withdrew the same way; the Tang army never pursued.

In other words, the Tang army's proactive strike from Da Dou Ba Gu was likely unexpected by Tubo, at least not a primary defensive direction for them. Moreover, Fang Chongyong knew that a few months earlier, when he was in Longyou, he had dealt a heavy blow to Tubo forces from that direction, annihilating ten thousand elite cavalry.

That unit was likely Tubo's reserve, meant to turn the tide at a critical moment. The captured Tubo armor and horses showed they were not ordinary troops of the Eastern Dai tribe.

In other words, if Tubo forces from that direction receive no further reinforcements, they would be the weakest point of the entire front. Within Tubo's internal factions, this group is not aligned with the current dominant Kilik faction.

Fang Chongyong felt about fifty percent confident of victory, but he did not voice his thoughts publicly.

"Then, let everything proceed according to the Jiedushi's command."

Guo Ziyi nodded, his attitude considerably softened.

This time, the Chi Shui army, as the main force of the Hexi border army, holds the Hexi Corridor without engaging, preventing Tubo from ambushing, and does not take part in the surprise attack on Tubo.

These elite Tang troops are slated to campaign into the Western Regions; the Chi Shui soldiers themselves have no desire to fight Tubo, only to go to the Western Regions to crush soft targets. Hence their combat enthusiasm against Tubo is low.

Fang Chongyong offered counsel smoothly, without forcing these men, thus earning the Chi Shui army's support.

Guo Ziyi could have stayed away this time, but to earn merit he had to follow Fang Chongyong into battle, leading a few hundred personal troops through Da Dou Ba Gu.

Guo Ziyi's roots are in Taiyuan, Hedong, not the Hexi native faction; getting along with the Chi Shui men is of little use, mixing seniority to earn merit and promotion is what matters.

This is how one's fate in the jianghu is beyond one's control.

Under the same Jiedushi, different armies and commanders, due to differing backgrounds and locales, may make vastly different personal choices.

These people are like various ingredients, and the Jiedushi is like a master chef, deciding which ingredient makes which dish, how to combine and cook them—a profound art, not a careless stew.

That would be wasteful.

"Hey, where are the Two Dragons of the Yuan Gate?"

Fang Chongyong asked knowingly.

"Well, I, the junior officer, have only just come to Hexi and am equally in the dark; perhaps let my son Liu Peng go into the army to inquire, then report to the Jiedushi?"

Liu Gong smiled, his eyes narrowed to a slit.

"Very good."

Fang Chongyong also gave a slight smile, placing a piece of tofu onto Liu Gong's plate. He suddenly recalled Liu Peng, the young man Liu Gong had mentioned, likely the same youngster he had just scolded as "what does a dog bark?"

Alas, youth truly is wonderful!

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but think privately that young people are hot‑blooded, ready to speak out at any grievance; that's exactly how youth should be!

Unlike myself, whose body hasn't aged yet but whose heart is already old, chatting with these old foxes, having lost the precious experiences of childhood and adolescence.

The impression one gives is like a person bound with one stack of cash after another, then shoving the money into a woman's bosom, using money to slam the woman onto the bed, luring her to willingly strip and sell herself to a greasy, wealthy patron.

The youth that should have been vibrant and passionate has become bland and tasteless.

Riding fast horses, flirting with beautiful women, fighting anyone at will, indulging in swift vengeance without sorrow, not worrying about tomorrow's food—this is the life young nobles should lead!

Fang Chongyong, pondering trivial matters, silently grieving the spring and autumn, yet his expression remained as calm as water.

Seeing Fang Jiedushi silent, the military tent was deathly quiet; all the generals felt oppressed by his aura and had to lower their heads to eat pickled vegetables with boiled tofu.

Only He Changqi ate noisily on the side, his mouth making smacking sounds, like a pig happily wagging its tail while eating chaff.

Soon after, the junior officer named Liu Peng, head lowered, entered the tent, not daring to look at Fang Chongyong, clasped his fists in salute to everyone, then withdrew. Behind him appeared two middle-aged men wearing the black uniforms of the Hexi Border Army; they looked like ordinary soldiers, their skin dark from constant sun exposure, their builds extremely sturdy, not inferior to He Changqi.

The two men dropped to one knee without a word, heads bowed, silent, as if awaiting orders.

As soon as the two entered the tent, they exuded a pressure like that of fierce beasts; they were undoubtedly the famed "Yuanmen Twin Dragons" who guarded Hexi!

Fang Chongyong slowly rose to his feet, walked over to them, and helped them up.

"Do you still know this Jiedushi of mine?"

(End of chapter)