Chapter 31: Crossing the Ocean to See You

Fang Chongyong rode an ox‑drawn cart to Zheng County in Huazhou to look for his future wife; life wasn't too miserable.

The house was found; although not very spacious, the location was good, in the bustling district of Chang'an, just a wall away from Li Longji's residence, so it was acceptable.

The money was three thousand guan; though that sum meant little in Chang'an and couldn't buy status, at least it covered food and shelter.

The bride‑to‑be was also found; though it would be several years before he could marry her, the arrangement was set in stone. It wasn't like many young people in his past life, who could only take a "tired of playing" little fairy when forced to marry.

Moreover, although the Tang Empire now faced countless problems, none fell on Fang Chongyong personally, so he still felt life could go on.

Yet some high‑ranking officials in Chang'an felt that life was becoming untenable.

Inside Qinzhengwubenlou of Xingqing Palace, Li Longji was discussing state affairs with several senior ministers. The most important matter was who should fill the vacant prime minister seat.

During the Kaiyuan era, the upper echelons of the Tang court had essentially formed a customary practice: there were 2–3 chancellors, no more, no fewer. Roughly every three to four years a new cohort was rotated.

Now that Pei Yaoqing had been removed as chancellor, it was natural to select someone to replace him.

Why were the chancellors changed every few years during the Kaiyuan period?

Many court officials thought Li Longji feared the chancellor's power becoming too great, but some ministers argued that although the Tang was strong in the Kaiyuan era, it still faced many problems. Whenever an issue arose, a chancellor had to take the blame and resign.

We can't say it's all the emperor's fault, all the saint's fault, can we? Shouldn't we replace the emperor instead of the chancellor?

So swapping a chancellor is like removing some black pots, leaving the Tang Emperor forever the infallible saint, which seems more logically realistic.

Today Li Longji no longer wished to delay; he instructed Li Linfu and Zhang Jiuling to each present a proposal, each nominating a favored candidate for the new chancellor, i. e., who should be granted the Third Rank of the Secretariat.

The multiple‑prime‑minister system pairs the emperor with several chancellors, but even they are ranked by default. The Chief of the Secretariat is the highest, abbreviated "Right Prime Minister"; the Palace Attendant is second, "Left Prime Minister"; the Third Rank of the Secretariat allows the emperor to promote a favored official out of order to balance the left and right, thus it ranks third.

Now Zhang Jiuling and Li Linfu each hold one of the two positions; the person they nominate becomes pivotal, his weight enough to sway court affairs.

By comparison, the significance of this candidate can be likened to Han Xin after he seized Hebei during the Chu–Han contention.

"Your humble servant recommends Yan Tingzhi for the chancellorship. He is a Deputy Director of the Secretariat, familiar with state affairs, and can swiftly fill the vacancy left by Pei Yaoqing's removal."

Zhang Jiuling bowed deeply before Li Longji and said,

"Brother, what do you think?"

Li Longji frowned slightly, looked at Li Linfu and asked. Clearly, Yan Tingzhi was not Li Longji's top choice, and the reason was simple.

Originally, the trio of Zhang Jiuling, Pei Yaoqing, and Li Linfu partnered: Zhang oversaw northern military affairs and colonization; Pei handled reforms of the grain transport; Li Linfu was in charge of extracting revenue and streamlining the bureaucracy to save resources.

Now that Pei Yaoqing is gone while the other two remain, the court lacks a minister to manage economic operations.

Moreover, Yan Tingzhi and Zhang Jiuling come from the same office, and their administrative specialties overlap heavily. If Yan were made chancellor, Zhang would have to be ousted, because Yan is a weaker version of Zhang.

"Your humble servant believes Yan Tingzhi is frivolous and unfit for chancellor."

Li Linfu spoke nonsense in a solemn tone, which nevertheless piqued Li Longji's interest.

It is not surprising that Li Linfu opposed the suggestion; what is surprising is the reason he gave, which leaves one speechless. What does 'frivolous' amount to as a reason?

"From where does this remark arise?"

Li Longji looked at Li Linfu and asked. Clearly, if the other side did not give a satisfactory answer, the matter would not be settled.

"Your Majesty, Yan Tingzhi first had a wife surnamed Pei, from whom he divorced. Later he married a wife surnamed Zhou, also divorced. Afterwards he took a wife surnamed Wu, which also ended in divorce. Now his wife is Cui."

Moreover, his eight‑year‑old son killed his concubine Ah Ying, causing a scandal that roared for a time.

To govern the state one must first govern the family; Yan Tingzhi divorced four wives in succession and had his son murder a concubine, showing his household management is chaotic. Such a person, no matter how talented, cannot be chancellor.

"One who cannot manage his household, how can he govern the nation?"

Li Linfu finished, then bowed deeply before Li Longji and said,

"This angle is truly cunning!"

Zhang Jiuling was left speechless for a moment. Needless to say, Li Linfu had already done his homework; Yan Tingzhi's sordid deeds were certainly true. Of course, this filth wasn't enough to completely ruin Yan's career, but it was probably sufficient to block his appointment as chancellor.

"You're changing wives so frequently; at over fifty you keep swapping—doesn't that indicate a problem with your lifestyle? An eight‑year‑old son daring to kill a concubine—doesn't that show a father who failed to educate him?"

Zhang Jiuling also had to admit that Yan Tingzhi's family conduct was indeed problematic.

Li Linfu's malicious rant might not be effective, but at least Li Longji's impression of Yan Tingzhi is unlikely to be favorable now!

"These issues are trivial; the central administration is already complex, Brother, don't sidetrack the discussion."

Li Longji impatiently rebuked Li Linfu.

Although he said so, he had already taken in about seventy‑to‑eighty percent of Li Linfu's words; later, by sending someone to make a few inquiries, Yan Tingzhi's marital and family status could be easily uncovered.

Divorce itself isn't rare, but divorcing, remarrying, divorcing again, repeatedly—three or four times—this person is certainly problematic.

In some of Fang Chongyong's former workplaces, background checks were required when promoting staff; those who divorced, remarried, and divorced again in a short span were inevitably scrutinized. This is simply human nature, unchanged through the ages.

As for an under‑age son daring to kill his father's concubine, it further proves a failure of family education—'the child's misbehavior is the father's fault,' as the saying goes.

Cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and pacifying the world—if the first part fails, the latter cannot succeed. Li Linfu's criticism of Yan Tingzhi is not unfounded, yet he is not speaking recklessly; at least the whole matter falls within a reasonable range of narrative distortion rather than outright fabrication.

In this round, Zhang Jiuling was taken by surprise, as Li Linfu struck him with a sudden blow.

"Your Majesty, if Yan Tingzhi's issues were merely domestic, I would not have raised them. However, beyond that, Yan has also abused his power and broken the law; please see clearly—such a person not only should not become chancellor but ought to be demoted and punished."

Hearing this, cold sweat broke out on Zhang Jiuling's forehead. He thought back and forth, still unsure where Yan Tingzhi erred, and could only wait patiently for Li Linfu to finish.

"Brother, even as Left Prime Minister, you must not speak recklessly!"

Li Longji said gravely, making it clear he would not accept Li Linfu's one‑sided account.

"Wang Yuanyan, Inspector of Wei Prefecture, was caught embezzling and perverting the law; now he bears a criminal status and is under imperial investigation."

"Wang Yuanyan's former wife, Pei, was Yan Tingzhi's earlier wife. She pleaded with Yan on Wang's behalf, and Yan used his authority to pardon Wang."

"For such a major matter, the saint apparently knew nothing. Yan Tingzhi deceived his superiors, concealed the truth, and protected his own interests—not idle gossip on my part."

"Moreover, Wang Yuanyan had once served as a staff officer in the Loyal Prince's Mansion (Li Heng); Yan Tingzhi's protection of Wang, if not prompted by the former wife's petition, must have another cause."

Li Linfu retorted word for word.

Cold sweat seeped on Zhang Jiuling's forehead; he quickly clasped his hands and said to Li Longji, "Your Majesty, Yan Tingzhi's former wife has already divorced Wang Yuanyan and remarried; this matter may not be as Left Prime Minister described."

"Later send someone to investigate Yan Tingzhi and see whether my words are exaggerated."

Li Longji instructed the high official Gao Lishi nearby.

"Brother, do you have any candidates to recommend?"

Although in his heart he had already sentenced Yan Tingzhi to death, deeming him hopeless of ever becoming prime minister in this life, Li Longji outwardly still displayed a demeanor of "humbly accepting counsel."

"The Hexi Jiedushi Niu Xianke, adept in administration, also rose step by step from the grassroots to the position of Jiedushi; he is widely praised throughout Hexi. During his years as Hexi Jiedushi, the Hexi frontier towns have full granaries, the treasury is abundant, the military supplies are orderly; it seems this man could enter the central government as prime minister to manage the people's livelihood."

The newly appointed Hexi Jiedushi Cui Xiyi submitted a memorial, also lavishly praising Niu Xianke as having the talent of a prime minister. Therefore, I, the humble minister, recommend Niu Xianke for the prime ministership, and ask the sovereign to decide.

Upon hearing this, Li Longji gave a slight nod, thinking that someone like Li Linfu is truly a prime minister who understands the bigger picture.

Yan Tingzhi is a man of Zhang Jiuling, and they are now working in the same office; one can tell at a glance that the two are in the same camp. What is called nepotism and factionalism for personal gain?

That's exactly the kind of Zhang Jiuling!

As for Niu Xianke, he is far away in Hexi, clearly cannot be Li Linfu's confidant. Moreover, Cui Xiyi's high praise of Niu Xianke's abilities shows that Li Linfu prioritizes major affairs.

Just investigate later what kind of people Yan Tingzhi and Niu Xianke are, and it will become clear.

Thinking this, Li Longji already reached a conclusion in his mind.

"Both of you, ministers, go back and rest; I will think further."

Hearing Li Longji say that, Zhang Jiuling wanted to say a few more words, but in the end was left speechless, bowed and took his leave. He intended to go find Yan Tingzhi to ask properly about what was happening with Wang Yuanyan.

After the two had left, Li Longji turned and asked Gao Lishi, "Lishi, what do you think?"

"I think, Minister Zhang is heavily self‑interested, but Niu Xianke is also not prime‑minister material,"

Gao Lishi said cautiously.

"I, of course, know these things. Niu Xianke has performed well in Hexi, but whether he can handle central court affairs remains uncertain.

However, Yan Tingzhi greatly disappoints my expectations; he must never become prime minister. You should investigate thoroughly what connection he has with the Wang Yuanyan case.

By the way, Wang Yuanyan is corrupt; is that linked to the Prince of Loyalty's mansion? Also, what relation does Yan Tingzhi have with the Prince of Loyalty's mansion? Check that as well."

Li Longji spoke at length, and only then did he calm his nerves, feeling that he had made a mountain out of a molehill.

To him, all his sons are scoundrels, even his most beloved Prince of Longevity, Li Chang; apart from having Consort Wu Hui as his mother, what else does he have?

Only Prince of Loyalty, Li Heng, has a startlingly powerful hidden influence; its magnitude forces Li Longji to proceed with caution.

Wei Jian, Huangfu Weiming, Wang Zhongsi… these are all Li Heng's confidants, even his brothers‑in‑law; among his own princes, who could gather so many capable officials?

The Wang Yuanyan who fell from grace this time due to corruption is also a man of the Prince of Loyalty.

Now the question to clarify is how many "Wang Yuanyan" there are on Li Heng's side, where they are positioned, and how much power they possess to rebel.

Li Linfu's remark that "Wang Yuanyan once served as a staff officer for the Prince of Loyalty's mansion" struck Li Longji's heart directly.

…

If Wang Zhongsi's residence in Chang'an looks rather shabby, then the house in his old home of Hua County fully illustrates what the word "status" really means.

By eye, it covers several hundred square meters; moreover, its vermilion gates, white walls, and blue tiles exude a noble aura.

No wonder it's the combination of the Taiyuan Wang clan and the Longxi Li clan that have partnered together. When they go to Chang'an, the high prices there only reflect wealth, showing nothing of the true strength of a noble family.

The hometown's land, tenant households, resources, residences, and so on—these are where a great clan's power lies.

Honestly, if you count it, Fang Youde, now called the "Fang Jiedushi" in Youzhou, is probably just a nouveau riche who won't stay wealthy beyond three generations on the Wang side.

Knocking, entering the hall, stating the purpose—once the whole procedure was completed, Fang Chongyong didn't even catch a glimpse of the legendary childhood sweetheart, the cute girl Wang Yunxiu.

Instead, it was Li Shi, now middle‑aged yet still as beautiful as in her youth, who repeatedly examined him, and the atmosphere fell into an awkward silence.

"Adding flowers to brocade is easy; sending charcoal in snow is hard. Today, the Fang Jiedushi in Youzhou holds a high and powerful position and enjoys the sovereign's trust. Yet my family's young lord has been exiled to Dongyang, and we do not know when he will have his day of rise."

The young lord, though he has broken off the marriage, is a man of steadfast promises; it is rare that he even traveled a thousand miles to deliver a letter. Please accept my bow.

After reading the letter, Li Shi bowed deeply to Fang Chongyong.

"You need not be formal, you need not be formal."

Fang Chongyong hurriedly replied politely, "I cannot truly have my mother‑in‑law kneel and bow to me. Moreover, after traveling over a thousand li to get here, where is my cute wife?"

Fang Chongyong wanted to bring up this matter, yet he didn't know where to start.

"Regarding the marriage contract, it is written in black on white paper, thus naturally proper. Yet the young lord is still youthful, so there is no need to overthink such matters."

As for my family's young lord's reinstatement, I have no objection to speaking frankly. The Prince of Loyalty has already sent someone to discuss this with me; he will dispatch a person to mediate and operate from within. Once the sovereign's favor wanes, the young lord will naturally be reinstated and regain his former office.

The young lord, though exceptionally clever, … is still not quite suitable to intervene in this matter.

Li Shi politely declined Fang Chongyong's suggestion, even though Wang Zhongsi had informed her in the letter that everything should follow Fang Chongyong's arrangement. Li Shi, being born of a noble family, is not entirely ignorant of state affairs.

Fang Chongyong is merely Fang Youde's son, not yet ten years old. How can he handle the matter of Wang Zhongsi's promotion?

To seek an office, must one demand a person?

Should one give gifts?

Should one find connections?

Can Fang Chongyong manage these things?

Li Heng, however, is different; he is a prince and is close friends with Wang Zhongsi, having played together since childhood. Li Heng not only has the resources to handle this, but can also do it well.

As for this marriage matter, Li Shi devised a two‑pronged plan.

Either marry into the Prince of Loyalty's mansion to become a future queen, and if that fails, letting Fang Chongyong become a son‑in‑law is not too late. Who knows how long Fang Youde can remain in the limelight? Delaying for now is also acceptable.

In Li Shi's view, Fang Youde is merely a man who rode the dragon's success. He has no lineage, no foundation, relying solely on Li Longji's favor, and might one day fall from the heavens to the mortal world.

Li Shi thought Fang Chongyong was not a suitable match, even though the child seemed absurdly clever. Since Wang Zhongsi wishes to be a good person, let her, the "mother‑in‑law," play the "villain."

"Since that is so, forgive me for intruding boldly."

Fang Chongyong handed Li Shi a red paper bearing Wang Yunxiu's birth chart, bowed deeply, then turned and left. Li Shi hesitated briefly but sent no one to stop him.

After Fang Chongyong emerged, Zhang Xun, who was feeding cattle outside, asked in puzzlement, "Young lord, did you come out so quickly?"

"Yes, back to Chang'an!"

Fang Chongyong said calmly, his expression serene.

Still hoping Li Heng will come to the rescue?

You all hurry and smile a bit more now; later we'll see whether your tears will dry up!

There will definitely be you crying!

Fang Chongyong cursed fiercely in his heart.