Chapter 314: Traditional Arts

"What a spring night, a single moment worth a thousand gold!"

The next morning, Fang Chongyong slept until the sun was three rods high before getting up, glanced at Anaye, who was sprawled on the bed, exhausted and still half‑asleep, her pretty face still marked with tear stains, and couldn't help but smile.

She's still wearing a "Hujie" disguise, so her combat power is pitifully low; indeed, the bonus from a "profession" attribute cannot be ignored.

A Hujie's combat power comes from day‑and‑night dance practice, not any lineage.

After freshening up, he went to the small hall of the residence and saw Zhang Mi, dark circles under his eyes, looking listless under He Changqi's oppressive stare. Though the outside was bright sunshine, his face showed only fatigue.

"Zhang Gongtai came early this morning to visit the Jiedushi; what business does he have?"

Fang Chongyong lazily sat on a low stool padded with a soft cushion and asked nonchalantly. Beside him, He Changqi couldn't hold back, let out a snort of laughter, then clamped his mouth shut.

The scene left Zhang Mi, who had been feeling a cold draft in the hall all night, looking embarrassed, wishing he could crawl into a hole. He forced a grin and said, "Fang Jiedushi, you're joking. I had an urgent matter last night, heard the Jiedushi was resting, so I waited here, not daring to disturb the Jiedushi."

Zhang Mi's attitude was very humble, a stark contrast to his aloofness at last night's banquet.

It could be called a turn from arrogance to deference.

"Go hang a sign outside the gate saying the Jiedushi is closed to visitors today."

Fang Chongyong gave a short nod to He Changqi beside him.

"There you go!"

He Changqi took the order and left.

Only then did Fang Chongyong size up Zhang Mi; he seemed to have taken a slap, a faint bruise at the corner of his mouth, his hair in disarray, looking rather disheveled.

"Fang Jiedushi, actually it was inconvenient for me to explain the details in person last night; please forgive me. These are the Zhang family's list of provisions for the Anxi Expeditionary Army, which will be sent to the main camp today."

Zhang Mi pulled an envelope from his chest and handed it to Fang Chongyong.

"Oh? That's rather interesting."

Fang Chongyong took the envelope, placed it aside without even looking, then casually lowered his head to stare at the table, as if waiting for Zhang Mi's so‑called "explanation."

"Jiedushi, the Zhang family supplies the expeditionary army's provisions, supporting the campaign to the Western Regions; we have no objection to that.

However, regarding taking a stake in the Western Regions trade license that the Jiedushi proposed, the Zhang family still has serious reservations."

Zhang Mi spoke in a low voice, as if something he wanted to say but couldn't do so directly, hinting without confronting the issue head‑on.

"The An family in Liangzhou wields such great power that you're being squeezed like this and can't even speak the truth?"

Fang Chongyong sneered and asked.

Upon hearing that, Zhang Mi was startled, then forced a wry smile and said, "Jiedushi is right; the An family is scheming to replace the court's Jiedushi, and perhaps after you capture the Western Regions, they'll send someone to pick the fruit. So they welcome the Shazhou big households to support the expeditionary army, but they don't want us involved in affairs led by the Jiedushi."

Just as expected.

Fang Chongyong gave a slight nod without confirming, but felt a surge of realization—his lingering doubts were finally confirmed. The fact that the Liangzhou An family refused to send any of its kin to the expeditionary army was a clear sign. An Zhongzhang, who had actively fought the Tubo in the Chishui army, didn't even mention the expeditionary army this time, let alone join.

This expedition to the Western Regions targets the Liangzhou An family, which has dominated Liangzhou for over a hundred years since the founding of the Tang and is the most harmed stakeholder. In the past, the Liangzhou An family leveraged its roots in the Nine Surnames of Zhaowu, had connections west of the Congling, and enjoyed geographic and relational advantages in Western Region trade, reaping many benefits.

The Nine Surnames of Zhaowu are descendants of the Yuezhi; their network is intricate and the clan is vast. Anaye's mother comes from that group, but can we say Anaye is an acquaintance of the Liangzhou An family?

Such connections are like the second brother of a cousin's sister‑in‑law's colleague's nanny's family—ties built not on blood or friendship but on reciprocal benefit.

The Nine Surnames of Zhaowu in the Western Regions need the Liangzhou An family's network within the Tang high command, while the Liangzhou An family needs the Nine Surnames to continuously supply them with relatively cheap Western Region goods.

What Fang Chongyong intends this time is to set up a model of "license," "equity profit‑sharing," and "risk‑benefit sharing," allowing the middle‑upper echelons of Hexi to participate. It would not only expand trade scale but also dictate the rules of the game.

This severely damages the Liangzhou An family's interests!

Although the An family didn't yet know what Fang Chongyong planned, they had anticipated it and therefore had already spoken with the Shazhou Zhang family. That's why Zhang Mi remained silent at the banquet, seemingly observing the situation.

Because he also didn't know what Fang Chongyong intended, nor whether the Zhang family could take part.

With Zhang Mi's limited wisdom, he couldn't yet determine how much benefit Fang Chongyong's proposals would bring his own family.

However, he could be certain that what Fang Chongyong proposed far exceeds the red line set by the Liangzhou An family!

The Western Regions trade game used to be that the An family alone could influence the pricing power of the Western Region Hu merchants. Now the pricing‑power game is led by Fang Chongyong, turning a single‑player game into a multi‑player competition; even if the An family joins, they remain the biggest losers!

I used to enjoy a lavish lunch alone, and any leftovers could be given to the servants as tips. Now a whole table of people share half a plate of dishes, and you have to be quick and sharp‑eyed, or you won't even get the good dishes.

Can you tolerate that?

Blocking someone's financial route is like a parent killing their child!

It must be said, for the Liangzhou An family, this is a life‑or‑death competition.

Unless the An family is willing to shrink its sphere, content to remain a local Liangzhou aristocratic household guarding its own modest lands, the conflict between the two is inevitable.

The key lies in how the clash occurs, where it occurs, and under what game rules.

Power cannot exist in a vacuum; once a vacuum appears, something else will fill it.

Fang Chongyong wants to accomplish something big in the Western Regions, but the original power structure there is stable. That means achieving his goal will inevitably disrupt that stability and infringe on the core interests of certain forces!

Open and covert struggles are unavoidable.

"Fang Jiedushi, after I returned home yesterday, I discussed with the clan elders. They all agreed that you, Fang Jiedushi, are a fellow countryman and trustworthy.

We can withstand the pressure from the Liangzhou An family; as long as you, Fang Jiedushi, can hold it, we will not retreat."

Zhang Mi gritted his teeth and promised.

Gift‑giving is just courtesy; this sentence is the only reason he endured a night's cold draft in the modest hall and refused to leave!

Neither Fang Chongyong nor the Anxi Expeditionary Army lack the trifles; what they need is attitude alone! No one wants a heavyweight family with an unclear stance to stab from behind!

"Alas! The Shazhou Zhang family, truly magnanimous..."

Fang Chongyong clicked his tongue and sighed, clearly having only taken in half of Zhang Mi's words, cutting off his own speech as if about to say more.

As the saying goes: judge a person by their words and deeds.

He has now heard Zhang Mi's words, but has no time to observe the Zhang family's actions; the army is about to set out for the Western Regions.

Now the Zhang family makes empty promises, yet has supplied provisions and logistics, and taken equity in the great venture of the Western Regions Trade Development Company.

But who can guarantee they aren't merely perfunctory and cheapening the effort?

If they later stab in the back, the losses they incur now could be fully compensated by the Liangzhou An family, even doubled!

Therefore the Zhang family's current stance cannot guarantee their loyalty!

Probably also taking into account Fang Chongyong's hesitation, Zhang Mi patted his chest and guaranteed: "If Jiedushi Fang still has doubts, and needs the Zhang clan to do something, just speak up."

"Well, this Jiedushi really has a major matter that needs the Zhang clan to handle."

Fang Chongyong said to Zhang Mi with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Jiedushi, please speak!"

Zhang Mi also steeled himself, asking solemnly.

"Earlier this year, Pinglu Jiedushi An Lushan was assassinated. Although I don't know how he died, this Jiedushi has gathered some evidence of his intent to rebel."

Fang Chongyong said slowly.

Zhang Mi's face showed a strange expression, and he couldn't follow Fang Chongyong's train of thought.

"A Hebei Jiedushi planning to rebel—why are you telling me this?"

Suddenly, he noticed a small detail and suddenly understood.

"Jiedushi Fang, you mean the An clan..."

Zhang Mi lowered his voice and asked.

"That's right, An Lushan wrote a letter to the An clan of Liangzhou, asking them, out of kinship, to jointly plot rebellion."

"Together with Hexi and Youzhou, they would rebel, dragging along the twenty nations of the Nine Surnames of the Western Regions' Zhaowu!"

Fang Chongyong spoke forcefully and resolutely!

Where is the evidence for what he said?

Don't ask; if you ask, the answer is that those are all secrets.

However, the evidence that An Lushan extensively bought hearts and built private power in Hebei, Fang Chongyong not only has it, but it is firsthand material given by Fang Youde!

Now that An Lushan is dead, just pin any filth on him—after all, a dead man can't come forward to defend himself, let alone prove truth or falsehood!

Say he is, and he is; say he isn't, and he still is!

"Jiedushi Fang means letting me report to the court, claiming the Liangzhou An clan colluded with An Lushan to plot treason?"

Zhang Mi asked doubtfully, his calves trembling with fear.

"No, this Jiedushi hasn't asked you to report that."

"Just have you, in the name of the Zhang clan of Shazhou, expose to the court that An Lushan wrote such a letter to the Liangzhou An clan, which happened to be intercepted by the Zhang clan!"

"You discovered it was of great importance and deliberately informed the court of the facts. As for the Liangzhou An clan, you neither judge nor know anything, and certainly had no cooperation!"

Fang Chongyong waved his hand indifferently and said.

Does the Liangzhou An clan have any problem?

No one knows whether there is a problem or not; anyway, An Lushan wrote them a rebellious letter, one copy of which leaked and was obtained by the Zhang clan of Shazhou.

As for whether the Liangzhou An clan are loyalists or truly colluded with An Lushan, no one can disprove that, right?

What if? After all, only they themselves know their true intentions!

This letter looks highly likely to be forged; if combined with the series of genuine evidence about An Lushan, it would form a 'nine true, one false' killing trap!

How can the Liangzhou An clan prove their innocence?

Is it to prove to Jige that they have partisans in the court, many of their offspring serving as officials, already sharing weal and woe with the state, making rebellion impossible?

Or is it to prove to Jige that they have deep ties in the Chiwu army officers, even having clan members as deputy military commanders, holding sway over the Hexi military?

Or is it to prove they have close ties with the Western Regions' Hu merchants, able to obtain precious goods cheaply, greatly affecting Hexi livelihood?

Regardless of what Jige thinks, Fang Chongyong himself put himself in their shoes and pondered.

If he saw such a memorial, he would inevitably stir up trouble in Liangzhou, preventing the An clan from feeling at ease and continuing to grow locally!

Jige would be inoculated by this memorial; when the Liangzhou An clan again maneuvers court power and suggests changing the commander of the Western Regions expeditionary army, what would Jige—or the chancellors of the Tang central authority—think?

The answer goes without saying.

As for whether this memorial is genuine, who behind the scenes is manipulating the Zhang clan to do this—it's all out in the open. The Tang central authority won't fail to guess that Fang Chongyong is behind it, and could even tell the letter is forged.

But what does that matter?

Regardless of whether the An clan is innocent, Fang Chongyong's purpose has already been achieved!

The Tang central authority hopes to see different voices in the west, and also hopes for strife in Hexi, so they can check each other!

"Good! The Zhang clan will definitely do this! Please, Jiedushi, hand this letter to me."

Zhang Mi said through gritted teeth.

Fang Chongyong shook his head, took a sheet of paper from the bookshelf, and said to Zhang Mi: "You only need to write a guarantee on it, affix your handprint, and sign your name. Nothing else requires your worry. Anyway, you are also reporting the Liangzhou An clan to this Jiedushi; the rest I will handle."

Hah?

Zhang Mi had originally harbored a sliver of hope, intending to discuss with everyone at home before deciding, but he didn't expect Fang Chongyong to act flawlessly, giving the Zhang clan no room for flexibility at all!

Now only two options lie before Zhang Mi:

Either board the pirate ship and completely fall out with the Liangzhou An clan!

Or don't board it and await Fang Chongyong's frenzied retaliation afterward!

There is no middle state to choose, no option to compromise.

Either do it, or die!

"Survival or destruction—this is a question that must be carefully considered."

"By rights, this Jiedushi should give you time to think. But military affairs are urgent—each day the expeditionary army is delayed consumes immeasurable supplies, all of which are the people's fat and ointment."

"'What do you think, Lord Zhang Gongtai?'"

Fang Chongyong looked at Zhang Mi with a squinting smile, asking, his tone already somewhat impatient.

"'Fine, it's just a guarantee; I'll write it now.'"

Zhang Mi felt resentment rising; he knew that if he didn't write this 'guarantee,' the matter could hardly be settled. After all, having learned such a great secret, if he weren't on the same boat, could Fang Chongyong let the Zhang clan people stay overnight?

Let the Zhang clan leak word to the Liangzhou An clan?

I'm afraid that today might be the day the Zhang clan is wiped out.

Zhang Mi himself ground the ink, picked up the brush and swiftly wrote a guarantee. It stated that the attached secret letter of An Lushan's rebellion was genuine, and the Zhang clan could guarantee it, etc. At the same time, he handed over the Liangzhou Zhang clan's family token to Fang Chongyong—a fine piece of white mutton-fat jade pendant.

Having obtained what he wanted, Fang Chongyong nodded in satisfaction and said: "The Zhang clan truly deserves to be the leading benevolent family of Shazhou; upon discovering the Liangzhou An clan's treacherous plot, they reported it to this Jiedushi. They are indeed a model of the local gentry! This Jiedushi will surely memorialize the court, and the court will grant rewards in due course."

"Maintaining the court's governance is our duty; what need is there for rewards? Commissioner Fang, you are being overly polite."

Zhang Mi said with a look of utter despair, "Now we have thoroughly offended the Liangzhou An clan."

If Fang Chongyong's expedition to the Western Regions fails and he cannot severely damage the Liangzhou An clan, then the Zhang clan's people will have no way to do business in Hexi in the future; they had better honestly just tend to their own small plot of land.

The Liangzhou An clan's retaliation will be more than they can bear.

But looking from another angle, having now attached themselves to Fang Chongyong, as his office and power grow ever greater, they can also receive the utmost protection for the Shazhou Zhang clan.

By then, whether they will be living in fear or borrowing the tiger's might, we'll just have to wait and see.

Thinking of this, Zhang Mi let out a long sigh, bowed his hands to Fang Chongyong in farewell, feeling inside as if a virtuous woman forced into prostitution.

(End of chapter)