Chapter 316: Goulan Has Always Pretended to Be Elegant

Fang Chongyong led the Western Frontier Expeditionary Force to encamp north of Gua, near a large lake outside Yumen Pass in the Tang era, then counted livestock and baggage, organized the troops, and prepared dry provisions and water for the army.

The whole army prepared to set out north along the Gua Road toward Yizhou (Xinjiang Hami).

This is already the junction of the Western Regions and the Hexi Corridor; heading northwest, after passing the Five Springs—one of the five oasis springs remaining amid the yellow‑sand Gobi on the Gua Road—you will encounter the inevitable roadblock to the West:

The hundred‑mile‑long Mohe Yanbi!

It is not a mountain range in the traditional sense, but a series of Gobi‑type hills sculpted by north‑west winds. Their elevation is low, they are rocky and sandy and extremely arid; where there is no spring, almost no grass grows.

The relentless wind has worn these hills into straight, knife‑carved spires, many of which contain huge cavities, resembling alien landscapes from a sci‑fi film, rarely seen elsewhere.

Passing through a relatively wide valley in Mohe Yanbi marks the official entry into the Western Regions—specifically the northern part, the vast oasis south of East Tianshan.

This is the Tang Empire's main base in the Western Regions!

In other words, from leaving Yumen Pass to reaching Yizhou, the nearly twenty‑thousand‑strong Western Frontier Expeditionary Force with tens of thousands of horses and livestock will receive no supplies other than spring water—about five hundred li in total.

The route appears short, but it is riddled with subtle yet detrimental factors for a marching army, with day‑night temperature swings exceeding forty degrees. Camping by the spring in daylight and marching at sub‑zero temperatures at night are routine.

For each water supply point, the arrival time and how to handle special weather were discussed by Fang Chongyong with his subordinate commanders, gathering opinions to draft a concrete regulation.

After consolidating the suggestions, Fang Chongyong ordered elite scouts from the expeditionary force to form a vanguard camp called "Signal Flag" of three hundred men—exactly one battalion. They would scout ahead, departing a day before the main army.

When a ravine was spotted they raised a yellow flag, a crossroads a white flag, a valley a black flag, a meadow a cyan flag, and if the local area lacked water they hoisted a red flag; these flags warned the following army of upcoming terrain or conditions so they could prepare.

Three consecutive red flags signaled a risk of water shortage ahead. In the future these flags will serve as dedicated logistics‑route markers.

The campaign into the Western Regions is not a one‑day affair; even if the war ends within a year or two, it will have proceeded smoothly. Hexi, as the main rear logistics base, will continuously supply Tang's Yizhou, Tingzhou, and Xizhou in the Western Regions.

This expedition is not only a march into the Western Regions but also a task to establish a solid logistics corridor.

"The desert's lone smoke rises straight, the long river's setting sun is round."

"It's a poem that plainly describes the scenery."

By the lakeshore outside Yumen Pass, Fang Chongyong rested one hand on the Swift Wind Illusion Blade at his waist, the other on his hip, and sighed.

At that moment, sparse cooking smoke rose from the camp, the lake reflected a red sun, its rippling light glittered like fire, and flocks of waterbirds frolicked on the surface—a scene full of vitality.

Leaving this lush lakeside is like kicking open the gate to the Western Regions. From then on, far from Central Plains civilization, the vast Western Regions become a world of untamed wildness, unlike the customs of the Central Plains.

"Jiedushi Fang, the Red Water Army's An Chongzhang requests an audience, and also brings two…"

From behind Fang Chongyong, He Changqi's voice sounded, as if about to speak but hesitated.

"A pair of twin beauties?"

Fang Chongyong turned and teased.

He Changqi suddenly understood, snapped his head up and said, "Yes, yes! I was just about to say that. Though they wear veils and veil hats, they really look identical! When they walk their hips sway, their waists are so thin they seem about to break—truly… so seductive!"

He stalled for a while, unsure how to describe it, and finally uttered two very vulgar words.

"Enough!"

Fang Chongyong waved his hand; he knew people of the An family could not be silent.

After all, his 'report letter' was sent to Liangzhou as an open notice, then onward to Chang'an. Since it is an official document, any diligent local office along the way could copy it from the relay stations.

Although rare in the Tang, this mode is not a special operation; it resembles a border victory report—when an official dispatch travels the relay system, everyone along the route knows its contents.

By publishing the notice, An Lushan's letter publicly disclosed the An family's rebellion in Liangzhou; even the most composed members of the An family could no longer restrain themselves and sent envoys to Chang'an to plead guilt before the emperor.

Fang Chongyong's action was certainly driven by political calculation, though there was no need to explain it to He Changqi.

It was no surprise that An Chongzhang would come to Gua, but Fang Chongyong did not expect him to bring a pair of twin sister duo!

The two met inside the command tent; upon first seeing each other, Fang Chongyong clasped An Chongzhang's hands and laughed warmly, "Ah, what wind has blown Deputy Commander An here? Your arrival is perfectly timed; if you were a day later, the main army would have already set out for Yizhou!"

"Jiedushi Fang, you're joking, joking. Today I come in a personal capacity; the Western Regions are vast and the march is bitterly cold. I have brought you a pair of female slaves, to wash clothes, stack blankets, and warm your bed along the road."

An Chongzhang clapped his hands twice; the two young women, dressed in ultra‑thin light silk ruqun with snow‑white skin barely visible, entered the command tent and bowed to Fang Chongyong.

When they bent, their full bust lines caught the eye—quite the capital.

This form‑fitting ruqun revealed no skin, yet seemed to expose skin everywhere—truly both pure and lewd!

The two removed their veil hats, still wearing red veils over their faces.

Although their faces were obscured, their attire and bearing were indistinguishable—at least identical. Such 'synchronization rate' truly requires careful cultivation; natural growth could not achieve such a high similarity.

Even twins are no exception!

Their green‑tea figures are top‑tier—now that's professionalism!

Fang Chongyong silently evaluated them in his mind, sensing the An family of Liangzhou's sincerity.

"I, Liu Ruyan, salute Jiedushi Fang."

"I, Liu Ruoyun, salute Jiedushi Fang."

The two bowed to Fang Chongyong, their voices delicately sweet, naturally exuding charm that makes a man want to 'cherish' them in bed. One's gaze was plaintively fragile, the other pure and curious; this subtle contrast blended perfectly and complemented each other.

Thus achieving an effect where one plus one exceeds two.

Seeing this, Fang Chongyong's first thought was: Goulan has always pretended to be elegant! High! Truly high!

He thought to himself: Anaye, this girl from the Hexi countryside, may have decent looks, but lacks the pure matcha fragrance of the girls before me; when she loses her temper she often swears.

Both wild and spicy.

Occupational differences truly form a natural barrier. People of different trades have different traits. These two are the era's 'real sluts'.

Trained skills far surpass innate conditions.

This is a 'professional'—extremely effective at seducing men, mastering the eighteen bedroom arts, yet remaining a virgin! Raising this twin duo likely costs a fortune, sometimes almost unattainable.

The An family of Liangzhou's sugar‑coated cannonball has cost a great sum!

Seeing Fang Chongyong looking thoughtful, An Chongzhang asked hesitantly, "Is the Jiedushi not satisfied?"

"Eh, not at all. It's just that the person is fine, but the name is poorly chosen."

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but make a pretentious click of admiration.

Ha?

An Chongzhang was startled; he is a Qiu Ba who wields steel and sharpness, proficient in battlefield formations, and does not understand these convoluted matters.

Moreover, he doesn't understand Fang Chongyong's temperament well, and has no idea what the man before him is being pretentious about.

Having taken a woman, you should discuss "proper matters"; what are you trying to do?

An Zhongzhang felt a pang of doubt, his expression puzzled as he asked:

"Jiedushi Fang, forgive my foolishness, why is the name considered unsuitable?"

"Deputy Military Envoy An, this is your oversight.

Look at these two Huji, blonde and blue‑eyed; they must come from the Persian Protectorate west of Congling, perhaps even farther, certainly not from our Central Plains.

Naming her Liu Ruyan is out of place; it makes this Jiedushi feel very awkward.

Look at my concubine who knows medicine; I, this Jiedushi, haven't given her a Chinese name, I think it's better to keep it authentic—do you agree?

Fang Chongyong squinted and laughed.

Is this riding horse also a problem?

An Zhongzhang didn't understand Fang Chongyong's line of thinking.

Huji take Chinese names to cater to the desires of poets and scholars. Not only in Chang'an, even the Huji of Liangzhou commonly have Chinese names.

How novel! The first thing a Huji does upon arriving in the Great Tang is change to a Chinese name to earn a living! Yes, to adopt a Chinese name that follows Han naming "rules".

Ana Ye doesn't change her name because her father doesn't want to; she also doesn't need to be a Huji dancing and serving wine to patrons in taverns.

"Then… perhaps Jiedushi Fang could grant them new names."

An Zhongzhang whispered the suggestion, lowering his posture.

"Hmm, from today on, you shall be called An Jielina, you shall be called An Jielika!

It's fitting, being from the An clan, surname An. Hahaha, Deputy Military Envoy An, a blonde, blue‑eyed Huji should have such names; don't you think this Jiedushi's arrangement is very appropriate!"

Fang Chongyong pointed at Liu Ruyan and Liu Ruoyun, laughing heartily; his casual demeanor was as if he were a lofty deity who arbitrarily grants life and death to all things.

Although it's off the script, I just love messing around like this! Bite me!

Jiedushi Fang at this moment is bold and fearless.

"Thanks, Jiedushi, for the naming!"

The two women's faces stiffened, they bowed and saluted, not knowing what to say. The man hasn't even slept yet, and the name he has called for over a decade has been changed by someone.

The series of "killer moves" that had been brewing for a long time to tempt the man seemed to have no chance to be employed.

Fang Chongyong gently shook his left hand, and the twin sisters obediently withdrew from the camp tent. In the torchlight, An Zhongzhang, whose face had just held a smile, now wore a solemn expression, looking at Fang Chongyong in silence, waiting for him to speak.

"The An clan of Liangzhou has been entrenched in Hexi for over a hundred years; since the High Ancestor, they pledged Liangzhou to the Great Tang, gaining abundant wealth.

But since the Kaiyuan era, not a single Hexi Jiedushi has come from the Liangzhou An clan, and even those appointed as commanders of the Chishui Army are rare.

Deputy Military Envoy An, what are your thoughts on this?

Fang Chongyong lowered his head, fiddling with his hands, casually asking.

An Zhongzhang remained silent, unsure whether it was improper to speak or forbidden to speak; in any case, the question was taboo.

Speaking opens one to accusations; say less, err less—saying nothing is not wrong!

Seeing that the other seemed to have taken the words to heart, Fang Chongyong continued:

"The Chishui Army was originally the An clan's private force, always controlled by An troops. However, since the establishment of the tenth Tianbao Jiedushi, the court, wary of the An clan's control over the Chishui Army, repeatedly relocated troops from other garrisons to join the Chishui Army.

Moreover, under the Hexi Jiedushi, the Gua Prefecture Mo Li troops and the Sha Prefecture Doulu troops have no An clan connections; the court's arrangement seems intended as a counterbalance.

Others may not have considered the reason, but this Jiedushi does not know.

But Deputy Military Envoy An never thought why the court would rather let Guo Ziyi, a veteran of the Hedong Border Army, become the Chishui Army commander in Liangzhou, yet not promote you, the original Deputy Military Envoy, to the full position?

Fang Chongyong raised another core question: what exactly is the court's view of the An clan?

An Zhongzhang still appeared thoughtful, but his fingertips trembled, revealing his nervous heart.

Fang Chongyong saw the other still composed, and added fuel, saying:

"Liangzhou's Wuwei City is, after Chang'an and Luoyang, the third most populous city in our Great Tang.

There is a considerable flow of people traveling north and south; although household registration in the Tang may not rank third, being in the top five is no problem. The An clan can be called Liangzhou's uncrowned king, wielding heavy forces; in Wuwei they are truly a call that summons a hundred responses.

If the Hexi Jiedushi were to be friendly with the An clan, even obeying their words, how would the central court, especially the Sage, act after learning these matters?

Hearing this, An Zhongzhang's complexion finally changed dramatically.

"Moreover, the An clan still has people in the court!

Although not following the path of the Right Prime Minister, they should have strong backing, right? Isn't it Left Prime Minister Li Shizhi?

If a member of the Liangzhou An clan were appointed Jiedushi, or even the Western Regions Grand Envoy, the scene would be unimaginable; this Jiedushi dares not even think of it."

Fang Chongyong spoke while pouring a cup of wine for An Zhongzhang and refilling his own.

An Zhongzhang subconsciously bit his lip, his complexion shifting repeatedly, no longer able to maintain the carefree demeanor he had upon arrival.

His heart was in great turmoil, hesitating whether to lay out the family's arranged conditions. After much thought, he decided it was best to say nothing, lest he anger Fang Chongyong.

"You Liangzhou An clan, though you have no rebellious intent, already possess the capability to rebel.

The Sage finds this distasteful, unable to eat or sleep peacefully!

If you don't believe it, you can bribe Gao Lishi, subtly inquire.

You will certainly be able to determine whether my words are true or false.

Fang Chongyong lifted his wine cup, waiting for An Zhongzhang's response.

Sure enough, in an instant, An Zhongzhang's face grew heavy as he lifted his cup, clinked it with Fang Chongyong's, drained the fine wine in one gulp, and said not a single extra word.

Fang Chongyong said nothing further, his gaze fixed on An Zhongzhang, waiting for his reply.

"After I return, I will persuade certain family members not to do foolish things. I have already understood Jiedushi Fang's goodwill,"

An Zhongzhang said with a bitter taste in his mouth.

He came to discuss terms, but Fang Chongyong's words made him abandon the idea.

The Liangzhou An clan cannot negotiate terms with Fang Chongyong, not because they are weak, but because their strength is so overwhelming that the Sage will have no reason to intervene unfairly in the future!

Now, to make a brave retreat is not only not disgraceful; it is indeed the sole self-preservation strategy.

Unless the An clan really rebels!

Fang Chongyong has seen through the situation, holding them firmly under control. Any measure to counter the Anxi Expeditionary Army will be magnified tenfold in the future, ultimately rebounding onto the An clan themselves!

From this angle, Fang Chongyong's report letter carries considerable weight.

"The sky is growing dark; Deputy Military Commissioner An, are you in a hurry to return?"

Fang Chongyong stroked his short whiskers as he asked, his face looking quite relaxed.

"With military duties upon me, how dare I linger away from the garrison? This humble officer takes his leave."

An Zhongzhang clasped his hands in salute, not daring to relax in the slightest.

He had just reached the entrance of the commander's tent when Fang Chongyong's voice came from behind: "Let those twins wash themselves clean, keep their bodies pure, and wait in Liangzhou for this Jiedushi's victorious return before granting them favor. Without achievements, what's the point of pursuing women?"

An Zhongzhang halted, turned immediately, and said respectfully: "I will faithfully follow the Jiedushi's teachings; this humble officer takes his leave."

(End of chapter)