Chapter 318: Watching the Stars at Star Gorge Mouth

Standing before the largest Vermilion Bird Gate on the north side of Chang'an's imperial city, Fang Youde, dressed in the purple official robe of the Censor-in-Chief, halted there.

He vaguely recalled the scene from his previous life when Zhu Wen's troops stormed the imperial city, seizing the emperor everywhere, a massive crowd rushing into the dilapidated capital, as if from another world.

"The sage has arrived!"

A eunuch's voice came from behind; Fang Youde turned, and before his eyes stretched a procession of hundreds, colorful flags fluttering everywhere. The broad Vermilion Bird Avenue had been cleared, the emperor's imperial carriage surrounded by a protective ring, moving slowly under the escort of the Imperial Guard and eunuchs.

Just the eunuchs clearing the way numbered over a hundred.

Zhu Wen's extermination of the Li Tang royal clan was certainly no accident.

Fang Youde sighed lightly; seeing this spectacle, he knew that the Great Tang's downfall in his previous life was caused by the ruling class's extravagance and debauchery, not to blame Zhu Wen, nor the common people.

Even without Zhu Wen, there would have been Liu Wen and Ma Wen.

"Censor Fang, the sage invites you to board the imperial carriage and drive for the sage."

Suddenly, a young eunuch stepped forward and bowed to Fang Youde.

"I, your humble servant, thank the sage."

Fang Youde saluted toward the direction of the imperial carriage, then followed the eunuch, heading toward the carriage.

This was not a great favor, but a prearranged procedure; Fang Youde had been waiting at the Vermilion Bird Gate since early morning precisely for this.

Everything is a ritual laid out in the open!

The great affairs of the state lie in rites and warfare. What is politics? This very display is a component of politics.

Even a minister who dislikes it or finds it troublesome must adapt.

Because if a nation lost even such "bureaucratic formalities" and everyone thought it irrelevant, only "war" would remain.

What does "war" mean?

Fighting, killing, martial force supreme; the emperor is the greatest warlord, that is "war without rites", nothing more, just as in the late Tang and Five Dynasties.

Fang Youde suppressed his inner impatience and went straight to the side of the imperial carriage.

Ji Ge lifted the carriage curtain and greeted him warmly: "Quan Zhong, get in, drive for me! The carriage is to enter the imperial city!"

Today is the "grand affair" of adding a new portrait to the Lingyan Pavilion, so the specifications are naturally extraordinary.

Fang Youde did not think further, flipped onto the carriage, took the whip handed by Gao Lishi, and began skillfully urging the carriage forward.

"Open the city gate! Welcome the sage!"

When the front of the procession reached the Vermilion Bird Gate, the leading eunuch shouted, and the gate guard immediately opened the gate. At that moment, drums and horns sounded, the Imperial Guard's "military band" played accompaniment, and Fang Youde's carriage slowly entered the imperial city.

On the surface everything seemed solemn, yet in Fang Youde's eyes it appeared absurd and incomprehensible, leaving no room for deeper thought.

He actually entered the Lingyan Pavilion!

The world truly harbors such inexplicable events!

Fang Youde felt this was a cruel joke from Heaven.

In his previous life, anyone who entered the Lingyan Pavilion was tantamount to having "traitor and rebel" written on their forehead, such as the military governors Qian Liu of Zhenhai and Zhen Dong, or Zhu Quanzhong of Xuanwu.

Their portraits were openly displayed in the Lingyan Pavilion during the late Tang.

But in this life, entering the Lingyan Pavilion is the highest honor—a truly ironic contrast.

Under Ji Ge's lead, Fang Youde, Gao Lishi and others arrived at a small building beside the Sanqing Hall southwest of the Taiji Palace in Chang'an, while the escort team for the emperor's entry into the city remained outside the Vermilion Bird Gate.

At this time, the Right Prime Minister Li Linfu had already arrived with many central court officials—such as the Ministers of the Six Ministries and their deputies—and had been waiting here for a long while.

The high political echelons of the Great Tang's central government gathered here; such a scene had not been seen for many years.

Li Linfu's office area was originally within the imperial city, so they did not need to go through the same procession as Fang Youde.

In fact, this was another of Ji Ge's tricks: letting Fang Youde drive his own carriage before leaving Chang'an, giving him a moment of public glory and showcasing the "magnanimous imperial favor."

For those ministers uninterested in power struggles, Ji Ge still gave them full face.

"Esteemed ministers, accompany me into the Lingyan Pavilion to pay homage to the ancestors."

After seeing the central ministers, Ji Ge laughed heartily and said.

Ji Ge led the ministers into the Lingyan Pavilion.

In fact, the Lingyan Pavilion is a three‑story small building, not large: the innermost level displays portraits of the most meritorious prime ministers; the middle level shows high‑ranking princes; the outermost level features other meritorious officials.

All portraits inside the pavilion are arranged to face north, confronting the spiritual pillar of the Tang— the Taoist master and one of its spiritual halls, the Sanqing Hall.

Fang Youde saw his own portrait boldly displayed on the previously blank wall of the first floor. Of course, the Lingyan Pavilion is spacious relative to a single portrait; even adding dozens more would cause no pressure and would not look crowded.

Fang Youde noticed that the usually impassive Li Linfu now had his eyebrows lifted in delight.

Probably on his way back today, even if a dog barked wildly at him, the ever‑cheerful Tang Right Prime Minister would not do anything to the dog.

Fang Youde thought silently to himself.

Compared with his own "down‑and‑out" state, Li Linfu could be said to have achieved success and fame, with no further aspirations in life.

To go higher would require him to ascend the throne himself, which likely is not Li Linfu's ambition.

When the moon is full it is full; whether this Tang Right Prime Minister will live to a natural death remains uncertain.

Fang Youde calmly evaluated the situation in his mind, silently observing the ministers' expressions, noting that each seemed eager to act. He had to admit that the Tang Emperor's move truly scratched the ministers' itch.

Who doesn't wish to be remembered for generations?

"Why shouldn't a man wield the Wu hook to capture the fifty western prefectures; please, sir, briefly ascend the Lingyan Pavilion, as if you were a scholar‑official of ten thousand households."

Fang Youde, looking at his portrait, couldn't help but utter a pretentious line.

He didn't expect his voice, though soft, to be heard by Ji Ge.

"Quan Zhong, now Guo Zhong is leading a massive army sweeping across the Western Regions; just look forward to his victorious return! In the future, a father and son entering the Lingyan Pavilion together will be unprecedented since the founding of the Tang, and it will bring glory to my face!"

"The sage's kindness, my family—father and son—cannot repay in a lifetime. I, your humble servant, am old, and only wish that my son will serve the sage at the saddle and reins in the future, without shirking hardship."

Fang Youde said very humbly.

"Indeed, Guo Zhong is both literary and martial, exceptionally talented; I am still confident."

Ji Ge laughed loudly, clearly the emperor was in a very good mood today.

Fang Chongyong's literary talent can devise schemes to help him make money, and his martial skill can wield weapons to help him kill people; that is naturally praiseworthy.

Of course, if in the future the other party has no utilitarian value, that's another story. In short, for Ji Ge, everyone is a dog, only the closeness of the relationship and their backgrounds differ.

Since they're dogs, whether they help hunt, guard the house, or are merely kept as pets, they cannot be compared with "people."

From this perspective, Ji Ge's method of employing people essentially still values at least basic fairness. One dog is no more noble than another; in Ji Ge's eyes they are treated equally, judged only on whether they have utilitarian value to him.

In fact, this can also be considered a kind of alternative fairness.

"Hahaha, under the sage's wise leadership, our Great Tang is naturally a land of heavenly splendor and earthly treasures. You all would say it like that, right?"

After a moment, the young‑looking Minister of Rites, having flattered Ji Ge, looked around at the crowd and asked.

Fang Youde glanced at the somewhat unfamiliar Minister of Rites and for a moment could not recognize who he was; he must have held the post only a short time.

Moreover, he could be certain that this was a man of Li Linfu.

If he were not Li Linfu's man, he could not have been exceptionally promoted to the position of Minister of Rites.

Sure enough, seeing Fang Youde stunned, Li Linfu hurriedly introduced him:

"Allow me to introduce. This is Minister of Rites Chen Xilie, style name Ziming. He is proficient in Daoist studies and valued by the sage. He has previously served as Junior Secretary of the Secretariat, Assistant Minister of Works, Scholar of the Jixian Academy, Grand Scholar of the Chongxuan Hall, and was ennobled as Marquis of Linying."

"His essays are quite good; Quan Zhong, you are often out leading troops, so it's not surprising you're not familiar with him."

"Hey, Ge Nu, you got it right! Chen Ziming's essays are truly well written!"

"Minister Chen, today I will take the ministers to observe the Lingyan Pavilion; after we return, you must compose a fine poem or prose."

"Do not perfunctorily treat me!"

Ji Ge, with a playful expression, pointed at Chen Xilie and said,

"I will faithfully follow the sage's command."

Chen Xilie, looking startled by the favor, performed the customary bow and said,

Fang Youde squinted; he had already guessed that the former He Zhizhang had retired to his hometown, and whether he is still alive is uncertain. The successor to the Jixian Academy should be this Chen Xilie, who then rose rapidly.

Fang Youde was indeed "deeply impressed" by this Chen Xilie. He just didn't know what tricks Chen Xilie might still pull after An Lushan and Yang Guozhong were gone.

Never mind, these matters have nothing to do with him, a "past‑its‑prime person" who intends to stay away from the center.

He kept a calm expression, bowed to Chen Xilie, showing no obvious joy or anger, though there was a faint hint of rudeness. However, Fang Youde was already notorious for his bad temper, so Chen Xilie paid it no mind and instead leaned in to tell Ji Ge more anecdotes about the Lingyan Pavilion.

Frankly, judging solely by the present Chen Xilie, Fang Youde must admit that he is a highly learned and eloquent scholar, well‑versed in extensive references.

At least in the art of flattery, his skill is already masterful.

Ji Ge listened while nodding, clearly showing great interest.

Although he was of royal birth, he does not know the deeds of the Lingyan Pavilion officials inside out; most he has only heard in vague terms.

Yet Chen Xilie is clearly a "professional," able to recount the deeds of the Zhenguan‑era ministers offhand.

This is not a last‑minute cramming, a bit of reading that anyone could achieve.

Fang Youde was momentarily reflective: if one does not know the "answer" yet is surrounded by such people, even if he were the emperor, he probably wouldn't deem Chen Xilie a bad man, right? Who would have thought he later served An Lushan as chancellor?

As for this seemingly harmless figure, who would know that after Li Linfu's death he dared to be the first to topple the wall and be pushed by the crowd?

"Quan Zhong, are you unwell? I see you seem a bit absent‑minded."

Ji Ge, seeing Fang Youde daydreaming, looked at him with concern and asked,

"Replying to the sage, my body is fine; I was merely admiring the deeds of the ancient sages a moment ago."

Fang Youde spoke insincerely, saying he no longer wished to stay in the Lingyan Pavilion.

"Very well, then return to Xingqing Palace for the banquet. Tonight, we shall not leave until drunk; I have arranged fine wine and dishes for you, my beloved ministers!"

Ji Ge laughed heartily.

Today Ji Ge was triumphant and satisfied; no matter which minister caused trouble, he would not get angry.

……

Aside from sand, it's stone; aside from stone, it's still sand!

Fang Chongyong led the Anxi Expeditionary Force out of the Tang‑era Yumen Pass, marching toward Yizhou Yuwu City, which serves as the prefectural seat of the Northern Frontier Protectorate in Yizhou and is the region's largest oasis.

Yet however pleasant the oasis, for them it was no better than "gazing at plums to quench thirst."

The whole route was a maddening sea of sand and stone, with weather explosively harsh. Gale‑driven fine sand whipped against the face, just like when Fang Chongyong, in a past life, apprenticed in metalwork and rubbed a grinding wheel on a piece of iron.

That sour‑sharp feeling made one have to wrap oneself up tightly.

Fortunately, on the way to Mohe Yanbi, every less‑than‑hundred‑kilometer stretch there is a small spring forming a tiny oasis. Each oasis hosts a Tang garrison of fewer than ten soldiers. These men guard the water source against bandits, relay military intelligence, and occasionally undertake rescue missions.

Militarily, they serve merely as eyes.

These five springs each provide only scant water. As levels drop, one must wait for new springs to emerge. Scouts from the signal‑flag camp arriving a day early at a site will spend a short time storing water in water bags for the troops behind, then press on without rest, horse‑treading forward.

Throughout the march, Fang Chongyong kept his heart in his throat, fearing the water would run short and cause the ten‑thousand‑plus army to die of thirst in the desert.

Fortunately, Yuanmen Er Long and his companions had previously traveled to the Western Regions and were very familiar with the local ecology.

When the marching strategy was originally devised, preparations were thorough. By the time Fang Chongyong led his troops into Mohe Yanbi, he realized he had overthought it.

The entire journey proceeded in orderly fashion, without danger or mishap. The troops had clear orders on when to eat, when to drink, how much water to take each time, how to drink, where to camp, and how long each rest would be, leaving no room for chaos.

This showcases the strength of the Hexi Tang elite troops: commands are obeyed, unity prevails. Fang Chongyong issued the soldiers many "military vouchers" that could only be redeemed in the Western Regions, so his orders proved far more effective than imperial edicts along the way.

During the hottest part of the day they camped and rested for most of it; at night, the Anxi Expeditionary Force set out from the last spring oasis and, in the middle of the night, reached a canyon on the essential route through Mohe Yanbi.

From here to Yuwu City, no further water supply will be available.

"Where is this?"

Fang Chongyong saw, beside the canyon on the hill, a multitude of mysterious objects glittering in the moonlight, flashing brightly from a distance.

He cracked his whip, pointed into the distance, and asked Wu Chengen, one of the Yuanmen Er Long, beside him.

The sky was filled with countless stars.

The ground was covered with radiant light.

It could be called a wondrous scene of nature's uncanny craftsmanship.

"Reporting to Fang Jiedushi, there is ore on the mountain at the canyon mouth, transparent and flawless, reflecting light under the moonlight, so it appears thus."

"The scenery here is quite distinctive; it can also be considered a landmark along the way."

"Wu Cheng'en smiled and explained."

"Stars in the heavens, white and bright; stars on the earth, black and numerous."

"On the fifteenth night in Starry Gorge, heavenly and earthly starlight shoots forth."

"Every house supports a star fissure; in a moment the sky darkens and the earth suddenly brightens."

"The earthly stars are greener than the heavenly ones; the Big Dipper is dim as the rooster first crows."

"The third watch sounds, sleeping households blink; blazing fire, Starry Gorge."

"This Jiedushi thinks this place should be called Starry Gorge."

"Fang Chongyong pointed with his horsewhip at a nearby hill and continued saying: 'Let's go take a look.'"

"He brought several military officers to that hill previously gazed upon, only to see crystals exposed across the ground, flashing with a mysterious radiance in the moonlight."

"For a moment he felt dazed; such a two-dimensional-like scenery actually exists in reality—if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would hardly believe it."

"Fang Chongyong felt somewhat regretful; he secretly thought: if this were the industrial era, crystals would have great use in electronics, medicine, optics, etc.; opening a crystal mine here in Starry Gorge would not be bad—what a pity."

"He asked He Qichang for a hammer, casually picked an exposed crystal ore, hammered off a large chunk of crystal and tossed it into his bundle, intending to play with making a telescope after he goes to the Western Regions."

"(End of chapter)"