Chapter 323: Rascals Multiply

Night was deep, and Fang Chongyong, who hadn't drunk much, already felt a slight buzz.

The senior officers of the Yiwu Army, as well as the senior officials of the Northern Protectorate, including Fu Menglingcha, were all "handled" by him; they signed a secret agreement, promising to fully support Fang Chongyong's series of reforms in the Western Regions.

Including but not limited to fully cooperating to suppress "illegal" Hu merchants; fully supporting the opening of Hexi Jiazi in the Three Northern Prefectures, establishing Jiazi shops that exchange Jiazi for silk; setting up a bureau dedicated to "rapid household registration" processing; establishing the "Western Regions Jiazi Exchange" to issue military notes; abolishing the tax‑collection system of various "Provincial Governorates" in the Western Regions, and so on.

In other words, it prepares to dismantle the small forces in the Western Regions in the future, expands the government's "registering households and equalizing citizens" scale, and to some extent relocates Western Regions populations inward.

Some Western Regional petty states that are fickle day‑to‑day will inevitably be torn apart in the future. Fang Chongyong and the Anxi Expeditionary Army cannot achieve this, so he recruited a group of helpers.

The military and civil forces of the Three Northern Prefectures and the Northern Protectorate, even the common folk of the three prefectures, will each contribute. This is what Fang Chongyong calls "those who are not guests become dishes."

People of the Three Northern Prefectures sit at the table and must receive some share of benefits. As for the farther Congling Twenty Nations and the Persian Protectorate, they are merely dishes on the table. Rather than letting these people, with their fickle power, cause trouble for Great Tang, it is better to relocate their populations, dismantle their states, and render them thoroughly weakened over decades.

Distinguish who is our friend and who is our enemy; increase our own numbers while reducing the enemy's allies, and deal with the enemy ruthlessly like autumn wind sweeping leaves.

That is the essence of politics.

Fang Chongyong's approach is to pacify the Western Regions first through politics then military; if force can be avoided, he will not act.

This agreement falls under the "political consultation" type; when officials are transferred, they can take a "settlement allowance" to exit the pact, and while in office they may participate in negotiations, adding new clauses or removing old ones.

Now the Northern Protectorate, the Yiwu Army envoy, the Governor of Yi Prefecture, the Sima, the Clerk, and others have signed. As for the military‑civil leaders of the other two prefectures, Fang Chongyong will later bring them in, forming a stable rear for the Anxi Expeditionary Army.

"Jiedushi Fang, Che Shi Jiang requests an audience."

While Fang Chongyong was deep in thought, the sound of personal guards rose outside the command tent.

"Let him in."

Hearing that, the guards ushered Che Guangqian into the tent.

Upon meeting, Fang Chongyong invited him to sit on the ground and, with interest, asked, "You saw tonight's banquet as well; any thoughts?"

Fang Chongyong knew Che Guangqian would definitely come tonight, and indeed he had arrived.

"Replying Jiedushi, the junior general roughly knows what the Jiedushi intends, and has come to request orders."

Che Guangqian clasped his fists and bowed, saying.

"Request orders? You already know what this Jiedushi wants to do?"

Fang Chongyong looked at Che Guangqian with a puzzled expression.

"Replying Jiedushi, what you intend is to solidify Great Tang's control over the Northern Protectorate, expand the influence of the Anxi Protectorate, then sweep west of Congling without mercy."

Che Guangqian realized that what he was seeing was not merely a court‑appointed Western Regions envoy, but a pioneer with sharp political insight and tactics. Win over the majority with enough sweeteners; crush a small handful with ruthless force. Fang Chongyong's methods are very clever.

"Having learned the Jiedushi's scheme, the junior general wishes to lead a hundred‑strong unit, don the attire of Hu merchant attendants, infiltrate various caravans, and advance to near Congling to gather intelligence on the nations.

Bribe and win over those who can be bought, sow discord among the small states' alliances, create rumors and conflicts between them, preparing for the great army to pacify Congling and dispatch troops to Xiao Bolu!"

Che Guangqian, his face excited, continued.

"Good, that idea is sound; this Jiedushi thinks it can be tried."

Fang Chongyong praised, giving Che Guangqian a thumbs‑up.

"How about this: few in the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army understand the foreign languages of this side of the Western Regions, but the Red Water Army has many.

This Jiedushi permits you to recruit suitable personnel within the Anxi Expeditionary Army, setting a quota of three hundred per battalion.

Alright, you may call them 'Qika'; if discovered, nothing can be proved.

Everything will be handled by you, and you will also be the battalion commander!

Henceforth this battalion will be solely under this Jiedushi's control, not subject to other generals' orders.

Fang Chongyong laughed heartily.

Having finally achieved his wish, Che Guangqian hurriedly performed a profound bow before Fang Chongyong.

"By the way, tomorrow's grand martial contest with the Yiwu Army, give this Jiedushi a long face."

Fang Chongyong suddenly mentioned.

Che Guangqian is clever and strategic, which is good. But cleverness alone isn't enough; there must be martial skill and tactical competence as a foundation, so Fang Chongyong can trust him to lead a team abroad. Otherwise he'd be better staying nearby to partake in strategic planning.

"Jiedushi, rest assured! The junior general is an excellent archer and can demonstrate mounted shooting!"

Che Guangqian promised calmly, showing no sign of nervousness.

He is unusually confident in his abilities, which is actually quite normal. The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army selects the best of the best, so they fight in concentrated strength.

What truly lacks are people like him who can both fight and think.

"Go, return early to rest."

Remember, our purpose is to make the Three Northern Prefectures prosper first, then spur the rest of the Western Regions to later prosperity; essentially, to create a kingly utopia where all peoples can live peacefully and happily.

It is not to loot the wealth of the twenty nations west of Congling.

Struggle entails sacrifice; without breaking the old order, there is no new world. All sacrifices will be repaid and are worthwhile.

Fang Chongyong continued to pitch his "Western Regions People's Community of Shared Destiny" concept to Che Guangqian.

Che Guangqian nodded and said, "The junior general understands; Great Tang comes to lead the Western Regions people toward a better life. The so‑called kingly utopia, mourning the people and punishing the guilty, is exactly that."

Hmm, talking with a smart person is easy.

Fang Chongyong nodded, "Since you understand, this Jiedushi is at ease. Soon we will forge special tokens, and from tomorrow you may begin selecting suitable personnel within the army."

"Understood, the junior general will see to it. When the Jiedushi leads the expeditionary army to Congling in the future, he will see the junior general's results!"

Che Guangqian pledged solemnly.

Having spoken, he bowed and withdrew from the tent.

After Che Guangqian left, Fang Chongyong stared at the "Oath of Alliance" in his hand, sinking into thought.

Ji Ge probably thinks everyone is a dog he can command at will. But in Fang Chongyong's view, each person has their own aspirations; they are alive and unwilling to be manipulated.

People like Che Guangqian will surely shine in war. Their aspirations will rise step by step, never stagnating.

Great Tang's borders are limited, and the positions it can offer are likewise limited.

When the Qiu Ba have nowhere to earn military merit, the only ones they can strike are the emperors lounging in Chang'an.

Will the elite he has cultivated himself truly not become a runaway, man‑eating monster in the future?

Fang Chongyong set the "Alliance Oath" he was holding down, let out a long sigh, and felt a little empathy for Zhao Kuangyin's helplessness in the yellow robe. But thinking about it was useless; the special military operation in the Western Regions had only just begun and was far from being wrapped up.

Naturally, there's no talk of worrying about Ji Ge's future.

Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo!

The Yiwu Army's "military band" formed a long line and sounded the horn.

Cavalry squads of ten, wearing multicolored special brocade robes, wielding Changsuo, held them upright toward the sky, marching in perfect order past the viewing platform, looking majestic and powerful!

Each unit could freely switch formations while marching, moving without chaos. After merging, the units dispersed again, flowing like clouds and water.

Although He Changqi said the Yiwu Army was "just a mixed barbarian", in fact the Western Region Tang troops were brave and battle‑savvy, their tactics not inferior to the elite forces of Hexi, and were very formidable. Those complaints are no different from the ethnic slur of Fu Menglingcha calling Gao Xianzhi a "Goryeo slave", and cannot be used as evidence of combat capability.

"Ambassador Fang, do you think the Yiwu Army's elite cavalry is majestic?"

The Yiwu Army's envoy Dai Xiuyan pointed at the honor guard and asked with a hint of pride.

Although we signed the "Alliance Oath" last night, from now on we are all in the same camp sharing the cake. Who gets a larger slice and who gets less depends on one's own strength and resources, as well as the quality of one's contributions.

In any case, a ranking must be determined.

This grand military contest is also a stage to showcase one's own strength.

The Anxi Expeditionary Force and the Yiwu Army are not from the same system, so a contest of strength is quite ordinary. Frankly, judging by visual effect, the Yiwu elite cavalry is indeed impressive.

"Dai the envoy's words, He Changqi can't stand hearing them."

Fighting isn't like those little girls at a banquet who dance and strip; looking good on stage is useless, the key is whether your fists are hard when killing the enemy!

All these fancy tricks only fool the uninitiated. To bring such flowery punches and embroidered kicks before our Jiedushi Fang is downright laughable!

He Changqi said with a disdainful expression.

"Damn! The horse‑rider's mouth is spitting powder!"

"If you have the guts! I'm going to spar with you one‑on‑one right now!"

Dai Xiuyan sprang to his feet, about to go and choke He Changqi's neck!

He Changqi also stood up; his strength was like that of an ox, and he seized Dai Xiuyan's wrist, the two were about to clash.

"It seems the two of you don't take that Western Region Governor‑General ambassador seriously!"

Fang Chongyong sat calmly in his seat and said leisurely.

"Please, Ambassador Fang, calm your anger!"

The two hurriedly performed a penitential bow to Fang Chongyong, sweating as if in rain. Especially Dai Xiuyan, who had seen Fang Chongyong discuss matters with them quite amiably before, momentarily forgot that he was the court‑sent Western Region Governor‑General ambassador!

In theory, Fang Chongyong could dismiss Dai Xiuyan outright without any issue, if he weren't averse to trouble.

"Sit down and watch the parade."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand lightly, lifted the tablet high and lowered it gently, not even glancing at the two still flushed with anger.

After the Yiwu Army's honor guard passed, a line of soldiers each carried an armored straw man onto the arena and fixed it into a wooden stake embedded in the soil. Then those men left the venue.

A moment later, a unit with bright feathers on their helmets and Tang cavalry leather armor entered in a single‑file serpent from Fang Chongyong's right side. They galloped swiftly, the entire serpentine formation running parallel to the row of fixed targets.

These cavalrymen drew three arrows in one breath from the quiver on their backs, each targeting the three nearest fixed dummies—one arrow per target! By the time the formation withdrew from Fang Chongyong's left side, the targets were already riddled with arrows.

Dai Xiuyan glared at He Changqi with a dismissive look. But this was a performance by the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, and the unit was Fang Chongyong's own elite; he couldn't mock them, so he sulked alone on the side.

"Shooting fixed targets, that's a bit lacking in flair."

Fang Chongyong propped his chin up and muttered.

"Jiedushi, the lads all want to showcase personal feats and aren't keen on these matters, hehe."

He Changqi defended himself.

"Hmm, what you say isn't without reason."

Fang Chongyong gave a slight nod and said.

There are many strategies, tactics, formation cooperations, but during the field inspection they're hard to discern; now most of it is merely performative.

Sure enough, the later individual acts added a lot of flashy tricks.

Che Guangqian rode and shot at moving targets on horseback, each shot hitting instantly, and she hit ten in a row!

There were also smooth horse‑changing while riding, and dancing on the saddle with the stirrups;

And riding on horseback, gripping a Duannao under the armpit and throwing it at distant targets, five shots, five hits.

All kinds of soaring fighting spirit! Striving desperately!

The Tang army's individual martial prowess is indeed extraordinary, but the usefulness of a lone warrior's bravery in formation depends on whether there's a chance to employ it.

Isn't there a saying, "A general is not defined by bravery but by strategy"?

Fang Chongyong nodded calmly; now the troops are reliable, morale is high, and from top to bottom everyone is eager to make achievements, so indeed Che Guangqian can be sent with a squad to lie in wait at Congling.

"Let the cavalry and mounted infantry have a bout, just a touch and stop."

Fang Chongyong ordered.

"Jiedushi Fang, who will be the mounted infantry and who will be the cavalry?"

He Changqi asked in confusion, glancing at Dai Xiuyan.

The Yiwu Army only fields three hundred cavalry, so clearly the mounted infantry must be them! He Changqi asked deliberately to embarrass Dai Xiuyan.

"Dai the envoy, please reluctantly arrange three hundred mounted infantry."

Fang Chongyong said warmly with a smile.

"The junior officer receives the order."

Dai Xiuyan took the command and left.

After he left, Fang Chongyong sighed helplessly at He Changqi: "Can your acting be any more stiff?"

"Is it not acting like that?"

He Changqi, startled and pale, asked, honestly, he was already deeply in character and had just been ready to actually beat Dai Xiuyan up.

"You don't really think nobody else noticed, do you?"

Fang Chongyong looked at He Changqi with the look of someone caring for a mentally disabled person and asked.

……

"This is the Kaifeng ferry crossing!"

Fang Youde looked at the canal ferry outside Kaifeng County, so busy it seemed about to explode, and muttered to himself with a feeling of emotion.

Along the canal were all the cargo-loading and unloading boatmen, plus the dredgers; the banks were lined with various makeshift stalls selling all kinds of goods, and the sounds of hawking and scolding never ceased.

Zhu Quan zhong built his wealth from the canal's trade, swallowing the world whole.

Who would have thought that the Tang dynasty's 'dragon vein' actually relied on an artificially built canal?

Just then, a commotion erupted in the distance; on both banks of the canal, two groups gathered, each numbering probably no less than a few hundred.

They swarmed onto the packed cargo boats, each with a ferocious look, wielding long wooden clubs and beating each other; screams rang out incessantly, and many fell into the canal, floundering as they swam to the bank.

Fang Youde had previously witnessed the 'abundant martial virtue' of Xuanwu Town in his past life; now seeing the populace forming gangs to fight over something, he immediately felt something.

Really, this is a feng shui treasure land that breeds troublemakers!

(End of chapter)