Chapter 329: King vs. King

The yellow sand stretched endlessly, with no end in sight. Without a guide's direction, Fang Chongyong's party would find it difficult to reach Guizi Town, which is not far in straight-line distance.

Along the way, we passed many ruined city ruins, walls broken and sand swirling. These cities were all small; the largest, said to be the former Han-era Luntai site, had walls whose foundations were only about a hundred meters in length and width.

The surroundings were barren, turned into salty, alkaline sandland, and even the once plentiful water sources had vanished, as if the past had appeared here out of nowhere and then been half‑destroyed.

Here, Fang Chongyong saw the rise and fall of civilization: after its heyday came deathly silence and void.

During the Northern Wei, Li Daoyuan recorded in his *Shui Jing Zhu* the flourishing metallurgy of Guizi: "Two hundred li north of Quzi (Guizi) lies a mountain; at night it glows with fire, by day only smoke. People quarry its stones; they smelt its iron, constantly supplying the thirty‑six states."

By early Tang, Guizi's smelting remained sizable. Yet in the High Tang, the region's ecology was severely damaged, and the Tang authorities deliberately restricted local iron production, shutting down the smelting base in the northern gorge of Guizi, never to reopen.

Thus the flourishing Li Daoyuan described no longer reappears.

"After the Han, the Guizi kingdom reached its zenith; the Guizi king ruled over more than seven hundred towns across the Western Regions, fielded a hundred‑thousand troops and expanded a thousand li. Its strength and wealth are unimaginable to us today."

Li Qiyun pointed a horsewhip at the majestic Iluo City before them and introduced it to Fang Chongyong.

Iluo City, the administrative and military center of Guizi Town—the seat of the Tang Anxi Protectorate—was colloquially called 'Guizi City.' In the Western Regions it was one of the few truly large cities. After all, the Guizi kingdom once spanned a great area, and Iluo City was then called 'Yan City,' later expanded upon the foundation of Yan City.

Centuries of wind and rain passed, yet the ruling center of the Guizi region never changed; only the former Guizi royal palace became the present office of the Anxi Protectorate.

The ruler changed, but the buildings themselves did not alter much.

Today Iluo City is divided from inside out into 'Inner City,' 'Outer City,' and 'Horse City,' preserving the Tang-era 'three‑layer nested' layout of a strategic stronghold. The outermost Horse City spans ten li in length and width—massive! From outside one can feel its splendid grandeur, suffused with the strong exotic flavor of the Western Regions.

Not even the Anxi Protectorate, let alone the three northern frontier prefectures, have a city this large! To find a city of Iluo's scale elsewhere you'd have to go to the Hexi Corridor. Even there, only Wuwei City in Liangzhou, with its 'airplane‑wing' layout, comes close.

Fang Chongyong began to understand where Gao Xianzhi's inflated mindset stemmed from—the prosperity of Iluo City had given him blind confidence.

Since the Western Han opened the frontier, the Guizi king of the Western Regions has also been rather arrogant, always considering himself the chief of the West, the core of the region. After the Eastern Han's decline he even revived for a time; had it not been for interference from the Western Tujue, Tubo, and the Tang, Guizi might still have achieved great deeds in the West.

"The military matters are urgent; take this envoy to see Deputy Protector Gao."

After giving Li Qiyun the instruction, Fang Chongyong dismounted and headed straight for the western gate of Iluo City.

"Ambassador Fang, please proceed this way; I will lead the way ahead."

Li Qiyun saluted Fang Chongyong, still recalling the 'oath of allegiance' signed in Yanqi City, hoping the conflict between Fang Chongyong and Gao Xianzhi could be resolved peacefully.

At the gate, a guard clad in camel‑skin armor, too lazy to wear a helmet and only a red strap tied across his forehead, stopped Li Qiyun and asked, "Official Li, do you have the entry documents? Guizi Town is under martial law; without a decree signed by Deputy Protector Gao, no one may enter."

The speaker, named Xi Yuanqing, was one of Gao Xianzhi's trusted generals, comparable to a 'Zheng Dequan' who has no blood relation to Gao.

If Li Qiyun did not know what Gao Xianzhi intended, she might have been truly intimidated by Xi's words. But now the hidden agenda has been exposed by Fang Chongyong, making Gao's 'cover‑up‑only‑exposes‑more' order look rather laughable.

"'Zheng Dequan disobeyed orders, blocked the Western Regions envoy, and was executed for forging a military order. Does General Xi now aim to become the next Zheng Dequan?'"

"'Ambassador Fang is right behind you; how many heads does General Xi have to lose? Or does he want to compare whose authority—Ambassador Fang's or Deputy Protector Gao's—is greater?'"

Li Qiyun asked with a forced smile, while Fang Chongyong's men behind him, including He Changqi, remained expressionless, gripping the hilt of their side‑mounted swords at their waists.

Xi Yuanqing swallowed, then chuckled and defended himself:

"'It's been a long time since I saw Official Li, so I was just joking. Since the Western Regions envoy is here in person, entering Iluo City should be as easy as returning home.'"

"'Ambassador Fang, please go ahead; Deputy Protector Gao is currently handling affairs at the office.'"

Indeed, Gao Xianzhi had not yet left Guizi Town!

Fang Chongyong let out a sigh of relief.

Many matters, even if being prepared but not yet enacted, will not cause irreversible serious consequences.

At present Gao Xianzhi is merely frantically purchasing military supplies. As long as he hasn't set out, the action is not improper.

Fang Chongyong never intended to harshly punish Gao Xianzhi; if he had, he could simply return to Yanqi Town to monitor the situation, wait until Gao sets out, then dispatch envoys to chase, deliver the new order, forward the report to Chang'an, lodge a complaint with Ji Ge, and bring Gao Xianzhi to account.

Cunning schemes are not forbidden, but everything must prioritize the overall interests of the Western Regions. Fang Chongyong's mission to the West is not to seize power, profit, or settle scores.

"General Xi, please lead the way; this is my first time in the Western Regions, I am unfamiliar with everything here, and must rely on capable men like General Xi who know the local military and civilian affairs."

Fang Chongyong smiled, his demeanor very amiable yet with a subtle undercurrent of hidden barbs, making it hard to retort.

Led by Xi Yuanqing, the group entered Iluo City; looking around, the streets were lined with chaotic yet bustling stalls, as if they had arrived at the western market of Chang'an.

Officials in Tang‑green official robes oversaw patrols, though many of them had black hair and blue eyes, unlike typical Central Plains people.

Tang merchants selling silk wore brocade round‑collar robes, soft‑horned headpieces, leather belts and long boots, appearing shrewd yet refined; their appearance was fairly standardized.

As for the Hu merchants, their attire was even more eclectic; 'Hu merchant' is a very generic label, and their clothing is varied and colorful.

The Turkic horse traders carried a short sword on the left waist and an arrow pouch on the right, wore long hair with tiny braids at the ends.

Sogdian sellers of crafts and valuables often wore white garments adorned with intricate ornaments and belts, with high, straight noses.

The black‑clad merchants of the Great Abbasid dressed more plainly in all‑black attire, though their ethnicities were diverse, seemingly from many different lands.

All these people were uniformly classified as 'Hu merchants'; Chinese, while vast and profound, can also be remarkably concise.

"Jiedushi, what shall we do later?"

He Changqi walked up to Fang Chongyong's side and whispered into his ear.

As confidants, He Changqi and the others understood that the Tang could have only one voice in the Western Regions. Thus between Fang Chongyong and Gao Xianzhi, one must be silenced—this was plainly evident.

Gao Xianzhi now holds supreme power, effectively controlling the four Anxi towns; would he voluntarily relinquish authority?

Thinking about it, it's impossible.

It's an easy conclusion by putting oneself in another's shoes.

"Without my command, no reckless action may be taken."

Fang Chongyong whispered a reprimand.

The party arrived before the massive former Guizi royal palace, and were stunned by the sheer scale of the palace.

The Inner City of Iluo City is the old Guizi royal palace; all officials and generals of the Anxi Protectorate reside here.

This vast Inner City is the core of Iluo City, a castle‑like stronghold. Even if the outer Horse City and Outer City have fallen, as long as the Inner City is well defended and supplies are ample, the garrison can hold out for a long time.

No wonder this became the seat of the Anxi Protectorate; it is the accumulation of predecessors' wisdom and experience, not a hasty decision by a few.

"If you go in and send a message, I will not enter further."

Fang Chongyong stopped at the moat's edge and told Xi Yuanqing, who already had one foot on the stone bridge, refusing to proceed further.

This waterway encircling the Inner City, serving as the moat, is also one of the city's most important water sources; its purpose is largely to supply the defenders with a steady water supply rather than to block attackers.

The desert is arid; without water there is nothing at all!

Seeing Fang Chongyong's attitude, Xi Yuanqing already understood that today's Yi Luo Lu City would not be peaceful. He cupped his fists and saluted the young "Ambassador Fang" before him, then strode into the inner city.

When immortals fight, the fish in the pond suffer!

Whether it's Fang Chongyong or Gao Xianzhi, neither is someone Xi Yuanqing can provoke. He told Gao Xianzhi about Fang Chongyong's arrival; even if he "completes his achievements and retires," the remaining matters are truly beyond what this Anxi Guerrilla General can handle.

After the time of one incense stick, a commander clad in silver armor, with many bright feathers stuck in his helmet, emerged from the inner city surrounded by dozens of fully armed, leather‑clad guards. Apart from Gao Xianzhi, there could be no second person like this.

Each of these guards wore a colorful brocade robe beneath the leather armor, and their helmets, like Gao Xianzhi's, bore feathers—just not as many as his.

Seeing Gao Xianzhi's party exude such a strong aura, He Changqi and the others behind Fang Chongyong turned pale with uncontainable anger.

They came here without feathers in their helmets, yet the other side actually did—utterly absurd!

Why must soldiers stick feathers on their helmets?

Because elite troops act as the vanguard when breaking formations. Once the elite breach the enemy's array, the following troops see where the "bright feathers" of our side are, indicating where our elite have reached!

They will instinctively charge toward the cluster of feathers.

In other words, the soldiers with feathers in their helmets constitute the army's most elite backbone, and in most cases they are the commander's close confidants.

Conversely, if on the battlefield all the feather‑adorned elite on our side have vanished, it means the battle is doomed—our elite have either been slain or fled, so the rest should try to survive as early as possible!

This style of helmet is worn in peacetime merely to display one's status—as a trusted officer or elite core in the army; in battle it serves as part of "friend‑or‑foe identification." The distinction between them remains considerable.

However, Gao Xianzhi and his close followers wearing "feathered helmets" within the Anxi Protectorate intimidate the various Hu of the Western Regions—that's one thing; displaying them before Fang Chongyong, the Western Frontier Ambassador, is another matter entirely!

At this moment, the two sides stand on opposite ends of a stone bridge less than ten meters long; whether it's Fang Chongyong or Gao Xianzhi, neither makes the first move, and there is no need for any self‑introduction.

The atmosphere remains deadlocked for a while.

……

Several dozen li south of Chang'an, on the Huangyu Mountains, stands the main hall of Cuiwei Palace. The Tang Emperor Li Longji, clad in a white Dao robe, has a calm expression, not a hint of turbulence.

He sits there quietly, watching the crown prince Li Chang kneeling on a cushion before him; more than one incense stick's time has passed, and he says not a word.

Li Chang also appears very indifferent, also silent, his eyes slightly lowered as he looks at the desk before him, on which lies a letter.

"Prince Yong reported that you plotted to assassinate me and planned to set fire to Cuiwei Palace. What do you say?"

Ji Ge lightly tapped the envelope on the desk with his right hand and asked.

"Your Majesty, what attitude does the child hold toward you in his heart? Does the holy one not know?"

Li Chang lifted his head, his face unafraid, and met Ji Ge's gaze.

"Audacious! Do you think I wouldn't dare to kill you?"

Ji Ge suddenly slammed the desk hard, pointing at Li Chang and roaring in anger.

"Your Majesty, you have many younger sons; besides those recorded in the Zongzheng Temple, Yang Yuyiao also bore you a dragon heir."

If you wish, you could slaughter all the adult princes now, and deal with it ten years later.

The child has no particular opinion on this and does not intend to do anything.

"Your Majesty, as long as you are pleased, the child's view is irrelevant."

Li Chang adopts a completely indifferent attitude, even too lazy to argue how absurd the 'set fire to Cuiwei Palace' plan is.

If it were this easy to set a fire here, back when Emperor Taizong came to cool off here, someone would probably have acted! Must we wait until a hundred years later for this?

"Strongman, escort the crown prince back to the Eastern Palace."

Ji Ge, weary, waved his hand and said.

He had to admit that Li Chang's words made a lot of sense.

Or rather, the people do not fear death; how can one frighten them with death?

Li Chang now no longer ponders grand ambitions; he is completely indifferent to state affairs, and doesn't even intend to ascend the throne!

Li Chang lies flat and does nothing; to him, the road ahead instantly widens. This is the classic 'as long as I'm not worried, the worry belongs to others'!

"The child takes his leave."

Li Chang, expressionless, performed a bow.

Aside from the lack of reverence on his face, the rest of his etiquette was precise and proper; no one could find any fault.

After the crown prince was taken away by Gao Lishi, Ji Ge felt somewhat lost.

He hopes Li Chang harbors a deep, bone‑gnawing hatred toward him! As long as there is hatred, everything remains under his control as the emperor.

But the current Li Chang is almost without desire; he's only a step away from becoming a monk at a Buddhist temple!

To Ji Ge, Li Chang's attitude is 'neither proactive, nor rejecting, nor responsible.'

"Whatever official post you give me, I'll take; whatever reward you grant, I'll accept; whatever task you assign, I'll fulfill. Yet no matter what matter comes up, I just idle and do nothing, never asking any question!"

This kind of rolling‑knife meat truly gave the politically seasoned Ji Ge a vivid lesson!

Just as Ji Ge was deep in thought, his mind uneasy, Gao Lishi suddenly returned with Li Chang, his face flustered, and bowed, saying: "Your Majesty, a fire has broken out halfway up the mountain; it seems someone is deliberately arsoning! The blaze is now quite fierce!"

Hm?

Ji Ge stared straight at Li Chang, unable to believe that Li Chang, in order to kill him, had even disregarded his own safety!

"Rebel son! You actually— you dare…"

Ji Ge stepped forward, grabbed Li Chang's collar, and a terrifying suspicion flashed through his mind:

Could it be that someone wants to stew him and Li Chang together in the same pot?

Ji Ge slowly released his grip, looked around, and found that the eunuchs and palace maids nearby were all terrified, each waiting for him to issue orders.

Only Li Chang's expression remained calm, as if nothing had happened.

(End of Chapter)