Chapter 333: Ambassador Fang Seems to Have Gone Crazy

A naturally formed, free‑spirited horse, cast in bronze, gilded on the outside, with two gemstone‑inlaid eyes; though only the size of a palm, its posture already seems ready to break its shackles and burst forth.

Another piece is a golden lock with golden leaf plates, encrusted all over with rubies, and even the key is a golden chain lock.

A gold chain that a woman can drape over her neck, covering her entire chest; it is overlaid with armor‑like silver‑crafted leaf pieces of various shapes, glittering in the firelight and greatly enhancing the beauty of the lady.

In addition, there are all sorts of exotic gold and silver ornaments.

A myriad of accessories, from masks to bracelets, from earrings to belts, everything is present.

From these heavy gifts, Fang Chongyong can sense the "sincerity" from the Tuhuoluo side. Compared with the distant emperor atop the mountain, they trust the nearby border general more than the immovable saint stationed in Chang'an!

What did they send Ji Ge the last time the Tuhuoluo paid tribute?

One lion and several five‑colored parrots. Fang Chongyong happened to have heard Zheng Shuqing brag about this before; the other side mocked, saying Tuhuoluo is a "tiny, sparsely populated country", so they could only send these "local specialties".

Ji Ge gave the tribute‑paying Tuhuoluo people a large amount of silk hard currency, as a return gift.

Thinking of this, Fang Chongyong grew even angrier!

Ma De, the Tuhuoluo sent such fine items as Gao Xianzhi and Bian Lingcheng, yet they didn't send anything to me!

But then again, to procure these gifts the Tuhuoluo spent a fortune, and for a while they likely cannot produce more gold, silver, jewels, or other soft valuables.

Fang Chongyong suddenly wondered if that Tuhuoluo chief was trying to compensate him with a few five‑colored parrots.

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed; as the saying goes, rarity makes a thing valuable.

The lion and five‑colored parrots presented to Ji Ge are considered "auspicious signs", bearing strong political gifting significance that cannot be bought with money. Meanwhile, the gold and silver ornaments and crafts, in Ji Ge's view, are "inanimate objects" that contemporary people cannot accurately assess their true value.

They are merely a kind of "soft wealth" of this era.

"Alas, you all, what can this ambassador say! This matter has been handled far too excessively!"

Fang Chongyong wore a sorrowful expression, could not help to clutch his wrist and sigh, then said:

"President, I would like to ask you, when the Tuhuoluo paid tribute, why didn't they give these items to the saint? Is it because you think these splendid ornaments are not good enough to present, or because you believe the lion and five‑colored parrots would better please the saint?

Your motives are a bit many, a bit complicated!"

He looked at the Tuhuoluo envoy Qi Si and asked, his tone already quite severe.

Qi Si was speechless, because he did not know whether Ambassador Fang was truly foolish or merely pretended. If it were the former, it would be fine; if the latter, trouble would follow.

The emperor, wealthy over the realm, cares not for gold, silver, or jewels. It is these exotic animals that catch the eye. If the emperor is pleased, the reciprocal tribute becomes even richer, doesn't it?

The Tuhuoluo are not fools; the items they tribute to Great Tang are all carefully considered!

But gifts given to important officials are a different matter.

What they care about is money; five‑colored parrots are priceless and have no market, especially those already given to the emperor—no wealthy family or high‑ranking household would dare accept them. Such gifts are meaningless; gold and silver soft valuables are more straightforward.

And sending gold Buddhas, gold horses, gold locks, gold ornaments—these items are easier to liquidate.

How to choose is actually self‑evident.

However, the fact that Ambassador Fang is asking now carries a hint of ill intent.

Why can't you Tuhuoluo send both?

Sending exotic animals and sending exotic handicrafts do not conflict; why are you unwilling to give all these fine items to Ji Ge, yet keep a portion for yourselves?

Or do you think Gao Xianzhi and Bian Lingcheng are more important than the Son of Heaven?

This is a very probing question; no matter how you answer, the Son of Heaven will not be satisfied.

Upon hearing Fang Chongyong's question, Gao Xianzhi and Bian Lingcheng broke out in cold sweat, staring at Fang with terror‑filled eyes, their hearts pounding, fearing that this Western Frontier ambassador would submit a memorial to the Son of Heaven to complain.

Some matters, if not weighed at three jins, once weighed, even a thousand jins cannot resist!

Bian Lingcheng is not Gao Lishi; he cannot stand gossip near Ji Ge's ear. As for Gao Xianzhi, it's even worse—any matter concerning the border general is deadly sensitive.

Things that Ji Ge cannot obtain, yet the border general has, and remains silent about.

If Ji Ge hears of this, what would he think?

"Fang, Ambassador Fang thinks, what should our side do, what is the right course?"

Bian Lingcheng's tongue trembled, as if he had fallen into an ice cave. If this matter stays hidden, that's fine; but if it reaches the saint, he will not return to Chang'an alive, and will have to shed his skin.

"These gifts, let the chief tally them and draft a new inventory. This ambassador will send someone to return them to Chang'an, together with these gifts.

We will say they are Tuhuoluo's birthday wishes for the saint, hoping the saint will not blame us; September happens to be the saint's birthday."

Fang Chongyong sighed and said.

Upon hearing this, Gao Xianzhi and Bian Lingcheng looked at him with deep gratitude; one must admit, Ambassador Fang is truly magnanimous! If Fang Chongyong attempted any scheme in this affair, he could silently bring about the deaths of Gao Xianzhi and Bian Lingcheng!

Qi Si also breathed a sigh of relief; he felt that this Fang Jiedushi was unlikely to hold him accountable for not giving a gift, and gratefully performed a crossing‑hands salute, saying: "I have long heard of the Hexi Jiedushi Fang Jiedushi's swift sense of justice and humility. Seeing you today, truly you are extraordinary!"

"Knowing that I am extraordinary, yet you still dared to omit me from the gifts?"

If Gao Xianzhi and the others were not present, Fang Chongyong would have had to give Qi Si a good scolding. But then again, money is external to the body, no need to fuss over it; the key is whether the matter is handled properly.

People like Qi Si will be encountered many times in the future; Fang Chongyong does not wish to lose the big picture over a small matter, as the saying goes, "failure to endure the small disrupts great plans."

"Originally, the court should have returned a gift to you Tuhuoluo. But now that you are heading back to Chang'an, there is no time, let alone the court needing time to prepare gifts. This back‑and‑forth may delay important matters."

Fang Chongyong sighed, clapped his hands, and He Changqi came over. Fang whispered a few words into his ear; He paused briefly, then reluctantly left the courtyard.

Soon, He Changqi returned carrying a wooden box. He placed the box before Qi Si and stepped back to Fang Chongyong's side.

The latter pointed at the wooden box and said:

"These are Hexi Jiaozi, usable as money. Anywhere within Hexi, you can use these Jiaozi to purchase goods or exchange them for silk cloth.

These Jiaozi amount to ten thousand guan; a bit short, but make do and take them back with you.

In the future, when envoys are sent to Great Tang, or when Tuhuoluo nationals operate within Hexi, they can use this as money.

The credibility of Hexi Jiaozi can be vouched for by the border internal attendant."

Fang Chongyong pointed at Bian Lingcheng and said.

Hearing this, Bian Lingcheng quickly, in a flattering manner, replied: "Indeed, indeed, Ambassador Fang's words are true. Using these Jiaozi in Hexi, one can exchange for silk without deceiving anyone, young or old."

Upon hearing this, Qi Si was overjoyed, so excited that he promptly kowtowed to Fang Chongyong.

Since arriving in Great Tang, I have seen many magnanimous men, but one like Fang Chongyong, who repays grievances with virtue, is truly rare.

No, to put it plainly, it's truly one of a kind; this time it's like opening a huge eye!

Fang Chongyong gave no reply, only cast a glance at He Changqi. Reluctantly, He pulled from his sleeve two silk‑wrapped items, square as a stack of paper, and handed one to Gao Xianzhi and the other to Bian Lingcheng.

"The gifts sent by the Tufuluo envoy—you already have them in hand; as an ambassador I shouldn't inquire."

"But in the end those gifts aren't appropriate. So they must be surrendered now, sent back to Chang'an for the Sage to decide. I, the ambassador, know your loss is not small."

"Therefore, I, Fang, will take it upon myself and allocate each of you a thousand guan of Jiaozi as compensation."

"The gifts are valuable, surely worth more than this amount. You may begrudgingly accept them—use them to buy some wine, or purchase land and houses back home; as long as they're not used for illegal deeds, anything goes. Consider it a small token of my goodwill."

"As for today's matter, you two needn't take it to heart; we're all serving the Sage, and I'm not deliberately making things difficult for you."

"Going forward we must work together for the Sage; don't let a trivial matter cause unhappiness."

Fang Chongyong looked at Gao Xianzhi and Bian Lingcheng and said earnestly.

"A thousand guan is not a lot, but it's certainly not a small sum!"

"The point is, Gao Xianzhi and Bian Lingcheng originally thought this would let them avoid disaster by burning incense, but they didn't expect there would still be money to take!"

"Now, the two who originally felt shortchanged even felt a secret joy inside!"

"Those gold and silver ornaments can't be eaten or worn, so they need a channel to liquidate; Hexi Jiaozi can be used immediately! The two had some resentment toward Fang Chongyong, but now they genuinely admire this Hexi Jiedushi for his efficient and upright handling."

"One must be a person before doing business; everyone regards Ambassador Fang with sincere admiration, feeling inferior themselves."

Li Qijun observed all this, admiring Fang Chongyong's superb skill, yet a question suddenly arose in his mind: Gao Xianzhi and Bian Lingcheng seemed satisfied, Fang Chongyong even won the emperor's favor and won over the Tufuluo people.

"But this ambassador spent a fortune without obvious benefit; what is his motive? Could it truly be for the unity and stability of the four Western Frontier towns?"

"Looking at the situation, Ambassador Fang, who could have 'slaughtered all sides' today, now seems thoroughly defeated."

"Unfathomable, truly unfathomable, beyond comprehension!"

Li Qijun, while admiring Fang Chongyong's generosity, also felt a private regret for him. In his view, Fang actually has a better scheme: using both kindness and force to bring the entire Guici town into obedient order.

"There's really no need to be so courteous to Gao Xianzhi and Bian Lingcheng."

"Judge Li, you're daydreaming here; that's not proper hospitality! Even if you can't serve dishes, at least perform a Hu Xuan dance for the guests, okay?"

"Why don't you do a piece?"

Fang Chongyong smiled and teased Li Qijun, who was still spacing out.

Everyone burst into laughter; the banquet atmosphere finally relaxed completely, and a potentially explosive internal conflict was dissolved into nothing.

"My apologies, my apologies, I was distracted; now the dishes will be served, served."

Li Qijun apologized to Fang Chongyong, then instructed his servants to bring out the finest dishes and wines. Well‑read in poetry and classics, he quoted extensively at the table, recounting many stories of the Western Regions: the battles of the early Kaiyuan era when the Tang reclaimed the four Western Frontier towns, and the strange tales from the Taizong campaigns during the Zhenguan period.

He even recounted numerous Western Region anecdotes from the Western and Eastern Han periods, such as Ban Chao's killing of a Xiongnu envoy. After a few cups of wine, the guests felt a surge of heroic ambition, and even the Tufuluo envoy Qi Si composed a "border poem" on the spot.

Although lacking any artistic merit, it could still be considered a form of pretentious elegance.

During the banquet, Fang Chongyong remained very restrained; when it was his turn to speak he offered a few formal remarks, mainly handing the floor to Li Qijun; when he shouldn't speak, he ate slowly, his authority steady and his emotions unreadable.

After wine and food were plentiful, everyone took their leave with proper farewells, a true mutual enjoyment of host and guests.

When Fang Chongyong returned to his own residence, he noticed He Changqi's complexion had fallen, as if burdened with a concern.

"You're making a sour face here; are you trying to disgust me on purpose?"

Fang Chongyong retorted irritably.

He Changqi pulled Fang Chongyong into a room, shut the door, then, somewhat anxiously and deliberately lowering his voice, complained:

"Jiedushi, why are we being so courteous to Gao Xianzhi! And those Tufuluo people—why indulge them? They dared not send gifts to the Jiedushi; I didn't even have to cut them with a sword, that was already courteous, yet we turn around and give Jiaozi to those brats. Why are we so lowly!"

"You are the Western Regions Diplomatic Envoy! Gao Xianzhi and Bian Lingcheng—one a Korean slave, the other a castrated man—how can they be considered seniors? They even dare to embarrass you?"

"Usually others fawn over us, now it's reversed! I'm not worthy of the Jiedushi!"

"Jiedushi, as the esteemed Western Regions Diplomatic Envoy, dealing with the likes of Gao Xianzhi is not as easy as a snap of the fingers?"

He Changqi was nearly driven to tears by Fang Chongyong's 'bootlicking' demeanor! He had been restraining himself throughout the banquet, and now finally erupted, venting his anger like beans spilling from a bamboo tube, his face flushed and neck thick.

"Is that it? You're still angry about this?"

Fang Chongyong stared in bewilderment at He Changqi and asked back.

"Exactly, those Jiaozi are the troops' pay! Isn't that enough?"

"If the Jiedushi didn't block it, I'd go retrieve those Jiaozi right now!"

He Changqi said confidently and forcefully.

Hearing this, Fang Chongyong was instantly both amused and exasperated, unable to utter a word.

"You, you, come, let this Jiedushi explain to you in detail."

Fang Chongyong seated He Changqi opposite him and personally poured him a cup of sobering medicinal drink.

"If you were a Tufuluo envoy who received a large pile of Hexi Jiaozi, and you knew"

Fang Chongyong asked a question that was easy to answer.

"Naturally, allocate a portion to Yehu of the Tufuluo, and indeed the whole Tufuluo aristocratic circle—every tribal elite gets a share. Then keep a bit for oneself as profit."

He Changqi answered without hesitation.

"Well said. If you were a Tufuluo noble who obtained Hexi Jiaozi, would you want those Jiaozi to become worthless scrap?"

Fang Chongyong posed another odd question.

"Considering the portability of Jiaozi, Tufuluo people travel daily over mountains and valleys, so lightness is a great advantage."

"As long as there is credit backing, Hexi Jiaozi circulates easily. Of course, this presupposes that trade between the Tufuluo region and the Tang remains unbroken."

"If I were Yehu of the Tufuluo, I would naturally not want the Jiaozi to become scrap, so I wouldn't oppose"

He Changqi nodded thoughtfully and said.

"States like the famous Congling northwest's Erwuzi Stone Kingdom and Kang State, these minor realms love to swing left and right and will never take Hexi Jiaozi seriously. However, for the Tufuluo, a politically stable tributary state, as long as Hexi Jiaozi retains its value, and the Tufuluo elite approve, it can circulate within a certain range."

"Using the Jiaozi just given to the Tufuluo envoy to knock open the doors of the Tufuluo region, letting Hexi Jiaozi circulate within. The cost is already absurdly low; this Jiedushi thinks the deal is hugely profitable, with no loss at all."

"Do you really intend to take nothing, go to Tufuluo with a knife and rob them by force?"

Fang Chongyong couldn't believe it and asked back.

He Changqi's eyes flickered, he murmured 'yes, yes' without speaking, stammering and not daring to answer.

Seeing his bearish demeanor, Fang Chongyong knew that this guy truly thought that way, completely not considering whether his eating manner looked good or not.

These ruffians just want to go rob with knives in hand; whoever doesn't give, they'll kill!

"Gao Xianzhi and Bian Lingcheng are like that. Once they take the West River exchange notes, they will try to spend them anyway, and naturally they will support our policy of spreading exchange notes in the Western Regions."

This is called spending little money to accomplish big things.

As for the provisions of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army and the Anxi Expeditionary Army, is it really that hard to send someone back to notify Yang Yan and openly print a batch of exchange notes? How can you not even understand this principle?

Exchange notes only become money when everyone voluntarily accepts them.

The more people use it, the more valuable the exchange notes become, and the better they hold their value!

"All day you stare at such tiny petty profits, look at your pitiful ambition!"

Fang Chongyong mercilessly mocked He Changqi.

"However, after hearing this explanation, the other party not only didn't get angry, but instead gave Fang Chongyong a thumbs up and said: 'Jiedushi, your methods are still superior! Gao Xianzhi and Bian Lingcheng are like two fools, being played by you in the palm of your hand without realizing it; you are the most formidable!'"

"Alright, go guard the gate, this Jiedushi is going to rest."

"Damn it, one or two, they're never worry-free; I've finally dealt with these two troublemakers, Gao Xianzhi and Bian Lingcheng."

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but laugh and scold.

(End of chapter)