Chapter 334: A Brain, But Not Much

First be a person, then do things.

Fang Chongyong in Guizi Town indeed completed all the necessary groundwork, but the proper business hasn't started yet.

So for him, what counts as proper business?

The answer is to expand the Great Tang's borders.

This was the guarantee Fang Chongyong originally signed and sealed in black and white for Ji Ge; without it, he could never have obtained command of the Tang frontier army in the Western Regions.

It is also why he went to great lengths to resolve his conflict with Gao Xianzhi peacefully.

If there is a gap between the goal and one's own strength, and one's sense of capability falls short, one must gather many friends and aides, so as to create conditions as much as possible despite lacking them!

Thus, early the next morning, Fang Chongyong went to the Anxi Protectorate Office's office, summoned Gao Xianzhi and the supervising generals such as Bian Lingcheng, and held a meeting to discuss strategies for the next military action.

Probably because his maneuver at yesterday's banquet was smoother, Gao Xianzhi and Bian Lingcheng showed noticeably more enthusiasm toward him. Upon hearing that Fang Chongyong wanted to discuss a plan, they promptly gathered the Anxi army generals still in Yilu City to confer on the matter.

Except for Li Siyie and Bai Xiaode, who guard Yanqi Town, everyone else was essentially present. The generals gathered around a huge map that clearly marked every oasis and hundreds of towns of the four Anxi settlements, awaiting Fang Chongyong's briefing.

The map employed some West Asian techniques and was drawn locally in Guizi Town; its surveying method differs from that of the Central Plains, but appears clearer. It is considered one of Guizi Town's prized items and has never been taken out of Yilu City.

Although many generals arrived today, the Tufulu envoy was not summoned. The generals looked pensively at Gao Xianzhi; seeing that the Deputy Protector of Anxi seemed unwilling to elaborate, they appeared to grasp something and, out of discretion, remained silent, awaiting the real "top leader" to start the meeting.

"Deputy Protector Gao, please tell this envoy. What was your original plan of action?"

Fang Chongyong's expression turned solemn as he asked in a deep voice.

Gao Xianzhi took the slender wooden pointer from his hand and said, pointing to the specific city locations on the map:

"We plan to send five thousand troops, departing from Guizi Town, passing through Bohuan City (Aksu, Xinjiang), entering Wosede (Bachu, Xinjiang), then passing through Shule (Kashgar, Xinjiang).

After regrouping, the whole army will cross Congling (the Pamir Plateau) and station at Teleman River (Wahan River). Once there, they will rendezvous with Tufulu mercenaries and jointly attack Yun Fort, the most important outpost on the outskirts of Xiaoboli.

Then we will act according to the situation.

As for the troops to assault Xiaoboli, we can recruit along the way."

Gao Xianzhi gave a rather vague explanation, without offering any specific details on the plan.

For example, if the army cannot cross Congling, or if the Tufulu mercenaries fail to arrive, how should such situations be handled?

In five words, the plan sums up to: skillful and daring!

There is nothing to say; strategically, this is a completely head‑only, butt‑neglecting military plan with no conceivable chance of success.

In executing the strategy, it basically ignores any accidents or variables, leaving an extremely low margin for error.

When the Tang army reaches Xiaoboli, even if a floating bridge over a small river is cut by the enemy, the main force could be unable to advance or retreat, and once supplies are cut off, the entire army would be annihilated.

However, tactically, Gao Xianzhi's move is quite ingenious. If even one's own men dare not attempt it, the enemy will be even more unpredictable.

You can't say he is absolutely incapable of winning.

In fact, have there been such cases in history?

The answer is not only yes, but there are many.

Of course, failures and even disastrous defeats are countless. The Mongol Empire often enjoyed such indirect tactics, sometimes even backfiring, once causing its own emperor to die midway through a detour.

One could say the successful experiences and painful lessons are split fifty‑fifty.

Fortune, such a thing, can be elusive at times.

History is not short of robbers who, with no plan at all, successfully robbed a bank and never got caught.

But the question is, as the chief strategist of the Western Regions, does Fang Chongyong need to place his hope of victory on a single gamble of fortune?

The answer is no.

Sun Tzu wrote: First make yourself unbeatable, then wait for the enemy to become beatable; the unbeatable lies in oneself, the beatable lies in the enemy!

Whether one can win depends not only on one's own performance but also on whether the enemy is a complete fool. If the enemy offers no chance, one can only stay unbeaten, not achieve victory.

Fang Chongyong wondered whether there might be a way that this particular gamble... need not be wagered at all.

Or perhaps one need not risk one's life every single time. If a person habitually stakes his life each turn, there will inevitably be unlucky losses, right? If one's head is cut off, can it grow back?

"Deputy Protector Gao, is it because the Anxi soldiers' steadfastness and bravery gave you the courage to press forward?"

Fang Chongyong, expressionless, looked at Gao Xianzhi and asked.

In the era of cold weapons, charging straight from Guizi to the Wahan Corridor... Fang Chongyong recalled that in his previous life he was already modern, aided by high technology. Yet the route remains extremely perilous.

Under feudal productivity constraints, the Wahan Corridor is traversable only three months a year; the rest of the time, neither humans nor birds nor beasts can pass.

Three months to march from Anxi to Xiaoboli, finish the battle, and return to Anxi—this plan is far from ordinary.

"Ambassador Fang, you were previously in Hexi and are unaware of Anxi's military situation.

Xiaoboli's forces are weak; our Anxi troops can take ten with one.

This surprise attack will be a certain victory."

Gao Xianzhi explained with great confidence.

However, although he was confident, the ten generals, deputy generals, and military envoys of the Anxi army present lacked such confidence. Each furrowed their brows in silence, as if pondering an indecisive matter.

"The Tang army can dispatch Xiaoboli's troops as easily as a snap of the fingers; I, this envoy, believe that.

However, man cannot fight the heavens. The difficulty of this battle lies in timing and terrain, not in human harmony.

Tell me, can man defeat heaven?"

Fang Chongyong suddenly set a stern face and asked.

Gao Xianzhi didn't know how to answer that question either, after all he had never been to Xiaoboli. He only heard from the guide that the natural conditions on the great mountain are extremely harsh.

But is this the first time the Tang army has won against an enemy under such harsh geography and climate?

When Li Jing ambushed the Turks with three thousand elite troops, the ambush site was not bitterly cold; was the weather fine then?

Gao Xianzhi knew Fang Chongyong's considerations were not unreasonable, but he was dissatisfied.

The war hasn't started; how can you know you'll lose? Any speculation is theoretical; the real outcome is only known on the battlefield.

Such matters cannot be debated; practice yields true knowledge! If, as Fang Chongyong does, one merely "talks about warfare on paper" and lays out each side's conditions to judge victory, then what battles are worth fighting!

Everyone state their titles and compare, examine each side's conditions, and the winner can be decided!

But Fang Chongyong spoke cogently, while Gao Xianzhi was tongue‑tied and didn't know how to explain.

The atmosphere in the betting room instantly became tense.

"Everyone, go back and think it over; tomorrow at this hour, we will reconvene to discuss the deployment together."

"Ambassador Fang, Deputy Protector Gao, perhaps we should leave here today; lingering serves no purpose."

Li Qiyun hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over, saying,

"Given the situation, continuing the debate today will lead nowhere; let's calm down first."

Li Qiyun understood that Fang Chongyong didn't intend to dispatch troops to Xiaoboli, or at least didn't want a direct deployment; he had another plan.

He simply hadn't informed the others yet.

As for Gao Xianzhi's approach, to be honest, Li Qiyun had also studied military texts; his view leaned toward Fang Chongyong, finding Gao Xianzhi too reckless.

A life‑risking strategy could bring Gao Xianzhi supreme glory, but its prerequisite for victory is to wager the Tang troops under his command and his own life on this single gamble.

"Very well, then, let's disperse."

Fang Chongyong said, his interest waning slightly.

After speaking, he ignored the others and walked straight toward the gate of the office.

…

"Jiedushi, Gao Xianzhi, that Korean rogue, is wild‑tempered, daring, and his ideas are reckless."

In the bedroom, He Changqi, expression unchanged, slipped a drug into Gao Xianzhi's eyes before Fang Chongyong.

"Oh? What's that, you have quite the ideas?"

Fang Chongyong halted his contemplation, looking amused as he retorted to He Changqi,

He Changqi was also a battle‑hardened man, not merely a bodyguard who only wielded force. He possessed considerable military acumen and could command several thousand troops without issue. His opinion was worth hearing.

"Jiedushi, Gao Xianzhi's method is to use the blood and bones of the Anxi soldiers to pave his own rise; such a person is not unheard of."

"Think about it: once that path is taken, if any trouble arises, heaven will not answer and the earth will be useless."

People can still starve, but what about the horses?

It is said that the Teliman River flows swiftly; what if we cannot cross? What if the enemy attacks from the halfway shore?

If provisions run short and soldiers fall ill, what then?

Even if we reach the foot of Yunbao City, we will surely lack siege equipment; where will we find timber to fell?

If the Tufuluo troops arrive a month late—or even ten days late—their numbers will be greatly reduced and supplies insufficient; should we advance or retreat then?

These links: if any one fails, the campaign risks collapse. Can Gao Xianzhi guarantee that no link will falter?

He Changqi replied coldly.

His words made Fang Chongyong look at him with newfound respect.

Fang Chongyong had originally thought Old He was a simpleton, but didn't expect him to have some insight into strategy.

He does have a brain, albeit not a large one.

"You are both right, but… this is not the main reason why this Jiedushi opposes a direct deployment to Xiaoboli."

Fang Chongyong said gravely.

Gao Xianzhi had indeed underestimated him; of course, this also stemmed from asymmetric information. Gao Xianzhi's focus remained purely military, whereas Fang Chongyong's tactics have always combined military and political measures.

Nevertheless, there's no need to explain this drivel to He Changqi.

At that moment, a royal guard reported that Li Qiyun was arriving; Fang Chongyong hurriedly ushered him into the courtyard, led him into the bedroom, and ordered He Changqi to guard the door, barring any idle visitors.

The two sat at the desk, and Li Qiyun got straight to the point: "I have come to learn Ambassador Fang's true thoughts on the expedition to Xiaoboli."

Why does he say "true thoughts"?

Because Li Qiyun is clever and knows Fang Chongyong is also clever; others' grand gestures may not reflect their real purpose, but rather a scheme.

Clearly, the morning debate in the betting room was merely a stone‑throwing test, probing what divisions existed within the Anxi army regarding the Xiaoboli campaign and how much support it had.

From the current situation, Gao Xianzhi appears not yet to have convinced the senior leadership of the Anxi army, at least not to form a unified opinion.

Thus Li Qiyun especially wanted to know what Fang Chongyong actually intended.

"Xiaoboli lacks the conditions for an attack. Therefore, this ambassador wishes to change the target."

Fang Chongyong said with a smile.

"Change to what?"

Li Qiyun muttered, then asked, "Which one is it?"

"Stone Country."

Fang Chongyong spat out the two words.

"Why the Stone Country?"

Li Qiyun, puzzled, retorted.

Even if Fang Chongyong claimed that the Tang heavenly troops were stationed in Tufuluo, Li Qiyun wouldn't be surprised. Yet the Stone Country lies in a completely different direction. After exiting Kuche, one need not head west to Shule; instead, one goes north over mountains, then westward from the direction of Suiye Town, to reach the vast territories of the Stone Country and even Kang Country.

One must admit, Fang Chongyong's plan is rather abstract. Li Qiyun found it hard to grasp; the scheme left him more speechless than Gao Xianzhi's.

"If this ambassador merely wishes to let my beloved concubine experience being queen of the Stone Country for pleasure, Judge Li, do you believe it?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a smile.

"Ambassador, please be serious. With such teasing, how am I to conduct affairs?"

Li Qiyun forced a wry smile.

To let his own concubine of Western Regions lineage become queen of the Stone Country—he truly dares such a thing! Even if she were the daughter of Xin Anwang, she would still be an illegitimate child! You dare play like this?

State and military affairs are no child's play!

"Xiaoboli is too poor; there are a hundred thousand Tubo troops stationed nearby, ready to support the Xiaoboli king at any time."

Whether Gao Xianzhi is truly heroic, this ambassador does not know.

But a good fighter without brilliant achievements, who employs troops without strategy, has already fallen into the lower tier.

The Stone Kingdom's feud with our Han has a long history, and it is even more unruly toward our Great Tang. More importantly, the Stone Kingdom is powerful and prosperous, and cannot be taken lightly.

If it harbors disloyal thoughts and colludes with the Black‑clad Great Abbasids, it may cause a great disaster in the Western Regions.

Such a thorn in the eye—this ambassador will be the first to pull it out!

Fang Chongyong clenched his fists and said, clearly having a pre‑plan rather than a spur‑of‑the‑moment impulse.

The Stone Kingdom is the Dayuan that, during the Han dynasty, Emperor Wu of Han coveted for its sweat‑blood horses, and it is indeed a real scapegoat.

This Western Regions great nation, due to geography, long depended on the Western Tujue, serving as their chief henchman in the West and constantly at odds with the Great Tang. After the Tang subdued the Western Tujue, the Stone Kingdom reluctantly paid tribute and was ennobled by Emperor Gaozong as the Dayuan Commandery Office.

Unlike the Tocharians, the Stone Kingdom never sends hostages to the Tang court as palace guards, nor does it send noble youths to the Imperial Academy in Chang'an. Though it does not openly oppose the Tang, its respectful‑but‑distant stance is unmistakable.

Such a thorn, it must be removed!

At that moment, He Changqi knocked and reported, "Jiedushi, the Tocharian envoy Qi Si wishes an audience and has brought a robust, massive five‑colored giant parrot, right outside the courtyard gate. Shall we let him in?"

Tocharian people?

Fang Chongyong and Li Qiyun exchanged a glance; the Tocharians, having heard rumors and fearing that the Western Frontier Army's attack on Xiaoboli might change, came specifically to negotiate.

Sure enough, anyone who can play politics is never a simple scapegoat! Whether success is possible or not, these people will strive in their own way.

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but admire the persevering Tocharians.

"Let him in."

Fang Chongyong sighed lightly, saying that he actually did not wish to meet the Tocharian envoy at this critical moment. Yet now that they have arrived, blocking them would be rude.

A short while later, Qi Si entered the room with a beaming smile, placed the huge wooden cage he was carrying on the floor, and said, "Ambassador Fang, I have brought you a gift; please do not refuse."

He pointed to the five‑colored parrot inside the cage, whose size, by eye, was no less than seventy or eighty centimeters, and said.

This gift is a bit outrageous!

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but glance at the absurdly huge five‑colored parrot in the cage.

At that moment, the parrot in the cage suddenly shouted in a clanging voice, "Gao Xianzhi is greedy without limit, Gao Xianzhi is greedy without limit!"

The three inside the room stared at each other; the Tocharian envoy Qi Si gave an awkward smile and explained, "This creature is rather spiritual and can speak human language. Only a hero like Ambassador Fang can possess it."

Is this also the parrot's spiritual ability being explained?

Fang Chongyong sighed lightly and said, "Great leader, we have already shared a drink together as friends. If there is anything, you can speak openly; no need to beat around the bush."

"Gao Xianzhi fool, Gao Xianzhi fool!"

The five‑colored parrot in the cage shouted another line.

Fang Chongyong and Li Qiyun both gave a strange, inexplicable look toward the Tocharian envoy.

(End of chapter)