Chapter 336: Killing Is Easy, Saving Is Hard

"What, we don't need to send the Anxi Army to Tuhuoluo?"

After hearing Qi Si's request, Gao Xianzhi was completely unsettled. Meanwhile, Fang Chongyong, Li Qiyun and the others stood silently beside, staring at Qi Si.

At first, the Tuhuoluo envoy asked Gao Xianzhi to lead troops to Tuhuoluo to suppress a site, then to lend troops to attack Xiao Bolu.

Now, the Tuhuoluo envoy says the Tang forces need not be so troublesome; just dispatch a hundred‑person escort to bring them back to Tuhuoluo for reporting.

Both the saying and the counter‑saying are yours; this is simply unreasonable!

A wicked fire rose in Gao Xianzhi's heart; he almost wanted to draw his sword and cut Qi Si in two! Unfortunately, Fang Chongyong and others were present, and this is the Anxi Protectorate's Seal Office, not a place for him to run wild.

A shadow flickered across Gao Xianzhi's fair, handsome face, and Qi Si caught it. He helplessly looked to Fang Chongyong for help. According to the pre‑arranged routine, Fang Chongyong should now step forward to smooth things over.

"Vice‑Protector Gao, this envoy has an idea; I wonder if you're interested in hearing it."

Sure enough, Fang Chongyong smiled faintly and whispered, easing Qi Si's predicament. The tense atmosphere in the Seal Office's "meeting room" suddenly relaxed.

Gao Xianzhi quickly clasped his fists in salute and said, "Ambassador Fang, please speak. Regarding Western Regions military affairs, you may decide with a single word; no need to consult this humble officer's opinion."

"Eh, that's not how it is. We're all serving the Sage. Our offices were granted by the Sage; between you and me there is only a hierarchy of rank, not a hierarchy of the persons themselves."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand lightly and continued, "However, though you and I need not rank each other, the matters of the Western Regions are not our private affairs; they must be explained in full detail."

Hearing this, Gao Xianzhi quickly agreed, "Ambassador Fang speaks exactly right; I wonder what the matter you refer to actually is?"

"According to scout reports, within Tubo a great turmoil is brewing. If we campaign against Xiao Bolu, it will only cause the Tubo people to set aside prejudice and join hands to face the dire situation.

A recent message from the Longyou side said that a division of Tubo's Su Pi District under Sun Bo Ru is preparing to bring two thousand tents to submit to Great Tang.

If we blindly strike Xiao Bolu, it will only make the Tubo people feel the peril of a lost nation, prompting them to resolve internal conflicts and jointly confront the Great Tang's offensive—this is point one."

Fang Chongyong revealed a top‑secret piece of information that Gao Xianzhi had not anticipated!

"Such a thing exists?"

Not only Gao Xianzhi, but Li Qiyun and the others present were also bewildered. Yet the brutal infighting among Tubo's aristocratic elite is no less than that of Great Tang. Such a development, though unexpected, is nonetheless understandable.

Wasn't the Tubo Lunqinling Rebellion decades ago just like this?

"The second, and most crucial point, is that a distant expedition exhausts resources. Supplying the army, compensating fallen soldiers, granting merit awards—though the court spares no effort, it still falls short of capacity.

If Vice‑Protector Gao were to dispatch troops to Xiao Bolu, the army's logistics would indeed come from the Four Towns of Anxi, but who would pay the hire of Tuhuoluo mercenaries? Who would fund the relief for Tang soldiers? Who would cover the merit rewards?"

Gao Xianzhi was speechless; the Tuhuoluo envoy was right there, and he could not claim the army would "conveniently" raid Tuhuoluo. Moreover, Tuhuoluo is a staunch vassal of Great Tang in Central Asia; how could he audaciously speak of plundering them here?

And as the defeated side, Xiao Bolu is not only mountainous and barren, a tiny state with few people, but the Tang forces would also have to leave a garrison there, requiring a substantial amount of logistics from Anxi to sustain daily patrols—there's no profit to be squeezed out!

Everyone present understood this, so no need to state it bluntly. If we attack Xiao Bolu now, no one else can foot the bill; Great Tang must bear the cost alone.

Gao Xianzhi pondered; perhaps this explains why the Tuhuoluo envoy now refuses to ask Great Tang to "borrow troops"—after all, inviting a deity is easy, sending one away is hard!

"Vice‑Protector Gao probably understands as well: Stone Country is wealthy and profitable. If we dispatch forces to punish the unfaithful, we should naturally recoup the expenses from Stone Country.

Once we seize Stone Country, we can instead amass a fund for a future campaign against Xiao Bolu.

"Vice‑Protector Gao, what do you think?"

Fang Chongyong asked confidently.

"Indeed, Vice‑Protector Gao, we think Ambassador Fang's plan is worth a try. The Sage said we must handle the Tuhuoluo matter properly; now that the Tuhuoluo envoy no longer asks us to send troops, why not abandon that and, following Ambassador Fang, dispatch forces to Stone Country?"

Beside them, Bian Lingcheng agreed.

Attacking Stone Country or Xiao Bolu makes no essential difference to him; in fact, he simply doesn't care which Gao Xianzhi chooses to attack.

But since Stone Country is far richer, why not seize this profit‑making place? The emperor is distant, the mountains high; however many exotic treasures are captured, isn't it the expedition general who decides, not the supervising commander?

Moreover, climate and terrain make a campaign against Stone Country far more comfortable; no need to trek over mountains as with Xiao Bolu. Of course, Bian Lingcheng says this because Fang Chongyong had already secured his favor, promising that after Stone Country falls, he could first pick a few portable treasures from the spoils.

With so many present, Fang Chongyong had already discussed the benefits of a Stone Country campaign one‑on‑one; it can be said that now only Gao Xianzhi is fighting alone.

"But Xiao Bolu is the place the Sage constantly thinks of; if we don't capture Xiao Bolu, the Tubo army can freely march into the Western Regions…"

Gao Xianzhi retorted with reluctant justification.

"It's not that we forbid Vice‑Protector Gao from attacking Xiao Bolu, but the timing is unsuitable. Stone Country has never respected Great Tang, relying on the distant emperor and mountains; they disregard Tang, paying tribute in name only. A stern lesson is needed.

This matter must be resolved first."

Fang Chongyong spoke off the cuff.

When all the ministers kneel to speak to the sovereign, the only one standing is a great disrespect to the ruler. To say Stone Country is arrogantly rude to Great Tang is perhaps an overstatement; one can only say that in this era, those who do not grovel before Great Tang simply look down on it.

Gao Xianzhi no longer wished to say more; seeing the current situation, no one would stand on his side, and it seemed that not attacking Stone Country was no longer an option.

"The Anxi Army, five thousand strong, will act as a detachment, crossing the mountains from the south to attack Stone Country. This envoy will lead the Anxi Expeditionary Force, departing from Tingzhou under the Beiting Protectorate, to attack Stone Country from the east."

Of course, this envoy will draw Stone Country's troops to the eastern front, allowing you to launch a surprise attack on the capital.

Fang Chongyong said calmly, seeing no problem with his words.

But upon hearing this, not only did Gao Xianzhi wear a puzzled expression, even Bian Lingcheng, Li Qiyun and the others exchanged bewildered looks, unsure what Fang Chongyong was up to.

"Ambassador Fang, does subduing Stone Country really require such a massive mobilization? Five thousand Anxi Tang troops could wipe Stone Country's army clean!"

After the Tu Qishi Khanate was rebuilt in Suiye Town, it is now a vassal of Great Tang; we can request troops from them.

We can also borrow troops from the Grassland Tiele; is it necessary to attack Stone Country from two fronts? Can such a minor Western Region state even match that?

Gao Xianzhi said proudly, a surge of dominance welling up.

If it were politics, he certainly wouldn't match Fang Chongyong; in strategy and tactics he might also fall short, since there is no reference system. Yet when it comes to the Anxi Tang army's bravery and skill, he is not at a loss!

The Tang army versus the troops of Western Region minor states—if not a ten‑to‑one ratio, at least a thousand‑to‑ten‑thousand disparity—is no problem. He's not truly targeting Stone Country; rather, all those minor Western Region states are weak, none can stand up.

Back then, the Tu Qishi army dealt with Western Region minor states one after another.

Later, the Tang army dealt with the Tu Qishi army in the same manner.

Thus, this indirectly proves that the Tang army crushes the armies of Western Region minor states.

Fang Chongyong's plan is like a fully armed Tang force that must be doubly cautious, calling companions to beat a defenseless infant. The style is so bizarrely cautious that it's incomprehensible.

"My concern is not Stone Country, but the black‑clad Great Abbas behind them."

Fang Chongyong shook his head and sighed. Gao Xianzhi was far too arrogant, practically looking down on everything. Of course, since the Kaiyuan era, Great Tang has repeatedly won in the Western Regions with fewer forces, leading these border generals to be accustomed to solving problems with swords.

The attitude of those nine‑surname Western Region minor states is actually closely tied to the rise and fall of West Asian Arab powers; sometimes it's not just Great Tang's strength. Great Tang, the Arab realm, and Tubo form three external players that actually control the situation.

To put it simply, the fate of the small Western Regions states has never been decided by the states themselves!

In fact, before the Tujikishi Khanate rose, the Western Regions states leapt even higher than they do now, thanks to the support of the White‑clothed Great Arab.

It forced the Tang to back a proxy state, namely the Tujikishi Khanate, to clean up the scene.

A millennium of history shows that before the industrial age rewrote the rules, a nomadic polity had to serve as a buffer between the core of East Asian dynasties and West Asia to preserve strategic stability.

For example, the Xiongnu of the Han, the Turks and Tujikishi of the Tang, the Western Liao of the Song, and even today the series of Central Asian "stan" states serve as effective buffers between great powers.

The buffer between Tang and the Black‑clothed Great Arab consists of these small Western Regions states; without them, the great powers could not coexist peacefully.

"Great Arab troops are weak, not worth mentioning."

Gao Xianzhi said calmly, evidently taking Fang Chongyong's words lightly.

The past incident where Su Lu Khan of Tujikishi brutally beat the White‑clothed Great Arab was so striking that outsiders find it hard to overestimate Arab combat ability. As for the Shiite uprisings and other upheavals in West Asia, Gao Xianzhi knows nothing, and even if he did, he wouldn't pay much attention.

Just a mere Great Arab, a barbarian; what tricks could they possibly pull off?

Nevertheless, out of respect for Fang Chongyong, Gao Xianzhi chose to remain silent, not openly refuting him.

"It is better to be cautious in warfare; a lion fighting a rabbit still uses its full strength.

Someone ordered Deputy Protector Gao to attack the capital of Stone Country; could it be that you still harbor resentment?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a playful expression.

"How could I? I am grateful for Ambassador Fang's generous favor. This matter is not difficult; the entire Anxi army will certainly give its all."

Gao Xianzhi hurriedly pleaded guilty, saying.

"They've already done the meat‑eating work for you; if you keep complaining, you just don't know how to appreciate it!"

Gao Xianzhi does have a bit of emotional intelligence.

"Hmm, with your words, this ambassador feels reassured.

Alright then, tomorrow this ambassador will return to Tingzhou and prepare for the campaign.

Deputy Protector Gao also plans to lead five thousand Anxi troops on the expedition."

Fang Chongyong patted Gao Xianzhi's shoulder and said, then looked around the group and said: "Judge Li will be stationed in Anxi, overseeing the Anxi army's provisions; the border attendants will accompany this ambassador on the expedition; Deputy Protector Gao will summon Li Siyie back to garrison Kucha; Bai Xiaode and a detachment of the Strange Sword Army will also go on the expedition. Let's arrange it that way."

In just a few words he settled the overall plan; his handling was decisive and efficient, truly the bearing of a great general!

Gao Xianzhi vaguely sensed the other's calm restraint, realizing that the Western Regions were no longer a place for him to stir up trouble, so he cautiously bowed and accepted Fang Chongyong's arrangement.

……

"You foolish bird!"

In the courtyard where Fang Chongyong lives, He Changqi said to the parrot locked in the cage.

The parrot ignored him.

"You big foolish bird!"

He Changqi said another sentence.

The parrot still ignored him.

Then, with a puzzled look, He Changqi asked Fang Chongyong: "Jiedushi, doesn't this bird speak? Why is it saying nothing?"

"It's probably mentally exhausted."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand and replied half‑heartedly, too lazy to bother with He Changqi's silly question.

"What's the point of you on horseback sparring with a parrot!"

At this moment Fang Chongyong was contemplating the Stone Country; Gao Xianzhi's words weren't entirely unreasonable. In his whole plan, the final step was still unfinished.

That is, Stone Country and the Black‑clothed Great Arab are two separate entities; dealing with Stone Country does not equate to dealing with the Black‑clothed Great Arab.

Although Stone Country and the Black‑clothed Great Arab have long exchanged glances, the Black‑clothed Great Arab never stationed troops in Stone Country; they were merely stirring nearby.

If the Tang forces are too strong and capture Stone Country, or cause a dramatic internal shift in its royal court that swings its diplomacy fully toward Tang, the Arabs would choose to consolidate temporarily and would not launch a direct attack, avoiding a head‑on clash with the Tang's waiting strategy.

The Black‑clothed Great Arab would wait until the Tang troops withdraw, then move to seize Stone Country.

After all, the distance between Stone Country and the Black‑clothed Great Arab is far shorter than that to Tang; the Tang cannot maintain a long‑term presence there, but the Black‑clothed Great Arab can.

If the Tang forces are too weak to take Stone Country, Stone Country will, after repelling the Tang, swiftly invite the Black‑clothed Great Arab to take over, regardless of cost. Then when the Tang launches another expedition, lacking favorable terrain, timing, or morale, how could they fight the war?

Of course, the latter scenario is unlikely; the most probable outcome is that the Black‑clothed Great Arab simply won't fall into the trap!

Thus, while the Tang have not yet captured Stone Country and do not hold a numerical advantage, the Black‑clothed Great Arab's intervention makes both sides see the battle as promising.

The Black‑clothed Great Arab sees this as the optimal "half‑cross strike" timing; after defeating the Tang, they can manipulate everything in Stone Country and fully bring it under their control.

Fang Chongyong's plan, however, is like a mantis catching a cicada while an oriole watches from behind—luring the Black‑clothed Great Arab into the conflict and then delivering a thunderous strike!

It's hard to say who will win in the end; it still depends on how each side performs on the battlefield!

"Jiedushi, the capital of Stone Country is prosperous, isn't it? I've heard it's very rich there!

Why don't we attack it directly and instead hand over the juicy meat for Gao Xianzhi to eat?"

"That Kucha brat isn't being courteous to us! No need to pamper him; it's fine to let the lads have a go at it!"

He Changqi leaned in, murmuring softly, habitually bad‑mouthing Gao Xianzhi.

In fact, everyone privately understood that Fang Chongyong's actions served the larger picture. The generals knew the big picture, but the rank‑and‑file didn't! They only knew that their leader had given up the chance to loot the capital of Stone Country.

These 'minor matters' inevitably dent the troops' morale.

"That's what you don't get: a blatant armed robbery is still low‑grade. To make a would‑be robber willingly hand over his money is true skill; you still lack a bit of cultivation."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand, offering no further explanation.

"Ah! I understand now!

Let Gao Xianzhi kill up front, and we follow behind to rescue!

Gao! As expected, you, Jiedushi, are still the greatest!"

He Changqi suddenly had an epiphany, seeming to grasp Fang Chongyong's intention.

"That was your words, Jiedushi; I never said it."

Fang Chongyong shook his head, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and said.

"I, the Jiedushi, didn't say that! I, the Jiedushi, didn't say that!"

The oversized five-colored parrot that had been quiet for most of the day suddenly squawked twice.

(End of chapter)