Chapter 339: Heroic Essence

Inside the ticket office on the inner‑city tower of Jinman City, Fu Meng Lingcha looked at Fang Chongyong, his expression solemn, and said: "After the Western Frontier Expeditionary Army arrived in Tingzhou, without Fang Jiedushi's suppression, many people committed crimes locally and even forced their way into the Han Sea Army's main camp, clashing with Uighur cavalry. That clash injured many, but fortunately no lives were lost."

Hearing this, those present—He Changqi, Duan Xiushi and others—looked at each other, finding it hard to believe such a thing was true.

The Western Frontier Expeditionary Army is well supplied; does it need to commit crimes in Tingzhou? And to collude with the Han Sea Army's weapons would be even more absurd.

Apparently having read Fang Chongyong and the others' thoughts, Fu Meng Lingcha sighed helplessly:

"The soldiers of the Western Frontier Expeditionary Army, carrying these vouchers, forcibly bought and sold them in the cities of Tingzhou, offending the families of the Han Sea Army. The Han Sea troops beat them up, and when the Western Frontier troops returned to camp, they stormed the Han Sea Army's main camp with a large force, demanding that the other side hand over people.

Most of the Han Sea Army are Uighur troops stationed near the city, unruly and unmanageable, so the two sides ended up fighting."

Fu Meng Lingcha pulled a military voucher from his chest and handed it to Fang Chongyong, saying:

"Who won the fight?"

Fang Chongyong asked curiously.

Fu Meng Lingcha was startled, then retorted, "Is it really important who lost or won?"

"It's not that important, just asking casually. Deputy Protector Fu Meng, please continue."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand dismissively and said.

At that moment, the five‑colored parrot that Fang Chongyong had kept beside him in a cage squawked, "They're all a bunch of softies! They're all a bunch of softies!"

"Ambassador Fang, this…"

Fu Meng Lingcha, looking puzzled, pointed at the parrot in the cage, full of questions in his mind, unsure whether to voice them.

"The parrot only mimics; it repeats what others have said. This was something I mocked the Stone Country people while in Kucha Town, unrelated to our current discussion. You may continue; ignore it."

Fang Chongyong sneered, waved his hand, and said.

"The Western Frontier Expeditionary Army won; your servant restrained the Han Sea soldiers, telling them not to cause trouble. For now, that's that.

Ambassador Fang, let's see how best to handle this, sigh!"

Fu Meng Lingcha sighed again; the temporary presence of Guest Troops is the greatest hassle for the local commanding general.

The Western Frontier Expeditionary Army falls under Fang Chongyong's direct control; Fu Meng Lingcha, as Deputy Protector of the Northern Court, cannot mobilize them, not even a single soldier! Hence these proud and fierce troops pay him no heed.

Moreover, this matter is hard to resolve; it's not just the trouble caused by Qiu Ba locally.

The "military voucher" actually specifies its circulation area includes the three prefectures of the Western Regions: Yi Prefecture, Xi Prefecture, and Tingzhou. In theory, the Western Frontier Expeditionary Army's actions comply with regulations, even if they defy common sense.

Because a "military voucher" is something that you let circulate freely among the three prefectures, which is entirely different from forcibly requisitioning goods.

When it circulates naturally, its value may be diluted many times; locals buying a little is harmless. A military voucher with a face value of one hundred bolts of silk might be purchased for just one bolt, and authorities can at any time issue a decree refusing to accept them!

But the current forced requisition is outright robbery, treating the three prefectures of the Western Regions like the Stone Country's big scapegoat.

As the rear supply base for the Western Frontier Expeditionary Army's logistics, how can these Qiu Ba not show any restraint and drain the local resources?

Unfortunately, logic is logic, but the Qiu Ba's least favorite thing is to reason. If no one can keep them in check, they will cause trouble.

As the commander of the local troops, Fu Meng Lingcha wonders how he can reason with these heavily armed Guest Troops.

You have a sword in your hand; do they not? We're all part of the Tang army hierarchy, and a real sword‑and‑gun clash is impossible; whoever wins, we listen to them.

What else can be done?

Therefore, this matter must be resolved by Fang Chongyong himself. As for the Western Frontier Expeditionary Army's brawl with the Han Sea Army—a pointless fiasco—we can leave it unmentioned; it's not the main conflict.

"I see, Ambassador thought it was something else. It's a trivial matter; within three days, the office will handle it neatly. Deputy Protector Fu Meng, await good news!"

After speaking, Fang Chongyong burst into hearty laughter, clearly not treating Fu Meng Lingcha's issue as a major trouble.

Seeing Fang Chongyong so confident, Fu Meng Lingcha also relaxed. If this Ambassador truly protected his own interests and stalled the matter, a big incident could arise, which would indeed be troublesome.

If the Western Regions expedition fails, Fang Chongyong would certainly be flogged by Ji Ge; but would he be the only unlucky one then?

The incident occurred in Tingzhou; as Deputy Protector of the Northern Court, wouldn't Fu Meng Lingcha bear joint responsibility and be dealt with together? It seems impossible!

In a sense, he and Fang Chongyong are grasshoppers on the same rope.

"I, the Ambassador, am about to handle these matters now; Deputy Protector Fu Meng, would you like to accompany me to take a look?"

Fang Chongyong smiled and invited Fu Meng Lingcha with the question.

He exuded an unruffled, commanding aura that discouraged underestimation. Even with a smile, his face did not appear frivolous; it felt like a spring breeze yet carried an indescribable pressure.

Fu Meng Lingcha quickly waved his hand, saying, "How dare I, how dare I—this is an internal matter of the Western Frontier Expeditionary Army; your servant observing would be improper. Ambassador Fang, please proceed as you wish."

"Very well, then Deputy Protector Fu Meng, await my good news, okay?"

Fang Chongyong nodded, speaking with great confidence and composure.

……

The Western Frontier Expeditionary Army's main camp sits beside the East Dam River, not far from Jinman City; the area boasts lush watergrass ideal for grazing, with excellent geography. Yet at this moment, the camp is eerily silent, over ten thousand troops standing in orderly ranks, undergoing inspection by the Western Regions Strategist Ambassador Fang Chongyong.

"Anyone who used a military voucher in Tingzhou, step forward! Come before this Jiedushi!"

Fang Chongyong lifted the iron horn, shouted loudly, his voice deafening!

Unfortunately, no one moved; many had used vouchers in Tingzhou, but while everyone knew the law wouldn't punish the masses, they feared becoming a sacrificial scapegoat.

"This Jiedushi will count to three; those who step forward will face judgment of their own, with no threat to life."

"But if afterwards this Jiedushi discovers someone used a military voucher yet did not step forward, then, sorry, I will have to act with a ruthless hand to enforce military law!"

Fang Chongyong warned in a grim tone.

It seemed his words took effect; one, two, three, and gradually over three hundred people stepped forward!

Even though Fang Chongyong was mentally prepared, the sheer number startled him. He looked around and saw none of the crowd wearing Yinqiang Xiaojie Army armor—none at all—and felt a slight relief.

The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army men are all nose‑in‑the‑air, exceedingly self‑important. They enjoy generous treatment daily, so they wouldn't dare eat "grass by the nest" in Tingzhou; a bad reputation would spread, possibly getting them expelled from the army.

They are indeed very wary of that.

But those Hexi Qiu Ba are different; when they were in Hexi, they often pretended to be bandits doing "private work," hoping these people would have high enlightenment—truly like playing a lute to a cow.

"Where is the army's chief clerk He?"

Fang Chongyong shouted.

Duan Xiushi immediately ran over, clasped his fists, and said, "Please give orders, Jiedushi!"

Record how many military tickets these people spent, and what happened—whether there were disturbances, assaults on civilians, or crimes of adultery. Categorize them; I'll need it later.

Fang Chongyong calmly instructed.

His indifferent gaze brushed over the faces of these offending lowly soldiers, and everyone whose eyes met his couldn't help but shiver, feeling a deep‑rooted terror that made them want to turn and flee at once.

But Fang Chongyong simply passed by them silently, not uttering a single word.

"He Laohu, have the others each return to their camp and forbid them from going out. Later, Jiedushi will check again whether anyone is lying."

Fang Chongyong let out a cold chuckle.

Each soldier is issued military tickets of identical amount; a simple count to see if anyone's number doesn't match reveals whether they are lying.

"Understood!"

He Changqi took the order and left; soon, the force of over ten thousand dispersed on the spot, each returning to their own camp in orderly fashion.

After a short while, Duan Xiushi finished the tally and came over to quietly report to Fang Chongyong: "No one was killed; the main issue was looting. The incidents occurred at three locations: Jin Mancheng near the camp, Xian Shan Town south of Jin Mancheng, and Pu Lei City east of Jin Mancheng (not Pu Lei Sea). How does Jiedushi intend to handle this? Execute the perpetrators to uphold military discipline, or merely admonish them?"

To be honest, this matter could be dealt with either severely or leniently; the army usually doesn't impose excessive harshness—'water too clear has no fish,' after all. At least these men still handed in their military tickets; they could have simply robbed outright.

Duan Xiushi's point was clear: militia service is a family duty, so they must be taught a sense of "family‑nation sentiment"; conscripted soldiers are essentially paid mercenaries, and while the "family‑nation sentiment" should still be emphasized, it is insufficient without proper material support.

In short: speak more of the concrete, less of intangible ideals.

"You mutinous dogs who spent military tickets in Jin Mancheng, listen up! Follow Jiedushi now, enter Jin Mancheng immediately.

The rest stay in the camp awaiting their fate! Anyone who dares to run, watch me behead you!"

Fang Chongyong shouted at the lowly soldiers before him, then gave Duan Xiushi some instructions, and turned to leave. Over a hundred dejected wretches followed him; the once‑feared He Xi border troops now dared not even lift a sigh, let alone speak up.

After the group rode into Jin Mancheng, they handed their horses to the personal guards of Fu Menglingcha for care, then proceeded to the outer city, to the market enclosed by fences.

Fang Chongyong pointed at a shop selling fine flour and asked Duan Xiushi, "Is this the one?"

"Yes, this one."

Duan Xiushi gave a slight nod.

A middle‑aged man grinding flour in the back yard brushed dust from his hands, looking at Fang Chongyong's party with a hint of fear and asking, "Did the military lord come to the shop to buy flour?"

"No."

Fang Chongyong gestured, his face full of respect, and bowed to the clearly Hu‑clad man, saying:

"Jiedushi's troops have disturbed the civilians and engaged in forced buying and selling, violating"

"I have come here specifically to apologize. Whatever military tickets you collected, Jiedushi will return an equal amount of He Xi Jiaozis to you."

"Anyway, the goods have already been taken away by this group of thugs, impossible to retrieve. If you find that unsatisfactory, Jiedushi will have to compensate you with military rations."

"I wonder what you think? He Xi Jiaozis or rations, either is fine."

Fang Chongyong asked humbly.

"How could I dare! Jiedushi truly overwhelms me! No need to mention compensation again; consider it my contribution to the army, no need to bring it up again, hahahaha."

Fang Chongyong's demeanor terrified the Hu flour seller!

Still thinking the Anxi Expeditionary Army would compensate you with rations?

They were just saying that, yet you took it seriously!

Aren't you afraid that at night, an unexplained fire might break out at home, and in your sleep these lowly soldiers might cut off your head?

"Our army regulations stipulate: all actions obey orders, do not take even a needle or thread from the civilians, and all seized goods must be turned over to the public.

They defied orders by forced buying and selling; although it was a unilateral initiative, it still reflects a problem in Jiedushi's command. If this stain isn't removed, how can Jiedushi govern the army?"

"Please be sure to accept these Jiaozis, and then return those military tickets; this matter will be settled."

"By the way, I heard a soldier under my command punched you while looting; now you punch him, and the grievance ends."

"You—yes, you—still won't come over to Jiedushi!"

Fang Chongyong pointed at the lowly soldier who was hiding in the ranks, only his head showing, and scolded.

The man reluctantly stepped forward, his voice hoarse, saying to the flour shop owner, "Hit me, I'm a grandson in a blink."

"What's with that expression? Someone who doesn't know would think you came here to collect debts! You hit someone and stole, and you think you're justified?"

Fang Chongyong slapped the lowly soldier on the head and shouted.

The man turned his head to look at him, helplessly complaining, "Jiedushi, I was born with a fierce face; I didn't intend to be cruel."

"Hit him, one punch, and the grievance ends. Jiedushi guarantees with his life that this lowly soldier will never come back for revenge; if he dares, Jiedushi will cut off his dog head first!"

"Since they are citizens registered under the Tang household registration, they should be protected by the Tang army; any form of plunder must be corrected."

Fang Chongyong said gently to the shop owner.

The middle-aged Hu merchant trembled and hesitated, like a rabbit's powder fist, lightly touched that soldier's arm, then immediately walked to the counter, took out a stack of military notes from inside, and with a worried expression handed them to Fang Chongyong.

Honestly, this is his first time encountering such a matter, and he has no idea what to do.

"Military clerk, count them, exchange for He Xi Jiaozis, then we'll go to the next shop."

Fang Chongyong instructed calmly, his keen eyes noticing that the lowly soldiers at the shop entrance looked at him very differently than before.

"Thank you, Jiedushi, for upholding righteousness!"

The middle‑aged Hu merchant, sincerely grateful, knelt on the ground and performed a full‑body prostration for Fang Chongyong.

"What are you looking at? Go to the next shop now!"

Fang Chongyong looked at the group of dazed offending lowly soldiers at the door and barked coldly.

"Remember, reputation is given by others, but the face is lost by oneself.

Jiedushi today helped you pick your face up from the ground; next time you disgrace yourselves, you'll have to pick it up yourselves."

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but admonish the crowd.

(End of chapter)