Chapter 344: Bow Moon Ancient Trail

In the early autumn of the ninth year of Tianbao, the Western Regions Envoy Fang Chongyong, citing "disrespect to the Tang Emperor," dispatched a messenger to the Stone Kingdom of the Western Regions to demand accountability.

Shortly after the envoy set out from the northern court's Gold-Full City, Fang Chongyong sent a vanguard of two thousand elite cavalry from the Han Sea Army, familiar with the locals of Broken Leaf area, to blaze a trail, while he personally led three thousand troops of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army as the main force in close pursuit.

Passing through the Bow Moon Ancient Trail, they departed from Tingzhou and headed toward Broken Leaf Town, which is under the control of Tang forces allied with Tujishi.

The remainder of the Anxi Expeditionary Army was split into two groups of five thousand each, placed under the command of Guan Chongsi and Wang Nande respectively. One detachment stayed behind the palace, with a single rider on two horses, and only set out five days after the vanguard departed.

The other detachment replaced all its mounts with camels, assigning three camels per person to transport supplies and baggage.

Why doesn't the entire army march out in one mass?

Because between Broken Leaf Town and Tingzhou there is only Bow Moon City as a major supply point. For a force exceeding ten thousand, moving with horses and livestock imposes a huge logistical burden, and finding water sources becomes an extremely troublesome matter.

Dividing the advance and then converging is the correct approach.

It must be said that the climate of the northern frontier is much more humid than that of the southern frontier. Tingzhou lies in one of the few areas of the Western Regions where agriculture can be sustained solely by rainfall. The Tang placed its strategic foothold in the Western Regions at Tingzhou precisely because it suits the terrain.

Along the way, Fang Chongyong saw a series of Tang garrisons built along this "corridor" of Tingzhou; the largest and closest to Gold-Full City was the Tang Luntai mentioned in Cen Shen's poem.

The east gate of Luntai sends you off, and when you depart the Tianshan road is snow‑capped. This refers to Luntai City.

It is a small city on the side of a lake, perched on a relatively high hill.

Although called a "small city," it is as large as the inner city of Gold-Full City—a rectangular fortress about one kilometer long and six hundred meters wide. Despite having only two concentric layers, its walls are exceptionally tall, making it easy to defend and hard to assault.

This stronghold lies not far from Gold-Full City; the two serve as opposite corners, watching over each other. Its role in defending against northern nomadic incursions is indispensable, making it Tingzhou's second‑largest key garrison.

Aside from Tang Luntai, the other garrisons can each only station a few hundred troops and are small towns named "Guardpost." They range from Zhang Fort Guardpost, the closest to Gold-Full City, to Donglin Guardpost at the far western end.

These small towns are all built along the riverbanks, guarding against northern nomads infiltrating Tingzhou via the waterways. Linked point to point, they form a defensive line covering Tingzhou's northwest approaches.

Fang Chongyong heard from Fu Menglingcha that the northern court's situation is somewhat unique, or rather that the Western Regions garrisons are generally atypical; their garrisons do not keep troops permanently stationed in one place. In general, each Guardpost has a fixed complement of only a few dozen soldiers who man the fort and beacon tower around the clock.

Only in emergencies are nearby herders allowed into the fort to help defend the city.

The bulk of regular troops operate as "mobile outposts," conducting routine patrols and "check‑ins" to ensure regional security. Thus the relationship between these Guardposts and the Han Sea Army is not one of equal units as in Hexi, but the personnel are drawn from the Han Sea Army.

Some also come from local military households and are not recorded in the Tang Ministry of War's registers.

When not at war, troops are dispersed for garrison duty; during war they concentrate into field armies, resembling the standard organization of Han‑period border forces.

After many days of marching, Fang Chongyong led three thousand Yinqiang Xiaojie troops to the shore of a terrifyingly vast lake, where abundant aquatic plants and flocks of birds crowded the shallows.

He dismounted, then furrowed his brow slightly as he stared at the huge wooden sign planted on the lakeshore, and couldn't help letting out a long sigh.

The sign read: "This is a salt lake; neither people nor livestock may drink its water."

The inscription was signed by the Han Sea Vanguard.

These are the vanguard units of the Anxi Expeditionary Army; after arriving here they, fearing that Fang Chongyong's forces were foreign Guest Troops unfamiliar with local conditions, deliberately left this sign.

Without an insider's warning, who would have guessed that this lush, water‑plant‑rich place is actually a saltwater lake!

"Feng Changqing, go scout the surroundings and see if any small rivers or streams flow into this place; the lake before us must be fresh water."

Fang Chongyong instructed his aide Feng Changqing, who served as staff officer.

"Ambassador Fang, there are twenty‑three rivers around this lake suitable for watering horses; there is no need to worry about water shortage. I can now direct the army to camp by the nearest riverbank."

"Yes, that river is called Shuanghe, just a short distance to the west."

The short‑statured Feng Changqing pointed westward, holding a small booklet as he read and spoke.

Eh?

Fang Chongyong looked at Feng Changqing with surprise, suddenly realizing that this man seemed to have a real knack for being a staff officer!

"Hold off on that for now; I want to test you."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand and continued, "For this campaign, supplies cannot be lacking, yet there are few resupply points along the way, making logistics crucial. I wish to locate a grain‑and‑fodder depot between Tingzhou's Gold‑Full City and Broken Leaf Town; where do you think would be the best spot?"

The question seems easy to answer, but it is actually not simple.

Because a supply depot involves strategic thinking and troop deployment planning, if one cannot read Fang Chongyong's mind, one cannot choose the location he favors.

Feng Changqing thought for a moment, then replied with a calm expression:

"Jiedushi, if we follow the usual method, we would naturally select the longstanding supply point dating back to the Han era, which is the location of Bow Moon City."

"However, I have learned that the area, not to mention Bow Moon City, has long been abandoned, now only ruins remain, and the nearby rivers are seasonally dry."

"If we place the depot here, after autumn unforeseen calamities may occur."

Hearing this, Fang Chongyong gave a noncommittal slight nod and waited for Feng Changqing's continuation. Raising a problem without offering a solution is useless.

He believed Feng Changqing would understand this principle.

"Going south from Bow Moon City leads to the Ili River. This river runs east‑west in this stretch; we can select a good spot on its eastern bank to build a city—I've already decided to call it Ili City. I've heard the area is lush with water plants and abundant trees, a true feng shui treasure."

"Raising cattle, sheep, and horses here will not only keep them from wasting away but will make them robust! Using this as a logistical hub, the western campaign against the Stone Kingdom will be a breeze."

Feng Changqing grew increasingly excited as he spoke, wishing Fang Chongyong would immediately order the construction of Ili City.

"So it's the Ili River Valley—that explains it."

Fang Chongyong crossed his arms and muttered to himself.

Who from a thousand years later wouldn't know where the Ili River Valley is!

It is the prime region of Xinjiang and the entire Western Regions, yet currently caught between Tujishi and Tang forces, causing this feng shui treasure to be overlooked!

Xinjiang's terrain forms a "double‑armed embrace": the Altai Mountains, Tianshan, Kunlun Mountains and others encircle a vast basin.

To the south, the westernmost mountains of Southern Frontier tower high, blocking the Mediterranean monsoon and preventing rainfall.

To the north, although the westernmost mountains of Northern Frontier are also blocked, they do not completely obstruct the flow.

These ranges are not only relatively low in absolute altitude, but also porous like an old woman's teeth, letting wind in from all sides.

Consequently, some places allow the western Mediterranean monsoon to seep in, creating localized rain zones. Among them, the Ili River Valley stands out as the most favorable, with superior natural conditions.

It must be said that Feng Changqing does possess a degree of strategic insight, especially in emphasizing field investigation and intelligence gathering.

Topographically, the Ili River Valley is not like Bow Moon City, which sits at a chokepoint before the mountains, so its military defensive value is less obvious. However, given the Tang's current grip on the Western Regions, this drawback can be overlooked.

"Build a city in Ili…"

Fang Chongyong weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

If we were to build a city, even if more than ten thousand Qiu Ba started at once, it would still take at least a month to finish, right? And we still don't know whether suitable building materials can be found locally.

But if the city is completed, it pushes the front line forward by several hundred kilometers! The logistical benefits are self‑evident!

"Then you don't have to stay with the troops. Go back to Jinman City now, take this ambassador's military order, mobilize all the craftsmen around Jinman City, and meet the main army in the Ili River Valley."

The Qiu Ba can give their all without problem, but building a city isn't just brute force; it also needs craftsmen.

"Go, set out now, and take a few bodyguards with you!"

Fang Chongyong wrote a military order on the spot and gave it to Feng Changqing together with his golden fish token, then left the formation to rush to Jinman City.

Only after Feng Changqing departed did Fang Chongyong finally relax.

The Great Tang's strategic collapse at Suie Town years ago never fully recovered, so even places like the Ili River Valley never came under firm control. Of course, from a later perspective, Suie Town is far from the Xinjiang heartland, lies beyond the double‑arm‑embraced terrain, and is geographically disadvantaged from the start.

Nevertheless, the Ili River Valley lies within the sphere of influence. Because the faltering Qing Government was ineffective, even though Zuo Zongtang gave his all back then, he could only hold half of Ili.

Now building a city in Ili—could it affect the fortunes a thousand years later?

Fang Chongyong doesn't know how it will end; he only knows that many troublesome matters still need someone to handle.

Since we're already here, might as well build a city while we're at it.

Secrecy within the army is top priority; Fang Chongyong has never disclosed his true thoughts to anyone.

Don't be fooled by his frantic diplomatic edicts to the Stone Kingdom and his hurriedly shouting troops into battle, which make everything seem so urgent.

In reality, he has no intention of attacking the Stone Kingdom.

Those dirty and tiring jobs—though Fang Chongyong never says it outright, Gao Xianzhi will take care of them. If he can't even see that, Gao Xianzhi doesn't belong in the Western Regions.

Fang Chongyong's goal has always been only the Black‑clad Great Tang.

Therefore the march cannot be too fast. Of course, he can't state that plainly, or troop morale will become lax.

Building a city in Ili is indeed a good pretext for buying time. Che Guangqian has already led people westward for reconnaissance, and intelligence from that side will keep coming.

When Gao Xianzhi appears south of the Stone Kingdom, Fang Chongyong thinks it won't be too late for him to act then.

"Ah Lang, there are so many herbs here; I'm going to pick some."

A Naye suddenly leaned over and whispered.

"This is a salt lake; don't go bathing in it."

Fang Chongyong replied offhand.

"Ah Lang, what do you think I am! I just want to gather more herbs; if anything happens later, I can supply the army with some medicine."

A Naye made a funny face at Fang Chongyong and left with He Changqi and the others.

"Hmm, a beauty, a divine doctor, a princess archetype—very solid. A goddess descends, saves all beings, how blessed."

Fang Chongyong stared at A Naye's back, thoughtful.

The Stone Kingdom is in chaos, its people suffering. A Naye, skilled in medicine and of royal blood, appears in the capital like a goddess descended to save the world.

That story is quite good.

Without Gao Xianzhi's support, A Naye is just a puppet in the eyes of the Stone Kingdom's people; with Gao Xianzhi's rampage, she becomes a living bodhisattva.

Who is good or bad is highlighted by contrast; without comparison there is no discernment.

"Pass the order: the whole army sets out westward, and camps on the twin riverbank."

Fang Chongyong instructed Duan Xiushi.

……

"Is what you said true?"

Crown Prince Li Chang's expression was calm, his eyes fixed on Cheng YuanZhen as he asked, his authority unruffled.

"Yes, Your Highness, that is indeed the case."

"The two handsome young lords favored by the Guo Kingdom's lady—one recently died from puffer‑fish poisoning, the other was run over by a carriage during a disturbance; they died only a day apart."

"Rumor has it the Guo Kingdom's lady couldn't bear to lose their beauty, so she dragged them both to the underworld."

Cheng YuanZhen whispered.

"What other major events have occurred lately?"

Li Chang pressed on.

"Your Highness, the affairs among the people are numerous and chaotic. As for court matters, the only big news is that Zheng Shuqing was posthumously honored by the Sage as a Third Rank of the Secretariat, yet he still does not interfere with the prime minister's affairs and remains Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review."

"Recently Zheng Shuqing has imprisoned many minor central officials on bribery charges; I wonder what he's up to."

Cheng YuanZhen showed a puzzled expression.

"What does 'Same Third Rank of the Secretariat' mean?"

"It can be translated directly: it ranks alongside the two Third‑Rank secretaries, but the actual post is different; it merely grants the right to participate in state discussions."

"In short, the emperor tells the prime ministers: this is my dog! My eyes and ears, you better keep them bright!"

"Hmm, and what else did you hear?"

Li Chang nodded slightly and asked further.

"I also heard that the Guo Kingdom's lady didn't die from over‑drinking; she died from an indecent lifestyle, contracting some strange disease."

"Rumor says this is to cover up her ugliness; of course it's just rumor, just rumor."

Cheng YuanZhen felt a chill under Li Chang's steady stare, his voice trembling.

"Actually, taken individually these matters pose no problem at all."

"Zheng Shuqing is already Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review; adding a Same Third Rank of the Secretariat is quite normal."

"The Guo Kingdom's lady's indecent life and death from that strange disease isn't surprising."

"As for her lover's accident, it's nothing spectacular, just a coincidence."

"But when you string these events together, the conspiratorial flavor becomes overwhelming."

"Where in the world are there so many coincidences? If coincidences are abundant, it means an unseen hand is stirring the waters!"

「You go investigate, those officials recently imprisoned by Zheng Shuqing, between them and Lady Guo, are there any scandalous rumors.

I've heard that many people, in order to spend one night with Lady Guo, spared no expense in giving generous gifts; you check, what has become of these people now! 」

Li Chang gripped Cheng Yuanzhen's wrist tightly, his tone urgent and heavy!

「I understand, I understand! Please, Crown Prince, rest assured, rest assured! 」

Cheng Yuanzhen's wrist ached from being pinched, and he hastily promised. As soon as Li Chang released his hand, he left the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace as if granted a pardon, to go inquire about news.

After he left, Li Chang's face showed a hint of a mysterious smile, muttering to himself: 「Old beast, I've finally caught your fox's tail! 」

(End of chapter)