Chapter 348: But I like it

"Your Highness, is this really no problem?"

In the courtyard of the Eastern Palace, Li Chang was strolling. Cheng Yuanzhen followed behind him, asking anxiously.

It truly fits the saying, "The Crown Prince is unhurried, the eunuch is anxious."

"If the Sage intends to depose the Crown Prince, news would reach the Eastern Palace on the day of the longevity banquet. Sending a eunuch to deliver the decree wouldn't take long. Just stay calm and don't be impatient."

Li Chang turned his head to look at Cheng Yuanzhen and said softly. His gaze was as calm as water, yet it made Cheng Yuanzhen's scalp tingle with immense pressure.

"I, I am only worried about the Crown Prince."

Cheng Yuanzhen wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and offered a brief excuse. Li Chang gave a light laugh and said nothing.

He knew this eunuch feared that he might stand on the wrong side and die without a burial place.

Li Chang did not expose the other's petty thought.

At that moment, a junior eunuch hurried over and, bowing to Li Chang, said, "Gao Neishi has arrived to deliver the decree; please, Crown Prince, go to the Eastern Palace Main Hall to receive it."

Finally arrived, huh?

Li Chang gave a slight nod and said, "Then I shall go."

He followed step by step to the Eastern Palace Main Hall, where he saw the towering Gao Lishi, pacing impatiently inside, looking very agitated.

"So it's Gao Neishi who comes to the Eastern Palace to announce the decree; I truly am flattered beyond belief."

Li Chang saw Gao Lishi and feigned "surprise," saying, though he harbored no goodwill toward this court lapdog of the Son of Heaven!

Back then, it was this old cur who took Wei Sanniang away from him! He will never forget this mortal enmity in his whole life! If a chance comes, he will surely repay the hatred with vengeance!

In Li Chang's view, Gao Lishi is an extension of Ji Ge's hands and feet, essentially one with Ji Ge.

Gao Lishi could no longer mind Li Chang's sarcastic tone; he waved his hand at the eunuch beside him, and the servants in the hall streamed out like fish, leaving only him and Li Chang.

"Crown Prince, aside from you, no one has ever embarrassed the Sage to such a degree, not even that all‑powerful Wu Zhou Sage of old."

"You've caused enough trouble now, your anger is spent; it's time to settle down, isn't it?"

"Do you truly think the Sage wouldn't kill out of anger? Haven't you considered how Crown Prince Li Ying died back then?"

Gao Lishi both persuaded and threatened.

At this moment, Gao Lishi had to admit that he had indeed misjudged. This former Prince of Longevity's temperament and scheming skill could be called a complete transformation!

"If the Sage can act, he would never show any mercy."

"Gao Neishi, state your purpose directly; I have no patience to beat around the bush."

Li Chang said impatiently.

Gao Lishi composed himself, his face stern, and said, "The Sage commands that the Crown Prince set out at once for Mount Hua to pray for the Sage; the imperial decree is here."

Without a word more, Gao Lishi, saying no more, thrust the decree into Li Chang's hand and turned to leave.

He was too lazy to utter any superfluous words, even skipping basic courtesies.

After Gao Lishi left, Cheng Yuanzhen hurried over, his face concerned, and asked, "Crown Prince, Gao Neishi… what did he say? Is it serious?"

"He only told me to go to Mount Hua to pray for the Sage. You need not worry."

Li Chang explained with a mocking smile.

Heh, that old beast truly never dares to wield a blade! He's still so death‑afraid, putting his own life first! Even if someone ridicules him, if killing the other threatens his own survival, he must endure.

Li Chang couldn't help feeling contempt for Ji Ge. "A kingdom may change, but nature is hard to alter"—that saying truly wasn't empty talk.

But he didn't care at all!

He is still young, can wait. He believes this old brute's perverse actions will eventually lead to rebellion and abandonment.

Ji Ge is being patient; how is Li Chang any different?

Soon, the Crown Prince's carriage, under the "protection" of a Shen Ce Army detachment, left Chang'an, heading east toward Mount Hua.

…

Although many major events have occurred in Chang'an recently.

For instance, the Chang'an Jiaozixing is about to collapse, Ji Ge has contracted a strange illness, and a series of "Great Purges" have erupted in Chang'an's officialdom.

But these matters, Fang Chongyong, far out in the Western Regions, knows nothing about.

He has already led a division of the Western Frontier Expeditionary Army to garrison on the north bank of the Ili River, preparing to build a city here.

On the surface, building a city seems a minor task, yet deciding exactly what kind of fortress to construct requires much thought.

That day, Feng Changqing brought the master builder from Jinman City, Tingzhou, before Fang Chongyong, and handed him a blueprint of the city drawn by the craftsman for his inspection.

"It's still this three‑layer nested structure, not a bit innovative."

Fang Chongyong placed the plans on the desk, crossed his arms, and brooded for a long while without speaking further.

Ordinary people act with a "path dependence."

What worked before was comfortable and successful; now, when facing similar problems, people habitually use past methods, unwilling to step out of their comfort zone.

Few people, at the outset, consider whether past solutions might be ill‑suited to new issues, causing a "mismatch."

Fang Chongyong believes that building a defense‑oriented fortress here is unsuitable; multiple layers are merely wasted effort!

From a defensive standpoint, constructing a city here is disadvantageous. The terrain has mountains only to the north, the Ili River to the south, and the east and west ends are the river valley's entrances and exits, lacking the necessary "twists and turns" and "depth" for defense.

In other words, when not at war, building a purely military city here is wasteful; once war erupts, it would easily become a besieged isolated city, rendering defense unnecessary.

Being far from the Central Plains and prone to siege, the implication is obvious.

"I, the envoy, think building such a city is unsuitable."

Fang Chongyong pointed at the plans and said leisurely.

"Jiedushi, if we do not build a city, we will be like the nomadic tribes without a fixed home. Once built, this will become Tang‑controlled territory.

The terrain indeed has flaws, but the duties of us frontier troops cannot be omitted.

I hope, Jiedushi, you will think it over."

Feng Changqing bowed and said, his tone somewhat urgent.

This place lies beside mountains and water, the forest is lush, a rare feng shui treasure in the Western Regions. Even if it's not suitable for defense, with the Tang's Western Region troops at our side, who would dare act rashly?

Once a city is built, we control this prime territory—mountains, water, and fields—suitable for both herding and farming.

Having secured this good spot, why not do anything? No need to forgo action because of a small obstacle.

"My meaning is not that we shouldn't build a city here, but that we shouldn't build a city like this."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand indifferently and said.

"Then… sir, what kind of city do you intend to build?"

The veteran craftsman from Goldfull City looked puzzled.

A three‑layer nested Tang‑era city can be called the "ancestral method"; if we don't play it this way, how else should we?

If the city‑building plan can't be settled, the construction progress can't even be discussed. That said, the Ili River Valley lacks neither stone nor timber, so building is not very difficult; the bottleneck now is the plan.

Talk goes on endlessly; it all depends on how this Chang'an‑born "Ambassador Fang" thinks.

"Daoists say: from one yuan arise the two principles, from the two arise the four symbols, from the four arise the Bagua, each trigram displays divine power.

So, let's build a city according to this, shaped like the Bagua, and name it Bagua City."

Fang Chongyong teased as if half‑joking.

Hearing this, Feng Changqing and the veteran craftsman exchanged glances, both shocked by Ambassador Fang's unconventional thinking.

Designing the city in the shape of the Bagua—do you think you're Zhuge Liang or what!

"Ambassador Fang, building the city in the Bagua shape… there's no precedent; truly unheard of."

The veteran craftsman muttered to himself, clearly not very supportive of Fang Chongyong's wild idea.

Feng Changqing, his expression puzzled, asked: "Jiedushi, building a city in the shape of the Bagua formation—doesn't that make the city octagonal? Eight corners?"

It's not that they like to question; it's that Fang Chongyong's proposal is too abstract. If the suggestion were even slightly reliable—say, discarding the three‑layer nested city structure and simply surrounding it with a wall—they would have no objection!

"Damn! You two are nagging! Jiedushi says to build an octagonal city, then make it octagonal! If he wants a circular one, make it circular.

Even if Jiedushi Fang wants a triangular city, you must still build it! What a hassle!

So, is it you who give the final approval, or does Ambassador Fang give the final approval?

He Changqi, listening nearby and growing impatient, couldn't help shouting out!

He couldn't stand it any longer; it's not like a flock of hens building a city to lay eggs! Why worry about how many corners the city has!

So what's wrong with an octagonal city? What's the problem?

"He Laohu speaks roughly, but his point is correct.

You should go to Tingzhou to find someone versed in feng shui, preferably an official who once served at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, and have them replan the city—after all, sharpening the axe doesn't delay chopping wood."

Fang Chongyong chuckled.

Feng Changqing heard this and realized the matter could no longer be changed.

Ambassador Fang's principle is "I call the shots." If he disagrees with something, he won't grow a beard and glare, but disagreement is disagreement, and he has countless ways to make you accept his view.

After all, the current Western Regions campaign ambassador is only Fang Chongyong.

"Understood, I will handle it at once!"

Feng Changqing crossed his hands in a salute and said, while the old craftsman, still muttering about the 'octagonal city', was ushered out of the camp tent.

After the others left, Fang Chongyong turned to He Changqi and said, "Don't speak so harshly; you make it sound like you're itching to act."

"Jiedushi, I can't stand these people rambling without getting to the point. Whatever you say, I will obey without question. All this idle chatter is nonsense!"

He Changqi couldn't help complaining.

Damn it! Damn it!

From behind Fang Chongyong came the hoarse squawk of a five‑colored parrot.

"Jiedushi, what if this foolish bird later stands before a sage and says something it shouldn't?"

He Changqi asked with a puzzled expression, unable to resist glancing again at the five‑colored parrot.

"The sage will pretend not to have heard it; no need to worry."

Fang Chongyong said calmly, essentially dismissing He Changqi's concern.

"Any battle reports from the front?"

He suddenly recalled this matter and asked He Changqi. Che Guangqian had led troops out long ago, and no news has returned yet; the situation ahead is unknown.

"None, I haven't received any news.

There's been no movement from Gao Xianzhi's side, or perhaps there has been, but we don't know yet.

The Western Regions are vast; messages take many days to travel back and forth."

He Changqi rubbed his head and sighed helplessly.

War in the Western Regions is like this: marches often last dozens of days, long‑range raids span thousands of miles! Without concrete reports, we can only wait; there's no other way.

In the Western Regions, letting the bullets fly for a while is the norm of warfare. Impatient people make wrong judgments; war heavily tests one's 'lead time'.

"Don't rush too fast; we are yellow sparrows, don't become mantises out of impatience."

Fang Chongyong hinted coolly, and He Changqi immediately pounded his chest in assurance: "Seeing how the Jiedushi speaks, whatever you order me to strike, I will strike, no other words!"

Fearing Fang Chongyong wouldn't believe him, he lowered his voice to pledge loyalty: "Even if the Jiedushi wants to purge the court, I will clear the way for you; please rest assured, Jiedushi."

"Nonsense, what are you babbling about purging the court!"

Fang Chongyong couldn't help scolding.

He Changqi immediately put on a smile and said, "I may not know the old emperor in the inner palace, but I only know to follow the Jiedushi's orders; wherever the Jiedushi tells me to strike, I will strike. My loyalty to the Jiedushi is immense!"

Hearing He Changqi's flattery, Fang Chongyong chuckled, patted his shoulder and said, "No rush; someday you'll have a chance to show your loyalty. For now, just do your duty well."

Eh?

Upon hearing this, He Changqi became very wary. Flowery words are fine to say, but if one's whole family's lives are at stake, one must be cautious.

He Changqi leaned close to Fang Chongyong and asked, "Jiedushi, do you have something on your mind? Could it be that the sage fears the Jiedushi's military authority?"

It's not yet that serious, but it's only a matter of time.

Fang Chongyong sighed leisurely.

Based on Ji Ge's temperament, waiting for Envoy Fang to return to Chang'an to report his duties, it's estimated he will be stripped of his military power, then be given a post like Minister of Rites—a nominal promotion but actual demotion.

That's probably how it will be.

The Envoy of the Western Regions Pacification is a genuine 'post'; however, after several decades of evolution, this post has solidified into an official position. Judging by its nature, the Envoy of the Western Regions Pacification is undoubtedly an externally assigned civil official, a regional governor.

Such a post usually doesn't last long; after a few years, the Western Regions will be a completely different scene.

Ironclad cities, flowing prefects—these are objective laws that will not change according to Fang Chongyong's personal wishes. After pacifying the Western Regions, being transferred by the court to the central government to serve as a senior official of the Six Ministries is the inevitable trend; Fang Chongyong had anticipated this.

"Jiedushi, if that's the case, then we really need to prepare properly. By then, we certainly can't just sit and wait for death, can we?"

He Changqi said with some worry.

"Who says otherwise? Of course we can't just sit and wait for death."

Fang Chongyong muttered to himself, He Qichang's idea is not problematic, but he cannot see what will happen in the future, nor can he see the great trend of the long river of history.

This is the happiness of the 'ignorant'.

The turmoil of the Tang dynasty has been settled; it's not that being a Six Ministries official is undesirable, but rather that those who hold military power are the protagonists of the next version.

The version has been updated, and people must adapt accordingly; there's nothing that can be done about it.

"Old Tiger He, you are blessed."

Fang Chongyong laughed helplessly, shook his head, and said something inexplicable.

He walked out of the commander's tent, only to see pinkish-white wildflowers covering the distant hills, as if entering a fairy-tale world.

Not far from the commander's tent, Ana Ye, dressed in a Tang military uniform, was wearing an apron and stirring a large bubbling pot with a thick wooden stick; from afar one could smell the distinctive aroma of herbal medicine.

Recently many soldiers suffered from persistent diarrhea due to acclimatization issues; Ana Ye volunteered to brew a 'big pot of medicine', using locally gathered herbs, which proved remarkably effective and won popular favor. Now in the army, no one dares to offend her, and she can act freely.

"What do you think of the bearing of the Queen of Stone Kingdom?"

Fang Chongyong pointed at Ana Ye, who was brewing medicine, and asked He Changqi.

"Jiedushi, everyone knows about your fondness for so-and-so; the so-called Governor of the Governorate of Dayuan is just in it for fun. The nobles of Stone Kingdom are all dressed in gold and silver, covered in jewels."

"But... his demeanor still doesn't quite match."

He Changqi said with a troubled expression.

He couldn't say that Ana Ye is not beautiful—she is beautiful, but she's a bit rustic, lacking that lofty noble aura.

If you say she's the Queen of Stone Kingdom, nobody would believe it!

"That's just your misunderstanding; nobility isn't worn by dressing in fine clothes."

Fang Chongyong said with deep meaning.

(End of chapter)