Chapter 352: Endless Routines

"Hey yo! Hey yo! Hey yo! Hey yo!"

South of Bagua City, not far from the Yili Riverbank, a unit mainly composed of soldiers from the Western Expeditionary Army was shoveling earth like ants moving a nest, diverting water from the Yili River into the city and carving a canal.

They shouted rhythmic "hey yo, hey yo" while working with boundless vigor, their posture full of spirited determination.

"Clang, clang!" "Clang, clang!" "Clang, clang!"

Nearby, a musically inclined soldier struck a metal clapper, producing a brisk rhythm, and shouted meaningless cheers while beating.

This was ancient times, indeed one of the operational secrets of large‑scale Tang‑era projects. The plain laboring folk actually worked while shouting, finding joy in hardship and venting their emotions in their own way.

"The saintess isn't practicing dance at the relay inn; is it that the laborers here keep working nonstop, piquing your interest?"

Fang Chongyong, who was inspecting the project's progress on site, saw the veiled Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya walk up to him uninvited and couldn't help teasing her.

"Damn it, I'm soaking in the charm of Guanzhong's rustic culture, you little Chihuahua, why are you wandering everywhere! Move aside!"

Fang Chongyong muttered a curse under his breath.

"Ambassador Fang, you are a commander, not a construction foreman! Your duty is to lead battles! How can you be doing this every day?"

Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya couldn't help but remind him.

Given the unpleasant memory of that night, she refrained from provoking Fang Chongyong's sore spot, mentioning nothing about ordering the Tang army to dispatch troops to Dalosi.

Actually Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya didn't want to come to the dusty labor site of rough men, but now the Stone Country's situation grows more urgent by the day, and she can no longer afford to be unhurried!

"Agriculture and warfare are inseparable; farming supplies logistics for war, and war provides a stable environment for farming—these two are one and the same."

The saintess's Zhezhi dance is quite good, but as for military strategy and the like, you'd better keep your opinions to yourself.

As long as you stay silent, no one will know that beneath that decent exterior your belly is empty, with not a drop of ink.

Fang Chongyong couldn't help mocking her.

"Ambassador Fang, the countries west of Congling are watching how the Great Tang treats them; Stone Country is a precedent."

"Aren't you afraid that Gao Xianzhi is acting so perversely, that these countries might unite to resist the Great Tang? Isn't that a matter of national security?"

Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya still couldn't hold back her thoughts, and after speaking she regretted it, her upright chest trembling, breath rapid, fearing Fang Chongyong would again pull some trick and toy with her.

"Since you want to talk, fine."

"Come to the magistrate's study tonight; remember to dress modestly."

"You are an envoy to discuss state affairs, not a prostitute selling yourself; you must respect your status!"

Fang Chongyong scolded unabashedly.

Hearing that, Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya could hardly believe anyone could be so shameless.

"Ambassador Fang, if you truly respect your status, why did I see you and your concubine in bed that night…"

Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya stopped speaking, as inquisitive gazes fell upon them. Their current appearance didn't look like a Great Tang official and a Stone Country princess discussing serious matters; it resembled a client who had used a prostitute without paying, being chased for debt.

"Saintess, that's not right. When you left that day, didn't you say you kept your eyes closed the whole time and saw nothing?"

"Now you claim you saw it—did you see it or not? This ambassador worries you'll go around spreading rumors and tarnish my reputation."

Fang Chongyong looked at Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya with a scrutinizing gaze, a smile at the corner of his mouth, his eyes scanning her from head to toe as if they could pierce her body, scorching her skin.

Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya felt like a female slave in a Stone Country market, stripped of clothing for customers to inspect. She had witnessed similar scenes before and hadn't found them improper; as someone lofty, it seemed natural.

Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya is a Stone Country princess and a Fire Cult saintess; without external powerful interference, she is a celestial darling who gets whatever she wants.

At the time she viewed everything through a slave owner's eyes, selecting her favored "goods". The customers, heads held high, need not worry about the goods' thoughts; it was naturally pleasant.

But now Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya realizes that she herself seems to be the "commodity".

That feeling is simply terrible.

Facing Fang Chongyong's teasing, Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya took a deep breath and replied formally, "As you wish, farewell."

"Saintess, take care; this ambassador is busy with official duties, so I won't escort you, ha."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand, hands behind his back, glanced at the distant Yili River and said nonchalantly.

However, that remark seemed to enrage Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya.

The Stone Country princess, who had already walked away, turned back, her sapphire‑like eyes blazing with anger as she shouted at Fang Chongyong: "Ambassador Fang, stop pretending. Just call me Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya! All day you call me saintess, yet you ignore the Fire Cult, ignore Stone Country, playing both princess and saintess—what are you pretending for?"

Her voice drew the attention of He Changqi and others nearby, but the group then acted as if nothing had happened, each returning to their own tasks.

"Very well, saintess, you may return to the relay inn to rest."

Fang Chongyong replied calmly, turned and left, so that Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya's punch landed on a cotton pad, nearly spewing three liters of blood.

……

Late at night, Fang Chongyong was studying a map of Stone Country in the magistrate's study.

South of Stone Country lies Kang Country, where Gao Xianzhi uses it as a supply base to attack Stone Country. Yet Kang Country is also a traitorous fifth column, also providing dog food for the Tang army's logistics; one can imagine how unstable this base truly is.

Along the banks of the Yao Sha Water lies Stone Country's capital, Zhezhi City. Following the Yao Sha Water northward, a tributary heads east, passing through Baishui City and Dalosi City, then joins the Suiye River, together flowing into the Hot Sea (i. e., Lake Iseik).

This riverside route is actually the eastern road into Stone Country. Elsewhere is waterless Gobi desert, impassable to people and livestock.

"Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya is coming tonight; aren't you going to sleep? Still here watching the spectacle?"

Fang Chongyong asked, looking at the map.

From behind the folding screen, Anaye's voice came: "It's fine, I'm reading a medical text; I'm idle anyway. I'm here to see if the moves she learned that night can be applied today."

Hearing this, Fang Chongyong almost spat a mouthful of old blood onto the map.

A few moves? Is that even worth mentioning?

"You need to have confidence in me; these are all psychological tactics. I'm playing her; I acted long ago, no need to go around in circles."

Fang Chongyong helplessly defended himself.

"I, of course, have confidence in you, Alang, but whether you can control that harlot is another story. That harlot strips naked and thrusts into your embrace—can you stand it?"

Anaye retorted crudely.

At that moment, He Changqi knocked from outside: "Ambassador Fang, the Fire Cult saintess has arrived, saying she has important matters to discuss. I have already ordered the courtyard guards to stand down."

"Bring her in."

Fang Chongyong sighed; he really hadn't intended to play any "Flamboyant Years" in the study tonight. These were all psychological tactics aimed at Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya, to better PUA the saintess.

But it was obvious that the people around him, including Anaye, didn't think that way.

After a while, Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya was brought in, indeed dressed solemnly and appropriately, her neck hidden by a high collar, her brocade robe, various ornaments and ribbons covering her graceful figure.

"The saintess truly keeps her word; please sit."

Fang Chongyong made a gesturing invitation.

Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya glanced with some puzzlement at the slightly out‑of‑place screen inside the room, feeling as if someone was eavesdropping behind it, yet she couldn't conveniently go and take a look.

She slowly knelt on the cushion, her heart a mix of five flavors, looked at Fang and asked: "Ambassador Fang, after so many days, what exactly do you intend, can you give a definite answer? Dalros is considerably smaller than Zhezhi City, cannot withstand Gao Xianzhi's thunderous strike; if you don't rescue, then …"

"Then there's no need to rescue."

Fang Chongyong said casually, and after speaking poured a cup of wine for Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya.

"Drink first; we'll talk after you finish."

Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya hesitated, thought it over, then gritted her teeth and drank the wine in the cup. After a while, nothing happened; she wasn't stupefied, and she felt a sudden shame.

The ambassador before her, though his affairs were quite out of sync, was still rather upright.

Even if he were to play, it would be in an open and proper way, without any underhanded tricks.

Indeed, I had underestimated him.

"Saintess, the matter you request makes this ambassador find it hard to handle.

Let me put it this way: actually, the matters concerning the Stone Country have long since been handed over to Gao Xianzhi for full authority. Imperial orders change from morning to evening, still altered because of a woman; such affairs would make this ambassador unable to get by in the Western Regions.

If you think that sacrificing yourself to the tiger can save the Stone Country, then tomorrow I will send someone to take you to Gao Xianzhi's main camp.

You could try to please Gao Xianzhi in bed and see if it works. Perhaps if he gets happy, he'll agree.

That day my concubine and I performed; you must have learned a few moves, right? Try them on Gao Xianzhi; perhaps they'll really work.

At least it's more useful than you begging me here. No matter how you try to please me, this military order cannot be issued.

Stop making futile efforts. Of course, if you admire me and are willing to accompany me to bed without any conditions, I would of course welcome it, right?

Fang Chongyong said with a helpless expression.

"Fang Chongyong! You are shameless! How can the world have someone as weak and incompetent as you!"

"Are you the Western Regions Governor‑General, or is Gao Xianzhi the Western Regions Governor‑General!"

Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya slammed the table and rose, pointing at Fang Chongyong's nose and scolding loudly!

She had always known that she would eventually be taken down by Fang Chongyong through unknown means, becoming a plaything in bed.

Actually, this is not unacceptable, because in this way the Stone Country could mostly be saved. Becoming a concubine to a high‑ranking Tang official, in exchange for the Stone Country's peace, is not unreasonable.

But look at what Fang Chongyong says; this man, fully responsible for Western Regions affairs, cannot even control his subordinate generals!

Does he really think such childish rhetoric can deceive others?

Before arriving, Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya's party had thoroughly studied the Tang military's power structure in the Western Regions. That counts as "knowing oneself and the enemy"; how could they not know that stopping Gao Xianzhi was essentially a matter of a single sentence from Fang Chongyong?

Otherwise, they couldn't have truly come from Dalros to here.

"This ambassador is considering the vast Western Regions, not just your Stone Country.

Earlier, this ambassador already instructed Gao Xianzhi to handle it properly. Now, trusting the personnel, it is inconvenient to intervene in specific affairs.

Saintess, if you have nothing else to say, then please return. Of course, if you admire me, we can now go to the bedroom and discuss romance on the bed.

Fang Chongyong made an inviting gesture.

After hearing this, Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya grabbed the wine jug on the table, so angry she wanted to smash Fang Chongyong's head with it. Yet her remaining reason finally suppressed the rage.

She leaned over and tipped the jug onto Fang Chongyong's hair knot; the pale‑yellow white wine streamed down his face.

That was the epitome of utter embarrassment.

"Dog official! Go ahead and kill us! If you keep begging, I, Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya, am just a dog!"

Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya dropped that harsh remark, hurriedly lifted her skirt and rushed out of the study.

"Is this what you meant by having everything under control?"

She's just a mad woman; can your bear‑like, hulking body not restrain her?

When you make love with me, why are you so forceful?

Anaye rushed out from behind the screen, grabbed an absorbent cotton cloth to wipe Fang Chongyong's face, and bombarded him with rapid questions.

Being splashed with wine on the head is indeed a humiliating disgrace.

Fang Chongyong had never suffered such a loss!

"You're about to ruin her family and lives, yet you won't let her vent her temper; you're being too overbearing.

She beat me today, and I wouldn't even retaliate."

Fang Chongyong let out a long sigh; the matters he needed to handle were nearly done, and it was time to wrap things up.

On the second, third, and fourth days, for several consecutive days, Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya did not leave Gua Gua City; of course, she also did not meet Fang Chongyong.

But on the evening of the fourth day, He Changqi hurried into the magistrate's study, then strode forward and handed a letter to Fang Chongyong.

He, excited, patted his horse and said, "Jiedushi, you truly anticipate events like a deity. These past few days, Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya has deliberately stayed in the Yili River Valley to lull us; in fact, she sent someone to Dalros City to send a report a few days ago. We chased for four days straight, finally catching the messenger near Hot Sea; that fellow runs faster than a rabbit!"

"The soldiers have worked hard; reward them well."

After hearing He Changqi's report, Fang Chongyong was overjoyed, and the gloom on his face for days vanished.

The generals still thought Fang Chongyong had "failed" in the 'strategy' of the saintess and were in low spirits.

Fang Chongyong tore open the letter and, unsurprisingly, found that Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya wrote to her elder brother: The Tang state is untrustworthy, with collusion from top to bottom. The Tang border generals can no longer stop Gao Xianzhi. To restore the nation, they must seek western aid from the Black‑clad Great Food. Please, father, abandon Dalros City and immediately turn westward, to the Great Food Kingdom, to contact various forces for restoration.

Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya will hold the Tang border main force steady in the Yili River Valley, though the outlook is grim. She will sacrifice herself for the nation; please, father and brother, do not mourn.

"Alas, truly a tale both commendable and tragic."

Fang Chongyong clicked his tongue in admiration.

"When we set out, didn't we recruit some Tochoro guides along the way? Find a trustworthy one, go to Dalros City, and deliver this letter."

Hold on, I'll make a copy first.

While preparing brush and ink, he said to He Changqi.

(End of chapter)