Chapter 356: Does a Dog Know It Is a Dog?

Broken Leaf Town lies to the northwest of the Hot Sea, and the few cities and pastures are basically scattered around the Broken Leaf River and its tributaries.

Broken Leaf Town had been occupied by the Great Tang for many years, yet it could never be held. Even during the Kaiyuan era, when the Tang army crippled the Tujishi and briefly seized control of Broken Leaf Town, they still had to opt for a tributary arrangement, leaving its administration to the remnants of the Tujishi.

Hidden within this is a seemingly inconspicuous but decisive key factor.

At this moment, Fang Chongyong stared at the boundless Hot Sea before him and was instantly dumbfounded.

He knew this was the famous Issyk Lake of Kyrgyzstan from his previous life, but the lake before him was absurdly massive! Anyone unfamiliar would truly think they had arrived at the seashore!

The Hot Sea is a landlocked lake with no outlet, and its area is indeed considerable. In Fang Chongyong's previous life, even with severe soil and water erosion, it still exceeded 6,332 square kilometers!

It is called "Hot Sea" because its waters never freeze in winter! In the western regions where the diurnal temperature swing often exceeds fifty degrees, this is truly remarkable.

"Enfeoffed Staff Officer, how exactly does this route go?"

Fang Chongyong pointed his horsewhip at the roads on both sides of the lake shore and asked.

The Hot Sea is surrounded by mountains on all sides; its surface forms an irregular oval, longer east‑west and shorter north‑south. The eastern end of the oval reaches the grasslands of the Tekes River basin, while the western end, a bit to the north, is the core area of Broken Leaf Town.

"Returning Jiedushi, there are only two routes to cross the Hot Sea.

The northern road along the lake leads directly to Ye Zhi City of Broken Leaf Heavy Town, where the Tujishi have stationed heavy troops. Although this route is shorter, there is no water supply along the way during autumn and winter, so in the current season a marching army faces a risk of water shortage.

Only after next spring, when the snow mountains melt and rivers flow into the Hot Sea, will water no longer be scarce.

The advantage of this road is that, precisely because the rivers are seasonal, there are no cities to garrison in the area, and the enemy cannot maintain a continuous ambush there.

The southern side, however, has many rivers formed by snow‑melt, and the climate is relatively warm. Thus even in winter meltwater flows into the Hot Sea, eliminating concerns about water for the march.

The drawback of this route is that it is longer, and the Tujishi have two warning cities along it, called Frozen City and He Lie City. After passing those two towns, Ye Zhi City lies ahead.

The junior officer suggested that, from our current position, we split the troops, advance the two armies separately for a coordinated strike, and then converge at Ye Zhi City.

Feng Changqing clasped his fists in salute and made the suggestion.

One must admit, this briefing was impressive; the commanders around Fang Chongyong glanced sideways, feeling that Feng Changqing was no ordinary man—well‑informed and bold enough to go alone as an envoy to the Tujishi Khan, truly both brave and shrewd.

"With a lake this large, could it still lack water?"

He Changqi asked in puzzled confusion, and many present gave him a glance, collectively choosing silence without saying more.

Some were as puzzled as He Changqi but did not wish to reveal their lack of knowledge in this area;

Others saw the issue but did not want to step forward and show off.

"A commander who does not know geography and terrain is a mediocre talent. He Laohu, did you not see that this great lake has no dense forest along its banks?"

In such a water‑rich place, trees should have grown in vast stands, endless to cut. Here there are only some salt‑tolerant shrubs and weeds, no large trees, which already explains the problem.

In fact, if you just take a sip of the lake water now, you'll understand why this place is unusually water‑scarce, without anyone needing to explain further.

Fang Chongyong smiled and gave an explanation.

He Changqi suddenly understood, patted his head and said, "Look at this junior officer's mind, it truly can't compare with the Jiedushi's. So it's a saltwater lake—no wonder the court never registered Broken Leaf Town's households and populace."

His remark hit the nail on the head.

If the Hot Sea were a freshwater lake, one could build canals to channel its water to irrigate surrounding fields, terrace the mountain slopes, develop fisheries, and also take advantage of its winter‑non‑freezing trait.

Supporting a million people here would pose no problem at all! With a population, the Great Tang could naturally register the households and directly control the region.

But the Hot Sea happens to be a saltwater lake.

A single character's difference has doomed the surrounding area.

The lake water here cannot irrigate fields; locals must also guard against backflow that would salinize the soil!

In four words, it can be summed up: water‑deep, fire‑hot.

In the Tang era without modern industry, the geography here is hopeless, unsuitable for housing many people, and productivity cannot rise.

These facts cannot be altered by personal will; they are not solved by empty boasts.

Among the four Anxi towns, the reason the Great Tang cannot truly control Broken Leaf Town lies chiefly in this Hot Sea.

A lake as vast as the Hot Sea blocks logistical supply; transporting grain to Broken Leaf becomes too costly, making household registration unworthwhile.

This is the inevitable choice of the era, not a failure of ancient strategic vision.

"Duan Sima, return to Bagua City now, recruit several thousand new households, and establish a crossing here."

Fang Chongyong looked at Duan Xiushi and said, pointing his horsewhip at the waters of the Hot Sea.

His words shocked the commanders; everyone looked at Fang Chongyong with puzzled eyes.

"From now on, the grain from the Ili River Valley, once brought overland here, will go directly through the Hot Sea and be transferred by water to Ye Zhi City.

Otherwise, using the long and narrow lakeside road for overland transport would take ages.

Without provisions, our troops cannot endure, and then how can we contend with the enemy?"

Fang Chongyong pointed his horsewhip at the boundless Hot Sea before him and said.

An inland lake is excellent—calm winds and smooth waters, perfect for canal transport. Records from the previous life say this lake's maximum depth reaches several hundred meters, with an average depth over two hundred meters; it's even enough to launch a carrier here! Sailing a supply ship would be a splash.

Moreover, the Hot Sea never freezes in winter, so canal boats face no grounding risk; there is truly no better method of moving supplies than by canal.

"Understood! The junior officer will act swiftly; the problem seems minor. The Ili River Valley has abundant timber."

Duan Xiushi clasped his fists in salute, said so, and cleanly turned his horse's head to head back.

"Wang Nande, leading five thousand troops, will march south with great fanfare. Attack Frozen City, but remember not to rush; you can delay a bit to draw the Tujishi's main force onto the southern route.

I, the envoy, will personally lead troops north to assault Ye Zhi City!"

Fang Chongyong swiftly allocated the military duties, demonstrating his strong decision‑making, decisive action, and steady command.

However, upon hearing this, Wang Nande again clasped his fists in salute to Fang Chongyong and said, "Jiedushi, let the junior officer take the northern road. As the commander of the three armies, we cannot take reckless risks. If something goes wrong and the forces are leaderless, would the great army return empty‑handed?"

"Jiedushi, General Wang speaks truly. If he assaults Ye Zhi City and creates a disturbance, it would only disrupt one army; with you overseeing the southern front, we still have a chance.

If the Jiedushi's northern assault meets disaster and the three armies lose command, wouldn't they scatter like headless flies?

Then the situation would become unmanageable!"

He Changqi also stepped forward to advise.

"That works as well. General Wang, are five thousand troops enough?"

Fang Chongyong accepted the advice flowing like a stream and gave his assent to Wang Nande's suggestion.

"Return, Jiedushi, five thousand elite soldiers suffice. The current cavalry raids are far from the bravery of old days. This subordinate will cut one down with a single slash!"

"If we fail to take Ye Zhi City, this subordinate will bring my head to see you!"

Wang Nande said with an excited expression. The battle merit is right before us; if we don't claim it, what kind of scoundrel would we be?

Hearing the other's display of loyalty, Fang Chongyong gave a sly smile and ordered Feng Changqing: "Where is the clerk‑attaché? Write a military order for General Wang; there is no room for idle talk in the army. If we fail to take Ye Zhi City, we won't be able to explain it!"

Huh?

Hearing this, many people looked at Wang Nande with schadenfreude, their faces bearing malicious smiles.

Wang Nande felt like slapping his own face hard with a few big ear slaps!

They say disaster comes from the mouth, yet it happens within the army; why does a hot head start showing off?

At this moment he regretted repeatedly, unable to retract his words, so he pretended to be indifferent. When Feng Changqing handed over the written order, Wang Nande promptly and boldly signed his name on it, stamping his seal.

That's what they call losing to a person but not to the formation—crushing one's teeth and swallowing them.

After signing the order, Wang Nande did not forget to continue showing loyalty before Fang Chongyong, saying: "Please, Jiedushi, rest assured; this subordinate will keep his word."

"What does this envoy want with your head? I only want Ye Zhi City."

"Go then, bring plenty of water, but use it sparingly."

"The water of the Hot Sea can be drunk by livestock; drinking it for horses is no problem. In fact, this journey is not as dangerous as you think."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand and said.

Soon, the army of over ten thousand split into two forces, heading north and south along the Hot Sea coast.

Duan Xiu, following Fang Chongyong's orders, established a moderately sized ferry at some point on the easternmost stretch of the Hot Sea. He then instructed laborers to transport grain from the Yili River Valley to store here, while using Yili timber to build canal boats.

No one expected Fang Chongyong to have a sudden idea, having the Anxi Expeditionary Force adopt a canal‑transport model.

What they didn't foresee was that using the vast Hot Sea for canal transport would perfectly solve the grain supply to Suiye. This move extended the frontline Tang army's reach considerably, profoundly affecting the war's progress.

……

The autumn wind was bleak, and Guanzhong already felt a hint of chill. Yet those who sensed the cold and worried about winter were merely ordinary folk.

Inside Chang'an, the offspring of officials and aristocratic families, the noble lineages, lived…

They lacked no brocade or silk, and the market increasingly stocked cotton fabrics brought from Hexi and elsewhere. Their homes had heated floors, they carried warmers, recited poetry at the mouth, brewed fine wine on the table, and held beautiful women in their arms.

Their lives were forever poetic and picturesque, filled with beauty and pleasure.

Human suffering has always been far from them.

Among them, Ji Ge is the most.

At this moment, he was soaking in the Nine‑Dragon Hot Spring within Huaqing Palace, the surrounding temperature as pleasant as a Jiangnan spring.

Musicians from the Pear Garden played in the distance, sounding like high mountains and flowing water, exceedingly delightful.

Since the last time he traveled from Chang'an's Xingqing Palace to Huaqing Palace north of Lishan, Ji Ge has been residing here permanently, never returning to Chang'an.

He also brought along the seals and documents needed for his daily duties. Whenever Li Linfu needed to report, he had to depart from Chang'an to Lishan, a round trip taking two days, which was very troublesome.

However, Ji Ge didn't care about the officials' back‑and‑forth; after all, the inconvenience wasn't his, so what did it matter?

"Your Majesty, Yu Chaoen has returned."

Gao Lishi bent over to the hot spring's edge and whispered, fearing to disturb Ji Ge's leisure.

"Quick, quickly convey!"

Ji Ge sprang up from the pool with a splash, his excitement and urgency unmistakable and unstoppable!

It was wholly from the heart.

Soon, Yu Chaoen arrived, a flattering smile on his face, seemingly eager to seek credit.

Seeing this, Gao Lishi frowned slightly but said nothing, still guiding him to Ji Ge's side of the hot spring.

"Speak, how are things in the Western Regions?"

Ji Ge's expression was now as calm as water as he sat back in the pool, as if his earlier agitation had been feigned.

"In response, Your Majesty, Envoy Fang has built a city in the Yili River Valley, naming it Bagua City, and petitioned the court to register households and equalize the populace.

Furthermore, he applied to the court to rename the Yili River Valley as Li Province and place it under the jurisdiction of the Northern Frontier Protectorate."

Yu Chaoen said cautiously.

"Fine, fine, they're trivial matters! Just do as he says!"

Ji Ge scolded impatiently.

Did he expect to hear about Fang Chongyong building cities in the Western Regions and registering households?

Indeed, such matters are good for the Tang, but so what?

It's merely to bring the court more wealth, give the border troops more bases, recruit more soldiers—so what?

Even if the Tang realm is vast, it cannot extend this emperor's lifespan, can it?

Seeing Ji Ge's expression turn from bright to gloomy, a storm approaching, Yu Chaoen swallowed, then whispered, "In the Western Regions, I have sought medicine to no avail…"

"Then how dare you return! What are you back for? I ask you why you returned!"

The naked Ji Ge erupted in fury, stepped out of the pool, and kicked Yu Chaoen to the ground, glaring at him with a ferocious expression.

He snarled at Yu Chaoen: "You old dog, is it because I have been too kind to you that you refuse to work earnestly? I don't want to hear this; think again if there's anything worth saying! If you can't give a proper reason, I have plenty of ways to deal with you!"

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger and listen to Yu Chaoen speak slowly. If he speaks poorly, punishment later is not too late."

Gao Lishi calmly consoled, seemingly defending Yu Chaoen, but in fact cornering him.

"Your Majesty, calm your anger!"

"I, the servant, have not gained nothing."

"I heard a rumor that when the Shu Han Chancellor Zhuge Liang led the southern expedition, he once used a local turtle and tuber as the main ingredients…"

"I think this formula might be worth trying."

Yu Chaoen knelt on the ground, kowtowing desperately, and while kowtowing hurriedly recounted the "martial legend" that Anaye had once mentioned offhand.

"Go find it, or you go yourself! I don't want to hear any stories; I want to see results!"

"Set out now to the Shu region, to Lingnan, and also to Nanzhao. Then bring some of every kind of turtles to me in Chang'an!"

"No, no, not just those places—it's turtles from the entire Great Tang!"

"Strongman, go deliver an edict: let every prefecture and county throughout the Great Tang present turtles, and any perfunctory Inspector shall be removed!"

"Also tufuling and the like, all to be presented in Chang'an, so the physicians of the Imperial Medical Institute can study formulas! The sooner, the better!"

"Anyone who doesn't contribute, I will strip of office and never employ them again!"

Ji Ge, panting heavily, shouted excitedly.

Now he is like a drowning man clutching a straw of salvation, something he must hold onto no matter what.

To achieve his goal, he will spare no expense!

Yu Chaoen scrambled to his feet, his forehead drenched in fresh blood, unable to wipe it away; after respectfully bowing to Ji Ge, he rolled and fled out of Huaqing Palace.

Eunuchs are the emperor's household slaves; such people often regard their master's orders as more important than life itself, gaining trust thereby.

Besides, they usually lack mainstream societal notions of right and wrong; the emperor's will is their sole consideration.

Of course, if the emperor cannot suppress them, the phenomenon of the slave overpowering the master will arise!

From this perspective, in the emperor's eyes, obedient eunuchs are always more endearing than civil officials or generals.

Who wouldn't like a lapdog who obeys every word?

These are merely human nature.

After Yu Chaoen left, Ji Ge finally dressed, then returned to a certain inner chamber of Huaqing Palace to rest—called rest, but actually to brood.

The matter of presenting turtles will surely arouse many doubts; he needs to spread some smoke screens outward.

"Strongman, go back to Chang'an and tell the brother‑slave that I wish to raise turtles in Xingqing Palace, soliciting all kinds of turtles from across Chang'an, preferably exotic varieties.

Post a bounty; if I am satisfied, I will not be stingy with rewards."

Ji Ge's expression remained calm as he spoke word for word.

His words left Gao Lishi bewildered.

"Raise turtles?"

"The ponds of Daming Palace already have turtles! How could such a crude excuse fool outsiders!"

"Your Majesty, this matter is not difficult. But why have you suddenly decided to raise turtles? That will likely raise suspicion,"

Gao Lishi didn't know how to persuade Ji Ge; he realized that the emperor he had served for decades was now delirious!

Now a rumor claims turtles can cure illnesses, prompting a nationwide plunder of all turtles. Calling it a great affair is hardly a big deal; mobilizing the whole nation to gather turtles is nothing.

But if in the future a rumor says 'giant fish' (i. e., whales) can cure illnesses, would we really go into the sea to catch creatures larger than ships?

If this continues, who can say what will happen in the future!

"What's so hard about this.

Just tell the brother‑slave that I wish to live as long as a turtle, so I want to raise many different turtles; loving the house and its turtles, is that not allowed? When will it be your turn to teach me how to act!"

Ji Ge, unable to contain his rage, grabbed the paperweight on the table and hurled it at Gao Lishi!

But it missed, as his force was a bit short; the paperweight rolled a few circles at Gao Lishi's feet, not even touching his hair.

"Please, Your Majesty, calm your anger; I will handle it at once!"

Gao Lishi knelt on the ground, kowtowing as if pounding garlic; having served Ji Ge for decades, he had never seen him so furious.

Gao Lishi slipped out of the room cautiously, then sighed helplessly.

Your Majesty's temperament has changed a lot these years; the political situation in Chang'an has grown chaotic, and the princes' conflicts have intensified.

The Great Tang's road ahead is long; how shall we proceed?

(End of chapter)