Chapter 361: Like a God

Speak, I, the Right Prime Minister, am very busy.

Li Linfu, his expression displeased, replied perfunctorily, showing no false courtesy to Liu Yan sitting opposite him.

When it comes to genuine talent, the Right Prime Minister is still good at winning them over.

As long as they can get things done and are not deliberately opposing him, he is willing to bring them under his banner.

But the Right Prime Minister also has his own temperament; ideas from subordinates must not contradict his own views.

"Right Prime Minister, regarding the linking of jiaozi and the salt tax…"

Liu Yan asked cautiously.

Before he finished, Li Linfu could no longer endure and gave the desk a heavy slap.

Liu Yan fell silent at once.

"You, you, what should I, the Right Prime Minister, say?"

Li Linfu let out a long sigh, stood up, and paced around the study.

"The method of monopolizing salt you mention, did you think I, the Right Prime Minister, hadn't considered it?"

The Great Tang lacks no salt! The northwest lacks none, and the coast lacks even more!

Salt moves far faster than silk! If you intend to manipulate the salt trade, someone will surely tamper with it!

Li Linfu loudly rebuked Liu Yan, saying.

After a long silence, Liu Yan finally crossed his hands and saluted Li Linfu, saying:

"Right Prime Minister, the matters you mentioned, I, your subordinate, have also considered.

The current rent‑labor‑tax system is mismatched, and it must inevitably be abolished.

A sweeping conversion of salt tax into jiaozi, using this opportunity, could also stabilize prices in Guanzhong and streamline canal commerce.

And also…

"Enough, enough, no need to continue."

Li Linfu felt a headache upon hearing that.

Liu Yan's policy may have some effect; Li Linfu estimated that it still had some usefulness, perhaps even great usefulness.

But if Liu Yan's plan were followed, it would inevitably require a thorough overhaul of the entire state; the operation could not be small nor proceed without the Emperor himself clearing the obstacles.

Looking at the present Sage, is he that kind of material?

Just abolishing the rent‑labor‑tax is a major matter; the myriad aspects involved, Liu Yan may not even have a concept of them in his mind!

"Hebei Cangzhou has abundant salt, with the Changlu Salt Field supplying the Youyan region.

If you truly wish to get things done, then pilot the salt tax at the Changlu Salt Field. Using the salt and salt tax of Changlu as collateral, issue Hebei jiaozi, and observe for a few years first.

As for Hexi, I will not meddle for now, restoring officials such as Yan Zhuang and Cen Shen to their original posts.

Go, go, I have other matters to attend to; this is the Sage's great affair, do not cause further trouble!

Li Linfu said somewhat helplessly, truly frightened by Liu Yan.

If it were not for Liu Yan's unique insight into people's livelihood, the economy, and commercial operations—an indispensable aide in managing state affairs—Li Linfu would have long ago kicked him to a provincial post as a magistrate.

"Thank you, Right Prime Minister, I, your subordinate, will certainly spare no effort in fulfilling my duties."

Liu Yan respectfully performed a bow to Li Linfu and then left the study.

After he left, Li Linfu sat alone at the desk, growing angrier with each thought, and finally could not help but flip the table!

That horse‑rider, Qiu Ba from Hexi, really shows no courtesy at all!

He staged a 'drowning' trick to mislead others.

Does this Right Prime Minister have no sense of shame?

Yet after pondering, Li Linfu despondently realized that he truly had no way to deal with those people in Hexi.

Unless he resorts to using the army!

But the matter is far from that stage. Initially the court piloted jiaozi in Hexi; now it runs well there, and the court, jealous, wants to take it back.

It is unreasonable in itself.

The key is that this is a convenient method, but not the only one. If the situation truly escalates, Brother Ji could not protect himself, and might very well bring the Right Prime Minister's head out to quell the dispute.

Prime Ministers, even if ten thousand die, the Great Tang has plenty of people to fill the role.

If Hexi falls into chaos, it will truly be chaotic! How the Emperor will choose, Li Linfu actually knows.

This time he suffered a silent loss.

At that moment, the servant who had gone in the daytime to Xinqing Palace to deliver turtles returned with a report.

Li Linfu, with hopeful expression, asked, "What does Internal Attendant Gao say?"

"General Gao says: Understood."

The servant answered honestly.

Gao Lishi indeed only said those three words, then hurried off to the northern Li Mountain's Huaqing Palace.

"No hint at all?"

Li Linfu was completely disheartened; gathering those ten‑plus species of turtles is not easy!

Finding turtles is of course easy, but after obtaining them, many turned out to be duplicate species. To collect ten‑plus different species is truly a painstaking task.

Although he did not handle it personally, he still had to inquire from time to time.

"Returning to the Right Prime Minister, I truly could not discern what General Gao was thinking at the time, but it seemed he did not care much."

The servant said somewhat aggrieved.

Li Linfu couldn't help but sigh, waved his large hand, signaling the other to leave quickly!

After the servant left, Li Linfu's expression finally darkened.

The Sage has fallen ill with a strange disease! The prescription contains a turtle ingredient, but it is unknown which part of the turtle, and whether the formula actually matches the ailment.

Li Linfu thought that perhaps the saint casts a wide net for all kinds of turtles, just to test medicines!

The cold night wind rose, and Li Linfu, pacing in the courtyard, suddenly felt his whole body turn icy.

The saint has contracted a strange illness, and at his age, even if treated correctly, how many good years could he have left?

The Son of Heaven has passed away; who will rule the world?

That answer is especially crucial to Li Linfu.

Because it is almost certain that whoever the next emperor is, he will no longer need this court‑shaking "bro slave" of his.

"Men, prepare the carriage; I intend to go to Huaqing Palace."

Li Linfu shouted toward the gatehouse.

…

Marching at night in the Western Regions is routine, even the standard for most armies. With the stars above as guides and certain landmarks (such as mountain ranges) for direction, it is actually not easy to lose one's way.

This cavalry of several thousand men is marching along the road from Stone Kingdom's Zhezhi City to the Kang Kingdom. Though called a road, it is really sand and wasteland.

Their target this time is the key outpost at the border between the Kang Kingdom and the Stone Kingdom: Juzhan Ti City.

The city lies on the southern bank of the Yao Sha River, less than two hundred li south of Zhezhi City, at the mouth of the Fei Er Gan Na Valley, within Kang Kingdom's jurisdiction.

The city is a crucial chokepoint and bridgehead defending the Kang Kingdom's capital, Samo Jian City (Samarkand).

Its strategic position is extremely important.

At the heart of Juzhan Ti City is a small fortress about a hundred meters long and wide, built on a mound. Around the fortress, along the Yao Sha River, lie many cultivated fields and a cluster of settlements and houses with little defensive capability.

Together they form a clearly tiered city system. Many Western Region cities are like this: a central fortress of limited size, while ordinary civilians and slaves do not reside within the fortress.

To the north of Juzhan Ti City the Yao Sha River serves as a natural defensive belt; not far to the west lies the Kang Kingdom's capital, Samo Jian City. It must be said that Juzhan Ti's strategic value stems from its location, irreplaceable and hardly affected by how the fortress is built.

Under the cover of night, the several‑thousand‑strong cavalry reached the opposite bank of Juzhan Ti City and saw, beyond the speckled fortress and the silhouette of numerous torches, a massive camp to the east.

Lights were everywhere; it was clear that many troops were garrisoned there!

"Deputy Protector Gao, does the army need to wade across the river?"

Holding a Masuo, Xi Yuanqing rode forward and asked the unit's front, Gao Xianzhi, saying:

This army turned out to be the Anxi Light Cavalry led by Gao Xianzhi!

Beneath the white robe's wrapping was the standard Tang‑style leather armor common in the Western Regions.

Gao Xianzhi used a deception, swapping Stone Kingdom slaves into Anxi uniforms; during the day the unit left the Tang camp outside Zhezhi City, pretended to head to Dalosi City, and at night quietly returned most of them.

By using such a ruse, Gao Xianzhi has already gathered the main force of the Anxi cavalry, waiting for tonight.

Gao Xianzhi has long known that Great Tang troops have a sizable army at Juzhan Ti.

He also knows why the other side has not acted yet.

It's not because the Great Tang are foolish, but because Abu Musilin is waiting for the Yao Sha River's freeze period!

When deep autumn arrives, the Yao Sha River freezes solidly, especially at night.

But Abu Musilin must not know that even before freezing, the river's depth already allows horses to wade across.

The river formed by meltwater from the snow‑capped mountain constantly changes course in its middle and lower reaches, and the depth varies dramatically between dry and flood seasons—like heaven and earth.

Juzhan Ti City appears to have the Yao Sha River as a natural moat to the north, yet at this moment it is of no use.

"Great Tang troops are weak; I hear Abu Musilin has gathered over a hundred thousand men.

Only by cutting off one arm can we return safely."

Gao Xianzhi said to Xi Yuanqing expressionlessly.

"Later I, the junior officer, will lead the vanguard."

Xi Yuanqing clasped his fists in salute and said.

"Alright, a swift strike, no delays.

If later you see the situation is about right, have the flag‑bearer bind the torch to the top of the pole as a signal, or listen to my horn, and you will lead the troops straight back to Zhezhi City from the north."

Gao Xianzhi warned in a very solemn tone.

"Understood."

"Just cut through the main camp; ignore the nearby Juzhan Ti City."

Gao Xianzhi added another instruction.

"Understood."

Xi Yuanqing sensed Gao Xianzhi's tension; perhaps this Anxi commander is not as confident as he appears.

"Hmm."

Gao Xianzhi said no more, spurred his horse forward; the Yao Sha River's flow had just not reached the horses' knees.

Continuing forward, the water deepened, but still only rose to the horses' stirrups.

The Tang cavalry moved like dumplings being dropped, slowly following behind, gradually wading across, and gradually gathering on the southern bank of the Yao Sha River.

Everyone tried to keep their noise to a minimum.

Throughout the process, neither the patrol soldiers atop Juzhan Ti City nor the sentries in the Great Tang camp noticed any sign.

The Great Tang troops had already assumed that Gao Xianzhi's mind was filled with money and women, and that the Anxi Army was eager to return to Kuche, making a southward counter‑raid impossible!

In fact, even Abu Musilin did not think the Tang army would turn against them.

"I command over a hundred thousand troops; would I fear your less‑than‑ten‑thousand, weary army that is eager to return?"

"I have the Yao Sha River as a natural moat; what do you have?"

Abu Musilin's confidence is based on a comparison of strength. Even Fang Chongyong believes Gao Xianzhi is finished and cannot defeat the Great Tang troops.

Whoosh!

In the darkness a swift arrow flew, striking a Great Tang soldier clad in chainmail, knocking him to the ground and hitting his neck dead‑on; the chainmail defends well against arrows, but the neck is unprotected.

"Whew…"

Almost at the same time, at a spot outside the camp, all the sentries on the bright watchtowers could not even make a sound before being shot dead simultaneously. From the distant darkness, hooked locks attached to thick ropes were thrown, binding the camp's fence, and more than ten horses began to wildly drag the rope.

Boom!

The fragile fence collapsed with a sound, revealing a terrifyingly wide gap.

Then Xi Yuanqing charged ahead, storming into the unguarded Arab camp, firing arrows coated with oil, igniting one tent after another. The thunderous sound of hooves rang through the camp, accompanied by repeated shouts in Arabic: "Run! We can't hold them!"

The Arab camp erupted like ice water poured into a scorching oil pot, exploding completely!

Among the Arab soldiers who seized weapons, not a single one was left among ten. After they fled the burning tents, all they saw were Tang cavalry on horseback slaughtering people, leaving corpses strewn everywhere.

Because the Arab officer had shouted a few words before being shot, the Arab army failed to organize any effective resistance.

Moreover, many of these Arabs came from different regions, possessing different cultures, social structures, and leaders, so the tribal troops bearing the Arab soldier title had no notion of "mutual aid."

Seeing other tribes being slaughtered by the Tang army, they fled faster than rabbits, hoping Gao Xianzhi would not notice them.

Under the moonlight, the brutal fighting continued. The Kang Country troops inside Juzhan Ti City, under the strict orders of the Kang Country prince, were forbidden to leave the city. Thus, from the castle's ramparts they watched the towering flames of the Arab camp not far away, and heard intermittent wails in the night sky.

……

On the second day at dawn, outside Juzhan Ti City, by the poison‑killing water's edge, corpses floated everywhere, many with an arrow lodged in their backs.

The nearby camp had already been destroyed, leaving no living soul inside. The thirty‑thousand vanguard army dissipated completely, with only a handful managing to retreat in formation back to Samojian City.

Abu Muslin, now over thirty, wore a black robe, a West Asian‑style helmet with white cloth covering his ears on both sides, and a slightly curved saber hanging at his waist.

He surveyed the horrific camp, unable to help but sigh.

Too tragic; a moment's carelessness would cost a huge loss!

The strength of the Western Tang army is simply unimaginable!

This army, Abu Muslin originally planned to wait until the freeze‑up period ended, then set out for Zhezhi City of the Stone Country, and then pursue the Tang army from the rear.

By then, with no rivers blocking the way, there would be no safe ground to defend.

Abu Muslin believed he could win, because the heavily‑laden Western Tang army could never move quickly.

Scouts had already learned that the Tang army was not carrying supplies away, so clearly the timing for deployment was not yet ripe.

He did not expect Gao Xianzhi to dare a counter‑strike!

How could he have such audacity!

Abu Muslin turned to glance at the Stone Country Prince who had once spoken so passionately before him, and saw that the prince was now pale‑cheeked with a slight tremor.

"Gao Xianzhi's surprise attack on us only shows his lack of confidence in defeating us."

"The elite troops of Khorasan gather here; if we do not prevail, I will have no face to return to Baghdad."

"You need not worry."

Abu Muslin comforted the Stone Country Prince.

He was a Persian from Khorasan, born a slave, modest, insightful about human nature, charismatic; a few words dispelled the prince's concerns.

Abu Muslin had been imprisoned and spent long years among the lower classes, lacking any aristocratic snobbery. During the major Shia uprising, he was its soul. Without Abu Muslin, the black‑clad Arabs could never have established a regime.

Even now, internal wars in the Arab lands have not fully subsided.

Abu Muslin placed great importance on this battle and had no retreat.

If this battle is lost, or ends in futile effort, how the domestic political situation will change is hard to say.

"Pacify the troops, return to Samojian City! Do not pursue charges for defeat!"

Abu Muslin gave this order to his deputy commander.

(End of chapter)