Chapter 386: Forbidden Curse Mage

In Guanzhong, in Jingyang County a short distance north of Chang'an, inside a secret chamber of the Prince Yong's residence.

Prince Yong Li Lin, the ambitious royal son, is chatting with a mysterious guest. Beside him only the eunuch Gao Shang serves as his adviser, and the atmosphere is somewhat solemn!

The guest is wearing a monk's "three robes", has been tonsured, his head is bald, and a string of prayer beads hangs around his neck. In appearance, from any angle, he looks like a genuine monk.

Yet, just as many Daoist nuns of the Great Tang are not respectable, the monks of the Great Tang also hide dragons and crouching tigers.

The monk before Li Lin is named Wei Lan, a former Assistant Director of the Ministry of War.

In those years Wei Jian took part in Li Heng's rebellion case; whether Wei Lan participated is unclear, but he was evidently implicated, and together with Wei Jian was exiled to Lingnan, disappearing from the view of Chang'an's official circles and Guanzhong's aristocratic circles.

He, like Wei Jian, has been forgotten by the vast majority, including Ji Ge.

"You're right, it seems we can only wait, sigh!"

Li Lin's face could not hide his excitement, and he couldn't help asking.

Risking the whole family's execution just to support a new emperor, this is clearly not Wei Lan and Wei Jian's purpose.

What should he do?

In a simple tent, Fang Chongyong is holding an oil lamp and studying a map; He Changqi walks in carrying a bamboo tube filled with water and says, "Jiedushi, have some water, it's boiled after melting ice."

Wei Lan's expression turns solemn as he says, leaving no room for bargaining.

Li Chang's earlier "little trick" of exposing the emperor's illness is now continuing to ferment in its aftermath! Within the elite circles it is no longer a secret.

"Your Highness, please take care; there will be a day when clouds part and the sun appears, patience is only temporary.

If, after all, he is not the one favored.

Seeing his naive appearance, Gao Shang almost wanted to curse his mother. He hurriedly pretended his throat was uncomfortable and coughed a few times.

It might actually be right here.

Fang Chongyong dares not tell He Changqi the true situation, treating it only as a morale boost.

"Jiedushi, this place would make a fine big stove; it even saves firewood and charcoal."

Che Guangqian takes the rocket, draws the great bow, and shoots an arrow straight into the darkness.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness, it is certainly not a saint sent to test you."

The shouts in the army thundered, Fang Chongyong had no doubt; even if the opposite side brings out a Gundam now, they would still dare to go up and cut a slash.

He Changqi points to the north where flames flicker and says that countless silhouettes seem to be moving there. Che Guangqian's assessment is correct, but the reason the Dashi troops halted is worth debating.

"Send the order down; the Dashi troops now must be like startled birds, fearing our divine weapons descending from heaven.

The air is filled with a nauseating meat aroma, causing the Tang soldiers to frown.

"Master, a straightforward person does not speak in riddles; you've traveled a long way to Jingyang, so there's no need to beat around the bush, right?"

"And we only need to keep waiting."

The poor monk cannot give Your Highness any written promise, and even the number of times he may approach Your Highness in the future cannot be many.

The two's performance is so clumsily exaggerated that Wei Lan inwardly despises them, yet with a modest smile he says, "It is the poor monk's negligence."

Those words are quite blunt; they are not a hint but already hand the knife to Li Lin.

The sincere hearts of the many righteous heroes cannot be stained?

Li Lin quickly smooths over, saying, "How should I speak to Master Wei! Master, please don't mind, this is just a servant's ignorance."

Gao Shang says with a helpless expression.

Fang Chongyong gives He Changqi a brief instruction.

If, after all, Wei Lan's group chooses another prince.

He recalls that the Kang state's army was also routed by a night attack; this Dashi army seems adept at night raids.

However, he still doesn't understand why those people are rolling on the ground, their bodies engulfed in flames.

"I understand, you need not worry."

"Alright, alright! As long as I can ascend to the Great Treasure, the first thing will be to vindicate the Wei clan!"

Li Lin smiles wryly.

"Your Highness, speaking kindly now is useless; the chance to become the supreme ruler (the 'nine‑five' sovereign) cannot be taken lightly, covering one's ears and stealing a bell will only end in a tragic conclusion."

After he leaves, Li Lin folds his arms and falls into contemplation. He hadn't felt anything while speaking, but now in retrospect, he senses the matter is rather strange and suspicious.

"Given the current state of the Son of Heaven, Your Highness should understand clearly.

"Your Highness, if such a matter is exposed, it would be no less than a catastrophe of annihilation.

Or perhaps turn around and report to the emperor.

The poor monk takes his leave; Your Highness need not see him out, lest it draw attention.

"It can't be that old thing fishing, can it?"

"Hmm, starting tomorrow, the whole army will not rest, charging in one go to the Fire‑Seeking Kingdom."

"Now that's a correct statement."

Wei Lan withdraws his hands from Li Lin's grasp, his expression calm, and says.

Gao Shang says confidently.

They have the poor monk ask Prince Yong, how do you view the matter of inheriting the Great Unification?

Gentlemen, please do your utmost!

Fang Chongyong's expression turns solemn as he says.

……

Looking at it now, this matter is actually not a bad thing.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

Fang Chongyong folds his arms, ponders for a long while, then suddenly blurts out a sentence. He has an absurd conjecture in his mind that needs verification.

Those informants can at most exchange for a limited present, which depends on Ji Ge's mood. Yet in a few years, these people will be purged by the succeeding emperor.

"Chase my ass! After dawn the entire army crosses the river. Without my military order, any open flame is forbidden!"

Li Lin said with a face full of excitement, tightly gripping Wei Lan's hands and refusing to let go.

No matter which new emperor, no matter what dynasty, none of them would like the diehard loyalists of the previous reign! Especially the kind who loved to inform on others!

They appeared to support everyone, yet never truly placed their bets.

Gao Shang questioned in a cold voice, not giving Wei Lan any face at all.

And now Wei Lan had actually appeared openly and confidently in the secret chamber of the Prince of Yong's residence—clearly his purpose was not so simple.

If one wanted to claim merit for following the dragon, the other party had to actually be a "dragon." Nowadays, within the Li-Tang imperial clan, one could no longer find the next "Li Erfeng."

Li Lin waved his hand; he always felt uneasy in his heart.

"Certain victory!"

Of course, if there truly were a prince who was too formidable, with a very strong background and great ability, then everything Wei Lan and the others had done would simply be making wedding clothes for him.

While no one was paying attention, Fang Chongyong wiped the cold sweat from his palms on the military uniform at his waist, cursing "holy shit!" in his heart!

Truly fucking dangerous! Setting up camp, they nearly pitched it right on top of a natural gas field! If they had shifted even a tiny bit when making camp today, who would've been unlucky was truly anyone's guess.

What view does Your Highness have on this matter?"

"Naturally it is true. How could such a matter be spoken of in jest?

Li Lin let out a long sigh, feeling thoroughly uncomfortable all over.

Fang Chongyong remembered that in his previous life, somewhere along a certain river at the border between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, there seemed to be abundant natural gas, and there was even a trilateral natural gas cooperation project with China.

Wei Lan asked without batting an eye.

They all longed for a wise and martial sovereign to reverse the ever-deteriorating situation in the realm, let alone put an end to the turmoil.

Wei Lan said solemnly.

"You don't even pick something nicer to say."

"Your Highness, this matter must be deliberated at length. This humble monk's visit today is merely to ask for Your Highness's view."

"A kingly army naturally has Heaven's aid. This battle shall certainly be won!"

And the "pillar of fire" on the ground, as if it would never burn out, still stood erect.

Gao Shang pointed out incisively: right now it was merely the opening of the game! There was absolutely no need to rush!

But one thing was certain: none of them intended to take the matter to the Emperor. Because the Emperor's days were numbered, and it was already impossible for him to give long-term promises to those below.

The advantage of this was that it made many princes think they each had a chance. These people would consciously block information, providing cover for Wei Lan and the others, making the Emperor feel that all was peaceful under heaven, and also overlooking their movements.

At this very moment, a five-thousand-strong detachment of the Parthian Expeditionary Army was marching along the Oxus River toward the downstream. In winter the river water froze, making it troublesome to draw water—not to mention having to melt ice into water, which was extremely inconvenient.

Li Lin looked at Gao Shang, and seeing the other man nod gently, he then asked with some uncertainty, "Is what the Great Master says truly so?"

Who these people were, and how great their power was, Li Lin knew nothing about.

Prior to the Tang dynasty, the Oxus River (i. e., the Amu Darya of Central Asia) served as a geographical and ethnic dividing line. The Arabs called the far bank of the Oxus "Transoxiana," that is, the "region beyond the river."

Wei Lan silently cursed "idiot" in his heart.

Not far to the north of the camp, several people engulfed in flames were rolling on the ground and wailing! It looked extremely terrifying!

"Jiedushi, it's the Arabs! This subordinate saw their banners!"

In the future, if I have the opportunity, I shall certainly redress the injustice of your Wei clan and set things right."

And what is your attitude toward them?

"Regarding the matter of those years, I too feel deep sorrow.

Our devoted hearts serve only for Your Highness to ascend the throne. Please, Your Highness, you must believe us."

And so the Arabs abandoned their wounded, discarded their injured warhorses, and fled with their hands clutching their heads. The Tang army did not pursue them either, but instead set up defenses within the great camp, stubbornly holding out through the entire night.

Wang Nande looked at the devastated Arabs across the way, then looked at Fang Chongyong, and had no choice but to cup his fists in salute and say, "Orders received!"

He was truly worried that this Prince of Yong was far too pleased with himself, and had no choice but to speak up and puncture the other man's beautiful dream.

Due to climatic influence, both banks of the Oxus River exhibited a very distinct subtropical arid climate. The primary characteristic of such a climate was that "rain and heat do not coincide."

The unlucky Arabs had lit their torches just as they launched their full assault, thereby igniting the natural gas that had seeped out through ground fissures!

It exploded on the spot!

Fang Chongyong put away the map, took the bamboo tube and spoke, then immediately began chugging down several big mouthfuls with a gululu sound.

Li Lin then gathered his thoughts, his face restored to calm, and began to put on airs.

"General Che, shoot a fire arrow over there."

Wei Lan asked in a low voice, his attitude very respectful—at least far more respectful than Wei Jian's when facing Li Chang!

Noticing Gao Shang winking at him, Li Lin swallowed the words he had been about to say, gave a light cough, and signaled Gao Shang to speak on his behalf.

Because these people's method was to cast a wide net, wait for the situation to change, and leave behind no evidence disadvantageous to themselves.

I fear that within a few years, there will surely be great chaos in Guanzhong.

Do you regard them as your own arms and backing, or as treasonous scoundrels?

Gao Shang grabbed Li Lin's sleeve and urged bitterly.

Thwip! Thwip! Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!

The fire arrows landed on the ground and ignited a column of flame! Then a second, a third, a fourth! The flames began to spread!

Illuminated by the firelight, those Arab soldiers who had been set ablaze thought the Tang army possessed "divine arts," and one by one they spurred their horses to flee for their lives! Men and horses trampled one another, many people were ignited by the flames, and the scene was extremely terrifying!

The officers and soldiers of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army around Fang Chongyong were all dumbfounded! Even though they were accustomed to grand spectacles, they had never expected to witness something so miraculous!

"Jiedushi, do we pursue or not?"

Wei Lan pressed his hands together in a bow, then departed unhurriedly.

Fang Chongyong drew the Gale Phantom Blade and shouted at the soldiers forming up in formation.

If Li Lin wished to grasp this blade, then he must choose to become the master of this blade!

If he doesn't want to hold this sword, then the sword will turn on him!

On the contrary, someone like Li Lin is easier to control!

Fang Chongyong nodded, giving a noncommittal reply.

"Victory!"

Li Lin nodded, and with the political situation unchanged for now, that's about all there is to say.

But the more he thought about it, the more he felt Gao Shang's words were unusually true, true enough to pierce the lungs.

As for Ji Ge's father, what kind of character he is, better not mention it—now which prince doesn't want to grab a knife and give him a few strikes?

So Li Lin's words aren't just empty talk; there's still a few points of sincerity in them.

Since none of them are heroic lords like Li Er Feng, what right do they have to demand others "follow the dragon"?

After the sage's passing, are you really just going to stand by and watch the Great Tang fall into turmoil?

Seeing Gao Shang so resolute, Li Lin felt somewhat relieved, then immediately doubted: "With so many princes, why did they choose me? It makes no sense."

Li Chang is overly cold, already indifferent to power. Li Lin, on the other hand, is too agitated, lacking any steadiness.

Che Guangqian walked up to Fang Chongyong's side and said in a low voice.

"Here!"

【135) Li Lin couldn't help but sigh; he had been raised since childhood in the household of Prince Li Heng, who, in status, was his elder brother, but in reality was like a father to him.

Li Lin couldn't help but sigh; he had been raised since childhood in the household of Prince Zhong Li Heng, who, judging by his status, was an elder brother, but in reality was like a father.

"Your Highness, delaying is not a bad thing."

You think others are sycophants coming to you, but actually they're battle wolves who lick anyone they meet.

Upon hearing this, Li Lin felt utterly terrible.

Summer is hot and dry with no rain; winter is relatively moist, with some precipitation.

"Form up, you take the cavalry and stand by, await my orders!"

"Your Highness, do you think it's possible they've contacted many princes, and you're just one of them?"

Seeing Fang Chongyong stare blankly at that expanse of "sea of fire," He Changqi teased from the side.

Wang Nande suppressed his inner shock and asked Fang Chongyong.

"Jiedushi, it's understandable that Arab raiders would come to plunder the camp in the dead of night, but what's with these people rolling on the ground, engulfed in flames?"

He clasped his hands in a salute, then continued:

"I understand."

Taking the Wuhu River as the boundary, to the southwest lies the base of Persian and Arab forces, while to the northeast are a series of Western Regions small states and Turkic forces in control (such as the Western Turkic Khaganate).

"Victory!"

The next day, Fang Chongyong sent people to inspect the "remnants" left by the Arab raiders; they found that whether human or horse, everything had been burned to blackened charcoal.

"Your Highness, the humble monk wishes to ask you.

But he knows the Wei clan is not to be trifled with; he also knows the storm is not far off.

Fang Chongyong and He Changqi quickly left the commander's tent, only to see Wang Nande already having arranged the troops into formation, yet the cries of anguish did not come from the Tang main camp.

A wail rang out, echoing across the heavens!

In the world, resources are never lacking; what's lacking is the means to apply them and the ability to discover them.

Hebei has many righteous warriors; Guanzhong, Henan, and even Hedong also have many.

Gao Shang feels that behind Wei Lan stands a master strategist; all their moves strike at the emperor's most painful and most unseen spot. Their actions seem rash, but are actually carefully considered, step by step building their position.

Li Lin furrowed his brow, muttering to himself.

"Then, how should this be done? What should I do?"

Strike while the iron is hot! Decide it in one battle!

Fang Chongyong earnestly told the several generals beside him, this time with heavenly help, truly when the time comes, heaven and earth unite in strength.

(End of chapter)