Chapter 39: Night Owl Enters the Residence

"Zheng Shuqing, what mischievous wind blew you here?"

Fang Chongyong looked at the dignified Zheng Shuqing before him, then at the old ox behind him and the cartload of gifts, and asked with some puzzlement.

"Eh, saying that would be too formal. Old friends reunited in Chang'an must pay a visit, after all."

Zheng Shuqing politely replied, then turned his head to the servant behind him and said, "Bring all the gifts inside."

After speaking, he presented the gift list and handed it to Fang Chongyong.

"Please come in. What are all these things? Visiting and you're this courteous."

Fang Chongyong smiled.

He reaches out without striking a smiling face; old Zheng's lowly posture in coming surely hides ill intent.

Could it be to seek an official post?

The problem is, whatever office old Zheng holds, it doesn't count—he's only an eight‑ or nine‑year‑old child!

Fang Chongyong harbored doubts, and could only, with an embarrassed expression, lead him into the house.

Zheng Shuqing, while glancing around, said nonchalantly, "It's nothing, just some useless items, not worth much. Things like tea cakes, tableware, screens, and the like."

Fang Chongyong glanced at the list and vaguely saw names like "Silver Flat Tray with Silver Bowl", "Silver Flat Food‑Serving Plate", "Octagonal Floral‑Bird Screen", etc., getting the sense that these items were pricey and rather uncommon.

But given old Zheng's usual ways, he seems accustomed to extravagance. Since they're willing to give, what's the reason not to accept?

After leading Zheng Shuqing to the master bedroom, the two sat opposite each other at the desk. Fang Dafu brought in a pot of "Peach Blossom Brew" and then carefully withdrew from the room.

"I wonder how Da Lang feels after returning to Chang'an? I heard you recently handled a big matter."

Zheng Shuqing spoke slowly, evading the question.

"Da Lang… let's not talk about that. As for other matters, Zheng Shuqing, feel free to speak plainly."

Fang Chongyong said with some helplessness, explaining that in the Tang era it was customary to address acquaintances as "X‑lang" or "X‑niang", indicating their birth order. For example, "Gongsun Da Niang"—when she got that name she was still very young, only in her teens.

It simply means the eldest daughter, hence "Da Niang". Fang Chongyong is an only child; his father Fang Youde has no known siblings, so calling him "Da Lang" is acceptable.

"Good! I just like a lord who is straightforward."

Zheng Shuqing laughed heartily, then, with a sorrowful face, pleaded, "Just as before, save my life, and I will repay you richly."

Seeing his pitiful look, Fang Chongyong asked with a strange expression, "I've already told you the brewing method of Red Lotus Spring and its fermentation process. Moreover, that technique can only be used once; using it again now is ineffective. Zheng Shuqing, why persist in a futile effort?"

He thought Zheng Shuqing was asking him to play the "Red Lotus Spring miracle" again, to make a killing in Chang'an. But such a feat requires perfect timing, location, and people; reproducing it once more is as hard as scaling heaven!

"Alas, what Red Lotus Spring? You think I care about that little money. The Zheng family near Yingyang, beside the canal, has enterprises that aren't a bother, enough to keep one from starving."

Zheng Shuqing waved his hand and said.

The prosperity of the canal line directly spurred economic development around Yingyang, and the Zheng family of Yingyang reaped many benefits.

"So, what exactly is the matter?"

Fang Chongyong asked, puzzled.

"It's that Minister Li is helping me maneuver the appointment of the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue…"

Zheng Shuqing fidgeted with his cuff, looking as if he were about to speak but held back.

"Isn't that fine? Is it about paying for a promotion? But I have no money here."

Fang Chongyong spread his hands, indicating to Zheng Shuqing that he was "almost" penniless.

"I'm not here to borrow money! This whole cart of gifts is nearly a thousand strings!"

Zheng Shuqing couldn't help but shout at Fang Chongyong.

What?

Fang Chongyong was stunned—this cart of junk worth a thousand strings?

Old Zheng couldn't have been set up, could he?

What kind of tea is this? What kind of plates? What kind of screen?

Fang Chongyong was quite skeptical; if a thousand strings were truly loaded onto the cart, the weight would surely exceed that pile of items.

These Chang'an bureaucrats are truly rotten; even a gift is priced in "thousand strings". No wonder Minister Du said something about "the rich's wine and meat stink"—it proves entirely true.

"Please, Zheng Shuqing, advise me."

Fang Chongyong said seriously, putting away his earlier teasing.

"Here's the situation: the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue is to manage the state's finances… Then Minister Li wants me to draft a memorial for his review. If it's well written, he'll present it to the sovereign, helping me secure a post."

Zheng Shuqing detailed Li Linfu's request.

"Um, does that mean forcibly extracting the state's wealth—scraping three feet of earth for money and grain, then sending it to the Western Regions as military funds? In other words, you become this official to skim money for the court?"

Fang Chongyong asked in disbelief.

He hadn't expected the court to actually have such an office, a sustainable way to fish the marshes.

Fang Chongyong felt a surge of emotion inside, yet his face remained impassive, as if daydreaming.

"Can you stop speaking so crudely! It's about managing the state's finances, managing finances! I'm not a ruthless official scraping people's land!"

Zheng Shuqing defended, stretching his neck, but those pale words probably couldn't even convince himself.

"Alright, alright, it's financial management, financial management."

Fang Chongyong quickly soothed him, saying.

"Then, what can I do to help you, Zheng Shuqing?"

"Just help me write that memorial."

Zheng Shuqing replied promptly.

"I'll write it for you?"

Fang Chongyong scratched his hair, looking at Zheng Shuqing as if at a fool, and asked, "Why should I write for you?"

"Because you took the gifts! Doesn't taking a generous gift mean you have to act?"

Zheng Shuqing roared inwardly; he suddenly recalled that Gao Lishi, who served beside Li Longji, also seemed a ruthless man who took money without delivering.

But the emperor stands behind them — who stands behind you?

For a moment, the atmosphere deadlocked.

Fang Chongyong's heart softened, and he waved his hand and asked, "Go ahead, how should it be written?"

"I don't know how! If I knew, would I still come beg you?"

Zheng Shuqing said with a bitter smile.

"You don't know how, and yet you dared to take on this assignment?"

Fang Chongyong was already stunned by Zheng Shuqing, completely unable to figure out what game this man was trying to play.

You don't have a diamond drill, yet you still take on porcelain work?

"Officialdom matters — you wouldn't understand. Just tell me, do you have a way or not?"

Zheng Shuqing sighed.

"I don't understand the situation in the Western Regions. I don't even know the local conditions or geography, and there are no account books — what way could I possibly think of?"

"I don't need you to understand. Nobody said anything about raising money in the Western Regions. Your ability to make money in Chang'an is quite formidable, isn't it? That Red Lotus Spring has already become legend — I want to buy a jar just to satisfy my craving, and I can't even find any in stock now."

The moment Fang Chongyong's money-making ability came up, Zheng Shuqing couldn't stop praising it.

Ugh, he didn't know how to explain it.

Fang Chongyong rubbed his forehead in agony. For a decaying central bureaucrat like Zheng Shuqing, whose thinking was rigid yet whose methods were all too flexible, he truly had no idea how to explain things.

"Lord Zheng, earlier you said the court wants you to raise money to maintain the military supplies for the Western Regions and the Hexi Corridor, right?"

Fang Chongyong crossed his legs, shifted into a more comfortable sitting posture, and asked in a low voice.

"Indeed. Minister Li already made that clear."

Zheng Shuqing nodded slightly and said.

"Then no matter what financial methods are used, as long as the Hexi Military Governor's office doesn't lack for expenses and military supplies are sufficient, your position as Vice Minister of Revenue will be quite secure, right?"

Fang Chongyong asked another question, and Zheng Shuqing nodded.

The Vice Minister of Revenue was not a "Finance Commissioner." Making money was merely a means; maintaining the normal operation of the army and maintaining high-grade rewards to ensure military morale — that was the ultimate goal.

Everything was for the Great Tang to win a localized war against Tibet! War was fought on logistics!

Conversely speaking, if Zheng Shuqing scraped together a great deal of wealth in Lingnan, but that wealth couldn't be transported to Chang'an at all, let alone to the Western Regions, then what use would this kind of "finance" be for winning a war?

Means always served the end, not the other way around.

Never mind that Niu Xianke and Cui Xiyi both said the Hexi treasury was full and weaponry was complete.

But once fighting actually broke out, it wouldn't be that simple! Tibet's national strength was formidable, their supply capacity was strong, and their reserves were far thicker than the Turks'.

Moreover, Tibet was a serf-based system, adept at brute force, and didn't treat serfs as human beings — losing a hundred thousand people wouldn't even make them blink. They did not cherish manpower.

Sometimes when the Great Tang faced off against Tibet in battle, even attrition was painful to endure. If the Great Tang lost one man, Tibet on the other side lost two — Tibet could keep playing this game indefinitely.

Once fighting began, continuous logistics could not be cut off. The moment it was cut, disaster would strike.

"What I mean is, Guanzhong's support for the Hexi Corridor falls short — it's too far away, and logistics are strained. We can only provide aid to the Hexi garrison through other means. It's not necessarily required to raise money in Chang'an to buy grain and send it over. The specific situation requires specific analysis.

Otherwise it's just empty talk."

Hearing this, Zheng Shuqing nodded slightly. He had to admit, Fang Chongyong's words made a lot of sense.

The ultimate problem was still being able to continuously support the Hexi Corridor!

"Then, Lord Zheng, you must bring me the account books submitted over the years by the Hexi Military Governor's staff, as well as those from Ganzhou, Liangzhou, and other places, for me to look at. Perhaps there's a way — otherwise it's just armchair strategy."

Fang Chongyong handed the gift list to Zheng Shuqing and said, "Without these, take the gifts back."

"I don't hold any official position right now. The account books you speak of are all court secrets — how could I possibly get them? This isn't Kuizhou anymore!

Those are all kept in the specialized archives of the Ministry of Revenue and the Secretariat, managed by dedicated personnel.

I only have an honorary title now, no assignment — I can't even get through the doors there. What do you expect me to do?"

Zheng Shuqing roared in exasperation.

Suddenly, he seemed to think of something, and rested his chin on his hand, pondering.

"It seems... it's not entirely impossible."

Zheng Shuqing said thoughtfully.

"What way?"

Fang Chongyong asked curiously.

"I can't do it myself, but someone else can. And given his status, it would be proper and lawful."

Zheng Shuqing nodded slightly, feeling reassured.

"Whatever you need — write me a list, right now."

Zheng Shuqing said urgently.

"Fine, I suppose."

Fang Chongyong sighed helplessly, took out an inkstone, ground the ink, and used a brush to write a string of names on paper. These were all things he needed to know — they concerned the big picture. Other matters might also be important, but wouldn't affect the whole.

The Hexi Corridor's population, grain yields, military farming zones, commercial traffic, local specialties, and so on. Some things could be quickly converted into military strength; others could not.

Only, why did he — someone who lived just outside the rear gate wall of Xingqing Palace — have to worry about matters that the master of Xingqing Palace should be worrying about?

"In the future, could you not trouble me with things like this? When others hold office, they collect money. You, on the other hand, send money out."

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but grumble.

"No matter, no matter — this is the last time, the very last time."

Zheng Shuqing was overjoyed. As soon as the ward gates opened, he planned to go handle this matter directly.

……

While Fang Chongyong was busy, on the other side of the wall, a grand banquet was being held inside Xingqing Palace.

The former Hexi Military Governor, Niu Xianke, had been summoned to the capital to report on his duties! Li Longji specifically held a grand banquet at Xingqing Palace, giving Niu Xianke ample face.

Just last year (the twenty-fourth year of Kaiyuan), Niu Xianke was ordered to transfer to the post of Grand Supreme Commander of Shuofang, and the position of Hexi Military Commissioner was taken over by Cui Xiyi.

Before long, Cui Xiyi memorialized that during Niu Xianke's tenure he had practiced strict economy and accumulated wealth, with commendable administrative achievements.

Thereupon Emperor Xuanzong ordered Zhang Lizhen, Assistant Director of the Ministry of Justice, to go and verify. After investigation, Zhang Lizhen reported back to the court that Hexi indeed had storehouses full to overflowing and equipment of fine quality, and that Cui Xiyi's account was not false.

Li Longji was greatly pleased and preemptively granted Niu Xianke the official post of Minister of Works.

This was not like Zheng Shuqing, who was first dismissed from office before being appointed anew — this was a direct appointment, set in iron!

Compared to civil officials like Zhang Jiuling who had risen through the imperial examinations, Niu Xianke's credentials were somewhat lacking; he could essentially be regarded as a model of grassroots struggle from the bottom up.

In his early years, Niu Xianke had served as a minor clerk in Chungu County (near Changwu County in Shaanxi), and because of his outstanding work, he was highly valued by the county magistrate Fu Wenjing.

Fu Wenjing was later promoted to Longyou Agricultural Commissioner, and Niu Xianke, being capable, obedient, and an old acquaintance, was summoned as a subordinate aide — an official attached to the Agricultural Commissioner — and then, through accumulated military merit, rose to the post of Vice Administrator of Taozhou.

Only at this point could Niu Xianke be considered an "independent official." In the Tang dynasty, under a formal official there were often several subordinate officials assisting him in his duties. For these subordinate retainers, promotion was typically extremely difficult.

Later, when Wang Junchuo served as Hexi Military Commissioner, Niu Xianke was appointed Judge of the Military Commission, becoming his confidant and advancing further in rank to become a major regional official.

Still later, when Xiao Song succeeded as Hexi Military Commissioner, he continued entrusting military and civil affairs to Niu Xianke, which was sufficient to show how formidable this man was at managing local administration. After Xiao Song returned to court to serve as chancellor, holding the post of Secretariat Director while remotely retaining the Hexi Military Commissionership, he recommended Niu Xianke on multiple occasions.

In the end, Niu Xianke naturally and logically became the Hexi Military Commissioner.

From Niu Xianke's trajectory of promotion, one can see that those who emerge from the local grassroots and climb step by step all possess genuine ability. When a Military Commissioner is parachuted in from the central government, he often needs people like this working under him to lend a hand; otherwise, he cannot cope with the complex situations on the ground.

"Come, Minister Niu, I offer you a cup, in gratitude for all the things you have done for the people of Hexi over these years."

Looking at Niu Xianke, whose temples were streaked with white and who, though only in his fifties, already showed signs of age, Li Longji raised his wine cup and spoke with emotion.

"I will lay down my life for the Sage!"

Niu Xianke bowed and accepted the wine cup from before Li Longji; seeing this scene, Zhang Jiuling, Li Linfu, and the heads of the various central departments were all visibly moved.

"Sage, your humble servant believes that Niu Xianke lacks the ability to serve as a Minister of the Six Ministries. I impeach Censor-in-Chief Li Shizhi for sitting by and watching this matter, failing to prevent the decree from being issued."

An untimely voice came from a corner of the banquet hall, and everyone present was stunned by these words.