Chapter 398: Human Joys and Sorrows Are Not the Same

As the saying goes, blessings never come in pairs while calamities never come alone; although the Tang army achieved a great victory over the Tubo in the Western Regions, securing the frontier and further subjugating the small states west of Congling, it also established the Hezhong Duhufu.

However, people can defeat other people, but they cannot defeat Heaven.

The Tang army can overcome any opponent, yet it cannot triumph over natural disasters.

In the spring of the tenth year of Tianbao, a widespread drought struck Guanzhong, Henan, and Hebei, forcing everyone to divert streams for irrigation; consequently, neighboring prefectures and counties clashed over water, and local strongmen repeatedly organized armed fights.

Moreover, many peasant farmers were killed by local magnates for "stealing water," and for a time the term "water shortage" became a sensitive word, as if the whole world were lacking water.

Yet, according to natural law, evaporated water cannot simply vanish; it either moves elsewhere or temporarily remains in the air, and when it meets cold air it will eventually fall back to the ground.

Thus, two months later in the height of summer, torrential rains battered Guanzhong, Henan, and the two Huai regions, especially Henan, where the downpour caused the Yellow River to overflow and breach its banks, raising the entire river system to an extreme level; breaches of tributaries were common, and the authorities, though scrambling, could scarcely manage even one out of ten.

For years the Great Tang had reclaimed land and built polders in Henan, reducing its water storage capacity, and unlike modern times it did not construct large reservoirs.

Consequently, Henan became a heavily afflicted disaster zone, with many people's fields destroyed by floods and countless displaced.

However, in Hebei, although there was no flood after the drought, a locust plague erupted! Swarms of locusts stripped the crops in many prefectures to bare ground, leaving almost no vegetation where they passed.

Logically, at such a critical moment, opening the granaries to release grain is the normal procedure.

Yet, aside from the limited grain relief in Guanzhong, the Changping Granaries elsewhere were tightly sealed, unable to squeeze out even a single grain.

Why is this so? Could it be that the authorities have been bought off by local strongmen and magnates?

In fact, no.

Because disaster relief grain is free; Guanzhong can afford it, but other regions cannot afford to play.

Since the Zhenyuan era, the Changping Granaries ceased to be merely state grain depots and became a kind of "food merchant house" operating on a commercial model; in other words, without special orders such as military grain dispatch or stock transfers, the Changping Granaries must also bear profit and loss.

According to their function, they buy grain when prices are low to avoid "cheap rice harming farmers," and sell at high prices when they rise so the populace can still afford food. That is the purpose of the Changping Granaries.

Thus, conversely, buying low in bumper years and selling high in disaster years is a normal "commercial" practice. Local magnates and strongmen at most collude with local officials for mutual benefit, but have not yet reached the level of controlling the authorities or influencing decisions.

So, what measures do the prefectural governments take? Why don't they open the granaries to release grain?

The answer is that most officials of the Changping Granaries choose to sell old grain at high prices to magnates, letting them handle the disaster relief and thereby "clearing inventory" in one stroke.

They don't sell to peasant farmers because those poor souls can hardly buy anything, if they can afford it at all; moreover, Changping officials lack the manpower and resources to serve "retail customers," so they only target the big players.

Don't ask; the answer is simply that there aren't enough staff, and indeed there aren't.

The previous two years were bumper harvests, and grain prices were deliberately suppressed, leaving the Changping Granaries perpetually in deficit; the stored old grain couldn't fetch a price because prices were low, forcing continual purchases of new grain.

The surplus old grain had to be sold to local magnates at even lower prices to free up space. This is the so‑called "pushing out the old and bringing in the new," as grain cannot remain piled up indefinitely.

Consequently, the Changping Granaries' accounts show a sizable loss, and the officials overseeing them are frantic yet powerless.

The original purpose of the Changping Granaries was to buy low and sell high to stabilize grain prices; if food remains cheap, the managers will be in a bind.

With such low‑priced grain, should they accept it or not? If they take it, their cash reserves are already exhausted; if they refuse, they seem unable to meet their targets. One must understand that grain, unlike gold or silver, does not preserve itself—the longer it sits, the less anyone wants it.

For ordinary people this disaster is a great calamity, but for these officials it truly is a "great help"—calling it timely rain would not be an exaggeration.

They do not seize the chance to sell grain at high prices and fill the accounting void; would they honestly give away grain that is already as valuable as gold and silver for free, ruining their own livelihood?

That is impossible, because the court evaluates the performance of Changping Granary officials; they are not free to act arbitrarily. The amount of grain they handle, profit or loss, serves as KPI for promotion or demotion.

Such assessment seems unproblematic; how could the court lack evaluation standards for local officials?

Without assessment, it would be pure "rule by man," prone to administrative decay. Assessment, to some degree, implies "rule of law"; can one say the court erred? Can one say the officials handling these matters erred?

One can only say that in this vast world, people's joys and sorrows are not shared.

Thus, various contradictory memorials fluttered into Chang'an like snowflakes, landing on the desks of the two prime ministers.

Some say the court should dispatch imperial envoys for relief; others argue the local damage is not severe and can be handled locally; still others claim there is a local rebellion and request the court to authorize prefectures to organize "unity troops" to suppress the unrest.

On one hand there is drought, on another flood, yet another locust plague, and small‑scale uprisings are also interspersed.

The conditions varied across regions, as did the severity and type of disaster, leaving Right Prime Minister Li Shizhi and Left Prime Minister Fang Guan, both inexperienced in local administration, flustered.

The favorable weather of recent years left the increasingly complacent court unprepared for a major calamity.

A storm began to brew gradually.

……

"I have crossed mountains and seas, and walked through crowds of people. Everything I once possessed vanished in an instant like smoke…"

Humming a tune while riding a camel, Fang Chongyong saw at the far edge of his view a towering city.

After months of marching ten thousand li, they traveled from Zhezhi City of the Stone Kingdom, passed Suoye City, Bagua City of Yili, Jinman City of Tingzhou, finally reaching the Hexi Corridor, crossing Guazhou through the Tang-era Yumen Pass, and heading east!

Having crossed endless yellow sands and successive passes, they finally returned to the Hexi Corridor.

The great city not far away is the Hexi Corridor's hub, Wuwei City of Liangzhou. Its layout resembles a giant roc spreading its wings, a distinctive sight that makes the Great Tang stand out.

"Jiedushi, this time we can truly return home in splendor! The brothers all want to show off in Liangzhou."

He Changqi, riding his camel alongside, sighed with a wry expression.

When they left, they brought nothing but food. Upon returning, the camel's loads were filled with assorted gems, gold and silver, coins from various Western Regions states, as well as unique exotic goods and medicinal herbs.

These indivisible valuables, once brought back to Chang'an, can be exchanged through reliable channels for silk and redistributed—a truly wonderful prospect.

The Anxi Expeditionary Army has now been disbanded, and the Beiting Duhufu troops were withdrawn when passing Jinman City, leaving only the Chishui Army stationed near Wuwei City and the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army still active, so the force size has shrunk considerably.

"Everyone, keep calm and don't act rashly. This is no longer the Western Regions, not the place where our word once carried weight."

Fang Chongyong, with a stern face, warned He Changqi.

"Hehe, Jiedushi is right. We've already made enough profit; there's no need to quarrel with anyone over pride. Those military vouchers are so handy—you can get whatever you want."

He Changqi couldn't help but make a snide remark.

He finally spoke a blunt truth: as they departed, the Anxi Expeditionary Army harshly plundered the nobles and magnates of the nations west of Congling,

Actually, it wasn't really looting; those people "donated" it themselves, and Fang Chongyong truly didn't have a sword at their throats demanding it.

In fact, these people are slicker than eels. With Dashi forces temporarily retreating, the Western Regions have become the Tang army's one‑voice rule.

What they export now can, under the Tang army's protection, be retrieved five or ten times over later! This business is completely not at a loss! But if they are unwilling to spend money, they must worry about banditry.

As soon as they shed their uniforms, it's impossible to tell who the bandits are. These well‑versed, powerful Hu merchants all know the situation.

"Keep a low profile and quietly make a fortune."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand, too lazy to explain further to He Changqi.

He Changqi thought the "military notes" were being robbed, but in fact, because Fang Chongyong had already decided to stop printing such notes, their circulation in the market would only become scarcer.

As long as the Tang army continues to garrison the Western Regions, the military notes will not depreciate; their scarcity will even make them appreciate in value.

Fang Chongyong never resorted to the kind of overfishing tactics; he left a margin when he acted.

While the two were chatting, a lone rider galloped toward them from afar.

As the rider approached, he dismounted, bowed to Fang Chongyong who was riding a camel, and said, "Jiedushi Fang, you have traveled a long way; let this humble officer escort the Jiedushi into Wuwei City. Li Liuhou has already prepared a banquet at Huamen Tower to welcome the Jiedushi."

The rider was An Chongzhang; after more than a year apart, Fang Chongyong felt his beard was a bit thicker, but otherwise he had changed little.

"Li Liuhou" is actually Li Guangbi; since Fang Chongyong has not formally taken over the position of Hexi Military Governor, he is only acting as Liuhou for now. Of course, given Li Guangbi's relationship with Wang Zhongsi, the other side could not possibly do anything to Fang Chongyong.

"That works perfectly; I'll hand over these Chishui Army brothers to you, Jiedushi."

"I'll go to Liangzhou City myself."

After stepping down from the camel, Fang Chongyong walked forward, patted An Chongzhang's shoulder, and said. The two exchanged a glance, and An Chongzhang let out a long sigh.

Previously the An family of Liangzhou had tried to lay claim to the Hexi Military Governor and Western Regions Envoy posts, and had even been rebuked by Fang Chongyong.

But it is obvious that even now, with Fang Chongyong stepping down, the court has not given those two positions to anyone of the An clan, which says everything without words.

"Send the order: Yinqiang Xiaojie Army set up camp here, and the Chishui Army follows General An."

Fang Chongyong shouted a command to Feng Changqing nearby.

An Chongzhang's face stiffened, then he broke into a bitter smile. This Jiedushi Fang is a man who bears grudges; although he probably won't deliberately put the An family at a disadvantage, he won't show a pleasant expression either.

He clearly remembered the little tricks the An clan tried after Fang Chongyong's campaign.

Since the An side never acted on them, Fang Chongyong naturally doesn't hold a grudge, so a neutral expression is all he can give.

He assigned Guan Chongsi to handle camp affairs, and Fang Chongyong led He Changqi, Che Guangqian, Wang Nande and other Yinqiang Xiaojie Army commanders to the outskirts of Wuwei City. There, Li Guangbi was already waiting with the Hexi generals.

Fang Chongyong looked thoughtfully at Guo Ziyi beside Li Guangbi, silently weighing his thoughts.

In the Tang frontier army, you cannot rise without a patron!

Old Guo had no patron, so he could never advance and remained a deputy. Li Guangbi, however, was promoted exceptionally because of his close ties with Wang Zhongsi.

Of course, his lack of prestige made him a perfect counterweight to the local forces in Liangzhou! No one could match Fang Chongyong's word‑as‑law authority.

Having never experienced the Anshi Rebellion, Fang Chongyong now boasts a long trail of battlefield experience. Compared with Guo Ziyi or Li Guangbi, their seniority seems insufficient before Fang Chongyong.

"Jiedushi Fang, the humble officer has prepared the welcome banquet; please honor us with your presence."

Li Guangbi stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Fang Chongyong.

Regarding Fang Chongyong, he truly admired him, because although he has connections, he does not rely on them; his status was carved out piece by piece.

Just think of the journey—traveling ten thousand li from Liangzhou to Mulucheng—is something ordinary people cannot achieve.

Not to mention fighting; anyone who can march smoothly from Liangzhou to that place is a steel‑hearted hero!

"General Li, no need for formalities; we are comrades. The Hexi Military Governor's seal is here; take it as you wish."

Fang Chongyong leaned in casually, whispered, and handed the cloth bag containing the Hexi Military Governor's seal from his sleeve to Li Guangbi.

Since we're comrades, you should have sent someone sooner to exchange messages!

Li Guangbi let out a sigh of relief and couldn't help muttering a complaint at Fang Chongyong.

Lately he has been on edge, feeling as if walking on thin ice in his post.

Because Fang Chongyong earned great merit yet was removed from office, he must be extremely dissatisfied. That resentment cannot be directed at the saint, so whether he will trouble others is uncertain.

Li Guangbi does not think he is Wang Zhongsi's confidant, so Fang Chongyong will not necessarily give him a favorable attitude.

He did not expect that this man had already seen through it.

"General Li, today you are the host; please do not decline."

Fang Chongyong said calmly, his unspoken authority making refusal impossible.

"Then thank you, Censor Fang, for your kindness—please!"

Li Guangbi did not decline, for he also needed to establish his prestige; this welcome banquet was like "Han Xin taking the stage to be appointed general," requiring a heavyweight to sponsor it.

No one was more suitable than Fang Chongyong.

(End of chapter)