Chapter 399: There Are Always Troublemakers Who Seek to Harm Me

After being apart for more than a year, the largest restaurant in Wuwei City, Liangzhou, Huamen Tower, has been renovated again. Not only was the original roof lifted and another story added on top, but it also copied Chang'an's Apricot Blossom Hall, enclosing a large courtyard, so ordinary diners eat on the first floor while officials and nobles can go upstairs.

In an intangible moment, the aura of "overlooking all beings" manifested.

Fang Chongyong went upstairs while sighing, noting that a sense of superiority truly is a strange yet ubiquitous thing.

The core of superiority lies in "comparison".

I have what you lack, you have what I have better, I can do what you cannot.

A single comparison instantly produces a feeling of superiority.

When people feel happiness, it reinforces positive encouragement, making life seem more meaningful. Yet all happiness is derived by comparing oneself to those who fare worse.

That is the so‑called "no comparison, no discernment"; the same principle applies to superiority.

If you don't see others doing poorly, how can you know you are doing well?

Thus relative fairness can create more "upward pathways"; absolute fairness only leads to absolute rigidity, continuously lowering everyone's quality of life and making everyone lie flat.

Since one can no longer gain happiness or superiority from comparison, why keep striving?

Absurd yet correct truths abound in the world.

"Jiedushi, today Huamen Tower is booked exclusively; inside and out are members of the Chishui Army and the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, absolutely safe."

Che Guangqian leaned toward Fang Chongyong and whispered.

"You're overthinking it; join the seat with this Jiedushi, no need to be restrained."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand dismissively and said. He knew Che Guangqian was suffering from a professional habit.

What a joke, this is Wuwei City in Liangzhou! Where would you find assassins!

Who is the mastermind, and who is to be assassinated?

It's entirely those troublesome subjects harming me.

Fang Chongyong muttered a retort in his mind.

After everyone took their seats, Fang Chongyong looked around and found that most of the He Xi Border Army's leaders were present. Apart from them were Fang Chongyong himself and a few generals of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army.

Indeed, this is a welcome banquet.

"Today's banquet is entirely decided by Jiedushi Li. Fang, now without office and light, has transferred the He Xi Military Governor position to Jiedushi Li, and the new post has not yet been assumed."

"Only talk of romance, hahahaha, today we talk only of romance!"

Fang Chongyong laughed heartily, and in a few words dispelled many lingering thoughts.

"Censor Fang is absolutely right; bring out the music, dance, wine and dishes!"

Li Guangbi clapped his hands; having achieved his aim, he need not utter any more pleasantries.

Fang Chongyong is also straightforward, never dealing with convoluted matters, which saved Li Guangbi a great deal of time and effort.

Only then did he realize that Wang Zhongsi's taste in picking sons‑in‑law was truly sharp.

Soon, familiar local dishes that felt warm to Fang Chongyong were served, foods rarely seen in the Stone Kingdom. Liangzhou's Central Plains culture is intensely rich; the cuisine emphasizes exquisite presentation, unlike the "plain" fare of the Western Regions.

Besides those dishes, the seasonal Liangzhou grapes were large, thin‑skinned, and delicious—one bite released a flood of juice.

They differ completely in style and taste from the grapes of the Western Regions.

This made Fang Chongyong feel he had finally returned to Tang's heartland. It was like an overseas wanderer coming home, yet slightly different.

"Could it be that the food doesn't suit Censor Fang's palate?"

Li Guangbi saw that Fang Chongyong, seated closest to him, took a bite of grape and then set down his chopsticks, and asked with some puzzlement.

He called him 'Censor Fang' because Fang still held the nominal title of Censor‑in‑Chief. In fact, Fang's current rank is merely the military envoy of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, far below Li Guangbi.

If Li Guangbi were to address him as 'General Fang', it would be a covert suppression. Fang would give him face, so he certainly could not do such a thing.

"No problem; it's been a long time since I've tasted Liangzhou grapes, just a bit nostalgic."

Fang Chongyong replied offhand.

"Then today Censor Fang must indulge to the fullest."

Li Guangbi gave a slight nod, very restrained; in public he could not appear overly familiar with Fang Chongyong.

Soon, the dancing Hu dancer and musicians from the Western Regions arrived.

This dance was special—a solo performance by a Hu dancer.

The piece was also unique: the Zhezhi Dance, originating from Zhezhi City!

A red carpet rolled in from the doorway, the musician struck the drum three times! A graceful dancer in a colorful feathered red dress stepped forward, dancing lightly to the distinctive drum rhythm.

The He Xi Border Army generals watched with great interest, while the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army generals wore indifferent expressions.

Only Fang Chongyong furrowed his brow, his eyes fixed on the Hu dancer's steps.

The Hu dancer, whose looks were as youthful as a maiden and whose figure was strikingly voluptuous, noticed Fang Chongyong watching her, gave a slightly lecherous smile, then cast a captivating, soul‑grabbing flirtatious glance.

Seeing this, Fang Chongyong gestured to the stone‑like Che Guangqian behind him, whispered a few words into his ear, then bowed his head to eat, too lazy to glance at the dancer again.

When the dance ended and the Hu dancer tried to withdraw, Che Guangqian stepped forward amid the crowd's stunned gazes, looked at the dancer's face, and said proudly, "Our Jiedushi Fang asks you to go over and offer a toast."

At that remark, everyone at the table flashed a knowing, ambiguous grin that men understand, then laughed with their neighbors.

It didn't seem odd at all; it felt like they'd seen it a thousand times!

The Hu dancer showed no stage fright, perhaps having witnessed many similar scenes. She stepped forward, knelt before Fang Chongyong's table, and skillfully poured him wine.

While pouring, the woman cooed, "General, you just scared me to death!"

Her voice was both silky and seductive, causing the on‑lookers like Lao Shenbi to imagine her later singing loudly in bed.

That must be beautiful!

Sure enough, Fang Chongyong stared lecherously at the young, beautiful Hu dancer, snatched one of her small hands, clasped it, and repeatedly groped it in a vulgar manner.

"Little lady, your Zhezhi Dance is as beautiful as a fairy; how many years have you trained? It must be exhausting—have you ever thought of moving elsewhere for a better life?"

He looked like an uncultured brute, eager to tear off the dancer's skirt.

This was no longer a hint, but an unabashed demand.

"General, I started practicing the Zhezhi dance at age five. You're pinching me so hard it hurts. Today is our very first meeting, and I'm afraid I won't serve you well, General."

Though the dancer before Fang Chongyong carried a trace of complaint in her words, every frown and smile was indescribably alluring.

That kind of seductive flair was hard to fake—one could only say she truly understood men.

Won't serve well?

No, no, no—that's not for you to say. You'll only know after an "interview" in bed.

No one present was a fool; they already understood what Fang Chongyong intended to do.

Fang Chongyong stood up with a beaming smile and quietly gave Che Guangqian an instruction. The latter hurried off, and in barely the time it took to go up and down the stairs, he brought up a young woman whose face was veiled and whose figure was shapely and very well-endowed.

Chestnut-colored long hair, blue eyes—clearly another Hu girl.

After this woman came upstairs, she spotted Fang Chongyong at a glance, and her eyes instantly filled with delight.

But what Fang Chongyong was about to do was clearly no ordinary matter.

In the moment the Hu girl who had just performed the Zhezhi dance stood stunned, two personal guards of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army behind Che Guangqian pounced like wolves and tigers, binding her hand and foot!

Li Guangbi said not a single word, calmly watching Fang Chongyong's performance.

"Your acting is excellent, but some things cannot be made up for by acting."

Fang Chongyong used his thick, heavy palm to pat the Hu girl, who was bound tight and secure, leaving a faint red mark on that delicate, pretty face.

His eyes were full of coldness.

He turned around, put on a smiling face, and said to the veiled Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya: "Let the generals see what the Zhezhi dance truly is."

After saying that, he stuffed a rag into the dancer's mouth to prevent her from biting her own tongue to commit suicide.

Soon, the music unique to the Stone Kingdom, played by the musicians of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, sounded in the hall.

Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya sang while dancing the Zhezhi dance.

"Who sent you to my side? It was the round, bright moon, the bright moon,

It was the murmuring mountain spring, it was the murmuring mountain spring, it was the murmuring mountain spring, the mountain spring.

……"

The crowd gradually grew entranced and finally understood why Fang Chongyong had just made his move.

This was the Zhezhi dance!

The Zhezhi dance that the Hu girl had just performed had form but no spirit—fine enough to fool outsiders watching for the spectacle.

Once compared against a true expert, it immediately revealed itself as clumsy and clownish—the difference was plain to see.

After finishing her dance, Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya cast a very subtle seductive glance at Fang Chongyong, conveying a lewd meaning only the two of them understood, then withdrew from the hall like a butterfly.

"Convinced?"

Fang Chongyong looked at the Hu girl with a teasing expression and asked.

Seeing that she was still stubbornly holding out and not saying a word in response.

Fang Chongyong continued to question her in an icy tone: "A dancer who started learning the Zhezhi dance at five, yet dances like this? Was your time spent dancing, or spent practicing the sword and the saber? The calluses on your tiger's mouth are thicker than mine—you're actually very skilled at killing, aren't you?"

Hearing this, the generals present were suddenly alarmed.

Li Guangbi stepped forward, his face full of doubt and surprise, and looked at Fang Chongyong as he asked: "Censor Fang, you just said……"

"My coming to Liangzhou was mere coincidence; I only arrived today, so it's impossible she was coming for me.

If I'm not mistaken, she most likely came to kill you!"

Fang Chongyong pointed at the Hu girl and said sternly.

"Gentlemen, there is a matter to attend to today—let us disperse. For any offense, I, Li, will host another day to make amends."

Li Guangbi issued the dismissal order to clear the room. Aside from He Changqi and the others, along with Li Guangbi's personal guards, everyone filed out, each harboring their own thoughts.

Originally, Li Guangbi had been parachuted in by the court to serve as Military Commissioner of Hexi; many did not submit to him, and many believed he was merely clinging to Wang Zhongsi's coattails and had little real ability himself.

And now, Fang Chongyong said a Hu girl had come to assassinate Li Guangbi.

The waters here ran deep indeed!

The people of the An clan of Liangzhou were deeply rooted locally, having operated here for over a century—could it have been them?

Or were they the ones behind the scenes egging others on to act?

Or could Fang Chongyong have arranged it? Though this possibility was extremely small, one couldn't rule out that it was deliberate play-acting!

The waters had suddenly been muddied! Who would dare wade in lightly—hiding couldn't be fast enough!

Best to slip away first!

The guests who had been laughing and joking just moments ago fled faster than rabbits!

"Search her!"

Fang Chongyong ordered Che Guangqian.

"Yes, sir!"

Che Guangqian searched the Hu girl's body for a while, and sure enough, inside her tall leather boots he found a Tang dagger, forged exceptionally small and exquisite, like a work of art!

Li Guangbi's pupils shrank abruptly!

He had originally been only half-believing of Fang Chongyong's words, but what dancer would hide a Tang dagger in her boots?

This matter was all but confirmed!

"You've only just arrived in Hexi and haven't yet established yourself. It would be better to hand this woman over to me for handling. In the future, you must be mindful of the people around you, to prevent disaster striking from close quarters."

Fang Chongyong said to Li Guangbi in a low, serious voice.

"A life-saving grace cannot be repaid—great kindness needs no thanks!"

Li Guangbi cupped his fists in salute, without any excess words.

In truth, Fang Chongyong could investigate this matter, but it would not be convenient for him to do so. Those who knew would think he was investigating the assassin; those who didn't would assume he was trying to move against the local strongmen led by the An clan of Liangzhou.

No matter how Li Guangbi handled it, it would be inappropriate—better to hand it over to Fang Chongyong, an outsider to the situation.

……

"How long has it been since you last came to Liangzhou, and the moment you arrive you drag a woman back. Sigh."

In one of the rooms at the relay station, Anaye pulled the gag from the assassin Hu woman's mouth while grumbling at Fang Chongyong. She of course knew it wasn't that kind of thing, because this woman was bound tight as a zongzi.

"Step back a few paces. She's dangerous—her sword-callus is thicker than mine."

Fang Chongyong said with a grave expression.

But the assassin couldn't resist mocking him: "Everyone says Fang Youde's son Fang Chongyong is a great hero who stands tall, leading troops on raids across ten thousand li, the equal of Huo Qubing who was enfeoffed at Langxu. Turns out he's scared to death the moment he sees a weak woman."

She knew she wouldn't live, so she simply let loose with her mouth.

"Do you have the kind of medicine that won't kill you, but makes your whole body fester—worse than death?"

Fang Chongyong ignored her running mouth and looked at Anaye as he asked.

"That kind of medicine is everywhere. I can come up with dozens of prescriptions for you."

Anaye said with a look of disdain.

Though doctors save lives, they had no shortage of ways to kill if they wanted to. Every medicine has some toxicity; by using certain prescriptions in altered ways, one could easily and invisibly kill.

"Talk. Who sent you. Otherwise you can look forward to your whole body festering, a fate worse than death."

Fang Chongyong asked with a cold face.

"Hmph, it's useless. It's death either way. Whatever methods you have, just use them."

The assassin said stubbornly.

Seeing the other party's resolve so firm, Fang Chongyong suddenly thought of a possibility. In this era, certain religions of the Western Regions also had "techniques" of self-hypnosis. If this assassin wanted to keep a secret, it wasn't as if she truly had no way to do so.

"Do you think I really have no way to deal with you?"

Fang Chongyong asked curiously.

The female assassin said with a face full of disdain: "We've all been trained. It's no fun if Jiedushi Fang goes soft."

"Which is exactly why, with that little brain of yours, you truly can't comprehend what strategy means."

Fang Chongyong shook his head in disappointment.

"In half a shichen, you'll know how formidable I am."

Having said that, Fang Chongyong grabbed a rag and gagged the assassin's mouth.

This person still refused to take her own life—she was probably certain someone would come to extract her!

People like them were mostly professional assassins who took money to do a job, not household-raised death-sworn soldiers.

Fang Chongyong had already made his decision in his heart.

(End of this chapter)