Chapter 417: Looking Back, the Sycophants Multiply

In the imperial study of the Qinzhengwubenlou of Xingqing Palace, Ji Ge stared at the stack of gift lists before him, whose thickness was almost exaggerated, his expression gloomy.

And beside him, Gao Lishi dared not even breathe heavily. He hadn't seen Ji Ge so angry in a long time.

This Chang'an Son of Heaven, the Great Tang sage, only shows this when his anger reaches its peak, which also means he may be about to order a killing!

"Fang Guozhong says he hasn't seen the gift list, right?"

Ji Ge tapped the table with his finger and asked.

In fact, Fang Chongyong's words were a bit slick, because the gift lists bore no seal; whether they've been seen or not is just Fang Chongyong's one‑sided claim.

But at this moment, a one‑sided claim is already quite meaningful.

In an age without electronic surveillance, many times, it is just a "one‑sided claim".

The emperor's scheming is often also helpless.

"Indeed, Sage, it is so."

Gao Lishi answered honestly.

"Have him deliver that red coral to Taifu Temple; as for the rest, I won't inquire. Keep the gift list safe; I might need it later."

Ji Ge sneered, his murderous intent toward certain people on the gift list becoming uncontrollable.

Then why did Fang Chongyong send someone to return that red coral?

After all, Ji Ge lacks nothing in the palace.

It is because that red coral was, back then, given by him to his elder brother for Emperor Li Xian (who had already died during the Kaiyuan era) and his family.

Specifically, that red coral was the most valuable gift in Ji Ge's list when, after Li Xian's death, Li Xian's son Li Lin was enfeoffed as Prince of Ning.

Li Lin surprisingly gave it to Fang Chongyong as a lavish gift to celebrate his promotion, to forge an alliance. The deeper meaning is something one dares not contemplate.

Is this merely a case of "inexperienced youth", or does it have ulterior motives?

Ji Ge doesn't know, and he wouldn't ask Li Lin, because even if he did, there would be no clear answer.

There are countless possible excuses.

"Sage, Fang Guozhong is a bit slick, but he truly is loyal to you.

Just by the thickness of this gift list, one can see that Chang'an's situation is far more complex than imagined; it is wiser for the Sage to observe calmly."

Gao Lishi cautiously suggested that this stack of gift lists is actually more terrifying than the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army's mutiny that forced the palace that day!

Those Qiu Ba disturbances ultimately did not dare to confront the Sage.

But for these powerful nobles with far‑sighted eyes, what they intend and what they can do is hard to say.

"How could I not know this!"

Ji Ge hissed softly, unable to conceal the terror in his heart.

He had actually guessed Li Lin's thoughts; upon reflection, it was merely human nature.

If Ji Ge and Fang Chongyong were truly placed on the same stage, with only one surviving in the end, Li Lin would choose Fang Chongyong without hesitation, rather than Ji Ge, who had long bestowed deep favors on their family.

Why so? Because Ji Ge is already over sixty!

Even if he curries favor further, how many more years can Ji Ge look after their family?

Ji Ge has a good relationship with Emperor Li Xian, but is his bond with Li Xian's son Li Lin equally strong?

Rather than currying favor with an old emperor, it is better to win over a young upstart who commands troops, placing heavy investment to secure the family's prosperity for the coming decades!

Ji Ge played this game back when Empress Wu Zetian was still alive!

He has long seen through all this, but now he is powerless.

Time cannot reverse; the old cannot return to youth. Ji Ge understands that in the future, more and more people will consider fallback plans, rather than remain as loyal as before.

Fang Chongyong returned the gift list, partly to show loyalty, and also subtly hinting: look, so many potential rebels are stirring in Chang'an; you, old emperor, would do well to tread carefully.

This is also one reason why Ji Ge has not yet dared to retaliate against the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army's mutiny.

When weighing two evils, one simply chooses the lesser.

The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army was merely overbearing, without intent to replace the emperor. As for others and other armies, that's hard to say!

"Back then, Zheng Shuqing supervised the weaving of Tang brocade and presented me a piece of splendid landscape brocade. You sent it to the Prince of Pingxi's residence, saying it was my gift to him, asking him to guard this splendid landscape for me,"

Ji Ge, a bit weary, waved his hand.

In the Tang dynasty, many gifts carried extremely strong symbolic meaning. For ordinary noble families, not only were gifts rare, even private collections, if reported, could become a crime.

This piece of Tang brocade is large and exquisitely crafted, though not a "rare treasure". The Sogdian‑style Tang brocade has existed for years, and unlike the earlier cloth‑per‑inch gold era, it has long permeated noble households.

Including fabric and labor, this brocade costs only a few hundred strings, its intrinsic value is ordinary, not a precious item.

But it is among the first batch of Tang brocade, bestowed by the Son of Heaven, and was a "commemorative gift" of the time, thus worth mentioning.

This means Fang Chongyong can openly display it in his own hall to show off, while other families are not even allowed to copy it!

Ji Ge's action also tells Fang Chongyong: I have received your loyalty. Now I grant you a unique honor—continue to serve me as an unwavering watchdog!

A dog remains a dog, but its importance in the heart has risen.

Gao Lishi silently reflected that Ji Ge and Fang Chongyong are both masters of intrigue, their schemes simple yet subtle, moving freely and calmly.

Without tearing the face, within the atmosphere where the ruler worries and the minister dies, and the ruler and minister are in harmony, they conveyed each other's bottom lines and intentions—truly a match of equals.

"Why are you hesitating, Lishi, and not rushing off?"

Ji Ge, displeased, urged.

Gao Lishi thought for a moment and replied, "Sage, Fang Guozhong is diligent in state affairs and will not cause any mishap, so there is no need to rush the delivery. However, there is a major matter now that I wish to report to you, please decide."

"Speak quickly, I am weary!"

Ji Ge's impatient expression deepened, and he sighed.

"Your Majesty, the Military Governor of the Northern Frontier, Li Guozhen, together with the Frontier Agricultural Commissioner Zhang Qiqiu, submitted a joint memorial stating that in recent years the Tiele tribes have migrated internally, while outside the Hetao region the Uighur clan has become dominant, controlling more than 200,000 troops, posing a great threat to the Northern Frontier forces!"

Currently the Uighur people are becoming increasingly arrogant; if not restrained, they may become a serious problem.

They hope the court will dispatch troops to the Northern Frontier to curb the Uighur's arrogance. If the court cannot send forces, they wish to increase the frontier army's supplies, delivering more of the scarce silk from the northwest.

Then they may recruit soldiers locally on their own. This matter should be decided by the Holy One.

Gao Lishi reported carefully, "If it is a trivial matter, I can handle it and be done."

Mostly it would just be a reply, such as: regional Inspectors may decide on their own.

And the like.

But over at the Shuo Fang army, Li Guozhen is currently Military Governor and also Acting Supply Officer, and with the Agricultural Officer Zhang Qiqiu, it amounts to a unified opinion among the senior military‑civil leadership.

For a matter so large, Gao Lishi would not dare to make a decision in private.

"The Uighurs are stirring up trouble…"

Ji Ge fell silent in thought; in fact, the issue had shown signs back then. When Fang Youde pacified the steppe, there was the unruly Uighur Ye Hu Jie.

In recent years the peace of the Hetao region has allowed the nine‑surname Tiele steppe peoples to rest and recover. Among them the Uighurs dominate completely, stronger than all the other Tiele tribes combined!

Border towns occasionally report incidents of clashes with the Uighurs that did not break.

But Ji Ge does not want to ruin the oath monument he erected back then! It concerns his posthumous reputation.

"How about sending troops to Shuo Fang?"

Ji Ge asked Gao Lishi.

"Your Holiness, the Imperial Guard is being reorganized; there are no officers, no money. The Chang'an city treasury does have plenty of arms, but we cannot let the weapons go into battle on their own, can we?"

Gao Lishi explained with a helpless expression.

"This matter should be postponed for now; after Yan Zhenqing goes to the two Huai rivers and Jiangnan to raise funds, we will discuss it again in Guanzhong. Send someone to Shuo Fang to request troops and inform Li Guozhen to be patient for the time being."

Ji Ge waved his hand lightly, indicating that Gao Lishi need not continue; he felt helpless about these broken affairs.

Seeing Gao Lishi still unwilling to leave, Ji Ge asked with a strained face, "Anything else?"

"Your Holiness, when Li Shizhi was Chancellor, he ordered the fiscal authority of Lanzhou under the Hexi Military Governor to be reclaimed, placing it directly under the court, with the treasury under central control.

Today the Hexi Military Governor's office reported that the north‑west grain tribute is severely lacking; Lanzhou is a heavy tax region, and if the treasury's jurisdiction changes, the shortfall will worsen.

Minister Zheng declared that this was not an order he issued, and he does not know how to adjudicate, requesting the Holy One's judgment."

Gao Lishi reported with a look of lifeless resignation.

Zheng Shuqing, that old slickster, is slipperier than a mud loach. He is simply afraid of offending anyone, so he uses the excuse that the order is not his, leaving everything to the Holy One's decision!

"Anyway, if you want to blame someone, blame Li Shizhi!"

It was Li Shizhi who issued that order to you earlier; now he has hit a wall and taken his own life, what does that have to do with me, Zheng?

From this perspective, Zheng Shuqing's reasoning does seem quite proper.

Gao Lishi lamented that the court is now full of talent; their words sound pleasant, but they accomplish nothing!

"Approved. Li Shizhi is dead; the previous court order was indeed improper. We will discuss it later."

Ji Ge had become irritable, his attention scattered, anger rising, almost driven mad by the arrogant soldiers and fierce generals of Hexi!

This round of forming the Imperial Guard lacks personnel and needs to draw troops from the border armies. Hexi has already taken away many men!

Logically, these men are funded by Chang'an for salaries and all expenses; Hexi's military spending has clearly lessened. Is it excessive to return Lanzhou's tax revenue to the court?

Indeed it is not excessive, because those receiving the military pay have already been taken over by the central authority.

But reality is helpless; once fiscal rights are handed out, reclaiming them is not easy. Even if the central wants the localities to cede benefits, the regions have their own difficulties.

Tibetan forces rushed down from the plateau, and the two towns of Hexi and Longyou blocked them on the western side of Guanzhong. Are the troops of these frontier towns not suffering?

Everyone has their own reasoning.

In the current situation, the border troops' accounts are like a black box; Ji Ge doesn't dare to audit them at all! As long as Hexi's Qiu Ba doesn't shout for increased military funds, everything will be fine!

If those people truly bring troops into Guanzhong to "force tribute," Ji Ge is indeed a bit worried!

"Then the slave will be fine; go handle the business now."

Gao Lishi bowed to Ji Ge, then turned and left.

After he left, Ji Ge let out a long sigh; the Tang Emperor, the Chang'an saint, felt an unprecedented fatigue.

He always felt something was wrong with the country, yet could not pinpoint exactly where.

…

In front of the Prince of Pingxi's residence stood a table, with a flag beside it that read "Recruiting Staff, Generous Compensation."

Che Guangqian sat at the table, spreading out the roster, conducting the "pre‑selection" for the long queue of applicants.

Only those who pass his selection may enter the Prince of Pingxi's residence and take part in Fang Chongyong's interview!

And passing Fang Chongyong's interview is not the end; the list must be sent to Xingqing Palace, and after Ji Ge nods (though merely a rubber stamp), they can be incorporated into the royal staff as proper officials.

Otherwise they remain mere "commoners" without any status beside Fang Chongyong.

Today the autumn air was crisp, and a long queue of applicants lined up before the residence; at a glance the line seemed to be at least several hundred. Yet the residence only hires a handful of staff, making the competition fierce.

"Next!"

Che Guangqian shouted.

A very confident young man swaggered into Che Guangqian's presence, acting as if he were already familiar.

"What is your surname and given name?"

Che Guangqian asked without looking up.

"Wei Yingwu, of the Jingzhao Wei clan."

The young man in front said proudly.

"Hmm, what are your specialties?"

Che Guangqian asked without pretense, recording on the roster; even those not selected would have a record, which would later be shown to Fang Chongyong for review.

"Menyin Assistant Right Thousand Cattle, previously a follower of the saint."

Wei Yingwu shouted loudly, deliberately so that those behind in line could hear.

Che Guangqian remained silent, waiting for Wei Yingwu's continuation.

"And then?"

Seeing the other side silent for a while, Che Guangqian lifted her head, her face surprised as she looked at the Wei Yingwu before her—obviously a pampered rich young master with delicate skin—and asked.

"Is that still not enough? I was once a servant serving by the Emperor's side!"

Wei Yingwu said proudly, "The attendant of my brother Ji Ge, who was appointed as a staff officer at the Prince of the West's mansion, must have regarded Fang Chongyong highly!"

The Wei clan of Jingzhao, a distinguished family; a saint's attendant, whose voice reaches the heavens!

With such a background, what special talent is still needed?

Wei Yingwu thought Che Guangqian was being overly pretentious! His own birth and status are already special talents!

He said bluntly, "My lower body is already especially long; what more special talent could I need!"

"That's enough, go back and wait for news, the next."

Che Guangqian waved her hand, speaking coldly. He came from the military ranks, discovered at the grassroots, and is not impressed by people like Wei Yingwu, who are of noble birth yet self‑righteous.

But she still faithfully recorded his details, as per Fang Chongyong's instruction.

"Get lost! Go cool off somewhere!"

The crowd behind Wei Yingwu started a raucous chant, saying that Tang society is bold and confident, and won't indulge a waste like Wei Yingwu who presses others with his status.

Wei Yingwu slunk away, covering his face, realizing he had been caught red‑handed this time!

"The next one, who is it?"

Che Guangqian looked around and asked.

Soon a disheveled middle‑aged man smelling of strong alcohol, with a scraggly beard, stepped forward and said to Che Guangqian, "Please convey this: I am Li Bai, an old acquaintance of the Prince of the West; formerly I served in the Hanlin Academy as a Grand Scholar."

"Li Bai, huh."

Che Guangqian of course knew this person, but was not impressed.

Because Fang Chongyong had instructed to recruit those with "genuine talent and solid learning."

And Li Bai's reputation... seems he is just a poet who knows nothing else.

"Hmm, noted, go back and wait for news."

Che Guangqian continued to record, speaking coldly.

"Hey, are you even listening to me?"

"I am Li Bai, Grand Scholar of the Hanlin Academy, and also an old acquaintance of your Prince of the West!"

"You tell me to go back and wait for news?"

Li Bai, reeking of alcohol, his face showing unabashed pride and resentment, questioned Che Guangqian.

"Yes, go back and wait for news."

Che Guangqian said calmly.

"Get lost, get lost! What else can you do besides writing poetry?"

A number of people behind Li Bai started to heckle.

Those people were eager for everyone in front to fail even the preliminary selection.

"Next."

Che Guangqian asked as if performing routine business.

"Li Sheng, former Shen Ce Army halberd officer, skilled in riding and archery."

The young man before them said with a composed expression, neither servile nor arrogant.

Che Guangqian examined Li Sheng and asked puzzled, "The Prince of the West's mansion is recruiting staff officers; you seem more suited for the military, right...?"

"I never intended to bring this out."

Li Sheng let out a light sigh, pulled a letter from his chest and handed it to Che Guangqian; the envelope bore the four bold characters "Wang Zhongsi Recommendation"!

"Brave, please come in!"

Che Guangqian immediately dropped the nonchalant expression, made a beckoning gesture. Ignoring the murmurs of those queued behind, she led Li Sheng directly into the Prince of the West's mansion.

Those with a recommendation letter naturally receive different treatment from those without. Li Sheng's situation seemed to tell the weaklings waiting in line: doing the right thing is less effective than aligning with the right people.

When a big boss gives you a push from behind, many difficult matters become trivial.

(End of chapter)