Chapter 418: When Will the Wind Rise and Clouds Surge

"General Li is quite spirited. Since you are my wife's brother, that makes you family — no need to stand on ceremony."

Looking at the burly, nervous-looking Li Sheng before him, Fang Chongyong laughed heartily.

Wang Yunxiu, meanwhile, poured wine for Fang Chongyong and Li Sheng, attentively waiting on them from the side.

She said to Fang Chongyong, "This adopted brother of mine is skilled in horsemanship and archery — my lord must find him a good post."

Li Sheng did not put on airs, but instead respectfully clasped his hands in a salute to Fang Chongyong: "Many thanks, Prince of Pingxi."

He had come here to seek an official position; being overly modest would only invite contempt.

"Eh, we're all family — no need for such words. Easily done, easily done."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand lightly, looking as though he were agreeing wholeheartedly.

The scene unfolding at that moment in the study of the Prince of Pingxi's residence seemed exceedingly peculiar.

Why was that?

Because Wang Zhongsi was Li Sheng's "adopted father" — Li Sheng had been taken on as an "adopted son" after earning Wang Zhongsi's appreciation while serving under him — so Li Sheng counted as Wang Yunxiu's adopted brother.

Li Sheng's earlier posting in the Shence Army had also been recommended and arranged by Wang Zhongsi.

What is a network? This is a network.

In this day and age, fighting ability alone is useless — capable fighters are everywhere. Besides being tough oneself, the right connections are indispensable.

With connections, you need not suffer through the days in bitterness, and no one dares to embezzle your military merits. The importance of connections is beyond doubt.

Of course, that "letter of recommendation" was merely Li Sheng's stepping stone. Wang Zhongsi had written it for Cui Qianyou the last time Li Sheng entered the Shence Army.

As for getting Fang Chongyong to do something — what letter of recommendation would he need? They were family!

Li Sheng had brought it out only to secure a meeting with Fang Chongyong, to avoid being stonewalled by underlings.

"The Shence Army is being reorganized, its unit designation revoked, and morale is unsettled.

Last time, twelve thousand troops of the Shence Army were routed by three thousand of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army — a crushing defeat — and morale in the ranks has already collapsed.

Anyone with any ability is seeking a way out, considering it shameful to remain in the Shence Army.

I was originally unwilling to seek the Prince of Pingxi's connections, but I had no choice — I did not wish to waste my days in idleness."

Li Sheng could not help but sigh with emotion.

If he had the choice, he too would rather not pull strings. Who wouldn't want to puff out their chest and tell outsiders, "Everything I've achieved today, I carved out stroke by stroke with my own blade"?

But the Shence Army had not yet finished its reorganization, and the Black Cloud Long Sword Army had not yet been newly established. Within the Shence Army — if not an utter mess, then at the very least, morale and fighting spirit were utterly shattered!

Moreover, its reputation was already ruined.

Staying there, when would the next chance to distinguish oneself come? Not in a month of Sundays!

Nowadays in Guanzhong, who didn't know that the foremost elite force of the imperial army was the Yinqiang Xiaojie!

Li Sheng could not afford to lose face like that, so he slipped away in disgrace. Cui Qianyou knew that Li Sheng had deep connections and did not make things difficult for him.

Hearing these words, Fang Chongyong was momentarily taken aback — he had underestimated the impact of the previous battle at Xiangji Temple.

The social ethos of High Tang was bold and upward-looking, worshipping the strong, yearning for dazzling invincibility.

It was a matter of winner takes all.

Toward the weak and the defeated, society as a whole had little sympathy.

If you lost, you deserved to die; if you were weak, you deserved to be bullied — this was the prevailing value system of High Tang society, regardless of whether one was Hu or Han. Ideas like "killing too has its limits; each nation has its own borders" were not the mainstream of this era.

That would have to wait until the Late Tang.

The various Hu peoples surrounding the Great Tang also took pride in serving as dogs for the mighty Tang, not feeling the least bit insulted — even though the Tang court looked down on them entirely.

When the Tang's glory faded in the future and they turned around to bite the Tang in return, the psychological shift would come without any barrier.

It was nothing more than a change in the balance of power.

The Shence Army were losers, so they were not worth staying with to sink together.

The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army were victors, an elite force, so they were worth offering one's service to.

Such was Li Sheng's thinking, and at this time those who thought as Li Sheng did were beyond counting — cartloads and bushels.

Not to mention that the commander of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, Fang Chongyong, was also his adopted father's son-in-law — family!

With a door open, would one instead choose to endure nothing but cold stares under a stranger's command?

"I wish to have a good talk with my wife's brother today. My lady, you may go prepare some fine wine."

Fang Chongyong gave Wang Yunxiu a meaningful glance and said this.

Wang Yunxiu understood, nodded slightly, and quietly withdrew from the study, closing the door behind her. She instructed the servants outside not to approach.

Li Sheng's face immediately grew taut, and his heart rose to his throat. He understood — the main event was coming.

"I have heard that my wife's brother is skilled in horsemanship and archery. I believe this, and there is no need to verify it."

Fang Chongyong could not help but sigh, shaking his head: "It is just that there are certain questions I myself find deeply puzzling, so I would like to seek my wife's brother's views on them. Of course, this is merely an exchange of ideas — it has nothing to do with any examination."

Hearing this, Li Sheng immediately clasped his fists in salute: "Your Highness, please speak freely."

"Suppose — of course, I am only supposing, not targeting anyone —

suppose the two garrisons of Hebei join forces to rebel, collude with the Khitan and Xi people, and march on Chang'an with great momentum.

I serve as the court's vanguard, leading troops to suppress the rebellion — how should I proceed?"

Fang Chongyong fixed his burning gaze on Li Sheng and asked.

"Huangfu Weiming is going to rebel?"

Li Sheng exclaimed in a lowered voice.

This piece of news was far too explosive. Was such a closely guarded secret something an "intern" who hadn't yet passed his "interview" ought to know?

He came from a military family and was well-informed.

Instability in the Hebei region was not a matter of just a day or two, either. In the final years of Wu Zhou, the Khitan people of Hebei had caused trouble, killing Tang military officers and rebelling — a great upheaval that left the court overwhelmed for a time.

It had happened back then; if it happened again now, it wouldn't seem like anything remarkable, would it?

Li Sheng did not feel for a moment that Fang Chongyong was "playing around."

"Just assume he has rebelled. What this Prince is asking you is how to suppress the rebellion! What Huangfu Weiming does is his own business and has nothing to do with this Prince's question."

Fang Chongyong said in a low voice.

Li Sheng pondered for a moment, then said to Fang Chongyong:

"The court could divide its forces into three routes—two as the main force and one as a surprise attack. One route would hold Heyin County on the south bank of the Yellow River and grind against the rebel army; another would defend the Three Cities of Heyang, protecting the great northwestern gateway to Luoyang from falling.

The final route, a surprise force, would set out from Hedong and strike from Changshan in Hebei, launching a surprise attack on the rebels' lair and cutting off their supplies.

By then, the rebel army would find itself with neither advance nor retreat.

If the rebels along the Yellow River retreat, the two main-force routes could follow and harry them all the way. If they do not retreat, their supplies would run short, risking total annihilation.

They would inevitably throw caution to the wind and desperately assault the cities along the Yellow River—it would be impossible for them not to leave openings.

By then, the initiative on the battlefield would be in the court's hands. With a strong army in His Highness's grasp, whether you serve among the main force or as the surprise unit, there is much to be accomplished in this war."

Li Sheng spoke with easy confidence, clearly not believing that a rebellion in Hebei at this time could gain any advantage from the court.

It was just that this assessment was essentially identical to Fang Chongyong's own view—this was probably also the consensus within the military. After all, strategy followed patterns; if one set aside economic pressures and political shifts, the "correct answers" on the "exam" were very limited indeed.

"If the Uighurs also get involved, how should that be handled?"

Fang Chongyong continued to press.

Hearing this, Li Sheng sighed and shook his head, saying, "Then it would be like two demons pounding at the gate—Great Tang would be left teetering in the storm. Even if you ask me, Your Highness, I could not give you a clear answer."

When military problems worsened, they became intractable political problems. That was not something he—a general in armor bearing arms—should be considering.

Or rather, even if he did speak, it would not count.

Fang Chongyong gave a noncommittal slight nod, and the two fell into an awkward silence.

Seeing the other man say nothing, Li Sheng could barely contain his curiosity and lowered his voice to ask, "Does Your Highness perhaps believe that the unspeakable matter is an imminent upheaval, with disaster erupting at one's elbow?"

"This Prince does not wish for that, but there are many matters over which this Prince has no say—and even the Sage has no say.

The grievances between Guanzhong and Hebei run deep indeed. How could merely replacing a few military governors erase the conflict?"

Fang Chongyong shook his head helplessly and poured Li Sheng a cup of wine.

The discreet test had already concluded, and Fang Chongyong did not want to put too much pressure on Li Sheng. He consoled him:

"The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army is about to expand, and military officers within the army will certainly be promoted to key posts.

But your seniority in the army is still shallow—a sudden promotion would not be a good thing for you either.

Better to transfer you at the same rank first, to serve as a halberd-bearer in the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, accompanying me in and out together.

In the coming days, you shall accompany this Prince on official business to the Two Huai regions and Jiangnan. Once the army returns to the capital, there will naturally be rewards and commendations, and by then this Prince can promote you from within the ranks."

Finally hearing a concrete promise, Li Sheng breathed a sigh of relief. Fang Chongyong's appointment was a lateral transfer—a normal procedure within the army—which would not cause much of a stir, nor would it provoke jealousy from the other generals of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army.

If Fang Chongyong really appointed Li Sheng as a "Commander of Ten," then He Changqi, Che Guangqian, and the others would certainly be displeased.

Their ranks had all been earned by fighting their way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood; whether Li Sheng had ability or not, they had not yet seen. If he were placed in a high position right from the start, on equal footing with them, it would surely create cracks in the previously harmonious relationship among the commanders.

It would alienate the subordinates under Fang Chongyong's command.

Fang Chongyong was now the head of a faction, with no shortage of personnel under him—each with their own demands and sensitivities. He could not simply do whatever he pleased.

There was great nuance in the choice between appointing based on closeness versus appointing based on merit. Fang Chongyong was still groping his way through this; personnel appointments were carried out with inward trepidation, not daring to be overconfident.

"Many thanks, Your Highness. This humble general will certainly do his utmost."

Li Sheng clasped his fists in a formal salute and spoke with great composure.

A lateral transfer was not some extraordinary favor. Li Sheng believed that with his own abilities, even if the commander of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army were not Fang Chongyong, securing a lateral transfer here would be effortless.

The key was still how he performed from here on out.

"If you have the time, you should give more thought to the strategy for suppressing the Hebei rebellion."

Fang Chongyong suggested meaningfully.

"Hebei, huh... It seems those matters are not mere rumors after all."

Li Sheng could not help but sigh.

Fang Chongyong saw that he seemed to know something, and asked with keen interest, "Why does my wife's brother say this?"

"What Your Highness does not know is that Hebei has been heavily taxed by the court, and the resentment from top to bottom is seething to the heavens.

Their rising up is inevitable—it is only a matter of when, and how far they will take it."

"So that is how it is."

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly, keeping the thoughts in his heart to himself.

There is nothing new under the sun. In truth, the various contradictions within Great Tang were plain for many to see—they were neither blind nor deaf, nor wholly ignorant.

But knowing was one thing; whether one wanted to resolve them, and whether one could resolve them, was quite another!

Many people harbored the attitude of "What the hell does it have to do with me? If the court isn't worried, why should I be?"

Nation, nation—the interests of the state were, more often than not, not the same as the interests of the family. Unless it was a matter of life and death, most people would still only mind their own little plot of land.

So what if Hebei rebels? Let Brother Ji worry about it! If Brother Ji says suppress the rebellion, then suppress the rebellion!

Fang Chongyong saw Li Sheng's indifferent attitude very clearly, and fully understood such a mindset.

After all, one should mind the politics of the position one holds. There were far too many injustices in the world—who could possibly manage them all?

"You have nowhere to stay at present, so you might as well lodge at the Prince of Pingxi's mansion for now. There are only a few days left before the expedition; when the time comes, you shall serve as a halberd-bearer managing the bodyguards, attending to this Prince's needs at my side. I will have Che Guangqian take you to the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army's encampment to collect your military uniform shortly."

With a single sentence, Fang Chongyong arranged Li Sheng's quarters.

"As ordered!"

Li Sheng gave Fang Chongyong a formal fist-and-bow salute.

He muttered to himself inwardly that his "brother-in-law" handled matters with the steady, rock-solid composure of a turtle—truly watertight in every respect.

It was hard to believe that not long ago, this "Prince of Pingxi" had dared to lead the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army in a mutiny in Chang'an!

His audacity was outrageously bold.

Which one, after all, is the real one?

……

About twenty-some li south of Chang'an, there was a famous temple called "Niu Tou Temple," first built in the sixth year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (632 AD), and one of the eight great temples of Fanchuan in the Tang era. The surroundings were serene and the scenery beautiful, a place where poets and men of letters often went to wander.

Inside a side hall chapel of Niu Tou Temple, the son of Emperor Li Xian who was posthumously honored as the "Yielding Emperor"—Li Lin, Prince of Ning—was chanting sutras and reciting the Buddha's name, looking exceedingly devout.

He had come here with a light retinue and few attendants, drawing no attention whatsoever, and it was not his first time visiting, so he did not even cause a single ripple.

Many of the children of Ji-ge's brother's household were devout Buddhists, and they maintained close ties with Buddhist temples, frequently visiting all manner of temples both within Chang'an and in the surrounding areas.

Of course, this was merely the surface appearance; as to whether there were any "unspeakable" private affairs going on, that was rather hard to say.

For Buddhist temples in the Tang era—and even Daoist temples—were often dens of iniquity. Tang-era monks were frequently gigolos who "took money to do the deed," and the so-called "Daoist nuns" and "Daoist priests" in the Daoist temples did not have simple identities either.

They were all pot calling kettle black.

These people hiding behind a façade were often those lustful men and women who wanted to strip naked and have their fun, yet feared damaging their family's honor. Their "taking religious vows" was a deliberate attempt to put on a cover identity.

For officials and nobles, an illicit affair was a disgrace to propriety, but once they became people who cultivated the Dao and chanted sutras, it was tantamount to vanishing from the public eye—they could play however they pleased.

"Did Your Highness send that red coral out?"

From behind the golden Buddha statue came a hollow voice.

"Master, it has already been delivered to the Prince of Pingxi Commandery's residence."

Li Lin frowned slightly, but still suppressed the anger in his heart and spoke in a calm tone.

"Observe the Son of Heaven's reaction, and Your Highness will know what you wish to know."

The voice from behind the Buddha statue continued, "If the Sage takes no action, Your Highness can set your mind at ease."

Hearing these words, Li Lin finally let out a breath of relief.

Lately, he had been on edge every day in his princely residence, constantly feeling that Ji-ge would use this matter to come demanding accountability. After all, when the red coral was delivered that day, the servants of many noble households were present.

And this gift had been famous for years, with countless witnesses; in all of Chang'an, one could not find a second one like it.

"Three men make a tiger. The military power in Fang Chongyong's hands will not remain under his control for long. Soon, the Son of Heaven will grow suspicious of him.

Without the Fang father and son, the Son of Heaven is a toothless tiger.

This Great Tang ultimately belongs to your house.

Back then, your father had no choice but to yield the throne to the current Son of Heaven. So many years have passed—he ought to return what is yours to its rightful owner."

The voice from behind the Buddha statue coaxed.

Li Lin gripped his sleeve tightly, his body trembling uncontrollably.

Yes, so many years had passed, and even his posthumous title was "Yielding Emperor"! That old thing had sat on the throne for so many years—hadn't he gotten his money's worth?

The fire of fury burned fiercely in Li Lin's heart.

If the Great Tang did not fall into chaos, he would have no opportunity. But once chaos erupted, that would be hard to say!

Their house, back then, had been just a hair's breadth away from inheriting the legitimate line.

No—it should be said that the throne had belonged to their house in the first place. It was his father Li Xian who feared Li Longji's persecution and had no choice but to yield the position of Crown Prince! In the end, Li Longji was able to inherit the great succession!

Whether Li Xian was truly convinced, Li Lin did not know; but everyone in their house, from top to bottom, was unconvinced in their hearts!

"Please observe quietly and wait for changes, Your Highness. Once the winds rise and clouds surge, that will be the day Your Highness steps forward."

The voice from behind the Buddha statue seemed to carry endless temptation, making Li Lin's breathing grow much heavier.

When he came back to his senses and quietly walked behind the Buddha statue to look, he found no one there—not so much as a person, not even a single mouse.

"The winds rise and clouds surge…?"

Li Lin murmured to himself, wishing with all his might that this day would come at once!

(End of this chapter)