Chapter 431: Two‑Faced Triple‑Edged

In Lingzhou City, inside the study of the Shuo Fang Jiedushi's office, Fang Chongyong was listening to Che Guangqian's report, his expression solemn. The few others in the study, including Yan Zhenqing, bowed their heads in silent contemplation.

The atmosphere felt somewhat oppressive.

"According to your account, most of the Tiele tribes have declined, saying they are unwilling to come to Lingzhou to discuss an alliance with me, right?"

Fang Chongyong let out a light sigh and asked.

Che Guangqian nodded and said, "Jiedushi, that is indeed the case. Those who are willing to come are Tiele who have already submitted to the Tang, such as the Hun tribe, the Pugu tribe, the Tongluo tribe, and so on. The others refuse to come to Lingzhou City."

Since Li Guozhen and others ordered the massacre of the Huíhé envoy mission and more than a thousand of its guards, the heads of the Tiele tribes have become more wary.

Who can say that Fang Chongyong, as the successor, won't follow his predecessor Li Guozhen's example and lure them to Lingzhou to be killed?

Che Guangqian spent more than half a month traveling around the locations of the various Tiele tribes, only to meet with a wall of rejection.

"Without trust a person cannot stand; Li Guozhen's momentary boldness has only made things harder for those who follow,"

Yan Zhenqing couldn't help but repeatedly shake his head and sigh.

Fang Chongyong's invitation to the Tiele for an alliance truly has no other motive; it is simply to deal with the Huíhé and rally whatever forces can be mustered.

Politics, after all, is just about swelling one's own ranks, thinning the enemy, and then crushing them to death.

But the current situation feels a bit like a "straw pole striking a wolf, frightening both ends."

You claim you are harmless, yet they don't believe it. Those Tiele don't care whether the current ruler is Li Guozhen or Fang Chongyong; they only recognize the two characters "Tang."

"Times change; even if the tribal leaders of the Tiele don't come this time, sending a messenger is still acceptable.

These are all their excuses.

The junior officer believes this may be linked to the Huíhé's bribery and courting. The Tiele tribes are now mainly watching and waiting."

The previously silent Feng Changqing said in a deep voice.

"Oh? How do you know that?"

Fang Chongyong suddenly asked with interest.

He likes his subordinates to speak freely; even if they err, he doesn't blame them, and he often draws inspiration and methods from them.

"Jiedushi, the junior officer thinks the Tiele are merely waiting for a price, then watching to see whether we or the Huíhé will be the ones laughing in the end.

Of course, they are waiting for the Jiedushi, not for the Tang. The Huíhé certainly can't defeat the Tang, but judging by forces and deployment, they might not be able to beat Shuo Fang Town.

If the Jiedushi loses, they naturally have no need to discuss major matters with the loser; the successor's mouth will be even tighter and easier to manage.

Border towns ultimately are places where strength speaks.

Feng Changqing explained without reservation.

In short, the Huíhé are still restless, and it's unclear who will claim victory. If the Shuo Fang army can defeat the Huíhé again, inflicting serious wounds, the Tiele tribes will be convinced.

At that point, there would be no need for Fang Chongyong to invite them; they would come to Lingzhou City on their own to "atone."

The Huíhé practice slavery. The Huíhé are not only the Huíhé themselves but also many small tribes they enslave.

Combined, their strength is considerable; controlling two hundred thousand troops is no exaggeration.

"Do the Huíhé's roaming cavalry still frequently harass areas beyond Hedong?"

Fang Chongyong asked He Changqi.

"Indeed, many merchants traveling between the steppe and Lingzhou have been harassed by the Huíhé. Small caravans are robbed by the Huíhé.

The Huíhé only seize goods without killing, intending to show everyone that the Tang can no longer protect the trade routes!"

He Changqi said helplessly.

The Huíhé scouts are very cunning; when He Changqi leads troops on patrol, they evade the Tang patrols and strike only when the Tang forces are absent.

If a fair, open battle were to occur, He Changqi wouldn't be fazed by those slippery Huíhé cavalry. But this current tactic makes him extremely uneasy.

He can't land a hit; in pursuit, short‑range chase fails, and long‑range chase risks ambush.

Thus day and night defending against bandits, shuttling back and forth, exhausted to the bone!

All his strength is wasted, being toyed with.

"You haven't seen today's imperial edict yet, but you've heard the news, right?"

Fang Chongyong pointed to the edict on the desk.

Everyone gave a slight nod.

"The Sage has ordered a certain Jiedushi to govern Hedong; that's at least some good news.

However, the Huíhé's current tactics are something the court did not anticipate.

The edict urges us to resolve the border town matters swiftly; it seems the officials at court still think the problem is too simple."

Fang Chongyong helplessly patted the yellow silk on the desk, unsure how to address Brother Ji.

Many who have never seen battle think the steppe peoples are like madmen; once the Tang army arrives, they will recklessly charge to be beaten!

Even if their heads are bloodied, even if they face mountains of swords and seas of fire, even if they are betrayed by all, they won't change their original resolve.

In fact, these steppe cavalry have fought countless battles. They are like cunning beasts; once they test the reality, they know how to adjust tactics and counter different foes.

They are not foolish at all!

If the Tang army previously suffered a disastrous defeat at Feng'an City, the Huíhé would naturally aim for Hedong, adopt an offensive strategy, and might even consider sieging cities and seizing territory.

However, the Huíhé were once brutally beaten by the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army; haven't they learned a lesson?

Now the Huíhé avoid a decisive battle with the Shuo Fang army, instead sending small raiding cavalry to continually harass the outskirts of Hedong! It's a contest of who loses patience first and acts impulsively.

The Huíhé's strategic adjustments are obvious; even the junior clerks in the Shuo Fang Jiedushi's office, who know nothing of warfare, have noticed.

But even if the opponent's actions are of little use, the key lies in how we solve the problem.

Brother Ji is now acting like a lazy boss, telling Fang Chongyong directly: "The troops in Hedong obey your orders; get the Huíhé dealt with quickly!"

How should we handle this cavalry?

Fang Chongyong seethed; he didn't know how the troops in Hedong were faring. At such a distance, he couldn't issue orders from Lingzhou City to Taiyuan.

The transmission of orders requires channels, let alone controlling military authority.

Although Fang Chongyong temporarily "concurrently held" the post of Hedong Jiedushi, he did not control the channels for transmitting military orders down to the grassroots! Or rather, to what extent the people of Hedong would carry out his military orders, whether they would comply in public while disobeying in private, how to supervise them, and so on—Fang Chongyong had no actual control over any of it.

This power existed only on paper.

By contrast, the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army was now stationed in Lingzhou, and whatever the situation with the troops on the Shuofang side, Fang Chongyong could suppress them through the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, with military orders flowing smoothly without obstruction. Whoever was disobedient, he could simply have the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army serve as "military police" and go directly to the relevant army camp to arrest people.

Who would dare to act up?

Brother Ji was still being driven by that lofty, high-and-mighty mindset, believing that his imperial edict was equivalent to actual power.

Little did he know that if no one obeyed the edict, then the imperial edict was nothing but a piece of waste paper!

"Jiedushi, the newly appointed Hedong Jiedu Deputy Commissioner Tian Chengsi requests an audience. He is waiting outside the yamen gates, with only two escorting guards."

A personal soldier walked into the study, cupped his fist in salute toward Fang Chongyong and his party, and spoke.

"Tian Chengsi? It's him!"

Yan Zhenqing's face showed surprise, clearly recognizing the man.

"Lord Yan, you know this person?"

Fang Chongyong asked, though he already knew.

How could he not know who Tian Chengsi was! That was the most adept survivor in the An-Shi rebel faction!

Being able to fight wars was not that impressive; being able to preserve oneself while also knowing how to fight—that was a truly formidable figure.

Clearly, this Tian Chengsi, the founder of the WeiBo Ya soldiers in history, was more formidable than An Lushan!

The Son of Heaven in Chang'an and the WeiBo Ya soldiers were known together as the two "splendid sights" of the mid-to-late Tang.

"Back then, he served under your father and had quite a record of military merit. This man was renowned in the Pinglu garrison.

Tian Chengsi was very skilled at using troops, and his scheming was deep and hidden, making it impossible for ordinary people to tell what he was thinking."

Yan Zhenqing thought for a moment, then said with a sigh.

Back when he was still in Hebei, he already knew that Tian Chengsi was by no means someone who would remain in a pond. Sure enough, after so many years, the man had ultimately worked his way up to Military Commissioner of the Lulong Army, and was now transferred to Hedong Jiedu Deputy Commissioner!

He was only one step away from Jiedushi.

Although this "small" step was one that many commanders, for various reasons, could never cross in their entire lifetimes.

"Gentlemen, go attend to your own affairs for now. Dealing with the Uighurs is the top priority; all other matters in hand can be set aside for the time being."

Fang Chongyong looked around at everyone and spoke—this was clearly a signal that he wanted a private conversation with Tian Chengsi.

Everyone in the study filed out one after another, and only after they had left did Fang Chongyong sink into deep thought.

Was Tian Chengsi really Huangfu Weiming's man or not?

Even though he still did not know who Tian Chengsi's backer was, Huangfu Weiming's intention to support a certain prince to ascend the throne was no longer a secret to Fang Chongyong.

Or rather, many people now had this same thought; it was just that none of them had "I want to rebel" written on their foreheads. From Brother Ji's perspective, he could only use the tactic of balance to keep these people in check and make them serve him.

After all, for a Son of Heaven who had already passed sixty years of age, it was only human nature for his subordinates to seek a way out for themselves and their families.

If the standard were truly set too strictly, then looking around, everyone in the world would be a rebel who had not yet rebelled.

Just as Fang Chongyong's thoughts were wandering, He Changqi had already led the tall and burly Tian Chengsi inside.

Tian Chengsi was now nearly fifty years old, and his entire bearing appeared steady and composed.

To be honest, this age was indeed the right age to serve as a Jiedushi. Tian Chengsi had fought his way up from the grassroots step by step, having grown accustomed to days of licking blood from the edge of a blade, and his body faintly carried an aura of killing intent.

One glance was enough to tell he was not the frivolous type.

"Military Commissioner of the Datong Army, Tian Chengsi, pays respects to Jiedushi Fang. I have come from afar and my etiquette may be lacking; I beg Jiedushi's forgiveness."

Tian Chengsi cupped his fist in a restrained salute to Fang Chongyong, his expression calm and impossible to read for joy or anger.

"This is my trusted confidant. You need not mind him."

Seeing Tian Chengsi looking as though he wanted to speak but hesitated, Fang Chongyong pointed at He Changqi beside him and said.

"This subordinate has come to Lingzhou to ask Jiedushi Fang how the Hedong troops and horses should be deployed.

I had only been in Hedong for a few days before I hurried to Lingzhou without rest. I am not afraid of Jiedushi laughing at me—I, your humble general, am still not very familiar with the internal situation of the Datong Army."

Tian Chengsi said with great humility.

His words were laden with hidden meaning, refusing to say things outright.

So Fang Chongyong waved his hand at He Changqi and said:

"Go keep watch outside the door. No one is allowed to come near."

The latter shot Tian Chengsi a deeply displeased glare, then left the study and stood guard outside the door.

After He Changqi had left, Fang Chongyong pointed at the cushion across the desk from him and said, "General Tian, sit down and let us talk."

Tian Chengsi did not stand on ceremony with him. After sitting down, he directly cupped his fists and said, "Jiedushi Fang, I was transferred away from the Lulong Army by Huangfu Weiming using a scheme! He wants to rebel!"

"Such a thing happened?"

Fang Chongyong feigned surprise, but in his heart he was dismissive.

Huangfu Weiming, after all, was not An Lushan. He had the fundamental character of a Guanzhong man and could not possibly heavily employ Hebei frontier general families. Transferring Tian Chengsi, this "local faction" man, away from his Military Commissioner post and replacing him with his own people was standard operating procedure.

Huangfu Weiming ultimately wanted to support a prince to the throne; his roots were in Guanzhong, and everything he planned was oriented toward Chang'an as the future focal point.

Even if he were to rebel, Huangfu Weiming would not become some "King of Hebei"! Of course, if he were to take Chang'an in the future, he would likely not rampage, loot, and pillage in Chang'an the way An Lushan did.

At least, that was what many "perceptive people" believed.

"Indeed so. In recent years, Huangfu Weiming has been vigorously purging dissenters from the Hebei frontier army and replacing them with his own trusted followers. My transfer to Hedong this time was also the result of Huangfu Weiming's people exerting influence in the court. Without the help of a benefactor, it would be essentially impossible for me, your humble general, to return to Hebei."

Tian Chengsi said in a low voice, hinting that Fang Chongyong was that benefactor.

"You have said so much, but what exactly does General Tian want to do?

I, this Jiedushi, think you are a smart man, so do not beat around the bush, and do not play dumb.

Speak directly—what exactly do you want to do?"

Fang Chongyong looked at Tian Chengsi with a half-smile and spoke, an indescribable aura of authority radiating from him that made one dare not look him in the eye!

"This subordinate... this subordinate wishes to be transferred back to Hebei after the matter of the Uighurs is dealt with.

"Jiedushi, when Huangfu Weiming rebels in the future, it will surely be you who goes to suppress the rebellion. At that time, I will dispatch troops from Hebei and stab him in the back. For suppressing the rebellion, would that not be twice the result with half the effort?"

A fawning smile appeared on his face as he made the suggestion without batting an eye.

Tian Chengsi's calculations were so slick the beads were about to bounce right onto Fang Chongyong's face!

If the Tang army won, he was a mole; if the Tang army lost, he was the vanguard of the rebel army—either way, he won.

"Somewhat interesting, but not enough."

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly, offering neither agreement nor disagreement.

Neither of them mentioned the matter of Brother Ji, nor did they bring up the matter of reporting Huangfu Weiming's situation to the court.

"This humble officer has been transferred to Hedong this time and needs the Jiedushi's support to gain control of the Datong Army.

But likewise, this humble officer will follow the Jiedushi's lead and fully cooperate with the Jiedushi in handling the matter of the Uighurs.

I hope that after the matter is settled, the Jiedushi can exert influence to have the court transfer me back to Hebei."

Tian Chengsi continued to lay out his conditions and requests.

On the surface, this was very fair—if one ignored the disparity in status between Fang Chongyong and Tian Chengsi.

"General Tian's fervent devotion to serving the country appears most loyal and upright."

Fang Chongyong remarked with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

"Appears"—that is, looks like it, but is entirely not.

Upon hearing these words, Tian Chengsi was immediately frightened into prostrating himself on the ground and kowtowing: "Jiedushi, every word this humble officer says is true! I am absolutely not sent by Huangfu Weiming to deceive the Jiedushi!"

Only then did he realize that he seemed to have underestimated the young "Young Fang Jiedushi" before him.

"General Tian, this Jiedushi will not play false with you either.

Today is the first time you and I have met, and you immediately speak of some frontier official's rebellion.

If the roles were reversed—if I, having never met you before, suddenly brought up that Huangfu Weiming was going to rebel, would you believe it?"

Fang Chongyong asked in return.

These words silenced Tian Chengsi outright.

In truth, a person's heart is hidden behind their belly. Many people wear smiles on their faces while gripping knives in their hands. Who the hell knows whether you're hiding a dagger behind your smile!

Let alone someone you've just met for the first time!

"How might this humble officer earn the Jiedushi's trust?"

Tian Chengsi also understood that relying on empty talk and smooth talk alone would no longer secure Fang Chongyong's full support.

He gritted his teeth and asked in a low voice.

"You say Huangfu Weiming is going to rebel. I think most officials in the court, including the Sage, would find it impossible to believe.

You must know, his elder sister has borne imperial princes, and her imperial favor is no less than this Jiedushi's own.

Words alone are no proof. General Tian, why don't you write out a letter of accusation right now? This Jiedushi will grind the ink for you—how about it?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a calm expression, as invisible pressure bore down on Tian Chengsi head-on.

A letter of accusation?

Tian Chengsi's heart lurched, and he cried out inwardly that this was bad.

This Young Fang Jiedushi was truly meticulous in thought and not easy to fool.

If Fang Chongyong held in his hands a "letter of accusation" in which he himself accused Huangfu Weiming of rebellion—whether handed to Huangfu Weiming or reported to the court—he, Tian, would be finished.

This letter could not be written. To write it would be to hand someone a handle against himself!

"Jiedushi, this letter..."

Tian Chengsi was somewhat hesitant, extremely reluctant in his heart.

If he took this path, then he would truly have no choice but to see it through to the bitter end!

"Even if General Tian does not write the letter of accusation, this Jiedushi will write one anyway.

If you write it, when I decide how to handle it, I might perhaps take General Tian's thoughts into consideration.

If I write it myself, how I handle it is merely a matter of a single whim. What is General Tian still hesitating for?"

Fang Chongyong chuckled coldly and asked in return.

Then, without taking no for an answer, he began grinding the ink and handed the brush to Tian Chengsi.

This fierce warrior, who had served in the army since his youth and fought his way up to the rank of Military Commissioner, suddenly felt the brush in his hand weigh as much as a thousand catties.

(End of this chapter)