Chapter 435: Lifting the Heavy as Though It Were Light

At this very moment, inside the main hall of the Shuofang Jiedushi's yamen, it was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Seeing no one speak, Fang Chongyong looked around at the twenty-odd Shuofang Army generals in the hall and demanded:

"Gentlemen, do you truly have no idea what you yourselves have done?"

His words fell and no one answered, even though everyone present knew why Fang Chongyong had asked this question.

Everyone harbors a gambler's mentality, and these Shuofang Army generals were no different.

After all, a crime not caught red-handed was no crime at all. For anyone to jump out now out of cowardice would be tantamount to walking right into a trap.

Why not take a gamble?

Just as the atmosphere grew so tense it was about to explode, Fang Chongyong suddenly pointed at an ordinary-looking general in the hall and said:

"Ji Guangchen! Yes, you — you'll do!"

The man looked bewildered, then cupped his fists in salute to Fang Chongyong and said, "This humble general is here. Please, Jiedushi, give your orders!"

"The Prince of Yong's envoy spoke with you quite amiably some days ago, and said many things that were taboo."

"As for what you discussed, does this Jiedushi need to remind you?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a half-smile.

Hearing this, everyone present changed countenance!

If these words had not been spoken, they could still have played dumb and muddled through.

But now that it had been said outright, the window paper had been punctured!

Ji Guangchen forced himself to brazen it out: "This humble general has never met any envoy of the Prince of Yong, let alone spoken with him amiably. I do not know how the Jiedushi fabricated this matter."

His expression was unmistakably that of someone lying.

But Ji Guangchen was also betting that Fang Chongyong could not really do anything to him — short of mutual destruction!

Since no evidence had been left behind, Ji Guangchen was quite certain in his heart that Fang Chongyong could not possibly deal with so many Shuofang Army generals all at once.

If he truly did so, it would amount to a great purge — how could the Shuofang Army's combat power not be affected?

The reason these men had been caught off guard by Fang Chongyong now was that they had not expected Hun Zhen to be so reckless.

Fang Chongyong had kept the matter of Hun Zhen delivering Gao Shang to the Jiedushi's yamen confidential and had not made it public.

Those generals not on duty at Lingzhou did not know about this. Even those who were in Lingzhou did not know the full story — they only vaguely guessed at part of it, and did not dare discuss it with their colleagues.

Only Fang Chongyong's trusted confidants among the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army knew, and they would not spread word of these things.

So Ji Guangchen was still quite confident at this moment, because Fang Chongyong could not produce any solid evidence.

"Alas! You lot — you are so foolish!"

Fang Chongyong suddenly spoke with heartbroken anguish, sighing with clenched wrists as he berated them.

Hearing this, everyone present looked bewildered, unable to figure out what Fang Chongyong's stance really was, or what he intended to do by keeping them here today.

"Do you think that by flatly denying these matters, you can act as though nothing ever happened?"

"Do you think that whatever you say about these matters is what the Sage and the court will believe?"

"That envoy, along with the Prince of Yong's secret letter, this Jiedushi has already sent overnight to Chang'an!"

"Perhaps at this very moment, it has already reached the Sage's desk!"

"You say you are loyal to the Sage — this one's believing it does not count; the Sage must believe it too!"

"You have ties to the Prince of Yong. With witnesses testifying with certainty, how can you get through this unscathed?"

"What is this Jiedushi to say to you!"

"Fools! You didn't get to eat the fish, and now you reek of its stench!"

"A matter that could bring the extermination of your entire clan — is this something you should have meddled in?"

Fang Chongyong pointed at the generals in the hall and cursed them bitterly, with something of the sentiment of grieving for their misfortune and raging at their lack of fight.

Now, those twenty-odd Shuofang Army generals who had been feigning composure could no longer conceal the panic on their faces.

They wore looks of terror, exchanging glances with one another.

They noticed that the yamen's exit had already been sealed off, and before them stood a pack of fierce Yinqiang Xiaojie Army sword-and-shield soldiers!

Their hearts sank little by little.

Could it be that they were to lose their lives here today?

The expression on some people's faces gradually turned savage, the muscles in their bodies grew taut, and they calculated in their hearts how much of a chance they would have if they suddenly rose up and seized Fang Chongyong right now.

At this critical moment, Feng Changqing, who had not spoken all along, suddenly stepped forward and knelt before Fang Chongyong. Cupping his fists in salute, he pleaded on behalf of all the Shuofang Army generals:

"Jiedushi, this humble general believes that the vast majority of generals in the Shuofang Army are loyal to the court. Those present here may not truly be in collusion with the Prince of Yong."

"They very likely simply did not think it through and did not realize the gravity of the matter."

"If they truly had guilty consciences, why did they neither flee nor mutiny, but instead remain in the army waiting for death?"

"This humble general believes that the Jiedushi should still give them a chance to turn over a new leaf."

"To execute without first instructing is tyranny!"

"For the brave men of the Great Tang not to die heroically wrapped in horsehide on the battlefield, but instead to die in stifling indignation over a matter of rebellion due to one careless step — that is truly a great pity."

Feng Changqing's impassioned speech immediately made him the focus of everyone's gaze in the hall!

"We beg the Jiedushi to show us justice!"

The twenty-odd Shuofang Army generals dropped to their knees before Fang Chongyong without a second thought.

In that instant, under the pressure of survival, their knees seemed to grow especially soft, their minds spun especially fast, and they had not the slightest hesitation!

"Gentlemen, rise and let us speak!"

Fang Chongyong first helped Feng Changqing, who was kneeling on the ground begging for clemency, to his feet, then helped each of those Shuofang Army generals up one by one.

He wore a look of hesitation, and finally let out a long sigh: "If this Jiedushi truly wished to deal with you all, he would simply have sent men into the great camp to arrest you. Why go to the trouble of keeping you behind to give you personal counsel? It is precisely because I could not bear to see you die unjustly that I kept you here."

Hearing Fang Chongyong say this, everyone present could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Whether things go badly isn't what matters; the key is whether the person handling them is bad.

If you encounter a bad person, even a good matter can leave your family destroyed and your kin dead.

Every Shuofang Army general present understood that at this moment, their lives hung on Fang Chongyong's whim alone.

However, Fang Chongyong shifted his tone and said:

"This Jiedushi's loyalty to the Sage, to the court, and to Great Tang is witnessed by sun and moon!

The letter in which the Prince of Yong tried to recruit this Jiedushi—this Jiedushi didn't even open it, but sent it back to Chang'an together with the messenger.

That was a matter of righteousness, one I could not avoid!

Loyalty to the Sage that is not absolute is absolute disloyalty! I have always examined myself by this principle!

So when the time comes, it is inevitable that those who delivered the letters will implicate you. There is no longer any room for reversal in this matter.

Even if this Jiedushi does not pursue your responsibility, the court will still dispatch a Supervisory Envoy to handle it.

The Shuofang Army is Great Tang's army, the Sage's army—not the private army of me, Fang.

So as I said, this matter is truly difficult to resolve. This Jiedushi cannot stop the Sage from ordering your punishment."

Fang Chongyong shook his head and sighed repeatedly.

As a result, Feng Changqing hurried forward and suggested:

"Jiedushi, you have always been resourceful and full of stratagems. You must have a way.

These generals are all loyal to the Sage and to the court. You must find a way to help them.

The law is not devoid of human feeling!

Besides, the Shuofang Army is on the verge of a great battle with the Uighurs. How can you execute senior generals before they have even fought the enemy, doing something that grieves your own side and pleases your foes?

You must have a way!"

Hearing these words, all the Shuofang Army generals cast grateful looks toward Feng Changqing.

this Records Administrator was truly damn loyal and righteous!

Then everyone looked eagerly at Fang Chongyong, hoping he would intervene.

"How about this, then."

Fang Chongyong sighed again, then said with a heavy expression:

"This Jiedushi will write a letter of guarantee, pledging my own head and official rank as surety, and issue a military pledge to the Sage.

To show that the Shuofang Army, from top to bottom, has absolutely no disloyalty toward the Sage or the court.

If any one among you rebels, the court will execute all of us, this Jiedushi included.

Now this Jiedushi will personally write the letter of guarantee, then you will sign your names, press your handprints, and send it to Chang'an by fast horse.

If the court agrees, then we proceed according to the letter of guarantee, and this matter is settled;

If the court does not agree and insists on punishing you, then this Jiedushi will give up being an official to protect your lives and your families.

Is this arrangement acceptable?"

Fang Chongyong looked around at everyone and asked.

"We thank the Jiedushi for his great grace and virtue!"

The generals all knelt down and performed a full prostration before Fang Chongyong!

This was saving lives! It deserved a kneeling!

Fang Chongyong did not stand on ceremony, and accepted this great gesture outright.

Then, Feng Changqing brought out the four treasures of the study. Fang Chongyong sat at the desk and swiftly wrote out the so-called "letter of guarantee."

The gist of this letter of guarantee was that Fang Chongyong pledged his life, official rank, and honor as surety, affirming his belief that the Shuofang Army generals had merely been ignorant of the situation and had been exploited by others.

They truly harbored no disrespectful intentions toward the Sage, nor had they colluded with the Prince of Yong.

If any among these men plotted rebellion, then before the court dealt with them, deal with me, Fang Chongyong, first. It then specifically noted that the signatures in the letter constituted the Shuofang Army generals' oath to the Sage.

If any of them betrayed the Sage, they would incur the wrath of both men and gods, and heaven and earth would not tolerate them.

After finishing the letter of guarantee, Fang Chongyong said to those Shuofang Army generals: "Come forward one by one to sign and press your handprints."

Those twenty-odd Shuofang Army generals did not hesitate. They stepped forward, signed their names, pressed their handprints, then respectfully performed a cupped-hand salute to Fang Chongyong.

After everyone had signed, Fang Chongyong finally said with earnest solemnity:

"Although this matter has been smoothed over, it is impossible for the Sage to have no lingering misgivings in his heart.

However, as long as you fight bravely and achieve meritorious deeds in this battle, I trust the Sage will see it all and will not dwell on those past misunderstandings.

Gentlemen, return and prepare your arms and horses well. There is no need to worry about this matter.

If the sky falls, this Jiedushi will hold it up. You need only focus on the battlefield. No one will stab you in the back.

If the court's blade has not fallen on this Jiedushi's head, it naturally will not fall on you.

Tomorrow we will discuss how to deal with the Uighurs and what strategy to adopt. For now, rest a night in the Jinglue Army grand camp, and come here early tomorrow morning for the meeting.

Absentees will be dealt with by military law.

Dismissed!"

Fang Chongyong stood up and waved impatiently at the Shuofang Army generals.

That was it?

Those Shuofang Army generals, who felt they had just taken a turn at the gates of hell, stood rooted in place, still shaken, unsure whether they should leave or not.

"Apart from the pre-battle sacrifice to the banner and post-battle rewarding of merit, this Jiedushi has no habit of keeping you for a meal. Now get lost!"

Fang Chongyong said with a laughing scold.

Only then did those twenty-odd Shuofang Army generals snap out of it. They hastily offered sheepish smiles, saluted, and took their leave of Fang Chongyong. Che Guangqian, who was guarding the yamen hall, had already had his personal soldiers armed with horn-bow crossbows clear a path.

After walking out of the Shuofang Jiedushi Yamen, many of the Shuofang Army generals could not resist touching their own necks, feeling for a moment as though they had been reborn into another life.

……

Late at night, Fang Chongyong, who was studying a map in his study, learned that Hun Zhen was requesting an audience, and got straight to the point.

"Military Commissioner Hun, how are things at the Jinglue Army grand camp?"

Paper cannot wrap fire; from now on, Hun Zhen would certainly be ostracized by certain people within the Shuofang Army. Even though they also knew that it was merely Hun Zhen's own choice and not aimed against anyone.

"To reply to the Jiedushi, all is as usual at the grand camp. Those twenty-odd Shuofang Army officers have all been housed separately, and none of them have left the camp."

Hun Zhen cupped his fists in salute and said.

Fang Chongyong gave a noncommittal slight nod. Since nothing was wrong, what had Hun Zhen come for?

Clearly, the other party still had other business.

"Jiedushi, this subordinate heard that you intend to let those men go... may I ask if there is such a matter?"

Hun Zhen asked probingly, without batting an eye.

"There is indeed such a matter."

Fang Chongyong nodded to indicate so, then drew that "letter of guarantee" out from under the paperweight on his desk and handed it to Hun Zhen to read openly.

After looking at it again and again, Hun Zhen ultimately let out a long sigh and returned it to Fang Chongyong.

He truly did not know what to say.

"Jiedushi, this action of yours may be somewhat hasty. A mere piece of paper—how can it bind so many people?

Human hearts are hidden behind flesh; if even one person harbors ill intent, how will you... bring this to a close?"

Hun Zhen asked with some puzzlement.

He was somewhat worried about Fang Chongyong, but even more worried about himself!

"The wicked are bold, the petty are proud, the gentleman is magnanimous.

One day, King Zhuang of Chu hosted a banquet in the palace for his ministers.

During the feast there was gentle music and graceful dancing, fine wine and delicacies, bright moonlight and flickering candlelight. In high spirits, King Zhuang of Chu ordered his two favorite beauties, Lady Xu and Lady Mai, to pour wine for the ministers at the banquet.

Suddenly a gust of wind blew out all the candles.

Just then, someone took the opportunity to touch Lady Xu's hand.

Lady Xu was furious, violently shook off the man's hand, and in the same motion tore off his hat tassel, then hurried back to King Zhuang of Chu's side to complain.

She asked the King of Chu to light the candles and check everyone's hat tassels—whoever had no tassel would be the man who had just been disrespectful.

What happened after that, this Jiedushi believes there is no need to say further."

Fang Chongyong said with a smile.

Hun Zhen had read quite a few books and naturally knew this story. Afterward, King Zhuang of Chu did not allow the candles to be lit, and had everyone remove their hat tassels in the dark, and the matter was settled.

"The Jiedushi is as magnanimous as a vast valley; this subordinate admires you endlessly, but... the Jiedushi is not the Sage in Chang'an!

If the Jiedushi is magnanimous but the Sage is not, then what?"

Hun Zhen asked with a bitter smile on his face.

"In conducting oneself and handling affairs, how can everything go as one wishes?

You need not worry about these things, Military Commissioner Hun; this Jiedushi will handle them personally."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand lightly, unconcerned, and said.

Seeing that he truly could not persuade Fang Chongyong, Hun Zhen had no choice but to bow respectfully to him, then quietly withdrew.

(End of this chapter)