Chapter 44: Pig Teammate in Action

The largest and most luxurious restaurant in Chang'an, located not far from the West Market, right beside Chang'an's widest Zhuque Avenue; as soon as you enter the courtyard gate, you are there—it is called "Apricot Blossom Hall".

It got its name because the courtyard walls are covered with countless apricot trees.

This day, Zheng Shuqing, freshly appointed by the court as Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, feeling proud, invited Fang Chongyong to Apricot Blossom Hall to "appreciate the blossoms" and experience the authentic luxury of Chang'an.

Is it only wearing gold and silver that counts as luxury?

No, no, that level is too low, still at the nouveau‑rich stage, as if the emperor farms the fields daily with a golden hoe.

This apricot grove is far more valuable than gold and silver; given the sky‑high land prices near the West Market of Chang'an, a hall occupying more than four mu already signifies "nobility", even if it had nothing inside!

Because it is rare, it is expensive. Because it is expensive, it is luxurious.

At this moment, in a private room on the third floor of Apricot Blossom Hall, Zheng Shuqing is pointing at the blooming apricots, introducing the scenic spot to Fang Chongyong, whose mind has drifted off from dozing.

The wooden plaques covering the wall are almost all filled with poems left by scholars and literati.

Among them are not lacking the famous verses that Fang Chongyong memorized in a past life.

Apricot blossoms have red stalks and white flowers, similar to river plum, but taller and more luxuriant. When still in bud they are pink; when fully open they are snow‑white. Because the trees are tall, the best viewing spot is usually from the upper floor.

To entertain guests, Zheng Shuqing is generous; the entire third floor is paid for by "Young Master Zheng", who has booked the whole floor.

"Today the spring light is bright, apricot blossoms spread like a sea. In this mood and scene, why not compose a poem to delight? The nine‑year‑old prodigy of Chang'an once wrote a poem; that too is a beautiful tale."

Zheng Shuqing, in high spirits, poured Fang Chongyong a cup of "Spring Drink".

The term "drink" simply means a beverage; "Spring Drink" is a beverage suitable for spring, not a specific kind. Correspondingly there are "Summer Drink", "Autumn Drink", and "Winter Drink".

It is commonly called the "Four‑Season Drink".

The Spring Drink that Fang Chongyong is now sipping is a Peach Blossom Drink; simply put, it is a beverage made by boiling peach blossoms, then adding brown sugar and other herbs, yielding a light brown‑transparent liquid with a few peach‑blossom petals floating on top.

Of course, the craftsmanship is not that simple.

Not to mention, even brown sugar is hard to obtain; it is cane sugar produced using technology imported from India by the Great Tang. Even in Chang'an, only the homes of the powerful can afford it.

Fang Chongyong is too lazy to ask the price of this peach blossom drink; in any case it cannot be cheap.

"I urge you not to cherish golden‑threaded robes, but to cherish your youth; when flowers are ripe, pluck them at once, lest you break branches when there are no blossoms."

Fang Chongyong yawned and lazily "composed" a fitting seven‑character quatrain. Yesterday he had stayed up late researching military and civilian affairs in Hexi; Niu Xianke supplied first‑hand material, not only oral reports but also a compilation of his own years of governing Hexi.

"Eh? Wait a moment, I'll go get someone to fetch brush and ink to write it on a wooden board and hang it on the wall!"

Zheng Shuqing went and returned, having already written this 'Encouragement to Study' on a wooden board and hung it on the third‑floor wooden wall.

"Renowned throughout Chang'an, at the right moment. I, the official, have witnessed the prodigy's rise, dominating the poetry scene of the Great Tang."

Zheng Shuqing stroked his beard and laughed.

"That's enough, stop beating around the bush. Speak, what is it?"

Fang Chongyong asked weakly, "What's the matter?" He knows Old Zheng's style well; any request to him never bodes well.

"This time there is truly nothing, just a thank‑you. I have already been appointed by the court as Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and now I must specifically oversee the imitation of that Sogdian cloth you mentioned, for the palace's needs.

'One should remember the source of the water they drink; bringing you out to experience Chang'an's customs is the proper duty.'"

Zheng Shuqing said proudly. Managing cloth specially supplied to the palace—if that were not prosperous, it would truly be a nightmare.

If Li Longji later sees the finely‑crafted imitation Sogdian cloth, he will constantly remind himself who procured it. In that case, Zheng Shuqing will find it hard not to be remembered!

Does Jian have a place in the emperor's heart?

If one is remembered by the emperor, can they avoid promotion?

"I thought these fabrics would be used for military supplies."

Fang Chongyong sighed, having nothing to say.

"Indeed, as expected of you, Chang'an's sage Li Longji. 'Let the border troops endure hardship while I enjoy first'; that line is certainly remembered clearly."

How can something not even used in the palace be given first to the border troops?

Li Longji's way of thinking is easy to grasp once you put yourself in his shoes.

"Military supplies? That's impossible. Sogdian cloth is pricey in Chang'an; with our Great Tang's blended‑fabric technique, the imitation would be even finer. This is a matter of the sage's prestige—how could it be sold on the market? As for rewarding the three armies, that's even less likely."

Zheng Shuqing muttered irritably. He felt that although Fang Chongyong's mind is quick and good at making money, he knows too little about the unwritten rules within these elite circles.

After a short while, exquisite dishes were brought out. Tang cuisine is famed for its 'grand opening and closing'; a whole roasted lamb truly means a whole sheep is placed on the table and carved with a knife.

Yet today's dishes, for some reason, are all petite. Of course, to Fang Chongyong's limited experience, the smaller the portion, the more expensive it seems.

"This dish uses magpie‑tongue as a garnish and lamb heart tip as the main ingredient, undergoing many extremely complex procedures before being roasted, called Soul‑Extinguishing Roast. As for how it's made, I don't know."

"It is said that from one sheep only four taels of meat can be taken."

Zheng Shuqing pointed at a small, artfully plated piece of roast and said, his face showing a faint grimace of meat‑related pain.

Fang Chongyong's chopsticks, having touched the meat, trembled and he dared not pick up the piece.

If he were to eat even a single coin's worth, his mind would echo the taste of chewing money.

Fang Chongyong withdrew his chopsticks and, pointing at the bowl of white rice before him, asked, "What's the story behind this?"

"This bowl of rice is called Clear Breeze Rice; its ingredients are meticulously selected and its preparation is very elaborate.

First, one must steam a bowl of crystal rice, the kind you've eaten before, right?

After the crystal rice is cooked, mix in Dragon Eye Powder and Dragon Brain Powder, blend with cow cheese, seal it in a golden pitcher, then stand it vertically in an ice pool until fully chilled—that's it. Dragon Brain Powder is a spice derived from the camphor tree, sourced from Persia.

Dragon Eye Powder is made by drying and grinding longan. At this point it's no longer 'rice'; it resembles a labor‑intensive cheese pastry.

Nevertheless, regardless of the technique, the price is inevitably steep.

"Assistant Minister Zheng, it's better to keep the money to support one's family; one learns that moving from frugality to luxury is easy, but the reverse is hard."

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but advise Zheng Shuqing to spend the money more sparingly.

He still hasn't asked what the other dishes are; indeed, just by appearance one can't tell, but instinctively they seem astronomically pricey.

Old Zheng spends money like dirt and even books the whole place—does his family really have a mine?

Uh, maybe he actually does!

Thinking of this, Fang Chongyong instantly fell silent. Persuading a person whose family owns a mine to be frugal is often like playing a lute to a cow.

"This is what you don't understand."

For example, when we travel by carriage from a relay station, could we be robbed by bandits?

Not to mention such matters; an inspector dying on the way to his post is not an isolated case.

The few coins you save daily aren't even enough to buy a coffin when disaster strikes; why not spend them instead of letting others get a bargain?

As long as you're in a high position, people will naturally scramble to give you money and curry favor; why let these coppery things bother you?

Zheng Shuqing drained the "Condensed Dew Soup" from his cup in one gulp. The wine, rich with the taste of money, left his heart deeply satisfied.

If you have money, you can make it strong; why keep it? Once a person dies, they enjoy nothing anyway.

"Actually, there is something; I need to trouble Deputy Minister Zheng."

Fang Chongyong suddenly spoke in a serious tone.

Hearing this, Zheng Shuqing immediately grew nervous.

He, who never cared about spending huge sums on lavish meals, when he heard Fang Chongyong request a favor, his mind began to race, no longer the lazy leisure of before.

"Um, you might as well tell me; the big one is certainly impossible, the small one... I'll try to see if it works."

Zheng Shuqing spoke very cautiously, a stark contrast to his previously indifferent attitude.

"Lord Zheng surely has some friends in the officialdom; could they submit a memorial to the court, stating that Tubo's strength has increased in recent years, and that our Great Tang should not lightly provoke war with them?"

Fang Chongyong mentioned something that left Zheng Shuqing unsure how to assess.

"The problem... shouldn't be too big, I guess."

Zheng Shuqing paused thoughtfully before speaking.

If it were to recommend Wang Zhongsi for promotion, he would never dare write such a memorial, nor would he dare have his acquaintances write it.

However, before a war there is usually a court debate; the drama of playing the good and bad sides is inevitable, and someone must step forward to advocate peace.

Such a memorial isn't about promoting officials, so it carries no joint liability and won't be held accountable later.

Regardless of victory or defeat, it remains very safe.

If we win, the Great Tang will be invincible, excuse my short‑sightedness.

If we lose, see, what did I say back then?

I must admit, Fang Chongyong's request is indeed modest.

"Is there really nothing else? I have heard that a confidant of the Third Prince is arranging for your future father‑in‑law to go to Longyou..."

Zheng Shuqing asked with some hesitation.

If Fang Chongyong were to clamour for deploying troops to Hexi, it would be understandable, letting Wang Zhongsi seize the opportunity. Yet the other side actually asks us to take the opposite stance.

That is rather abnormal.

Could it be that they want the future father‑in‑law to sit on a cold bench for life, just like Yang Ruoxu, who lives off idleness in Kuizhou?

"Just tell me whether it's possible or not?"

I recall the dyes needed for Sogdian cloth; those from Chang'an aren't necessarily the best. Niu Xianke said that when the border passes inspected Sogdian merchants' goods, there were quite a few dyes from the Shandong seaside.

If the reproduced cloth turns out inferior to the original Persian, the saint will surely feel disgraced, and Zheng Lord's position could then...

Fang Chongyong hesitated, then said carefully.

"Fine, fine, I'll handle this matter myself, okay?"

Zheng Shuqing ultimately had no choice but to compromise.

Reproducing Sogdian cloth poses no technical difficulty, but the craftsmanship may not be so simple.

These techniques may already exist in the Great Tang, even be outdated, but the materials and steps required in the craft cannot rely solely on past experience.

Western Region goods have thrived in Chang'an for years, naturally due to their uniqueness. Sogdian cloth bears that name, yet it is not woven by Sogdians—at least not yet!

The secret of the craft lies in the details.

Although the Great Tang's textile industry has reached a pinnacle in this era, reproducing may still require some localized technical adjustments and optimizations.

For example, the dyeing sequence, the color adhesion, and the color contrast in brocade weaving.

In the pre‑Internet era, textile printing and dyeing techniques across the Great Tang were relatively independent. While the industries in Chang'an, Luoyang and other places are indeed advanced, each region also has its own distinct characteristics.

Let alone the Persian textile industry.

Zheng Shuqing's task looks simple, yet the hidden risks are considerable.

"Then, thank you, Deputy Minister Zheng."

Fang Chongyong performed a bow and said.

"I truly can't understand you; actually there's no need to be tied to your future father‑in‑law. Your future is limitless; it shouldn't be ruined by trivial matters."

Zheng Shuqing kindly advised.

He understood Zheng Shuqing's reasoning. Yet Fang Chongyong also harbors undisclosed secrets and schemes.

Given Zheng Shuqing's relationship with Li Linfu, Fang Chongyong clearly could not lay everything out.

The two feasted and drank heartily in the Apricot Blossom Tower before parting.

……

What Fang Chongyong didn't anticipate was that while he was still plotting how to bring Wang Zhongsi back to Chang'an to face the sage, Li Heng's pig teammate had already begun to act.

The situation turned sharply downhill.

In May, Hexi Military Governor Cui Xiyi, under court pressure, was forced to break the treaty and lead a surprise attack on Tubo. He defeated the Tubo general Qili Xu in western Qinghai.

Li Longji again appointed Right Deputy Inspector Wang Wei, as an Imperial Censor, to depart from Liangzhou to the frontier to pacify, and he composed the poem "Envoy to the Frontier": "Desert lone smoke rises straight, the long river's sunset is round. At Xiao Pass we meet the courier riders, the Military Governor stands at Yanran."

News that the Tang betrayed its oath enraged Tubo, prompting full mobilization; along the vast frontiers adjoining the Great Tang, Tubo troops were being frequently dispatched.

The Great Tang's border situation is extremely precarious!

At this critical moment, Shanzhou Governor Du Xiwang aimed to capture a new Tubo city, so he petitioned the court, requesting elite generals be sent to Hexi to lead troops as support; the only suitable candidate being the brave and battle‑savvy Wang Zhongsi.

At the same time, Capital Inspector Wei Jian also submitted a memorial to the court, bluntly stating that Wang Zhongsi lingering outside Wu Shan County in Dongyang Prefecture was a waste of talent, recommending his transfer to Hexi as Deputy Military Governor, and granting him the title of Liangzhou Inspector to garrison the rear of the Hexi Corridor.

One cannot deny that Wei Jian's suggestion, if personal relations are ignored, is indeed selfless for the country and the people.

But from the perspective of the covert relationship network, it is entirely different.

Wei Jian is Li Heng's brother-in-law, Wang Zhongsi is Li Heng's childhood friend, they grew up playing together. Wei Jian's suggestion that the court employ Wang Zhongsi is practically saying he is helping Li Heng build up his wings.

As expected, this move provoked strong dissatisfaction and backlash from Li Linfu, who had already defected to Consort Hui and was supporting Prince Shou Li Chang.

Li Linfu immediately suggested to Li Longji that Wang Zhongsi be transferred to Jiannan to serve under Jiannan Circuit Military Commissioner Zhang Choujian Qiong, responsible for training the local militia.

Whose man Zhang Choujian Qiong is goes without saying. Wang Zhongsi, with his tremendous talent, upon reaching Jiannan, would be a dragon that must coil, a tiger that must crouch.

However, Li Longji unexpectedly vetoed Li Linfu's proposal, saying that there are matters in Hexi, the Tibetans are stirring, and there is no need to launch a major campaign over Jiannan military affairs.

However, Li Longji also did not agree with Wei Jian's suggestion, as if the matter had never happened.

That day, Fang Chongyong had just gotten up and was preparing to exercise when his future brother-in-law Wang Yanshu came alone to ask for countermeasures.

Two days ago, the Third Prince Li Heng sent someone to Huazhou Zheng County to inform Wang Zhongsi's wife, Lady Li: transferring Wang Zhongsi to Hexi is hopeless, transferring him to Jiannan might still work, but they can no longer operate.

Panicked, Lady Li hastily sent Wang Yanshu to Fang Chongyong to consult on countermeasures; her haughty-then-humble demeanor fully displayed the mother-in-law's sharp, profiteering eyes.

To help or not to help—this troublesome matter lay before Fang Chongyong.