Chapter 45: Fang Jiedushi Who Doesn't Like Playing by the Rules

I'm not afraid of god‑like opponents, only of pig‑like teammates; this saying applies equally when helping others.

Without Li Heng's men causing trouble, Fang Chongyong could effortlessly send Wang Zhongsi back to Chang'an, having already had a full plan.

When some of Li Heng's subordinates meddle haphazardly, the matter fails and easily arouses Li Longji's suspicion!

Now, as expected, not only did the affair go to ruin, they also abandoned it!

Li Heng really is unreliable; he slips away at the first sign of trouble.

Fang Chongyong can guess how anxious the future mother‑in‑law will be without even going to Huazhou Zheng County.

"Brother‑in‑law, do you think this matter still has a chance to turn around?"

Wang Yanshu asked, a little nervous.

The use of strength has what is called a "dimension"; situations where "strength cannot be applied" occur frequently.

Now Wang Yanshu vaguely realizes this and further marvels that Fang Chongyong's intellect far surpasses his peers.

Because he thinks Fang Chongyong has long had a deep insight into this.

When Dong Zhuo entered Luoyang, the robust troops could not do anything to the court ministers; instead, those people manipulated them with conspiracies.

This is a typical example of differing strength dimensions, rendering it unusable.

"This matter still needs an opportunity. It can only work when the timing is right. But before that, you must help me with something."

Fang Chongyong leaned over and muttered in Wang Yanshu's ear for a while.

"Can it really work?"

Wang Yanshu asked uncertainly; Fang Chongyong's method wasn't overly complex, but overly simple—so simple it bordered on child's play.

"This is the last chance; otherwise I have no recourse. After you return, ask your mother‑in‑law if she's willing; if not, seek someone more capable."

Fang Chongyong would not budge an inch, assuming a stance of "if you disagree I'll abandon the task." Wang Yanshu, helpless, agreed and raced back to Huazhou Zheng County without delay.

What Fang Chongyong didn't know was that north of the Great Tang Empire, in the region north of Youzhou where Xian and Khitan intermix, the situation suddenly turned, catching him off guard.

……

"Fang Jiedushi, we have not received Zhang Jiedushi's orders; moving five hundred elite cavalry on our own—does that seem improper?"

Beside the Youzhou Observation and Disposal Envoy Fang Youde, clad in military armor, a scholar‑dressed man bowed and whispered his question. The man, named Cui Hao, is a famous poet who wrote the poem "Yellow Crane Tower" and whose works are widely celebrated.

Yet in officialdom he has spent his life depressed and unfulfilled; now, as an aide to the Youzhou Observation and Disposal Envoy, he works within the Youzhou fanzhen.

"Go back and inform Zhang Jiedushi; the matter follows authority, there's no time for further explanation. We'll discuss after this battle is won."

Fang Youde, with a stern face, stared at the dense forest ahead, slightly frowning. At this moment he was leading five hundred elite cavalry, ambushed on the hill that guards the essential road to the Huang River.

If this battle ends in victory, that's fine; but if we lose, even if I don't die on the field, Li Longji will have my head cut off upon return.

Of course, the situation arose suddenly; the arrow was already on the string and had to be released, leaving Fang Youde no choice.

In the 24th year of the Kaiyuan era, Youzhou Military Governor Zhang Shougui seized an opportunity, led troops to suppress the remaining Khitan rebels, dealt a crushing defeat to the enemy at Na Lu Mountain, capturing countless prisoners and treasures, yet received no special reward.

Perhaps Li Longji thought these were merely the duties of a fanzhen and not worthy of reward.

Zhang Shougui thought it didn't matter; if the court doesn't reward, so be it. He himself aspired to become a general and then a prime minister, caring little about such matters.

However, the proud soldiers and fierce generals under his command were displeased!

Who cares about the spoils taken from the Xian and Khitan? They want promotions and wealth, to return to Chang'an in style, and even hope that once Zhang Shougui leaves, everyone gets a rank increase!

Thus, two subordinate generals under Zhang Shougui, Zhao Kan and Bai Zhentuoluo, pretended to be ordered to inspect Yingzhou, but actually plotted treachery. This incident happened to be discovered by Fang Youde, who captured the two before they could launch their scheme.

The Observation and Disposal Envoy, after all, was established precisely to handle such matters; the role is essentially two sides of the Military Governor.

After interrogation, it was learned that Zhao Kan and Bai Zhentuoluo were somewhat dissatisfied with the incumbent Pinglu Military Governor Wu Zhiyi, believing his actions against the Xian rebel forces were insufficiently vigorous.

They thought that last year's incomplete suppression of Xian and Khitan was due to Pinglu fanzhen's failure to cooperate with Youzhou fanzhen, allowing many Xian elites to flee into the mountains.

Thus the two intended to forge Wu Zhiyi's orders, sending Pinglu fanzhen into the mountains to hunt bandits.

After learning the truth from the interrogation, Fang Youde did not imprison the two for punishment; instead, he turned the scheme around, letting them atone with merit.

He used his authority to issue a military order in the name of the central government, having Zhao Kan and Bai Zhentuoluo deliver it to Yingzhou.

The order instructed Pinglu Military Governor Wu Zhiyi to dispatch troops to the north bank of the Huang River, taking advantage of the autumn harvest to strike the unprepared, intercepting the remaining Xian rebel forces.

Wu Zhiyi dared not refuse, because the authority Fang Youde wielded could only be employed by the Observation and Disposal Envoy in extreme cases—specifically when a Military Governor planned rebellion and the Envoy, in the court's name, urgently redeployed troops to quell it.

Since the court typically rotates Military Governors every four years and employs various control measures, no Military Governor rebellion has occurred. In many fanzhen, the Military Governor also concurrently serves as Observation and Disposal Envoy.

For example, the Hexi Military Governor also serves as the Hexi Observation and Disposal Envoy, without a separate appointment.

In Youzhou fanzhen, having two Jiedushi is an exception.

Therefore, the grand move Fang Youde employed had never been seen before; its power should not be underestimated!

After all, no one wants to be the first unlucky soul to have their head taken off because of it.

Facing this baffling order, Wu Zhiyi ultimately cowered.

It is worth noting that Wu Zhiyi, a veteran from the Oilzi unit, had a record of fleeing the battlefield when confronting Xian and Khitan; he survived thanks to Zhang Shougui's cover and was never punished.

Although this matter remained secret, many high‑ranking officials in Youzhou fanzhen eventually learned of it.

At this moment, Pinglu Military Governor Wu Zhiyi is leading troops in a fierce battle against Xian along the Huang River banks, while Fang Youde commands forces hidden on a hill several dozen li away, waiting as an ambush.

"Jiedushi, Khitan cavalry are advancing toward the Huang River, only two li away!"

At that moment, a scout hurriedly rode up to Fang Youde, bowed, and said.

"How many?"

"About five thousand."

The Tang scout said nervously, "Five hundred against five thousand—that's an audacious gamble. Of course, nothing is absolute on the battlefield."

Fang Youde slightly frowned; the Khitan cavalry were twice as many as he had expected.

But retreat now would ruin everything.

"A man must draw his sword head‑on!"

"Prepare to unleash the round wood!"

Fang Youde gave the order with steady composure.

"Jiedushi!"

Cui Hao was greatly alarmed—Fang Youde wanted to die, but he certainly did not!

"Go back and report merits to Jiedushi Zhang. Just say that this Jiedushi routed the Khitan cavalry here, with incalculable kills and spoils."

Fang Youde tapped Cui Hao on the shoulder with his riding crop and spoke, his tone resolute and unwavering!

"Reporting merits before the battle has even begun?"

Cui Hao asked in a low voice.

However, Fang Youde simply pointed with his riding crop straight toward the Modou Army camp behind him, signaling him to hurry back and deliver the message.

After Cui Hao left, Fang Youde said to the orderly beside him: "Pass down the order—today is the day to win glory and establish your careers. If we win this battle, this Jiedushi will petition for your merits before the Son of Heaven himself! Have Zhao Kan and Bai Zhentuoluo lead the vanguard. If they survive this battle, this Jiedushi will let bygones be bygones!"

"Orders received!"

"Woo! Woo! Woo!"

The desolate sound of horns blew. The Khitan cavalry, who were preparing to launch a surprise attack on the flank of the Tang army led by Wu Zhiyi, had their formation scattered by a pile of round logs rolling down from a hillside while they were en route to the battlefield.

Just as they were seized with panic, five hundred elite Tang cavalry charged straight down from the hillside. Fang Youde galloped at the very forefront, a single slash severing the Khitan cavalry's battle banner.

Having suffered repeated blows, the Khitan forces fell into utter disarray, unable to coordinate front and rear. Those thrown from their horses were trampled underfoot, and those who scattered in flight were beyond counting.

On the opposite bank of the Huang River, Wu Zhiyi had also finished mopping up the remnants of the Xi forces. Discovering scattered Khitan cavalry fleeing desperately toward him, he hastily dispatched troops to intercept them. Caught in a pincer, only a handful of the Khitan cavalry escaped with their lives—the rest were nearly annihilated to a man.

In the autumn of the twenty-fifth year of the Kaiyuan era, Fang Youde, Military Observation and Disposal Commissioner of Youzhou, led five hundred cavalry and, in coordination with the Pinglu garrison forces, routed five thousand Khitan cavalry near the western bank of the Huang River fifty li east of the Modou Army garrison!

In this battle, the combined forces of the Khitan and the Xi suffered a crushing defeat. The Tang army seized the opportunity to recover the defensive territory lost during the late Wu Zhou period due to the rebellions of Sun Wanrong and Li Jinzhong, expanded the communication corridor between the Youzhou and Pinglu garrisons, and opened up a military buffer zone.

The significance of this battle lay not in how many enemies were slain, but in changing the posture of passive defense that the Tang army had maintained in Youzhou since the late Wu Zhou years, enabling the forces of the Youzhou and Pinglu garrisons to be deployed and coordinated with ease.

Cui Hao, a staff officer under Fang Youde's command, composed a poem titled "Song of the Hu People of Yanmen," extolling the peace that settled over the Youzhou frontier after this battle.

"High mountains and the Dai Commandery connect eastward to Yan; the Hu people of Yanmen make their homes near the border.

They release their Hu hawks to chase birds beyond the passes, and ride Dai horses to hunt the autumn fields.

Wildfires burn frequently on the cold mountain peaks; in the rain, a lone summit turns to wreathing mist.

Word comes that west of the Liao River there is no more war; time and again they drink themselves to sleep in the taverns."

Soon, the battle report and Cui Hao's poem both circulated widely in Chang'an, and the brothels and pleasure houses of the Pinglu Ward erupted in excitement.

Scholars who mingled in the pleasure quarters drank, caroused, and composed poetry and rhapsodies, celebrating the invincibility of the Great Tang and extolling the rise of yet another brilliant new star among the frontier generals.

As if they had personally taken the field and defeated the Khitan!

……

"My Great Tang is truly invincible under heaven! Hahahahaha!"

Inside the Qinzhengwubenlou of Xingqing Palace, upon reading the battle report that Fang Youde had dispatched via the relay station courier, even Li Longji—who was accustomed to frontier garrisons reporting only good news—was as excited as he had been in his twenties.

"How did I never see back then that Quanzhong was a fierce general?"

Li Longji clicked his tongue and sighed with emotion.

"No one knew that Quanzhong could lead troops, but his audacity has always been notorious."

Gao Lishi reminded him softly from the side.

"Quanzhong's audacity was truly immense."

Recalling the events of those years, Li Longji could not help but feel a surge of lingering fear.

After the Shenlong Coup, Princess Taiping had grown so powerful she was difficult to control. At the time, Li Longji had also been hesitant about whether to turn against his own aunt.

Among the old retainers from his days in the princely residence, only Fang Youde had urged striking first and had voluntarily taken on the task of liaising with the generals of the North Bureau Imperial Guard. Everything that happened afterward proved that Fang Youde had been prescient.

If Princess Taiping had struck first, it would have been very hard to say who would have ultimately prevailed.

"Nowadays, quite a few street riffraff have infiltrated the Ten Thousand Cavalry, and their combat capability is cause for concern. I intend to reorganize the Ten Thousand Cavalry—break them apart and weed out the supernumeraries. I will establish a new Dragon Martial Army, divided into Left and Right corps, with Chen Xuanli as Grand General.

I will have Fang Youde serve as General of the Left Corps of the Dragon Martial Army. What do you think?"

Li Longji asked Gao Lishi.

"Fang Youde is not adept at social dealings, and Chen Xuanli has no battle merits to his name. If the two of them serve together in the Dragon Martial Army, I fear that some at court might criticize Fang Youde for being placed under another's command."

Gao Lishi said with great caution.

Both trusted confidants in the Dragon Martial Army—and Fang Youde had recently won a great merit at the frontier garrison. When the time came, who would be first in command and who second?

Would the subordinates accept it? Would factions form?

Li Longji had not initially thought much of it, but now, hearing Gao Lishi put it this way, he realized the arrangement was not very appropriate. Only one of the two—Chen Xuanli or Fang Youde—could remain in the newly formed Dragon Martial Army.

Which one would be better to keep?

"You may grant Fang Youde the post of Military Commissioner of Youzhou."

Gao Lishi continued to advise.

"Not bad."

Li Longji nodded slightly. This appointment would ensure that Fang Youde could make good on his promise to the officers and soldiers who had fought in the battle.

"However, Zhang Shougui has served at the frontier garrison for many years and has considerable battle merits. This time, when Fang Youde borrowed troops to go into battle, Zhang did not interfere or stop him. If the court were to demote him without cause, I fear it would chill the hearts of the officers and men at the frontier garrisons..."

Having said this, Li Longji fell into silent contemplation. Having arranged matters for Fang Youde, Zhang Shougui now became difficult to arrange.

Wu Zhiyi, Military Commissioner of Pinglu, had cooperated with Fang Youde in this battle and had also achieved significant kills and spoils, thus meriting recognition. They certainly could not demote Wu Zhiyi and send Fang Youde to serve as Military Commissioner of Pinglu, could they?

Li Longji was suddenly at a loss.

"Ministers at court had long ago recommended Zhang Shougui for appointment as chancellor, but at the time it was Zhang Jiuling who strenuously opposed it, and so the matter was dropped. Now that Zhang Jiuling has already gone to Jingzhou to serve as Inspector, Your Majesty may raise the matter of Zhang Shougui's appointment as chancellor for discussion at court.

With Zhang Shougui entering the chancellorship and Fang Youde as Military Commissioner of Youzhou, the other meritorious men can be rewarded in order of their deeds. This is not a difficult matter to arrange."

Gao Lishi offered a proposal: let Zhang Shougui enter the chancellorship, continuing the tradition established since the early Tang of "generals becoming chancellors."

It seemed... that this was not impossible either.

"Your words are reasonable. I must consider this carefully."

Li Longji nodded and said.

"Lishi, go call Genü and Li Shizhi; I want to ask their opinions."

In the 24th year of Kaiyuan, Li Longji, seeing that the Gu and Luo rivers flooded every year, consuming manpower, thus ordered Li Shizhi to build dikes. The Henan Prefect Li Shizhi used funds from the inner treasury, constructed the Shangyang, Jicui, and Yuebei dikes, and successfully resisted the flood damage of the Gu and Luo rivers.

Because of his achievements, Li Shizhi was appointed Grand Secretary, just one step away from becoming chancellor.

Li Longji had a few people in mind who were qualified to succeed to the chancellorship: only Li Shizhi, Zhang Shougui, and Niu Xianke. Since Fang Youde had achieved merit on the front lines, he might as well also settle the matter of appointing a chancellor.

With this in mind, Li Longji summoned Li Linfu and Li Shizhi to the Qinzhengwubenlou of the Prosperous Celebration Palace.