Chapter 46: Don't You Come Over Here!

Inside the Qinzhengwubenlou, Li Longji looked at Li Linfu, then glanced at the calm-faced Li Shizhi, and asked:

"You two have probably already heard about the matter in Youzhou, haven't you?"

"To reply to the Sage, the entire court and public already know of this matter. This humble servant believes that although this battle was won, Fang Youde usurped authority first, and such a trend must not be encouraged."

Li Shizhi said with hands crossed in salute. He had no enmity with Fang Youde, but nor did he have any friendship with him — he simply found this matter objectionable.

If the border generals of the regional commands all defied orders today to attack the Khitan, and vied for merit tomorrow to attack the Tibetans —

if they won, it was their military merit; if they lost, the state covered for them — then what would the world come to? What would the state come to?

"Hmm, what does Genu think?"

Li Longji nodded noncommittally and looked at Li Linfu as he asked.

"Fang Youde could be appointed as Military Commissioner of Youzhou. He is familiar with the situation there and is comparatively suitable."

Li Linfu said unhurriedly, his tone mild and cordial.

Li Longji nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction appearing on his face. Clearly, Li Linfu's words accorded rather well with his own wishes.

However, for Li Linfu to react so swiftly, it was hard to say whether this man had not already thought the matter through thoroughly at home.

If he had, then that was fine. If he had not, it would be too terrifying.

"To reply to the Sage, Zhang Shougui has served diligently and loved the people in Youzhou, and the border defenses are solid — there are no errors or oversights. If Fang Youde is made Military Commissioner of Youzhou, then how should Zhang Shougui conduct himself? Once this precedent is set, would not every general under a Military Commissioner and every border garrison seek to overthrow their superiors from below?"

Li Shizhi posed a question that Li Linfu was not well placed to answer. Collusion between a Chancellor and a major border general was a grave crime — many things could not be said too far.

"The position of Left Chancellor is currently vacant. This humble servant believes that Zhang Shougui's qualifications and merits are already sufficient — he can be appointed Chancellor."

Li Linfu bowed deeply to Li Longji and said.

Li Shizhi was taken aback. He had never expected Li Linfu to say such a thing, because at present Li Linfu was temporarily holding both the Left and Right Chancellorships — he should have been the one most opposed to this proposal.

The usual practice was to give the Left Chancellor's position to someone close to oneself.

Li Linfu's move of retreating in order to advance would likely win him great favor with Li Longji.

Li Shizhi came from the imperial clan. Though he was not without political cunning, his experience in political struggle was obviously far less than Li Linfu's. How could he possibly fathom the schemes of this Right Chancellor of the Great Tang?

Zhang Shougui was indeed harder to deal with than Niu Xianke — not so easily manipulated — and Li Linfu certainly knew this. But fortunately, Zhang Shougui was also a man with no roots in the court!

From this perspective, he was not much stronger than Niu Xianke.

Moreover, Zhang Shougui had risen through the ranks as a border general, and by nature he could not mingle with the circle of civil officials around Zhang Jiuling. Such a man would not interfere with Li Linfu's governance — or rather, he would absolutely be no match for Li Linfu.

Choosing the lesser of two evils, Li Linfu could sense that this time Li Longji's impulse to appoint a Chancellor was extremely strong, and the calls in court for Zhang Shougui to become Chancellor were also very high — at least far exceeding those for Niu Xianke.

If he insisted on blocking it, whether he could actually block it was another matter; and even if he did block it, it would easily provoke Li Longji's displeasure.

If Zhang Shougui could not be appointed Chancellor, then none of that pack of arrogant soldiers and fierce generals in Youzhou would gain promotion. All the trouble would be piled on Li Longji's desk.

Li Linfu understood very well that a Chancellor existed to solve problems for the Sage, not to dump problems onto the Sage.

Zhang Shougui's appointment as Chancellor was already a foregone conclusion!

He let out a silent lament in his heart.

"If so, this humble servant also has no objection."

Li Shizhi likewise bowed to Li Longji. With things already said to this point, what else could he, the Censor-in-Chief, do?

"Hmm, with this great victory and this year's autumn harvest also looking fine, I intend to offer sacrifices to Heaven and Earth outside the city. I shall set it for three days from now. What do you two think?"

Li Longji asked with a smile on his face, clearly in excellent spirits.

Sacrifices to Heaven and Earth?

Not to mention Li Shizhi — even Li Linfu was stunned, unable for the moment to fathom what Li Longji was really thinking.

Could it be to build momentum for Fang Youde? That hardly seemed necessary — great victories like this had happened before. There had been several in the past ten years alone.

"This ceremony requires three persons to present offerings at the altar. For the initial offering, I shall naturally present the gifts myself. For the secondary offering, it shall be the Prince of Zhong (Li Heng). For the final offering... then let it be the Prince of Ying (Li Yun, renamed Li Zhen).

I will send someone to notify those two; the rites must be solemn and proper, with no blunders permitted."

Li Longji said casually. Li Shizhi merely nodded woodenly, not understanding what it meant, while in Li Linfu's heart a stormy sea was surging!

"This humble servant takes his leave."

After the two had departed, Li Longji finally let out a breath of relief.

"Lishi, do you think Genu noticed anything?"

Li Longji glanced at Gao Lishi and asked in a lowered voice.

"Genu probably did notice."

Gao Lishi thought for a moment, then added: "But even if he noticed, so what?"

"Yes, even if he noticed, so what?"

Li Longji sighed with emotion.

……

Li Linfu hurried back from Xingqing Palace to his own residence in Pingkan Ward, sent someone to fetch Zheng Shuqing, and the two held a secret conversation in a newly built partition room.

"Rumor in the streets has it that this Chancellor supports the Prince of Shou. What do you think?"

Li Linfu looked into Zheng Shuqing's eyes and asked in a low voice.

Wasn't this perfectly obvious!

Zheng Shuqing cursed inwardly, but with a solemn expression on his face he asked: "What exactly does the Right Chancellor wish to ask?"

"Do not hold back. This Chancellor is simply asking you — why do you think this Chancellor supports the Prince of Shou?"

Li Linfu appeared somewhat nervous; compared to his usual self, he lacked some of his customary composure.

"This subordinate believes that the new Crown Prince whom the Sage supports can only be the Prince of Zhong. If the Right Chancellor also supports the Prince of Zhong, would that not put the Sage in an awkward position? The Sage merely hopes that the Right Chancellor can check the Crown Prince and adjudicate from the middle."

Zheng Shuqing trotted out the "brilliant theory" that Fang Chongyong had casually mentioned during a chat with him. He himself did not dare believe it, but he had great confidence in Fang Chongyong's mind.

"Exactly. This Chancellor originally planned it this way as well. But Consort Wu Hui's favor made this Chancellor doubt whether he had read things wrongly.

Only today did this Chancellor realize that the principle of 'the onlooker sees clearly' is indeed unbreakable."

Li Linfu couldn't help but sigh, and told Zheng Shuqing about Li Longji's odd behavior today.

What can this stepping horse indicate?

Zheng Shuqing completely failed to follow Li Linfu's line of thought; fortunately he was good at pretending, and kept nodding in agreement.

"Prince Ying actually has to present a sacrifice at the ceremony; it can't be said to be unceremonious. Prince Zhong's offering is understandable; it's the saint showing the court his resolve to establish Prince Zhong. Why involve Prince Ying in the offering?"

Li Linfu asked in puzzlement, still unable to guess the deep thoughts of Li Longji.

Of course, Prince Ying might just be playing the role of Yongchi in "Lord Pei enfeoffs Yongchi", nothing more than a smoke bomb.

If at this moment a minister thought Prince Ying was a cold stove that could be heated to eventually produce a Dragon's Merit, they'd be gravely mistaken.

"Could it be that Prince Ying possesses a secret the saint cannot reveal, so the saint supports him, giving him an illusion of a Crown Prince position to covet?"

Zheng Shuqing laid out the speculation Fang Chongyong had told him two days earlier, only concealing the most crucial point.

"Prince Ying originally secretly reported that the Crown Prince borrowed two thousand armors to rebel, yet he was only the remote Jiedushi of Pinglu; where could he have armor to lend the Crown Prince?"

Ben Xiang originally thought this was Prince Ying slandering the Crown Prince, because Prince Ying had always been friendly with Prince Zhong. But hearing you say that, the possibility that the saint instructed Prince Ying to slander the Crown Prince seems greater.

Li Linfu said with a heavy heart.

He admitted he was a very cold and rigid person, but compared to Li Longji, he seemed still far behind.

At least regarding his children's marriages, Li Linfu considered himself liberal, allowing his children to choose whom they liked. As long as they weren't children of political enemies, he generally wouldn't deliberately obstruct.

But Li Longji's words… this saint's heart is not ordinary dark.

This made Li Linfu feel an unprecedented pressure!

Now Li Longji seems to dote on Prince Shou as if everything, food, clothing, and expenses are the best, yet who knows the Tang Emperor's innermost true thoughts?

At the very least, Prince Shou Li Chang has already been excluded from the core of power.

"Do you have confidence about the Sogdian brocade matter?"

Li Linfu's face brightened again, asking Zheng Shuqing as if making small talk.

"Vice Minister of Revenue replies, the problem should be minor; even if there is one, it might not be evident now."

Zheng Shuqing answered cautiously; Li Linfu's attitude relaxed, but he dared not let his guard down.

"This matter should be handled with care. The saint's palace expenses have always been lacking; handling it diligently will certainly benefit you."

Li Linfu said reassuringly.

Zheng Shuqing thanked him profusely and left, stepping out of Li Linfu's residence, still not understanding why the other suddenly seemed melancholy.

……

Three days later, to celebrate the great victory at the Youzhou frontier, Li Longji led the officials out of Chang'an, setting up an altar in the Eastern Suburbs for a sacrifice.

Li Longji's initial offering, which he could not refuse, was expected by everyone.

The secondary offering was Prince Zhong, which wasn't unreasonable, after all Prince Zhong's hidden strength was remarkable.

But the final offering turned out to be Prince Ying rather than Prince Shou, causing the central ministers and officials in Chang'an to be stunned.

It is said that after the day's heavenly sacrifice, Wu Huifei went to Xingqing Palace to weep with Li Longji; the two had a loud quarrel in Qinzhengwubenlou. No one knows the cause, but the next day Wu Huifei fell gravely ill.

The day after the Eastern Suburbs sacrifice ended, Li Longji ordered Li Linfu to draft an edict.

He appointed Fang Youde, who had merit against the Khitans, as the Jiedushi of Youzhou; the former Youzhou Jiedushi Zhang Shougui was made Chancellor, serving as Palace Attendant, and from now on must travel from Youzhou to the capital to assume office.

The formal appointment named Niu Xianke as Minister of Works, and dispatched Huangfu Weiming as Jiedushi of Longyou.

At the same time, a massive personnel reshuffle occurred in the central court, including but not limited to Zheng Shuqing and his peers becoming Vice Ministers of Revenue, Wei Jian and his group becoming Mayor of the Capital, Yan Tingzhi and his faction being demoted to Inspectors and exiled, and Li Shi becoming Minister of Justice.

And the civil officials with imperial examination backgrounds, after Zhang Jiuling's fall from grace, mostly met a fate similar to Yan Tingzhi's, being broadly demoted and exiled by Li Longji. The composition of the central senior staff also underwent a fundamental change.

The massive turnover wasn't limited to the central court in Chang'an; in the northern Youzhou commandery, personnel changes were also happening from top to bottom.

That day, Zhang Shougui received orders to leave Youzhou for Chang'an to become Chancellor; before departing, Fang Youde, as the newly appointed Jiedushi of Youzhou, hosted a banquet to see Zhang off, and the two exchanged cups warmly.

"Brother Fang, this time I can become Chancellor in Chang'an, truly thanks to your masterful battle. Here, I toast you."

Zhang Shougui, flushed and drunk, raised his cup to toast Fang Youde.

"If there are treacherous officials like Li Linfu in the court, brother, you must be cautious. With me here in Youzhou, there will be no trouble."

Fang Youde pounded his chest, guaranteeing.

"Well, I understand brother's abilities, but… my adopted sons An Lushan and Shi Siming. Both are talents; even if brother doesn't favor them, it's fine. I have already transferred their military registers to the Pinglu commandery; brother won't see them, won't be bothered, so no need to fuss."

Zhang Shougui said earnestly.

Having said all that, Fang Youde could only nod slightly and say, "Then I will follow brother's words."

"Indeed, Youzhou and Pinglu are essentially one commandery. Sharing intelligence and troops is the only way to stabilize Youzhou's situation. Brother's previous battle was merely to keep Youzhou stable for three years. Securing Youzhou hinges on defense; we must not push deep into the north."

Zhang Shougui urged patiently.

"Brother, rest assured, a Jiedushi's term is only four years; by then I will no longer be Jiedushi, so there will be no such trouble."

Fang Youde laughed heartily.

"That actually sounds good; I was overthinking."

Zhang Shougui also laughed heartily, clinking cups with Fang Youde. After finishing their drinks, Fang Youde escorted him to a carriage, watching the carriage speed along the official road until it vanished from sight, then he turned back to the Youzhou Jiedushi's headquarters.

Arriving at the Jiedushi's private study, he knelt comfortably, pulling the "murder list" from his pocket.

"Now that I'm the Youzhou Jiedushi, I must kill a few brats to establish authority."

"Should I go to Pinglu to pick a fight and slaughter An Lushan, or first kill some fish and shrimp here in this town?"

"Really, I'm so troubled."

Fang Youde's face showed a cold smile; he decided not to move against An Lushan and Shi Siming for now. He would wait for a later opportunity.

"When I become the Jiedushi of both Youzhou and Pinglu, none of you can escape."

Having said that, he used a vermilion brush to tick off several names on the "murder list".

"First slay two sacrificial flags, to boost the army's prestige."

"After I slaughter you all, this Jiedushi wants to see who can still launch the An Shi Rebellion and destroy our flourishing Tang realm."

Fang Youde didn't know why the An Shi Rebellion happened, but he was very clear that if the problem couldn't be solved, then eliminate the people who caused it; the effect would be the same.

……

That morning, Fang Chongyong had just gotten up, planning to go to the West Market to survey the prices in Chang'an, and then he was surprised to find his own house door blocked, outside an endless line of ox carts piled with all kinds of wrapped wooden boxes and paper crates.

Laique, go ask what actually happened.

Fang Chongyong whispered in Fang Laique's ear.

Soon after, Fang Laique went and returned, proudly bragging to Fang Chongyong: "A Lang is now the Youzhou Jiedushi; those people are all here to present gifts."

What did you say?

Fang Chongyong was stunned, thinking he had misheard.