Chapter 460: The Art of Politics

Below the walls of Linfen City, seat of Jin Prefecture, Li Liangchen, who had arrived to garrison here not long ago as the Prefect of Jin Prefecture, brought his trusted tribesmen out of the city to welcome Fang Chongyong and the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army.

Seeing that Fang Chongyong and the others looked somewhat disheveled, Li Liangchen hastily ushered them into the prefectural office within the city and set up a banquet in the main hall. He also arranged for the prefectural treasury to provide wine and food for the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army.

After three rounds of wine, Li Liangchen asked with some hesitation, "Jiedushi, has something happened at Taiyuan Prefecture? Previously, troops from the four northwestern garrisons passed by Jin Prefecture without entering, heading straight for Queshu Valley. This humble official offered them provisions, but they refused—most peculiar indeed."

"Of course it was peculiar! They ambushed us in Queshu Valley, acting on that dog emperor Li Longji's edict to kill us all!"

The outspoken He Changqi blurted out "that matter" directly!

"Ah?"

Li Liangchen was so startled that the chopsticks he held in his hand dropped onto the table.

"Indeed so. With a benighted ruler in power, it is not worth mentioning."

Fang Chongyong shook his head and sighed endlessly.

"The Jiedushi has devoted himself entirely to the nation, repeatedly achieving battle merits, and possesses a deep understanding of righteousness.

Why would the court destroy its own great wall?"

Li Liangchen asked in bewilderment. In his view, Fang Chongyong was exceptionally loyal and righteous—when he rescued Yun Prefecture back then, he spared no cost and hesitated not at all.

Who is good and who is not—everyone has a scale in their heart!

More crucially, this man was the powerful patron he had latched onto!

"General Li, you must take care of yourself as well. I anticipate that those close to me will mostly be purged by the court. The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army's rescue of Yun Prefecture back then will likely implicate you, drawing that dog emperor's suspicion.

Right now he is in Taiyuan, a stone's throw from here. Sigh, you had best look out for yourself."

Fang Chongyong kept shaking his head and sighing, making Li Liangchen's hair stand on end.

"Then... what should this humble official do?"

Upon hearing Fang Chongyong speak thus, Li Liangchen grew somewhat panicked.

He had originally been merely the prefect of a loose-rein prefecture in the Shuofang region of the Great Tang—called a prefect, but in truth just a local tribal chieftain.

He had nothing at all, utterly unable to enjoy the Great Tang's benefits, possessing only a commission letter.

Had it not been for Fang Chongyong's patronage, he could never have served in the Shuofang Army, never have come to Hedong, much less become prefect in a vital place like Jin Prefecture.

By the conventions of the Great Tang's military circles, Li Liangchen was now considered Fang Chongyong's direct subordinate; in the future he would have to show some reciprocation, lest he be accused of being ungrateful and faithless.

Now that Fang Chongyong was being settled accounts with by the emperor, Li Liangchen felt that disaster was about to befall him.

The word "felt" could be removed—being dealt with before long had surely already been arranged clearly.

"Taiyuan has concentrated a hundred thousand elite troops, intending to cross into Hebei and sweep away Huangfu Weiming's rebel army. For the time being, they likely will not do anything to General Li.

But when they have pacified Hebei and it comes time to dispense rewards and promotions, whether or not to settle accounts with General Li—well, that is hard to say. To reward those with battle merits, they will certainly need to remove certain eyesores and have them vacate their positions.

Sigh, I can only say this: it is impossible for General Li to earn merits, and being purged is only a matter of time. Which path to take depends on General Li's own choice."

Fang Chongyong directly laid out Li Liangchen's current predicament: no share in earning merits, no patron above to protect him, and misfortune in his future.

"Sigh! This is terrible, this is terrible!"

Li Liangchen let out a long sigh, somewhat at a loss for what to do, his heart in turmoil.

Originally, after arriving in Hedong, he had been full of ambition, believing he had seized hold of a powerful patron and that his official career would soar to the pinnacle of life!

Yet the news Fang Chongyong brought today was no less than a bolt from the blue!

Now Li Liangchen wanted to find a "bright path" and did not wish to keep waiting; he too knew that what came next would certainly not be good.

But he was unwilling to be "wanted" by the court like Fang Chongyong.

And so he was like an ant on a hot pan, as if nails were stuck in the cushion beneath him, making it impossible to either stand or sit.

"General Li, I wonder what impression you have of the Crown Prince who is stationed in Luoyang?"

Fang Chongyong asked without batting an eye.

Li Liangchen, who had been downing wine vigorously to suppress his inner panic, slowly set the white porcelain wine cup in his hand onto the table upon hearing this question.

Li Liangchen's original thought had been very simple: just follow Fang Chongyong—fight whoever Fang Chongyong told him to fight, go wherever Fang Chongyong told him to go.

He had never given any thought to the political situation at court; that was not something a border-region tribesman like him should worry about.

"The Crown Prince? This humble official is not very familiar with him and would like to hear more."

Li Liangchen tried his best to maintain a surface of composure as he spoke, but the trembling jowls on his face had already betrayed the excitement within his heart.

"The dog emperor and the Crown Prince are currently irreconcilable; sooner or later, they will come to blows.

Moreover, that old dog is already over sixty years old, with his days numbered.

There is an old saying in the Central Plains: do not mock a youth for his poverty.

That is to say, a young person's future holds countless possibilities—it is not inconceivable that he could soar to the heavens in one fell swoop.

If you can avoid offending him, then try not to, because you can hardly guarantee that he will not prosper in the future, and when that time comes, he may retaliate against you with the crushing force of Mount Tai.

Conversely, an old man is nearing his grave—if he offends you, you can freely retaliate, because his life is already as good as done, and the final judgment is not far off.

General Li has no future under that old dog Li Longji, but that does not mean your whole life is set this way.

The Crown Prince Li Chang, who is currently in Luoyang overseeing the overall situation, is also a bright path."

Fang Chongyong said with pointed meaning.

Hearing these words, Li Liangchen was greatly tempted. He tapped the table with his index finger, seemingly weighing the pros and cons over and over in his mind.

Seeing that Li Liangchen seemed to be moved, Fang Chongyong continued to entice him:

"At present, no capable border-region commander has yet pledged allegiance to the Crown Prince's side. If General Li can take the lead in responding and bring troops to his support, it would have the effect of a thousand pieces of gold buying horse bones—being entrusted with important responsibilities is certain. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne and claims the imperial title in the future, General Li will be a minister who followed the dragon, and his glory and wealth will be boundless.

Is that not far more satisfying than being trapped in Jin Prefecture, waiting to be purged by that old dog in the future?"

It must be said that Fang Chongyong's words were extremely realistic, and highly actionable to boot!

At the very least, it was a hundred times better than following Fang Chongyong's path, where the future was uncertain.

Li Liangchen could not help but reflect that Fang Chongyong was indeed an honest man. Had it been someone else, they would surely have lobbied him to come along, boasting about how many advantages there were in following them and so forth.

"Jiedushi, you are truly... too good to this humble official!"

Li Liangchen wished he could step forward and kneel to Fang Chongyong, but with so many people around, he felt too embarrassed. He wiped the grease off his hands on his official robe and respectfully clasped his fists in a bow to Fang Chongyong.

"General Li, I must remind you of one thing. The age of chaos has already arrived. That dog of an emperor will sooner or later depose the Crown Prince and send troops to attack Luoyang.

Civil war is unavoidable.

Vast fortune and glory do not simply fall from the sky for you to reach out and catch.

Do you understand?"

Fang Chongyong put away the smile on his face and asked.

These words were so blunt and direct that Li Liangchen quickly nodded and said, "Naturally. Every word the Jiedushi says is pearls of wisdom. This humble official wonders what he should do?"

Switching allegiance was also a technical skill. It was not simply a matter of marching one's army to Luoyang and calling it done.

You had to let the person you were throwing in with see your value and your degree of loyalty!

"Issue a proclamation declaring that dog of an emperor a tyrant, and announce that you and the officers and men under your command no longer recognize him as the Tang Emperor.

Then pledge your loyalty, expressing your willingness to serve Crown Prince Li Chang, and call upon the various prefectures of Hedong to rally behind you.

Finally, set fire to the Linfen treasury. Take whatever you can carry, to demonstrate your all-or-nothing resolve! Then march your troops along the Hedong Route to Luoyang."

Fang Chongyong gave Che Guangqian a look. The latter stepped forward, pulled a sheet of paper from his robe, and handed it to Li Liangchen.

Li Liangchen opened it and found that it was a proclamation declaring Brother Ji "illegitimate" and championing the enthronement of Crown Prince Li Chang.

He carefully tucked it away and looked at Fang Chongyong, saying, "Jiedushi, time is of the essence. Let us go to the treasury and start moving things now."

Li Liangchen was a decisive man who understood the principle that opportunity knocks but once. While Fang Chongyong was still in Jin Prefecture, he could take the chance to properly "consult" him on how to rebel.

No—on how to throw in with the Crown Prince.

Fang Chongyong had said it well before: that dog of an emperor Li Longji was already old!

The Crown Prince was the future.

Jumping ship now was the last and best opportunity!

"General Li, once the arrow is loosed it cannot be recalled. Have you thought this through?"

Fang Chongyong hastily tried to dissuade Li Liangchen. This Hu was straight-minded and too easily swayed. The whole series of big moves he had prepared had not even been deployed before the man was already talked lame.

"This humble official trusts the Jiedushi's judgment. If the Jiedushi says he is a dog of an emperor, then he must be a dog of an emperor.

If a man like the Jiedushi could be framed and harmed, how could this humble official fare any better?

Besides, that old dog of a thief is seventy or eighty—what the hell is there to fear from him!"

Li Liangchen could not help cursing.

Once a person resolved to rebel, the order and rules binding him vanished instantly! His vision and thinking immediately broadened as well.

Even if Brother Ji were formidable, so what? What did it matter that he had a million elite soldiers under his command?

Li Liangchen was not afraid at all. He only needed to keep lying low, lying low until Brother Ji passed away. Then he, as a "dragon-following faction" who stepped forward at the critical moment to back the Crown Prince, would instantly become unimaginably noble!

Invest one part now, and reap a thousandfold, ten-thousandfold return in the future!

Even Fang Chongyong was startled by his resolute attitude.

No wonder Brother Ji was suspicious and paranoid all day long. Sure enough, there were far too many people hoping he would die quickly.

Fang Chongyong sneered inwardly.

Brother Ji, you old dog, take good care of your health for me. Survive this disaster, and I, this "funeral attendant," will surely hold a funeral for your rotten, decrepit Great Tang!

……

In the dim study of the Hedong Military Commissioner's office, Brother Ji sat on a folding stool, his face dark as water, heaven knows what he was thinking.

Gao Lishi waited on him carefully off to one side, not daring to speak. The flickering candle on the desk seemed as though it could go out at any moment.

Just then, a eunuch's shrill voice came from outside the door.

"Sage, Lord Yan Zhenqing requests an audience."

"Admit him!"

Gao Lishi called out expressionlessly toward the study door.

Before long, Yan Zhenqing was led in by the eunuch. His hair had grown much whiter, he did not look well, and his expression was grave, as though something weighed on his mind.

"Lord Yan, seeking an audience late at night—what is this about?"

Brother Ji asked in an exhausted tone.

"Sage, this humble official has come to inquire about something."

Yan Zhenqing said in a low voice.

"Ask away. You too are an old minister. If there is anything you wish to know, We will certainly tell you."

Brother Ji closed his eyes and said dismissively.

"Sage, this humble official has heard that when Fang Guozhong led the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army through Que Shu Valley, he was ambushed by Wang Zhongsi's forty thousand elite troops. Is there truth to this?"

Yan Zhenqing asked, summoning his courage.

Brother Ji said nothing, and Yan Zhenqing said nothing either, seeming stubbornly determined to wait for an answer.

"It is indeed so. Fang Guozhong committed treason, a crime beyond pardon.

He betrayed Our trust."

Brother Ji took a deep breath and spoke in a tone of sorrow and regret.

"Sage, what act of treason did Fang Guozhong actually commit? The matter is now being talked about endlessly in Taiyuan City. I beg the Sage to tell the truth, so that this humble official may set the record straight and put an end to the controversy."

Yan Zhenqing bowed to Brother Ji.

Brother Ji still kept his eyes shut and said nothing, but Gao Lishi came to his defense: "Lord Yan, do not ask what you should not ask. Do not say what you should not say. If the Sage says Fang Guozhong committed treason, then he committed treason."

"Sage, is this perhaps a case of 'if you wish to accuse a man, the pretext will never be lacking'?"

Yan Zhenqing demanded, summoning his courage.

"Lord Yan! Mind your words! Is this the manner in which a minister should speak to the Sage!"

Gao Lishi was furious, pointing at Yan Zhenqing and shouting!

Who would have known Yan Zhenqing's temper also flared up; he shouted at Ji Ge:

"Sage, the so‑called reason is indistinguishable!"

If Fang Guozhong were a traitor, you could issue an edict, inform everyone, and spell out each accusation clearly; the dispute would disappear on its own.

Now that a great enemy looms and the campaign is imminent, the morale of the troops is paramount!

If it cannot be clarified, then Fang Guozhong, who has repeatedly earned battle merits and terrified the enemy forces, is the biggest banner within the Hedong army.

To declare him a traitor without cause, without evidence, and then to strike him down—who, then, would still be willing to charge into battle and kill the enemy?

Yan Zhenqing immediately knelt before Ji Ge, repeatedly kowtowing without stopping.

"Yan, your old eyes are dim; you are no longer fit to be Chancellor. Relieve you of all offices, let you return to Chang'an and become a Grand Academician at the Hanlin Academy."

Ji Ge opened his eyes, gestured to Gao Lishi and said,

Upon hearing this, Yan Zhenqing could not believe his own ears! He could not believe that Ji Ge had become like this!

At this moment he finally became convinced that Fang Chongyong was indeed wronged. The Tang Emperor before him, who has reigned for decades, now cannot distinguish right from wrong, nor see good from evil.

In his heart, only his own power matters. Everything else is unimportant; any person can be sacrificed.

Anyone who hinders him, no matter how loyal or how many merits they have, must die when it is time to die!

Yan Zhenqing felt an incomparable sorrow; he could already see the Tang Empire collapsing, yet the Emperor still wallows in petty scheming!

That rumor turned out to be true!

Yan Zhenqing understood that Fang Chongyong's misfortune was not because he "betrayed the state" but precisely because he was too honest, did not side with the Crown Prince, yet still could not escape suspicion!

Fang Chongyong was poisoned only because he is the son of Fang Youde, who staunchly supports Crown Prince Li Chang. If he truly "betrayed the state," could the Emperor still sit here calmly speaking?

Now, the Sage before us, in order to consolidate his own power, has become reckless and lawless!

"Yan, remove your official robe, and you may leave Taiyuan and return to Chang'an."

Gao Lishi coldly looked at Yan Zhenqing and said,

"I, your servant, obey the edict."

Yan Zhenqing took off his official hat, placed it on the ground, and briskly stripped off his purple official robe.

Just as he was about to leave, a eunuch at the door ushered in a general, none other than An Chongzhang, who had taken command of the Red Water army and Hedong's military authority!

He paid no heed to Yan Zhenqing's presence, stepped forward, clasped his fists in salute to Ji Ge and said,

"Sage, a great incident has occurred!

Inspector Li Liangchen of Jinzhou rebelled, issuing a proclamation that only acknowledges Crown Prince Li Chang as the legitimate Tang authority.

He also set fire to Jinzhou's granaries and vanished with several thousand troops, whereabouts unknown.

Moreover, the Inspectors of Jiangzhou, Luzhou, Zezhou and other Hedong Circuit officials all submitted memorials echoing Li Liangchen, supporting Crown Prince Li Chang, and refusing to supply grain to Taiyuan Prefecture!

Should we dispatch troops to rebuild and protect the grain route?

"Even these minor matters, you come to ask me? Get on with it already!"

Ji Ge, furious, slammed the table and rose, completely losing his composure!

"Traitorous ministers and rebels! All of them are traitorous ministers and rebels!"

Ji Ge, enraged, paced the room, no longer the calm and indifferent he once was.

Yan Zhenqing, full of compassion, gave Ji Ge a glance, then left the official robes and hat on the ground and strode away.

(End of Chapter)