Chapter 475: Relieving Military Power Over a Cup of Wine

Wanhua Tower was the largest restaurant in Kaifeng city. Dining on its rooftop, one could gaze out over the canal — an excellent location, blessed by nature.

The prosperity brought by the canal had greatly stimulated the commercialization of the Bianzhou region. Silks from Jiangnan, handicrafts from Yangzhou, and rice from the Lianghuai region would pause here briefly before being distributed to economically prosperous areas such as Luoyang and Chang'an.

Goods from the north — furs, ginseng, and the like — were gathered here, loaded onto canal boats, and shipped to Jiangnan and Shu.

Now the warfare in Hebei had not halted trade — instead, it had grown even more prosperous!

Previously, the imperial court had relied on plunder and levies, conducting business with no capital. Now, whether it was the Hebei rebel army or Chang'an and Luoyang, both needed supplies from Jiangnan and Lianghuai. Moreover, the court could no longer extort and obstruct as it had before.

Now, those trafficking goods included fewer court officials and far more merchants from various regions. More people meant more consumption, so this rebellion, vast in its reach, was for the moment still a good thing for Bianzhou.

But the future was hard to say, because both the court and the Hebei rebel army were rather fond of "business with no capital." Once they recovered their strength, seizing control of the Tongji Canal would be their inevitable choice.

At this moment, Wanhua Tower had been entirely cleared. The first floor was filled with low-ranking officers of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army dining together; the second floor had senior commanders of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army such as He Changqi drinking and eating with attendants from the six prefectures under the Xuanwu Army's jurisdiction — people holding posts like county magistrates and county sheriffs — each side doing their own thing.

Only the third floor of Wanhua Tower had Che Guangqian and Feng Changqing, plus five prefectural inspectors and one prefectural marshal preparing to begin the banquet. The scale of the gathering was not large.

As for Liu Changqing, he had no qualification to sit at the table at all, and could only wait to the side alongside the musicians, dancers, and singing girls.

One might say he did not even rate the treatment of a "standing lackey."

As for Fang Chongyong himself, he still had not arrived even now — said to have taken troops to inspect the canal.

This was an obvious excuse, but no one present had anything to say about it. They could only wait quietly, and there was nothing much for them to chat about among themselves.

Suddenly, Liu Changqing spotted Li Jilan among the singing girls — dressed all in white, standing graceful and slender, very hard not to notice.

And among the group of servants preparing the meal, Liu Changqing likewise saw Lu Yu, preparing materials for brewing tea.

Liu Changqing glanced at Yan Bojun, who was seated upright at the table and looking toward Li Jilan from time to time, and understood something in his heart.

Suddenly, footsteps coming up the stairs were heard. Fang Chongyong, still in armor, strode up to the third floor of Wanhua Tower and spotted Lu Yu selecting tea leaves to one side at a glance.

And Li Jilan, dressed in a flashy white ru skirt, impossible not to notice! Even though Li Jilan had worn a veiled hat back then, that figure and bearing, together with Lu Yu — there was absolutely no mistaking her!

"How interesting!"

Fang Chongyong muttered under his breath, sat down in the host's seat at the banquet, cupped his fists in greeting to the assembled inspectors, and said: "Hahahahaha, after inspecting the canal I went to take stock of the granaries. Ah, the mountains of provisions piled up truly made this Jiedushi dizzy to look at. Late, late — I penalize myself three cups!"

Fang Chongyong laughed heartily, casually removed his helmet, and handed it to the "serving girl" Jiang Wuyan, who was responsible for pouring wine at the banquet.

At the same time, discreetly yet in an exceedingly sleazy manner, taking advantage of the two of them being close and in others' blind spots, he gave Jiang Wuyan's chest a gentle grope.

"Jiedushi, you're so bad!"

Jiang Wuyan pouted coquettishly, and when no one was looking stomped hard on Fang Chongyong's boot — only to hurt her own foot badly from the impact.

Fang Chongyong had not yet removed his armor, and the boots he wore were thick leather military combat boots, capable of easily deflecting ordinary arrows — how could he possibly fear Jiang Wuyan stepping on him!

"Just wait until we get back tonight — you'll have it coming!"

Jiang Wuyan, taking advantage of being held in Fang Chongyong's embrace, glared at him and threatened in a low voice.

This scene made Li Jilan, who saw it clearly from afar, stand her hair on end!

Powerful, sleazy, and lustful — she did not dare imagine what would happen next.

Li Jilan wanted to flee right now. But thinking that she had already agreed to Yan Bojun, she fought down her disgust, lowered her head, and stood in a spot far from the large banquet table.

"Eh? Jiedushi's words are mistaken.

The Jiedushi bears military duties and labors for the state — it is we who should toast the Jiedushi. Where is the logic in the Jiedushi penalizing himself with three cups?

Gentlemen, I, Yuan, shall drink first as a gesture of respect!"

Yuan Jie raised his wine cup, deflecting the situation for Fang Chongyong, and then drained the fine wine in his cup in one gulp!

The others at the banquet also followed Yuan Jie's example and toasted Fang Chongyong. The atmosphere immediately grew warm and relaxed, no longer as solemn as it had been in the yamen hall during the day.

Since ancient times, the Chinese have liked to discuss matters over drinks that are difficult to raise in ordinary circumstances.

Those here to eat today were either inspectors or resourceful military commanders. Brainless ones like He Changqi were not even allowed upstairs by Fang Chongyong, lest they ruin important matters.

Everyone understood that the real meeting was only beginning now! Before this, it had been merely a matter of "screening qualifications."

"Clear the room first."

Fang Chongyong said to Feng Changqing beside him.

The latter did not hesitate — he stood up and sent all the singing girls, dancers, and musicians preparing to perform on the third floor downstairs. Only Jiang Wuyan remained, serving tea and water.

Oh, and Liu Changqing standing in the corner, neither able to leave nor willing to stay!

"Gentlemen, then I shall speak plainly. The six prefectures under the Xuanwu Army's jurisdiction cannot all be held simultaneously in the future.

Defending them all at once means leaks everywhere, and sooner or later the rebel army will break them one by one.

The Hebei rebel army simply is not focusing on the prefectures of Henan at the moment. The court has assembled a hundred thousand elite imperial troops in Hedong, keeping Huangfu Weiming from dealing with us freely.

Once they recover their strength, a massive invasion is certain.

Do you all agree or not?"

Fang Chongyong looked around at everyone and asked.

Aside from Yuan Jie and Yingzhou Inspector Chen Shu voicing agreement, everyone else remained silent.

"I see you seem to want to serve as Bozhou Inspector, but this Jiedushi has already made arrangements for that. So of the three prefectures I mentioned just now, pick one. This Jiedushi will recommend you to the Crown Prince and have you sent to take up the post — a sure thing."

Right now, in these three prefectures, the yamen had ceased functioning and the populace had fled in large numbers to Bianzhou and Songzhou to the south, and to Luoyang to the west. The court had already lost control over these three places.

This was a "military buffer zone" deliberately set up by Fang Youde with minimal resources, and also a battlefield reserved for the army to fight on!

To go serve as inspector in these places — truly, only the word "heh" could express one's inner feelings.

"Jiedushi, the post of Bozhou Marshal — there is nothing wrong with it. This humble official's talents are shallow and his learning meager. If I were sent to the three northern prefectures, I fear I would delay the Jiedushi's important affairs."

Yan Bojun said with an embarrassed smile.

Liu Changqing in the distance also heard what Fang Chongyong had said, and then he likewise maintained his silence.

Even though these three inspector posts were not only easily obtained, but one could even choose among them.

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and did not press the matter further.

"Feng Changqing, from this day forward, you shall fill the post of Bozhou Inspector, and concurrently take charge of all provisions and supply transport for the Xuanwu Army. Using Bozhou as a base, you will support all directions.

Do you have any objections?"

Fang Chongyong looked at Feng Changqing sitting beside him and asked.

"Understood!"

Feng Changqing cupped his fists in salute, his expression very calm. For them, being officials of the court was all hollow; ever since the Queshu Valley incident, they had only one path—to follow through against Tang to the bitter end! Whatever Fang Chongyong told them to do, they would do. Nothing more to say.

"Alright, the six prefectural inspectors are all assembled. This Jiedushi will now issue a military order to you.

From this moment on, each prefectural inspector has only the authority to recruit troops, not the authority to deploy or command soldiers.

They never expected Fang Chongyong to wave his hand grandly, not only giving them nothing, but also demanding they hand over their command authority!

Who could stomach that!

The Inspector of Song Prefecture, Li Jiayou, sighed softly and said, "Jiedushi, by court law, each prefectural inspector bears the duty of defending his territory in wartime. Without troops in hand, how can one defend the land?"

Song Prefecture was not like the barren Cao Prefecture; centered on Shangqiu, it had a very large population, much fertile land, and prosperous commerce.

Supporting a force of ten thousand men would be effortless.

But Song Prefecture's location was also rather dangerous—unlike Chen Prefecture and Ying Prefecture, which were nearly in Huainan, and unlike Bo Prefecture with its crisscrossing waterways.

"Only those who serve as inspectors of Zheng Prefecture, Hua Prefecture, and Pu Prefecture—these three prefectures—need to lead troops in defending the land. Among the six prefectures under Xuanwu Garrison, the one who defends the land is this Jiedushi, not you inspectors!

If Prefect Li wishes for military authority, you may take those untested, poorly trained troops under your command to any one of those three prefectures and serve as inspector there.

This Jiedushi will recommend you to the Crown Prince for the appointment.

But within the six prefectures under Xuanwu Army's jurisdiction, only one person may hold military authority, and that is this Jiedushi.

This is an order. I am informing you—and of course that includes everyone present.

I am informing you, not negotiating with you. Understood?"

Fang Chongyong explained with a cold face, looking toward the Inspector of Song Prefecture, Li Jiayou, his eyes like lightning, commanding awe without needing to show anger.

Seeing that no one spoke, and even Yuan Jie was too embarrassed to open his mouth to ease the tension (because the Inspector of Bian Prefecture certainly would not have military authority either), Fang Chongyong sighed softly and said, "Without commanding troops, you need not live or die with your prefecture and county. When the rebel army comes, you can hide in Kaifeng City. If I gave you military authority, with only that handful of men in your hands, could you hold off the rebel army if they came? If you couldn't hold, would you surrender to the enemy, or would you fight to the death?

Surrender, and this Jiedushi will cut off your heads with my own hands. Fight to the death, and the rebel army cuts off your heads. Is this the outcome you wish to see?"

"The Jiedushi speaks rightly. I am willing to hand over my military authority. Henceforth I will only be responsible for recruiting militia locally in Cao Prefecture and supplying provisions to the army." The Inspector of Cao Prefecture, Li Pengnian, bowed with hands crossed before Fang Chongyong.

Cao Prefecture was barren, and its geographical position was very dangerous—the inevitable route for a rebel flanking force to break through.

"Go, pour wine for Prefect Cao."

Fang Chongyong directed Jiang Wuyan.

"So be it. I shall follow all of the Jiedushi's arrangements."

The Inspector of Ying Prefecture, Chen Shu, also agreed.

"The same for me."

The Inspector of Chen Prefecture, Xue Yuan, chimed in.

Ying Prefecture and Chen Prefecture were both southwest of Bian Prefecture, close to Huainan; they truly lacked that sense of urgency.

Only the Inspector of Song Prefecture, Li Jiayou, kept his teeth clenched and refused to yield.

Among the six inspectors, the Inspector of Bo Prefecture was Feng Changqing—no need to say more. Bian Prefecture was the garrison of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army—also no need to say more. Of the remaining four inspectors, three agreed, and all the pressure fell on Li Jiayou.

"It is not that I do not wish to agree to this matter. It is simply that Song Prefecture's situation is somewhat special, and the numbers and sources of the militia are also a bit special."

Li Jiayou said with some difficulty, the muscles of his face practically knotting together.

Fang Chongyong understood the implication. He turned to Che Guangqian beside him and said, "Little Che, muster one thousand troops tomorrow and follow Prefect Li back to Songcheng, the seat of Song Prefecture. Whoever is unreasonable, you take the brothers and go reason with them, and back up Prefect Li. If you encounter lawless elements, suppress them with thunderous force. Understood?"

"Rest assured, Jiedushi!" Che Guangqian cupped his fists in salute.

Having said that, Fang Chongyong looked at Li Jiayou and said, "How is this arrangement?"

"The Jiedushi's arrangement is very proper."

Li Jiayou bowed with hands crossed, his mouth full of bitterness.

"Good, the headache-inducing business is finally settled."

Fang Chongyong called out with feigned impatience.

(End of this chapter)