Chapter 491: A Renowned Scholar Takes the Stage, One Equals Two

In the cramped, modest hall of the county office in Lihu County, it was now bustling beyond compare, packed with people.

Although outside the county office it was pitch black and utterly silent, inside the hall lanterns were strung, decorations hung, a feast was laid out, and fine wine and delicacies were served course after course.

Even though such a small place could not find any renowned singers or dancers, Fang Chongyong still sent people to find a few musicians to play, enlivening the atmosphere.

This made Li Bai, who was on official business here, feel both honored and startled.

Prestige! This is prestige!

This is the proper prestige a world‑renowned poet like him should have!

Li Bai sat opposite Fang Chongyong, the two sharing a table, their faces flushed with excitement.

His vanity was greatly satisfied!

"Brother Tai‑bai, your name is known across the world; from time to time I recall your verse:

When life is triumphant, revel to the full; do not let a golden goblet face the moon empty.

Heaven gave me talent for a purpose; even if a thousand gold is spent, it will return.

I often use it to encourage myself."

Fang Chongyong smiled and personally poured wine for Li Bai, his manner exceedingly courteous and warm, as if Li Bai were a Jiedushi and he his staff officer.

Only recalling how Li Bai was once despised when he came to Fang Chongyong to "seek a post", the present Xuanwu Army Jiedushi before him now seemed somewhat obsequious after having been haughty.

Li Bai was a little puzzled, but he enjoyed being fawned over and thought nothing more of it.

In terms of official rank, Fang Chongyong and he were worlds apart; yet when it came to poetry, ten Fang Chongyongs would not match Li Tai‑bai.

Such a humble demeanor from him was appropriate.

"Fang Jiedushi, you are being modest, modest indeed."

Fang Chongyong's unexpectedly warm attitude made Li Bai feel a little embarrassed.

As for the commanders of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army in the hall, they each drank in silence; naturally they would not flatter the literary Li Bai.

Fang Chongyong, while spouting flowery compliments about Li Bai's famous verses, seemed to casually steer the conversation.

In any case, he never brought up the main issue.

Since Fang Chongyong did not mention it, Li Bai found it hard to speak. He only said, "An old friend visits," without stating the purpose. Fang Chongyong pretended to be clueless, and Li Bai could only play along.

After three rounds of wine, Li Bai could no longer hold back and whispered, "Fang Jiedushi, you have stationed troops at Caozhou— is it to guard against Hebei bandits?"

He feigned a completely indifferent air, as if speaking offhand.

Fang Chongyong looked up at Li Bai, sighed helplessly, and filled his cup.

Then he chuckled, "State affairs are a bother, disturbing the mind, so I won't speak those depressing things. Today we talk of wind and moon, not of state matters, hahahaha!"

Fang Chongyong forced a few dry laughs, seeming somewhat insincere.

Hearing that, Li Bai felt his blood boil, yet he didn't know how to bring it up.

"Old friends meet, I specially invited you to the county hall for wine; the etiquette is all in place,"

"What more could you complain about?"

"And besides, Fang Chongyong is a Jiedushi!"

This made it awkward for Li Bai to explain his purpose, since he was now playing the emotional card.

After much hesitation, Li Bai sensed that Fang Chongyong would not bring up Prince Yong tonight. He chewed his teeth, glanced at the soldiers drinking and eating in the hall, and finally made up his mind.

He lowered his voice to Fang Chongyong: "Fang Jiedushi, actually I am not merely passing through; I came specifically to see you. This is not a place for discussion— may we speak in the county office study? I have urgent matters."

"There's no need to go to the study; Lihu County is not my office, and going there would be inconvenient."

Fang Chongyong withdrew his smile and ordered the drinking commanders, "Everyone, go to the main camp to organize the troops; the unfinished dishes and wine will be sent to the camp later for you to handle."

Upon hearing this, none hesitated; they rose and filed out. Soon the cramped hall was left with only Fang Chongyong and Li Bai.

The once‑cramped hall now felt rather empty.

Seeing Fang Chongyong's subordinates obey orders so strictly, Li Bai couldn't help but silently gasp.

Some details that slip out unintentionally, and the aura they display, can often captivate the heart. In any case, Li Bai had never seen any of Prince Yong's troops possess such execution.

Sure enough, this Jiedushi commands a strong army!

Li Bai couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration inside.

"Well, it's a shame that our rare meeting must be about official business. Does Brother Tai‑bai have any counsel?"

Fang Chongyong, pretending to be clueless, asked,

Li Bai no longer wanted to beat around the bush; at that moment he felt like Lian Xiangru, the envoy to Qin in the Warring States, capable of stirring the world single‑handedly!

One man could match a hundred thousand troops!

He got straight to the point: "I now serve Prince Yong's manor as a staff officer, and have come specifically about your recent troop deployment, Fang Jiedushi."

Li Bai drew a stack of papers from his sleeve and gently placed them on the table before Fang Chongyong; they were the ultimatum Fang Chongyong had recently sent to Prince Yong Li Lin, demanding his allegiance to the new emperor Li Chang.

Fang Chongyong casually set them beside him without even glancing.

He sighed lightly and said,

"I eat the lord's stipend and bear his worries.

Prince Li Chang ascended as emperor; we, as subjects, owe loyalty to the new sovereign—that is the proper order.

What fault does this Jiedushi have?

Brother Tai‑bai, are you asking me and my tens of thousands of soldiers to serve Prince Yong against the court?"

Fang Chongyong's expression grew cold, his tone turning solemn as he stared at Li Bai with a calm, imposing authority.

"No, no!"

Li Bai hurriedly waved his hand, vehemently denying.

No matter how arrogant Li Lin was, he could not imagine Fang Chongyong swearing loyalty to him. Even if Fang Chongyong offered to serve like a dog or horse, Li Lin would not dare accept.

Divine weapons and sharp arms can only be wielded by the virtuous; otherwise they will wound the bearer.

Li Lin also knows exactly how much weight he carries; Fang Chongyong, a troublemaker bold enough to join the Chang'an mutiny, is also known by Li Lin to not obey meekly.

This time Li Lin sent Li Bai as an envoy, intending to ask what Fang Chongyong really wants to do, and whether he can refrain from charging so far forward.

Since the Hebei rebel army is already a sword hanging over our heads, and both are Jiedushi on the southern bank of the Yellow River, why make things difficult for each other?

"Li Chang is indeed the Crown Prince, but his accession took place while the Sage was absent, essentially a palace coup, not exactly legitimate.

Moreover, His Highness Prince Yong only wishes to know whether this time Jiedushi Fang has stationed troops in Caozhou to cross the river and attack Hebei, or whether he has come for Ji Prefecture and Qi Prefecture."

Li Bai recounted everything point by point, without adding his own opinion, merely stating Prince Yong Li Lin's thoughts.

No matter how you look at it, Li Lin will never acknowledge Li Chang's legitimate succession; that would only change if someone forced his throat with a knife.

"Brother Taibai, what you say has some merit, but I and my subordinates truly came for Prince Yong.

If Prince Yong does not recognize the new emperor, the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army reaching Licheng is only a matter of time."

Fang Chongyong blustered with a mouth full of lies.

Although he was intimidating, his logic was remarkably self‑consistent.

The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army's troops voluntarily attacking the Hebei rebels is no better than striking stone with an egg; it's simply impossible.

Even if Li Bai knows nothing of warfare, he also knows that such a move is extremely risky.

On the contrary, Prince Yong Li Lin's forces are rather mediocre, perhaps unable to hold back the elite of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, and could be ambushed.

Picking the softest persimmon—everyone understands that principle.

Li Bai cannot help but believe it.

"Jiedushi Fang, I, Li, have a saying I must voice; please bear with me, Jiedushi."

Li Bai took a deep breath and said. Fang Chongyong crossed his arms and gave a salute; seeing the other silently nod, he mustered his courage and said:

"If the Jiedushi attacks Prince Yong, casualties on both sides are inevitable. Huangfu Weiming would then be like a fisherman, and we would be like a snipe and a clam. If the Jiedushi keeps clashing with Prince Yong's elite forces, even to a bloody battlefield, who will guard Bianzhou? Then wouldn't we simply hand it over to Huangfu Weiming?"

To put it mildly, the Jiedushi's loyalty to the new emperor is not shown in such a manner.

Since Prince Yong and the new emperor are brothers, and no proclamation of war has been issued, why must the Jiedushi have to break faces?

It's truly not worth it.

Li Bai said with anguish, believing he had made the reasoning perfectly clear.

In his view, Fang Chongyong is just a watchdog; as long as he secures Bianzhou, that's enough, no need to abandon his home and go

Li Bai noticed Fang Chongyong nod slightly, looking as if deep in thought, as if he had taken in these words.

Thus he continued to persuade: "The Hebei bandits will eventually cross the Yellow River downstream; Jiedushi Fang will also eventually have to face their spearheads. If Prince Yong offers strong assistance at that time, whether defending the land or counterattacking, the results will be twice the effect with half the effort."

Seeing Fang Chongyong pondering silently, seemingly inclined to act, he pressed further: "What does the Jiedushi think?"

Li Bai's heart pounded intensely, awaiting Fang Chongyong's reply.

This trip to Caozhou, in Li Bai's view, might be the starting point of his official career's ascent.

If a relatively favorable outcome is achieved, it will surely make Prince Yong Li Lin look at him differently.

Conversely, if it proves futile, he fears he will have no future role.

"Brother Taibai, what you say is indeed insightful.

However, this Jiedushi also has hardships that are hard to speak of."

Fang Chongyong let out a long sigh and drained the fine wine in his cup.

"The Jiedushi controls a region, holds military power; what other grievances might there be?"

Li Bai asked cautiously, feeling he had found a breakthrough in this negotiation.

"Those of us who hold military power are all suspected by the court.

If this Jiedushi does not force Prince Yong to acknowledge Crown Prince Li Chang's legitimate succession, wouldn't that imply a suspicion of defecting to Prince Yong?"

How would the officials of the court view this?

Now this Jiedushi has already disseminated the news urging Prince Yong to issue a congratulatory edict; the elite troops have also left Bianzhou, preparing for an eastern expedition.

Could the court's orders change from morning to evening, swallowing back what has been said?

If so, how can this Jiedushi command his troops?

Fang Chongyong explained with a helpless expression.

Li Bai was speechless, because the other side was indeed speaking the truth.

At this moment, the county office hall was so quiet that a falling pin could be heard; Fang Chongyong voiced his thoughts, and Li Bai voiced his, each

each had their own reasoning.

Just as Li Bai was about to make small talk to shift the topic and ease the atmosphere, he heard Fang Chongyong let out a soft sigh.

"Brother Taibai, today I will, as an old acquaintance, give you the bottom line.

In fact, I've also heard about the situation over in Chang'an.

If the Taishang Emperor leads troops back to Chang'an, whether the current emperor can retain the throne remains uncertain.

I originally acted without considering this, and now I'm riding a tiger I can't get off.

But withdrawing troops is simply impossible; a person without trust cannot stand, and I truly cannot pretend nothing ever happened.

Therefore, could we adopt a compromise?

Fang Chongyong lowered his posture, even speaking with a humble tone in his inquiry.

Li Bai felt a tightening in his heart; though he was unrestrained, he also knew that courtesy extended to others always carries a request. This move was the start of his official career; it must not be taken lightly, nor can he be as reckless as before.

He swallowed a mouthful of saliva and asked in doubt: "Then, what exactly is this method?"

"This Jiedushi intends to borrow Lu County in Ji Prefecture, cross the river from there, and raid the Hebei bandits' grain depot. In this way, there would be no need to bring the troops back."

If Prince Yong can lend me Lu County for transporting grain, that would demonstrate Prince Yong's sincerity in allying with the Xuanwu Army.

After we disrupt Huangfu Weiming's deployments in Hebei and return, Lu County will be returned to Prince Yong untouched, and I will lead my troops back to Bianzhou as a sign of Xuanwu Army's sincerity.

If trouble arises in Chang'an in the future, and the emperor is deposed by the Taishang Emperor, the Xuanwu Army's entire ranks could support Prince Yong's ascension, which is not impossible.

It is easy to lose someone's trust, but hard to earn it.

We, being from the military, now cannot mutually trust Prince Yong, like a bamboo pole striking a wolf, fearing both ends.

We can only rely on a renowned gentleman of outstanding reputation and character, using his name as a guarantee, to act as a go‑between.

I wonder whether Brother Taibai can do this favor?

Of course. Since the matter is confidential, this Jiedushi cannot give you a letter as proof, lest a schemer catches a weak spot and causes complications. Only a personal jade pendant will serve as evidence, to show my sincerity.

Before establishing trust with His Highness Prince Yong, I will not leave any other physical proof; I ask Brother Taibai to understand.

If Brother Taibai is willing to go, I would be immensely grateful and offer one hundred taels of gold for travel expenses.

If Brother Taibai refuses, I am also unable to give gold; consider that today I have driven Brother Taibai away in a chaotic beating, saying nothing, so when you return you can report accordingly.

Brother Taibai, what do you think?

Fang Chongyong said earnestly, his face sincere.

Hearing this, Li Bai straightened his back at once and said, "Please, Jiedushi Fang, rest assured; I will now return to Qi Prefecture to report to Prince Yong."

Li Bai crossed his arms and saluted Fang Chongyong, his tone unusually resolute.

Fang Chongyong took a jade pendant from his waist, handed it to Li Bai, and said, "Then I entrust it to Brother Taibai! I will send someone to escort you back to Qi Prefecture."

"Hmm, then I take my leave," Li Bai said.

Li Bai took the jade pendant, turned, and left.

……

Two days later, in Licheng, Qi Prefecture, within Prince Yong's study, Prince Yong Li Lin toyed with the jade pendant Li Bai had sent, holding it in his palm.

His face thoughtful, he murmured silently.

"Your Highness, that Fang Qing is exceedingly cunning; this must be his delaying tactic, aiming to secure a position for himself with you."

Beside Li Lin, Gao Shang's expression was anxious as he urged.

"No problem, you may attend to other matters first; I have some questions to ask Li Bai privately."

Li Lin waved his hand impatiently at Gao Shang, glanced at the empty sleeve on Gao Shang's left arm, realizing this eunuch‑strategist harbored personal motives, making his words unreliable.

After all, that arm was the one Fang Chongyong cut off; if Gao Shang were to support an alliance between the two sides, it would be absurd!

Gao Shang glared at Li Bai with resentment and left the study unwillingly.

After he left, Li Lin finally smiled at Li Bai and said, "Come, come, sit down and tell me slowly what actually happened on this trip and what the final outcome was. The one hundred taels of gold Fang Qing sent, you may keep it for yourself; I am not short of that money."

Li Bai then crossed his arms, saluted Prince Yong Li Lin, and said:

"Jiedushi Fang was originally determined to capture Licheng before he would stop; I reasoned with him, appealed to his emotions, and painfully laid out the pros and cons. At last he awakened, understanding that when the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold."

"He only hesitated due to his pride, unwilling to be obsequious, and would break his word to gain."

"I thought of lending Lu County to him and the Xuanwu Army, to see whether he intends to attack Huangfu Weiming."

"If he attacks, it shows he has offended the Hebei bandit army, and in the future he can only join us in defending Henan together."

"Should Chang'an ever change, we could pull him to your side, and perhaps even challenge the Grand Palace."

"Please, Your Highness, think it over."

Li Bai narrated the events of the journey with vivid emotion, describing how sincere Fang Chongyong was, how elite the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army was, and so on, in colorful detail.

"Really?"

Li Lin immediately became excited; he had not expected the matter could proceed so smoothly!

Indeed, having the renowned scholar Li Bai take charge makes all the difference, doesn't it?

He stood up, pacing the study with some agitation.

After a while, his heated mind cooled; Li Lin felt he still needed to consult his advisors before proceeding.

"Ahem, you may return to rest first; I will discuss with the others before speaking again."

Li Lin cleared his throat twice to mask the awkwardness, speaking insincerely.