Chapter 510: You Are the True Dragon Son of Heaven (End of This Volume)

Zhang Zhongzhi was very pleased with himself.

In this day and age, talk is empty; only military power is real and tangible.

Having swallowed up An Shouzhong's troops, the men under his direct or indirect command now numbered no fewer than fifty thousand.

Fifty thousand men dedicated to hunting down Fang Chongyong and annihilating the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army — wouldn't that be as easy as reaching into a bag?

It couldn't be simpler.

Losing was out of the question — ten against one was more than enough.

Zhang Zhongzhi felt he was on the verge of striking it rich.

The sky was not yet fully dark. As he sat alone on the main seat in the prefectural hall, his mind wandering, a personal guard hurried in and handed him an arrow with a letter tied to it.

Zhang Zhongzhi casually opened it and read the sixteen characters written on it: "Tonight at midnight, travel light. South bank of the Grand Canal, meet at Chongxing Temple."

There was no signature, nor any explanation of the matter.

"Is there a place called Chongxing Temple in Qinghe County?"

Zhang Zhongzhi put on a stern face, feigning indifference, and asked the personal guard beside him.

"Replying to Governor Zhang, yes yes, it's very close to Qinghe County town. Just cross the wooden bridge and it's not far from the south bank of the Yongji Canal."

The personal guard answered directly.

This temple was well-known locally in Qinghe County, built during the Sui Dynasty, also called Longxing Temple.

Zhang Zhongzhi nodded slightly.

In truth, he could have simply ignored it, but he had a nagging feeling that something was destined to happen, and he had to go and see for himself.

It was already getting late. Zhang Zhongzhi decided to take a short nap first, then bring a few personal guards to the meeting tonight.

Of course, scouting the surrounding military situation beforehand and posting men to secure both banks of the canal were necessities — nothing to worry about.

When night fell, Zhang Zhongzhi brought two personal guards and traveled light to the south bank, to the small and already somewhat dilapidated Chongxing Temple.

After announcing who he was, the abbot of Chongxing Temple led their party to a meditation room, then quietly withdrew.

However, upon seeing the face of the person inside the room, Zhang Zhongzhi's eyes went wide and his hands and feet turned cold with fright.

Fang Chongyong! No — he was now called Fang Qing!

He was actually sitting on a soft cushion in the meditation room, looking at him with a smile.

The burly bald man beside Fang Chongyong was likely the fierce general of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, He Changqi, nicknamed "He Laohu."

Both were dressed in coarse cloth, looking like ordinary commoners.

"Do not be alarmed, Governor Zhang. I come today only on personal matters, with absolutely no ill intent. Please, sit, please sit."

Fang Chongyong made a gesture inviting him to sit, and Zhang Zhongzhi had no choice but to comply.

He had no personal grudge with Fang Chongyong and had never crossed him before, so there was no need to be so nervous.

Seeing that Zhang Zhongzhi made no suspicious move, He Changqi stood up and left the room. Zhang Zhongzhi likewise had his own personal guard leave. Only he and Fang Chongyong remained in the room.

"I hope Jiedushi Fang has been well since we last met. Now that you and I each serve different masters, meeting here is truly inappropriate."

Zhang Zhongzhi said with a long sigh. He had been to Chang'an in years past and, through a twist of fate, had actually met Fang Chongyong!

Hearing this, Fang Chongyong looked at him with curiosity. After studying him for a moment, he suddenly dropped to his knees, prostrating himself on the ground, and exclaimed in a hushed voice: "This humble minister pays respects to the Sage!"

What?

Zhang Zhongzhi was utterly dumbfounded!

Fang Chongyong rose to his feet and, still wearing a face full of reverence, clasped his fists in salute to Zhang Zhongzhi: "This humble minister pays respects to the Sage. Governor Zhang, you shall become the Sage — the lord of all under heaven!"

This time Zhang Zhongzhi was thoroughly unable to keep his composure — not from fright, but from an entirely different kind of agitation.

"This, this, this... how can you say such a thing?"

Zhang Zhongzhi had completely forgotten their respective positions. He cared only about one thing: why was Fang Chongyong calling him "the Sage" out of nowhere!

"Does the Sage not find it strange, that I dared to cross the Yellow River with only three thousand troops, and yet Huangfu Weiming could do nothing against me?"

Fang Chongyong said with full confidence. Zhang Zhongzhi nodded slightly, looking thoughtful, though in truth he too found this very strange.

Fighting the many with the few, yet holding the initiative at every turn — this defied all reason.

Besides, Fang Chongyong's audacity was a bit too great.

"Does the Sage not find it strange, that my original name was Fang Chongyong, perfectly fine as it was, yet I changed it to Fang Qing?"

Fang Chongyong pressed the point further.

Now Zhang Zhongzhi's expression grew serious as well. He detected... hidden meaning in the other's words, seemingly laden with deep significance.

Fang Chongyong pointed to his own temple and said:

"Because since narrowly escaping death last time at Que Valley in Hedong, every night when I dream, an immortal has guided me, saying: 'From Qinghe a Sage shall arise; Baochen shall become the Son of Heaven.' The immortal told me to change my name to Fang Qing, so that I might serve the new Sage.

So I sent men to investigate whether anyone in the court or the army was called Baochen, but there was never any news. As for what 'Qinghe' meant, I could not figure it out either.

But the immortal can foresee the future and has repeatedly given guidance in dreams. Thus, though my forces are few, I have repeatedly turned misfortune into fortune.

Huangfu Weiming may command many troops, but how could he prevail against the will of Heaven?"

Zhang Zhongzhi listened, entranced. Fang Chongyong's words sounded plausible yet dubious, yet also carried considerable logic, clear and well-ordered.

But he realized that none of this seemed to have anything to do with him, so he asked subconsciously: "And then what?"

"It was not until last night, when the immortal once again gave guidance, saying: The one called Zhang Zhongzhi is Li Baochen; Qinghe is Bei Prefecture's Qinghe County.

Then it all dawned on me — so that was it! Governor Zhang, change your name to Li Baochen, and you shall be following the Dao of Heaven, destined to become the Son of Heaven.

No wonder I could never find who Baochen was — it was because the person was not within my reach, and the resonance was likewise limited.

The Sage came to Qinghe County today, and last night the immortal sent word in a dream.

Therefore, as long as the Sage changes his name from Zhang Zhongzhi to Li Baochen, he will be able to see the prophecy 'From Bei Prefecture a Sage shall arise; Baochen shall become the Son of Heaven' inscribed on the wordless stone tablet at Chongxing Temple in Qinghe County!"

Fang Chongyong said with absolute conviction.

"Is this true?"

Zhang Zhongzhi shot to his feet, his face full of shock!

Fang Chongyong feigned helplessness and replied, "There is indeed a wordless stone tablet in the temple, but right now it doesn't have a single character on it."

Such a miraculous thing was simply unheard of, yet it left one utterly convinced!

Zhang Zhongzhi thought that if Fang Chongyong wanted to deceive him, he could have simply said 'Zhongzhi shall be the Son of Heaven' — why bother fabricating the name Li Baochen!

He did not hesitate either, taking the military tally from his waist, slapping it onto the desk and asking, "What 'bao,' and what 'chen'?"

"The 'bao' of 'baobei' (treasure), the 'chen' of 'xianchen' (worthy minister)."

Fang Chongyong said.

Zhang Zhongzhi crossed out his own name, then carved the three characters "Li Baochen" on the back of the military tally.

Fang Chongyong looked at Zhang Zhongzhi not knowing whether to laugh or cry — oh, he should now be called Li Baochen. This great general of the Hebei rebel army was truly... how to put it, he was truly unable to contain himself.

Fang Chongyong somewhat understood why this fellow had been led in circles by Tian Chengsi in history.

He was truly a very "open and straightforward" person.

"Jiedushi Fang, where is the wordless stone tablet?"

Li Baochen was like an ant on a hot pan, his eyes fixed on Fang Chongyong, blazing with an uncontainable wild fire!

He would be the Son of Heaven in the future!

Are kings, nobles, generals, and ministers born to their stations!

So he too could become the Son of Heaven — this was the will of Heaven!

Li Baochen was so anxious it felt as though cats were scratching at his heart!

Fang Chongyong wasted no words, directly leading him to a certain wordless stone tablet in the temple's rear courtyard. Sure enough... not a single character on it.

"Where are the characters? Why are there no characters?"

Li Baochen asked urgently in return.

"Sage, according to the immortal's instructions in the dream, one step is still missing."

Fang Chongyong whispered a few instructions to He Changqi. Before long, the latter brought a wooden bowl filled with clear water. Fang Chongyong took a big mouthful and sprayed it onto the stone tablet, then casually tossed the wooden bowl to the ground.

A miraculous thing happened!

On the originally wordless stone tablet, before everyone's eyes, ten large characters appeared: "From Qinghe a Sage shall come, Baochen shall be the Son of Heaven."

The characters were as crimson red as fresh blood!

"From Qinghe a Sage shall come, Baochen shall be the Son of Heaven. It really is true, it is true..."

Li Baochen muttered to himself, as though dumbstruck.

His mind went completely blank, unable to believe any of this. Yet the facts were right before his eyes, and he could not disbelieve them.

Seeing that the moment was about right, Fang Chongyong shot He Changqi a glance. The latter quietly withdrew, while Fang Chongyong pulled Li Baochen into the meditation room.

"Sage, your humble servant also knows some things about the future. I shall now tell them all to you, Sage. Please, you must remember them."

Fang Chongyong suddenly said to Li Baochen with a solemn expression.

The latter was already thoroughly convinced by his words. Li Baochen hastily sat up straight, putting on an air of refinement, and said somewhat incongruously, "Jiedushi Fang... Minister Fang, please speak."

"Sage, there is no need for humility, nor should you think that because you currently have no resources whatsoever, becoming the Son of Heaven is utterly impossible.

You must know that the ways of the world are unpredictable. The realm is now in great turmoil, and anything is possible.

Within two or three years, things will change beyond recognition, to a degree that defies belief. A common soldier in the army today becoming a Jiedushi a few years later would not be the least bit surprising.

Huangfu Weiming will surely die at the hands of Shi Siming in the future. The Hebei army will not be able to control the realm either.

Within a few years, this realm will still belong to the court.

In the future, Hebei will also fracture and split apart, dividing into three Military Commissioners.

The immortal called this the Three Garrisons of Heshuo. That is how he told your humble servant.

You, Sage, are one of the Three Garrisons of Heshuo. Your path to seizing the realm begins from this."

Fang Chongyong guided him patiently and methodically.

Li Baochen took a deep breath and nodded slightly with a grave expression.

He now had a sense of where things stood. This account was well-reasoned and grounded — it did not sound like nonsense.

Such detailed matters could not simply be fabricated. Something made up would not have so many precise and specific details.

"Furthermore, in a few years the realm will fall into great chaos, chaos so extreme that people today would not recognize it. North and south alike, everywhere there will be military garrisons, each carving out its own domain.

But your humble servant believes that, with the ability to receive divine dream-messages, I can certainly help you, Sage, seize the realm.

Therefore, please, Sage, endure for now and deal with Huangfu Weiming with outward compliance.

The mandate of Heaven rests with you, not with him. You, Sage, must manage the balance well and not be harmed by him.

Once Huangfu Weiming dies at the hands of Shi Siming, that will be the time for you, Sage, to unfold your grand ambitions. Before then, you absolutely must not act too hastily.

In the future, your humble servant will write letters to you, Sage, conveying what the immortal in the dream said, so that you may guard against every contingency.

The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army under your humble servant's command will also become an iron army under you, Sage, in the future."

Fang Chongyong expressed his gratitude with a face full of sincerity.

"Good! Good! If I gain the realm, you shall be my foremost meritorious minister!

Wonderful, wonderful!

The mandate of Heaven — this is the mandate of Heaven!"

Li Baochen stood up excitedly, rubbing his hands together, his face flushed red with excitement.

At this moment he was already fully immersed in fantasy, convinced that he would surely become the Son of Heaven in the future. He was daydreaming and simply refused to wake up.

Li Baochen's heart surged with countless emotions.

The fortunes of life are unpredictable — who would dare believe that he was actually the chosen one of Heaven!

He was originally of Xi extraction, adopted by the Fanyang general Zhang Suogao, and had changed his surname as well.

Zhang Suogao was dead; he had thrown in his lot with An Lushan.

Before any real bond could form, An Lushan died too, and he had to quickly switch allegiances, throwing in his lot with Huangfu Weiming.

The helplessness and bitterness of it all—perhaps only he himself could truly understand.

Li Baichen could not help but sigh. The hardships of his first half of life—he would just treat them as a kind of tempering.

He put on a show of helping Fang Chongyong to his feet, affectionately patting him on the shoulder, his face nearly splitting open with a smile.

"Sire, this matter is known only to the two of us. You must never let it leak! If anyone learns that you are the true Son of Heaven, a hidden dragon in the deep, I fear they will stop at nothing to deal with you!"

Fang Chongyong said with a solemn expression.

Li Baichen gave a slight nod and made a very earnest promise: "I shall be discreet with my words and actions. With me here this time, I guarantee you can lead troops to break the siege."

"This humble subject's death would be no loss worth regretting—I only fear it would delay Your Sire's great undertaking. The Silver Lance Filial and Loyal can each match ten men; they will be your right-hand support in the future. I beg you, Sire, not to do what brings pain to your friends and joy to your enemies."

Fang Chongyong grabbed Li Baichen's sleeve and wept as he pleaded.

"Rest assured, dear subject, rest assured."

Li Baichen consoled him, his expression softening by a few degrees.

……

On the Yongji Canal, a lone skiff was heading north.

All around was pitch black, with only the ceaseless sound of flowing water.

Illuminated by the fishing lantern on the boat, Fang Chongyong sat calmly and composedly within, while He Changqi rowed behind him.

"Jiedushi, that Zhang Zhongzhi commands a mere twenty thousand troops, yet he actually believes he can become the Son of Heaven someday. To think such a fool exists in this world!

It is truly hard to believe!"

As he rowed, He Changqi could not resist making a jab at Zhang Zhongzhi.

"Wrong. He is now called Li Baichen."

Fang Chongyong corrected the error in He Changqi's words.

"Does that make a difference?"

He Changqi was taken aback, unable to follow Fang Chongyong's train of thought.

He could never understand—some people were living perfectly well, so why change their names!

Could changing your name change your fate?

"If he continued to be called Zhang Zhongzhi, then the sowing-dissension ploy I set up this time would have failed.

But if he changed his name to Li Baichen, it means he took to heart everything said tonight.

Moreover, he has already believed it.

In this way, when Li Baichen marches and fights, he will rather believe it to be true than dismiss it as false.

He will not go all out to encircle and annihilate us. That is enough.

Besides, even if nothing comes of it, we lose nothing anyway—we were idle to begin with."

Fang Chongyong said with a smile.

"Jiedushi, is it enough to just play tricks like that?"

He Changqi asked in disbelief.

If it really worked, what Fang Chongyong had just done was truly a few words worth more than tens of thousands of soldiers!

"Many times, when people discover they have been deceived, they still refuse to wake from their beautiful fantasy and will keep believing the lie is true.

Because if the dream ends, they lose their reason to live."

Fang Chongyong murmured to himself, as if speaking to He Changqi, yet also as if speaking to himself.

As if mocking Li Baichen, yet also as if mocking certain people.

Old Tiger He clearly could not understand such words, so he could only sigh, shake his head, and say: "To think so many people are incurably stupid. Sigh, shouldn't say it, shouldn't say it—anyway, I've never met that kind of fool, except for that Li Baichen just now."

Are such people really so few?

Fang Chongyong could not help but laugh loudly, yet as he laughed, he felt like crying.

Wang Zhongsi, living in the High Tang and refusing to wake; Brother Ji, living in supreme self-importance and refusing to wake; Fang Youde, living in the revival of the High Tang and refusing to wake.

Which one of them was not a clever man?

Even clever men need fantasies to numb themselves.

Only the clear-sighted live in pain, and often must avert their gaze, refusing to look upon the ugly spectacle of those "dreamers."

Seeing Fang Chongyong fall silent, He Changqi asked again, somewhat embarrassed: "Jiedushi, do you think that Li Baichen might actually become the Son of Heaven in the future?"

"If changing your name to Li Baichen were enough to become the Son of Heaven, then your nickname Old Tiger He should turn you into a tiger!"

Fang Chongyong shot He Changqi a glance and said, exasperated. (End of this volume)

Next volume: I laugh toward heaven with sword in hand; to stay or go, two Kunluns of liver and gall.