Chapter 52: My Father Fang Youde

In the Tang dynasty, matters related to weaving were administratively under the Minister of the Imperial Household, who oversaw several weaving and dyeing workshops directly attached to the royal household, and they were of considerable scale.

Not only were there textile workshops inside Chang'an, but similar establishments also existed in Luoyang, Yangzhou, Chengdu and other places, each year supplying the court with large quantities of high‑quality silk brocade as tribute.

Normally, the task of reproducing the new style of Sogdian brocade should be entirely handled by the Minister of the Imperial Household.

Yet this time the minister did not take on the assignment.

First, reproducing Sogdian brocade carries high risk; since the suggestion did not come from the minister himself, he could not devote full effort, so it was better to decline, otherwise even if completed it would be thankless.

If it succeeds, the credit goes to Zheng Shuqing; if it fails, this minister is the one holding it back.

On the other hand, the current minister Zheng Yan is actually… a member of Zheng Shuqing's own family, from the Xingyang Zheng clan.

Simply put, he is Zheng Shuqing's relative.

Therefore, even if the minister makes no public commitment, behind the scenes he continuously provides Zheng Shuqing with effective support, supplying manpower, material resources and administrative conveniences for Zheng's Sogdian brocade reproduction.

Zheng Yan is the son‑in‑law of former chancellor Zhang Shuo; his grandfather's generation were Sogdians, likely from the Zhao Wu Nine Surnames, who merged with the Xingyang Zheng clan to avoid disaster (effectively a marriage‑into‑the‑family name change).

Thus, by blood he is only a distant cousin of Zheng Shuqing, but culturally they are a tightly knit family.

Tang culture's inclusive synthesis, the notion that "all under heaven are one family under me," also manifested in the aristocracy's absorption of outstanding talent.

Even more oddly, Zhang Shuo was the mentor of Zhang Jiuling and once a towering figure among jinshi officials; Zheng Yan, a "administrative‑school" official of Western Regions descent, while Zheng Shuqing now belongs to Li Linfu's circle yet has not become a core partisan.

This "you contain me, I contain you" situation makes the bureaucratic network extraordinarily tangled.

One must admit that politics is certainly not the black‑and‑white, kill‑or‑be‑killed affair outsiders imagine.

In a sense, it is merely a matter of human relations and worldly affairs.

After hearing these rumors, Fang Chongyong seemed to grasp why Old Zheng could act with impunity, and why, as a complete layman, he dared to take on weaving work.

It is not because Old Zheng is foolish, but because he holds a hidden trump that Fang Chongyong did not see. Information asymmetry leads the two sides to opposite judgments on the same matter.

Old Zheng also has a good hand; though he lacks a bomb, he clutches a stack of straight‑three‑with‑a‑kicker combos, only that he often lacks the decisive breaking card, making his responses appear somewhat awkward.

This Sogdian brocade reproduction was designed, woven and dyed by the Silk Brocade Workshop of the Imperial Household Office in the Chang'an palace, the only official workshop directly under the court within Chang'an.

The workshop employs 365 weavers, symbolizing "weaving without cease each day".

On the way to the Imperial Household Office, Zheng Shuqing told Fang Chongyong that the workshop, located inside the palace, was abolished in the early Kaiyuan era by Li Longji because the saint claimed he wanted to lead by frugality and endure hardship.

Though Li Longji now pursues pleasure, he once truly worked hard to govern.

However, the good times were short; a few years later reality slapped Li Longji, as the silk offerings from the provinces could not meet his increasingly extravagant spending and bestowals.

Thus, to save face, Li Longji quietly reinstated the workshop but dared not expand it freely; instead, east of Chang'an, in the downstream regions of many rivers (relative to Chang'an), he established a series of official textile workshops in the name of the Outer Court, employing thousands of weavers.

In name the workshops belong to the Outer Court, but their output goes to the palace. This separation of ownership and output, a management classic Fang Chongyong once boasted of in a past life, was employed by Li Longji with astonishing skill.

"Is it really proper for Deputy Minister Zheng to criticize the saint behind his back?"

Fang Chongyong looked at Zheng Shuqing with a baffled expression and asked, as the two reached the gate of the Imperial Household Office.

"You ride in and badmouth Li Longji; could you not say that in front of me? Do you think I don't know he's a hypocritical, greedy, and arrogant old coin?"

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but sigh.

"I'm only worried you'll forget, so here's an additional fine of one hundred thousand strings. For our saint, merely doing a good job is pointless; you must surpass his expectations, so apply yourself more."

Zheng Shuqing patted Fang Chongyong's shoulder and said.

"When it succeeds, I'll give you a pair of twin female slaves, only nine years old, the same age as you, truly delicate and budding, tch!"

"Do you know how hard it is to find such twins? I also wanted to find triplets or quadruplets for you, but those either look ugly or are the wrong age…"

Zheng Shuqing lowered his head, leaned close to Fang Chongyong's ear and whispered.

"Let's go, I've fully felt Deputy Minister Zheng's sincerity."

Fang Chongyong felt as if Zheng Shuqing had PUA'd him, yet he couldn't quite tell if that feeling was correct.

The two entered the workshop's storage and saw, on the newly built bamboo racks, roll after roll of already woven imitation Sogdian brocade.

In azure, scarlet, orange‑yellow, teal and so on, every color, style and pattern was present.

Fang Chongyong took down a piece of brocade to examine and feel; the weave was not only gentle and smooth to the touch but also possessed a heft that ordinary silk lacked.

The pattern, while retaining the rugged grandeur of Sogdian brocade, uses rounded motifs to mask the coarse, fierce character of the original designs.

In short, this fabric almost fuses all the virtues of ordinary Shu brocade and Sogdian brocade, creating a new kind of woven silk.

Zheng Shuqing came to Fang Chongyong for a plan, not because he was dissatisfied with the imitation Sogdian brocade, but because he was overly satisfied yet anxious, fearing it would not catch Li Longji's eye and be wasted.

It's like someone who prefers the casualness of street‑side breakfast but dislikes the formality of a grand restaurant's dishes.

Zheng Shuqing simply cannot gauge Li Longji's preferences.

"The envoy from Japan who learned of the imitation Sogdian brocade knelt before the gate of the Imperial Household Office to pray, then went to petition the saint; I then cut a piece and presented it to that person."

Supposedly, that envoy intended to take it back as a banner for their chieftain.

Zheng Shuqing said with a hint of pride.

"This?"

"Then no wonder."

It seemed his vanity was greatly satisfied, and Zheng Shuqing continued proudly:

"Our great Tang can dominate the Western Regions, not solely by military might.

If only force reigns without wealth, it is hard to win hearts through virtue.

Tibet's repeated losses against our Tang are not because they cannot fight, but because we have silk and they do not.

The Western Regions states along the Silk Road do not wish Tibet to become strong, because Tibet cannot provide them the silk they need."

Zheng Shuqing slapped a piece of brocade with his palm as if it were a divine weapon in his hand.

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and said, "No more bragging about these things; speak plainly."

"I've seen these imitation Sogdian brocades; why not give them a pleasant name—let's call them Tang Brocade."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Shuqing suddenly realized, "Brilliant! Tang Brocade, Tang Brocade, the brocade of our great Tang; the saint will surely be overjoyed."

"Look at your ambition! The saint is on your lips all day!"

Fang Chongyong sighed and continued, "The sage is well‑versed; you think changing a name will get you past him? It will probably require something else to go with it."

Sure enough, Zheng Shuqing sagged again, lamenting, "Indeed, a pretty name alone is useless; in the end you still have to tick the sage's itch."

Even if Dong Shi renamed herself Xi Shi, people would still be frightened when they saw her; the little trick of changing a name might work as a supplemental measure, but using it as a lifeline is rather childish.

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly; he thought that Old Zheng, though a loyal lackey of Li Longji, had a thought pattern highly synchronized with Li Longji's.

But perhaps this man doesn't hold Li Longji in high regard in his heart?

Isn't there a saying: the closer one is to a deity, the less one believes in the deity?

Zheng Shuqing might be exactly that case.

The more one's thought pattern aligns with Li Longji's, the more one sees that this Great Tang sage is not some wise and mighty ruler.

Fang Chongyong pulled Zheng Shuqing aside, lowered his voice and asked, "I'm heading to the Pear Garden now; do you want to come?"

"What are you going to the Pear Garden for?"

Zheng Shuqing was startled and couldn't help but retort.

"You'll find out once you go."

Fang Chongyong said proudly, too lazy to explain the reason to Old Zheng.

The Pear Garden, in a sense, is actually stricter than the guards of the Palace City.

Because Li Longji now basically doesn't work in the Palace City, nor lives there, yet he often frolics in the Pear Garden!

Leading troops to assault the Pear Garden and kill the ruler is countless times more successful and efficient than attacking Chang'an's Palace City.

Therefore, after Li Longji stabilized the situation in the early Kaiyuan era, the palace prohibitions of Chang'an's Palace City were not as strict as imagined. Only certain critical sections had posts, making entry difficult.

Central officials who simply "clock in" at the palace gate, record their entry reason, can come and go smoothly without alerting the gate guards or senior military officers, and no special approval is needed.

That's how Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing entered.

"Of course I'm going to handle your messed‑up business, what else would I do? Just tell me whether you're going or not."

Fang Chongyong said impatiently. Old Zheng is a man who seeks stability, hesitates at crucial moments, and when trouble arises he likes to throw in the towel.

"Can't I go?"

Zheng Shuqing complained, and the two left the Palace City through the northern Guanghua Gate, heading to the Pear Garden in the northwest corner of Chang'an.

The Pear Garden is one of the Forbidden Garden scenic parks of Tang Chang'an, located in the northern Forbidden Garden north of Guanghua Gate.

The park contains the Pear Garden Pavilion and a ball field, where Tang emperors would stroll, hold tug‑of‑war and cuju games, a playground for imperial princes and a venue for the emperor to entertain his ministers.

However, upon reaching the guard post of the Pear Garden, they realized this didn't seem to be the Pear Garden Fang Chongyong was looking for!

"Um, are you looking for the musicians inside the Pear Garden?"

The two Dragon Martial Army guards stared at Zheng Shuqing, Fang Chongyong and their party as if they were looking at fools.

"Yes, that's right; we're looking for the Pear Garden disciple Wei Qing. May I ask if he's currently in the Pear Garden?"

Fang Chongyong asked politely, harboring a bad premonition.

"Hahahahahahahahaha!"

The two Dragon Martial Army guards laughed heartily, seemingly not at all bothered that Zheng Shuqing is a Vice Minister of Revenue.

"Please turn back, the Pear Garden disciples are all in Daming Palace; since the Kaiyuan era, the sage has been in the Pear Garden inside Daming Palace, near the Huichang Hall of Daming Palace."

"Of course, esteemed guests wishing to enter the Forbidden Garden is no big issue; it's just that a banquet is being held in two days, so now it's not very convenient."

The Dragon Martial Army guard spoke kindly and amiably, showing no airs.

It felt like a slap in the face!

Fang Chongyong pulled Zheng Shuqing aside and asked, "Is that really the case?"

"And if not? Earlier I found it odd—why did you run to the royal Forbidden Garden in the northwest?"

Usually only staff stay here before large banquets, handling the setup and arrangement.

Since you're looking for Wei Qing, it's just a couple of steps away; the Office of the Lesser Treasury is near Huichang Hall."

Zheng Shuqing wore a puzzled expression, looking at Fang Chongyong, awaiting his reply.

"Everyone has moments of stupidity; I'll treat you next time to make amends. For now, let's head to Daming Palace first, sigh!"

They made a huge blunder and took a long, unnecessary detour; Fang Chongyong couldn't figure out what he was actually fussing over.

Two twin maids—one for Ah Duan in the future, one for Fang Laique—should be enough.

Thinking of that, Fang Chongyong felt a sense of balance inside.

The invincible twin sister combo? He wasn't interested at all!

It's about breaking up a pair of kings and beating them.

……

"Restricted palace grounds—no entry for idle persons!"

Another Dragon Martial Army guard, whose demeanor was worlds apart, seemed to look down from the heavens, as if a different breed from the guards outside the Forbidden Garden.

Then again, it's natural—guards watching the Pear Garden inside Daming Palace couldn't come from ordinary families.

Being haughty is normal; being overly courteous to others is the odd part!

Although all part of the Dragon Martial Army, internal ranks likely differ due to family background, divided into three, six, nine classes. Different people receive different duties, assignments vary by closeness, just a commonplace matter.

"I have urgent business with Wei Qing."

Zheng Shuqing assumed an official air, giving a forced grin as he glared at the two in front of him.

"Even with business, it's not allowed. Without a sage's decree, no one besides the Pear Garden disciples may enter."

Zheng Shuqing pretended to be high‑and‑mighty, but the two wouldn't budge, leaving Fang Chongyong greatly astonished.

Supposedly, it shouldn't be that extreme.

Zheng Shuqing, angry, stepped aside, grabbed Fang Chongyong's sleeve and whispered, "Something's off; let's go back first."

"Wait, watch me."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand, walked up and looked at the two Dragon Martial Army soldiers, calmly saying, "My father is Fang Youde!"

Huh?

The two were first stunned, feeling bewildered, then sensed something was off but couldn't quite put it into words.

My father is Fang Youde, I am the sole son of the family.

Fang Chongyong emphasized again.

The two seemed to recall something, their faces showing fear. One of them moved close to Fang Chongyong and whispered in his ear: "The Holy One is really busy now, cannot be disturbed."

I'll call Wei Qing out for you; don't make a fuss, otherwise we'll lose our heads. The Holy One issued a death order forbidding outsiders from disturbing him.

Busy?

What could one be busy doing in the Pear Garden?

Li Longji has long opened an art school here; after decades he's still not bored, needing to hide like this?

Fang Chongyong couldn't figure it out, while Zheng Shuqing suddenly understood and pulled him away.

Later, Zheng Shuqing even started running.

Vice Minister Zheng, what on earth are you doing!

Having gone a few hundred meters from the Daming Palace Pear Garden, Fang Chongyong panted and asked.

The Holy One is playing in the Pear Garden with the Consort of the Prince of Shou—uh, formerly the Prince of Shou's consort, later a noble consort and even empress!

Zheng Shuqing showed fear, whispering in Fang Chongyong's ear.

Yang Yuhuan?

Fang Chongyong suddenly realized.

You know all about this mess, yet you pretend to be clueless!

Zheng Shuqing angrily rebuked.

Just then, the two saw Wei Qing rushing over in a small trot, his brocade robe all disheveled.

You two, is there something that can't wait until tomorrow, that you must seek me out at this critical juncture?

Wei Qing was drenched in sweat, his face alternating red and pale.

Now the Holy One is together with his new beloved, the Consort of the Prince of Shou, in the Pear Garden performing a dance akin to intimate grappling, while having the musicians play music.

Zheng Shuqing and Fang Chongyong, you two blind fools, do you want to drag everyone to death because you think your lives are too long?

We indeed have important matters to discuss with you; let's first go to the Silk Brocade Workshop.

Zheng Shuqing solemnly told Wei Qing, it would be better to leave this place of right and wrong early.