Chapter 557: I Used to Be a Good Person

Night had deepened, Fang Chongyong was in He Lan Jinming's government office study, leafing through various letters and documents, while Da Zhenhui was sorting the mountain‑piled papers in the study.

He Lan Jinming, being a cultured man, was different; books and papers were absurdly abundant.

Yet Da Zhenhui, that little woman, worked quite deftly, misfiling nothing, saving Fang Chongyong a lot of time.

"When you were in the Bohai Kingdom, you liked reading a lot, didn't you?"

Fang Chongyong, while checking the past accounts of Qingzhou, asked casually.

"Yes, indeed, I especially love reading. I get so absorbed I stay up all night!"

Upon hearing that, Da Zhenhui's tone trembled with uncontainable excitement.

"Reading makes one wise; it's good to love reading."

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but sigh with an old‑fashioned, pompous sentiment.

If a person could just read and do nothing else, how wonderful that would be.

Especially in such chaotic times, those in power often act by killing—directly or indirectly.

Fang Chongyong didn't want to kill; he just wanted to lie low.

"Ah Lang, if in the future you lead troops to Xian De Prefecture (the Bohai Kingdom's capital), would you kill my great‑uncle's entire family?"

Da Zhenhui whispered, clearly knowing everything. Her father Da Qinmao, if he seized power, would certainly not spare the Da Menyi family.

It wasn't for other reasons; political infighting cannot be driven by sentiment.

And the safest people in the world are the dead.

Da Qinmao's own offspring were already hard to handle; even if he later seized the Bohai Kingdom's throne, the succession issue would inevitably become a fierce struggle, especially if Da Menyi's descendants were added to the mix.

Heh, Da Qinmao would probably never sleep soundly.

Da Zhenhui evidently foresaw this.

"I would never do such a thing. If anyone acts, it would be your father who acts.

Even if it's…"

At that point, Fang Chongyong sighed, not wanting to continue.

He had helped Ji Ge loot a family; Li Heng's family was the one he plundered. His hands could not be cleaner than Da Qinmao's.

Yet back then, there were things Fang Chongyong didn't finish off completely.

Li Heng's principal consort Wei Shi had formally adopted a boy and a girl, whose birth mother was the late Wu Shi.

The boy was Li Yun, the former Tang Emperor in a previous timeline.

The girl was Li Yun's own younger sister.

The girl, then eleven, was quietly handed over by Fang Chongyong to Wei's people. Ji Ge later learned of this and said nothing, even hinting a faint satisfaction.

So Fang Chongyong realized he had guessed Ji Ge's mind; leaving that opening was the right move.

Ji Ge himself was cruel and ruthless, acting without scruples, but he did not wish

that his subordinates would also be cruel and boundless like him.

This is a contradictory yet very real mindset.

Giving the girl to her natal family to raise, even though she was an adopted child, could be seen as a permissible tenderness.

After all, women cannot inherit the throne; their political appeal is always far weaker, so there's no need to finish the matter off.

Nevertheless, she was still Ji Ge's bloodline, a lady of the Li Tang royal clan. Even a minister who acts as an executioner should have some reservations, right?

Ji Ge wanted the executioner to be obedient, and also felt the executioner should revere imperial authority.

It could be said that a scumbag can't stand seeing others be scumbags; double standards to the extreme.

Truly foolish humans!

Thinking of this, Fang Chongyong couldn't help but give a self‑deprecating laugh.

He almost forgot that he once was a good person, had done good deeds, and accumulated hidden virtue.

"Ah Lang, in the future could you refrain from killing my great‑uncle's family? They've been quite kind to me."

Da Qinmao has been in the Tang for many years; most of his children are under house arrest; Da Zhenhui is raised in the palace; actually, he is closer to the Da Menyi family.

Da Qinmao spent years in the Great Tang; most of his sons were under house arrest. Da Zhenhui was raised in the royal palace, actually closer to the Da Menyi family.

"We'll discuss it later; it's too early to talk about this now."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand lightly, offering no promise.

Da Zhenhui's face showed obvious disappointment, but only

lightly uttered a soft "oh".

Perhaps she also realized that, although Fang Chongyong seemed to wield great power and was doing well, he too often

was not truly in control of himself.

As the atmosphere in the office study fell into an awkward silence, the study door was knocked.

"Jiedushi, a guest has arrived for a visit, saying there's an important matter to discuss."

He Changqi's voice was suppressed, mysterious, a bit

Soon, the study door was pushed open; He Qichang brought in a woman wearing an ear-flap cap and a male-style black official's robe. Judging by her face, she was quite young and also very familiar.

As for why Fang Chongyong could tell at a glance that she was a woman, it was because her figure was truly excellent. The waist bound by the belt was slim enough to be encircled by one hand, and the body's curves were very graceful, especially exuding a youthful aura.

Fang Chongyong didn't think further, shouting toward the doorway.

Quickly, the study door was pushed open, He Qichang led in a woman

wearing an ear‑flap cap and a male‑style official robe. From her face she looked very young and oddly familiar.

As for why Fang Chongyong could instantly tell she was a woman, it was because

her figure was truly fine. The belt cinched a waist that could be grasped, her curves were graceful, exuding youthful aura.

Even ignoring her face, one could instantly discern her gender.

【61】 Fang Chongyong gestured to Da Zhenhui to leave, but did not let He

【62】 Changqi go with her.

【63】 "Greetings, benefactor

【64】 Sir."

【65】 The woman saluted Fang Chongyong with a crossed‑hand bow. She then removed her helmet, letting her shoulder‑length hair fall naturally

【66】 to conceal her identity, she had not dyed

【67】 her lips or face.

【68】 Fang Chongyong instantly recognized who this person was!

【69】 She was Li Heng's legitimate daughter, the little girl he had once shown mercy to!

"Li Yi? How did you come to Qingzhou?"

After Fang Chongyong recognized the person, he immediately told He Changqi to leave the study.

"Someone sent me here to act as a spokesperson."

Li Yi let out a light sigh and sat opposite Fang Chongyong.

A trace of sorrow flashed in her eyes; she shook her head and said, "Back then, thanks to the benefactor's rescue, but the meager resources of Bo Liu cannot be repaid; I can only apologize to the Jiedushi."

Fang Chongyong gave a slight nod without interjecting.

In fact, with Li Yi's status, even if she willingly offered herself to Fang Chongyong's whims, it would still be harmful. A woman whose identity is sensitive, reduced to seeking embrace, harms her benefactor and is indeed extremely tragic.

Li Yi is a sensible person; even if she internally longs for embrace, she could not, for her own desire, drag Fang Chongyong into the political vortex.

"You came because of your uncle, right?"

Huangfu Weiming was defeated and died at Tongguan, and Li Wan is now under Li Baochen's control.

You should also be quite clear about what kind of person that is.

Did your uncle send you to seek help, or is it a beauty scheme?

After Fang Chongyong asked, he let out a light sigh; the two held different positions, and he didn't know what to say.

Huangfu Weiming, Wei Jian and others, together with Li Wan as a public figure, formed the "Guanzhong faction" of the Hebei rebel army, whose base is in Chang'an.

With Huangfu Weiming's death, that faction could no longer hold the field.

Whether it is Shi Siming, Li Baochen, or even the great households of many southern Hebei prefectures, none could continue to support Li Wan after Huangfu Weiming's absence.

And as Li Wan's niece, Li Yi's fate needs no further elaboration.

"Exactly, that's why I came as a spokesperson, asking Jiedushi Fang to lead troops into Luoyang."

Li Yi, with a sorrowful expression, said that it was all truthful, with no intention of deceit.

The little girl whose eyes were swollen from crying back then has now shed her pretenses, becoming poised and very calm.

"In your uncle's view, Li Baochen is untrustworthy, but this Jiedushi can be trusted, right?"

Fang Chongyong sneered, already understanding what Wei Jian's group was scheming.

It is merely the classic strategy of linking and aligning.

The Guanzhong faction no longer holds the advantage, and Bianzhou is close to Luoyang.

Bringing the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army of Bianzhou into the game could add some bargaining chips.

Li Baochen wants to control Li Wan, but the Guanzhong faction refuses to hand over Li Wan's banner.

Conflict among them is normal; not fighting would be abnormal.

What merit or ability does Li Baochen have? Too many people defy him.

Wei Jian clearly hopes to make Li Yi the liaison, borrowing Fang Chongyong's favorable wind.

Ideally, she could have more intimate contact with Fang Chongyong in bed.

Given Li Yi's sensitive status, once she becomes Fang Chongyong's concubine, it would be tantamount to pulling this heavyweight Jiedushi into the scheme.

It is also a stone‑throwing‑to‑probe‑the‑road plan; succeeding is good, and even if it fails, it at least disrupts Li Baochen's scheme.

However, Li Yi is clearly a woman who values loyalty, differing from Wei Jian's thoughts.

She would not harm Fang Chongyong, nor would she proactively seduce, even though she is a woman of striking beauty.

But if Fang Chongyong were to pounce on her like a starving wolf, she would not resist.

"Your life has been too bitter. Unfortunately, life often leaves one powerless; my help is limited.

The Yong Wang remains outside the city refusing to enter; why he is also here, I think you understand."

Fang Chongyong also does not wish to engage in any pretentious games; deceiving such a weak woman is meaningless.

He has always regarded Li Yi as a junior.

"If one says that the Great Tang is now full of beasts, the benefactor is among the few normal people, right?"

Li Yi gave a wry smile, evidently indicating that for people like Wei Jian, Li Lin's whereabouts are no secret.

"Stay here with me; I suppose if you return to Luoyang, the outcome won't be good.

Is it that Li Baochen wants to marry you and then control the situation in Luoyang? I guess that's the case, right?"

Fang Chongyong said thoughtfully.

If he were in Li Baochen's position, he would certainly have to quickly divorce his wife, take Li Wan's niece as a bride, and thereby fully seize Luoyang, merging with the Guanzhong forces.

Wei Jian sent Li Yi here to have her sleep with a man, because Wei Jian could not consort with Grand Marshal Baochen. Before Fang Chongyong dispatches troops to Luoyang, Li Yi's sole task is to be a bed companion; there is no reason for her to leave empty‑handed.

This is a clever move, a self‑rescue strategy of the Guanzhong faction within the Hebei rebels after losing Huangfu Weiming's military support.

Once Fang Chongyong takes Li Yi into his quarters, Wei Jian will then step forward, and various political promises will be laid on the table.

"Jiedushi, you are a person who lives too transparently.

My uncle, in your presence, cannot hide any thought.

Everything is as you said; Li Baochen is now impatiently preparing a grand banquet to marry me.

My escape from Luoyang has already been very difficult."

Li Yi shook her head, a bit despondent, and said.

The man before her is, to her, both an enemy and a benefactor, and also the haven she constantly longs for.

He is the executioner who slaughtered her family, yet at that time, who could defy the emperor's order? Is that his fault?

Good things in the world are often hard‑won; fine things are hard to grasp, and traps can appear at one's feet at any moment.

Having experienced much, Li Yi is no longer the carefree little girl of yesteryear; she actually understands everything.

Li Yi stood, walked to Fang Chongyong's side, sat down, and performed a profound bow.

Fang Chongyong hurriedly helped her to her feet.

Li Yi lifted her head, her gaze sincere, and said, "I have always wanted to repay your life‑saving kindness, but I will not bring you shame or embarrassment. If in the future I am assigned a task, even if it means being shattered to pieces, I will not hesitate."

She grasped Fang Chongyong's tiger‑paw hands, which were covered in old calluses, and spoke gravely. Though they made physical contact, there was not a hint of desire or possession.

"I would rather see you in the future be a good wife and mother, living a peaceful life."

"Do not become an object to be toyed with by others."

"Your life should not be like it is now."

Fang Chongyong withdrew his hand, gave Li Yi's shoulder a pat, shook his head with a wry smile and said.

A woman with an independent personality should not be treated as an object, sent to be a playmate on some noble's bed.

Of course, if she consents, then she brings it upon herself.

Fang Chongyong summoned He Changqi and instructed, "Find trustworthy brothers, send her back to Bian Prefecture, and arrange a new placement."

He Laohu glanced at the male attire, which still could not hide its beauty, his eyes full of reluctant Li Yi, and remained silent for a long moment.

"Can't find anyone?"

Fang Chongyong retorted with slight displeasure.

He Changqi then clasped his fists in salute and said, "I will faithfully obey the Jiedushi's command."

Li Yi cast a slightly resentful glance at Fang Chongyong, bowed, and her heart darkened.

Those who rush to possess you never take you seriously; they are just a pit of fire.

The ones who truly cherish you are like the moon in the sky—no matter how you tiptoe, you cannot reach it.

Good things never fall directly before your eyes; good deeds always come after many trials.

"Jiedushi, I take my leave."

Li Yi suppressed the bitterness in her heart and, reluctantly, turned and left.

Shortly after, He Changqi went out and returned; the moment he saw Fang Chongyong and met his gaze, he immediately felt defeated.

He swallowed the words building up in his throat, then muttered, "Jiedushi, I have already sent trustworthy brothers to take her away from Qing Prefecture."

"Hmm, I knew you handled matters reliably."

Fang Chongyong's expression remained calm as he gave a slight nod and said.

Although He Changqi was not very sharp when devising plans, his execution was strong; whatever he was asked to do, he completed without fail.

"Jiedushi, that Lady Li… you really didn't see it?"

He Changqi thought Li Yi had even taken the initiative to undress in front of Fang Chongyong.

Even this simpleton saw it; how could Fang Chongyong be so clueless?

"You want me to lock her away in a golden house, not even let her enter my household?"

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but tease.

"That's not the case…"

He Changqi scratched his head, actually thinking it was just for play and there was no need to consider the future.

Women, after all, are just like that, aren't they?

"She is Li Heng's daughter, his legitimate daughter. Although she was posthumously adopted by the Wei clan, Wei Jian is still her maternal uncle, and Li Wan is her paternal uncle."

She has close ties with many members of the Hebei rebel army.

"You would take this woman into your household without considering the consequences?"

Hearing Fang Chongyong say that, He Changqi was instantly at a loss for words.

Fang Chongyong aims to achieve great deeds; although he only supports Li Lin's ascension rather than proclaiming himself emperor, he is undoubtedly a leader, and his every word and action represents the prevailing direction and attitude.

Taking Li Heng's daughter as a concubine while flirting with certain members of the Hebei rebel army is, to some extent, like keeping two boats afloat.

A leader of a faction is always like this; how can you expect the people below to see or think about it?

"Jiedushi, you are indeed thinking deeply and far. This woman is too troublesome; she must not be touched."

He Changqi hurriedly flattered stiffly, and Fang Chongyong raised his thumb.

"Yes, she is a pitiful person. It's just that I have no right to sympathize with her."

Fang Chongyong said with some emotion.

If Li Yi were merely from a common family and came tonight to throw herself into his arms, Fang Chongyong would surely have gladly accepted. She's just a woman; in chaotic times, leaning on a man and taking what each needs is perfectly fair.

What a pity.

"Jiedushi, could it be that fool Li Baocen intends to take Li Yi as his bride to gain support, yet many refuse to accept him, so Li Yi was sent here to carry out a beauty scheme?"

He Changqi seemed to recall something and showed a look of sudden realization.

"You guessed right; our Baocen commander has his scheming written all over his face, valuing straightforwardness without twists."

Fang Chongyong said with a face of contemptuous mockery.

Such crudely extreme scheming was even seen through by He Laohu! Li Baocen's abacus beads even crashed onto Wei Jian's face, truly treating those in the gate as fools!

How should one evaluate Li Baocen?

For a moment, Fang Chongyong could not find a suitable word to describe him, suddenly feeling that among the strong and mighty, those with brains are indeed few.