Chapter 559: A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with the First Step (End of Volume)

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Outside Kaifeng County's ferry dock, dozens of black‑robed censor officials are beating drums and gongs to clear the area.

"Make those idle bystanders leave!"

"Quick, quick, quick, you few go over to the ferry dock and clear the area; the Prince of Pingxi's fleet is about to arrive!"

Zheng Shuqing, hands on his hips, instructed the group of censor officials beside him.

They did not hesitate, brandishing water‑fire staffs, and rushed onto the pier, berating the crowd that lingered there.

In an instant, as if a chicken coop were stabbed, the laborers waiting on the pier for business scattered like startled birds, each running faster than a rabbit.

Bianzhou Inspector Yuan Jie saw the scene and sighed helplessly, "Zheng's methods are a bit too rough."

Zheng Shuqing, that dog, usually would rather spend all day lying in the courtyard soaking up the sun, impossible to urge him. Upon hearing that Fang Chongyong was bringing the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army back to Bianzhou, he instantly began hopping around, becoming active.

What a seasoned bureaucratic slick!

"These laborers are like filial sons at home; they need a stick or two to be effective.

Lord Yuan still lacks enough experience,"

Zheng Shuqing, leaning on his age to complain, said a snide remark, looking smug, clearly unashamed.

Is this how you use a stick to produce a filial son?

Yuan Jie was startled, then gave a wry smile.

Today is the day Fang Chongyong returns to Bianzhou; those laborers lingering on the pier, even if beaten to death, would have died in vain.

The profession of laborer has a long history, yet its flourishing and organization are closely tied to the prosperity of canal commerce.

When merchants dock, whether unloading or loading cargo, they cannot do it themselves, nor is it usually the ship's boatmen who handle it.

Thus professional unloaders and movers are needed; over time, similar "merchant houses" appear, shops opened inside Kaifeng County, handling orders and accounting.

Laborers, however, squat at the ferry dock, asking passersby whether they need loading or unloading.

So as shipping grows, the demand for laborers increases.

These people come from all walks of life, mostly outsiders, and almost none own fixed land in Bianzhou.

Laborers have very low social status; by Tang‑era standards, anyone with any prospect would avoid this line of work.

"Hm?"

In a fleeting glance, Zheng Shuqing seemed to spot a familiar figure among the laborers, flashing by. When he looked again, the person had already gone, leaving only a vague silhouette.

Just then, He Changqi walked toward him. Zheng Shuqing, instead of pondering who the person was, smiled and stepped forward, saluting He Changqi and asking:

"General He, how are today's arrangements?"

By seniority, He Changqi wouldn't even be fit to fetch shoes for Zheng Shuqing.

But now old Zheng is pulling his own prestige low, currying favor with He Changqi.

Yuan Jie saw the scene, understood in his heart, and finally grasped why Zheng Shuqing is called the "political roly‑poly", still leaping about to this day.

This fellow lacks skill in proper affairs, but his talent for reading people is first‑rate, and when seeking favors he can lower his face.

Such a person may not sustain high office and wealth long term, but surviving modestly is easy for them.

Yuan Jie couldn't help sighing for himself; his excessive sincerity makes him unpopular, hard to rise. At most he'll reach the rank of inspector, no higher.

Unless he encounters a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity.

"Inspector Zheng in Bianzhou, not having to endure wind‑blown meals or sleeping outdoors, why are you still so thin?"

General He looked at Zheng Shuqing, so skinny that a gust could topple him, and tried to find something to say.

"I am worried that Jiedushi Fang is fighting on the front lines, thus I have lost appetite for tea and meals."

Zheng Shuqing sighed theatrically.

He truly worries that Fang Chongyong might lose a battle, but not for Fang himself; he fears the enemy reaching Bianzhou and taking the lives of Zheng's entire family!

The Zheng clan of Yingyang has long been heavily settled in Henan, and many also live in Bianzhou. If the Hebei rebels march south and capture Bianzhou, the Zheng family likely won't reap any good fruits.

At the very least, being plundered for a large sum of floating wealth is unavoidable.

Because of this, Zheng Shuqing worries daily, constantly sending people to scout the front‑line situation, inquiring whether the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army is surrounded.

Fang Chongyong's father, Fang Youde, doesn't pay as much attention to the Hebei war situation as Zheng Shuqing does!

"Inspector Zheng truly underestimates us; with the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army here, there is no room for that Hebei rabble to run wild. Jiedushi Fang even managed to bewilder the fool Li Baochen into a daze."

He Changqi, seemingly indifferent, said, though in truth he was very worried during the march against Hebei.

But that doesn't stop He Laohu from now bragging to the people in Bianzhou.

"Speaking of Li Baochen, he is truly arrogant. His tone is like that of an emperor."

Zheng Shuqing let out a light sigh and continued, "Li Baochen sent several waves of envoys to persuade, asking Jiedushi Fang to serve him and offering the six prefectures of Xuanwu Town. He wrote four or five handwritten letters, each tone harsher than the last."

In the final letter, the man even threatened that if he didn't agree, he would kill Jiedushi Fang and perform a sacrificial rite.

Zheng Shuqing's tone was tinged with confusion.

Grand Marshal Baochen now probably knows that he was previously duped by Fang Chongyong's 'Baochen serves the emperor' trick, leaving him somewhat irate.

But Zheng Shuqing, unaware of this, finds the man utterly inexplicable.

You haven't even fought a battle, yet you directly write a letter demanding my surrender—are you ill!

"Actually…"

He Changqi opened his mouth, recalled Fang Chongyong's earlier warning, and, not wanting to cause trouble, fell silent.

He came to Bianzhou to set up a forward post, not to vent about Li Baochen here. Fang Chongyong had originally promised to support Grand Marshal Baochen, to become his subordinate!

Now turning his face and refusing recognition, Grand Marshal Baochen feels he has been fooled and seeking to settle scores with Fang Chongyong is only natural.

The reason he hasn't acted yet is because of matters inside Luoyang City; Li Baochen hasn't settled them. Once he consolidates the Hebei rebels and resolves Luoyang's affairs, he will likely lead his troops out of Luoyang eastward to seize land.

A direct confrontation with Fang Chongyong is inevitable.

"Judge Zheng need not worry about that stupid pig; it's only, what… oh, just a withered bone in a tomb."

He Changqi chuckled casually, then fell silent, his eyes fixed on the river surface. Today not only has the ferry dock been cleared, but the river itself has been emptied, and no other vessels are allowed to linger here.

Suddenly, Zheng Shuqing nudged He Changqi's arm with his own, lowered his voice and asked, "How many troops does the Yong King have?"

"The exact number doesn't matter; not a single soldier may leave Qi Zhou!"

He Changqi leaned in and replied offhand.

When he said that, a smug smile spread across his face, as if Fang Chongyong had once slapped Yong King Li Lin with his own hand.

Fang Chongyong's demand of Li Lin was clear: all your staff may come to Bianzhou and be given posts, but the army may not enter Bianzhou—not a single soldier.

The Yong King's troops must not leave Qi Zhou; they must remain as a unified county force, a "hard requirement" Fang Chongyong presented to Li Lin—refuse and the alliance dissolves.

His reasoning is simple: if your troops reach Bianzhou, how can I deploy my own forces?

The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army is meant to be the Imperial Guard; if your rotten sweet potatoes and stinky bird eggs show up, how is this Jiedushi supposed to station them? Must I share command rights with your riff‑raff?

Naturally, as a concession, Fang Chongyong promised not to replace the army's commander, not to conduct a large‑scale purge of its mid‑ and low‑rank officers, and to guarantee the basic integrity of the Qi Zhou forces.

Yong King Li Lin, after conferring with Wei Zichun, could only grit his teeth and assent to this "unequal treaty".

The situation outweighs any individual; refusing is not an option.

Because even if he refused, Fang Chongyong could suppress him under the pretext of a "Qi Zhou army rebellion", which would not hinder his support of Li Lin's ascent in Bianzhou.

The cruelty of politics is precisely this lack of courtesy.

Zheng Shuqing visibly relaxed and said meaningfully, "The Yong King will never achieve greatness; if his troops don't come to Bianzhou, that's perfect."

"Hm?"

He Changqi was startled and gave Zheng Shuqing a surprised glance.

He recalled that he hadn't mentioned anything about Fang Chongyong supporting the Yong King's coronation in Bianzhou; he had only said the Yong King was also on the ship, traveling with the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army to Bianzhou.

Zheng Shuqing hadn't been in contact with Fang Chongyong before, so he probably didn't know about the Yong King's planned coronation in Bianzhou.

What does he mean by saying that?

He Changqi sensed faintly that Old Zheng wasn't as dim‑witted as he seemed; this "non‑productive" scholar must have seen Fang Chongyong's scheme.

"Here they come!"

Yuan Jie pointed at the fleet gradually approaching from afar and said.

The transport ships drew nearer, and the crowd waiting on the shore grew increasingly excited.

……

"Finally arrived!"

Fang Chongyong leapt from the prow of the leading transport ship onto the Bianzhou ferry pier, and his lingering anxiety instantly eased. He was finally back to his old stronghold; henceforth he need not live in constant fear.

"Jiedushi, I have already prepared a celebratory feast inside the city to welcome the three armies, please follow me!"

Yuan Jie stepped forward, performed a crossed‑hand salute to Fang Chongyong, and then gestured an invitation.

"Eh, no rush… wait a moment, it's His Majesty the Yong King."

Fang Chongyong smiled and chuckled casually.

He walked to the shore, greeted each of the waiting crowd, and then stood with them, waiting nearby.

Soon, as the subsequent transport ships docked one after another, the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army's divisions also disembarked. When everyone had alighted, the last vessel to reach the pier carried Yong King Li Lin and his staff, who finally stepped onto the shore.

They, one by one, wore grim expressions; only a few managed a courteous smile.

It didn't look like they were seasick.

He Changqi, puzzled, stepped forward, leaned toward Fang Chongyong's ear and whispered, "Jiedushi, why are the Yong King's men all wearing sour faces?"

When he led his men away from the front stand, he had seen the Yong King's party laughing with Fang Chongyong; why now do they all wear such dead‑parent expressions?

He Changqi didn't understand what had happened.

"The Yong King's subordinate named Liu Julin, because he objected to the rule that Qi Zhou troops could not enter Bianzhou, came to argue with me.

He couldn't think straight, then jumped into the river to kill himself; I have already ordered a grand burial. As for the Yong King and his staff, they are probably grieving Liu Julin's untimely death."

Fang Chongyong sighed helplessly, looking mournful.

He Changqi nodded blankly; he's no fool, how could he believe that a headstrong rogue like Liu Julin would jump into the river to kill himself!

But since Fang Chongyong said it was suicide, it must have been.

Nothing more to say.

"Yuan Cishan, you cleared out the Bianzhou ferry so that His Majesty the Yong King thinks Bianzhou is under my rule, and all trades have withered."

"What you did is not proper!"

Fang Chongyong deliberately wore a stern face and reprimanded Yuan Jie.

Old Yuan wasn't new to officialdom; he knew many words had to be heard in reverse.

If Fang Chongyong truly wanted to lecture him, he needn't do it in Li Lin's presence. That earlier remark, under the guise of chastising himself for meddling, was actually praising his competence.

After all, Li Lin is to be 'raised as a deity', so he must retain his own prestige.

The 'disturbance of the populace' caused by the clearance is precisely Li Lin's display; that display cannot be omitted.

"Jiedushi loves the people as his own children; if my affairs are inadequate, I ask you, Jiedushi, to punish me."

Yuan Jie carefully performed a crossed‑hand salute and confessed his fault.

"No need for punishment; just be careful not to disturb the populace next time."

Fang Chongyong spoke in official tone, the words clearly addressed to Li Lin beside him.

"Minister Yuan, you have good intentions; I don't mind these matters, so proceed into the city."

Li Lin forced a faint smile, still troubled by Liu Julin's tragic death.

The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army reported that Liu Julin accidentally fell into the water; such coincidence is impossible. No one else fell, only Liu Julin, who had been arguing with Fang Chongyong over Qi Zhou's military authority, drowned!

Although Liu Julin was not a wholly obedient subject under Li Lin, he was nonetheless his staff!

Striking Liu Julin's face is striking Li Lin's own face; Liu Julin died obscurely, which also means that perhaps one day I, too, will die obscurely.

How could Li Lin possibly treat such a serious matter as if nothing had happened?

Of course, the Prince Yong, who had originally intended to go confront General Fang, was firmly blocked by his chief aide, Wei Zichun.

Wei Zichun still said: "Enduring a hundred trials can forge gold!"

In Wei Zichun's view, Liu Julin will die because he demanded military authority in front of General Fang—this already touched the other's bottom line, so Liu Julin's death is certain; only the manner of death remains.

To let him commit suicide is already General Fang giving Li Lin face; dealing with Liu Julin before the boat even docked is also giving Li Lin face.

Otherwise, if Li Lin were killed in Bianzhou by his aide, the impact would be so great it would be as if the words "puppet" were carved onto Li Lin's face.

Which is more important, which lighter—don't you understand yet?

After some persuasion, Li Lin indeed softened, still saying: "I won't accept it unless I have to."

No matter how strong a person is, a single slash to the neck will kill him; Liu Julin is a ready-made example, as General Fang is killing the chicken to scare the monkeys.

"Your Highness, please follow me; I, the subordinate, will lead the way ahead."

General Fang made a gesturing invitation to Li Lin.

Before Li Lin could take a step, Gao Shang walked up, extended his only remaining right hand, and tugged at his sleeve.

"Please."

Li Lin let out a light sigh, also made an inviting gesture, and walked side by side with General Fang.

Arriving before the gate of Kaifeng County City, Li Lin looked left and right, feeling no matter how he looked that the city was displeasing to the eye.

Nearby there is a huge dock, shops everywhere, a small city… Bianzhou, no matter how you look at it, is merely a commercial port.

With many people, much land, and many merchants, it is lively enough, yet it lacks some imperial majesty.

The majesty of imperial power is often expressed through vast cities, lofty pavilions, and grand palaces.

Because majesty is such a thing—it is illusory and needs some "carrier" to bear it.

For example, architecture, or decrees—using similar things to manifest majesty.

In other words, imperial power is actually a "monster" composed of one privilege after another.

"General Fang, when do you plan to start constructing the capital of Bianzhou?"

When they reached the city gate, Li Lin stopped, looked toward General Fang, and asked.

"The day Your Highness ascends the throne is when the construction of Bianliang City begins."

"Only an emperor is worthy of receiving heaven's mandate."

General Fang said with deep meaning.

"I, the solitary one, understand."

Li Lin nodded slightly, having already acquiesced to the situation.

In any case, let's start from the ascension ceremony.

(This volume ends; next volume: Life's south-north many divergent paths—even generals, ministers, immortals must be done by mortals.)