Chapter 563: Liangzi

Li Zhan isn't really dead, is he?

While Li Lan and the others were still stunned, Fang Chongyong slightly frowned, stepped forward slowly, and examined Li Zhan's condition.

There was no blood on the ground; Fang Chongyong guessed that Li Zhan had merely hit his head on a pillar and fainted, temporarily entering a feigned‑death state.

He recalled the method Anaye had once taught him: when someone is unconscious, regardless of anything, first press the philtrum.

Fang Chongyong forcefully pressed Li Zhan's philtrum; the Eternal King's second son seemed to tremble, then slowly opened his eyes.

Although his gaze appeared a bit vacant, he didn't seem seriously injured, and he didn't seem to recognize Fang Chongyong.

Li Lan and the others, who had been watching anxiously, breathed a sigh of relief.

He Changqi's earlier move made them realize: the current military commander is not to be trifled with!

Because they truly dare to kill, even go berserk, and Fang Chongyong might not be able to fully restrain them!

If someone chops you with a single blade, that's just a casual act, right? Even if you later dismember them a thousand times, can the person they killed rise from the dead?

At that moment, Li Lan felt a pang of guilt.

"Your Highness, perhaps we should first take Li Zhan back to the guest room to rest, and discuss the rest later."

Fang Chongyong's expression remained calm as he said, taking the initiative to step back and temporarily 'set aside' the matter of the divorce papers.

Earlier, he and Li Lan were in a bind, unable to proceed further. Now that Li Zhan has awakened from the feigned death and appears untroubled, perhaps they can both step down the ladder with this opportunity.

Otherwise it might end in a face‑splitting dispute, resulting in a lose‑lose situation.

After all, finding another puppet also consumes time and effort, which would inevitably affect the pre‑planned strategic layout.

As for Li Zhan's separation from the Yuwen family, that will be handled discreetly, with no further ripples.

Although the Qiu Ba's actions seem brutal, what they do is a matter of the aristocratic level. By labeling He Changqi as a member of a noble family, the fog can be cleared to see the essence.

People from noble families being forced to divorce and immediately remarry or change wives has countless precedents since the Han dynasty; it's nothing extraordinary.

Sure enough, Gao Shang replied to Li Lan: "Well, then follow the arrangement that Fang Jiedushi mentioned. Li Zhan now needs to see a medical officer, so we won't trouble the Jiedushi further."

Hearing this, Fang Chongyong gave a glance to Yan Zhuang beside him; the latter leisurely stepped forward, bowed to Li Lan, and then led the way. By then, Li Zhan had already gotten up from the ground. Though still dazed, he walked unimpeded with others' support, merely appearing weak.

"Hmph!"

Li Lan let out a cold snort; under Gao Shang's earnest persuasion, he finally flicked his sleeves and strode out of the Bianzhou Prefectural Office.

He left only a scattering of feathers, leaving those who remained to stare at each other in bewilderment.

Everyone knows that Liangzi has already been set in motion; this matter is far from over, and no one knows where it will ultimately lead.

"Jiedushi…"

After Li Lan and his party left, He Changqi stepped forward and clasped his fists in salute to Fang Chongyong, unsure what to say.

Just now, he, who had not repaid the great grace, almost caused a disaster.

"Rest assured, none of the official posts granted to you will be taken away."

Fang Chongyong patted He Changqi's shoulder, signaling him to say no more; at this moment, anything he says would be inappropriate.

"Thank you, Jiedushi."

He Changqi muttered, "One should not thank for great kindness now; repaying it is for the future, not something to mention aloud."

Fang Chongyong glanced at Yuwen Jie, who kept her head down and avoided his gaze, and couldn't help a snide thought.

A husband and wife are like birds of the same forest, but when great disaster strikes, each flies away.

Yesterday Yuwen was Li Zhan's wife; today she has a new husband. She feels ashamed, yet she didn't refuse at all.

Facing the threat to survival and the promise of a better life, women from noble families can transition their status smoothly.

No love, however strong as gold, can withstand the oppression of reality.

Wei Sanniang truly lives up to Li Chang's steadfast affection, because perseverance is far more difficult than betrayal.

No wonder Li Zhan was about to go berserk; when Yuwen Jie lied and openly admitted she had been abused before, it meant she had effectively betrayed her former husband.

Perhaps Yuwen Jie had already resigned herself the night they shared the bridal chamber.

Perhaps Li Zhan had treated her well before, but only in the past.

Thinking of this, Fang Chongyong couldn't help but lament that men of this era truly have a hard life.

The saying "A man should strengthen himself" is not mere self‑encouragement; it carries a very practical significance that cannot be ignored.

The strong have everything and can arbitrarily handle all that belongs to the weak.

The weak can keep nothing.

Everything around them, even themselves, can be arbitrarily dealt with by the strong.

No reason, no logic, just simple brutality.

How the ending unfolds depends entirely on the strong's needs or even their mood.

"Go ahead, enjoy three days off for your new marriage."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand grandly, signaling He Changqi to leave quickly.

After everyone left, he went alone to the office study; after Yan Zhuang sent Li Lan and the others to the out‑of‑town relay inn, he also arrived at the rear‑yard study of the prefectural office, seemingly with something to say.

"Speak, I've been holding it in for a long time; I can't hold it any longer, can I?"

Fang Chongyong's expression remained calm as he said.

Yan Zhuang sat cautiously opposite him, lowering his voice: "Jiedushi, your one‑stone‑three‑birds scheme is truly brilliant."

He couldn't help but give Fang Chongyong a thumbs‑up.

"Oh? What have you actually noticed?"

Fang Chongyong placed the letter in his hand on the desk and squinted at Yan Zhuang as he asked.

"Hehe, this first bird, you see, blocks the Eternal King's method of bribing the Silver Spear's elite army general."

"You sent Guan Chongsi to seize the Eternal King's daughter‑in‑law and marry her to He Changqi. This instantly pits those two against the Eternal King."

"Each of those two has their own trusted followers, already representing a large portion of the rank‑and‑file officers in the army."

As for the others, anyone who has attended He Changqi's wedding banquet is unlikely to side with the Eternal King.

Jiedushi also judges, by observing the guests' behavior, which people can be given important positions and which are wavering and need further observation.

This is the second bird.

Yan Zhuang talked at length, clearly having seen many things.

"Then what about the other bird?"

Fang Chongyong seemed to take interest.

"As for the third bird, it is Li Lin himself.

Jiedushi forced his daughter‑in‑law to divorce and remarry, thereby pressuring him and some of his subordinates.

Those people, seeing the Eternal King so powerless that he cannot even protect his second son's marriage, inevitably feel a sorrowful sympathy and will surely become disloyal.

In that case, how could the Eternal King ever rally people to fight Jiedushi in the future?

This is Jiedushi's ultimate goal.

He wants to raise Li Lin as a banner, yet not allow that banner to have its own thoughts.

Yan Zhuang rubbed his hands, looking full of confidence.

One must admit, he has already guessed more than half of it.

Fang Chongyong only wants to turn this matter into a symbol, telling his trusted subordinates: as long as they work well with me, everything will surely be theirs in the future.

In this age of great contention, what is being fought over?

It is land, population, and people's hearts—these are all factual, but they are too abstract.

One person can only eat that much each day, live in one house, sleep in one bed; what he can accomplish is very limited.

So the real contest is for talent, organizational structure, and strategic planning.

Many people think that having popular support makes one invincible, but popular support is a flimsy thing; even if the people back you, how can they actually support you?

Even if they want to help, they need connections, and those forces must become actual troops, food, weapons, and require someone to command them in battle.

Thus the most important matter is to gather talent by any means for one's own use; that is the foundation.

If you want others to follow you willingly and proactively, you must provide the appropriate rewards.

Those who should be promoted must be promoted, those who should be delegated authority must be delegated, and those who deserve rewards must receive them.

You cannot demand that a horse run well while refusing it to eat grass; that is impossible. Merely spouting empty, flowery words is insufficient, and treating the other side as a fool is even worse.

On the way back, He Changqi said the Eternal King's daughter‑in‑law Yuwen looked quite fine, and Fang Chongyong immediately made perfect arrangements for her!

This is what a big brother should do!

Yan Zhuang is not a leader; his mind is full of scheming and cannot see this generation. It's not because he's stupid, but because he hasn't held this position and thus lacks the awareness.

"Bianzhou's four battle sites, what are your thoughts? Feel free to speak openly."

Fang Chongyong poured a cup of wine for Yan Zhuang.

"Blocking is less effective than opening; the Eternal King will certainly try to secure troops loyal to him. Better to gather those people together, so that later they can be eliminated in one sweep."

Yan Zhuang made a motion of wiping his neck.

Fang Chongyong gave a slight nod without further comment; this scene is unlikely to happen for now, but it will inevitably occur sooner or later.

"After the Eternal King ascends the throne and declares himself emperor, he will be irreconcilable with the Chang'an court. And Jiedushi cannot again submit to the so‑called Son of Heaven of Chang'an."

Blocking the canal is the intended course.

If they block Chang'an in this way, and are willing to ease relations, then they can allow a few grain transport ships to pass.

If they do not comply, then they will be completely blocked.

Yan Zhuang put forward his first poisonous scheme, the so‑called "economic blockade."

In fact, it is already being carried out.

"I have heard that the Bianzhou crossing just intercepted a convoy of grain ships from Yangzhou, all loaded with provisions, correct?"

Fang Chongyong suddenly recalled this incident; he had only heard about it and had not yet gone to the Bianzhou canal crossing to verify. In fact, the grain transport had not been interrupted before, since Li Lin has not yet ascended the throne, and the Chang'an side still harbored some illusion about Fang Chongyong.

But when Li Lin arrived in Bianzhou, Yan Zhuang, who had previously been in charge of the canal grain transport, immediately seized the ships bound for Guanzhong.

Entry and return are both prohibited; the grain ships are entirely confiscated!

"Back to Jiedushi, indeed so."

Yan Zhuang nodded; he had not discussed this with Fang Chongyong before, but clearly saw no problem with it.

"This plan is excellent; cutting off grain transport will starve those big rats in Guanzhong."

Fang Chongyong let out a cold, chuckling sneer.

If the grain ships from Jiangnan and the Two Huai regions cannot pass, then the governors there, whether Inspectors or Jiedushi, can find excuses not to send provisions to Guanzhong.

Over time, it is inevitable that these regions will form their own systems, and in practice they are already essentially independent.

Whether to mention it or not, this "tiny" canal controls the economic lifeline of Chang'an and even Guanzhong. He hadn't realized it before, but now Yan Zhuang somewhat admires Fang Chongyong's strategic vision!

Those who control the canal may not command the world's armies, but at least they obtain the world's wealth.

With ample wealth, one can unleash one's power.

"Jiedushi, Li Baocen currently controls Luoyang, and Li Guiren of Yecheng also submits to him."

Previously, Huangfu Weiming suffered a disastrous defeat, causing many of the rebel troops to dare not plot against Chang'an again.

Fearing the next move, Li Baocen may launch a massive attack on Henan, and Jiedushi cannot afford to be unprepared.

Yan Zhuang slightly frowned and said.

"When do you think he will make his move?"

Fang Chongyong asked in a deep voice.

"In early winter, or even in the deep freeze when the Yellow River is icebound, attacking Bianzhou from both Luoyang and Liyang directions."

Yan Zhuang said with great certainty.

"No, if I were Li Baocen, I would definitely act during the spring plowing."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand lightly and said.

Yan Zhuang has never been a commander; his military strategy lacks a bit of skill.

Fang Chongyong does not think Li Baocen would strike in winter.

If it were someone else, they would certainly act in winter. But Li Baocen has dealt with Fang Chongyong and the Silver Spear Efficient Regiment, so he cannot be judged by ordinary logic.

A winter offensive seems to exploit the timing, with the Yellow River frozen and easy to cross. Yet the principle of two monks carrying water to eat, Grand Commander Baocen must be familiar with.

Often, having more troops does not make a war better, especially when you have to cooperate with "allied" forces that harbor ulterior motives.

The outcome is usually not good.

If Li Guiren gets involved, it may not be a good thing for Li Baocen. Who knows whether Li Guiren will contribute nothing but wait for Li Baocen and the Silver Spear Efficient Regiment to clash to the death, then swoop in for profit?

How much trust can Li Baocen place in Li Guiren?

During the spring plowing, the canal is at its busiest; in winter the canal freezes and cannot be used for transport. Many goods piled up over a winter are waiting for the ice to melt during the spring plowing, when water levels rise for shipping.

At the same time, spring plowing must begin and cannot be delayed; everything must give way to it.

At that time, Bianzhou would be at its busiest.

Li Baocen doesn't need to ask Li Guiren to ferry across the river; during the spring plowing, Bianzhou's farmers are tilling fields, laborers are hauling goods, and the entire administration is swamped with various trivial matters.

Who would have time to guard the city then?

If we also count the construction of Bianliang City, Bianzhou would be even busier! Fang Chongyong, putting himself in others' shoes, would certainly choose to act during the spring plowing if he were Li Baocen.

"Spring, now that would be troublesome!"

Yan Zhuang sighed, "Actually, winter is the season for uniting soldiers and farmers for idle training; there are plenty of troops to use. The manpower is ample, and even overland grain transport wouldn't lack laborers."

Spring, however, is not easy to handle.

"Rest assured, I have a plan that can resolve this crisis. Lean in, and I will tell you."

Fang Chongyong gestured toward Yan Zhuang.

……

Arriving at a post station outside Kaifeng City to rest briefly, Li Lin glanced at Li Zuan lying on the bed and sighed helplessly.

That fellow had nearly cursed the entire Yuwen clan along the way, and it's unclear whether he got his fill of it. Anyway, it doesn't matter now; everything is already set in stone.

She's just a woman; before losing her you can still think, after losing her, that's just how it is.

Li Lin returned to his own side room, had Gao Shang fetch a pot of wine, and drank the sour wine alone, feeling both helpless and bitter.

Indeed, Li Lin's anger has already faded; only lingering fear remains.

He knows he was truly impulsive.

Fang Chongyong probably wouldn't dare to kill him, but He Changqi might.

There are so many princes; it's not only Prince Yong who is eligible to ascend the throne—many have the right!

"Alas, we almost messed up a major affair."

Li Lin let out a long sigh, drained the fine wine in his cup, and found the drink both bitter and astringent.

"Your Highness dares to confront Fang Qing; indeed, that courage is commendable, but unfortunately the timing is not right now.

Your Highness would be better off drafting a divorce decree, handing it to Fang Qing, thereby concluding this matter and awaiting the coronation ceremony."

Gao Shang poured Li Lin a cup and patiently urged.

Li Lin daring to come to Kaifeng to demand people is, I must say, quite bold. Yet such reckless, unstrategic boldness is not worth promoting.

At least this matter didn't become the talk of every street and alley; let the slap in the face be just a slap.

Gao Shang also had nothing to say.

"Your Highness, the situation in Bianzhou is actually very dangerous.

Whether it's the minor court in Guanzhong or Li Baocen, Li Guiren, and the like, all eye Bianzhou hungrily.

It truly is inconvenient for us to fall out with Fang Qing now; Bianzhou's safety still depends on him.

Please, Your Highness, in the future you must endure much! Do not let some petty tricks cause you to lose composure."

Gao Shang, bearing his patience, earnestly advised.

Li Lin was silent for a moment, then finally nodded and said, "I understand, rest assured. I will just wait for the coronation and will not concern myself with anything else."

At this moment, his mind seemed to have matured a bit. But exactly how much, only Heaven knows.