Chapter 565: The Hidden Currents of the Founding of the Nation

The selection and construction of the altar site, the drafting of officials' appointments, the opening of new imperial examinations and their selection rules, the numbers and allocation of recruited soldiers, and a host of other miscellaneous matters all require Fang Chongyong to personally make the decisions, without any hint of slackness.

Prince Yong Li Lin's ascension day was chosen on the Shangyuan Festival; all preparations were proceeding in a flurry.

Before Li Lin's enthronement, Fang Chongyong still had a campaign to lay the foundation of the "New Dynasty" to fight, and could not be careless.

That night, Fang Chongyong stood in the study of the Bianzhou Prefectural Office, staring at the planning map on the wall, gazing pensively without cease. He kept worrying about Bianliang City, unable to stop even when night fell silent.

The necessity of a political center is never overstated for a separatist power. Occupying Chang'an or Luoyang would make one a target of all arrows, preventing peaceful development; establishing a new base becomes imperative.

Bianliang City's changes affect not only the political landscape but also the economic one. Logistical convenience means the reach of commodity trade will expand greatly, and the cost of transferring taxes between provinces will drop sharply.

Precisely because it is important, Bianliang City cannot be handled carelessly.

According to the plan, Bianliang City's outer wall must have a perimeter of forty li to encompass the main river crossings. The inner city is generally one‑quarter of the outer city's area, and the palace occupies one‑quarter of the inner city's area.

On the surface the palace may look like a mere palace, but in fact it is far larger than the temporary military encampments commonly seen, requiring considerable money and manpower.

Li Lin's enthronement is like buying a new house; at minimum there is a shell, which is the palace, to make the affair look settled. Announcing the enthronement is akin to purchasing a pre‑sale unit while the house is still under construction.

He may delay moving in temporarily, but he cannot never move in; if the emperor continues to reside in the prefectural office, can he still be called the emperor?

Thus all the pressure now falls entirely on Fang Chongyong.

"Jiedushi, there is no movement on Prince Yong's side, but the divorce papers have arrived. The list of officials, reviewed by Wei Zichun on Prince Yong's behalf, has no issues."

Yan Zhuang came to Fang Chongyong's side and whispered his report.

Li Lin's enthronement as emperor is a consensus among all parties; after Fang Chongyong "hammered" Li Lin, there was nothing left to discuss there. Essentially all key positions are held by Fang Chongyong's trusted followers.

"Hmm, as expected."

Fang Chongyong placed his hands behind his back, his eyes still fixed on the map on the wall. Jia Dan's drawing skill is indeed exceptional; although the city is only sketched in outline, the surrounding terrain is rendered very clearly.

As for Li Lin's side, submission is inevitable; the son's divorce and the daughter‑in‑law's remarriage are tangled issues that are meaningless and cannot change anything.

"Jiedushi, Li Bai is ambitious but lacking talent; sending him to Chang'an to lobby Yan Zhenqing—might that be… inappropriate?"

Yan Zhuang asked with a puzzled expression.

What virtue does Li Bai possess? Yan Zhuang felt that Fang Chongyong would know best, especially since he is still a trusted aide of Prince Yong.

Can such a person be trusted?

"Besides writing poetry, Li Bai has another remarkable skill."

Fang Chongyong turned around, looked at Yan Zhuang, and said.

"Skill?"

Yan Zhuang didn't think Li Bai had any skill beyond poetry.

"Li Bai certainly has skill, but his usage is rather unusual. Never mind, it doesn't matter; after all, he has already gone to Guanzhong."

Fang Chongyong didn't want to continue the topic; he changed the subject and asked:

"How is the recruitment going?"

"Reporting to the Jiedushi, the recruitment order has already been dispatched. The Jiedushi and the Silver Spear Jiedushi Army are renowned, and every province is signing up enthusiastically."

Yan Zhuang answered cautiously; he actually feared Fang Chongyong a bit, because this man could always propose a scheme a step ahead of his own.

"Very well then.

Send the order down: after winter, the Silver Spear Jiedushi Army will recruit elite troops from the united forces of each province, so there will be no need to issue external recruitment orders."

Fang Chongyong gave Yan Zhuang a rather "strange" order.

"Jiedushi, in that case, the replenishment of the Silver Spear Jiedushi Army's troops will have to be postponed."

Yan Zhuang still voiced his concern.

But Fang Chongyong seemed resolute. He said in an unequivocal tone, "Better to have none than to have the wrong ones; those recruited directly without knowing their background cannot be allowed."

Establishing grassroots party organizations is completely infeasible these days. Therefore, to ensure the army's combat effectiveness, a "filter" model must be used.

That is, "select soldiers within the army" rather than "select soldiers among the populace." Soldiers chosen this way, after brief training, can obey orders without question.

To win a battle, the most crucial factor is unquestioning obedience; all actions must heed command.

The recently recruited Qiu Ba from the common folk clearly lacks this quality.

Yan Zhuang quickly nodded in agreement, but thought Fang Chongyong was being overly pretentious; the method, though good, yields results slowly.

What is contested in the era of great strife? It is time! Nothing is more important than time!

One step slow, each step slow!

But Yan Zhuang also knew that he could not persuade Fang Chongyong, because the strategy in his mind differed completely from the strategy in Fang Chongyong's mind.

Fang Chongyong seemed to have a plan to abandon the march on Chang'an and replace the Tang with a core centered on Bianzhou!

Such a notion is sheer arrogance, boldness! In Yan Zhuang's view, making Luoyang the new capital is the best strategy!

However, the problem with occupying Luoyang is that it would be attacked by all sides en masse. One cannot say Fang Chongyong's concerns are unreasonable.

Just as Yan Zhuang was about to suggest temporarily setting Luoyang as the capital, a palace guard reported outside the study, "Jiedushi, a monk claiming to be an old friend of Luoyang has arrived to visit, just outside the prefectural office."

"An old friend of Luoyang?"

Fang Chongyong's first thought was that Li Yi might be disguised as a man. But on second thought, regardless, Li Yi could not possibly masquerade as a monk, could she?

Moreover, with Li Yi's luminous, enchanting figure, would the guard even notice she is a woman?

"Bring her in."

Fang Chongyong replied with a nod and did not let Yan Zhuang leave.

After a short while, a middle‑aged monk who looked no older than forty entered the study.

He performed a salute to Fang Chongyong and said, "Jingzhao Wei Lan, at your service, Jiedushi Fang."

Wei Lan had previously served as a deputy director of the Ministry of War in Chang'an and was the younger brother of Wei Jian. When Fang Chongyong was still the magistrate of Shazhou, the orders issued by Wei Lan were frequently delivered to his desk.

No one had seen him, but his name was thunderously familiar!

"What a rare guest, please, have a seat, please."

Fang Chongyong gestured to the cushion opposite the desk, and Yan Zhuang quickly rose, sat beside him, and squinted to size up Wei Lan.

Ordinary monks are usually kind‑eyed and benevolent, with a slightly plump build.

But Wei Lan looks rather gaunt, and at a glance one can tell he never actually served as a monk at a temple; he only adopted the monk's guise temporarily to travel incognito.

Wei Lan cast a glance at Yan Zhuang, remained silent, seeming a bit uneasy, evidently not wanting his conversation with Fang Chongyong to be overheard.

Fang Chongyong calmly introduced him, "This is my strategist, his tongue is strict; Mr. Wei need not mind."

"I, Wei, have come here to assist the Jiedushi in seizing Luoyang."

Wei Lan said in a low voice, took a letter from his bosom and placed it on the desk.

In fact, even without reading the letter, Fang Chongyong could guess most of its contents.

Because Wei Lan probably still didn't know that Li Yi had already informed Fang Chongyong of their general plan.

"Luoyang is so vast; it's not something Fang can just seize at will. Mr. Wei is joking."

Fang Chongyong shook his head with a sigh, took the letter, tore it open, and read it line by line.

After reading, he said nothing, directly handed the letter to Yan Zhuang for him to examine.

The whole process was wordless; the study was so quiet that a pin dropping could be heard.

Yan Zhuang, after reading the letter, almost burst out laughing, but held himself back.

Wei Lan, seeing Yan Zhuang's flippant demeanor, raised an eyebrow, showing displeasure. Yet his trip to Bian Prefecture was to seek aid; even if he were angry, he could not lose his temper.

So Wei Lan steadied himself, looked at Fang Chongyong, and waited for his reply.

"You should cooperate with the Iron Army under my command to annihilate Li Baocen's trusted troops."

"After the deed, whom should I serve as lord? Li Wan… or Li Lin?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a smiling face, his tone somewhat suggestive.

"That would naturally be to serve my lord Li Wan."

Wei Lan replied calmly, his expression unchanged.

"But the Silver Spear Jiedushi's army can enter Luoyang; the Jiedushi can simply take Li Yi as a concubine. Li Yi is of unparalleled beauty, a perfect match for the heroic Jiedushi; it's a match made in heaven. I believe the Jiedushi has already met her before."

One must admit, the price is indeed generous.

In other words, Fang Chongyong cares not for titles or righteousness; he only wants actual command of the troops. He can also take the beauty for himself, a win‑win.

As for Li Lin… what Li Lin, he's no longer relevant! The Eternal King remains the Eternal King; he should just roll back to Qi Prefecture and await death.

For Fang Chongyong, this is a very advantageous condition.

Because the Eternal King has not yet ascended the throne, Fang Chongyong's so‑called "promise" is known by few; most officials are merely speculating.

Since Hebei forces can purge the Guanzhong faction within Li Wan's regime, the Guanzhong faction can naturally bring in external forces to deal with Hebei, reshaping the situation.

After all, there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.

What Li Lin can give, Li Wan can also give.

What Li Lin cannot afford, Li Wan can still provide.

Thus it seems that at this moment Fang Chongyong has become a crucial bargaining chip, like Han Xin seizing Qi during the Chu‑Han contention.

If one sides with the Han King, the Han King wins; if one sides with the Xiang King, the Xiang King wins.

What a fragrant thing!

"The matter is of great importance; I must consider it carefully."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand, not closing the matter.

This did not seem beyond Wei Lan's expectations; he laughed nonchalantly, "The Jiedushi is unaware: Li Baocen intends to launch an eastern campaign into Henan next spring, using it to suppress dissenters and to take Li Yi as a wife. There is little time for the Jiedushi to contemplate."

Hearing this, Yan Zhuang looked at Fang Chongyong with some surprise.

If Wei Lan were not merely bluffing, then this time Fang Chongyong guessed correctly. Li Baocen chose the timing of the expedition unexpectedly, opting for the spring when the ice and snow melt.

Ordinary people think that way, always believing crisis will strike when they are most prepared.

Yet reality often proves the opposite.

Yan Zhuang thought that in Bian Prefecture, winter's agricultural lull leaves abundant manpower, posing no problem for dealing with Li Baocen. Yet the great commander Baocen is not foolish; how could he possibly launch a campaign in winter?

One could say Li Baocen thinks in a bizarre, even somewhat foolish way. Yet his military tactics are far from stupid; one might even call him gifted.

"The commander understands; give the commander three days to consider. After three days, the commander will naturally give you an answer."

Fang Chongyong's attitude was gentle, but his refusal was clear. Saying he needs time to consider already implies little interest; such polite talk can be dismissed without much thought.

Wei Lan, clearly experienced and not easily fooled, couldn't help reminding, "Jiedushi Fang, in these times you have surely seen it. No one knows what the future will become. Sometimes losing a good opportunity means a more turbulent fate ahead. Please consider carefully; we are sincere."

Having said that, he bowed and took his leave.

After he left, Fang Chongyong finally looked at Yan Zhuang and asked, "What do you think?"

"Not much, even Li Yi herself, the Jiedushi should not touch now."

"As long as Li Wan is eliminated, whether Luoyang or the beauty, they belong to the Jiedushi; there's no need to rush."

Yan Zhuang said with some disdain, his face showing mockery.

The Guanzhong group that supported Li Wan's rebellion actually treated him as a puppet; none of this reflects Li Wan's own will.

Li Lin is now also a puppet, on par with Li Wan.

Thus, switching allegiance to Li Wan is unnecessary; even morally, the situation becomes worse.

As for occupying Luoyang, that contradicts Fang Chongyong's strategic plan. It's not that Luoyang is unwanted, but it cannot be taken now.

Should we accept or reject the olive branch thrown by Wei Jian?

In fact, Fang Chongyong already had an answer in his heart.

"Our plan was prepared to support Li Lin's ascension; it's now too late to change hands. Helping Wei Jian is easy; just defeat Li Baocen, no need to cooperate with them."

Fang Chongyong said indifferently, "Wei Jian's group is like vines, clinging to the strong. We can ignore them; later they'll come seeking shelter."

"Jiedushi, do you mean to leave Wei Lan hanging?"

Yan Zhuang asked in confusion.

Fang Chongyong said nothing, merely handing the letter to him and saying: "You go on this errand for this commander, deliver this letter to Wei Zichun. No matter what he asks, don't waste words—say nothing."

Deliver it to Wei Zichun?

That move is brilliant!

Yan Zhuang immediately understood Fang Chongyong's intention.

Wei Zichun is the chief aide of Prince Yong Li Lin, but he is also a member of the Wei clan of Capital Prefecture, and he once held a capital official post during the Kaiyuan era! His record is no worse than Wei Lan's.

Of course, he can't compare to Wei Jian.

In the letter, Wei Jian urged Fang Chongyong to defect to Li Wan and even offered to cooperate in capturing Luoyang as a greeting gift. In other words, this means Fang Chongyong's trusted troops could take over Luoyang at a small cost.

If successful, that would be a leap to heaven, giving him the strength to contend for legitimacy against Guanzhong!

It has nothing to do with Li Lin at all!

Just see if Li Lin panics after reading this letter.

Wei Zichun delivering the letter, being of the Wei clan, will inevitably arouse Li Lin's suspicion;

Not delivering it is tantamount to handing Fang Chongyong a handle. As long as Fang Chongyong keeps the original in hand and gives Wei Zichun a copied transcript.

Then later handing the original to Li Lin will let Wei Zichun suffer utter ruin.

This ploy of sowing discord is truly used to perfection.

No need to say how panicked Li Lin will be upon seeing this letter.

By then there will be many things we can manipulate.

Yan Zhuang slipped the letter into his sleeve, saying: "I will go make a copy and deliver it to Wei Zichun tonight, without delaying the Jiedushi's important affair."

"Go, this commander awaits Li Lin's visit in person."

Fang Chongyong chuckled.

After Yan Zhuang left, he finally felt a deep weariness.

Although "founding the state" was meant to support Li Lin's ascension, all matters, both internal and external, from top to bottom, were handled by him, Fang someone.

It practically drove his mind numb.

If in the end Li Lin reaps the peach, is there still any justice?