Chapter 6: No Investigation, No Right to Speak

When we saw Fang Laique again, this "home‑born son" was still soundly sleeping in the former official residence, as if he didn't worry about Fang Chongyong at all. After he woke up, the moment they met the fellow cheerfully said, "I knew the young master would be fine."

"You already know that?"

Fang Chongyong picked up the blackened earthen jar and poured himself a glass of water, but recalling the strange taste from before, his mood vanished instantly, and he could only set the cup down.

"Of course I know. Even I can have people bring me food and water here, safe and sound, so how could the young master have any trouble?"

Fang Laique has no sense of hierarchy at all; his unrestrained nature cannot be changed.

Fang Chongyong could never follow his train of thought, and impatiently waved his hand, "Stop the endless chatter; I'm already annoyed."

Fang Chongyong always felt Wang Zhongsi's gaze had been strange before, and it wasn't because of that poem that had been withdrawn; he just couldn't figure out what had actually happened.

"Wang Zhongsi… that name sounds familiar. Who exactly is he?"

Fang Chongyong paced back and forth in the modest bedroom, head bowed in thought, muttering to himself.

"Wang Zhongsi, Great Tang War God, during the Tianbao Era served as Governor of the Four Garrisons, bold and fearless, loyal to the core, never defeated in his life, a pillar of the nation."

Fang Laique's duck‑like voice sounded again, devoid of any feeling, completely different from his usual tone!

Fang Chongyong snapped his head up, only to see Fang Laique's gaze blank, a distracted look, no different from before.

"What a strange thing."

Fang Chongyong circled Fang Laique twice; the other turned as if the earth itself rotated—where Fang Chongyong faced, Fang Laique faced that direction.

"Can you stop turning?"

Fang Chongyong retorted irritably.

"Alright, young master."

Fang Laique stopped turning, and Fang Chongyong was very suspicious; others had always called him a "foolish child" before, but perhaps the real fool was Fang Laique… probably.

It could be that both of them are.

"Let's go, take a walk on the street."

Fang Chongyong patted Fang Laique's shoulder and said.

There was nothing left to tidy in the room; after they left they wouldn't return, and would soon move into the most luxurious Lotus Pond Annex in Kui Zhou.

Of course, this wasn't Zheng Shuqing acting out of kindness because he couldn't stand Fang Chongyong and the others eating and living poorly; rather, he feared Fang Chongyong might take the chance to run away.

High EQ: neighbor of the Kui Zhou Prefect.

Low EQ: placed under house arrest.

Having nothing long on him, Fang Chongyong threw caution to the wind, stepping on a watermelon rind and sliding wherever it took him.

The two arrived at the street, only to see shops already open for business, completely unaffected by the earlier officials' mountain‑burning.

The three‑story "Feng Xian Lou" stood not far away, looking luxurious with meticulous decoration.

Several people could embrace its supporting columns; emerald‑glazed tiles formed the roof, vermilion walls enclosed three sides, and carved jade railings were insufficient to describe its opulence.

Beyond hosting traveling merchants, Fang Chongyong couldn't fathom any other purpose for such a tavern. He began to understand how the three hundred thousand strings of cash customs at Kui Zhou's river pass were collected.

Local people of Kui Zhou didn't necessarily have much money; the wealthy were the scholars, artists, and merchants passing through.

As soon as Fang Chongyong and his party arrived, a plump clerk hurried over with enthusiasm, "Isn't this the famed Fang young master? Please, please, everything today is on the house, all expenses waived."

Hearing that, Fang Chongyong briefly thought he had become 'Young Master Zhao.'

"So quickly someone knows?"

Fang Chongyong asked in surprise.

"Look at what you say, Kui Zhou's prefectural city is such a small place; only so many people come from Chang'an, under the sun there's nothing new."

The plump clerk said with a smile.

Fang Chongyong wandered the tavern's main hall and saw many wooden boards hung on the wall; numerous scholars and poets wrote verses here and left them on the boards. If a piece was good, it was directly displayed on the wall for posterity; if not, though unfit for display, it could at least settle a round of drinks.

Looking up, a bamboo‑branch poem by Tang poet Gu Kuang was prominently listed.

"The imperial son of Cangwu never returns, beneath Dongting's leaves the Jing clouds fly. The Ba people sing bamboo‑branch songs at night, my gut aches as the dawn's monkey cries grow faint."

Bamboo‑branch poetry was originally a poetic form derived from folk songs of the Ba and Yu regions. Legend has it that during the Spring and Autumn period, the Ba army sang while fighting; later the locals used it to celebrate harvests with song and dance. It eventually evolved into verses describing regional customs, famed for being plain, easy to understand, and catchy.

Gu Kuang probably hasn't taken the imperial examinations yet, yet he somehow traveled to Kui Zhou and left his verses.

It really makes one itch to try!

"Put my own 'born to be a hero' poem up there as well."

Fang Chongyong shamelessly told the plump clerk.

He ordered a few specialty dishes, and after being seated, Fang Chongyong asked the clerk, "What specialties does Kui Zhou have?"

"That would be this, of course."

The clerk pointed to his own clothing and said, "Kui Zhou hemp cloth is second only to Shu brocade, the best in Shu."

Kui Zhou hemp cloth, also called ramie cloth or summer cloth, is the flagship product of Kui Zhou's handicrafts, unrivaled.

"Anything else?"

Fang Chongyong felt irritated; he knew Kui Zhou's hemp cloth sold far and wide, but that market was already saturated, and the authorities couldn't manipulate it.

Do not underestimate these traveling merchants; behind them may stand one or several noble families or even royalty. Kui Zhou is only the source; Chang'an and Luoyang are the gold mines of sales. The distribution channels for hemp cloth are not controlled by the place of origin.

These are not forces Fang Chongyong can provoke.

The commercial principles from his past life still serve as reference. Without control of distribution channels, one cannot control pricing power.

"Um, if the young master asks what else Kui Zhou has… fierce mountain tigers, white apes, and riverbank black ghosts (cormorants) are among them."

The plump clerk clearly didn't want to say more, replying perfunctorily, not wanting to be 'freeloaded' by Fang Chongyong any longer.

These days, trade secrets aren't novel; trying to glean 'interesting' info without paying is like fishing in a dry well.

Fang Chongyong instantly understood and gave a few perfunctory replies.

The tavern served dishes like "Steamed Yuan Family Pear," "Jiaqing Plum," and "Hunyang Mehuh," all famous delicacies from Chang'an.

Fang Youde is old‑fashioned, but the tavern's manager is anything but; he attended to Fang Chongyong with great care.

"Hmm, young master, why aren't you eating?"

Watching Fang Chongyong remain motionless, Fang Laique, still holding his chopsticks without pausing, ate while vaguely saying, "It's really delicious, much better than what I made."

"The host hasn't even eaten, how come you, a servant, are still eating?"

Fang Chongyong retorted irritably.

"Because I'm testing poison on the young master."

Fang Laique said shamelessly, feeling not embarrassed at all.

"Alright, alright, remember to pack it up after you're done."

A short while later, Fang Laique carried a wooden box behind Fang Chongyong, filled with the unfinished leftovers.

The two left Kuizhou City and reached the riverbank, where they saw many farm women laboring in the fields along the riverbank; many had huge swellings like lumps on the back of their necks, some as large as a baby's head, a truly terrifying sight!

Having lived two lifetimes, Fang Chongyong had never seen so many patients with such massive neck tumors gathered together.

He hurriedly stopped a young traveler heading toward the Kuizhou Prefecture City gate and asked, "Why do these women have such neck swellings?"

"What else could it be? Drinking too much river water. The Shu River water is undrinkable; excessive drinking causes tumors. In the daytime the water vapor rises, and the miasma makes people fall ill. Young master, have you just arrived in Kuizhou?"

The person replied with puzzlement.

Recalling the strange taste of the water he drank upon waking and Zheng Shuqing's smugness while brewing tea, Fang Chongyong realized that in Kuizhou, the water one drinks signifies one's social class!

From drinking river water upon waking to later drinking "Nongfu Spring," he had already achieved a leap in status.

Though he still felt very insubstantial.

"May I ask, Your Excellency, if river water is so dreadful, what should I do to get water?"

Fang Chongyong humbly sought advice.

The person laughed heartily, "Young master, you are truly courteous. Within Kuizhou Prefecture City there are twenty‑four Wuhou wells, which were excavated here when Chancellor Zhuge Liang took charge of the orphanage at Baidi City, and they still exist today."

They are merely under government jurisdiction and require a small fee. Most residents of Kuizhou Prefecture City drink well water.

If the young master knows any influential person, he could have mountain spring water diverted straight into his residence—how splendid would that be? Could you perhaps rent me a modest room then?

The person, seeing Fang Chongyong's childlike adult demeanor, couldn't help but tease.

"Mountain spring water can be diverted into a house?"

Fang Chongyong seemed as if he had heard of some remarkable event.

"You wouldn't understand this. Long ago, wealthy men used thick bamboo pipes to channel spring water from the mountain top for several li straight into the city. The spring water is sweet, not only drinkable directly but also makes tea wonderfully flavorful. This Shu River water, however, must not be drunk, must not be!"

The young man was a chatterbox; once his mouth opened, it never stopped.

When he finished, Fang Chongyong smiled, "I now reside in Kuizhou Prefecture City; may I ask your name, Your Excellency?"

Someone who can speak so much in one breath cannot be a simple country folk; Fang Chongyong still had that discernment.

"I'm unworthy, unworthy; I am Gu Kuang, perhaps we shall meet again!"

He waved his hand gracefully and took his leave, turning and striding away.

"Gu Kuang… seems familiar somehow."

Fang Chongyong felt his brain deteriorating, as if some matters were both remembered and forgotten.

"Young master, young master! Isn't Gu Kuang the one whose bamboo‑branch poem hangs on the wall of Fengxian Tower?"

Fang Laique suddenly realized, finally recalling.

"Hmm, the one who wrote the bamboo‑branch poem is indeed a very enthusiastic and straightforward person."

Having witnessed the hardships of the people, Fang Chongyong instantly felt deep respect for Zheng Shuqing, who only collected ninety percent of the rent and labor tax. Perhaps with just this small of a thought, many lower‑class folks could eke out a few more days.

Heaven itself possesses benevolent virtue; how could humans lack it?

Zheng Shuqing, the Inspector, is foolish yet not lacking in human wickedness, but he is reliable for big affairs; Fang Chongyong decided to support him and recommend him back to Chang'an's central administration.

With a disappointed expression, he arrived at the Lotus Pond official residence, and upon entering the main hall, saw Zheng Shuqing pacing back and forth in the courtyard, looking very anxious.

"Governor, why are you scurrying like ants in a hot pan?"

Fang Chongyong asked very straightforwardly.

"Come, come, I have important matters to discuss with you!"

Zheng Shuqing, like a thief, dragged Fang Chongyong into the back hall's study.

The two sat down, and he handed Fang Chongyong an official letter to look at.

"The court intends to send a special envoy to Kuizhou?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a surprised expression.

"Yes, the document came from Gui Zhou (Zi Gui), stating that the court's envoy has already set out from Gui Zhou to Kuizhou, and that I should receive him. Yet I don't even know how many attendants there are or what kind of boat they're on! What am I to do?"

"Do you think they came because of that matter?"

Zheng Shuqing, flustered to the point of anger, stood up from his high stool and paced back and forth.

Seeing Fang Chongyong deep in thought and silent, Zheng Shuqing urgently asked, "Didn't you say you already have a good plan? Tell me, what is the solution?"

"Please, Governor, assign someone well‑versed in Kuizhou's livelihood to accompany me; we'll tour the prefecture for a couple of days. When the time comes, someone will naturally give the Governor a satisfactory answer."

Hearing Fang Chongyong's words, Zheng Shuqing felt a bit relieved, and reluctantly nodded, "It can only be done that way. I will make the arrangements; you should rise early tomorrow. Time is short; do not delay!"

…

Early the next morning, Fang Chongyong was summoned by Zheng Shuqing to the prefectural office, and also summoned was a junior clerk in a black hemp robe. Apart from a scar on his face and slightly tattered, shabby clothing, there was nothing particularly notable about him.

"He Chengjiong! Starting today, you will follow this young master; do whatever he tells you, understand?"

Zheng Shuqing scolded the man named He Chengjiong harshly, his attitude vastly different from how he treated Fang Chongyong.

The man, upon hearing the Kuizhou Inspector's words, showed no discontent, merely bowing respectfully and saying, "I accept the order."

He then turned to Fang Chongyong, saluting, "I am the unruly commander of Kuizhou; please give me your command, I will give my all!"

Unruly man? Unruly commander?

Does he know martial arts? Can he fly? Does he have the Dragon Spring Sword? Does he know Yuan Tiangang?

Fang Chongyong had many doubts in his heart, but his face showed nothing; he merely nodded slightly and said, \"Just follow me, let's go. \"

The two left the government office; today Fang Chongyong had Fang Laique follow the cook at the Lotus Pond Official Residence to learn cooking, which might come in handy later. So at the moment he had no little tail behind him.

Arriving on Kuizhou Main Street, today it was still crowded to overflowing, prosperous to an abnormal, unreal degree.

Fang Chongyong looked at He Chengjiong and asked, "Kuizhou Prefecture, besides hemp cloth, what else do you have to offer?"

The Outlaws are not personnel in the Tang dynasty government roster; roughly speaking, they are like Fang Chongyong's previous life's auxiliary police, but with lower status. After taking on a government case, if the Outlaws cannot solve it within three days, they will be subjected to flogging, receiving lashes on their backs.

Really, it's miserable.

But historical records also suggest that this is merely the Outlaws' surface work; in fact they have the duty of supervising various places for the imperial family. As for the specifics, Fang Chongyong is not entirely clear.

"Sir, as for hemp cloth and such, the trade routes have already been monopolized by various wealthy merchants. And Kuizhou's fruits, like pomelos and oranges, fetch no price; if you want to eat them, sir, I can arrange people to go pick them."

"As for white apes, tigers and leopards and the like, I suppose you wouldn't want those either…"

He Chengjiong talked for a long time without getting to the point, and Fang Chongyong impatiently retorted, "My father is the Inspector of Shan'nan East Circuit; I originally wanted to accomplish something when I grew up, and now is a time when we lack manpower—I wanted to help you out, but I didn't expect this."

Fang Chongyong wanted to speak but held back.

He Chengjiong hurriedly said, "Sir, don't be impatient; I am indeed getting to the crux. The things Kuizhou can offer are liquor and ships."

A gleam flashed in his eyes, making him look fully confident.

"Good, then take me to have a look and we'll talk after."