Chapter 62: Beyond Unwanted Wishes

This old man is really a drunk.

After finishing today's calligraphy practice, Fang Chongyong looked at his "work" with satisfaction, felt a little proud, and couldn't help but complain.

To him, in this Anshi Rebellion era that has already entered a countdown, practicing calligraphy specifically is of no use.

It's only a hair's breadth away from wasting time.

But people are social animals and cannot do whatever they please. Since Zheng Shuqing gave him a "grand gift" of connections, he has an obligation to play the required role well.

At the riverbank I hear the dawn bell, a light oar guides the boat back.

The sea tide at night is hushed, the river's morning dew melts.

First I see birds on the sand, as if they are buried beyond the cloud‑capped peaks.

The hometown stretches boundlessly, a bright departure awakens longing for companions.

The calligraphy copybook Fang Chongyong is tracing is an early poem by He Zhizhang, composed when he was young, departing his hometown Yongxing County to go to the capital Chang'an for the imperial exams.

It is unknown whether He Zhizhang left this poem for Fang Chongyong to copy hoping he would pursue the civil service exams, or simply to recount his own feelings at the time.

Fang Chongyong compared the first piece he wrote over a month ago with today's piece and found the two copied calligraphy sheets look completely unlike being written by the same person.

From the earlier stiff and lifeless style, now at least it looks somewhat proper.

He Zhizhang is a drunk and a lazybones, occasionally offering Fang Chongyong some pointers on his calligraphy. Just that alone justifies the payment of eighty bolts of Tang brocade.

Effort never goes in vain.

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but sigh.

He, above all, fears wasting time, yet sometimes must "waste" time on things he deems unnecessary, and then becomes tangled in inner conflict.

On one hand, Fang Chongyong thinks mastering calligraphy decorates his image and is quite useful.

On the other hand, he feels the Tang's collapse trend hasn't fundamentally changed at all. Practicing calligraphy, to him, is merely futile work.

Fang Chongyong placed the copybook neatly on the desk, weighted it with a paperweight, said goodbye to He Zhizhang's household servant, and left Xuanping Lane.

It must be said, after this period of training, his calligraphy has leapt forward.

Of course, Fang Chongyong's demand of He Zhizhang is very pure. Nothing else, just borrowing a name.

The improvement in calligraphy is a pleasant surprise.

Fang Chongyong is a very down‑to‑earth, even vulgar person, never thinking he has anything special.

At nine years old, he didn't seem to look like he'd become handsome; his skin was a bit rough, showing a hint of a warrior's foundation.

He doesn't think his "tiger‑body trembles", yet He Zhizhang considers him a promising talent and introduces him to the literary circle he belongs to.

Fang Chongyong certainly doesn't think that after paying 80 bolts of Tang brocade, He Zhizhang would treat him as a closed‑door disciple and pour out all his teachings.

As for fantasizing that He Zhizhang's daughter might be infatuated with him, not only is the age mismatch, even if age were fine, he's not the type to sell his soul.

A nine‑year‑old kid thinking about these things is just naive; a child is a child.

Fang Chongyong harbors no fantasies; he doesn't think others would arbitrarily or because of a trivial matter look at him more highly.

The facts also show that He Zhizhang almost never speaks to him, seemingly not even offering a perfunctory remark. After each critique of the day's writing, he grabs his wine jar and heads to the bedroom to drink and sleep.

Very business‑like.

"When can we leave Chang'an?"

Walking on the over‑120‑meter‑wide main street of Chang'an, Fang Chongyong exhaled a puff of foul air that formed a white mist in the air.

In winter, night falls early, and there aren't many pedestrians on the road.

Many people have donned thick jackets, with silk linings stuffed with various fillings, making warmth a given.

Yet some servants wear thin clothes, hunching and curling their bodies, apparently out buying goods, hurrying, believing that moving faster will keep the cold at bay.

The world of Chang'an is splendid.

The world of Chang'an is helpless.

It all depends on one's status.

The technique of rebirth matters far more than personal effort.

The servants' effort is to give their masters a better life. In Chang'an, different people have different meanings, connotations, and results for their efforts.

Pathetic and lamentable, yet helpless.

With complex thoughts in his mind, Fang Chongyong knocked on his own house's main door. Upon entering, he saw the towering, square‑jawed Wang Zhongsi, his face etched with fatigue, sitting in the hall chatting with Fang Dafu, the two seeming very familiar.

"Father‑in‑law finally returned!"

Fang Chongyong said excitedly.

"Yes, thanks to you, we'll discuss it in the study."

Wang Zhongsi gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

After the two settled in the study, Wang Zhongsi sighed, "I don't know if it's because you pushed too hard, but the Sage has promoted me to Left Army General of the Longwu Army, and I cannot leave Chang'an, sigh!"

He couldn't help sighing; only his own family knows his affairs.

Serving in the Chang'an Imperial Guard is not a good posting for him.

Wang Zhongsi had already investigated what the Longwu Army does; it's the new core of the Tang, organizationally considered Li Longji's "personal guard". Thus, this nature means the Longwu Army has little chance for merit and is unlikely to leave Chang'an.

Wang Zhongsi, having served many years and grown up in the palace, fully understands what kind of unit the Longwu Army is.

Since Emperor Taizong, the Tang's elite forces have been border troops, showing strong branches but weak roots. The Imperial Guard is far from the most combat‑effective unit.

"Joining the Longwu Army, though it earns the Sage's trust, means one can never achieve merit again, only muddle through life in Chang'an, which is not what I desire."

Wang Zhongsi couldn't help sighing again.

"Father‑in‑law's words are not false; the son‑in‑law who went to the Longwu Army's recruitment site found it filled with the sons of wealthy merchants and nobles signing up."

Fang Chongyong, indifferent, tossed in a cutting remark.

Hearing this, Wang Zhongsi could only give a wry smile. This should no longer be an 'unexpected' surprise.

"Hmm, I will enter the palace to meet the Sage; after that, we'll talk."

Wang Zhongsi's expression darkened; he vaguely knew what had happened in Chang'an.

Anyway, none of it is good!

"Li Linfu, advising the Sage, suggested that the father‑in‑law take a post over at the Jian'nan fief town. Du Xiwang and the others wanted the father‑in‑law to go to Hexi. The son‑in‑law also thought that going to Hexi was better than going to Jian'nan."

At present, the initial goal has been achieved; the father‑in‑law has left Kui Prefecture Dongyang Prefecture and has basically regained his former rank.

The next step is to leave Chang'an and head to Liangzhou.

Fang Chongyong gave Wang Zhongsi a copy of the letter his future mother‑in‑law had written to Li Longji for his review.

"Move him with emotion, enlighten him with reason; people are not plants, the Sage is no exception. What the son‑in‑law can do is first get the father‑in‑law back to Chang'an. As for the next step, it will need to be weighed slowly."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhongsi gave a slight nod; his own son‑in‑law truly could do what others could not, and could no longer be treated as a child but as a partner capable of discussing great matters.

"After this year's Lantern Festival, the Sage killed three sons in one day, including Crown Prince Li Ying. Does the father‑in‑law know about this?"

Fang Chongyong asked in a deep voice.

Wang Zhongsi was in Dongyang Prefecture, a location even more remote than Kui Prefecture's city, beside Wushan County; how could he know what was happening at court?

"I don't know, but… that's all."

Wang Zhongsi let out a sigh.

"Later, Consort Wu Hui also died suddenly, cause unknown."

Fang Chongyong pressed on.

Wang Zhongsi remained silent; although Fang Chongyong said little more, he could guess that Consort Wu Hui was likely killed by Li Longji.

Such matters could never produce evidence; a conviction of the heart would suffice.

Whatever people think the matter to be, that becomes the reality. Whether Li Longji appears to explain or not makes no difference.

"Princess Consort Yang Yuhuan has now become a nun, a female Daoist. Yet she is the Sage's forbidden concubine, and now the Sage takes her to soak in the hot springs at Huaqing Palace. The father‑in‑law wishes to enter the palace to see the Sage, but he fears he will not see anyone."

Fang Chongyong's expression turned heavy as he said,

"The Sage actually…"

Wang Zhongsi was left speechless.

His life experience was simple; where had he ever seen such flamboyant tricks!

Ripping a daughter‑in‑law to ashes, killing a favored consort—how could Li Longji possibly have done such things!

In Wang Zhongsi's memory, this Tang Emperor should not be such a person.

Back then, when Wang Zhongsi was still young, Li Longji tested his military tactics and said personally, "You will become an excellent general in the future."

At that time, he could not foresee that Li Longji would rip a daughter‑in‑law to ashes.

But time can indeed change a person slowly yet resolutely over many years, making them unrecognizable and ferocious.

"So, now the father‑in‑law going to Huaqing Pool to see the Sage will only make him angry and ashamed.

The father‑in‑law grew up in the palace as a child; if he saw the Sage ripping a daughter‑in‑law to ashes and frolicking together in the hot springs…"

He stopped mid‑sentence; Fang Chongyong fell silent, believing Wang Zhongsi certainly understood this reasoning.

"Alas, I understand."

Wang Zhongsi let out a long sigh, speechless. Thousands of words were contained in that sigh.

Wang Zhongsi felt a bad premonition; the current Sage was no longer the Sage of old. Perhaps the Sage had always been that way, but had not shown it before.

He had thought that after leaving Kui Prefecture Dongyang Prefecture, opportunities to make a name for himself were within reach, but it turned out to be nothing.

"Father‑in‑law, I wish to go to Hexi for some training. The waters here in Chang'an are too deep, not conducive to my growth."

Fang Chongyong suddenly raised a question that caught Wang Zhongsi off guard. After a moment, he was at ease.

"Chang'an… truly isn't suitable for you."

Wang Zhongsi gave a slight nod, offering no objection. Many things were obvious: Chang'an had too many powerful families, and Fang Chongyong was still too young, so his interactions with that circle were few.

However, Fang Chongyong could not remain nine forever; once he passed fourteen, he would be an adult, and mingling with the powerful circle would be inevitable.

To be honest, that circle had become utterly rotten, stinking to an unbearable degree.

Fang Chongyong entering this circle would either stand out like a crane among chickens and be isolated and attacked, or go along with the current and become useless.

"You need an official post, just as Liu Yan held the Crown Prince's Scribe at ten years old. For example, a position as a Liangzhou Provincial Military Officer would be fine.

It is the Provincial Military Officer role, very flexible."

Wang Zhongsi smiled, saying he had already found a tailor‑made post for Fang Chongyong.

"But I don't…"

Fang Chongyong wore a bewildered expression, not knowing what this so‑called 'Provincial Military Officer' entailed.

Wang Zhongsi laughed heartily, waved his hand and said:

"Rest assured, the Provincial Military Officer takes on special missions. A special mission is a particular order issued by the court.

For instance, if you are given a task to investigate illegal activities, you can insert yourself anywhere. Of course, what counts as illegal is up to you, right?"

In the Tang Empire, a child holding office is not a problem. The problem arises when the official gets into trouble!

The Provincial Military Officer post is one that Fang Chongyong can hold without causing trouble.

The Tongdian states that the Provincial Military Officer is a "non‑regular post; dispatched when there is business."

Entering Hexi to help defend the Hexi Corridor is the so‑called "business." As for the specifics, they await the court's assignment.

Liangzhou is a "Shangzhou"; it has Six Bureaus Provincial Military Officers, a collective term for the Tang provincial posts in merit, granaries, households, troops, law, and scholars. These are fixed posts, each with its own slot.

But the Provincial Military Officer does not belong to that; it is a "air‑dropped" post from the court.

The Provincial Military Officer can manage everything or nothing at all! It is a "leisurely, non‑regular post."

The court has tried repeatedly, again and again, to abolish this position, but for various reasons it never succeeded.

The Tang bureaucracy is very lax; defunct offices (such as the post‑war Minister of the Six Ministries after the Anshi Rebellion) become honorary titles, and whenever a need arises they "create" a new office.

When managing frontier farms is needed, they establish a "Camp Field Commissioner."

To manage border garrison military authority, they would establish a "military governor".

To manage border garrison civil affairs, they would establish an "inspection and disposition commissioner".

To manage grain transport, they would establish a "transport commissioner".

As for those miscellaneous tasks that are hard to subdivide, they like to find some "baskets" to dump them into; for example, this prefectural assistant is a broken basket that can handle anything, yet can also ignore everything.

Fang Chongyong felt dizzy after Wang Zhongsi introduced these border garrison offices.

Fortunately, it is not yet the end of the Tianbao era, so there is no rule that the son of a military governor must enter the capital as a hostage; this trip to Hexi should be fine.

But in the future, it's hard to say.

Fang Chongyong thought with lingering fear, not daring to say these words to Wang Zhongsi.

"Father-in-law, it's best to be prepared. Before going to Hexi, one must first visit a certain person."

Fang Chongyong suddenly spoke solemnly.

Wang Zhongsi stared for a moment, then laughed: "Who could be that capable?"

"Nian Xianke."

Fang Chongyong uttered three words.

"Nian Xianke?"

Wang Zhongsi was not unfamiliar with that name. Back when Xiao Song went to Hexi, he repeatedly recommended Wang Zhongsi as his subordinate, while Nian Xianke had been in Hexi since the start of his career, so Wang Zhongsi naturally could not fail to know Nian Xianke.

Of course, Wang Zhongsi and Nian Xianke—one in the military-government system, the other in the civil-government system—had little contact. Wang Zhongsi only knew that Nian Xianke was very familiar with Hexi affairs.

"Knowing oneself and the enemy ensures victory in a hundred battles. Once the war with Tubo begins, it will not end quickly; mutual attack and defense lasting three to five years is quite normal."

"If Liangzhou falls into war, the garrison farms will be affected, and there is danger of supply lines being cut. The more preparations made now, the more calmly one can respond when the time comes."

"Father-in-law is not convenient to appear in person; it would be better to have the son-in-law contact Nian Xianke, arrange a meeting place to talk. What does father-in-law think?"

Fang Chongyong spoke at length confidently, a confident smile on his face.

Going to Hexi, he certainly won't have any fighting to do.

Aside from fighting, Fang Chongyong felt he should not remain an outsider.

He resolved to be an observer, learning survival skills of this era while also doing what he could.

"That works; I still need to report to the Longwu Army headquarters. Then you can find me at the relay station."

Wang Zhongsi nodded, then rose and left.