Chapter 66: The Marshal

In Fang Chongyong's impression, Huaqing Palace should be a small courtyard with a few bathing pools, steaming with heat, eunuchs and palace maids bustling in and out, and that's it.

His pretentiousness is only at that level.

When he arrived at the gate of Huaqing Palace, he realized he had greatly underestimated Li Longji.

Ji Ge is wealthy across the four seas, so he surely does everything on a grand scale! If the emperor's grandeur were no better than that of common folk or local officials, what would that even mean!

Huaqing Palace is built against the mountain, its scale astonishing. From the foot to the summit, there are various halls and facilities. It fully exploits the advantageous terrain, making it a rigorously structured, magnificent palace complex.

Other places aside, a palace with hot springs, ancient and modern, domestic and foreign, Huaqing Palace is definitely top‑notch, unprecedented, and likely never to be surpassed.

The main halls of Huaqing Palace center on the hot springs "Bath Pools," forming its core. Of course, the springs are far more than one spot; here they can entertain the emperor, and sometimes even officials and royal family members simultaneously.

Hosting a hundred people for a hot‑spring soak at once is no difficulty.

The entire palace complex, i. e., the main hot‑spring area, is divided into three strictly tiered zones: West, Central, and East.

The West Zone has Star Bath and Nine Dragon Bath, where Li Longji and his consorts soak; the Central Zone contains four baths including Crown Prince Bath, the domain of the crown prince and princes; the East Zone is split into the "True Bath Sixteen," for accompanying officials.

The hot‑spring grades descend from west to east; without a special imperial edict, personnel may not enter a tier above their own rank.

The palace complex not only occupies the mid‑mountain but also spreads up and down the slope, using the terrain to place various pavilions and kiosks, and also features pine and cypress groves, lychee garden, lotus garden, pear orchard, pepper garden, East Garden and other non‑bath structures.

Simply put, it is a luxurious hot‑spring resort.

Huaqing Palace's architecture follows the mountains and water, dense and orderly; besides the palace city (Luocheng), there are surrounding walls. Outside the city are facilities such as the Great Ball Court, Small Ball Court, and Horse‑Dancing Platform.

As they walked, Gao Lishi introduced these halls and baths to Fang Chongyong, and Fang was left dumbfounded. No wonder he saw many buildings and enclosed areas beyond the palace wall that looked like places for playing polo.

How much manpower and material resources that must have cost!

Fang Chongyong could not believe that such a massive palace complex was built solely for the emperor's pleasure.

After all, Huaqing Palace's nature differs from that of Daming Palace! It is merely a place for the emperor's leisure.

Moreover, the hot‑spring baths here do not cease operation just because Li Longji does not attend. In fact, Huaqing Palace has a dedicated office that manages them year‑round, keeping them running continuously.

Furthermore, Huaqing Palace is normally closed to the public; its existence is pure extravagance. In other words, Huaqing Palace is an institution solely serving the Li Tang imperial family, funded entirely by the court's treasury, with no revenue of its own.

Only when Li Longji nods can outsiders enter to soak, with no exceptions.

For example, right now.

"This… how much would this cost?"

Fang Chongyong muttered, shocked by Li Longji's extravagance.

Hearing this, Gao Lishi couldn't help laughing aloud, saying with a hint of pride:

"Things belonging to the imperial family are not measured by money. Some things cannot be bought with money."

"Just like your bath today—without a holy decree, no amount of money can get you into Huaqing Palace. What use are these copper‑stink things?"

Gao Lishi said with a pointed implication.

Fang Chongyong respectfully crossed his arms and bowed, saying nothing further; he truly didn't know what to say.

Many facts seem harsh, but they are not fabricated. Whether one can tolerate them or not, imperial authority stands as it is.

Take Huaqing Palace, and also… the former Prince of Longevity's consort Yang Yuhuan, who now spends night after night singing and reveling with Li Longji inside Huaqing Palace.

Ordinary people facing imperial power either get crushed by it or temporarily submit.

Fang Chongyong felt there was no need to argue with Gao Lishi.

The two arrived outside a modest bathhouse and heard a young woman's startled cries and soft moans, plus the splash of waves against hidden reefs, as if a swimming competition were in full swing inside.

Fang Chongyong just as he tried to press his head to the doorway to glimpse inside was firmly grabbed by Gao Lishi's hand.

"Even a saint's bath, is it for you to watch at will?"

Gao Lishi was amusedly irritated by Fang Chongyong's reckless move.

"Oh, I was reckless, my apologies, my apologies."

Fang Chongyong crossed his arms, bowed, and bowed low in a submissive manner, leaving the emperor's personal eunuch both laughing and sighing.

Boldness and timidity both appear in one person.

Soon, Fang Chongyong was led by accompanying eunuchs to a side hall inside Imperial Bath Nine Dragon Hall, where he sat properly on a high stool padded with a soft cushion, awaiting Li Longji's summons.

Unfortunately the embroidered curtains of the solitary phoenix are costly, suitable for the double‑swallow door curtains. Double swallows fly around the painted beams; silk drapes, emerald bedding, and tulips.

All these things are plentiful.

There are also several aristocratic flower‑bird screens, but the screen depicts a fierce white‑browed tiger!

Surveying the furnishings, Fang Chongyong marveled that Li Longji truly is an artist with taste. Even coming from a modern era a thousand years later, he has never seen such refined taste.

He suddenly recalled that his summons was because his scummy father was making a splash again in Youzhou, and that something about the Bohai Kingdom… what does any of this have to do with anything!

Fang Chongyong's mind was a mush; he couldn't grasp the cause and effect of the matter. But one thing was certain: his scummy father's actions in Youzhou made Ji Ge feel "very comfortable."

Given Li Longji's ambitious nature, if he cannot reward meritorious officials in time, then rewarding the officials' sons in advance is also fine. This aligns with the emperor's usual habits and thoughts.

Thinking this, he relaxed, stayed perfectly still, quietly seated, awaiting Li Longji's summons after the emperor finished his soak.

After a long while, Fang Chongyong had dozed off several times with his eyes half‑closed; the palace maids had already lit candles in the great hall, yet Li Longji still had not arrived.

Just as Fang Chongyong's legs were numb from sitting, about to rise discreetly to stretch, Gao Lishi hurried in, smiling and saying:

"The saint is a bit fatigued today, not convenient to see you."

"Then, you'll stay one night in Huaqing Palace first."

Gao Lishi was also a bit weary, wiping the fine beads of sweat from his forehead.

Fang Chongyong wanted to ask, since Li Longji plays in the hot‑spring palace without attending state affairs, what exactly is he tiring himself out with!

One works hard at a job and is also exhausted after work; is life really that miserable?

"Tomorrow, the saint will summon you; do not say anything that spoils the mood, understand?"

Gao Lishi emphasized it again.

Fang Chongyong nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

……

Over the course of nearly a month, Fang Youde led two thousand light cavalry on an eight-hundred-li raid, setting out from Liucheng in Yingzhou to the Bohai Kingdom's capital, Xianzhou. Aside from defeating a unit of Bohai border troops returning to the kingdom at the frontier, the rest of the time it was virtually bloodless.

By the time they returned to Yingzhou, Pinglu Jiedushi Wu Zhiyi's jaw nearly dropped.

It was one thing that every soldier who went on the campaign had fine cloth provided by the Bohai Kingdom in hand, but the Bohai Kingdom also "sent" Da Qinmao, who should have been the one to inherit the throne, to Chang'an as a hostage. One could say they gained both face and substance this time, and more crucially, they hadn't botched the situation.

They were both Jiedushi — why was it that Fang Youde could maneuver freely, attack whomever he pleased, and in the end leave no mess behind?

While he himself could only be trapped defending Yingzhou, barely maintaining the situation at the border town?

Wu Zhiyi's mood was terrible, because he knew that Li Longji was someone who could not tolerate a speck of sand in his eye.

He was very strict in his demands of others, yet very lax in his demands of himself!

Once Fang Youde submitted his battle merits, what awaited him, Wu Zhiyi, was something anyone could guess even using their toes.

"Jiedushi Fang, you've made quite a show this time, returning fully loaded."

Wu Zhiyi stepped forward and grasped Fang Youde's hands, shaking them back and forth.

It would be a lie to say he wasn't jealous, but Wu Zhiyi also knew he had no backing. The imperial favor he enjoyed was far inferior to Fang Youde's, and his abilities fell far short as well.

He should have been dismissed last time, and it was only thanks to Fang Youde memorializing the court that he escaped that disaster.

But many things can happen once but not twice. This time Fang Youde's lesson to the Bohai Kingdom was executed too beautifully — the ministers at court praised him unanimously, saying he had displayed the Great Tang's prestige without wantonly killing or disrupting the border situation.

By comparison, Wu Zhiyi amounted to nothing at all. He would be lucky not to be punished; keeping his official post was out of the question.

"The court's transfer order should arrive very soon."

Wu Zhiyi said with a bitter smile.

"Jiedushi Wu, there is no need to panic. I have already memorialized the court, recommending you as Left Army General of the Dragon Martial Army. Though Jiedushi Wu is conservative in battle, the Dragon Martial Army in Chang'an happens to require no such exertion. The Sage's Dragon Martial Army prefers men who have no entanglements with any faction.

In this way, would it not be the best of both worlds?"

Fang Youde said with a smile.

Hearing these words, Wu Zhiyi understood implicitly. He leaned in and whispered in Fang Youde's ear: "An Lushan is no honest man. I've collected all the evidence of his crimes. Once the transfer order arrives, I shall hand this evidence over to you."

Fang Youde nodded — everything was understood without words. Help in officialdom always came at a price.

Maneuvering Wu Zhiyi into the Dragon Martial Army and removing him from the hot potato of Pinglu Jiedushi naturally required the expenditure of political resources. How could anyone do such a thing for free!

An Lushan was not the same as Cui Qianyou.

Cui Qianyou had previously been nothing more than a minor officer in the Modou Army — dealing with him was simply dealing with him. No one would say anything about Fang Youde; they would just take it as a new official establishing his authority upon taking office.

But now An Lushan was already the Pinglu Army Military Commissioner under the Pinglu Jiedushi! This position was extremely critical — pulling one hair moved the whole body.

Under the Pinglu Jiedushi's command there were two armies plus the Andong Protectorate and the Yuguan Garrison:

The Pinglu Army, stationed within Yingzhou City, had a total of sixteen thousand soldiers and four thousand two hundred warhorses!

The Lulong Army, stationed in Pingzhou City, had only ten thousand soldiers and three hundred warhorses.

The Yuguan Garrison, four hundred eighty li west of Yingzhou City, had three hundred soldiers and one hundred warhorses.

The Andong Protectorate, two hundred seventy li east of Yingzhou, commanded eight thousand five hundred soldiers and seven hundred warhorses.

It was obvious that the Pinglu Army was the main force under the Pinglu Jiedushi, concentrating most of the warhorses as a mobile force to ensure the security of Pingzhou and Yingzhou.

An Lushan occupied such a critical position — it was not something Fang Youde could simply remove at will.

Wu Zhiyi had Zhang Shougui plant trusted followers in his own jurisdiction, in reality because he, as a "weak Jiedushi," had neither backing nor loyal confidants of his own. He had no way of saying no to many unspoken rules.

In fact, since the court established the Jiedushi system, most of them had been weak Jiedushi — diligent in their posts and unable to make any waves.

"Jiedushi Wu rendered merit in supporting our raid on the Bohai Kingdom this time. I've had the men set aside one thousand bolts of silk for the Jiedushi to reward the officers and soldiers.

Military affairs are pressing, so forgive me for taking my leave — I must return to Youzhou now."

Fang Youde cupped his hands in salute, bowed to Wu Zhiyi, then turned and departed, leaving only his cloak flapping loudly in the cold wind behind him.

Watching his retreating figure, Wu Zhiyi sighed helplessly and muttered to himself: "Finally leaving this godforsaken place."

He could see it clearly now — whoever had Fang Youde as a neighbor while serving as Jiedushi was truly, damnably cursed with the worst luck.

……

Inside the Nine Dragon Hall of the Imperial Hot Springs at Huaqing Pool, Fang Chongyong pretended not to recognize Li Bai beside Li Longji, sitting on a tall stool with his head down, saying nothing.

"No need to be so stiff."

Li Longji waved his hand and pointed at Li Bai, saying to Fang Chongyong: "I hear you are a prodigy, quite skilled at composing poetry. Beside me is the world-renowned Li Taibai. Why don't you compose a poem and let him appraise it?"

Li Longji said with a gentle smile, showing no imperial airs. Perhaps because he was in a rather good mood at the moment.

"With the Sage before me, I'm too frightened — I cannot compose one."

Fang Chongyong said with a bitter smile.

This did dampen Li Longji's spirits, but the other party didn't seem to mind. He waved his hand lightly, and Li Bai bowed and took his leave, leaving only Fang Chongyong and Li Longji alone.

"Your father has rendered great, great merit this time — enough to be granted a noble title. But since he is not in Chang'an right now, bestowing a title would be of little significance. So I wish to transfer part of the reward meant for your father onto you."

Li Longji got straight to the point, stating the purpose of summoning Fang Chongyong to Huaqing Palace this time.

"So, tell me — what is it you want?"

Li Longji asked, looking at Fang Chongyong.

This kind of question was not easy to answer.

Because what Li Longji gave him might not be what he needed.

Conversely, what Fang Chongyong wanted, Li Longji might not be willing to give.

"How about this — I shall send you to study at the Chongwen Academy."

Li Longji said casually.

Again?! He had damn well already dropped out of the Hongwen Academy once!

Fang Chongyong hastily declined: "Sage, I wish to go to Liangzhou to gain experience, ideally with a sinecure post as a prefectural adjutant."

"Go to Liangzhou? Why?"

Li Longji looked at him with a strange expression and asked — he truly could not see through what Fang Chongyong wanted to do.

"As the saying goes, traveling ten thousand li is like reading ten thousand books. I simply wish to go to the frontier of Liangzhou to broaden my horizons. After I return to Chang'an, I will come to the academy to study. I beg the Sage to grant this."

Fang Chongyong clasped his hands in a bow before Li Longji and bowed deeply as he spoke.

"Let me think on it."

Li Longji pressed one hand against his temple, kneading it constantly, seemingly troubled by Fang Chongyong's request.

This request was not too high, but too low—so low it was almost humble!

Trereating the son of a meritorious subject like this, how would the people of the world view him as the Sage?

For a moment, Li Longji too fell into deep thought, unsure how he should decide.