Chapter 70: Small People, Big Troubles

Northern Dynasties poet Wen Zisheng wrote in the "Liangzhou Song": "Traveling far to Wuwei Commandery, gazing afar at Guzang City, carts and horses interweave, songs and flutes run day and night."

In the Tang era, Wuwei Commandery was Liangzhou, and Guzang City was Liangzhou City, also called Wuwei City.

This is the bustling international metropolis of the northwest!

If Chang'an is square and its wards independent like a chessboard, then Liangzhou City is like a phoenix with wings spread! At this time Liangzhou City is long north‑south, short east‑west; the southern city has East and West Garden districts, resembling a bird city with a head, tail, and two wings.

Liangzhou City is not one city, but seven!

In response, Cen Can composed: "A crescent moon hangs over the city walls, the moon over the walls shines on Liangzhou. Seven cities of Liangzhou house a hundred thousand families, the Hu people half know how to play the pipa."

In this era Liangzhou City measured eleven li long and three li wide, with one central city and six subsidiary cities surrounding it, a total population of several hundred thousand! It was the foremost strong city of the northwest, second only to Chang'an.

This layout did not form in a year or two; its timespan stretches over a hundred years.

After Liangzhou City became a capital, five successive local regimes bearing the name "Liang" governed it; the political upgrades spurred further construction, adding many functional spaces beyond a prefectural city, enough to embody the essence of an imperial capital.

In other words, the current layout of Liangzhou City is a capital without the title of capital!

It perfectly exemplifies what low‑key luxury with substance means.

Since the founding of the Tang, being dispatched to Liangzhou on official business has always been a coveted assignment for central officials. The mountains are high and the emperor far, so there are few constraints; the sturdy Liangzhou City serves as a shield, the vigorous Chishui Army as cover, the abundant western goods fill the granaries, and there are irresistible western specialties like Hu women's music and grape wine.

Yet at this moment, Jiedushi Cui Xiyi, the Hexi Military Governor, furrowed his brows in the Jiedu Prefecture's study.

He was troubled by a slew of messy trivialities.

As an old bureaucrat, he knew well that court affairs are not truly troublesome sometimes, because everyone has become accustomed to them.

For example, dealing with Tubo.

Indeed, Tubo is hard to handle, but the problem is that after so many years, Tang border towns have already established two Jiedu Prefectures—Hexi and Longyou—as mobile defense zones against Tubo, fielding nearly 150,000 brave, battle‑ready standing troops!

That doesn't even count the imperial "Autumn Defense Order," which could conscript several ten‑thousands more from the mixed Sogdian‑Hu settlements in Hexi.

If still insufficient, elite troops can be borrowed from the northern frontier.

This shows the power of the Tang "Autumn Defense Order": when Tubo sends 400,000 men, the Tang army can match up to 400,000, adding forces until Tubo can no longer increase.

So these seemingly colossal troubles can be handled carefully according to court regulations; they are not that big a deal.

However, for a local official, the most feared thing is the central court in Chang'an "air‑dropping" all sorts of odd characters.

These people have little ability, big tempers, deep backgrounds, and many petty demands; wherever they go, they turn the place into chaos.

Yet low‑ranking local officials can do nothing to them!

Now, the imperial edict lies before Cui Xiyi, leaving him both amused and exasperated. A child of eight or nine, appointed as a provincial military staff, comes here on "official business," and the sages themselves personally say he should be "well‑taken care of"—utterly absurd!

The position of provincial military staff is unusual, because here a "prefecture" does not refer to an ordinary prefectural city but specifically those "giant cities" exceeding normal prefecture size; only such an establishment warrants the idle office of provincial military staff.

For example, Yangzhou Prefecture (Yangzhou City), Yizhou Prefecture (Chengdu), Luoyang Prefecture (Luoyang City)… and of course Liangzhou Prefecture (Wuwei City).

Though this office has no real function, in theory it can stick its nose into any matter.

Including impeaching a Jiedushi!

What makes Cui Xiyi even more uneasy is that this person's father is the recently famed Youzhou Jiedushi Fang Youde, and his future father‑in‑law Wang Zhongsi is the newly appointed Chishui Army commander!

To protect this son‑in‑law, Wang Zhongsi even covertly sent a fifty‑person elite squad of the Chishui Army, led by a fellow townsman, who shed their uniforms for civilian clothes and, instead of performing duties, simply kept this official company!

The purpose was solely to protect him!

Cui Xiyi felt like a fly buzzing into his mouth while yawning—utterly nauseating, yet he had no way to deal with it.

This kid's background is way too big!

In Tang officialdom, everything depends on connections! Without a network, you cannot wield the corresponding authority; it's a very pragmatic issue.

Moreover, even Niu Xianke, who recommended him to the central court and is close friends with him, wrote back saying that once the "Fang Langjun" arrives in Hexi, he must be well cared for and not neglected to the point of illness or injury.

So many people do this; what can this Hexi Jiedushi do about it?

Yet now Cui Xiyi wants to look after that "Fang Langjun," but he can't even find the person!

Since the middle‑gate exit, none of the stations across the lands have any passage record for that individual.

In other words, either the Fang Langjun met an accident on the road and never passed the farther western stations, or… he slipped into another official's retinue, needing no passage documents at all!

From the current situation, the latter seems more likely.

In Tang, slaves are treated as cargo; unless they are the "striking‑looking" kind, the postmasters at stations don't bother, whether there are many or few attendants, as long as they don't exceed the official's rank.

"Someone's coming!"

Cui Xiyi shouted toward the doorway.

"Jiedushi, please give orders."

A clerk entered, crossed his hands and bowed.

"Go to every village in Hexi, post notices, and see who has seen that Fang Langjun."

Cui Xiyi painfully massaged his temples and said,

"Jiedushi, posting the notices is no problem, but the hope of finding them is very slim. We don't know what that person looks like; we only know there are four of them in total—two adults and two children—how can we possibly locate them?"

"If there's no way, won't you try to find a way?"

Cui Xiyi muttered impatiently.

Usually he is mild‑mannered, but recent after‑effects of countless worries have made him so irritable he wants to strike someone.

First, he and the Tubo general Qili Xu agreed that the two states would keep the Hexi border undefended, and the other side consented. Yet when his deputy went to the court to report, he instead suggested the Tang court betray its word and launch a surprise attack!

To his horror, Li Longji actually approved the move. With no other recourse, he ordered the Chishui Army southward to ambush the Tubo, forcing Qili Xu to flee alone. But Tubo is not like the Turks; their recovery rate far exceeds that of nomadic peoples. In less than half a year, Tubo rallied and began repeatedly sneaking through the Qilian Mountain passes to raid the Hexi Corridor!

This left Cui Xiyi exhausted, scrambling to cope.

Now there's also a "Fang official" to attend to; Cui Xiyi only hopes this person never causes trouble or gets into trouble, otherwise the subsequent matters will be hard to resolve.

……

Huizhou (its seat near Jingyuan, Gansu) is the last stop east of Liangzhou; the Tang court, to prepare for worst‑case scenarios—such as an irrecoverable collapse of the Hexi situation—established the Wulan Ferry on the Yellow River not far west of Huizhou.

On the Yellow River's west bank near Liangzhou, the Wulan Pass was built, while on the east bank the Huining Pass was erected. The two passes face each other, guarding both banks, with the winding, majestic Yellow River flowing between.

At this moment, Fang Chongyong's party, trailing behind the squad of "Judge Dugu" Dugu Jun, slipped out through Wulan Pass. From there to Liangzhou City there is no longer any post station offering lodging; it can be called the toughest stretch of the journey.

Of course, although the imperial offices have no official relay stations, there are still many civilian inns, but you have to pay yourself, and the service isn't as attentive.

The well‑known ones are as large as ordinary relay stations, even larger. The smaller ones are just a single courtyard, offering only water and simple food.

At first, Fang Chongyong invited Du Gu Jun and Gao Shi over for drinks to make acquaintances, merely on a trial basis. He didn't expect the Tang court's openness—no one would refuse such an invitation, let alone Fang Chongyong's powerful backing.

Du Gu Jun said little, barely uttering a few words the whole time, whereas Gao Shi, upon hearing that Fang Chongyong's party was heading to Hexi, enthusiastically briefed them on Liangzhou's customs and geography.

Probably because his words were so flattering, Fang Chongyong smacked his forehead, immediately wrote a recommendation letter for Gao Shi, and said, "Youzhou's Fang Jiedushi thirsts for talent; he may ignore others' advice, but my only son's words carry some weight. You can take this letter to the Youzhou Jiedushi Office and secure a minor post or something."

Gao Shi was overjoyed and hurriedly thanked him, while Du Gu Jun watched coldly from the side, offering no comment.

After Gao Shi left, Fang Chongyong suggested that once they passed through Guanzhong, the four of them would pose as Du Gu Jun's servants and attendants; Du Gu Jun readily agreed to the request.

"The western wind is fierce, the vast sky's geese cry beneath the frosty dawn moon.

Frost‑dawn moon, the clatter of horse hooves, the trumpet's wheeze.

The mighty pass and endless road are truly iron, yet now we step forward to cross anew.

Crossing anew, the azure mountains stretch like a sea, the setting sun bleeds like blood."

Fang Chongyong turned back, gazing at Wulan Pass under the setting sun, and sighed a poem.

"Excellent! My worthy brother's literary talent shines; truly the son of Fang Jiedushi!"

From behind came Du Gu Jun's applause. Though this 'Judge Du Gu' had not been warm to Fang Chongyong at Mawei Relay, the journey had brought them to call each other brother. Fang Chongyong's youthful sagacity and keen wisdom made Du Gu Jun feel inferior.

"My worthy brother hides within my ranks—are you afraid of being plotted against?"

Du Gu Jun asked with a strange expression. He found it odd: Fang Chongyong's father is the Youzhou Jiedushi, his father‑in‑law is the Chishui Army Commander, and those who hold the Chishui Army Commander post typically, by unwritten rule, soon become Hexi Jiedushi.

The most conservative estimate is that behind Fang Chongyong stands a half‑Jiedushi! Just thinking of it is frightening!

Such a person would be low‑key if he didn't stride across, yet this one is even timid enough to hide in others' ranks masquerading as a servant.

"Brother Du Gu, you're unaware: out in the world, the jianghu is treacherous—mind the timeless ship. Those dressed in barbarian bandit garb may not be genuine barbarians."

Fang Chongyong sighed with emotion.

Du Gu Jun nodded slightly, acknowledging the truth. If someone openly wielded firearms to kill Fang Chongyong, he'd be trapped by the whole world—Li Longji couldn't protect him either. But could he be killed covertly?

An undiscovered crime can only be called an accident, right?

Between Chang'an and Hexi lies such a long road; countless buried graves underground, surely many died in vain.

"My worthy brother, staying vigilant in peace, is admirable, but…"

Du Gu Jun hesitated, about to speak.

He had wanted to ask that for a long time, but the two had been chatting merrily all the way, neglecting this matter.

"Brother Du Gu, if you have something to say, feel free to speak plainly."

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and said.

"Gao Shi is the type who clings to power and prestige. Though he has constantly flattered me, I dare not casually recommend him to my superiors."

"My worthy brother could recommend him for a post in the Youzhou Jiedushi Office, but if he later commits a crime, Fang Jiedushi would bear joint responsibility."

Du Gu Jun said no more, trusting that Fang Chongyong's wisdom would fully grasp his meaning.

"Gao Shi, you've only known me for a day; this counts as a first meeting."

The greatest faux pas in life is speaking deeply to shallow acquaintances. You haven't even figured out who Gao Shi is—how can you trap your father in death like this?

"Rest assured, my father's eyes flash like lightning; demons and monsters will reveal themselves before him."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand dismissively, saying it without taking Du Gu Jun's words seriously.

Seeing his attitude, Du Gu Jun stamped his foot anxiously and said:

"Let me put it this way: besides Gao Shi, the one who wrote me a farewell poem is the world‑renowned Li Bai."

"But so what? Do you think they truly wish to befriend me? They only hope I can recommend them to my superiors. If I held no post at all, or were merely a low‑ranking staff officer instead of a judge, would they still pay me any mind?"

"Even setting that aside, does being good at poetry guarantee competence in affairs?"

"Not necessarily!"

"We officials within the Jiedushi Office must be able to shoulder governance; otherwise we harm ourselves and the superiors who appreciate our recommendations."

"The judge is a court‑appointed position, not one the Jiedushi can recruit. The Jiedushi only has advisory authority, not decision‑making power."

"Thus, Du Gu Jun holding this office shows he has strong backing behind him."

"It's clear Du Gu Jun doesn't hold Gao Shi in high regard, even though the latter flatters him earnestly. It's also likely he doesn't esteem Li Bai either."

"Perhaps he appreciates their poetic talent, but writing poetry and serving as an official are, after all, two different pursuits!"

"Tang poetry has left a brilliant record in history, yet that does not erase the fact that many poets constantly had to grovel and curry favor with the powerful."

"Even some officials of slightly higher rank."

"Ironically, many famous works of the High Tang were produced by excessive flattery."

"Du Gu Jun's respect for Fang Chongyong stems not only from his character but also from the fact that this child dared to train in Hexi at nine, securing a minor post and a marriage contract; what status will he have in ten or twenty years?"

"Considering his background and backing, there's even more to say."

"There is no love without cause in this world! Fang Chongyong blends into Du Gu Jun's group not to hide his tracks—how naive can he be?"

The two chatted leisurely in the carriage; time passed quickly, and soon night fell.

"This route was originally guarded by the Xinquan Army, but in the third year of Kaiyuan it was demoted to a garrison; now even the base has moved inside Wulan Pass. Had it not been so, we wouldn't have to camp outdoors along the way."

Du Gu Jun couldn't help but complain.

Previously, between Liangzhou and Wulan Pass, the Tang established a military unit to keep the route safe, and the garrison also offered conveniences to merchants and officials to supplement military funds.

Later the base's ecology deteriorated, prompting its administrative downgrade to a garrison. Since Wulan Pass's geography and conditions far surpassed the Xinquan Army's original base, the Xinquan Army almost renamed itself the Wulan Army; its base moved, becoming a true 'fortress army.'

In any case, the Silk Road through the Hexi Corridor to Chang'an now has a relatively short but tangible gap.

For Fang Chongyong and his companions, the saying still holds: "Caution steers the ten‑thousand‑year ship."

Even when nearing Liangzhou City, it doesn't mean they can rest easy.

After Fang Chongyong arrived at the former Xinquan Army base, the party set up camp by a shallow, slow‑flowing river that only runs during spring and summer floods, lighting a fire and roughly half‑encircling the area with the carriage and horses—a forced necessity.

They had just moved a short distance away from the abandoned earthen house of the New Spring Army.

They chose to depart Wulan Pass at dusk, walk to the vicinity of the New Spring Army's garrison, rest and set up camp there, then march all day the next day, reaching Cool Prefecture City before nightfall. The placement of the New Spring Army's original garrison was just such a clever arrangement.

If they set out from Wulan Pass at dawn, then when they had to camp at night, the troop would find itself right within the activity range of the Tibetan scouts.

Choosing the lesser of two evils, Dugu Jun's decision posed no problem.

As everyone sat around the campfire chatting casually, the sound of horse hooves came from afar, galloping along the main road, drawing nearer and nearer!

"The Tang Army wouldn't patrol the post road at night; they must be barbarian bandits! Quick, hide!"

Dugu Jun's face changed dramatically; he hadn't expected to encounter this sort of thing just after leaving Wulan Pass.

"There won't be any Tibetans here, but barbarian people pretending to be Tibetans to stir up trouble can't be ruled out! Fortunately, I hired a dozen or so guards; if anything happens, they can hold off for a short while."

First watch, let us row with both oars.

(End of chapter)