Chapter 79: Baiting Sea Resort

During the Kaiyuan era, a minister who had been sent abroad was recalled by the Son of Heaven before completing his assigned duties; this has happened many times, and the reasons for recall vary, so it cannot be generalized.

Some were recalled because they performed terribly; Ji Ge simply could not tolerate it and summoned them back early for a beating.

There are also special cases; for example, Pei Yaoqing's reform of the canal transport was halted because Ji Ge thought the results were satisfactory and saw no need for Pei Yaoqing to keep spending money on futile efforts.

Therefore Zheng Shuqing felt uneasy about his return to Chang'an; he was summoned directly by a palace eunuch, bypassing the usual outer‑court procedures, which is highly unusual!

After trudging the post road, dusty and weary, from Luoyang back to Chang'an, Zheng Shuqing had not even time to return home to bathe and change clothes, nor to visit Li Linfu's residence in Pingkang Lane for information, and was taken straight to the Qinzhengwubenlou of Xingqing Palace!

From receiving the imperial edict from Li Longji to meeting him took less than three days! Who knows how he spent those three days, even traveling through the night!

The carriage axles were nearly smoking, and the road jolted as if sailing a ship in a storm.

When Zheng Shuqing appeared outside the Qinzhengwubenlou, a woman's moan drifted from within. Gao Lishi stood expressionless at the door, gave him a slight shake of the head, and said nothing.

After I painstakingly rode nonstop from Luoyang, you get on the horse and are messing around with a woman!

Zheng Shuqing was seething with anger… or so he pretended!

Li Longji is the emperor; he can do as he wishes, and no outer‑court official can freely judge him.

One may vent that anger when no one is around, but must never be seen doing so!

Zheng Shuqing harbored no complaint; he only asked Li Longji not to play any tricks, finish the matter, and then let him return to Luoyang to resume his duties.

An hour later, Gao Lishi finally escorted Zheng Shuqing into the study of the Qinzhengwubenlou.

The old Zheng then saw Li Longji's face flushed abnormally, wiping sweat from his forehead with a towel, looking visibly exhausted.

The earlier "intense battle" must have taken all his strength, the saint, right?

Zheng Shuqing lowered his head, avoiding Li Longji's gaze, his mind filled with filthy, lewd images—dry hands brushing over fair, supple skin—an overwhelming mix of nausea and arousal.

He forced a solemn, proper expression, knowing outsiders could see nothing.

Zheng Shuqing dared not comment on the emperor's private life, yet he thought to himself: indeed, a daughter‑in‑law is more gratifying; a regular concubine simply cannot push this saint into an "overclocked" state.

"Less than three days to reach Chang'an—pretty fast, huh."

Li Longji forced an awkward smile, then restored his imperial majesty, fixed his gaze on Zheng Shuqing, and said nothing.

"Please, Your Majesty, indicate your will; I shall devote myself wholeheartedly, without hesitation."

Zheng Shuqing, moved, pledged his loyalty.

"Hmm, there's no need for such self‑sacrifice."

Li Longji nodded slightly and continued: "Your Excellency went to the Han Jia Warehouse, and the sharp decline in stored grain was halted at once. I truly believe you possess talent for governance."

"I dare not claim credit; these are the rightful arrangements of Your Majesty and the Right Prime Minister, not achievable by a single person."

Zheng Shuqing hurriedly expressed humility, as if sensing that familiar aura again.

When a superior scolds you, it's mostly because he's angry and wants to vent on you.

The frightening thing is not being scolded, but being praised by the superior!

The emperor's words are golden; even one extra sentence is considered verbose. If he casually praises a minister without cause, that is truly terrifying!

"That's the case: Niu Xianke is going to the Six Prefectures to recruit among the assorted Hu peoples; he may not return smoothly within two years. Yet the Ministry of Works cannot remain vacant waiting for him. Therefore I think a capable, efficient person is needed to serve as Minister of Works.

Your Excellency, what do you think?"

Li Longji was almost about to name him directly; the "capable, efficient" person was Zheng Shuqing.

The intention to recruit and promote him was crystal clear.

Had it been another courtier, they would have already knelt in gratitude at this point. But old Zheng, having been "trained" by Li Longji, knows the principle that offering unsolicited attentiveness is either treachery or theft.

Li Longji's words are meant to be heard in reverse.

If you are to be Minister of Works, there is work of the Ministry to do; the position will not be given for free!

"Whatever you need me to do, please indicate, Your Majesty, and I will certainly see it done."

Zheng Shuqing stepped forward, crossed his hands in a salute, and declared his loyalty.

"Good! I like your straightforwardness."

Li Longji laughed heartily, then walked up to Zheng Shuqing, lowered his voice and said, "I wish to renovate Huaqing Palace; I wonder if Your Excellency can manage it."

Renovate Huaqing Palace?

Zheng Shuqing was stunned, then gave a wry smile and said:

"Your Majesty truly holds me in too high regard. Renovating a palace requires a specialist, such as the talented Yuwen Kai of the previous dynasty."

"Even if I were eager to be loyal to Your Majesty, each craft has its own specialty; acting recklessly would only ruin the emperor's affairs. I truly have no way to accomplish this— even if you were to execute my nine families, I could only say my abilities fall short."

Zheng Shuqing hurriedly declined, his attitude unusually resolute.

In reality, sending him to supervise the expansion of Huaqing Palace is not far from ordering the execution of his nine families.

In this era, constructing a palace—whether expanding, remodeling, or rebuilding—is highly specialized. The supervising architect bears total responsibility for every aspect of the palace complex!

Even a single poplar planted inside the palace must be felled and replanted; let alone anything else.

These individuals must master architecture and also be exceptionally versed in feng shui, astronomy, mathematics, and the like, applying them effortlessly.

A slightest error can lead to irreparable, severe consequences.

Let alone that Zheng Shuqing is a complete layman with no experience in supervising palace construction; even if he were proficient in the craft, he could not accept this assignment.

"Perhaps I did not express myself clearly."

Li Longji laughed heartily, waved his hand and said, "How could the supervision of Huaqing Palace be given to a layman like you? I am not a foolish ruler; surely I know the principle that each craft has its own specialty."

"Then Your Majesty is saying…"

Zheng Shuqing was bewildered by Li Longji.

"My inner treasury is rather tight; the funds I can provide are limited."

"The national treasury must pass outer‑court approval, which is not easy to tap."

"I also know you are a financial prodigy; you resolved the Han Jia Warehouse matter so swiftly, demonstrating an exceptional talent few can match."

"I want to ask you, is there a way to raise some money to replenish the inner treasury for the expansion of Huaqing Palace?"

Li Longji said with a slightly unnatural expression.

Is that place still not big enough?

Zheng Shuqing was fortunate to have visited Huaqing Palace once, and was stunned by its luxurious palaces. He didn't expect Ji Ge to still think it wasn't big enough and want to expand it further!

"Your Majesty, Huaqing Palace… it's not easy to expand, the buildings there have already been extensively constructed."

Zheng Shuqing meekly offered counsel.

"If it's obstructive, we can demolish it and rebuild larger. Starting now, and by this winter it can be put back into use; I think this plan is good."

Li Longji argued pedantically, saying he wasn't discussing the matter with Zheng Shuqing at all.

The current Huaqing Palace doesn't even have a professional hot‑spring pool for a lovers' bath; how can one enjoy it fully?

Ji Ge thinks whether the world is happy or not doesn't matter; what's important is whether he himself is happy!

If he becomes unhappy, everything in the world becomes unpleasant!

Then what's the use of this flourishing era?

"But the Minister of Works has no power to gather wealth. Even if I become Minister of Works, I can't obtain the funds to rebuild the palace."

Zheng Shuqing spread his hands slightly, saying with a troubled expression.

"Eh, that's mistaken. The Minister of Works is just a title; I will also grant you the Household Registration and Color Labor Office to allocate manpower, and the Inspection and Promotion Office to supervise officials' promotions across the capital region, so they won't be a hindrance.

If you need any other posts, just propose them, and I will fulfill them accordingly."

Li Longji assured Zheng Shuqing, essentially promising to grant any authority he asks for.

However, one thing must be secured: Huaqing Palace must be built well, quickly, and grandly, without compromising Li Longji's face.

The emperor has bestowed so much power; if Zheng Shuqing cannot provide strong financial backing for the palace construction,

his official career will encounter major setbacks, perhaps disappearing from the bureaucracy forever, never to be seen again.

This assignment, whether to accept or decline, is a big trouble.

Zheng Shuqing's heart fell into extreme turmoil and struggle.

If he accepts, the Minister of Works position is secured in one step, along with several real‑power posts such as Household Registration and Color Labor Office, Inspection and Promotion Office, and so on.

With this power, he's only one step away from becoming a chancellor, and could even form his own faction, no longer needing to heed Li Linfu's mood!

However, the thought only circled in his mind before being replaced by endless fear. The most unreasonable part of Li Longji's demand is: for such a huge task, why doesn't Li Longji give it to Li Linfu to handle?

There's only one answer: even Li Linfu thinks this huge pit cannot be jumped into. Once entered, it would bring endless future troubles!

Moreover, if he takes this assignment privately without Li Linfu's channel, wouldn't this Tang Right Prime Minister restrain him? Would he watch his former allies slip out of control?

After hesitating only a few seconds, Zheng Shuqing immediately knelt, begged, performed a full prostration, and, disregarding his image, cried out:

"I, the humble minister, wish to serve the Sage. Yet raising funds outside the court's structure is not my strength."

"It matters not if I am not Minister of Works, but if I delay the Sage's great undertaking, I would bear countless deaths and blame. Please, Sage, appoint someone more capable; surely there are better candidates in the court."

Seeing Zheng Shuqing's obstinate demeanor, Li Longji suppressed his disgust, smiled, helped him up, tidied his clothes, and said:

"Your loyal service to the state sets an example for all officials. Since you are unwilling, let this matter be dropped."

"The affairs at Han Jiacang are already running smoothly; you need not worry. I will send someone to handle it, so you need not laboriously return to Luoyang. Just work in Chang'an city, reporting daily to the Ministry of Revenue."

Li Longji waved his hand lightly and said.

On the surface it seems to be considerate of Zheng Shuqing, but in reality it's utterly ruthless.

The "Fei Qian" grain‑transport matter was raised by Zheng Shuqing; normally, the follow‑up of receiving political results should also be handled by him. Yet now that Zheng Shuqing has planted the tree, when he wants to enjoy its shade, Li Longji issues an order sending him back to Chang'an.

It means the previous work was done in vain, and the transport officer assignment is also gone.

Now he has become a "official without a post" as Assistant Minister of Revenue, spending each day at the Ministry reviewing documents, not knowing when he'll be demoted.

This is the price of refusing Li Longji!

The conditions the Sage offers to a minister bring endless benefits if accepted; but if the minister refuses, he certainly won't gain any.

Expecting nothing to happen is merely childish. Li Longji's rebuke not only arrived, but came on the spot, without waiting for Zheng Shuqing to leave the Qinzhengwubenlou study!

"Thank you for the Sage's grace."

Zheng Shuqing gave a deep bow to Li Longji.

"Hmm, step down."

After Zheng Shuqing left, Li Longji sat on a high stool, squinting and pondering, his thoughts unknown.

………

Baiting Sea, though lacking the substance of an ocean, still bears the shape of one.

The water is clear, the sand white, the sky blue with clouds. Standing in the Baiting Fort at the center of Baiting Sea, Fang Chongyong feels his heart light and delighted, as if he were at the seaside.

If he could get a lounge chair, a parasol, sunglasses, and a fresh glass of brewed grape wine, it would truly feel like a vacation in Hexi.

At this moment, as Deputy Commander of the Baiting Army, he stands on the narrow tower of Baiting Fort, gazing over the endless water grasses and white sand of the north bank, unable to suppress a hearty moan.

The Baiting Sea Resort truly lives up to its name. Not to mention, last night's river‑fresh cuisine made him feel as if he were in a tranquil town by a lake and river.

Rather than being a strategic point north of the Turkic peoples and south of Tubo, constantly facing boundless…

"I heard from Commander Xin that the Baiting Army lacks horses, right?"

Fang Chongyong suddenly asked Xin Yunjing beside him.

This matter is clear; Xin Yunjing chuckled, "The Chishui Army's horse roster is 13,000, half of which must be supplied by the pastures around Baiting Sea, another portion by Chiwu Town. Though the Baiting Army guards the Baiting Sea pastures, it has no authority to use those horses."

The Chishui Army's 13,000 warhorses doesn't mean it only needs that many horses. Besides warhorses, there are draft horses for transport; the rivers in Hexi cannot be navigated, and both cavalry and infantry rely on horses for strategic mobility, so the region's horse demand cannot be underestimated.

"The Baiting Army raises private horses hoping to reap spoils in war, not merely to guard the fort, right?"

Fang Chongyong continued, his tone calm.

Xin Yunjing nodded slightly and said:

"Generals die after a hundred battles, soldiers return after ten years. We all lick blood at the knife's edge; who would waste time? Not only plan for now, but also for the future."

But without horses, nothing can be done.

Hexi warhorses are not expensive, also thirty guan per horse, buying more can be even cheaper. This time the Baiting Army suffered a big loss, the financial route is cut off, life will be hard from now on. »

Xin Yun Jing let out a long sigh.

「The financial route from robbery is indeed cut off. »

Fang Chongyong showed an indifferent look and continued to say:

「The money-making channels are not completely cut off. It only depends on how to make money, how much to make, and how to use it. »

If you need horses, I can try to make tens of thousands of guan; getting some private horses isn't too difficult. »

Fang Chongyong said thoughtfully.

Tens of thousands of guan in his mouth are as easy as a few coins.

「Can you really get money? »

Xin Yun Jing asked excitedly.

「Not bad, I'll first go to the vicinity of Baiting Sea to have a look, see if there are any opportunities, the difficulty shouldn't be big. »

In Fang Chongyong's view, Liangzhou is comparable to the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone of his previous life. Here wealth is everywhere, and even in some obscure corners, there are gold ingots and silver coins hidden by robbed merchant caravans to avoid bandits.

If one comes to the Western Regions of the High Tang and can't make money, Fang Chongyong would be embarrassed to say he's a time traveler.

(End of chapter)