Chapter 81: A Small Person Has a Great Essay

Wang Zhongsi still didn't know that Fang Chongyong had gone to the medical clinic in Liangzhou City for treatment because of horseback riding. Soon he would serve as the vanguard, leading the Redwater Army in a strategic counterattack against the Tibetan forces south of Liangzhou.

Moreover, Guo Ziyi and the fifty soldiers reassigned to Fang Chongyong's Redwater Army also returned to their original Redwater Army roster, preparing to earn merit in the counterattack against the Tibetans.

Then, just as Wang Zhongsi was about to lead his troops to Dadouba Valley, he received a letter sent by Fang Chongyong's messenger from Baitinghai while stationed at Chiwu Town, the Redwater Army's encampment.

Upon seeing the letter, Wang Zhongsi realized the matter was of great importance; he dared not be careless and hurried to Liangzhou to meet Hexi Jiedushi Cui Xiyi, reported the situation, and forwarded Fang Chongyong's letter.

After reading the letter, Cui Xiyi urgently summoned Kang Taihe, commander of the Dadou Army, and Deputy Hexi Jiedushi Xiao Jiong, among others, to the Hexi Jiedushi headquarters to discuss countermeasures against the Tibetans.

Although Fang Chongyong was a novice in warfare, he this time raised a question that many had long sensed but never understood, and proposed a solution.

His letter not only made Wang Zhongsi dare not neglect it, but also caused Cui Xiyi and the others to adopt solemn expressions; even Xiao Jiong, who constantly caused trouble and was at odds with Cui Xiyi, closed his crow-like mouth.

"Everyone, speak your thoughts."

In the main hall of the Hexi Jiedushi headquarters, Cui Xiyi waved the letter Fang Chongyong had sent, passing it around for everyone to read.

In the letter, Fang Chongyong put forward a theory that was indeed true as he said; in fact, rumors had long circulated among the populace, merely lacking his specificity.

Fang Chongyong wrote in the letter: "All things possess qi; without qi, a person cannot live. Qi divides into yin and yang; people receive yang qi and are born, with its circulation within the body never ceasing."

This point was understood by everyone present, whether the Jiedushi or the senior generals.

Pinch your nose and stop breathing—wouldn't you die instantly? That people live by yang qi is common knowledge; anyone who doubts it can demonstrate it on the spot.

The letter continues:

"Whether in China or foreign lands, the terrain varies in height; likewise, yin and yang qi are distributed densely or sparsely because of this. Low places have abundant yang qi, allowing people and livestock to thrive and multiply endlessly; high places have little yang qi, making survival difficult for people and livestock, who merely scrape by."

"The Tibetans dwell on the roof of the world, towering into the clouds. When Tang troops advance from low to high ground, yang qi shifts from dense to thin; soldiers all suffocate, finding it hard to stand firm, let alone fight a strong enemy."

"Conversely, when Tibetans descend from the roof of the world into Hexi, moving from high to low, yang qi shifts from thin to dense; their soldiers seem drunk. Hence, Tibetan troops entering Hexi often fight wildly and disregard orders, frequently suffering defeat."

"Therefore, in our Great Tang's counterattack against the Tibetans, we should not rely on large numbers; many troops mean uneven quality, dragging down the whole."

"We should select vigorous youths under twenty to form an elite unit, for an army values quality over quantity, and supplement with medicines commonly used by the Tibetan army to minimize the effect of thin yang qi."

"In short, Fang Chongyong's letter contains no idle talk; it revolves entirely around 'thin yang qi on the plateau' to explain the danger of taking the initiative."

"Those who merely offer suggestions without rashly commanding are always well liked. Everyone feels no ill will toward Fang Chongyong's conduct; the current issue is only whether to adjust deployment according to his advice or stick to the original plan."

"The person making suggestions is irrelevant; after all, he is not the one commanding troops, so he has no say in matters outside his position. Yet how can those of us here—the Hexi Jiedushi and the Redwater Army commander—pretend these matters do not exist?"

"A single mistake could cost lives!"

"'The three armies are ready and about to march out. Now you say we must reselect elites… Is that appropriate?'"

Kang Taihe, commander of the Dadou Army, was the first to stand up and object.

"The Tang military organization is complex; each time we go out to fight, it is not simply a matter of pulling the troops out and calling it done. There is an 'organization' issue; only after organization can troops march out from their garrison."

"The Tang clearly distinguishes between 'marching organization' and 'battle organization'."

"That is to say, when marching out, some people march together, but when actually fighting, they may very well fight alongside comrades from the same army but different echelons."

"Besides, when stationed, daily training and garrison duty follow yet another organization. Usually a commander holds several tablets, taking on whatever duty corresponds to the occasion."

"In the early Tang, the set of marching commander-in-chief, marching commander, subordinate commander, etc., belonged to the organization for daily training, garrison, and marching, not to battle organization."

"They are closely related to the allocation and dissolution of the militia. As the militia system gradually disintegrated, these names also faded from the records."

"On the contrary, 'Jiedushi', 'Bingmashi', 'Shijiang' and similar battle organizations, due to the establishment of the Jiedushi system, gradually became the daily organization."

"Now both the Dadou Army and the Redwater Army have completed their 'battle organization'; who goes out to fight, who stays behind, and the military sequence for combat have all been determined. If we must reorganize again, when will the chaos end?"

"The Dadou Army is fully staffed at 7,500 men, the Redwater Army at 33,000 men; each reorganization is no small matter, unlike the Baiting Army's over one thousand troops, which can be casually organized and sent out to fight."

"It's just a nine-year-old child who wrote something, and now we must make the entire army go through this hassle—isn't that going too far?"

Kang Taihe is of the Nine Surnames of Zhaowu; his family carries weight in Hexi and also has connections in the Chang'an central authority, so his words cannot be ignored.

Cui Xiyi frowned slightly; Kang Taihe only looks after one army, his thoughts are not that deep, and avoiding trouble is human nature.

Cui Xiyi himself considered everything fully, then he does not wish to act rashly. Once this battle is lost, his position as Hexi Jiedushi will be at an end.

"The Tang and the Tibetans differ; once the Tang mobilizes, it aims to seize new territory! It will not be like the Tibetans, who go out and simply offer their heads."

"Different strategic goals mean different considerations. Cui Xiyi believes that although Fang Chongyong is young, his memorial is reasonable and well-founded; it certainly cannot be taken lightly."

"'What do you think, Army Commander Wang? Fang Chongyong is your son-in-law; recommending the worthy without avoiding relatives—this is also your duty to evaluate.'"

Cui Xiyi said in a deep voice.

Everyone's gaze turned to Wang Zhongsi.

"'Army Commander Kang has long been stationed in the capital region and Fufeng; he is not well informed about the Tibetan situation.'"

Wang Zhongsi continued slowly:

"'Each time we face the Tibetans, if it is on our own turf, it is still tolerable. But once we penetrate Tibetan territory and enter the plateau, the soldiers generally feel as if a great stone presses on their chests, preventing them from exerting full strength.'"

"'Worse still, after entering Tibetan territory, soldiers often experience dizziness, spasms, and chest pain; these are especially common among older troops, who find it hardest to adapt. I have personally witnessed these things, even seen frail individuals die before my eyes.'"

"'Previously we did not understand the cause, and the ignorant blamed Tibetan sorcery for disturbing army morale. Now seeing this letter, we can truly know ourselves and the enemy. If we remained unaware of these reasons, reckless marching would be excusable. But now the facts are before us; if we cannot take precautions, what difference is there from burying soldiers alive?'"

Wang Zhongsi's words exposed Kang Taihe's fear of trouble and disregard for soldiers' lives, leaving the Dadou Army commander's face alternating red and white; knowing he was in the wrong yet unwilling to yield, he could only let out a cold snort, head lowered, silent.

"'Fang Chongyong himself holds an office; whether as a prefectural participating officer or as deputy commander of the Baiting Army, participating in military decisions is natural. Why not summon him to the Hexi Jiedushi headquarters to ask for clarification?'"

Xiao Jiong, who had been silent all along, finally spoke a proper sentence.

"'Isn't Fang Chongyong right here in Hexi? Just bring him over and ask—wouldn't that settle it?'"

"'That would also work; this Jiedushi indeed intends to do so.'"

Cui Xiyi nodded slightly and said.

"'But the Baiting Army's garrison is over two hundred li from Liangzhou City; going back and forth is inconvenient. If we wait for him to arrive in Liangzhou, wouldn't that again delay the major matter of dispatching troops?'"

Cui Xiyi hesitated a bit.

"'It might not be so.'"

Xiao Jiong snorted mockingly and said:

"'I went yesterday to a medical clinic in Liangzhou City to fetch medicine, and heard that a deputy commander of the Baiting Army had chafed his inner thighs from horseback riding, his flesh mangled. He is currently recuperating in that clinic.'"

"'A Baiting Army deputy commander who cannot ride a horse—aside from that nine-year-old boy, who else could it be?'"

Hearing these words, everyone looked at one another in bewilderment.

Riding a horse until the skin on both legs chafed raw, leaving them bloody and mangled? Something like that was... all too distant for them.

In the Great Tang, countless people knew how to ride horses, and many had gone through such experiences. But normally, learning to ride was a gradual process—one never rode very far the first time, let alone chafed one's thighs raw from it.

The inner thighs would develop calluses eventually anyway; just take it slowly. There was no need to cripple oneself to the point of being unable to walk on the very first try!

It seemed that this Fang Yanai, with his formidable background and considerable connections, though possessed of some wit, was still a child after all!

If not a child, who would make such an elementary mistake?

Cui Xiyi held back his laughter and suddenly put on a solemn expression as he looked at Xiao Jiong and asked, "Vice Jiedushi Xiao is searching for medicine? May I ask what medicine? Is there some ailment you find difficult to discuss? This Jiedushi is fairly familiar with conditions in Hexi, and the colleagues here are also well versed in Hexi's local products.

Why not tell us and let everyone put their heads together? Perhaps we might know of a solution."

Toward this Xiao Jiong, Cui Xiyi had no intention whatsoever of being courteous; given the slightest opening, he would apply salt to the wound.

"Heh heh, Hexi's military affairs are busy, and Jiedushi Cui handles countless matters each day—how exhausting. Such a trivial matter need not trouble the Jiedushi; I shall handle it myself."

Xiao Jiong gave a cold, hollow laugh, then very stiffly changed the subject, unwilling to pursue the matter further.

Though he did so, he couldn't shake the feeling that everyone's gazes carried a hint of ambiguity and amusement, making him thoroughly uncomfortable.

"Let it be thus: send someone to carry Military Advisor Fang over from the medical clinic to discuss important matters. Be careful on the way."

Cui Xiyi instructed an aide beside him.

……

In one of the side rooms of the medical clinic, Fang Chongyong sat on the bed, expressionless, watching Anaye's small hands apply ointment to his inner thighs, sighing inwardly and at a loss for words.

Titillating? Not in the slightest. Awkward? Absolutely to the max.

A ten-year-old girl applying wound medicine to a nine-year-old boy's thighs—it simply left one too exasperated to even complain.

"You're a Hu girl; why do you know so much about medicine?"

Fang Chongyong asked, feigning composure.

"Because my father is a military medical officer, ordered to accompany the army on distant campaigns. Normally he runs a medical clinic in Liangzhou City, and I've simply been helping him all along."

Anaye felt not the least bit awkward. While skillfully applying the ointment, she answered Fang Chongyong's question in a very casual manner.

She answered every question Fang Chongyong asked, with complete poise and openness.

Anaye's face alone met the standard for "entertaining with beauty," but her figure was entirely unsuited to being a Hu girl—flat in front and flat in back. Long arms and long legs were of no use either; in this era, the aesthetic standard for Hu girls came down to one criterion: "slender waist, ample hips."

Moreover, according to Anaye herself, she had absolutely no talent for singing and dancing, and it was not worth practicing at all.

She had, however, inherited her father's aptitude for medicine. She had learned Chinese medicine quickly from a young age, and could only read Chinese characters, not other languages of the Western Regions.

A father who was a medical officer in the Great Tang army, a mother who was a Hu girl from the Western Regions—such pairings seemed quite common in Hexi. Hu girls could only be entered into the lowly registry, but their next generation, if they fared well, could be entered into the military registry. So not only was it impossible for Anaye to become a Hu girl in the future, she would instead "succeed her father's profession" and become a medical officer in the Hexi border army.

This was one of the few good paths for people of the Western Regions in Hexi, and her father had harbored this plan ever since she was born.

"Do you plan to stay in Hexi your whole life? In Liangzhou City?"

Fang Chongyong asked curiously.

"What else? The young lord's status is extraordinary; you likely don't know the helplessness of people like us, do you? With a military registry in Hexi, you're a Hexi soldier for life. Having a skill in practicing medicine already puts one far ahead of ordinary families."

Anaye said with a sigh; she had already finished treating Fang Chongyong's wounds.

Fang Chongyong's current condition, if you called it minor, was indeed minor—nothing more than chafed, bleeding skin on his inner thighs.

But if not properly treated, resulting in wound infection, then it would be a matter of the utmost gravity. One careless moment and a life could be lost—there had been no shortage of such unlucky souls before.

"All medical officers in the Great Tang must pass an examination before taking up their posts. Your father may have gone through the examination, but have you?"

Fang Chongyong asked a question that Anaye had long kept hidden in her heart but had never voiced.

"A military registration only means that when the border garrison has need, you must report for military service—it doesn't say you must practice medicine in the army! Military households farming the land for a lifetime is also a common occurrence. If you want to succeed your father's profession, that's fine, but obtaining a medical license is a matter you absolutely must attend to.

Moreover, to get this done, I'm afraid you'll have to make a trip to Chang'an."

Fang Chongyong stated a harsh truth about becoming a medical officer in the Great Tang!

The reason Anaye had been free of worry about food and clothing since childhood and had grown up smoothly was that her father was a "medical officer"—a medical officer conscripted by the army, fed by the state. Running a medical clinic was a side business; drawing imperial rations was the main one. With connections in the army, her father had kept both hands strong, which was why he was doing quite well in Liangzhou City now.

But the future Anaye could only serve as a "medical practitioner" with the status of a military registration, and her income could only come from practicing medicine. To become a medical officer—not to mention how few female medical officers there were in the Great Tang—to attain her father's standing, she would at the very least have to study at the Imperial Medical Bureau, and only after graduating and obtaining a license could she have broader prospects.

"Go to Chang'an? That's so far away..."

Anaye murmured in a low voice, and the small aspiration in her heart, the future she had once felt so certain about, now seemed to grow hazy and uncertain.

"Military Commissioner Fang, Jiedushi Cui requests your presence; there is an important matter, and you must go to the Hexi Jiedushi's office."

Just then, an unfamiliar voice came from outside the door.

"You should go. It's no longer a problem."

Anaye sighed, somewhat unhappy, and said.

(End of this chapter)