Chapter 82: Facts Speak Louder Than Words

In the main hall of the Hexi Jiedu Prefecture, Fang Chongyong sat in the wheelchair that Anaye had prepared for him, and was then surrounded by onlookers, embarrassed and not knowing what to say.

"The yang qi you mentioned in your last letter, Cui Jiedushi found useful, so he wants to hear exactly what it is."

"This concerns the upcoming actions of the Hexi forces; think it through before you speak."

Wang Zhongsi bluntly hinted, advising Fang Chongyong to "speak cautiously and act prudently."

"Jiedushis, generals. Haven't you noticed that Tufan people, from the king down to serfs, are generally short‑lived?"

"Even if others don't mention it, even Songtsen Gampo lived only a little over thirty; could his status have prevented him from eating well or living well?"

Fang Chongyong said with a baffled expression, unable to understand what Wang Zhongsi and the others still didn't get, since that letter was almost at a primary‑school science level.

When he said that, Cui Xiyi, Wang Zhongsi, Xiao Jiong, Kang Taihe and the others fell silent, seeming to be pondering something.

Precisely because Tufan people are generally short‑lived, they view life and death lightly, even can be said to "regard death as returning home."

This is easy to understand: in a place where the average lifespan is under forty, dying on the battlefield may not be sorrowful but a release.

The harsh, low‑oxygen environment torments every aging elder; for them, barely staying alive… is less comfortable than gladly dying on the battlefield.

Seeing the silence, Fang Chongyong continued: "Tufan people are also human, no different from us, not possessing any three heads or six arms. They live on the plateau, long‑term lacking yang qi, which accelerates internal organ wear, so short lives are unsurprising."

Not everyone present necessarily accepted or understood the yang qi Fang Chongyong mentioned, but the situation he described in Tufan matched perfectly what these people have observed daily.

In the past, during Emperor Gaozong's reign, the Tang army was in a full‑scale offensive against Tufan, with numerous campaigns penetrating deep into Tufan territory.

But the results were obvious: the once invincible Tang troops from low‑altitude regions saw their combat effectiveness sharply reduced once they entered the plateau.

Previously, Wang Zhongsi and others speculated about reasons, such as miasma in the mountains, but such explanations often failed to hold up. In the plateau, some mountain bases have hardly any grass—how could miasma arise there?

Only Fang Chongyong's explanation can perfectly account for all this.

"What means do you have to prove this claim? Reorganizing the three armies and changing the battle order is no small matter."

Kang Taihe asked in a deep voice.

He has the least dealings with Tufan people among them, yet in the recent Great Battle of Ba Valley he observed their fierce, fearless nature and fine equipment.

"That's simple."

Fang Chongyong gave Wang Zhongsi instructions; the latter promptly had a guard bring a saucer filled with water, a short candle standing upright in it, and a teacup that could be inverted onto the saucer.

The water appeared pale black because ink had been added.

With everything ready, Fang Chongyong placed them on the table before Cui Xiyi, casually inverted the teacup onto the saucer, then lifted the cup and said to the crowd:

"Look, there's nothing wrong with this, right?"

"Begin, we have all seen it."

Cui Xiyi said with interest. He also wanted to know what trick Fang Chongyong was up to.

An aide from the Hexi Jiedu Prefecture came over and lit the candle; Fang Chongyong gently inverted the teacup onto the saucer and waited quietly.

Soon, a shocking scene unfolded: the water in the saucer was drawn into the inverted teacup—without any external force!

"This…"

Wang Zhongsi and the others gathered around, waiting for the water in the inverted cup to fall, but after a long wait, the expected scene never appeared.

"The water was drawn into the teacup?"

Cui Xiyi asked in confusion.

"Yes, because the burning candle consumes yang qi. With the yang qi gone, something must fill the void, so the water goes in."

Fang Chongyong yawned and said he dared not explain in detail, only offering the simplest concept.

Although he never mentioned 'atmospheric pressure,' no one present was foolish, and they quickly grasped the implication of Fang Chongyong's little experiment.

The water wasn't 'sucked' into the cup; it was forced in by an unseen 'pressure.' This force arose because the yang qi in the cup was consumed, compressing the remaining gas volume.

Now before us are a teacup and a candle; if we replace them with human lungs, what then? Who would still claim invincibility?

Cui Xiyi and the others felt an inexplicable chill. The Tufan 'invisible helper' was exposed today by Fang Chongyong.

"Cui Jiedushi, regarding the selection of elite troops for the expedition, let's follow Fang's suggestion as Staff Officer; I have no objection."

Kang Taihe was the first to concede.

Life is but a single thread; now that someone has clarified matters, why still charge headlong? Just for that trivial face?

As the commander responsible for reinforcement and support in this second wave, Kang Taihe felt this matter directly affected his interests. Though he was embarrassed this time, there was no real loss.

"Then let's select the elite from soldiers under twenty, reducing the size of this deployment."

Cui Xiyi looked around and said gravely.

"Seconded!"

"Seconded!"

"Seconded!"

In the main hall, no one raised any objection; Fang Chongyong's little experiment had frightened them. Previously they were half‑skeptical, now they are fully convinced.

Some older elite soldiers, with excellent tactics and rich experience, could still achieve much on the Hexi battlefield. Even if reassigned to the rear for training, they remain useful; there is no need to die inexplicably on the field because of 'lacking yang qi.'

The others obeyed and left; aside from Fang Chongyong in the wheelchair, only Cui Xiyi and Wang Zhongsi remained.

Wang Zhongsi walked to Fang Chongyong and asked with concern: "Did your legs get blisters from riding?"

"Yes, I rode a hundred miles in one go; my flesh is bruised and torn."

Fang Chongyong sighed heavily; his father‑in‑law always brings up every issue—this matter truly need not be mentioned.

"Go to the medical hall and recover properly; I will lead troops to campaign against Tufan in a few days, so I can't return to Liangzhou City for now.

This place is not like Chang'an; injuries can't be taken lightly. Once your legs are swift again, return to Baiting Sea. I'll send someone to escort you to the medical hall."

"No need, I have someone here who can run errands."

Fang Chongyong said with an embarrassed expression. The name 'Fang Yanei' has already spread in Liangzhou; anyone with good connections knows his father is Fang Youde and his father‑in‑law is Wang Zhongsi. Standing behind him is a vice Jiedushi.

If Wang Zhongsi's confidant were to escort him, it would be a self‑incriminating admission, cementing his reputation as a 'powerful aristocrat.'

"That works as well."

Wang Zhongsi is a straightforward man; he patted Fang Chongyong's shoulder and left with a swagger. In his view, his future son‑in‑law is already a top figure who can move freely in Hexi. Having him gather a group of trusted men within the White Pavilion Army is far better than assigning a personal guard from the Chishui Army.

Guo Ziyi is Wang Zhongsi's fellow townsman; he constantly asks him to serve as a guard for his future son‑in‑law. Wang Zhongsi feels a bit uneasy about it, thinking it delays the other's military career and is rather ungracious.

After Wang Zhongsi left, Cui Xiyi came over to push Fang Chongyong's wheelchair, and while walking outward asked concernedly, "Are you getting used to staying over at the White Pavilion Sea? That place has better scenery than Liangzhou City, and more importantly, you won't be troubled by military affairs. Even the Jiedushi wants to recuperate there for a while."

"It's okay, but the White Pavilion Army is severely short of funds; the soldiers are howling all day."

Fang Chongyong retorted that since there's little combat at the White Pavilion Army, everything from armaments to supplies is being cut wherever possible. Such things are routine for a border town and not worth making a fuss over.

Hearing this, Cui Xiyi smiled slightly and said, "Ignore those petty folks; you're in Liangzhou to learn and observe. Our generation has fought enough in the Great Tang–Tubo wars; sooner or later it will be your generation, and the rivalry between the two nations will never cease. As long as Tubo lives, it will keep invading Great Tang; there is no such thing as a permanent solution."

After a long sigh, he briefly outlined the overt and covert struggles between Tubo and Great Tang since Tubo's founding. To put it plainly, whether Great Tang sends a princess to Tubo or not makes no decisive impact on the two nations' strategy.

In the past, the scale of the Great Tang–Tubo war could be kept in check because many small states served as buffers, and Tubo still had numerous territories behind it that were not yet consolidated.

Now, Great Tang's border abuts Tubo for thousands of miles with no buffer. Moreover, Tubo has already subdued most neighboring small states; its continued eastward expansion will inevitably clash violently with Great Tang, making open warfare unavoidable.

If Tubo does not expand, the internal conflict between its population and land will erupt inexorably. Thus Tubo's aggressive thrust is essentially a compromise to alleviate internal contradictions by exporting them outward.

Essentially, one of Great Tang or Tubo must perish for the Hexi Corridor to finally settle.

This is not a war for a single generation, nor a problem solvable by draining one generation's flesh and blood.

Fang Chongyong feels that the memory of the war with Tubo will run through his entire life.

"If we defeat Tubo this time, the Jiedushi will record a merit for you."

When parting outside the Hexi Military Governorate, Cui Xiyi looked at Fang Chongyong earnestly and said,

Whether Fang Chongyong's plan works can't be judged by words alone; it must be tested on the battlefield. Cui Xiyi just wants to try.

"I dare not claim credit; I only wish the three armies return victorious."

Fang Chongyong said modestly.

Unexpected things happen; now's not the time to pop champagne halfway—if something goes wrong, you'll be punished!

……

In the main hall of the infirmary, Fang Chongyong saw the doctor—Anaye's father—who had his lower leg amputated and was seated in a wheelchair.

Both were in wheelchairs: one temporarily unable to walk, the other permanently disabled—a rather subtle scene. Fang Chongyong finally understood why Anaye's wheelchair request had gone so smoothly; apparently she inherited the chair her father had previously swapped.

Anaye's father's surname is Li; people call him Doctor Li. He studied at the Imperial Academy in Chang'an and later trained at the Imperial Medical Office. No one seems to know his given name.

Seeing his legs, Fang Chongyong partly understood why he didn't take Anaye back to live in Chang'an.

In Liangzhou his medical skill is top‑notch; many Western Region merchants seek his treatment, earning generous fees and a military stipend, so his standard of living far exceeds that of ordinary people.

Moreover, in Liangzhou disabilities are considered medals of merit, and border folk don't look down on such individuals. But in Chang'an, could a crippled doctor whose skill is noteworthy only in the frontier survive among the 108 wards of the East and West markets, where prices are high and the powerful abound?

The answer is obvious.

"Any questions you, Envoy Fang, have for me, just ask. I did study medicine in Chang'an, so I know a bit."

Doctor Li was very enthusiastic, but his gaze at Fang Chongyong held a hint of meaning.

"Originally, I wanted Doctor Li to accompany me to the White Pavilion Sea to see what herbs grow there. But now it seems… not quite suitable."

Fang Chongyong showed a reluctant expression and said,

"The loot from the White Pavilion Army—I've taken plenty before and even helped you dispose of some. I'll still lend a hand with that small favor."

Doctor Li leaned in and whispered into Fang Chongyong's ear,

"I see it—this Hexi border town looks prosperous on the surface but is chaotic underneath; it's truly a haven for soldiers and bandits alike."

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly, indicating he understood and awaited Doctor Li's next words.

"Envoy Fang, your leg should be nearly healed now. So, I'll have Anaye accompany you to the White Pavilion Sea; she knows the herbs better than I do. Whatever medicine you need, just ask her. Let's set out tomorrow."

"Very well… then."

Recalling the scenes of Anaye administering medicine to him these past days, Fang Chongyong felt uneasy but reluctantly agreed to Doctor Li's request.

"If you have time, gather more hemostatic herbs. Rumors in Liangzhou are tight; the war with Tubo is about to start."

"The more medicine you prepare, the more lives you can save; in these chaotic times, accumulating virtue by helping others can't hurt."

Doctor Li sighed. For people like them in a border town, the memory of war is etched in their hearts. Those who have lived in Chang'an for decades, never hearing war drums, naturally lack such experience.

"In the same era, people from different places have completely different memories of the times."

Fang Chongyong felt moved, crossed his arms respectfully and said, "I will not betray the trust placed in me."

"Envoy Fang, go rest in the side room; Anaye and I will talk, and we'll set out tomorrow."

Doctor Li smiled and said,

……

In the Li Linfu residence in Pingkang Ward, the Great Tang Right Prime Minister was strolling in the courtyard, while Zheng Shuqing trailed behind like a servant, eyes cast low and obedient.

"It's not that I, the Right Prime Minister, am unwilling to help; it's that you've offended the Sage, making this matter difficult."

It's not that this minister doesn't want to help you, but you have offended the sage—this matter is not easy to handle.

"Please, Right Prime Minister, do not withhold your counsel; with your all‑seeing ability, there must be a way!"

Zheng Shuqing pleaded bitterly.

"How about this: the Ministry of Personnel still has a vacancy for the Inspector of Qizhou. Write to the Sage, claim you failed your duties in Luoyang and request demotion. I will arrange for you to serve as Qizhou's Inspector for a few years, then return to the capital's central administration."

Well then, the Ministry of Personnel still has a vacancy for the Governor of Qi Prefecture; submit a memorial to the sage saying you failed to handle your duties in Luoyang and request demotion, and this minister will arrange for you to serve as governor there for a few years before returning to the capital to re-enter the central government.

Of course, it's all part of his plan. Zheng Shuqing, that old dog, is too compliant, depriving the Great Tang Right Prime Minister of some of his strategic pleasure.

Zheng Shuqing has risen too quickly these years; a stint as Inspector abroad, a little "knocking" around, isn't a bad thing.

On the four streets of East and West Chang'an, the Li family's goons are the fathers!

To establish his own authority, disciplining his own people is also necessary.

"Everything follows the Right Prime Minister's arrangement."

Zheng Shuqing said bitterly, crossed his arms, bowed, and took his leave.

Zheng Shuqing said with a mouth full of bitterness, clasped his hands in salute and took his leave.

(End of chapter)