Chapter 92: The Leisurely Life of the Deputy Military Envoy of the Baoting Army

The three called Sanle are Anmole, Bilile, and Helile; Sanle broth is produced by fermenting these three medicinal herbs. Since the founding of the Tang, Persians who arrived in the Central Plains introduced the brewing technique for Sanle wine.

The Persians mixed these three plants to brew Sanle wine, which both relieves heat and dispels disease, and strengthens the spleen and aids digestion. The medicinally effective Sanle wine became a famous drink in Chang'an at the time, and later became popular among the people.

This wine has one notable feature: its alcohol content is extremely low!

Anyway, Fang Chongyong treats it as a post‑meal digestive drink.

As for the small amount of Sanle broth in the Baoting Army, it comes from a member of the Baoting Army who is originally from Persia and knows how to brew it.

As the sun set in the west and a cool breeze blew, before the day‑night temperature swing at Baoting Fort became extreme, Fang Chongyong moved the newly crafted "Grand Master Chair" to the rampart of Baoting Fort, sat on it, gently swayed the chair, and took in the magnificent scenery before him.

A cup of Sanle broth, and a view of the great Tang landscape—truly a trip well worth it!

"Brother Fang Xian, I'm not concerned the formula is poor; it's just that presenting it directly to the saint—might that be improper?"

Xin Yunqing, standing beside Fang Chongyong, whispered, "He stands while Fang sits, making it seem as if the other is the Baoting Army's military envoy!"

To be frank, here at Baoting Fort, Fang Chongyong is the real big shot—his abilities are unparalleled, far more imposing than Xin Yunqing, who manages a thousand‑man military office.

Upon learning that the prescription has been handed to the newly appointed Hexi Military Governor Xiao Jiong, and that thereafter the herbs will be exclusively supplied by the "Talented People, Sacred Land" Baoting Sea Ranch, Xin Yunqing both breathed a sigh of relief and felt his heart rise to his throat.

This matter truly brings both joy and worry.

The joy is that as long as the Baoting Army leverages connections to hype it, promoting the medicine called "Shunqi Suoyang Tea" throughout the Hexi Corridor and even the Western Regions becomes a breeze, because the reputation of the great Tang saint Li Longji backs it.

If the emperor uses it, anyone who doesn't is a fool; those with the means will get it, and those without will create the means to get it!

Moreover, Fang Chongyong is well‑versed in marketing; he knows that the more low‑key a name is, the more mysterious it appears when whispered privately.

Xin Yunqing thinks this is like a beautiful woman's clothing: if she's completely naked it resembles a beast—crude and unappealing, offering no attraction to men;

Too much clothing is still beautiful, but being overly solemn loses some charm, causing men to respect from a distance—only willing to admire, not to desecrate.

Only when the attire is half‑concealed, hinting at hidden form, does it most attract men's eyes and encourage them to misbehave.

The name of this medicine reflects that: "Shunqi" regulates the spleen and stomach, while "Suoyang" fortifies the root and nurtures the primordial. Those in the know, upon seeing this "tea name," simply say "those who understand understand," needing no further explanation. This naming is far better than something like "Trembling Voice Beauty," which sounds indecent at first hearing.

It can be said that those who see it won't buy, those who buy won't ask, and those who use it won't speak.

Xin Yunqing, recalling the marketing analogy to women's clothing, could not help but feel solemn respect for Fang Chongyong's "talent."

No matter what this child becomes, just looking at the present, that little brain is truly beyond ordinary people's reach.

"Rest assured, the saint is also human and values yin‑yang balance; brother, don't overthink. The Baoting Army sells herbs without theft or robbery; the money comes clean, and even if the saint learns of it later, he'll only say the Xin military envoy knows how to make money properly."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand indifferently and said.

"This Baoting Sea truly is picture‑perfect scenery, with tranquil, pleasant years!"

He gazed again at the distant lake surface, unable to hold back his sigh.

"Who says otherwise? Since the Turkic forces waned, the grazing order around Baoting Sea has been orderly; truly an earthly paradise."

Xin Yunqing also felt deeply moved; a few years ago the Turks still possessed some strength, and the Baoting Army here was the front line where Tang troops faced Turkic cavalry, the final barrier against their southward advance.

Back then, even though the scenery was picturesque, few paid attention, because war was fierce and dangerous; a single slip could cost lives!

Now the Tibetan forces stride boldly, and in clashes with the great Tang they often gain the upper hand! Thus Baoting Sea, far from the Tibetan frontier, has become the Tang army's rear base for grazing and breeding horses.

Just seeing that the higher‑ups placed Fang Chongyong at Baoting Sea, Xin Yunqing deeply respects the powerful backing behind him. Such treatment is not something an ordinary official parachuted in by the court to Hexi would receive.

Even Xin Yunqing himself, to become the Baoting Army's military envoy, must have earned many battle merits and mobilized numerous connections to secure the appointment.

"I'm sleepy, I'm sleepy, I'll go back to sleep first."

Fang Chongyong yawned; the only downside of Sanle broth is that after drinking it you just want to have a sound sleep.

He was like a youthful Wuling strolling his dog while cock‑fighting in Chang'an, casually greeting and then leaving the city tower.

Upon entering the highest side‑room within Baoting Fort, Fang Chongyong immediately saw Anaye arranging the bedding and sweeping busily.

He nonchalantly sat at the desk, spread a large sheet of paper, and wrote down the local specialties of Baoting Sea.

Fennel, Suoyang, Cistanche, goji berries, licorice, sand scallion, some unknown melon, Musu (a type of forage)… indeed a feng‑shui treasure, and if there were no war here, how wonderful it would be.

Fang Chongyong recorded each item he surveyed around today, and the vague emptiness and unease in his heart vanished instantly.

The feasting and leisure in front of Xin Yunqing are merely Fang Chongyong's camouflage; after all, as a deputy military envoy he wields authority on the other side, and who can know Xin Yunqing's true thoughts?

Acting a bit unconventional puts Xin Yunqing at ease; after all, one must always be wary of others.

Regarding these matters, Fang Chongyong thought them through clearly.

"When you eventually return to Chang'an, what's the point of recording these local specialties?"

Anaye, as if she'd swallowed gunpowder, saw Fang Chongyong resume writing the moment he returned and was furious!

"Travel ten thousand miles as you would read ten thousand books; reading requires taking notes,"

Fang Chongyong lazily muttered, placed today's notes into a dedicated wooden box, and resolved to compile them into a volume once back in Chang'an with time.

The next book he plans to publish will be titled 'Fang's Western Region Travelogue,' which will surely be passed down through the ages.

Living in ancient times, what is the most important thing?

"Pursuing imperial ambition?"

Perhaps, but only one can become emperor, and only a handful can attain top‑ranked nobility; among the myriad of living beings, how many can achieve such feats?

The meaning of existence in antiquity lies in "authoring works and establishing doctrines" to be handed down to posterity!

However, these grand principles need not be explained to Anaye, the western‑land girl.

"Um… Fang Laique told me today that I should attend him at night. What does 'shi cin' mean?"

Anaye asked shyly.

"Shi cin?"

Fang Chongyong was startled, then felt a sudden horror in his heart.

Not to mention a past life— even now, having such a young girl serve in that capacity would be a monstrous act!

"That fool's words, you needn't take them seriously in the future."

Fang Chongyong sighed helplessly.

"I also think, he even said that you promised to later let him marry the prime minister's daughter."

I asked him what his status was, and he smugly said he was a retainer of your family. Isn't that the same status as mine? What's there to be smug about!

What's even more infuriating is that Fang Laique also said something like "don't set your sights on me"; he looks down on me, and only a prime minister's daughter would be worthy of him.

Anaye covered her mouth to keep herself from laughing out loud, recalling how that little fool Fang Laique had spoken to her so solemnly about those baseless matters; she could never imitate that tone and demeanor.

"Sleep."

Whenever Fang Laique is mentioned, Fang Chongyong feels weary.

He pointed at the spacious bed and said, "You sleep inside."

"Oh… then what else do I need to do?"

Anaye asked in confusion; she didn't know about matters between men and women, but she also knew that in the future she would certainly be Fang Chongyong's woman.

"All you have to do is lie there obediently."

Fang Chongyong drooped his face and sighed.

A girl raised only by her father is truly pitiful; I still can't blame her.

"Is serving the bed that simple?"

Even if Anaye is a fool, she knows the term "shiqin" contains the character "shi" (to serve). As a servant, how could she just lie there?

"Can you stop mentioning that term?"

Fang Chongyong intended to explain, but in the end he just sighed.

Anyway, Anaye will have to serve in the bed in the future; when she grows up, she'll slowly understand it herself.

The two extinguished the oil lamp and lay on the bed; Anaye turned to the side, pressing both palms onto one of Fang Chongyong's arms. In the dim light of the room, Fang Chongyong saw her big eyes fixed on his face.

"What's wrong?"

"When will we go to Chang'an?"

Anaye asked softly.

"The great war is imminent; we can't return to Chang'an."

Fang Chongyong said helplessly.

Once the Tang army clashes with the Tubo, a long stretch of post roads between Hexi and Chang'an becomes unsafe, and all relay stations will cease operation.

He had inquired with Xin Yunqing; ordinary officials traveling for appointments wouldn't do so amid the raging war, unless it's a military commander's redeployment, and then the escort often numbers several hundred.

Historically, Wang Zhongsi was transferred from Longyou to Hexi not alone; his entourage included Li Guangbi, Ge Shuhan and others, so it's clear the force wasn't small.

"To enter the Imperial Medical Bureau for study, one must be at least fourteen. Even if they treat you as a boy, you still need to be fourteen to enroll!"

Fang Chongyong added, "Moreover, if you fail the assessment, you must continue studying there. When you graduate, you won't be a little girl anymore; thinking about it now is truly premature!"

"I wish I could graduate early."

Anaye sighed, not taking Fang Chongyong's words seriously.

"Inherit your father's medical clinic?"

"More or less; eventually we'll have to go back to Liangzhou City to see."

Anaye said uncertainly, that the more she knows, the more she feels it's unlikely she'll return to inherit the clinic.

Perhaps she'll practice medicine within Chang'an's aristocratic circles.

She is somewhat uncertain about the future.

……

"Writing books and establishing doctrines to be passed down. I originally thought Ge Nu only wanted officialdom, but didn't expect him to be like Zhang Jiuling and the others."

In the Qinzhengwubenlou study of Xingqing Palace, Li Longji laughed heartily and placed Li Linfu's "draft" on the desk.

"Your Majesty, the 'Tang Six Classics' began compilation in the tenth year of the Kaiyuan era, and after more than ten scholars worked on it, it still hasn't been completed."

Your humble servant merely wishes to finish it.

The difficulty of this classic lies not in enumeration but in annotation. Only annotations that cite the classics can illuminate its subtleties.

Li Linfu bowed deeply to Li Longji, bent his waist and said.

This work was, in the tenth year of Kaiyuan, commissioned by Li Longji, who summoned the court scholar Lu Jian to begin its compilation.

He personally established six categories—principles, teachings, rites, governance, punishments, and affairs—as the outline, overseen by Liezhen Academy (later renamed Jixian Academy).

The span exceeded ten years; under successive chancellors Zhang Shuo, Xiao Song, Zhang Jiuling and others, more than ten scholars such as Xu Jian, Wei Shu, Liu Zhenglan, Lu Shanjing participated, each a literary talent of the age.

From a literary standpoint, Li Linfu's involvement disgraces the 'Tang Six Classics'.

From the perspective of law and administration, Li Linfu's participation is the only chance to complete this monumental work.

Ji Ge, though silent, has in fact agreed with Li Linfu's view: that annotation of the classics is the core to completing this work!

The previous chancellors who compiled books had a big problem: outsiders couldn't understand them!

Their drafts set an extremely high reading threshold, turning the national classics into a self‑indulgent literary circle!

In this regard, Ji Ge stands entirely with Li Linfu. It's fine if the text is cumbersome, as long as people can understand it!

'Tang Six Classics' is an administrative legal code concerning Tang governmental systems, specifying the structures, organization, duties, personnel, ranks, and benefits of central and local agencies, with annotations also describing the historical evolution of the bureaucracy.

Ji Ge's requirements for it are exceptionally detailed and specific.

Obviously the earlier chancellors did not meet Ji Ge's ideal.

"Hmm, that's fine too; Ge Nu, go ahead and handle it."

Li Longji yawned, looking quite fatigued. Last night he saw Huanhuan in a Daoist robe, which struck him as unusually captivating, and he got so excited that he couldn't help indulging a while longer.

He hadn't expected time to be unforgiving; a man in his fifties dealing with a woman in her early twenties is indeed quite taxing. Ji Ge still has a sore back and legs, and lacks energy when discussing state affairs with Li Linfu.

"Regarding the reform of the imperial examinations, I believe we should raise the rank of officials overseeing the local examinations, and strictly control candidates' qualifications in each prefecture. Here in Chang'an, we won't reform the Jinshi exam for now, but will first increase the difficulty of the Mingjing exam."

Li Linfu said cautiously.

Li Longji was startled; he hadn't expected the previously fervent, belligerent Li Linfu on examination reform to take such a small step!

"Could it be too conservative? Ge Nu, you could take a bigger step; with me covering you, what are you afraid of?"

Li Longji said with displeasure. He now had not the slightest goodwill toward those who played with words and ink; such people were entirely useless, and he found them annoying just to look at!

Of course, this was merely Brother Ji's momentary thought. When the time came in the future to write ritual prayers, he might once again recall the merits of men like Zhang Jiuling and He Zhizhang.

"To answer the Sage: the reform of the imperial examinations must also proceed step by step. Your humble servant believes it can be carried out gradually."

Li Linfu replied without batting an eye.

"Hmm, then let it be done so."

Li Longji nodded slightly; right now he only wanted to get a good night's sleep.

Just then, Gao Lishi hurried in, holding a piece of paper in his hand.

"Lishi, why are you so alarmed?"

Li Longji asked with a teasing look on his face. Gao Lishi handled matters steadily and rarely showed such an expression.

Gao Lishi glanced at Li Linfu, then crossed his hands in salute and said: "The Turks have invaded Hexi and fought the Baiting Army at Baiting Sea. The Turks have now left ten thousand cavalry to besiege Baiting Fort, while the rest of their forces are heading straight for Liangzhou City!

This is a battle report from three days ago!"

Hearing this, Li Longji shot to his feet, his face filled with alarm!

"The Turks are now fragmented and torn apart—who gave them the audacity to invade our Great Tang?"

Li Longji roared in fury!

This unexpected move by the Turks had thoroughly disrupted the Tang army's deployment in Hexi against the Tibetans!

(End of this chapter)