Chapter 99: Fang Chongyong

In the deep autumn of this year, the emperor's birthday was celebrated throughout the realm; Li Longji ordered a three‑day grand revel to honor himself, and officials such as prefects and military governors from across the lands, many under the pretext of "presenting auspicious gifts," sent all manner of rarities to Chang'an to congratulate the emperor.

Li Longji beamed with delight and granted a general amnesty; those guilty of minor offenses were released, while those condemned for serious crimes were dispatched to the frontier to serve in the army, and the world praised the emperor's benevolence.

Although the festivities were lively and the gifts received were valuable, Ji Ge always felt they were rather bland; a birthday only proved he was a year older, and nothing else seemed useful!

But there was good news: the prescription presented by Hexi Military Governor Xiao Jiong, which was, hmm, excellent and powerful!

Now Ji Ge not only drinks it himself, but also distributes the surplus herbs to the many princes residing in the Ten Kings' Residence. In an instant, the Shunqi Suoyang Tea became famous, and because Baiting Sea is now the front line of Tang‑Tubo clashes, it has turned into a military exclusion zone that ordinary people cannot approach.

Consequently, this not‑uncommon health tonic, once it entered the markets of Chang'an, saw its price soar to several hundred times the cost of the raw material, even reaching a point where it had price but no market!

Only the instigator, Fang Chongyong, has not gained any visible benefit. Now the production and sales channels of this medicine are completely monopolized by the Hexi Regional Military Government; besides promising to expand the Baiting Army's roster after the war and supplying sufficient "private horses," Xiao Jiong has offered nothing further.

Everyone involved in this matter has almost done nothing but idle work.

The original soldiers of the Baiting Army: a unit stationed at Baiting Fort followed Guo Ziyi to Ganzhou, becoming the core force for the autumn defense order's expansion of Zhangye; another unit guarding the Baiting Sea horse pasture, having previously "fled the battlefield" during a Turkic raid, was, according to military law, disbanded and its troops reassigned to the Chishui Army, while officers were stripped of rank and placed under investigation.

Xin Yunjing, having "held fast" at Baiting Fort and narrowly escaped disaster, was "promoted" to Ganzhou Training Officer for the troops, assisting Guo Ziyi in training soldiers—a clear case of a public rise but a private demotion. This position should have been concurrently held by an official from Chang'an.

Although the herbs from Baiting Sea have become popular, they have brought no benefit to the Baiting Army personnel. It is hard not to think that some coveted the herb's profits, seizing them from the Baiting Army and exploiting the weak.

As for Fang Chongyong, he is no longer Deputy Military Commissioner of the Baiting Army; he has been transferred to Ganzhou as a prefect, and naturally no one pays attention to his thoughts.

……

"Today, I hereby confer upon you the title of Chief Censor and Deputy Minister of Rites. From now on, by my side you must serve front and rear, just like your loyal‑dog old father…"

Li Longji slipped a yellow silk scroll into Fang Chongyong's bosom and said cheerfully.

"I cannot possibly bear that, Holy One."

Fang Chongyong, trembling, took the scroll, bowed and clasped his hands in salute, saying.

"Hey, what do you call a Holy One? I took the medicine you gave me and kept chanting all night without stopping, it was wonderful. From now on, just call me Ji Ge!"

"Be a good dog for me!"

Li Longji pretended to be displeased, saying, and kindly patted Fang Chongyong's shoulder.

"Is this perhaps too rude, Ji Ge?"

Fang Chongyong muttered under his breath while his right hand weakly brushed aside someone's hand that was pinching his cheek. He blinked groggily open his eyes and saw Anaye's delicate little face full of puzzlement, looking at him without speaking.

Bright sunlight streamed through a gap in the tent, and it turned out it was already morning.

"After a long journey, I actually overslept."

Fang Chongyong rose with a guilty expression, saying, and looking around, found only Anaye there; everyone else had already left.

"Who is Ji Ge?"

Anaye asked curiously, out of the blue.

The term 'ge' (brother) in the Tang dynasty was used rather loosely, even casually; it could refer to an elder brother or a father, seldom used yet often heard.

The address 'Ji Ge' carries a rich connotation. Not only would a local girl from Liangzhou like Anaye use it, even Zhang Jiuling would probably have to ask for clarification.

"Just an acquaintance, nothing special."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand nonchalantly; his facial control succeeded, and Anaye saw no flaw.

Last night he actually dreamed that Li Longji conferred upon him a title like 'Chief Censor and Deputy Minister of Rites,' a melodramatic post; in fact the Tang dynasty had no Chief Censor office, while the Deputy Minister of Rites was the second‑in‑command of the Ministry of Rites, with two holders, overseeing ceremonies, music, ancestral temples, altars, and imperial tombs, a fourth‑rank official.

That office is tasteless when held; when busy you're like a dog, when idle you're also like a dog!

"The county magistrate of Shandan County is waiting outside to meet the lord; although they say we can meet after waking up, I think it's better to summon the lord now."

Anaye said apologetically.

Fang Chongyong gave a slight nod without a clear answer, but in his heart he was greatly impressed by Guo Ziyi's efficiency.

The Shandan County magistrate's visit indicates that the matter of 'cutting pasture grass' has already been settled between the two sides; the magistrate is most likely coming to express gratitude.

In the Tang dynasty, the lowest‑level county magistrates were like this—every official's rank was higher than theirs. Even magistrates of remote small counties were not selected through the imperial examinations but were promoted locally, often self‑nominated talents from neighboring counties.

However, when Fang Chongyong met that Shandan County magistrate, he sensed an indescribable awkwardness.

The magistrate, dressed in a green robe, with graying, flower‑like beard, appeared to be over fifty; and the ten‑year‑old 'Single‑Wheel Prefect' who had not even had time to have an official robe made.

The disparity in status between people may be predetermined at birth.

The magistrate came solely to thank Fang Chongyong for his concern for the county's people and to ask what dispatches were needed. After receiving the answer that no dispatch was required, the magistrate left with abundant gratitude.

He also left several boxes of local specialties from Shandan County.

Cured and air‑dried lamb, premium licorice herbs, locally distinctive medicinal wine, and so on—not particularly valuable, but clearly carefully selected.

In such a short time, a remote small county preparing all these items is not an easy task.

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but feel that, as a low‑ranking local official, one must serve all manner of superiors; truly, one cannot afford to lower oneself, and whenever encountering an official one must grovel.

At that moment, he saw Guo Ziyi directing his troops, wielding a curved sickle to cut pasture grass, and he instantly felt eager to help, ready to step forward. Anaye quickly tugged his sleeve and whispered:

"Lord, you are the prefect of a prefecture; this sickle has blades on both ends, and anyone unskilled can easily cut themselves. If you get injured, it will delay important matters!"

Like a bucket of cold water poured over his head, Fang Chongyong halted his steps.

"Miss is right; as a prefect, you must do prefect's work. When a leading role is needed you cannot run away. Yet for many trivial matters, the lord need not do them personally and waste time."

From behind came the voice of Fang Dafu; he was with Fang Laique, and both wore aprons tied around their chests to keep pasture juice from splashing their clothes.

Fang Chongyong, who had wanted to show off, fell silent instantly.

"Right! As for the lord's strength, I'll provide it!"

Fang Laique shouted boisterously.

Although he shouted the loudest, he soon grew tired and lay in the haystack basking in the sun, whereas Anaye, who said little nonsense, kept busy from morning until night without stopping.

Fang Chongyong also leaned against the haystack, next to Fang Laique, contemplating strategies after entering Ganzhou.

Guo Ziyi said the Tubo people were coming, intending to cross the Qilian Mountains; how should this be addressed?

In this era, that sounds like a fairy tale, but Fang Chongyong recalled that in his past life's liberation war, the liberation army crossed the Qilian Mountains to liberate Zhangye. History is full of such examples.

The Tubo were well aware of Ganzhou's importance as a Tang logistical hub; more than a decade ago they came 'to visit' once via the Great Doudou Valley.

However, at that time the Tang army was on high alert; any sign of movement prompted an immediate response, so the Tubo gained no advantage.

Now the Tang army in the Hexi Corridor, from top to bottom, all believed that as long as they held Dadou Valley well, the Tibetans would not even be able to reach the gates of Ganzhou.

How was he supposed to explain to the local soldiers and civilians of Ganzhou the absurd notion that the Tibetans might cross the Qilian Mountains?

For a moment, Fang Chongyong was also at a loss for a good plan.

Defending a city was the most tedious thing — one could never be too careful ten thousand times, but a single moment of negligence would spell doom. How to launch an attack and when to launch an attack were entirely up to the enemy.

After cutting hay for three days at Shandan County and delivering most of it to the Shandan County magistrate's office, Guo Ziyi led his troops toward Zhangye City.

What no one expected was that upon learning Fang Chongyong was coming, the officials of all ranks within Zhangye City were completely thrown into an uproar!

They wished they could line up for ten li outside the city walls to welcome Fang Chongyong's arrival and take over Ganzhou's mess... er, take over Ganzhou's military and political authority.

When the common folk of Zhangye City heard that this Young Master Fang, who had become an Inspector at age ten and possessed a formidable background, was about to grace Zhangye City with his presence, they all cheered and jumped for joy, craning their necks in anticipation.

That autumn defense order, with power comparable to a nuclear bomb, had been sent from Chang'an to Liangzhou, then from Liangzhou to here, and now lay quietly on the desk in the main hall of the Ganzhou government office — no one even dared to open it, let alone execute it.

……

On the Vermilion Bird Street in Chang'an City, a street so broad it exceeded a hundred and fifty meters in width, a relay courier was galloping on a relay horse. Three flags were planted behind the horse, each bearing the character for "urgent" in red lettering on a black background.

The pedestrians on Vermilion Bird Street all made way, terrified of being struck by the relay horse and dying a muddled death.

"Great victory!"

"Great victory in Jiannan!"

That relay courier shouted loudly while galloping on his horse.

"Another great victory in Jiannan?"

A young man stumbled out of Pingkong Ward, dead drunk.

Last night he had groveled before the powerful and offered up his own poems, but it seemed like perhaps maybe probably it had been of no use whatsoever, and he had received no clear promise.

His name was Cen Shen, a native of Jiangling in Jingzhou, born into a bureaucratic family. Because of his precocious intelligence, he began reading at age five and composing essays at age nine, joining the ranks of his generation's child prodigies.

Of course, being a child prodigy alone did not mean much — without the right family background, it was useless. He could not, like Fang Chongyong, "hold a high position" at such a young age, nor did he have a father who wielded great power, served as Military Commissioner in Youzhou, and enjoyed deep imperial favor.

Therefore, Cen Shen had only one path he could take: the imperial examinations.

Cen Shen, a child prodigy by origin, quickly grasped the truth that the examinations required not only ability but also "off-board moves." Since entering Chang'an this year, studying and learning was a minor matter; urgently finding himself a backer was the major one.

Cen Shen ran about everywhere submitting his writings and calling on the powerful, but in the end still could not find a way in.

Disheartened, he had already planned to leave Chang'an and try his luck in the eastern capital, Luoyang.

Most of the Tang Dynasty's powerful nobles were in Chang'an, but some were also in Luoyang. As for other places, it would be like looking for a needle in the ocean — the chances were slim.

"In the future, going to the border garrisons to develop a career and win glory might not be a bad way out either."

Gazing in the direction the relay courier had gone, Cen Shen muttered to himself.

His little emotional troubles naturally drew no one's attention. But this victory report from the Jiannan border garrison was no small matter!

Inside the Qinzhengwubenlou of Xingqing Palace, Li Longji read this victory report that filled him with delight, wishing he could sing at the top of his lungs.

The Jiannan Military Commissioner Zhang Choujian Qiong reported that after a bitter battle, the Jiannan army had captured the Tibetan stronghold of Anrong City! And had with great difficulty held off the Tibetans' counterattack.

He requested the Sage to bestow a new name upon this place!

No new victory report had yet come from the Hexi front, yet Jiannan had scored a great victory first — no wonder Brother Ji was overjoyed.

During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, the Tibetans had occupied Anrong City (west of Maowen, Sichuan); its terrain was strategic, and the Tang army had failed to take it time and again, making it a chronic affliction in Li Longji's heart.

To present a "birthday gift" to Brother Ji, the Jiannan Military Commissioner Zhang Choujian Qiong, who had always been adept at "working the angles" in this regard, used a great victory to seek favor and curry praise — one could say he had Brother Ji's pulse perfectly.

After decades as emperor, Brother Ji lacked for nothing. What surprise could a border garrison commissioner offer him?

Women?

Word had it that the current Sage had committed the ultimate impropriety with his daughter-in-law, Yang Yuhuan, who now enjoyed his favor. Moreover, Zhang Choujian Qiong could not possibly know what type of woman Brother Ji preferred. Could he succeed in currying favor through this avenue?

The possibility was extremely low, and it carried the suspicion of "not attending to proper duties."

Furthermore, Brother Ji was getting on in years and now particularly fancied the arts of immortality, obsessed with Daoist cultivation, ranking just below power and female beauty.

It was not that Zhang Choujian Qiong had not tried. He sent men throughout Jiannan to search for alchemists and so-called "immortals." He heard of many strange tales and remarkable figures, but upon investigation they all turned out to be hollow and false — nothing but frauds deceiving the world for fame.

Then, as a Military Commissioner, what he could do was certainly military merit. Presenting a border garrison victory as a birthday gift to Brother Ji not only fit the commissioner's core duties — and before this, Fang Youde had already stirred up trouble in the north, attempting to encircle and annihilate the Turks.

This had set an example for Zhang Choujian Qiong!

Fortresses are always breached from within.

To capture Anrong City, Zhang Choujian Qiong clearly could not follow the old conventional methods and foolishly throw lives at it head-on!

So he first secretly communicated with the Tibetan general Zhai Duju inside the city, sending the other party a great deal of gold, silver, and valuables, and promising him an official position. Sure enough, due to factional strife within the Tibetan ranks, Zhai Duju ultimately chose to turn traitor, opening the city gates to lead the Tang army in and slaughtering every Tibetan officer and soldier in the city.

Then Zhang Choujian Qiong dispatched elite soldiers to garrison Anrong City. Because of the adverse weather, the Tibetans' counterattack was greatly diminished, and they ultimately returned empty-handed.

In the Jiannan direction, the Tibetans suffered a heavy setback!

Brother Ji felt that the timing for thoroughly resolving the Tibetan problem was nearly ripe.

If Jiannan could achieve glory, then why couldn't the more than a hundred thousand elite troops of Hexi and Longyou break open the situation?

Brother Ji sent an imperial edict to the Hexi Military Commissioner's headquarters in Liangzhou, urging Hexi Military Commissioner Xiao Jiong to cooperate with Longyou Military Commissioner Du Xiwang in fighting a decisive battle against the Tibetans around Qinghai Lake and recovering the former lands of the Tuyuhun.

The Tang army's strategic deployment against the Tibetans on the northwestern border garrisons began to accelerate because of this victory report from Zhang Choujian Qiong.

(End of this chapter)