Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 329 Traditional Arts
"A spring night is truly worth a thousand pieces of gold!"

The next morning, Fang Zhongyong slept until three o'clock in the morning before getting up. He glanced at Anaye who was slumped on the bed and was too tired to wake up, with tears on her pretty face, and couldn't help but smile.

Fortunately, she still wears the skin of "Hu Ji", so her combat power is extremely weak. Sure enough, the bonus of "professional" attributes cannot be ignored.

Hu Ji's fighting ability comes from practicing dance day and night, not from her bloodline.

After he washed up, he went to the small hall of the house and saw Zhang Mi with two dark circles under his eyes. He looked depressed under He Changqi's oppressive gaze. Although it was sunny outside, there was only fatigue on his face.

"Zhang Gongtai came to visit this commander early in the morning. I don't know why?"

Fang Chongyong sat lazily on a cushioned bench and asked lightly. He Changqi on the side couldn't hold it back, burst out laughing, and then covered his mouth tightly.

This scene made Zhang Mi, who had been exposed to the cold wind in the main room all night, look embarrassed and wanted to find a hole in the ground to crawl in. With a forced smile on his face, he said: "Fang Jieshuai was joking. I came to visit him last night on urgent matters. I heard that Jie Shuai had already taken a rest, so he waited here and did not dare to disturb Jie Shuai."

Zhang Mi's attitude was very humble, completely opposite to his indifferent behavior at last night's dinner.

It can be said that he is arrogant at first and respectful at the end.

"Here!"

"Alas! Shazhou Zhang family really understands righteousness!"

Unless the An family is willing to shrink its sphere of influence and An An is content to be a wealthy local family in Liangzhou, guarding one-third of an acre of land, the conflict between the two is inevitable.

The key depends on how the conflict occurs, where the conflict occurs, and what game rules the conflict is based on!
There cannot be a vacuum in power. Once there is a vacuum, it will be filled by something else.

We can withstand the pressure from Liangzhou An's side. As long as Fang Jieshuai can withstand it, we will not retreat. "

Can this be tolerated?

In this expedition to the Western Regions, the Liangzhou An family, which had been in Liangzhou for more than a hundred years since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, was the most harmed stakeholder. In the past, the Liangzhou An family relied on their origins in the ninth surname of Zhaowu and some connections west of Congling. They occupied the favorable location and people in the Western Region business and reaped a lot of benefits.

Fang Chongyong wanted to do something big in the Western Regions, but the original power structure in the Western Regions was stable. So this means that if he wants to achieve his goal, he must break stability and infringe on the core interests of certain forces!

Whether it's Fang Chongyong or the Anxi Expeditionary Force, they all have three melons and two dates. What they want is attitude! No one wants a heavyweight family with unclear attitude to stab him in the back!

What Fang Chongyong wants to do this time is to establish a model based on "license", "share participation" and "equal sharing of interests and risks", so that the entire middle and upper classes in Hexi can participate. Not only can it expand the scale of business, but it also dominates the rules of the game.

Zhang Mi said in a low voice, as if he had something to say, but it was not convenient for him to say it. He was making insinuations but refused to go straight to the base.

This kind of network is similar to someone's cousin's sister-in-law's second brother's colleague's nanny's family. It is not a bond of interest based on blood ties, but on mutual benefit and reciprocity.

As expected.

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly without comment, but he was filled with emotion. The doubt he had been having was finally confirmed. The clues can be seen from the Liangzhou An family's refusal to send family members to participate in the expedition. An Chongzhang, who actively participated in the Chishui Army's battle against Tibet, did not even mention the expeditionary force this time, let alone participate in it.

"The power of Liangzhou An's family is so great. Is it so great that you are so suppressed by them that you don't dare to speak the truth to this commander?"

Fang Chongyong sighed and said, obviously only half-listening to Zhang Mi's words, he also stopped talking, as if he was hesitating to speak.

"Go and hang a sign outside the door, saying that this section is closed today to thank guests."

Fang Chongyong took the envelope and put it aside without looking at it. He looked down at the table casually, as if waiting for Zhang Mi's so-called "explanation".

Fang Chongyong asked with a sneer.

Gifts and other things were all polite. This sentence was the only reason why he refused to leave despite the cold wind blowing in the simple hall all night!

The struggle between the public and the underwater world is inevitable.

However, we, the Zhang family, still have great concerns about the Western Region business license that Shuai mentioned on the day of investment. "

Because he didn't know what Fang Chongyong wanted to do and whether Zhang could participate in it.

However, he was certain that what Fang Chongyong mentioned must have far exceeded the red line drawn by the Liangzhou An family!
In the game of commerce in the Western Regions, it used to be that the An family could influence the pricing power of the Hu merchants in the Western Regions. Now that the pricing power game is dominated by Fang Chongyong, one game has become a new game with multiple competitions. Even if Anshi is involved, he will still be the one who suffers the most!
I used to have a luxurious lunch all to myself, and I could use the leftovers to reward my servants. Now it’s a table full of people eating half of the food on the table, and you have to be quick and have good eyesight, otherwise you won’t be able to grab the good food.

Hearing this, Zhang Mi was stunned for a moment, then said with a wry smile: "Jie Shuai is right, the An family is seeking to change the court commander. Maybe after Jieshuai conquers the Western Region, An family will have someone to pick peaches. So they We welcome the wealthy families in Shazhou to support the expeditionary force, but they do not want us to participate in affairs led by the commander-in-chief."

Zhang Mi gritted his teeth and promised.

He Changqi took the order and left.

Blocking people's way of making money is like killing your parents!

"Fang Jieshuai, after I returned home yesterday, I discussed it with the clan elders. They all agreed that Fang Jieshuai is from his hometown and can be trusted.

"Shuai Fang, actually, it was inconvenient for me to tell you the inside story in person last night, so please forgive me, Marshal Fang. These are Zhang's list of provisions to support the Anxi Expeditionary Army. They will be sent to the camp today."

Fang Chongyong said to He Changqi, who was beside him.

The Nine Zhaowu surnames in the Western Regions need the Liangzhou An clan's network among the top management of the Tang Dynasty, and the Liangzhou An clan also needs the Nine Zhaowu surnames in the Western Regions to continue to provide them with relatively low-cost goods from the Western Regions.

Fang Chongyong then looked at Zhang Mi. He seemed to have been slapped. The bruises at the corners of his mouth were looming, his hair was disheveled, and he looked a little embarrassed.

"Commander Jie, we have no objection at all to Zhang's provision of food and fodder for the expeditionary army and support for the expedition to the Western Regions.

The nine surnames of Zhaowu are descendants of the Yuezhi people. The network of this group is very complex and the size of the ethnic group is also large. Anaye's mother is from one of them, but can we say that Anaye is an acquaintance of the An family in Liangzhou?

As the saying goes: listen to what they say and watch what they do.

"Oh? That's interesting."

Zhang Mi took out an envelope from his arms and handed it to Fang Chongyong.

It has to be said that for the Liangzhou An family, this is a life-and-death competitive relationship.

This has greatly harmed the interests of the Liangzhou An family!
Although the people from the An family didn't know what Fang Chongyong wanted to do before, they had expected it, so they greeted the people from the Zhang family in Shazhou. This is also the reason why Zhang Mi said nothing at the banquet and seemed to be observing the situation.

What Fang Chongyong said, with Zhang Mi's limited wisdom, is not sure how much benefit it can bring to his family.

He now listened to Zhang Mi's words, but he had no time to watch Zhang's trip. The army was about to leave for the Western Regions.

Now Zhang has made empty promises, provided military rations and supplies, and participated in the great cause of the "Western Regions Trade Development Company".

But who can guarantee that they are not doing it perfunctorily and cheaply?
If they are stabbed in the back in the future, the Liangzhou An family can actually make up for the profits they lose now, or even double it!

Therefore, Zhang’s current stance does not guarantee his loyalty!

Probably taking Fang Chongyong's hesitation into consideration, Zhang Mi patted his chest and assured: "If Fang Jieshuai still has doubts and what Zhang needs to do, feel free to ask."

"Well, Shuai really has a big thing this time, and we need Zhang to take care of it." Fang Chongyong said to Zhang Mi with a smile on his face.

"Commander, please speak!"

Zhang Mi also took the risk and asked solemnly.

"Earlier this year, Pinglu Jiedushi An Lushan was assassinated. Although it is not known how he died, this section commander has some evidence that he intended to rebel."

Fang Chongyong said slowly.

Zhang Mi had a strange look on his face and didn't follow Fang Chongyong's train of thought.

A military governor in Hebei is planning to rebel. Why are you telling me this?
Suddenly, he noticed a small detail and suddenly realized it.

"Fang Jieshuai, you mean the An family..."

Zhang Mi asked in a low voice.

"Yes, An Lushan wrote a letter to the Liangzhou An family, asking them to agree to rebel together for the sake of their own clan.

Hexi and Youzhou rebelled together, and together with the nine surnames of Zhaowu and twenty countries in the Western Regions! "

Fang Zhongyong said sonorously and forcefully!

Where is the evidence for him to say that?
Don't ask, just ask, it's all confidential.

But Fang Chongyong not only had the evidence that An Lushan was buying people's hearts and building up his private power in Hebei, but Fang Youde also gave him first-hand information!
Now that An Lushan is dead, it will be fine if anyone throws shit at him. Anyway, it is impossible for a dead person to stand up and defend, let alone prove the authenticity!

Say he is, he is, and he is not!

"Fang Jieshuai is asking someone to report to the court that the Liangzhou An family is having an affair with An Lushan and is plotting something evil?"

Zhang Mi asked doubtfully, his calves trembling with fear.

"No, the commander didn't ask you to report this in this section.

I just want you to report to the court in the name of Shazhou Zhang family that An Lushan wrote such a letter to Liangzhou An family, and it happened to be intercepted by Zhang family's people!

You realized that the matter was of great importance and went out of your way to inform the court of the truth. As for the Liangzhou An family, you don’t comment, you don’t know, and you don’t cooperate! "

Fang Chongyong waved his hand indifferently and said.

Is there any problem with Liangzhou Anshi?
No one knows if there is one, and it’s hard to say. Anyway, An Lushan wrote them treason letters, and one of them was leaked and was obtained by the Zhang family in Shazhou.

As for whether Liangzhou An was a loyal minister and whether he colluded with An Lushan, no one can disprove this, right?
What if? After all, only they themselves know what they really think!
This letter, which looks very likely to be a forgery, if accompanied by a series of real evidence about An Lushan, will form a "nine truths and one falsehood" murderous situation!

How can Liangzhou Anshi prove his innocence?

Is it to prove to Brother Ji that they have party members in the DPRK, many of their sons are officials in the DPRK, and they already "share weal and woe with the country" and it is impossible to rebel?
Or should he prove to Brother Ji that they have a deep relationship among the generals of the Chishui Army, and that there are even family members who serve as deputy military envoys and are leaders in the Hexi military circles?
Or does it prove that they have close ties with the Hu merchants in the Western Regions and can obtain certain valuable goods at low prices, which has a decisive impact on the people's livelihood in Hexi?
No matter what Brother Ji might think, Fang Chongyong put himself in his shoes and figured it out.

If he sees such a report letter, he will definitely mix it up in Liangzhou no matter what in the future. He will not let Liangzhou An's family grow up happily in the local area!

Brother Ji was inoculated by this letter of accusation. When Liangzhou An clan starts to operate the forces in the DPRK again and proposes to change the commander of the Western Region Expeditionary Force, what will Brother Ji or the prime ministers in the center of the Tang Dynasty think?
The answer is self-explanatory.

As for whether this report letter is true and who is manipulating Zhang to do this behind the scenes, it is actually all obvious. The Central Committee of the Tang Dynasty could not fail to guess that Fang Chongyong was operating in it, and could even guess that the letter was a forgery.

But what does that matter?

Regardless of whether An is innocent or not, Fang Chongyong's goal has been achieved!
The center of the imperial court hopes to see different voices in the west, and also hopes that there will be struggles in Hexi to restrain each other!

"Okay! Zhang will definitely do this! Please give this letter to me, Commander-in-Chief."

Zhang Mi gritted his teeth and said.

Fang Chongyong shook his head, took out a piece of letter paper from the bookshelf, and said to Zhang Mi: "You only need to write a letter of guarantee on it, stamp it with your fingerprint, and sign your name. You don't need to worry about other things. Anyway, You also report the Liangzhou An family to this commander, and let this commander take care of other matters."

ha?
Zhang Mi was still lucky and wanted to discuss it with everyone before making a decision after returning home. Unexpectedly, Fang Chongyong did everything right and did not give Zhang any chance to "flexibly"!

There are only two options before Zhang Mi now:

Either get on the pirate ship and completely fall out with the Liangzhou An family!
Either don't get on the ship and wait for Fang Chongyong's crazy revenge!

There is no middle ground to choose from, no compromise to compromise.

Do it or die!
“To survive or not to perish, that is a question that must be carefully considered.

Logically speaking, this section should give you time to think. But the military affairs are urgent. Every day the expeditionary force is delayed, it consumes countless supplies. These are the people's support.

What does Zhang Gongtai think? "

Fang Chongyong looked at Zhang Mi with a smile and asked, his tone already a little impatient.

"Okay, it's just a letter of guarantee, I'll write it right now."

Zhang Mi was afraid of evil, and he knew that if he didn't write this "guarantee", the matter would probably not be rectified. After all, after knowing such a big secret, if he were not on the same boat, could Fang Chongyong let Zhang's people stay overnight?

Keep the Zhang family to inform the people of the An family in Liangzhou?

I'm afraid that today is the day when the Zhang family will be exterminated.

Zhang Mi polished his own ink and quickly wrote a letter of guarantee. The above said that the attached secret letters of An Lushan's rebellion are all true, Zhang can guarantee it, etc. At the same time, he also gave Fang Chongyong the family token of the Zhang family in Liangzhou, which was a piece of white suet jade pendant with exquisite texture.

After getting what he wanted, Fang Chongyong nodded with satisfaction and said: "The Zhang family is indeed the most virtuous family in our Shazhou. When I found out that the An family in Liangzhou was up to no good, I reported their possible conspiracy to the commander of this section. They are really a big family in the local area. What an example! This commander will definitely report it to the Ming court, and the court will have its own reward in the future."

"It is our duty to maintain the governance of the imperial court. Why should we reward you? Fang Jieshuai is so kind."

Zhang Mi said with a look of despair, now he had offended Liangzhou An clan to death.

If Fang Chongyong's expedition to the Western Regions fails, he will not be able to severely damage the Liangzhou An clan. Then the people of the Zhang family will not be able to do business in Hexi in the future, so they can honestly guard their one-third of an acre of land.

Liangzhou An's revenge would be unbearable for them.

But looking at it from another angle, Fang Chongyong is on the line at this time. In the future, as Fang Chongyong's official position becomes larger and his power becomes greater, he can also give the Zhang family in Shazhou maximum protection.

We'll have to wait and see whether we are scared or just pretending to be powerful.

Thinking of this, Zhang Mi let out a long sigh, and Fang Zhongyong bowed his hands and said goodbye. He felt in his heart like a woman from a good family who was forced to go to the sea.

(End of this chapter)