Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 336 Playing the long game to catch the big fish
Fang Chongyong's image of Fu Meng's insight was not really good in Fang Chongyong's opinion.

Ignoring the loose hair, this person's skin is dark, obviously caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays. Not only that, his horse face, paired with a pair of small eyes, looked quite vicious and sinister, and he really didn't look like a kind person.

"Why is General Fumeng so embarrassed?"

Fang Chongyong stood up from the bench and asked pretending to be surprised. His movements are so agile that he seems to have no problem with his legs and feet.

Fumeng Lingzha raised his eyebrows and looked embarrassed but said nothing.

This young ambassador to the Western Regions Economic Strategy is such a wonderful person that he doesn’t even bother to pretend!

"I didn't know that Ambassador Fang was ill, so he came to the camp to apologize."

Fumeng Lingcha bowed and saluted, not mentioning the details of Fang Chongyong pretending that his feet were burned by sand.

Marching in the desert, walking barefoot under the scorching sun will indeed burn your feet. After all, the surface temperature exceeds 60 degrees during the hottest time. Can you avoid getting burned?

But it’s enough to stop at this kind of thing, there’s no need to expose it. Otherwise, Fang Chongyong would be embarrassed, and his husband would be in trouble.

There are large establishments of the three armies of the three states in Beiting, and a lot of small establishments for guarding and capturing, among which there are many who are accustomed to fighting. It is hard to say whether these people are worried about being deprived of their military power, but Meng Lingcha himself must be very good. Worried about being deprived of military power!

During the Kaiyuan Tianbao period, the territory of the Western Regions had been solidified, or in other words, the Tang Dynasty could not do anything here. The frontier generals of the Western Regions were completely different from the previous imperial army period. The marching generals and economic ambassadors represented the imperial court in opening up territory on the frontiers.

"General Fumeng is so polite. Come here, please lead General Fumeng to wash up. Don't lose etiquette."

"The Anxi Expeditionary Force is also fighting on the road. It will still have to use the food and supplies here in Beiting, which will cause you a lot of trouble.

A man should not be manipulated and arranged at will by others. All capable people have tempers!

In this era, the Forbidden Army and the Border Army have gradually formed two mutually exclusive systems. This time the imperial court did not set up full-time Protector of Anxi and Protector of Beiting, but this was just a deliberate attempt to reduce differences, but it did not mean that the differences had disappeared.

He pretended to be indifferent and said: "In this way, the soldiers of the three armies in Beiting can train with peace of mind and be ready to serve the country."

The chief protectors of Anxi and Beiting were all from afar. They were far away in Chang'an and did not know what was going on in the Western Regions. There was no way to order adjustments in personnel appointments. The Deputy Protector manages daily affairs, but is only a "temporary agent".

"According to the deployment of the saint, this ambassador has the power to dispatch troops from Anxi and Beiting. However, the specific operations and military personnel arrangements are still the responsibility of the original border generals, that is, the Anxi Governor and the Beiting Chief Protector are responsible.

There is no need to distinguish between life and death, but one must distinguish between superior and inferior!
"General Fumeng came just in time. The commander-in-chief originally had something he wanted to discuss with the general in detail."

"Hey, General Fumeng is too nervous. It's not about fighting."

This in itself is an "expedient measure" in which power is exercised due to the absence of Zhengduhu.

Fumeng Lingzhao and the martial artist were on their way in a hurry again. They might not care about this, but Fang Chongyong can now be said to be the military and political leader in the Western Regions, so he had to give him dignity.

Fang Chongyong suddenly stopped smiling and stopped speaking seriously.

It's just that many times, this situation of "guest troops fighting in a different place" is not a good thing for local bureaucrats. There will be some accidents, not to mention having to parachute an immediate superior!
Fang Chongyong's identity and the elite troops he brought with him to the Western Regions were more like operating in accordance with the political habits before the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty. Generals sent by the central government led the imperial army to command a party.

The Vice-President wants to become a full-time official, what do you want the Emperor and Prime Minister to think?
Fumeng Lingcha didn't want to rebel. On the surface, the Tang Dynasty was at its peak and it was impossible for the rebellion to succeed. Besides, Fang Chongyong still had more than 10,000 elite soldiers, so it was impossible to evade them.

Seeing that the other party was about to get down to business, Fumeng Lingcha also put away his smile. The other party Zhongyong cupped his fists and saluted: "Ambassador Fang, please speak. I will fully cooperate with you."

Fumeng Lingcha was afraid that the imperial court wanted Fang Chongyong to reorganize the army and completely control the Tang army in Anxi and Beiting towns, rearrange the military and political structure, redeploy troops, and rearrange the military commanders and key personnel in the army.

Therefore, General Fumeng does not need to worry. This ambassador will not manipulate the personnel arrangements of the Second Town of Beiting, Anxi at will. "

Now that Fumeng Lingzha was disheveled, people who didn't know the inside story might have thought that he had been poisoned in Fang Chongyong's camp.

If it really comes to that, he, the Deputy Protector of Beiting... will probably have to deliberately give up his position and create some trouble for Fang Chongyong. If not, who else in the Tang army will take him seriously in the future?

After getting the answer he hoped for, Fumeng Lingcha breathed a sigh of relief and felt that he could still communicate effectively with the Western Region Economic and Strategy Ambassador in front of him. Since the general principles are consistent, whatever happens later can be discussed based on this general principle.

He Changqi came in front with two soldiers carrying a large box, and then quietly exited the military tent.

Now Fang Chongyong, the Economic and Strategic Ambassador of the Western Regions, has arrived. Although this official position is temporary, in theory, he has the power to oversee all military and political affairs in the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty. Fang Chongyong can ignore it, but he has the right to intervene and take full responsibility for anything that happens. Naturally, he can also deal with the parties involved at will.

The current situation is one of temporary formal appointment VS long-term interim authority. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. But from the perspective of the ruler, it may be more preferable that the former can play a role, but is afraid that the latter will be too strong.

After a while, Fumeng Lingcha entered the commander's tent again. This time his hair had been tied up, the dust and dirt on his face had been washed away, and his military uniform had been changed. He looked much more "awe-inspiring" than before.

There was something in Fang Chongyong's words, but Fu Meng was aware that he couldn't resist, and he didn't want to suffer any loss, so he could only pretend to be confused and pretend he didn't understand, burying his head in the sand like an ostrich.

Fang Chongyong comforted his husband Meng Lingcha and said.

It is such a "concurrent" power and responsibility relationship.

After the two sat down, Fang Chongyong and his husband Meng Lingcha looked at each other, both waiting for the other to speak first.

Fumeng Lingcha looked at the big wooden box in front of him with a puzzled look, without saying a word, waiting for Fang Chongyong to explain.

Therefore, Fumeng Lingcha really had no good way to support the Western Region Economic and Strategic Ambassador. He could only cooperate with him, but begged him not to go too far.

Hearing this, Fang Chongyong waved his hands indifferently and said: "This ambassador came to the Western Regions on the order of a saint. The purpose is to wipe out the thorns in the countries in the Western Regions who are disobedient to the Tang Dynasty. He will not deprive Anxi and Beiting of the two towns. General Fumeng is worrying too much about the power of soldiers and horses."

Fang Chongyong shouted to He Changqi who was on duty outside the door.

Fang Chungyong waved his hand, suddenly clapped his hands twice and shouted outside the military tent: "Come here, bring the gift!"

Just like the current disagreement between Fang Chongyong and Fu Meng Lingcha, the first issue is who commands whom.

Fumeng Lingcha asked hesitantly.

Upon hearing this, Fumeng Lingcha immediately nodded slightly with a grimace, but was too embarrassed to tell the truth.

In the social etiquette of normal people, both parties should be clean and tidy when meeting guests. This is the minimum way to treat guests.

At that time, the army was temporary. After the war, they would return to the court, and the soldiers would go back to their homes. But now the border troops are on duty in the local area, and they are related to the local people, which has a strong regional flavor.

After waiting for a long time, Fumeng Lingcha finally couldn't help but asked: "Ambassador Fang came to Yizhou with tens of thousands of people from the Anxi Expeditionary Force. Why? The official documents from the imperial court only talked in general terms. The general was uneasy, and so was the army. People are worried that Ambassador Fang will seize their military power. Please let the Ambassador know something."

Although these are the grain of the imperial court, there is no way to say how to misappropriate them.

The accounts belong to the accounts and are handled by their own tax envoys.

However, as the ambassador is a guest and the Anxi Expeditionary Force is a guest army, we cannot come empty-handed. "

Fang Chongyong walked over and opened the big wooden box, only to see that it was filled with Jiaozi of different denominations, the smallest was a Guan Guan, the largest was a Hundred Guan! Fumeng Lingcha’s eyes were straightened!
In fact, Jiaozi from Hexi has been circulated on a small scale in the three states of Beiting, and is very popular among Hu merchants from the Western Regions.

Why is this so?
In fact, the reason is very simple. There are deserts everywhere in the Western Regions. Hu merchants from the Western Regions took their money and dragged their goods to the Tang Dynasty to do business. Do they want the currency in their hands to be heavy and difficult to hold, or do they want the currency to be almost weightless so that they can Can we bring more goods from the Western Regions on the road, maybe even more dry food and water?
The answer is obvious. As long as there are no obstacles to the silk exchange business in Hexi and the Jiaozi in Hexi are not spam, then this thing can be smoothly controlled in the three states of Beiting, which is tightly controlled by the Tang Dynasty and all residents are registered. Normal circulation.

After all, although the Western Region is vast, the distance from Yizhou to Guazhou is not that far. So of course Fumeng Lingzha knows what Jiaozi is! He himself uses it from time to time!

"Ambassador Fang, what does this mean?"

Fumeng Lingcha asked with some vigilance, and said unceremoniously that riding on the horse was a bribe!

"A certain person wants to recruit warriors from the Beiting Army to join the Anxi Expeditionary Army. These are their rewards for the expedition, each of the soldiers is fifty guan, and each of the generals is 100 guan.

For the other soldiers who were not going on an expedition, the ten of them always bought some wine to drink. If there is really any left, then it should be divided between General Fumeng and the generals in the army who are not participating in the expeditionary force. "

Fang Chongyong said calmly.

Give me a sweet date when you come! Fumeng Lingzha showed a thoughtful expression, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

If the money was given to officers, it would be considered bribery, because Fang Chongyong did not say where the money came from.

From this perspective, this money is very hot to hold!

But if Fang Chongyong's move was to select people to join the army for the expedition, then the money was probably "life money."

On the contrary, I have to accept it!
Seeing that Fumeng Lingcha was silent, Fang Chongyong took out the imperial edict given by Brother Ji from his sleeve and handed it to Fumeng Lingcha for inspection.

"This is what the saint ordered. In fact, I don't have to give this money to the ambassador. It's also very nourishing for me to set up a farm in Chang'an by myself.

But, the soldiers are about to go through life and death, and perhaps many of them will have their bones buried in a foreign land. This little money can still make their parents, wives and children live easier.

What does General Fumeng think? "

Fang Chongyong asked sincerely.

"Then... Ambassador Fang's kindness will be accepted by the generals on behalf of the sons of Beiting Sanzhou."

Fumeng Lingzha was not pretentious, he nodded slightly and said, and the other party Chongyong treated him differently.

The person who can have such skills must be a veteran who has been in the border towns for many years. He is definitely not the bureaucrats in the central government who have high vision but low hands and don't know the hardships of the border towns.

"Ambassador Fang, I have a suggestion at the end."

After thinking for a while, Fumeng Lingcha suddenly spoke.

"General Fumeng, please speak."

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly.

"Near Puleihai in the northwest of Yiwu City is where the Yiwu army is stationed. It has beautiful scenery, abundant water, luxuriant pastures, and there are many fish to catch in Puleihai.

How about Ambassador Fang leading the Anxi Expeditionary Force to camp next to Puleihai, hold a banquet after sunset, and then select elite soldiers from the Yiwu army? "

Puleihai is where the Yiwu Army is stationed. Although it is called "sea", it is actually a lake with a large area. Because of the water, the local drought climate has been alleviated, and the natural conditions are the most comfortable in Illinois.

Fang Chongyong took the army to Puleihai, held a banquet and announced the conscription, which saved a lot of trouble.

After the recruitment is completed, the Anxi Expeditionary Force can go to Xizhou to station, and Fumeng Lingcha will also follow Fang Chongyong to Xizhou, send them away from the boundaries of the Beiting Protectorate, and then return to Tingzhou from Xizhou.

All in all, the purpose was to serve Fang Chongyong, the "great god" sent by the imperial court, before sending him away to avoid any complications.

Just because Fang Chongyong is easy to talk to now does not mean that he will always be easy to talk to.

Fumeng Lingcha knew very well that it was better for such people to stay away from the frontier officials in border towns. In terms of his age, there was no problem for Fang Chongyong to call him uncle; but in terms of his official status, it was his husband Lingcha who should call him dad.

"That's fine. It's getting late. General Fumeng, please go back to Yiwu City. The ambassador will go to the government office tomorrow. If you have anything to do, we'll talk about it then."

Seeing that his goal had been achieved, Fang Chongyong stood up to see off the guests. After Fumeng Lingcha said a few polite words, he was politely sent out of the camp by Fang Zhongyong.

……

In the handsome tent, He Changqi, Duan Xiushi, Guan Chongsi and others did not look very good-looking. The word "prison" engraved on Duan Xiushi's face looked particularly ferocious under the firelight.

"Fang Jieshuai, those handouts are all for our military expenses, so you just gave them to Fumeng Lingzhao? Didn't you agree to give them military tickets, and then encouraged the military generals on the Beiting side to go further west to rob them? ah!"

He Changqi's tone was quite dissatisfied, but he was helpless. Fang Chongyong's behavior was like digging into their hearts.

That hurts!
"Commander Jie, what He Laohu said is not unreasonable. There is really no need for us to be so polite to the soldiers and horses in Beiting.

You want to select Beiting sergeants to join the Anxi Expeditionary Force and pay levy fees. This general agrees. But for those who don’t attend, there’s no need to treat them to a drink? The money adds up to a lot. "

Duan Xiushi also made up for it.

In their opinion, these jiaozi should have belonged to their "direct descendants", how could they be given to the Beiting Army in the Western Regions in vain!
"Hey, you don't understand. This is called taking a long shot to catch the big fish."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand and said.

The three of them were stunned, wondering what Fang Chongyong wanted to do.

"Hexi Jiaozi's status in the three states of Beiting is not yet stable. This wave of Jiaozi spreading out is equivalent to expanding the scope of Jiaozi's use. It will facilitate our follow-up actions.

The three states of Beiting are not as good as the twenty states of Congling. This is still the basic territory of our Datang Dynasty and cannot be messed with. "

Fang Chongyong laughed and shook his head and continued: "You guys, don't keep staring at the one-third of an acre of land in front of you. If you want to make friends, just open it up and seal it for you when you return to Hexi. Are you afraid that you won't have any money to use it?"

If you want to take it, you must first give it.

This is a very simple truth, but in practice, many people always count on getting something for nothing and hope that others will support them unconditionally.

Even when fishing, you still have to put out bait. The straight-line thinking of these Qiuba is: Because I have a knife in my hand, so as long as I want, all your things belong to me. I'm polite enough not to rob you, but how can I give you my own money?
Fang Chongyong has become accustomed to this.

Of course, just because it feels normal does not mean that this kind of thinking is correct. When Fang Chongyong came to the Western Regions this time, he had a strong grasp on both the political and military affairs. I never thought that it would be unrealistic to cut from Yizhou to the Persian Protectorate with just one knife.

He also didn't intend to let these Qiu Ba people mess around.

"Three days later in Puleihai, let the sons have a good time drinking and eating meat to relax. Then prepare for the whole army competition to teach the Yiwu army in Yizhou a good lesson.

Whoever loses the face of being handsome in this section will not be able to eat and walk around. "

Fang Chongyong looked around at everyone, clenched his fists and said fiercely.

(Please vote at the end of the month, there is another chapter today)
(End of this chapter)