Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 363 But I like it
"Your Highness, is this really okay?"

In the courtyard of the East Palace, Li Long was taking a walk. Cheng Yuanzhen followed him and asked anxiously.

It can be said that "the prince is not in a hurry, but the eunuch is."

"If the saint wants to depose the prince, the news will reach the East Palace on the day of the birthday banquet. It won't take long to send a eunuch to deliver the decree. Just be patient and calm."

Li Chen turned back to look at Cheng Yuanzhen and said softly. His eyes were as calm as water, but Cheng Yuanzhen's scalp was numb and he was feeling extremely stressed.

"Slave, I'm just worried about the prince."

Cheng Yuanzhen wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and defended himself. Li Chen chuckled and said nothing.

He knew that this eunuch was worried that he would be on the wrong team and die without a burial place.

Li Chen didn't reveal the other party's little thoughts.

At this moment, a young eunuch hurriedly came over, saluted Li Han and said: "The high chamberlain has come to deliver the order. Please go to the East Palace to receive the order."

For example, Jiaozi in Chang'an is about to collapse, Brother Ji is infected with a strange disease, or a series of "big purges" have taken place in the officialdom of Chang'an.

"I think it is inappropriate to build such a city."

Gao Lishi couldn't care less about the yin and yang in Li Xuan's words. He waved his hand to the eunuch next to him, and all the servants in the hall filed out, leaving only him and Li Xuan.

"As long as a saint can take action, he will never show mercy.

Without further ado, Gao Lishi put the imperial edict into Li Xuan's hands without talking nonsense, turned around and left.

But Fang Chongyong, who was far away in the Western Regions, had no idea about these things.

How it was done before, it was very comfortable and successful. So when we encounter similar problems now, we will be accustomed to using past methods to solve them, and no one is willing to take the initiative to step out of their comfort zone.

"Jie Shuai, if we don't build a city, we will be like those nomadic tribes with no fixed settlements. After building a city, this will be a land controlled by the Tang Dynasty.

Ordinary people have "path dependence" when doing things.

Li Chen couldn't help but feel contempt for Brother Ji. It's easy to change a country, but it's hard to change one's nature. This sentence is indeed not a boast.

Gao Lishi said with both persuasion and threat.

Although many major events have happened in Chang'an recently.

In other words, when there is no war, it would be a waste to build a completely military city here. After a real fight breaks out, this place can easily be surrounded and become an isolated city, with no need for defense.

"I just want to go to Huashan to pray for the saint. You don't have to worry."

After Gao Lishi left, Cheng Yuanzhen hurried over and asked with concern: "Prince, Chamberlain Gao...he, did he say anything? Is it okay?"

"It's still this three-layer nested structure, without any innovation."

Is it finally here?
Li Chen nodded slightly and said, "I'll go now."

Fang Chongyong put the drawings on the table, crossed his arms, and pondered for a long time without saying anything more.

However, on the surface, building a city is a trivial matter, but building a specific city requires a lot of thought.

Li Heng explained with a sarcastic expression.

Soon, the prince's car, under the "protection" of a group of Shence troops, left Chang'an and headed towards Huashan to the east of Chang'an.

Haha, that old beast really didn't dare to use the knife at all! He is still so afraid of death and regards his own life as the first priority! Even if someone ridicules you, if killing the other person threatens your own survival, you must endure it.

You've made enough noise and vented all your anger now, so isn't it time to calm down?
Did the prince really think that a saint would not kill someone out of anger? How did the prince Li Ying die? Didn't the prince think about it? "

……

Li Chen said impatiently.

Gao Lishi also put away his emotions and said with a straight face: "The saint has an order, let the prince set off to Huashan immediately to pray for the saint, the holy purpose is here."

He followed suit to the East Palace Hall, and then he saw the tall Gao Lishi pacing the hall impatiently, looking very anxious.

"Prince, except for you, no one has ever made a saint so embarrassed, including the saint of Wuzhou who covered the sky with one hand.

On this day, Feng Changqing brought the craftsmen responsible for building the city in Jinman City, Tingzhou, to Fang Chongyong. He also handed a city plan drawn by a craftsman to Fang Chongyong for inspection.

Not even bothering to say a single unnecessary word, even basic politeness was omitted.

Few people will think about whether the past methods will be used to deal with new problems at the beginning, whether it will lead to a situation of "acclimatization".

It is self-evident what this means as it is far away from the Central Plains and is an isolated city that is easily besieged.

Fang Chongyong believed that it was not appropriate to build a city for defense here. Several levels of nesting are useless!
Because from a defensive point of view, building a city here is quite disadvantageous. The terrain here is only surrounded by mountains to the north, the Ili River to the south, and the entrance and exit directions of the Ili River Valley to the east and west. It lacks the "circuits" and "depth" required for defense.

But he doesn't care at all!
He is still young and can afford to wait. He believed that this old beast was acting against his will, and sooner or later everyone would rebel against him.

At this moment, Gao Lishi had to admit that he had indeed made a mistake. This former King of Longevity can be said to have been completely transformed in terms of his character and level of scheming!

"It's actually the high chamberlain who came to the East Palace to announce the decree. I'm really flattered."

Brother Ji is forbearing, so why not Li Chen himself?

When Li Chen saw Gao Lishi, he pretended to be "surprised" and said that he had no good impressions of this lackey around the emperor!
It was this old dog that took Wei Sanniang away from him back then! He will never forget this mortal enemy for the rest of his life! If there is a chance in the future, he will definitely take revenge and complain!
In Li Chen's view, Gao Lishi is an extension of Ji Ge's hands and feet, and he is one with Ji Ge.

He has already led part of the Anxi Expeditionary Force to camp on the north bank of the Ili River, preparing to build a city here.

Waiter Gao, just explain your purpose of coming directly, I am not in the mood to talk in circles with you. "

Fang Chongyong pointed to the drawings on the table and said slowly.

The terrain here is indeed flawed, but we, the frontier troops, cannot omit the tasks we should do.

I hope Jieshuai will think twice. "

Feng Changqing saluted and said in a somewhat anxious tone.

This place is surrounded by mountains and rivers, with lush trees in the mountains and forests. It is a rare Feng Shui treasure land in the Western Regions. So what if it's not suitable for defense? With the mighty soldiers from the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty at your side, who would dare to make a mistake?

After building the city, they controlled this good land, with mountains, water and fields, suitable for grazing and farming.

If you get this good place, what else can you do? Why give up eating because of choking?

"What this ambassador means is not that a city should not be built here, but that such a city should not be built."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand and said indifferently.

"Then...what kind of city does the official want to build?"

The old craftsmen from Jinmancheng were confused.

The three-layer nested city of the Tang Dynasty can be said to be the "ancestral method". How else can we play it this way?

The city construction plan has not yet been finalized, and the progress of the city construction is impossible to say. But having said that, there is no shortage of stones or trees in the Ili River Valley, so the construction is not very difficult. Now it is actually stuck on the plan.

It all depends on what this "Ambassador Fang" from Chang'an thinks.

"There is a saying in Taoism: One Yuan generates two rituals, two rituals generate four images, four images generate the eight trigrams, and the hexagrams and hexagrams show magical powers.

Why not, just build a city based on this, take the shape of Bagua, and call it Bagua City. "

Fang Chongyong joked like a half-joke.

Hearing this, Feng Changqing and the old craftsman looked at each other, both shocked by Ambassador Fang's unconventional thinking.

The city is designed according to the Bagua shape. You think you are Zhuge Liang!
"Ambassador Fang, this city was built in the shape of Bagua... There is no precedent before. It is really unheard of."

The old craftsman muttered to himself, obviously not agreeing with Fang Chongyong's idea. Feng Changqing also looked puzzled and asked: "Jie Shuai, build the city according to the shape of the Bagua array. Isn't the city octagonal? It has eight corners?"

It's not that they like to question, but Fang Chongyong's proposal is too abstract. As long as the other party's proposal is even remotely reliable, even if the three-layer nested city structure is scrapped and surrounded by a city wall, they have no objection!
"Fuck! You two are just complaining! The Commander-in-Chief said he wants to build an octagonal one, so let's build an octagonal one! If he wants to build a round one, then build a round one.

Even if Fang Jieshuai wants a triangular city, you have to build the city! What an event!

Is it you who make the final decision or Ambassador Fang’s final decision? "

He Changqi, who was listening impatiently, couldn't help but shouted!
He really couldn't bear it any longer. It's not like a group of hens were riding on the horse to build a city and lay eggs! You still have to worry about how many corners of the city you have!

What happened to the octagonal city? is there a problem?

"He Laohu speaks rudely, but he is right.

You go to Tingzhou to find someone who understands politics, preferably an official who has worked as a bad official in the Qintian Prison before, and then plan the city. As the saying goes, sharpening the sword will make you chop wood. "

Fang Chongyong chuckled.

When Feng Changqing heard this, he knew that the matter could not be changed.

Ambassador Fang's main theme is "I have the final say." Even if he doesn't agree with something, he won't yell at you, but if he doesn't agree, he doesn't agree. There are countless ways for the other party to make you accept his opinion.

After all, Fang Chongyong is the only current Western Region Economic and Strategic Ambassador.

"As ordered, I will do my humble job right now!"

Feng Changqing crossed his hands and saluted, pulling the old craftsman who was confused and still talking about "octagonal city" out of the tent.

After the others left, Fang Chongyong turned his head and looked at He Changqi and said, "Don't speak so roughly. You look like you're ready to make a move."

"Commander Jie, I can't bear to see these people chattering for a long time without getting to the point. Whatever Commander Jie says, just do it and it will be done. All this nonsense is useless!"

He Changqi couldn't help but complain.

"What a chicken! What a chicken!"

The five-color parrot's hoarse cry came from behind Fang Chongyong.

"Jie Shuai, what if this stupid bird says something he shouldn't say in front of a saint in the future?"

He Changqi asked with a puzzled look on his face, and couldn't help but glance at the five-color parrot again.

"The saint will pretend not to hear, don't worry."

Fang Chongyong said calmly, not taking He Changqi's concerns seriously at all.

"Is there any battle report ahead?"

He suddenly remembered this and asked He Changqi. Che Guangqian had been leading people out for a long time, and no news had been sent back yet. He didn't know what the situation was like out front.

"No, I haven't received any news.

There was no movement on Gao Xianzhi's side, or there was movement, we don't know yet.

The Western Region is so big that it takes many days to deliver news. "

He Changqi touched his head and sighed helplessly.

This is how wars are fought here in the Western Regions. They often march for dozens of days and conduct long-distance raids for thousands of miles! Until there is no definite news, we can only wait, there is no other way.

When fighting in the Western Region, letting the bullets fly for a while is the normal state of war. An impatient person will make wrong judgments, and war is a great test of "advancement."

"Don't rush too fast. We are oriole, but don't become a praying mantis just because you are anxious."

Fang Chongyong hinted calmly, but He Changqi immediately patted his chest and promised: "Look at what Jieshuai said, you will kill whoever you want to kill, no matter what!"

He was afraid that Fang Chongyong would not believe him, so he lowered his voice to express his loyalty and said: "Even if the commander-in-chief wants to change his side, the last general will still clear the way for the commander-in-chief. Please keep your peace of mind, commander-in-chief."

"Nonsense, what are you talking about?"

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but scolded.

He Changqi immediately put on a smile and said: "The general doesn't know the old emperor in the deep palace. The general only knows to listen to the commander-in-chief. He will attack wherever the commander-in-chief tells the commander to attack. The commander-in-chief will attack the commander-in-chief. That’s a lot of loyalty!”

Hearing He Changqi flattering him, Fang Chongyong chuckled, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, one day you will show your loyalty, just do your job well now."

Eh?
Upon hearing this, He Changqi became very vigilant. Just say nice things, but if you really want to risk the lives of your whole family, you have to be careful.

He Changqi approached Fang Chongyong and asked, "Does Commander Jie have something on his mind? Could it be that the saint is afraid of Commander Jie's military power?"

"It's not happening yet, but it will be a matter of time."

Fang Zhongyong sighed leisurely.

Based on Brother Ji's urine, when the other ambassador returns to Chang'an to report on his duties, he will probably be deprived of his military power, and then lose his position as Minister of Rites or something like that, promoted openly and secretly.

That's probably it.

The Western Region Economic and Strategic Ambassador is an out-and-out "missionary", but this job has evolved over decades and has now been solidified into an official position. If we look at the nature, the Western Regions Economic and Strategic Ambassador is a proper civil servant who is sent abroad and a high official on the frontier.

This kind of position usually doesn't last long. After a few years, the situation in the Western Regions will be completely different.

The iron city and the flowing water are objective laws and will not be changed by Fang Chongyong's own wishes. After conquering the Western Regions, it was the general trend to be transferred to the central government to serve as a senior official in the six ministries. Fang Chongyong had expected it.

"Jie Shuai, if this is the case, then you have to be well prepared. When the time comes, you can't just sit back and wait for death, right?"

He Changqi said worriedly.

"Who says it's not the case? Of course we can't sit still and wait for death."

Fang Chongyong said to himself that there was nothing wrong with He Qichang's idea, but he could not see what would happen in the future, nor could he see the general trend of history.

This is the happiness that belongs to the "ignorant".

The chaos of the Tang Dynasty has been decided. It is not that it is unfavourable to be an official of the Six Ministries, but that the generals with military power are the protagonists of the next version.

When the version is updated, people have to adapt accordingly. There is nothing we can do about it.

"He Huhu, you are happy."

Fang Chongyong laughed and shook his head, saying something incomprehensible.

He walked out of the Chinese military commander's tent and saw pink and white wild flowers all over the mountains in the distance, as if he had entered a fairy tale world.

Not far outside the military tent, Anaye, wearing a Tang Army uniform, was wearing an apron and stirring a bubbling cauldron with a huge wooden stick. You can smell the unique smell of Chinese herbal medicine from a distance.

Recently, many people in the army were acclimatized and suffered from diarrhea. Anaye volunteered to cook a "big pot of medicine", which was all collected from local herbs. The effect was remarkable and quite popular. Now no one dares to offend her in the military and she can move around freely.

"What do you think of the Queen of Stone Kingdom's magnificence?"

Fang Chongyong pointed at Anaye who was boiling medicine and asked He Changqi.

"Commander Jie, who do you favor? All the soldiers know that the so-called governor of the Dawan Governor's Mansion is just for fun. The nobles of the Shi Kingdom are all wearing gold, silver and jewelry.

But...this temperament still doesn't quite resemble him. "

He Changqi said with a troubled expression.

He couldn't say that Anaye was beautiful, but just a bit earthy and didn't have that kind of aloof nobility.

You say she is the Queen of the Stone Kingdom, but others don’t believe it!
"That's why you don't understand. Nobility is not shown by wearing beautiful clothes."

Fang Chongyong said meaningfully.

(End of this chapter)