Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 393 Nothing can be done
The Stone King's Palace was eerily quiet late at night. The scenery that is very different from that of the Central Plains silently displays their mystery and weirdness under the firelight.

If there really are ghosts in the world, then there must be countless ghosts wandering here. The souls of those who died in wars and plundering could not rest for a moment.

But Fang Chongyong is obviously not afraid of ghosts, because he has a clear conscience in everything he does along the way.

At this moment, Fang Chongyong was holding an angry wind lantern and rummaging through the warehouse filled with various books, looking for the books he needed.

These books are very different. No matter you look at them from any angle, you can see the sparks of the collision of civilizations.

They use different materials as carriers, including papyrus, bamboo paper, bamboo slips and wooden boards.

They are written in different types of scripts, including Turkic, Dashi, Tubo, and the most common ones are Chinese.

They are of different types, including scriptures, maps, notes, and some guidance documents on farming, with both pictures and texts. Overall, it’s a lot of bad stuff, but also a lot of good stuff.

At the beginning, Gao Xianzhi only thought about gold, silver and jewelry, and completely ignored these books that looked like ghost paintings. Now, after Fang Chongyong's "rescue excavation", most of the books in the Shiguo treasury are well preserved.

Shiguo is a transit point for exchanges between the East and the West. Although the place is small, the level of cultural development is not small, and the horizons are even broader. Scholars from various countries who traveled from north to south and Hu merchants who exchanged their knowledge with each other intentionally or unintentionally left many classics here.

The real Mulu City was an abandoned ancient city on the border of Turkmenistan in his previous life. It was abandoned because the river changed its course.

"Are you trying to say that things can't be done right?"

Che Guangqian said with cupped fists and a salute.

In fact, "big cannibal" was a great insult to the Arabs, because the big cannibal in the Tang Dynasty was actually an opponent defeated by the Arabs, also called "Tajik".

"Commander, I have found out one thing clearly.

In ancient times, information was underdeveloped, so that false rumors were spread, which misled Fang Chongyong. Of course, it also misled many Tang army guides who only had a rough understanding of the local environment.

It seems that there is indeed something important.

Therefore, the general guessed at the beginning that if you go southwest from Mulu, Kushan, An'an and other places in the northwest of Samadang and cross the Wuhu River, there may be a relatively safe shortcut in the desert that can bypass a series of mountains and directly Call me.

Che Guangqian said worriedly.

Che Guangqian suggested calmly, her eyes seemed to have deep meaning.

If I have to sum it up in one sentence, then these are the inheritance of civilization!
"Gao Xianzhi didn't burn the Shiguo Palace to ashes, so he did a great deed."

The Mulu City that Fang Chongyong knew was far away on the northeastern bank of the Wuhu River, while the Mulu City in Abu Muslim's hometown was not far from the southwest bank of the Wuhu River. Not only was it blocked by the river, there was even a large desert in the middle!

Of course, neither Mulu nor the capital of Shi Guokang is actually the basic base of Black Clothes Dashi, although the Shiite uprising arose from here. The core of the black empire is in Baghdad and Damascus.

But now, there is something important that must be discussed with Commander-in-Chief, which may dampen Commander-in-Chief's interest. "

"What Commander Jie said is that Gao Xianzhi is crude and reckless, how can he understand the value of these things? It is foolish to give up beautiful jade for tiles."

Fang Zhongyong asked in a deep voice. In fact, although what Che Guangqian said was unexpected, it was also reasonable and not worthy of surprise.

"This is not the place to talk. Please go to the study, Commander-in-Chief."

Fang Chongyong turned around, patted Che Guangqian on the shoulder and said: "Benjishuai is very optimistic about you. You are different from He Changqi and others. You are a person who has read books. There are many things that Benjishuai cannot explain to them. You can tell them you say."

There are actually two Mulu City. One is not far to the northwest of Samadang, where there is still a large cannibal army, but the number is not large and the morale is not high.

Che Guangqian quickly thanked him and said:

This place has been cleaned up long ago. Gold, silver and jewelry have been swept away. A large-scale map is hung on the wall. Suiye Town, Rehai, Talas City and even Samadha City in Kang State are all clearly marked. Chu.

"You have a point."

It's a bit similar to ancient Egypt and modern Egypt. They are both called Egypt by Chinese people, and they don't pay much attention to their origins.

After sitting down, Fang Chongyong smiled and said, "What are you talking about here?"

Fang Chongyong waved his hand and said indifferently: "It doesn't matter, just say it."

Fang Chongyong did not doubt that he was there, and led Che Guangqian to the study room where the King of Shi Kingdom was supposed to work.

The journey is more than two thousand miles! If we really fight all the way like that, we won't be so passive now. At least the Tocharian tribes will become our die-hard allies.

Che Guangqian echoed Fang Chongyong.

It's better to eat sand than to die from exhaustion over mountains.

Che Guangqian stood up and marked a location in the southwest corner of the map on the wall.

Because Baiyi Dashi had been entrenched in Samadang City for decades, and had even been there in the early Kaiyuan Dynasty, few people paid attention to where they came from. I only know that including Samadang City, the large area to the northwest is the territory of the cannibal.

"If we take the fact that we can march only if we have water sources as the basis for judgment, then if the cannibals want to capture the city of Samadha, they will need to pass through the mountains where the Tocharians are located, start from Persia, and make a big circle to get there.

The city of Zhezhi in the Kingdom of Shi was Tashkent; the city of Samatan in the Kingdom of Kang was Saharahan.

Both cities are large cities in Uzbekistan, with Tashkent still the capital.

Should we continue the strategy? How far should we fight? How long should we fight? This is actually a very profound question, more important than whether you can win.

This is already an obvious win over.

The other Mulu City is southwest of Wuhu River, and that Mulu City is the hometown of Abu Muslim. There, the power of cannibalism is extremely strong and deeply rooted. These were obtained from General Hu Shang. "

Fang Chongyong rolled up a rough map of the Mulu area and put it away, and said to Che Guangqian who was looking around.

In other words, this is not the main direction of the cannibal's progress. As for the Tang Dynasty, Bai Juyi's sentence "In peacetime, Anxi is thousands of miles away" can explain all the problems.

"The commander-in-chief has been so kind to me that I have no way of repaying him. In theory, if I say more good things and flatter him, I should be able to gain the commander-in-chief's trust.

Then the general discovered that among the big cannibals we captured, many of the older ones knew that this road existed, but they did not know how to take it. They also followed this road with the large army in the first place. "

"The general thought that it would be enough to clear Anxi, Kushan and other places northwest of Samadan City. Going deeper would be too risky and would require crossing the desert.

Choose another road and continue walking to the south, which is all mountainous. Although there is water, the detour is too far. What's more, there are Tocharian tribes along the way, which are poor and independent, making it difficult to manage.

We really don't have the energy to deal with them.

Moreover, when the army is pressing down on the territory, various Tocharian tribes will also be worried about the evil intentions of the Tang army and may change their stance.

Where to go is up to the commander-in-chief to decide. "

Che Guangqian crossed her hands and bowed, pleading.

He really didn't say what should or shouldn't be done, but inside and outside of his words, he said "just hit the mark".

The Tocharians are the tribes in northern Afghanistan that Fang Chongyong lived in in his previous life. They have deep ties with the Central Plains and have been in contact with each other for a long time. Among the countries in the Western Region, they belong to the fence-sitting faction that favors the Tang Dynasty. They are poor and capable of fighting, and are famous for their mercenaries.

During the Anshi Rebellion, Tocharian mercenaries followed the Anxi army to the Tang Dynasty to quell the rebellion. In the decades after the war, some high-ranking tribesmen served as officials in the Tang Dynasty.

It can be said that if the Tang army did not come to Tocharo, it would be easy to borrow troops from them. But if the Tang army came to attack and wanted to "borrow the way", things would be different.

Loyalty and goodwill both have boundaries, and it is impossible to let one party do whatever he wants.

Fang Chongyong naturally understands this truth.

"The handsome guy understands what you're talking about, he just wants to eliminate evil and do his best!
If we don't hurt the big food people and intensify their domestic conflicts, then in three to five years, the big food army will make a comeback.

But we may not have the chance to come back. It's too far away from Chang'an.

Now that you're here, you can't leave a big disaster behind just for your own comfort, right? "

Fang Chongyong sighed helplessly.

"Jie Shuai, I have something to say at the end, I don't know whether to say it or not." Che Guangqian hesitated for a moment, with a tangled expression on his face.

"Tell me, how can Shuai block your mouth in this section?"

Fang Chongyong laughed loudly and raised his hand to signal Che Guangqian not to be nervous. He has always been very tolerant of people who give him advice. Even if you get angry at the time, you will not be held accountable afterwards, or you will secretly wear your shoes.

This was the reason why He Changqi, as big-mouthed as he was, was able to do well under his command.

Because the opinions and suggestions you can express are helpful to you. As for distinguishing which opinions have ulterior motives and which are honest mistakes, this is one of the most important abilities of a superior.

Because speaking of sinners is not advisable.

Fang Chongyong started working in local government affairs, and now he has understood the simplest truth: a dog that really bites never barks. Just because you can't listen well, you can't just gag the people below.

In that case, it really only depends on one person's wisdom and vision to fight against this dangerous world.

What the final outcome will be, we don’t know.

"Jie Shuai, if the big cannibals are beaten to the point where they are unable to fight back and are unlikely to come back for twenty years, then the court should not need a Jiedushi envoy like Jieshuai, who makes the big cannibals fear him like a tiger.

It would be easier for them to control someone with less prestige and qualifications. That person wouldn't have to deal with the threat of cannibalism anyway.

Killing too harshly will certainly bring peace to the country and make the saints feel at ease.

But Jieshuai not only has to find work, but also has to find a career.

Now that the saint is old and handsome, he will not say how much he remembers.

Even if the saint fully supports and trusts Jieshuai, how should Jieshuai deal with himself once he dies? The power of Conglong is unreasonable, and it does not mean that whoever has the ability can be in a high position.

With such a high and powerful position as Commander-in-Chief, and not participating in the fight for heir apparent, he was bound to be removed as soon as possible.

The general has not heard of any prince who is close to Commander Jies. In the future, once Commander Jies is relieved of military power and returns to Chang'an to become an official in the central government, it will be like a dragon swimming in the shallows. I'm afraid the consequences will be unpredictable.

Moreover, it is impossible for frontier officials to stay on the frontier all the time. The general thought that within a year, the army would definitely return to Beiting and would not be able to stay in Shiguo permanently.

When the army returns to Jinmancheng, it may be time for the commander to be transferred.

Even if we and other close confidants are loyal to the Commander-in-Chief, without the military uniform of a silver spear and a filial piety to the Commander-in-Chief, and without an official status, we are nothing more than a private army. A kid who can protect Jieshuai is incredible.

I have nowhere to show my courage and loyalty. Please think twice, Commander-in-Chief! "

Che Guangqian said worriedly.

These words were very true, although he did not know that Datang might not even have ten years of stable life, so he was worried about the "unprepared" Fang Chongyong.

Or it can also be said that these close confidants have been branded as "Fang's tribe". After the coach was changed, those people also have their own cronies.

If all previous achievements are regarded as "performance appraisal", then after the coaching change, these performances will basically be cleared.

It is somewhat similar to "one emperor and one courtier". No matter how well you performed in the past, in the eyes of the new coach, his own confidants are more reliable.

For example, Gao Xianzhi, Li Siye, Bai Xiaode, and Xi Yuanqing are all in the same circle. Although they are not close as brothers, once they have the opportunity to be promoted or rewarded, these people will be given priority.

The coach has countless ways to "take care" of his own people and exclude capable people who are not his direct lineage. There are more or less similar things. Different commanders have different tactics and ways of doing things, and the degree of eccentricity is also different.

Che Guangqian was worried about Fang Chongyong's future, and she was also worried about her own future after being promoted by Fang Chongyong. These are human nature and the limits of their loyalty to the Tang Dynasty.

Loyalty needs to be protected by interests. Without tangible interests, there is no so-called loyalty.

It's as if without Fang Chongyong, Che Guangqian is still just a captain in the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army, regardless of how others will view him.

"There are some things that are not easy to say right now. But you can rest assured that the coach has made arrangements for this quarter and will not have no plans. It's just that there is no point in saying it now."

Fang Chongyong lowered his voice and said.

Seeing his expression, Che Guangqian suddenly realized.

There are many things that don't need to be explained too clearly. Fang Chongyong has already hinted clearly.

However, the border troops must obey the court's orders. Where did Fang Chongyong's confidence come from?
Che Guangqian didn't know, but he still cupped his fists and saluted, "General, I understand."

"No, you don't understand."

Fang Chongyong shook his head, then sighed and said:
"The words you said to this commander today are probably not limited to Zhezhi City. I'm afraid there are people like you in Youzhou City, Taiyuan City, Yingzhou City, and Lingzhou City. I am an average person saying, there is nothing new under the sun.

As for what those people will think and how they will choose, I don’t know. "

He said it very cryptically. Che Guangqian was stunned at first, and then showed a look of horror.

Fang Chongyong knew that the other party really understood now.

"You are a person who has read books. Benjieshuai has always believed that scholars who can use a knife have an unlimited future.

So you just need to understand many things in your heart. The road must be walked step by step, and the meal must be eaten bite by bite.

In this Tang Dynasty, in this world, what is supposed to come will always come, and you can't stop it. "

Fang Chongyong stood up, patted Che Guangqian on the shoulder, and then walked out of the study.

Che Guangqian looked at his leaving back, as if he was carrying a mountain on his broad shoulders!

……

"Ge Nu was actually assassinated!"

In a small courtyard in Kaifeng County, Fang Youde put down the Di Bao (which was not yet called this name) published by the imperial court today. He couldn't believe it for a moment!

Li Linfu became a god upon his death! This is simply unreasonable!
Whether it is the tone set by the court or the reputation among the people, Li Linfu is definitely a well-deserved virtuous prime minister!

If it weren't for the purpose of shifting the blame, people would always be more tolerant of the dead. After all, the dead will not take away the jobs of the living!
A general who knows how to fight is a threat to the emperor when he is alive, but after death he becomes the pillar of the empire. People tend not to talk about his ambition, but focus on "using soldiers like gods".

The same goes for Li Linfu. When he was alive, many people thought he was in the way and refused to step down because he occupied the position. After he died, these people would not be able to help but say a few kind words to him.

After all, it’s easy to say something nice!

Without the Anshi Rebellion, Li Linfu would have lost his reputation!
This was something Fang Youde didn't expect. Now those things in his memory have long been changed beyond recognition, and the corresponding coordinates can't be found.

Fang Youde was confused. Just relying on his memory, he no longer knew who was a loyal minister and who was a treacherous minister; who was a good guy and who was a bad guy. Even Li Linfu is going to be famous forever, but Fang Youde doesn't know how to evaluate the current situation!

At this time, the tenth general Li Jiaqing asked to see him. As soon as he met, he said to him Youde:
"Jie Shuai, the men were on a tanker today and found a lot of saltpeter. The amount was too much, which is a bit abnormal. Now the tanker has been impounded."

Saltpeter?

Fang Youde asked in confusion: "Where did the boat come from and where is it going?"

"Those from Hanzhong are going to Hebei!

The ship owner was hesitant. First he said he was going to Beizhou, then changed his mind and said he was going to Bozhou, and finally admitted that he was going to Youzhou.

Jieshuai, this saltpeter can be used to make gunpowder. It is a prohibited item, but the ship owner actually quoted it as ordinary stone. "

Li Jiaqing said calmly.

Gunpowder has been used to make fireworks these days. Although there are many ways to do it, saltpeter is a necessity.

There are also people (especially the army) who use gunpowder to start fires. This has long been popular in the army, but it has not yet been included in the Tang army's standard equipment. Li Jiaqing is a veteran of war, so it is natural that he does not know the basic formula of gunpowder.

The amount of saltpeter used in one boat is simply unbelievable! It’s obviously not possible without asking!
Fang Youde's pupils shrank suddenly, and then he nodded and said, "Take this commander to have a look."

(End of this chapter)