Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 412 You don’t understand Brother Ji

The Western Region is very large, with a vast territory of more than 10,000 miles, and all kinds of climates can be seen.

In the area west of Congling, the winter is very short and relatively humid; the summer is very long, the light is strong and very dry, with typical "rain and heat in different periods".

Such a climate determines that only a few oasis zones can develop farming.

It was still winter when Fang Chongyong led the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army on an "expedition" to Mulu City, but when he returned, it was already spring breeze.

When the Tang army's heroes appeared in Anxi, Guishang and other places, they were greeted by a "kneeling ceremony" that stretched for miles!
Whether it was Hu merchants, local wealthy people, or people of all ethnic groups, they all knelt down in front of the capital gate, and a grand flowing banquet was prepared in the city, from the city gate to the entrance of the palace!
However, Fang Chongyong still declined the invitations of the "Kings". The army passed through the city gate, then passed through the opposite city gate, and walked along the "Flowing Seat" road.

It comes solemnly and leaves solemnly, without taking away a single cloud.

Both generals and soldiers in the army were strictly ordered by Fang Chongyong not to take any food from the table! Whoever takes what is discovered will have all the rewards deducted immediately!

On the way back to Anxi Expeditionary Force, everywhere they passed showed strict military discipline, which made the locals dare not look directly at it! Don’t even dare to underestimate it!

The army passed through Anxi Prefecture, Guishang Prefecture, and Kangju Prefecture one after another, and arrived at Zhezhi City, the capital of the Stone Kingdom. That is, the seat of the Hezhong Protectorate, and the Shi Kingdom is now also called Zhezhizhou.

"No."

These forces were all controlled by the Tang Dynasty, and those small countries in the Western Region that wanted to choose sides suddenly had no room to maneuver their policies.

"Father-in-law, you said I didn't do it, but you didn't say I didn't give the order?"

One day after the spring flowers bloomed, Fang Chongyong finally returned to Zhezhi City after walking nearly a thousand miles with Bu Qu.

Wang Zhongsi sighed with some disappointment and said, he just didn't expect that Fang Chongyong would not tell the truth to him.

Now that the black food is gone, Tubo is caught in civil strife and has no time to take care of itself. The Turks have long been defeated, and the mess has been taken over by Tu Qishi, who had been beaten by the Tang Dynasty before.

As a result, when the team marched to the gate of Zhezhi City, Fang Chongyong saw Wang Zhongsi folding his arms and looking at him with amusement on his face.

"please!"

With the big food in black here, these small countries in the Western Regions can still jump left and right. If they can't stand the Tang Dynasty, they can jump on the cannibal ship.

Fang Chongyong spread his hands and grinned.

When he arrived outside the city, he saw that almost all the people in the city came out to greet him. It is also the same as those in Kangguo. They all kneel on the ground and bow three times and kowtow nine times.

That's weird, I thought it must be you. "

It feels like worshiping gods.

If they don't kneel down to Fang Chongyong and beg for "protection", do they want Datang to send a second "Gao Xianzhi" over to "cleanse" him?

If I don't kill him, my men will kill me.

In fact, it is not that there are no ways to ease it, but Fang Chongyong does not want to wrong himself. The main reason is that people like Zhang Jie are not worthy of making concessions on their own.

So I can only kill him. "

He took out a roll of imperial edict from his arms, handed it to Fang Chongyong and said: "The edict was sent a few days ago and has been announced in Zhezhi City. You can read it yourself."

Sure enough, Wang Zhongsi, who had been in the army for decades, was not surprised. He just nodded thoughtfully and did not say whether he should be killed or not.

Seeing Fang Chongyong admit it directly, Wang Zhongsi breathed a sigh of relief. Just admit it and say it, everyone should be honest and open-minded, otherwise you really don’t know how to talk about this matter.

Fang Chongyong talked about things in black and white and didn't bother to explain the details.

Fang Chongyong looked at the slightly haggard Dugujun in front of him and couldn't help but sigh with emotion. Instead of being polite, he asked Dugujun to lead the horse for him.

That was the scrutiny from my father-in-law!
Fang Chongyong quickly got off his horse and was about to call his father-in-law when he saw Wang Zhongsi shaking his head slightly. He immediately changed his words and said: "General Wang has worked hard all the way, please ask the government office to explain it."

An old acquaintance of Fang Chongyong walked over from the gate of Zhezhi City. While talking, he warmly held Fang Chongyong's horse.

After sitting down, Wang Zhongsi was not polite at all and asked straight to the point: "Did you kill the people in the imperial envoy?"

He had many things to ask Fang Chongyong, but now was not the time to speak, and this was not the place to speak.

"Is not it?

Without the title of "Commander", it doesn't matter whether you are a queen or a king.

Then he cut it with a knife, and he didn't think that the neck of such a high-ranking official in the court was so hard.

He asked with some confusion: "Why did you do this? Don't you know that it is a capital crime if you are found out?"

Fang Zhongyong shook his head confidently.

This is the honor he deserves!

Wang Zhongsi nodded very reservedly.

But it’s quite normal if you think about it.

"Judge Dugu, you are well and well!"

The two came to the Stone King's Palace. Fang Chongyong asked Feng Changqing to arrange the dinner, while he took Wang Zhongsi to the signing room specially prepared for the governor of the Hezhong Protectorate.

In these places, the former "King" still retains his title, but the person responsible for specific affairs is the "Governor". Even Anaye is nominally the "Queen of the Stone Kingdom", but her title of commanding everyone in the Stone Kingdom is the "Commander" conferred by the Tang Dynasty.

"Ambassador Fang is really majestic. He responds to every call in the Stone Kingdom. I will come to lead your horse now."

"I know, but Zhang Jie brought people here to grab the credit.

This is the rule of the Tang Dynasty!

Well, these are all the names changed after the establishment of the Hezhong Protectorate.

Wang Zhongsi didn't know what Fang Chongyong was thinking, he just felt that the situation was serious.

As for right and wrong, let’s not mention it.

In their current position, they only talk about pros and cons. How do they have the right to talk about the so-called "right and wrong"?

"It's basically the same as the imperial edict brought by Zhang Jie, except that the Western Region Economic and Strategic Ambassador has become his father-in-law, and the chief protector of the Hezhong Protectorate is still Fang Guanyao, and then Dugujun is sent as the judge of the festival. ”

Fang Chongyong put the imperial edict on the table and was too lazy to study it word for word.

Just as he had expected, Brother Ji only cares about whether the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army returns to Chang'an. Zhang Jie, this unlucky guy, couldn't understand Brother Ji's intentions. His death was really in vain.

"Then what are your plans?"

Wang Zhongsi asked in a deep voice.

"Lead the troops back to Chang'an and do whatever the imperial edict says. That's all."

Fang Chongyong said calmly.

"When you were young, you were a little out of touch and liked to take chances. I was originally very worried.

Now that I see you acting like a general, I have nothing to say. "

Wang Zhongsi sighed, with a worried look on his face, obviously having something big in mind.

"What is your father-in-law worried about? There is no need to say more about Zhang Li's affairs. The saint will not blame me. The saint always looks at the results. I have made great contributions in the Western Regions this time, and I am not lingering on the border town, so I am already invincible.

As long as I lead my troops back to Chang'an and resign as the governor of Hexi and the ambassador of the Western Regions, the saint will not be punished in any way. "

Fang Chongyong's tone was very calm. He was already talking to Wang Zhongsi as a colleague at the same level, and he was talking about official matters.

They have reached their current position, let alone Weng's son-in-law, even the biological father and son have to settle the score.

Because Fang Chongyong and Wang Zhongsi have supporters, they are not fighting alone. They must consider the opinions of their subordinates when they speak and act.

No one is fighting alone.

"That's not what I'm worried about. Since you can tell the truth, it's okay, so just don't mention it."

Wang Zhongsi waved his hands and said, his face even more worried.

"Then what is father-in-law worried about?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a puzzled look on his face. He had already paved the road. Wang Zhongsi could just come to Zhezhi City to take charge of the overall situation. There would be no constraints from the cannibal, so he could do whatever he wanted. He couldn't figure out what the other party was worried about, but it was certainly not about the Western Region.

Wang Zhongsi thought for a while and asked helplessly:

"I asked you, the Tang Dynasty has borders and enemies, and there are also limited enemies. In the border army, every position and person are numerous. The relationships between the border generals are intricate and the factions are well-defined.

But there are still some people below who are skilled in bows and horses and proficient in battle formations, and they are unwilling to remain silent.

When Taizong was here, there were plenty of opportunities to expand the territory, so he didn't worry about such troubles.

Nowadays, Tianbao's ten festivals have become custom-made, and the number of armies under one military commander is also determined. An army only consists of one envoy, several deputy envoys, and ten generals.

What should the people below do if they want to climb up and surpass those who are from a humble background and have a good path ahead of them? "It's just military merit." "

Fang Chongyong said six words slowly.

"Look, you think so too. In fact, it's not just you and me, everyone in the border army has the same idea.

But where are there so many battles to fight now?

Even Tubo is in civil strife and has too much time to take care of itself. The opportunity like you to travel thousands of miles to sweep away the cannibals is really enviable and makes people's eyes red.

Many people in the border army are not afraid of death, they are just afraid of not having a chance!
Those heroes who don't have the same opportunities as you, but are really capable, where do they want to climb up? "

Wang Zhongsi asked back, his words as sharp as a knife.

"If you really want to make progress, there is only one way, and that is to raise the bandits to respect themselves.

As long as the side generals keep stirring up trouble, that's fine. As long as the frontier is not peaceful, they will not rest.

If the Hu people in Jisu Prefecture keep their peace, they will rob their wives and horses and force them to draw their swords.

As long as they dare to draw their swords, it will be detrimental to the Tang Dynasty, and the border troops can legitimately rise to power with meritorious service.

If those barbarians did not draw their swords, they would have gone too far. If the other person tolerates it again and again, there will always be a time when he can't help it, right? "

Fang Chongyong said with an indifferent expression, these things are not secrets, how many people are involved in this nonsense?

In fact, when Jiedushi was sent to the border town, it had the function of restraining the border generals.

Jiedushi is a position transformed from "errand". To be precise, it belongs to some kind of "civilian position".

It is two parallel lines with military positions such as "military envoy" and "commanding envoy" in the border army.

This is why Jiedushi often also serves as the "military envoy" of the largest army under his command.

But the effects of force are often reciprocal.

While Jiedushi was restraining his generals in accordance with the wishes of the imperial court, those Qiu Ba were also restraining Jiedushi in the opposite direction, affecting his thoughts and policies. Now this trend has begun to grow and become a trend.

Wang Zhongsi obviously knew these things well. So he also understood why Fang Chongyong wanted to kill Zhang Ji.

In a word, it's all for survival, you have to kill!

"You are right."

Wang Zhongsi sighed again and continued:

"A certain person has served as the governor of Hexi, Longyou, and Hedong. I have seen too much along the way. I can't say much, and I can't control it clearly. After all, public anger is hard to offend.

Now the Tang Dynasty's border areas have slowly become turbulent. You should understand what I mean. Especially on the Youzhou side, some things are going too far.

A certain person had served as a governor for several terms, but he also felt that these matters could not be investigated in depth, so he was punished with three drinks of wine and warned not to go too far, and that was it.

So when I heard that the envoys of the imperial court died in mysterious circumstances in Shiguo, I knew that they must have touched something that should not be touched.

The border town was bitterly cold and chaotic, and it was extremely common for a few people to die.

You don't know, Dugujun told me, because of your ruthless attack, the central government did not dare to send a supervisory censor over. Dugujun was sent here because he had dealt with you, which is equivalent to being promoted to three levels in a row.

This time when you return to Chang'an, be careful about certain people in the court.

Anyway, the problem has been established. No matter you explain to them whether you did it or not, they will treat it as if you did it.

Those people will not give up.

When you get to Chang'an, they will have plenty of soft knives to deal with you.

And at that time, these strong and sharp Qiu Ba under your command will not be able to use their strength anymore.

If possible, after returning to report on your work, you should leave Chang'an, this place of trouble, as soon as possible.

When you were in the Western Region, you responded to every call and took to the water like a fish. When I returned to Chang'an, I felt less at ease. "

Wang Zhongsi gave Fang Chongyong a warning.

He was very worried that his careless son-in-law would cause some big trouble after returning to Chang'an.

With this person's unwillingness to suffer losses, if he really wanted to cause trouble, he would definitely be at odds with the people in the center.

"Father-in-law, this is because you don't understand saints."

Fang Chungyong waved his hand and didn't take the other party's reminder seriously at all.

"Just understand it in your own mind. There's no point in being stubborn in front of me."

Wang Zhongsi shook his head helplessly.

"No, no, father-in-law, you really don't understand saints.

The more people target me in Chang'an, the more difficult my life becomes, and the more I embarrass the saint.

They targeted me, not on my face, but on the face of the saint.

It was an imperial edict from the saint that asked me to return to Chang'an.

Then when I returned to Chang'an, I was suppressed and beaten by a bunch of central court officials. What would the saint think?

Does he think this is a challenge to his authority? So not only will I be fine when I return to Chang'an this time, but I may even have a good time.

Father-in-law should think more about how to manage the Western Region.

In the Tang Dynasty, there was only one small Bolu left to the west of Congling. The Stone Kingdom has been pacified, and the black-clothed Dashi has also withdrawn from here. The Shi Kingdom existed in name only, and all the small countries headed by the Kang Kingdom were dominated by the Tang Dynasty.

This is the truth that when you give orders to the world, everyone must obey them.

On the one hand, the father-in-law can call on the countries west of Congling to contribute money and send envoys to Xiaobolu to persuade them to surrender. On the other hand, he can contact Tocharo to borrow troops through the road and send troops to Xiaobolu.

If King Xiaobolu was interested, he would naturally send the Tubo princess back to Luoche City. The Tang Dynasty stationed 500 people there as a token, and King Xiaobolu could just ask for forgiveness.

If King Bolu is ignorant, his father-in-law can unite all the countries in the Western Regions to fight against him, and he can be defeated with his backhand! "

As Fang Chongyong spoke, he also made a gesture of turning his palms in a domineering manner.

After hearing these words, Wang Zhongsi smiled and said: "I should come back two years later, and wait for you to finish Xiaobolu, and then come over to take over."

An expert will know if there is one as soon as he takes action.

After listening to Fang Chongyong's strategy, Wang Zhongsi knew that considering the current situation created by many people, these were just a matter of convenience.

"Yes, without the black food, the countries in the Western Region will no longer have the right to choose sides.

It's just a little Bolu, and he can be used as a touchstone of loyalty to test whether many countries in the Western Region are really loyal to the Tang Dynasty.

In my opinion, loyalty is not absolute, that is absolute disloyalty.

When the time comes when the Tang Dynasty will send troops to Xiao Bolu, whoever does not cooperate will be King Xiao Bolu's ally. If the false way attacks Guo, it can be easily destroyed.

Martial virtue is also virtue, and dominance is also Tao.

Which powerful country doesn't like to say what it says when doing things?

When the Tang Dynasty dealt with small countries in the Western Regions, it would not negotiate with them if it could be settled with one word.

We can just show off, but deep down we can’t coddle them. "

Fang Chongyong explained nonchalantly that he believed Wang Zhongsi understood.

Productivity was limited in the Tang Dynasty. If everyone really distributed the fruits of labor equally, then everyone would have a bad life.

Therefore, Fang Chongyong understands very well that when he feels that he is living a good life, there must be others who are being exploited and oppressed as if they were exterminating their descendants. Nothing can be conjured out of thin air. If you enjoy it more, some people will not enjoy it.

If the Tang Dynasty wanted the overall society to live a better life, it could only exploit and oppress the surrounding barbarians.

Otherwise, there are just so many things and so many mouths to eat. Without some force and means, how can you ensure that you eat it?

This is Fang Chongyong’s consciousness as a ruling class! He didn't think that by opening up territory for the Tang Dynasty, he would be some kind of holy lady like a white lotus.

His hands are already covered in blood!

"I was a little worried that you wouldn't be effective back then. Now I'm a little worried because you're really good at making trouble. Don't cause big troubles in the future."

Wang Zhongsi smiled bitterly, acquiescing to Fang Chongyong's words.

(End of this chapter)