Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 416 How old are you?

Late at night, the inn on the outskirts of Liangzhou City was suddenly filled with fire! The ferocity of the fire was really unexpected. The flames quickly engulfed the large post house, and there was thick smoke inside and out.

However, Fang Chongyong and his entourage seemed to have expected this. When the fire started, the soldiers of the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army slowly put out the fire with buckets, without any panic. There are also dedicated personnel to arrange the orderly evacuation of other people in the post house.

As for Fang Chongyong himself, he was holding Anaye with his left hand and Jinsi Kaiya with his right hand. He was watching the fire burning the post house not far away, with an indifferent expression, as if it had nothing to do with him and he was just a member of the public.

But just because he doesn't panic doesn't mean that others don't panic either!

Li Guangbi and An Chongzhang, almost impatient, rushed with their respective cronies. When they first saw the fire in the post house, they were frightened.

But the second time I saw Fang Chongyong holding his pretty girl in his arms and leisurely looking at the scenery, he seemed to understand something.

"Fang Yushi, the fire is fierce. There is no loss on your side, right?"

Li Guangbi asked with some concern.

An Chongzhang didn't say anything, he just cupped his fists and saluted.

His attitude was intriguing, leaving Li Guangbi and others unsure of what was going on.

It was a brilliant move for Jieshuai to get rid of the hot potato so quickly! When the station became a fire, Li Guangbi completely stood opposite the local forces in Liangzhou. If both of them want to stand firm, they will definitely need the help of Commander-in-Chief.

After he left, An Chongzhang didn't know how to explain to Li Guangbi. The matter has come to this, and if you say more, you will be wrong. He had no choice but to say politely: "The suburbs of the city are not the general's defense area. Please ask Li Jieshuai to take charge of the overall situation. The general will retire."

"Come back to the commander-in-chief, the men did their job neatly and no one was burned to death. As for the property, there is nothing we can do."

Fang Chongyong was Wang Zhongsi's son-in-law. In other words, he was naturally a political ally with Li Guangbi. In addition, he had conflicts with people from the An family in Liangzhou before. Although he was suppressed and did not intensify, it was obvious that he and the An family were not from the same group.

The same goes for An Chongzhang and the Liangzhou An family behind him. No matter how they explain, they cannot dispel Li Guangbi's concerns.

In the future, even if Jieshuai casually says a kind word in front of a saint, the people involved will be grateful. Jieshuai's trick came out of nowhere, and he used it really well. With the assassin's confession in his hand, he was not afraid of An's falling out. Throw them out and they will lose their skin without dying. "

No matter how ignorant Li Guangbi was, he still couldn't believe that An had nothing to do with the assassination.

Fang Chongyong said goodbye to Li Guangbi and An Chongzhang very politely, and then took his two concubines to the direction of the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army Camp.

Che Guangqian saluted respectfully and said. He admired Fang Chongyong's strategy from the bottom of his heart.

"Brothers have returned to Chang'an. The military pay is low and there is no way to make money, so life must be hard.

This wave of wooing Li Guangbi and threatening An Chongzhang was to seek some benefits for the soldiers of the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army. Let An Chongzhang help us get some money to subsidize the families of the soldiers.

And Fang Chongyong, who returned to the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army Camp, was not idle either.

I have to say, these thieves have a lot of background!

Che Guangqian complimented Fang Chongyong and said.

"However, although the assassin was rescued by an unknown person, the confession is still there. There is no problem in leaving it to the saint to decide after returning to Chang'an.

The scene in front of me can only be said to be understandable, and everything is self-explanatory.

After saying that, he rode back to An's house.

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but sighed and said, under the firelight, both Li Guangbi and An Chongzhang looked very ugly.

The inn was burned down, the assassin was rescued, and Fang Chongyong and An Chongzhang were gone. Li Guangbi was so angry that he didn't know who to turn to. He had no choice but to sigh and tell his men to clean up the ruins of the inn, and then returned to the Hexi Jiedushi Yamen.

It would be better to stay at the Yinqian Xiaojie Army Camp for two days. At least there is no danger in the military camp.

It is true that Li Guangbi knew how to fight, but in the face of these invisible struggles where it was difficult to distinguish between friends and foes and there was no need to go to the battlefield, he could not even show one-tenth of his strength.

A series of recent events gave him the illusion that he was full of energy and didn't know how to use it.

As for Li Guangbi, it is paving the way for his brothers to be released to Hexi in the future. Silver Spear Xiaojiejun's plate is so big, there will always be people who want to be promoted and leave, and there is no way out. "

Because in Li Guangbi's view, the fire at the post station might have been started by people from the An family.

He called over Che Guangqian and asked, "Have you settled tonight's matter?"

Li Guangbi glanced at An Chongzhang thoughtfully, and the latter happened to look at him. The two of them looked away involuntarily, their hearts sinking to the bottom.

"A group of thieves came, set fire to them and rescued the assassins. My general has already led his troops to chase them, but it remains to be seen whether they can catch them."

"I thought that only the Western Region was unsafe, but I didn't expect that there were a lot of troubles in Liangzhou. First, there were assassins at the banquet, and then the inn was burned down and prisoners were robbed.

It was clear who he should help. It's just that there are skills in helping. What you need to do is to maximize your own interests, rather than helping others and harming your own interests!

They all understood that the conflict between Li Guangbi, an airborne military envoy with no foundation in Hexi, and the local An family in Liangzhou could no longer be resolved.

There were actually thieves who dared to burn the posthouse on the outskirts of Liangzhou City, and this was while Fang Chongyong, an important official of the imperial court, was staying here temporarily.

You two take your time and take your leave. It will be troublesome for you if it is inconvenient for an unrelated person to participate in the aftermath. "

Fang Chongyong sighed and waved his hand gently, signaling Anaye and other female relatives to move away.

It's just that many times people can't help themselves in the arena. He is not alone, but the commander-in-chief of the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army, and he is not fighting alone.

"Please rest assured, Commander-in-Chief, this matter has been handled properly. With assassins in our hands, it is easy for bad things to happen.

People's hearts are like ghosts, who knows what kind of evil thoughts the other person has in his heart?

If you don't work for the welfare of your brothers, who will treat you as a big brother?
Loyalty has a price, and it cannot be paid for in vain.

After all, he was just an outsider passing through Liangzhou. "

Trust is hard to build and easy to break.

Fang Chongyong sighed and said that if possible, he would not use underhanded tactics.

Fang Chongyong hit An Chongzhang this time and took the handle at the same time. This is the so-called "leading but not making a leap"!
I have your handle, I don’t need to go out, and I don’t want to coerce you into doing anything.

But if you want to deal with me, you have to weigh how much you have!
As for whether the Liangzhou An family sent assassins or burned the inn, the truth is not important.

The important thing is that they are really the biggest local snake in Liangzhou and even the Hexi Corridor, operating locally for more than a hundred years. They raised their arms and the influence from all directions was naturally suspected by the imperial power.

Fang Chongyong took advantage of the situation, rather than conjuring a murderous weapon out of thin air.

Although he is still on his way back to Chang'an, he is still trying to find every opportunity to pave the way for his life after his return.

So Che Guangqian really admires her, and what she said just now is not completely flattering.

"By the way, didn't we bring back a lot of slaves from Suiye Town? We can just sell them in Liangzhou and then buy some female slaves."

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and said, obviously feeling very useful to Che Guangqian's flattery.

"That's no problem. Liangzhou has the largest slave market in Hexi and even the Western Regions. Whether it's Silla maids or Kunlun slaves, it's easy to find them.

I just don’t know what Jieshuai is doing buying a female slave? What kind of slave girl do you want?
Is it the kind that can weave and work, or... the kind that entertains people with sex?
How much is appropriate to buy? "

Che Guangqian asked doubtfully.

"First decide on a battalion of 300 people. We don't want good-looking vases, but dexterous ones. You go and arrange the handover.

In this section, Shuai wants to organize them into a battalion, which will be of great use. It's not about the lower body. "Fang Chongyong also specifically defended himself.

Che Guangqian nodded thoughtfully. In fact, Anaye and Jinsi Kaiya beside Fang Chongyong were both very good-looking. It was really not easy to find women more charming than them in the slave market. arrive.

Besides, there are only spoiled cows for plowing, but no spoiled fields for pears. As for the lower body, that's all.

Che Guangqian didn't see how hungry and crazy Fang Chongyong was in that regard. In his opinion, his commander-in-chief is a very reserved person and does not easily let others know his thoughts.

To sum it up, it’s “unfathomable”.

"Jie Shuai, that assassin is pretty good-looking. It's a bit of a loss for you to let him go like this.

Play it for a while and then let it go. In fact, it is just her buying money, which is okay. I will think it is quite fair in the end. "

Che Guangqian complained with some confusion. Of course, he could only do what Fang Chongyong wanted, and he could complain after it was done. It would be inappropriate to talk about it when it was not done.

"Men, the lower body must listen to the command of the upper body and cannot be messed up."

Fang Chongyong pointed to his head and said.

Che Guangqian nodded thoughtfully, feeling greatly admired in her heart.

What Fang Chongyong said was really big or small.

For example, what if Fang Zhongyong insists on naming her the Queen of the Stone Kingdom because of her beauty and good skills in bed?
That would disrupt Fang Chongyong's overall plan, and the political meaning expressed would be completely different. If Fang Chongyong really acted like that with a beautiful smile, it would be really not a trivial matter.

The "little brother" in the lower body really can only do great things by standing in the back and listening to the instructions of the "big brother" in the head.

"Go and rest, don't talk nonsense. Tomorrow let's change into casual clothes and go to the slave market in Wuwei City."

Fang Chongyong has a new plan. He wants to improve the structure of the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army and enhance its combat effectiveness!
……

The next day, Fang Chongyong asked Che Guangqian to take dozens of soldiers of the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army, dressed as Hu Shang and Hu Shang's guards, and followed him to the huge slave market in Liangzhou City. .

Looking at the plaque hanging at the entrance that read "Hexi Human Resources Market", Fang Chongyong suddenly felt an indescribable sense of absurdity in his heart!
Damn it, this sign was written and hung by chance when he came to Liangzhou for a meeting when he was the governor of Shazhou!
It's still there now, and it hasn't even changed its name!

Perhaps it is because later people thought that what Fang Chongyong did was "very refined", extremely elegant, and the fig leaf was very beautiful, so it has been used to this day.

However, no matter how nice the name of the slave trade is, it cannot change its nature of cruel exploitation and oppression. So even though Fang Chongyong was as thick-skinned as a city wall, he still felt a little uncomfortable at this moment.

The real-number boomerang hit the forehead!

"Jie Shuai, is there something wrong?"

Che Guangqian saw Fang Chongyong looking uncomfortable, so she came over and asked in a low voice.

"It doesn't matter. Thinking of some past events, I have been in Hexi for many years."

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

Che Guangqian led him to wander around the slave market, where there were adults, children, men and women of all races. They were all like animals, either with ropes wrapped around their necks, or simply stuffed into large cages made of wood.

There are no human rights at all.

The slave market was filled with a pungent and disgusting smell, which was very unpleasant. Think about it and know how these slaves were treated in the hands of slave traders.

Of course, this is also one of the characteristics of the Tang Dynasty. The "Laws of the Tang Dynasty" clearly stipulates that slaves are like cattle and horses, and if they are killed without guilt, they will only be fined. To some extent, they are not even as good as cattle.

Killing a cow for no reason is still a crime. If a master kills a slave for no reason, he can report it to the Yamen and pay him some money.

"My lord, I have checked the slaves you sent. I have also prepared the female slave you want. Do you want to go and take a look?"

A middle-aged fat man dressed as a Hu businessman, with an authentic Han appearance, asked with a low eyebrow.

He knew that Fang Chongyong was the "Fang Jie Shuai", but this was not a place to worship the dock, and he just pretended that he knew nothing.

"What's this person's reputation like?"

Fang Chongyong asked Che Guangqian beside him.

"Back to Jieshuai, credibility is very important in their profession, otherwise they will not be able to survive in Hexi. It is not safe here, a place where good and bad are mixed up. The general suggested that Jieshuai return to the camp."

Che Guangqian suggested in a low voice.

"Okay, let him hand over to you then."

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly, showing no sign of "womanly kindness" and saying nonsense like "be nicer to the slave".

"My dear sir, please don't leave yet.

This is a big deal, and I have a small gift for you.

It’s a gift, please rest assured, I don’t have any conditions. "

The slave trader nodded and said with a strong sense of flattery. In fact, slave traders had not dealt with the Tang Army more than once or twice. To be precise, the prisoners of war obtained by the Tang Army after each battle were "disposed" in this way.

Therefore, the important towns where the Tang army was stationed were often places where slave traders were extremely active.

"Oh? It seems like this little gift is good and makes you feel confident."

Fang Chongyong raised his eyebrows and suddenly became interested.

"That's necessary. I certainly don't dare to offer those crooked melons and cracked dates as treasures, which would embarrass myself in front of the nobles."

The middle-aged slave trader dressed as Hu Shang said with a smug expression, obviously very confident.

He led Fang Chongyong and his party to an ordinary courtyard through twists and turns. Soon, the man brought out a young woman wearing a light gauze skirt from the side room.

Fang Chongyong just glanced at it and his eyes suddenly widened! Even Che Guangqian and others beside him were dumbfounded.

This woman is actually Jiang Wuyan, who was let go by Fang Chongyong last night!
At this moment, Jiang Wuyan could not help himself. Although his face was expressionless and he pretended not to recognize Fang Chongyong at all, he was secretly complaining in his heart.

As an assassin, she can only assassinate important people and exert her assassin skills under certain circumstances.

If you really want to fight with personal guards, it would be nice to be able to escape when you are one on two. So even if Fang Chongyong let her go, it would be extremely difficult to leave Hexi alone.

However, as the saying goes, great hiddenness is hidden in the city. The story of darkness under the lamp never goes out of style.

Jiang Wuyan was extremely experienced in the world, and she quickly thought of a way to escape: she immediately took the initiative to find a slave trader and asked him to give herself as a gift to a noble person! As long as you are not a native of Hexi!
It was naturally impossible for the slave traders to refuse this pie-in-the-sky request.

Under the protection of the other party, Jiang Wuyan easily evaded the search. After all, no one, whether it was Li Guangbi or An Chongzhang, would have thought that the assassin would take the initiative to become a slave and hide among the slaves!

Instead of leaving Wuwei City in a hurry!
"I am very satisfied with this gift."

Fang Zhongyong smiled proudly, held Jiang Wuyan's chin, and gently patted the other person's cheek, showing a lewd smile.

The slave trader was overjoyed and quickly said to Jiang Wuyan: "From now on, you will be this noble man's slave. Let's go."

"That's right, let's go?"

Fang Chongyong proudly made a gesture of invitation to Jiang Wuyan.

(End of this chapter)