Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 450: Lifting a Heavy Weight with Ease
At this moment, the lobby of the Shuofang Jiedushi's office was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Seeing that no one spoke, Fang Zhongyong looked around at the more than 20 Shuofang Army generals in the government hall and asked:

"Everyone, what have you done? Don't you really have any idea?"

No one responded after he finished speaking, even though everyone present knew why Fang Zhongyong asked this question.

Everyone has a sense of luck, and the generals of the Shuofang Army are no exception.

Anyway, if a crime is not committed in the act, it is not a crime. Anyone who jumps out of cowardice at this time is tantamount to walking into a trap.

Why not take a gamble?

Just when the atmosphere was about to explode, Fang Zhongyong suddenly pointed at an ordinary-looking general in the hall and said:

"Ji Guangchen! Yes, it's you, you come!"

The man showed a puzzled look on his face, then he clasped his fists and saluted towards Fang Zhongyong and said, "I am here, please give me your orders, General!"

"The envoy of Prince Yong had a pleasant conversation with you some time ago, and mentioned many taboo things.

As for what you said, do you need me to remind you?"

Fang Zhongyong asked with a smile.

Hearing this, everyone present changed their expressions!
It would be better if they didn't say this, they could pretend to be confused and get away with it.

However, now that it has been said, it means that the window paper has been broken!

Ji Guangchen gritted his teeth and forcibly defended himself, "I have never met the envoy of Prince Yong, and there is no way I can say that we had a good conversation. I don't know how the commander-in-chief could have fabricated this story."

His expression showed that he was lying.

But Ji Guangchen was also sure that Fang Zhongyong could not do anything to him unless both sides were destroyed!

Anyway, there was no evidence left, and Ji Guangchen was very sure that Fang Chongyong could not have taken care of so many Shuofang Army generals in one go.

If that really happens, it will be no less than a major purge. How can the combat effectiveness of the Shuofang Army not be affected?

The reason why these people were tricked by Fang Chongyong was that they did not expect Hun Yu to be so stupid.

Fang Chongyong kept the fact that Hun Yu sent Gao Shang to the Jiedushi's office a secret and did not announce it to the public.

Those generals who were not on duty in Lingzhou did not know about this matter. Even some people in Lingzhou did not know the whole story, but only vaguely guessed a little, and did not dare to discuss it with their colleagues.

Only Fang Zhongyong's close associates of the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army knew about this, and they would not spread the news.

So Ji Guangchen was quite confident at this moment because Fang Chongyong couldn't find any evidence.

"Ah! You guys, you are so confused!"

Fang Chongyong suddenly felt heartbroken and scolded with a sigh.

Upon hearing this, everyone present showed puzzled expressions on their faces. They couldn't figure out what Fang Zhongyong's position was and what he wanted to do by keeping them here today.

"Do you think that if you deny these things, you can pretend that nothing happened?

Do you think that the saints and the court will think what you say about these things?
This general has sent that messenger, along with Prince Yong's secret letter, to Chang'an overnight!
Perhaps, it has already arrived at the saint's desk at this moment!
You say that you are loyal to the saint, but it is not enough for me to believe it. The saint must also believe it!
You are involved with Prince Yong, and with the testimony so conclusive, how can you get away with it?

What can you tell me to say?
Stupid! Not only did you not get the fish, you also got yourself into trouble!

Do you think you can get involved in this kind of thing of confiscation of property and extermination of the clan?"

Fang Chongyong pointed at the generals in the hall and cursed them, as if he felt sorry for their misfortune and was angry at their lack of fighting spirit.

Now, the twenty or so Shuofang Army generals who had been pretending to be calm could no longer hide the panic on their faces.

They looked horrified and exchanged glances with each other.

They noticed that the exit of the yamen had been blocked, and in front of them was a group of wolf-like and ferocious soldiers with silver spears, swords and shields!

My heart sank little by little.

Is it possible that I will lose my life here today?
The expressions on some people's faces gradually became ferocious, and their muscles began to tense. They were thinking in their hearts about what chances they had of successfully kidnapping Fang Zhongyong now.

At this critical moment, Feng Changqing, who had been silent, suddenly stepped forward and knelt in front of Fang Zhongyong, clasped his hands together and saluted, pleading for the Shuofang Army generals:

"General, I believe that the vast majority of the Shuofang Army's generals are loyal to the court. Those present may not really be in collusion with Prince Yong.

They probably just didn't think about it enough to realize the seriousness of the matter.

If they really had a guilty conscience, why didn't they flee or mutiny, but just stay in the army and wait for death?
I think the commander should give them a chance to reform.

To punish without teaching is cruelty!

It is such a pity that the great Tang hero did not return home with his life wrapped in his horse's hide, but instead died miserably because of a careless move and got involved in a rebellion. "

Feng Changqing's impassioned speech immediately became the focus of everyone's attention in the hall!
"Marshal Jie, please make the decision for us!"

More than 20 Shuofang Army generals knelt down to Fang Chongyong without even thinking.

At this moment, under the pressure of survival, their knees seemed to become particularly soft and their brains worked particularly fast, without any hesitation at all!
"Everyone, please stand up and talk!"

Fang Zhongyong first helped Feng Changqing, who was kneeling on the ground and begging for forgiveness, up, and then helped the generals of the Shuofang Army up one by one.

He hesitated, and finally sighed and said, "If this commander really wanted to deal with you, he could have sent people into the camp to arrest you directly. Why did he keep you here to teach you the tricks? I kept you here because I couldn't bear to see you die innocently."

Hearing Fang Zhongyong say this, everyone present couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

It doesn’t matter whether things are bad or not; the key is whether the person doing the things is good or not.

If you meet a bad person, even if it is a good thing, your entire family can be destroyed.

The Shuofang Army generals present all understood that their lives now depended on Fang Chongyong's decision.

However, Fang Zhongyong changed the subject and said:
"This general's loyalty to the saint, the court, and the Tang Dynasty is evident to all!
When Prince Yong sent the recruiting letter to this general, this general did not even open it. He sent both the letter and the general back to Chang'an.

This is justice, I cannot avoid it!

If you are not absolutely loyal to the saints, then you are absolutely disloyal! I have always reflected on this!
Therefore, by then, it is inevitable that you will be betrayed by the person who delivered the letter, and there will be no turning back.

Even if this commander-in-chief does not hold you accountable, the imperial court will send a military supervisor to deal with it.

The Shuofang Army is the army of the Tang Dynasty, the army of the saints, not the private army of someone in our party.

So, this matter is difficult to handle, and it is really difficult. This commander cannot stop the saint from ordering you to be executed."

Fang Chongyong kept shaking his head and sighing.

As a result, Feng Changqing quickly stepped forward and suggested:

"General Jie, you are always resourceful, there must be a way.

All the generals should be loyal to the saint and the court. You must find a way to help them.

Legal principles are nothing more than human feelings!

Besides, the Shuofang Army was about to engage in a major battle with the Uighurs. How could we kill a general without fighting the enemy, doing something that would bring pain to our own people and pleasure to our enemies?
You must have a way!"

Hearing this, all the generals of the Shuofang Army looked at Feng Changqing with gratitude.

This clerk is so chivalrous!

Then everyone looked at Fang Chongyong eagerly, hoping that he would take action.

"How about this."

Fang Zhongyong sighed again, then said with a heavy face:
"I write a letter of guarantee, using my head and official position as a guarantee, and sign a military order to the Saint.

This is to show that the Shuofang Army has no second thoughts towards the Saint and the court. If one of you rebels, the court will execute us all, including this commander.

Now I will write the letter of guarantee myself, and then you will sign your names, put your fingerprints on it, and then send it to Chang'an by express horse.

If the court agrees, then we will do as stated in the guarantee, and the matter will be settled;

If the imperial court disagrees and insists on dealing with you, then this general will resign from his position to save your lives and your families.

How about this treatment? "

Fang Chongyong looked around the crowd and asked.

"We would like to thank Marshal Jie for his great kindness!"

All the generals knelt down together, and the opponent Chong Yong bowed down to them with his whole body prostrating himself!

This is saving lives! You deserve to kneel down!
Fang Chongyong was not polite and accepted the gift without hesitation.

Then, Feng Changqing took out the four treasures of the study. Fang Zhongyong sat at the desk and quickly wrote down the so-called "guarantee letter".

The general meaning of this letter of guarantee was that Fang Chongyong used his life and official honor as guarantees, and was convinced that the generals of the Shuofang Army were simply unaware of the situation and were taken advantage of.

He really had no disrespect towards the saint, nor did he collude with Prince Yong.

If any of these people are plotting a rebellion, then before the court deals with them, we should first deal with Chongyong. Then he also specifically stated that the signatures in the letter were the oaths of the Shuofang Army generals to the saint.

Anyone who betrays the saint will be condemned by both humans and gods, and will not be tolerated by heaven and earth.

After writing the letter of guarantee, Fang Zhongyong said to the generals of the Shuofang Army: "Please come forward one by one and sign and stamp your handprints."

The more than 20 Shuofang Army generals did not hesitate and stepped forward to sign their names, stamp their handprints, and then respectfully bowed to Fang Chongyong.

After everyone signed their names, Fang Zhongyong said earnestly:

“Although this matter has been dealt with, it is impossible for the saint to have no grudge in his heart.

However, as long as you can fight bravely and make achievements in this battle, I believe the saints will see it and will not care about the misunderstandings in the past.

You all go back and prepare yourselves well, there is no need to worry about this matter.

Even if the sky falls, this general will hold it up. You just need to focus on what's happening on the battlefield. No one will stab you in the back.

The sword of the imperial court has not fallen on the head of this general, so it will naturally not fall on you.

Tomorrow we will discuss how to deal with the Uighurs and what strategy to adopt. You should first rest in the Jinglüe Army camp for one night and then come here to attend the meeting early tomorrow morning.

Those who are absent will be subject to military law.

Let's all disperse! "

Fang Chongyong stood up and waved his hand impatiently to the generals of the Shuofang army.

That's it?

Those Shuofang Army generals who felt like they had been to the gates of hell stood there in shock, unsure whether they should leave or not.

"Except for the pre-battle flag-raising ceremony and the post-battle reward, this commander has no habit of inviting you to dinner. Get out of here!"

Fang Chongyong laughed and cursed.

Only then did the more than 20 Shuofang army generals come to their senses and hurriedly bowed and said goodbye to Fang Zhongyong with a smile. Che Guangqian, who was guarding the hall of the government office, had already asked the soldiers holding horn bows and crossbows to make way.

After walking out of the Shuofang Jiedushi's office, many Shuofang Army generals couldn't help but touch their necks, and for a moment they felt as if they were in another world.

……

Late at night, Fang Chongyong, who was looking at a map in the study, learned that Hun Yu wanted to see him, so he asked straight to the point.

"Hun Army Commander, what is the situation in the Jinglüe Army camp?"

Truth cannot be hidden, and Hun Yu will definitely be excluded by some people in the Shuofang Army in the future. Although they also know that it is just Hun Yu's own choice and not to deal with anyone.

"Reporting to the commander, everything is normal in the camp. The more than 20 Shuofang Army officers have been separated and resettled, and none of them have left the camp."

Hun Yu clasped his fists and saluted.

Fang Zhongyong nodded slightly without comment. Since everything was fine, why did Hun Yu come?

Obviously, the other party still has other things to do.

"General Jie, I heard that you were planning to let those people go...I wonder if this is true?"

Hun Yu asked tentatively without showing any emotion.

"It's true."

Fang Chongyong nodded, then took out the "letter of guarantee" from under the paperweight on the table and handed it to Hun Yu to read.

After looking at it again and again, Hun Yu finally sighed and returned it to Fang Chongyong.

He really didn't know what to say.

"General Jie, your move may be a bit hasty. It's just a piece of paper, how can it tie up so many people?

People's hearts are hidden in their stomachs. As long as there is one person who harbors evil intentions, how will you end this...?"

Hun Yu asked in some confusion.

He was a little worried about Fang Zhongyong, but more worried about himself!

“Evil men are bold, mean men are arrogant, and gentlemen are generous.

One day, King Zhuang of Chu hosted a banquet for his ministers in the palace.

During the banquet, there were songs and dances, delicious food and wine, bright moonlight and flickering candlelight. When the atmosphere was in high spirits, King Zhuang of Chu ordered his favorite beauties, Xu Ji and Mai Ji, to toast all the ministers at the banquet.

Suddenly there was a strong wind and all the candles were blown out.

At this moment, someone took the opportunity to touch Xu Ji's hand.

Xu Ji was very angry. She suddenly shook off the man's hand, grabbed his hat tassel in her hand, and then hurried back to King Zhuang of Chu to complain.

After the King of Chu lit the candles, he checked everyone's hat tassels. Whoever was without a hat was the rude person just now.

As for what happened next, I don’t think I need to say more about this section.”

Fang Chongyong said with a smile.

Hun Yu had read a lot of books, so he naturally knew this story. Later, King Zhuang of Chu did not allow people to light candles and asked everyone to take off their hat tassels in the dark, and the matter was settled.

"General Jie is very modest, and I admire him greatly, but...General Jie is not the saint in Chang'an!

The general is magnanimous. If the saint is not magnanimous, what can we do?"

Hun Yu asked with a wry smile.

“How can one achieve everything as he wishes when doing things?

You don't have to worry about these chaotic military envoys, this section commander will take care of them."

Fang Zhongyong waved his hand lightly and said nonchalantly.

Seeing that he could not persuade Fang Chongyong, Hun Yu had no choice but to salute him respectfully and then quietly leave.

(End of this chapter)