Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 506: A famous scholar comes out to fight

The small and simple lobby of the county government in Lihu County was extremely lively and crowded with people.

Although it was pitch black and silent outside the county government office, the lobby was decorated with lights and a banquet was held, with fine wine and delicious food being served one after another.

Even though there were no decent singers or dancers in such a small place, Fang Chongyong still sent people to find a few musicians to play music to liven up the atmosphere.

This made Li Bai, who was here on business, feel flattered.

This is the face!

This is the treatment that a world-famous poet like him deserves!
Li Bai sat opposite Fang Chongyong. The two shared a desk, and his face was flushed with excitement.

Vanity is greatly satisfied!

"Brother Taibai is famous all over the world. From time to time, I will think of Brother Taibai's poem:
Life is full of joy, so that the gold is empty for the moon.

I am born to be useful, and come back when my wealth is gone.

Always encourage yourself. "

Fang Zhongyong smiled and poured wine for Li Bai himself, looking very attentive and warm, as if Li Bai was the governor and he was his staff.

But recalling the disgusting treatment Li Bai received when he came to Fang Chongyong to "seek a job", the governor of Xuanwu Army in front of him seemed a bit rude at first but respectful later.

Li Bai was a little confused about this, but he enjoyed the feeling of being sought after and didn't think too much about it.

In terms of official position, there is a huge difference between Fang Chongyong and him; but when it comes to poetry, ten Fang Chongyongs are not as good as Li Bai.

The other party's humble attitude is justified.

"You're so polite, Marshal Fang. You're so polite."

Fang Zhongyong's attitude was unexpectedly warm, which made Li Bai feel a little embarrassed.

As for the generals of the Silver Spear Filial Piety Army in the lobby, they were all drinking silently. Naturally, they would not flatter Li Bai, a scholar.

Fang Chongyong spoke nice words and praised the famous works that Li Bai had written, while seemingly casually controlling the topic.

Anyway, it just doesn't get to the point.

Fang Zhongyong didn't mention it, so Li Bai couldn't say anything. This time he just said "an old friend came to visit" and didn't say why he came. Fang Zhongyong was pretending to be confused, so Li Bai could only pretend to be confused with him.

After three rounds of drinking, Li Bai finally couldn't hold back and asked in a low voice: "General Fang Jie stationed troops in Caozhou, is it to guard against the Hebei bandit army?"

He pretended to be nonchalant and asked casually.

Fang Chongyong raised his head and looked at Li Bai, sighed helplessly, and filled his glass with wine.

Then he laughed and said casually, "State affairs are worrying and disturbing, so I won't say those depressing words. Today I'll only talk about love and romance, not state affairs, hahahahahaha!"

Fang Zhongyong laughed dryly a few times, which seemed a little insincere.

Hearing this, Li Bai became so anxious and angry, but he didn't know how to start speaking.

When we meet old friends, I specially invite you to the lobby of the county government office for a drink, and I have followed all the etiquette.

What else do you have to complain about?

Not to mention that Fang Chongyong is also a military governor!

This made it inconvenient for Li Bai to explain his purpose, after all, he was playing the "emotional card" now.

After hesitating for a long time, Li Bai felt that Fang Zhongyong would not mention the matter of Prince Yong tonight. After thinking it over, he gritted his teeth, glanced at the soldiers who were drinking and eating in the hall, and finally made up his mind.

He lowered his voice and said to Fang Zhongyong, "General Fang Jie, I am not passing by here this time, but I came here specially to see you. This is not a place to talk, can we talk in the county government study? I have something important to discuss."

"There's no need to go to the study. Lihu County is not my office, so it's inconvenient to go there."

Fang Zhongyong put away the smile on his face and said to the generals who were drinking, "Everyone, go to the main camp to organize the troops. The unfinished dishes and drinks will be sent to the main camp later for you to deal with."

Upon hearing this, everyone present stood up and left without any hesitation. Soon, Fang Zhongyong and Li Bai were the only ones left in the small county hall.

The originally small lobby of the county government seemed somewhat empty at this moment.

Seeing how the generals under Fang Chongyong were so disciplined, Li Bai couldn't help but be secretly amazed.

The momentum displayed by some inadvertent details can often be breathtaking. Anyway, Li Bai has never seen any army under Prince Yong with such execution ability.

As expected, this general has a strong army under his command!
Li Bai couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

"Well, it's a shame to have to discuss business when we meet so rarely. What advice do you have, Brother Taibai?"

Fang Chongyong asked, pretending to be confused.

Li Bai didn't want to beat around the bush. At this moment, he felt like Lin Xiangru who was sent as an envoy to Qin State during the Warring States Period. He alone could stir up the world!

One person is worth a hundred thousand soldiers!
He got straight to the point and said, "I am now an aide to Prince Yong's Palace, and I am here specifically to discuss General Fang Jie's military expedition."

Li Bai took out a stack of papers from his sleeve and gently pushed them onto the table in front of Fang Chongyong. That was the ultimatum that Fang Chongyong had sent to Yong Wang Li Lin not long ago, demanding that he pledge allegiance to the new emperor Li Heng.

Fang Zhongyong casually put it beside him without even looking at it.

He sighed and said:
"I eat the salary of my master and bear his worries.

Crown Prince Li Heng succeeded to the throne as Emperor. As his subjects, we should be loyal to the new Emperor, which is in accordance with moral principles and ethics.

What's wrong with the coach in this section?

Brother Taibai, do you want me and the tens of thousands of soldiers under my command to follow Prince Yong as our leader and fight against the imperial court?"

Fang Chongyong's expression turned cold, his tone gradually became serious, and he looked at Li Bai with a sense of intimidation without even getting angry!
"No, no, no!"

Li Bai quickly waved his hands and denied it.

No matter how arrogant Li Lin was, he could not possibly think that Fang Zhongyong would be loyal to him. Even if Fang Zhongyong really offered to serve him, Li Lin would not dare to accept it.

Only people with virtue can wield magical weapons, otherwise they will hurt themselves.

Li Lin also knew his own strength. He also knew that Fang Chongyong, a troublemaker who dared to rebel in Chang'an, would not obey him obediently.

This time, Li Lin sent Li Bai to act as a lobbyist, just to ask Fang Chongyong what he really wanted to do and whether he could not rush forward so far.

Since the Hebei rebels are already a sword hanging over our heads, why should we, as Jiedushi on the south bank of the Yellow River, make things difficult for each other?

"It is true that Li Heng is the crown prince, but he took the throne while the sage was away, which is tantamount to a palace coup, and cannot be said to be legitimate.

Moreover, His Royal Highness Prince Yong just wants to know whether Marshal Fang Jie led his troops to station in Caozhou to cross the river and attack Hebei, or to attack Jeju and Qizhou. "

Li Bai spoke everything in detail without adding his own opinions, but only stated the thoughts of Yongwang Li Lin.

No matter what, Li Lin would never acknowledge that Li Heng was the rightful successor to the throne, and this would only change if someone put a knife to his neck.

“Brother Taibai’s words make some sense, but I and my subordinates are indeed here for His Royal Highness Prince Yong.

If Prince Yong does not acknowledge the new emperor, it is only a matter of time before the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army arrives in Licheng."

Fang Chongyong bluffed with big words.

However, although he was threatening, his logic was very consistent.

For the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army, with such a small number of troops, to take the initiative to attack the Hebei rebels is like throwing an egg against a rock. It is simply impossible.

Even though Li Bai didn't understand military affairs, he knew that playing like this was very risky.

However, the combat effectiveness of the army under Yongwang Li Lin is very average, and they may not be able to withstand the elite Silver Spear Xiaojie Army, and there is a possibility of being ambushed.

Everyone knows that you should pick the softest persimmons.

Li Bai had no choice but to believe it.

"General Fang, I have something to say, please bear with me."

Li Bai took a deep breath and said. The other party saluted with his hands crossed. Seeing that the other party nodded silently, he plucked up the courage to say:

"If the general attacks Prince Yong, there will inevitably be casualties on both sides. Then Huangfu Weiming is like a fisherman, and we are like a snipe and a clam. If the general quarrels endlessly with the powerful army under Prince Yong, or even fights bloody battles on the battlefield, who will defend Bianzhou? Wouldn't it be handed over to Huangfu Weiming at that time?

Even if we take a step back and say that even if the general is loyal to the new emperor, this is not the way to be loyal.

After all, Prince Yong and the new emperor are brothers, and they haven't issued a proclamation to attack him, so why should the military commander tear his face off? It's really not worth it."

Li Bai said this with great sorrow. He thought he had made the point very clear.

In his opinion, Fang Chongyong was just a watchdog, and he only needed to keep an eye on the territory of Bianzhou. There was no need for him to abandon his home and go around biting people.

Li Bai noticed that Fang Chongyong nodded slightly, looking thoughtful, as if he had taken his words to heart.

So he continued to persuade them, "The Hebei bandits will cross the river to the south sooner or later, and General Fang Jie will also have to face the bandits sooner or later. If Prince Yong can help us at that time, whether we defend the territory or fight back, it will be twice as effective with half the effort."

Seeing Fang Zhongyong was silent and seemed to be interested in making a move, he asked, "What do you think, Marshal?"

Li Bai's heart was beating violently as he waited for Fang Zhongyong's answer.

In Li Bai's view, this trip to Caozhou might be the starting point of his career advancement.

If a more ideal result can be achieved, then Yongwang Li Lin will definitely look at him differently.

On the contrary, if his efforts are in vain, he will probably have no role to play in the future.

"Brother Taibai is right, and this is indeed a profound insight.

However, the coach also has his own difficulties in this section. "

Fang Zhongyong sighed and drank the wine in the glass.

"The commander-in-chief controls a region and holds military power. I wonder what difficulties he has?"

Li Bai asked cautiously, feeling that he had found a breakthrough in the negotiations.

"Those of us who hold military power are all suspected by the court.

If this general does not force Prince Yong to acknowledge that Crown Prince Li Heng has the right to succeed to the throne, wouldn't he be suspected of defecting to Prince Yong?

What will the officials in the court think?
Now, the commander-in-chief has already spread the message urging Prince Yong to send a congratulatory message, and the elite troops in the army have also been led out of Bianzhou to prepare for the eastern expedition.

Are you going to change your mind every day and take back what you said?
How can this commander convince the people?"

Fang Zhongyong explained helplessly.

Li Bai was speechless because what the other party said was indeed the truth.

At this moment, the lobby of the county government was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Fang Chongyong expressed his thoughts, and Li Bai also expressed his thoughts. They each had their own reasons.

It seems that no one can convince anyone else.

Just when Li Bai was about to say something to change the subject and ease the atmosphere, he heard Fang Zhongyong sigh.

"Brother Taibai, today I will tell you the truth as an old friend.

In fact, I have heard about the situation in Chang'an.

If the retired emperor led his troops back to Chang'an, it would be hard to say whether the current emperor could keep sitting on the throne.

I didn't take this into consideration when I acted at the beginning, and now I'm in a difficult situation.

But withdrawing the troops is really not feasible. A man cannot stand without trust. I really can't pretend that nothing has happened.

So, is there a compromise?"

Fang Zhongyong kept a very humble attitude and even asked in a humble tone.

Li Bai's heart tightened. Although he was wild, he also knew that when you show your courtesy to others, you must ask for something. This was the starting point of his career, so he must not be careless, nor could he get carried away like before.

He swallowed and asked doubtfully: "So, what is the solution?"

"This commander wants to borrow Lu County in Jeju to cross the river and attack the granary of the Hebei bandit army. In this way, there is no need to bring the troops back.

If His Royal Highness Prince Yong can lend Lu County to me for the purpose of transporting grain and fodder, it will be sufficient to prove Prince Yong's sincerity in forming an alliance with the Xuanwu Army.

After we disrupt Huangfu Weiming's deployment in Hebei and return, Lu County will be returned to Prince Yong without any harm. I will lead my troops back to Bianzhou as a token of the Xuanwu Army's sincerity.

If something happens in Chang'an in the future and the emperor is deposed by the retired emperor, it is not a bad idea for the Xuanwu Army to support Prince Yong to ascend the throne.

It is easy to break people's trust, but difficult to gain people's trust.

We come from the military, and now Prince Yong and I cannot trust each other, just like hitting a wolf with a stick, fearing both ends.

The only way is to rely on a famous person with good reputation and character to use his name as a guarantee and act as a go-between.

I wonder if Brother Taibai can help with this?
Of course, this is a confidential matter, so I cannot give you a letter as proof, to avoid being caught by someone with ulterior motives and causing trouble. I can only give you a jade pendant as proof to show my feelings.

Before establishing trust with His Royal Highness Prince Yong, I will not leave any other physical evidence. I hope Brother Taibai can forgive me for this.

If Brother Taibai is willing to make the trip, I would be very grateful and would give you a hundred taels of gold to cover your travel expenses.

If Brother Taibai is unwilling, it will be inconvenient for me to give you the gold. Just think of it as I beat Brother Taibai out with a stick today and said nothing. You can report back when you go back.

What do you think, Brother Taibai?"

Fang Chongyong said sincerely.

Hearing this, Li Bai immediately straightened his back and said, "Please rest assured, General Fang Jie, I will return to Qizhou to report to Prince Yong."

Li Bai saluted to Fang Zhongyong with his hands crossed, his tone extremely firm.

Fang Zhongyong took out a jade pendant from his waist, handed it to Li Bai and said, "Then I'll leave it to you, Brother Taibai! I'll send someone to take you back to Qizhou."

"Well, then I will take my leave now!"

Li Bai took the jade pendant, turned around and left.

……

Two days later, in the study of Prince Yong's Mansion in Licheng, Qizhou, Prince Yong Li Lin played with the jade pendant sent by Li Bai in his palm.

He looked thoughtful and remained silent.

"Your Highness, Fang Qing is extremely cunning. This must be his delaying tactic to take away your Highness's position."

Gao Shang, who was beside Li Lin, persuaded anxiously.

"It's okay. Go do something else first. I have some questions to ask Li Bai alone."

Li Lin waved his hand impatiently at Gao Shang. He glanced at the empty sleeve of Gao Shang's left arm and knew that this eunuch and strategist was selfish and his words could not be trusted.

After all, that arm was chopped off by Fang Chongyong. It would be weird if Gao Shang agreed to the alliance between the two parties!
Gao Shang looked at Li Bai hatefully and left the study unwillingly.

After he left, Li Lin smiled and said to Li Bai, "Come, come, sit down and tell me what happened on this trip and what the final result was. You can use the 100 taels of gold Fang Qing gave you. I don't need that little money."

Li Bai then saluted Yong Wang Li Lin and said:
"General Fang Jie was determined to capture Licheng before he would give up. I persuaded him with reason and emotion, and explained the pros and cons. Finally, General Fang Jie woke up and realized the truth that the lips and teeth are cold.

He was just embarrassed to show his dignity and not to go back on his word.

I thought that I should lend Lu County to him and the Xuanwu Army to see if he would attack Huangfu Weiming.

If he fights, it means he has offended the Hebei bandit army, and in the future he can only join forces with us to defend Henan.

If there is any change in Chang'an in the future, you can pull him to your side, and it may be possible for him to compete for the Daming Palace.

Please think twice, Your Highness."

Li Bai narrated the events of the trip in a vivid and moving manner, describing in vivid detail how sincere Fang Chongyong was, how elite the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army was, and so on.

"really?"

Li Lin immediately became excited. He had not expected that things would go so smoothly!
Sure enough, isn’t it different when Li Bai, a famous scholar in the world, comes out?

He stood up and paced back and forth in the study room somewhat excitedly.

After a while, his heated mind calmed down, and Li Lin felt that he should discuss it with his staff first.

"Ahem, go back and rest first, and I'll discuss this with the others first."

Li Lin coughed twice to hide his embarrassment and spoke insincerely.

(End of this chapter)