Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 587 White Wolf with Empty Gloves

Li Yi walked out of the Bianzhou government office with a calm expression, and saw Wei Lan getting off the carriage and looking at her in surprise.

"It didn't work?"

Weilan couldn't believe it.

With Li Yi's looks, how could she not be able to handle a hot-blooded man?

She is a genuine virgin, how could Fang Chongyong not be interested in her?
If this kind of woman wasn't a relative of his, even Weilan himself would want to play with her!
"Well, it didn't work out."

Li Yi sighed softly, seeming a little regretful, but also relieved.

"Why, how can it not be done?"

Weilan was a little anxious. He felt that the strategy he planned should have a great chance of success.

They kiss first today, take off their clothes tomorrow, and keep flirting with each other. Sooner or later, they will end up in the same bed.

It doesn't mean that we have to do it today? It's gradual. Once the flirting between men and women starts, it's impossible to stop!

How could it not be done?
"Uncle, I'm tired. Is there a big difference between being Huangfu Weiming's daughter-in-law and being Fang Qing's concubine?"

Li Yi stared at Wei Lan's face with her beautiful eyes, but this former high-ranking official of the Ministry of War did not dare to look at her.

There was deep fatigue in her tone.

"It may not make much difference to you, but to Wei...it's a big difference."

Wei Lan also sighed. Now he had to go back to report, but he did not bring back the good news that Fang Zhongyong was willing to cooperate.

It is difficult to speculate what Wei Jian will say or do.

“If you like, you can go your own way, and I won’t interfere with you.

But whether your uncle will interfere is hard to say."

Wei Lan nodded and smiled at Li Yi, his smile full of helplessness.

Compared to Wei Jian's ruthless attitude, Wei Lan was a man of character. He had seen through Li Yi's little thoughts a long time ago.

If she hadn't had such feelings in her heart, Li Yi wouldn't have come to Bianzhou obediently and refused to leave. It was even more impossible for her to dress up and go to Fang Zhongyong's study late at night.

Weilan was young once, and he knew that the impulse of a young girl's love affair could make people dizzy, just like Li Yi now.

"I am the daughter of the Wei family after all. Do I have the right to talk about whether I like it or not?"

Li Yi laughed at himself, his tone filled with reluctance, helplessness, and a hint of bitterness.

As a "goods", how can she be qualified to talk about whether she likes it or not? What if she likes it or not?

When it really comes her turn to take action, can she say no?

Seeing Li Yi was about to leave, Wei Lan quickly grabbed her sleeve.

Even a fool could see that Li Yi was in a very bad mood.

I don’t know what happened just now, but Weilan is sure that judging from the complete clothes Li Yi is wearing, Fang Zhongyong is indeed more graceful when it comes to treating women.

"No one knows what the future holds, so why are you so discouraged?"

Weiland persuaded.

"Let go! Don't touch me!"

Li Yi suddenly became furious without warning, turned around and yelled at Wei Lan, then walked towards his residence in Kaifeng city.

No one knew that she was already in tears when she turned around. Only her back looked both graceful and lonely.

However, the scene in the study of the Bianzhou government office was quite different.

Dae Jung-hye knelt on the ground, too ashamed to raise her head, like an ostrich burying its head in the sand.

She realized that she had gotten into big trouble. She was just eavesdropping outside the door, but she couldn't help but run out to make trouble.

Dae Jung-hye didn't understand what she was thinking at the time.

Perhaps there was some selfish motive in it, or maybe she was jealous of Li Yi's beauty. Anyway, she couldn't explain why, and she just rushed forward with her brain full of blood.

Fang Chongyong did complain to Da Zhenhui that Li Yi was a woman with a complicated identity and must not be touched.

But this is just a saying.

Whether it was an important matter or not, whether it could be touched or not, Fang Zhongyong knew it in his heart, and no one else could interfere. It was not the turn of Da Zhenhui, a concubine who had never even entered the house and had not been recognized by the head wife of the family, to comment on it.

Not to mention ruining a good thing.

"You made my beauty run away. Tell me, what crime should you be punished for?"

Fang Chongyong looked at Da Zhenhui and teased her in a frivolous tone.

"Ah Lang, I will go to Li Yi's residence now and invite her back. I know where she lives."

Da Zhenhui quickly raised her head and said, then she saw Fang Zhongyong trying hard to hold back his laughter and looking at her straight.

"You're such a stupid idea!"

Fang Zhongyong cursed with a smile, then quickly helped Da Zhenhui, who was kneeling on the ground, up and let her sit on his lap.

"You were so brave just now, why are you so timid now?"

He held Dae Jung Hye's little hand and asked.

Da Zhenhui bit her lip and said nothing, her face flushed with shame. She was no longer afraid, but she simply didn't know how to explain her reckless behavior just now.

How should I put it? Looking back now, I feel like a fool at that time.

“There are so many beautiful women in the world, but it is rare to find one who is sensible and loyal.

I will remember your loyalty to me tonight for the rest of my life."

Fang Zhongyong looked at Da Zhenhui and spoke softly, without a trace of anger on his face.

"I hope Alang is not angry. Don't remember it forever. It's better to forget it tomorrow. I am really embarrassed."

Dae Jung-hye lowered her head and defended herself.

"When my family arrives in Bianzhou, I will welcome you home openly. I will not treat you as a slave, nor as a commodity."

Fang Zhongyong put his arm around Da Zhenhui's shoulders, looked at her and made the promise with a very sincere attitude.

He could eat this woman tonight, but there was no need. Da Zhenhui would definitely have a place among his concubines in the future, and it might even be a relatively important place.

So we can't be too hasty, we must get Wang Yunxiu's approval.

Hearing this, Da Zhenhui felt warm in her heart. In fact, she had already seen that Fang Zhongyong was very nice to the people around him, but she didn't understand why.

Today she experienced it herself and finally understood this truth.

If you can't win over the people around you with emotion or attract them with benefits, won't you end up being alone?
If Fang Zhongyong had not always been very kind and respectful to her, she would definitely have chosen to stand by and watch tonight.

Many people in the world cannot understand this simple truth, and it is not known whether it is because Fang Zhongyong is too smart or others are too stupid.

Da Zhenhui thought so in her heart and held Fang Zhongyong's arm tightly.

……

On the same night, some people were hugging their girls and saying sweet words to each other, while others were quarreling in the study.

The atmosphere in the study of a mansion in Yong County, the seat of Fengxiang Prefecture, was quite tense.

Yan Zhenqing looked at Li Jiaqing calmly, but the latter didn't even look at him, but stared at his eldest son Li Huaiguang.

As for Li Huaiguang, the acting governor of Fengxiang, he looked towards the beams of the house, as if he was unwilling to speak.

The atmosphere in the study was tense.

After a long time, Li Jiaqing sighed helplessly:
"Mr. Yan, I'm afraid the soldiers of the Control Crane Army will not be able to accept the bonds you mentioned. Everyone is working hard to make a living, and it's hard to say how many people will come back from this expedition.

Holding these bonds that can't be eaten or worn, the brothers may not have the heart to fight. "Li Jiaqing stepped forward and put the account book in Yan Zhenqing's hand, then stepped back two steps.

His words were polite, but his refusal was obvious.

A penny can make a hero fail! At this moment, Yan Zhenqing realized that the court, without money, could not even dispatch troops normally.

In fact, this situation did not occur because of the conscription system.

Rather, the fact that the Tang Dynasty was invincible in foreign wars was itself a kind of national credit. The money for the expedition was not given only because the national credit was strong, which could ensure the normal distribution of spoils and rewards after victory.

Now that the Tang Dynasty is in pieces, where is its strong national credit?

As a result, the soldiers fighting in the war don’t even know whether they can survive the next battle.

Who would risk his life?

It is only human nature to ask for money and reward when going to war.

"After conquering Luoyang, the Control Crane Army can take away half of the items in the Luoyang Treasury."

Yan Zhenqing said in a deep voice, and handed the account book in his hand, which recorded the number of bonds, distribution pattern and other information, to Li Jiaqing again.

Li Jiaqing and Li Huaiguang looked at each other and seemed to be moved.

What is in the Luoyang treasury?

I don’t know, but it will definitely be quite a lot.

Because the small court of the Hebei rebels is in Luoyang. From the perspective of enjoyment, these people should also gather their wealth in Luoyang.

"Please ask Mr. Yan to sign a blood contract."

Li Huaiguang said bluntly.

Write the oath on paper with your own blood to prove that you have no regrets about your words.

This means that if Yan Zhenqing changes his mind, the soldiers of the Control Crane Army will wipe out his entire family.

"What's so difficult about this?"

Yan Zhenqing laughed loudly, took out a Tang knife, cut his finger, wrote the contract on his official robe, then cut off the cloth with the contract and handed it to Li Jiaqing.

"Marshal Li Jie, we can send out the troops now, right?"

Yan Zhenqing's eyes were as bright as lightning as he looked at Li Jiaqing.

"Once a word is spoken, it cannot be taken back. The entire Control Crane Army must obey the military order!"

Li Jiaqing and Li Huaiguang knelt down on one knee, bowed to Yan Zhenqing and said.

"The military order will be delivered to the camp soon. You should prepare the necessary things before the expedition. Once the military order arrives, you will set off immediately."

Yan Zhenqing said this with a solemn expression, and at this moment the prime minister's aura returned to him.

"Order!"

The two people in the study said in unison.

Yan Zhenqing nodded with satisfaction and then said goodbye.

The most difficult thing was finally done, but the price was huge. This meant that the Chang'an court could no longer make up for the deficit by taking Luoyang and obtaining the wealth of Luoyang's treasury.

Moreover, the Konghe Army is now powerful and difficult to control. Will there be a mutiny in the future?

It’s hard to say. The Tang Dynasty today is no longer the Tang Dynasty of twenty years ago.

After opening up Luoyang, they had to negotiate with Li Lin in Bianzhou, hoping that he would not block the canal. Would there be some concession of interests, or would there be a war?
Yan Zhenqing didn't dare to think about it, but solving the problem of Li Baochen was the first priority. He no longer had the time to think about solving the problems that Li Baochen would face in the future.

Luoyang, to some extent, is a bridgehead from Guanzhong to Guandong and must be controlled by the Guanzhong court.

Whoever occupies Luoyang will be attacked by the troops from Guanzhong. This is an iron rule.

The court could only talk about other things after retaking Luoyang. Otherwise, its economic lifeline would be locked up and all that was left was to wait for death.

We have to choose the lesser of two evils, that's all we can do.

After Yan Zhenqing left Fengxiang Prefecture with a heavy heart, Li Jiaqing and Li Huaiguang, father and son, did not stop their discussion.

Looking at the "blood letter" left by Yan Zhenqing, Li Huaiguang asked in confusion: "Father, why do you indulge these people?"

They were just playing the good cop and the bad cop respectively, but in fact they had already discussed it beforehand and reached a consensus.

It was agreed that as long as the conditions were right, they would eventually send troops to Luoyang.

If the canal is not opened, the Konghe Army will also be out of food. After all, it is the imperial court that supports the army. Even if they are the granary and wallet of the Konghe Army, these soldiers have the obligation and responsibility to protect their own "parents who provide food and clothing"!

"Marshal Fang has worked hard for the Tang Dynasty all his life. The Control Crane Army is a team he built, and he also has to work hard for the survival of the Tang Dynasty.

Don't you even understand this? You can be a bit temperamental and bargain a bit, but if you don't send troops, then it's our fault."

Li Jiaqing said while teaching his son Li Huaiguang.

He is an honest man, but it is obvious that Li Huaiguang does not think so.

"Father, if Marshal Fang Jie wants to be the emperor, it is only natural for us brothers to follow him and worship him as the Son of Heaven.

We will fight whoever Marshal Fang tells us to fight.

But the Tang Dynasty has done us no favors, so why should we risk our lives for it?"

Li Huaiguang asked back.

Li Jiaqing was speechless. After all, what Li Huaiguang said was the truth. Feelings can't be eaten. Everyone has a wife, daughters, and a large family. If the treatment is not in place, how can you risk your life on the battlefield?
Although the Konghe Army was stationed in Fengxiang Prefecture, they could actually go anywhere and were not limited to one place.

It’s not impossible for me to not work for the Guanzhong court in the future!

"We'll talk about these things later. When the military order comes down, distribute the bonds first, and then tell the men that they can seize half of the property in the Luoyang treasury.

There is no need to say more about sending troops, it has been decided.

Is it ok? "

Li Jiaqing waved his hand tiredly and said.

"Yes, please rest assured, father. I will do my best to kill the enemy."

Li Huaiguang sighed lightly, clasped his fists and bowed to Li Jiaqing, saying that he still took his father's words very seriously.

Li Huaiguang is a very "pure" person. Since he has already promised his father, he will naturally do his best in the war.

Li Huaiguang chatted with Li Jiaqing for some more gossip and then left the study.

After Li Huaiguang left, Li Jiaqing took out a handkerchief, covered his mouth with it and started coughing. When he finished coughing, he took out the handkerchief and saw that it was covered with black blood.

Li Jiaqing once told Yan Zhenqing that he had injured his heart meridian in the last battle, which was absolutely nonsense. But he was not lying when he said that he was in poor health. With his current health, he could no longer ride a horse to fight.

This time, Li Jiaqing will not lead the troops to fight, but will stay at Fengxiang Mansion to look after the family. All matters concerning the expedition will be handled by Li Huaiguang. After Li Huaiguang returns to Chang'an from Luoyang, Li Jiaqing will resign from the post of Fengxiang Jiedushi and the military commander of the Control Crane Army, and let his son take over.

The imperial court's Jiedushi should have been appointed by the imperial court, and whoever was appointed would take up the post. But now, it has become the norm for the son to succeed the father, and the unspeakable things in between have become clear.

Li Jiaqing thought of Fang Youde and felt sorry for this invincible commander.

He was a man of high character. He just shook his sleeves, took nothing with him, and retired.

But now there are more and more generals in the Tang Dynasty. If the position is not passed down from father to son, who can guarantee that he can still become a rich man after retiring from the position?

To step down often means death.

If Li Jiaqing did not give up the position of Jiedushi to his son, but had to give it to someone else, he would probably have to sleep with his eyes open.

"Marshal Fang, is it because the current Tang Dynasty has disappointed you that you are retiring?"

Li Jiaqing looked at the oil lamp that was about to go out and muttered to himself.

(End of this chapter)