Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 767: Achievements in Small Things

Many generals in the Hedong Army's main camp were delighted to see Fang Chongyong bringing Emperor Li Qi here.

But now is not the time to open the champagne, because there is an important matter that has not been dealt with.

This is also the reason why Xin Yunjing was still frowning even after his successful mutiny.

Seeing Fang Chongyong coming, Xin Yunjing quickly gave up the main seat and invited the official Fang to sit down. Fang Chongyong then invited Li Qi to sit in the main seat, and he stood beside Li Qi.

"Everyone, I just saw that a camp in the camp was surrounded, but I don't know what happened?"

Before Li Qi opened his mouth, Fang Chongyong asked for him.

Considering Fang Chongyong has been in the army for many years and even knows what a worm in a soldier's stomach looks like, this question is a typical case of pretending to be ignorant.

Xin Yunjing and the others looked at each other in bewilderment. Finally, he stepped forward and reported: "It is like this. Li Baoyu's son Li Zizheng led his troops to resist stubbornly. The generals felt sorry for his troops and could not bear to kill them, so they surrounded him, hoping that he would surrender and obey their orders."

Xin Yunjing gave a brief introduction and Fang Chongyong nodded slightly without commenting.

Things were certainly not as simple as Xin Yunjing said, but it was understandable to besiege Li Zizheng's troops instead of attacking them.

When the attack starts, anyone who stands in my way will be killed, even if it is a Buddha. Even if my father tries to stop me, I will kill him!

At that time, the outcome was still undecided, so there was no room for hesitation. We had to go even if it meant going through mountains of swords and seas of fire!

But after Li Baoyu and Li Baozhen were killed, the situation was basically settled. The situation was essentially stable and no major waves could be stirred up. Xin Yunjing had already persuaded the troops who could be persuaded, along with Yuan Zai.

At this time, Li Zizheng, who could not be persuaded, led his troops to resist stubbornly. Xin Yunjing and the Chishui troops certainly would not foolishly rush up to kill them.

It is an inevitable fact that the An family of Liangzhou has lost control of the Chishui Army. What everyone is considering is: what position they can occupy in the new situation, how much benefit they can get, how to fight for and protect their own interests, and how to avoid being affected by the storm.

Obviously, destroying Li Zizheng was not a great achievement, but might even cause harm to one's own troops. If one actively participated in the internal struggle when the situation was stable, one would also be looked down upon.

"The An family of Liangzhou has been guarding Hexi for generations and has made contributions to the country. Li Baoyu and Li Baozhen defected to the Tibetans, but the An family itself may not do the same. Merits are merits, and faults are faults. They cannot be mixed up, and we must not let the soldiers who have made contributions to the country feel disappointed.

It's not good for the situation to remain at a stalemate, so I will go there in person and persuade Li Zizheng to put down his weapons."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand lightly, making it seem like a piece of cake, and settled the matter with just one sentence.

Are you going to let An go?
The expressions of all the generals present changed slightly.

This time, they were very ruthless, and they were basically incompatible with the An family of Liangzhou. I didn't expect that after hearing what Fang Zhongyong said, the court actually planned to let the An family go.

This is a bit... profound!

All the generals were silent, so Xin Yunjing had to step forward and persuade them, "Your Majesty, Li Baoyu's family is so crazy that they actually want to collude with the Tibetans. His son Li Zizheng might also be one of the accomplices. Your Majesty, if you go into the camp alone, you may be in danger of your life. Why don't I send a military officer into the camp to persuade them to surrender? This will not only get the job done, but also save your Majesty from taking risks, killing two birds with one stone."

It is hard to say whether Fang Chongyong’s life is in danger, but if the An family of Liangzhou is not exterminated, Xin Yunjing will definitely not have a good time in the future, that is certain.

After this battle, the An family of Liangzhou and the Xin family of Hexi have become mortal enemies. What will happen in the future, we can only wait and see.

“I have made up my mind, no need to say more.

The Tibetan army has already invaded Weizhou and is likely to take a detour through Jingchuan. With a powerful enemy at hand, there is no room for internal strife!"

Fang Chongyong shook his head and flatly rejected Xin Yunjing's proposal.

"What do you think, Your Majesty?"

He looked at Li Qi and asked. The generals present glanced at Li Qi, and no one said anything. Everyone pretended that this person did not exist and had no interest in paying attention to him.

Many of the generals present had never even seen Li Qi, so it would be strange if they could respect him.

Li Qi seemed to sense that the atmosphere was a little strange. He looked embarrassed, then nodded and said, "You can decide for yourself. If you need my staff, you can take it with you."

At this moment, he felt the humiliation of being ignored, but also felt a little fortunate.

Fortunately, the powerful official is Fang Qing, and he is still supported openly.

If it were any other soldier, I'm afraid this puppet emperor would have suffered endless hardships.

This is a strange feeling similar to Stockholm syndrome. Li Qi cannot convey it to others, and only he knows it.

Soon, Fang Zhongyong led a group of Chishui army generals to the besieged camp. The bucket-like battle line made way for a passage, and Fang Zhongyong led a group of Chishui army generals through the passage and came to the camp gate.

The camp gate was already wide open, but the entrance was blocked by wooden fences and chevaux de frise. Behind these things was a shield wall. Li Zizheng's troops were on full alert, guarding against Xin Yunjing and his men from advancing.

"My name is Fang Qing. The veterans of the Red Water Army should all know me! Some of you followed me to the Western Regions in the past! Do you remember?"

Fang Zhongyong held up the imperial scepter given to him by Li Qi and slowly walked towards the shield wall of Li Zizheng's troops.

As he walked, he continued to shout, "Li Zizheng! Let me come in and talk to you! As long as you and your troops have not surrendered to the Tibetans, I will guarantee with my family's lives that I will not settle accounts with you or kill you. Soldiers of the Chishui Army, put down your weapons and make way!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a crack appeared in the middle of the shield wall, and a young man with dried blood on his armor knelt on the ground.

"Li Zizheng, the guilty general, welcomes the emperor! We soldiers and the Tibetans have an irreconcilable relationship, how could we associate with them?
Please investigate this matter!"

His voice was filled with tears, and contained endless grievance and resentment.

"Get up, let the soldiers put down their weapons and go back to their tents to rest. The tragedy of fighting within the same family should not happen in the Red Water Army."

Fang Chongyong casually handed the staff to a soldier of the Chishui Army, walked forward and helped Li Zizheng up.

"Your father and uncle defected to the Tibetans. The evidence is irrefutable! But you and your subordinates were not aware of this. It is an unprovoked disaster to be implicated by them!

Now I, holding the Emperor's staff, pardon you and forgive your innocence. All past crimes will not be pursued. The ranks of soldiers and generals in the army will remain unchanged, and the order of succession will not be changed.

You can follow me to the central army tent to discuss matters."

Fang Zhongyong patted Li Zizheng on the shoulder to comfort him.

Li Zizheng's expression changed several times, and finally turned into a long sigh. He clasped his fists and said to Fang Zhongyong, "Understood! I will follow you to the commander's tent!"

The young man Li Zizheng originally wanted to seek justice for his father Li Baoyu and his uncle Li Baozhen, and wanted the Bianzhou court to punish Xin Yunjing and his gang who launched the mutiny.

But after hearing what Fang Zhongyong said, he had no choice but to give up his original plan.

The whole thing has been determined.

All the mistakes were made by Li Baoyu and Li Baozhen.

It was Li Baoyu and others who colluded with the Tibetans first, and then Xin Yunjing and others mutinied.

Xin Yunjing and the Lun brothers were "restoring order out of chaos" and they did nothing wrong.

Li Zizheng was implicated by his father and uncle, and was completely unaware of the collusion with Tubo, nor did he participate in it, nor was he at fault.

The people of the Liangzhou An family who rebelled simply to protect themselves had no idea what was happening, and they were still not at fault.

So this is all a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding!
Anyway, the dead are at fault, and the living are not at fault! This is the conclusion made by the Bianzhou court on this matter! It is impossible to change it!

So, how should the responsibility for this mutiny be investigated? Young man, you'd better think clearly before you speak!

These days you can eat whatever you want, but you can’t say whatever you want!

The meaning of Fang Chongyong's words has been expressed very clearly.

Li Zizheng had better not talk nonsense, Fang Chongyong can still protect him. If he makes random accusations, he might be treated as an "accomplice" and dealt with together afterwards.

By then, it won't just be Li Zizheng who will die! Maybe it will be the entire An family of Liangzhou!
It took Li Zizheng a long time to figure out all these twists and turns.

A bloody battle between brothers was resolved in the blink of an eye. Li Zizheng's troops put their weapons into storage, leaving only their swords, and returned to their tents to rest.

The barricades and wooden fences blocking the entrance to the camp were removed, and the bodies inside and outside the camp were collected and buried.

This mutiny was like a sword that was about to be unsheathed and was about to unleash its murderous intent, but was forcibly pushed back into the sheath!
Xin Yunjing and others who were watching all this from afar were dumbfounded.

They originally thought that Fang Zhongyong would talk for a long time after entering the camp, but they didn't expect that the problem would be solved in just one stick of incense. When those unruly soldiers saw Fang Zhongyong's personal guarantee, they all obediently laid down their weapons, went back to their homes, and returned to their original organization.

This made Xin Yunjing feel a little depressed, and also made him realize the gap between himself and Fang Chongyong.

It's not a big deal for a person to launch a mutiny. Many soldiers can do it. It can even be said that one doesn't need to hold a high position. It's nothing big.

Only the one who can quell a mutiny without bloodshed is the only true God!

It is obvious that neither Li Baoyu nor Xin Yunjing has much less prestige in the Chishui Army than Fang Chongyong.

This is the lofty prestige and solid credibility that Fang Chongyong left behind when he was active in Hexi and even in the Western Regions.

When you are in a small position, you can make light of a heavy task. A promise can be worth thousands of troops. It is an indisputable fact that Xin Yunjing, who initiated the mutiny, killed the main generals Li Baoyu and Li Baozhen, no matter what reason he found.

The other generals in the army would all be wary of him and would not recommend Xin Yunjing as the commander of the Chishui Army.

When Fang Zhongyong brought Li Zizheng back to the general's tent, Li Qi was immediately surprised. He didn't expect that the crisis that had left everyone helpless could be resolved so quickly! Although he had never been in the army, he knew the unreasonable character of the soldiers very well.

"Your Majesty, Li Zizheng did not know that his father had defected to Tibet, and neither did the soldiers in the army. This is all a misunderstanding.

I have handled it properly according to your majesty's wishes. Now the Chishui Army is under the jurisdiction of the imperial court, and the Hedong Army's designation has been abolished. Your majesty, please understand!"

Fang Zhongyong saluted Li Qi with his arms crossed.

"Good, good, good. The Chishui Army has returned. I am very relieved! Hahahahahaha!"

Li Qi looked embarrassed, so he had to smile and agree. The generals in the general's tent also laughed, and the atmosphere was no longer as solemn as before, and was filled with a happy atmosphere.

However, Xin Yunjing felt a chill on his back, as if a pair of cold eyes were staring at him. He turned his head quietly, only to find that Li Zizheng was looking at him, with hatred in his eyes so straightforward and undisguised.

Xin Yunjing suddenly recalled the first time he met Fang Chongyong. He was so dominated by the other party that he didn't dare to do anything rash.

A lot of time has passed, and a lot of things have happened. Everyone has their own experience and growth.
But the feeling of being completely controlled and unable to move remains the same at this moment.

Even more suffocating!

Xin Yunjing couldn't help but shiver.

……

Li Baochen didn't know about the internal strife in the Hedong Army, but the news brought back by Li Shiyu made him feel uneasy.

Just as night fell, in the study of the Yong County government office, Li Baochen was discussing important matters with Li Shiyu, Li Weichen and others. Everyone had a solemn look on their faces.

The conditions Fang Qing put forward were very simple: everything was negotiable, as long as Marshal Baochen went to practice Taoism and did not need to be involved in military and political affairs, everything else could be discussed.

This condition made Li Baochen at a loss.

It seems that cultivating immortals is not impossible, but after enjoying the taste of power again, Marshal Baochen is still somewhat obsessed.

Moreover, if he retreats, the generals under his command, including his sons, will certainly disperse their strength.

By then Fang Qingdong would tear some things apart and pull others back, and Marshal Baochen's strength would be invisibly torn to pieces, and he would no longer be able to form a combined force.

This is not much different from having troops and horses annexed and military power taken away. It just looks better in appearance.

"Weicheng, you agreed too hastily."

Li Baochen sighed and scolded Li Weicheng with some dissatisfaction.

Li Shiyu was about to open his mouth to explain for Li Weicheng, but he saw Marshal Baochen waving his hand, signaling him to be patient.

"In that case, I will go to Huashan and continue my cultivation. I will leave the military affairs to you."

Li Baochen suddenly changed the subject.

"Father!"

Li Weicheng and Li Weiyue shouted at the same time, their tone full of panic.

"Fang Qing's situation has already been determined, and as a father, I have no choice but to accept it.

Back then, I cultivated Taoism for my father in order to achieve immortality, so it seems reasonable to continue doing so now."

Li Baochen shook his head and sighed, as if he had no intention of arguing anymore.

After hearing what Li Baochen said, Li Weicheng and Li Weiyue could no longer persuade him and all looked embarrassed.

"I heard that the Bianzhou army has stationed troops in Zheng County, Huazhou. Why don't you go to Zheng County and ask Fang Qing to send someone to contact them."

Li Baochen looked at Li Shiyu and gave him instructions, then waved his hand disinterestedly and walked out of the study.

Brother, it’s okay if you give up, but at least you should arrange your final arrangements!

Li Shiyu hurriedly chased after him, grabbed Li Baochen's sleeve and asked in a low voice: "General, what about the arrangements for the commander in chief of the army?"

"It is difficult to convince the people if Li Weiyue is appointed as the chief general; it is also difficult to convince the people if Li Weicheng is appointed as the chief general.

So, give the military token to Fang Qing and let him worry about it. I don’t want to be involved anymore.”

Li Baochen responded casually, leaving Li Shiyu standing there in a daze, his hair disheveled in the wind.

It seems that Marshal Baochen wants to leave here and go to Huashan directly. How can he be so willful?

Li Shiyu looked at Li Weicheng and Li Weiyue who had chased after him and sighed helplessly.

(End of this chapter)