For three days in a row, nothing that Fang Chongyong wanted was excavated from the Heishui Kingdom ruins. A lot of scattered coins were unearthed, and even a jar full of "Kaiyuan Tongbao" buried by an unknown Hu merchant was unearthed. .
But in Fang Chongyong's view, these things are not what he wants.
On the one hand, there was no progress in his routine and he could not execute it. On the other hand, Guo Ziyi also began to urge him to provide soldiers for the United Army.
The imperial decree is time-sensitive and cannot be delayed forever. Before winter begins, united troops must be deployed, otherwise relevant officials will be held accountable. It’s only been more than a month until winter begins.
Not to mention Fang Chongyong, who has no intention of recruiting united troops. Even if he wants to do something in a hurry, it will be difficult to complete it within a month!
Because Ji Ge's original intention of placing Fang Yanei as governor in Ganzhou was not to let him complete the task.
Fang Chongyong couldn't handle the situation in Ganzhou, even if he sent people like Fang Xuanling and Ma Zhou. A single person couldn't change the overall situation. The local people's power is limited.
In desperation, Fang Chongyong came to the settlement next to the Sogdian city on the left bank of the Black River in a light vehicle and asked their leader Kang Juren for a place in the united army.
The nine Zhaowu surnames headed by the An family made a rare political investment at the beginning of the founding of the Tang Dynasty and integrated the Hexi Corridor into the territory of the Tang Dynasty.
At the beginning, most of the soldiers and horses of the nine surnames of Zhaowu were stationed in Chishui Town (later renamed Chiwu Town) south of Liangzhou City. This was the origin of the Chishui Army.
In other words, the Chishui Army was originally the soldiers and horses of the nine surnames of Zhaowu. The Tang Dynasty spent more than a hundred years turning them into elite frontier troops directly under the central government. As the anchor of the Hexi Corridor, they were no longer the private members of the nine surnames of Zhaowu Part.
This can be said to be the price that must be paid for taking refuge with the big boss.
The sinicization of the nine surnames of Zhaowu is also very obvious. Taking names as an example, before Wu Zhou, there were also "weird names" such as Kang Sa Chao, Cao Brahman, Kang Fu Danyan, and He Fu Diyan. You can tell by looking at him that he is from the ninth surname of Zhaowu.
As a result, after Kaiyuan, among the nine Zhaowu surnames, names like "Kang Taihe", "An Sishun" and "Li Baoyu" (with changed surnames) had become mainstream, and even in the middle and late Tang Dynasty, people began to participate in the imperial examination.
If you don't look at their surnames, it's basically impossible to tell whether they are barbarians.
Kang Juren in front of Fang Chongyong was wearing a pointed hat inlaid with various styles of gems, which looked expensive.
The plaid round-neck silk robe is obviously different from the round-neck robes worn by the nobles of the Tang Dynasty, but it also absorbs the style and specifications of the Central Plains. The black leather boots worn on the feet are not much different from those in the Central Plains, but they are slightly "tall" and completely cover the ankles for a long time.
The beard on his face is neatly trimmed, and he looks like a pampered person.
"I already know Fang Shijun's purpose of coming, but this matter is difficult to handle."
Kang Juren spoke to Fang Chongyong in Chang'an Mandarin, without any Hexi accent, and his Chinese was even better than Anaye's!
"Six thousand united troops is a bit too much. How many people are Kang Tong willing to send?" Fang Chongyong asked doubtfully.
The managers of the settlements next to the city are called "tonggua" and have great power!
"One person has ten guans, and his salary will be calculated according to the standards set by the imperial court for uniting soldiers. However, military pay cannot be owed, and the envoy must make a contract. We can provide two thousand people.
Our company has contacted many cities in Hexi to send out troops together. There definitely aren’t that many troops here in Zhangye City. "
Kang Juren said seriously, as if he was talking about business.
This condition was very fair, it could be said to be the "market price", and Kang Juren didn't ask for more. After all, he was also an official conferred by the Tang Dynasty. Without this status, he would not be able to manage the Sogdian city.
However, Fang Chongyong was unable to accept Kang Juren's conditions, and the extra recruitment expenses alone were already terrifying. An additional expenditure of 20,000 yuan is required, and this can only fulfill one-third of the united soldier quota.
What's more, there are also a lot of rice, grains, pickles, etc. needed to maintain the united soldiers!
"This... I will go back to the government office first, and then I will reply to Kang Tongyao."
Fang Chongyong said expressionlessly, but he had actually given up on this option in his heart.
"Well, it doesn't matter. I just ask you to do whatever you want. Business cannot be done with justice.
But don't leave yet, Fang Shijun. I see that you, the maid, are a little shabby in your clothes. She has Western blood, so she might as well wear some Western clothes to look more beautiful.
Of course, courtesy is reciprocal, and I will not accept your money. Please come with me and go to the warehouse to choose clothes. "
Kang Juren said with a smile.
Eh?
Are you doing business on my head?
Fang Chongyong was stunned for a moment, then relieved.
The Sogdians were both farmers and merchants, and their status as minor nobles could account for more than 30% of the settlement. They sell goods from Chang'an and West Asia, serve as escorts for traveling caravans, and are small farmers who manage their own fields and pastures.
The identity changes as needed and is very flexible.
So Kang Juren is not only the manager of a settlement, the leader of a mercenary group, but also a big businessman! His identity can be switched as needed!
If necessary, his descendants can even take the imperial examination in the Tang Dynasty!
The Sogdian people's way of survival focuses on the word "flexibility". Whether it was the Tang Dynasty, Tibet or the Turks, they all liked to hire Sogdians as envoys or as guides and attendants for envoys.
"Go ahead and take your pick."
Fang Chongyong whispered to Anaye beside him.
"Wouldn't it be bad..."
Anaye was obviously moved, but she still felt that something was not right.
"You have the right to use it. It will become invalid upon expiration. You can just take it with confidence. Whatever you take is mine."
Fang Chongyong said calmly and winked at Anaye.
…
What Fang Chongyong didn't know was that just as he was struggling to unite his troops, the Tubo offensive against the Tang Dynasty had already begun.
In the autumn of the 26th year of Kaiyuan, Tubo attacked Longyou and defeated Xicangzhou (Luqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province). The Tang army was outnumbered and retreated to Taozhou (Lintan County, Gansu Province). They joined forces with the Momen Army (also called Momen Army) who guarded Taozhou and defended Taozhou City.
It is located on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the altitude is not very high. However, further to the west is a mountainous platform with a sudden high altitude. Therefore, the Tang army's power can only be stable in the Taozhou area. Even if there are occasional gains in the west, it will soon return to Taozhou to stick to it.
The direction of the Tubo's attack was far beyond Tang Ting's expectation. Li Longji quickly issued an order to Du Hope, asking him to lead his troops south to Taozhou for rescue!
This road goes straight to Guanzhong. If the Hexi Corridor loses the Tang Dynasty, it can still survive. If people in Guanzhong are allowed to drive straight in, the consequences will be too serious.
Longyou Jiedu envoy Du Hope had to mobilize the first main force of Longyou Lintao Army to go south and join forces with the Momen Army.
The reason why the Tang Dynasty was passive against Tibet was that it could never figure out how the Tibetan army was dispatched on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. On the long border where the two countries faced each other, Tibet could invest a large number of troops at any location, and had three supporting war centers that could provide supplies at any time.
If the Tang Dynasty wanted to play this way, it had to endure the extreme climate and altitude sickness on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It was impossible to invest a large number of troops in one place. Even if it reluctantly used troops, it would not be able to exert even half of its usual strength.
This led to the fact that in the long military struggle between the two countries, Tubo, with its weaker national power, was the one with the strategic initiative.
It doesn't matter if the Tubo people don't move. With this move, all the pressure will be transferred to Hexi. The Tang Army's joint military operations in Hexi and Longyou Jiedu Prefectures were disrupted by the Tibetans before they even started.
Li Longji was so angry that he issued another edict, asking the Hexi states to strictly implement the imperial autumn defense order, and sent a supervisory censor to Hexi Jiedu Mansion to supervise those who violated the law!
Fang Chongyong, who was still thinking hard about countermeasures in Ganzhou, immediately felt the chill coming from Chang'an.
…
"When the Tubo people do something strange, if you don't know what to do, you just know how to mess with it. Brother Ji, you are a real dog!"
There was no one around, so Fang Chongyong couldn't help but curse.
He couldn't help but frown as he looked at the soldiers of Baiting and the civilians who "came here because of their fame".
After digging for many days, I found a lot of weird things, but I didn't see what I wanted!
Many times Fang Chongyong planned to kneel down and return to Chang'an directly. In fact, it was not difficult for him. He could easily do it by writing a "complaint" letter to Brother Ji.
Who expects a ten-year-old child to solve problems that even good ministers and generals cannot handle?
Fang Chongyong understood very well that this was just a scumbag that Brother Ji wanted to beat up on him.
Just thinking about the customs and customs here in Hexi, he was really worried that the next governor would be unreasonable and lifeless, and he would cause big trouble by then.
Um?
Fang Zhongyong took a casual glance at the dug things and immediately lost his composure!
Isn't this what you are looking for?
He was actually thrown aside by some bastard or an illiterate citizen and treated like a jerk!
He ignored everyone's astonished eyes and rushed over with a vigorous stride, using his sleeves to shake off the dust on the stone platform that was mostly covered by sand. I saw two semicircular depressions with "iron blocks" that had solidified and stuck inside.
and black “little clods” that were clearly not charcoal.
This is the crucible, the iron blocks solidified from the molten iron, and the coal used for smelting!
It takes no effort to get there even if you wear iron shoes. I didn't check for a while, and almost buried the important "physical evidence" that had been unearthed in the Blackwater Country's smelting workshop!
"No need to dig anymore, divide everything you dig up equally, and everyone can go home!"
Fang Chongyong shouted excitedly!
Xin Yunjing walked over quickly, looked at the "inexplicable" objects on the ground, and asked in a low voice: "Your Majesty, is this all?"
"Yes, clean it up and send it to the Ganzhou government office. I will be of great use!"
Fang Chongyong said with relief, his whole body relaxed. After getting through this last link, the remaining operations are as if you have ensured that you will pass the exam.
If you work harder, you can get full marks. If you want to lie flat, you can get a passing mark. In short, there is no pressure.
He doesn't care about Brother Ji's autumn prevention orders. If he wants to play tricks, it's not easy. The tricks are all ready!
The group of people began to gather up and go back to their respective homes to find their respective mothers.
Fang Chongyong rushed back to the government office. He didn't even have time to enjoy the daily "massage service", so he immediately spread out a large piece of paper and wrote a detailed letter to Hexi Jiedu Mansion and Chang'an Center.
…
"What's the use of this thing?"
Anaye looked at the "strange objects" that Fang Chongyong asked Xin Yunjing to move back, and asked with a puzzled look.
I have actually gained a little bit from digging there these days. Even the so-called "luminous cup" was dug out, which is worth a lot of money!
However, Fang Chongyong had a disdainful attitude towards those foreign objects, but he regarded this object in front of him, which had no use at all, as a treasure!
"This thing is a treasure for getting out of trouble."
Fang Zhongyong put his elbow on the shoulder of Anaye, who was half a head shorter than himself, and continued to explain with a smile: "With this thing, Brother Ji won't embarrass me."
This was not the first time Anaye had heard the emperor nicknamed, and he was used to it. She still didn't understand, so she asked, "Why is the emperor so easy to talk to?"
"Brother Ji is not easy to talk to at all. He hanged his three sons to death when they disagreed with each other. I saw it with my own eyes."
Fang Chongyong muttered to himself.
Reasoning with Brother Ji and talking about feelings are useless.
This Emperor of the Tang Dynasty was a top-notch scumbag who was extremely petty, extremely snobbish and ruthless!
"Take a look first, and then make a copy to Hexi Jiedu Mansion."
Fang Chongyong patted Anaye on the shoulder and said, then he lay down on the Taishi chair to rest.
Anaye read the official document he had just written word for word, her brows getting tighter and tighter.
Fang Chongyong said this in the official document:
Due to the lack of charcoal and iron ore in the five states in Hexi, there is no condition to develop smelting, and all armaments need to be imported from Guanzhong.
When Wei Chen was recently exploring the ruins of the Blackwater Kingdom northwest of Zhangye City, he "accidentally" discovered that the Blackwater Kingdom that existed thousands of years ago actually had a mature smelting workshop, and found a crucible for iron smelting. There are some pieces of iron and some coal. Today he will be sent to Chang'an for inspection by the imperial court.
Wei Chen suspected that the people of Heishui Kingdom, or the craftsmen of the Han army, should use coal to smelt iron and make weapons for military needs. This technology has matured in the Han Dynasty and has been recorded in Nanyang, Yecheng and other places.
Therefore, Weichen wants to find the location of iron ore and coal mining sites in Ganzhou. Strengthen Hexi's armaments.
In addition, the imperial court needs to send someone from the Ministry of Industry to help, and there may be something to gain.
There is another thing that makes Wei Chen very uneasy. Once iron ore is found in Ganzhou, its strategic position will not be the same as before. I am afraid that I will be coveted by Tubo, and my situation will be a hundred times more dangerous than before.
Please ask the imperial court to send sharp soldiers to guard Ganzhou, and order the Ganzhou government to temporarily suspend the implementation of the autumn defense order, so as to free up manpower and material resources to search for iron ore and coal.
If Ganzhou is captured by the Tubo people, then Hexi will become a solid fortress for the Tibetans to invade the Tang Dynasty.
By then, it will be able to provide enough food and fodder for its troops, horses, and soldiers to make up for the shortcomings of Tibet in the past. Its arrogance will definitely become arrogant, and it will covet Guanzhong and even Chang'an.
The imperial court is requested not to delay, to focus on the overall situation, strengthen the defense of Ganzhou, stabilize the people's sentiments in Ganzhou, and increase efforts to allocate war money and food from the central center to Ganzhou for backup.
It is urgent to cancel the autumn defense order in Ganzhou. Please see the sage clearly.
Then the seal of the governor of Ganzhou and Fang Chongyong's signature were stamped below.
"It turns out that this is okay."
Anaye murmured to herself.
Fang Chongyong's idea is unexpected, and he doesn't follow the routine at all!
"Of course. Now Ganzhou is the top priority target of the Tibetan people. If they get Ganzhou's food, water, iron ore, coal and other materials, they can use it as a bridgehead to capture the city. It's really disappointing to think about it. People are afraid.
So now it is not that the imperial court wants me to come up with some disgusting autumn prevention order, but that I am in danger now and the imperial court wants to protect me at all costs! I can do whatever I want!
If Ganzhou was forced to rebel and surrender to the Tibetans, who in the Tang Dynasty would dare to bear this responsibility?
Let me beg them?
No, no, no, now they are on their knees begging me, okay? "
Fang Chongyong said proudly to Anaye.
"The court can transfer Mr. Lang away."
Anaye said helplessly that this was the only flaw in Fang Chongyong's current plan.
"Transfer me, isn't that what you've been talking about? Is there anything wrong with transferring me?"
Fang Chongyong looked at the other party with a strange expression and asked.
"You're such a desireless person, you're really..."
Anaye was speechless, remembering the "health medicine" thing before.
If you have no desires, you will be strong. If you have no desires, you will have no flaws.
Fang Chongyong, the governor of Ganzhou, is clearly responsible.
Tickets, votes, votes
(End of chapter)
