Late at night, there was a curfew in Chang'an City.
As the actual commander of Zuo Jinwu Guard, Fang Chongyong was still handling official duties in the yamen. According to the information that Jinwu Guard personnel visited various places in Chang'an City, there were seven candidates from other places who were beaten one after another. Among them, only Du Fu had his leg broken, and the others suffered from skin injuries.
However, there are also five people who are local residents of Chang'an. They are not from other places, and they are not taking the imperial examination this year! It's just that he dresses more like a scholar.
On the wall of the Yamen lobby hangs a layout map of Chang'an City exclusive to Jinwu Guard, detailing every mansion in the square. Ordinary residential buildings are surrounded by square boxes.
Fang Chongyong also planted a small flag on the place where the beaten person happened.
If you don't look at the map, the beatings of these imperial examination candidates seem to have no connection and appear inexplicable, as if the enemy is lurking throughout Chang'an City and their people are everywhere.
However, after marking the locations where the accident occurred, we can find that these locations are quite concentrated. The first location is near Dongshi and Pingkangfang, and the second location is on both sides of Yanxingmen to Yanpingmen Street, that is, Near the West Market.
The third lot is near Yongle Fang, which is where candidates rushing to take the exam from other places live most concentratedly. The location here is almost in the center of the square Chang'an City!
These three areas are all places where candidates who came to Chang'an to take the imperial examinations gathered and lived since the imperial examinations gradually became popular in the founding of the Tang Dynasty. A large number of hotels have been opened in the surrounding areas to accommodate candidates from other places. The foreign population is so large that it can be said that there is a mixed bag of good and bad, and there are hotels of all kinds.
Many hotels not only provide accommodation, but also provide food and laundry, which is no different from the star-rated hotels in Fang Chongyong's previous life. It is almost a "check-in with all bags".
But the accommodation conditions in most hotels are not flattering. This type of place is mainly provided for poor and down-and-out candidates like Du Fu.
Fang Chongyong speculated that if the people on the left side wanted to cause trouble, it would not require too many complicated operations, let alone go to the Ministry of Rites to get the list of candidates taking the exam. The whole process was much simpler than Zheng Shuqing and others expected!
The simpler the program and the fewer process links, the lower the probability of errors and the harder it will be to deal with in the end!
Fang Chongyong judged others by himself. He felt that Zhang Shougui only needed to send people to check around these three places to see where there were the most foreign candidates, and then set up camp there. Send a special person to identify a few people who look like candidates every day, and then find some gangsters who can be seen everywhere in Chang'an City, and use them as black gloves to do it.
The whole process will leave no evidence at all. Even if he is caught, he will not be able to bite the left prime minister.
Does accuracy matter? Zheng Shuqing thought it was very important, and he recognized each one and beat each other, but Fang Chongyong felt that it might not be that important in fact! If you hit it wrong, you hit it wrong!
The temperaments of the imperial examination candidates are all similar. After being identified by a special person, there is a high probability that the wrong person will not be hit. If you make a mistake, you can only blame those people for their bad luck.
So this seemingly complicated situation may have an extremely simple operation behind it!
There is no need for the Ministry of Rites to operate, and there will be no chance of alerting the enemy. The opponent's strategy is not to follow the picture, but to "fight one by one". After building momentum, they can then carry out the next step!
The two cities in Shazhou are very small, and finding someone is a matter of minutes. But Chang'an City is very large, no less than the urban area of Xi'an City in its previous life. To deal with these junk things, careful arrangements must be made!
Fang Chongyong has made comprehensive arrangements. He wants to close the net and catch all those people!
"Tomorrow, you will lead ten brothers to ambush in the West City. Don't wear armor, and spread out to conduct reconnaissance. If anything happens, blow the whistle for support.
I led people to ambush near Dongshi, and then sent a group of brothers to ambush Yonglefang. As long as there is such a thing, you will definitely not be able to escape!
Others set up defenses on the imperial road connecting Kaiyuan Gate and Tonghua Gate. This is the northernmost street in Chang'an. I don't believe it. Those thieves can fly and escape! "
Fang Chongyong held a slender small wooden stick and said to Zhang Guangsheng and the other Jinwu guards, Sige and Zhiji.
After finishing speaking, Fang Chongyong began to tell them the details of the deployment. Except for those who must be on duty (such as those who guard the city gate), among the remaining people, Zuojinwu Guards mobilized a total of 160 people, and a total of 16 teams of people acted together.
They were composed of two division commanders, three middle lords, five division commanders, and five halberd holders, plus Fang Chongyong himself led the team.
All team members are in plainclothes, and each team is equipped with a cigarette smoker, who will light up a cigarette in case of trouble! Make it easy to support each other!
There are also twenty dedicated liaison officers, each equipped with horses, who are responsible for liaising with various teams in the city!
"If these thieves are not brought to justice, the people of Chang'an will still think that our Jinwu Guards are made of mud!"
After the deployment was completed, Fang Zhongyong smashed his helmet to the ground with hatred!
This time he was really angry!
…
Early the next morning, Fang Chongyong brought the "battlefield emergency kit" prepared by Anaye to help himself or others when he was injured. He also ate the "love breakfast" prepared by Wang Yunxiu, kissed them goodbye, and left Blast Wind with them. The phantom knife was hung on his waist, and he strode towards the imperial city with his head held high.
Today is the time for Fang Yanei to show off his skills in Chang'an!
He has been in charge of Shazhou for four years and has led troops to protect trade routes countless times. He has killed many bandits and is also a well-known figure in Hexi. Anyone who wants to do anything in Shazhou must obtain the approval of Fang Shijun in advance.
As a result, after arriving in Chang'an, I was actually beaten by a flying dragon by some gangsters whose names I couldn't even pronounce!
Can you bear this horse riding?
Of course not!
When Fang Chongyong deployed the battle last night, he had already issued a death order. As long as those gangsters are caught, they will be beaten to death with sticks without asking the reason or right or wrong!
The black hand behind this kind of thing is too big, and if it is investigated, it will have a huge impact on the reputation of the court, and it will be a crazy slap in Brother Ji's face.
Just have these black gloves to hold the pot. As for the truth, Fang Chongyong didn't care who was dealt with by Brother Ji afterwards. He didn't want to ask about the case. He was not Brother Ji, and he didn't regard Datang as his home!
Temporary workers must have the awareness of temporary workers! Just lie down, show off, and be a bastard.
However, when he arrived at the Jinwu Guard Yamen in the imperial city, he found that the place was full of mourners. The Zuo Jinwu Guard officers who were still vigorous and vigorous last night and wanted to make a big fuss in the outer city of Chang'an were as wilted as eggplants beaten by frost today. !
Before Fang Chongyong had time to ask in detail, he saw a general wearing the exclusive style armor of Jinwu Guards Zhonglang General. He walked up to him, took out a document, handed it to him and said: "This is the right Jinwu Guards Zhonglang General Pei." Min, this is a defense change document. From today on, Youjin Wuwei will be responsible for patrolling the outer city of Chang'an, and your troops will take over the imperial city!"
Can you still play like this?
Fang Chongyong suddenly realized that he seemed to have forgotten one of the most important unspoken rules, so he asked doubtfully: "General Pei, the normal time for changing defenses has not yet come. It should be changed after the 19th day. Why is it suddenly implemented today?"
"The documents of the Ministry of War are not something that we and other generals can question. They are clearly written in black and white. As for the joints, I don't know."
Pei Min said calmly, looking unconcerned.
Fang Chongyong pulled the other party aside and asked in a low voice:
"Now the thieves in the city are beating up the candidates who come to Beijing to take the exam. This is a serious matter, and today is the time to catch them all. I have made complete arrangements, just waiting for a thunderous strike.
If someone changes defenses and enters the imperial city today, General Pei will also have to face such difficult things. General Pei doesn't know the inside story, but the central government's accountability remains the same. Isn't this just asking for trouble?
Wouldn't General Pei's reputation as a swordsman be brought into disgrace because of this? "
Fang Chongyong persuaded patiently.
During his four years in office in Shazhou, Fang Chongyong experienced many major and minor troubles. Therefore, he has always believed that the so-called "governing" and "law enforcement" are quite flexible.
For example, when it comes to changing defenses, there are many ways to do it. If you don't hang out on the battlefield for a few years, you are basically a layman, and you will make a fool of yourself even when giving orders.
For example, when troops are changing defenses, if one of the troops to be replaced is building a fortress and is almost completed, there will only be a day or two left in the construction period.
At this time, the unit that came to change defenses did not know the specific progress of the previous unit's project and how to continue the construction; while the previous unit could complete the project in a short time and then deliver it for use. Because of the transfer order, they had to stop what they were doing and leave directly.
This kind of trivial matter is completely unnecessary trouble for the two teams involved in the defense change. It was an unreasonable transfer order issued by the military personnel at the center of the imperial court who had been away from the battlefield for a long time and slapped their foreheads.
In order to avoid asking for trouble, the two armies will of course privately postpone the date of defense change and handover, and then change defense after the project is delivered.
Therefore, it is human nature to postpone the defensive change date slightly. Things that front-line troops often encounter also fall within the reasonable flexibility of governing and law enforcement.
Sure enough, Pei Min felt that Fang Chongyong's suggestion made sense. He nodded slightly and said with a smile: "I took leave today due to illness and was not at my post. Therefore, I will hand this transfer order to General Fang again tomorrow. Please work hard today, General Fang, to transfer that transfer order to General Fang." A group of thieves were arrested and brought to justice.”
"In this case, I would like to thank General Pei here."
Fang Chongyong crossed his hands and bowed deeply to Pei Min.
"It's easy to talk about, and one less thing to worry about."
Pei Min took back the defense adjustment order from Fang Chongyong, walked out of the yamen directly, and walked towards the outer city. He probably also skipped work and went somewhere to enjoy himself.
Regardless of the Jinwu guards who guard this part of the imperial city, it seems that their mission is very important. They are to protect the place where officials work and to protect the safety of royal property. But in fact, there is nothing wrong here!
The Imperial City can be regarded as one of the safest places in Chang'an City. The Jinwu guards patrolling here are all messing around and are sloppier than the group of people staying in the outer city! On the surface, he was patrolling the imperial city, but in reality it was almost like being in jail.
At least the Jinwu guards in the outer city can still see all kinds of things in the world.
After Pei Min left, Fang Chongyong took a deep breath and strode into the Yamen where Zuo Jinwu Guard was located.
"Everyone, order your troops, set off, and act as planned!"
Fang Chongyong clapped his hands and shouted at the Jinwu Guard officer who was sighing in the lobby!
…
As the sun set, the drums of the Chang'an curfew rang in his ears. Fang Chongyong looked livid and said nothing. Behind him, a group of "plainclothes" Jinwu Guards were no more than defeated roosters.
All members were in plain clothes and were carefully deployed. However, the group of thieves who caused such a commotion yesterday did not even see a shadow!
No dispatch, no trace, no clue! Nothing at all! It was a quiet and peaceful day!
Fang Zhongyong's Jinwu Guards were almost deployed in full force, but the opponent simply refused to accept the move and stopped playing!
As they walked, a group of plainclothes Jinwu Guards came across from them, and they happened to be led by Zhang Guangsheng.
As soon as they met, Zhang Guangsheng shook his head at Fang Chongyong. Obviously, he also gained nothing. In fact, according to the agreement last night, as long as there are traces of thieves, they will immediately light up smoke to communicate with each other, and there will also be liaison soldiers with horses ready to exchange news.
After waiting for a whole day, I didn’t even get a hair!
"Call the team and go back to the Yamen first. Curfew has entered now and the Jinwu Guards will start patrolling at night!"
Fang Chongyong said with a sigh, his inner frustration and powerlessness almost beyond words.
There seemed to be an arrogant voice roaring in his ear: Mr. Sun, aren't you awesome! Come, try it with the Ministry of War and see who is the father!
The Zuo Xiang faction carried out a dimension reduction attack and directly switched the left and right guards of Jinwu Guard!
After this, until Brother Ji returns to Chang'an, it is estimated that the left and right guards will not be replaced. A transfer order from the Ministry of War immediately wiped out all of Fang Chongyong's plans!
No matter how awesome Fang Chongyong is, he can't bypass the Ministry of War and mobilize Zuo Jinwu Guards to the outer city of Chang'an to carry out his arrest plan!
The Ministry of War is the base of Left Prime Minister Zhang Shougui. If he goes there to make amends with theory, he will only bring humiliation to himself!
Zhang Shougui was using the rules to cause trouble, and the Ministry of War wanted to change defenses in advance. Fang Chongyong, the lieutenant general of the Jinwu Guard, could only accept such an order. Today's discussion with Pei Min was just a gamble on his part, and there was no second chance.
Tomorrow, he will take over Pei Min's order and lead a team to inspect the Chang'an Imperial City. In theory, everything in the outer city has nothing to do with him!
Zhang Shougui's move was really powerful! Even Fang Chongyong, who is used to seeing tricks, can't help but admire him.
This is probably where the charm of power lies. Having great power can crush people to death!
As for Pei Min and the Youjinwu Guards he commanded, it was not that Fang Chongyong looked down upon them, but that since Zhang Shougui had been mobilized in this way, he would definitely not be without backup! Pei Min couldn't catch the thief, so there was no need to doubt him at all.
"You are on duty at the Yamen tonight. I will go home first. I'm tired."
Fang Chongyong sighed at Zhang Guangsheng, turned around and left. These recent trivial matters have really made him numb.
After dragging their tired bodies back home, Wang Yunxiu and Anaye both greeted him politely, looking like they were serving him cautiously, fearing that Fang Chongyong would be angry. He quickly comforted the two girls with gentle words and put them to sleep. Then he came to visit Du Fu and Yuan Jie in the wing where they were staying temporarily in his home.
As soon as he saw Fang Chongyong come in, Du Fu, who had a broken leg, wanted to stand up and salute, but was held down by Yuan Jie, who had quick eyes and quick hands.
"General Fang, are things not going well? Is it difficult to catch the thief?"
Yuan Jie asked with concern on his face. Just looking at Fang Chongyong's frustrated and helpless expression, he knew that the matter of catching the thief was definitely not going well.
"The Ministry of War has ordered us to switch defenses with Youjinwu Guards. From tomorrow on, I can only patrol the imperial city. It has basically become a luxury to want to intervene in this matter."
Fang Chongyong said feebly.
Du Fu and Yuan Jie looked at each other, both too depressed to say anything.
Even Fang Chongyong, who has a profound background, was "secretly plotted", and the entire plot was moved to an uncertain position, and he was no longer allowed to control it.
The beating they unfortunately received this time was probably in vain!
There are many shady things, and the bottom is bottomless!
"If the government is so dark, even General Fang... can't do anything about it?"
Du Fu couldn't help but sigh and sigh.
"That's basically the case, but it's not completely impossible."
Fang Chongyong suddenly remembered something and said thoughtfully while holding his chin.
"Where does the plan come from?"
Yuan Jie asked, suppressing the excitement in his heart.
"I don't know yet. I want to go to the scene to observe how this group of thieves works."
Fang Chongyong had already recovered his mood and decided to skip work tomorrow and leave the Imperial City to the outside of the West Market to see if he could catch the gangsters doing business.
The prerequisite for defeating your opponent is to analyze your opponent, understand your opponent, weigh the pros and cons, and use your strengths and avoid weaknesses. Without investigation, you have no right to speak. No matter whether it is possible or not, at least you must investigate first!
(End of chapter)
