Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5293 Chou Sang Station
On the second day of the first lunar month, it snowed heavily.

The willows by the Ba Bridge, long since withered, swayed their dry branches in the swirling snow. The snow covered the bridge surface, and the surrounding area was desolate and silent, with the world vast and boundless.

Fang Jun was fully armored and covered with a cloak. The red tassel on his helmet fluttered in the wind, and the banner with the character "Yue" representing the title of Duke of Yue fluttered in the wind and snow. More than a hundred warhorses occasionally neighed as their hooves pounded the ice and snow as they crossed the Ba Bridge.

Looking back, more than ten carriages were parked outside the pavilion on the west side of the bridge, and family members were all lifting the curtains and gazing in this direction.

In those days, road conditions were terrible, travel was difficult, and medical care was even worse. That's why there was the proverb "While parents are alive, one should not travel far." Every long journey meant a huge risk. A pebble, a small pothole, a cold, dysentery, a band of bandits, or a gang of thieves could all lead to death.

Willows sway gently, rain and snow fall softly; parting has always been a source of sorrow.

Fang Jun, on horseback, raised his hand and waved vigorously at his family's carriage, then turned and gripped the reins, spurring the horse's belly sharply: "Giddy up!"

More than a hundred men followed closely behind, suddenly accelerating. Their warhorses kicked up their hooves, trampling the ice and snow. Their cloaks fluttered in the wind, and their banners billowed in the snow. As they moved, they stirred up ice and snow, their figures indistinct, galloping towards Tongguan.

……

After the Yellow River exits the Longmen Gorge, it flows from north to south. At Fenglingdu, it encounters the Qinling Mountains to the south and is blocked by the Zhongtiao Mountains to the north. It has no choice but to turn east here and flow eastward between the two mountains. To its south is the Xiaoqinling Mountains, a high and dangerous spur of the Qinling Mountains that extends eastward from Huashan and Yawushan. It is insurmountable.

The plateaus between the river and the mountains are all loess plateaus, which have been eroded by rainwater over the years, forming steep and deep gullies that are densely packed and impassable.

Only on the first-level terrace on the south bank of the Yellow River, where the terrain is flat, narrow, and long, is a natural transportation route, known as the "Xiaohan Ancient Road".

The ancient Xiaohan Road extends from the Guanzhong Plain in the west to the Heluo Plain in the east, and from the Jinan Plain in the north. This region has been the core area of ​​the origin of Chinese civilization since ancient times, and has been the political, cultural and economic center of the country in every dynasty.

Regardless of the exchanges and circulation between the three core areas of civilization—Yu, Qin, and Jin—or between the two capitals of Chang'an and Luoyang, the ancient Xiaohan Road inevitably became a necessary passage and route.

After passing through Tongguan and Shanxian, the ancient Xiaohan Road splits into two.

From Jiaokou, head south through Caiyuan, pass Nanling and Yanlingguan, travel east along the Yongchang River, pass Luoning and Yangpo, enter Yiyang Sanxiang, and reach Luoyang along the Luo River.

This road is called the "South Xiaodao Road". It was built very early and is known locally as the "Ancient Road of Zhou and Qin".

Another route runs eastward from Shanzhou, passing through Cizhong and Zhangmao, until it merges with the ancient Zhou-Qin road of the Southern Xiao Road at Xiashi. Passing through Guanyintang, Yinghao, Mianchi, Yima, and Xin'an, it exits through the Hanhan Ancient Road and reaches Luoyang. This route is known as the "Northern Xiao Road." It was opened at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is said that Cao Cao opened this road for his western expedition and deeply disliked the treacherous and distant Southern Xiao Road; thus, it is commonly referred to as the "Cao Wei Ancient Road"...

Compared to the other route, the northern route is flatter and shorter, while the southern route has gradually fallen into disrepair.

As an important passage connecting Chang'an and Luoyang, the Xiaohan Ancient Road had a post station set up every forty li to facilitate the rapid transmission of military reports and the smooth circulation of goods by merchants. Fang Jun and his party set off from Chang'an on the first day of the month, each with two horses, traveling day and night, only stopping at the post station when they had meals. By the evening of the second day, they had traveled four hundred li to reach Hongnong County.

Night fell and snow fell heavily, making the journey extremely difficult. After two days and one night of long march, both men and horses were exhausted. Fang Jun shouted from horseback, "Hang in there a little longer. We'll rest and recuperate at Chousang Post Station ahead tonight, and set off early tomorrow morning!"

"Here!"

Upon hearing that they could get a good night's sleep, the soldiers were immediately invigorated. Despite their fatigue, they spurred their horses on and hurried to Chousang Post Station, arriving around dusk.

The Chousang River flows from south to north into the Yellow River. By this time, it was already frozen over. The post station was located on the west side of the river mouth. It had a post building, stables, and lodgings, covering an area of ​​dozens of acres and was quite large. Even when it was snowing heavily, the post station was still brightly lit and filled with shouts and neighing of horses. Many officials, literati, and merchants traveling to and from Chang'an stayed here, making it a very busy place.

However, as the dull, rapid sound of horses' hooves swept in from afar, the noise inside the post station immediately subsided. Many people who were feeding the horses, unloading the carts, and boiling water stopped what they were doing and curiously looked up to gaze outside the post station.

These were all seasoned travelers who had seen much of the world. They were quite knowledgeable, and they could tell from the sound of the horses' hooves that this was a cavalry force of no less than a hundred men. Their movements were coordinated and orderly, without the slightest disorder, indicating that they were an elite force.

However, the ancient Xiaohan Road is not only a vital transportation route and a strategic location, but it is also narrow, long, and easily sealed off. The control of the army is extremely strict. Cavalry units of more than thirty men are not allowed to pass through unless they are going on an unofficial expedition or returning to the capital.

Who is this visitor?
The next moment, a troop of cavalrymen in black helmets and armor, with blood-red tassels, suddenly burst through the snow and appeared before our eyes.

Warhorses exhaled plumes of hot, white breath from their mouths and nostrils. The fully armed cavalrymen rode into the post station amidst the swirling snow. Their iron hooves pounded the snow, and the momentum of the riders and horses was overwhelming. A majestic and awe-inspiring aura swept across the land.

It was only when I saw the banner with the character "Yue" fluttering in the wind that I realized what was going on.

It was none other than Fang Jun, the Duke of Yue and Grand Commandant!
The postmaster had already arrived at the gate and hurried forward with a beaming smile: "It's actually the Grand Commandant! I'm so sorry for not greeting you properly!"

"Uu——!"

The hundred-plus cavalrymen reined in their horses together, their movements perfectly synchronized, which only added to their fierce and heroic aura.

Fang Jun dismounted first, tossed the reins to his personal guards behind him, and strode toward the main hall, his armor clanging as he walked with the powerful stride of a dragon and the swiftness of a tiger.

"One hundred and seven men, two hundred and thirty warhorses. The men will be fed, the horses will be foddered, and lodging will be properly arranged. We will depart at dawn tomorrow. Any delays will be dealt with according to military law!"

"Here!"

The postmaster bowed in agreement, but seeing Fang Jun striding towards the main hall, he hesitated for a moment and stammered.

He wanted to ask Fang Jun for the station and documents, but dared not. While he hesitated, a strong soldier stepped forward and slapped the two items into his hands, saying in a deep voice, "You are ordered to leave the capital and rush to Huating. This is a matter of great military importance and cannot be delayed. Be alert and receive them well. If anything goes wrong, your position as station chief will be over!"

The postmaster did not answer at first, but carefully checked the documents and the passageway. After confirming that they were correct, he returned them to the soldiers with both hands. Then he said seriously, "Please rest assured, everyone. This is my duty and I dare not neglect it! Please drive the horses to another stable, feed them good hay and feed, and there are dozens of rooms for them to rest. The food will be ready soon. The Grand Commandant will stay in the main building."

Seeing that the stables on the west side of the courtyard were full and that a number of luxurious carriages were parked there, the soldiers nodded, put away their documents and paperwork, and with a wave of their hands, drove their warhorses to another stable on the side.

All the staff of the post station went to make arrangements, while the post station chief followed closely behind Fang Jun.

Fang Jun suddenly stopped, turned his head to look at the several ornate four-wheeled carriages parked in front of the stables, and asked, "Is Princess Baling also at the post station?"

The postmaster nearly bumped into him on the back, startled. Hearing this, he quickly replied, "That's right. I arrived only half an hour earlier than the Grand Commandant. I just finished my dinner and am now sending him hot water for a bath."

"Is Princess Baling heading to Japan?"

"Yes, Your Highness has indicated that you will go to Huating Town and then take a boat to Fusang."

Fang Jun nodded, said no more, and went straight into the main hall.

The main hall of the post station was very spacious, and the back door led to the highest-standard rooms in the post station, which were normally reserved for distinguished guests of great status.

The postmaster said, "Princess Baling has already moved into the main house in the back courtyard. Grand Commandant, please condescend to stay in the east wing."

Firstly, Princess Baling arrived first. Secondly, no matter how high-ranking and powerful the Grand Commandant was, he could not possibly be superior to the princess in terms of status. There was absolutely no reason for Princess Baling to give up her position as the principal wife.

Fang Jun didn't care: "It doesn't matter which place it is, as long as it's clean and tidy. Have someone bring me hot water to take a bath, then prepare a pound of smoked meat, a jar of yellow wine, and a few side dishes. I'll have a good rest tonight."

As they walked toward the east wing, they saw several maids hurrying out of the main room and coming toward them.

Fang Jun had excellent eyesight. He often saw these maids when he met with Princess Baling in secret and knew that they were her close confidantes, so he stopped in his tracks.

Several maids approached, gathered their skirts, and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Highness heard that the Grand Commandant had stayed at the post station and was rushing to the front lines with a small entourage. He must have thought that there was no one to serve him, so he specially ordered us to come and serve the Grand Commandant as he bathed and went to bed."

Under the lamplight, several maids lowered their heads, their beautiful faces flushed with a blush, exuding shyness.

His Highness sent them to serve Fang Jun during his bath and bedtime; his intentions were self-evident.

Although Fang Jun would not take them into his room for a single night of pleasure, which maid would be unwilling to do so?

He wielded immense power, possessed both literary and military talents, and had achieved numerous merits...

Throughout the Tang Dynasty, countless beautiful women and noble ladies were willing to offer themselves as concubines.

Fang Jun, however, was unmoved and waved his hand, saying, "How can one be so particular when on a campaign? There is no need for others to serve me. However, if Your Highness is truly so kind, then let her serve me this once."

“…Here you go.”

The maids buried their heads in their chests, feeling uneasy and trembling. Although you had a brief affair with His Highness and had been open with him, this was something that could not be spoken of!
He could only return dejectedly to report back to Princess Baling.

The postmaster, standing nearby, wished he could pluck a tuft of donkey hair to plug his ears. How could a lowly postmaster like himself listen to this?
If the affair between the Grand Commandant and Princess Baling were to become public, wouldn't I be highly suspicious?

Whether I incur the wrath of the Grand Commandant or Princess Baling, how many heads do I have to chop off?

"Lead the way, what are you thinking about?"

"Ah? Oh!"

The postmaster was startled by the sudden voice, and realizing what was happening, he quickly lowered his head and led the way, not daring to utter a single word and carefully controlling his expression, for fear that Fang Jun might misunderstand something...

Princess Baling had finished her dinner and was bathing in the tub when she saw several maids return. She asked in surprise, "Didn't I tell you to go and serve the Grand Commandant? Why are you back?"

Upon hearing the maid recount Fang Jun's words, she immediately snorted, biting her cherry lips with her pearly teeth, her expression hesitant.