Moma Liangshan

Chapter 160 Ancient Road and Perilous Pass, Prince Fang La

Fujian Circuit during the Northern Song Dynasty encompassed an area roughly equivalent to the entirety of later Fujian Province, including Fuzhou, Jianzhou, Nan Jianzhou, Tingzhou, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, Shaowu Army, and Xinghua Army, hence its alternative name, "Eight Min Lands." The region is characterized by towering peaks, rolling hills, and interspersed river valleys and basins, often described as "eight parts mountains, one part water, and one part farmland." The terrain slopes from northwest to southeast, with the Western Fujian Mountain Range and Central Fujian Mountain Range running diagonally across the province in the west and central regions. Between these two mountain ranges lie unconnected river valleys and basins, while the eastern coastal area consists of hills, plateaus, and coastal plains. Fujian borders Zhejiang and Jiangsu to the north and south, with the Xianxia Ridge serving as a natural boundary. The Xianxia Ridge stretches over 200 li (approximately 100 kilometers) from Jiangshan in Zhejiang to Pucheng in Fujian. The roads within the ridge are winding and narrow, flanked by high mountains and deep valleys, with numerous precipitous passes including Yaoling, Xianxia Ridge, Chaling, Xiaoganling, Fengling, and Liling, collectively known as the Six Ridges of Xianxia, ​​with Xianxia Ridge being the most precipitous. According to local county records, during the Huang Chao Rebellion at the end of the Tang Dynasty, Huang Chao led his army from the Central Plains into Fujian and opened up a road on the Six Ridges of Xianxia. Due to the winding nature of the road, it was about 700 li long. He also built passes along the steep cliffs between the two mountains. Xianxia Pass was the largest of these passes, consisting of a ten-li mountain road and four passes. Each pass was built with stone blocks, and the walls were 14 feet high. The widest part of the mountain road was less than 9 feet, making it a place where "one man can hold the pass against ten thousand men."

In the late Northern Song Dynasty, with the country in turmoil and the Xianxia Ancient Road located in the southeast, it gradually lost its military defensive function. However, the ancient road, majestic passes, and scenic spots on the mountain still attracted countless literati and poets to visit. These scholars, while enjoying the scenery, invariably composed poems and inscriptions, and the four large characters "Southeast Key" are prominently engraved on the stone tablet at Xianxia Pass. Just as Wang Hao was sailing south to Fujian, Fang Tianding, the crown prince of Fang La, who was in Zhejiang, was not idle either. Instead, he disguised himself as a merchant and, accompanied by Lü Shinang and Fang Jie, traveled along the Xianxia Ancient Road into Fujian. The defenses at Xianxia Pass were in disarray, with every point of defense practically nonexistent. Fang Tianding stood before the stone tablet and said, "Those ministers of the court are truly amusing. They know this is the 'key to the southeast,' yet they refuse to fortify it!" Lü Shinang nodded repeatedly and said, "The innkeeper once boasted that Xianxia Pass is the 'key to Zhejiang and the throat of Fujian,' attracting scholars from all over every year. Unfortunately, in the eyes of scholars, a majestic pass only needs to be praised in poetry, not garrisoned by elite troops." Fang Jie looked at the imposing pass and said, "When the army enters Fujian in the future, I will lead eight hundred brave warriors to hold off an army of one hundred thousand!" Fang Tianding nodded but said, "Fujian is a backup plan we've prepared for ourselves; Zhejiang and Jiangsu are our foundation!" Lü Shinang nodded and said, "Zhejiang is a land of outstanding people and abundant resources. Suzhou and Hangzhou are as wealthy as Tokyo, truly the land of rising dragons. Among Fujian, apart from Quanzhou, which is prosperous, the rest are poor and barren, unable to support a hegemonic enterprise."

Fang Jie said, "Since Fujian is like a chicken rib (meaning something of little value), why should we divide our forces to take it?" Fang Tianding replied, "The emperor of Tokyo is extravagant and greedy, causing immense suffering to the people. Your Majesty, acting in accordance with Heaven's will, upholds justice and punishes the wicked, all to give the people a way to survive. However, the Zhao dynasty has ruled over a vast empire for eight generations; it cannot be replaced overnight. Therefore, we must prepare for a protracted war." Fang Jie continued, "Fujian is impoverished; how can we sustain our army in a long campaign?" Fang Tianding replied, "Jiangsu and Zhejiang are the imperial treasury, while Huguang is its granary. Your Majesty, by starting your rebellion in Zhejiang and Zhejiang and marching north, you can capture Suzhou and Hangzhou. At the same time, you can send a detachment to conquer Fujian, thus securing the granaries of Huguang as well." "They are within our attack range. At that time, we only need a quarter of the rebel army to tie down nearly half of the government troops." Lü Shinang clapped his hands and said with delight, "If we lose Jiangsu and Zhejiang, the court will have no money to use; if we lose Hubei and Hunan, the court will have no food to eat. With this shift in power, I'm afraid that within a few years, we will be able to divide the country with the court!" Fang Jie, upon hearing this, was also in high spirits and said, "As long as we have enough money and food, let alone dividing the country, what's wrong with unifying the world?" Fang Tianding was also full of confidence and said, "The court has lost the hearts of the people, and the Holy Duke's prestige is far-reaching. When we go south to Fujian, we will not only survey the terrain, but also befriend the heroes of Fujian. When the Holy Duke raises his arm and calls, the heroes of Fujian and Zhejiang will rise up, and the people of the world will also follow with provisions!"

Historically, Fang La, unable to bear the harassment of the "Flower and Stone Tribute" (a tax on rare stones and flowers), launched an uprising in Bangyuan, Muzhou, in the autumn of the second year of the Xuanhe reign of Emperor Huizong of the Northern Song Dynasty. He utilized the Manichaean doctrines of "Two Principles" and "Three Realms" to organize the masses. He proclaimed himself "Holy Duke," adopted the reign title "Yongle," appointed officials and generals, and established a regime. Rebellions broke out in surrounding areas, and the number of rebels grew to hundreds of thousands. They successively captured six prefectures and fifty-two counties, including Hangzhou and Shezhou, shaking the southeast. The rebel army intended to defend along the Yangtze River, gradually advancing to overthrow the Song Dynasty within ten years. Unlike historical accounts, Fang La's crown prince, Fang Tianding, after participating in the Fanlou auction, drew inspiration from Wang Hao's rise to power and suggested sending troops to attack the undefended Fujian region while simultaneously launching the uprising in Zhejiang and Jiangsu. This suggestion quickly gained Fang La's support. Fang Tianding's trip to Fujian, besides surveying the terrain and gathering intelligence on Song army deployments, also had an important purpose: to unite with the Ming Cult in Fujian.

Manichaeism was introduced to China during the Tang Dynasty and suffered a severe blow during the suppression of Buddhism in the fifth year of the Huichang era of Emperor Wuzong of Tang. It then became a secret religion, absorbing elements of Taoism and folk beliefs, and was thus also known as the Ming Cult. Its doctrine, which proclaimed that "darkness will pass and light will come," encouraged rebellion and frequent anti-government actions. In the late Northern Song Dynasty, it was still called "Manichaeism" in Zhejiang and Jiangsu, while in Fujian it was called "Ming Cult." In Huainan it was called "Er Huizi," in Jiangdong it was called "Siguo," and in Jiangxi it was called "Jingang Chan." The doctrine of Manichaeism gradually simplified from the initial "two sects" and "three periods" to "purity, light, power, and wisdom." During this period, among the various branches of Manichaeism, Fang La was undoubtedly the most powerful, and Fang Tianding, as Fang La's crown prince, personally came to Fujian, undoubtedly to demonstrate the importance he placed on the Ming Cult in Fujian.

Of the eight provinces of Fujian, only Quanzhou prospered due to maritime trade; the rest were mostly impoverished. The followers of Manichaeism were primarily from the lower classes, hence Fang Tianding chose Jianzhou as his first stop upon entering Fujian, and Quanzhou as his final battleground. Wang Hao, seeking to recruit shipbuilding craftsmen, also traveled by sea, making no stops along the way and heading directly to Quanzhou. While in Jiaozhou, Wang Hao ordered a large banner to be made, bearing the five characters "Jiaozhou Maritime Trade Office." When the Qiuniu warship arrived at Quanzhou port, Wang Hao not only revealed his identity to the port officials but also presented his visiting card to the prefect of Quanzhou, along with ten jars of Eight Immortals wine.

//

Website:

Mobile site: