99
“Jiang Zhen was a successful candidate in the final imperial examination from the sixteenth year of the Kangyuan era. This person came from a poor family. Although he lacked great talent, he was extremely skilled at maneuvering for personal gain. In his twenty-odd years as an official, the late emperor transferred him to serve in the capital. I never expected it would be him coming to Ruizhou.”
Inside the lakeside pavilion, Mu Peixuan, Duan Linzhou, Xu Ying, and Fang Yuan sat. Fang Yuan was speaking, and he added, “Jiang Zhen has a daughter who married the second son of Prime Minister Lin.”
Mu Peixuan said, “How does Master Fang know so much about Jiang Zhen?”
Fang Yuan smiled and said, “My Senior Uncle Boming and Jiang Zhen were of the same generation. The two of them once served as officials together in Taizhou.”
Mu Peixuan understood in his heart. The Senior Uncle Boming that Fang Yuan mentioned was a renowned scholar from Ruizhou, originating from the Qinghe Academy. In his earlier years, he had also served in the imperial court. After many years of ups and downs in officialdom, he resigned and returned to his hometown, later returning to the Qinghe Academy to teach. Fang Yuan was the son of the headmaster of the Qinghe Academy, so it was natural for him to call Liu Boming ‘Senior Uncle’.”
Since Fang Yuan and Mu Peixuan and the others returned from Fengzhou, Mu Peixuan had been addressing Fang Yuan as “Master Fang,” and the few of them had developed a bit of personal friendship.
Duan Linzhou said, “Judging by this, Jiang Zhen is of Prime Minister Lin’s faction.”
Fang Yuan nodded.
Duan Linzhou thought for a moment, then laughed, saying, “Actually, whether he’s of Prime Minister Lin’s faction or not, now that he’s arrived in Ruizhou, what trouble can he stir up?”
Xu Ying looked from one to the other and, hearing this, responded, “I think Boss Duan is right. Ruizhou is our territory. Once he’s here, aren’t we the ones who call the shots?”
Fang Yuan asked, “Your Highness, has Liangdu agreed to the Southern Army garrisoning the various prefectures?”
Mu Peixuan glanced at him and said, “Yes.”
Fang Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, saying, “In that case, it seems that in a few days, the Southern Army will be able to conscript troops.”
On that day, the strategy of having various prefectures petition the imperial court to allow the Southern Army to garrison them was precisely Fang Yuan’s plan. He had come to see Mu Peixuan and Duan Linzhou alone. As soon as the young kunze sat down, he went straight to the point and asked Mu Peixuan that although the main force of the rebels had been eliminated, local bandits were still rampant. Once His Highness returned with his troops to Ruizhou, what would happen to places like Fengzhou, which hadn’t even trained local troops yet, if they were attacked by bandits?
Mu Peixuan was no fool. He and Duan Linzhou had already considered this issue. However, it was no small matter, and if not handled carefully, Marquis Annan Mansion would bear the accusation of harboring ulterior motives and plotting rebellion.
He hadn’t expected Fang Yuan to bring this matter out into the open.
Fang Yuan, however, was very frank. Meeting Mu Peixuan’s sharp, scrutinizing gaze, he slowly said, “Your Highness is benevolent and righteous and surely cannot bear to see the common people suffer the turmoil of banditry again.”
Mu Peixuan tapped the armrest with his finger and said calmly, “What brilliant idea does Young Master Fang have?”
Fang Yuan smiled and said, “Brilliant idea is too much to say. In this rebellion, the local troops in various prefectures have all suffered losses and may not be able to resist the vicious bandits and maintain peace in their areas. It would be better to request the Southern Army to garrison the various prefectures. In this way, firstly, it can protect the people and reassure them, and secondly, the prefectures will have ample time to reorganize their local troops. What does Your Highness think?”
Mu Peixuan fixed his gaze on Fang Yuan. Even Duan Linzhou couldn’t help but narrow his eyes slightly, scrutinizing this young and handsome kunze.
After a moment, Mu Peixuan smiled and said, “Young Master Fang, the Southern Army is a border army. Throughout the history of Daliang, border armies and local troops have always each performed their respective duties. This time, going to Fengzhou to quell the rebellion was by His Majesty’s decree. Now that the matter is settled; naturally, our priority should be guarding the border. How can we overstep?”
Fang Yuan was not flustered. He smiled slightly and said, “In urgent situations, one must act expediently. Between outdated regulations and the well-being of the people, which is more important? His Majesty is wise and surely will not be bound by old rules.”
After a brief exchange of veiled remarks, Mu Peixuan suddenly asked, “Young Master Fang, why don’t we just speak plainly? What exactly is it you want to do?”
Fang Yuan pondered for a moment and then said, “In Your Highness’s opinion, can Liangdu withstand the Northwest Army?”
Mu Peixuan said, “Fifty-fifty, perhaps. Qin Fengyuan’s Northwest Army is brave and skilled in battle, but after a long march, fighting all the way to Linguan, their soldiers and horses will undoubtedly be exhausted. With Xiao Yunjing’s Northern Garrison Army and Ye Butong’s stationed troops attacking from both sides, the outcome is uncertain.”
Fang Yuan smiled and said, “Regardless of who wins or loses, the various other feudal lords, such as King Xin and King Xuan, are still watching covetously from the sidelines. Can Liangdu clean up this mess?”
Mu Peixuan paused slightly, looking at Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan continued, “At that time, what will Your Highness, who holds significant military power in the southern border, do?”
Mu Peixuan said calmly, without any hint of emotion, “Young Master Fang is joking. The Southern Army is not the Mu family’s private army. Even half of the tiger tally is still in Commander Zhou’s hands.”
Fang Yuan chuckled and said, “Your Highness asked Fang Yuan to speak plainly, so why are you being less than candid?”
He continued, “Since the founding of Daliang, Marquis Annan Mansion has guarded the southern border for hundreds of years. In terms of prestige, how can half a tiger tally compare to it?”
“A common man is innocent, but possession of treasure invites trouble. Even if Your Highness has no intention of wading into these muddy waters and wishes to follow the example of the Mu family’s ancestors by submitting to the new ruler after the chaos settles, will the new ruler be able to tolerate Your Highness, to tolerate the Mu family?” Fang Yuan’s voice was slow, as gentle as ever, like flowing water, yet subtly revealing a hint of sharpness. “Even if he can tolerate you for a time, can he tolerate you for a lifetime?”
“By then, we will be the fish on the chopping board at their mercy. Is Your Highness willing to accept that?”
Mu Peixuan suddenly laughed, stared at Fang Yuan, and said, “Do you know what you’re saying? Fang Yuan, you are inciting this prince to rebellion. If word of this gets out today, it won’t just be you, the entire Fang family will be sentenced to death!”
Fang Yuan also smiled and asked, “Will Your Highness?”
The two faced each other silently for a moment. Fang Yuan then said, “Xu Ying and Your Highness have a very close personal relationship. No matter what choice Your Highness makes, Xu Ying will definitely follow you. He is the husband I am to marry—”
He continued, “The Mu family, the Xu family, and the Fang family are already destined to be on the same boat.”
Duan Linzhou, who had been listening for a long time, suddenly asked, “Young Master Fang, what is it that you want to gain?”
Fang Yuan looked at Duan Linzhou, smiled slightly, and said with a hint of melancholy, “I come from Qinghe Academy. From a young age, because of my father, although I am a kunze, I was able to grow up within the academy, influenced by its teachings, and able to read and understand principles. But slowly, I began to find it incomprehensible why there are only tianqian and zhongyong in the academy, why kunze cannot enter, cannot read, when clearly we are all human beings.”
“Just because kunze are naturally constrained by xinxiang and have the ability to bear children, does that make staying confined to the inner quarters their destiny?” Fang Yuan shook his head and said, “That makes no sense.”
“My reading ability is no worse than the tianqian senior and junior brothers in the academy. Boss Duan, although zhongyong, has become a magnate, achieving many things in this world that even many tianqian cannot. This is enough to show that the so-called tianqian, zhongyong, and kunze are not enough to determine a person’s fate.”
Fang Yuan continued, “Boss Duan, I have seen many kunze. They are intelligent and resilient, but just because they are kunze, they can only be trapped in the inner quarters after marrying, living out their lives in mediocrity. It shouldn’t be like this—” He took a deep breath and said, “Therefore, I would like to request Your Highness that, when you have the spare capacity, you establish an academy for kunze in Ruizhou, one that allows kunze to study and become enlightened.”
As soon as he said this, both Mu Peixuan and Duan Linzhou were taken aback. Mu Peixuan looked at Fang Yuan and asked, “Is that all?”
Fang Yuan smiled softly and said, “If possible, of course, it’s not just this. I hope that one day kunze can also study for the imperial examinations and enter the court. However… this is not something that can be achieved in a day,” he said. “In the future, if more people are willing to dedicate themselves to this cause, I believe that one day this long-cherished wish will surely be realized.”
“I, Fang Yuan, am willing to be the pioneer.”
Duan Linzhou fixed his gaze on Fang Yuan for a long while and then said, “Your father, Headmaster Fang, is the head of Qinghe Academy. Why doesn’t Young Master Fang persuade your father to admit kunze to the academy to study?”
Fang Yuan gave a wry smile and said, “I mentioned this to my father when I was twelve. My father rebuked me for violating ethics and being rebellious. Moreover, with the current distinction between tianqian and kunze, which parents would be willing to send their kunze children to this Qinghe Academy full of tianqian and zhongyong?”
“Your Highness, what Fang Yuan requests is not difficult for you. You only need to agree.” Fang Yuan stood up, raised his sleeves, and performed a deep bow. “Fang Yuan is willing to offer his utmost loyalty and effort to Your Highness.”
Mu Peixuan asked, “I can agree to your request, but do you know how you will explain this to your father and your relatives once this academy is established?”
Fang Yuan looked at Mu Peixuan and said, “The path that I deem right, though I die nine times, I shall not regret.”
Mu Peixuan finally agreed. Fang Yuan’s face broke into a smile, and he let out a long sigh of relief, saying, “The request for the Southern Army to garrison the various prefectures cannot be proposed by Your Highness. It must be submitted to Liangdu by the prefects themselves. Now that Your Highness is stationed in Fengzhou, Fang Yuan is willing to make a trip to Longzhou for you.”
Mu Peixuan said, “You want to be the persuader?”
Fang Yuan smiled and said, “This is also Fang Yuan’s pledge of allegiance to Your Highness.”
He explained, “Both Longzhou and Liangzhou were once captured by Liu Ziyi’s rebel army. The two prefects are already like frightened birds. As long as the prefect of Longzhou submits a memorial to Liangdu, Liangzhou is adjacent to Longzhou. If the Southern Army is stationed in Longzhou, the prefect of Liangzhou will naturally also worry about being invaded by bandits and rebels again and will surely follow suit.”
“At that time, with the Southern Army garrisoning Fengzhou, Longzhou, and Liangzhou, Lord Wang Qifang, the prefect of Wanzhou, lies between Ruizhou and Fengzhou, he is a clever man and should understand what to do.”
The image of the connected prefectures appeared in Duan Linzhou’s mind, and he couldn’t help but gasp. Saying it was a temporary garrison, once the Southern Army was stationed in various prefectures, it would be no different from seizing their throats. Marquis Annan Mansion would be able to control five prefectures without lifting a finger. Duan Linzhou deeply looked at Fang Yuan, who lowered his eyes, still appearing delicate and gentle, and smiled faintly, saying, “At that time, Your Highness can also take the opportunity to apply to the imperial court for conscription…”
The hall was silent for a few breaths. Mu Peixuan then asked, “How will you persuade the prefect of Longzhou?”
Fang Yuan didn’t hide anything and smiled, “I have an old friend who is a staff member of the Longzhou prefect.”
After a moment, Mu Peixuan said, “Does Xu Ying know about your trip to Longzhou?”
“Xu Ying doesn’t know,” Fang Yuan shook his head, “So I would also like to ask Your Highness to cover for me a little.”
Duan Linzhou said, “How will you go to Longzhou alone?”
Fang Yuan smiled and said, “Therefore, I would also like to ask Boss Duan to lend me a few people to escort me to Longzhou.”
Duan Linzhou also smiled and looked at Mu Peixuan. Seeing him nod, he said, “Alright, in that case, then I wish Fang—” He paused, changed his words, and raised the teacup on the table, “Master Fang a smooth journey and swift success.”
Mu Peixuan also raised his teacup. Fang Yuan looked at the two of them, smiled, and sighed, “Thank you, Fang Yuan will certainly not fail you both.”
Mu Peixuan said, “Fang Yuan, if you want to go, I won’t stop you and will do my best to ensure your safety.”
“But I hope you won’t risk your life. If something cannot be done, then it cannot be done,” Mu Peixuan said. “Don’t forget, Xu Ying is waiting for you.”
Fang Yuan was slightly taken aback, looked at Mu Peixuan, a touch of emotion in his eyes, and smiled, “Alright.”
A cool breeze rustled through the pavilion, carrying the scent of tea. Mu Peixuan took a sip of his tea and said, “Conscription isn’t urgent for now. Let’s first probe Jiang Zhen’s background.”
Remembering something, Mu Peixuan asked Duan Linzhou, “The new prefect of Ruizhou has already taken his position. Who is the new prefect of Fengzhou?”
Duan Linzhou replied, “It’s a young man from a poor family named Qin Xu.”
“The top scorer in the imperial examination from three years ago?” Fang Yuan asked.
Duan Linzhou laughed and said, “Yes, it is. After Qin Xu became the top scorer in the imperial examination, he entered the Hanlin Academy. For three years, he didn’t curry favor or form factions. Just when the Ministry of Personnel was making selections, he made a slip of the tongue after drinking one day and severely criticized the Vice Minister of Personnel, who then held a grudge against him. Coincidentally, no one was willing to take on the mess that was Fengzhou, so it fell on his head. It could be considered a promotion beyond the usual ranks.”
Fang Yuan was perceptive and, upon hearing this, said, “Such a coincidence?”
Duan Linzhou gave him an admiring glance and chuckled, “I also found it a bit strange. I heard that after receiving the appointment, this Qin Xu got drunk again and even cried a lot. The next day, he packed his bags and left the capital with two servants.”
Xu Ying grumbled, “Shouldn’t he cry? He was doing well in the Hanlin Academy. If he hadn’t spoken carelessly after drinking, he could have stayed in the capital as a central official. Why would he need to be exiled to that godforsaken place, Fengzhou?”
Mu Peixuan, Duan Linzhou, and Fang Yuan couldn’t help but look at him. Xu Ying was confused and asked, “Am I wrong?”
Duan Linzhou said slowly, “But as far as I know, this Qin Xu doesn’t have a habit of heavy drinking.”
“…Ah?” Xu Ying was stunned.
Fang Yuan shook his head with a smile and explained, “Qin Xu deliberately sought a distant transfer out of the capital. He’s a clever man.”
Mu Peixuan said, “Since the death of King Duan, the political situation in the court has become increasingly complex. Minister Jiao and other upright officials, led by the Minister of Personnel, are locked in a fierce struggle with Prime Minister Lin.”
If it weren’t for this, the imperial court wouldn’t have so easily agreed to the Southern Army garrisoning the various prefectures.
“The current Liangdu is a quagmire. A moment of carelessness can turn you into an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire. Qin Xu’s transfer, seemingly an exile, actually takes him away from Liangdu. Whether it’s for self-preservation or to achieve something, he has more room to maneuver.”
Xu Ying suddenly understood and said, “These scholars… they really have a belly full of tricks—” He stopped halfway through his sentence and quickly looked at Fang Yuan, saying, “Yuan Ge’er is an exception. Yuan Ge’er is full of scholarly knowledge.”
Fang Yuan was amused and exasperated. Mu Peixuan and Duan Linzhou couldn’t help but smile. Duan Linzhou said, “Qin Xu is far away in Fengzhou. With the mess that Fengzhou is, it will take him a lot of effort to sort things out.”
Duan Linzhou looked at Fang Yuan and Xu Ying and said, “I hear there’s some good news coming soon.”
Xu Ying chuckled and said, “Is there anything that Boss Duan of our Ruizhou doesn’t know?”
Mu Peixuan: “Hmm?”
Xu Ying said, “My father invited a matchmaker to the Fang family yesterday to propose marriage, and Headmaster Fang agreed!”
Mu Peixuan slightly widened his eyes and said, “That’s wonderful news.”
Xu Ying said, “Of course!” He was extremely pleased. “Headmaster Fang finally nodded in agreement. If he hadn’t…”
Fang Yuan gave a teasing smile and said, “If my father hadn’t agreed, what would you have done?”
Xu Ying quickly replied, “I would have knelt down and begged him, begged him until he agreed!”
Watching the two beaming with happiness, Mu Peixuan subconsciously looked at Duan Linzhou, unexpectedly recalling his own reluctance when he and Duan Linzhou were betrothed. He pursed his lips, a hint of displeasure in his heart.
Sensing something, Duan Linzhou turned his head to look at Mu Peixuan, his eyes questioning. Mu Peixuan shook his head and said, “It’s nothing.”
But in his heart, a sense of regret arose.
🥰❣️🥰