novelcrest Chapter 5436 Military Deterrence
Chapter 5436 Military Deterrence
Chapter 5436 Military Deterrence
When Fang Jun came out of Chengtian Gate and went east through Yanxi Gate back to Chongrenfang, his family was already waiting outside. However, although this overseas inspection was very long, it was not a military expedition, so the welcoming ceremony was much smaller. For example, none of his wives and concubines came to the gate.
Upon entering the mansion, as was customary, one should first pay respects to Fang Xuanling and his wife.
Holding Fang Jun's hand, Madam Lu asked him the same questions over and over again, all about whether her younger sister was doing well in Jiangguo and whether she was healthy after giving birth. She was full of concern and worry.
Fang Jun said gently, “Mother, don’t worry. Although the child was born slightly prematurely, I brought the best doctors, midwives, and medicines with me. It was just a false alarm. The young master is named Li Guan. He is not weak or sickly like other premature babies. When he cries, his voice is loud and strong. All of us brothers and sisters are also healthy and rarely sick. This is all thanks to Mother’s good fortune. We have inherited your good health.”
Madam Lu's face lit up with a smile as she patted her son's hand: "Although I am a woman, I used to enjoy traveling around even when I was still in my boudoir. I was never sickly or breathless. I did things like riding horses and shooting arrows!"
Fang Jun sighed, "I only regret that my mother was born a girl. Otherwise, she could have conquered the world on horseback and established order on foot. She could have created great achievements in this chaotic world. She was a woman who was no less capable than men!"
"I can't accept that. I've only read a few more books and learned a bit of martial arts. How could I possibly look down on all the heroes of the world? On the contrary, Erlang is both scholarly and martial, with unparalleled talent, surpassing his master..."
Fang Xuanling, who was drinking tea nearby, listened to the mother and son praising each other. He rolled his eyes imperceptibly, put his teacup on the tea table, and made a soft sound.
Fang Jun smiled and said to his mother, "In short, my little sister is doing very well in Jiang Kingdom. King Jiang is not a strong-willed person. He dotes on my little sister and discusses everything with her. Moreover, my little sister has adopted children and offered advice and strategies. Her prestige is incomparable to that of ordinary women in the deep palace. Mother, you don't need to worry."
Knowing that the father and son still had something to say, Madam Lu nodded, stood up, and said, "I'll write to my younger sister later and ask her to bring the young master back to Chang'an to study as soon as possible."
Fang Jun smiled and agreed: "The navy patrols the South China Sea route almost day and night. Whenever you write a letter, there will be ships to deliver it to Huajing City at the fastest speed, and you will receive a reply as soon as possible. It is also very convenient to send some things."
"Letting you run the household all these years has been the best decision ever!"
Madam Lu said with a look of satisfaction: "Although we used to be from a prestigious family, we were not exactly poor, but we were often struggling to make ends meet. Your father only cared about his own reputation and didn't care how the family was doing. He might have even deliberately made it look poor to gain a reputation for being honest and upright... Although our family doesn't covet wealth, it's always good to have more money cleanly. Besides, you handle all the big and small matters at home, and you've done everything to my liking."
Fang Xuanling's face darkened, and he urged, "Go do what you need to do quickly, I still have something to say to Erlang."
Madam Lu gave him a smirk, stepped out the door, turned around and closed the door before leaving with peace of mind.
Only the father and son remained in the study.
Fang Xuanling pointed to the teapot, indicating that Fang Jun should pour the tea himself, and asked with a frown, "Tell me, why are you supporting your younger sister so much?"
It's not a big deal if the maternal family is a bit powerful, but with gold mines, the ability to win people's hearts, and a navy at any time, they have strong backing in terms of finance, politics, and military. At least half of Chiang Kai-shek and Wang Jingwei's power is taken away.
"A hen crowing at dawn" is not a good thing, even if Chiang Kai-shek's queen is his own daughter.
Fang Jun poured himself a cup of tea and then refilled the teacup in front of his father. He said helplessly, "The current situation is so dire that it goes without saying. No one can guarantee how far things will go in the end. Our family must have a safe way out, and Jiang Guo is the best choice... But although Li Yun is smart, he is not capable of supporting a country. In comparison, my younger sister is more talented."
"Ok?"
Fang Xuanling asked in surprise, "My little sister actually has such talent? I didn't even realize it."
Thinking back on that clever, beautiful, and quirky little girl, it's hard to believe she actually has the air of a queen...
Fang Jun smiled and said, "Oranges grown south of the Huai River are sweet oranges, while those grown north of the Huai River are bitter oranges. Their leaves may look similar, but their tastes are different. Why is that? Because the soil and water are different... My little sister may seem delicate, but she is actually strong. She knows that the Tang Dynasty is implementing new policies and the situation is changing rapidly, so she is working hard to support her family and hopes that one day she can protect her parents and brothers."
Many people are like this: they live in wealth and comfort and seem to be complacent and pleasure-seeking. But when they encounter setbacks or a completely different environment, their personality changes drastically, like a sword being drawn from its sheath or a fish leaping over the dragon gate.
Fang Xuanling stroked his beard and sighed, "It must have been difficult for her."
Such a pampered girl, not only married far away from her homeland, but now she also has to give up her innocent and carefree nature and work hard to find a way out for her family... It's heartbreaking to think about.
Fang Jun said softly, "It's not necessarily a bad thing that my little sister has a sense of responsibility and works hard for it. People always have to grow up. In the past, she relied on her father and brothers for protection, but now she can also find a way out for her father, brothers, and family. Life is more meaningful."
Fang Xuanling nodded in agreement: "That makes sense. Even if we don't need this escape route, it's a good thing to use this opportunity to stabilize our position."
Fang Jun took a sip of tea: "Father asked me to stay because he wanted to talk about my younger sister?"
Fang Xuanling shook his head: "Since you went to sea, there has been no end to the slander in Guanzhong. From officials and scholars to merchants and common people, everyone has been criticizing and attacking the policy of 'people from Guanzhong filling the land of Hebei,' which has greatly affected your reputation."
This situation was anticipated, so Fang Jun simply went overseas to escape the turmoil, not only to avoid seeing it but also to minimize the impact.
However, the severity of the situation still made Fang Xuanling uneasy.
Seeing that his son still looked indifferent, he warned, "For a subject, being a 'moral saint' is certainly not a good thing, but if one's reputation is ruined and one is attacked by the world, it is just as dangerous."
In an era of highly centralized imperial power, life and death could be decided by the emperor. Even if His Majesty could not do anything, he would still give others a handle to use against him.
Fang Jun said, "It's not that I don't take it seriously, but these slanders and attacks may not really come from the people of Guanzhong. There is a high possibility that someone is interfering and manipulating public opinion."
"You mean Pei Huaijie?"
"Exactly. Although this man is highly experienced and seems to have a good reputation, judging from his many years of service as the Governor of Henan, he actually has no ability to govern the country or govern a region. At best, he is just a corrupt official. His Majesty appointed him as the Attendant-in-Ordinary to balance the power and influence of the Grand Secretary Ma Zhou. The idea of 'filling Hebei with people from Guanzhong' was proposed by me and executed by Ma Zhou. This undermines my prestige and is equivalent to weakening Ma Zhou's reputation."
Pei Huaijie was a favorite minister during the reign of Emperor Gaozu, but by the time of Li Chengqian, his foundation in Chang'an had long since disappeared. Like a rootless duckweed, he had nothing to rely on and could only fawn over Li Chengqian, acting as his lackey.
He had no political ambitions of his own; he simply acted as a "partisan of the emperor," relying on so-called "favor" to seek power and wealth...
This is also why Li Chengqian favored him and entrusted him with important responsibilities.
A loyal minister is indeed easy to use...
Fang Xuanling said in a deep voice, "This person's character is not good. It is acceptable to fight against those with different political views, but to operate behind the scenes to slander and attack others and to obstruct established national policies shows a lack of vision, magnanimity, and methods. We cannot allow him to do as he pleases, otherwise, others will follow suit, leading to chaos in the court and hindering the implementation of the new policies."
Fang Jun was somewhat worried: "The position of Attendant-in-Ordinary is more about assisting His Majesty in handling government affairs, and there are not many specific responsibilities. If he hides in the Secretariat and only goes to the Wude Hall, there is not a good way to deal with him. We can't exactly go up to his door and punch him, can we?"
Fang Xuanling laughed and said, "As long as you come to our door and stand there, that will be a deterrent. Who knows whether you will actually fight or not?"
"Now that I am a person of status, how can I act as recklessly as before and break the rules of officialdom?"
Fang Xuanling took a sip of tea and raised an eyebrow: "This is what they call a person's reputation. The nickname 'Club' is known throughout the world. Who wouldn't be a little intimidated if they stood in front of you? Whether you hit him or not is up to you, but whether they are afraid or not is up to others. If they really take a few of your punches, your already tarnished reputation won't be ruined too much, but others will lose face."
The Grand Secretary was beaten by the Grand Commandant in his official residence for slandering and attacking him behind his back... How can this situation be resolved?
Despite assaulting someone, Fang Jun remained Grand Commandant because his official position and status were earned through countless merits, and no one could challenge his authority.
Having been beaten, Pei Huaijie lost face and became a laughing stock in officialdom. How could he still have the face to cling to his position as Attendant-in-Ordinary?
So there's no need to fight at all; just by adopting a "I'm going to hit you" stance, Pei Huaijie will immediately have to beg for mercy and make peace...
Fang Jun rubbed his face and said helplessly, "Am I really such a scoundrel in my father's eyes?"
Fang Xuanling nodded solemnly: "Yes!"
Fang Jun: "..."
*****
The children had been waiting at the door for a long time. When they saw Fang Jun appear outside the second gate, Fang Shu, who was in the lead, shouted and ran over like a little colt. Fang Lu was much smaller than him, but his short legs were not slow either, and he followed closely behind and rushed into his father's arms.
Fang You, somewhat reserved, stopped when he got close, and after thinking for a moment, hugged his father's arm.
Fang Jun, his arms around his three sons who were clinging to him, grinned from ear to ear, his heart filled with joy and contentment. He patted one's shoulder and rubbed another's head. Then, his daughter, Fang Jing, walked over with an elegant demeanor. Seeing his smile revealing two rows of white teeth, the little girl pursed her lips, came up and hugged her father's neck, resting her head on his chin. Perhaps this position was more comfortable, she even unconsciously nuzzled him slightly...
Fang Jun's heart almost melted. The warmth of this blood bond made him feel completely comfortable, and he burst out laughing.
Princess Gaoyang stood at the door, and upon seeing this, she rubbed her forehead with her hand: "If we spoil the children like this, what will become of them in the future? Don't let them grow into a bunch of spoiled brats!"