Chapter 287: Chapter 280 Difficult to Calm Down
When Fang Chuning returned home, three deputy generals exited the Commander’s Mansion in single file, looking hurried. Upon seeing Fang Chuning, they greeted him, and he returned the gesture. Deputy General Chen spoke softly, mentioning that there were unusual movements in Sannan, and that the Commander was preparing to head for Jiangnan. He advised Fang Chuning not to quarrel with Commander Fang, and Fang Chuning politely saw them off.
What Fang Chuning didn’t expect was that Lin Helin had been in the study discussing affairs with Commander Fang. As dusk approached and the sky blazed with red clouds, Lin Helin’s figure, clad in broad-sleeved azure robes, was bathed in warm orange light. His shadow stretched at an angle, blending harmoniously with the red walls and green tiles of the Commander’s Mansion—an image of elegance befitting a noble gentleman.
Lin Helin and Xie Zhang were the same age. The Lin family, famed for producing an Empress and gifted scholars, considered Lin Yushu and Lin Helin the greatest pride of their generation. After achieving the top ranking in the imperial examinations, it was expected Lin Helin would enter Hanlin Academy. But Elder Lin submitted a petition, stating Lin Helin, though brilliant, was still young and lacked sufficient experience. So he resigned from office, remaining secluded at home.
In his youth, he had been unruly, a notorious troublemaker in the Capital alongside Xie Xun. Lin Helin and Xie Zhang had always been steady and disciplined individuals, disapproving of the antics of such mischievous boys.
Xie Zhang was more tolerant, partly because Fang Chuning enjoyed a close friendship with Xie Jue, and partly because Xie Xun was Xie Zhang’s younger brother.
Lin Helin, however, strongly disliked these reckless youths who loved defying conventions. Though he never outwardly said harsh words or gossiped behind their backs, personal dispositions are mutual—like and dislike are reciprocal.
The only clash between Fang Chuning and Lin Helin occurred the year Fang Chuning and Xie Jue returned from the battlefield. It happened to coincide with Lin Helin’s peak moment, achieving top honors in the imperial examinations. In the Capital, admiration for Lin Helin among scholars was at its zenith; he was frequently invited to debates. Fang Chuning and Xie Jue had coincidentally attended one such debate, which focused on border defense and public welfare.
That year, the Twelve Provinces began showing signs of decline—its population dwindling, leading Ningzhou to draft soldiers locally. This recruitment caused young and able-bodied men across the Twelve Provinces to be sent to war, leaving a vacuum in manpower and plunging the region into endless turmoil. Lin Helin criticized the Iron Cavalry, arguing against drafting troops locally and advocating instead for comprehensive national recruitment, military household reforms, and rotating soldiers to sustain public welfare.
At seventeen years old, Lin Helin was a child prodigy born and raised in the Capital, hailed as the reincarnation of the Literary God. After securing the top rank in all examinations, his youthful success was magnified by his status as the Lin family’s legitimate eldest son, backed by a loyal following. In intellectual debates, he was praised as a future Elder who could govern the nation through his pen.
The young Fang Chuning and Xie Jue stood on the second-floor balcony listening to the debate. Fang Chuning burst into contemptuous laughter, declaring, "The great prodigy speaks of nationwide recruitment as though it’s an effortless task. Take a look at the noble clans—how many of their children serve in the military? You speak so eloquently, but it’s nothing more than armchair strategy. Do you even know where the Twelve Provinces are? You’re just blind to the bigger picture, a frog at the bottom of the well."
Adolescents are naturally bold and brash, let alone someone like Fang Chuning, whose rebellious nature had been forged under the harsh discipline of the Commander since childhood. Unrestrained and unconventional, he publicly mocked Lin Helin while Xie Jue tried but failed to stop him, causing an uproarious scene.
Since then, Fang Chuning rarely encountered Lin Helin.
He and Xie Jue returned to the battlefield, and it later came to light that Lin Helin had embarked on a grand journey across the realm, seldom returning to the Capital.
The years passed, and those once youthful and reckless had grown into capable adults, each taking charge of their destinies.
Fang Chuning greeted Lin Helin with civility, and Lin Helin returned the courtesy before brushing past him and leaving. The conflict from years ago seemed like it had long faded into the sands of time.
"Tunan, come in!" Commander Fang’s voice called out from the study.
Fang Chuning furrowed his brow and entered.
The study’s windows were open. Commander Fang was seated at the desk, examining a map of Yanyang, marking the Twelve Provinces. Fang Chuning’s brow twitched sharply. What business did Lin Helin have with his father?
Lin Helin was a clan leader, and it had recently been rumored that Emperor Yuan Hui intended for him to join the Cabinet. Yet his father rarely interacted with civil officials amid court politics.
"Ting Feng and Zhixu are eradicating bandits in the Twelve Provinces. They’ve cleared three areas and passed Jiaozhou; now they’re nearing Jinzhou," Commander Fang spoke hoarsely, his previously injured throat lending a raspy quality to his voice. Younger than the Marquis Zhenbei, his chiseled features and stern countenance betrayed a man of unwavering conviction—the epitome of a Great General.
"I’ve heard about it!" Fang Chuning stood stiffly, avoiding eye contact with the Commander.
"You’ve been drinking again?" The Commander frowned, displeased by the smell of alcohol.
"Has drinking offended you?"
The Commander slapped his palm heavily onto the desk. Fang Chuning’s eyelids didn’t even flinch, having long grown accustomed to such displays. Commander Fang glared at him fiercely. "Zhongzhou is requesting reinforcements, hoping the court will dispatch generals to station there. The Twelve Provinces can’t be left in Zhixu’s hands."
"Congratulations, Father, on your inevitable victory!"
"Fang Tunan, your father wishes for you to head to Zhongzhou to command its troops," Commander Fang said gravely. "Since you’re unwilling to deploy forces to Ningzhou, then station at Zhongzhou."
Fang Chuning remained silent, offering no response.
"Recently, Marquis An Yuan has been hinting to fellow generals that he wants you stationed in Jiangnan. I know that’s Ting Feng’s suggestion, but I’ll defy his expectations." Marquis An Yuan was an ally of the Marquis Zhenbei, and Commander Fang understood this well.
Marquis Zhenbei and Commander Fang had grown up together and spent their youth on the battlefield as inseparable comrades. When Marquis Zhenbei was alive, there were virtually no secrets between them. Commander Fang trusted him enough to share the realities of Jiangnan’s war situation, though such truths might not reach the Emperor’s ears.
Their mutual trust and loyalty were rooted in their commitment to preserving the Yuwen Royal Family.
Now that balance had been disrupted!
The secrets of the past had all transformed into pointed daggers.
But Commander Fang had no desire to wield those daggers against an old friend; his only wish was to ensure peace and prosperity in Yanyang.
"Stationing troops only?" Fang Chuning narrowed his eyes. "General Chen Ming has defended Zhongzhou for years; why am I being sent to station there instead?"
"General Chen is advanced in years and his old injuries have flared up again. Since Zhongzhou is separated from the Twelve Provinces only by the Bei River, General Chen can no longer handle such demanding duties. The court needs to assign several younger generals to assist him," Commander Fang explained. "Among the court’s military leaders, you’re the most suitable—firstly because you understand Ting Feng the best, and secondly because only you can stand a chance against Zhixu in battle."
Fang Chuning asked, "Ting Feng holds Ningzhou’s rear guard while Zhixu eradicates bandits in the Twelve Provinces—like boiling frogs in warm water. Once commerce and agriculture resume, the Twelve Provinces will be his for the taking. Father, are the troops stationed in Zhongzhou meant to assist before Zhixu takes the Twelve Provinces, or are we waiting for him to seize them before engaging in war? I need a clear directive."
"I hope time can dissolve the animosity between Ting Feng and Zhixu. Yanyang cannot afford internal conflict, nor a desolation of its populace."
"Then you should ask Yuwen Jing why he instigated this disaster. If he hadn’t schemed against the Marquis Mansion, it wouldn’t have come to this," Fang Chuning retorted coldly.
"Watch your tongue!" Commander Fang thundered. "The Emperor’s name must not be spoken casually."
"What sort of emperor is he?!" Fang Chuning scorned with defiance. "Don’t dream of me fighting for him!"
"Are you fighting for him?" Commander Fang looked at his son with disappointment. "Internal conflict in Yanyang spills the blood of your comrades, kills innocent civilians. That night in the Capital, the opposing soldiers you faced were all your brothers-in-arms."
"Fine!" Fang Chuning spread his hands. "If he abdicates and passes the throne to someone worthy, I’ll instantly deploy forces to Ningzhou."
"Fang Tunan!"
Father and son locked into a tense confrontation, Commander Fang seething with rage. "You should have known, the moment you let Ting Feng and Zhixu leave the Capital that night, that this outcome was inevitable!"
"I’m just relieved I reached the Capital an hour ahead of you."
Commander Fang hadn’t had a proper conversation with Fang Chuning in years. His son’s thoughts and actions were a mystery to him now, though he wished to have an honest talk with him.
Yet in his presence, Fang Chuning was like a wild beast, eager to pierce him with claws and teeth.
Their exchanges always devolved into quarrels within minutes.
"I promise you this, as long as Ting Feng and Zhixu don’t initiate war, Zhongzhou’s troops will remain inactive," Commander Fang softened his tone. "Think carefully—will you head to Zhongzhou, or stay in the Capital as a well-off idler."
Fang Chuning sneered bitterly, "Aren’t you worried I’ll betray you, collude with the enemy, and commit treason?"
"If you were to betray, I, your mother, your sister, and your aunt’s family would all accompany you to Huangquan. You wouldn’t be lonely."
The sun sank behind the city walls, and the study descended into dusky silence.
For a long time.
Fang Chuning finally said, "I’ll guard Zhongzhou."
Jinzhou.
Xie Xun advanced smoothly in his bandit-clearing mission. Fengyu, not wishing to waste time, designated Feiying as the Grain Escort Officer. As Xie Xun split his forces into two, he led fifteen thousand men to eliminate bandits, while Feiying and Nuanyang escorted Fengyu with thirty-five thousand troops toward Jinzhou.
The governor of Jinzhou, surnamed Xue, was named Yu. Thirty-two years old, he had served in Jinzhou for six years, advancing from County Magistrate to governor. His familiarity with Jinzhou was unmatched. Initially, Fengyu was concerned that they might face difficulties with the governor upon arrival, especially as Jinzhou was the most prosperous and largest city in the Twelve Provinces, a hub for trade.
However, Xie Xun’s growing reputation, forged since his campaign against bandits in Yunzhou, had preceded him. Although Governor Xue did not ride out to greet them at the city gates, he also refrained from obstructing their advance. Jinzhou’s twenty thousand stationed troops were no match for Ningzhou Iron Cavalry; hence, Xie Xun’s fifty thousand strong army entered the city unchallenged.
Nuanyang led five thousand troops into Jinzhou, leaving the remaining twenty thousand with Feiying stationed outside the city to guard against unforeseen incidents. The sight of five thousand Iron Cavalrymen marching through the streets piqued tremendous curiosity among Jinzhou’s citizens, who thronged the sides of the roads to watch, their chatter incessant.
Fengyu, keeping her gaze fixed ahead, paid no attention to Governor Xue’s indifference, finding it a welcome relief as it freed her to head directly to the Suzhou Trading House headquarters. Manager Wang and his brothers had been waiting for quite some time.
Fengyu asked, "Are things going smoothly in Jinzhou?"
Manager Wang shook his head lightly. Fengyu smiled faintly and said, "Hard on you. Have the provisions been gathered?"
"They have." While the local managers gave him trouble, they didn’t dare provoke the Iron Cavalry. The supplies were prepared without resistance, and the Su family had transported ample provisions from Jiangnan, all allocated to the Iron Cavalry. After news of Xie Jue and Xie Xun’s rebellion reached Jiangnan, the Su Family’s most trusted manager promptly transferred supplies to Jinzhou’s warehouse before other State Mansions could react.
Fengyu pondered silently, suspecting the Second Young Master had predicted how the supply chain operated and anticipated that Jiangnan’s provisions would eventually land in Jinzhou warehouses.
"Good. Verify six million taels of silver and transport it out of the city."
"Understood!"
"Have the managers from the Twelve Provinces gathered?" Fengyu had sent word ahead to Manager Wang instructing him to summon the Twelve Provinces’ managers to Jinzhou for a meeting.
Manager Wang replied, "All but West Continent have arrived."
Fengyu scoffed coldly, "Quite the audacity!"
"Miss, be cautious. Strong dragons cannot suppress the local serpents."
Fengyu took a sip of cool tea and replied calmly, "I’ll confront this serpent’s den myself. If they won’t come to Jinzhou, I’ll go to West Continent."