Chapter 286: Chapter 279 Father and Son_2
Speaking of interesting events, Lin Helin allied with the noble clans to present Emperor Yuan Hui with a sum of money, hoping to persuade him not to pursue the rebellious offspring of the noble families. To outsiders, it seemed like a lavish expenditure, but to the noble clans, it was but a drop in the ocean. Implementing new reforms was Yanyang’s way forward. These reforms were initially spearheaded by Xie Jue and the Lin Family, but now Lin Helin has single-handedly overturned them, leading the Lin Family relatives in their resistance against the reforms.
The noble families followed suit, and even Grandmaster Zhang’s family secretly resisted the reforms. After witnessing Emperor Yuan Hui’s madness, Lin Helin abolished the policies set by both his grandfather and father, still ensuring the noble clans controlled Yanyang’s economic lifeblood, thus restraining Emperor Yuan Hui.
Yet, Emperor Yuan Hui held power over the Forbidden Army, the Jinyi Guard, and city defenses, trapping the noble clans in the grand cage of the bustling Capital City. This led to an eerie game of probing and struggle between imperial power and the noble clans.
Emperor Yuan Hui, supported by the Forbidden Army and the loyal Lin Cheng and Zhang Bolan, entrusting Chen Mo to lead the Jinyi Guard, as well as reducing the private forces of the noble families from two thousand to five hundred soldiers, substantially weakened their military strength. Thus, Emperor Yuan Hui gained the upper hand, though even he dared not openly strike against the noble clans again.
Meanwhile, Xie Xun marched boldly through twelve provinces suppressing bandits, leaving Emperor Yuan Hui restless and uneasy.
Emperor Yuan Hui repeatedly pressured Marshal Fang, urging him to convince Fang Chuning to lead troops to Ningzhou. The Empress Dowager even summoned Mrs. Fang to the palace for a private chat, subtly suggesting that as the Great Princess, she had the obligation to uphold the legitimacy of the Yuwen Royal Family.
Fang Chuning was at a banquet hosted by Zhang Boju, discussing with several noble heirs the Xie brothers’ efforts in suppressing bandits across twelve provinces. When this news reached the Capital City, it sparked widespread discussion, from Emperor Yuan Hui to the common folk; no one was unaware.
On a rainy night in the Capital City, Fang Chuning secretly released Xie Jue and Xie Xun. He was subjected to military disciplinary measures by Marshal Fang, hovering between life and death after being comatose for six days. On the third day of his unconscious state, Mrs. Fang reportedly barged into the room and whipped the Marshal about a dozen times herself. As his condition slightly improved, Fang Chuning defied imperial orders in Jinluan Palace, resulting in forty lashes from the Marshal. For an entire month, he could barely get out of bed.
The noble heirs in the Capital City showed no concern for propriety, visiting him every few days. As soon as Fang Chuning could set foot outside, Zhang Boju dragged him out for some leisure. During morning court sessions, the emperor mentioned once again his desire for Fang Chuning to lead troops to Ningzhou. Zhang Boju and the others feared Fang Chuning would once again confront the Marshal and suffer repercussions.
Marshal Fang and Marquis Zhenbei were both first-ranked nobles, yet their methods of raising sons were worlds apart. Marquis Zhenbei kept Xie Zhang by his side, nurturing him attentively despite his fiery and domineering temper. He rarely laid a hand on Xie Zhang. Even when Xie Zhang made mistakes, Marquis Zhenbei would patiently present facts and reason, even teaching him how to charm his fiancée.
Marshal Fang, on the other hand, raised his son with extreme harshness. Fang Chuning was rebellious and brash as a child, which often led to standing punishments ranging from mild to the severe lashings. The Marshal even threw seven-year-old Fang Chuning into a cage to fight a starving wolf, prompting concern from Marquis Zhenbei about the Marshal raising a sadistic warlord.
Fang Chuning grew up under the strict rule of the Marshal’s cane. Thus, their relationship became extremely bitter. Fang Chuning would rather spend time at the Marquis Mansion with Xie Jue during his childhood than return to the Fang Family. On New Year’s Eve, he once wished for the Marshal to go on an expedition and not come home for the celebration.
A childhood marred by lashings and kneeling punishments might have broken any other child, forcing them to be compliant and molded into their parents’ ideal. But Fang Chuning seemed inherently defiant. The harsher and more brutal the Marshal became, the more rebellious and eccentric Fang Chuning grew. He could treat every noble heir in the Capital City as brothers, yet remained locked in enmity with his own father.
He genuinely believed the reason he hadn’t been beaten to death by his father was simply because he was tough enough to survive.
When he came of age, the courtesy name given to him by the Marshal was one he refused to let anyone mention.
"Actually, you can’t blame the Marshal for hitting you!" Zhang Boju, the eldest legitimate son of the Zhang Family and the future Family Head, who now held a position at the Imperial Examination Office, said. "You let Xie Jue and Xie Xun escape. That is tantamount to rebelling by association. If the Marshal hadn’t disciplined you under military law first, imagine what would’ve happened if the emperor’s hand had been forced. Your crime would’ve been even graver. Publicly defying imperial orders in court—who could protect you then? You didn’t endure those forty lashings in vain."
Fang Chuning’s sharp eyes grew cold as he sneered, "Did my father send you here to lobby for him?"
"How could that be!" Zhang Boju waved his hand dismissively. "I came to visit you, but whenever I see the Marshal, I hug the walls to stay out of his way—I wouldn’t dare speak to him."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Zhou Shilin remarked, "The Capital is mired in filth and chaos, Chuning. You’d be better off leading troops to Ningzhou. Xie Xun already has the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry suppressing bandits in twelve provinces and is demanding funds from the State Mansion—most likely because of an urgent need for supplies. If you deploy to Ningzhou now, you’ll encounter an army with weakened morale. Victory might be within grasp. But should they get time to recover and regroup, rebellion will surely break out in Yanyang."
Fang Chuning lazily twirled his wine cup and glanced at them with a faint smile, half-serious and half-jesting, "Forget about it. I can’t beat the Second Young Master."
He had no intention of clashing swords with Xie Tingfeng on the battlefield. Since their youth, the two had fought side by side, trusted each other with their backs, and pointed their blades at enemies. No one had imagined that one day they might end up standing opposed, swords drawn.
"What kind of joke is that!" a noble heir exclaimed, "The Second Young Master doesn’t excel at leading troops into battle."
"Tingfeng’s supposed lack of skill in commanding armies—how amusing!" Fang Chuning rested his chin in his hand, grinning slyly like a fox. "You all truly underestimate the Second Young Master."
Fang Chuning was well aware that the Jinyi Guard had eyes and ears scattered across the Capital, gathering intelligence. Such public banquets weren’t occasions for him to speak freely. The ache in his still-unhealed back, a constant reminder of his rebellion and scars, burned with dissatisfaction, and even the strong liquor failed to drown out the pain.
"You shouldn’t have let them go that day!" Cai Wenjing said solemnly. "If your vanguard had stalled for just an hour, the Jiangnan garrison would’ve arrived—they couldn’t have escaped. Killing them in the Capital would have left Ningzhou headless and defenseless. Yanyang wouldn’t have splintered into its current mess."
"Cai Wenjing, enough!" Zhang Boju frowned, "Daring to mention executing Xie Jue in front of Fang Chuning—is there something wrong with your head?"
The wine cup landed heavily on the table, its contents splashing as Fang Chuning’s expression darkened, yet he remained silent.
"Am I wrong?" Cai Wenjing sneered. "Traitors to the state deserve execution, regardless of the justification. These rebels are tearing apart Yanyang—this is undeniable. Chuning, don’t forget, you’re the Great Princess’s son."
Fang Chuning’s sly eyes flashed with a tint of wicked amusement. "That depends on who’s rebelling. If it were you, I’d make sure to deliver the execution myself."
Everyone fell silent, "..."