Chapter 343: Chapter 333 Father’s Debt
Fang Chuning’s concern was also what worried Xie Jue. The vast expanse of arable land across the twelve provinces was mainly concentrated in West Continent, Huangzhou, and Jinzhou, while other prefectures had sparse farmland and were mostly mountainous with inconvenient transportation. Without adequate grain reserves for the winter, how would they survive? Last year’s severe natural disasters had already caused a famine across the twelve provinces, and it was Jiangnan’s forced grain requisition that temporarily alleviated the crisis. If it weren’t for the barrenness and famine, banditry wouldn’t have run rampant for so many years.
The regions originally blessed with the most farmland—West Continent and Huangzhou—shouldn’t have been left desolate. If not for the iron mines attracting bandits’ greed, they wouldn’t have fallen into such dire straits. Without sufficient grain supplies, uprisings among the people would surely follow.
Xie Jue had personally braved the dangers to Zhongzhou to secure grain supplies. The issues confronting the twelve provinces were already dire.
"Whatever we can gather will have to do," Xie Jue said. "We can’t just stand by and watch them starve to death in the winter."
Fang Chuning furrowed his brows slightly. Winter brought shortages not only of food but also of firewood, cotton, and clothing. The vast expanse of the twelve provinces was unlike Jiangnan, where aid could be swiftly centralized if something went wrong. Even with Ting Feng’s extraordinary abilities, it would be nearly impossible to attend to everyone.
What could he possibly do to help Ting Feng?
"I’ll find some people to investigate which wealthy merchants in Zhongzhou City still have surplus grain."
Fang Chuning was the regional commander of Zhongzhou and also a general of Yanyang. His position was directly opposed to Xie Jue’s, leaving him with little room to act. Yet as long as he remained in Zhongzhou, he could ensure Xie Jue’s safe departure.
"You don’t have to get involved," Xie Jue said. "I’ve already sent people to investigate. Chuning, I..."
Xie Jue hadn’t come to procure grain or happened to meet Fang Chuning by coincidence—he had come specifically to see him. However, his purpose was not to draw Fang Chuning into political conflicts or their brotherhood’s entanglements. Instead, he sought answers to a particular question but didn’t know how to start.
"Ting Feng, are you hungry? Join me for breakfast," Fang Chuning said. It had been quite a while since the two had shared a meal together. Knowing Xie Jue wouldn’t manipulate him into taking on any responsibilities, Fang Chuning treasured every moment they spent together, fearing that Xie Jue might leave abruptly and knowing not when they’d meet again.
After a brief hesitation, Xie Jue replied, "Alright!"
Fang Chuning felt reassured and stepped out to arrange breakfast. His courtyard wasn’t large, consisting of a modest three-tiered compound. Inside the courtyard were two deputy generals, all close aides, ensuring no information about Xie Jue would leak out. Fang Chuning’s deputy generals and guards were loyal and wouldn’t share even a word of what transpired. Fang Chuning took the liberty of informing the military camp that he was taking a day off, attributing it to feeling unwell from a hangover.
Xie Jue had arrived in Zhongzhou in the middle of the night and hadn’t eaten properly. Fang Chuning prepared a table of dishes he knew Xie Jue would enjoy, complete with artistic plating from the kitchen, reflecting attention to detail. Xie Jue sat reserved, his thoughts unfathomable, silently accompanying Fang Chuning for their meal. Always eager to engage Xie Jue in conversation, Fang Chuning asked, "How long do you plan to stay in Zhongzhou?"
"Two or three days."
"Stay here with me then. This residence is staffed entirely with loyal guards; no one will reveal your presence. It’s also conveniently close to the dock. If you need something done, you can simply send them to handle it for you."
"It’s not appropriate."
"It’s very appropriate," Fang Chuning said with a laugh. "Let them run errands for you—they know Zhongzhou better than your men."
Xie Jue raised an eyebrow. "Let them investigate the State Mansion’s grain reserves for me—does that count as appropriate? If I were to rob it, would that work too?"
"The State Mansion’s grain reserves are in the southern granary. I can tell you directly—there’s no need for others to look into it," Fang Chuning said, chuckling. "It’s hardly secretive. Just query anyone about it. Last month, the State Mansion procured grain, and it was openly transported. If you want to rob it, such an immense quantity would be impossible to move out of Zhongzhou without Chen Ming’s men intercepting you—they wouldn’t all just drop dead."
As Fang Chuning bent over to resume eating, Xie Jue scooped a bowl of soup for him, replacing the dry noodles before him. "Start with this."
Fang Chuning had been heavily drinking the night before, his stomach empty. The noodles in Zhongzhou were dry and dense—it was better to cushion the stomach first. Not minding the substitution, Fang Chuning sipped on the soup before continuing with his meal.
He knew Xie Jue hadn’t sought him out for a matter as trivial as securing grain or seeking casual companionship. Their prior separation had been deliberate to keep Fang Chuning away from the situation. Now, given the sensitivity of Xie Jue’s position, the fact he came searching for Fang Chuning meant it was about something significant.
"Is it to your taste?" Fang Chuning asked.
"It’s alright."
Fang Chuning said, "When I first arrived in Zhongzhou, I couldn’t stand the local cuisine—too dry, too dense, too salty. My mother even sent a few chefs from the Capital City, though several generals mocked us for pampering ourselves as any military officials from the Capital supposedly would. We had survived on wild greens during the Ningzhou Battlefield days—how could we afford such indulgence? I ended up sending the chefs back. If I had known you’d join me for meals here someday, I’d have kept them."
Even if Ting Feng only ate once or twice, it would have been worthwhile.
"Are you calling me pampered?"
"Aren’t you?" Fang Chuning asked, laughing.
Xie Jue chuckled despite himself. The same words, spoken by different people, created entirely different effects. When Xie Xun reprimanded him, it elicited frustration. But hearing it from Fang Chuning—it resonated differently, feeling oddly warm.
After their breakfast, Xie Jue’s men returned with their findings. Shadow Guard Two’s investigation mirrored the details Fang Chuning had mentioned. As Xie Jue discussed matters with the Shadow Guard, Fang Chuning discreetly avoided overhearing.
There were three individuals Xie Jue had brought to Zhongzhou: Shadow Guard Two, Three, and Four. Fang Chuning wondered where they all were.
Shadow Guards One, Two, and Three were almost inseparable, rarely acting alone.
Xie Jue surprisingly settled in at Fang Chuning’s residence without reservations. Fang Chuning was pleased but remained conscious of Xie Jue’s unique position, refraining from taking him out in public. Once Xie Jue had dispatched all his men, he found himself idle in the house, which was a refreshing quietude. Fang Chuning took the opportunity to drag him to the hill behind the residence for fishing. The estate was tucked away from the city’s bustle, and its backyard featured a hill connected to a private fish pond—entirely Fang Chuning’s domain, guarded and isolated from disturbances.
Fang Chuning said, "If we catch anything, I’ll make fish soup for you tonight."
"Alright!"
Fang Chuning mused inwardly, Ting Feng lived up to his reputation—calm and composed as ever.
Why exactly had he come?
The midday sun beat down fiercely as Xie Jue donned a straw hat, his posture meditative, his focus unwavering as he fished, embracing the philosophy of letting the fish come to him. Fang Chuning asked, "Xie Xun is facing Lin Helin alone in Jiaozhou City—aren’t you worried?"
"My cousin wouldn’t take his life."
"Don’t be so sure of that." Fang Chuning held a clear dislike for Lin Helin. If not for Lin Helin’s influence, Fang Chuning wouldn’t have come to Zhongzhou, which he understood all too well.
"Chuning, your relationship with Marshal Fang is strained, yet over all these years, you’ve still been obedient to him without defiance," Xie Jue remarked dryly. Their father-son dynamic had always been peculiar.
"That’s not true!"
If he had truly never defied Marshal Fang, Xie Jue and Xie Xun wouldn’t have escaped from the Capital City back then. If they had delayed by even an hour, they might have encountered Jiangnan soldiers, and escape would no longer have been possible.
"You came with me to the Ningzhou Battlefield—was your father not worried?" Xie Jue said. "You’re his only son. The Fang Family’s focus is in Jiangnan, yet you risked yourself by coming to Ningzhou. The battlefield knows no mercy for sword or arrow. If anything had happened to you, your father would have struggled to explain himself to Marshal Fang."
"Maybe he wanted me to gain experience," Fang Chuning said. "Ting Feng, do we really need to talk about him?"
Xie Jue knew Fang Chuning disliked discussing Marshal Fang.
"Did you come here because of him?" Fang Chuning asked with a faint smile. "You know I avoid this subject, yet you keep bringing him up. Something unusual must have happened. Did he do something that left you uneasy?"
Xie Jue remained silent as his fishing rod moved slightly. He gave it an effortless tug and reeled in a hefty river fish. Fang Chuning remarked, "Now, isn’t this strange? Why is it that every time we fish, the fish always bite your bait?"
"Who knows?"
Seeing Xie Jue unresponsive, Fang Chuning grew uneasy. "Ting Feng, debts owed by fathers aren’t repaid by their sons—let’s be clear on that. If he’s wronged you, don’t take it out on me. My bond with him as father and son isn’t deep."