Chapter 17: Personally Selected

They say that staying with a ruler is like staying with a tiger. Liu Qian cracked his head until it bled, which was extremely painful, but he couldn’t attend to that now.

However, Emperor Hongzhi just gave a casual wave and instead seemed lost in thought.

The scene he had seen earlier still lingered in his mind. He recalled how the merchant stubbornly clung to Fang Jifan’s leg, refusing to let go until Fang Jifan sold him the ebony. It was truly unbelievable. But after all, it was a matter among merchants, so he wasn’t too interested. What concerned him more was…

He suddenly thought of the “Bureaucratization of Native Chieftains” policy again. Raising his eyes, he looked at Zhu Houzhao, who was waiting nearby, and said gently, “Houzhao.”

“Your son and servant is here,” Zhu Houzhao replied excitedly, the thrill of his trip outside the palace still not faded, his face flushed with excitement.

Emperor Hongzhi looked at Zhu Houzhao with some affection before saying, “I want to hear from you too. If you participated in the military examination and I gave you the question: how to pacify the Southwest, how would you answer?”

Zhu Houzhao immediately perked up, thrilled. Without hesitation, he said, “Imperial Father, the chieftains in the Southwest are nothing but a bunch of petty thieves. Why bother with all this trouble? Give me one hundred thousand elite soldiers, and I will send three armies to suppress them. Whether they submit or not, I’ll first take the heads of over ten chieftains. Who would dare not obey? I’ve already thought about these three armies: one will attack from the ancient route, another will be ordered from the Duke of Qianguo’s Mansion in Yunnan, Mu…”

Zhu Houzhao had loved weapons and martial arts since childhood, enjoyed strong liquor and fine horses, and yearned for the battlefield. Today, with his father testing him, he naturally revealed his inner thoughts, hoping to earn his father’s admiration.

But before Zhu Houzhao could finish half of what he was saying, Emperor Hongzhi suddenly showed a look of disappointment and muttered, “Other people’s children, how come…”

Yes, Nanhe Bo doted on his son. That child was indeed a scoundrel and didn’t look like a good person. And I have a son too, hmm… at least he is obedient. But that other child, though a rascal, spoke with confidence and pinpointed the key issue in the Southwest. My child, even though he studies every day and is quite smart, why is it that…

A child should not only not be spoiled, but if they lack natural talent, they must start early and be strictly disciplined.

Emperor Hongzhi sighed deeply, and his gaze turned severe.

Zhu Houzhao only heard the words “other people’s children.” Seeing his father’s eyes sharp as lightning, he suddenly felt that something was not right.

He began to stammer. Before he could continue outlining his grand plan, Emperor Hongzhi snorted coldly and scolded him sharply, “Others don’t study, but you do. How can it be that those who study are not as good as the unlearned? I’ve worried so much for you, hired so many famous tutors for you. Where has all your studying gone? You are my son, destined to inherit the throne and continue our ancestors’ legacy. Yet all you care about every day are weapons and warfare… Emperor Taizu won the world on horseback, but as his descendant, do you foolishly think you can rule the world on horseback too? Don’t put on that wronged look. Before, whenever you acted clever and ingratiating, I tolerated you. But starting today, I will no longer allow you to mess around like this. Copy the essay on ‘Bureaucratization of Native Chieftains’ one hundred times. If you miss even one word, I will not forgive you. Even if your mother comes to plead for you, I will show no mercy!”

Zhu Houzhao was dumbfounded.

Who did I offend? Seeing how fiercely his father scolded him, he wondered… Is this someone else’s father?

But hearing that he had to copy “Bureaucratization of Native Chieftains,” Zhu Houzhao understood. He couldn’t help gritting his teeth. Fang Jifan screwed me over.

Emperor Hongzhi’s anger had not yet subsided, but he calmed down. Composed, he slowly turned his gaze to a stack of exam papers on the desk. Fang Jifan’s essay on “Bureaucratization of Native Chieftains” was still there. After pondering for a long time, Emperor Hongzhi picked up the vermilion brush. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, but finally, the vermilion brush touched the paper, drawing a red circle at the end of the essay.

Then, he meticulously placed the brush back into the ivory horn brush holder and let out a long sigh.

…

Fang Jifan was dragged by Wang Jinyuan, who pleaded desperately, to sign the contract. Afterward, he headed back home with Deng Jian.

He felt particularly cheerful today. The matter of the ebony was settled, which gave Fang Jifan confidence in the future.

The sunken ship’s ebony at least proved one thing: the events stored in his memory would happen every moment in the future. History had not deviated at all. This… was an unimaginable treasure. What happened in Tongzhou, what would occur in the capital over the next month, what changes would take place in Hangzhou or Nanjing—all were clearly and precisely recorded in the prefectural and county records he had studied in his previous life.

Strike it rich.

Fang Jifan felt proud. But Deng Jian, on the other hand, looked worried. At the moment, he was trembling with fear. He had met the emperor and was scared out of his wits. He didn’t understand what Fang Jifan and the Son of Heaven had discussed, but most of the time, he saw the emperor’s furious expression directed at Fang Jifan, which left him uneasy.

Would His Majesty punish the young lord for his mischief?

Just then, Fang Jifan remembered something and said, “Little Deng Deng.”

Deng Jian quickly replied, “Your servant is here.”

“About what happened earlier outside…”

“I understand,” Deng Jian nodded understandingly.

Fang Jifan was confused instead. “What do you understand?”

Deng Jian said considerately, “If the Earl found out that the young lord had offended His Majesty outside, he would probably be scared to death. And about the business dealings… I won’t tell on you…”

Did I offend the emperor? Seems… not really.

Oh well, let others think what they want. After all, in everyone’s eyes, no matter what I did, it was never good.

Fang Jifan waved his Xiangfei bamboo fan, sighing inwardly. This time it’s even worse—not only do I have to be a wastrel at home, but even outside, to avoid suspicion of acting crazy, I have to put on a scoundrel’s attitude.

Luckily… Fang Jifan was used to it. How much worse could his reputation get?

Besides… Fang Jifan reassuringly touched the few silver ingots and a stack of Great Ming Treasure Notes in his sleeve.

This was the deposit from Wang Jinyuan—seventy taels of silver in cash and nine thousand eight hundred taels in treasure notes.

By the Hongzhi Reign, the Great Ming Treasure Note had depreciated significantly and was no longer exchangeable for real silver at a one-to-one rate. The so-called nine thousand eight hundred taels could actually only be exchanged for over nine hundred taels of silver—a ten-to-one exchange rate. But these notes were convenient to carry. The remaining silver and discounted land deeds and property deeds would naturally be sent to the estate later.

Anyway, he had money now, which made Fang Jifan feel much more at ease.

Halfway home, noisy voices came from afar.

Fang Jifan wasn’t one to enjoy crowds, but Deng Jian’s eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, “Young Lord, there’s something fun to see.”

Fang Jifan stayed silent for a moment, then looked at the eager Deng Jian.

Something fun to see? See your big head.

But since Deng Jian looked so expectant, did the former wastrel love watching commotions the most?

Alright…

Fang Jifan felt he had to gradually get into the role of that wastrel. So, he flicked open his Xiangfei bamboo fan, adopting the full manner of a young master in a TV drama: “Let’s go take a look.”

By the roadside stood three scholars, dressed in Confucian robes and silk scarves. But judging by their somewhat shabby clothes, it was clear they were down-and-out scholars.

The three stood on the street, their faces haggard.

It seemed they had been kicked out of an inn. The inn’s manager was bowing to them with a bitter smile and said, “Three young masters, you are Xiucai scholars, and this humble inn dare not offend you. But this is a small business. Now, with your friend… it’s bad luck. If you don’t find a doctor and medicine soon, he surely won’t survive. I admire that you three have spent a lot to treat your friend. But now, keeping this dying patient here is not a solution. Please find another place to stay. I know you three are short on funds, so the previous unpaid bills are forgiven. My apologies, my apologies.”