Chapter 63: Hello, Nephew Fang

Zhu Houzhao suddenly felt like he was being kicked aside. Then, without any hesitation, Fang Jifan teamed up with his Imperial Father, becoming partners in crime. Inside, it felt like a storm of anger was raging in his heart.

Fang Jifan’s flattery sounded utterly cringeworthy to Emperor Hongzhi.

Emperor Hongzhi was speechless. After a long pause, he pulled a stern face. “Enough, stop acting all nice and clever in front of me. Getting things done properly is what benefits the world! And…” At this point, Emperor Hongzhi showed a thoughtful expression. He spoke in a lecturing tone to Fang Jifan. “From now on, watch your words and actions. Qian Yue, the Guizhou Provincial Governor, is a key minister of the imperial court. If he hears how you slandered him today in Chongwen Hall, do you think he’ll let it go? In the future, if you have issues, report them to me privately. That way, you won’t offend others with your careless talk.”

This remark, which sounded like blame, was more like a lesson to a junior.

By constantly saying that Qian Yue, in charge of Guizhou, would cause revolts by chieftains and fail to crush them, wasn’t that clearly claiming Qian Yue was unfit and incompetent?

The man was loyal to the imperial court in Guizhou. You, Fang Jifan, just a Chief Banner Officer, stabbed him in the back. Did he not have friends in the Capital? Plus, he was a famous capable official in the world. Even I, the emperor, respected him. Aren’t you afraid of being drowned in spit?

Referred to again by Emperor Hongzhi, Fang Jifan recalled the Guizhou matter and got annoyed. What he said was true—it happened in history—but no one believed him.

Though Fang Jifan was notorious worldwide as a scumbag, he actually had a good heart. He knew well that once a rebellion broke out, many people would suffer, so he stuck to his view.

At this point, Fang Jifan couldn’t help saying. “But, Your Majesty, I really think Qian Yue is too bookish. If he governed Shandong or Henan, it might be okay… but in Guizhou, his moral education method will probably… be useless. I believe the imperial court should…”

Before Fang Jifan could finish, Emperor Hongzhi glared at him. He felt Fang Jifan was acting too wildly. Fang Jifan had truly done a big service this time, but he couldn’t get arrogant. Emperor Hongzhi trusted Qian Yue deeply. Besides, the imperial court had just ended a rebellion and scared the Southwest chieftains. What chieftain would be so foolish to rebel now? With Emperor Hongzhi’s years of ruling experience, it seemed impossible.

Emperor Hongzhi stared at him. “Concentrate on the coal mining project. Once it’s done, it will be a great achievement.”

Fang Jifan’s biggest frustration was that no matter how right he was, his identity always stopped people from trusting him.

Of course, the root of this was that both Emperor Hongzhi and the Grand Secretariat ministers brought their fixed ‘governing experience’. They trusted their own judgments more.

So, even if Fang Jifan yelled till his throat hurt, they likely still wouldn’t listen.

Fine, as the saying went, suffering losses makes one wise.

Fang Jifan left in a huff, while Zhu Houzhao was so furious it felt like blood was boiling in his chest, and he followed out.

Seeing the gloomy Zhu Houzhao, Fang Jifan comforted him. “Your Highness, be good. You might not get shares, but you remain our coal business’s spokesperson. I’ll decide to pay you a salary.”

Zhu Houzhao hadn’t calmed down yet, saying angrily. “Imperial Father always treats me like a kid. It’s so infuriating!”

Fang Jifan just smiled, but Zhu Houzhao burst out in shameful anger. “Even someone as unreliable as you, Old Fang, Father trusts. No matter what, I’m better than you, right?”

Fang Jifan suddenly flushed. Wasn’t that a personal attack?

Fang Jifan said. “No, I am a steady and honest person.”

So the two bickered all the way out of the palace.

Producing millions of jin of coal daily, with the era’s poor productivity, meant hiring at least thousands of workers. Plus, they needed to buy many tools. Distribution could be left to Wang Jinyuan. And later, the Imperial Palace and army were expected to buy in bulk.

Fang Jifan roughly calculated the costs. Production and shipping costs weren’t high. Labor was pitifully cheap. So profits alone each month would likely be huge, an astronomical sum. Western Hills had turned into an endless treasure trove. The land’s cost was about two hundred thousand taels of sycee silver. Of course, the Fang Family’s Eastern Market shop had to be used as the coal business’s base.

With almost less than a year, Fang Jifan was sure they could recover the money.

Even at current production, the Fang Family could earn hundreds of thousands of taels yearly. If they grew the market, smokeless coal could be used more widely. Like shipping via the Grand Canal to cities along it, maybe to Southern Tongzhou, reaching the Southern Metropolitan Region. Then doubling output would be easy.

For daily needs like fuel, smokeless coal replaces firewood. Any trade that controls necessities makes huge profits.

Naturally, the big thing was Zhenguo Coal Industry. The Imperial Palace got involved. In this time, not sharing with officials was unrealistic. Originally, Fang Jifan thought to partner with the House of the Crown Prince. With the Crown Prince’s backing, Zhenguo Coal Industry would worry less about issues.

Now, the Imperial Palace replaced the House of the Crown Prince, taking half the shares. This… was good! The Emperor’s name shines brighter than the Crown Prince’s.

For Zhu Houzhao, it was different. He worked for nothing, feeling sour. As they were leaving Chongwen Gate, Zhu Houzhao stormed off towards the House of the Crown Prince. Fang Jifan, seeing it was late, planned to go home.

But not far past Chongwen Gate, an extremely warm voice came from behind. “Hello, Nephew Fang, how are you?”

The voice was so warm it made Fang Jifan’s bones melt.

He turned and saw Marquis of Shouning and Earl of Jianchang, the Zhang brothers, hurrying up with beaming smiles.

Fang Jifan smiled back at them.

They also smiled at Fang Jifan.

Fang Jifan smiled at these two big fools.

They smiled at Fang Jifan, the world’s biggest sucker.

Zhang Yanling stepped close, patting Fang Jifan’s shoulder warmly, looking worried. “Nephew, you’ve lost weight. Want to come for some water at my place to build up your health?”

Seeing this ‘concern’, Fang Jifan shook his head like a rattle. “Thank you, but I prefer bird’s nest.”

Zhang Yanling’s face fell, but he forced a smile. “Bird’s nest… bird’s nest isn’t tasty. Plain water is better, healthier!”

Zhang Heling, afraid he’d keep talking about bird’s nest, quickly said smilingly. “Such luck! We brothers just left Empress Your Highness. She praised you a lot. We said, Nephew Fang is truly great—no young one matches you.”

Fang Jifan smiled back. “Not at all, too kind.”

“Oh, heard you’re selling coal now?” Zhang Heling said with a grin.

He was well-informed and soon knew what happened in Chongwen Hall.

But from his wide smile, Fang Jifan knew these brothers hadn’t spotted the big chance brewing in Western Hills’ wasteland.

Fang Jifan nodded honestly. “Yes, just a tiny trade to feed myself!”

The Zhang brothers laughed again. They nearly said, with your smarts, business isn’t for you; we worry. If you lose money, why not give it to us brothers?

Still, Zhang Heling felt a bit of innate moral conscience, since he gained so much from Fang Jifan. So he said. “Well, wish your venture succeeds.”

The brothers then exchanged a glance. Their eyes locked, full of mockery deep within.

Fang Jifan said “Oh” and got ready to leave.

But suddenly, a carriage came rushing in. A man stepped out, dressed in costly robes, yet he looked like just a merchant.