Chapter 67: Bad Company
Chapter 67: Bad Company
Mining work first needed a complete set of procedures.
As the saying goes, sharpening the axe does not delay cutting wood.
The mine needed a mine protection team.
It also needed dozens of hunting dogs.
That way, they could make sure any mine thieves could have their legs broken at any time.
Miners also needed to be recruited.
The mine also needed some living facilities.
There were all kinds of things…
But they had nothing to do with Fang Jifan.
Naturally, he passed them to Wang Jinyuan to handle.
Wang Jinyuan suddenly became very active.
He had half a share.
Although it was not much, when he realized it was a treasure mountain, he became full of energy.
He was best at business.
These things were no problem in his hands.
Fang Jifan wore warm clothes and still had his kylin robe on top.
He looked at Xiaoxiangxiang who served him with conflicting feelings.
This kind of harsh winter weather could bring Fang Jifan endless wealth.
But it also made Xiaoxiangxiang wrap up tightly.
So he smoothly pulled Xiaoxiangxiang into his arms.
He let the little girl struggle a bit.
Then he laughed heartily: “How satisfying!”
After that, he whistled and glanced at Deng Jian.
Deng Jian carried Fang Jifan’s Imperial Sword and grinned craftily: “Young Lord, it’s time for duty.”
When going out, he needed to wear a Straw Rain Cape.
Both riding horses and carriages were inconvenient.
So he could only walk.
On such weather, the streets were very quiet.
Because the Mid-Autumn Festival was coming.
It seemed this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival would have wind and snow, and it would be hard to see a full moon.
But the festive atmosphere was still there.
As usual, he went to the House of the Crown Prince.
First, he went to report for duty.
Although he was a Zongqi of the Imperial Forest Guard, Fang Jifan always felt he could not find his group.
Actually, this was understandable.
Here at the House of the Crown Prince, there was a Baihu Station of the Imperial Forest Guard.
But the Battalion Commander stationed here really did not want to deal with Fang Jifan.
In the Battalion Commander’s view, this Chief Fang clearly had a big background.
And his image was not very good.
He could not afford to offend him and did not dare to displease him.
But he could not get too close either.
So he kept him at a respectful distance.
Originally, under Fang Jifan, there were dozens of Enlisted Soldiers and Commandants.
But Fang Jifan could not be bothered with them.
This young lord was taking the high-level route!
Sure enough, just after reporting for duty, Liu Jin came panting: “Chief Fang, Chief Fang, the Crown Prince asks for you.”
Fang Jifan imposingly put on his Imperial Sword.
Only when carrying the Imperial Sword did Fang Jifan feel fully confident in front of Zhu Houzhao.
If you don’t accept it, Old Fang will beat you on behalf of the Emperor, believe it or not?
Treading on the snow, he arrived at Zhu Houzhao’s Bedchamber.
He saw Zhu Houzhao in military uniform, wearing deerskin boots.
He breathed out white air and slapped the desk: “Come quickly, come quickly, Old Fang, you have been impeached.”
Fang Jifan stepped forward, completely confused: “Impeached? Who impeached me? What have I done recently?”
Zhu Houzhao said with a laugh: “Censor Liu Huang from the Censorate impeached you for slandering ministers.”
“He also listed all kinds of your bad deeds.”
“In short, you have been scolded.”
“After this Impeachment Memorial came out, it caused quite a stir.”
Fang Jifan was even more confused: “It’s just one impeachment. There are plenty of impeachment memorials. How big can it be? Crown Prince, shall we play chess or go riding?”
Fang Jifan did not take the impeachment matter to heart.
In fact, which of the court officials had not been impeached by the Censorate?
Even the current Chief Grand Secretary Liu Jian had been impeached for being autocratic.
Not only that, Emperor Hongzhi had been scolded for not taking more concubines.
His private life was not decadent enough, resulting in few heirs, which was not good for the country.
The biggest stir was when a Censor impeached Empress Zhang, saying she was unchaste.
The Emperor not taking concubines must be because Empress Zhang was jealous.
Besides, among the Imperial Relatives, the Duke of Yingguo and the Duke of Wei had all been scolded.
As for the Marquis of Shouning and the Earl of Jianchang, they were registered figures in the Censorate.
They were impeached every now and then, as if it had become a habit.
Fang Jifan enjoyed the treatment of being impeached.
This showed that he had changed from a Capital bully to someone gradually recognized as entering the court.
This was a good thing, a sign of growth.
So… it was no big deal.
Liu Jin stood by with a grinning expression and explained: “Chief Fang, you may not know this.”
“The reason this memorial had such a big impact is because Chief Fang insulted Guizhou Provincial Governor Qian Yue.”
“Many people in the court are close friends of Qian Yue.”
“Many of them felt unfair for him.”
“Besides, Chief Fang has a big reputation.”
“This impeachment made that Censor appear to be speaking out for justice, showing his integrity…”
Zhu Houzhao clenched his fist: “This Palace is already prepared, Old Fang.”
“Look, This Palace has put on the military uniform I usually treasure.”
“Tonight, we will ambush the Censor on his way home from duty.”
“We’ll cover his head and beat him up first.”
“This Palace already had Liu Banban find out.”
“His home is near Wuma Street.”
“There’s an alley there most suitable for hiding and taking action.”
“If we don’t beat him up, how can we show our power?”
Fang Jifan’s heart skipped a beat.
Truly, the Emperor was not anxious, but the eunuch was.
This Crown Prince did not really want to take revenge for him.
Clearly, he was already excited and enjoying the spectacle without worrying about the trouble.
“This… we cannot…” Fang Jifan quickly shook his head.
Beat up a Censor? Just because he criticized you out of professional habit?
Although Fang Jifan did not like keyboard warriors, it did not mean he would beat someone up for such a thing, and even involve the Crown Prince.
Even if the Emperor was impeached, he would not dare to be so arrogant.
Also, when the Chief Grand Secretary Liu Jian was impeached for being autocratic, Emperor Hongzhi was furious and imprisoned that person.
But Liu Jian strongly defended him and saved him.
The atmosphere during the Hongzhi Reign was like this.
If Fang Jifan took the Crown Prince to beat someone half to death, then things would not be easy to handle.
He was a Censor. He already had the power to make accusations based on rumors.
To put it bluntly, they were a group of critics kept by the imperial court, and even paid salaries.
Fang Jifan quickly shook his head: “No, we cannot…”
As soon as he said this, Zhu Houzhao immediately looked at Fang Jifan strangely, very puzzled.
But Fang Jifan laughed heartily: “Your Highness, we are rich people now, so we should improve our moral cultivation…”
The words “rich people” immediately stung Zhu Houzhao’s nerves.
Zhu Houzhao immediately interrupted: “This Palace has no money.”
“This Palace’s money was taken by Imperial Father.”
Fang Jifan then said leisurely: “Then, Your Highness is still poor.”
“But your humble subject is a rich person now.”
“I need to improve my moral cultivation.”
“We should fight with words, not fists.”
“A Noble Person uses his mouth, not his hands!”
When Zhu Houzhao heard this, he became excited: “What’s the use of using your mouth?”
“Can saliva make someone lose a single hair?”
Fang Jifan looked very composed and disapproving.
In his heart, he could not help but sigh. Bad company indeed.
…
Guizhou!
In these thousands of miles of continuous dense forests.
Shouts and killing sounds came from all around.
No one knew how many troops were in the forest.
The panicked Ming Army raised their swords, wanting to form a defensive formation.
But from the mountain streams, countless rolling stones fell down.
No one knew how many arrows shot over like locusts.
In the main camp, Qian Yue’s eyes were lifeless.
His crimson official robe was already tattered.
He anxiously waited for news outside the tent.
But what came were cries of agony one after another.
Mi Lu, the daughter of the Chieftain of Yunnan Zhanyizhou, married Long Chang, the native judge of Guizhou.
But because the couple did not get along, Mi Lu returned to her maiden home.
Originally… this was just a small, insignificant matter.
But as a result, the two sides became enemies.
Each led troops for a fight to the death.
As the Provincial Governor, Qian Yue acted decisively and mediated between them.
At first, the two sides reconciled.
Who knew that after each returned to their own city stronghold, Mi Lu, the daughter of the Chieftain of Zhanyizhou, led native soldiers and directly broke through Pucheng in Guizhou.
She killed her own husband.
She called herself the Invincible Heavenly King and declared rebellion.
Qian Yue was instantly dumbfounded.
These people… had no reason or integrity at all.
Didn’t they agree to shake hands and make peace?
Besides, you and your husband didn’t get along, so… you rebelled?
He could not understand these native people.
But he knew that since things had reached this point, he could only choose to suppress the rebellion.