Chapter 194: Emperor’s Worry, Minister’s Shame
Chapter 194: Emperor’s Worry, Minister’s Shame
Respecting one’s Mentor, honoring one’s parents, and being loyal to the Emperor—in the teachings of the Sage, these are as inseparable as flesh and blood. In the Han Dynasty, the recommendation of talented individuals was called selecting officials based on filial piety and incorruptibility. That is to say, if someone was extremely filial, they could even become an official. Why?
Because a filial child would never be too bad; surely, he would also be loyal to the Emperor and respect his Mentor.
Similarly, people believed that a child who respected his Mentor would also not be too bad; he would definitely be a loyal minister and a filial son.
These words greatly pleased Emperor Hongzhi. He grew even more appreciative of Ouyang Zhi, a slight smile forming on his lips. “Then, I ask you, who is more important—me or your Mentor?”
When he asked this question, the entire hall fell silent.
It had to be said, this question was rather despicable.
Its effect was roughly equivalent to asking, “If your mother and I both fell into the water…”
It was simply insane and shameless.
But clearly, Emperor Hongzhi wanted to test Ouyang Zhi, mainly because this young man was excessively steady. Now that such a tricky question had been posed, he reckoned Ouyang Zhi would be at a loss.
However, Emperor Hongzhi was mistaken.
Ouyang Zhi remained silent for a moment, then answered with great firmness: “Your Majesty, my Mentor is more important.”
Upon hearing this, Emperor Hongzhi slightly furrowed his brows, his eyes showing some confusion.
Many were astonished; they admired Ouyang Zhi’s steadiness, but they also gasped at his bold answer.
Could it be that Ouyang Zhi intended to be disloyal?
Emperor Hongzhi did not blame Ouyang Zhi but merely felt that his answer was not entirely satisfactory.
He placed his hand on the desk, trying hard to appear calm. With a faint smile, he said lightly, “It seems I am inferior to your esteemed Mentor.”
His tone carried a hint of disappointment.
“Naturally,” Ouyang Zhi thought for a moment and replied, “Because my Mentor taught me the ‘rites between ruler and subject.’ ”
Emperor Hongzhi, who had just been somewhat disappointed, was now surprised. After a brief silence, he laughed heartily. “Fang Jifan is truly extraordinary.”
This answer could almost be given full marks. Who is more important, the Mentor or the Emperor? The Mentor.
Why is the Mentor important? Because the Mentor taught him to be loyal to the Emperor.
Thus… it covered both without any flaw.
Liu Jian, standing nearby, also smiled, as if his interest in Ouyang Zhi had grown stronger.
Although Li Dongyang had always praised Wang Shouren’s merits.
And Xie Qian, being from Zhejiang, felt fond of Tang Yin, who was somewhat of a fellow countryman and exceptionally talented.
Liu Jian suddenly said, “Ouyang Zhi, have you heard of the Beggar Sect?”
Ouyang Zhi nodded lightly.
“My Mentor mentioned it.”
He never spoke three sentences without mentioning his Mentor.
Liu Jian smiled but did not show it outwardly.
“The Beggar Sect is running rampant, harboring ill intentions. Since your Mentor has spoken of it, do you know that His Majesty ordered the capture of the rebel leader within ten days, but to this day, the Eastern Depot and Imperial Guard have achieved nothing?”
Now, half a month had passed. The Eastern Depot and Imperial Guard had arrested many people in the city, but the results were unsatisfactory. Although they had captured many sect followers, not a single leader of the Beggar Sect had been caught.
This matter weighed heavily on Emperor Hongzhi’s mind.
Xiao Jing, hearing Liu Jian suddenly bring this up, hurried forward to apologize: “Your Servant deserves death for failing to ease Your Majesty’s worries… Your Servant will surely order the Eastern Depot…”
Emperor Hongzhi remained calm and waved his hand, cutting Xiao Jing off. His bright eyes turned to Liu Jian.
Liu Jian said with a smile, “What did your Mentor say about this matter?”
Ouyang Zhi thought for a moment. “My Mentor said, if he took charge, there would be no need for ten days, much less half a month—three days would be enough.”
“…”
This was somewhat awkward.
Ouyang Zhi was an honest and straightforward person; he really was repeating Fang Jifan’s exact words.
Every morning, Fang Jifan would gather his disciples, have Xu Jing read the Capital Gazette, and then comment on it.
As a Mentor, it was only natural to boast occasionally.
However, every time Fang Jifan’s boasts came true, so for Ouyang Zhi, whatever his Mentor said must be true.
When Xiao Jing heard this, he was speechless. The Eastern Depot and Imperial Guard had mobilized countless resources and manpower but achieved nothing in half a month. How dare Fang Jifan, a mere Bai Hu from a Military Agricultural Colony, make such an outrageous claim?
The worst part was that if he had to boast, why only three days? Wasn’t that just smashing someone’s rice bowl?
How could he explain this to His Majesty or the other ministers?
But the fact was, he had failed to capture the rebel leader.
Xiao Jing could not say much and just shook his head with a bitter smile.
“Your Mentor, being young and inexperienced, can be excused for his boldness. However, capturing rebels is not as simple as your Mentor thinks.”
This was his way of saving face.
But Ouyang Zhi shook his head, saying with great conviction: “If my Mentor says it can be done, then it certainly can.”
At this point, Emperor Hongzhi and Liu Jian exchanged glances. Then, Emperor Hongzhi smiled faintly and gave Xiao Jing a deep look before saying calmly, “Enough, stop arguing.”
The matter was dropped there.
Clearly, Emperor Hongzhi did not want Fang Jifan’s boast to cause discontent among the Eastern Depot and Imperial Guard.
…
After leaving the palace, Xu Jing kept blaming Ouyang Zhi.
“Eldest Martial Brother, you really don’t understand the situation. Aren’t you harming our Mentor? The Eastern Depot and Imperial Guard have tens of thousands of people, so many elite troops dedicated to capturing and investigating, yet they still couldn’t find the rebel leader in over half a month. Our Mentor’s words, we should just listen to behind closed doors. But you had to say it right in the hall. Think about it, how could they sit still? Isn’t that saying the Eastern Depot and Imperial Guard are just a bunch of good-for-nothings? You don’t know how to handle things…”
Ouyang Zhi also felt he had made a mistake and hung his head, not daring to utter a word.
The group returned to the Fang Family and saw their Mentor entertaining a very special guest. The visitor was actually that Arabian merchant, the one who presented the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Ginseng—‘Xiao Fei.’
Fang Jifan was surprised that ‘Xiao Fei’ had not left yet.
Faisal bowed to Fang Jifan, his face full of smiles and his tone fawning.
“Thank you for your father’s help. The ship indeed returned. I am immensely grateful to you, Young Lord, so I prepared some small gifts. Please do not disdain them.”
Having stayed in Great Ming for a while, his Chinese had become more standard.
Fang Jifan also hadn’t expected his father at the Tianjin Garrison to be so reliable. With just one letter from him, his father truly ‘made an exception.’
After that, Fang Jifan hadn’t inquired further about the matter and had long forgotten about it.
Hearing that Xiao Fei had come bearing gifts again, Fang Jifan looked at Faisal with clear eyes, a pleasant smile curling his lips.
“I am a man of integrity and don’t care for gifts. What gifts do you have? Show me.”
Faisal cheerfully presented the gift list. Fang Jifan took it and saw it was nothing interesting—just ordinary items like ‘Silk’ and ‘jade.’
Fang Jifan lost interest and couldn’t help but yawn. “No, it’s boring.”
He, Fang Jifan, had plenty of silver.
What he really hoped for was to find another ‘Divine Artifact’ like the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Ginseng.
After thinking for a moment, Fang Jifan put on a noble expression, his bright eyes fixed on Faisal.
“This Young Lord isn’t interested in anything else, but I do like flowers and plants. If you have any rare or exotic ones, bring them for me to take a look at. That would be nice.”
“There actually are,” Faisal said happily. “Besides the millennium ginseng, the ship brought some other goods. However, since Great Ming also has these things, I didn’t dare to present them. But if you’re interested, I’ll bring them next time.”
Fang Jifan narrowed his eyes, showing a bit of interest.
“Very well, you’ve been thoughtful. Now, get lost.”
“…” Faisal was stunned.
So direct? One moment he was all smiles, the next he tells you to get lost?
Little did he know, although Fang Jifan hoped Xiao Fei would bring some rare items, he didn’t want to interact too much with him. After all, this person was a Northern Barbarian. I, Fang Jifan, am a loyal minister of Great Ming. For the sweet potato, I made an exception for you. What, do you think we can be friends?
Faisal had no choice but to leave resentfully.
Fang Jifan stretched and, seeing that it was getting late, asked Deng Jian beside him, “Have Ouyang Zhi and the others not returned yet from the banquet at the Imperial Palace?”
Deng Jian grinned and said, “Young Lord, they’ve already returned. They saw you had a guest, so…”
“Call them here,” Fang Jifan perked up.
A moment later, Ouyang Zhi and the others arrived and naturally recounted what had happened in the hall.
Xu Jing smiled bitterly and said, “Mentor, should we send someone to convey an apology to Eunuch Xiao and Commander Mou, so they won’t hold a grudge against you…”
Ouyang Zhi also looked ashamed and hurriedly knelt down.
“Your disciple deserves death for causing trouble for you.”
Fang Jifan looked up and scanned the faces of his disciples. Seeing their fearful expressions, he narrowed his eyes and thought carefully.
“Apologize? Why apologize? Originally, this was a matter for the Eastern Depot and Imperial Guard. I couldn’t be bothered to intervene—I have farming to do. But since the Eastern Depot and Imperial Guard have been working on it for so long without success, and you’ve already let it slip, there’s no other way. Tomorrow… I will capture the rebel leader myself.”
Xu Jing was stunned, then exchanged glances with Tang Yin and the others, seeming somewhat incredulous.
Could their Mentor really… capture the man?
How could such a thing be so easy? He didn’t even need three days, just one short day?
None of the five disciples believed it; they shook their heads.
“However… I’ll need Wang Shouren’s help. He does have some martial skills—he’s much stronger than the rest of you. Ah…” Fang Jifan sighed. “Why is it that all the disciples I take in are useless scholars?”
“…”
Fortunately, everyone was used to it.
…
Emperor Hongzhi was troubled.
This trouble was sparked by Ouyang Zhi’s words.
Capturing the rebel leader within three days…
Although Emperor Hongzhi did not press the matter further, it was because he wanted to save Xiao Jing some face.
After all, Xiao Jing had served him for over twenty years—back when he was still in the Eastern Palace.
But the good thing about boasting is that it always leaves an indelible impression, even if you don’t take it seriously.
It’s like when a teacher asked you as a child what your dreams were, there was always that one friend who wanted to be president, a great scientist, or a superstar.
Then, many, many years later—even thirty or forty years on—when you’re moving bricks, you’ll still remember that friend who made such grand vows but is now also moving bricks. And you can bring up those old stories to tease him for a lifetime.
As long as the rebel leader remained at large, Emperor Hongzhi felt as if he had a fishbone stuck in his throat. No matter how benevolent he was, he was still the Emperor. It was only natural for the Emperor to want to crush rebels.