Chapter 216: Shennong Rises

Zhang Mao was clearly very angry. By past standards, a severe beating was unavoidable this time!

Actually, Zhang Xin was not afraid of being beaten. He really wasn’ t afraid at all, as he had long grown accustomed to it.

But when he heard that Xiao Jie had been tricked away by her father pretending to be sick, his heart felt like it was twisting!

It hurt a little, and this pain made him sad! His wife had put in so much effort to support him, and now she was deceived and taken away. The fiefdom of the Prince of Zhou was in Kaifeng, a thousand miles away. He did not know when husband and wife would meet again.

This time, however, contrary to Zhang Xin’ s expectations, Zhang Mao did not hit him…

The stout man Zhang Mao was actually crying. Covering his eyes, he said sorrowfully, “Do you think your father enjoys beating you? I’ m just afraid you won’ t amount to anything! In this family, you are the youngest son and cannot inherit the title. What will you rely on to support yourself independently in the future? In our Great Ming, one can only obtain a title through military merit. Without a title, even if you are given a military officer position, so what? You could become a Commander or a Regional Commander, but what about your future grandsons? At best, after two or three generations, your elder brother’ s line will still be Dukes, while your grandsons might only be Hereditary Commanders of a Thousand Households.”

“How can you farm, you…” At this point, Zhang Mao shook his head, his expression both sorrowful and angry, then gritted his teeth: “That Fang Jifan messes around wildly and still managed to get himself an Earl title. But you, following him to farm, will have no future your whole life! Now even the Prince of Zhou looks down on you. Can’ t you wake up and realize your mistake? Listen to your father. Tomorrow, I will find a way to transfer you to the Jinwu Guard. After some training there, you can go to Yunnan-Guizhou, or to a Border Garrison, or be transferred to the Southeast Coastal Defense Garrison. Make an effort, achieve some merit and come back.”

Zhang Xin knelt on the ground, just crying and not daring to make a sound.

Zhang Mao grew impatient and shouted at Zhang Xin, “Speak!”

Tears in his eyes, Zhang Xin thought for a moment before saying, “Farming concerns the well-being of countless people. Bai Hu Fang said we should think about the common people of The World, so…”

Zhang Mao nearly jumped up, fuming: “Fang Jifan… he talks about the welfare of the common people? That shameless little brat! What kind of person is he? Doesn’ t he know himself when he pees? How could you be so foolish, tricked by such words? Go out and ask around, is Fang Jifan someone who cares about the common people? You… you… you are just too stupid…”

Zhang Xin raised his head, his tear-streaked face looking wretched, but his gaze was firm: “Father, your son is unfilial. The Newly Established Count might be deceiving me, but your son… is willing! Even if it’ s a deception, your son accepts it gladly, because your son truly wants to do something he likes. Your son does these things not to prove himself, nor to earn any merit, not because of the Newly Established Count’ s coaxing, but only because when looking at those crops, your son feels like a person, like a useful person! Regarding Father-in-law, after we finish this busy period, during the agricultural slack season, I will personally go to Kaifeng and bring Xiao Jie back. Father… your son… deserves ten thousand deaths!”

Zhang Mao was so furious he seemed ready to explode. Like an old ox, his chest heaved, puffing and panting.

His hand formed a fist, veins bulging on his fist the size of a sand pot. He gritted his teeth, his eyes seeming about to split open. But in that instant, Zhang Mao cried again. His fist went limp, and he wiped his tears with the back of his hand: “My son is a fool, he’ s gone mad, deceived and still unaware…”

The once mighty, tower-like strong man wiped his tears as he staggered step by step around the kneeling Zhang Xin and headed for the door!

Zhang Mao’ s sobs grew louder, and he muttered as he went, “How did it come to this? He was such an obedient child before. He’ s no longer that good boy… my son…”

Staggering across the threshold, the night outside was deep. The cool breeze of early autumn whistled. Tearfully, Zhang Mao, still sobbing, disappeared into the ink-black night, the sound of his crying gradually fading into the distance.

Zhang Xin remained kneeling for a long time, motionless. He tried hard to sniff back his running nose, his eyes also red. After a long while, he finally stood up.

The Oil Lamp flickered. He would never forget the sound of Zhang Mao’ s crying in his mind, like needles stabbing him, hurting him very, very much.

Then, he took out the many Bamboo Slips with records he had brought back today. He went to the desk, laid out a thick notebook, wiped his tears, and said instinctively, “Xiao Jie, you read, I’ ll record. Grind the ink a bit thicker…”

“…”

There was no response.

He looked up in surprise, gazing into the emptiness. There was nothing there. He realized once again that he might have lost his father, and possibly his wife too.

Tears burst forth uncontrollably. He tried hard to inhale, suppressing his sorrow. With tears in his eyes, he ground the ink himself, picked up the Bamboo Slips, and began recording while holding a brush: “Vines at Western Hills Estate A are turning yellow, suspected pest damage. Possibly caused by yesterday’ s light rain, or perhaps…”

The flickering candlelight shone in Zhang Xin’ s eyes, reflecting the tears welling up and swirling there.

…

“That is truly regrettable.”

Upon hearing that Zhang Xin’ s wife had left, at the Western Hills Baihu Station, Fang Jifan kept a straight face, showing an expression as if mourning his own parents.

“Yes, truly regrettable.” Wang Jinyuan shook his head and couldn’ t help but sigh.

Fang Jifan turned and bared his teeth at the six disciples who had come with him: “Why aren’ t you saying anything?”

Xu Jing hurriedly said, “Mentor, it is truly regrettable.”

Tang Yin raised his head: “This student’ s wife doesn’ t get along well with me either.”

Fang Jifan gave Tang Yin a sympathetic look. He knew that in history, because of a scandal, Tang Yin’ s wife had returned to her parents’ home and never came back. It seemed this woman wasn’ t very decent. Hmm, should he advise Tang Yin to divorce his wife?

Just as Fang Jifan was pondering this internally, a voice startled him: “Ah, truly regrettable…”

It was Ouyang Zhi and the other two speaking.

Their reaction time… seemed a bit longer…

Looking at their slow reactions, Fang Jifan really felt like finding a block of tofu to smash himself to death.

Wang Shouren seemed to always be in the corner, as if forever pondering, ah, no, probably forever just thinking randomly.

Fang Jifan couldn’ t be bothered with him. As long as he didn’ t come up with ideas about deceiving his mentor or betraying his ancestors, he let him be.

The reason he brought his disciples today was actually to let them familiarize themselves with the environment!

The Western Hills School had been established. Although the school buildings hadn’ t changed, still those few thatched cottages, and the students hadn’ t changed, still those OOXX or XXO, still, the shiny plaque was now hung up, which gave Fang Jifan a great sense of achievement.

These six disciples were ready-to-use manpower, of course they should be utilized properly. They couldn’ t just eat for free every day. So he brought them to get acquainted with the students. In the future, during their spare time from official duties, they would be asked to teach.

As for other teachers, Fang Jifan had also hired quite a few. One Provincial Graduate came, along with several Xiucai. They were all preparing to stay in the Capital waiting for the Provincial Examination or the Metropolitan Examination. Their families were somewhat poor, and while studying in the Capital, they could avoid traveling back and forth for the next exam. At Western Hills, there was food and lodging, and Fang Jifan paid them too. Why not?

Moreover, by next spring, likely many Provincial Graduates would come to the Capital, waiting for the Imperial Examination two years later. By then, Fang Jifan planned to recruit a few more Provincial Graduates.

After all, the students were just starting their elementary education. The older ones were only around ten years old, the younger ones just seven or eight. They couldn’ t be taught advanced learning anyway.

The weather was getting colder, which made Fang Jifan comfortable. The Fang Family was about to start selling coal again. It was like when spring arrives, the animals are happier because mating season has come.

After expressing regret, Wang Jinyuan looked at Fang Jifan and said, “By the way, a few days ago someone was walking around our fields.”

“Walking around?” Fang Jifan showed no change in expression.

“It seemed to be a Censor. Most likely, they heard that we forced the Villagers to plant Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Ginseng, and thus… wanted to gather evidence to impeach the Newly Established Count.”

“Oh…” Fang Jifan just nodded, not particularly concerned!

He wasn’ t afraid. He hadn’ t stolen or robbed anyone. Censors impeaching people was just routine entertainment in the imperial court. Ordinary people didn’ t even get to enjoy this treatment. Even if he had stolen or robbed, so what if they impeached him? Did Fang Jifan care? At most, an Imperial Edict would come down reprimanding him, a scolding. Did he care about that? He got scolded every day.

Then, Wang Jinyuan moved a bit closer to Fang Jifan, cautiously speaking in a low voice: “Also, that Hu merchant, that Hu merchant came here the day before yesterday. Originally, he wanted to see the Young Earl. He said he was preparing to set sail and return to his country. Before leaving, he wanted to see the Young Earl one more time, hoping for your continued support in the future. Unfortunately, the Young Earl wasn’ t here. He was very regretful, so he left.”

Fang Jifan said sternly, “That old dog, most likely still wants me to cover for his smuggling. Hmph, am I the kind of person, Fang Jifan, who disregards national laws? If he dares to come again, even if the imperial court doesn’ t arrest him, I’ ll catch him and hang him up, breaking his legs first.”

Wang Jinyuan smiled awkwardly: “He also heard that the Earl is quite interested in flowers, plants, and exotic fruits. When leaving, he left some things. He said he brought them along when coming to Great Ming. If the Young Earl likes them… keep them to plant for fun. If not, just throw them away.”

There’ s more…

Fang Jifan narrowed his eyes, a clear spark of interest in them. Clearly, he became interested and quickly asked, “Where are the things?”

“This humble one kept them, knowing the Young Earl would be interested.” Saying this, Wang Jinyuan turned to fetch them. In a moment, he brought a Brocade Pouch.

Wang Jinyuan gently placed the Brocade Pouch, and then many things rolled out from its opening.

“This is…” Fang Jifan’ s eyes gradually shone brighter, the light quite dazzling.

Good people, he had stumbled upon a treasure…