Chapter 22: First Place in the Military Review

At this moment, no one noticed the look of surprise that flashed across Fang Jifan’s face.

Chi?

Perhaps Zhang Mao and Fang Jinglong had not yet realized it, but Fang Jifan quickly grasped the hidden meaning.

The Great Ming’s Imperial Edicts had several formats. If an edict was to be announced to the entire world, it was called a ‘Zhao’. If it was for rewarding high-ranking officials, it was called a ‘Gao’. If it was for rewarding lower-ranked individuals, it was named a ‘Chi’. Besides these, if it was just to announce a certain matter, it was called a ‘Zhi’. There were also other formats like ‘Ce’, ‘Shu’, ‘Fu’, and ‘Xi’, each used in different situations.

The rules were very strict, and there was absolutely no room for confusion.

Wasn’t this supposed to be the Emperor’s mighty anger, bringing down heavenly punishment? Why was it a ‘Chi’?

They heard the eunuch continue reading: “His Majesty wishes to bring great order to the world, and therefore rewards civil and military talents, to secure the state and bring peace to the people, so that the people have no worries. Nanhe Bozi Fang Jifan, in the Military Review memorial response, presented the policy ‘Bureaucratization of Native Chieftains’, which deeply pleased His Majesty. This is good advice for the state. His Majesty distinguishes right from wrong; how could he not reward it? Fang Jifan is hereby appointed as the top scorer in the Military Review, and is bestowed the Golden Belt. So it is decreed.”

After the eunuch finished reading, he looked at the three people on the ground.

Zhang Mao looked utterly shocked, as if he were about to suffocate.

And Fang Jinglong? The tears on his face were not yet wiped away. He widened his eyes, staring straight at the eunuch.

First place in the Military Review, and even bestowed the Golden Belt?

Fang Jinglong simply could not believe his ears. Impossible, absolutely impossible. What kind of person his own son was—how could he not know? This was simply a fantasy…

The eunuch, however, looked at Fang Jifan with a smile and said, “Young Master Fang, why don’t you hurry and give thanks?”

Only then did Fang Jifan snap back to reality. He felt a mix of emotions inside. ‘Bureaucratization of Native Chieftains’ had earned him merit. A Golden Belt—what an extraordinary honor! He felt every cell in his body jumping for joy. It wasn’t easy, truly not easy. After enduring so much criticism, with everyone wanting to beat him, now… it was finally time to hold his head high.

He hurriedly said, “Your servant… gives thanks.”

The eunuch’s face was full of smiles. He had already handed the Imperial Decree to Fang Jifan and ordered someone to bring a box containing the Golden Belt, which he also gave to Fang Jifan.

Fang Jifan quickly opened the box, wanting to see what the Golden Belt actually looked like. But the eunuch hurriedly stopped him, saying, “Don’t open it, take it home and look at it slowly in private…”

But his words were clearly too late. The box was already opened by Fang Jifan, and a shining golden belt was revealed before everyone’s eyes.

Fang Jifan was delighted. He gently took the belt, but then a look of doubt appeared in his eyes.

Wait a minute! Although the belt looked golden, when he held it in his hand, Fang Jifan felt the weight wasn’t quite right. Was this really gold?

Fang Jifan instinctively put the golden belt buckle to his mouth.

The eunuch’s face changed: “Don’t… don’t bite…”

But Fang Jifan had already bitten down. If it were pure gold, gold is soft and would surely leave teeth marks. But Fang Jifan only felt his teeth jar, and it hurt so much he grimaced. He couldn’t help but say, “So the Golden Belt is actually made of copper?”

“……”

Then, one by one, everyone looked at Fang Jifan as if he were a lunatic.

Gold… wasn’t it just copper?

When the Emperor issues a decree, bestowing so-and-so three hundred jin of gold, did you really think the Emperor was giving away three thousand taels of real gold? That’s copper.

The eunuch was instantly embarrassed.

“Let me see, let me see.” In a flash, Fang Jinglong had leapt to his feet.

The evidence was right before his eyes. He felt as if he were dreaming. He rushed forward and, together with Fang Jifan, stared at the belt in the box. The belt was made of gold… no, it was leather wrapped in brass that shone as brightly as gold. In any case, it was very eye-catching!

Fang Jinglong stretched his neck, greedily looking at the belt. His hand gently stroked the belt. Then, tears streamed from his eyes again: “Has His Majesty… become a bit confused?”

Hearing his words, Fang Jifan suddenly began to wonder if this was his real father.

Maybe, over a dozen years ago, on a stormy night, Fang Jinglong had picked up a child in some run-down City God Temple?

The eunuch first heard Fang Jifan question the quality of the Golden Belt, and then heard Fang Jinglong pondering whether the Emperor might have something wrong with his mind. Scared out of his wits, his face turned pale. He stood up and left, as if the Fang Family had the plague.

“Let this old man have a look, let this old man have a look.” Zhang Mao also accepted the reality before him.

He was shocked inside. How… how was this possible?

How could this brat get first place in the Military Review? Could it be that Old Fang had some shady under-the-table deal with His Majesty?

He moved closer. Three people, six eyes, stared intently at the belt in the box, completely absorbed.

“Hahaha…” Suddenly, a booming laugh that could shake the tiles rang out. Fang Jinglong, with tears streaming down his face, looked up to the sky and laughed heartily: “First in the Military Review! My son has achieved something!”

Zhang Mao looked at Fang Jinglong with a complex expression. He had only one thought: How could such luck exist?

He even began to doubt his own life.

The next moment, he saw Fang Jinglung suddenly grab Zhang Mao’s hand.

Old Fang seemed very enthusiastic. His burning gaze fixed on Zhang Mao, making Zhang Mao very uncomfortable.

“Lao Zhang…” Fang Jinglong even used a more intimate form of address.

“Ah… congratulations, congratulations…” Zhang Mao still instinctively glared at Fang Jifan. This brat who deserved a beating… could also be first?

“That, that… Lao Zhang…” Fang Jinglong actually blushed, looking somewhat embarrassed. He hesitated and said, “Just now I heard you say that your son got the Silver Belt and then married the Longting Princess?”

“Uh…” Zhang Mao suddenly had a bad feeling.

“How about it, Lao Zhang, can you act as a matchmaker for my son? My son is first in the Military Review and got the Golden Belt. A Princess would be too much to hope for; I dare not expect that. I heard that the Prince of Hui has a daughter, just thirteen years old, not yet married, graceful and talented. I’m too embarrassed to bring it up. Lao Zhang, you have more influence. How about you go and suggest it?”

“Ah…” Zhang Mao shuddered and hurriedly said, “This isn’t urgent, not urgent…”

“Lao Zhang… come on, come on…” Fang Jinglong tugged at Zhang Mao. Lao Zhang wasn’t in a hurry, but he was! His son had achieved something, achieved something great! Among all the young nobles in the entire Capital, his son had taken first place. Now, with basic needs met, one thinks of pleasures. Isn’t this the perfect time to solve the marriage issue as well?

This was called striking while the iron was hot!

“Come on, let’s discuss it in detail.”

Zhang Mao was dragged by Fang Jinglong. He barely managed to break free, a trace of panic on his face. He hurriedly said, “Old Fang, such matters need careful consideration, careful consideration is best. Ah, I just remembered, I have something to do. I haven’t gone to the Five Chief Military Commissions for inspection today. We’ll talk later, talk later…”

He waved his hand and fled as if flying. The dignified Duke of Yingguo looked utterly disheveled.

Fang Jinglong, however, looked delightedly at Zhang Mao’s retreating back. He turned to see Fang Jifan had already taken the Golden Belt and fastened it around his own waist. When the Golden Belt was worn, its brightness made Fang Jinglong’s eyes almost unable to open.

Fang Jinglong felt as if he were in a dream. The ground beneath his feet didn’t feel like solid earth, but rather like he was walking on clouds.

He murmured, “First, first in the Military Review. Son, good son…” He clapped Fang Jifan on the shoulder, and Fang Jifan felt as if his shoulder bone was about to crack.

The immensely proud Fang Jinglong laughed heartily again: “First in the Military Review means a good official post. At the very least, you’ll enter the Imperial Guard, surely serving at the palace. You have a future now. Whoever dares to say my son is useless again…” He rolled up his sleeves: “I’ll beat him to death.”

Fang Jifan also couldn’t help but be overjoyed. He quickly nodded and said, “Yes, you’re right. I’ll beat him too!”

Fang Jinglong suddenly remembered something else: “Thinking about it carefully now, my son is so accomplished. We can’t just hastily bring a wife into the family. Lao Zhang was right; we need to plan carefully. Our son shouldn’t just focus on that little girl of the Prince of Hui. It occurs to me that His Majesty also has a daughter, seems she’s not young anymore… Your father has a very bold idea…” He narrowed his eyes, lost in thought about something.

“……” Fang Jifan’s face twitched. Unlike Fang Jinglong, he only had a feeling that this was not good.