Chapter 230: The Honor of a Lifetime
Chapter 230: The Honor of a Lifetime
“Fang Jifan…”
Someone panted as they chased from behind.
Fang Jifan, Zhang Xin, and the others were young and quick on their feet.
There were many unwritten rules in officialdom; even when leaving the palace, senior ministers with high status walked ahead, while young officials did not dare to overstep and followed closely behind.
But Fang Jifan walked swiftly, and Zhang Xin and the others naturally followed behind him. They did not dare to lag even a step behind. No matter what, they had to stick with Fang Jifan.
After all, Fang Jifan was their provider!
Hearing someone call his name from behind, Fang Jifan stopped and turned. He saw Ma Wensheng, Minister of War, panting as he ran up.
“Newly Established Count, please wait a moment.”
Fang Jifan frowned slightly and stared at Ma Wensheng, puzzled. “What is the matter, Minister Ma?”
Catching his breath, Ma Wensheng looked Fang Jifan up and down. “I… I am not so sure…”
“…”
“What?”
“Unsure,” Ma Wensheng said awkwardly, restraining himself. “Do Corn and Pearl Rice truly exist, Newly Established Count? Once the imperial court embarks on the Voyages to the Western Oceans, it will require immense effort.”
Fang Jifan stared at him deeply, then spoke solemnly, “Minister Ma, do you really distrust Fang Jifan so much?”
“…”
Fang Jifan continued to question, “What kind of person do you take Fang Jifan for?”
His tone was a bit cold.
“…”
“Fang Jifan has always been known for integrity and trust, and that is known all over the world. Yet you insult me like this?”
Ma Wensheng seemed to realize he had overstepped. Questioning someone directly like that was indeed an insult. So he mumbled hesitantly:
“Newly Established Count, what I meant was…”
“Enough,” Fang Jifan interrupted, his expression darkening, his tone sharpening. “Not only are you insulting me, but you are also insulting every soldier in the Military Agricultural Colony.”
Ma Wensheng was taken aback as he looked at the group of bewildered, shabbily dressed ‘old farmers.’
Yes, perhaps Fang Jifan was not to be trusted, but what reason was there to distrust these soldiers? Look at them — each one had become like this for the sake of the imperial court. They were the pillars of the court.
“I understand now,” Ma Wensheng nodded, speaking with a hint of apology.
“The Ministry of War will spare no cost to draft the regulations.”
Fang Jifan nodded slightly and stopped making an issue of it, his expression softening. The next moment, as if something occurred to him, he suddenly asked:
“Actually, I’ve always had a doubt — did Liu Daxia really burn all the nautical charts? As an official of the court, burning those charts and documents was to utterly disappoint Xiang Zhong and everyone who hoped for the Voyages to the Western Oceans. But I firmly believe Liu Daxia can’t be that foolish. After all, he was a court official. If he burned all those charts and maritime records completely and nobody investigated, he would gain a good reputation. But if someone did investigate, he could face ruin. So I figure he must have kept something back, for safety’s sake.”
Ma Wensheng’s heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly understood.
Yes, burning the nautical charts and documents was only a means, not an end.
Ma Wensheng gave Fang Jifan a deep look, nodded in strong agreement, then smiled slightly and said: “Most likely, the Brocade Guard will give us the answer. If those charts and archival documents still exist, it would truly be a stroke of luck for Great Ming. Why didn’t you mention this earlier in the hall?”
Fang Jifan replied, “I only just remembered.”
Actually, he had recalled it long ago. In fact, historical research in later times had always debated this point. The main reason was that smuggling in the Southeast was rampant at the time, so many private merchants also acted as pirates. Their warships were large in scale and highly advanced. By the late Ming dynasty, these growing private pirate forces, often called Japanese Pirates, almost dominated the entire Eastern seas.
A century later, the pirate leader Zheng Zhilong, inheriting the private merchant fleet, led his fleet in a decisive battle against the Dutch fleet, then the maritime hegemon, and dealt them a heavy blow.
This serves as a clear example.
The reason Fang Jifan did not speak of it in the hall was simple — our noble person, Liu, hadn’t yet suffered the Brocade Guard’s harsh interrogations, had he? How could he confess all at once? One must be decent; there was no need to snatch this credit from the Brocade Guard. After all, Fang Jifan was a man with strong moral principles.
Ma Wensheng became excited: “If that’s the case, the expenditure of money and provisions can be minimized. Newly Established Count, this time you offered the Sweet Potato and rendered a great service. His Majesty is building a stone memorial arch to display your achievements. It’s really enviable!”
His eyes gleamed, and his face was filled with admiration. Erecting a stone memorial arch was the dream of every scholar.
This thing — it was a way to be remembered for a thousand years.
Scholars valued such reputation most, much like how women regarded establishing a chastity arch as the honor of a lifetime.
Ma Wensheng looked at Fang Jifan with flushed cheeks, clicking his tongue in praise. As for himself, this Minister of War, he probably would never get a stone memorial arch in this lifetime. He didn’t even know if he would be granted a posthumous title after his death.
Fang Jifan’s face fell instantly. He silently cried out inwardly — what use was a stone memorial arch? It would be better to receive tangible rewards instead! The thought pained him so much he could barely breathe.
He said stiffly, “Oh, I’m leaving now.”
He turned and left with Zhang Xin and the others.
Ma Wensheng felt a bit awkward. Had he said something wrong? This guy really was as rumored — not a bit of courtesy!
But… if he were courteous, it wouldn’t be Fang Jifan. Ma Wensheng never had high expectations of Fang Jifan to begin with; his expectations were already at the lowest moral baseline, no different from those of a beast.
Though Fang Jifan had just given him a cold look and left with his men, Ma Wensheng stroked his beard, watching Fang Jifan’s retreating back from afar. He shook his head and actually didn’t feel angry. Instead, he murmured to himself: “This Fang Jifan isn’t as terrible as I imagined. At least… occasionally… he can be spoken with reasonably. Those gossips outside, spreading rumors, really are no good…”
The departing Fang Jifan probably couldn’t imagine that despite his rudeness and arrogance, he had received a five-star rating.
This…
…
The Fang Family became lively.
As soon as the imperial decree was issued, the imperially bestowed stone memorial arch was erected. The Ministry of Works personally supervised its construction, and it looked uncompromised and majestic. It took up nearly half the street in front of the Fang Family’s gate. The opposite wall had to be moved inward to make space.
On the stone memorial arch were inscribed the words ‘Loyal, Devoted, Brave, and Wise.’ This was the highest level of loyalty arch for military officials — one could never receive such high praise without achieving great merit.
For the unveiling of this Loyalty Arch, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture came in person, and eunuchs from the palace also attended. Moreover, the Duke of Ying, Zhang Mao, carrying His Majesty’s appointment, came to read another decree.
Fang Jifan stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the imposing stone memorial arch. He felt like a prostitute who had reformed and was awarded a chastity arch — both laughable and frustrating. This thing couldn’t be eaten or drunk; it was just an honor. At the very least, the palace could have given something more practical.
It truly pained him — all his hard work was wasted just like that.
Fang Jifan felt the stone memorial arch was useless, but behind him, Wang Shouren and the others all gazed at it, inexplicably moved.
A stone memorial arch — the highest honor for civil and military officials during their lifetimes. Their mentor truly was their role model. So young, yet he had already achieved such glory. From now on, in all the neighboring villages and streets, who wouldn’t respect him? Eventually, all this would be recorded in county, prefectural, and even national histories, leaving his name for posterity.
Tang Yin cried, tears streaming down his face. He sobbed, covering his face.
Fang Jifan was startled by this crying and frowned, asking, “What are you crying for?”
“Mentor offered the Sweet Potato and saved countless commoners. His Majesty graciously bestowed this stone memorial arch upon you to honor your remarkable achievements. Such heavenly grace! Mentor… your student is happy for you… so happy…”
Tang Yin’s tearful words moved Wang Shouren and the others as well. Their eyes all grew moist.
This stone memorial arch was like the posthumous titles granted to ministers upon their deaths.
In history, even the esteemed Chief Minister Li Dongyang, who had served as Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, was on his deathbed when he heard the Emperor intended to grant him the posthumous title ‘Duke Wenzheng.’ This Grand Secretary, who was already at the pinnacle and near death, actually jumped up from his sickbed, full of vitality.
Fang Jifan was both baffled and felt like dying. Isn’t… isn’t this just like an award certificate for a model student? Talk about making it sound grand… Your Majesty, could you give something more practical… Suddenly… Fang Jifan wanted to die…
A tiny glimmer of tears appeared in the corners of Fang Jifan’s eyes.
Those nearby saw and nodded, murmuring among themselves — look at the bond between that mentor and his students, truly touching heaven and earth.
The Duke of Ying, Zhang Mao, stood nearby, beaming happily. He suddenly slapped the eunuch who had come to observe the ceremony. His large, fan-like hand struck the eunuch’s shoulder, and the eunuch instantly shrank, nearly collapsing to the ground.
“Let me tell you, Eunuch Liu, do you know what I said to Old Fang’s son back in the day?”
The eunuch rubbed his shoulder, wishing he were dead, but still forced a smile.
“Forget it, you wouldn’t understand anyway.”
The eunuch cautiously glanced at Zhang Mao. “This servant hasn’t yet congratulated you, Duke. The Zhang Family now has another young Earl. Who in the entire Capital isn’t envious… By the way, Duke, if you were to write a letter to Kaifeng, His Highness the Prince of Zhou…”
Zhang Mao’s face darkened. Regarding Kaifeng, it naturally referred to his in-law, the Prince of Zhou. His daughter-in-law had been tricked away — that Prince of Zhou really was not decent. A few days prior, he had been so worried and ashamed — such a disgrace for the dignified Duke’s residence. But now, he just folded his arms and sneered, acting completely indifferent.
“Write what letter? Write what letter? The men of our Zhang Family don’t worry about lacking wives. If the Prince of Zhou wants to break ties, let him break them! If he dares, let them not send the person over — divorce her!”
“I, Zhang Mao…” Zhang Mao bared his teeth, sneering, eager for everyone to hear — after all, the last incident nearly made him lose face entirely: “…am not to be trifled with!”