Chapter 234: A Tiger Father Does Not Have a Dog Son

Fang Jinglong was confused in his heart. For no apparent reason, why was he being congratulated?

Wang Shi, however, took out a report from the desk and said with a smile.

“Regional Commander Fang, see for yourself.”

Fang Jinglong took the report and looked down at it. He was shocked. His eyes widened suddenly, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly as he muttered to himself.

“This unlucky child, is he not falsely claiming merit?”

That was his first thought. The report said that Fang Jifan had grown a crop that yielded thirty dan per mu…

Thirty dan! Fang Jinglong had never farmed before, but he was still a landlord. He occasionally looked at the family accounts. The Fang Family’s fields only produced two or three dan per mu. Such a thing, when spoken, Fang Jinglong considered it a fantasy.

As soon as Wang Shi heard the words ‘falsely claiming merit,’ it was as if a chord in his heart had been struck. He felt a bit guilty and couldn’t straighten his back. He immediately reminded Fang Jinglong with a serious expression.

“Nonsense! How could this be falsely claiming merit? His Majesty is wise and will naturally investigate thoroughly. Whether thirty dan were actually produced will surely be verified. Otherwise, look, how could your son, Fang Jifan, be promoted to Qian Hu of the Imperial Forest Guard? Look, even a Deputy Hundred-Household Commander was enfeoffed as an Earl. So many people above and below were rewarded. Could that be fake?”

Fang Jinglong was happy in his heart. He narrowed his eyes. He knew no less about court affairs than Wang Shi. His Majesty was not stupid.

But he still put on a regretful expression, sighed, and shook his head gently.

“This child, he always likes to startle people. I am not at ease. You don’t know, my son… ahem… he has never been peaceful since he was little.”

Wang Shi cursed in his heart, you old dog, you are truly shameless. Your Fang Family ancestors served the dragon and only managed to earn one Earldom. Your son, so young, is not only already a Qianhu Officer of the Imperial Guard but has also been enfeoffed as an Earl. How can you say such things?

As he secretly cursed, he belatedly realized something. He felt that Fang Jinglong was showing off in a roundabout way.

But this was human nature. Who wouldn’t show off a bit if they had a promising son?

Wang Shi, however, said with a smile, “A tiger father does not have a dog son, a tiger father does not have a dog son! Regional Commander Fang, do not be modest.”

Hearing “a tiger father does not have a dog son,” Fang Jinglong was satisfied. He said, “Where, where?” He couldn’t help but lower his head to look at the report again, sighing in his heart. How much virtue had the ancestors accumulated? Could it be that when my late father was alive, he boasted to me that he carried many people out of the Tumu Fortress, saving countless lives? This… was it true? My late father accumulated virtue!

Wang Shi’s eyes shifted, and he continued to smile.

“Regional Commander Fang, this Governor heard that there are rumors outside saying that we, civil and military officials, are at odds. I wonder if Regional Commander Fang has heard of this?”

“What?” Fang Jinglong narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself, I never liked you anyway. But at this moment, he looked utterly confused. “No, no, nothing of the sort. I have always admired Lord Wang.”

Only then did Wang Shi feel somewhat relieved. This Fang Family had really risen to prominence! With the merit of presenting the Sweet Potato, it was enough for them, father and son, to cause all sorts of trouble for several lifetimes. Such a family, it was better not to offend them. They couldn’t be offended.

Wang Shi nodded slightly to Fang Jinglong.

“Exactly. I only recently found out about those rumors outside. I suppose it must be the Rebel Army spies spreading rumors to cause trouble, trying to drive a wedge between us. These rebels are truly cunning to the extreme, truly hateful.”

Fang Jinglong immediately declared, “These dog-like rebels! I, your subordinate, must, under Lord Wang’s leadership, crush them to dust and ashes.”

Wang Shi laughed, setting his mind at ease. Actually, he was also very interested in the Sweet Potato. But being in Guizhou, he was afraid he wouldn’t see it for a while. Oh well, he would wait a bit longer. Probably some old friends in the Capital would send letters, and then he would know.

Just as they were speaking, the Palace Eunuch hurried in. He glanced at Fang Jinglong and said.

“Regional Commander Fang is here too? Good timing. Something has happened. The latest report from the Brocade Guard has reached me. Anshun Prefecture was attacked. Tens of thousands of enemy troops have surrounded Anshun City. The Guard Commander of Puding is requesting aid. The nearby stockades have all been breached by the enemy army. Several Qian Hu have died in battle. I never thought that at this time, the enemy army should have quieted down a bit. But who would have thought… their target was actually Anshun.”

Instantly, the hall fell silent.

Both Wang Shi and Fang Jinglong were shocked.

Anshun was the second-largest city in the entire Guizhou Administration Commission. Once it fell, almost the entire Guizhou would completely fall into enemy hands.

Fang Jinglong’s brows furrowed deeply.

“We must send troops to rescue them. Otherwise, if Anshun falls, we will be defending an isolated city here, dying without a burial place.”

Wang Shi’s face changed between cloudy and clear.

Fang Jinglong immediately said, “This general is willing to lead the Mountain Brigade…”

“The Mountain Brigade is an elite force.” The Palace Eunuch felt somewhat guilty and exchanged glances with Wang Shi. In the palace, the Ancestors had long ago given instructions. His Majesty has always been very concerned about the Mountain Brigade.

If the Mountain Brigade suffered losses, the matter of falsely claiming merit might be exposed, and he would definitely be finished.

“In my opinion, Guiyang is also extremely important…”

Wang Shi understood. “Correct. Guiyang is of great importance and must not be lost. Regional Commander Fang, it’s not that I don’t want you to go earn merit. Guiyang needs you to guard it here. Anshun is also of no small importance. I will personally supervise the army, leading twenty thousand elites, and head straight to Anshun to decide the victor with the enemy!”

Wang Shi’s eyes were red. He planned to go all out. He had been suppressing the rebels for so long without success. Instead, he was being controlled by the rebels everywhere. Now the rebels actually had their eyes on Anshun. If Anshun was lost, he would have no choice but to take off his Black Gauze Cap and go plead guilty himself.

He did not want to be this guilty official!

“But…”

“Regional Commander Fang.” Wang Shi looked deeply at Fang Jinglong and said very seriously, “If you guard Guiyang well, you will still have the top merit. You and I are here by imperial decree to suppress the rebels. We are on the same boat, sharing weal and woe. The Mountain Brigade is entrusted to you, Regional Commander Fang. And also… congratulations.”

“…”

“Summon all officers and soldiers! Beat the drums!” Wang Shi gave Fang Jinglong no chance to request orders and issued the military command.

The Palace Eunuch couldn’t help but be a bit dazed. At a time like this, he was still congratulating… congratulating what?

Inside Guiyang city, the three armies gathered. Then, the great army set out. Provincial Governor Wang Shi personally supervised the army. Twenty thousand troops advanced in separate columns, heading straight for Anshun.

Inside Guiyang city.

Fang Jinglong stood on the city tower, his gaze looking into the distance. His brows were furrowed into the shape of the character ‘chuan.’ Anshun… why did the rebels choose Anshun this time?

He did not understand.

The Palace Eunuch stood behind Fang Jinglong with a smile, his expression normal.

Suddenly, Fang Jinglong’s heart shook.

Anshun…

It seemed like he remembered something.

He hurriedly turned around, almost bumping heads with the Palace Eunuch.

The Palace Eunuch retreated several steps and said to Fang Jinglong with a laugh, “Regional Commander Fang, what’s wrong? So rushed and flustered…”

But Fang Jinglong seemed not to hear his words at all. He directly went down the city tower, rushed like mad to mount his horse, and went straight back to his own Regional Commander’s headquarters, shouting.

“Old Wang, Old Wang…”

Old Wang was Fang Jinglong’s personal guard captain. Hearing the summons, before he could even salute, Fang Jinglong waved at him and yelled, “The letter, the letter… get the letter!”

Old Wang was stunned and asked, very puzzled, “A family letter? From the young master…”

“Hurry!”

A moment later, the family letter that had arrived here more than half a month ago was in Fang Jinglong’s hands.

Fang Jinglong rubbed his eyes and instantly saw the words about Anshun in the family letter: “I predict the Rebel Army will surely attack Anshun. Ostensibly to attack the city, but actually to set an ambush. Mi Lu is cunning. She would never show herself easily. She would definitely control the Rebel Army from the rear. Son has checked all the Military Maps. Mi Lu will definitely find a place to hide. This place is highly likely to be the Stone Stream Stronghold…”

Stone Stream Stronghold…

Everything was predicted.

Fang Jinglong couldn’t help but tremble. His face instantly turned as pale as paper. If Fang Jifan’s prediction still held true, then Provincial Governor Wang Shi would also be highly likely to encounter an ambush…

If that were the case…

The consequences would be unimaginable.

What Wang Shi took with him was the main force…

Should they just sit here and wait for death?

But… were his son’s words truly reliable?

If they sat waiting for death, how many Great Ming soldiers would be lost? There were many old comrades in that army.

Fang Jinglong’s eyes turned red. He said sharply, “Old Wang, bring the Military Map.”

Fang Jinglong found the Stone Stream Stronghold. It was deep in the high mountains, very inconspicuous…

Fang Jinglong sneered. What if she really was hiding there?

To defeat the enemy, they must first capture their leader. If he didn’t make a decision now, and if something happened to Wang Shi, then the entire situation would be lost. But if they captured Mi Lu, then turned back to rescue Wang Shi, the Rebel Army would collapse without a fight.

Fang Jinglong’s heart grew hot. He carefully looked at the terrain of the Stone Stream Stronghold. Old Wang also came closer.

“Regional Commander, this place… it’s a small place. It’s surrounded by mountains. I’m afraid it would be difficult to station many troops there. At most, only three to five hundred people. This small place is neither a thoroughfare nor a strategically important place. Why pay it any mind?”

Fang Jinglong stared coldly at the Military Map, not saying a word.

He was, after all, a veteran general. Perhaps he had overlooked something. But once reminded, he suddenly realized something.

It was as if suddenly, the cunning and unpredictable methods of that woman named Mi Lu became completely clear to Fang Jinglong, like clouds parting to reveal the sun.

“Hah… This wicked woman is truly shrewd!” Fang Jinglong said angrily. “Pointing east but striking west, erratic and unpredictable. Only a woman could have such meticulous thinking. No wonder over the past two years, our imperial court has lost so many people, so many troops and horses, all led by the nose by her.”

He slammed his fist heavily on the Military Map.

“Call the old brothers. Have them pass the order. I, Fang Jinglong, need eight hundred men. Not one more, not one less. Those willing to come, follow me. If this trip fails, the crime of disobeying orders will all be on my head, Old Fang. It has nothing to do with you. If it succeeds, it will be the merit of all officers and soldiers. I must say this upfront. This time, we are going to risk our lives. Those willing to go, go. Those unwilling, I won’t force you!”

“As you command!”

Fang Jinglong was filled with killing intent from head to toe. More accurately, this might also be a kind of inherited trait of the Fang Family. A family that licks blood from blades, how could they shrink back at a critical moment?