Chapter 36: Bestowing an Official Post

Fang Jifan spoke with great enthusiasm, but Zhu Houzhao’s face turned green as he listened. He even shuddered unconsciously.

He saw that Fang Jifan made a lot of sense, and a deep sense of foreboding filled his heart.

Emperor Hongzhi was completely captivated by Fang Jifan’s words. He found the explanation a bit absurd, yet there seemed to be some truth to it. He couldn’t help but ask, “Is that really the case?”

Fang Jifan vowed solemnly, “I swear on my honor that I would never dare to speak falsely or deceive Your Majesty.”

Emperor Hongzhi nodded thoughtfully, then glanced at Zhu Houzhao beside him. He noticed the boy trembling like a leaf.

But Emperor Hongzhi remained calm. He still felt that Fang Jifan was somewhat unreliable. “Where did you hear these ideas?” he asked.

“A wise man,” Fang Jifan replied honestly.

Emperor Hongzhi noticed that Fang Jifan was unwilling to reveal the man’s name, so he chuckled lightly and said, “How should one beat someone to make it effective?”

Fang Jifan said, “I usually use a whip. Whipping brings more joy to the body and mind.”

Emperor Hongzhi indeed saw a whip lying on the desk in the study. Curiously, he picked it up, waved it, and asked Fang Jifan, “Is this the one?”

Fang Jifan said, “Yes.”

Emperor Hongzhi gently tapped the whip against his other palm, as if sensing the force within it. He seemed lost in thought for a long while before asking, “Could you give this whip to me?”

Fang Jifan said generously, “If Your Majesty wants it, feel free to take it and use it. No need to stand on ceremony. But… I dare to ask, why does Your Majesty want a whip from me?”

“Oh, I just like it,” Emperor Hongzhi replied casually.

Then he gave Fang Jifan a deep look, as if feeling that today’s visit had not been in vain.

In truth, Emperor Hongzhi was well aware of the saying “spare the rod, spoil the child.”

But having a vivid example before his eyes made it more convincing.

Now, Fang Jifan had provided an undeniable model. Those three Xiucai, after being beaten, had turned into fine talents, hadn’t they?

He carefully stored the whip away, as if settling a matter in his mind. Then, looking at Fang Jifan again, he recalled the young man’s many misdeeds. He put on a stern face and said, “No more climbing onto roofs and tearing off tiles. You are the Nanhe Bozi, and I have bestowed upon you the Golden Belt. The words and actions of your Fang Family represent the face of the imperial court. Do you understand?”

Fang Jifan felt ashamed. He wanted to promise immediately, but on second thought, it wouldn’t do. If he agreed too readily, it wouldn’t fit the image of a wastrel. Would His Majesty suspect he was pretending to be foolish?

He thought for a moment and resolved to stick to the path of the wastrel.

Of course, Fang Jifan was no fool.

The reason he dared to bargain was that, having studied Ming history, he understood Emperor Hongzhi’s temperament all too well. This emperor was exceptionally lenient.

If it were Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Di, or Zhu Hou, Fang Jifan would have acted as humble as a grandson.

He smiled cheerfully and said, “I’m still young. It’s no big deal if I cause trouble seven or eight times a year, right?”

“…” Emperor Hongzhi’s expression froze instantly. In his life, he had never encountered anyone who bargained with him.

Ah… truly the rumored wastrel.

Seven or eight times?

Emperor Hongzhi put on a stern face again. “At most three times. Otherwise, I will not spare you!”

Fang Jifan then beamed as if granted a great pardon. “I thank Your Majesty for your grace!”

Emperor Hongzhi gazed at Fang Jifan, feeling both appreciation and a hint of pity. Then, he rose from the Official’s Hat Armchair, still holding the ox-tendon whip, and said calmly, “Remember, at most three times. Otherwise, I will use this whip on you! Your father can’t bring himself to beat you, but I can!”

These lightly spoken words sent a chill down Fang Jifan’s spine.

It seemed he had shot himself in the foot!

Emperor Hongzhi was already on the move. He seemed unwilling to let anyone know he had visited the Fang Family, or that he had specifically come to see this wastrel. To put it bluntly, if word got out, it would be humiliating!

So, as he hurried along, he said, “Remember my words. I’m returning to the palace.”

Then, surrounded by his attendants, he left the study. Fang Jifan dashed out after him and called out, “Your Maj…” He suddenly realized his slip of the tongue and quickly corrected himself, “Doctor, take care. Come again when you’re free…”

Emperor Hongzhi returned to the palace without a word, but he continued to hold and fiddle with the whip he had taken from the Fang Family.

Fang Jifan’s words remained etched in his mind. They seemed… quite reasonable.

Moreover, Fang Jifan had set a successful precedent.

He was practically a model and exemplar.

He entered the Warm Pavilion and sat down. Still wearing the Medical Official’s robe, he lacked his usual imperial dignity and instead looked more scholarly.

But the moment he frowned, a fierce aura emerged.

Zhu Houzhao had been uneasy the entire way back. He sensed danger and, seeing his father like this, hurriedly said, “Imperial Father, I just remembered I haven’t paid my respects to the Empress Mother today. I beg to take my leave.”

He turned to leave, but after a few quick steps, a stern voice called out from behind, “Come back!”

Zhu Houzhao felt a chill down his spine, his hair standing on end.

He turned around with great difficulty and looked at his father, whose expression was calm and composed.

Emperor Hongzhi said lightly, “Lately, you’ve been studying the ‘Spring Official and Patriarch’ section from the Book of Rites, correct? Recite it for me.”

Zhu Houzhao hadn’t memorized a single word. In fact, during Master Yang’s lessons, he had been daydreaming. So he stammered, “Your Son and Servant… Your Son and Servant…”

“Can’t recite it?” Emperor Hongzhi looked at him coldly.

Zhu Houzhao quickly knelt and said, “Your Son and Servant will next time…”

“Still thinking about a next time?” Emperor Hongzhi suddenly felt that, just as Fang Jifan had said, regardless of whether this method was effective for his son, it certainly had a therapeutic effect on his own mind. At least now, Emperor Hongzhi felt relaxed and comfortable.

He tapped the whip against his palm, squinted, and looked at Zhu Houzhao with a faint smile.

Zhu Houzhao cried out, “Imperial Father, don’t listen to that Fang Jifan’s nonsense!”

“It’s too late! Kneel properly now!”

Aow…

A howl of pain echoed from outside the Warm Pavilion. Liu Qian, standing guard outside, felt his heart race with fear.

The howling continued for a while before Emperor Hongzhi’s stern voice rang out, “Attendants!”

Liu Qian rushed in nervously and saw the Crown Prince lying face down, his back bearing several fresh whip marks. The sight was truly shocking. Liu Qian dared not look too closely and quickly knelt, saying, “Your Servant is here. What are Your Majesty’s orders?”

Emperor Hongzhi casually placed the whip on the Imperial Desk, as if nothing had happened, and said calmly, “Issue an edict. Fang Jifan, the Nanhe Bozi, ranked first in the Military Review and was granted the Golden Belt. As the descendant of a meritorious official, he should serve the imperial court. Appoint him as Chief Banner Officer of the Imperial Forest Guard, to serve in the Imperial Palace…”

At this point, Emperor Hongzhi intentionally paused. After a moment of contemplation, he added, “His duty will be to patrol the House of the Crown Prince.”

Liu Qian quickly understood and said, “Your Servant obeys the command.”

The Imperial Forest Guard was one of the twenty-six Imperial Guard units. Like the Jinwu Guard, they were the most trusted guards of the royal family. Their duty was to patrol and ensure the safety of the Imperial Palace. Only the most reliable individuals were eligible to join.

Thus, joining the Imperial Forest Guard or the Imperial Guard was almost the only way for the children of noble families to gain experience and build their records.

As for the Brocade Guard, despite their immense power and eligibility for palace duties, making them appear more glamorous than the Imperial Forest Guard and other Imperial Guards, most noble children avoided them like the plague. Everyone knew the Brocade Guard was used by the palace for dirty work. Only ordinary commoners were willing to rise through the Brocade Guard. Noble children sought stability; who would want to get involved in such messy affairs?

As for the other guard units, most were stationed on the outer perimeter of the Imperial Palace or guarded the gates of the Imperial Palace. Compared to the Jinwu Guard and Imperial Forest Guard, who provided close protection to the royal family, they were far inferior.