Chapter 60: Debate Before the Throne

When Fang Jifan said those words, even Liu Jian and the other two couldn’t help but frown.

In fact, based on the memorials sent from Guangxi and Guizhou, the situation in the Southwest gradually stabilized. From their experience, they judged that a rebellion was unlikely.

Liu Jian stroked his beard, smiled slightly, and retorted to Fang Jifan, “No one can predict whether a rebellion will happen. However, the Provincial Governor sent to Guizhou this time is Qian Yue. Qian Yue previously served as Provincial Governor of Shandong and Henan, with outstanding achievements. He values moral education most. The provinces he governed were all models. He is a pillar of the state. With his governance, not only will the Chieftains have no reason to complain, but even if a rebellion did occur, with him in charge, it would be quelled immediately. The imperial court could sleep without worry.”

Qian Yue was a very famous high-ranking official. Not only did the Emperor appreciate him, but even the three Grand Secretaries held him in high regard.

Now this kid Fang Jifan actually insisted that Guangxi, and especially Guizhou, might face rebellion, claiming the Chieftains’ discontent had long been increasing and was impossible to pacify. Yet he didn’t realize that the Guizhou Provincial Governor was someone as accomplished as Qian Yue.

With him there, the imperial court had nothing to worry about.

Sure enough, when Liu Jian mentioned Qian Yue, Emperor Hongzhi nodded slightly in agreement. Li Dongyang and Xie Qian also nodded their heads.

Even among the high-seated Hanlin Academicians, some looked pleased. One Hanlin Academician said, “When Lord Qian was the Provincial Governor of Shandong, he compiled a book titled ‘Zhi Dao Bian’ by selecting wise sayings about conduct from ancient texts and combining them with imperial laws and regulations. The book was published and distributed throughout the province. It emphasized social morality, transforming Shandong from a place rampant with bandits into one where people did not pick up lost items on the road and doors were left unbolted at night, with bandits vanishing entirely. Such an official is truly rare and admirable.”

“Yes, yes,” many people chimed in agreement.

This Provincial Governor Qian not only had rich governance experience but also improved societal morals under his rule. Many Hanlin Academicians had read that ‘Zhi Dao Bian’ and admired it greatly.

His reputation was great. This transfer to Guizhou was meant to temper him further. It was believed that after his term as Guizhou Provincial Governor ended, he would soon be recalled to the imperial court and enter its central administration.

And yet, Fang Jifan, you brat, still dared to suggest that a rebellion could occur under his governance.

At this moment, Fang Jifan was actually a bit confused. Was that Qian Yue so famous?

But he clearly remembered that this guy was beaten badly by the Rebel Army in history.

Now, looking at the Emperor and his officials in the hall, they all gazed at him teasingly, their eyes conveying, “Kid, you’re still young. If you don’t understand something, you should learn more.”

Fang Jifan was unconvinced. He said seriously, “Lord Qian is indeed a capable official, and I have heard of him. However, if he is in Shandong or Henan, he only governs commoners and restrains lower officials. With his ability, he might be competent there. But the situation in Guizhou is completely different. His methods are entirely useless there. I fear that before long, because of Lord Qian, a greater disaster will be triggered. The imperial court should be more cautious and prepared.”

Actually, Emperor Hongzhi’s original intention was just to reprimand this kid. Who knew the kid was so stubborn and actually took it seriously, insisting that Qian Yue had issues and was incompetent.

Emperor Hongzhi’s face darkened. He said, “This is slandering a high official. Enough, do not mention it again.”

“Oh.” Fang Jifan nodded obediently, but he still felt restless inside. Not speaking made him uncomfortable because he remembered clearly that the rebellion in Guizhou was massive. Not only that, but Qian Yue would be not only powerless to solve the rebellion but also killed by the rebels.

So, he couldn’t help himself and added, “But I believe the imperial court should still send capable people to the Guizhou and Guangxi front, increase troops, and prepare for the unexpected.”

“You’re still talking?” Emperor Hongzhi glared at him.

Fang Jifan’s words stirred up a hornet’s nest. The Hanlin Academicians were immediately displeased.

Lord Qian was someone they deeply respected. What did you mean, Fang Jifan? Slandering such a capable official of the court—do you think you can just babble nonsense?

“Chief Fang should just focus on his own business. Why meddle in state affairs?”

The speaker was Hanlin Reader-in-Waiting Zhou Chao. Zhou Chao looked furious and spoke with sarcasm! What are you, Fang Jifan? Everyone knows what you’re like, and yet you slander Qian Yue!

Qian Yue and Zhou Chao were both graduates of the same imperial examination year, both Metropolitan Graduates in the year of Tianshun eight, Jiashen cohort. With this connection, Zhou Chao felt it was his duty to sternly criticize and educate this ignorant brat on behalf of his year-mate.

Fang Jifan stiffened his neck and insisted, “I didn’t want to meddle in state affairs either, but His Majesty insisted I talk about the Bureaucratization of Native Chieftains!”

…

Suddenly, Chongwen Hall fell into dead silence.

Zhou Chao was completely defeated. He had to admit defeat. You spout nonsense, and now, when criticized, you drag the Emperor into it? Other officials, when they make huge mistakes, take the blame themselves. But you, Fang Jifan, are amazing. Without hesitation, you look innocent and say it’s not your fault—it’s His Majesty’s error.

Taking a deep breath, Emperor Hongzhi felt he couldn’t engage with this kind of person anymore. If it were anyone else, such unreasonable behavior would at least warrant a severe scolding, or even demotion and dismissal. But strangely, even though Emperor Hongzhi felt like he’d swallowed a fly, he actually thought Fang Jifan wasn’t entirely wrong.

Wasn’t this scoundrel just like that? It was common knowledge. And he was still young, with a history of mental impairment—who knew when it might relapse? As the Son of Heaven, how could he stoop to arguing with a little brat? It would seem petty.

Fine.

He would endure it!

“Ahem!” Emperor Hongzhi scolded, “Stop talking nonsense. When Lord Qian was heading to Guizhou to take up his post, I summoned him for an audience. Knowing his past outstanding achievements and observing his speech and demeanor, both were impeccable. With him in Guizhou, I can rest easy. Enough, do not dwell on this matter anymore. Crown Prince…”

Having failed to reprimand Fang Jifan, it was time to reprimand his own son.

Zhu Houzhao hung his head and obediently stepped forward, saying, “Your Son and Servant is here.”

Emperor Hongzhi said, “Come, tell me what books you have been reading lately.”

Zhu Houzhao replied, “Your Son and Servant has been studying the ‘Spring and Autumn Annals’ recently.”

Emperor Hongzhi nodded, “Then recite it for me.”

Zhu Houzhao hesitated slightly, then looked worriedly at Fang Jifan.

Fang Jifan encouraged him with a firm gaze.

Zhu Houzhao then took a deep breath, “Your Son and Servant obeys the command.”

The hall was silent. Everyone pricked up their ears, wanting to hear how the Crown Prince’s studies were progressing.

Zhu Houzhao paused only briefly before saying, “In the third year of Duke Zhuang, spring, the first month of the royal calendar, Ni joined the Qi army to attack Wei. Summer, fourth month…”

He stopped reciting after that.

Emperor Hongzhi’s face darkened slightly, “And then?”

“Reporting to Imperial Father, Your Son and Servant cannot remember for the moment.” Zhu Houzhao looked troubled. Lately, he had been busy with coal matters and hadn’t been diligent with his studies.

Emperor Hongzhi’s face suddenly fell. Wastrel! Not only did you steal my things, but you also show no ambition to improve!

“Your Son and Servant will try to remember, will try to remember.” Seeing Emperor Hongzhi’s sharp gaze, Zhu Houzhao shrank his neck in fear and began racking his brains to recall.

After hesitating for a long time, Emperor Hongzhi finally couldn’t hold back and shouted angrily, “What have you been doing all these days?”

“Your Son and Servant… Your Son and Servant has been studying.” Zhu Houzhao answered instinctively.

Emperor Hongzhi clearly didn’t believe Zhu Hou Zhao’s words. His sharp gaze fell upon him, making Zhu Houzhao’s hair stand on end.

Fang Jifan’s heart also couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Just then, someone said, “Your Majesty, I have something to report!”

As the voice fell, everyone looked toward the source. It was Wang Hua, the Junior Supervisor of the Household from the House of the Crown Prince.

Wang Hua was Yang Tinghe’s assistant and, like Yang Tinghe, was responsible for the Crown Prince’s education.

He was clearly deeply concerned about the Crown Prince and continued, “The Crown Prince is the Heir Apparent of the state! But from what I know, recently the Crown Prince has been engaging in business with Chief Fang!”

As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar immediately erupted. The Hanlin Academicians clearly could not accept this fact. In this era, engaging in business was frowned upon by the Qingliu Faction. Business was considered a lowly occupation!

Wang Hua collected himself, “Not only that, what they sell… is coal! And they claim that coal can be used for heating!”

…

This time, many people were stunned.

They felt as if their intelligence was being ground into the dust by Fang Jifan and Zhu Houzhao.

Since ancient times, had anyone ever heard of using coal for heating? If coal could be used for heating, then what use were charcoal and firewood? It was true that coal could be burned; for example, since the Song Dynasty, some people had used coal for smelting iron. However, it never became very popular because the cost was too high. After all, coal smoke was highly toxic. Using it for smelting iron required special smoke exhaust systems and placed high demands on the furnace. Charcoal was more convenient.

Using it for heating was even more laughable. Did it mean that our ancestors were all foolish, and only you, Crown Prince, and Fang Jifan were smart?

Zhu Houzhao couldn’t help but say, “This Palace sells smokeless coal. It truly can be used for heating.”

Smokeless coal…

Emperor Hongzhi, who had been silent all along, had a face ashen with anger because he saw countless Hanlin Academicians looking at Zhu Houzhao with looks of pitying someone with a mental disability.

As a father, this was unbearable. Emperor Hongzhi felt his chest ache with anger. He glared at Zhu Houzhao, feeling murderous. I told you to study, but you go do business. Fine, if you want to do business, do it. Among Scholars, Farmers, Artisans, Merchants, business was the lowest rank, but I kept lowering my expectations for you. If you could actually do business and accomplish something impressive, I might have tolerated it. But of all the countless goods in the world you could sell, you choose to sell coal that’s everywhere but nobody picks up? If you sell coal, so be it—consider it childish ignorance. But you actually try to sell coal to people for heating? Your skin must be itching for a beating. Are you insulting me and the Hanlin Academicians, suggesting we don’t know the basics?

Thinking of this, Emperor Hongzhi roared, “Zhu… Hou… Zhao!”