Chapter 214: Concealed Merit and Fame

The spectacular "Pear Garden Archer" event, which started with a bang and ended in a let‑down, left the many central officials as excited before joining as disappointed after.

Being made a mess by a bunch of crazy women was bad enough, but in the end the "reward" was never fulfilled at all.

Because it involved arson at the Pear Garden Forbidden Garden palace and an alleged assassination attempt on the Tang Emperor, the reward for this event was cancelled; after all, no one dared to say whether the assassin possessed any romantic arrows.

If the assassin who tried to kill the emperor were sent to one's own house, then should the case ever be investigated, wouldn't that bring terrible misfortune?

Upon hearing this news, both the palace maids who snapped out of their frenzy and the central officials who didn't know how to handle the "prize" all simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.

As for the Jinwu Guard members who secretly released palace maids in violation of the ban, each received a symbolic ten sticks of the army rod and then faced no further punishment.

The palace maids who tried to flee the Pear Garden at the time were only given a demerit, suffering no overt or covert abuse, a more lenient outcome than anyone had expected.

Right Jinwu Guard Colonel Pei Min was stripped of his position, dispatched to Youzhou, and appointed as Longhua Army Envoy, without suffering any cataclysmic punishment. Of course, the palace maids he tried to protect were not released either; they were returned to the palace where they originally belonged.

In short, the aftermath of this event was pitifully uneventful, as if nothing had happened. Both the aristocratic circles and the central court officials only cared about one question: who set the fire in the Pear Garden Forbidden Garden, and who was the mastermind behind it?

It must be said that the various power brokers in Chang'an, Brother Ji's cohorts, and his sons could all be suspects. Only the three princes who have already left Chang'an are free of suspicion. From the perspective of the biggest beneficiary, Crown Prince Li Chang's suspicion is especially great.

But Li Chang is famously lacking any real backing.

Thus the investigation eventually fizzled out with no one implicated; as for what Brother Ji actually thought and why he handled the aftermath so nonchalantly, no one can guess.

Except for Fang Chongyong.

This day was the last day before the New Year holiday, and all central officials had to go to the office to collect their "salary slips" and then claim their "year‑end bonus" from the corresponding treasury. It usually included grain rations, which had to be hauled by cart. At the same time, a variety of odd items were handed out, such as pepper, sunscreen, hand cream, charcoal, health tonic, fine wine, and the like.

Each of these items was cheap, but the sheer variety and quantity made them quite attractive as official perks.

At noon, Fang Chongyong also went to the Censorate Office to collect the New Year "goods".

"Hmm, I guess that's about it."

Zheng Shuqing personally handed Fang Chongyong a paper covered in writing, detailing what to collect from the treasury. In fact, these matters were ultimately handled by Fang Dafu, who took a list and rode an ox‑cart to take care of them, so Fang Chongyong didn't need to make the trip himself.

"Seems like a bit much, huh."

Fang Chongyong looked over it repeatedly and found that the total he was to receive was exactly twice what the Censorate Inspector should get, at least regarding the grain rations. He didn't scrutinize the miscellaneous items.

"By imperial decree, you receive double."

Zheng Shuqing lowered his voice and said.

"Uh, the office's public treasury money…"

Fang Chongyong asked in confusion. The items were fine, but the most important one had been omitted—the copper coins.

Usually they come from the office's public treasury funds.

"Hasn't it already been distributed?"

Zheng Shuqing looked as if it were obvious.

"Distributed…?"

Fang Chongyong examined every character on the salary slip, yet he couldn't find any indication of how many strings of copper coins were distributed.

"It's been given, I won't waste words on you. You don't need to report today; go home quickly to collect your items."

Zheng Shuqing waved his hand impatiently.

The secret of the public treasury money was actually hidden in one of the items on the salary slip, but Fang Chongyong simply didn't notice.

The Censorate Office cafeteria was closed at noon today, so Fang Chongyong bought a dry wheat biscuit on his way home, chewing it as he walked; when he arrived home, he found that Fang Laique had opened the door.

Upon meeting, Fang Laique whispered, "Sir, the two ladies at home are about to kill someone."

"Kill whom?"

Hearing that, Fang Chongyong was startled and reflexively asked back.

"Of course it's you."

Fang Laique laughed heartlessly.

Fang Chongyong recalled that last night on the bed, Wang Yunxiu was shouting joyfully while whispering in his ear that she would give him a monkey born in the Fang office, which didn't seem like the kind of rage that would lead to murder.

Having tasted the pleasure of being a woman, she should have felt more compassion for her own husband.

"Are you trying to defend me?"

Fang Chongyong snapped irritably.

"Sir, look for yourself; they're all here."

Fang Laique pointed at Wang Yunxiu and Anaye, who were standing in the courtyard corridor with dark faces, blocking Fang Chongyong's path, covering their mouths as they giggled.

Wang Yunxiu's face was as gloomy as water; back when she caught Fang Chongyong kissing Anaye in Shazhou, she hadn't seemed this angry.

As for Anaye, she also put away her usual shameless, carefree grin, and with one hand frantically gestured at Fang Chongyong.

"What happened? What's with those expressions?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a puzzled look.

"You! You person! How could you do this!"

Wang Yunxiu was so angry she could barely speak.

She could not have imagined that the husband who had been intimate with her on the bed just last night would do such a thing today—like someone who first declares eternal love and then immediately stabs you in the back.

When she recalled how she had behaved like a frivolous wanton last night, constantly demanding pleasure and making love without end, she felt a sickening revulsion, deeming herself despicable and ignorant.

"What did I do?"

Fang Chongyong asked bewilderedly, "What did I do?" He had only gone to the office to collect his salary slip that day.

Seeing his expression, Wang Yunxiu's anger surged; she stamped her foot and said, "If it's not you, who else could it be? Come with me!"

She grabbed Fang Chongyong's sleeve and led him toward the back courtyard.

When passing by Anaye, the usually straightforward Hexi country girl lowered her voice and said, "Sir, this time I won't help you; indeed, you were too over the line."

"How could I be so over the line!"

Fang Chongyong, full of doubt, followed behind Wang Yunxiu, and then a scene that shocked him unfolded before his eyes.

Twenty young women, as beautiful as blossoms and jade, with extraordinary looks, dressed in uniform palace robes, lined up in two rows in the back courtyard. Upon seeing Fang Chongyong arrive, they all bowed in unison and said, "Welcome home, Sir!"

"You still have anything to say?"

"If it were just one or two, I could bear it even by pinching my nose."

"Twenty! What exactly are you trying to do!"

"Wang Yunsiu couldn't help but roar at Fang Chongyong."

"Ah! It's you!"

"Fang Chongyong immediately spotted a familiar face in the crowd! He pushed through the women, grabbed Pei Xiu, who was standing at the back with her face covered, and glared at her, demanding: 'What's going on with you!'"

"We came to your home only to serve you, master, as your servants."

"Pei Xiu lifted her head and spoke, a sly smile on her face."

"Stop playing around, someone will die!"

"Fang Chongyong sighed lamentingly."

"Look at this!"

"Pei Xiu took out a sheet of paper with a line that someone had deliberately circled, which read: 'Twenty sets of palace guard sand.'"

"Check if yours has it written too!"

"Fang Chongyong pulled out his own pay slip from his sleeve and indeed found it written: 'Twenty sets of palace guard sand.'"

"We palace maids are part of your year-end stipend. Where do we come from? Naturally, from the palace."

"Hearing Pei Xiu's explanation, Wang Yunsiu was also shocked. She pulled Fang Chongyong aside and asked: 'Does the Holy One distribute palace maids as year-end stipend?'"

"Probably... right?"

"Fang Chongyong's eyes flickered, and he spoke guiltily."

"If that's the case, what are you feeling guilty about?"

"As his pillow-side companion, Wang Yunsiu immediately noticed that Fang Chongyong's expression was off."

"Well, that's a long story."

"Fang Chongyong sighed and said."

"Regardless of Pei Xiu and the other palace maids' dissatisfied glances, Fang Chongyong took Wang Yunsiu and Ana Ye into the study and poured each of them a cup of winter drink."

"Here's how it happened; I'll explain it to you slowly."

"Fang Chongyong let out a long sigh and recounted the whole story from beginning to end."

"……"

"It turned out that on the day of the pear garden archery contest, Li Longji intended to drive Fang Chongyong away, but the latter insisted on staying, and in front of Gao Lishi he gave Li Longji his opinion."

"Your Majesty, palace maids are not wheat in the field; if you cut off their heads, they can never grow back."

"Killing people cannot create more profit; I, your humble servant, believe there is a better way to handle this."

"Fang Chongyong knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Li Longji, pleading."

"Lishi, you go outside to guard; no one is allowed to enter, violators will be charged with treason."

"Ji Ge glared at Gao Lishi and said."

"Then this servant will go."

"Gao Lishi gave Fang Chongyong a deep look, clasped his hands in salute, and took his leave."

"After he left, Ji Ge rose from his chair, looked at Fang Chongyong kneeling on the ground, and asked: 'Speak, what solution?'"

"Your Majesty, these palace maids can be divided into several categories and handled with different methods."

"Fang Chongyong clasped his hands and said."

"Oh? Then go ahead and say, how many categories?"

"Li Longji asked with a smile that didn't reach his eyes."

"First, the daughters of official and noble families; at year's end, we would give them as stipend to their respective households. Thus those officials would surely feel the immense imperial grace."

"Fang Chongyong clasped his hands and said."

"And what benefit does that bring to Your Majesty?"

"Li Longji countered."

"Indeed, those families would certainly be pleased, but this emperor gains nothing; even if we sent those palace maids back, those officials would not change their original intentions, and when the time came to attach themselves to a certain prince, they would not hesitate."

"Your Majesty, simply deduct their stipend; those who understand will naturally grasp the meaning. Moreover, having done it once, there will be a second time; in the future, Your Majesty can follow the same practice, returning some palace maids while also enriching the inner treasury."

"Fang Chongyong said without changing his expression."

"Li Longji nodded slightly, beginning to understand what Fang Chongyong wanted to say."

"Rather than killing these palace maids, it's better to sell them for money! Of course, not directly, but selling them back to their original families, which amounts to a 'ransom'."

"A single palace maid wouldn't fetch much ransom, but what about a thousand? Depending on their backgrounds, the ransom varies, and altogether this sum would be enormous!"

"Once this opening is made, Ji Ge will have a new source of wealth."

"There is another category of palace maids: though their backgrounds are humble, they have saved some money while serving in the palace. We can have them pay money, then, under the pretense of granting marriage, award them to the imperial guards. At the same time, the involved party shall provide a bridal gift, which can be deducted from their stipend, granting them the status of a respectable family."

"Fang Chongyong continued to suggest."

"His principle is singular: a person cannot be duplicated, and once dead cannot be revived—a scarce resource; as a resource, it should be properly utilized, not wasted."

"Guozhong, I find you quite interesting; every word of yours is about money and wealth."

"Li Longji said with a half-smile."

"Means serve the end; I, your humble servant, only wish to enrich Your Majesty's inner treasury, not to follow his wishes."

"Fang Chongyong clasped his hands and said."

"And what about the remaining palace maids?"

"Find a middleman merchant to contact suitable buyers. Those willing to pay a high price will have them released from the palace. Petty landowners and small merchants in fact consider taking a palace maid as a concubine an honor, adding prestige to their face; some even deem it a good deed."

"Fang Chongyong said, going against his conscience."

When choosing the lesser of two harms, that's all he can say now.

「Then let's take this batch of five thousand people. 」

Ji Ge's mood seemed to improve slightly; he furrowed his brow and asked: 「What should be done with the palace maid who obtained the Elegant Arrow this time? 」

「Sage, forgive my frankness. This time, many officials were toyed with by the palace maids; these maids, sent to their homes, will surely suffer abuse, even murder. 」

「It would be better to exempt them from exile on the grounds that there might be an assassin among them who tried to kill the Son of Heaven, then sell them… and send them out of the palace via the various channels I mentioned earlier. 」

「It both accomplishes a good deed and enriches the Sage's treasury—killing two birds with one stone, isn't that wonderful? 」

Word has it that Li Linfu fled and even lost his shoes; waiting for the ten palace maids who snatched the Elegant Arrow to reach the Li family manor in Pingkang Ward, can Li Linfu swallow this anger?

Just thinking about it is impossible!

Court officials are all arrogant and conceited; those palace maids, upon arriving at their homes, will surely die a miserable death.

Fang Chongyong's plan is to 「sell money」 the palace maids under various pretexts, a kind of 「goods recycling」. The five thousand maids can help Ji Ge make a tidy sum. As for the maids' future paths, it's up to their luck and fate.

Fang Chongyong felt he had already reached the limit of his ability.

「Hmm, that makes sense. 」

After much thought, Ji Ge felt Fang Chongyong's method was very reliable, and more importantly, it opened up a new source of wealth!

Besides these five thousand palace maids, other palaces including Luoyang's imperial palace add up to at least forty thousand people who can be 「sold」. This is a huge deal, of course, and there's no need to rush.

「Go on, it's none of your business! 」

Ji Ge waved his hand impatiently, suppressing his inner delight. Although he accepted Fang Chongyong's suggestion, he wouldn't show particular happiness.

…

「In short, that's how it is. But the Sage stuffed twenty palace maids on me, and I have no idea what he's thinking. I know nothing about this. 」

Fang Chongyong put his arm around Wang Yunxiu's shoulders, kissing her cheek as he spoke. Wang Yunxiu is good at that—she listens to reason.

「That old immortal Li Longji is deliberately trying to embarrass this old lady, isn't he! 」

Wang Yunxiu slammed her fist on the table, snorting angrily. Of course, she now resents not Fang Chongyong but Ji Ge.

Bestowing twenty beautiful palace maids on Fang Chongyong in one breath is purely meant to disgust Fang Yanei.

After all, this bad idea was his. So Ji Ge's meaning is also clear: you said sending palace maids to officials is good, then I'll let you have a taste first!

Are twenty enough? Not enough—I still have more!

「Pei Xiu is the legitimate daughter of Pei Min; Pei Min is now going to Youzhou as a Military Envoy, she must not be slighted; as for the other palace maids, I don't know them. 」

Fang Chongyong said in a deep voice.

Wang Yunxiu glanced at Anaye, then sighed helplessly.

They decided to wait for Fang Youde to return before deciding what to do with these twenty palace maids.

(End of chapter)