Chapter 562: The Emperor's New Clothes

As for the wedding night uproar, Fang Chongyong had no interest at all; he returned alone to the yamen to read letters and found it already deep night.

When Fang Chongyong led troops to campaign in Hebei, the Chang'an court had actually sent several groups of people to deliver letters—some representing Ji Ge to "admit fault," others representing Li Chang to win over, only the dates on the letters differed.

Picking up these letters now, the times have long changed, so they are no longer timely. The promises in them are like carving a boat to seek a sword—already a joke to mention, reading them makes one both laugh and cry.

Fang Chongyong rubbed his puffy eyes, and then, from the corner of his eye, saw Da Zhenhui still sorting books and letters by the bookshelf, classifying them.

Tang books are all scrolls; for those unfamiliar, if they are not unrolled it is hard to know which roll contains what, so daily sorting of books is a hassle.

In the yamen, such tasks are handled by dedicated clerks, but Fang Chongyong has many confidential matters, not convenient to delegate.

Seeing Da Zhenhui's slender back, Fang Chongyong felt no desire at all; instead, he thought the other person… seemed like a librarian!

"Come over and rest for a while."

Fang Chongyong gestured to Da Zhenhui and said.

Da Zhenhui, who was sorting books, stopped, turned and walked over, sitting opposite Fang Chongyong.

Usually this young lady is as reticent as a sealed gourd and doesn't like to talk, but when she sees things like book manuscripts she clearly gets excited.

"There is a saying of ruling the country by virtue or by law; virtue governance encourages people to be good and follow rules for lasting peace; law governance restrains the masses with statutes and punishes transgressions.

If you were an emperor, which would you choose?"

Fang Chongyong, casually flipping through a book, asked, merely to see what Da Zhenhui would say.

"Obviously virtue governance, law governance is hard to make good use of."

Da Zhenhui blurted out almost without thinking.

This answer surprised Fang Chongyong; he, with interest, probed, "Why do you think so?"

"Even if there are laws, there are often not enough enforcers. Enforcers may also break laws, and supervising them requires even more enforcers.

Such a cycle consumes time, effort, and wastes food and money. The government collects taxes only to waste them; aren't the people's lives consequently more miserable?"

"It's better to prioritize virtue governance; law governance takes too long to show effect and costs too much."

Da Zhenhui spoke slowly, but her logic was clear and insight exceptional; she immediately grasped the essence of Tang local governance.

Often, reality is completely opposite to intuition.

Although in his previous life Fang Chongyong watched many TV dramas about ancient case solving, those cases were actually very "lucky." In other words, at that time technology was extremely limited, with no DNA testing or cameras, making solving cases very hard.

An ordinary case requires massive manpower and resources to investigate, all drawn from the government's tax revenue.

In other words, officials in the prefectural and county offices rarely have that much spare time to handle these. This is only about criminal law; there are many other administrative tasks needing personnel, such as tax collection and conscripting labor.

If everything must be governed by law, the current number of officials would need to increase tenfold and still be insufficient.

The ancients' emphasis on "virtue" is also impractical; drafting, promulgating, implementing, and reviewing laws all require capabilities beyond reach, merely appearing beautiful.

Da Zhenhui's ability to see this is already quite impressive.

"You should marry into a great household as the primary wife; you could certainly manage the family well. Following me as a concubine is truly a grievance to you.

If you are willing, I could acknowledge you as my sworn sister; later I will arrange a good household for you."

Fang Chongyong suddenly felt compassion, not wanting Da Zhenhui to waste her youth on him.

"Ah Lang, you are kind to me; would another family be kind to me as well?"

"I may be young, but I will not behave indecently."

Da Zhenhui gave Fang Chongyong a slightly resentful glare, lowered her head and whispered.

"Hahaha, very well."

Fang Chongyong burst into hearty laughter, pulled Da Zhenhui into his arms, seized her lips and kissed her desperately. Da Zhenhui's mind went blank, she forgot everything, her body uncontrollably responded to him, her heart seemed about to leap out of her chest.

After a while, the study door was knocked.

Half‑naked Da Zhenhui, like a startled rabbit, hurriedly dressed and hid behind the screen.

"Come in."

Fang Chongyong cleared his throat lightly to mask the awkwardness; being interrupted while in the middle of a good deed was truly unpleasant.

"Jiedushi…"

Guan Chongsi strode in, saw that Fang Chongyong's complexion seemed off, and swallowed the words he had just about to say.

"What are you anxious about? He Laohu has taken a liking to Lady Yuwen; I, the commander, am just going with the flow. Could you also be interested in this young lady?"

"Is it difficult for me to arrange a good marriage for you in the future?"

Fang Chongyong asked irritably.

"No, Jiedushi, the Yong King, raging, has already arrived outside Kaifeng City; I, the subordinate, report that the night curfew forbids entry into the city, so they are waiting outside, and I come to inform you."

Guan Chongsi clasped his fists and saluted Fang Chongyong, saying.

"Is the Yong King really like that?"

The situation was unexpected; Fang Chongyong instantly became interested.

Since someone is offering a face to be hit, he has no choice but to reluctantly teach him a lesson.

According to Fang Chongyong's original plan, this bride snatching is just to knock Li Lin, make him realize his puppet status, and have him honestly serve as a mascot.

There was actually no plan to publicize the bride snatching.

He didn't expect Li Lin would still come to contest.

Heh, the more one fights for it, the more one gets slapped in the face, and the more people see it; Li Lin, this soon‑to‑be emperor, can't even protect his own daughter‑in‑law!

Someone like that, who would truly follow him?

Human hearts drift apart little by little like that.

"Now the Hebei bandit army eyes us hungrily; who knows whether the one outside the city is the real Yong King or an impostor bandit?"

"Let them wait outside until dawn; everything can be dealt with then."

Fang Chongyong said indifferently.

"Understood! I will now go inspect the city towers."

Guan Chongsi let out a sigh of relief; he had thought Fang Chongyong would let Li Lian into the city, but he didn't expect his own Jiedushi to be so overbearing.

But then again, if he weren't overbearing, he wouldn't be Fang Chongyong.

The so‑called strong army carries an air of fearing neither heaven nor earth, so when facing a formidable foe it absolutely dares to brandish its sword.

What a damn puppet emperor, actually thinks of himself as the number one figure!

With that in mind, Guan Chongsi finally stopped worrying about being repaid later, turned and left, taking the room door with him.

After he left, Fang Chongyong couldn't help but sigh.

Originally the atmosphere had been good, and he could have easily brought Da Zhenhui into the room. Now the mood is gone, proceeding would be pointless, so he'll have to wait for later.

Da Zhenhui stepped out from behind the screen, head lowered, not daring to look at Fang Chongyong, her face flushed.

"You tell me, was it a mistake for me to let He Laohu force a marriage?"

Fang Chongyong let Da Zhenhui sit opposite him and asked in a low voice.

"Jiedushi, when General Guan went to force the marriage, why didn't Lady Yuwen kill herself? Why didn't her husband draw his sword?"

Da Zhenhui did not answer Fang Chongyong's question; instead she raised two sharp questions.

Guarding love, guarding dignity, requires a price!

Fang Chongyong instantly understood, realizing his earlier query was unnecessary.

The world is already ruled by might, with no reason. The weak have no agency, at the mercy of others.

But since you are weak, why don't you even have a heart to burn both jade and stone?

If, when Guan Chongsi forced the marriage, the Yuwen clan had chosen death over compliance and Li Lian's second son Li Zuan had fought to the death… would it have come to this point now?

The odds are that it wouldn't.???? Fang Chongyong is bold enough to act against Li Lian's childless daughter‑in‑law, but he would never harm his second son.

Otherwise, the drama of the Son of Heaven ordering the lords would fall apart.

Jiedushi Fang is, after all, not Dong Zhuo!

Da Zhenhui's looks may not match those of Ana Ye and the other women, but she is both graceful and wise, and her mind is very clear.

If the weak cannot resist, they can only be manipulated by the strong. The world's principles are held in the strong's hands.

Because those who like to argue with them are mostly cut down!

In other words, if Li Lian were truly powerful, not only could Fang Chongyong not do anything to him, but he would also have to guard his own wives and concubines from Li Lian's designs!

This is a very simple principle.

The strong have the right, the weak deserve to die!

Under tyranny, everything is judged by whose blade is sharper; there is no right or wrong. Fang Chongyong protects his own, seeks benefits for his subordinates—was he wrong?

He was not wrong.

Because everyone sees this Jiedushi as righteous; more people will flock to him, and more will sing his praises.

This is the logic of the strong.

"Your father is really foolish, giving me such a fine young lady for free, letting me score a great bargain."

Fang Chongyong said with emotion.

"Alang, just don't despise me," Da Zhenhui muttered softly, feeling a bit uneasy.

In the Balhae Kingdom they also uphold the saying 'a woman without talent is virtue.' In other words, even if a woman is talented, she should not display it openly; she should be more reserved.

If Fang Chongyong hadn't asked, Da Zhenhui wouldn't have said so much. Though this matter seems trivial, it actually shows mutual trust between them, no longer treating each other as 'outsiders.'

"Go to bed early; tomorrow there's a great show, you can watch from behind the screen."

Fang Chongyong said with a hint of meaning.

……

Whoa!

When the rooster crowed, the world brightened!

The sky was just dawning, and all four gates of Kaifeng City were flung open, a full hour earlier than when Chang'an opened its gates.

Porters balancing a flat yoke, rotund merchants, officials in official robes, came and went through the gates. The canal crossing instantly revived its bustling atmosphere, shouts and calls rising and falling.

Need I say more, Kaifeng County, blessed with the canal, truly is a prime spot for trade, thriving and prosperous.

This small county town can no longer meet the growing commercial demand; reconstruction and expansion are inevitable.

Yet these vibrant, competitive scenes are detestable in the eyes of Prince Yong Li Lian!

He prefers the grandeur and majesty of Chang'an, where royalty rides on sedan chairs, officials and house servants hold placards guarding on all sides, and pedestrians step aside, unwilling to stare.

That is the sort of display he deserves!

"Can we finally enter the city?"

Prince Yong Li Lian, dark circles under his eyes, stared at the gates and asked the Gao Shang beside him.

"Your Highness, I still advise you not to enter the city."

Gao Shang bowed to Li Lian and performed a salute.

"I won't believe it; how could Fang Qing dare to do anything to me! Go!"

Li Lian flicked his sleeve, let out a cold snort, and headed toward Kaifeng's gates. Gao Shang, following behind, sighed helplessly, glanced at the pale‑faced Li Zuan, unsure what to say.

Li Lian said nothing more; Li Zuan is also a useless person, never stepping up when needed, and now unwilling to back down.

"Haven't you heard that when one should cut decisively, hesitation brings chaos?"

"Disaster is not far off!"

Gao Shang shook his head, sighed, and muttered a word; the foolishness of Li Lian and his son truly exceeded his expectations.

The group, with a fierce aura, arrived at the great hall of Bianzhou Prefecture Office and saw Fang Chongyong yawning while perusing the ledgers.

Having just met, Li Lian sneered sarcastically: "Jiedushi Fang, what a grand attitude! Last night I arrived outside Kaifeng, and the city guards actually wouldn't let me in—what's the reasoning?"

"Your Highness, aren't you in Chenliu? How did you end up in Kaifeng?"

Fang Chongyong pretended to be clueless, wearing an expression of complete ignorance. If Li Lin hadn't seen through this scoundrel's deceit, he might have actually been fooled.

"Alright, let's set this aside for now."

Li Lin inhaled deeply, looked at Fang Chongyong and said, "Your subordinate Guan Chongsi took my daughter‑in‑law Yuwen, please return her to me."

"Your Highness, Lady Yuwen has long suffered abuse; she asked to leave, and General Guan took her away."

Moreover, although General Guan serves in the army, he is a refined gentleman and has done nothing to Lady Yuwen.

Coincidentally, Lady Yuwen has written a separation letter; Li Zuan, take a look to see if there are any issues.

If there are no problems, sign your name and this matter will be settled.

Fang Chongyong lifted the divorce document in his hand and waved it before Li Lin.

Damn! It turned out exactly as Gao Shang predicted! Li Lin, furious, was about to speak.

But Gao Shang cut in before Li Lin could speak, saying to Fang Chongyong:

"Jiedushi Fang, words alone are insufficient; have General Guan and Lady Yuwen come here to confront each other."

His eyes met Fang Chongyong's, showing no sign of weakness.

"Fine, then let the confrontation proceed as a confrontation."

Fang Chongyong whispered to the attendant Yan Zhuang beside him, "Fetch He Laohu and Lady Yuwen, also summon Guan Chongsi; we will settle this in the main hall of the magistrate's office."

"Your Highness, is this satisfactory?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a forced smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Hmph, that's fine then."

Li Lin did not notice Gao Shang's worried eyes, seeming to think he still held the victory in his hands.

Soon, He Changqi, his new wife Yuwen Jie, and Guan Chongsi, who was patrolling the streets, were all summoned by Yan Zhuang.

The three displayed different expressions.

He Changqi looked smug and fearless.

Yuwen Jie lowered her head in shame, clutching He Changqi's arm and refusing to let go.

Guan Chongsi wore a mocking smile, ready to watch a good show.

"Lady Yuwen, I, the commander, ask you: has Li Zuan been abusing you for a long time, making your life unbearable?"

I will ask you only once; think it through before answering.

You need only say yes or no; I have no interest in your family affairs!"

Fang Chongyong stared at Lady Yuwen and asked.

"Yes!"

Yuwen Jie shouted, then hid behind He Changqi, fearing that Li Lin and his son would rush in and slash her to death.

"Your Highness, you heard that just now, didn't you? You can see the situation now, right?"

Lady Yuwen's new husband is neither General Guan nor Fang, but this General He.

It's true that she doesn't want to live with Li Zuan, right?"

Fang Chongyong feigned a helpless smile and asked.

"Wretched woman! I will kill you!"

Enraged, Li Zuan drew his sword and lunged at Yuwen Jie; in an instant, He Changqi casually seized Li Zuan's arm and, using his momentum, flung him violently!

It's a common trick used in battlefield melee.

Unexpectedly, Li Zuan's body flew uncontrollably backward, crashing straight into a pillar in the hall; his occiput hit first, and he collapsed, unconscious.

Gao Shang's complexion changed drastically; he hurried forward, placing his fingertip on Li Zuan's nostrils, feeling the other's breath like a wisp, as if he were about to die.

(End of Chapter)