Chapter 93: For the Sake of the Greater Good

“Since Master Shen has said so, for me to refuse would be impolite—thank you. We have plenty of time ahead.” Lu Fang accepted gladly.

Some things, when stated too plainly, only sink to a lower level.

Shen Kangbo smiled and nodded, raising his palm slightly; light shimmered across the Bagua training ground like irrigation channels, forming an intricate array.

A flash of white light.

Lu Fang, standing at the center of the training ground, felt the world spin for a few breaths; when he regained his senses, he stood before the gates of the Imperial Capital.

……

Taihe Hall.

Emperor Zhou sat on the dragon throne, pressing his thumb hard against his swollen temples as he listened to his ministers’ reports, his frown deepening.

Minister of Revenue Fan Sheng bowed deeply and said:

Your Majesty, the imperial treasury cannot sustain warfare on both the northern and southern fronts for much longer. The best course now is to stabilize the southern demon clan frontier before the situation deteriorates further.

In the hall, besides Fan Sheng, were Minister of Justice Xiao Qi, Grand Secretary He Fan, Minister of War Xie Yifan, and the half-sage Sima Yu of the Shi family.

The Tenth and Twenty-Seventh Imperial Princes had already been present in the hall, so they were here too.

Just as Emperor Zhou was about to speak, he paused and said, “I didn’t expect him back so soon—quickly, summon Lord Wenguan into the hall.”

Not long after.

Lu Fang entered the hall and bowed to Emperor Zhou.

Emperor Zhou said urgently, “Lord Wenguan, during your visit to Wuyincheng to meet Shen Kangbo, what progress was made on the dissemination of the Great Zhou Gazette?”

Lu Fang smiled. “Everything exceeded expectations. Shen Kangbo has agreed to spread the Great Zhou Gazette across all nineteen provinces within half a year.”

At these words,

the courtiers’ expressions varied—some astonished, some disbelieving, others scowling with displeasure.

Before Emperor Zhou could speak,

Xiao Qi frowned and stepped forward to bow.

“Your Majesty, this matter, in my humble opinion, is inappropriate. With the northern and southern fronts in such dire straits, spending vast sums to disseminate the Great Zhou Gazette is utterly unnecessary.”

“Those funds would be better spent supporting the northern and southern fronts.”

I believe the wisest course is to accept the demon clan’s marriage alliance proposal and allow Great Zhou time to prepare adequately.

Lu Fang snorted coldly and rebuked, “Xiao Qi! Do you know what you’re saying? Accepting the demon clan’s marriage alliance is the wisest course? I think you’re trying to make His Majesty appear faithless before the realm!”

“Don’t you remember that three years ago, His Majesty publicly declared Great Zhou would never enter into marriage alliances with foreign races?”

As Lord Wenguan, addressing Xiao Qi by name directly was not improper; had he not held back his reason, he would have cursed the old man on the spot!

Bullshit about the northern and southern fronts.

Everything Xiao Qi does is merely to annoy Lu Fang.

The Twenty-Seventh Prince Ji Si smiled faintly and bowed.

“Father, the Minister of Justice’s words hold merit. As Lord Wenguan said, Great Zhou indeed never enters into marriage alliances with foreign races—but Lu Ling is merely a commoner, and cannot represent Great Zhou.”

Lu Fang glanced at the Twenty-Seventh Prince. After his conflict with the Xiao family, he had investigated him thoroughly.

He knew this prince was the maternal grandson of Xiao Wanlin.

But Lu Fang had not expected the Twenty-Seventh Prince to personally intervene in something so likely to defy Emperor Zhou.

Perhaps he was eager to court the Xiao family.

Or perhaps he believed this offered Emperor Zhou a face-saving exit—that they assumed the emperor would eventually relent on the marriage alliance.

Lu Fang, thinking this, said coldly, “Your Highness, are you trying to cover your ears while stealing a bell?”

The Twenty-Seventh Prince smiled wryly.

Lord Wenguan, you need not be so hostile toward me. Is what I said not true? The demon clan did indeed demand your sister for the alliance—but isn’t it worth saving tens of thousands of southern frontier civilians at the cost of one person?

“No one wishes for anyone to die—but this is unavoidable.”

“Before you arrived, the Minister of Revenue clearly stated the treasury lacks funds to sustain both fronts. I hope Lord Wenguan will consider the greater good.”

“The greater good?” Lu Fang smiled. “Your Highness, is this truly the only solution you can conceive? To use the phrase ‘greater good’ to force His Majesty into becoming a man without faith?”

He could have avoided this situation—but Lu Fang chose to make the Twenty-Seventh Prince lose face before Emperor Zhou and the ministers.

For an enemy, mercy is cruelty to oneself.

If you wish to humiliate me, then I’ll ensure you never become emperor.

“Audacious!”

Fan Sheng pointed angrily at Lu Fang. “Lord Wenguan, how dare you speak to the Twenty-Seventh Prince in such a manner? This is insubordination!”

The Twenty-Seventh Prince smiled. “No matter. Lord Wenguan is merely overwrought—he cares deeply for his sister. His harsh words are forgivable.”

Xiao Qi seized the moment. “Your Highness is truly benevolent.”

“Crack!”

Emperor Zhou slammed his hand on the table, glaring at the Twenty-Seventh Prince. “Absurd! Don’t you see the demon clan’s marriage demand is meant to humiliate Lord Wenguan—and me?”

“Don’t think I don’t know what’s in your hearts!”

“Worthless brat—you’ve disappointed me deeply!”

The Twenty-Seventh Prince bowed low, trembling—whether from anger or fear, no one could tell. He whispered, “Father, I spoke only as a temporary measure. Hearing the Minister of Revenue say the treasury was empty, I grew anxious.”

Xiao Qi hesitated, then finally said:

“Your Majesty, I believe the Twenty-Seventh Prince is right. Lord Wenguan—”

“Enough!” Emperor Zhou cut him off impatiently. “The treasury lacks silver? Lord Wenguan’s trip to Wuyincheng has already solved it.”

Grand Secretary He Fan and Minister of War Xie Yifan exchanged glances, both startled. They had pondered the silver problem for months.

Yet every solution they conceived was nearly impossible to implement.

They had even considered asking the Shen family to contribute—but even if they emptied the entire Shen estate, it wouldn’t suffice.

Lord Wenguan went to Wuyincheng once—and solved it all?

Emperor Zhou stepped before Lu Fang, patted his shoulder approvingly, and smiled. “Minister! You’ve done me a great service. Tell them—what is a commercial sector?”

Lu Fang bowed in surprise, thinking perhaps the hidden half-sage had just whispered everything to Emperor Zhou.

To be honest, he had acted without intent.

Yet somehow, his casual move had taken root and grown into a forest.

Grand Secretary He Fan, unusually anxious, hesitated.

“Lord Wenguan, is the commercial sector meant to have merchants from all regions donate silver to fund the northern and southern fronts? If so, it won’t work—it will incite public resentment.”