novelraw Chapter 1974 Disloyalty
Chapter 1974 Disloyalty
Chapter 1974 Disloyalty
"I don't like trouble, so I'll avoid it if possible." Fang Zilan watched as a figure got off the carriage and was welcomed into Zuiyue Tower by Fang Lihui. It was undoubtedly Yin Quanzhang.
"Speaking of which..." Fang Zilan asked casually, "Do you know anything about Yin Quanzhang?"
"Your question came later than I expected." Li Shengxuan curled his lips, while Fang Zilan shrugged indifferently. "You may not have met all the officials in the various prefectures. Most of them are appointed based on their political achievements, so even if I asked, I didn't expect an answer. In that case, what difference does it make whether it comes sooner or later?"
“There is a connection.” Li Shengxuan’s smile widened. “I have not only met Yin Quanzhang, but I have also dealt with him.”
"What did you say?" Fang Zilan, who had been leaning against the railing, suddenly sat up straight. "Then why..."
Li Shengxuan put his arm around Fang Zilan's shoulder reassuringly, "There's no turning back now. As long as Yin Quanzhang doesn't see me before the Spring Gathering ends, it'll be fine."
Fang Zilan was taken aback, only to hear Fang Chongzheng say, "Does Lord Fang know who instigated this case in the Northern Border?"
“Lu Zhizhang.” Fang Zilan answered without hesitation. Fang Chongzheng coaxed her, “Then, Lord Fang, have you ever considered what roles the Wang family of the Northern Border and the Huangfu family played in this case?”
"Adding fuel to the fire." Fang Zilan's voice deepened, and Fang Chongzheng pressed, "What's the reason?"
"I don't know." Fang Zilan's voice lowered further, clearly lacking confidence. "I thought that if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold, and the Wang family would never harm anyone in the military."
"You think you've thought long-term enough just because you think 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold'?" Fang Chongzheng earnestly instructed, "A person's life lasts for decades, a family for hundreds, and a dynasty for at most a thousand years. The Wang family is not concerned with the temporary rise and fall of Wang Quanzhi, nor with the honor and disgrace of Wang Quanrui alone, but with the rise and fall of the Wang family over a hundred years. Do you think the Wang family would allow military generals to be above civil officials?"
Fang Chongzheng's words were like a ray of light, making Fang Zilan suddenly understand.
During the few days she secluded herself at home, she racked her brains but still couldn't understand why the Wang family would become Lu Zhizhang's accomplice. The northern border had a clear separation between civil and military affairs; the Wang family had no reason to harm anyone in the army.
It wasn't until she heard Fang Chongzheng's words that she understood. Many of the military personnel, such as Deputy General Li and Deputy General Qin, were promoted during her tenure. After she left, the Huangfu family probably put in a lot of effort as well, and before long, it turned into a subtle competition between military and civil officials.
After a long while, Fang Zilan sighed softly and said, "No. Lord Fang is right to reprimand me; I was not thoughtful enough."
"Inconsiderate." Fang Chongzheng repeated the word in a deep voice, his tone turning colder. "Now that we've reached this point, does Lord Fang only feel that he was inconsiderate?"
Upon hearing this, Fang Zilan felt a chill run down her spine, as if she were a child caught red-handed by her parents. However, she remained outwardly calm and asked, "What exactly does Lord Fang wish to say to me?"
Instead of answering, Fang Chongzheng asked, "May I ask you a question, Lord Fang? In your heart, is the responsibility to ensure the eternal stability of our nation greater than the heavens?"
Fang Zilan was stunned for a moment, then spoke softly, "Yes." Her voice was a little hoarse, carrying an indescribable heaviness, but it was extremely firm.
"Do you know that this responsibility should belong to the emperor in the Qiankun Palace?" Fang Chongzheng's tone was somewhat solemn. "You say that you have a responsibility to ensure the stability of the country, but noble families say that power and interests are greater than the sky. Your perseverance cannot meet the threshold of their high-ranking families, cannot be reduced to an inch of land granted to them, and cannot support the pillars of their grand mansions."
Fang Zilan listened quietly, but felt an inexplicable fire burning ever brighter in her chest.
She couldn't help but retort, "Lord Fang holds a high position in the imperial court, and his understanding of official conduct is far beyond my reach. Yet, even so, I dare not agree with Lord Fang's words." She cleared her throat with a light cough and continued, "Those in positions of power should fulfill their responsibilities. The affairs of the world are not solely the concern of the emperor. Otherwise, what would be the purpose of the officials? What use would the noble families be? To hold a high position and not take the world as one's own responsibility, but instead take the world as one's own body, is a grave misstep, and there is no limit to what one will do."
Fang Chongzheng remained silent, but a familiar figure flashed through his mind.
In our youth, who hasn't been filled with patriotic fervor, concerned for the world, and willing to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to the cause, even at the cost of their life? But as time passes and the world changes, who remains steadfast in their initial commitment?
Sure enough, they are the real family.
"Lord Fang is young and must feel that what you did was righteous and justifiable." Fang Chongzheng's words softened slightly, "But looking back many years later, it was just a moment of heroic impulsiveness. You were willing to die and be forgotten for the sake of the people of the Northern Border, but who will stand up to protect them after you die? Life is only a few decades long, and the future is long and steady. It is not something that can be decided in a day when you are young."
Fang Zilan suddenly chuckled, her voice filled with melancholy. "Lord Fang is used to protecting himself, so why bother with a young, impetuous, and ignorant junior like me? Although life is not just about seizing every moment, there are always things that need to be done. I am the kind of person who will not turn back until I am dead, so I am afraid I will have to go against Lord Fang's good intentions."
"Does Lord Fang believe there's anything in this world that absolutely requires you?" Fang Chongzheng's tone grew colder, and Fang Zilan's voice weakened, "Nothing is indispensable to anyone else. It's just..."
She suddenly stopped speaking, and after a long while said, "There are many things in this world that no one wants to do. I don't want these things to be looked at coldly and forgotten." She laughed at herself as soon as she finished speaking.
Fang Chongzheng was right; she was indeed trying to be a hero.
But who can be the savior? She wasn't arrogant enough to do that.
Fang Chongzheng clenched his fist into a fist, his hands hidden in his sleeve, as memories flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern.
He was powerless then, and he is helpless now.
He was once disheartened because the Fang family could only protect themselves, and he also envied those who were willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the country. He was also unwilling to accept that the Fang family was not strong enough to protect everyone in the country.
As he grew older, the grand vision in his heart was gradually smoothed out, and he thought that the loneliness, envy, and resentment of his youth had all vanished with time.
However, it was only at this moment that he suddenly realized that after so many years, no matter how calm he was, there was still a trace of regret that he could not suppress.
Finally, his expression remained indifferent, and he said in a cold voice, "Throughout history, no valiant general has ever met a good end. I hope Lord Fang will take care of himself."
A single sentence, as light as a feather, carried an unspeakable warning, causing Fang Zilan to jolt.
Did none of them meet a good end? She knew all too well. But even if there was no way forward, she would overcome all difficulties and dangers to carve out a path for herself.
She would never be willing to back down now.