NCCnovel Chapter 5511 Secret Pregnancy
Chapter 5511 Secret Pregnancy
Chapter 5511 Secret Pregnancy
Qian Wei was sweating profusely and earnestly said, "Bangmu, we must be extremely careful about this matter! If anything goes wrong, none of us can bear the responsibility. Not only will all our previous achievements be in vain, but we might even end up in jail and ruin our futures!"
Xu Jingzong, his eyes red, his expression a mixture of anxiety and excitement: "Why should one be afraid of death when doing great things? Why should one risk one's life when it comes to righteousness! If one does not have the courage to burn one's boats and fight with one's back to the river, how can one create a lasting legacy of opening up Dongting Lake? I have made up my mind about this matter. You don't need to say anything more. The credit and blame will all be on my shoulders, and I will never implicate you."
Qian sighed repeatedly, feeling helpless.
It sounds nice to say, but if something goes wrong, can you bear the responsibility all by yourself?
How could I, as the Prefect of Yuezhou, stand idly by?
Suppressing his frustration, Qian Weidao pondered for a moment and suggested, "Since the governor has made up his mind, I will naturally cooperate fully. However, potential dangers are inevitable. While forming the 'corps,' we must do our best to eliminate hidden dangers and stabilize the situation to avoid unforeseen disasters."
Xu Jingzong was certainly aware of the dangers involved, but he was now forced into a corner. Not only could he not fail in developing Dongting Lake, but he also had to succeed before Liaodong.
Upon hearing this, he asked, "What good plan do you have, Bie Cheng?"
"Biecheng" is an elegant term for "Biejia," much like "Bangmu" is to "Cishi"...
Qian Weidao bluntly stated: "Although there are county troops in various prefectures and counties around Dongting Lake, they have been inland for a long time and are unfamiliar with combat. Once chaos occurs, it will be difficult to quell it quickly. If it cannot be stopped in time, it may have a wide impact and even cause social unrest. At that time, we will be unforgivable even if we die ten thousand times!"
"Forgiving him his sins" is secondary; the most important thing is that he has a bright future and doesn't want to be tied down by Xu Jingzong and driven to a dead end!
Xu Jingzong said impatiently, "Just say it!"
"Here!"
Qian Wei agreed and whispered, "The Right Guard is stationed in Stone City, controlling Jinling and intimidating Jiangnan. However, the Jiangnan gentry are now docile and obedient under the Grand Commandant's influence through maritime trade, and their hearts are set on stability. Therefore, we can write to His Majesty to request that a portion of the Right Guard be transferred to Yuezhou to guard against any unforeseen events."
"Right Guard? Gao Kan?"
Xu Jingzong narrowed his eyes, his mind racing.
Gao Kan was a former subordinate of Fang Jun and had always been a general under Fang Jun. He valued and trusted him greatly. This can be seen from the fact that while other generals had fought many battles on land and sea and made great achievements, Gao Kan was always kept in Jinling to stabilize half of the country in Jiangnan.
Forming one's own "army" is extremely risky and could very likely lead to resistance from local people and bandits. Once unrest occurs, it would require an iron fist to suppress it. Most military generals would not dare to defy public opinion because they could not bear the serious consequences.
But Gao Kan can.
With Fang Jun as their powerful backer, why would they care about mere thieves and bandits?
They could even transfer the necessary risks directly to Gao Kan, making him bear the consequences...
Having understood Qian Weidao's intentions, Xu Jingzong praised him, saying, "Biecheng is exceptionally intelligent and resourceful; he is truly my Zhang Liang!"
Qian was speechless. "I could be Xun Yu, but do you want to be Cao Mengde?"
"Your Excellency is too kind; this is merely my duty."
"Haha, don't be modest. With this kind of intelligence and strategy, you will surely achieve something in the future. Perhaps one day I will have to rely on you!"
"There is no time to lose. Please, Governor, submit a memorial to His Majesty."
"it is good!"
Xu Jingzong acted immediately, writing to His Majesty with two proposals: one, to gather officials and recruit bandits to form a "corps" in Dongting Lake; and two, to request the relocation of a portion of the Right Guard from Nanjing to Yuezhou to guard against unforeseen circumstances.
While sending the memorial to Chang'an, Xu Jingzong summoned officials from the prefectural government to begin formulating a plan to form a "corps." Although the Dongting Lake area does not freeze in winter, the temperature is still very low, and wading operations almost cease. All preparations must be completed during the winter, and various matters will commence after the New Year when the temperature rises.
Upon hearing Xu Jingzong's plan, the officials of the prefectural government were astonished as Qian Weidao, and they were all worried. As the saying goes, although Xu Jingzong claimed to take full responsibility, if something really went wrong, how could Xu Jingzong's words possibly make the decision?
When the central authorities strike, they don't care whose backside it is...
However, Xu Jingzong "used the emperor's orders to control Yuezhou," and the officials, though unwilling and afraid to openly disobey, could only do their utmost to implement the plan.
As supplies poured into Yuezhou, the government sent people to force the local people in the waters to accept reorganization and also pacified the bandits who roamed the lake. Dongting Lake, which had been quiet for a period of time, became lively again, and the implementation of various plans was extremely fast.
*****
Xuanqing Temple.
A light snow fell and a gentle breeze blew. The branches of the plum trees in the corner were gnarled and twisted. The flower buds on the branches trembled and bloomed in the wind. The petals were pure white and the tender stamens were yellow. A faint fragrance wafted from them, almost imperceptible.
The wind chimes under the eaves swayed and jingled softly, slightly irritating Princess Jinyang inside. She put her brush into the brush washer, turned around and tugged at Fang Jun's sleeve, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly, and said coquettishly, "These wind chimes are so annoying, ringing incessantly, making me restless, unable to write well or compose a poem... Why don't you write one for me, brother-in-law?"
Fang Jun had not composed a poem in a long time, but looking at the exquisite and beautiful Princess Jinyang with doting eyes, he naturally did not refuse. He smiled and picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and said, "Composing poems is something I am most good at."
After a moment's thought, the brush moved swiftly, and the ink strokes leaped onto the paper.
Princess Jinyang leaned closer and softly recited: "Several plum blossoms by the corner of the wall, blooming alone in the cold. I know from afar it is not snow, for there is a faint fragrance..."
Upon reciting it again and carefully savoring its meaning, he exclaimed in amazement: "Xie Lingyun once said, 'The world's talent is like a bushel, Cao Zijian alone possesses eight pecks, I possess one peck, and all of history shares the remaining peck.' This statement was met with ridicule from officials and attacks from all over the world. It wasn't that they disagreed with his praise of Cao Zijian 'possessing eight pecks alone,' but rather that they criticized his arrogance in 'possessing only one peck.' However, in my opinion, neither Xie Lingyun nor Cao Zijian combined can match my brother-in-law's unparalleled talent."
Fang Jun felt ashamed: "I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed."
Although the verses were plagiarized, the sentiment expressed in the poem was genuine.
After being dismissed from his post as prime minister, Wang Anshi was disheartened and retired to Zhongshan. His lifelong reforms came to naught. He lamented that the people of the world failed to grasp the essence of his reforms and complained that the emperor could not consistently support his policies of enriching the country and strengthening the military, which led to his isolated struggle and eventual failure.
At this moment, Fang Jun was quite similar to Wang Anshi at that time.
The similarity lies in the fact that, like Wang Anshi, he raised the banner of reform, determined to smash the old vested interest groups, and was determined to make progress and deepen reforms. There were countless heroes in the world, but no one could truly understand the benefits these reforms brought to the country and the people. Most people were forced to do so under his power and suppression, knowing what to do but not why.
Those who were deprived of their benefits naturally hated him to the core.
He wanted to tell the world that he was not snow, but a plum blossom that bravely blooms in the cold, and that one day they would realize the benefits of the reforms he had implemented, just like the faint fragrance that wafts through the snow.
Having lived this long, it's not a wasted second chance at life.
The two discussed the poem for a while. Princess Jinyang felt a little sore in her back, so Fang Jun helped her to sit on the embroidered couch. Fang Jun stroked her slender waist with his large hand, his face showing a look of distress. He sighed and said, "You are only sixteen years old. Why are you in such a hurry to have children? Look, you are in pain now."
Two months ago, the imperial physician diagnosed Princess Jinyang as pregnant, which naturally enraged His Majesty, causing him to fly into a rage...
Princess Jinyang pursed her cherry lips, her beautiful eyes sparkling, and said softly, "If we don't do this, His Majesty will still feel resentful."
Fang Jun sighed, "This is a shotgun wedding."
"But this will cause great damage to your body, and you are not prepared for it."
Initially, he disagreed with using this method of "causing a death" to coerce His Majesty. However, although he was prepared during their intimate moments, Princess Jinyang was always one step ahead, rendering all his precautions ineffective. In the end, she conceived a child in Lantian...
Princess Jinyang slightly raised her pretty face, her smile gentle and bright: "I'm willing!"
What else could Fang Jun say?
The beauty's kindness is profound, what can I do?
Fang Jun shook his head and sighed. Not only had the Emperor become hostile towards him again because of Jin Yang's pregnancy, but his wives and concubines at home were also dissatisfied. Not to mention Princess Gao Yang, who was sarcastic and cynical all day long, even the usually gentle Princess Chang Le had been giving him the cold shoulder and hadn't spoken to him for half a month...
Their status within the family is declining.
If this continues, the husband's authority will be undermined!
Princess Jinyang raised her eyebrows when she saw him sighing: "Brother-in-law doesn't seem very happy? Is he quite dissatisfied with this matter?"
Fang Jun was startled. This little girl seemed well-behaved and clever, and she respected him greatly, but deep down she was a quirky and stubborn person, not someone who could be easily fooled.
He quickly put on a smiling face: "Your Highness, what are you saying? To have Your Highness's favor is truly a blessing I have accumulated over three lifetimes. I am overjoyed."
He paused for a moment, then smoothly changed the subject: "Although it's quiet here, the conditions are not as good. Your Highness has to be careful in everything you do now, and you can't afford any accidents. Why don't you move to the mansion for the time being, so that Gao Yang and Chang Le can take good care of you?"
Princess Jinyang smiled enigmatically: "Aren't you afraid we'll start fighting?"
Fang Jun, with an upright and righteous expression, said, "What are you saying, Your Highness? I, Fang Er, am a man of imposing stature, a pillar of the state. If I couldn't even manage my wives and concubines at home, wouldn't I be a laughingstock? If you can't even sweep one's own house, how can you sweep the world!"
But he was incredibly nervous. He had only said a few harsh words; would Jin Yang really take them seriously?
Gao Yang and Chang Le have always been dissatisfied with my relationship with Jin Yang, and now that Jin Yang is secretly pregnant, if I bring Jin Yang home, it's uncertain whether the sisters will fight, but I'm sure I won't have a good time...