Red Mansion: Seizing Jiangdong, starting with pirates

Chapter 310, Regaining Face

The sweep was still in the preparation stage. After Fang Yong made the most crucial decision, the remaining details were left for Wu Yuan and others to discuss.

For example, the logistics supply of the army, the arrangement of generals, and the planning of mobilization time.

Military operations involving 200,000 troops are far more complex than a simple mobilization order.

The various aspects and details involved are so numerous that even if one person worked for three days and three nights, it would be difficult to finish them all. The reason why Prime Minister Zhuge died was largely due to his meticulous handling of such matters, which ultimately led to his illness and death.

This shows that it is not advisable to hold all power in one's own hands.

Compared to other people in power, Fang Yong was very relaxed in this regard.

He delegated a great deal of power to his subordinates with great trust.

Fang Yong possesses absolute power, allowing him to easily place a high degree of trust in his subordinates—an advantage unmatched by other rulers.

This is a skillful way of managing subordinates.

It was definitely not because Fang Yong was lazy that he chose to do this...

Back in the inner palace, Fang Yong went to Jin Chuan'er's palace.

Fang Yong did not have the habit of notifying Jin Chuan'er in advance when he came and went in the inner palace, so Jin Chuan'er did not know that Fang Yong was coming.

When Fang Yong entered, Jin Chuan was lying lazily on the bed, with a maid peeling grapes beside her. Qing Wen was sitting next to Jin Chuan, reading a book.

"What beauty do I possess? It is only because of the Emperor's favor and grace that I am like this. I have a sworn sister, surnamed Hu, named Ximei, who is now a nun in the Zixiao Palace. My beauty is far inferior to hers..."

Qingwen was reading "Investiture of the Gods" written by Xu Zhonglin during the Ming Dynasty. Because of its fantastical and interesting stories, it was often circulated among people.

Fang Yong walked in.

The maid peeling the grapes was startled and quickly bowed.

"Your Majesty!"

Qingwen, who was on the bed, also hurriedly got up.

In terms of status alone, she was still just a maid, and it was clearly against the rules for her to be with Jin Chuan'er at this time.

Jin Chuan'er, who was lying down, also remembered this moment, and Fang Yong stepped forward to help her up.

"Since you are pregnant, there's no need for such formalities."

Fang Yong said.

He reached out and touched Jin Chuan'er's belly, which was now slightly protruding. The girl was originally slender, but now, perhaps to supplement the nutrition for the fetus, her body had become a little more fleshy.

Jin Chuan'er said with some disappointment, "I'm afraid I won't be able to serve Your Highness this time."

Fang Yong smiled and said, "It's alright, I just came to see you, talk to you for a while, and then I'll leave."

Then, Fang Yong said to the little maid:
"You guys go down first."

The maid said "Yes" and then left.

Qingwen glanced at it, lowered her head, and left as well.

Fang Yong climbed onto the soft couch and gently embraced Jin Chuan'er.

Where were we reading just now?

Jin Chuan'er said:

"Daji plotted to kill Bigan."

Fang Yong turned to that chapter, looked at it, and read aloud:

"—Golden light rises from the east of the sea, illuminating the vast and serene universe. A jade disc hangs in the azure sky, its radiance spreading like rainbows. It is said that King Zhou and Daji were admiring the moon on the platform..."

Jin Chuan'er lay in Fang Yong's arms, listening to Fang Yong's recitation and looking at Fang Yong's perfect profile. She thought that he was now the king, yet he was willing to spend time reciting with her. Her heart melted instantly.

"Your Majesty!"

Jin Chuan'er said something with seductive eyes.

She took the initiative to hug Fang Yong and rubbed against him.

During pregnancy, a woman's libido may actually be stronger, which is a normal physiological phenomenon.

Jin Chuan'er quickly sensed Fang Yongqi's reaction.

However, for the safety of the fetus, she ultimately could not truly enjoy herself.

"How about I go and call Qingwen..."

Jin Chuan'er said softly.

Fang Yong shook his head and said, "No need."

Then he whispered in Jin Chuan'er's ear, "You do this, like this..."

Jin Chuan'er's ears turned red instantly. After a long while, Fang Yongcai finally came out.

Qingwen and her maid were still waiting outside.

Fang Yong looked at Qingwen and asked:
When did you learn to read?

Although Qingwen knew a few words before, they were only everyday expressions and far from her current level. That's why Fang Yong asked the question.

Qingwen quickly replied, "It was the Princess Consort who taught me."

Did Daiyu teach him?

Fang Yong was somewhat puzzled.

Qingwen took the initiative to explain:
"The Princess Consort asked me to go and help..."

Through Qingwen's narration, Fang Yong gradually learned the whole story.

It's actually very simple.

The palace maids were originally all elderly women from the Longqing Emperor's era.

Some of these people may inevitably have problems, so it is not safe.

Fang Yong therefore selected a new batch of palace maids to replace the previous ones.

However, this also brings some problems, namely that the new group of people are new to the area, do not know the rules, and are difficult to manage.

The two maids serving Daiyu, Xiao Xueyan and Xiao Fu'er, were too young and even younger (having appeared before), making it impossible for them to control the palace maids.

Therefore, Daiyu had to select several trustworthy maids to manage these palace maids, probably with duties similar to those of a female official. It was during this time that Qingwen learned to read from Daiyu.

Fang Yong nodded after hearing this.

Looking at Qingwen.

After learning to read, the girl developed a more refined air about her, suppressing her previous spoiled nature.

When Qingwen saw Fang Yong looking at her, she pursed her lips.

Since that incident, Fang Yong has never touched her again.

Although she was still determined, as time went by, the initial drive she had had almost completely dissipated.

She now feels a slight pang of regret.

Qingwen has a very stubborn personality and finds it difficult to give in.

She had actually secretly practiced the scene of apologizing to Fang Yong long ago.

But when she got close, she couldn't say a word.

At that moment, Qingwen and Fang Yong's eyes met unexpectedly.

Qingwen's heart pounded, and the emotions she had been suppressing could no longer be contained.

She mustered her courage and was about to speak.

"Your Highness, military intelligence from Liaodong!"

Xiao Changzi rushed over immediately.

……

Not long ago, Chu Yuqi of Liaodong finally made a move.

Chu Yuqi secretly amassed hundreds of thousands of troops and launched a major battle against Goryeo!

In a single battle, they annihilated a Goryeo army of five thousand men. The Goryeo Dynasty was so terrified that it surrendered and offered countless gold, silver and beautiful women to sue for peace.

Chu Yuqi sent men to deliver all the gold, silver, and beautiful women presented by Goryeo to the capital; they are currently en route.

Chu Yuqi publicly declared that the proclamation he had previously issued against the Fang traitors was not his original intention, but rather an expedient measure to mislead the Goryeo government. Now that he had achieved a great victory, he would naturally return to the court of Dae Hee and remain loyal to Dae Hee and King Wu.

That's amazing!

Fang Yong never expected that there would be people in this world who would so grandly put the mask they had previously torn back on.

This is simply outrageous.

And that's exactly what they did.

Even more coincidentally, now is not the best time for Fang Yong to launch a military campaign against Liaodong, so there is a high probability that he will tacitly approve of Chu Yuqi's actions.

Of course, once the facade is torn, trying to glue it back together will only maintain a superficial peace.

It is impossible for Chu Yuqi to withdraw to Shanhaiguan.

Fang Yong would not tolerate its continued separatist rule in Liaodong.

(End of this chapter)