Chapter 7

The eunuch, having received the imperial command, hurried away.

However, it wasn't long before the eunuch returned, saying, "Your Majesty, it's not good, not good at all. The Ministry of State Affairs sent someone to the Fang family to inquire, and they said that Lord Nanhe... has fainted..."

Zhu Houzhao, who was sitting to one side with his head lowered as if in deep reflection, suddenly perked up upon hearing someone had fainted. His eyes sparkled, but as soon as his gaze met his father's, he quickly lowered his head as if he had done something wrong.

Emperor Hongzhi, surprised, hurriedly asked, "Fainted? He is in the prime of his life and a valiant general. He has just returned from a victorious campaign. What on earth happened?"

The eunuch, caught between laughter and tears, replied, "It is said... that he was angered to the point of fainting by his son. Lord Nanhe was away on the battlefield, but his son, Fang Jifan, sold all the family's land. That's not all; he even sold every last pot and pan in the house. Your Majesty, this is a case of a son squandering his father's property. By common folk's standards, he is a wastrel. Not only that, he used the money to buy ebony. When Lord Nanhe heard this terrible news, he was so enraged that it affected his heart. It is also said that he not only sold the family's property but even the family heirlooms..."

Emperor Hongzhi could not help but exclaim, "Is there really such a person?"

The eunuch, fearing the emperor might not believe him, added, "Your Majesty, you may not know, but Lord Nanhe's heir, Fang Jifan, is already notorious in the capital for being a wastrel. He has never been interested in studies and spends his days idly, indulging in drinking, gambling, and womanizing. His reputation is already infamous. He is Lord Nanhe's only son, and Lord Nanhe has always indulged him, so he has no qualms. Everyone in the capital knows about him..."

Emperor Hongzhi frowned and said, "Such wickedness is unheard of. It is truly pitiful for Lord Nanhe. He has fought for the court and established great merit, but now his household is in turmoil. 'At the beginning of human nature, it is inherently good,' but this is the result of excessive indulgence. Issue an edict..."

Emperor Hongzhi stood up and paced a few steps in the warm pavilion, then pondered, "Order the imperial physicians to treat Lord Nanhe. As for his son, Fang Jifan, who is uneducated and behaves improperly..." The emperor was clearly furious, his face showing a murderous intent. He was about to impose a severe punishment but then thought better of it and sighed, "Enough. If a son is not taught, it is the father's fault. Lord Nanhe has just achieved a great victory, and now he has suffered this calamity. If we punish his son, it will only add to his distress. The military review is approaching. Order this son to participate in the review."

The eunuch quickly responded, hesitating for a moment, "In previous years, Fang Jifan has never attended the review."

Emperor Hongzhi's face darkened, "Even if he must be dragged, he must attend."

Zhu Houzhao, who was listening, couldn't help but chuckle, almost laughing out loud, feeling a sense of schadenfreude.

However, he was taken aback when he saw his father's gaze, sharp as a sword, fix on him. Zhu Houzhao's eyes met his father's, and he saw a murderous intent in those usually kind eyes...

Zhu Houzhao suddenly felt a chill down his spine. Just as he was about to put on a pitiful act, Emperor Hongzhi sternly said, "You are the crown prince. Can the crown prince neglect his studies? You have been reading 'The Art of Detecting Treachery' for so long, yet you cannot recite it. How can you face our ancestors?"

Zhu Houzhao quickly squeezed out some tears and sobbed, "Yes, yes, your son dares not."

But today, he found his father to be as hard-hearted as a stone. Despite his tearful plea, his father's face remained stern, and he sternly scolded, "You have been indulged too much. If I indulge you today, you will be even worse than Fang Jifan in the future. He lost the family's property, but if I die, you will lose the empire. You are no longer a child, yet you still act so irresponsibly. How can I be at ease? Within three days, copy 'The Art of Detecting Treachery' twenty times. I will personally check it. If you cheat, I will not be lenient!"

Zhu Houzhao had never seen his father so angry. At the thought of copying 'The Art of Detecting Treachery' twenty times, his heart ached. Who had he offended? He hurriedly nodded like a bobbing head, "Your son obeys the imperial command..."

Emperor Hongzhi's face slightly softened but remained stern, "Go to the Office of the Grand Secretariat to study. Don't be a nuisance here."

Zhu Houzhao finally understood!

Fang, you've really done it now. Do you think you'll have a good life from now on?

...

The imperial physicians arrived at the Fang residence. In fact, Fang Jinglong had only fainted from shock and quickly regained consciousness. However, his gaze was somewhat vacant. Thinking of how his family's property had been sold for a pile of ebony, the great general who had fought in the south felt dejected.

It was shameful, his dignity was lost. His son had squandered the family's property, and now even the emperor knew about it, sending imperial physicians...

Fang Jinglong was not a man with thin skin, but every time he thought about it, he wanted to find a hole to hide in.

During the meal, the two of them sat on a long bench. Fang Jifan, fearing his father might hit him, deliberately kept some distance. As for the food, it was not much better. Deng Jian, standing behind Fang Jifan, was also very cautious.

Fang Jifan's heart was in turmoil. He was very conflicted and could only sigh inwardly. Don't worry, once the price of ebony skyrockets, he would buy back all the land, no, the best land.

Slap...

Fang Jifan was startled by the sound. With a mouthful of vegetables, his handsome face turned pale, thinking his father had gone mad and was about to hit him.

Looking up, he saw Fang Jinglong slap his chopsticks on the willow wood table, then look up with a red nose, a pained expression, and slightly moist eyes. He sighed, "I have let down our ancestors."

"Dad..." Fang Jifan cautiously probed, "Don't keep mentioning the ancestors..." He shivered, "I feel a cold wind."

Fang Jinglong glared at him and then looked at Deng Jian.

Deng Jian was also surprised, "Young Master, you called your father... Is it because..."

Fang Jifan wanted to tear Deng Jian apart. What was wrong with calling his father? He was his father.

But after some thought, he decided not to be taken away by the doctors again.

At this point, being a wastrel had become a habit. One must not forget one's roots.

He bared his teeth, "Old man, are you letting me eat or not?"

Fang Jinglong wanted to say something, pursed his lips, and looked at his son, his heart melting. He could not help but say affectionately, "Jifan, you never grow up. Our family has been blessed by our ancestors. You have never been interested in studies or martial arts. I don't care what others think, but sometimes, when I see the sons of other dukes and marquises participating in the military review and being assigned duties, I feel a bit envious. This year, the review is approaching. When I returned to the capital, I was thinking how wonderful it would be if Jifan could try his luck. But who knew that when I returned, you had sold the family's property. Now, I have no such hopes. I only wish for your health to improve and for you to live a peaceful life. When you inherit the title, even if you are not assigned duties, it will be fine."

The so-called military review is not a real review.

The noble sons of the Ming Dynasty almost all have duties. This is a rule that has been in place since the founding emperor. Although the titles are hereditary, the stipends are not high. For example, Fang Jinglong receives three stipends: one from his title as Lord Nanhe, one from his current position, such as his role as deputy commander of the Five Military Directorates, and another from his military achievements. After his southern campaign, he will definitely receive rewards.

However, if one does not participate in the review, they will not be assigned duties and will have to rely solely on the stipend from their title. This is what the noble sons value the most. Almost all the capable noble sons in the capital either serve in the Twenty-Six Imperial Guards, the Office of the Imperial Clan, or the Five Military Directorates. Someone like Fang Jifan can only live off the stipend.

To be assigned duties, one must pass the review, which is an examination, an examination for the nobility.

...

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