Prime Minister 05

"Bandit suppression?" That wasn't a big deal. Though they dared not fight the barbarians, dealing with bandits was well within their capabilities.

Fang Zhiyi nodded. "While suppressing the bandits, we can also deliver a message to Wei Kaiyuan. I’m sure he’ll receive it soon."

The emperor, his face grim, nodded in agreement. There was no other way.

As the court session ended, Fang Zhiyi deliberately lingered behind. The emperor, in a sour mood, glanced at him and muttered, "Go on, speak."

Fang Zhiyi grinned.

"Your Majesty, regarding the funds for bandit suppression... may I seek donations? After all, banditry affects everyone’s livelihood."

The emperor frowned. "How much money do you need to suppress a few bandits?"

"A great deal! From here to Beiliang, the roads are lined with mountains teeming with outlaws." As he spoke, Fang Zhiyi pulled a scroll from his sleeve and unfurled it slowly.

The emperor looked and saw an exquisitely rendered pavilion leap off the page.

"This..."

"The more funds for bandit suppression, the better," Fang Zhiyi said with a smile.

The emperor immediately understood and nodded repeatedly. "Excellent! Minister Fang, you truly have remarkable talent! I grant you permission! I’ll give you a golden token—use it to raise funds!"

Watching Fang Zhiyi leave, the emperor nodded to himself. It was the same old Fang Zhiyi, always knowing how to please him.

The thought of embracing his favorite consort while admiring the moon from that splendid pavilion lifted his spirits considerably.

"Chancellor, who should we approach for donations?" asked Abao, Fang Zhiyi’s trusted aide.

"Who do you think? Whoever has money!" Fang Zhiyi replied brashly. "The common folk are penniless—of course, we’ll go after the nobles and officials!"

Abao nodded eagerly. His master was becoming more adept at making money by the day.

Shen Xun had just arrived home when he spotted Fang Zhiyi waiting at his doorstep. He hurried forward. "Chancellor Fang."

Fang Zhiyi glanced at him. "I’ve come to see my son."

"Please, come in!" Shen Xun ushered him inside. Once indoors, Fang Zhiyi barely spared a glance at Fang Bufan, who was sweeping the floor, before turning away.

"Minister Shen, you’re aware of today’s proposal regarding bandit suppression, yes?"

Shen Xun nodded. He saw nothing wrong with it—bandit suppression was necessary.

"I’d like to ask Minister Shen to lead the operation. What do you think?"

"Me?" Shen Xun pointed at himself in surprise.

Fang Zhiyi leaned in and whispered a few words into his ear. Shen Xun’s eyes widened, a mix of trepidation and excitement flashing across his face.

"Chancellor, this matter..."

"I trust your integrity, Minister Shen. No one else would do." Truthfully, it wasn’t just that—most others were of questionable character, and those with principles had long been sidelined. If they didn’t spit at the sight of Fang Zhiyi, it was already a miracle.

"I will spare no effort!" Shen Xun rose and bowed solemnly.

"What are you staring at? You’ll be on the front lines when we suppress the bandits!" Fang Zhiyi snapped at Fang Bufan, who kept stealing glances at him. "Minister Shen, there’s one more favor I must ask."

The capital was in chaos again. Fang Zhiyi, golden token in hand, went door to door. Any household with officials—or relatives in office—was fair game. He barged in without a word, holding up the token with his left hand and extending his right palm. The message was clear: hand over the money.

The entire court cursed him inwardly, but outwardly, they wore forced smiles.

The haul was staggering. Fang Zhiyi hadn’t expected such a war-torn nation to be so wealthy.

Immediately, he petitioned the emperor to dispatch Shen Xun to lead the bandit suppression—and to take his son along.

The emperor, counting the silver notes Fang Zhiyi had delivered, beamed with delight. "This Fang Zhiyi—first he beats his son, now he wants to gild the boy’s reputation. Approved!"

And so, Shen Xun selected a contingent of soldiers and set off.

Fang Zhiyi, meanwhile, grew even bolder, resuming his urban renewal projects and squeezing yet more silver from the officials. Now, both loyalists and schemers alike cursed his name.

But they knew better than to cross him—he had the emperor’s backing.

Wei Kaiyuan had been stranded for some time, his supplies dwindling. Only the kindness of local peasants kept his men fed.

He found it strange. The barbarians had sent their main force, and the battles had been evenly matched, yet none of the traps he’d anticipated had materialized.

As he pondered this, a soldier rushed in with a report: an army was approaching.

Wei Kaiyuan’s heart lurched. Had the court come to punish him for defying the imperial decree?

He rallied his men and rode out to meet them. Wei Kaiyuan knew his family had served loyally for generations—he would never betray the throne. This was all that wretched Fang Zhiyi’s doing!

But from a distance, he saw the troops escorting a vast supply train, their banners bearing the character "Shen."

As they drew near, he recognized the man at the forefront. "Minister Shen?"

Shen Xun dismounted. "Kaiyuan! You’ve done well for yourself!"

Wei Kaiyuan managed a smile. "What brings you here...?"

Then he spotted the bound eunuch among the ranks.

"I’m here," Shen Xun said, pulling him aside, "on the chancellor’s orders to deliver provisions—and weapons."

"Fang Zhiyi?"

Shen Xun nodded. "Him."

"Even you...?" Wei Kaiyuan stared at Shen Xun in disbelief. The man was stubborn, but he’d never taken sides.

"It’s not what you think." Shen Xun clapped him on the shoulder, then remembered something. "Bufan! Come here!"

Fang Bufan scurried over obediently.

Wei Kaiyuan studied him, the name ringing a faint bell.

"Fang Zhiyi’s only son, Fang Bufan."

At the name, Wei Kaiyuan’s blood boiled. Your father forced me to defy the emperor, and now you dare show your face here?

But before he could draw his blade, Shen Xun interjected, "The chancellor said to leave the boy with you. Do as you please—make him a vanguard suicide soldier or a lowly stablehand."

Fang Bufan hung his head in silence.

Wei Kaiyuan blinked. "Did Fang Zhiyi find out he’s not his real son?"

"Don’t be absurd!" Shen Xun chided, though privately, he couldn’t help but agree. That... actually makes sense!

Fang Bufan, unaware of Wei Kaiyuan’s remark, was spared only because of it. Instead, Wei Kaiyuan patted his shoulder and sighed, shaking his head. Though he hadn’t heard their exchange, he knew it boded no good.

The provisions—untampered.

The weapons—wrapped in oiled paper. Shen Xun mentioned Fang Zhiyi had purchased them from the imperial armory.

Wei Kaiyuan’s brow furrowed. He couldn’t fathom Fang Zhiyi’s game.

"By the way, how’s my father?"

"Your father... the Duke of Liang? Oh, he’s fine—strolling, bird-watching, the usual."

Wei Kaiyuan exhaled in relief.

"And the eunuch...?"

"Oh, the messenger. The emperor asked if his edict reached you. Chancellor Fang claimed the messenger was killed en route—hence why I was sent to ‘suppress bandits.’"