Chapter Twelve: Everyone Owes Me Thanks

Lian Zining once advocated for curbing the power of the feudal princes, but his approach was completely opposed to that of Qi Tai and Huang Zicheng. He insisted on first weakening the strong fiefs like Qin, Yan, Jin, and Ning, while conciliating the weaker ones. Unfortunately, Emperor Jianwen not only rejected this strategy but also demoted Lian Zining to a regional post.

In the end, Emperor Jianwen adopted the plan proposed by Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai to first suppress the weaker fiefs. Within a few months, princes such as the Prince of Dai, Prince of Qi, Prince of Zhou, and Prince of Xiang were either stripped of their titles and reduced to commoners or executed. This terrified Prince Yan, Zhu Di, who hastily rallied under the banner of "clearing the court, pacifying internal chaos, and restoring ancestral law," and rebelled.

Iron Xuan was Zhu Di’s greatest opponent throughout the Jingnan Campaign, having led his troops to defeat the Prince of Yan several times. Even now, Iron Xuan stubbornly holds Jinan and refuses to surrender. Had Zhu Di not chosen a circuitous route to steal the crystal, Iron Xuan would have killed him long ago.

Besides Iron Xuan, generals like Sheng Yong and Ping An were also top-tier military talents. Unfortunately, Emperor Jianwen did not assign them the main attack but instead chose Li Jinglong, the War God of the Ming, to lead the front.

Looking back at the entire Jingnan Campaign, it could be said that Emperor Jianwen perfectly avoided every correct solution.

“Life is unpredictable, like intestines wrapped within intestines,” Chen Kan mused, imagining a grand drama, his eyelids fluttering with fatigue.

He couldn’t understand where Zhu Di and Fang Xiaoru had so much to say—just this morning they had sworn eternal enmity.

“Chen Kan, Chen Kan,” someone called out.

Half asleep, Chen Kan thought he heard his name being called.

“Who is it?” he snapped irritably, wishing for a good rest.

Looking up, he saw Zhu Di and Fang Xiaoru standing before him, their arrival unnoticed.

Startled, Chen Kan quickly rose and awkwardly clasped his fists in salute. “Humble subject Chen Kan pays respects…”

Wait, hadn’t he just saluted earlier? Why again? He was confused—should he salute or not?

Fang Xiaoru couldn’t help but smile wryly. “A stubborn disciple, making the prince laugh.”

“Heh heh, no matter. I think Master Fang’s beloved student has a fine character—weathered, scattered through life’s hardships, yet still retaining a pure heart. Quite rare,” Zhu Di chuckled, waving off any offense.

Turning to Chen Kan, he said, “Chen Kan, your father Chen Heng was implicated in the treasonous plot of General Lan Yu and died in the imperial prison. To be honest, when I first heard the news, I was truly very saddened. Your father was a hero of his time, but he made grave mistakes and met this tragic end.”

Zhu Di’s face was full of sorrow, as if he genuinely mourned Chen Heng’s death.

Since Zhu Di was acting, Chen Kan couldn’t simply ignore it.

He responded with a solemn expression, “Yes, my father was foolish.”

Seeing Chen Kan playing along, Zhu Di continued, “I promised you a lifetime of honor and wealth. By rights, you should inherit the title of Marquis of Puding.”

At this, Zhu Di paused and changed his tone, “However, your father’s title was revoked by the late Emperor Taizu, so I cannot go against the former sovereign’s decree.”

Upon hearing “however,” Chen Kan discreetly rolled his eyes. Damn, he knew there’d be a ‘but.’

Zhu Di went on, “As for the title, we shall discuss it later. For now, I decree that the former Puding Marquis’s residence be returned to you. Do you accept?”

Chen Kan’s eyes suddenly lit up.

Accept? He was more than willing! If he couldn’t get the title, securing the estate was still a good deal.

In the original memories, the Puding Marquis’s mansion, though not as lavish as those of the six major dukes of early Ming, was still a top-tier mansion in Jinling City.

Afraid Zhu Di might change his mind, Chen Kan nodded rapidly like a pecking chick. “Thank you for your great kindness, Your Highness…”

“Great kindness? That’s a new one. Hahaha…”

Zhu Di suddenly laughed heartily.

But Chen Kan’s almost sycophantic words infuriated Fang Xiaoru, who glared and pointed at him. “You scoundrel! Have you learned nothing from your daily lessons in etiquette?”

“Hahaha, young men are like that. Sir, don’t be too harsh,” Zhu Di laughed, rescuing Chen Kan.

“Such disgraceful behavior. Come on, let’s go back,” Fang Xiaoru said.

You should’ve said so earlier!

Chen Kan obediently followed Fang Xiaoru, and Zhu Di escorted them out of the mansion.

Once again, Chen Kan felt as though he had ascended to the clouds.

By the time the Prince of Yan’s guards delivered the pair to Fang Xiaoru’s residence, night had fallen.

Chen Kan was suddenly struck by how much had happened in just one day in the Ming dynasty.

Fang Xiaoru’s home stood on Datong Street in the southern city. The house was not large, even somewhat modest.

The paint on the front door was peeling, and weeds sparsely grew along the walls.

Fang Xiaoru’s face was complicated as he said, “Let’s go home.”

Creak—

The old wooden door opened to reveal a simple but clean courtyard.

Inside, a woman with graying hair was sweeping.

As the door opened, she turned her head, and after a moment, tears fell from her eyes.

She did not wail but stood silently weeping.

“Madam Zheng, I’m home.”

“Student Chen Kan pays respects, Madam.”

As Fang Xiaoru and Chen Kan spoke, the woman hurriedly wiped her tears, dropped her broom, and came forward.

Grasping their hands, her voice trembling, she said, “Master, Yuansheng, you’ve returned?”

“That you have returned is good, that you have returned is good.”

Her words were muddled, her swollen eyes revealing she had wept long.

This woman was Fang Xiaoru’s devoted wife, Madam Zheng, and also the original master’s wife.

At the same time, two young men ran out from inside.

They fell to their knees, crying, “Father, we have been unfilial.”

“Zhongxian, Zhongyu, your father is home.”

They were Fang Xiaoru’s eldest son Fang Zhongxian and second son Fang Zhongyu.

When Fang Xiaoru was arrested and imprisoned, the two were studying away from home.

Only Fang Xiaoru and Chen Kan remained at the household, sparing the sons from arrest.

Yet Chen Kan knew Fang Xiaoru’s two sons and two daughters were also strong-willed individuals.

In the original timeline, when Fang Xiaoru was sentenced to collective execution of ten clans, Fang Zhongxian and Fang Zhongyu hanged themselves, while the two daughters, already married, drowned themselves in the Qinhuai River.

“Stand up, all of you.”

Fang Xiaoru helped his sons to their feet, and Chen Kan hurried forward, clasping his fists in greeting. “Senior brothers.”

“You’ve suffered, little junior brother.”

“I’ll go make you some food.”

Madam Zheng was overcome with joy and tears, rushing to the wood shed.

Fang Xiaoru and his two sons embraced and wept bitterly.

Watching this scene, Chen Kan could not help but feel a surge of sorrow.

Today had truly been a day full of hardship.

Had he not been able to bluff his way through, they might not have even had the chance to cry together.

Yes, that was all thanks to him—they should be grateful!