Chapter 615 (1/2)
Chapter 615: 615
Fang Zhengzhi knew exactly what Lin Yun meant .
However, he did not answer Lin Yun immediately . Instead, he stared into the night sky and asked, ”How is the Crown Prince and King Duan doing?”
”Third brother and Sixth brother are now imprisoned in the Heavenly Jail . There should be a verdict for their case soon . However, father has been in a bad mood recently…” Lin Yun stopped when he reached that part .
He also understood why Fang Zhengzhi did not answer his question directly . However, he still could not help but display a tinge of sadness when talking about the Crown Prince and King Duan .
The royal family had been plagued by the fight for the throne seat since ancient times . The relations.h.i.+p between siblings in the royal family was thus a lot more fragile than normal families .
However, they were still brothers .
For two of his brothers to enter the Heavenly Jail in one day was a depressing news . Furthermore, they were likely to receive the death sentence . Lin Yun was bound to feel some emotions from this .
Fang Zhengzhi lightly nodded his head upon hearing those words and did not probe further . As if the usurpation of the throne by the Crown Prince and the revolution led by King Duan was not bad enough, Ping Yang was also brought to Ling Yun Tower .
These three issues were way top heavy for the Great Xia Dynasty to handle at one go . Both Lin Mubai and Lin Yun must not be feeling good .
”Since Prince Xian is asking if I will continue to stay in northern Mountain Village, I believe that you have one more royal decree with you?” Fang Zhengzhi asked after a moment of silence . He then lifted his cup and sipped a mouthful of alcohol .
”Yes!” A sparkle of shock flashed through Lin Yun's eyes before he recollected himself . He said, ”The Heavenly Dao Pavilion is holding an examination in a month and a half's time . Father had told me to give this token to you . You will have the right to enter in the examination with this . ”
”There should be another command from him apart from this token . ” Fang Zhengzhi said .
”Yes, father mentioned that if Prince Cang does not want this token and decides to give up on the Heavenly Dao Pavilion Examination, the court would not interfere in the way Prince Cang manages the Northern Land Five Constabularies within this half of the year . This includes the management of all officials and even finances!”
”Haha, is the Emperor allowing such blatant corruption to happen?” Fang Zhengzhi laughed upon hearing those words .
”I will be direct since there are no outsiders here . Prince Cang had saved countless lives and even the entire Great Xia . Father wants to repay Prince Cang with all his heart . After all, the heavenly grace and t.i.tles are merely temporary things . The only thing that really matters is the prosperity and development of the dynasty!” Lin Yun did not seem to refute Fang Zhengzhi's claim, replying nonchalantly .
Fang Zhengzhi fell silent .
He understood Lin Yun's words . Lin Mubai had left the management of the Northern Land Five Constabularies to him . This alone was enough to show his intentions .
Of course, his intentions were not that simple .
This time, the Northern Barbarian Empire sent a thirty thousand strong army to infiltrate the Great Xia Empire . These troops had made their way through the Northern Land Five Constabularies . Although this had a lot to do with Su Qing's betrayal and the Crown Prince's usurpation plans…
It was impossible to deny the lack of regulation within the Divine Constabulary .
Most importantly…
When the incident happened, Chi Hong was also in Flame Capital City .
Lin Mubai was not a gullible person . Chi Hong had made use of the excuse of escorting Fang Zhengzhi to sneak into Flame Capital City to help King Duan . This alone was clear enough .
Although Chi Hong did not seem to be directly involved in King Duan's betrayal, who could be sure that Chi Hong had no knowledge of this?
Handing the management of the officials in the Northern Lands Five Constabularies to Fang Zhengzhi was part of Lin Mubai's recognition and reward . However, it also meant that he wanted Fang Zhengzhi to weed out the corrupted officials and regulate the system .
The Great Xia Dynasty was affluent . The finances of the Northern Lands Five Constabularies was simply chump change .
There was an ancient saying that went, the entire world beneath the heavens belonged to the Emperor . Why then, would it matter where the finances go? He could shuffle it around as much as he'd like .
Betrothing the Thirteenth Princess .
As well as giving Fang Zhengzhi half a year to enjoy the riches of the Northern Lands while regulating and expanding its prowess .
If this went according to plan…
Fang Zhengzhi would die in half a year's time . Following which, the authority that Fang Zhengzhi wielded would fall into the hands of the Thirteenth Princess . His children would still be considered a descendant of the royal family, making them at the very least a Prince or Princess of the First Rank .
Furthermore, Yan Xiu was now Prince Yan, ruling over Western Liang .
Northern Lands and Western Liang would then be safe under the control of people he trusted .
A perfect trinity of grace, power-balance, and politics .
Lin Mubai had played a good hand this time around . No wonder he did not hesitate to betroth the Thirteenth Princess . If it was any other daughter of a n.o.ble family, Fang Zhengzhi might not even consider it .
If Fang Zhengzhi's predictions were right, Lin Mubai had already discussed the future plans of the Northern Lands Five Constabularies at length with the Thirteenth Princess, including the management of officials and deployment issues .
After all, everyone knew that Fang Zhengzhi would not put much effort into the management of the Northern Lands . It was only natural for the Thirteenth Princess to hold some of the power and initiative .
Naturally, these things had nothing much to do with Fang Zhengzhi to a great extent .
That was because Fang Zhengzhi merely had half a year left to live . From his perspective, he was merely marrying an elegant and beautiful lady, having countless exciting nights, and enjoying the power and wealth he wielded as Prince Cang . He would even have a great reputation and make his name known for generations to come after he died .
This was also what Fang Zhengzhi was aiming for all this time .
This was also what Fang Zhengzhi was aiming for all this time .
Why would he refuse such an offer?
”I will pa.s.s on the management of the Northern Lands Five Constabularies, I prefer my freedom,” Fang Zhengzhi shook his head as he politely declined Lin Yun .
”You will still have freedom even when you are managing the Northern Lands Five Constabularies . The court will not interfere with how you manage it . In fact, if Prince Cang does not wish to be involved in the specific things, you can even…” Lin Yun stopped halfway before he sighed . Following which, he said, ”I understand . Since Prince Cang has made up his mind, I will not say more . This is the token to enter the Heavenly Dao Pavilion Examination!”
Lin Yun took out an intricately crafted wooden token as he spoke . The two characters Heavenly Dao could be seen carved on one side of the token .
On the other side, there were countless intricate cloud patterns .
”I will pa.s.s on this token as well,” Fang Zhengzhi took over the token and fondled it for a while before pus.h.i.+ng it back to Lin Yun .
”You will pa.s.s?” Lin Yun exclaimed .
The reason why he did not continue persuading Fang Zhengzhi previously was due to the determination he saw in his eyes .
However…
Fang Zhengzhi was saying that he did not want the token!
This was something he could not understand . Why would he not want both the Northern Lands Five Constabularies management rights and the token?
”Yes, I do not want it,” Fang Zhengzhi said as he nodded his head .