Chapter 179 – Suspicion

Fang Zixing was talking to Xu Chun, “Why did you talk so much with Xie Li? As soon as I arrived, I asked the guards to wait for you to take you to my brother, but you just stood there chattering.”

Nong Siji remarked, “Zixing has sharp eyes. I kept glancing at the door, but I didn’t see when Xu Chun arrived. But why didn’t he come down to play ball? He’s dressed more like a spectator than a player. Wasn’t he the one who was just talking to us? Since he’s a student of the Imperial Academy, he must be a member of the imperial clan. When someone calls out to him, he can’t just ignore them. There’s nothing else going on this afternoon.”

Fang Zixing said, “Don’t have too much contact with those people. Xie Li always acts straightforward and reckless, as if he has no ulterior motives, but who knows what he’s really like behind closed doors.”

Nong Siji agreed, “That’s true. Xu Chun is too innocent and doesn’t have any scheming.”

Xu Chun: “…”

The three of them walked into the viewing pavilion together. Fang Zijing was sitting on a couch drinking tea. Hearing their conversation, Fang Zijing mocked, “I think Xu Yuanlin is smarter than you two fools—didn’t Little Xu trick someone again?”

Xu Chun laughed sheepishly, “Xie Li came up to me himself, saying he wanted to partner with me in business. I was thinking about how to issue bonds to raise funds. My mother told me that some private banks issue bonds, but it’s not easy. Many people buy today and regret it tomorrow, or demand refunds halfway through the process. If they hear rumors that the owner’s business is going poorly, they all rush over to redeem their bonds. Once there’s a run on the bank, it’s disastrous, and it can’t withstand manipulation.”

“It just so happened that he came to ask me, wasn’t it like getting a pillow when you are sleepy? I had an idea and decided to set up a bridge and plant a seed. These bonds, if I really issued them directly, everyone would hesitate and no one would be willing to subscribe. After all, we’re building ships, cannons, and military equipment, which are indeed high-risk and low-return. But if we keep the news under wraps and only let out some hints, when ordinary people want to buy but may not have a way in, I think the effect might be better.”

He sat down contentedly, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it. “Sulunyu, the heir of the Duke of Guide, has always been someone who is opportunistic and flatters the powerful. In the past, he thought Xie Fei had a promising future and stuck close to Xie Fei. Now, he probably thinks Xie Li has a promising future and is following Xie Li, but he isn’t discreet. The fact that I have a business here will definitely get out.”

“They must think I’m a professional merchant, and relying on the port of Jinhai, I’m bound to smuggle. How could I dare do it if I didn’t make money? The more mysterious it is, and the less we let them buy, the more eager they’ll be.”

Fang Zijing said, “The Duke of Guide himself is also the kind of person who schemes for profit. His abilities are mediocre. The dukedom has reached the third generation and is about to be demoted. That’s why he’s hurrying to seek support. You’re quite resourceful. There are many aristocrats in the capital who want to invest money and become rich.”

He glanced at Xu Chun, who was grinning from ear to ear, and still warned him, “But you have to think it through. This thing is indeed difficult to do. Building a bank and issuing bonds to construct a machinery bureau and a shipyard will yield returns too slowly. The court is the only buyer of these things. We don’t have the technology at first, so there will inevitably be failures and subpar machines. At that time, someone will surely attack you as a leech on the country’s resources.”

“If profits are reduced, there will be less profit. These people get their money easily and won’t be as penny-pinching as ordinary people. They won’t panic at the slightest rumor, and they won’t hesitate to spend money. But now you’ve raised their expectations. If the profit dividends can’t be paid out when the time comes, they all have power and influence. If they bite you, it’ll hurt to the bone. Offending so many people, you need to carefully calculate the profits.”

“I originally thought you were going to build a factory first, show some results, and then raise money. I was wondering where you’d get the initial capital. Those two ironclad ships you built and this battle you fought cost you a lot of money, right? How can you afford to keep pouring your own money into it? Issuing bonds is fine, but I originally thought you were planning to raise funds from wealthy merchants in the civilian sector. I didn’t expect you to have the audacity to raise funds from the aristocrats. Is their money that easy to get?”

“Such a large-scale operation, when I think about it, it seems like you’re walking on thin ice. I wonder how you can be so bold.”

His gaze fell on Xu Chun, which carried a hint of concern.

Xu Chun said, “Thank you, Brother Zijing, for reminding me. It’s fine; I have a plan. The Western trade business is about to break even. Also, the machinery factory needs to start with something profitable, so I plan to make some civilian machinery first, such as looms, excavators, flour mills, small steamboats on the river, and sawmills. There will certainly be profits.”

Fang Zijing sighed, “By doing these things, you’re going to touch the interests of so many powerful clans. One hair moves, and the whole body responds.”

Nong Siji was also puzzled, “Why are you taking so much money? Even taking these people’s money, if there’s really a problem and the business goes bankrupt, they could devour you whole, bones and all.”

“If I believed that someone else was being greedy and using the opportunity to accumulate wealth, I would believe it, but you’re definitely not doing it for that reason. Then why are you doing this thankless job? You have food, clothing, and military achievements now. Taking such a big risk and doing this kind of business, you need backing. This backing can’t be too low either. I’m guessing you need the Emperor’s support to borrow money to build an arsenal like this. And the Emperor’s mind is unpredictable, and you have to bet that he won’t turn against you.”

Fang Zijing and Fang Zixing looked at him simultaneously.

Nong Siji was bewildered, “Why are you looking at me?” He seemed to remember something and glanced outside the tent at Dinghai, suddenly realizing, “Could it be that the current Emperor really instructed you to do this?” Then he muttered to himself, “It makes sense. If you want to build a machinery factory, you naturally need a large amount of coal and iron. Without the support of the court, how could you do it?”

Xu Chun: “…”

Fang Zijing scolded him, “Do you think we’re still in the army? You dare to blab about anything!”

Nong Siji shut his mouth, feeling somewhat apologetic as he glanced at Xu Chun. Fang Zixing said, “It’s indeed a bit hasty. You’re still young, take it slow, and proceed steadily.”

Fang Zijing sighed and looked at Xu Chun, “Nong Siji speaks bluntly, but I feel the same way. Xu Chun, you’re only twenty, why are you in such a hurry? Accumulate experience for a few more years, solidly open the factory, and try to achieve some results. At that time, investment will naturally come. Right now, everything seems like a castle in the air… you’re in a hurry to borrow money to start the business; it’s too risky.”

He hinted subtly, “Even if the court is indeed in a hurry, your individual strength is still limited. Take it slower, I believe the court won’t blame you for it.” He casually placed the teacup back on the table, putting a little more force than necessary. Some tea splashed onto the table, and he wiped it off with his hand.

However, on his side, Xu Chun saw him hastily write a character with his finger in the water, and his heart moved. Looking closely, it was “Hou.” Fang Zijing glanced at him, swept his robe aside, and rubbed over the surface, erasing the writing.

Xu Chun was moved, knowing that Fang Zijing couldn’t say anything in front of his younger brother and Nong Siji, but he was giving him a subtle reminder.

Hou, this was a reminder of the story of Cao Cao killing Wang Hou, to prevent him from being thrown under the bus like a grain official. When the shipyard and machinery bureau were built, if the huge amount of silver and bond debt couldn’t be redeemed, they could simply kill him, the culprit, and the court could quell the situation, then send someone else to take over.

How could he not know this? If it weren’t for his deep understanding of his ninth brother, he would probably be deeply suspicious and fearful right now, and then stop in his tracks. After all, it was better to avoid trouble than to seek it out.

However, at this moment, he and his ninth brother were united in heart and soul. Looking from his ninth brother’s perspective, he felt deeply sorry for him. It was easy to say that the monarch and minister were in harmony, but it was difficult to put into practice. Even a capable official like Fang Zijing probably harbored secret concerns and left an escape route, constantly speculating whether the emperor was suspicious of him. Among the officials in the court, how many could truly trust the ninth brother and be loyal to him without hesitation, never looking back? Therefore, he needed to strive harder.

But on the surface, he merely smiled at Fang Zijing and the others and said, “I’ll try to be as stable as possible. If there’s anything uncertain, I’ll also consult with Brother Zijing and Brother Zixing.” He changed the subject, “I clearly saw He Zhuangyuan with you guys earlier, why is he not here now?”

Fang Zixing replied, “We were supposed to gather after the polo match since we won. But several of them from the Hanlin Academy said they still had unfinished business assigned by the Emperor. Afraid that they wouldn’t be able to handle the Emperor’s questions about progress tomorrow, they left the match after taking their prizes.”

Nong Siji couldn’t help but comment, “The Emperor rewards loyalty, but punishes severely as well. Today, he rewarded them because they played polo well, but tomorrow, he could punish them because they didn’t complete their task of compiling books. No wonder they’re so afraid.”

Fang Zijing glanced at him, “Aren’t you afraid?”

Nong Siji shrank his neck, “Afraid.” Then he enthusiastically suggested, “We’re all sweaty from playing ball. Why don’t we go back? After washing up, let’s have dinner together.”

Just as he finished speaking, a deputy general came to report, “Reporting to Your Excellency, the second prince of the Guangyuan Kingdom, Nong Anbang, requests an audience.”

Nong Siji frowned in disgust, “He’s really like a leech. What does he want? I’ve already made it clear to him, but he still doesn’t give up.”

Fang Zijing curtly replied, “Won’t see him. Just say that this Marquis is tired and is returning to the mansion.”

The deputy general acknowledged and left.

But Xu Chun suddenly remembered that Xie Yi was waiting for him for dinner, and got up, “You guys go back first. I still have something to do on my side. Let’s meet another day.”

Nong Siji was surprised, “I just realized that you have a wide circle of friends. Did you come here today to play polo?”

Xu Chun chuckled, “I have another appointment to enjoy the scenery. I’m leaving the capital soon, so I want to spend more time with my friends in the capital. Brothers, I’ll make another appointment with you another day.” After finishing, he bowed and quickly left.

Nong Siji watched him leave and muttered, “I think he just doesn’t want to smell our sweat. Look at what he’s wearing, so exquisite and perfumed—it’s ambergris, I can tell—he must be going to accompany his lover.”

…

Nong Siji looked at Fang Zijing, “Speaking of which, Xu Chun should be getting married, right?”

Fang Zijing said, “Who knows? Anyway, Zixing, why did we come out here today?”

Fang Zixing: “…”

He blurted out, “The Emperor just wanted to watch the polo match, I guess.”

Fang Zijing snorted coldly, “The way you let them win, what was there to see? If the Emperor wanted to gauge the quality of those princes, there was no need for you to personally assess them.”

“Besides, I’m busy. Why did he specifically call me to watch the game?” Fang Zijing thought of Xu Chun he had seen earlier, wondering if the Emperor was testing the waters to see which of these princes dared to associate with their Fang family, or if he wanted him to see which of these princes was worth using?

He narrowed his eyes, still wondering if it was just creating an opportunity for Xu Chun to coax these people into raising silver to build the machinery factory and shipyard? Naturally, if he and Fang Zixing came to play polo, many powerful officials would also come here…

But this didn’t seem like the Emperor’s style. The Emperor was thoughtful, able to plan for years, never seeking short-term success, and extremely meticulous; he shouldn’t be so aggressive. This was more like Xu Chun rushing to establish himself and prove himself as a young man, it was inevitable…

Fang Zijing looked at Fang Zixing’s face, thinking that Fang Zixing was hiding something very important from him.