Fengyu was shocked by the gossip he spoke of. Several seemingly affectionate ministerial couples turned out to be resentful of each other in private, and so on. Gradually, she came to enjoy listening to it. In fact, the Jinyi Guard monitored these officials mainly to understand the dynamics of the clans, whether there was any rebellion, whether officials were taking bribes, and whether there were any factional struggles. However, as the Beining Dynasty only had one prince, factional struggle was not a concern for the time being. Xie Xun also didn’t like officials colluding with each other, so he wanted to be aware of their actions, secretly manipulating them to become suspicious, wary, and cooperative with each other to keep them in check. This was a daily concern for Xie Xun.

The Grand Marshal and his wife wanted to separate, but Fengyu did not gloat like Xie Xun. She also considered Junjun’s feelings; if Junjun knew, he would surely be sad. She hoped that the Grand Marshal and his wife could put aside past grievances and live the rest of their lives smoothly.

Fengyu said, "Aunt Fang went to the Prince Manor during Mingzhu’s birthday. It seems she is slowly coming around to accept it. On the other hand, you should not just watch the fun and stir up trouble. This is a family matter but also a state matter. Can you really accept Second Brother being with Fang Chuning?"

"What are you saying? Does my opinion matter? Who would consider my opinion? Would Second Brother? I would certainly disagree, but what can I do?" Xie Xun sighed, "If Father were alive, it would be better. He would surely be ruthless enough to split this pair apart, but I can’t."

Xie Xun was quite self-aware. Fengyu couldn’t help but chuckle, then quickly returned to seriousness, "Since that’s the case, we must think about how to plan for the future. Second Brother and Fang Chuning want to be together despite societal opinions. He is the only Prince, and Fang Chuning is a Great General with substantial power. The Jiangnan garrison has always been led by the Fang Family. Censors are sure to crash onto the floor of Jinluan Palace in protest, and all the clans will use this relationship to drive a wedge between you and Second Brother. How will you respond to that?"

"I trust Second Brother, and Second Brother trusts me."

Fengyu shook her head. "Zhixu, you are the Emperor first, then the brother of Second Brother. You and Second Brother are first sovereign and minister, then brothers. No matter how deep your brotherly love is, it cannot withstand the maliciousness of the human heart. I have been in business for many years. In wealthy merchant families with three sons, brothers often become enemies over family wealth, let alone an empire. You have not been on the throne for long, and your foundation within the clans is unstable. The clans are watching like hungry tigers, hoping for discord between you. You... You do not have daughters from the clans in your palaces, so you can never draw them to your side. They wish to gain power in the Yuwen Dynasty by sowing discord between you and your brother. The foundation of the Beining Dynasty is too shallow, while the power of the ancient clans is deep-rooted. Do not try to gamble power on the hearts of people. We trust Second Brother, but I do not trust the clans, unless our foundation is stable enough, or... you draw the clans to your side."

Xie Xun’s way to draw the clans was through conscription, selecting daughters from each family into the palace as concubines and leaving offspring to stabilize the court. But he truly did not want to do so. Looking through history books, every capable, determined and non-puppet emperor has always placed his most beloved one in the highest position and chosen her son as the Crown Prince. Xie Xun was such to Fengyu, not even willing to let her suffer grievances. He knew that conscription would inevitably distance her from him, essentially cutting off Xie Xun’s path to drawing the clans.

Fortunately, the Xie Family’s fallback was the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. Xie Xun came from a military background and had a group of generals who were fiercely loyal to him, helping him stabilize military power. However, once the war calmed, it would still require civil officials to govern the court.

The clans remained the foundation of Beining, as almost all key official positions, from top to bottom, were held by members of the clans. Although the new system had changed for the courtiers, the civil service examination ultimately depended on knowledge to win. Those who could hire famous tutors and study diligently for ten years to get their names on the golden list were mostly from clans or scholars of clear background. Only they had enough wealth to cultivate a scholar.

Ordinary folks, with impoverished homes, had their young and strong as the most important labor force. They needed to cultivate fields, farmland, and pasture. Where was the time to study daily at school or the money to support it?

Therefore, Xie Xun could not truly go head-to-head with the clans.

"Ayu, my cousin has long talked with me, but I am still considering it. This matter also needs to be discussed with Second Brother."

"No matter what decision you make, Second Brother will not let you be troubled." Fengyu understood Xie Jue very well. No matter how much Xie Jue loved Fang Chuning, the first priority for him was undoubtedly the stability of Xie Xun’s reign.

Fengyu could also roughly guess Lin Helin’s proposal. Most likely it was in line with the cabinet’s view. Since Xie Xun was considering it, it indicated the cabinet’s attitude differed from his, or that he knew such a decision would not satisfy Second Brother.

If Xie Jue was determined, Xie Xun still had to find a way to reclaim the Grand Marshal’s military power. The Jiangnan garrison could not have the Fang Family in control. Would the Fang family be willing to give it up?

These were major issues!

Zhang Boju came to find Fang Chuning. Fang Chuning was resting under a tree in the courtyard with a travel journal by his side.

"You’re living quite comfortably at home." Zhang Boju said clicking his tongue, noticing there were not only recliners but also tea and snacks under the tree, making Zhang Boju envious of Fang Chuning’s comfort.

"A rare guest, brother!"

Zhang Boju was annoyed upon seeing him, "You make a big mess and hide at home comfortably, while we’re out there running our legs off."

"Don’t wrong me. I haven’t left home, so what trouble could I cause? It’s you who are overthinking." Fang Chuning poured him a cup of tea, "Did Lin Helin send you?"

Zhang Boju coughed, "I’m the one who wanted to come. Can’t you guess my intention?"

"Can’t guess."

"Stop playing dumb!" Zhang Boju kicked the recliner beside Fang Chuning and sat down. Zhang Boju didn’t announce his visit because the Grand Marshal had permitted it, hoping he would persuade Fang Chuning.

Fang Chuning understood well.

"What advice do you have, Mr. Zhang?" Fang Chuning asked with a smile.

"Then I won’t beat around the bush. Lord Lin talked with the Grand Marshal, hoping he would let go of Jiangnan, allowing the court to dispatch a new commander to manage the Jiangnan garrison, which the Grand Marshal bluntly rejected." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Fang Chuning, "...Guessed it!"

That was his father’s character.

Zhang Boju smiled wryly, "Then you and the Prince, are you really planning to go all the way? Can it be resolved?"

"It cannot!" Fang Chuning sipped tea, waiting for Zhang Boju to continue.

Zhang Boju sighed. He had already guessed that, nodding, "Since the Grand Marshal cannot relinquish power and you cannot sever ties with the Prince, then... you will no longer be able to hold onto your second-grade military general position and can only become a wealthy nobleman in the future."

Fang Chuning remained silent. He and Xie Jue had considered whether there would be an opportunity for him to go to Zhongzhou and relinquish Jiangnan, but now the situation was clearer. Lin Helin was analyzing from Xie Xun’s standpoint, not wanting more chaos between clan and royal power. The Fang family had to sacrifice someone — if not the Grand Marshal, then him.

It could only be him!

"What’s wrong with becoming a wealthy nobleman? When we studied at the Imperial College in our youth, we all wished for peace under the sky, and for Ningzhou to stop warring. Now that dream has been realized, I have no more unfulfilled wishes. Generals may die in a hundred battles, but how many return home? For me to be alive and healthy, I have no more to ask. Tell Lin Helin not to worry."