Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5229 A Balanced Approach
Just as the Empress was about to say something, she suddenly felt the suspicious gazes of the two sisters, and her heart skipped a beat. She then realized that the topic she was discussing with Fang Jun seemed to have strayed from the realm of ruler and subject...

Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she pursed her lips, quickly changing the subject: "Since Erlang has so much confidence in King Wei, then I am completely relieved. Hey, what are you two doing staring at us without eating or drinking? Come, come, let's have a drink together!"

I raised my glass to the three of them, trying to mask the awkwardness...

As soon as Fang Jun put down his wine cup, Princess Jinyang poured him a full cup with her delicate hands, then poured one for herself and raised it with a smile, saying, "This little sister toasts her brother-in-law."

Fang Jun chuckled: "Are you all trying to use a tag-team strategy? It's not that I'm arrogant, but even if the three of you were tied together and the numbers doubled, you would still be no match for me. You'd better not invite trouble upon yourselves."

Princess Jinyang said coquettishly, "What do you mean by 'a war of attrition'? You put it so harshly. I'm just thanking my brother-in-law for giving me face."

The topic was naturally Chai Lingwu's pursuit of a fiefdom and official position. She wrote to Fang Jun, hoping that he would ask the Emperor for a favor after returning to the capital. However, Fang Jun wrote directly from Japan to the palace, and the Emperor immediately approved the appointment of Chai Lingwu to accompany Li Tai to "Fusang" (Japan) to take up his post...

The princess was very satisfied with the efficient service.

Fang Jun suddenly realized and laughed, "What makes you say that, Your Highness? If you ask, I would go through fire and water for you, let alone such a trivial matter!"

Even so, he still raised his cup to clink with Princess Jinyang's and drank it all in one gulp.

Princess Jinyang took a sip, the aroma of the wine rising to her cheeks, her face flushing crimson, like a rosy cloud, exquisitely beautiful. With a flicker of her eyelashes, her delicate tongue licked her moist lips, making one's mouth water and one's mouth water...

Fang Jun quickly looked away. As the girl grew older, her body developed better and better. She had a kind of allure that combined youthful innocence and charm, purity and beauty. She was a beauty that could bring ruin to the country and the people. She was no less beautiful than the incomparably elegant Princess Chang Le and the dignified and beautiful Empress Su. In fact, she was even more beautiful.

It's heart-pounding.

This scene was witnessed by Empress Su, who had been secretly watching him. She immediately sneered inwardly, thinking that this fellow was indeed coveting her and was definitely not as innocent as he claimed.

However, judging from Princess Jinyang's closeness to him, it's likely that with just a flick of his finger, Jinyang would throw herself into his arms without hesitation. In that case, not only would the royal family be embroiled in another scandal, but Jinyang's happiness for the rest of her life would also be ruined.

Unfortunately, this girl won't listen to any advice; her heart is completely devoted to her brother-in-law, which is really a headache...

The more Empress Su looked at Fang Jun, the angrier she became. She gritted her teeth, raised her wine cup, and said, "Although this matter was done by Si Zi to ask you for a favor, the root of the problem actually lies with me. I'll toast Er Lang three cups!"

Fang Jun was surprised and his gaze swept over the three women's faces: "Could this really be a trap?"

The Empress snapped, "Enough with the nonsense! Are you going to drink or not?"

"The Empress offers a toast, how dare I refuse? Even if I were to enter the Spider Cave today, I would risk my life to accompany this beauty!"

Empress Su didn't know what the Spider Cave was, but she was furious at Fang Jun's words about "beautiful women." She put down her wine cup and lightly slapped the table with her snow-white palm: "Grand Commandant, how dare you speak so frivolously? I am not only the Empress Dowager, but also your brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Such disrespect towards me deserves three cups of wine as punishment!"

Fang Jun was speechless. One minute you call me "Erlang" and the next you call me "Grand Commandant". Your stance changes at any time and you have the situation under control. Isn't this obviously a trap?
However, faced with the Empress's beautiful face tinged with displeasure and her delicate eyebrows raised, he could only admit defeat: "Your humble servant has spoken inappropriately, and I will punish myself with three cups!"

Beside her, Princess Jinyang smiled radiantly, her soft, fragrant body almost touching her, and said in a sweet voice, "She deserves to be punished!"

Fang Jun drank a cup, and she filled the pot to the brim...

Compared to Princess Jinyang, who seemed oblivious and only had eyes for Fang Jun, Princess Changle was much more perceptive, her gaze shifting suspiciously between Fang Jun and the Empress.

Although the two acted with strict boundaries and did not go too far, it seemed somewhat like they were trying to cover something up. In fact, the distinction between ruler and subject and the separation between men and women were very shallow. They seemed to know each other very well, and there was even a tacit understanding between them when they exchanged glances...

This scoundrel wouldn't even dare to offend the Empress, would he?!
Princess Chang Le gritted her teeth, then suddenly smiled and raised her wine cup: "It seems like we've never drunk together before, right? Come on, let's drink three cups together!"

Fang Jun glared at Princess Chang Le, wondering if she was joining outsiders in bullying her husband.
Alright, alright, then don't blame me for being impolite.

"I am deeply grateful for Your Highness's favor, for you have taken me in and given me a son. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and have no way to repay you in this life. Let me drink three cups to express my thanks, and in the next life I will serve you like a cow or a dog!"

He drank the three cups of wine in quick succession.

Princess Jinyang poured wine while asking curiously, "Isn't it supposed to be 'working like an ox or a horse'? How come my brother-in-law is 'working like an ox or a dog'?"

Princess Chang Le blushed and glared fiercely at Fang Jun, that loose-tongued scoundrel.

Cows are ridden, dogs are licked...

This time, the three women didn't need to target Fang Jun; Fang Jun took the initiative to retaliate.

He looked at Princess Jinyang with deep and sincere eyes: "Emperor Taizong had more than a dozen sons-in-law, but Your Highness alone calls me 'brother-in-law.' This recognition and closeness often moves me to tears. Today, I would like to offer this as a token of my gratitude to Your Highness!"

"what?"

Princess Jinyang was slightly flustered. She couldn't hold her liquor and had thought she could just play a supporting role, but unexpectedly, the spearhead suddenly turned against her...

He hurriedly asked his sister-in-law and older sister for help.

The Empress and Chang Le exchanged glances: We cannot back down now, we must drink with him!
"This, this, this..."

Princess Jinyang had no choice but to raise her wine cup, blink, and plead, "I can't hold my liquor, can I drink a little less?"

Fang Jun said generously, "This humble subject will drink three cups to the brim. Your Highness, please feel free to drink as you please!"

He downed three cups in a row.

Princess Jinyang immediately beamed with joy: "I knew my brother-in-law would feel sorry for me!"

Although she couldn't finish three cups, she didn't just sip them perfunctorily; instead, she tilted her head back and drank the entire cup.

Her pretty face flushed even more, looking delicate and alluring. Even her eyes seemed unfocused, and her body felt weak and listless. She leaned forward slightly, her cherry lips parted, exhaling a fragrant breath, as she rested on Fang Jun's shoulder.

Empress and Chang Le: "..."

Is this girl some kind of natural charm?

That's amazing!

*****
Perhaps the Empress disliked Fang Jun and intended for the three of them to work together to get him drunk. However, Princess Jinyang was unable to hold her liquor and was the first to give in. This reminded the Empress of Fang Jun's incredible capacity for alcohol, so she was not afraid. Instead, she was worried that if the three women got drunk, they would all be unconscious, leaving only Fang Jun present, which would be difficult to handle.

It wasn't that she was afraid Fang Jun would do something strange while they were drunk. Although she despised Fang Jun as a "good princess," his reputation as a princess was generally good, so he wouldn't dare to harm her, the empress. Rather, if word got out in the palace, she, the empress, would be criticized and lose face...

They had no choice but to let Fang Jun leave.

After finally managing to pry the drunken Princess Jinyang off him, Fang Jun quickly took his leave...

Upon leaving the palace, a carriage belonging to the Fang family was already waiting outside. As soon as they saw Fang Jun, they immediately welcomed him into the carriage and returned to their home in Chongrenfang.

This time it's not a return from an expedition, so there's no need for the whole family to come out and welcome them.

After the carriage entered through the side gate, Fang Jun got out and asked around. He learned that Fang Xuanling was at home, so he went to the study to pay his respects to his father.

After exchanging greetings, they took their seats and drank tea facing each other.

Seeing his son reeking of alcohol, Fang Xuanling asked, "Did His Majesty save some for his meal?"

Fang Jun shook his head: "It was the Empress who invited me to stay for a meal."

Fang Xuanling's eyes widened: "..."

Seeing his father's unusual expression, Fang Jun quickly added, "There are also the two princes, Chang Le and Jin Yang. Princess Jin Yang wrote to ask me to help plead with His Majesty to arrange a fiefdom for Chai Lingwu. They are hosting a banquet to welcome me back to the capital."

"..."

Hearing about Princess Chang Le, Princess Baling, and Chai Lingwu... this chaotic imagination is disheartening.

Fang Xuanling quickly waved his hand: "I don't care about these things, you can handle them yourself. I have missed Lu'er a bit since I haven't seen her for a long time. When you have some free time, bring Princess Chang Le home for a short stay. After all, she is a member of our family, and even if she is not officially recognized, we cannot distance ourselves from her."

"Alright, I will go to the palace in a few days to bring them back."

Fang Xuanling nodded and then instructed, "Princess Gaoyang has no jealousy whatsoever. This is because of her dignified character. However, you cannot take this for granted. You must show her more care and consideration. If she suffers any injustice, I will not forgive you."

Fang Jun replied obediently, "Yes."

Fang Xuanling never mentioned this matter again.

In those days, such communication and exchange between fathers and sons was extremely rare. The Fang family was already considered an exception, so even if Fang Xuanling said such things, he still felt very uncomfortable...

"The original strategy of the navy overseas was quite appropriate, focusing only on interests and not occupying land, deciding to lease some plains and ports. Why do you support His Majesty's policy of establishing states and fiefdoms?"

Since Fang Jun established the navy and roamed the oceans, the navy's consistent policy has been "only money, no land." Through overseas trade, it has seized a large amount of wealth and resources and imported them into the Tang Dynasty to supply the Tang Dynasty's ever-increasing infrastructure construction, while saving huge amounts of military expenditure. Facts have proved that this is an extremely brilliant strategy, much better than expanding territory and conquering cities all over the world.

However, Your Majesty's policy of feudalizing the country contradicts this.

Fang Jun sighed. The father and son were sitting in the study without worrying about being overheard, so he spoke frankly: "It's not that I'm willing to support it, but the relationship between His Majesty and me has been quite delicate these past two years. Although His Majesty still trusts me, his imperial power has been restrained and he will inevitably launch a counterattack. I must make concessions on certain matters to ease the tension between us. Otherwise, if things get too tense, His Majesty will develop a rebellious attitude, which would be extremely detrimental to the new policies of the Tang Dynasty."

That's how power works; it has its ups and downs, its gains and losses, and it's always in a state of balance.

Knowing when to advance and when to retreat is the path to victory, not blindly making bold and reckless moves.

Countless failed reforms throughout history have proven this point: refusing to compromise when it's necessary will only lead to disastrous consequences.