Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5283 Mei Niang Returns to the Capital
Fang Xuanling was pleased with his son's lofty aspirations. Although the aspirations were difficult, perseverance will eventually pay off, far better than being muddleheaded and indulging in debauchery all day long.

Fang Jun said, “Of course, everything in the world is both mutually restraining and interdependent. A sword has two edges, and everything has its advantages and disadvantages; it cannot be either one or the other. A powerful regime and a prosperous empire must have a long-standing civilization as its foundation and the support of hundreds of millions of people as its cornerstone in order to dominate the world and sweep across the land. Conversely, if the people want to live and work in peace and contentment, if they want the young to be cared for and the elderly to have support, if the farmers have their land and the sick have access to medical care, they cannot do without a strong, prosperous and stable country.”

If the nation is not strong, the people's wealth will have no foundation.

Without a prosperous people, there is no basis for a strong nation.

A strong nation, the protection and promotion of people's happiness, people's participation in development, and the promotion of an even stronger nation... this is the most perfect virtuous cycle.

Fang Xuanling asked, "So you support His Majesty in suppressing clans, weakening powerful families, and reforming the imperial examination system?"

"A nation's strength and prosperity come from justice and stability, and the foundation of justice and stability lies in the smooth flow of upward mobility. The ideal state of society is the principle of 'the capable rise and the mediocre fall.' However, the existence of powerful clans and the implementation of the recommendation system have blocked this channel. The lower classes cannot achieve upward mobility through their own efforts. Over time, this will inevitably lead to widespread resentment, with people believing that the rise and fall of the nation is irrelevant to them. How could they possibly support the nation and dedicate themselves to its development?"

Fang Jun explained in detail: "The imperial examination changed this situation, making the people at the bottom of society aware that there was such a channel to get ahead, become rich, and even rise in social class. All their resentment was released and transformed into strong motivation, naturally leading to social harmony and national strength."

Fang Xuanling added, "Even though 99% of people don't actually achieve upward social mobility because of the existence of the imperial examination system."

Even though the current imperial examination system seems to be much fairer after reforms, and it appears that everyone can win the top prize and be promoted, in reality, it is extremely difficult.

Family background, talent, and temperament are especially important.

Those who truly defy fate are extremely rare...

Fang Jun's expression was firm: "There is a world of difference between a road that is impassable and a road that never exists."

Fang Xuanling thought for a moment, then sighed and nodded in agreement.

The common people are simple and honest. What kind of ideas you instill in them will shape their values. Whether the emperor is wise or foolish, whether the country is prosperous or weak, whether the officials are honest or corrupt, they simply don't know.

Therefore, even in the imperial examinations, only scholars from poor families had a chance of passing. Ordinary people had no hope at all. Even if one or two exceptional individuals emerged, they would only become ordinary people after entering officialdom without family connections or powerful backers. But the common people still believed that they were recognized – the court was good and gave us a way out. If it didn't work out, it was my own problem.

While the "policy of keeping the people ignorant" is certainly shameful, it has been the case throughout history and is something that has no other choice.

When policies are truly transparent and applied equally, it will only be possible once the public becomes more informed... The road ahead is long and arduous.

*****
The sixteenth day of the twelfth lunar month is the Great Cold.

After a few days of respite, the heavy snow began to fall again. The official road was shrouded in snow and wind, making travel difficult. A caravan was struggling through the snow and wind when it came to a group of cavalrymen standing under a withered willow tree ahead.

Wu Meiniang, dressed in thick cotton clothes and a fox fur coat, and holding an exquisite brass hand warmer, heard the sound of horses' hooves outside the carriage. A servant outside the carriage said, "My lady, Erlang is here!"

Wu Meiniang quickly lifted the carriage curtain and opened the window, where she saw her dashing husband, dressed in a brocade hat and sable fur, riding up to her. The couple's eyes met, and they smiled at each other.

Snowflakes fell heavily outside the carriage. Wu Meiniang scolded, "With such heavy snow and freezing temperatures, why go out of the city to greet us? It would be terrible if we caught a cold."

Fang Jun grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. His smile was warm and his eyes were full of affection: "My wife is working hard for the family affairs outside. I miss her very much. I feel restless at home and can't wait a moment longer. I can't say that I would go out of the city to welcome her. I just want to see my wife as soon as possible to ease the pain of longing."

Wu Zetian smiled charmingly, her delicate nose slightly wrinkled: "Glib-tongued!"

Although she knew that her husband's words were an exaggeration, what resistance could a young woman have against such sweet words?
My body and mind were immersed in warmth and sweetness.

Seeing that the snow was falling heavier, Meiniang hurriedly said, "My lord, please get in the carriage and warm up."

Fang Jun shook his head and laughed, "What is this snow and wind? It's nothing! I'm covered in cold air, and I'm afraid my wife will catch a cold, so I'll stay outside the carriage and accompany her home."

With that, he waved his hand, and the convoy sped forward, heading towards Chunming Gate.

Wu Meiniang leaned against the carriage window and told her husband about the pain of separation and longing, her bright smile growing even more radiant.

However, she was not a weak woman who was easily swayed by love or sentimentality. After a few words, she changed the subject to the various difficulties and insights she had gained in dealing with powerful families and clans in Luoyang and managing her business. Her expression became excited and invigorated...

Fang Jun chuckled. In such a patriarchal era, a woman with such a strong sense of career ambition and exceptional strategy, intelligence, and methods was indeed an anomaly.

Since that's her temperament, let her be.

As long as it doesn't bring disaster to the country and its people, let her do whatever she wants with just a mere "Dongda Tang Trading Company." In any case, the only ones who will suffer are the merchants and the barbarians...

As the city entered through Chunming Gate, the garrison commander saw Fang Jun and quickly knelt on one knee by the roadside to salute him. Fang Jun chuckled and tossed him a silver ingot before riding away at a leisurely pace.

"Respectfully seeing off the Grand Commandant!"

The captain and his troop of soldiers waited until Fang Jun's caravan had gone far before standing up, putting the silver ingot into his pocket, looking around and laughing, "The Grand Commandant has rewarded you. Don't leave after you finish your shift tonight; you must get thoroughly drunk!"

"The Grand Commandant is truly generous."

"There aren't many people in our Great Tang Dynasty who are richer than the Grand Commandant, are there? He's richer than a country!"

"That's not right. There are plenty of rich people, but they usually only give you a few copper coins. Who gave you silver?"

"That's true..."

As the convoy gradually disappeared into the snow, a soldier asked, "This must be Lady Wu returning from Luoyang, right?"

The captain nodded: "Definitely."

"Just how beautiful is this Lady Wu that she could be so favored by the Grand Commandant? Not only did he entrust her with the management of his vast business, but he even personally greeted her in the snowstorm... I've never seen anything like it in Chang'an."

"Hehe, this lady is quite something, you've all heard, haven't you? Those young men of the Wu family used to be lazy and dissolute in Chang'an, almost squandering their family fortune. They were practically living off Madam Wu, sucking her blood and eating her flesh. Later, Madam Wu used her connections to send them to Annam, and the whole family has disappeared without a trace ever since. They're so ruthless... Ouch!"

"Bastard thing!"

The captain flew into a rage, kicked him to the ground in the snow, and cursed, "Are you out of your mind? How dare you spout such hearsay? If you want to die, go dig a hole in the moat and jump in, don't you dare drag us down with you!"

The other soldiers were also terrified and turned pale, complaining among themselves.

"How can such words be uttered? If they reach the ears of the Grand Commandant, not only will we be torn to pieces, but our entire families will suffer the consequences!"

"Why would the Grand Commandant need to intervene? Lady Wu alone could crush us all!"

The city gates are bustling with people coming and going all day long, making them a hub for all sorts of news. As soldiers guarding the city, they hear countless messages, but no matter what kind of news it is, they can only listen to it and keep it to themselves, otherwise they will suffer a bad end.

*****
As the caravan entered Chongrenfang, it was already getting dark. The servants of the Fang family stood on the streets outside the gate. Upon seeing the caravan approach, they all bowed and stood respectfully on both sides of the street to welcome Wu Meiniang home...

Wu Meiniang stepped down from the carriage, tightened her cloak, and looked at the servants who filled almost the entire street with a smile. She felt a little smug. In Chang'an, which noble family's concubine could receive such treatment?

In a good mood, she waved her hand generously and said, "Reward me!"

"Here!"

The maid following behind quickly went to a carriage behind, unloaded a box, opened it, took out strings of copper coins, and tipped them off from beginning to end.

"Thank you for the reward, Madam Xie!"

The servants beamed with joy and thanked them profusely.

Everyone outside says that Erlang is a "spendthrift," spending money recklessly and without restraint, but the servants of the Fang family know that Madam Wu is actually the most generous one in the family. She often rewards the servants and is very generous in her spending, and she manages the family's treasury...

...Entering through the side door and arriving at the main hall, one sees Princess Gaoyang standing at the entrance, surrounded by Xiao Shuer, Jin Shengman, Qiao'er, and many maids.

Even Wu Zetian, who was proud and arrogant and considered herself no less capable than any man, couldn't help but feel a warmth in her heart and a surge of emotion in her eyes at this moment. She quickly stepped forward to Princess Gaoyang, gathered her skirts, and bowed.

No matter how favored she was, she was still just a concubine, a plaything. How could the head wife ever personally come out to greet her?

Princess Gaoyang smiled and gently helped Wu Meiniang up. She looked her up and down and nodded, saying, "Not only have you not lost weight, but your skin has become even whiter and smoother. Is the soil and water of Luoyang really so nourishing?"

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "Luoyang is the heart of the Central Plains and a major thoroughfare. It is naturally a prosperous and beautiful place, but I miss my home all the time. I only wish to follow Your Highness and serve my parents-in-law."

"Oh my, your little mouth is as sweet as honey!"

Princess Gaoyang pouted and said, "In that case, don't go to Luoyang this time. Stay at home to take care of your children and serve your parents-in-law."

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "I would be willing, but I'm afraid my husband won't be able to find a suitable person to take over the business."

Fang Jun stood aside, smiling without saying a word.

"Tch!" Princess Gaoyang snorted, displeased, "Use your glib tongue to deal with our young master, don't show off in front of me!"

He then took Wu Meiniang's hand and turned to walk into the main hall.

Fang Jun followed him inside: "Rest for a while, I'll take you to pay your respects to your father and mother."