Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5292 Rushing to the Front Lines
The "referendum method" is extremely insidious. It claims to be "the people's choice" and "advocates freedom" in every word, seemingly representing the unanimous choice of all citizens. In reality, it excludes state power and completely disregards the sovereignty of the other party.

The people don't even know a single word, and they have no idea what a nation or people is. The seemingly fair statement "the minority obeys the majority" and "the autonomous choice of all citizens" is actually ignorance replacing civilization, a complete and utter deception.

Of course, these outstanding figures in the imperial court see things clearly, but how many ordinary people have such insight?
As a result, when the navy spent a lot of money to buy off the power of various foreign countries, and touted the strength and civilization of the Tang Dynasty, how it loved its people like its own children and how it reduced taxes and levies, the overseas barbarians, who were overjoyed to have been assimilated into the Tang Dynasty after entering the Tang, set off a wave of "annexation".

Under the heavens and on the earth, who wouldn't want to be a Tang person?
*****
At night, the mansion was brightly lit.

Inside the main hall, Fang Xuanling and his wife sat in the main seats, with Fang Jun on the left and Princess Gaoyang on the right. All the wives, concubines, brothers and sisters-in-law were arranged below them. Xiao Shuer, along with her maids and servants, was in the back courtyard packing and preparing luggage.

Even during the Spring Festival, a time of national celebration, the atmosphere inside the hall was quite somber.

With tears welling up in her eyes, Madam Lu spoke harshly: "Is there no one capable of doing anything in the entire Tang Dynasty court? During the New Year, they insist on sending my second son 'thousands of miles to the battlefield' to serve the emperor and fight the enemy?"

With the Central and Southern War imminent, Fang Jun, as the Grand Commandant, Grand Councilor, and naval commander of the current dynasty, must be stationed in Huating Town to direct the battle and ensure its success.

The journey from Guanzhong to Huating Town is thousands of miles long, and the cold winter makes the road difficult to travel; they must set off immediately. As agreed, Su Dingfang will launch a war to attack the capital of Lin-yi on the first day of the second lunar month. The battle report will take approximately twenty days to reach Huating Town from Da Nang. Fang Jun, having traveled from Chang'an at breakneck speed, will arrive just in time to receive the report…

Fang Xuanling frowned. Although his words remained gentle, the reprimand in them was unmistakable: "How dare a woman presume to discuss state affairs? Since entering the Tang Dynasty, our Fang family has made outstanding contributions and been loyal to our duties. Titles and official positions are not for enjoying power, but for bearing greater responsibility and commitment. The strategic value of the Central and Southern War is extremely important. Since it was Erlang who planned and initiated it, he should see it through to the end and strive for perfection. Moreover, a good man's ambition lies in all corners of the world. How can he stay at home, indulging in pleasure and idleness?"

Despite her dissatisfaction, Madam Lu ultimately kept quiet and resentful in front of her children and daughters-in-law.

Fang Jun then grasped his mother's hand and gently comforted her, "Mother, don't worry. Although the journey is long and arduous, I am only going to Huating Town to oversee the command. I will not be going to the battlefield. Moreover, in this unprecedented era of change, I should strive hard and do my utmost, both to promote the nation's strength and for my personal achievements and the glory of my family."

For a long time, the Chinese people have been confined to their "homeland," regarding land as property and foundation, and generation after generation of outstanding individuals have only focused their attention on this land.

Maritime trade has completely shattered the established ideas that have been passed down for thousands of years. The influx of wealth and the powerful export of culture will overturn all traditions in one fell swoop.

The clash between land power and sea power, the opposition between intense involution and frenzied export, can be described as an "unprecedented change in a millennium."

From the moment the navy was established and merchant ships set sail, Chinese civilization embarked on a completely different path.

Fang Xuanling nodded with delight: "A true man should aspire to travel far and wide, just like that! However, you must also remember the saying 'the world belongs to all.' Whether it is a conflict between civil and military officials or open and covert struggles, it must be limited to a certain scope. You must never let private interests interfere with public affairs, causing the great cause of this prosperous era to be disrupted and overthrown. Otherwise, you will be a sinner for all time."

The atmosphere in the hall was solemn.

Lady Lu was dissatisfied, and after enduring it for a long time, she finally couldn't hold back and angrily shouted, "The rise and fall of the empire is actually in my son's hands? All these years, he has devoted himself to creating a prosperous era. When his achievements were enough to make him a king, no one mentioned it. But those treacherous villains have been tripping him up at every turn for their own selfish interests. If it affects the overall situation, then it is my son's fault?"

Fang Xuanling was speechless.

That's certainly the logic, but when in this world can we ever reason with people?

He sighed and said, "Don't make trouble. Others may disregard the big picture, but Erlang cannot. With his current power and status, he absolutely cannot make any mistakes. Otherwise, he will not only be in danger but also leave a bad name for posterity."

Throughout history, how many Grand Commandants were granted the title while still alive?
One of the Three Dukes, the highest rank among ministers.

There was nowhere to go forward, but taking a step back meant falling into an abyss.

Lady Lu was not ignorant, and immediately fell silent.

When her son was dull, unruly, and uneducated, she was filled with worry and disappointment; when he achieved great success and wielded immense power, she was filled with anxiety and felt like she was walking on thin ice.

Children are all debts...

……

In the inner quarters, Xiao Shu'er, accompanied by her maids and servants, packed her belongings, while Fang Jun went straight into the bedroom and smiled as he looked at Jin Shengman on the bed.

The once valiant and heroic woman is now pale and frail, lying weak and powerless in bed, her face haggard, but her spirit is still very strong.

"Is my lord going to war again?"

"It can hardly be called an expedition; it's just about sitting in Huating Town and directing the battle. Moreover, Su Dingfang is mature, prudent, and has superb military strategy; he is a famous general of our time. Sweeping through the Central and Southern countries shouldn't be a problem for him, so I might not even have the chance to make a decision."

Fang Jun walked to the bedside, bent down to look at his newborn son in swaddling clothes, and felt a warm feeling in his heart.

He has always felt a sense of detachment from this era, finding it difficult to integrate into it. Only when facing his own flesh and blood can he feel that magical sense of belonging to the continuation of life.

Although he had also possessed this body, the child born was imbued with all his heart and soul...

Jin Shengman gave a soft "hmm" and offered her words of concern and advice: "Even if you don't go to the battlefield, you can't be careless. It's freezing cold and the journey is long. Even catching a cold once is no joke. You must take good care of yourself. Don't be careless when you're young."

Fang Jun smiled and nodded: "I will take good care of my health. After all, my beautiful wives and concubines are all as beautiful as angels. What if I am old and frail in the future and have no energy? Wouldn't I be devastated?"

"Oh, who said that?"

Jin Shengman blushed and scolded him playfully, but then said, "You should also pay more attention to your sister. How can you be so lukewarm? Putting everything else aside, you must make sure your sister gives birth to an heir... You have no idea how much she cherished holding the baby today."

When asked about this, Fang Jun scratched his head: "I've been working tirelessly and generously to win over Her Majesty the Queen, but all I've got is thunder and no rain. I'm exhausted, but Her Majesty's field remains completely still. I don't know what to do."

Speaking of which, the Kim sisters are generally not good at getting pregnant. Kim Seung-man has been married into the Fang family for several years, and Fang Jun has worked hard and tirelessly to finally get pregnant and give birth.

Of course, he could also understand the disappointment that Kindeokman felt when she saw her sister give birth, and he would show her his skills later.

Aside from being completely hopeless, in many cases it still depends on probability.

Since it's related to probability, the only solution is to increase the base number...

Jin Shengman bit her lip: "The ox hasn't died from exhaustion yet, so we need to plow the fields more."

Fang Jun's eyes widened: "What if I work myself to death?"

"Hehe, my lord is the strongest in the world, you must be exhausted!"

"..."

Fang Jun was speechless, unsure whether the words were a compliment to his strength, or a sarcastic remark that he should work like an ox, plowing until he died...

*****
Furong Garden.

Outside the embroidered tower, a biting wind howled and snowflakes fluttered down; inside, the red waves of passion surged and delicate breaths panted.

After a long while, a slightly high-pitched scream rang out, and the building suddenly fell silent, while the wind howled outside the window, its sound exceptionally clear.

Once her panting had completely subsided, Jin Deman, her body covered in sweat, raised her snow-white foot and kicked the man beside her, saying coquettishly, "Are you crazy? Coming over in the middle of the night to treat me like this!"

Thinking about the man's ferocity and his strange and embarrassing posture, she felt a mix of joy, pleasure, shame, and anger.

Fang Jun turned over and embraced her delicate, alabaster-like body, whispering in her ear, "Isn't this because I'm about to embark on a long journey? I've come to offer my condolences to Her Majesty the Queen before I leave."

Her Majesty, covered in sweat and in a mess, was not comfortable being held. She struggled but could not break free, so she had no choice but to lie down obediently and let it be.

"Offering condolences is one thing, but why this crazy outburst? Don't you know how strong and healthy you are? Who could withstand such a exertion!"

That blissful feeling of soaring through the clouds was indeed exhilarating from the inside out, but the suffocating, drowning-like sensation at the peak was unbearable...

"It's not my fault, it was your sister who made me, her brother-in-law, do this."

"You, you, you, stop talking nonsense!" Although the candles weren't lit, Jin Deman was still so ashamed by those words that she wanted to disappear. She raised her hand and slapped her, saying in a muffled voice, "You think you can treat my sister like this?"

"No, but I once browsed through Taoist classics at Master Sun's place and came across a few Taoist bedroom secrets. They mentioned several positions that could increase the chances of conception, so I spared no effort and did my best to learn them."

"Oh."

Jin Deman turned around and nestled into her husband's arms, raising her hand to stroke his thin, handsome face, and said softly, "I certainly hope to have a child, but if God does not grant my wish, then so be it. Although Shengman and I are cousins, we are closer than blood sisters, so her child is also my child, and that is enough."

Fang Jun stretched his arm over the back of his neck and pulled him into his arms, smiling as he said, "Some things you have to do your best to do. If there's no good result, you can accept it, but you must never complain or give up."

In the darkness, Jin Deman's beautiful eyes shone brightly as she gritted her teeth and rolled over.

"I don't think you tried your best just now..."

Fang Jun: "..."

Even cows can die from exhaustion.