Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5418: Love in Every Way
"How can we allow others to snore on the side of the bed?"

When Fang Jun uttered this famous saying, Chang Le pursed her lips and remained silent.

Having grown up in the royal family, and having been exposed to it from a young age, one naturally knows that although the emperor reigns supreme over the world and is the ruler of all the land, he is also the most suspicious and insecure person in the world.

Supreme power brings not only absolute authority and the power of life and death, but also suspicion, doubt, and betrayal.

For the supreme throne, fathers and sons can turn against each other, brothers can fight, and husbands and wives can become enemies...

It is truly remarkable that Li Chengqian was able to not only not pursue Li Zhi's crime of treason but even allow him to go to sea to take up his fiefdom after Li Zhi committed the heinous crime of treason.

Whether this "benevolence" is truly from the heart or just an act for the world to see, it is unprecedented throughout history.

Under such circumstances, what reason is there to complain about Li Zhi being granted a kingdom on a southern island?

With a soft sigh, Chang Le said quietly, "I have been too harsh on His Majesty. He has truly had a difficult time."

Fang Jun nodded in agreement. Li Chengqian was indeed facing difficulties, almost in the same vein as Emperor Taizong.

When Emperor Taizong launched the "Xuanwu Gate Incident" to seize the throne, he faced a cacophony of public opinion, attacks, and slander. Wasn't he also walking on thin ice?
Fortunately, Emperor Taizong was both a skilled military strategist and a man of great merit. He only needed to be a good emperor and do his best to satisfy the interests of powerful families and the common people. All the attacks and slanders could be cleared up.

Li Chengqian's succession to the throne was legitimate, but Emperor Taizong's repeated attempts to change the heir led to a significant decline in his prestige and influence. There were many doubters in the court and among the public, and any mistake he made was magnified to prove the view that "the Crown Prince is not as good as the Prince of Jin."

We can only work diligently day and night, striving to do the right thing.

Unfortunately, his abilities are somewhat lacking, and it would be extremely difficult for him to dispel the doubts of others with his achievements...

That's why Li Chengqian was so lenient with Fang Jun, and no matter how angry he was about the decline of imperial power, he was able to suppress his anger and cooperate with the implementation of the new policies.

If one's own abilities are insufficient to navigate complex political landscapes and command the nation, then one should "humbly accept advice" and "appoint capable and virtuous officials." As long as the Tang Dynasty is prosperous and peaceful, who dares to say that it is not the achievement of the emperor?
However, how could an emperor, who was the supreme ruler of the world, not feel aggrieved?

Of course, sympathizing with Li Chengqian is one thing, but gradually weakening imperial power is another.

How can personal feelings supersede national interests?

*****
Three days later, the long convoy left the Fang family residence at Chongrenfang, headed east through Chunming Gate, and followed the official road around the entire city of Chang'an to the Fangjiawan Wharf in the south of the city. Dozens of porters hoisted the goods from the carts onto the ships. Around noon, Fang Jun boarded the ships, surrounded by dozens of personal guards. More than ten merchant ships sailed down the river, passing through Sanmen, Luoyang, and the Grand Canal, and arrived at Huating Town at the mouth of the Yangtze River.

During the journey, the fleet passed through Sanmenxia. Fang Jun's merchant ship sailed down the rapids. Not far away, the Zhizhu Mountain emerged from the water, cutting through the surging river. Despite the turbulent currents and pounding waves, it remained unmoved. The boatmen nervously maneuvered the boat, fearing that a moment's inattention would lead to a collision and the loss of life.

The phrase "a pillar in the middle of the stream" has long been a manifestation of the spirit of the Chinese nation. However, how many people know how many boats have been smashed and how many lives buried by such a towering rock on the vast and turbulent Yellow River?

This is a real "gateway to hell" on the Yellow River!
Previously, when Fang Jun was in charge of the Ministry of Works, he also ordered people to try to destroy the Zhizhu Mountain with gunpowder. They used various methods but only managed to destroy most of the rocks above the water. They were powerless against the underwater reefs.

After passing Sanmenxia and approaching Luoyang, the Yellow River suddenly widens, and the surging water slows down. The silt carried from upstream gradually settles, causing the riverbed to rise. The banks have to build dikes to prevent flooding. Year after year, this section of the river has finally become a veritable "above-ground river," but it still faces the risk of dike collapse.

The Yellow River and the Yangtze River, these two mother rivers that have nourished and nurtured the Chinese nation, have had their governance process spanning almost the entire history of the Chinese nation... Motherly love is like a big stick, occasionally tapping her son on the head.

When the fleet reached Luoyang, it anchored at Mengjin Ferry. Fang Jun did not disembark. Wu Meiniang, who had been waiting there, boarded the ship with a large number of maids, servants, personal guards, and all sorts of trunks. The grand procession attracted the attention of pedestrians and merchants near the ferry. When they saw the "Fang" flag hanging on the mast of the merchant ship, they knew that this was Fang Jun's ship and quickly held their breath and pretended not to see it.

Fang Er's nickname "Bangchui" was widely known, but the people of Guanzhong loved him and praised him as "a living Buddha to all families." However, outside Tongguan, whether in Henan, Shandong, or Jiangnan, people were deeply afraid of him and avoided him like the plague.

Fang Jun stood at the bow of the ship and helped Wu Meiniang onto the deck. He looked her up and down and saw that she was adorned with pearls and embroidery, and her charming expression revealed a hint of excitement, showing that she was very much looking forward to this voyage.

Although women in this era were not so much confined to their homes, they rarely had the opportunity to travel far, let alone go overseas to foreign lands.

After Wu Meiniang regained her footing, Fang Jun asked, "Have all matters concerning the business been settled?"

Wu Meiniang smiled brightly and nodded gently: "Don't worry, my lord. With Li Yifu in Luoyang handling all the affairs, there won't be any problems."

Fang Jun frowned: "That guy isn't exactly a law-abiding citizen. Are you sure he won't mess around?"

He never dared to take a light look at treacherous people like Li Yifu and Xu Jingzong, who were "on the list".

"The business already has a set of effective operating methods. In fact, I don't have to do everything myself in Luoyang. Many things just need to be handled according to the rules. Therefore, Li Yifu has no right to make decisions on the spot. Any important matters must wait for my return before they can be dealt with. Even if there are losses due to failure to deal with them in time, it is not a big deal."

Fang Jun then nodded.

Given Wu Zetian's exceptional abilities, since she had taken precautions and restrictions against Li Yifu beforehand, she naturally wouldn't make any mistakes.

This skill in employing people was Wu Zetian's forte, something he couldn't match at all...

After settling into the cabin and having a quick wash and meal, the fleet set sail at dusk. Wu Meiniang, arm in arm with Fang Jun, stood at the stern watching the sunset paint the river a golden hue, a shimmering, vast expanse of water. The river breeze made her clothes flutter, and her pretty face seemed to be bathed in light. She smiled, her heart filled with joy.

Although she was able to spend a lot of time with her husband in Chang'an, she was ambitious and had high aspirations. She was unwilling to stay at home and be a stay-at-home wife and mother, so she was inevitably melancholy. After arriving in Luoyang and taking over a business, managing a huge organization with thousands of employees and handling hundreds of thousands of strings of cash every day, her orders could influence the foreign trade of the entire Tang Empire. This honor certainly made her feel satisfied, but she also missed her husband because she could not see him for a long time.

Life is never truly perfect.

Now she can stay by her husband's side and also go out to sea to patrol her "territory," which is a perfect combination.

In the evening, she naturally flattered and pleasing him, even fulfilling many of his previous unfulfilled desires...

Fortunately, the two were staying in an upper cabin on the ship and did not have to disturb others.

……

The fleet entered the Tongji Canal through the lock at Banzhu, east of Luokou Canal. Willows lined both banks, lush and green, and dozens of palaces built by Emperor Yang of Sui were nestled among them. Boats and cargo ships came and went on the canal, and the magnificent scene of "the hub of the world, the control of the four seas, the meeting of ships, and the provision of public and private goods" was even more impressive than before.

It travels south along the river into the Huai River, then the Huai River flows eastward through Shanyang into the Shanyang Canal, and finally reaches Jiangdu and enters the Yangtze River.

Ten days later, they finally arrived at Huating Town.

As the fleet turned from the turbulent Wusongkou into the Wusong River, the wide river surface was filled with merchant ships and warships. Upon reaching the dock, hundreds of merchant ships could be seen moored at their berths, loading or unloading cargo. The dock was lined with cranes and filled with porters, and its prosperity was no less than that of Chang'an.

Who would have known that just over a decade ago this place was merely a barren, saline-alkali wasteland, sparsely populated?
After arriving at the town government office, Wu Meiniang, in high spirits, changed into a blue robe and a turban and then took Fang Jun's hand as they left the residence to stroll around the pier. Since this place was Fang Jun's fiefdom and also his own property, Wu Meiniang found everything fascinating. She even rode with Fang Jun and their personal guards around the salt fields by the sea until sunset before returning to the residence.

After a night of passionate lovemaking, Wu Meiniang, panting softly, nestled against her husband's shoulder and whispered, "How about I stay here and manage the business from now on?"

"Luoyang has been a prosperous place since ancient times. Isn't it much better than here? Although this place is prosperous, it is still a newly emerging place, and its heritage is far inferior to that of Luoyang."

"What does it matter how good Luoyang is to us? Even if this place is a remote and desolate place, it is still our home. We work hard for our home and watch it grow and prosper in our hands. It is very fulfilling."

Fang Jun was helpless; this "Empress" was indeed shrewd and ambitious.

Luoyang, however convenient, is always under surveillance and control from all sides. But if she were to take charge of Huating Town, with her personal guards on the left and the naval port on the right, she would be the true "Empress" in this region, and even His Majesty would have no say in this matter.

"It is up to you."

He pulled his beautiful concubine into his arms and said softly, "Now that this family business has been handed over to you, it shows my attitude. I will give my opinion when you ask me about many things, but the final decision is always in your hands, and I will not interfere."

With such a "workaholic" by his side, working tirelessly day and night for the family business, Fang Jun could live a carefree and comfortable life as a "soft rice bowl" (living off his wife).

Given his doting and indulgent attitude towards Wu Zetian, as long as she didn't keep male lovers, he would do whatever she wanted...

Moved, Wu Meiniang slowly lowered her slender hand, biting her lip, and said, "What I control is not only this family business, but also this..."