pappabearbooks Chapter 5431 The Crown Prince of Jiang State
Chapter 5431 The Crown Prince of Jiang State
Chapter 5431 The Crown Prince of Jiang State
In a sense, Fang Jun regarded Jiangguo as a "test field" where he could wield power and command the country. He transplanted all the ideals that he could not realize in the behemoth of the Tang Dynasty, which was full of rules and thorns, to the land of Jiangguo.
If a country were to develop from nothing, adopting a correct development model that has been proven by history in a different time and space, would it achieve the desired results?
Fang Jun thought it was highly likely.
History is a river, its waters flowing ever onward. Its immense inertia will not easily veer off course due to the emergence of any one person, one event, or one technology; what is destined to happen will happen.
A rational government structure, a clean bureaucracy, advanced educational philosophies, thriving natural sciences, and a powerful armed force... these elements would generate immense power in a very short time, rapidly accumulating national strength and propelling Chiang Kai-shek's country into the ranks of the world's leading powers.
As for whether he might one day turn against the Tang Dynasty, Fang Jun didn't care at all.
There are no eternally unfading stars, nor are there dynasties that last forever. If one day the Tang Dynasty could not withstand the backlash from the vassal states, leading to the collapse of its ancestral temples and the fall of its dynasty, then it was naturally time for the Tang Dynasty to perish.
Rather than perish at the hands of foreign tribes, with the land sinking, the people suffering, and the country crumbling, it is better to perish at the hands of one's own vassal state.
At least they're of the same race and ethnicity, so they might have some restraint when targeting ordinary people...
……
As December arrived, the autumn rice planting season had long since come to an end, and government agencies at all levels were operating smoothly. However, with the newly established Jiang State and all industries waiting to be developed, Li Yun was also busy with government affairs all day long, and officials of all ranks were constantly on the move.
This was the dry season in Chiang Kai-shek's country. Although it wasn't as hot as in summer, it felt scorching due to the lack of rain.
With the help of her maid, Fang Xiaomei walked around for a while, then half-reclined on a recliner under the banyan tree. Her high, protruding belly looked particularly striking, giving one a chilling feeling, as if it might burst open at any moment...
Fang Jun, dressed in casual clothes and wearing a turban, looked like a carefree and handsome young man. He held a round fan and sat on a stool to the side, smiling as he fanned his sister to cool her down. He would occasionally pick up the teapot and sip some tea, looking very relaxed and content.
Fang Xiaomei's cheeks were a little swollen due to pregnancy, making her look less pretty and innocent than before, but her smile was still bright and gentle.
"Second brother."
"Ok?"
Why are you so good to me?
Fang Jun was surprised. He stared at his sister's face, then looked at her stomach, and asked anxiously, "What nonsense are you talking about? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, it's fine."
Fang Xiaomei lay on her back, tilting her head slightly to look at her brother: "I'm asking you why you're so good to me?"
Fang Jun was puzzled: "You're my sister, isn't it only natural for me to be good to you?"
Fang Xiaomei hesitated for a moment: "It is appropriate, but... isn't it a bit too good? I've never seen a brother like you before."
It wasn't just her brother; even her father had rarely seen anyone dote on their daughter like this.
When I was very young and didn't understand much, my impression of my second brother was that he was sometimes dull and sometimes irritable, completely different from my gentle and refined eldest brother. He was both incompetent and always causing trouble.
When they got a little older, everything changed dramatically.
He was not only skilled in composing lyrics and poems and possessed excellent calligraphy skills, but he also served as a general and prime minister and managed the family business. Emperor Taizong praised him as having "the talent of a prime minister," and the meritorious officials of the Zhenguan era exclaimed, "If I were to have a son, I would want one like Fang Yi'ai."
Outside, he was known as one of the "Four Evils of Chang'an" for his volatile temper and willful behavior, and was a figure feared throughout Chang'an as "Fang Er Bangchui" (Second Fang the Fool).
At home, however, he was a son who inherited his father's ideals and upheld the family's legacy; he was a respectful and loving father and sister-in-law, a brother who cherished his sisters.
From almost the age of sensibility, she was sheltered under her second brother's wings, and he never refused her requests. He even prepared a dowry that shocked the world despite numerous rumors, attacks, and slanders. Even now that she has married and gone to sea to live in her fiefdom, he continues to support her wholeheartedly.
"Heh," Fang Jun chuckled lightly, a hint of smugness in his voice, "What kind of person is your brother? How could those ordinary mortals compare to me?"
For no apparent reason, a phrase came to mind, so he waved his fan, struck a dashing pose, and said with a smile, "Holding the sun and moon in my hands and plucking stars from the sky, there is no one like me in this world."
"Pfft!"
The maid standing nearby couldn't help but laugh out loud, then quickly lowered her head.
Fang Xiaomei's expression changed, and she scolded, "How rude!"
The maids were so frightened that they hurriedly curtsied and begged for forgiveness.
Fang Jun was not offended and waved his hand, saying, "It's alright."
Fang Xiaomei retorted, "Second brother, you are a master of both poetry and prose, with unparalleled talent. You have created countless masterpieces that are popular and will be remembered for generations. How could you utter such two lines of poetry... so arrogant?"
Fang Jun waved his round fan and said, "In this life, one doesn't need to follow the rules. There are too many rules in this world. If one lives a whole life within all kinds of rules, what joy is there in this life if one binds oneself with rules?"
He fanned his sister gently and said softly, "I'm good to you not only because you're my sister, which is my responsibility, but also because you're Fang Xiaomei—smart, clever, and beautiful... Sigh, although I'm telling the truth, you can't be so arrogant and narcissistic, can you?"
Fang Xiaomei was already smiling like a blooming flower, her smugness reminiscent of her mischievous self when she was still unmarried.
Then she quickly suppressed her smile.
Fang Jun continued, "Don't feel pressured by your brother's doting affection. Just know that as long as you continue to be happy and joyful, your brother will also be happy. Don't think about repaying your brother's kindness, because the affection given by family is immeasurable, can never be fully repaid, and does not need to be repaid."
"Ah."
Fang Xiaomei, the youngest, smiled and nodded slightly.
Then she suddenly cried out in surprise, her once rosy cheeks turning deathly pale. She raised her hand and grabbed her brother's hand that was holding the fan: "It hurts!"
Fang Jun was startled. When he looked down, he saw that her forehead and face were covered in cold sweat.
"Medical officer!"
Fang Jun stood up, his face calm, and called over the physician outside the door.
The physician jogged over, took her pulse, examined her, and broke out in a cold sweat: "She is about to give birth."
According to calculations, the due date is roughly at the end of the twelfth lunar month, and today is only the first day of the twelfth lunar month, which means there is a risk of premature birth.
Childbirth is already a life-or-death ordeal for women, and if a miscarriage occurs, the risk of that danger is magnified infinitely...
Seeing Fang Jun's somber expression, the physician quickly said, "Although it's a bit early, we've made preparations. I'll summon the midwives right away, so the Grand Commandant need not worry!"
Fang Jun glanced at him but did not reprimand him. He turned to Fang Xiaomei, who was groaning in pain, and said softly, "Don't worry, little sister. With your brother here and these physicians here, there will be no accidents. Go with the physicians to the delivery room and give birth in peace. I will send someone to deliver a message to the King and tell him to come back quickly."
"Second brother... I'm scared."
Fang Xiaomei's face was deathly pale, covered in cold sweat, and her beautiful eyes revealed terror.
Fang Jun held her hand tightly, smiling and gently comforting her: "With your second brother here, everything will be alright. The daughters of our Fang family are just as capable as men, how can we be defeated by such a small difficulty? Just focus on giving birth, your second brother is right outside the door."
After the midwife and maid escorted the little sister into the delivery room, Fang Jun glared at the trembling physician with a stern face, then stood with his hands behind his back in the courtyard, saying nothing.
Several medical officers had been taking care of the younger sister, yet they were completely unaware that her due date was almost a month early—a major oversight. However, such situations are inherently unpredictable and extremely risky, so the blame ultimately falls on the medical officers.
……
Although the medical officer had already devised various strategies to deal with the risks, Fang Jun, who prided himself on having reached the state of "remaining calm even when Mount Tai collapses before him," was in turmoil as he listened to the increasingly loud cries of the delivery girl in the delivery room. He was filled with anxiety and his heart was pounding. He paced back and forth in the courtyard with his hands behind his back.
Upon hearing the news, Wu Meiniang rushed over. Perhaps she had been walking too fast, for she was panting and her hair was slightly disheveled. When she arrived in front of Fang Jun, she asked him in a low voice. Seeing that he looked anxious and his mind was in turmoil, she gently comforted him, saying, "My little sister may seem delicate, but she is actually very strong. Erlang, there is no need to worry. I will go in and take a look. With some encouragement, she will surely be able to handle it."
Upon hearing this, several old women at the door hurriedly dissuaded her, saying, "Madam, you mustn't! The delivery room is an unclean and inauspicious place; outsiders should not enter lightly!"
With Wu Zetian's temperament, how could she be stopped by a few old women?
With her eyebrows raised and her face contorted with malice, she sternly rebuked, "The Queen is my sister-in-law, how can she be an outsider? The Queen is of noble birth and is about to give birth to the King's child, which is a blessed and auspicious event. How can you say that this is filthy and ominous? If you dare to spout nonsense again, beat her out with sticks!"
The old women were terrified and retreated to the side with their heads down, not daring to stop them.
Wu Meiniang then pushed open the door and entered.
Before long, Li Yun, looking flustered, ran over and asked Fang Jun, "How is my little sister?"
Fang Jun glanced at him and said calmly, "As the ruler of the world and the head of a country, how can you be so flustered and confused? Just calm down and wait."
"What do you mean by 'quiet'? I'm such a coward!"
Li Yun, who was usually intimidated by Fang Jun's authority, swore for once: "I don't care about being a king or the ruler of a country, I just want my little sister to be safe and sound!"
Fang Jun wanted to reprimand him, but ultimately shook his head and gave up.
Hearing the increasingly weak groans from inside the room, Li Yun was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, constantly standing at the door and tiptoeing to peek inside, but he was powerless and extremely agitated.
After an unknown amount of time, a loud cry suddenly rang out from inside the room. Immediately, the midwife pushed open the door, her face full of joy: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Grand Commandant! The Queen has given birth to a prince, and both mother and child are safe and sound!"
Upon hearing this, Li Yun could no longer contain himself and, ignoring the midwife's advice, rushed into the room.
Fang Jun's tense nerves finally relaxed completely. He walked over to the stool next to the recliner, sat down, picked up the small teapot, and took a big sip of the already cold tea.