Fang Yuan's passing the imperial examination was a victory in the eyes of his siblings, making them clench their fists in resentment.
Xu Mo winning the top scholar title might also be seen as a victory by the Fang family, and they might even resort to some ruthless tactics in their anger.
Five years ago, Fang Heng was hunted down and Xu Mo's exam paper was switched. The two sides had long been at odds, locked in a life-or-death struggle.
Whether it's for revenge or to protect Xu Mo, finding out the Fang family's backup plan has become an imperative.
"I'll go, I'm willing to go." Fang Heng said firmly. "Xiao Wu, stop being so mysterious and tell me quickly, what method will you use?"
What methods can be used?
Chang Yan sighed and uttered two words in a low voice, "Tell them a story."
They went to the Golden Palace, to the Fengtian Prefecture, to every place where they could kneel, to lodge a complaint against the Fang family.
His tone was light and casual, but it made all five of them, including his brother and sister, widen their eyes. Jiang Sheng said incredulously, "Fifth Brother, are you crazy? Eldest Brother's top score was stolen. He beat the grievance drum in Fengtian Prefecture to pieces and only got a second chance. Where can Third Brother kowtow and appeal to the Fang family?"
That's the Fang family, after all.
The more secure the Fang family's position was once thanks to General Fang's battles, the more difficult it will be for them to fight each other now.
If you really can't understand it, just look at the Jiang family and you'll get a general idea.
The Fang family and the Jiang family were of equal status. They were once two brothers, one a scholar and the other a warrior, one in the imperial court and the other on the frontier, wielding absolute power in the entire Fengjing.
If a comparison must be made, it would probably be that he is below the royal family but above everyone else.
"How could I possibly sue the Fang family?" Fang Heng smiled bitterly. "My father's old subordinates and uncles are all on the frontier. At most, they can help me get promoted quickly, but they are of no help to Fengjing."
The Wang family, her maternal clan, was only stationed in Anshui County. Although her cousin from Fufeng was in charge, they could not penetrate into the vast capital of Fengjing.
In Fang Heng's plan, it might take eight to ten years to be promoted to general before he could return to the capital in glory and kill his enemies.
“No, Third Brother.” Changyan shook his head. “We don’t intend to bring down the Fang family. We’re just filing a complaint first.”
This is the same principle as two people fighting.
If you don't attack, you won't know what kind of defense the enemy will employ, let alone the depth of their skill.
Only by making a move and testing the waters can one figure out the enemy's moves.
Fang Heng was quite tactically astute and quickly realized what was going on. His eyes lit up. "So that's how it is. But Xiao Wu, aren't we just provoking the Fang family by doing this?"
Before Changyan could answer, he realized something. "So what if we offend them? Anyway, I'm not afraid of assassination on the frontier. My elder brother will also have a place after the imperial examination. We are no longer ignorant children who can be easily silenced."
Conversely, this is precisely why the Fang family was so eager to destroy them.
Small trees will eventually grow into towering trees, and young children can also shine in the crowd.
And that is growth.
It's hard to describe the feeling, but you'll find that the terrified howling puppy gradually becomes majestic and strong, the dying wheat seedlings bear ears of fruit, and the boys and girls who are struggling to find food become more and more brave and resilient.
They discussed the details in hushed tones: where to go and what the most appropriate course of action would be.
Finally, on a breezy morning, Fang Heng, carrying the long sword that had accompanied him through countless trials, knelt before the imperial city gate.
Xu Mo stood at a distance with his younger siblings, while friends who had heard the news rushed over, passersby who stopped to watch, and spies who came to inquire about the situation surrounded the imperial city.
A large space was left in the middle, where a young man with a straight back knelt.
"Who is this? Why is he kneeling at the gate of the imperial city instead of going to Fengtian Prefecture to appeal his grievances?"
"He looks familiar, like so-and-so... why is he carrying a knife?"
"Will kneeling here do any good? If the imperial family doesn't care, then kneeling here is pointless."
"How could that be? Even if the imperial family doesn't care, the officials passing by after court wouldn't just ignore it."
In fact, none of this is necessary. The people of Fengjing surrounding the city are enough to attract the attention of the imperial family.
Public opinion, in itself, can stir up waves.
Fang Heng stood up straight, ignoring all the gossip, and waited for justice to prevail.
About half an hour later, the sun was high in the sky, the air was getting hot, and the gates of the imperial city finally opened.
When the high-ranking officials of the first to third rank saw the kneeling boy with a knife, they were first stunned, then looked him over, and finally gave him a meaningful look.
The Fang family head's face was as black as charcoal. He wanted to go up and reprimand them, but he was afraid of confirming his suspicions, so he could only give the Zhu family head a look.
The head of the Zhu family received the order and shouted as he came over, "Who dares to block the way to the imperial city gate? Get out of here at once or you will be thrown into jail for disturbing public order!"
Jiang Sheng blinked and waved in the crowd.
Upon receiving the hint, Jiang Jizong coughed twice. "What's blocking the way? I think there's a grievance to be heard. We should report to the Emperor immediately and let them handle it."
"Bah! If even petty villains can cause the imperial family so much trouble, then what's the point of having us officials?" The Zhu family head had both old and new grudges against him. "Let's just hand him over to Fengtian Prefecture and give him thirty lashes first."
Jiang Jizong glanced at him coldly, preparing to unleash some firepower for his eldest niece.
Fang Heng suddenly put down his long sword, kowtowed repeatedly, and shouted as he kowtowed, "Fang Heng, son of the late General Fang Shihui, cries out for justice for the deaths of his parents. I beg the Heavenly Court to have mercy and, in consideration of my father's decades of fighting on the battlefield, give the Fang family's eldest branch a fair trial!"
He was a straightforward person; when he said he would kowtow, he really would, each kowtow resounding and deep.
Jiang Sheng was furious. With red eyes, she murmured, "I told Third Brother not to be so honest and not to kowtow so hard, but he just wouldn't listen."
In just a dozen or so strokes, the boy's forehead was covered in bright red blood.
Jiang Jizong felt sorry for him and wanted to get up to help him, but someone else had already rushed over first.
"Stop banging your head." The man gritted his teeth. "The imperial family has received the message and is coming over soon."
Fang Heng raised his head, blood flowing from his forehead into the corner of his eye. Through the blurry red blood, he saw a very familiar face.
"You are..." The boy's thoughts raced, and memories of his grandmother resurfaced. "You are my cousin."
The He family members address their grandmother as "aunt".
I thought that with my grandmother's passing, the two families would never cross paths again, but I never expected to be helped up in front of the imperial city gate.
"The Tian family has a fire at the Fang family's house today. If you have any grievances, feel free to speak them directly, but remember not to involve the royal family." The He family head spoke very quickly. "Remember, you are here to seek justice for your family. Don't worry about anything else."
Fang Heng nodded solemnly.
The gates of the imperial city were quickly opened again, and eunuchs and palace maids filed out, with the emperor in the middle wearing a bright yellow dragon robe.
His gaze swept over the kneeling, kowtowing boy, then glanced at the Zhu, Fang, Jiang, and He families, who were clearly at the center of the commotion, before finally speaking, "Who is making a scene here?"
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