Chapter 385: Fang Wushang Arrives
Chapter 380 of "The Great Ming in the Box" opens presenting twists: Fang Wushang rarely came to Gaojia Village.He was a very busy man, spending his days... Keep following!
Fang Wushang rarely came to Gaojia Village.He was a very busy man, spending his days rushing all over Chengcheng County capturing bandits.
Of course, ever since the Deity manifested in the county town, the common folks had food to eat and clothes to wear. Why would anyone still become a bandit? Only a fool would act as a bandit under the watchful eyes of a god. Who wants to get smacked?
Thus, Fang Wushangâs job became somewhat idle.
Recently, he spent more time patrolling the borders of the county. For instance, when Fan Shanyue accepted the appeasement and the bandits returned to their villages, Fang Wushang was stationed at Quangou Village. Later, hearing that Wang Jiayinâs water forces attacked Jiachuan, he stationed himself at Quangou Village once more.
Not long ago, upon learning that various bandit groups had crossed the Yellow River eastward into Shanxi, and Bu Zhan Ni might lead his troops through Chengcheng County, Fang Wushang rushed to Fengyuan Town, the northwesternmost part of the county, and stationed himself there to guard against Bu Zhan Niâs arrival.
He kept rotating like this, going from place to place, without a single day of rest.
It wasnât until the nearby bandits all went off to Shanxi, bringing temporary safety to the Shaanxi region, that he finally had a bit of free time.
The weather today was nice. Clear skies, with a gentle breezeâŚ
Fang Wushang rode his horse to Gaojia Village to make an inspection. Liang Shixianâs words echoed in his mind, and he decided he would come to Gaojia Village more often from now on, keeping an eye on these villagers armed with the weapons, equipment, and supplies bestowed by the Deity to ensure they didnât engage in unlawful activities.
Fang Wushang had just entered the village when he encountered Xing Honglang. She was leading a merchant caravan back to Gaojia Village, after just raking in profits from the wealthy nobles in Xiâan. She was almost at the village entrance.
Fang Wushang caught up from behind and rode past Xing Honglang on his horse.
Xing Honglang called out, âHey? Isnât this the Patrol Officer of Chengcheng, General Fang Wushang?â
Hearing the call, Fang Wushang tugged the reins and stopped his horse. He turned to look at Xing Honglang. She looked vaguely familiar. After thinking hard, he remarked, âHuh? Iâve seen you before. Youâre that woman who looks exactly like a salt smuggler but sells sugar.â
Xing Honglang chuckled inwardly: After all this time, he still thinks I sell sugar? This guyâs amusing.
She laughed a couple of times. âI donât just sell sugar anymore. Look, I sell embroidery, blades and swords, those amazing seasonings the Deity gave us, fine liquor⌠and I brought all sorts of strange and wonderful goods back from Xiâan. General Fang, want to take a look at this Japanese samurai blade? Top quality, only five taels of silver.â
This truly caught Fang Wushangâs interest.
Though Japanese blades werenât perfectly suited for Ming battlefields, their exquisite craftsmanship made them excellent ornaments. During the Ming Dynasty, many wealthy people collected Japanese blades. Many scholars even hung one at their waists when going out â obviously not for hacking people, just for decorative flair to barely maintain a semblance of refinement in lifeâŚ
Fang Wushang dismounted and stood before Xing Honglang. âLet me see that Japanese blade. If itâs genuinely good, Iâll buy it.â
As he dismounted, his hundred soldiers finally caught up behind him, panting heavily. âGeneral Fang⌠Wait for usâŚâ
Turns out this guy rode ahead alone on his horse again, never having had the good habit of waiting for his subordinates to travel together.
Xing Honglang took a Japanese samurai blade from her goods rack and handed it to Fang Wushang. He examined the blade but kept walking forward. âDonât stop. Letâs talk as we walk.â
Xing Honglang thought: This guy truly has a restless personality. She couldnât resist teasing him. âGeneral Fang, you seem quite idle. Stopped chasing salt smugglers everywhere?â
Fang Wushang sighed lightly. âWith the chaos of war these days, where are there even salt smugglers active? Grain transport into Shaanxi from Shanxi has been banned. If grain canât get in anymore, whatâs the use of salt getting in? Iâve heard the biggest and most famous salt smuggler in Shanxi disappeared from Shanxiâs trade routes years ago⌠Now I wouldnât even know where to find a salt smuggler to arrest.â
Xing Honglang decided to tease him further and chuckled. âLet me tell you, thereâs a huge smuggled salt dealer in Gaojia Village. You could arrest him.â
Fang Wushangâs expression turned fierce. âWho?â
Xing Honglang pointed towards the low cloud floating in the sky. âSee, here He comes. Itâs the Deity himself! He gave salt to everyone in Chengcheng County. Isnât that the biggest smuggled salt dealer of all?â
Fang Wushang was taken aback. âYouâŚâ
ThisâŚ
Logically⌠that actually holds a bizarre sort of water, doesnât it?
Fang Wushang was instantly overwhelmed by a feeling of helplessness â âAh, I ought to arrest Him⌠but I absolutely canât defeat Him!â But he was obstinate, not stupid. After a moment of wrestling with the absurdity, suddenly a counterpoint occurred to him. âYour reasoning is flawed! The Deity bestows salt upon mortals. He doesnât take payment from us mortals. This is an act of grace, a gift! Itâs not trade! How can you call him a smuggled salt dealer? Thatâs not right! Not right at all!â
Li Daoxuan happened to have his viewpoint shifted over just then and overheard this. He almost laughed out loud. This guy is interesting.
Xing Honglang, intent on messing with him, wasnât going to let him off that easily. She continued, âBut after the Deity bestowed the divine salt, the villagers sell it. Look, thereâs a village-operated salt shop in the Gaojia Business Circle selling exactly the salt bestowed by the Deity. Here I suggest you arrest Thirty-Two.â
Fang Wushang froze again. âYouâŚâ
ThisâŚ
Logically⌠that actually holds a bizarre sort of water again, doesnât it?
Fang Wushang started agonizing over it once more. Should I arrest him or shouldnât I?
He wrestled with it for quite some time before finally saying, âHe deserves arrest. Thatâs correct. I ought to arrest Thirty-Two.â
He had barely formulated that course of action when Xing Honglang dropped another bombshell. âOh, and also, the official salt shop under the Chengcheng county government ran out of salt long ago. Lord Liang had the government salt storehouse come to Gaojia Village to get their stock. So⌠Lord Liang Liang Shixian has also become part of the smuggled salt trade. You ought to arrest Lord Liang too.â
Fang Wushang was utterly stunned. âYou!â
Thatâs true!
Lord Liangâs actions were improper. He deserves arrest.
ButâŚ
How can the revered Magistrate of a county be a smuggled salt dealer?
His mind instantly overloaded, thoughts tangling into a complete mess. His brain felt like the Sharp Knife Troop had chopped it up into mince.
Xing Honglang succeeded in her teasing and couldnât help but burst out laughing.
Li Daoxuan was also greatly amused. âYiye, Fang Wushangâs here. Go call him up to the watchtower for a chat.â
Fang Wushang stood there, his mind filled solely with confusion over the dilemma of Lord Liang selling smuggled salt. He drifted along, lost and dazedly. Heâd entirely forgotten about appreciating the Japanese blade. When Xing Honglang casually asked him, âDo you want it?â Fang Wushang, in his daze, instinctively pulled out five taels of silver and paid.
He didnât even consciously register buying the blade.
He only snapped back partially to reality when he walked further into Gaojia Village and stood near the entrance, hearing Gao Yiye call out, âGeneral Fang, got time for a chat?â
Fang Wushang jolted as if waking up. âHuh? Whereâs that sugar merchant? Her Japanese blade is still with me. I havenât paid her yet!â
The deputy inspector hurried over. âGeneral, you paid.â
Fang Wushang reacted with confusion. âEh? When did I pay?â Wasnât I just contemplating the metaphysics and legality of divinely distributed salt?
Gao Yiye gave a small smile. âGeneral Fang, this way please.â
Fang Wushang immediately lapsed back into a dazed state of preoccupation and followed her.
His soldiers, seeing their boss was clearly not paying them any mind, cheered instantly. âCome on! Letâs go check out the Gaojia Business Circle! Itâs even more exciting than the county seat!â