Sister, it's not fair of you to not bring us sisters along for something like this!
A voice like silver bells chimed from behind Liu Rushi. Following the sound, they saw Chen Yuanyuan and the others had also arrived at the shore.
Behind them, a group of maids followed, carrying large chests. They approached Fang Er and placed the chests down, alongside the one that was already there.
One of the women bowed gracefully to Fang Er with a smile.
"Mr. Fang, I am Gu Hengbo. If you have matters, you cannot just think of Sister Liu, you must also think of us sisters. These chests were cleared out by us sisters. I wonder if they are enough?"
"Oh, right, Mr. Fang. What was that song the young gentleman sang just now? Why have I never heard it before?"
Fang Er was astonished. Good heavens, was this Hengbo gentleman so familiar?
"Hello, Mr. Fang. I am Dong Xiaowan."
"I am Chen Yuanyuan."
"I am~"
After they each announced their names, standing alongside Liu Rushi, it was a scene of eight beauties vying for attention.
The women were of different ages and had distinct appearances and temperaments. Dong Xiaowan was intelligent and refined, Chen Yuanyuan pure and gentle. Liu Rushi was mature and charming, Li Xiangjun soft and delicate. Gu Hengbo was forthright and unrestrained, Ma Xianglan plump and elegant. Kou Bainian was graceful and enchanting, Bian Yujing introverted and serene.
Despite living in this era, they were no less captivating than the artificially sculpted stars of later generations. It was no wonder the scholars of Jiangnan were so enamored with them; anyone who could converse with these women would be immensely proud. Perhaps due to a parallel universe, Ma Xianglan, who should have been born a century earlier and passed away over thirty years ago, appeared to be only in her early twenties.
Fang Er cupped his fists towards the women. "Fang Anzhi. Thank you, ladies, for your assistance. Please wait aside for a moment; allow me to finish something first."
Gu Hengbo heartily replied on behalf of the others, "Mr. Fang, please proceed. We sisters will watch to see what you intend to do with these chests."
After nodding slightly at the women, Fang Er beckoned Chonglou. "Centurion Chong, please place the treasures brought by the ladies into the boxes they provided."
Chonglou quickly complied.
Once everything was done, Fang Er looked at the group of infatuated scholars and spoke loudly. "Gentlemen, Fan Zhongyan once said, 'Be the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures.' I've heard that the scholars of Jiangnan have always considered themselves concerned with national and popular welfare. Now, these ladies, as mere women, can care for the soldiers in Liaodong and contribute their savings for military funds. It is now your time to prove yourselves."
Saying this, he pointed at the eight chests and urged, "Please, do not make me look down on you!"
He was clearly using moral coercion to force donations. Fang Er had no good feelings towards these scholars who spent their days spewing empty words. If natural disasters accounted for fifty percent of the reasons for the Ming Dynasty's downfall, then these scholars and the so-called upright officials in the court accounted for at least forty percent of the remainder! The remaining ten percent was due to Chongzhen's stubbornness and suspicion. The phrase Chongzhen left before his death, "The ruler is not the ruler of a fallen nation, but the minister is the minister of a fallen nation," was his summary after seeing through seventeen years of court politics! Empty words, in front of Fang Er, could only lead to self-destruction.
The scholars' expressions changed drastically upon hearing Fang Er's words. This is a conspiracy! Everything was arranged beforehand! Yes, after forcing Brother Mao to flee naked, they are now targeting us. Tomorrow will be our family's assets. Is the court targeting us scholars? He is forcing donations! The court is incompetent and corrupt, reduced to competing with the people for resources to support the army. In my opinion, the continuous natural disasters are a warning from heaven! If the court competes with the people for profit, is it not afraid of losing the people's support?
The scholars raised their fists and shouted at Fang Er. In their view, Fang Er had forced Mao Xiang away, but he would never dare to use force against them, otherwise, it would cause an uproar throughout the land! However, their naivete was soon to be met with a slap in the face!
*Tu tu tu~~~*
Fang Er took out his AK and fired a burst into the sky. The crisp gunshot made the scholars' faces change, and the scene instantly fell silent.
Firing into the sky means nothing. If you have the guts, kill all the scholars present!
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the crowd.
Fang Er sneered. He didn't care who had spoken. He looked at Chonglou beside him and said, "Summon the Nanjing Embroidered Uniform Guard! I will clean up these parasites of the Great Ming today!"
"Yes!"
Chonglou was excited. He took a short crossbow from behind his back, loaded a whistling arrow, and shot it into the sky.
*Biu~~~*
The sharp whistling sound spread through the silent night sky. This was what the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Luo Yangxing, had specifically equipped him with before his departure. Along with the whistling arrow was a token.
A poetry gathering is inherently a lively event, let alone in Nanjing city! The Nanjing Embroidered Uniform Guard first heard the gunfire from this direction, and then heard the summoning whistle arrow, and soon someone arrived.
"The Nanjing Centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is here. Who just fired the arrow?!" A man in a flying fish suit, with his hand on his embroidered spring knife, pushed through the crowd and shouted as he looked around. Behind him followed over a hundred Embroidered Uniform Guard cavalry.
Upon hearing this, Chonglou walked towards him and showed him the commander's token given by Luo Yangxing. "Centurion Chong of the North Garrison Command, on the Emperor's orders, guarding a distinguished person here!"
"Your subordinate Luo Tong. I wonder if Centurion Chong summoned us for a reason?" Luo Tong, after clearly seeing the token, quickly bowed respectfully. He was also a Centurion, but as a Centurion of Nanjing, he was naturally a rank lower than a Centurion from Beijing.
"Follow me!" Chonglou led him to Fang Er, introduced his identity, and then asked Fang Er for instructions. "My Lord, what should we do next?"
Fang Er pointed at all the scholars present. "Investigate the family background of everyone here. Do not allow anyone to leave without permission!"
Upon receiving the order, Chonglou, with Luo Tong, began to act. There were at least several hundred scholars present, and these hundred-plus Embroidered Uniform Guards were not enough. Luo Tong sent people back to summon all his subordinates in Nanjing city. Squadrons of Embroidered Uniform Guards arrived on horseback, surrounding all the scholars.
Seeing this, the scholars were greatly alarmed and started to clamor.
"You, what are you 'eagle dogs' doing?"
"You are~~"
But the Embroidered Uniform Guards, having received their orders, did not answer their questions and began a rough interrogation.
"Silence! Speak, what is your name, where are you from, and do you hold any scholarly titles!"