Niao Ni
Chapter 459: A Discourse on History at the Hongmen Banquet
But as Fan Xian discovered during his own internal reforms, the Overwatch Council is also composed of men. Wherever there are men, there is officialdom. It is essentially impossible for the Overwatch Council to maintain its cold, stern demeanor forever.
Furthermore, the Overwatch Council is not omnipotent. It has no authority over officials of the third rank or higher, and it cannot interfere in military matters without the Emperor's decree. Even with Chen Pingping and Fan Xian combined, the Overwatch Council cannot significantly alter the status quo. Ultimately, the Overwatch Council doesn't exist to eliminate corruption, but to periodically cleanse the bureaucracy at the Emperor's behest, alleviate public grievances, create opportunities, and maintain the reign.
If a true investigation were to occur, how long would it take to repay the favors Fan Xian received from the beautiful women in Chen Pingping's garden, or the profits Fan Xian has extracted from the Internal Treasury... not to mention the one who sits upon the throne of the imperial palace.
Don’t say that the Emperor doesn’t need to be greedy. He is the greediest of all, having seized the entire world. What can the Overwatch Council do about it?
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Yet, precisely because everyone is greedy, when the Overwatch Council, spurred by Fan Xian's recklessness, takes action, it appears natural and inevitable. In the darkness of night, the entire First Bureau of the Overwatch Council mobilizes, sweeping through the residences in the alleys and corners, arresting countless lower-level officials closely linked to the Second Prince and the Xinyang faction.
Officials of the third rank or higher are naturally untouchable, but these lower-level officials are the pillars upon which the court truly relies. Tonight, those gathered at the Baoyue Brothel have already learned of the Overwatch Council's earlier actions and received Fan Xian's personal confirmation, causing expressions of utter shock to spread across their faces.
Qu Xiangdong, Deputy Envoy of the Privy Council, fell silent, giving Fan Xian a profound look without saying another word. While the news tonight is vague, it is evident that the Overwatch Council's primary targets are the Xinyang and Second Prince factions, with no deep connections to the military.
Although he doesn't understand why Fan Xian would suddenly resort to such base tactics, the Overwatch Council's operational efficiency and Fan Xian's ruthlessness have instilled a sense of fear in him.
Beautiful women in his arms within the brothel, while murder and arrests occur outside. Not even the snow can fully conceal the scent of blood.
Not everyone fell into silence due to the sudden news. After the five messenger officials cautiously retreated behind the screen, the First Prince, his face grim, looked at Fan Xian and asked, "Why?"
The conflict between the Overwatch Council and the Xinyang faction has a long history, originating from the dispute over the Internal Treasury six years ago, fueled by the Second Prince's banquet and the attempted assassination of Fan Xian on Niulan Street, and compounded by the story of that autumn sparked by the Baoyue Brothel where they now sit.
In that autumn, Fan Xian seized the Baoyue Brothel, killed Xie Bi'an, undermined the Kyoto Prefecture, ruined the reputations of the Second Prince and Jing Prince's heir Li Hongcheng, and turned the northern Cui family into rebels.
In the year following that autumn, Fan Xian went to Jiangnan to suppress the Ming family, seize the Internal Treasury, and kill Chang Kun in Jiaozhou.
In everyone's eyes, Fan Xian's retaliation against the Second Prince and the Xinyang faction has been severe enough, and he has reaped enough benefits. There is no reason for him to launch such a forceful attack again tonight.
After a moment of silence, Fan Xian said calmly, "Why? Because I am acting on imperial decree to investigate bureaucratic corruption."
A hush fell over the gathering. The Crown Prince, seated above, didn't look at Fan Xian, but instead watched the Second Prince's face with a somewhat inscrutable expression. The First Prince shook his head and sighed, "Kyoto hasn't been peaceful for two days. Can't you all calm down?"
Fan Xian knows the First Prince is speaking sincerely. This current Commander of the Imperial Guards has been close to the Second Prince since childhood, but due to Ning Cairen and Wan'er, he now stands on Fan Xian's side, placing him in a difficult position. Hearing these words, he couldn't help but sigh, "Peaceful? I haven't been back to Kyoto for a year, so it seems Kyoto has been peaceful for an entire year. Perhaps I truly am a jinx… no wonder nobody was willing to let me have any peace in the valley outside Kyoto."
Silence descended again. The dignitaries vaguely understand that Fan Xian is trying to reclaim some ground for the valley incident, but… the scope of this reclamation is too large, too absurd.
"Many things in this world are absurd," Fan Xian said self-deprecatingly, seemingly knowing what these dignitaries were thinking. "Like the assassination attempt against me in the valley. The court has been investigating, but because there is no evidence, no conclusion can be reached."
He said slowly, "Who cares about my subordinates? I told you earlier that when the first crossbow bolt arrived, I wanted to pull my coachman back into the carriage, but he stood up and blocked it for me… I often ask myself, if I never find any evidence, will I be forever unable to do anything for him?"
Xue Qing, the Governor of Jiangnan, gave Fan Xian a meaningful look.
The Crown Prince said slowly, "The court will naturally investigate." This is the third time he has said this tonight.
Fan Xian nodded and smiled, "This incident made me suddenly recall a story I heard a long time ago."
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"Once upon a time, in a forest, there was a little white rabbit. It went out happily early in the morning and met a big bad wolf. The big bad wolf grabbed the little white rabbit, *smack smack!* slapped it twice across the face, and said, 'I told you not to wear a hat!'"
The crowd exchanged puzzled glances, unsure why Fan Xian would suddenly tell such a childish story. Fan Xian continued, "The next day, the little white rabbit put on a hat and went out again. As it was walking, it met the big bad wolf again. The big bad wolf grabbed the little white rabbit again – *smack smack!* slapped it twice across the face: 'I told you to wear a hat!'"
"The little white rabbit was very depressed, so it went to the tiger to complain about the big bad wolf. After listening to the little white rabbit's grievances, the tiger said sorrowfully, 'Don't worry, I will naturally uphold justice for you…' Then, the tiger found the big bad wolf and said to him: 'Old Wolf, the little white rabbit came to complain about you this morning, saying that you are always bullying it for no reason. See if you can change your reason for beating it. For example, you can say: Rabbit, go find me some meat…'"
"'If it brings you fat meat, you say you want lean meat. If it brings you lean meat, you say you want fat meat, so you can beat it again, right? Or you can ask it to find you a female rabbit. If it finds you a plump one, you say you like slender ones. If it finds you a slender one, you say you like plump ones!'"
Fan Xian told the story seriously, but the language he used was extremely childish and absurd. However, the people at the table revealed thoughtful expressions, including the Crown Prince and Xue Qing, who seemed to understand vaguely who the tiger referred to… but no one dared to vocalize it.
Fan Xian took a sip of wine and said seriously, "The old wolf was very happy after listening, and kept praising the tiger for being clever. But their conversation was overheard by the little white rabbit who was weeding outside the house…"
"Very coincidental? But stories wouldn't be stories without coincidences. Let's continue…" Fan Xian said with a cold smile, "On the third day, the little white rabbit went out again, and met the big bad wolf again on the way. The big bad wolf said: 'Rabbit, go find me some meat!'"
"The little white rabbit said: 'Do you want fat or lean?'"
"The big bad wolf frowned, smiled, and thought, 'Good thing I have a second trick: Forget it, forget about the meat. Go find me a female rabbit.'"
"The little white rabbit said: 'Do you like plump ones, or do you like slender ones?'"
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Fan Xian frowned and shook his head, saying, "What do you do when you meet such a cunning rabbit?"
The people at the table also began to wonder what the big bad wolf would do next, curious about how Fan Xian would continue the story. Fan Xian pursed his slightly dry lips and said with a smile:
"The big bad wolf paused, *smack smack!* slapped the little white rabbit twice across the face and cursed… I told you not to wear a hat!"
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I told you not to wear a hat!
The most unreasonable, shameless, pointless, and absurd reason in the world is the most sufficient reason. It's equivalent to not needing a reason at all; it all depends on who has the bigger fist.
Fan Xian said earnestly, "I don't want to be the little white rabbit anymore. I want to be the big bad wolf."
This was a joke he had heard in his previous life, but telling it tonight felt somewhat heavy. The people at the table should have burst out laughing, but nobody could manage a smile at this moment.
Everyone sighed inwardly. The assassination attempt against Fan Xian in the valley would likely never be fully investigated. Similarly, the Overwatch Council's assassination of the Eight Great Generals tonight, without any evidence and with Fan Xian's denial, would also likely never be clarified. That is the way of the world. Since those who are inherently hostile to each other cannot find sufficient reason, why bother looking for reasons? The power struggle is like the wilderness: wolves chase rabbits, tigers watch from the side, it is the law of nature.
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The banquet, though not completely ruined, was no longer appealing to these dignitaries. The Kyoto bureaucracy, already far from calm, had been thrown into even greater disarray tonight. Although the Overwatch Council acted under the cover of night, it would likely not alarm too many Kyoto residents. Nevertheless, these dignitaries were eager to return to their residences and offices to handle the aftermath and prepare themselves mentally and officially for the new situation.
Fan Xian saw Xue Qing to the door. As Xue Qing was leaving, he turned around and smiled warmly, saying, "Wolves are pack animals. Don't turn yourself into a lone wolf. That's always dangerous."
Fan Xian felt a warmth in his heart and bowed in gratitude.
After a moment of silence, Xue Qing added, "Although His Majesty has nodded in agreement, you should still be mindful of limits, especially regarding the court's dignity. You must preserve some of it."
Fan Xian agreed again.
After the carriages of several dignitaries slowly departed from Baoyue Brothel, Crown Prince yawned, wrapped his arm around a beauty, and walked downstairs. Servants were already there to drape the expensive fur coat over his shoulders. Crown Prince glanced at Fan Xian and smiled, "Tonight's performance was quite entertaining."
Crown Prince dismissed the woman beside him and the idlers around them, looking at Fan Xian calmly and said, "Speaking of that autumn a year ago, when I watched you and Second Brother perform the first half of that play, I also found it entertaining… After careful consideration, I realized that I and you have not actually had many conflicts."
Fan Xian tensed slightly. He didn't know what the Crown Prince, behaving so differently from usual, meant by these words.
"There has never been any problem between you and me." Crown Prince closed his eyes slightly and said slowly, "If there is a problem, it is a problem from the past, and it should not become a problem between you and me. I hope you remember this."
Fan Xian understands that he and the Crown Prince have maintained a certain peace, but the incident in which the Empress participated has made them natural enemies. He doesn't understand what Crown Prince is planning to do by saying this, but Fan Xian believes that Crown Prince wouldn't sacrifice his own mother for his support.
Therefore… these are only words.
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The area behind the screen was not deserted. The Second Prince had strangely remained. He watched Fan Xian walk up from downstairs, smiled slightly, placed his left hand slowly on the table, tried to suppress the absurd feelings in the depths of his heart, and slowly chewed on a green fruit brought from the South with two fingers.
Fan Xian sat opposite him, picked up the wine pot, and began to pour and drink for himself, emptying ten cups in a flash.
The First Prince, holding a wine jar, was drinking heavily to the side, as if trying to get drunk.
Fan Xian put down his wine glass and clapped his hands. Third Prince walked out from behind the curtain in an orderly manner, looked at his elder brother and second brother with some difficulty, and then sat beside his teacher.
The First Prince looked at Fan Xian disapprovingly, his eyes seemed to be saying that adults should not involve children in their matters.
At this time, in the flower hall on the third floor of Baoyue Brothel, there were three princes, plus Fan Xian. If the Crown Prince who left earlier isn't counted, the Qing Yu Nian Emperor's bloodline in this world was complete.
The previous "Hongmen banquet" had become a family banquet with a strange atmosphere.
"You're afraid."
The Second Prince put down the half-eaten green fruit, stared into Fan Xian's eyes, and said softly.
Fan Xian's hand holding the wine glass stiffened, and he slowly replied, "What am I afraid of?"
"If you weren't afraid, why would you make such a big move tonight?" Second Prince smiled slightly and said gently, "Only those who are afraid inside will act rashly like you did tonight. You kill my generals and arrest my confidants. Does it have any impact on the overall situation?"
Fan Xian took a deep breath, his face calmed down, and said, "There are no outsiders here. It's okay to speak directly. My men cleaned up your men today, but… you have no evidence. Just like what I said before, I have no evidence about the assassination in the valley, but you still did it."
"I don't know about the assassination in the valley. I didn't participate." Second Prince stared into Fan Xian's eyes and said very seriously.
Fan Xian shook his head: "What about the Niulan Street incident? The little white rabbit was slapped too many times… I admit that I still don't know who did the assassination in the valley, but that doesn't stop me from taking action."
He lowered his head and said: "There are enemies all around. Since I don't know which enemy did it, I will naturally fire random arrows. If I accidentally hit the target, then I got a good deal. If I hit others, I won't suffer, I'll still get a good deal."
"Niulan Street…" A bitter smile flashed across Second Prince's thin lips, "It's been several years. It seems like that's the only thing you've remembered until today."
Fan Xian raised his head and said calmly, "I'm a very vengeful person, and you know that this has nothing to do with revenge. If you don't give up, I won't stop for a day."
Without any ministers present, and without the Crown Prince present, the words spoken by Fan Xian and the Second Prince, two young dignitaries with extremely similar temperaments, were also so direct and straightforward. They were both meticulous people, and knew that there was no need to hide their intentions.
Second Prince gave Third Prince beside Fan Xian a deep look, and suddenly said, "Sometimes, I feel that life is unfair… Not to mention the Cui family and Ming family matters, just in this palace, the sister I love married you and became your wife, and my two brothers who I have been friendly with since childhood are now standing on your side."
Second Prince raised his head, and a hint of hidden anger was mixed in that handsome face: "If it's because my ability is not as good as yours, that's fine, but… it's just because of some absurd reasons, some stories from a previous life, that caused the current situation. If Father were willing to give me the Overwatch Council, would I do worse than you? If Father were willing to give me the Internal Treasury, would I really have no ability to make the national treasury rich? Neither you nor I know how to build a dam, you and I can only give money… Anzhi, don't you think it's very unfair? After all, I am the legitimate prince."
Fan Xian was silent for a long time, knowing that the abnormal power he could obtain in this strange and wonderful life in Qing Yu Nian… was entirely due to the legacy of that woman back then. Of course, that woman also brought countless troubles and dangers to him. What Second Prince said was not entirely unreasonable. If he and Fan Xian were to change places, Fan Xian wouldn't necessarily do better than him. Second Prince was not without ability, but had never had a stage to show his ability.
He said slowly: "There is never an 'if' in this world."
"That's right, so you now have the Overwatch Council in your left hand and the Internal Treasury in your right hand…" Second Prince said sarcastically: "Such great power can only be possessed by your mother back then… So, you are starting to be afraid in advance."
Fan Xian's face froze again.
Second Prince said calmly, "Have you thought about the future? Who are you working so hard for today?" His eyes turned slightly, looked at Third Prince, and smiled: "None of our royal children are easy to get along with. You are also one of them, so of course you understand the truth."
Third Prince lowered his head, not daring to interrupt. Fan Xian knows that the Second Prince is not trying to scare him, but that he has his own plans and intentions.
Second Prince said lightly: "You are really afraid… Think about it, this lone minister of yours is about to go down the road of a failed official. No matter who ascends the throne in the future, how can this Qing Yu Nian tolerate you? How can it tolerate the Overwatch Council?"
Fan Xian listened calmly. Second Prince continued: "The reason you are afraid is because you are a smart person. You know that although your power is now overwhelming, it is just floating clouds, even less solid than a piece of thin paper."
Second Prince sighed: "Because all the power in your hands was given to you by Father. With just one imperial decree, you can be demoted to the mortal world and never recover… Although Father loves you, he is not without precautions against you. He has allowed you to venture into any path these years, but he will never let you get involved in the military. You should understand the deep meaning of this without me reminding you."
Finally, Second Prince concluded: "Because you are afraid, you want to… weaken your own power!"
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The First Prince took a sip of wine, coldly watching his two brothers talking like two fighting chickens.
Fan Xian was silent for a long time, did not answer Second Prince's words, and only said softly: "Power is originally floating clouds. When has there ever been an invincible general, an undying clan in this world? Your Highness is a prince, with his heart set on the world, but I am just a minister. I want to protect myself and the peace of my family…"
Second Prince interrupted him and said coldly: "This prince knows that you, a dignified poet, have never been proud of your royal blood, but have deliberately avoided this point. But ask yourself, if it weren't for the royal bloodline that you hate, how could you have lived to this day, and still live so gloriously?"
Four brothers sat in the same room, two in silence, two in confrontation.
"Let go." Second Prince said sincerely: "Your power is actually all fake. You don't dare to kill this prince, so you can only watch day by day, but you are in danger day by day. Since you have realized this, why not simply let go more thoroughly? With your reputation in this world, you are Wan'er's husband, you are Father's son, you are a guest of honor in Northern Qi… who would embarrass you? Who would dare to take unnecessary risks to embarrass you? Ling'er said that you like to travel the world the most, so why bother to confine yourself to this dangerous Kyoto, unable to extricate yourself?"
Fan Xian's brow gradually furrowed, his fingers slowly fiddling with the wine glass, and said: "Your Highness, I have said before… my thoughts are the same as yours."
He raised his head, his face suddenly brightened, looked at Second Prince calmly and said: "I said in the tea shop outside this building a year ago that if you don't let go, I will beat you until you let go, and facts have proved that I now have this strength… You will never see the Eight Great Generals in the tea shop again. This is sufficient proof."
Hearing the words "tea shop", Second Prince's face suddenly froze, thinking of that conversation with Fan Xian in the tea shop outside Baoyue Brothel in the autumn more than a year ago. At that time, the conversation took place between a prince and a minister, but a year later, Fan Xian's power had expanded like a balloon. The most important thing was that the real identities of the two people gradually became equal.
"Why should I let go?" Second Prince said self-deprecatingly somewhat neurotically.
"Your Highness is poisoned by the Eldest Princess, and I will help you detoxify." Fan Xian did not back down and said coldly: "The original words are still valid. When will Your Highness distance yourself from the Eldest Princess and truly let go? This official promises you… a lifetime of peace."
"What do you rely on?" Second Prince looked at Fan Xian's eyes seriously, "Is it just the Overwatch Council and money?"
Fan Xian shook his head and said: "Not relying on anything, but I owe Consort a favor, and I owe Wan'er a promise. Your Highness should be clear about tonight's events. I want to empty Your Highness's private power and knock you out of this pool of muddy water."
The Second Prince, thinking of the huge losses he had suffered tonight, finally couldn't contain the chill in his heart, and said angrily: "Why me? Father has more than one son, and you are also one!"
"I have no ambitions, I am just a minister." Fan Xian said: "In a few days, Your Highness will know my sincerity. As for the other Highnesses, one is my student, I will make him well-behaved. The eldest Highness prefers to drink, and I don't care about the Crown Prince, so I can only target you… You're right, this bloodline is always worthy of respect, so I will do everything to prevent that kind of terrible thing from happening."
The Second Prince's heart turned cold. There was a gap in the screen that was not well blocked, and the cold wind in winter began to slowly drift inside Baoyue Brothel. Fan Xian finally said: "Please remember one thing, Your Majesty is in his prime and does not want to see this kind of thing happen."
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The First Prince took a sip of wine, coldly watching his two brothers talking like two fighting cocks.
Fan Xian was silent for a long time, did not answer the Second Prince's words, and only said softly: "Power is originally floating clouds. When has there ever been an invincible general, an undying clan in this world? Your Highness is a prince, with his heart set on the world, but I am just a minister. I want to protect myself and the peace of my family…"
The Second Prince interrupted him and said coldly: "This prince knows that you, a dignified poet, have never been proud of your royal blood, but have deliberately avoided this point. But ask yourself, if it weren't for the royal bloodline that you hate, how could you have lived to this day, and still live so gloriously?"
Four brothers sat in the same room, two in silence, two in confrontation.
"Let go." The Second Prince said sincerely: "Your power is actually all fake. You don't dare to kill this prince, so you can only watch day by day, but you are in danger day by day. Since you have realized this, why not simply let go more thoroughly? With your reputation in this world, you are Wan'er's husband, you are Father's son, you are a guest of honor in Northern Qi… who would embarrass you? Who would dare to take unnecessary risks to embarrass you? Ling'er said that you like to travel the world the most, so why bother to confine yourself to this dangerous Kyoto, unable to extricate yourself?"
Fan Xian's brow gradually furrowed, his fingers slowly fiddling with the wine glass, and said: "Your Highness, I have said before… my thoughts are the same as yours."
He raised his head, his face suddenly brightened, looked at the Second Prince calmly and said: "I said in the tea shop outside this building a year ago that if you don't let go, I will beat you until you let go, and facts have proved that I now have this strength… You will never see the Eight Great Generals in the tea shop again. This is sufficient proof."
Hearing the words "tea shop", the Second Prince's face suddenly froze, thinking of that conversation with Fan Xian in the tea shop outside Baoyue Brothel in the autumn more than a year ago. At that time, the conversation took place between a prince and a minister, but a year later, Fan Xian's power had expanded like a balloon. The most important thing was that the real identities of the two people gradually became equal.
"Why should I let go?" The Second Prince said self-deprecatingly somewhat neurotically.
"Your Highness is poisoned by the Eldest Princess, and I will help you detoxify." Fan Xian did not back down and said coldly: "The original words are still valid. When will Your Highness distance yourself from the Eldest Princess and truly let go? This official promises you… a lifetime of peace."
"What do you rely on?" The Second Prince looked at Fan Xian's eyes seriously, "Is it just the Overwatch Council and money?"
Fan Xian shook his head and said: "Not relying on anything, but I owe Consort a favor, and I owe Wan'er a promise. Your Highness should be clear about tonight's events. I want to empty Your Highness's private power and knock you out of this pool of muddy water."
The Second Prince, thinking of the huge losses he had suffered tonight, finally couldn't contain the chill in his heart, and said angrily: "Why me? Father has more than one son, and you are also one!"
"I have no ambitions, I am just a minister." Fan Xian said: "In a few days, Your Highness will know my sincerity. As for the other Highnesses, one is my student, I will make him well-behaved. The eldest Highness prefers to drink, and I don't care about the Crown Prince, so I can only target you… You're right, this bloodline is always worthy of respect, so I will do everything to prevent that kind of terrible thing from happening."
The Second Prince's heart turned cold. There was a gap in the screen that was not well blocked, and the cold wind in winter began to slowly drift inside Baoyue Brothel. Fan Xian finally said: "Please remember one thing, His Majesty is in his prime and does not want to see this kind of thing happen."
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