Chapter 18: Holding the Emperor Hostage to Command the Vassals

For a moment, everyone was lost in their own thoughts.

A burly laborer with a thick beard waved his hoe excitedly, shouting, "This is wonderful! We finally have a way to survive!"

Another laborer, thin and gaunt, wore an expression of disbelief, muttering to himself, "Is this for real? Is the Protector truly willing to give us land and homes?"

An old man beside him patted his shoulder and said firmly, "The Protector is an official appointed by the Imperial Court; why would he lie to us? As long as we work hard, we will have a good life ahead!"

Such voices could be heard among every team clearing the wasteland. This, of course, was by Fang Yuan’s deliberate arrangement.

In the evening, the laborers, exhausted from their day's work, returned clamoring with excitement. Fang Yuan was already waiting for them at the city gate. Seeing their stirred emotions, he cleared his throat and loudly announced Fang Han’s decision, placing special emphasis on the rewards for those who performed exceptionally well.

When the news reached Xiyun County, the Magistrate was furious. "What on earth is that brat trying to do?"

"My lord, calm yourself. In my view, this new Protector is desperate to achieve political success. By clearing land and promising fields to the commoners, his goal is to stir up their fighting spirit."

"We might as well help him. We can use this opportunity to take control of him," an official suggested to the Magistrate.

They would send more laborers and soldiers to the capital, under the guise of helping develop production and restoring the prosperity of the Southern Frontier. In reality, it was to seize control of the Protectorate and, incidentally, expand grain cultivation.

There were many powers within the Southern Frontier similar to Xiyun County. On the surface, they appeared to be controlled by bandits, but in truth, they were the biggest bandits of all, harboring greater ambition than those who had defected to the Southern Barbarians.

Back when the Great Zhou was embroiled in constant warfare, countless factions had risen, all coveting the imperial throne. However, the Southern Frontier was mountainous and difficult for marching. Coupled with the numerous competing factions and the constant invasions by the Southern Barbarians, the rebel forces in the south had never managed to break out. Once the rebellions in the Great Zhou were suppressed, the various warlords in the south found themselves severely weakened. To avoid drawing the attention of the Imperial Court, they disguised themselves as bandits and secretly built up their strength.

To the outside world, the Southern Frontier seemed plagued by endless war and banditry, but these were actually phenomena manufactured by the warlords. Their true, massive strength was being accumulated in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to make a comeback. After all, while the Great Zhou’s rebellions seemed settled, the original instigators had merely gone into hiding. On the surface, the empire was moving in a positive direction, but in reality, another rebellion could erupt at any time.

When the Magistrate heard his subordinate’s proposal, his eyes lit up. Control Fang Han, and in the future, they could use his name to pacify the "bandits." Even if the Imperial Court discovered it, they would be acting under the banner of suppressing bandits for the sake of the Court. By the time the banditry was mostly cleared, the Southern Frontier would already be under their sole dominion, and a true local emperor of the south would emerge.

"Splendid, simply splendid! Do as you said. Someone, come here!"

...

At the Protectorate, Fang Han finally enjoyed a few days of leisure. During this period, land was being cleared outside the city, houses were being repaired within, and merchants from the Southern Barbarians had even begun coming to the capital to do business. The herbs for making sunscreen had also been gathered and were being cultivated in large batches. He now had nearly two thousand mu of terraced fields; everything was ready, waiting only for planting.

Liu San approached with a grave expression. "Master, Xiyun County has sent people again."

Fang Han frowned. Sent people again? He wondered what they wanted this time.

In the government office, Fang Han sat at the head of the table, looking coldly at the visitors. Su Zihuan and other officials watched the men from Xiyun County with vigilance. It was because of them last time that Fang Han had nearly ordered his troops to march directly on Xiyun County.

"Speak. What do you want this time?" Fang Han demanded coldly.

"Lord Fang, our Chief says he is willing to send more laborers to help cultivate the wasteland."

Fang Han frowned, displeased. "That won't be necessary. We have enough fields, and the planting season is almost upon us; even if we cleared new land, there wouldn't be time to sow it."

The officials nodded in agreement. Even if they cleared more land now, they would still need to set up water-lifting pulleys, and there simply wasn't enough time. Planting seeds now would just be a waste.

The man replied, "My lord, our Chief says the newly cleared fields don't need to be planted now; they can be prepared for the next season."

"Not plant them? So you're coming specifically to clear land? Would a bunch of bandits like you be so kind?"

Hearing this, the man explained, "Our Chief also said he would send soldiers to assist Lord Fang in managing the farmland. The Southern Frontier is infested with bandits, and if Lord Fang lacks sufficient troops, I fear you will not be able to protect the crops."

Fang Han had not expected the bandits of Xiyun County to send soldiers. His biggest concern was indeed a lack of manpower. There were no bandit raids now only because the bandits themselves were busy harvesting and farming. But once this period passed, if they came to harass him, his current force of less than a thousand would be insufficient to protect two thousand mu of terraced fields—especially since the fields were scattered.

However, given this "generosity" from Xiyun County, Fang Han suspected a hidden agenda. He closed his eyes and pondered, suddenly recalling the phrase: "Control the Emperor to command the lords."

He represented the Imperial Court. If the bandits used the Protector’s name to suppress "bandits," it would be perfectly legitimate. They were sending soldiers because they intended to usurp his authority.

Yet, Fang Han didn't take it to heart. The best way to subdue soldiers was through force. He might be short on troops now, but given time to manufacture firearms, he wouldn't just be dealing with a few measly soldiers. Even if the armored Fang Li himself came, he would make sure to leave him with two extra holes in his body.

The bandits of Xiyun County had a clever plan, but they had misjudged their man. Although Fang Han wanted these soldiers, he feigned anger and shouted to avoid revealing his hand:

"Audacious bandits! You want me to use a gang of thugs to guard the city? Someone, beat them out of the capital with sticks! Go back and tell your bandit chief that I will never collude with criminals!"

Su Zihuan was startled and hurriedly advised, "My lord, please calm down. This matter requires further deliberation."

Fang Han scolded, "Do you want me to turn into a bandit too?"

Su Zihuan’s expression was pained; he certainly didn't want to be a bandit. But the man was right—the city’s current military strength was far too low. There was no other way. The officials present had all experienced banditry and knew the man spoke the truth. Even though they felt utter contempt and shame at the thought of associating with bandits, they still had to urge him, "My lord, please reconsider."

Fang Han pointed at the officials, fuming, "You... all of you! If you want to be bandits, don't drag me into it! I’m done with this matter!"

With that, he turned and left the office without looking back. The officials looked at one another, and finally, Su Zihuan let out a long sigh, took up the burden, and agreed to the demands of Xiyun County.