Chapter Twenty-Nine: Pacifying the Southern Barbarians
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Establishing a hunting ground to attract wealthy young men to come and spend money was indeed a good option.
Fang Han pondered its feasibility.
Although a hunting ground could boost the economy, it would not attract new residents.
Moreover, word of Southern Border’s affairs would likely spread. If Lin Qingxue found out that Fang Han had come to Southern Border, had not been eliminated by the bandits, and had instead made the region increasingly prosperous, he might be summoned back to the capital. That would be a loss rather than a gain.
Southern Border was currently in the early stages of reconstruction, with insufficient military strength. It was unwise to expose himself.
However, the suggestion of raising wild beasts had given Fang Han an idea. Wild beasts could not be farmed, but domestic animals could.
Southern Border was crisscrossed by rivers and had an extensive water network. The region could develop its fishing industry.
Once terrace-farming techniques matured, rice-fish cultivation could also be introduced.
Of the necessities of life, food came first.
As long as people had enough to eat—and could eat well—there was no need to worry about attracting them to settle in Southern Border.
With that in mind, Fang Han asked, “Does anyone have any suggestions? Is this plan feasible?”
After careful consideration, one official said, “My lord, establishing a hunting ground is certainly possible. But those young masters are all prominent figures from the capital. Asking them to spend their own money here probably isn’t realistic.”
As soon as he said this, the officials began whispering among themselves, finding his words reasonable.
The young masters spent freely in the capital because whether they were visiting brothels or dining in restaurants, those establishments were backed by imperial relatives and powerful nobles. They did not dare refuse.
But they would not take a minor governor of Southern Border seriously.
Getting them to hand over their money willingly was virtually impossible.
Some officials, however, felt that while a hunting ground was impractical, animal husbandry could still work.
At that moment, Li Zehong stepped forward. “My lord, I am a member of the Li family of Jiangdong. I can bring in people from Jiangdong who are skilled in fish farming and help Southern Border develop its fishing industry.”
Hearing this, Fang Han nodded. “Good. You will be responsible for developing fish farming and the fishing industry. Does anyone else have any useful suggestions?”
At that moment, a county magistrate rolled his eyes and stepped forward.
“My lord, I have heard that the Great Liang Kingdom to the south is at war with the Great Chu Kingdom. Its people are suffering greatly. We could ask the Southern Barbarians for passage and spread word of Southern Border’s prosperity throughout Great Liang, thereby attracting its people here.”
The moment he finished speaking, all the officials frowned.
The Southern Barbarians had long coveted Southern Border. Asking them for passage would certainly come at a price, and there was no chance of gaining the upper hand in negotiations.
Especially when the purpose was to send people into Southern Border.
For a moment, no one could figure out what this man was really plotting.
Fang Han sneered inwardly.
Clearly, he wanted the Southern Barbarians to turn their attention toward Fang Han, buying the others time to develop.
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At present, every faction believed that the advantage lay with them. Although the Southern Barbarians were growing anxious, they had no way to act.
Provoking them now would only bring disaster upon themselves.
But that man had underestimated Fang Han.
Suddenly, Fang Han rose to his feet, looking excited. “Is what you said true? Is Great Liang really as you described it?”
The man nodded repeatedly.
Fang Han immediately burst into laughter. “Hahahaha! Heaven truly is helping me. Ask the Southern Barbarians for passage? What will those people in the capital think of me then?”
Just as everyone was wondering what Fang Han intended to do, he suddenly spoke in a cold voice.
“When you return, inform the provincial governors. I will personally lead the army south, seize the lands of the Southern Barbarians, pacify the entire southern frontier, and attack Great Liang!”
The declaration left everyone gasping.
The man who had suggested seeking passage through the Southern Barbarians was especially stunned.
He had never expected Fang Han to be so eager for quick success.
Southern Border was still in ruins and did not even have enough grain to support a war. And now he wanted to attack the Southern Barbarians? They should consider themselves lucky if the Southern Barbarians did not seize the southern frontier.
“I will let the people of the world know that whatever Fang Li could not accomplish, I, Fang Han, can accomplish. Whatever Fang Li did not dare even imagine, I, Fang Han, can achieve all the same!”
Fang Han’s voice rang out with force.
Everyone knew the plan was impossible. The county magistrate who had raised the proposal could only brace himself and say, “My lord, Southern Border is still being rebuilt, and our provisions are insufficient. I fear we lack the strength to wage war.”
Fang Han replied coldly, “You have remained undefeated by the Southern Barbarians after so many years in Southern Border. What does that tell us?”
The crowd fell silent.
The stalemate in Southern Border existed entirely because the wars in Great Zhou had gradually subsided. The southern frontier no longer dared create further trouble, so both sides had tacitly settled into minor clashes while waiting for an opportunity.
Could this governor know that?
Could he truly be a man of extraordinary talent?
The officials speculated silently.
Fang Han said sternly, “It is because each of you has fought on your own, with no one to coordinate the overall situation.”
“Now that I am here, I will personally lead the army. Let alone the Southern Barbarians—even the northern frontier of Great Liang is beneath my notice.”
“Do you not wish to establish yourselves through great deeds? Are you content to remain bandits?”
“My mind is made up. Return and inform every provincial governor to gather their armies at once. We will soon march directly against the Southern Barbarians.”
“Anyone who refuses will be treated as a bandit. Once the Southern Barbarians have been defeated, we will deal with the bandits.”
His words left everyone dumbfounded.
In the end, Su Zihuan stepped forward to persuade him. “My lord, Southern Border lacks grain and provisions. I fear it cannot support such a campaign.”
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The others quickly echoed his words.
This time, whether officials or local powers, everyone stood together and urged Fang Han to think twice.
Fang Han swept his gaze across the county magistrates and said disdainfully, “The provincial capital may lack grain, but the governors certainly have provisions in their hands. There is no need for further discussion. My decision is final.”
“Could it be that you have only submitted outwardly and still intend to remain bandits?”
Pressed so forcefully by Fang Han, the county magistrates did not know how to respond.
At last, one of them stepped forward. “My lord, our prefecture truly has no choice. The governor is willing to help but lacks the power to do so. Why not order the prefectures that previously sent troops to suppress the bandits to provide the soldiers and provisions?”
As soon as he said this, the other county magistrates seized upon the opening.
“My lord, our prefecture is desperately poor. We cannot even produce three hundred soldiers. If not for that, we would have assisted you in suppressing the bandits long ago.”
The other county magistrates also began lamenting their circumstances.
They expressed their loyalty while describing how impoverished and debilitated their respective prefectures had become.
Fang Han reluctantly decided to believe them.
“Are all of you telling the truth? Do you dare let me send people to investigate?”
The officials exchanged uncertain glances, unable to answer.
Su Zihuan stepped forward. “My lord, I am willing to conduct the inspection myself.”
As he spoke, he gave the county magistrates a meaningful look, signaling them to agree.
Su Zihuan knew that he could no longer allow Fang Han to continue acting recklessly.
If Fang Han provoked the wrath of everyone and they attacked him together, Southern Border would return to its former state.
Seeing that no one spoke, Fang Han understood that it was time to stop while he was ahead.
Su Zihuan’s investigation would certainly be intended to help them conceal the truth.
That suited him just fine. Once he held evidence against them, they would have nowhere else to turn and could only follow him step by step as he fought his way back to the capital.
If Su Zihuan wanted a promotion, Fang Han would give him one.
How he obtained it, however, was none of Fang Han’s concern.
“Very well. I order you to investigate. If the situation proves as you claim, I will let bygones be bygones. If it does not, you will all be treated as bandits, and I will personally lead the army to suppress you.”
The county magistrates breathed sighs of relief.
The look Su Zihuan had given them just now had clearly been a signal to cooperate.
It seemed that this Lord Su had plans of his own as well.
If he could be bought over, he would become a piece on the board embedded throughout Southern Border.
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