Linxia

Chapter 195, Death Fight

Yingtian.

Recently, the book "Journey to the West" has become increasingly popular in Yingtian, while "The Legend of the Arhat Conquering the Dragon and the Tiger" is as cool as a grasshopper in autumn. Zhang Yide is calm about this, because he knows that when his elder brother makes trouble in the capital, Fang Lin will be doomed. He feels infinite pleasure in imagining that the other party will be stripped of his official position, banned from publishing popular novels, and even his property will be confiscated and beheaded.

"When that Fang Chenshi is gone, who else but me will be in the world of popular novels? Maybe I can replace his role, enter the eyes of His Majesty, and leave my name in history..." Zhang Yide imagined a bright future.

At this time, his father Zhang Shiyan came in with a very gloomy face.

"Dad, is there something bothering you? Feel free to tell me. I'm willing to share your worries." Zhang Yide asked with a smile.

"Share my worries? You evil son, it's good enough that you don't cause trouble for me. Look at what stupid things you have done!" Zhang Shiyan snorted coldly and threw a letter over. It was from his eldest son Zhang Yihao who sent it from the capital.

Zhang Yide had the impression that his father rarely spoke harshly to him, so he subconsciously thought that the matter he had asked his elder brother to do would be exposed, but this was not the case. He looked at the letter thrown on the ground, picked it up and read it, and then glanced at it. His face suddenly changed: "What? The preface to Journey to the West was written by Your Majesty? How is this possible?!"

He said it was impossible, but when he thought about it carefully, it seemed unexpected and reasonable. Otherwise, how could Fang Lin have such courage?

"No wonder!"

Zhang Yide suddenly realized, and then, he was filled with great fear, knowing that he had hit a wall this time and had betrayed his elder brother. The emperor might even have a bad impression of the entire Zhang family. Moreover, he wanted to kill Fang Lin this time, but missed. If he didn't kill the snake, there would definitely be a backlash, as Fang Lin also had connections.

In fact, the Zhang family is not afraid of just one point. If they offend the emperor, they can just behave themselves and slowly make up for it. Fang Lin has connections and background, and he wants to retaliate, but the Zhang family is not made of clay. But they are afraid that these two points will erupt at the same time. If Fang Lin retaliates and Emperor Hongtai goes with the flow, then they will be finished!
"Dad, what should we do?" Zhang Yide asked in panic.

"Oh, are you scared now? How dare you act like this without discussing it with me, and bring about a powerful enemy for my Zhang family?" Zhang Shiyan had naturally thought of what Zhang Yide could think of, and he was furious.

To talk about his specific feelings at this moment, it would be better if he had not given birth to this son and splashed this guy against the wall.

Zhang Yide knew that he had caused a big disaster, so he didn't dare to say anything and just lowered his head.

After all, Zhang Shiyan had been in the officialdom for a long time and had good temper. He suppressed his anger and soon calmed down. He paced in the hall for a while and suddenly said, "Go to Huai'an and buy the original manuscript of the first part of Journey to the West from Fang Chenshi for a thousand taels of silver."

"Dad, after this happened, we are now at war with that Chenshi Fang. Why do we have to buy his first manuscript of Journey to the West?" Zhang Yide's eyes widened, but he was not stupid after all, and he figured it out immediately.

"Old people are always wise, this is a brilliant move, Dad!" He could hardly help clapping his hands.

Go to Huai'an to find Fang Lin and ask for the original manuscript of the first part of "Journey to the West" with a thousand taels of silver. If Fang Lin agrees, the war can be turned into peace, and if it is heard by the emperor, it can also save some points in his impression.

Even more, if this matter is handled further, it may become a good story and leave a name in history. As for the original manuscript bought for a thousand taels of silver, it is not a loss at all, and this thing may be priceless in the future.

This is a good idea, but there is one thing...

"Dad, will that Assistant Director Fang agree?" Zhang Yide asked anxiously.

"The position of Jinyiwei Commander is just a nominal one. The power he can mobilize comes more from his personal connections. His sworn brother Dong Zhuangyuan has an immeasurable future, but that is also in the future. I heard that the prefect of Huai'an also regards Fang Jianshi as his son or nephew, but 'regarding as a son or nephew' is still 'regarding as'. We should use this kind of personal relationship less. At the same time, our Zhang family is not a soft persimmon... If Fang Jianshi is smart, he will agree."

Zhang Shiyan paused for a moment, then continued, "Besides, this matter will also benefit him. It will improve his reputation and make him famous for repaying evil with kindness, which will become a good story."

"That's the truth."

Zhang Yide nodded repeatedly as he listened, and the fear in his heart dissipated. Thinking that this time he had turned a disaster into a blessing, he immediately said happily: "Dad, I will listen to you. I will take a boat to Huai'an early tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning? No, the longer the night, the more trouble you will have. You should go there tonight!"

……

Huai'an.

Fang Lin received a letter from the capital and learned from Dong Zugao about the danger of the court meeting that day.

——Huai'an is slightly farther away from the capital than Yingtian. Even if Dong Zugao used his connections to expedite the letter through official channels, it would still be half a day slower than the Zhang family.

"Zhang Yihao and Zhang Yide, what a Zhang family! They can't stand losing a book fight, so they resort to tricks and kill people? How vicious!"

"If it weren't for this incident, I would have already patched it up. In fact, if it weren't for Brother Dong at the court meeting..."

Fang Lin's face turned cold: "It means that Emperor Hongtai had read Journey to the West a long time ago and wrote a preface for this book. Even more, if Brother Dong had not spoken out at the court meeting, refuted the ministers, and stirred up the momentum, if Emperor Hongtai did not want to personally go to the court, I am afraid there is a certain possibility of compromise, and then I would become a victim, how miserable would that be?"

It's not that he thought of Emperor Hongtai in a dark way. The truth is, a political creature like the emperor cannot be measured by common sense. Moreover, many rulers are really irresponsible. Xiang Yu said, "This is Cao Wushang, the left Sima of Peigong." How wronged was Cao Wushang?

"It's conceivable that if the worst happens, not only me, but also my family will be... Ying Tianzhang's family!"

Fang Lin muttered, placing the letter on the candle flame and lighting it, his eyes reflecting the blazing flame: "You missed the first attack, now... the attack and defense are in different positions."

Boom boom boom!
At this moment, there was a sudden sound of gongs and drums outside.

Fang Lin went to the window and looked out, and saw a gilded sedan chair entering the alley, followed by a group of people playing music.

In the alley, the voices of neighbors' discussions could be heard.

"Who is it? Such a big battle!"

"I heard that he is the son of a high-ranking official from Yingtian, and his surname seems to be Zhang."

"I will definitely go to find Lord Fang."

……

"Ying Tianzhang's family, are you here so soon?"

Fang Lin looked outside, feeling the festive atmosphere, and wondered in his heart: "Is the Zhang family scared? Do they want to apologize?"

He told Fang's father, Fang's mother and Tian Xuan not to go out, and he went out himself.

Outside, Zhang Yide got off the sedan chair, waved his hand, and the sound of gongs and drums stopped immediately. He then walked forward with two servants.

"I have long heard of Brother Fang's great name. A few days ago, we had a book contest. Brother Fang's copy of Journey to the West really impressed me. I came here to pay a thousand taels of silver to get Brother Fang's manuscript of the first part of Journey to the West!"

As the neighbors in the alley watched, he displayed the humble and courteous demeanor of a son of an official. After he finished speaking, he uncovered the red silk cloth on the trays of the two servants beside him, and the neatly arranged silver ingots underneath sparkled in the sun.

This visual shock effect made the neighbors in the alley stunned for a moment, and then they were in an uproar.

"I've heard of Journey to the West. It's good, but how much does a book cost? Why spend a thousand taels of silver for the original manuscript?" "You idiot, how can the original manuscript written by Lord Fang be the same as the printed book sold in the store?"

"One thousand taels of silver! My God, I'm afraid my family will never be able to earn that in a lifetime."

……

When Fang Lin saw this scene, he understood.

"You're beating drums and gongs to attract so many people. Are you trying to frame me? If I agree, it will be difficult to retaliate later, otherwise I'll be suspected of being two-faced."

Is Yide trying to resolve the conflict in this chapter and thereby restore Hong Taidi's impression? Maybe he is also thinking of creating a good story, leaving a name in history, and achieving success in both aspects?

No, it's not to resolve the conflict. This time, Yide might think that I'm unaware and wants to create a misinformation gap...'

Fang Lin looked at it calmly, without making any comment, and suddenly asked, "Besides this, don't you have anything else to say?"

A trace of panic appeared in Zhang Yide's eyes. He did have the idea of ​​"I came here overnight. Fang Lin might not know the news from the capital yet, so I should make this a fait accompli." But Fang Lin seemed to have known it: "Brother Fang, there may be some misunderstandings between us. Am I not coming here to make peace?"

"First of all, we have no previous friendship. I know you well, and you have no achievements either. Why don't you call me Sir?"

Fang Lin looked the other person straight in the eye and said, "Secondly, the little misunderstanding you mentioned, could it be that you asked your eldest brother to slander me to the emperor in order to put me to death?"

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar among the onlookers.

"This man actually asked his elder brother to slander the emperor behind his back, trying to harm Lord Fang?"

"I thought he was a good person, but I didn't expect him to be such a treacherous villain."

"Bah! After doing such a thing, this person still has the nerve to come here? How shameless. What did Lord Fang say? Yes, I have never seen such a shameless person!"

……

The neighbors in the alley, who had finally come across this opportunity to please Fang Lin and the Fang family, immediately started to condemn Zhang Yide.

Zhang Yide had not expected that Fang Lin would be so disrespectful as to expose her in public. His face flushed and he said, "Sir... Sir Fang, there is a saying that goes 'it is better to resolve a feud than to create one'. I have always heard that Sir Fang has a noble character. Please be magnanimous and forgive me... This will also be good for both sides..."

"From a profit perspective, I should agree, but..."

Fang Lin suddenly took a step forward and slapped Zhang Yide on the left cheek.

But in this world, people fight for a breath of air, Buddhas fight for a stick of incense, it’s not everything, everyone only cares about benefits!
Fang Lin suddenly attacked and Zhang Yide had no time to react. He was stunned and subconsciously covered his swollen left face with his eyes wide open. He pointed at Fang Lin in disbelief. He never expected that the other party would dare to hit him in broad daylight and in public.

In fact, Fang Lin not only dared, but also dared to continue taking action!

Snapped!
Zhang Yide's right cheek also started to swell.

To be honest, Zhang Yide was a proud and arrogant person. After being slapped twice in public, he subconsciously wanted to fight back and grabbed Fang Lin, but Fang Lin dodged him and found a gap, then grabbed his neck and lifted him up.

——Since the fusion of the two lives, Fang Lin feels that his memory, reaction, and strength are continuously getting stronger, and with regular training, now three or five ordinary people are no match for him.

Seeing this scene, the servants brought by Zhang Yide wanted to stop it, but were immediately stopped by several people who jumped out from the neighbors.

——This is the guard introduced by Mr. Xu Kuo. He keeps watch day and night and takes turns to be responsible for the safety of the Fang family.

After these guards took action, the neighbors realized that this was a good opportunity to curry favor with the Fang family, so they all took action and rushed forward to pin down the people brought by Zhang Yide.

"Ugh! Ugh uh uh..." Zhang Yide was lifted up and almost suffocated. He felt as if he would die in the next moment. A great fear arose in his heart: "I, Zhang Yide, am about to die. Is Fang Lin going to kill me here?"

Just as he was becoming dazed, he suddenly felt the hand that was strangling his throat loosen.

Fang Lin would never kill someone in public, so he put Zhang Yide down, supported him and straightened his collar, as if everything that happened before had nothing to do with him. He smiled gently and said, "It's better to resolve a feud than to create one. Young Master Zhang is magnanimous and I think he won't mind the little misunderstanding just now."

It was exactly what Zhang Yide said before, and the spin ball came over!
"Fuck you, it's better to resolve a feud than to create one!" Zhang Yide was panting like a dead dog, staring at Fang Lin viciously, his face was as ferocious as a ghost, and he said hoarsely: "Wait! You wait!"

Being humiliated in public, escaping death, how could he have been humiliated like this before? He could no longer maintain a trace of demeanor, which meant that he could not beat Fang Lin, otherwise he would definitely do it. However, although he did not do it, he was already filled with hatred in his heart. If looks could kill, Fang Lin would have died countless times.

Fang Lin's smile faded a little bit. "Don't do to others what you don't want done to you. So, you want to kill me, and then, you cover up and come to my house to buy the manuscript, and you think I will agree and write off the past? You even want to make this a good story and leave my name in history? How can such a good thing happen in the world?"

Hearing this, at this moment, the anger in Zhang Yide's heart seemed to be extinguished by a basin of ice water. Cold sweat oozed out of his forehead. He didn't expect that all his plans were seen through by Fang Lin. He seemed to be naked in front of the other party, without any clothes. After shock and fear, he became angry and embarrassed.

"You, you..." He pointed at Fang Lin.

"There's no need to say anything harsh. Just show us whatever tricks your Zhang family has. This time, I will fight your Zhang family to see who's better, and to the death."

Fang Lin said calmly, asked the guards and neighbors to let them go, and watched Zhang Yide and his party leave calmly.

……

After returning home, Fang's father, mother, and Tian Xuan also saw what happened and showed their concern.

"It's okay, he's just a clown." Fang Lin paused, then said, "Besides, His Majesty is on our side."

Yes, he refused to reconcile, not only to vent his anger, but also out of consideration for Emperor Hongtai's feelings.

This time, the Zhang family rashly brought "Journey to the West" into the court meeting, forcing Emperor Hongtai to reveal that he had written a preface for "Journey to the West" and even said "this will only happen once" to appease his ministers.

In other words, the Zhang family had offended Emperor Hongtai this time, and made him admit his mistake and lose face. If Fang Lin agreed to sell the manuscript and forgive the Zhang family, it would be considered as covering up the matter on behalf of Hongtai. What would Emperor Hongtai think of him? Wouldn't this be using Fang Lin's own impression points to pull Zhang family's impression points?

'Also, before I started the fight with Zhang Yide, I checked the details of the Zhang family and found that they can be moved. Brother Dong, Prefect Pu, and Lord Han Yuanjing, it is enough for us to take action here, not to mention that once we build momentum, the enemies of the Zhang family will also take action... Finally, there is the referee Hong Taidi who is biased.'

Fang Lin narrowed his eyes: "It's just right. This incident shows my strengths. If anyone wants to kill me again in the future, they should be prepared to be killed by me if they miss the target."

Rumble!
Outside the window, the spring thunder of the fifteenth year of Hongtai roared and lasted for a long time.

……

(End of this chapter)