Chapter 45: Paying New Year Visits

Early in the morning, Fang Da came to find him, saying the soldiers wanted to express their gratitude, and they had scheduled it for New Year’s morning. They wanted Fang Han to witness their happiness and to bless the child in Lin Qingwei’s womb.

At first, Fang Han refused, saying he was no sorcerer. But faced with the soldiers’ earnest insistence, he had no choice but to agree.

“Fang Da, in the name of the Protector of the Southern Frontier, I bless you both and your child.”

At that moment, Lin Qingwei looked somewhat overwhelmed. She was a Rakshasa; she had no right to offer blessings, nor was she worthy of receiving them. She certainly could not harm their child.

Lin Qingwei wanted to flee, but Fang Han held her back, encouraging her, “Don’t be afraid. I told you from the start, it’s not an illness.”

Fang Han understood Lin Qingwei’s concerns. His agreement to the soldiers’ request was partly to help her overcome her fears.

Suddenly, Lin Qingwei began to sob.

Fang Han comforted her, “It’s alright, I’m here.”

“Mm,” Lin Qingwei choked out in response.

Then she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

“In the name of the Protector’s wife, I bless you all. Fang Da, may you be victorious in every battle.”

After she finished speaking, Fang Han took out a red envelope he had prepared in advance.

Fang Da looked puzzled, unsure of its meaning.

Fang Han explained, “I come from humble origins; it’s our custom. It’s a wish for good fortune in the coming year.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Da grinned broadly.

He then accepted the red envelope and stepped aside for the next soldier.

Half an hour passed, and everyone had paid their respects. Fang Han handed out all the red envelopes he had, though the money inside was modest. He merely wanted to savor the festive atmosphere of the New Year.

Returning to the Protectorate’s residence, Liu San informed them that Su Zihuan and his party had arrived, bringing gifts. Not only them, but several prefectures had also sent gifts.

It turned out these prefectures had long dispatched envoys with lavish presents, waiting until the New Year to reveal themselves.

Fang Han sighed in resignation; on the very first day of the New Year, he couldn’t even take a holiday.

With all the prefectures gathered, whether their gifts were genuine or not, such a scene demanded a visit to the government office.

At the government office:

“Wishing the Protector good health.”

“Wishing the Protector a glorious New Year leading the Southern Frontier.”

“Wishing the Protector…”

The envoys from the various prefectures showered Fang Han with praise, causing the local officials’ expressions to darken.

Bringing gifts on New Year’s was never purely benevolent.

What were they sending? What schemes did they intend? Would Fang Han be rash enough to accept?

These were the concerns of Su Zihuan and the others.

Fang Han looked at the assembled men with some displeasure. He hadn’t expected them to choose this moment to arrive, especially since they had been hiding within the city all along.

In other words, they knew everything that had recently transpired in the city.

This was somewhat fortunate, as it spared Fang Han the trouble of trying to spread news about the military examinations.

He was certain no prefect would stand idly by while the court established military tests in the Southern Frontier.

This was a deliberate weakening of the region’s strength; they would never let the court have its way.

How to prevent it would depend on their own capabilities.

At present, the most crucial matter was what valuable gifts these men had brought.

He didn’t believe a group of people would come all this way just to say flattering words.

“What gifts have you brought?” Fang Han, seeing no one speak first, took the initiative to ask.

At this, Li Zehong stepped forward.

“My lord, the gift I bring will surely satisfy you. The facilities for aquaculture have been completed.”

Fang Han was instantly surprised.

The fish ponds were ready, meaning fish farming could begin.

“Hahaha, excellent. I knew you wouldn’t let me down,” Fang Han said heartily.

Then a man sent by a prefect began to speak, “My lord, we—”

Before he could finish, Li Zehong interrupted, “My lord, why don’t we take this opportunity to go and see?”

Fang Han immediately understood their fear of the prefect’s ambitions.

Though he wanted to refuse Li Zehong and see what the prefects were truly up to, that was not in keeping with his character.

He decided to follow Li Zehong’s suggestion: “Let’s go. Lead the way.”

The officials breathed a sigh of relief at his words.

Suddenly, someone interrupted, “My lord, our prefecture recently defeated a bandit group occupying an iron mine and wishes to invite you to jointly exploit it.”

At the mention of an iron mine, the officials all fixed their gaze on the man.

Fang Han was intrigued and wanted to hear more.

“An iron mine? Is this true?” Fang Han asked excitedly.

Then, feigning pride, he exclaimed, “With iron, I can forge the strongest army.”

“Then, pacifying the southern barbarians and stabilizing the southern border will be within reach.”

“Fang Li, the challenge you couldn’t overcome, I shall conquer. Let’s see who dares say I’m inferior to you.”

After speaking, Fang Han turned and sat down, smiling, “Is what you said true?”

The man replied, “Absolutely, my lord. The prefect, upon hearing you plan to build a twenty-mile city, immediately decided to offer full support.”

“That very night, the prefect led the city defense battalion to strike the bandits and seize the iron mine.”

“My lord, with quality iron tools, building the city will be no problem.”

While the man spoke, Su Zihuan stared intently at him.

Sure enough, trouble followed their arrival.

They were still scheming about dismantling and expanding the city.

If the city walls were gone, forget defending against invasions; survival itself would be doubtful.

Before he could inspect the forces of the prefectures, he hadn’t known their strength.

Now he was clear: without walls, no prefecture in the Southern Frontier could compare.

Moreover, Commander Fang Da was useless—he couldn’t even defeat Zhao Hu.

Without city walls, Fang Han, the Protector of the Southern Frontier, would be nothing but a figurehead.

They would all become puppets caught in the power struggles of rival factions.

Seeing Fang Han deep in thought, Su Zihuan immediately spoke up: “My lord, this must not happen. Building a new city involves too much. You yourself said ensuring the supply of spiritual herbs is the top priority.”

Hearing Su Zihuan’s counsel, Fang Han smiled inwardly; this was exactly what he had been waiting for.

A group of men brought only one gift and hoped to persuade him to dismantle the city? Not a chance.

Fang Han nodded, “Indeed, Lord Su is right. Ensuring the grain supply remains our foremost strategy.”

“When there is enough food to spare, we can consider dismantling and expanding the city.”

“As for the iron mine, Chen Xingshi, this matter is entrusted to you. Work with that prefecture to exploit the iron.”

“When the grain is abundant, we will first pacify the southern barbarians, then expand the city. I want to see just how formidable these barbarians really are.”

Su Zihuan relaxed upon hearing Fang Han’s words. Though they planned to campaign against the southern barbarians, it was not yet decided, so there was still room for persuasion.

The man who had proposed the iron mine cooperation sighed in defeat.

But soon another stood forward.

They had already agreed among themselves to make Fang Han dismantle the city, even if only one wall.

If he dared dismantle it, bandits could cause trouble during the expansion.

Then, with the capital gone, the Protectorate’s city defenses would be powerless, and Fang Han would be reduced to a mere mascot.