Chapter 42 Do You Want a Chance to Render Meritorious Service?

When Chen Kan returned to the Fang Manor, Fang Xiaoru had already returned from court and was waiting for him.

Facing Fang Xiaoru's piercing gaze, Chen Kan honestly recounted everything he had experienced that day.

From the strategy of curtailing the feudal lords to the assassination outside the city, and why he decided to let Li Jinglong take the blame.

Even the picnic by the river with the big-eyed, cute maiden was not hidden by Chen Kan.

Even if Chen Kan chose not to speak of these things, Fang Xiaoru would find out sooner or later.

Before Fang Xiaoru, Chen Kan had nothing to hide.

Because Fang Xiaoru could be said to be Chen Kan's only reliance in the Great Ming dynasty at the present moment.

Additionally, Chen Kan also wanted to know what Fang Xiaoru thought about these matters.

As the saying goes, two heads are better than one.

After listening to Chen Kan's thrilling journey of the day, Fang Xiaoru's face did not show any particular expression.

stroking his long beard beneath his chin and pondering for a long time, he suddenly smiled teasingly: "Taken a fancy to the princess?"

Chen Kan showed no shyness and smiled open-mindedly: "To not hide it from you, Teacher, the princess is as kind as she is beautiful, and this student has indeed developed amorous intentions."

"You little scoundrel, you really know how to pick."

Fang Xiaoru laughed and scolded, then said: "It's just that given your current status, even if this teacher were to personally go and ask His Majesty for her hand, I'm afraid His Majesty might not necessarily marry the princess to you."

Chen Kan's expression remained unchanged: "The student knows, that is why the student is working hard."

"Very well, a young man yearning for a fair maiden is simply following the laws of heaven and human desires."

Fang Xiaoru was very satisfied with Chen Kan's performance.

The matter of the princess was just casually mentioned and not pursued further.

Changing the subject, he asked: "You said today's assassins were sent by the Prince of Jin. How certain are you?"

"Eight or nine tenths."

Chen Kan replied, but seeing Fang Xiaoru's expression change, he quickly corrected himself: "Ten tenths."

He then explained: "This student went to report for duty at the Brocade Guard in the morning, and was assassinated in the afternoon.

The number of people in the capital who possess the capability to obtain this information and dispatch assassins right under His Majesty's nose does not exceed the fingers of two hands.

Among this handful of people, there are two whose stances are antagonistic to this student.

However, as for one of those two, his greatest reliance is still held firmly in His Majesty's hands.

Only the other one remains, who is not only antagonistic to this student but also holds a personal grudge against me.

Both on public and private grounds, it is only logical for him to make a move against me."

Having stated his judgment, Chen Kan quietly looked at Fang Xiaoru.

If Fang Xiaoru told him to swallow this grievance, he would swallow it.

If Fang Xiaoru told him to seek revenge, he would seek revenge.

It was not that Chen Kan was weak; rather, he was well aware that compared to the power of the Prince of Jin's estate, his own strength was like a firefly competing with the bright moon.

If he were to rashly launch retaliation against Zhu Jixi, he would undoubtedly face a storm of crushing blows.

After hearing Chen Kan's deduction, Fang Xiaoru slowly nodded and said: "As the saying goes, courtesy demands reciprocity."

Chen Kan's eyes lit up, and he pursued: "Teacher means?"

"My, Fang Xiaoru's disciple, is not someone just anyone can bully at will.

First, there was the humiliation of the broken engagement, and now the enmity of the assassination. If this old man were to remain unresponsive, others would truly mistake this Minister of Personnel for a clay figurine.

I will withstand the pressure from the court for you; as for the rest, handle it as you see fit."

When Fang Xiaoru finished speaking, a sharp glint flashed across his eyes.

It was hard to imagine that these words could come from a heavily learned Confucian scholar.

Chen Kan was overjoyed.

He loathed Zhu Jixi to the extreme right now.

Initially, when Zhu Jixi instructed Fu Yu to come and break off the engagement, Chen Kan hadn't thought much of it, especially since he had gained a thousand liang of gold anyway.

Trading a worthless marriage pledge for a thousand liang of gold was a massive profit.

However, after experiencing today's assassination attempt, Chen Kan had placed Zhu Jixi firmly on his must-kill list.

The kind where either you die or I perish.

Chen Kan's life credo was: if you treat me as a friend, I will treat you as a friend.

If you treat me as an enemy, I will wipe you out.

On the way back to the city with the big-eyed, cute maiden, Chen Kan had indeed considered bringing men to cause trouble at the Prince of Jin's temporary residence.

Yet, after much deliberation, he had held back.

He possessed no foundation whatsoever within the imperial court.

Whereas Zhu Jixi was a behemoth who had inherited the title of Prince of Jin back in the thirty-first year of Hongwu.

Wanting to crush him was as simple as a giant squashing a stinkbug.

Therefore, he did not dare to act rashly.

Yet now, with Fang Xiaoru acting as his endorsement, Chen Kan was no longer flustered.

With Fang Xiaoru backing him up in court, it was impossible for Zhu Jixi to do away with him openly.

As for underhanded methods, let us not forget that Chen Kan currently commanded a thousand-household post.

When it came to underhandedness, the Brocade Guard were the founding ancestors.

"Then this student will go all out!"

A hint of sinister cunning flashed across Chen Kan's eyes, which happened to be caught by Fang Xiaoru.

Fang Xiaoru smiled faintly: "Go on!"

...

Chen Kan did not know what kind of person Fang Xiaoru wanted to cultivate him into.

Judging from the present situation, however, Fang Xiaoru held an encouraging attitude toward his darker methods and covert intentions.

Thus, early the next morning, Chen Kan arrived at the Northern Office of Suppression and summoned Shi Wen, Fang Xu, and Huang Gou'er.

How exactly to launch the retaliation required careful contemplation on Chen Kan's part.

Moreover, Chen Kan dared not fully trust the people within the Brocade Guard.

Consequently, he could only temporarily summon these three individuals whom he was relatively familiar with to discuss the matter.

Sitting opposite one another, Chen Kan first looked at Shi Wen and asked, "How is the recruitment coming along?"

Shi Wen cupped his fists and said, "Reporting to Your Honor, after the recruitment notices were posted last night, applicants came in an endless stream. This subordinate has already assigned two hundred-household commanders to screen these individuals; within three days at most, the ranks will be filled to capacity."

"Good!"

Chen Kan nodded and continued to ask, "How many men can be mobilized right now?"

"Reporting to Your Honor, among the eleven hundred-household units under this subordinate's command, two are on duty in the imperial palace today, two are handling matters outside the city, and two are responsible for recruitment. The forces currently available for deployment consist of five hundred-household units, numbering one hundred men."

"One hundred men is enough. Go muster the troops first and come with me to handle some business."

After Shi Wen accepted the order and left,

Chen Kan turned his gaze to Fang Xu and Huang Gou'er, saying, "Fang Xu, take your men and help me investigate the guards that the Prince of Jin's estate has brought to the capital this time."

Fang Xu hesitated slightly: "The Prince of Jin, after all..."

"It is His Majesty's will."

Chen Kan brandished the tiger skin as a banner, directly invoking Zhu Di.

Fang Xu instantly wore a look of sudden realization and said with a solemn expression, "Understood, this subordinate will attend to it immediately."

After Fang Xu also stepped out of the room,

Chen Kan looked with a smiling expression at the visibly apprehensive Huang Gou'er.

He asked, "Do you not understand why this official specifically asked the Commander of Suppression to transfer you under my command?"

Huang Gou'er immediately stood up and said cautiously, "This subordinate believes Your Honor has his own intentions."

Chen Kan patted Huang Gou'er on the shoulder, pushed him back down into his seat, and smiled, "I just love this sharp wit of yours. Do you want an opportunity to perform a meritorious service?"