Sweep Yuan

Chapter 263 The True Colors of the First Sea Spirit

Since raising his army, Shi Shan has been victorious in every battle and captured every city he attacked. He fought his way from Xuzhou to Jiangnan, defeating hundreds of thousands of Yuan troops.

He manipulated the high-ranking officials of the Yuan Dynasty's Huainan and Jiangzhe provinces, and his power and prestige surpassed those of many rebel kings in Jiangnan and Jiangbei, laying the initial foundation for his struggle for supremacy.

This was precisely Xia Yu's greatest source of confidence for his mission to Fang Guozhen. In fact, Xia Yu himself had fought hard to secure this rare mission from Marshal Shi.

He knew that if this trip succeeded, it would be crucial for the Red Flag Battalion to stabilize its flank and fully develop northern Zhejiang. It would also be an excellent opportunity for him to make contributions and become a core advisor to Marshal Shi.

Xia Yu had already prepared himself mentally for the journey.

The situation became complicated and he lost his composure when he suddenly learned that the Yuan envoy was also in Huangyan City.

But he was over forty years old and had experienced the ups and downs of life. Although he had not experienced great storms, he had frequently attended literary gatherings in various places in his early years, met many interesting people, and was able to make a name for himself in northern Zhejiang. He was not a country bumpkin with little knowledge.

Having received Gu Cheng's reminder, Xia Yu quickly composed himself and forcibly suppressed his unease.

Xia Yu had witnessed Gu Cheng's performance along the way. He secretly admired Marshal Shi's keen eye for talent, which allowed him to discover such a man among thousands of soldiers. He also knew that this young man from Jiangdu had a limitless future and decided to befriend him.

He took a deep breath, calmed himself, and solemnly cupped his hands towards Gu Cheng, saying:

"Jing Shao (Gu Cheng's courtesy name) remained calm and composed in the face of danger, demonstrating maturity and prudence that I, Xia, cannot match!"

Gu Cheng has only served Shishan for a short time and has not yet participated in large-scale battles to make meritorious contributions. His current position is only the leader of the Pengyue Guard. His mission this time is mainly to protect Xia Yu. Shishan has not appointed him as the deputy envoy.

Seeing Xia Yu's politeness, he quickly stepped aside, not daring to accept such a full bow, and respectfully returned the greeting:

“Cao Yuan volunteered to venture into the tiger’s den. Such courage and boldness are beyond the reach of ordinary people. I dare not accept such praise.”

The two exchanged a smile and encouraged each other, which greatly reduced the tension they felt when facing a formidable enemy.

Xia Yu straightened his clothes, which were slightly disheveled from the rush, took a deep breath, and quickly regained his composure. Then, following Fang Li, he strode into the main hall of the state government office with his head held high.

The main hall of the former Huangyan Prefecture government office has now been transformed into a meeting hall with a rather rustic feel.

Fang Guozhen sat imposingly in the head seat, flanked by his elder brother Fang Guozhang, strategists Zhang Zishan and Qiu Nan, younger brother Fang Guoying, nephew Fang Mingshan, and other core civil and military officials. Their gazes were all fixed on Xia Yu and Gu Cheng as they entered, creating an atmosphere of oppressive tension.

After entering, Xia Yu quickly scanned the entire room, taking in everyone's expressions, and already had a clear idea of ​​what was going on.

He pretended not to notice the intimidating aura deliberately created by Fang Guozhen, and stepped forward steadily. Following the customary etiquette of scholars, he bowed with his hands clasped in a respectful but not arrogant manner, his voice clear and resonant:
"Xia Yu, a clerk from the Red Flag Battalion, has come to pay a visit to Fang Zhizhong on the orders of Marshal Shi of the Red Flag Battalion!"

Xia Yu deliberately paused slightly on the words "governance," his tone carrying a subtle hint of sarcasm.

This "Zhizhong" refers to the position of "Zhizhong of Huizhou Road" that the Yuan court had previously granted to Fang Guozhen in order to win him over.

Xia Yu's words, ostensibly referring to Fang Guozhen by the official title granted by the Yuan court, were actually a veiled criticism of the latter's wavering anti-Yuan stance, his repeated acceptance of amnesty and subsequent betrayal of the Yuan, and his lack of loyalty and integrity.

It is a fact that Fang Guozhen's loyalty to the regime was uncertain, but in his own view, this was merely an expedient measure and fighting strategy adopted when his strength was insufficient, in order to survive and grow stronger.

If we're really going to be serious, didn't Shishan previously engage in duplicitous negotiations with the Yuan court, accepting what was essentially a "peace talk"?

They were all in the same boat, except that Shishan was in a better position both internally and externally, so he could "remain at ease without accepting" and ultimately did not accept the Yuan court's official position; Fang Guozhen was not so lucky, and could only "accept but not be at ease", accepting the Yuan court's official position, but he dared not settle down.

However, in his external propaganda, Fang Guozhen still presented himself as a "righteous man who resisted the Yuan Dynasty" to call on coastal heroes to join him in a great cause. Although it was somewhat shameless, aside from this, he really did not have a respectable identity to attract scholars.

Judging from the talents under his command, apart from his own brothers, nephews, relatives by marriage, and other relatives, he was also from his hometown or other powerful pirates. Zhang Zishan, Qiu Nan, and others were called "strategists," but they had never been able to integrate into the real scholar circle in recent years.

Xia Yu's act of coming to "slap him in the face" was quite rude, which immediately aroused the dissatisfaction of the Fang family's civil and military officials in the hall.

Fang Mingshan was actually older than his fifth uncle, Fang Guomin, and had a calm and steady personality, but was of a lower generation, making him suitable to be the one to start trouble in this situation. He immediately stepped forward and sternly rebuked him:
"Since you are envoys who have come from afar to pay homage to my lord, why do you not kneel down as is customary?"

Xia Yu was well-versed in the art of preemptive strikes. As a persuader, he deliberately provoked conflict to disrupt the other party's planned rhythm and seize the initiative in the dialogue. Seeing that the reactions of the people in the hall were not beyond his expectations, he felt more at ease, straightened his back, and calmly replied:
"My Marshal Shi raised the banner of 'Expelling the Barbarians and Restoring the Han,' determined to eradicate the outdated customs of the Mongol Yuan dynasty and restore the traditional Chinese attire, etiquette, and righteous spirit. When we pay our respects to Marshal Shi, we only need to bow; we have never been asked to kneel. Yet, Fang Zhizhong here insists on adopting the outdated Mongol custom of kneeling?"

Xia Yu's words were forceful and resounding, elevating the question of whether or not to kneel before superiors to a political level concerning whether or not one was truly committed to resisting the Yuan dynasty and restoring the Han dynasty, adhering to the orthodox traditions of the Chinese nation, and rejecting the barbarian customs.

Six years ago, when Fang Guozhen first raised an army against the Yuan Dynasty, heroes across the land were still intimidated by the Yuan court's decades of accumulated power, and no one dared to openly respond.

It was Fang Guozhen who, with his extraordinary courage and outstanding naval command skills, repeatedly defeated the Yuan army and local armed forces that came to besiege him, carving out a bloody path out of a desperate situation and shattering the myth of the Yuan army's invincibility.

To some extent, the current state of war and conflict is inseparable from Fang Guozhen's contribution to the "first uprising" back then.

However, it was precisely because of his repeated acts of surrendering and rebelling that he tarnished the golden signboard of "hero of the first uprising," which allowed the rising star Shishan to raise the banner of "driving out the barbarians and restoring the Han," attracting countless heroes and patriots who longed to restore the Han dynasty to flock to him.

Fang Guozhen, the true pioneer of the resistance against the Yuan dynasty, left a bad impression of being "fickle" due to his excessive scheming and intrigue. He had already lost the moral high ground and was reduced to a bandit, and was not accepted by the orthodox people of the world.

So when faced with Xia Yu's accusation of "insisting on the outdated customs of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty," Fang Mingshan was indignant and opened his mouth wide to refute, but for a moment he did not know how to say it in order to stand on moral ground.

"What a joke—"

The ruler was distressed, and the minister was disgraced. Seeing Fang Mingshan speechless, Zhang Zishan was about to step in to suppress Xia Yu's arrogance when he was interrupted by a loud and boisterous laugh.

"Hahaha!"

The one who laughed was Fang Guozhen.

The man was tall and robust, with a face as black as iron, but the skin on his exposed neck and arms was unusually fair, creating a stark contrast. His eyes were sharp as an eagle's, and his laughter carried an air of domineering arrogance, instantly dispelling the awkward atmosphere in the hall.

He waved his hand to stop Zhang Zishan, who was about to speak again, and said in a relaxed tone:

"Zishan, Yachu (Fang Mingshan's nickname), stop arguing. The Fang family has its own etiquette for treating guests, how can those Mongol Tartars who only know how to exploit the people compare?"

These words not only appeased his subordinates but also subtly defused Xia Yu's accusations.

Having said that, Fang Guozhen turned his gaze to Xia Yu, who possessed a refined and composed demeanor, a hint of barely perceptible appreciation flashing in his eyes, and sincerely praised him:
"I have long heard that Shi Jingxing's benevolence and righteousness are known throughout the land, and heroes from all over the world follow him. Today, having met a man like Xia Caoyuan, I know that the rumors are true! I, Fang, have always valued heroes and valiant men the most. Men, quickly prepare a seat for Xia Caoyuan!"

As the saying goes, don’t hit the smiling person.

Fang Guozhen was, after all, a local hero, and had already shown him considerable respect. Xia Yu's primary purpose in coming here was to complete the diplomatic mission assigned by Shi Shan, not to engage in verbal sparring. He naturally understood the principle of knowing when to stop, and immediately bowed to Fang Guozhen again, his tone much more conciliatory:

"General Fang is incredibly magnanimous! My Marshal Shi also often mentions the General, praising him as a hero of the East China Sea, who first raised the banner of righteousness and repeatedly defeated the Yuan court. He is truly an extraordinary man of our time, a dragon among men!"

As they were talking, a maid brought over an embroidered stool. Xia Yu thanked her and sat down calmly. Gu Cheng, who had entered with him, stood straight and upright behind Xia Yu, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

After his first uprising, Fang Guozhen proclaimed himself "General." He subsequently surrendered and rebelled repeatedly. However, seeing the rise of numerous heroes across the land, each claiming to be a king or a marshal, he refused when his subordinates tried to persuade him to take the throne, citing that "we brothers are seeking survival at sea, only pursuing practical benefits and not seeking empty fame."

In diplomatic settings like today's, the other side is a "Marshal," while one's own side is only a "General," which inherently puts one at a disadvantage. A narrow-minded person would inevitably feel displeased. However, Fang Guozhen appeared extremely pragmatic, completely unconcerned, and even joked about it:
"You flatter me, Clerk Xia. I have wasted thirty-four years of my life and now I only hold this small corner of Huangyan. I am far inferior to Shi Jingxing, who is so talented and ambitious. At such a young age, he has already taken control of Huaixi and is eyeing Jiangnan. I really do not deserve such high praise!"

Fang Guozhen's ancestral home was Xianju County, Taizhou (located west of Linhai County, the seat of Taizhou Prefecture). His family originally farmed and also engaged in salt transportation. During the Song Dynasty, they moved to Huangyan County.

By their generation, all five brothers were strong and powerful. They successfully seized the "lao pen" (similar to the "da zao tou" before Zhang Shicheng rose to power; Fang Guozhen's eldest brother and Fang Mingshan's father died in this incident), and the family began to rise.

In Huangyan, the local customs were strictly hierarchical, with a strict hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. The Fang family made their fortune by engaging in "lowly" occupations such as salt boiling and fish selling. Even with money, they still found it difficult to gain the true recognition of the local powerful families who combined farming and scholarship with maritime trade.

After Fang Guozhen first raised an army, the most zealous forces to suppress the Fang clan were these local powerful families.

This matter was a thorn in Fang Guozhen's side, making him realize that he had lost the "hearts of the people" and was ultimately destined to be out of the running for this great world, thus extinguishing his burning ambition to conquer the world early on.

Fang Guozhen was not firm in his opposition to the Yuan dynasty, nor would he bother to oppose "tradition." Deep down, he actually envied Shishan for gaining recognition and support from many gentry members.

His words contained both humility and genuine emotion. Zhang Zishan, as Fang Guozhen's fellow townsman and advisor, knew his lord's character well and, fearing Fang Guozhen might be swayed by Xia Yu's words, quickly interjected, steer the conversation to a more practical level, saying:

"Marshal Shi is a hero of our time. Now that he has led his army across the river and conquered the strategically important city of Jiangning, he will surely not stop here. He must have the ambition to sweep across the entire Jiangdong region, right?"

Jiangning is a strategically important and powerful region, and acquiring Jiangning and then plotting to conquer the entire Jiangdong region was an almost inevitable strategic choice for warlords in chaotic times.

Fang Guozhen's navy's main areas of operation, including Taizhou, Qingyuan (later Ningbo), and Wenzhou, all belonged to the Jiangdong region and were undoubtedly under the future military reach of Shishan.

Zhang Zishan's words, ostensibly inquiring about the Red Flag Battalion's strategy, were actually a reminder to Fang Guozhen: Shishan is a ruthless warlord with ambitions to conquer the world. He crossed the Yangtze River to seize territory, including your foundation. Don't forget the potential danger because of a few words of flattery!

Fang Guozhen was a cunning and shrewd man who had been operating along the coast of eastern Zhejiang for many years. How could he not understand the principle that two tigers cannot share one mountain? Even without Zhang Zishan pointing it out, he knew that he and Shishan would inevitably have a conflict of interest sooner or later.

However, upon hearing this, he did not respond. Instead, a meaningful smile played on his lips as he stared intently at Xia Yu, awaiting his reply.

"Of course!"

To Zhang Zishan's surprise, Xia Yu did not mince words but instead readily admitted the other party's speculation about Shishan's ambitions, and then said loudly:
"The Mongol Yuan dynasty was tyrannical, wreaking havoc on the world and causing immense suffering to the people of China. It is an inevitable trend for heroes across the land to raise the banner of righteousness and overthrow them! However, without a leader, these dragons will find it difficult to unite and will instead be divided and weakened by the Yuan court, and defeated one by one!"

General Fang, the instigator of the uprising against the Yuan dynasty, should have shouldered the heavy responsibility of leading the people. Unfortunately…

Xia Yu changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over Fang Guozhen, and said with a hint of regret:
"...It's a pity that the general's ambition lies elsewhere. My lord, Marshal Shi, cannot bear to see the people of the world suffer. For the sake of restoring the Han dynasty's land as soon as possible, he has no choice but to step forward with great difficulty!"

Xia Yu's words were a clever use of leverage, not only frankly admitting his lord's ambitions but also subtly placing Fang Guozhen in a position of "being able to lead the masses but voluntarily giving it up," leaving Zhang Zishan, who had initiated the conversation, speechless.

Fang Guozhen's behavior over the past six years can indeed be summarized as "fickle".

As for whether he was "not interested in this" or was limited by his pirate background, lack of a stable land base, and difficulty in gaining the support of the gentry, which made him unable to contend for the world, only Fang Guozhen himself knew the answer.

As a subject, Zhang Zishan was indeed not in a position to engage in in-depth debate on this matter, and could only look helplessly at Fang Guozhen.

As if Xia Yu had hit the nail on the head, Fang Guozhen slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, making a sharp "smack" sound. It sounded like a sigh, or perhaps a self-deprecating remark, as he exclaimed loudly:

"Good! Well said! Heroes have always emerged from among the young! Compared to rising stars like Shi Jingxing, I, Fang, who am more than ten years older, have truly come back to life! Haha!"

"My lord! Why belittle yourself..."

Seeing his master boosting the morale of others, Qiu Nan couldn't help but speak up to offer advice. Fang Guozhen, however, raised a hand to stop him, then her gaze sharpened, her previous hearty smile vanishing as she looked intently at Xia Yu, pinpointing the core issue, and said:

“Xia Cao Yuan, I am a man who makes a living at sea, and I am used to being free. Although I have no ambition to conquer the world, I also do not want to be controlled or restrained by others. Since Shi Jingxing has the ambition to encompass the four seas, has he told you how he plans to settle me and my fellow brothers at sea in the future?”

The most crucial moment had finally arrived. Everyone in the hall held their breath, listening intently, clearly wanting to know what Shishan was thinking.

Seeing this, Xia Yu couldn't help but sigh inwardly: Fang Guozhen's strategic vision was limited to the sea from the very beginning, lacking a land base and grand political ambitions. No matter how skilled his subordinates were in political maneuvering, they could only fall behind others in the end.

He was even more grateful that he had chosen the right ruler. Thinking of Shi Shan's instructions before his departure, Xia Yu cleared his throat and said calmly:

"Marshal Shi has something important to say that I need to convey to General Fang in person."

He met Fang Guozhen's probing gaze with a calm expression and said:

The Marshal said, "Land and water are integrated and complement each other. Throughout history, no navy has ever been able to survive for long without land-based supplies!"

This statement, though seemingly simple and merely stating a basic fact, was, to the ears of the Fang family's military officers and civilians present—who were well-versed in the ways of survival at sea—a thunderclap, carrying a stark warning.

—You, Fang Guozhen, are indeed formidable at sea, but you are not a true "sea spirit" who can live in the sea. You always need to go ashore to obtain fresh water, food, and supplies, repair warships, and replenish troops.

Once the Red Flag Battalion has taken over Jiangdong and controlled all the coastal prefectures and counties, cutting off your land base, let's see how long you, this "sea dragon who doesn't want to be restrained," can still live so freely.

As the leader, Fang Guozhen could not personally refute this strategic judgment based on facts.

His fourth brother, Fang Guoying, was of a fierce and impulsive nature. Upon hearing this, his face immediately darkened, and he said coldly:

"Hmph! Six years ago, when Third Brother led us brothers in raising an army, the Yuan government thought the same thing! And what was the result? The Yuan army was defeated by Third Brother time and time again! But we brothers grew stronger with each battle, and our fleet of ships grew larger and larger!"

Xia Yu had already anticipated this reaction from the other party, so he wasn't nervous at all. He didn't bother to respond to Fang Guoying's talk about past achievements—that would only lead to pointless arguments.

His expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn't heard Fang Guoying's question, and he continued to state the second layer of meaning of Shishan at his own pace:
Marshal Shi also said, "No merchant can bring wealth, and among all trades, maritime trade is the most profitable. If our Red Flag Battalion wants to establish a new dynasty that surpasses the prosperity of the Han and Tang dynasties, it will certainly be inseparable from a thriving maritime trade."

At this point, Xia Yu paused again to observe Fang Guozhen's reaction.

Fang Guozhen's eyes flickered slightly, clearly these words had touched him. Fang Guozhen knew better than anyone the enormous profits of overseas trade.

Xia Yu knew the time was right, so he mimicked Shi Shan's calm and farsighted tone, extending an olive branch and saying:
"For maritime trade to flourish, a powerful navy is essential! The vast sea frontier cannot be defended without large ships and strong troops. Marshal Shi knows that General Fang is a first-rate hero at sea, well-versed in maritime affairs and skilled in naval warfare."

Fang Guozhen was not alarmed by Shi Shan's self-proclaimed title of "a first-rate hero at sea," but rather by the fact that the "navy" was listed as a separate military force.

Such vision and such ambition are unprecedented!

Seeing the growing eagerness on Fang Guozhen's face, Xia Yu felt reassured and quickened his pace, continuing:
"Marshal and General, cooperation benefits both, while conflict harms both! If the General is willing to safeguard the peace of the sea frontier, when the Red Flag Battalion lays the foundation and establishes a new dynasty, the seal of 'General Fubo' will await you! Marshal Shi is also willing to work with the General to create a prosperous maritime trade era!"

The Yuan court actually attached great importance to maritime trade, but this importance was only reflected in the establishment of the Maritime Trade Office and the collection of commercial taxes from maritime merchants.

Even so, the operation of the Yuan Dynasty's Maritime Trade Office was a mess in recent years, with chaotic management. The nobles monopolized the trade of "official ships" without paying taxes, while they exploited private maritime merchants in every way, resulting in a sharp decline in the tax revenue of the Maritime Trade Office.

During this period, for various reasons, the "sea ban" was issued four times.

In short, the Yuan Dynasty never seriously engaged in maritime trade.

Their mindset has always been limited to collecting taxes and making money, and they are completely unable to understand the deeper truth that "a powerful dynasty cannot exist without healthy and prosperous maritime trade," let alone the strategic understanding that "a thriving maritime trade inevitably leads to a strong navy."

Xia Yu's words, relayed by Shi Shan, demonstrate a maritime vision and governing strategy that transcends the times.

At this moment, Fang Guozhen had to admit that she was indeed somewhat tempted.

If he could join hands with Shishan and work together, one with a vast land base and a powerful army, and the other with a navy and trade network that spans the seas, it would indeed be an excellent combination of complementary advantages and mutual benefit!

Unfortunately… Fang Guozhen sighed inwardly. He was no longer the salt-selling and fish-selling leader who only wanted to accumulate wealth and buy thousands of acres of fertile land to pass on to his descendants.

Over the past six years, he has raised an army several times and accepted the Yuan court's offer of amnesty several times. He has long seen through the corruption and incompetence of the Yuan court and local officials, and has also witnessed too many gentry and powerful figures who appear respectable on the surface but are actually more despicable than him.

He has gone too far down the path of "sea spirit" in the chaotic world. He has become accustomed to an unrestrained and free-for-all lifestyle of plundering, and has also accumulated a huge vested interest group behind him. How easy is it for him to turn back?

He couldn't be a "General Fubo" who obeyed orders, and the interest groups behind him couldn't be satisfied by Shishan at present.

Fang Guozhen closed his eyes, remained silent for a moment, and struggled intensely with his decision. When he opened his eyes again, the fleeting fervor in them had faded, replaced by his usual shrewdness.

Zhang Zishan, who had been carefully observing Fang Guozhen's expression, secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his lord quickly regain his composure, knowing that Fang Guozhen had not been fooled by the "pie in the sky" painted by Shi Shan. He immediately took over the conversation, first feigning praise:

"Xia Caoyuan is indeed eloquent, and Marshal Shi has great foresight. I admire him!"

Immediately, Zhang Zishan's tone shifted abruptly, and the questions became sharp and pragmatic:
"But if I may be frank, the Mongol Yuan dynasty has not yet been destroyed. Although the Red Flag Battalion is brave, it has only captured a small corner of Jiqing Road in Jiangnan. Whether it can successfully take over the entire Jiangdong region is still uncertain, let alone unify the world, which is even more unknown."

While Cao Yuan's vision is certainly enticing, it's ultimately just wishful thinking. I only wish to ask Cao Yuan, what concrete conditions does your Marshal Shi intend to offer to deliver on your promise of 'mutual benefit'?"

(End of this chapter)