Fang Li

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Fang Li (方礼)
Alias(es)	Commander Fang; “God of Slaughter” 186 489
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Dragon Whale Army
Occupation/Role	Scholar; military commander; administrator of Dragon Whale Army-held territory; enthroned ruler 79 225 727 742
Status	Alive; successfully ascended the throne 742
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background / History

Fang Li is Fang Xuan’s younger brother, initially a thin, scholarly youth of fifteen or sixteen whose features resemble his elder brother’s. After their parents died, Fang Xuan became the family’s protector and personally taught Fang Li the foundations of reading and writing. Though Fang Li trains a horse stance and briefly envies the respect commanded by martial artists, Fang Xuan insists that he pursue scholarship instead of the perilous Jianghu path 2.

Instructor Xun refuses to accept Fang Li as a student or recommend him for the Prefectural Examination because of Fang Xuan’s reputation. Fang Li is beaten by the instructor’s guards after confronting the insult, but he resumes studying with renewed determination after Fang Xuan learns the truth 2. He also protects Fang Lan when ruffians approach their home, preparing to lead the attackers into a trap rather than abandon her 23.

Fang Li leaves Pingjiang County on New Year’s Day to sit the examinations in Prefecture City. Although initially told that he failed, he is announced as the Top Candidate; he receives invitations from the Education Inspector and the Xu Family, while former mockers immediately turn to flattery 43 79.

After Yanzhou falls, Fang Li endures displacement, nearly dies to water bandits, and is rescued by An Yan. Following their reunion with the Dragon Whale Army, he grows from a scholar sheltered by Fang Xuan into its trusted commander 189. By the time of the Hai Province campaigns, the army addresses him as “Commander Fang” and relies on him for military planning, administration, and governance 186 225.

Sikong Jie’s death while protecting Fang Li leaves him grief-stricken and guilty. In response, Fang Li resolves to learn martial arts and avenge the fallen general 272. He later governs territory during Fang Xuan’s absences, directs the Dragon Whale Army’s campaigns, and becomes one of the principal figures behind the Fang family’s expansion 377 482.

Following the fall of the Great Yang Dynasty, Xiao Emperor Li Nan surrenders the Imperial Jade Seal to Fang Li. He subsequently ascends the throne, though he remains focused on ending war and confronting the Fiend threat rather than pursuing conquest for its own sake 727 742.

Appearance

Fang Li begins the story as a pale, thin, scholarly-looking youth with brows resembling Fang Xuan’s. As commander, he is described as clear-complexioned and increasingly composed; prolonged responsibility later leaves him visibly exhausted and unshaven 2 186 584.

• Initially physically slight, but capable of maintaining a trembling horse stance through willpower 2.
• Carries a steady, authoritative bearing after assuming command 308.
• Often studies military reports, maps, and ancient military texts 188 481.

Personality

Fang Li is intelligent, restrained, and deeply conscious of the burden others have borne for him. He admires Fang Xuan and initially treats him with the deference of both an elder brother and parental figure, but he eventually rejects the idea of remaining protected forever 2 189.

He is protective of family and soldiers alike. As a youth, he prepares to defend Fang Lan; as commander, he repeatedly considers civilian safety, troop morale, and the consequences of war beyond immediate victory 23 500 655. His compassion does not prevent decisiveness: he can refuse allies’ demands, conduct brutal psychological warfare, and make difficult strategic withdrawals when necessary 481 489 500.

Fang Li’s confidence is tempered by self-doubt. The loss of Hai Province and An Yan’s injury break him emotionally, revealing that the composed commander still fears he has failed those depending on him 584. He nevertheless returns to his duties and continues to govern under immense pressure.

Abilities & Skills

Scholarship and Administration

Fang Li is an accomplished scholar whose education began under Fang Xuan.

• Achieved Top Candidate status in the Prefectural Examination after passing all three examinations 79 80.
• Manages military accounts and the affairs of Yuqing City after the Dragon Whale Army takes control 225.
• Oversees governance in Hai Province and later Jing Province alongside Sikong Jihuai 613.
• His administration of Jinjiang City is credited with prosperity, order, and refugee relief 583.

Military Strategy

Fang Li is the Dragon Whale Army’s principal strategist and field commander.

• Uses Spider Web intelligence to evaluate enemy commanders and plan the capture of Ancient City 189.
• Maintains detailed terrain maps and directs army meetings from the command tent 188.
• Employs a “Besiege Wei to Rescue Zhao” strategy by targeting Lanqing City to disrupt the Barbarian siege of Ji Province City 482.
• Leads the capture of Lanqing City, provoking the Barbarian army into abandoning its siege and marching north 489.
• Anticipates wider political consequences, including Great Qian’s interference and the need to unify Jing Province’s martial forces 629 633.
• Orders strict discipline: Dragon Whale Army soldiers who harm common people are to be executed 609.

Martial Cultivation

Fang Li has no documented martial realm or named martial technique.

• After Sikong Jie dies protecting him, he declares his intention to learn martial arts and seek vengeance 272.
• He later practices breathing exercises in private, seeking enough strength not to burden Fang Xuan 308.

Relationships

• Fang Xuan — Elder brother, protector, teacher, and eventual partner in ruling and directing the Dragon Whale Army. Fang Li respects him deeply but strives to become someone who can stand independently 2 189 591.
• Fang Lan — Younger sister. Fang Li shares a teasing but protective sibling bond with her and supports her ambitions 23 189 739.
• Zheng An Yan — Wife. She rescued Fang Li from water bandits during his flight from fallen Yanzhou; the two later marry, and her injury becomes one of Fang Li’s greatest emotional burdens 189 265 584.
• Sikong Jihuai — Trusted adviser and collaborator in the Dragon Whale Army’s governance, military planning, and political strategy 265 377 482.
• Sikong Jie — Loyal protector who dies defending Fang Li during an assassination attempt, inspiring Fang Li’s resolve to pursue martial arts 271 272.
• Zhao Yu Ming — Dean of the Azure Sea Cloud Sect. He requests Fang Li’s help relocating the sect to Hai Province, a request Fang Li accepts without hesitation 377.
• Wang Haoze — Tai Xuan Sect Immortal Master who questions Fang Li’s northern campaign; Fang Li explains and wins support for his strategy 481 482.
• Li Nan — The final Xiao Emperor of Great Yang, who surrenders the Imperial Jade Seal to Fang Li as the dynasty falls 727.

Major Campaigns and Governance

Hai Province Command

Fang Li assumes responsibility for Yuqing City after the Dragon Whale Army annexes Hai Province Army forces. He recognizes that conquest is easier than governance and takes charge of accounts, administration, and the integration of newly acquired territory 225.

Defense Against the Barbarians

During the Barbarian invasion, Fang Li personally reinforces PingLiao City, brings livestock to raise defending soldiers’ morale, and treats the southern advance as Hai Province’s highest priority 451. When Ji Province faces collapse, he refuses to commit troops without a viable arrangement, insisting that Hai Province must not sacrifice itself blindly 481.

Lanqing City Offensive

Fang Li redirects the Dragon Whale Army north to seize Lanqing City, cutting the Barbarian supply route rather than directly reinforcing Ji Province City. The operation captures the city and humiliates the enemy by returning boxes of severed noses from the defeated garrison, earning Fang Li the title “God of Slaughter” 482 489.

The resulting Barbarian counterattack ends in a crushing defeat for their 300,000-strong force. Fang Li then refuses to be pressured into retaining Lanqing City, advising Ji Province to evacuate while honoring the Dragon Whale Army’s existing agreements 500.

Jing Province and the Imperial Succession

Fang Li helps stabilize Jing Province after Fang Xuan’s conquest, working with Sikong Jihuai to restore towns and public confidence 613. He later plans to unify Jing Province’s martial world and supports alliances intended to deter Great Qian 629 633.

When Great Yang collapses, he accepts the Imperial Jade Seal from Li Nan and eventually ascends the throne. Even after becoming ruler, he argues that the Nine Provinces cannot know lasting peace while external Fiends remain a threat 727 742.

Notable Quotes

“I don't want to keep hiding behind my brother, just a child who can't do anything.” 189

“The safety of the Nine Provinces is the responsibility of every man. Pass down my decree: negotiate peace with Great Qian.” 742

Trivia

• Fang Li’s confidence in his examination performance is so strong that he immediately suspects an error when told he failed 79.
• His military opponents and allies alike consider him the “soul” of the Dragon Whale Army, contrasting Fang Xuan’s role as its visible martial strength 272.
• Fang Li’s harsh Lanqing City tactics both saved Ji Province from the Barbarian siege and caused officials to fear that Ji Province might eventually “bear the Fang surname” 489.