Fang Zhongping said, "In my view, we can't afford to get bogged down in a drawn-out fight. We need to end this quickly and solve the problem at its root.
"I've already begun making plans. It won't be long before we see results."
Xu Hongsheng was overjoyed. "Having Zhongping is worth more than having ten Xue Xiangs. When I ascend to the throne, the Grand Censor's post will belong to Zhongping and no one else."
Fang Zhongping clasped his hands in a salute. "I will not fail Your Majesty's expectations."
Xu Yi drank through the night at Li Tieya's place. Early the next morning, a palace eunuch came from Fuling Palace to summon him, and Li Tieya volunteered to go with him.
As it happened, Fuling Palace was where Chen Fanghai had his Daoist grounds, and Li Tieya had been there many times.
When Xu Yi and Li Tieya arrived, Chen Fanghai was already waiting in the central hall. Several immortal officials were there as well. Li Tieya sent Xu Yi a message, introducing them as a group of senior officials from Tong'an Prefecture and Jingcheng Prefecture, both close to Chen Fanghai.
Xu Yi and Li Tieya had only just reached the hall when Chen Fanghai came out to greet them from afar, beaming. He stepped forward, took Xu Yi by the arm, and said, "Lately, I've gained a number of excellent men, Tieya among them, and I'm very pleased. But if I had to say what pleased me most, it would be today.
"Tieya, don't be offended by what I'm about to say."
Li Tieya laughed. "Xue Xiang and I are close friends. Palace Elder thinks highly of him, and Old Li gets to bask in the glory too. Why would I be offended?
"I'm only wondering what