"Zhu Zhanjun!"
Fang Bin ground the three characters out through clenched teeth, fury almost bursting from his eyes.
Him again!
Why was it always him?
That damned little pest who wouldn't stay gone!
First he'd ruined Fang Bin's plans in the Eastern Palace, and now he'd crippled his son and demanded an exorbitant five million taels in ransom!
This was simply too much!
"Prepare the sedan! We're going to the Military Command!"
Fang Bin shoved aside the maids and servants in front of him. He didn't even have time to straighten his official robes before storming out in a rage.
He would personally lead men to Tingfeng Pavilion. He wanted to see whether that brat had truly gone mad enough to defy the heavens!
But as soon as he reached the gate, a gust of cold wind blew over him, cooling his rage-clouded mind a little.
No.
He couldn't act so rashly.
Tingfeng Pavilion was Princess Channing's territory.
Zhu Zhanjun was the Imperial Grandson and Prince Zheng.
If Fang Bin stormed over with men from the Military Command, then regardless of who was in the right, he would be the one at a disadvantage in the eyes of the public.
A minister leading troops to attack the property of a princess and an Imperial Prince was no small offense.
Forget rescuing his son; Fang Bin might end up dragged into the mess himself.
Fang Bin stopped and paced back and forth, his expression shifting between dark and bright.
There was no way he would pay five million taels.
This wasn't just about money. It was about face.
He was the dignified Minister of War. If a wet-behind-the-ears brat extorted five million taels from him, how could he ever hold his head up at the Imperial Court again?
But if he didn't pay, his only son would have both legs broken.
That was even more unacceptable!
Fang Bin felt trapped between two impossible choices and paced in a tight circle, frantic with worry.
With his hands behind his back, he walked back and forth across the hall, his mind racing.
He couldn't force his way in, and paying was out of the question.
Should he ask Princess Channing to intercede?
Fang Bin shook his head. Princess Channing had always been close to the Crown Prince's faction, and Zhu Zhanjun was her nephew. It would be a stroke of luck if she didn't take Zhu Zhanjun's side. How could she possibly help Fang Bin?
What could he do? What on earth could he do?
Suddenly, an idea came to him.
His eyes lit up.
That was it! Why did he have to face Zhu Zhanjun head-on himself?
From beginning to end, Zhu Zhanjun was the one abusing his power and acting high-handedly!
He'd privately mobilized heavily armored troops, attacked and injured someone in the capital, illegally detained a relative of a court official, and committed extortion!
Wouldn't any one of those charges be enough to land him in hot water?
If Fang Bin couldn't handle him alone, what about the Civil and Military Officials of the entire court? What about the Emperor, seated high above them all?
An insidious smile curled Fang Bin's lips.
He had thought of a plan.
Redirect the trouble!
Make someone else do the dirty work!
He immediately returned to his study and ordered his steward, "You, go to Shuntian Prefecture at once. Tell them my son, Fang Cheng, was abducted in broad daylight. Have the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture send men immediately to Tingfeng Pavilion and demand his release!"
"Remember, make as much noise as possible! Better yet, make sure everyone in the capital hears about it!"
"Yes!"
The steward hurried off.
"And you," Fang Bin said, pointing to another trusted aide. "Contact my former students and old associates in the Censorate and the Hanlin Academy at once. Have them write memorials tonight!"
"Impeach Prince Zheng Zhu Zhanjun for showing contempt for the law, acting with arrogance and wantonness, setting up a private court in the capital, and beating the family of a court official—as good as treason!"
"Tell them to make it sound as serious as possible! Tomorrow morning, have them all attack him together at court!"
"Understood!"
The trusted aide hurried away as well.
Even after arranging all that, Fang Bin still wasn't satisfied.
He thought it over, then picked up his brush and personally wrote two Secret Letters.
One was for Prince Han Zhu Gaoxu.
The other was for Prince Zhao Zhu Gaosui.
The letters' contents were simple: Fang Bin embellished Zhu Zhanjun's actions that day and laid particular emphasis on the terrifying fighting prowess of his two guards. He hinted that Zhu Zhanjun had secretly kept an elite private army in the capital and harbored treasonous intentions.
Fang Bin was certain Prince Han and Prince Zhao wouldn't pass up such a perfect opportunity to openly suppress Zhu Zhanjun.
By then, Shuntian Prefecture would be demanding the boy's release in public, the court's civil officials would be impeaching him at court, and Prince Han and Prince Zhao would be stoking the flames from behind the scenes.
Three forces would join together to create immense pressure.
Fang Bin refused to believe Zhu Zhanjun could defy the heavens now!
Even with Princess Channing backing him, faced with this storm of public opinion and the laws of the imperial house, he would have to bow his head!
Then Fang Bin wouldn't have to pay a single tael of the five million. He could even turn the tables and slap a grave charge on Zhu Zhanjun, making sure he paid dearly for it!
"Little brat, you're still green when it comes to dealing with me!"
Fang Bin watched as the two Secret Letters were sent off, a triumphant smile on his face.
He smugly lifted his teacup, blew at the tea leaves floating on top, and took a leisurely sip.
He decided he wouldn't go anywhere tonight. He would stay home and quietly wait for the show to begin.
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