Fang Yun had the habit of reading the rankings every morning. After breakfast, he would lie down lazily on the recliner in the spring garden. He planned to stay in the capital for a few days and teach the monarch while he was at it. Then he would go to Baling to take over the affairs of Xiangzhou.
Yang Yuhuan and Nunu were both at the Notre-Dame. After Fang Yun settled down in Baling, he would bring them over.
Fang Yun quickly browsed through the rankings. He finished reading the ones he was interested in or thought were worth reading. He skipped the ones he wasn't interested in.
Soon, Fang Yun found three articles talking about what had happened in Taihe Prefecture today.
The first article was about a high scholar from Mingxin Academy. He complained that the Taihe Prefecture's magistrate had arrested the members of the Renaissance Society who protested against Gyeongo without a thorough investigation.
The first reply under the article mocked the members of the Renaissance Society, pointing out that all of them had participated in the smashing and looting. They had even burned down an academy. They didn't deserve to be called heroes. They deserved to be called bandits of Xiangzhou.
Scholars from other countries were influenced by the first reply. They followed suit and mocked the members of the Renaissance Society. They believed that they could protest and spread propaganda, but they shouldn't have smashed and looted. This was because the ones who were hurt were their compatriots of Xiangzhou. Those who claimed to be protecting Xiangzhou but were actually harming the people of Xiangzhou were all bandits of Xiangzhou.
Fang Yun instinctively felt that the first reply was a bit strange. The reply was very quick. It seemed to have been waiting for this article.
Fang Yun looked at the name carefully. He suddenly understood. Fang Yun clearly remembered that this person was among the people who attacked him and praised Zhang Longxiang.
The second article about Taihe Prefecture was also written by someone from Xiangzhou. He angrily cursed the members of the Renaissance Society. He listed how many shops were damaged and how many people were injured by the smashing and looting incident.
Only a few people under the article were clear-headed. They believed that this was the scum of the people of Xiangzhou. The people who smashed and looted might not be heroes. It was very likely that some hooligans took the opportunity to vent their dissatisfaction. They couldn't deny that all of the people of Xiangzhou who opposed Gyeongo were from Xiangzhou.
However, those few sober voices were quickly drowned out by the wave of ridicule and attacks. Most people were mocking the Xiangzhou warriors, and even deliberately slandering all those who opposed Gyeongo and supported Jingguo as Xiangzhou thieves.
Once the term "Xiang Province's thief" was mentioned, some of the originally neutral and clear-headed people suddenly stopped defending the people of Xiang Province, afraid that they would be called Xiang Province's thief.
In the replies to these two articles, the term "Xiangzhou Bandits" was repeatedly used. Fang Yun vaguely felt that the ordinary scholars would definitely be influenced by it. They would gradually believe that all the heroes of Xiangzhou were Xiangzhou Bandits and would no longer dare to speak up for Jingguo. It might even cause more people to hate Jingguo.
This was not the first time the Xiangzhou bandits had appeared today. A few days ago, after the smashing and looting incident in Xiangzhou, there were already people who called them anti-Gongo Gyeongo people.
The third article called on the people of Xiangzhou not to use barbaric methods to fight. At the same time, it demanded that the identity of the people who had been smashing and looting be strictly investigated and that the mastermind behind the scenes be caught. Because this article did not have any extreme viewpoints, nor did it contain any sensational incidents, it was full of reason and peace, so not many people read it. With no one replying, this article slowly sank to the bottom.
"There's nothing new under the sun." Fang Yun smiled coldly.
Fang Yun waited for another fifteen minutes. Finally, he could not sit still any longer. He did not even plan to go to the Imperial Palace. He directly sent an urgent letter to Dong Wencong, who was both a teacher and a friend.
"Dong Wencong, I thought you would send me an urgent letter this morning."
Only three breaths later, Dong Wencong's letter flew over.
"I'm panicking. I wonder what has alarmed the Governor." Dong Wencong's words were filled with doubt and unease. After all, Fang Yun had actually addressed him by his official title and referred to himself as "this official." Based on their relationship, something extremely important must have happened.
"Have you heard about the incident at Taihe Manor?" asked Fang Yun.
"The prefectural magistrate, Yan Wu, and the county magistrate, Lu Ming, reported one after another. Yan Wu said that a group of people were arrested in Xiangzhou a few days ago. Today, in order to take revenge on the authorities, the Renaissance Society did the same thing again. Lu Ming's report was somewhat vague. His words seemed to say that he did not know the inside story. It was Yan Wu who asked him to handle the case. He said he wanted to investigate the case carefully. This is not a major case. I don't think it's necessary to send a letter to you, let alone an urgent one. "
Fang Yun snorted coldly and continued to send the letter.
"I'll use Shuidiao Getou to meet you at the moon gate. Send the others away."
"Please wait a moment."
Not long after, Fang Yun began writing Shuidiao Getou. After writing "Sharing the beauty of a thousand miles", he changed the original "Sharing the jade ring" to "Sharing the beauty of a thousand miles".
A transparent crescent moon gate appeared in front of him. Dong Wencong was bowing inside with his hands folded.
"Greetings, Governor."
Fang Yun did not say anything. He stepped into the moon gate and his body transformed into a translucent body of moonlight. In an instant, he traversed tens of thousands of miles and arrived at the back hall of the provincial magistrate's office in Baling Prefecture of Xiangzhou.
Fang Yun looked around the empty room. He stood in front of Dong Wencong and asked expressionlessly, "A few days ago, due to the issue of irrigation at the border between Xiangzhou and Xizhou, a few villagers fought over water, resulting in a murder case. This caused tension between the two prefectures. Gyeongo suddenly increased the number of troops stationed at the border of Xiangzhou. How did you and Governor Fang handle this? "
Governor Fang was the governor of Xiangzhou, Fang Shouye. He was in charge of military affairs in Xiangzhou.
However, Dong Wencong did not dare to raise his head. He kept his head slightly lowered, and only after quite a while did he raise it again. He said seriously, "At the time, you were in seclusion. The Left Minister sent three letters in a row, telling the soldiers of Xiangzhou to remain calm and not provoke us, so as to avoid conflict between the two countries. Governor Fang and I held back our troops. However, a few of the generals in the army were dissatisfied. With no other choice, I discussed with Governor Fang. Since we couldn't directly take action, we could only take action in a roundabout way. As a result, we arranged for a few officials to secretly gather some commoners in Baling Prefecture, creating a scene of agitation and pressure on Gyeongo. "
"And then?" asked Fang Yun.
"We achieved our goal of pressuring Gyeongo. They withdrew their troops," said Dong Wencong.
"Oh? That's not what I heard. I heard that when the commoners gathered, some people suddenly went crazy and smashed Gyeongo's shops and goods. "
Dong Wencong thought quickly, but he still said, "You're talking about that? It's not a big deal. Those people who smashed and looted were all local ruffians who had nothing better to do. We arrested a few of them, and the matter was settled."
Fang Yun's face suddenly turned ashen. He said coldly, "Magistrate Dong, you're very lucky. If I hadn't used the Moon Gate to get here and had been in Xiangzhou instead, I would definitely have smashed the inkstone in your face!"
The inkstone turtle on the table outside the Moon Gate scampered off, falling off the table with a clang.
Dong Wencong stared at Fang Yun in shock. He knew Fang Yun's temper very well. He had almost never gotten angry at friends or acquaintances. Even if he did get angry, it was because of the barbarians, the Left Minister, or people who opposed him.
A shadow flashed through Dong Wencong's eyes. Could it be that after becoming governor, Fang Yun wanted to suppress his subordinates and strengthen his authority, so he was nitpicking?
"Governor, I … don't understand." Dong Wencong bowed slightly with his head lowered. His attitude was sincere.
Fang Yun's expression softened. He asked, "You've been an official for many years. Can't you see that those ruffians weren't gathered by your subordinates? Someone got the news and deliberately mixed it in!"
Dong Wencong hurriedly said, "I've also discussed this matter with Governor Fang. However, it's difficult to investigate this matter, and it's not an important matter. In addition, the Left Minister's party and the Qing officials in Xiangzhou obstructed us, so we let it go."
"You're all muddle-headed …" Fang Yun sighed deeply.
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