Chapter 97: Recruitment (Early Dawn)

After all, in Murong Fu’s eyes, there was nothing he could do now. Why did he think so? Because as long as Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian protected Fang Xu here, Murong Fu could not make a move against him. The Murong family could not afford to offend the Zhuge and Shangguan families.

But if the Murong family was the foremost among the four great native land-owning clans, why couldn’t they afford to offend the Zhuge and Shangguan families? It was simply unavoidable. The Zhuge family controlled fertile southern regions like Yingchuan and its counties, wielding financial and material resources far beyond what the Murong family could match.

As for the Shangguan family, their territory was not much smaller than the Murong’s. Yet Shangguan Lian was the only daughter of her generation, showered with endless affection. Anyone who dared provoke her risked the family’s ruthless retaliation—a mad wolf the Murong family preferred not to stir.

This was the root cause of Murong Fu’s sudden spitting of blood and eventual collapse. As for the conclusion, it was naturally spoken by Fang Xu himself.

Fang Xu truly did not expect Murong Fu’s endurance to be so weak, though he was unaware of the underlying reasons. What puzzled Fang Xu was why these two standing before him—according to Murong Fu’s earlier words—had nothing to do with him. Why would they step forward now? Why risk offending Murong Fu for his sake? Did they know his identity? But that was impossible.

After all, only a select few knew that Qin Suwen had chosen him as a consort, and none of them were from the southern commanderies.

“Thank you both for your assistance,” Fang Xu bowed slightly to Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian. If they hadn’t intervened, a bloody disaster might have been about to unfold—something Fang Xu did not wish to see.

“You’re too polite. But I must say, your courage commands my respect,” Zhuge Jun said with a smile. Yet for some reason, the way Zhuge Jun looked at him made Fang Xu feel exposed, as if he were standing naked before him.

“That’s right~ For dear Brother Jun to take interest, you must be quite something~” Shangguan Lian smiled as well, but Fang Xu couldn’t shake the odd feeling their gazes gave him. It was like a weasel visiting a henhouse—there could be no good intentions.

But what could they gain from him? Then it dawned on Fang Xu.

Among the southern commanderies, only a few were truly powerful. Perhaps only General Bai Qi, the governor of Nanyang, was strong enough. But Bai Qi, backed by Qin Suwen and like General Meng Tian, was a loyal servant of the Qin family. He would never betray his liege. That was why Qin Suwen confidently entrusted him and Meng Tian with military power.

If Bai Qi could not be swayed, then among the southern governors of some strength, only Zhang He of Danyang remained. His father was one of the Nine Ministers, the Fengchang, and although Fengchang had little power, its status was significant. More importantly, Zhang He was backed by Elder Zhang. If they could win over Elder Zhang, the balance among the four great clans might shift.

But Zhang He was clearly loyal to the Murong family, and it was unrealistic for Zhuge or Shangguan to try to poach him. Their territories were far from Danyang. If Zhang He accepted an olive branch now, he might end up floating in the river before making a choice.

This was the harsh reality—Danyang was within Murong’s domain, where the Murong family ruled like emperors. Zhang He understood this well and thus refused the benefits offered by the other three clans.

Therefore, Fang Xu concluded that Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian’s intervention was likely an attempt to recruit him. After all, Zhang He had mentioned that only two among the Nine Ministers served as law enforcers in Greater Qin.

One was Elder Yuan, responsible for criminal law in Xianyang City, a loyal servant of Qin Suwen—not someone to be swayed. The other was Fang Xu himself. Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian likely valued not him personally, but the advantages his position as an enforcer could bring.

If that was the case, Fang Xu said nothing. He knew he must not reveal his true identity. If Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian learned he was connected to Qin Suwen, they might not remain on his side. At least for now, they saw him as useful; without that, Fang Xu was certain they would bind him hand and foot and deliver him to Murong for negotiation.

Thinking of that, Fang Xu silently sighed. He had just come south a short while ago and already encountered three leading figures of the four great native clans—and even made an enemy of one.

Truly, fate was unpredictable, wasn’t it?

“Heh, no need for such formality. I wonder what it is about me that earns your such regard?” Fang Xu humbly cupped his fists and spoke.

Zhuge Jun was pleased with Fang Xu’s attitude, especially his respectful demeanor despite being an enforcer—a rare quality in Zhuge’s eyes.

Shangguan Lian felt differently. She looked at Fang Xu with sultry eyes, a slight smile playing on her lips as her delicate fingers toyed with the strands of hair by her temple. She exuded an enticing aura that even Old Wu and Gu Bei behind Fang Xu could not help but feel their hearts skip a beat.

But Fang Xu seemed utterly oblivious, for all his recognition of Shangguan Lian’s undeniable femininity, he dared not entertain any thoughts. Qin Suwen was no fool; if he overstepped, he would surely pay dearly.