Chapter 2, Fang Taisui

Mother Fang Luoshi, aside from indulging her son Fang Zheng, has the most important task of managing Fang Zheng's father. Considering that Master Fang has been married for thirty years without taking a concubine, it is evident that Mother's achievements in her work are quite remarkable

Fang Zheng instinctively shrank his neck, suddenly realizing that apart from himself, no one else could help him bear this unjust blame. How unfair it was! He certainly could not tell Master Fang, "That is your son's matter, it has nothing to do with me, you should look for him."

This dynasty is called the Hua Dynasty, the current sovereign's surname is Zhou, and the current era name is the twelfth year of Jianwu, have you not heard of it?

Later, Fang Zheng inquired and discovered that history seemed to have taken a wrong turn, with the divergence occurring during the Chu-Han contention. At that time, the Overlord of Chu, Xiang Yu, was already surrounded by enemies at the banks of the Wu River, contemplating suicide by sword. Just then, his beloved steed, Wu Zhu, displayed its prowess, raising its elegant hind hooves and kicking the Overlord into the river. Subsequently, Xiang Yu was rescued by his subordinates, returned to Jiangdong, and began to recruit troops anew. After several years, he finally defeated Liu Bang and established the Chu Dynasty. His beloved steed, Wu Zhu, displayed its prowess, raising its elegant hind hooves and kicking the Overlord into the river. Subsequently, Xiang Yu was rescued by his subordinates, returned to Jiangdong, and began to recruit troops anew. After several years, he finally defeated Liu Bang and established the Chu Dynasty

Interestingly, the name of that dandy young master is also Fang Zheng. Is this a coincidence of fate? Thus, the reason for Fang Zheng's crossing over is likely clear: it is akin to a postman delivering a letter to the wrong address, arriving at the home of someone with the same name. The probability is very low, but it is not impossible.

Young Master Fang has been lying in bed for over a month, remaining in a coma—essentially a so-called vegetative state in later generations. If Fang Zheng had not occupied his body, he would have passed away within three days. From this perspective, Fang Zheng actually saved him

Fang Zheng originally thought he had traveled through time, relying on the historical knowledge accumulated over a thousand or several hundred years compared to ancient people. He believed he could foresee events, avoid misfortune, casually display his might, and exude an air of authority. High official positions and wealth would be easily within reach, beautiful wives and concubines would come at his beck and call, and in moments of excitement, he could even kick the emperor and the books aside, taking the throne for himself to indulge in the pleasures of being an emperor.

As soon as the words were spoken, Mrs. Fang's voice could be heard from afar: "Xiao Lu, go and have someone dismantle the fence surrounding this courtyard. It's a good family, yet Zheng'er insists on living alone in this small courtyard, surrounded by a fence. Those who don't know might think we've locked our son up."

The current era is not the Tang, Song, Yuan, or Ming dynasties that Fang Zheng was familiar with in his past life; it is fundamentally an unknown world

The child has met the father and mother. Fang Zheng respectfully bowed and saluted, adhering to local customs. Since he had arrived, he should adapt well to this society. The ways of speaking and the etiquette of ancient people are all essential to learn

Master Fang actually enforced strict discipline; every time Young Master Fang got into trouble, he would receive a severe beating. However, this Young Master Fang—who was the previous owner of Fang Zheng's body—seemed to be going through a rebellious phase. The more he was beaten, the more defiant he became. He had figured out his father's temperament; being the only heir of the Fang family, he knew that even if he was beaten, his life would not be in danger. Fang Zheng admired this aspect of him; this kid was quite ruthless! If I had his fearless spirit of 'being willing to risk everything,' wouldn't I have already been admitted to Peking University or Tsinghua University?

Master Fang and his wife exchanged astonished glances. The words and actions displayed by Fang Zheng after waking were markedly different from his usual demeanor, and now there was an additional matter to consider. To be honest, Master Fang had not seen his son respectfully pay his respects to him for many years.

"What a scoundrel! I'm asking you a question, where are you looking?" After a long time without a response from Fang Zheng, Master Fang looked down and saw Fang Zheng gazing up at the sky with a curious expression, which made him furious.

"My son is still ill, no need for formalities, get up quickly." Mother Fang smiled gently as she helped Fang Zheng to his feet. No matter how she looked at her own son, he was always pleasing to her eyes. The saying goes, 'A doting mother raises a wayward son,' and this is indeed true. Young Master Fang's extravagant and reckless nature is precisely the result of the indulgence from this loving mother.

"Go to hell!" Lady Fang gently pushed the master and reproached, "Is this how you talk about our son? Isn't it good that he is being sensible? Do you want it to be like before, where the two of you would get red-faced and shout at each other just to see who could raise their voice the loudest, and only then would you be happy?"

Fang Zheng had never heard of it either. As a university student majoring in Chinese, he had spent over a decade studying diligently, yet he had no idea that there was something called the "Hua Dynasty" in Chinese history.

Master Fang cleared his throat and said, "Your health should be better now, right?" Although it was a question, Master Fang did not even glance at his son as he spoke, his eyes fixed disdainfully on the sky.

For this reason, Fang Zheng, at eighteen, has yet to marry; no one is willing to send their daughter into the fire pit. Others say that Fang Zheng has a fate that brings misfortune to his wife, and any daughter who marries him is sure to live less than six months. You say that people in ancient times revered Confucianism, yet their words are so venomous

Fang Zheng reluctantly said: "Father, I acknowledge my mistake. I was momentarily confused and will not dare to commit such an error again in the future"

It is evident that Mrs. Fang is a naive optimist; as long as her son changes for the better, she does not wish to contemplate the reasons behind it

The atmosphere in the hall momentarily fell into silence, as Master Fang and his wife exchanged a glance, both seeing disbelief reflected in each other's eyes

Fang Zheng currently resides in a rather remote location, which is related to his previous identity. His former self was quite an extraordinary figure. Before his crossing, when outsiders mentioned the Fang family business in the capital, they did not first speak of the formidable Master Fang of the business world, but rather of his precious son.

He followed Master Fang's gaze upward and saw several carved red and green beams above his head. Could it be that there are acquaintances of his father on the beams?

It is truly strange, a complete change in temperament, leaving this old man perplexed. Do you think that he and the bookish Zheng'er have been possessed by something?" Master Fang remained in a state of shock

Fang Zheng had no choice but to respectfully admit his mistakes once again: "I was ignorant in the past and made many errors. I ask for my parents' forgiveness, and I will not dare to do so again in the future"

As for Fang Zheng's small courtyard, it was a product of the discord between father and son. One time, after a particularly severe beating from his father, the young master Fang, in a fit of anger, moved to this remote place, far from domestic violence. He even surrounded it with a fence to protest against his father, who had a penchant for violence. Although the small courtyard was still part of the Fang residence, it had a sense of "unaware of the Han, indifferent to the Wei and Jin dynasties." However, just a few days after moving in, the young master Fang fell into a coma. Although the small courtyard was still part of the Fang residence, it had a sense of "unaware of the Han, indifferent to the Wei and Jin dynasties." However, just a few days after moving in, the young master Fang fell into a coma.

Fang Zheng, now eighteen years old, is the only descendant of the Fang family in this generation. However, Old Master Fang has never held him in high regard. This is largely due to the fact that the good-for-nothing young scion has been exceedingly unruly. Since childhood, he has enjoyed a life of privilege, indulging in every whim, which has fostered his incorrigible and dissipated nature. From the age of fifteen or sixteen, he has led a carefree life, parading through the streets with his lackeys, harassing respectable women, earning him the nickname "Fang Tai Sui".

The old man lost his horse; how could one know it is not a blessing? This incident of hitting the head is distinctly different from not hitting it at all. In terms of character, the former has clearly achieved a form of elevation.

This is great; all the historical knowledge learned before has become worthless, and not a bit of it is useful. The so-called "prophecy" is even more absurd; Fang Zheng is now living in a state of confusion worse than that of ancient people.

Fang Zheng felt a bit intimidated by his father deep down. The former Young Master Fang was a ruthless person, unafraid of any challenges, and Fang Zheng did not dare to push the limits of survival. He cautiously raised his eyes and, seeing that his father had no reaction, carefully straightened up.

Outside the door came the clear cough of Master Fang. A few days ago, when Fang Zheng woke up, the expression of ecstatic joy on his face had now completely vanished. Now, even standing outside the door, he seemed a bit reluctant to enter. It was only when Madam Fang playfully urged him from outside with a strong push that Master Fang finally took the opportunity to step down, entering the room gracefully and taking his seat.

"Ahem, you should return to your room and reflect properly. I will speak with you again tonight," Master Fang broke the silence, waving his hand at Fang Zheng to send him back to his room. He had intended for a fierce confrontation between father and son today, but it unexpectedly ended abruptly.

The facts are indisputable; since one is associated with this debauched young man, regardless of whether one is personally responsible, the consequences must be borne by oneself

Master Fang paid no attention to his wife; he remained deep in thought. After a while, he nodded and said, "There may be a trick involved; this young man is rather cunning." Master Fang solemnly reached his conclusion

In the following centuries, dynasties rose and fell, with one founding emperor after another taking the stage in succession. A century ago, the Hua Dynasty unified the Central Plains, having been passed down for more than ten generations

In recent days, Fang Zheng finally realized that the woman who had been holding him and crying was his mother, and the man who was manipulating his head to inspect him was his father, the head of the Fang family, named Fang Cunyi. He was the wealthiest merchant in the capital city of Jinling, with his business spread throughout the entire Jiangnan region. To say he was as rich as a nation might be an exaggeration, but to claim he was the wealthiest in the area would not be an overstatement. If placed in modern times, he would undoubtedly be someone who could make it onto the Forbes billionaire list

Look, how absurd history is; every change occurs simply because a beast, whether intentionally or unintentionally, stumbled, causing the wheels of history to take a sharp turn

It must be said that this nickname is quite fitting. The misdeeds of this debauched young man during his lifetime are truly "too numerous to record." He is nothing short of a typical spendthrift, indulging in drinking, gambling, and all manner of vice. Neighbors and locals would avoid him at all costs, and even the servants in the household have suffered greatly at his hands. He was involved in all sorts of wrongdoing, including coercing women into prostitution, lending money at exorbitant interest rates, organizing street thugs, and extorting businesses. The accumulation of these vile acts would have warranted a death sentence, and the authorities likely spared him due to his wealthy father.

Indeed, my lord, in the past, Zheng was never like this. When has he ever admitted his mistakes? Moreover, he is so respectful now.

Fang Zheng looked around in confusion, who is father talking to?

What did you just say? Master Fang had no choice but to "wait for the oil to dry," and there is a reason for this. Throughout the Fang residence, from the master and mistress down to the dog, everyone knows that the likelihood of this young master Fang taking the initiative to admit his mistake is practically as rare as a rooster laying an egg or the sun setting in the west.

Fang Zheng quickly lowered his head and said: "Replying to my esteemed father, my health has improved significantly."

I heard that you were hurt due to jealousy over someone else in a brothel" Lord Fang's words were somewhat sinister, and a hint of cold laughter lingered at the corner of his mouth

Something is wrong, and here comes trouble. Today, it seems that the visitor does not come with good intentions. A few days ago, due to recuperation, this matter was not brought up, but today, my father first asked if he was feeling better, which seems to carry significant meaning. If he is well, my father might play a little game with me called "resilience against blows." ... As for the outcome of the game, it will inevitably be that my father leaves satisfied, while I, Fang Zheng, will be left on the brink of collapse, waiting for the doctor to rescue me

Why is Young Master Fang in a coma? It is also due to his temperament. In a brothel, he quarreled with a certain dandy over a favored courtesan, and during the scuffle, he accidentally fell from the second floor, hitting his head on the ground. This is quite reminiscent of the boldness of "charging into battle for the sake of a beauty." The momentum was indeed sufficient, but unfortunately, his skills were lacking, resulting in a case of "setting out on a campaign only to meet an untimely end."

Madam, did you hear that? Zheng'er... what is wrong with Zheng'er?" Once Fang Zheng had walked away, Master Fang eagerly began to discuss with his wife.

"Young Master, the Master and Madam have arrived," Xiao Lu said in a calm tone