Although he knew Situ Yan had long since returned to his ancestral clan, Fu Chuan was too far from the capital, and coupled with the admiration of the people in Jiangnan for Situ Yan, Fu Chuan's impression of Situ Yan remained as it was a long time ago. Upon hearing this, he was astonished, "How is that possible? Prince Rui's foundation is shallow, and he was recognized as a prince halfway through. What can he use to contend with the Crown Prince?"
"Alas, with the Emperor's support, those things become less important."
Fu Chuan looked around and pulled him, "Don't say this outside. Come, brother will take you home first."
"Aren't you going to show me around the garrison?"
"A bunch of crude fellows, what's there to see, unless you want to spar with them."
"Another day. I'm dead tired from the journey these past two days. Big brother, you don't live in the garrison."
"I'm not used to it." Fu Chuan, after all, was a young master raised delicately in the capital. He couldn't handle the rough life in the garrison, so he had bought a separate residence in Yangzhou long ago. Although he hadn't taken a concubine, he had two maids who served him.
The two rode back to the city at full speed. The maids, upon hearing that the commander's younger brother had arrived, quickly brewed tea and had the most beautiful one deliver it. Unfortunately, Fu Yu had something on his mind, and the maid's seductive glances were lost on him.
Fu Chuan took two jars of good wine and ordered the kitchen to prepare more dishes. He also got two bottles of Hua Diao wine and said enthusiastically, "This is brewed by the winery under the Princess Rui's name. I think the taste is quite good. Second brother, you should try some too."
"Big brother, aren't you indirectly helping your political rival make money?"
Fu Chuan feigned innocence, "Before you came, big brother didn't know Prince Rui was our family's political rival. To be honest, Prince Rui has an excellent reputation in the Jiangnan region. So many people are grateful for his kindness, especially those cities that were captured by the Japanese pirates and then recaptured by him. Many families worship his memorial tablets for longevity."
Fu Yu was stunned, "...That exaggerated?"
"Alas, that's the trouble caused by those Japanese pirates. Our brothers have also been on the battlefield. Aren't the Southern barbarians fierce? But compared to those Japanese pirates, they are practically paragons of gentlemen."
"Big brother, why does it feel like you quite admire Prince Rui when you say this?"
"In the entire Jiangnan, who doesn't admire him? To be a general to this extent, one can die without regret."
Fu Yu suddenly felt that the task his father had given him was a bit precarious, "Big brother, you're not thinking of supporting him to ascend the throne, are you?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I know who is closer and who is further. However, I am far away in Jiangnan, and even if I wanted to get involved in the succession struggle, I couldn't. You and father should worry about it. Big brother's only wish now is to drive these Japanese pirates out of Da Yin and restore peace to Jiangnan. This way, Jiangnan merchant ships can also resume their former prosperity as soon as possible. You don't know how much the fiscal revenue of Jiangnan has decreased in the past few years due to this war."
Fu Yu, "...Since when did big brother start caring about money, that worldly possession?"
"Without money, one cannot move an inch. I heard that Prince Rui used to support his army through warfare. But those Japanese pirates seem to be afraid of being robbed. Every time they manage to reach the Japanese pirates' lair, they find that there aren't many good things left. I don't know where they hide them, sigh. The army says Prince Rui has a talent for attracting wealth, and they miss him terribly."
Big brother, you probably haven't realized how much admiration is in your tone when you talk about Prince Rui.
As for not, hasn't he defended Jiangnan and fought the Japanese pirates? It's as if he couldn't fight this war if someone else were there. Big brother has been guarding here for several years and has done a good job.
Fu Yu thought so and felt that his big brother was really making a fuss over nothing. However, considering that the brothers hadn't seen each other for years and were a bit estranged, he decided to lay the groundwork first before getting to the main point.
Thus, the brothers drank and talked, and for a time, they were quite harmonious.
The wine drinking lasted from dusk till late at night.
The brothers mainly chatted, with drinking being secondary. Therefore, although they were slightly tipsy, they were still quite clear-headed. Fu Yu felt that the connection had been re-established and found an opportunity to get to the point, "Big brother, actually, younger brother came this time because father has something to convey."
"What matter requires you to make this trip personally?"
"He wouldn't feel at ease with anyone else."
"Burp." Fu Chuan hiccuped, "Go ahead and say it, brother is listening."
"Then younger brother will say it. Father wants you to..."
Before he could finish, a horn sound suddenly rang out from outside. Fu Chuan shot up from his seat, wobbling slightly from standing up too quickly, but this did not affect the speed at which he grabbed his spear. At the same time, his servant ran over with his armor and helmet.
To Fu Yu's dumbfounded gaze, Fu Chuan quickly put on his armor, grabbed his long spear, and said, "Damn it, I knew these Japanese pirates wouldn't stay quiet. Let's go, second brother, big brother will take you to meet them."
Fu Yu: ......