Fang Chuning let out a sigh of relief. In truth, he had once thought if he were truly tasked to spy on Ting Feng, why hadn’t he been told a single word? Surely the trust between the Marquis and his father was there.
"It was my small-mindedness," Fang Chuning admitted, his attitude toward recognizing his errors comndable.
"Let’s not speak of the past any longer. Your diplomatic mission to Sannan is of utmost importance. Rember what your father instructed you. Once you head out, the Jiangnan Army will position troops at the border. If anything unusual happens, imdiately send soone to report. There are also covert scouts from the Jiangnan Army stationed within Sannan territory." Marshal Fang handed over a token to Fang Chuning. "This token can be used to mobilize all spies within Sannan. You are not to tell Ting Feng about this—it’s my direct order to you. If the King of Sannan behaves obediently, so be it. But if he tries to keep Ting Feng in Sannan, imdiately send word. The army is right at the border; you don’t need to fear him."
"Understood!" Fang Chuning received the token from Marshal Fang’s hand. This was the first ti Fang Chuning had access to the Jiangnan Army’s core authority. During his few months within the Jiangnan Army, he had never touched its central power. This token symbolized not only Marshal Fang’s authority but his trust.
Fang Chuning stared with a heavy gaze at the token in his hand, feeling the imnse weight of the responsibility it signified. This was his father’s way of affirming him. Besides Fang Chuning, no one else would likely possess this token. Now that it was entrusted to him, it ant the entire Sannan military was under his command. He felt a sense of guilt for having misunderstood his father’s intentions when he was sent to Ningzhou.
"No matter what happens, Ting Feng must be brought back safely."
"I understand." Fang Chuning needed no further instructions. Regardless of the circumstances Ting Feng might encounter, Fang Chuning was determined to bring him ho safely, just as he did in Beiman in the past. "Father, you understand the King of Sannan and their royal family better. Do you think Ting Feng will face danger in Sannan?"
"Without a doubt!" Marshal Fang replied in a deep voice. "The King of Sannan is extrely ambitious. In recent years, he has frequently tested our borders and sent people to infiltrate the Twelve Provinces. Although he colluded with Yuwen Jing, his desire for Jiangnan’s wealth has long been evident. Now, with an ideal opportunity and leverage presented before him, he will not let it slip away."
"Why?" Fang Chuning, unfamiliar with the dynamics of the south, asked. "Sannan has been self-sufficient for so many years, always keeping to itself, paying tribute on ti. The founding King of Sannan even married a Princess of the Yuwen Royal Family. Their bloodline ties them to the Yuwen Royal Family. Sannan is affluent, socially stable, and trades with us without obstruction. The King of Sannan has even supported the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry with provisions. Why would they invade Beining? Isn’t living peacefully better? The Sannan Army isn’t even adept at land combat."
"You’ll understand once you reach Sannan. Sannan enjoys year-round spring-like weather. Their crops are diverse, their grain abundant, their land fertile—they are exceedingly prosperous. The people live in peace and comfort, leading to an explosive growth in population. Over the past thirty years, Sannan’s population has tripled. Their land can no longer accommodate such numbers, and they are eager to expand their territory. They can either go south toward the sea—what lies beyond is an unknown—or west toward peripheral small nations, which are barren and culturally unrefined. Their only option is to expand northward, into Beining. Sannan originally separated from Beining, and now they dare to covet Jiangnan’s thirteen cities. It’s pure delusion. They know Beining will never cede territory willingly. Previously, they colluded with the Beiman, intending to cut off our supply lines. If the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry were defeated by the Beiman, and the Beiman Army invaded, they could simultaneously launch an attack from the south. With threats on both fronts, we would be forced to abandon one. The Beiman are savage and possess formidable combat power, while Sannan is fundantally our brethren. Sannan assus that if war broke out on two fronts, we would negotiate peace with them, surrendering Jiangnan’s lands. But now, with Jiangnan undergoing leadership shifts and their collusion with the Beiman failing, they have only one option left—Ting Feng. The King of Sannan’s rule is illegitimate; he carved his path to the throne through bloodshed and ruthless sches. Though Ting Feng is intelligent, such an old fox should not be underestimated. When you arrive in Sannan, you must exercise extre caution. Ting Feng should establish connections with the priests—they more strongly support the legitimate royal lineage and are not aligned with the Sannan royal family."
"Understood. I will keep this in mind!" Fang Chuning listened attentively and committed the words to mory. Xie Jue’s Ying Yi was already stationed in Sannan, and they would surely provide even more detailed intelligence at the appropriate ti.
Marshal Fang gazed at Fang Chuning’s refined yet resolute features, which reminded him involuntarily of Mrs. Fang. Fang Chuning’s appearance bore a striking resemblance to his mother’s, yet without any effeminate quality. The sight stirred a strange discomfort in Marshal Fang’s heart. Though this son was not the one he had originally hoped for, he had fostered him in his own way since childhood. Yet, they had never been close. Now, having finished discussing Sannan’s affairs, the father and son were left without a single word to exchange.
Fang Chuning also sensed the silence and took the initiative to rise, saying, "It’s late, Father. Please rest early. I’ll take my leave."
Marshal Fang wanted to ask him to stay, but hesitated, unsure of what to say. The estrangent between him and Fang Chuning was so severe that they were less familiar than strangers. Fang Chuning, too, seed unwilling to engage further. Without a backward glance, he exited the tent.
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