Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play-Chapter 924 - 899: Persuasion to Surrender
Fang Chuning encountered Chen Gui in Zhongzhou.
Chen Gui was Fang Chuning’s first friend in Zhongzhou. When he came to Zhongzhou, he was quite disgruntled, having come out of necessity. He knew that Xie Jue wanted him to guard Zhongzhou, and Marshal Fang hoped for the same, to hold a defensive line for the Yuwen Dynasty. It was a gamble on the childhood friendship between Fang Chuning and Xie Jue. But Fang Chuning was caught in the middle, with Xie Jue on one side and his father on the other, with affection on one side and filial piety on the other, all weighing heavily on his shoulders, suffocating him.
Chen Gui was of similar age and shared his interests, quickly bonding with Fang Chuning, introducing him to the young talents of Zhongzhou, a relatively secluded place. From the state mansion to the military leaders, almost everyone was from the Chen Family, the officials were all related by marriage, nepotism was rampant, with the Chen Family being supremely dominant. Chen Gui, the Crown Prince, was Fang Chuning’s key to building a network in Zhongzhou. He quickly integrated into Zhongzhou’s society, thriving and gradually developing his own influence. However, during the Yuwen Dynasty, the Chen Family was still powerful, and Fang Chuning was suppressed, not playing any significant role until Xie Xun ascended to the throne, when Fang Chuning’s influence in Zhongzhou began to show its worth.
It was then that Chen Gui severed ties with Fang Chuning.
To Chen Gui, there was no doubt that Fang Chuning had betrayed him.
Now, Fang Chuning didn’t recognize him. When Chen Gui invited him for a drink, Fang Chuning accepted without refusal. Despite his amnesia, he had not lost his judgment and could clearly sense Chen Gui’s hostility towards him.
"I heard you have amnesia."
Fang Chuning nodded, trusting that Chen Gui wouldn’t dare poison him. This land of Zhongzhou no longer listens to him. His ancestors were almost all gone, and in order to preserve the Chen Family, he had to show loyalty instead of causing harm, as acting like a madman only leads to mutual destruction. Xie Jue was right; all his family was in Zhongzhou, so he dared not do anything reckless.
"I really envy you, losing your memory, forgetting betrayals and friendships at will, having no burden at all, a Great General famed throughout the world lost his memory due to a rebellion, can you really believe that? Fang Chuning, are you pretending to have amnesia to avoid infamy? Faking death to escape, hoping to live a peaceful life after the chaos? You longed for the end of war and stability in the court, so you could resign and travel the world. Now you and Xie Jue have come to Zhongzhou. Is Zhongzhou just a stop in your world travels?" Chen Gui’s words were not sharp but they made one sigh in lament; he used to be someone who commanded universal respect in Zhongzhou, never so downtrodden.
"Mr. Chen, I truly have amnesia. Your story was told to me by Zhou Buyan. Xie Jue and I... forget it, you probably heard about us. You might want to curse me, feel free, I’ve heard many scoldings after my memory loss, one more person scolding me is nothing." Fang Chuning came with Chen Gui to hear what he had to say, hoping to advise him to heed Xie Jue’s words, recalling past friendship, feeling that Xie Jue still cared about this Chen Gui.
"I didn’t understand at that time why you sided with Xie Jue. When Xie Jue came to Zhongzhou to request grain, you hid him in the General Mansion. My father led people to conduct searches; he was clearly in the city, yet you sheltered him. From that moment, you were in cahoots, right? If Xie Jue had been captured then, Xie Xun wouldn’t have had the chance to raise an army. Even if Xie Jue was killed, Xie Xun wouldn’t have dared to mobilize troops to attack Zhongzhou for revenge, as Beiman was menacingly eyeing them. As long as Xie Jue was killed, the stalemate in the court would break instantly, leaving Xie Xun without hope; the Yuwen Dynasty would stabilize. That was a rare opportunity. You’re a Great General who fought in all corners and wouldn’t fail to understand this. Killing Xie Jue would have solved all the problems. Yet you chose to hide Xie Jue, waiting for Xie Xun to come to his rescue. You’re the legitimate eldest son and sole heir of Mr. Fang, yet you sided with the Xie brothers. I was perplexed. Even if childhood friends, no matter how deep the affection, you wouldn’t disregard the family’s honor. Apparently, you’re a foolish monarch who sacrifices everything for love, disregarding loyalty and filial piety for the sake of Xie Jue, abandoning everything for this laughable reason. Fang Chuning, I despised you all my life for sacrificing a prosperous empire for your love." Chen Gui spoke with a fierce resentment, his eyes red with hatred, bitterly recalling letting Fang Chuning go on a whim.
"Firstly, I don’t live for your approval or anyone else’s. Secondly, during the Yuwen Dynasty, the court was unstable, and the citizens suffered immensely from constant war. Open your eyes and look at Beining now; the land is peaceful and the citizens are content. Thirdly, whose prosperous empire did I ruin? This splendid empire still belongs to the people. Even with amnesia, I understand that whoever provides the people with a good life, the people will hold them in high esteem. Xie Xun is a good emperor, proving my choice back then wasn’t wrong." Fang Chuning said, "I chose my own path, and you chose yours. Mr. Chen, I know you are hostile to me. I came to share this drink out of past friendship and advise you not to hold onto obsessions. The Yuwen Dynasty is over. Your ancestors died for loyalty and righteousness, and died with honor. If you want to protect your family, you must choose new loyalty and righteousness. Zhou Buyan said, Zhongzhou was once prosperous with bustling trade, now it is desolate. This was a place loved by your ancestors; don’t give up on it. Xie Xun is a magnanimous emperor; if he can accept even the Beiman, he certainly wouldn’t shut out your Chen Family. Embracing the new dynasty gives you an opportunity. Otherwise, your family will only decline, eventually with no descendants able to serve, cutting off the path for future generations’ stability, all hinging on your decision. Xie Jue sincerely came to negotiate with you; you should also sincerely accept his advice."
"You lose your memory, yet you still side with him? Fang Chuning, you’re truly unsalvageable!"
"You’re wrong. I’m not siding with him but with the people of Beining. I am unlike you. I aspire for a world without war, where the people live in peace, something you won’t comprehend," Fang Chuning said. "You are too selfish. Of course, maybe I am not worthy to tell you this, as I am also quite selfish. I’ve heard countless stories of mine with Xie Jue, and I admit, I must have selfish motives. But my selfishness does not hinder my aspirations. The world I wish for is complete because of my selfishness."
Fang Chuning wouldn’t get angry with Chen Gui, only hoping Xie Jue could resolve the matters in Zhongzhou and move north. He still wanted to visit Ningzhou, so resolving Zhongzhou’s affairs quickly would be ideal!
"I know what I’m doing, but you held your funeral, the world knows about your death. For Xie Jue, are you really planning to live in hiding all your life, willing to be a man scorned?" Chen Gui was filled with disappointed rage. "If you’ve lost your memory, why remain entangled in such a mess?"
"That’s my business; no one else has the right to give their opinion."
