Chapter 68: Sucrose and Plans for the South

As he reached the end of the letter and saw those four words—“I miss you”—Fang Xu couldn't help but let a faint smile curl at the corners of his lips.

“Young master, what did His Majesty say?” Old Wu asked, curiosity lighting his face, for Fang Xu’s expression earlier had been rather deliberate.

“Old Wu, what do you think of our relationship?” Fang Xu replied, placing the paper into the flame, watching it burn to ash, then turned with a smile to meet Old Wu’s gaze.

“Our relationship? Of course, you’re the master, and I’m the servant, right?” Old Wu was clearly puzzled by Fang Xu’s question, but after hearing him out, Fang Xu simply shook his head.

“Old Wu, you should know I’ve never considered you as my servant, nor any of your brothers. To me, you’re all my brothers. Surely you know that?” Fang Xu looked at Old Wu with gravity, and a hint of seriousness appeared on Old Wu’s face.

“Master, has something happened?” Old Wu straightened up, unable to suppress his concern after hearing Fang Xu’s earnest tone.

“Is it those barbaric tribes causing trouble again? Are they planning to make a move against Great Qin?” Old Wu’s demeanor grew fierce, radiating a violent energy. Fang Xu cleared his throat gently.

At the sound, Old Wu reined in his killing intent.

“So, young master, what are we to do now? Since you treat me as a brother, I won’t let you down!” Old Wu looked at Fang Xu with sincerity, and Fang Xu trusted him.

“This time, it’s the local rulers in the South who have grown restless. His Majesty is worried that something more may be brewing.” Fang Xu spoke with a complicated expression, for he sensed this matter might not be as simple as it seemed.

“Those southern lords could just play their little emperors—what are they planning now?” Old Wu, a veteran soldier, knew well that Great Qin faced trouble on two fronts: the barbarian tribes beyond the frontier, and the local rulers to the south.

“It’s hard to say, but I suspect things aren’t as straightforward as they appear.” Fang Xu furrowed his brow, pondering the sequence of events. He doubted the southern rulers would act so recklessly.

If it wasn’t recklessness, then they must have their motives. With that thought, Fang Xu considered another possibility.

“Do you think, young master, the southern rulers might join forces with the northern barbarians? But how could they even make contact?” Old Wu instantly caught Fang Xu’s drift, but was uncertain.

“I haven’t figured that out yet, but I must travel south regardless, there’s no avoiding it. Old Wu, would you be willing to accompany me?” Fang Xu smiled as he posed the question.

Old Wu’s expression grew grave, but he quickly relaxed.

“If you regard me as your brother, then what else is there to say?” Old Wu saluted Fang Xu with a fist; seeing this, the rest of the guards followed suit.

“Good, good! With your protection, I’m reassured. When affairs here are settled, we’ll head south.” Fang Xu said as he composed a letter, sealing it in a bamboo tube, and sent it off to Xianyang with a guard.

When Qiu Chuji returned cradling a jar of fine wine, the guards slipped back into their relaxed poses, Old Wu wore a look of satisfaction.

Gone was the previous hostility—none could tell that everyone present was merely acting.

“The wine is here, brewed personally by the abbot—peach blossom wine.” Qiu Chuji spoke as he unsealed the jar. The scent alone made Old Wu swallow eagerly.

“Are you sure this is alright?” Fang Xu asked Qiu Chuji, a hint of worry in his voice, but Qiu Chuji shook his head.

“You’re renovating the Quanzhen Abbey. I’m sure the abbot would permit me to offer this peach blossom wine in gratitude.” Qiu Chuji replied with a smile, but Fang Xu shook his head gently.

“You’re leaving with me soon; isn’t that reward enough?” Fang Xu murmured, his voice soft, but Qiu Chuji, pouring wine nearby, heard him clearly.

Qiu Chuji blushed, while Old Wu watched Fang Xu and Qiu Chuji with amusement.

“So, young master, will you finally reveal the truth?” Old Wu, savoring the peach blossom wine, felt its warmth spread and looked at Fang Xu curiously.

“Yes! Brother Fang, tell us your plan!” Qiu Chuji set down his wine jar, eager for answers.

With no choice, Fang Xu explained in detail the tasks he’d assigned to Old Wu and the others—the discovery of the strange beast in Longye was entirely his doing.

As for what was written on the beast, Fang Xu had simply told Old Wu to carve whatever came to mind. But why did the villagers seek out the Quanzhen Abbey?

There was one who had nudged the entire village toward this—the only talented clerk in the place, and he had been bought.

Not with money, but when Old Wu and his men revealed their identities, the clerk realized this was his chance.

If he could please Fang Xu, perhaps he’d have boundless prospects—who would want to spend a lifetime in a tiny village?

Thus, the clerk seized the opportunity and followed Fang Xu’s script meticulously. Yet, when he saw the marvels atop the mountain, he couldn’t help but feel a touch of reverence.

“I heard the villagers say the Quanzhen Abbey manifested a miracle—what’s that about?” Qiu Chuji asked, and after Fang Xu explained, Qiu Chuji was amazed at all that had transpired.

Fang Xu found it both amusing and exasperating. The so-called miracle was simply him accidentally triggering a flash grenade last night; how could the villagers know what a flash grenade was?

So, by happenstance, they believed it was a divine sign. As for what made the wild creatures seem to worship, Fang Xu pulled out a sealed jar, handing it to the curious Old Wu and Qiu Chuji.

“Try it, and you’ll understand.” Fang Xu smiled. Old Wu and Qiu Chuji dipped their fingers into the jar, feeling its sticky contents, and paused in surprise.

Fang Xu demonstrated, running his finger through the jar and sucking it clean. Old Wu and Qiu Chuji watched, stunned, as Fang Xu appeared to savor something delicious.

Instinctively, they licked their own fingers.

The moment their fingers touched their lips, both Old Wu and Qiu Chuji’s eyes widened in disbelief as they looked at Fang Xu.

“Why is it so sweet? What is this?” Qiu Chuji asked, blinking in curiosity—clearly, everyone had a sweet tooth.

“This is sugarcane syrup. Sweet, isn’t it?” Fang Xu replied with a smile, but Old Wu and Qiu Chuji barely heard him—the guards around, who had been lounging, now eagerly tried the syrup too.

One by one, happiness bloomed on their faces. They had never tasted anything so sweet, and in this era, honey and sugar were unknown.

“Young master! Is this what you had us make last night?” Old Wu licked his lips and looked at Fang Xu with anticipation.

“That’s right. Last night, I had you boil it to produce sugarcane syrup—not bad, eh?” Fang Xu said, though he knew his question was unnecessary, for no one was paying him any mind at all.