Li Fanming continued: "The second minor trouble is the Qing officials in Xiangzhou and the merchants and people controlled by them. Once they take action, Fang Xusheng is not afraid, but Governor Fang is afraid. Since he is an official, he often has to abide by the rules of officialdom, and it is easy to cause trouble for an official. Of course, in my opinion, these are minor troubles and will not damage Fang Yunwen's reputation."
Prefect Yao smiled and said, "Well said, very insightful. You are not influenced by other people's words. At least so far, I don't think anyone can cause big trouble to Fang Xusheng. But, do you think Fang Xusheng will definitely win the Yueyang Tower Literary Contest this time?"
Li Fanming shook his head and said helplessly: "I didn't mention the Zong family or the West Sea Dragon Palace. These two families are really big troubles. So far, except for Mr. Zong Ganyu who said he would come to Yueyang Tower, these two families have not made any statement. The more they say so, the stronger the power will be in the end."
"What do you think Fang Xusheng's chances of winning are?" asked Prefect Yao.
The rest of the Qi people became more and more curious.
Li Fanming sighed softly, and after a few breaths of silence, he said: "Fifty percent."
Prefect Yao nodded slightly, and the scholars in Qi State sighed. Although they all wanted the Yellow Crane Tower to continue to occupy the position of the number one tower in the world, they also did not want to see Fang Yun transported to the Zong family or the West Sea Dragon Palace.
The big rabbit stopped chewing and held the carrot tops listlessly with his head lowered, looking very depressed.
The waves carried everyone to the shore, and after they stood firm, they gathered together again with Prefect Yao as the center.
Governor Yao looked around at everyone, his face turned cold, and he said slowly: "All the literary friends of the 'Zheng Lou Society', who have arrived here today, can only represent themselves, and must not use the official identity of Qi State. Even this governor is only the head of the Zheng Lou Society. Some people may want to become famous today, or have other intentions, but this governor reminds you that today, we are only participating in the dispute between the two buildings. As for the dispute between Fang Xusheng and others, we will never interfere. If anyone interferes recklessly, this governor can't do anything to you, but I don't mind adding a few more words to today's memorial!"
The scholars from Qi State who were present were startled. Prefect Yao said that he did not represent an official capacity, but what he said now was actually a stern warning on behalf of the Qi State officials, warning them not to get involved in a real fight. Otherwise, it would be recorded by Qi State, and they would not be able to be officials in Qi State in the future. They could not be used, and they dared not be used.
"Students understand!" many scholars responded.
Li Fanming was shaking half a carrot that he had taken from the big rabbit, his face cold and his tongue blabbing in a small area.
"I am from Qi, so I will not help Fang Yun in the dispute between the two buildings. But I am also a good friend of Fang Yun. If anyone from our Qi wants to take advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble, it will be equivalent to making me, Li Fanming, lose face in front of my friends. I, Li Fanming, will not only avenge this, but also avenge it greatly."
Now, none of those educated people are smiling and making a fuss.
Some people in Qi felt uncomfortable, but there was nothing they could do. Li Fanming's background was too great, and he only made friends with children from aristocratic families. Ordinary famous families could not get close to him.
Prefect Yao smiled and said, "Mr. Li is a man of integrity. If I were Fang Xusheng's friend, I wouldn't want to see him get into trouble... Well, he got into trouble after all." Prefect Yao reached out to touch the official seal while he was speaking.
"What's going on?" many scholars asked hurriedly.
Li Fanming held the official seal and checked the new letters, but no one mentioned Fang Yun's trouble.
Prefect Yao said, "Do you know about the incident where Hua Qingniang from Yingfang Pavilion paid a visit to Lord Qing? All those brothels of Qingjiang Company were sealed by Fang Xusheng... no, they were sealed by the Xiangzhou government. Now all the people in those brothels have gathered together, holding up the calligraphy 'Duanmu Legacy' bestowed by Lord Qing on Ge Baiwan, and are heading towards the East City Gate. It looks like they are making a big scene. Also, I heard that Ge Yiming seems to be going to meet Fang Xusheng today. Tsk tsk, we haven't even sat down yet, and we can already see a good show. Let's go to the East City Gate!"
"interesting!"
"When will Lord Qing arrive?"
"Let's go, let's go..."
Li Fanming sighed lightly. He had just said that he was worried about the people from Qingjiang Commercial Bank. He did not expect that the other party had already launched the attack in advance. Just the first step caused such a sensation, directly mobilizing three thousand people and Qingjun's calligraphy. He did not know what kind of attack the other party would launch later.
Li Fanming held the official seal and delivered a letter to Fang Yun.
In the governor's mansion, Fang Yun, as usual, used "Water Melody" to form the Moon Gate after breakfast and chatted with Yang Yuhuan from the Holy Academy.
After meeting Yang Yuhuan this morning, Fang Yun decided to pick her up and bring her to Baling City tomorrow. Because of the help of the Grand Secretary of Engineering these days, the Governor's Mansion has been completed long ago, and they will officially move in after the Mid-Autumn Festival.
After bidding farewell to Yang Yuhuan, Fang Yun's official seal kept receiving letters, mostly from officials in Baling City, because today all officials had to send two copies of the letter, one to their direct superior and one to Fang Yun.
Fang Yun was well aware of what was happening in the outside world and would occasionally give advice. However, with the help of experienced officials from Kongcheng, there had been no problems with the literary gathering so far. The only disturbance was when the people from Qingjiang Commercial Bank held Qing Jun's calligraphy and headed towards Dongcheng.
Zhang Longxiang's official seal was also very popular. Various people sent letters one after another. The Lei family and the Zong family gave many instructions. They were extremely eager to know Zhang Longxiang's whereabouts, but Fang Yun's reply was only one sentence, that he would arrive when the literary meeting was held.
These words made those people very angry, but today they did not dare to curse Zhang Longxiang. No matter whether they were great scholars or great scholars, they could only swallow their anger.
"Your Excellency the Governor, Mr. Ge Yiming requests to see you." A guard shouted outside the study.
"Yeah." Fang Yun just agreed softly without saying anything.
The guard had been working in the government office for a long time, so he understood what he meant. He said, "Excuse me," and then walked to the gate of the temporary governor's office. He smiled at a young man in his thirties and said, "The governor is busy. If you have time, you may wait a little longer."
The man had a fair complexion, a straight body, and was quite imposing. He smiled and didn't care at all. He nodded gently and said, "Thank you for your help. Since Fang Xusheng is busy, I will stand at the door and wait."
Standing next to him was an elderly Jinshi, who was Huo Long, the Tongzhi of Baling Prefecture.
Huo Long looked embarrassed and whispered, "Master Ge, there are many things to do today. I am afraid I cannot stay here all the time."
Ge Yiming said: "Well, Huo Tongzhi, you go ahead and do your work. It's okay for me to wait here alone."
"Then I'll take my leave. If you need anything, send me a letter."
Ge Yiming watched Huo Long leave, then turned and looked towards the courtyard of the Governor's Office. Seeing people coming and going inside, he said nothing, took out his official seal, and went to the discussion board to read the articles and comments.
After half an hour, a scholar walked out of the courtyard and asked, "Is Mr. Ge Yiming here?"
"Yes." Ge Yiming responded quickly.
The official nodded slightly and said, "I will take you to see my governor."
"Thank you!" Ge Yiming raised his leg and followed, with a faint smile on the corner of his mouth.
.(~^~)