The night was deep, and lying in bed, Fang Er found himself unable to sleep.
He tossed and turned until dawn.
Hearing the crowing of roosters outside, Fang Er pushed open his door and walked out.
Xiao Huan and Xiao Mi were already preparing breakfast. Seeing Fang Er emerge, they hurried to get his washing supplies.
After a cursory tidy-up, Fang Er went to the gatehouse to wake Su Feng.
"Go, call Zhao Gang, Qi Sui, and Liu Meng."
Noticing Fang Er's dark circles, Su Feng bowed and then opened the main gate to summon the men.
By the time Xiao Huan and Xiao Mi finished preparing breakfast, Zhao Gang and the other two had arrived at the Fang residence.
"Your Highness, what are your orders?"
Fang Er gestured to a chair in front of him. "Sit down and let's talk."
After the three were seated, Fang Er continued, "Last time, and including this time, hundreds of brothers have sacrificed their lives.
This Marquis intends to build a memorial hall at the site where they are buried, to honor these fallen brothers.
Liu Meng and Qi Sui were very excited upon hearing this, but Fang Er gestured for them to calm down.
"Outside the memorial hall, a stone monument will be erected, with their names carved upon it. This is their honor and the treatment they deserve."
Saying this, Fang Er turned to look at Xiao Huan, who was busy nearby. "Huan'er, go fetch some paper and a brush."
"Yes, Young Master."
Xiao Huan heard him and went into the house to retrieve the paper and brush.
Fang Er took them and placed them on the table. He picked up a pencil and began to sketch and write on the paper.
"Furthermore, we will issue a badge to their families, inscribed with 'Family of a Martyr'. Those who hold this badge will receive a three-point preferential treatment at the workshop from now on."
"In addition to these, we will also create a set of military merit badges, divided into four ranks and ten grades. This will be the honor for the living soldiers."
The three men stood up and moved closer to Fang Er, listening to him speak while observing the sketches he casually drew on the paper.
The designs were drawn in great detail, with notations for the size of the badges and their color schemes.
There was also a design for a stone monument, on which Fang Er had written a few words: "Monument to the Heroes of Skyfire."
After finishing the drawings, he handed them over to Zhao Gang.
"The matter of cotton can be put aside for now. Prioritize the construction of the memorial hall and the stone monument as quickly as possible."
"I will have someone send you the inscription later."
"Zhao Gang, you go and start on this immediately. Liu Meng, Qi Sui, the two of you return and compile the merits of the soldiers, and come up with a plan."
"When the memorial hall is completed, the sacrifices and the commendations will be carried out together."
The three men stood up, bowed to Fang Er, and then left the Fang residence.
Fang Er, meanwhile, sat in the courtyard, contemplating which historical figure from the early Tang Dynasty had the most beautiful calligraphy.
This was an internal monument for the Skyfire Army. It felt inappropriate to ask Li Shimin to write it, not because the Skyfire Army lacked the qualifications, but because even the armies of the Great Tang did not receive such treatment.
"Early Tang Dynasty, calligraphy."
"Got it, Ouyang Xun! This person is currently serving in the Secretariat, and is a scholar of the Hongwen Hall."
With a candidate in mind, Fang Er patted himself on the backside and left his home.
Riding his beloved motorcycle, he sped along and steadily stopped outside Shunyi Gate.
He presented his identification as the Marquis of Liaodong, explained his purpose, and a guard led the way for him.
The Secretariat and the Hongwen Hall were the daily workplaces of Li Shimin's advisors.
The eighteen scholars from the time of the Prince of Qin were all serving here, identifying and rectifying flaws in Li Shimin's policies. Fang Xuanling was among them, though he still held a position in the Ministry of Revenue and was therefore not a constant presence.
Upon reaching the entrance, the guard first went in to announce his arrival, and only then was Fang Er allowed to enter.
Inside the Hongwen Hall, it resembled a library, with various documents and classics filling the bookshelves lining the walls.
Several tables were arranged in the center, where a group of officials were busy working. Some were searching for information, while others were writing diligently.
Two elderly gentlemen seemed to be engaged in a heated debate, their faces flushed red.
Fang Er felt somewhat awkward upon entering. He didn't know Ouyang Xun, so he had to ask.
"I am An Fang, the Marquis of Liaodong. May I ask which one is Scholar Ouyang?"
Instantly, the Hongwen Hall fell silent.
One of the arguing old men looked over at Fang Er with an expression of pleasant surprise.
"You are the Marquis of Liaodong?"
Fang Er nodded, not understanding the reason for his expression.
"This old man is Ouyang Xun. Come quickly, help this old fellow argue with that old man."
Ouyang Xun finished speaking, then came over, took Fang Er's arm, and led him to another old man.
"Brother Yu, come, come, the principal guest has arrived! If you have any questions, ask him directly!"
Fang Er was a bit bewildered. What was going on? They were pulling him into a fight as soon as he arrived?
Looking at the official in front of him, who was of similar age to Ouyang Xun, Fang Er also didn't recognize him. He turned to Ouyang Xun and asked, "Scholar Ouyang, who is this?"
"This old man is Yu Shinan, a scholar of the Hongwen Hall. I heard that the Marquis of Liaodong once composed a peerless poem, 'Grape Wine and a Glazed Cup.' Since then, I haven't heard any more poetry from the Marquis of Liaodong."
"May I ask the reason? Could that poem have been heard elsewhere by the Marquis of Liaodong?"
Yu Shinan stroked his beard and scrutinized Fang Er.
"Damn it!"
"Yu Shinan? Grand Secretary Yu?
He's a literary giant of the same caliber as Ouyang Xun.
Fang Er coughed lightly, instantly straightening his posture. "So it's Scholar Yu, I've long admired your reputation!"
Yu Shinan didn't fall for his flattery. "I heard that you've also set up a school at your Fang Family Estate, and even the current Crown Prince and two princes frequently visit there. It's likely that the Marquis of Liaodong is exceptionally talented in literature."
"I imagine you've come today to trouble Brother Ouyang with something. How about this, you show us your skill, and I'll agree on behalf of Brother Ouyang, what do you say?"
Ouyang Xun, however, was displeased. "Brother Yu, that's not quite right. If you want to test young friend Fang, you need to offer something yourself. Using me as a stepping stone, that's not appropriate, is it?"
Fang Er stood by and watched as the two great men bickered, curious about what the Grand Secretary Yu would offer to entice him.
Yu Shinan slapped the table. "Marquis of Liaodong, what Ouyang Xun can do, I can also do. As long as you convince me, I will agree."
ps: Second update