Chapter 29: Why Do You Look So Familiar
The night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, Zhu Yuanzhang disguised himself, and followed Empress Ma to the Fengyang County Office.
Zhu Yuanzhang heard from the officer that Li Fan wouldn’t get up until mid-morning. He immediately got angry, veins bulging.
He was ready to go and teach Li Fan a lesson.
The sun was already high in the sky, yet he was still sleeping.
Fengyang County had so many matters to deal with each day, how could he sleep at a time like this?
Rolling up his sleeves, he prepared to go in and wake Li Fan, to see how this guy could sleep so peacefully.
Empress Ma quickly stopped the angry emperor and softly reassured him:
“Although Li Fan wakes up naturally every day, Fengyang’s affairs have not been delayed at all!”
She pointed to the people coming and going in the government office, and continued to explain:
“Look, even though Li Fan isn’t up, the entire office is still functioning normally. The officials in Fengyang County are doing their duties, and Li Fan, the county magistrate, isn’t needed at all. So he doesn’t have any concerns and sleeps as long as he likes!”
Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly upon hearing this, and muttered discontentedly:
“He acts like a hands-off manager and thinks that’s okay? If that’s the case, why do we still need him as a magistrate? Couldn’t we just find someone else?”
Empress Ma saw Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression, and knew the emperor wasn’t truly angry, just annoyed at having to wait for Li Fan.
She smiled and said:
“It’s hot outside, let’s wait inside. The Fengyang government has set up a business bureau, not only with fans, but also with cold drinks and other food. They even provide lunch!”
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned at her words, no wonder Fengyang County needed such high taxes, these services and expenses were no small amount.
But what exactly was this business bureau?
Curiously, he asked:
“Why did Li Fan set up so many departments?”
Empress Ma raised her hand to smooth Zhu Yuanzhang’s forehead and gently scolded:
“Since you arrived in Fengyang, you’ve been frowning all the time, your wrinkles are getting deeper, you’re turning into an old man!”
“Isn’t it because of this guy Li Fan? I still can’t decide whether to deal with him or not!”
Empress Ma laughed, understanding that the emperor didn’t actually want to punish Li Fan now.
Once he saw the good lives of the people in Fengyang, he would be even less inclined to deal with Li Fan.
She then led Zhu Yuanzhang towards the business bureau, introducing it as they walked:
“Li Fan set up a business bureau in Fengyang, where merchants can find suitable investment projects, and discover different business opportunities. To serve the merchants, he established a lounge!”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s face turned livid as he spoke angrily:
“The national policy of Ming is to prioritize agriculture over commerce, isn’t Li Fan’s approach just promoting commerce? And providing ice drinks to those lowly merchants, why not let the common people drink ice drinks? Is this meant to infuriate me?”
Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang was about to get angry, Empress Ma didn’t know what to say for a moment.
Just then, Xu Miaoyun got down from the carriage.
Seeing the emperor and empress at the county office, she recalled that her father had told her last night that the emperor planned to visit Li Fan in disguise today.
She needed to stay nearby and remind Li Fan to be careful not to say anything reckless.
Xu Miaoyun hurried forward to salute and said:
“Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Highness!”
Zhu Yuanzhang, seeing Xu Miaoyun arrive, asked with a sullen face:
“Does Li Fan get up this late every day?”
Xu Miaoyun noticed the emperor was angry and began to worry.
He was already somewhat annoyed before even meeting Li Fan.
This matter had to be carefully explained to the emperor.
She quickly said:
“He should be awake by now, probably having breakfast. We can just go in.”
Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly and stepped into the office government.
Empress Ma, seeing the emperor storm off, grabbed Xu Miaoyun and followed, softly reassuring her:
“Stay alert. If Li Fan says anything wrong, make sure to stop him.”
Xu Miaoyun quickly nodded, understanding that Empress Ma was also worried about Li Fan causing trouble.
Li Fan’s big mouth could indeed cause issues.
The three of them reached the backyard, where Zhu Yuanzhang saw Li Fan sitting and eating, having a simple meal of porridge, pickles, and a bun.
Nothing extravagant, which made Zhu Yuanzhang silently nod in approval.
It seemed Li Fan was not someone who indulged in luxury.
Li Fan had stayed up late drinking with Xu Da the previous night, his stomach still feeling uneasy.
A bowl of porridge made him feel better.
As he ate, he saw a dark-faced man hurriedly walk in, startling him.
Curiously looking the man over, the more he looked, the more familiar he seemed.
Li Fan asked in confusion:
“Why do you look so familiar? Have we met somewhere before?”
Zhu Yuanzhang was momentarily speechless at Li Fan’s remark.
He had disguised himself to gather information and was nearly recognized right away.
Clearing his throat, he quickly said:
“I have a common face, easy to recognize!”
Li Fan continued to feel the man looked familiar, though he couldn’t place where he had seen him before.
Just as he was about to ask more, he saw Empress Ma and Xu Miaoyun enter.
Sensing the tension, Empress Ma quickly explained:
“This is my husband. He’s always in a hurry and a bit impatient.”
Seeing they were all on the same side, Li Fan didn’t mind.
He smiled and said:
“I was just telling this gentleman that he looks familiar, like we’ve met somewhere before!”
Zhu Yuanzhang hid behind Empress Ma, avoiding Li Fan’s gaze.
Empress Ma smoothed things over, saying:
“Lord Li might have had a brief encounter with my husband in Jinling!”
Upon hearing “Jinling,”
Li Fan immediately realized who the man resembled.
He quickly said:
“Has anyone ever told you that you look like the current emperor? If you weren’t Lady Ma’s husband, I would’ve thought you were the emperor himself!”
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