Volume One, Chapter Two: Let the Arrows Fly for a While

“Breaking off the engagement?”

A simple phrase, yet it instantly stirred up the entire residence of the Duke of Chengguo.

Fang Jingsheng’s face darkened at once.

Meanwhile, Fang Yang’s eyes suddenly blazed with endless light.

Starting off by breaking the engagement—this was a sure win!

Just as Fang Jingsheng was about to speak, Fang Yang stepped forward.

He casually took the marriage contract from Song Yiran’s hand and said with utter calmness, “Very well! Since that is the case, the Duke of Chengguo’s household consents!”

Fang Yang’s composed and confident demeanor left Song Yiran completely stunned.

For some reason, at that moment, it felt as if something important had suddenly been lost within her.

But after a moment’s thought, she let it go — after all, he had been a devoted admirer for ten years.

She had expected him to beg her, yet never imagined he would be so resolute; it unsettled her deeply.

Could it be that this prodigal son had seen the light?

With that thought, she instinctively asked, “You... really agree to this?”

“Of course. From now on, you and I shall have no further ties.”

Fang Yang said with great nonchalance.

He then opened the marriage contract and raised his hand to tear it up.

But he forgot that the contract was made of cloth; despite exerting much effort, he couldn’t tear it at all.

The atmosphere turned a bit awkward.

Song Yiran couldn’t help but furrow her brows.

She dismissed the idea that Fang Yang had changed his mind.

At this moment, he was still the same fool, incapable of success and only good at causing trouble!

Fang Yang agreed so straightforwardly.

Beside him, Fang Jingsheng’s cold voice rang out, “The Song family and ours arranged this childhood betrothal long ago. You cannot just call it off as you please. Does your father, Minister Song, know about this?”

“Yiran came here at my father’s behest,” Song Yiran said without changing expression.

Fang Jingsheng’s face darkened as if water could drip from it.

“Enough. Understood. Since your father agrees, our Duke of Chengguo’s household consents as well. You may leave.”

Fang Yang replied indifferently, now holding a large blade.

He casually slashed the contract, finally ripping it apart.

At first, Fang Jingsheng was still angry.

But when he saw the large blade in Fang Yang’s hand, a chill ran down his spine.

He cried out, “Quick! Stop him! Don’t make a scene, Yang’er! Although the Song family withdrew from the engagement, the Duke of Chengguo’s reputation demands you find a better match.”

In an instant, the entire residence descended into chaos.

Song Yiran said, “Since the engagement is off, there’s no need for Fang to accompany me to the poetry gathering three days from now. After all, you no longer hold the status of a student.”

With that, she turned and left without waiting to see if Fang Yang heard her.

...

An hour later.

In the study, Fang Yang wore a troubled expression.

Why?

Because in the past hour, through Lian’er’s account, he had learned the state of his family.

Indeed, the household was destitute.

Any luxurious life he had imagined was out of the question. The entire estate survived only on his cheap father’s stipend and a few meager farmlands.

Having transmigrated into the son of the Duke of Chengguo, he had hoped to drink and feast carefreely as a prodigal son.

Now, the family was so poor they could barely make ends meet, and even the dowry left by his deceased mother had been pawned by his father.

The more he thought about it, the more miserable he felt. In his previous life, he had been a struggling worker, and now in this new life, he couldn’t even enjoy it.

Truly, he was cursed.

It was no use relying on his father; he had to depend on himself and make money!

With this resolve, Fang Yang suddenly slapped his thigh.

He stood up abruptly. “I’ve got a plan!”

“What?” Lian’er asked, her face blank with innocence.

“I’ve thought of a way to earn money. Lian’er, go and bring me all the property deeds and land certificates in our family!”

“Ah?” Lian’er was stunned. As a maid, she had no access to such things.

Fang Yang narrowed his eyes and asked, “Lian’er, I’m not unreasonable. Just tell me where my father keeps those deeds.”

Lian’er hesitated, then shook her head. “Young Master, I can’t say!”

“If you can’t say, then you know,” Fang Yang’s eyes gleamed dangerously as he threatened, “Judging by the time, my father has probably left the capital. Now, I am the eldest in the Duke of Chengguo’s household.”

“Lian’er, you don’t want me to sell you out, do you?”

Lian’er’s lips parted in shock, completely stunned.

...

After the incense burned down.

Fang Yang emerged from Fang Jingsheng’s room, clutching a thick stack of documents, a proud smile on his face.

“Lian’er, why the long face? Smile for your young master.”

Seeing Lian’er’s sour expression, Fang Yang ordered directly.

Lian’er shook her head.

“Look at you, that’s no way to be. I only took two hundred acres of land from the old man. If you keep this up, I’ll sell every deed we have today.”

Fang Yang furrowed his brows and made as if to return to his father’s room.

Startled, Lian’er quickly forced a smile and waved her hands frantically.

“Master, you can’t sell anymore. These two hundred acres are the best farmland we have. The others are dry land, worth almost nothing even if sold.”

“That’s better. Smile more. That brings me luck.”

With that, Fang Yang and Lian’er boarded a carriage heading straight for the pawnshop.

The pawnshop owner lit up upon seeing Fang Yang.

After all, this young master always pawned valuable items and never bargained.

“Master Fang, what would you like to pawn this time?”

Fang Yang casually tossed the bundle of deeds and papers onto the counter without a care. “Pawn it all.”

“Very well, please wait.”

The shopkeeper eagerly accepted the documents, then trembled slightly.

“Master Fang, you’re not joking with me, are you?” the shopkeeper asked with a distressed face.

“No joke. Make me an offer,” Fang Yang replied indifferently.

“Um...” The shopkeeper was helpless, then asked cautiously, “Master Fang, does the Duke know you’re pawning these?”

“Nonsense. If he knew, would I be able to pawn them? Hurry up and give me a price.”

The shopkeeper was speechless.

“Don’t worry. I’ll give you a written guarantee. Even if my father comes, he can’t do anything to you.”

Fang Yang said calmly.

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper quickly signaled a clerk.

The clerk rushed out.

Soon after, official documents arrived, and under the watchful eyes of the officials, signatures were made.

Six thousand taels of silver changed hands.

Fang Yang’s stature straightened considerably.

Before leaving, he shocked everyone by asking if the Duke’s residence itself could be pawned.

The shopkeeper nearly fell to the floor.

The clerk covered his face and walked away, utterly embarrassed.

It was too shameful!

That was a royal granted mansion; no one would dare accept it unless they wanted their family wiped out.

Seeing that pawning the mansion was impossible, Fang Yang’s face showed a trace of disappointment as he left the shop.

Lian’er followed cautiously, asking, “Young Master, what shall we do next?”

“Make money!”

Fang Yang answered without hesitation.

Lian’er hesitated, then resolutely said, “Young Master, maybe we should repay the loan and redeem the land. The dry fields won’t grow good crops. If these lands aren’t redeemed in time, all that will be left of the Duke’s residence is an empty house. If the master returns and finds out, I’m afraid... I’m afraid...”

“Don’t worry. I’ll redeem them within two months tops. Besides, my father’s trip will last at least three to five months. There’s plenty of time.”

Fang Yang was completely unfazed because he had chosen a guaranteed profitable path.

That path was high-proof liquor!

In the Great Chu, there was no such thing as strong liquor. Even the finest aged wines were only about 20 degrees alcohol.

For a rake like him who frequented drinking parties, that was no stronger than horse urine.

More importantly, in Great Chu, everyone drank alcohol—peasants, nobles, even the courtesans were all masters of the drink.

Moreover, the method to produce high-proof liquor was relatively simple and quick to monetize: secretly purchase cheap inferior liquor, then distill it to create strong spirits.

The technology was not complicated.

This was a promising venture.

Most importantly, the poetry gathering in three days would be the perfect opportunity to promote this strong liquor!

Back at the Duke’s residence, Fang Yang wore a devil-may-care expression.

Lian’er worriedly said, “Young Master, shouldn’t we redeem the land deeds first?”

“We already pawned them; how can we just redeem them so easily?”

Fang Yang flatly rejected the idea and continued, “Lian’er, summon all the servants in the house. I have instructions for them.”

Lian’er was reluctant but complied.

She quickly gathered all the household servants.

Picking out several clever ones, Fang Yang gave them orders and began distributing silver to arrange the procurement of liquor.

He specially instructed them to keep everything confidential.

The servants obeyed promptly and soon only a cautious, timid figure remained beside him.

Fang Yang casually pulled out a twenty-tael silver ingot and said, “Go buy some sweets, then find street children to spread the word for me.”

The servant was dumbfounded.

Fang Yang paused, then continued, “Teach the children these lines. Each who learns it gets a candy; for spreading it around, ten candies.”

After a moment’s thought, he recited:

“This drink should only exist in heaven,

Earth’s mortals lucky to smell its scent.

Never tasting this celestial wine,

Even becoming prime minister is in vain!

‘Celestial Drunkenness’ grand tavern opening soon!”

Fang Yang casually tossed the twenty-tael ingot to the servant.

He added, “Within three days, I want every street and alley singing this poem. If you run out of money, just come to Lian’er for more.”

“Rest assured, Young Master, it will be done.”

The servant hurried off with the silver.

Looking at the dwindling silver notes in hand, Lian’er lamented, “Young Master, aren’t we spending money too fast?”

“Relax. Let the arrows fly a while.”