The Demon Lords-Chapter 558 - 62: Snowfield_1

Zheng Fan hadn't expected Lord Jingnan to have already entered Shengle and to be standing right before him now.

The experience of badmouthing his direct superior to his face was, to put it mildly, exhilaratingly awkward.

It's like telling a female boss she's hit menopause, or a male boss that he's impotent, right to their faces.

The scouts outside the city, the guards on the walls—none seemed to have reacted. Although most of Shengle's forces had been led into the mountains by Liang Cheng, Gao Yi's unit of the Jingnan Army was still responsible for Shengle's security and patrols.

Of course, when Jingnan Army soldiers saw Lord Jingnan, it was much like fans seeing their idol. It was perfectly understandable, both emotionally and logically, that they would instantly disregard Zheng Fan, the man currently in charge, and not report Lord Jingnan's arrival.

However, judging by Lord Jingnan's attire—the Pixiu mount replaced by a horse, the gilded armor swapped for ordinary Jin land attire, and even wearing a conical straw hat—he had likely slipped into the city incognito.

Setting aside Lord Jingnan's own Cultivation base as a Martial Cultivator, his skill in Mystic Cultivation alone would make it trivial to sneak past the defenses of the currently understaffed Shengle and appear here.

Back then, hadn't Zheng Fan, Blindman, and the others managed to scale the walls of Mianzhou with ease?

This also explained why Siniang hadn't sensed him. If Tian Wujing wished to conceal his aura, Siniang, not being Blindman, would hardly detect him in advance.

As for Mo Wan... Zheng Fan didn't know if Mo Wan truly hadn't reacted, or if it had identified Tian Wujing, recognized there was no threat, and thus simply chose not to react.

Because Blindman had said that ever since Mo Wan upgraded and awakened, his (Blindman's) spiritual sense was forbidden from entering Zheng Fan's rear residence even by half an inch.

All these matters could be ignored.

The pressing issue now was that Lord Jingnan was standing right in front of him.

Zheng Fan quickly trotted over a few steps and skillfully took Tian Wujing's horse, saying, "My Lord, you didn't give any notice before coming for this inspection."

"Notice?"

"Yes, so I could have arranged for the people of Shengle to line the streets in welcome, and perhaps do a bit of spring cleaning beforehand."

"Heh."

Tian Wujing seemed accustomed to Zheng Fan's manner of speaking in his presence. He asked, "Is there anything to eat?"

"Yes, of course, there must be."

Siniang curtsied slightly to Tian Wujing and said, "I shall go prepare a meal."

Zheng Fan then led Tian Wujing into the residence. "My Lord, I haven't had the chance before. This time, let me treat you to some dishes from my hometown."

Zheng Fan still vividly remembered the pickled fish dish he had eaten at Lord Jingnan's place. Alas, it could only be said that the people of this world still had a rather superficial understanding of fine cuisine.

At any time, being ableto cook is a remarkable skill. Not only does it score points on blind dates, but if one were to transmigrate, it could serve as a trade. If Zheng Fan hadn't insisted on the principle of 'fine food even in the wilderness' back when they were camped out, how could he have hooked that big fish, Shatuo Queshi?

"The cuisine of Beifeng Prefecture isn't considered particularly delicious," Tian Wujing remarked.

"You'll know once you've tasted it, My Lord. This way, please."

Lord Jingnan didn't enter the room but sat down on the threshold. Zheng Fan paused for a moment, went inside to fetch the tea set, and then sat down beside him on the threshold.

Tian Wujing pointed to the steps before them. "Do you remember the first time this Lord met you? You were kneeling down there."

It was when things went awry at the funeral of Nanwang City's garrison commander. The Jingnan Army seized the opportunity to enter Nanwang City, and Tian Wujing went straight into the General Mansion. Tian Wujing had sat on the threshold of the mourning hall, while Zheng Fan and Zuo Jiqian knelt below, trembling.

"Indeed. The first time I saw you, My Lord, to be honest, I was truly awestruck by your heroic presence. I didn't even dare to lift my head."

"And now?"

"I'm even more terrified."

Back then, I just thought you were a noble, a general, and that armor of yours was incredibly cool. Then you took me to witness the annihilation of my own clan... Damnation, I had nightmares for nights on end after returning home!

"Yet now you dare to sit beside this Lord."

"My Lord, you've saved this humble one's life several times. I owe you far too much. In the future, I'll repay you with my life. How could these empty formalities ever compare to even a fraction of your kindness to me?"

"This Lord has always felt that your gift of gab is wasted in the army."

"My Lord, your subordinate truly doesn't see eye-to-eye with Eunuch Wei."

"But Wei Zhonghe has reportedly expressed great regret, especially after reading your 'Zhengzi Art of War.' He lamented that he should have kept you in the palace back then; the inner court might have produced a grandmaster strategist eunuch."

"Eunuch Wei just likes to joke. Hehe, just joking."

"Recently, a certain sentiment has arisen in the imperial court. It suggests that for the New Jin territory, a policy of appeasement should be primary. Apart from the grain and fodder required for the troops stationed in the New Jin territory, all other taxes and corvée labor should be reduced, in hopes of winning the hearts of the people there. What are your thoughts?"

"My Lord, your subordinate feels this is unacceptable. The New Jin territory was conquered by our Great Yan with blades and spears; it did not surrender willingly. The citizens of Yan have borne heavy corvée labor to support the army's provisions, enabling our soldiers to expand our borders. If the taxes for the people in the newly acquired Jin land are lower than in the Yan region, and their corvée labor lighter, then what was the point of conquering this New Jin territory? For our Yan people, wouldn't it be like they toiled and sacrificed to conquer this land, only to place half a Jin State's worth of masters over their own heads?"

"Your way of putting it is rather interesting. Nobles, ministers, and generals each have their own perspectives. Scholars like to posture as champions of the common folk, but they merely use 'the people' as a pretext while still speaking for their own interests. However, this Lord believes what you're saying truly reflects what the common people think."

"My Lord, you flatter me. Perhaps the scent of the common marketplace from my upbringing hasn't quite faded yet."

"It's good that it hasn't faded. Continue. This Lord will write a Memorandum here shortly, and you can dispatch it to Yanjing for me."

"Yes, My Lord. Your subordinate believes that a policy of preferential treatment and leniency will not only fail to win the hearts of the Jin land people but will also alienate the people of the Yan region. The foundation of our Great Yan remains the Yan people; they are our true kin. As for this New Jin territory, as long as our Great Yan maintains strong and well-equipped Yan soldiers, and firmly governs it for fifty years, after two generations, they will naturally become Yan people."

This was a principle proven countless times in later eras: pandering never pays off.

"I suspect the true purpose of your rhetoric is to ensure it doesn't hinder your, Chief Zheng's, efforts to squeeze the surrounding areas, correct?"

Clearly, when Lord Jingnan came to Shengle, he had noticed the "major undertakings" in the city. To build a new city and establish workshops in Shengle required a vast population and wealth. If the Yan State court decided to implement a policy of appeasement towards the New Jin territory, Zheng Fan would naturally find his hands tied.

"My Lord jests."

"Then why does Shengle, merely a small city, need such tall and formidable walls?"

"Fear of death."

Silence.

Then more silence.

Even Tian Wujing was momentarily struck speechless by Zheng Fan's utterly blunt reply.

"Hehehe," Lord Jingnan chuckled. "Have your troops already entered the mountains?"

"Yes."

"Quick work."

"Your Lordship's military order! Your subordinate dared not show the slightest neglect."

Lord Jingnan rose, no longer sitting on the threshold, and entered the room. Zheng Fan personally prepared a brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone.

The Memorial was written swiftly. Tian Wujing didn't even use his seal before closing it and handing it to Zheng Fan, saying, "Send it out."

"Your subordinate obeys."

At this moment, Siniang entered, curtsied slightly, and said, "My Lord, the meal is ready."

The meal was sumptuous; Siniang had prepared several of her specialty dishes. Zheng Fan ate with Tian Wujing.

It was evident that Tian Wujing was quite satisfied with the meal.

Only after the bowls and chopsticks were cleared and a sweet soup was served did Tian Wujing speak. "This Lord received the items you sent to Li Tian City. She liked them very much. You were thoughtful."

"Sister Juan is like a true sister-in-law to your subordinate. It's what I ought to do."

"If she's your sister-in-law, then what is this Lord to you?"

"My dear older brother, of course!"

Tian Wujing's gaze darkened slightly. "This Lord's family members... tend not to meet good ends."

Zheng Fan's expression turned awkward, and he dared not argue further.

「After a long while」

"You've advanced again?" Tian Wujing asked.

"Yes, to the Seventh Rank."

"Acceptable."

"I'm still far inferior to you, My Lord. By the way, your injuries?"

"A wound inflicted by the Sword Saint doesn't heal so easily. However, it's no longer a major concern."

The Four Great Swordsmen were once paragons for the martial cultivators of the world, their popularity comparable to that of the Four Heavenly Kings of later generations. However, recently, due to the pressures of the times, Baili Sword's journey to Yanjing was fruitless; he was forced to flee from beneath the walls of the imperial capital. The master swordsmith of Chu State openly supported Chu's Third Prince, losing all dignity. The Sword Saint of Jin State was defeated by Yan State's Lord Jingnan. For a time, the fame of the Four Great Swordsmen dimmed considerably.

Ultimately, on the streets, weakness is the original sin.

"Ah, My Lord, your subordinate has a hot spring pool in the rear courtyard. The prepared waters, infused with certain medicinal herbs, can help alleviate the hidden injuries of a Martial Cultivator when one soaks in it."

It's said that close companions even frequent bathhouses together.

"Although there were many young ladies in the manor, Zheng Fan genuinely didn't dare to offer women to Lord Jingnan. Firstly, he felt it was somewhat base. Secondly, he didn't want to tarnish their pure relationship in such a manner. Thirdly, he feared Tian Wujing might just slap him dead on the spot."

"I will not soak."

"Then shall your subordinate arrange for My Lord to rest?"

"I will not rest either."

"Um, then shall your subordinate accompany My Lord for a tour around Shengle?"

"Your city is only half-built. What's there to see?"

"Er..."

Lord Jingnan stood up and picked up his straw hat, clearly intending to leave.

Zheng Fan hurriedly escorted Lord Jingnan out of the courtyard.

"This Lord has a habit: before a battle, I must scrutinize every detail, just as stated in that book you wrote, 'Know thyself, know thy enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.' This Lord will personally scout the Snow Plains. By the time I return, the thirty thousand elite cavalry I've requisitioned should have arrived."

"My Lord's caution in military affairs is truly a model for us all. My Lord, please wait a moment. I'll have someone prepare some rations, in case..."

"No need. Don't go to such trouble."

"Then, My Lord, you must be careful. Although, your subordinate believes there are truly few in this world who could harm you."

"This Lord is well aware."

"My Lord, take care. It is a pity that your subordinate cannot be by your side day and night to receive your teachings. Your subordinate..."

Lord Jingnan swung himself onto his horse. Hearing this, he suddenly turned his head, looked at Zheng Fan, and said, "Your wish is granted."

"Huh?"

"You are permitted to accompany this Lord into the Snow Plains."

"..." Zheng Fan.