The Demon Lords-Chapter 610 - 101 Setting Out_1

"Eldest Brother, have you received Father's Imperial Edict?" the Sixth Prince cordially poured wine for the Eldest Prince while asking.

"I just received it. I was preparing to head to the palace later to ask for Father's instructions."

"Among us brothers, Eldest Brother, you've already proven capable of standing on your own. I congratulate you!"

The Sixth Prince raised his wine glass.

The Eldest Prince, however, shook his head, poured out the wine in his hand, refilled his cup with tea, and said, "The rules of the North Border Army stipulate that we must not drink wine when on a campaign."

"But we haven't started the campaign yet, have we?"

"The moment I received Father's Imperial Edict, in my heart, the campaign had already begun."

The Sixth Prince nodded. "Eldest Brother makes a good point."

"Don't take it to heart."

"Eldest Brother, you know what kind of person I am." He chuckled. "I've grown thick-skinned. Besides, speaking of our brotherly affection, when we were children, Eldest Brother, you were the one who enjoyed playing with me the most."

"Back then, it wasn't just me, even..."

At this point, the Eldest Prince stopped speaking.

The older princes all remembered the Yan Emperor's affection for his sixth son—an affection so profound that many had foreseen the Emperor disregarding primogeniture to appoint a capable successor.

However, it seemed that this love had turned into hatred overnight.

"Regarding the wild people, I know a thing or two, so I came specifically to share with Eldest Brother, as my humble contribution."

With that, the Sixth Prince took out a Memorandum from his sleeve and handed it to the Eldest Prince.

The Eldest Prince's gaze narrowed slightly. He then stood up and solemnly received the document with both hands, saying, "Thank you, Ji Chengjue."

"As a member of the Ji Family, this is my duty. Some years ago, my businesses extended to the Snow Plains. This document contains some of my findings about the Snow Plains and the wild people. Some of it is accurate, while other parts are conjecture. Most importantly, the wild people are evolving. They might be drastically different now from how they were before. Eldest Brother, please take a look."

"I understand."

"There is also a report within. It's about the wild people, from a letter written by a friend of mine. This should be the most recent information."

"Zheng Fan?"

"Oh, Eldest Brother knows him too?"

"How could I possibly not know of the great mind who wrote the "Zheng Zi Art of War"?"

"Hah, Eldest Brother, let me tell you, when I first met this fellow, I truly didn't see that he possessed such talent."

"You have a good eye for talent, then."

"Oh no, no, I wouldn't dare claim that. His achievements today are all due to his own relentless efforts, fighting for every bit. Between us brothers, let's speak frankly: if Zheng Fan had been under Second Prince, his current situation would surely be much better than it is now. What kind of place is Shengle? It's utterly desolate."

"Eldest Brother, remember that this Zheng Fan once went on a campaign to the Snow Plains with Lord Jingnan."

"Yes, they fought for nearly half a year."

"This time..."

Speaking to this point, the Eldest Prince's gaze swept around before he continued, "This time, Father didn't appoint Lord Jingnan, who has experience fighting the wild people, as commander. Nor did he order the Jingnan Army on this campaign. Instead, he appointed Li Bao and me as commander and vice-commander. I..."

"Eldest Brother, Father is cultivating you. Among us brothers, you are the only one who can truly command military power. Even Second Prince, though he was once in charge of the Imperial Guard in the capital, lost that bit of military power after the recent troop reassignment moved the Imperial Guard north."

"That was his punishment for mismanaging the Imperial Guard," the Eldest Prince stated.

"Eldest Brother, you and I both know the politics in the capital run very deep. Never mind Second Prince; even Father in the past had to think twice before attempting to make changes to the Imperial Guard. It was only natural for Second Prince to relinquish his military authority upon entering the East Palace."

"What difference does it make whether he relinquishes it or not?" the Eldest Prince asked.

After all, stationed in the grand camp outside the capital are one hundred thousand soldiers of the North Border Army—the dowry of the Earl of North Border's daughter.

The Sixth Prince nodded. "That's also true."

"Did you come to see me, brother, just to deliver this Memorandum and scrounge a meal?"

"What else could I be doing?" the Sixth Prince countered.

"I thought you came to lobby for that Zheng Fan."

"'That's creating distance between us. It really is,' the Sixth Prince said, shaking his head and sighing. 'With Lord Jingnan not leading, you can't mobilize the Jingnan Army.'"

The Eldest Prince remained silent.

The Sixth Prince continued, "Rather than saying I came to lobby for that Zheng Fan, asking you to promote him and let him earn some military merits, it's more accurate to say that when you, Eldest Brother, truly arrive in Jin land, at the border of the Cheng State, you will have to take the initiative to seek him out and ask for his help."

"I will need to ask for his help?"

"If you don't ask him, you won't be able to command him. Without Lord Jingnan's military order, Eldest Brother, just try and see if you can mobilize a single soldier from the Jingnan Army. Although it's a bit disheartening for us of the Ji surname to admit this, facts are facts. Furthermore, Zheng Fan is somewhat like me. There's one key difference: he can kneel before you and speak flattering words. However, he absolutely cannot tolerate being wronged."

"Cannot tolerate being wronged?"

"Yes, he just cannot tolerate being wronged. So, Eldest Brother, if you need his help in the future, don't put on airs."

"Hah, I have always respected those in the army who are skilled in warfare."

"I know, I know."

"Besides, Zheng Fan is not just your man; he is also Lord Jingnan's man. I can choose not to give face to a mere Commandant of Shengle City, but how could I possibly not give face to Lord Jingnan?"

"Haha, indeed. So, Eldest Brother, what preparations do you intend to make for this campaign?"