The Demon Lords-Chapter 617 - 105: Water_2

"I'll go back and talk to him."

"Well now, this old woman can see it. Your official status isn't small, is it? Your words must carry weight."

"Oh, I hope you're right."

"You don't believe me?"

"Well then, I'd like to ask, how did you figure that out?"

"Here in Shengle city... well, it's not that things have gotten worse. Though the streets aren't as bustling as they used to be, as long as people are willing to work, they won't lack for food or drink. For the past six months, you don't even see a single beggar on the streets. Everyone's busy. Laborers are laboring, those on duty are on duty. Even those masters in the government office are all swamped day and night, terrified of being skinned and hung on their chairs if they make one misstep."

"Nowadays in the city, anyone who looks as leisurely as you, walking around with such a swagger, wouldn't they be a truly great noble?"

The implication was clear:

There were no idle people in the city; everyone was busy to death.

You're so laid-back,

It's obvious at a glance you're no ordinary person.

"Haha." Zheng Fan laughed, turned to A Ming, and asked, "Is it that obvious?"

Am I that conspicuously lazy?

A Ming didn't answer; he just looked up at the sky.

"Ah, you, this old woman can tell at a glance you're destined for wealth and honor. You'll definitely achieve a higher official rank, riches, and prosperity in the future."

"Oh, then I'll take that as a good omen."

Zheng Fan got up, ready to leave. The old woman saw this and quickly said, "What's this? Not staying for a meal before you go? The workshop's been terribly busy these past few days, and my daughter-in-law gets back even later. This old woman can personally fry up some eggs for you to have with wine, how about it?"

"No, no, I still have things to do. If I'm late, I'll be skinned."

"Oh, then you'd better hurry, hurry along."

"Alright then, you take a seat, elder."

"Sir, you must keep my matter in mind."

"Don't worry, I won't forget."

After bidding farewell to the old woman, Zheng Fan and A Ming walked out.

Jin Shuke had been waiting outside the door all this time. When Zheng Fan's gaze fell upon him, he immediately approached.

"General."

I bet right, I bet right! Indeed, that Brother Yu isn't an ordinary person!

"This family, did you introduce them?"

"Er..."

"Speak."

"To answer your question, General, the one I introduced to Brother Yu was the widow in the west of the city; she also had an elder above and a child below. As it turned out, Brother Yu took a liking to this widow from the east of the city, who also has an elder above and a child below. Your subordinate figured that the widow in the west has a daughter, while this one in the east has a son. Previously, your subordinate thought that Brother Yu, being a Jin person, might be different from us Barbarians. We Barbarians are eager to take on a stepson who will take our surname, but Jin people aren't so keen on raising other people's children. That's why I introduced Brother Yu to the widow with a daughter in the west. Who knew Brother Yu would actually have the same taste as your subordinate and prefer one with a son..."

"AHEM..." Zheng Fan coughed and then said, "Alright, don't tell him I came here."

"Yes, General. Your subordinate understands."

A Ming then spoke, "My lord, are we to help with the wedding preparations?"

Zheng Fan immediately shook his head and said, "Going too far is as bad as not going far enough. Meddling too much in their private lives will only cause resentment. Let him decide for himself."

Then, Zheng Fan pointed at Jin Shuke. "You're quite a sharp one. An old soldier?"

"Reporting to the General, your subordinate has been with you since Mei Village."

"It hasn't been easy. Not many of the earliest group of brothers are left now."

"Being able to follow you, General, is our honor."

"Go report to Liang Cheng. He'll make you a Chiliarch."

"Your subordinate thanks the General!" Jin Shuke knelt down, overcome with excitement.

"Alright, alright, you may go."

"Yes, General. Your subordinate takes his leave."

After Jin Shuke's figure disappeared from sight, Zheng Fan walked alongside A Ming, saying, "He's a sharp fellow. Blindie asked the Sword Saint if he wanted a promotion, and the Sword Saint said no. But in the end, he did say that this Jin Shuke is very diligent in his duties."

A Ming nodded. "We can't disregard the Sword Saint's recommendation."

"Indeed. You wouldn't think much of him at first glance, but he's likely the quickest to learn among the Barbarian soldiers. He even managed to suck up to the Sword Saint effectively. TSK TSK."

Then, Zheng Fan asked again, "Are the army provisions ready?"

"They're ready, and other preparations are also underway."

"Let's get everything prepared first, then we'll talk."

"My lord, are you waiting for the Eldest Prince's side to suffer a defeat?"

"With Generals Li Fusheng and Li Bao accompanying him, even if the Eldest Prince were a complete pig, he wouldn't suffer too great a defeat. Besides, look at our Yan Emperor's sons—which of them is a pushover? The only one who was deposed, the Third Prince, also went down due to his own plotting and scheming."

"Then what about us?"

"We'll prepare first. As for the rest, let's see if the King of the Wild People can bring us any surprises. There's no harm in being prepared, right?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Oh, right, have we dispatched troops to Skybreak Mountain yet?"

"Actually, when the Eldest Prince's forces arrived, A Cheng had already tripled the number of scouts sent to reconnoiter the Skybreak Mountain range."

If the Eldest Prince could anticipate that the wild people might try the same tactic as Lord Jingnan, Liang Cheng had certainly considered it long before.

"To be honest, that confidant the Eldest Prince sent over the day before yesterday, he's an Assistant Commander at least, but when we were drinking, his flattery was truly unbearable. Perhaps it was because he had grown calluses from being flattered in all sorts of creative ways by several demon lords."