The Demon Lords-Chapter 647 - 117: Bootlicking_1
Zheng Fan pinched the bridge of his nose. He glanced at Jin Shuke, who was kneeling and looked utterly exhausted. Truth be told, being able to promptly report the situation at the front line was a great merit in itself. This barbarian soldier had indeed given him quite the surprise. Knowing the situation at the front line even a day sooner was essential for their reaction here.
"You may rest. Your service will be remembered."
"I am willing to die for the General!"
Jin Shuke immediately kowtowed and then said, "This general requests permission to withdraw."
He was truly exhausted, utterly spent.
After Jin Shuke left, Zheng Fan's gaze swept over the many demon kings present, and he asked, "A Cheng, how many troops can we mobilize?"
"Ten thousand," Liang Cheng answered straightforwardly.
The location of Shengle was dangerously "strategic." Although it wasn't a crucial military town, it served as a connection to the snowy plains to the north via Skybreak Mountain. Similarly, tribes from the snowy plains could enter Jin land through Shengle. The route was difficult to traverse, and it took armies a considerable amount of time—often more than half a month, or even longer—to pass through. Thus, they had to leave sufficient troops to protect their hometown.
Meanwhile, the Yan Army's failure on the front line could easily trigger a chain reaction. When one is at their peak, naturally, no one dares to act presumptuously; this was largely the situation in the New Jin territory. However, after a sudden defeat, some people's thoughts would naturally become restless. It was similar to when Emperor Qin was alive: all the heroes and elites obediently behaved as subjects. But as soon as Emperor Qin passed away, the realm instantly descended into chaos. The current situation in Jin land was the same. The Yan people had not yet fully assimilated this newly occupied territory, making the security of their hometown even more paramount. Who knew if some Jin land rebel army might emerge nearby while their main forces were deployed elsewhere?
"Ten thousand, huh."
Zheng Fan still felt this number of troops was too small. Normally, he would lament the huge expense of maintaining an army, but when it was actually time to deploy them, it always seemed like there weren't enough soldiers.
"Xiazi, conscript five thousand laborers."
These five thousand laborers would serve as logistical support for the army. However, Zheng Fan had no intention of transporting rations from Shengle when they set out. They were going to relieve Cheng State; besides the inconvenience of supply lines, he reasoned, shouldn't the people of Cheng State be expected to provide for their rescuers? Even when neighbors helped each other with farm work in the villages, the host was expected to provide meals. These five thousand laborers would primarily be responsible for tending to the warhorses, repairing equipment, constructing encampments, and, when necessary, assisting in building siege engines.
Many other armies didn't clearly distinguish between regular soldiers and auxiliary troops. But in Shengle, due to their policy of maintaining an elite force, there was no concept of auxiliary soldiers for the time being.
In short, General Zheng was quite magnanimous when it came to maintaining his troops!
"Yes, my lord," Xiazi agreed immediately.
Now that war was imminent, everything else—be it workshops or trade routes—would have to wait until after the conflict.
"San'er," Zheng Fan continued, "take your men and enter Cheng State first. Get a clear understanding of their specific situation."
"As you command."
"Siniang, double-check all military supplies."
"Yes, I understand."
Zheng Fan sat up straighter and said seriously, "It's the old arrangement: Xiazi and Siniang will be responsible for guarding our home base. The rest of you will march out with me."
"Understood!" 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
"Understood!"
Once the meeting concluded, the Demon Kings dispersed to attend to their respective preparations.
Zheng Fan planned to practice his saber skills for a while longer—a literal case of "sharpening one's weapon before battle."
Not long after, Xiao Yibo came over and reported, "Master, Lord Xiao from the Spy Bureau is here again."
"He's here again?" Zheng Fan sheathed his saber, instinctively displeased. Anyone frequently visited by a secret service chief wouldn't be too happy, unless that person happened to be their spouse.
Lord Xiao's given name was Xiao Liang, and he was from the Spy Bureau. After Dujuan's death, the Yan State Spy Bureau had divided the New Jin territory into two administrative sections, with their respective helms in Li Tian City and Quhe. Xiao Liang was the one overseeing Quhe. This was his third visit. On his first visit, Xiazi had received him, as Zheng Fan had made an excuse for his absence. The second time, Zheng Fan himself had met with him. This was the third.
Zheng Fan was well aware of Xiao Liang's purpose for coming; it wasn't out of any particular warmth towards him, nor was he intentionally dropping by to scrounge a meal. The Spy Bureau and the army, while seemingly complementary, were in reality two distinct departments. So, while they could maintain a veneer of cordiality on the surface, they could completely disregard each other if things got serious.
Most importantly, the current Yan Emperor was magnanimous and had no interest in engaging in excessive political espionage. The Emperor's core governance policy indeed restricted the Spy Bureau, preventing it from wielding the kind of influence in Yan State that the Silver Armored Guard did in Qian State. This was quite different from the "Jinyiwei" and "Dongchang" with which Zheng Fan was familiar.
However, even though the imperial court had officially accepted the news that Lord Jingnan's wife and unborn child had "perished," Xiao Liang's repeated visits to his residence clearly indicated he was here for Tiantian.
This guy is walking a tightrope, Zheng Fan thought. As a former "king of the tightrope walkers" himself, General Zheng knew very well that Xiao Liang was attempting to "seek wealth amidst danger." He definitely doesn't have the Yan Emperor's backing for this. Whether other figures are involved, I don't know. But for this fellow to come repeatedly like this, he's really pushing his luck and doesn't know when to quit.
In the front hall, Zheng Fan met Xiao Liang. Xiao Liang had a pale complexion. The Yan people generally possessed rugged features, making him stand out as a "pretty boy" among them, though it suited his profession well.
"General Zheng, I've come to disturb you again," Xiao Liang said, rising and saluting Zheng Fan.
Zheng Fan merely nodded, not responding with much warmth. He sat down in a chair, and a maidservant came forward to serve tea.
"May I inquire as to what business brings Director Xiao to Shengle once more?"
"General Zheng, let's not beat around the bush," Xiao Liang began. "This is my third visit to your territory, and I trust you are already aware of my purpose.
"I merely wish to see a certain person—just one look, that's all. This is my assignment, and I implore your cooperation, General.
"In the future, should you ever require assistance, the Quhe branch of the Spy Bureau will certainly not refuse your request."
In truth, Xiao Liang was the one feeling utterly frustrated. On his first visit, he had been skillfully evaded by a blind scholar, returning in a daze. The second time, General Zheng had employed similar tactics, and he had again left empty-handed. This was his third attempt. As the saying goes, "patience wears thin by the third try," and Xiao Liang felt it was better to be direct and speak plainly, even if it left no room for either side to maneuver. He truly didn't want to be given the runaround again.
"Lord Xiao, you jest! If you wish to see someone, the red-light district of Shengle has plenty of young ladies for you to choose from. Unworthy as I am, I can still afford to offer such hospitality as the local host."
"General Zheng, why must you make things so difficult for me? This is already my third visit."
"You're the one who knows it's the third visit. So, who exactly is making things difficult for whom here?" Zheng Fan retorted.
"General Zheng, this is my assignment, I…"
Zheng Fan immediately rose from his seat, then knelt and kowtowed. "This general, Zheng Fan, respectfully receives the imperial edict! Long live His Majesty, long, long live His Majesty!"
Xiao Liang was struck speechless.
Zheng Fan lifted his head, looking at Xiao Liang with an expression of bewilderment. "Director Xiao, where is the imperial edict?"
"I… I don't have an imperial edict."
"No imperial edict?" Zheng Fan slowly stood up, his earlier smile replaced by an icy expression. "Then this is truly strange. If you don't have an imperial edict, what exactly are you trying to do here?"
"General Zheng, some matters cannot be explicitly stated in an edict, can they?"
"I, Zheng Fan, am a military commander," Zheng Fan stated. "I don't understand such convoluted matters. I follow military orders during wartime and imperial edicts during peacetime."
Unable to restrain himself any longer, Xiao Liang blurted out, "General Zheng, don't treat everyone in the world as fools! The fact that Lord Jingnan's son is in your residence—do you truly believe you can hide that from everyone?"
"What a ridiculous joke!" Zheng Fan countered. "The Marquise of Jingnan and her child died of illness on Tianhu Mountain while en route to pray for the Lord's well-being. His Majesty the Emperor and the imperial court both sent envoys to offer condolences. Yet now, Director Xiao, you come here claiming a different story? What exactly are your intentions?"
"My intentions? I should be asking about your intentions, General Zheng!"
Zheng Fan shook his head, resettled into his chair, and picked up his teacup. "Please forgive me, Director Xiao, but I have pressing military matters to attend to."
"Zheng Fan!" Xiao Liang's voice was stern. "This is the territory of Great Yan!"
"I dare not claim much else," Zheng Fan replied calmly, "but I consider myself a loyal subject of Great Yan, with a clear conscience. It's just that I am truly overwhelmed with military duties at the moment; there are many tasks I must handle."
"Busy with military matters?" Xiao Liang sneered. "General Zheng, do you take me for such an easy fool? Today, that person—whether you permit it or not, I *will* see him! If you have the nerve, General Zheng, then go ahead and have me tied up! Let the world see just how imposing you are!"
"Director Xiao, are you aware that even Eunuch Wei himself wouldn't dare speak to me in such a manner? Yes, our Lord has confined himself within his manor, but do you genuinely believe he *cannot* emerge if he so chooses?"
"It is my duty!" Xiao Liang insisted.
"It's none of your damned business!" Zheng Fan finally snapped, beginning to curse. "You young whelp, you must be desperate to climb the ladder, driven mad by ambition! Do you really think this is a pit you're qualified to jump into?"
"General Zheng, times are different now," Xiao Liang stated.
"Indeed, times are different now," Zheng Fan echoed.
He nodded and then hurled his teacup to the floor, where it shattered.
This wasn't a premeditated move, but Zheng Fan figured smashing a teacup should be loud enough to be heard.
Sure enough, A Ming, followed by a group of household guards, rushed in.
Xiao Liang looked around, his expression one of disbelief; he couldn't fathom that Zheng Fan would actually dare to lay hands on him.
Zheng Fan pointed at Xiao Liang and ordered, "Seize him! Hang him at the city gate for three days."
A Ming's gaze hardened. "Seize him," he commanded the guards.
As the guards advanced, Xiao Liang hesitated for a moment but ultimately didn't resist. He knew that if he fought back now, he would definitely not leave this general's residence alive.
"General Zheng," Xiao Liang called out as he was being led away, "you will pay for what you've done today!"
Zheng Fan simply waved his hand dismissively, and the guards escorted Xiao Liang out.
A Ming then turned to Zheng Fan and asked, "My lord, isn't doing this a bit too drastic?"
Zheng Fan shook his head. "He brought it upon himself."
"But this way, we've thoroughly slapped the Spy Bureau in the face."
"The Eldest Prince has been defeated," Zheng Fan stated abruptly.
"Hmm?" A Ming was taken aback.
"Who do you think the imperial court will recall to prominence now?" Zheng Fan rose and patted A Ming's shoulder. "Sucking up, my friend, is a game best played early."
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Author's Note: I had originally planned for a more explosive chapter, but it seems I've come down with gastroenteritis. I'm feeling quite unwell, battling it from both ends, so this will be the only chapter for today. I simply don't have the energy to write more.
