The Demon Lords-Chapter 661 - 123: Lord Jingnan goes to Battle_2

Based on a rough estimate, the Jingnan Army in Jin land numbered around 150,000. This figure didn't include the Jin auxiliary troops attached to them. Strictly speaking, Zheng Fan's troops weren't part of the Jingnan Army's regular forces; since he commanded many Jin soldiers, his forces were more akin to "auxiliary troops."

Originally, everyone assumed that if Lord Jingnan came, he would bring at least 70,000 to 80,000 Jingnan troops. This force was intended not only to compensate for the losses of the Yan Army's Left Army of the Eastern Conquest Army but also to surpass the pre-war troop quality and combat effectiveness of the Eastern Conquest Army.

But Lord Jingnan only brought 30,000. One could argue this was because too many locations in Jin land required defense and pacification, such as the South Gate Pass line and the area around Li Tian City. Due to Li Bao's death in battle, the Jingnan Army even had to take over a part of the defensive zone originally belonging to Quhe City.

However, these were all just justifications. If he had truly wanted to, he could absolutely have brought 70,000 to 80,000 troops. Had he been more desperate, bringing 100,000 Jingnan Army soldiers along with 50,000 to 60,000 Jin auxiliary troops would also have been feasible.

Perhaps this is what set a renowned general apart. Throughout Lord Jingnan's military campaigns, he had consistently won great victories against numerically superior foes, making his achievements seem all the more significant.

The troops ahead seemed to notice them and halted, apparently waiting.

Zheng Fan and Chen Yang rode forward together. Reaching the head of the column, they dismounted in unison.

"Your subordinate, Zheng Fan, pays his respects to Your Lordship!"

"Your subordinate, Chen Yang, pays his respects to Your Lordship!"

"Rise," Tian Wujing said.

"Thank you, Your Lordship!"

"Thank you, Your Lordship!"

After rising, Zheng Fan finally had a chance to observe Tian Wujing, only to find that Lord Jingnan's gaze was not directed at him at all.

Previously, Tian Wujing would likely have exchanged a few words with him, but this time, he did not.

Lord Jingnan radiated an aura of distance and indifference.

Seeing Tian Wujing's white hair, Zheng Fan felt a pang of heartache.

The procession resumed its advance and soon arrived before Ying Capital City.

Having received prior notice, the people of Ying Capital City, from the nobles and officials down to the common folk, all swarmed out of the city to welcome this highly decorated Southern Marquis of Yan.

Actually, there was an embarrassing matter: the specific Imperial Edict had not yet arrived in Ying Capital City.

According to court procedure, Lord Jingnan should have received the Imperial Edict first. After he had made some preparations—which would take time—the chief eunuch responsible for delivering it would then travel to Ying Capital City to issue the subsequent Imperial Edict.

This second edict contained reprimands and punishments for the Eldest Prince, demoting him from Marshal of the Eastern Conquest Army to a Vanguard General. It also detailed a series of personnel changes and was to inform the Situ Family that the Yan State had appointed a new commander for the war effort, instructing them to prepare for logistical and auxiliary duties.

But as fate would have it, the two previous eunuchs sent to deliver the edict had failed, meeting violent deaths.

Eunuch Huang had succeeded in announcing the edict to Lord Jingnan. However, after Lord Jingnan merely replied, "Understood," he made no pause for preparations. He immediately issued orders for three divisions of ten-thousand cavalrymen to follow and personally led a contingent of his household guard straight eastward.

Therefore, the Imperial Edict intended for Ying Capital City was still with Eunuch Huang, who was panting and struggling to catch up, utterly exhausted. How could he possibly travel faster than Lord Jingnan?

Certain Imperial Edicts could not be issued prematurely. For instance, arrangements concerning the Eldest Prince could not be enacted before Lord Jingnan himself had received his Imperial Edict. The Imperial Court understood that despite the Eldest Prince's defeat, Ying Capital City still required a figure of sufficient status to maintain control. They couldn't risk dismissing the old leader before the new one arrived and assumed command, as that would leave the frontline troops without even a nominal commander-in-chief. Wouldn't that be a laughingstock?

However, the current situation did not descend into chaos simply because an Imperial Edict was missing.

When Lord Jingnan and his retinue appeared outside Ying Capital City, Situ Yu, leading a host of retainers and officials from the Royal Mansion, knelt in homage on the main road beyond the city gates.

They proclaimed in unison:

"This humble prince, Situ Yu, pays his respects to Lord Jingnan!"

"We, your subjects, pay our respects to Lord Jingnan!"

For a Prince to kneel and pay homage to a Marquis might seem absurd.

Yet, no one—not the surrounding Yan Army soldiers, the Cheng State troops, nor the nearby civil and military officials, or even the commoners watching from further away—found anything amiss or inappropriate in the scene.

Indeed, had Situ Lei still been alive, he would not have needed to kneel.

But Situ Lei had been dead for some time now, and the new head of the Situ Family was this mere half-grown boy, who inherently lacked prestige.

Furthermore, consider the Southern and Northern Marquises of Yan. Though their titles were 'Marquis,' in terms of actual status and power, how different were they from a Prince?

Especially a Prince who wielded military authority!

Moreover, this was occurring against the backdrop of the Yan Army's recent defeat. With the Chu people and the wild tribes on the eastern bank of the Wang River poised to advance westward at any moment, it was a time of widespread anxiety. This critical juncture further underscored Lord Jingnan's immense importance.

"Li Fusheng, Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Defending Army, pays his respects to Your Lordship!"

Li Fusheng also knelt before Tian Wujing.

The Eldest Prince silently removed the Sword of the Son of Heaven from his waist. He then placed his Marshal's seal and amulet on the ground before him, took two steps back, and knelt.

"Ji Wujiang pays his respects to Your Lordship!"

With no Imperial Edict, no vast army, accompanied only by his personal guards, and without uttering a single word, he had taken command of Ying Capital City, the entire Eastern Conquest Army of Yan, and all the forces of the Cheng State.

Such was his awe-inspiring prestige!