The Demon Lords-Chapter 678 - 131: Mistress_1

Situ Yi and Situ Jiong were both tied up. Situ Jiong was sobbing and begging for mercy, while Situ Yi was cursing non-stop.

He cursed their father for his blindness, for failing to see that the son of a concubine harbored wild ambitions and was a wicked creature who had committed heinous crimes.

He cursed Little Dog, the king of the wild people, claiming that such a lowly creature could never have achieved his current status without Situ Yi's past help, and now had repaid kindness with ingratitude.

He cursed the Chu people for usurping the Situ Family's territory.

He cursed the Yan people for their incessant militarism, declaring that they would meet a terrible end!

Finally, when a vat filled to the brim was dragged before him, he stopped cursing. He started to beg loudly, wailing and pleading with Zheng Fan not to execute him in this manner.

Because if he died this way, he would indeed "stink through the ages"!

The more fiercely he had cursed, the more sincerely he now pleaded.

Zheng Fan was moved. He ordered wood to be piled beneath the vat and set aflame.

Unexpectedly, the Sword Saint was not present at the execution scene. When Zheng Fan found him, he saw that the Sword Saint was standing behind a rockery in the courtyard, wiping the Longyuan Sword with dry leaves.

"I thought you'd enjoy this," Zheng Fan said.

The Sword Saint shook his head but then nodded. "Indeed, it's quite fitting."

Punishing the Situ brothers this way was truly satisfying. The Sword Saint was impressed that Zheng Fan had thought of it.

"But why aren't you over there watching?"

"The stench is too strong."

"Fair enough."

"Besides, I can hear everything from here."

"Mm."

The Sword Saint sheathed the Longyuan Sword and asked, "Will executing Situ Yi in this manner cause you any trouble?"

"As long as you're pleased and feel vindicated, I don't really care about any trouble it might cause."

"Really?"

"Absolutely."

"He did sit on the dragon throne, after all," the Sword Saint commented.

"What's he worth?"

"Heh." The Sword Saint stood up. "Today's slaughter was quite satisfying."

"Then you must make time to rest and recover. This is just an appetizer; the wild people, our true adversaries, are next."

Zheng Fan didn't mention the Chu people. Although they were currently causing trouble in the Chu army's rear, he had to align with the Sword Saint's worldview to keep him on side.

Strictly speaking, from the Sword Saint's perspective, what was the difference between the Yan people entering Jin and the Chu people doing so?

Oh, there was one difference: the Chu people actually dared to cooperate with the wild people.

But there were no fundamental differences.

"A sword becomes sharper with each grind."

"I like hearing that," Zheng Fan chuckled.

"I am ultimately not a Yan person. My sword can be borrowed, but it will not be given."

That was the Sword Saint setting a precaution.

Apparently, General Zheng's sycophancy was too pervasive, like a needle finding every crack.

The Sword Saint felt that, given such fervent attention, he needed to establish some ground rules beforehand.

Once, a swordsman had made similar preparations with Zheng Fan. That was Mr. Chen.

To be honest, Zheng Fan liked dealing with straightforward people. Mr. Chen was genuinely straightforward. While the Sword Saint wasn't straightforward in the strictest sense, a person who faithfully adhered to their own code of conduct was incredibly rare in this world.

Before Dujuan died, she dared to leave her child to the Sword Saint, which was the greatest form of recognition.

Even as your enemy, I was certain you wouldn't harm a child.

"You jest. Although I wield a saber, I am also an admirer of swords. I am a Yan person, and you are a Jin person. Though the current situation suggests that Jin will eventually become part of Yan, I can assure you, your sword will only be pointed at the wild people."

"Really?"

"Oh, there's a slight exception this time. Since the Chu people dared to defy the Xia emperor's decree by allying with the wild people for internal strife, I believe they need to be taught a lesson. As for the future, whether I lead troops into the Qian State or Chu, you need not participate."

"Agreed."

The Sword Saint agreed.

"There's one more thing."

"Speak."

"After the war, you should return to Shengle and start a family. You can continue as a city guard if you wish, or you can resign from your duties and enjoy domestic bliss. It's entirely up to you.

But I ask one favor of you, as a neighbor. If, by any chance, someone tries to sneak into Shengle to assassinate me in the future, you must help me out."

The Sword Saint smiled, nodded, and said, "Agreed."

"Excellent. That's settled then."

"That's all?"

"You know I'm terrified of death, truly terrified. So, with you living in Shengle, I'll be able to sleep much more soundly at night."

Boundaries are eroded step by step. Slowly. There's no rush.

At the very least, with Shatuo Queshi at home and the Sword Saint as a neighbor, General Zheng felt that as long as he himself was in Shengle City, any martial arts grandmasters attempting to assassinate him would surely be thwarted.

"You continue listening here, I'll go outside and have a look."

"You're not going to watch the drama you've orchestrated?"

Zheng Fan shook his head. "I'm soft-hearted. I can't bear to witness killing."

The Sword Saint was speechless for a moment.

A fine spectacle was unfolding within the residence. Whether it was pleasant to watch was debatable, but it certainly stank.

Zheng Fan, accompanied by A Ming and Fanli, went straight to the city tower and found Liang Cheng.

Liang Cheng reported the casualties to Zheng Fan. In truth, they weren't significant. However, Zheng Fan was most concerned about the spoils.

Thanks to this being a bandit den, from the 'Emperor' Situ Yi down to the rebel commanders, once their grand ambitions were lost, their sole remaining purpose was to amass wealth.

The storeroom in the city mansion was chock-full.

These were all ill-gotten gains, the fruit of countless "utterly unconscionable acts."

However, their prior accumulation made it much more convenient for Zheng Fan's side to plunder and seize everything.

The wealth was so abundant for another reason: although the Chu people had forcibly occupied Jade Plate City, they ultimately hadn't intended to completely sever ties with the puppet emperor Situ Yi, perhaps deeming it not worth the trouble. Thus, when Situ Yi's little imperial court vacated Jade Plate City, they had transported all the plundered riches in carts, large and small, to Fengxin City.

The volume of this haul was considerable.

"Find a nearby river or valley, select some wild people soldiers, and hide the valuables," Zheng Fan decided.

This was actually a tradition for the Shengle forces, established during their first southern expedition against the Qian State. They would first hide the goods in a secure location, and then, after the war, retrieve and transport them back via merchant caravans or other methods.

Why are there so many legends in later generations about the hidden treasures of Zhang Xianzhong and the Chuang King?

The reason lies precisely in this. Roving bandits, during their campaigns, were often unable to transport their plundered wealth in time. They could only bury it locally for later retrieval, or to serve as capital for a potential comeback.

The difference was, previously Siniang was needed here to keep accounts. Now, Siniang was absent, but this time it was the Shengle Army operating independently, so there was no need for meticulous bookkeeping.

"There are also some surrendered soldiers, as well as civil and military officials from Situ Yi's new dynasty who didn't manage to escape. How should they be dealt with?" Liang Cheng asked.

"Let them go, but only after we have left."

Zheng Fan yawned. The wind was a bit strong on the city tower, and it was a bit cold.

"I heard that My lord intends to drown the Situ brothers in a cesspit?"

"They are probably being 'cemented' in as we speak."

"My lord, by doing this, won't you...?"

"Are you questioning me?"

"This subordinate wouldn't dare."

"Heh, alright. Then I'll enlighten you. First, guess why I'm doing this."

"To make the Sword Saint happy?" A Ming asked.

Zheng Fan shook his head. "That's one reason, but not the primary one.

Let me put it this way. Li Bao died in battle. Quhe City still has twenty thousand soldiers of the North Border Army, but they are effectively leaderless. Originally, the Yan State imperial court assigned Quhe City to be garrisoned by Li Bao, and Li Tian City to Lord Jingnan.

Now that Li Bao is gone, shouldn't its defense be transferred?

And after this war is won, shouldn't Lord Jingnan be rewarded for his contributions?

Lord Jingnan himself might not care about any rewards; he's already at the peak of what can be conferred. Even if a non-imperial princely title were added, it would merely be a change in appellation. However, the Jingnan Army under his command must be rewarded. Otherwise, even if Lord Jingnan himself doesn't rebel, the Jingnan Army would surely become restless. Failing to reward meritorious service has always been a grave misstep.

Wouldn't it be perfectly reasonable to give Quhe City to Lord Jingnan's subordinate generals and commanders to divide among themselves?

Even if Quhe City is kept intact and a new commander from the North Border Army lineage is appointed, or if the court sends someone else to take over, another region within the Cheng State will undoubtedly be carved out for the Jingnan Army to claim as their territory.

The Situ Family can retain Ying Capital City, but the Yan Emperor will not permit them to continue exercising actual control over the region.

Our Shengle is well-positioned. To our west, not far off, is Quhe City. To our east lies the former territory of the Situ Family. Therefore, whether a slice comes from the west or a cut is made in the east, we stand to become significantly 'fatter' immediately.

Therefore, in this war, we must achieve substantial results. This is what's known as 'packaging' – packaging ourselves, building our own momentum, burnishing our own reputation.

What kind of stories do the common folk enjoy?

'Zheng Fan captured Fengxin and slew the usurper emperor?' It sounds good, but it lacks a certain... spice. So, I'm adding that spice for them.

And it just so happens that the Yan Army recently suffered a defeat at the Wang River. Both the populace and the court are desperate for a resounding victory to vent their frustrations. What I'm doing is serving them up just such a dish.

Leaving those surrendered soldiers and officials alive means they can quickly help spread this news, acting as free publicity for us."

"So, My lord, you're doing this to boost your reputation?"

"Uh-huh, more or less. We aim to do six parts of the work and have it lauded as ten. So, we must cater to our audience. Whatever stories the common folk love to hear, we'll act out that script.

As for how many wild people we've actually killed, or how many Chu people we've fought, that's secondary. They don't really care much about those details.

Otherwise, during the campaign to open up Jin, why did the common folk of Yan only sing praises of the Earl of North Border and not celebrate Lord Jingnan?"

"My lord is truly far-sighted. This subordinate is filled with admiration."

"My lord possesses great foresight. This subordinate is deeply impressed."

"Alright, enough with the flattery. The reason I deliberately acted this way, the reason I took the risk to attack this place, was actually to quickly accumulate some merits to present to Lord Jingnan.

It's always easier to get ahead when you have connections in high places. Otherwise, no matter how much you achieve, it's of little use.

To be perfectly honest, I've found that Lord Jingnan is genuinely good to me. First, he sent the Longyuan Sword, then five thousand Jin soldiers, then a promotion, and then he sent the Pixiu over.

Heh.

As long as we give Lord Jingnan a good reason and pretext,

When it comes to dividing the spoils,

He will definitely continue to favor me.

While his favorable disposition is still warm, we should grab as much as we can. Let's not be timid. Who knows if such an opportunity will come again once this moment passes.

Hmph, the more I say this, the more I feel there's something a bit off about these words. Do you guys feel it too?"

"Not at all," Liang Cheng said.

"What's off about them?" A Ming asked.

"Sounds like a kept woman," Fanli blurted out.