"Such battle achievements and such prestige should belong to the foremost of the four."

First of all, no matter how impressive, internal conflicts are insignificant compared to external wars.

Furthermore, Zheng Fan also participated in those major battles that either reached the enemy capital or even led to the destruction of a nation.

It's quite valuable; Lord Pingye, one of the four great generals, naturally sits in the top position, and the Yan people have no objections. Even the always short-tempered Qian people can't quite find a reason to oppose.

"Time flies; I still remember the first time I met Zheng Fan, he was just a captain escorting merchants. Now, during post-meal conversations about the world's affairs, he's able to take a lead position."

There is something Ji Chengjue didn't say;

The reason he tore off his captor's clothes and returned honorably to Yanjing wasn't that he was merely waiting for the right opportunity; rather, it was Zheng Fan, far away, who provoked him into early action.

But, in fact, whether he acted early or not made no difference; as long as his father was alive, no matter how much he stirred things up, it would be in vain.

A young official suddenly murmured:

"Tell me, how thrilling must the world's events be? Why is it that you and I can only sit here sipping tea, discussing them?"

"

Ji Chengjue paused,

and said:

"Feeling imbalanced?"

"Is your second brother sitting as the crown prince making you balanced?" The young official boldly retorted, skipping any formal titles.

Ji Chengjue remained silent.

"Hahaha, right? You can't bear it either; legitimate and illegitimate sons, in their eyes, these rules are more significant than the heavens themselves.

But do we, the illegitimate sons, deserve this fate?"

"The distinction of birth, what does it have to do with you?"

"Yes, truly it has nothing to do with me. I envy you; being an illegitimate son too, you can fight for it. Frankly, I quite favor you, Ji Laoliu.

I hid so deeply, yet you found and recognized me, haha.

I envy you for being able to fight, whether it's legitimate lineage or merit-based.

But me,

I don't even have the right to compete!

I'm practically not even supposed to exist!

You see that one at the Lord Jingnan's family; what difference do I have with that child?"

The young official raised his cup, gulped it down like it was alcohol, eyes starting to redden and body slightly intoxicated, tapping the table with his finger,

and said:

"If I were given a chance, I might not achieve what Lord Pingye has, but I certainly wouldn't be a nobody!

All these Zhong Tianlang, Nian Yao, and the barbaric young prince; they all should be ranked behind me!

Even when His Majesty oppressed you, sidelined you, in the end didn't he still give you a chance? What about me? What about my father? In his eyes, this son of his might have long been dead, long been gone!"

"Lower your voice; my wife is pregnant and needs to rest well."

"Heh."

The young official waved his hand,

"Ji Laoliu, you have to fight. If you don't want your son to end up like me, you must fight. If you don't, your unborn child will find it hard even to bear the Ji name righteously, believe it or not!"

Ji Chengjue nodded.

"The Northern Border Army was dismantled by my father, given as dowry to my sister. He never intended to leave it to me, not even a little. The inheritance of the marquis manor will not be mine in the future either. He's forcing me to resign myself, to resign!"

Ji Chengjue quietly refilled both of their teacups.

"Why do you think that just because they're our fathers, the rules those old guys set decades ago should be forced on us juniors?"

"You've had too much to drink," Ji Chengjue said.

"Drinking tea, not drunk at all!"

"Ji Laoliu, your eldest brother has already stood behind you. Can't you make a bit more room, leaving a place for me to step in?"

"I don't understand your words. My elder brother is merely helping me clear the trade routes, lending familial support; where in your words is someone standing behind someone else?"

The young official laughed,

laughter so intense that snot dripped down,

he used his official robe's sleeve to wipe it casually,

pointing his finger at Ji Chengjue,

"Ji Laoliu, are you playing games with me? You're the one who recognized me and found me, invited me here for tea.

I came, drank tea, even prepared a congratulatory gift for your unborn child for which I squeezed out silver from my rare salary.

And yet,

I've bared my soul to you,

and you stayed unmoved like a mountain?"

"No, I haven't; don't say such things."

"Everyone knows your connection with Lord Pingye, and how you handle the funds for Snow Sea Pass at the Ministry of Revenue; do you think the clear-sighted can't see?

You also know well enough regarding the relationship between Lord Pingye and Lord Jingnan.

If I stood behind you, you would have a hand in the Northern Border Army. Though I couldn't command it, it would suffice to keep those Northern Border Army generals from interfering in your Ji family's matters.

In the Yan, whoever gains the support of the Jingnan and Northern Border Army, they can..."

Ji Chengjue, with a look of surprise and doubt, said:

"Listening to you, suddenly it all seems simple, and I feel tempted."

"What do you really mean?"

"Nothing."

Ji Chengjue sighed,

putting the teacup back on the table,

remarked:

"But speaking of my family's throne, you make it sound so simple, it does unsettle me a bit.

Furthermore,

there's just one thing,

that I've never figured out."

"What is it?"

"Who are you?"

"You don't know who I am?"

"No, I mean, who are you?"

"Ji Laoliu, you!"

"Who told you you're the young lord of the Earl of North Border's manor?"

"You..."

Ji Chengjue reached out, took the other party's teacup lid, placed it on his own cup, now the teacup had two lids.

Immediately after,

Ji Chengjue removed the recently added lid,

casually tossed it to the ground,

"Crack!"

The teacup lid shattered.

Ji Chengjue pointed to the lid still on his cup,

then pointed to the broken pieces on the floor,

and said:

"Can you be sure, which one truly is you?"

——————

My schedule is messed up, the next chapter will be after daylight, so everyone goodnight, no need to stay up, stay calm, embrace the dragon!