Chapter 1 Awestruck

The afternoon sun still possessed its own stubbornness, baking everything in the desert, even in winter.

When the warhorse beneath him finally reached the top of the mound, the sight that Zheng Fan saw from his vantage point filled him with a sense of awe.

Ahead was an oasis.

Beside the oasis, the Heng River, which the barbarians regarded as a gift from their gods, flowed by. To the west of the oasis lay the Yin Mountains.

A hundred years ago, when the barbarians and the Yan Kingdom were engulfed in war, the barbarian king's golden tent would be set up here every time the barbarians went to war. This was also the base from which the barbarians launched their wars against Yan.

However, for the past hundred years, this place had been controlled by the Zhenbei Marquis Estate.

When the first Zhenbei Marquis was granted his title by the Yan Emperor, he chose this place to establish his marquis estate!

The century of peace between the barbarians and the Yan Kingdom was partly because the barbarian western expedition collapsed under the Great Khan of that era, leading to the decline of the royal court to this day.

On the other hand, it was also because the Zhenbei Marquis Estate had always been strong externally.

The most direct manifestation of this strength was... this marquis estate had no walls!

This was a family rule set by the first Zhenbei Marquis. He not only established his home and the homes of his descendants in such a dangerous place, but also left behind a legacy:

Never build walls!

The purpose was to make future generations live under the shadow of a barbarian resurgence, to prevent them from indulging in comfort, and to ensure that the strategic goal of the marquis estate and its affiliated Zhenbei Army was always... attack, attack, and attack again!

Zheng Fan now had the feeling of visiting a historical site in his previous life. Through these architectural patterns, you could almost touch the thoughts and pulse of the ancestors of that era.

And now, standing here,

he was indeed awestruck by the first Zhenbei Marquis.

But he had done a little too well, or rather, his descendants had been inheriting his will and had also done too well.

Not only had the Zhenbei Army been suppressing the barbarian tribes, but the Northern Feng Liu Clan, whom the Yan Emperor had greatly feared back then, had been suppressed and divided by the successive Marquises of Zhenbei, and they had not obtained any military power. They seemed to have a large family and a great business, but in reality, they were just an enlarged version of a local tyrant.

No matter how much gold and silver you have, no matter how large your clan's power is,

in the face of warhorses and iron swords,

it's all worthless.

Zheng Fan even thought with a hint of amusement that there should be many people like Xu Wenzu in the carriage behind him, right?

However, he hadn't killed Xu Wenzu even now that they were here.

Could it be that he really had to go to the marquis estate to find a Zheng family member?

A Zhenbei Army cavalry unit had already come over. In fact, the closer they got to the marquis estate, the more frequently they encountered sentry riders. However, this unit was responsible for guiding them.

Zheng Fan stepped forward and presented his documents and letters. After the other party checked and confirmed that everything was correct, a team of fifty cavalrymen began to lead the way.

The Zhenbei Marquis Estate held a special position in the Yan Kingdom's military, and even in the military circles of the four major powers. Even Zheng Fan's subordinates at this time began to hold their heads high and try their best to unleash the heroic spirit in them, for fear of being looked down upon.

The team continued to advance.

When they reached the riverbank, Zheng Fan signaled his men to stop. It was time to line up.

Because there were too many convoys in front, as it was the birthday of the Zhenbei Marquis's wife, all the major families in Northern Feng Prefecture would not miss it. Even the Yan Kingdom's royal family and the well-known families in Yan, as well as envoys from the Jin, Qian, and Chu Kingdoms, had come to offer their congratulations.

"Is that a dragon?"

Zheng Fan asked, pointing to a convoy's carriage in front.

That carriage was not only exquisitely decorated, but it was even twice as large as the carriage in his own team that was holding the snow wolves, and it also had a black dragon totem on its outer wall.

"Yes, Master. Perhaps the Yan Kingdom's prince has also come."

The dragon was a totem exclusively used by the royal family. The Yan Kingdom valued black, so the Yan Kingdom's royal totem was the black dragon.

"Sigh, even a prince has to line up and go through security checks when he comes to offer birthday congratulations, haha."

It was clear that the current Zhenbei Marquis himself had been summoned back to the capital by several imperial edicts, and it was clear that the relationship between the Zhenbei Marquis Estate and the Yan Kingdom's royal family had become almost strained. However, on this day, the Yan Kingdom's royal family still sent a prince to offer birthday congratulations to the Marquis's wife.

This was enough to show that the Yan Emperor was really a little guilty.

"Everyone, take a rest and set up camp!"

Before the birthday tribute was handed over, they couldn't leave it unattended. Even though they had already arrived at the gate of the Zhenbei Marquis Estate, they still couldn't relax. However, there were too many convoys lined up in front, so Zheng Fan didn't let everyone continue to stand at attention here. They should rest and eat and drink as they pleased.

After all, only a small minority was qualified to enter the marquis estate to participate in the Marquis's wife's birthday banquet. Naturally, teams like Zheng Fan's couldn't go in.

After his tent was set up, Zheng Fan had just entered when he saw the slovenly man already sitting next to the pot, waiting for Si Niang's dumplings to be cooked.

The dumpling skins were thin and the fillings were thick, with pork and celery. It could be said to be quite extravagant.

Zheng Fan also sat down next to the pot,

looked at the slovenly man,

and reached into his armor to take out a small iron box.

For smokers,

for a smoker who had transmigrated to another world,

this iron box and the things in it could be said to be quite precious.

Because you can't walk to the small shop in front of the Zhenbei Marquis Estate and ask the owner how much a pack of Livers costs, right?

He handed a cigarette to the slovenly man, and the slovenly man took it.

Zheng Fan took the initiative to get up and use a fire starter to light the slovenly man's cigarette. The slovenly man accepted.

The woman was cooking, and the two big men were sitting next to each other, smoking.

A moment later,

the dumplings were out of the pot.

"Si Niang, is there any wine?"

Si Niang nodded. "Yes."

"Bring it here. Dumplings and wine, the more you drink, the more you have."

"Okay."

Si Niang brought the white wine, which Ah Ming had made by the way when he was making perfume. It had a very high alcohol content.

Zheng Fan personally poured the wine, first for the slovenly man, then for himself.

The slovenly man raised his glass and was about to drink when he saw Zheng Fan also raise his glass and move over.

A smile appeared on the corner of his mouth,

and he clinked glasses with Zheng Fan.

When clinking glasses, Zheng Fan placed his glass below the other's glass.

Si Niang noticed this scene, but she didn't say anything and silently poured vinegar into the man's dipping sauce.

After a mouthful of wine,

a hint of brightness seemed to appear in the slovenly man's turbid eyes.

He put down his glass,

and Zheng Fan prepared to continue pouring wine for him,

but he was stopped by his hand,

who said:

"It's a pity, I've never drunk such good wine before."

Zheng Fan smiled and said, "Then drink a few more cups."

The slovenly man shook his head. "I can't drink anymore. If I drink any more, I won't be willing to die."

Hearing this, Zheng Fan placed the wine jar at his feet and said:

"Then drink while you die."

The slovenly man pointed at Zheng Fan,

and said:

"That makes sense."

At this moment, the tent curtain was lifted, and Yang Wenzhi, in full armor, walked in and saluted Zheng Fan:

"Colonel, I have just been ordered to hand over the tribute. It is estimated that it will not be our turn to inspect the birthday tribute until after nightfall."

This was a real line to give gifts, and the line would last until night.

"Okay, I know. You go down and rest."

Yang Wenzhi responded, turned around, but stopped, turned back, and bowed:

"Colonel, Envoy Zhao is still waiting for your arrangement."

Zheng Fan smiled,

It's you.

Si Niang also smiled,

It's you.

Then,

Yang Wenzhi also smiled,

but,

Yang Wenzhi didn't want to smile. He was smiling now purely because his mouth was crooked. Then, along with the distortion, there was his face and his neck.

"Crack..."

The still alive Yang Wenzhi turned into a pile of minced meat in the tent's carpet in the next moment.

Zheng Fan picked up chopsticks, picked up a dumpling, dipped it in vinegar, and put it in his mouth, closed his eyes, and ate it with relish.

The slovenly man didn't use chopsticks, but took the dumplings directly with his hands. The dumplings were very hot, but he ate them happily.

The three people in the tent collectively ignored the pile of minced meat and continued to eat and drink their own.

Zheng Fan ate very slowly, while the slovenly man still looked like he had just been released from prison, one plate after another.

Si Niang had added dumplings to the pot three times, and he had eaten them all by himself.

In the end, Si Niang said apologetically:

"There's no more."

There was no more skin, and there was no more filling. There was no time to make them now.

The slovenly man put down the plate, patted his stomach contentedly, and stood up staggeringly.

He looked down at Zheng Fan, who was still sitting on the ground,

and said:

"Tell me again, what's your name?"

"A true man doesn't change his name or his surname - Fan Li."

"Then why do I hear your men call you Colonel Zheng?"

"My surname is Zheng, and my name is Zheng Fanli."

"Hahahaha..."

The slovenly man laughed,

Zheng Fan also laughed.

The slovenly man stepped and walked towards the tent opening.

Zheng Fan got up, picked up the wine jar, chased after him, and said:

"Your wine."

The slovenly man turned around, reached out, and picked up the wine jar.

The tent curtain was lifted,

The slovenly man took a gulp of wine, and reopened his steps, he walked slowly, but very quickly, his figure was appeared an illusion in the camp.

He walked to the carriage that held the snow wolves, continued to lift the wine jar with one hand, and lifted the carriage with the other.

The four horses tied to the carriage began to struggle because their hooves were suspended in the air, making uneasy neighs,

The snow wolf in the carriage, who had been ill and listless all the way, began to howl in terror,

The slovenly man took another gulp of wine,

Then,

He started running.

A man,

Holding a large carriage, he began to run in the camp.

"Dong dong dong dong dong!!!!!!"

The earth began to tremble, as if it was deliberately cooperating with his steps to provide accompaniment.

He ran out of momentum,

Like a goshawk wings soar!

Hundreds of birthday tribute convoys on the beach were alarmed, and the nearby Zhenbei Army was also alarmed.

"Woo...!"

A desolate horn sounded,

This horn represented a simple and clear meaning... Enemy attack!

Running,

Still going on,

Tremors,

Still going on!

If you look down from the sky,

You can clearly see a stream of air rapidly advancing from the beach to the gate of Zhenbei Marquis Estate,

And from all directions,

Black torrents composed of Zhenbei Army cavalry swarmed!

Zhenbei Marquis Estate has no walls,

But it has a gate,

The gate is a majestic archway,

Erected a hundred years ago.

There are two words "Zhenbei" above, written by the Yan Emperor of that generation.

On the left side of the archway, there are four words: Never Build a City!

On the right side of the archway, there are four words: Wings for the Country!

And at this moment, at this moment,

A carriage was smashed over, along with the four horses and the people and beasts in the carriage, and slammed into the archway.

"Boom!!!"

The archway collapsed, raising a cloud of sand and dust.

When the sand and dust dissipated,

On the ground,

A large pit appeared,

And next to the big pit,

Standing the slovenly man holding a wine jar,

A loud shout,

Emitted from the slovenly man's mouth,

In this beach land,

It was like a thunder!

"Sha Tuo Que Shi, the Left Guli King under the former barbarian royal court, came to celebrate the birthday of the Zhenbei Marquis's wife!"

The Zhenbei Army cavalry, who rushed from all directions, stopped their horses under the raised hands of their respective generals.

Guests are guests,

Whether they are good or bad guests, they are all guests.

As the host, when guests come, there are naturally due rules.

However, despite not launching an attack,

But three thousand iron armor torrents had already surrounded the slovenly man!

Waiting for the military order from the mansion, they will surely kill this beast!

A moment later,

An old voice came from the Zhenbei Marquis Estate:

"The old lady said, thank you for the Left Guli King's kindness. If it is convenient, you can come into the mansion for a glass of wine."

The slovenly man raised the wine jar and took a swig,

laughed:

"I brought my own wine, and I have resigned from the position of Left Guli King. Today, everything has nothing to do with the Left Guli King, and has nothing to do with the royal court!"

After all,

The slovenly man drank another sip of wine,

Shouted:

"Please come out and meet the princess!"

A moment later,

The old voice from the mansion came again:

"The old lady said that the princess is young and mischievous. The Left Guli King is an elite barbarian senior, so don't be as knowledgeable as the younger generation."

Hearing this,

The slovenly man's eyes suddenly turned red,

A terrifying aura gushed out of his body!

He held the wine jar in one hand and pointed to the direction of Zhenbei Marquis Estate with the other,

Every word stained with blood said:

"The princess is young? The princess is mischievous?

Then how innocent are the five thousand women and children of my Sha Tuo tribe?

Today, I, Sha Tuo Que Shi, came here as the remaining people of the Sha Tuo tribe,

For the five thousand women and children of my Sha Tuo tribe,

To the princess,

Ask for an explanation!"