Chapter 159 It Didn't Work

“That won’t do. Whether it was the Yan Emperor throwing him out to trade with the Situ family, or whether he’s messing around on his own, we have no obligation to use our own people's lives to fill the hole for them.”

Zheng Fan took out two cigarettes, handed one to the blind man, and then the two of them, who were originally sitting against the wall, squatted down facing the wall.

It was already night. In modern times, smoking on the battlefield at night was like giving people a signal light. It wasn't much better in ancient times. There were no sniper rifles or anything like that in ancient times, but there was no shortage of sharpshooters, especially after infusing qi and blood into the arrows before shooting them. The range and lethality would become terrifying.

Zheng Fan used to practice archery with A'Ming when he had nothing to do, so he naturally had a deep understanding of this.

Two silvers were very precious about their lives, and they would definitely not joke around. After all, it was a tacit understanding to set up hidden sentries or archers near the front line at night.

So, with their cigarette butts pointing down, the two men squatted there, smoking.

"What does Master plan to do?"

"Since there must be something wrong with Xin Su City, the result is either A or B. There's no point in planning anything. After I finish this cigarette, I'll go directly down and ask the emperor directly."

"Master, if the Yan Emperor deliberately threw him out, it was to avoid any cause and effect or suspicion, to send him out in the most reasonable way.

Now that we've accepted him, throwing him out again would be deliberately embarrassing the Yan Emperor, wouldn't it?

This might make the Yan Emperor even angrier and more embarrassed than ruining his plan."

"Blind man, you haven't met Ji Runhao."

"Mm."

"Let's put it this way, this emperor, in our ancient times, is really another Qin Emperor or Han Emperor, and he's very proud. Although those who play politics are dirty, he shouldn't bother with such methods. He would take care of the Jin Emperor first, and then have him sold on the way back."

"If Master analyzes it from this perspective, this subordinate is convinced."

"Heh, of course, if that's really the case, then we've messed things up anyway. It's no fun staying in this Great Yan anymore, right?"

"That's the logic."

"If this was all arranged by the Jin Emperor himself..."

Zheng Fan exhaled a smoke ring and frowned, saying:

"The problem is, even if there are no eternal enemies or friends in politics, what is he doing colluding with the Situ family at this time? Situ Lei has already ascended the throne and established a country."

"Master, this subordinate thinks that if we look at it from this perspective, if this matter was instigated by the Jin Emperor, then there should have been an unexpected change in one of the links that even the Jin Emperor himself didn't anticipate."

As he said this, the blind man pointed forward and continued:

"At night, several thousand more riders came outside. The scale of the Situ family's army outside has exceeded fifteen thousand, and is approaching twenty thousand. This is not an array that the Jin Emperor could have arranged."

"I heard that after the destruction of the He Lian family and the Wen Ren family, many Jin army warlords defected to his, Yu Ci Ming's, command?" Zheng Fan analyzed.

Yan State tacitly approved of this behavior. To put it bluntly, the Jin Emperor is now like Wang Jingwei back then.

Hearing this, Liang Cheng said, "Master, the morale of the troops outside is very high, unlike the defeated soldiers who have just been reorganized."

"Forget it, forget it, no more analysis. It's giving me a headache. Since I'm sure there's something wrong with this, I'll go down and ask directly later. I'll be direct and not beat around the bush with him."

With that, Zheng Fan put out his cigarette and said to Liang Cheng, "You keep watch on the city and be careful of a night attack by the Jin people."

"Yes, Master."

When the situation is a mess, the best way is actually to cut it open directly, regardless of anything else.

At least, that's what Zheng Fan thinks. For other matters, it's okay to pretend to be confused in order to get by.

But right now, it involves the life and death of himself and a large group of people around him. It's no fun being confused anymore.

The group of people who originally guarded the Jin Emperor and entered the fortress with him had all been dispatched to the city walls. Therefore, when Zheng Fan led nearly a hundred armored soldiers over, there were only two guards and two maids by the Jin Emperor's side.

Yes, the old fort master didn't change his habit and continued to send his granddaughter.

Moreover, Zheng Fan also discovered that this standard was even higher than his own. He had only said to send one granddaughter to warm the bed, but here they were sending two directly.

Of course, this is also understandable. Although the Yu clan hasn't been worth much for the past sixty years, and the Jin people haven't known their emperor for a long time, he is still a genuine emperor.

For small local bullies like the old fort master, being able to curry favor with the Jin Emperor, even if it's not for his power, well, the Jin Emperor doesn't have much power left, but even if it gets them two more imperial grandsons, it's an extremely worthwhile deal.

Without waiting for an announcement, Zheng Fan walked straight in. The two guards wanted to stop him, but the armored soldiers beside Zheng Fan forcibly blocked their positions, giving off the impression that they would directly attack if they disagreed. This made the two guards dare not act rashly.

When Zheng Fan came in, he saw the Jin Emperor taking small sips of porridge. Even at this time, he still maintained his elegance.

But this elegance gave Zheng Fan a feeling that "he's acting."

Among the four great Eastern nations, very few people have met three emperors. Zheng Fan has met them all, and even spoken to them.

In comparison, the Yan Emperor's domineering aura was natural, and the Qian Emperor's was free and unrestrained. They were both natural expressions of "cultivation" to the extreme.

They might be similar to some extent, in that they were all quite easygoing. The root cause was that they were very confident and didn't need to deliberately put on airs to declare their identities.

In other words, who wants to pretend every day? Isn't that tiring?

But the Jin Emperor was different. He was acting, because since he ascended the throne, he has never truly enjoyed the feeling of being the supreme ruler.

The more insecure a person is, the more they crave using this external expression to "maintain" themselves.

Seeing Zheng Fan come in, the Jin Emperor put down the porridge bowl with some doubt and said:

"General Zheng, have you had your evening meal yet?"

Even at this time, he was still thinking about treating subordinates with courtesy.

Zheng Fan didn't care for this. If he didn't know anything before, he would be willing to cooperate with the Jin Emperor in playing out a scene similar to Liu Bei throwing A'Dou.

But now, he had no interest.

"Everyone, get out."

Zheng Fan said bluntly.

Yu Ci Ming narrowed his eyes slightly, waved his hand, and said gently:

"Everyone, get out."

Soon, only Zheng Fan and the Jin Emperor were left in the room.

"General Zheng, do you have any military secrets to tell me?"

Zheng Fan sat cross-legged in front of the Jin Emperor. At this moment, Zheng Fan really felt a difference in the level of power.

When facing the Yan Emperor, the Qian Emperor, or even the two Marquis of the North and South, they weren't putting on airs. They would often laugh and tease, appearing very down-to-earth.

But the more they were like that, the more Zheng Fan felt cautious and walked on thin ice.

But when facing the Jin Emperor now, Zheng Fan really felt that he was being presumptuous. Wasn't it just bullying you, an emperor in name only?

Ultimately, he was also wearing colored glasses when looking at people.

"There is something that this general wants to make clear with Your Majesty."

"General Zheng, please speak."

"Your Majesty's team was caught up by the Situ family's rebel army outside Xin Su City?"

"Yes."

"Your Majesty should know that stationed in Xin Su City is a part of my Great Yan's Jingnan Army. The Jingnan Army is the elite of my Great Yan, with strict military discipline. It is rare for them to make mistakes or be negligent."

"I know."

"I'll be blunt, Your Majesty. I now suspect that you were sent out by my emperor as a gift to the Situ family."

When the Jin Emperor heard this, he was stunned for a moment. He seemed unable to accept this level of directness. However, being an emperor, his adaptability was still strong. After being slightly stunned for a while, he immediately said:

"How did General Zheng find out?"

"It's impossible for Xin Su City to be completely unresponsive to the appearance of a large army in the periphery. I can only guess in this direction."

"Then what does General Zheng intend to do? By taking me in, aren't you ruining your emperor's plan?"

Zheng Fan shook his head and said:

"In fact, since Your Majesty has met my emperor, you should know what kind of person my emperor is. I didn't receive any notice. Seeing you being chased, I took you in. Even if it ruined my emperor's plan, my emperor wouldn't blame me for this."

"That's not necessarily true. An emperor's heart is as deep as the sea."

"Perhaps Your Majesty doesn't understand me. My Great Yan's Third Prince was personally deposed by me."

Zheng Fan also found it amusing. The fact that the Third Prince was deposed by him had almost become his label. He could occasionally take it out to show his presence.

"Since General Zheng is so sincere, if that's really the case, how does General Zheng plan to clean up the mess?"

"It's difficult," Zheng Fan said with emotion.

"Yes, it's very difficult."

Because too many people have seen it. It's impossible to silence everyone.

"However, I have one advantage."

"I'd like to hear the details."

"I always like to think about things in a positive light."

"Oh, a good habit."

"What if this matter wasn't arranged by my emperor?"

"Then who arranged it? It can't be me, can it?"

Hearing this rhetorical question, Zheng Fan stared at Yu Ci Ming with a smile on his lips.

Yu Ci Ming also smiled and looked back at Zheng Fan.

After a while,

Yu Ci Ming nodded and said:

"Oh, isn't that a coincidence? It really is me."

Yu Ci Ming admitted it.

Zheng Fan silently placed his saber beside him, while inadvertently reaching out to touch the magic pill placed on his chest,

and said:

"What does Your Majesty want to do?"

This Jin Emperor really was a troublemaker.

He rebelled against his own country first,

and then chased after himself later.

In TV dramas, this kind of plot is simply a mindless scene stealer.

"Since General Zheng has been so sincere and open, I won't hide anything. The army outside the city was ambushed in the capital area in advance under my orders.

The Yan army in Xin Su City wouldn't dare to enter the capital area to investigate anything."

The matter was explained.

Zheng Fan was really interested in this matter.

In fact, if he was just an ordinary city guard going to take office, he might really be treated like a puppet and played around, thinking that the Jin Emperor's sister had fallen from the sky and he had gotten a good deal.

Fortunately, his demon kings were all shrewd and noticed something was wrong in time.

The Jin Emperor sighed,

tapped his finger lightly on the table,

and said:

"Nothing else, just seeking to live."

"Who wants to kill you?" Zheng Fan asked.

"General Zheng, in fact, some people in this world do not live for life. Swordsmen live for swords, literati live for poems and articles, and as emperors, if they are completely reduced to decorations, then what is the point of living?

General Zheng, can you understand this reasoning?"

"Eating is for living, but living is not for eating."

Hearing this, the Jin Emperor's eyes suddenly lit up, and he immediately felt like he had found a kindred spirit. He couldn't help but regret that if he could have met the other party earlier, he wouldn't have been so lonely along the way.

However, the Jin Emperor still had a layer of doubt in his heart, that was, the performance on the city wall before and the performance in front of him now, this Yan general completely gave him the impression of two different people.

In fact, at this moment, whether it was Zheng Fan or the Jin Emperor, they both had a feeling of being in a fog when looking at each other.

The initial impression was that he was a simple fool, but they slowly discovered that he was not just a simple fool.

"Now that things have come to this, please tell me clearly, Your Majesty. After all, there are no eyes on the battlefield, and I have to be responsible for my subordinates."

If you want to play tricks, play political routines, you can go ahead and play, you can go and harm your Jin people, I don't care anyway, but if you want my soldiers to be buried with you, then sorry, I'm not playing.

"General Zheng should be clear about what I seek since I opened the Nanmen Pass, which is nothing more than a 'live' word. I originally thought that under the support of the Yan people, although my face and history books would not be glorious, it wouldn't be a big problem to live with dignity.

As long as you Yan people still want to maintain stable rule in Jin, you must enshrine me, the signboard. As long as your Majesty still has the ambition to sweep the East, you must treat me well."

"That's indeed the case."

"But the Situ family has ascended the throne and established a country."

"So what?"

"In the land of the Three Jin, my role is nothing more than three things. First, to show the monarchs of other countries that if they surrender to Yan, they can also ensure a worry-free life of fine clothes and jade food.

The second is to appease the hearts of the people in the land of the Three Jin;

Third, it is to deter and suppress the Situ family. With me, the genuine Jin Emperor, here, the Situ family, as vassals, will always be suppressed in terms of legitimacy.

Your Yan people have used the Zhenbei Army in this campaign, and now is the time to recuperate. You don't want to fight the Situ family, who have the largest power base in the Three Jin, at this time.

However, the old master of the Situ family suddenly passed away, and Situ Lei ascended the throne and established a country. It seems to be a radical move, but it has already eliminated most of the necessity of my existence."

Zheng Fan frowned slightly.

"Your Yan people once promised the Situ family that if the Situ family was willing to surrender and submit to Yan, they could retain their fiefdom, and Yan could recognize their status as the lord of the country.

The old master of the Situ family directly refused. He said that he was a Jin person and would not be a running dog of the Yan people.

Then,

he died."

"The deal was reached with Situ Lei?"

The Jin Emperor nodded and said, "That's indeed the case. What you Yan people want is a stable land of the Three Jin. Letting the Situ family ascend the throne and establish a country and completely divide the land of the Three Jin is very much in line with what you Yan people want.

But after this, how will I deal with myself?

I originally thought that your Yan country had great ambitions and would definitely swallow the Three Jin before giving up, but now you have only scratched the surface."

Originally, you were the Emperor of Jin, and no matter what, you represented the legal orthodoxy of Jin. Although the capital area was not large, only one county, at least it could still maintain a certain influence.

Now that the Situ family has ascended the throne, it is clear that they do not recognize you as the emperor. If Yan wants to take advantage of the situation to fight another battle and destroy the Situ family in one fell swoop to unify Jin, they can completely continue to use your signboard to carry out the suppression of rebellion.

But the problem is that this war in Yan, the use of hundreds of thousands of cavalry, has already emptied the family fortune. They are preparing to rest and recuperate for a period of time. Haven't you seen that Marquis Zhenbei has already led a part of the Zhenbei Army back to Beifeng County?

This is because they don't want to fight again in a short period of time and are thinking of first digesting the fruits of this stage of victory. Therefore, the Yan court has even reached an agreement with the Situ family. You can establish a country, and we will divide the land of Jin together.

Under this default pattern, the existence of the Jin Emperor is extremely awkward.

"Your Majesty is doing this to provoke a great war between my Yan and the Situ family?"

The Jin Emperor nodded and said with emotion, "Just to protect myself."

A peaceful Jin is an extremely unfavorable situation for this emperor. Only if Jin continues to be at war and continues to be in turmoil can he continue to exist.

Even there is a chance to fish in troubled waters.

Zheng Fan suddenly felt that the Jin Emperor in front of him was very similar to Li Fu Sheng, and they both seemed to be mentally ill.

For the sake of his obsession, he could do anything extreme.

Or perhaps this emperor has been fascinated by this kind of gambling since he opened the Nanmen Pass.

"In other words, the troops outside are Your Majesty's troops?"

"After the He Lian family and the Wen Ren family were destroyed, I did receive a lot of knights from the Three Jin, enriching the imperial guards."

This is considered an admission.

Zheng Fan reached out and rubbed his temples and said:

"Your Majesty, I still don't understand what your real purpose is in doing this?"

To start a war? To create a tense situation? These big and empty goals seem somewhat unrealistic in specific matters.

"Because there is no goal, I want to muddy the waters, otherwise there will never be a goal."

This is the answer given by the Jin Emperor. Stir it up first, then see.

"Oh, is that so?"

Zheng Fan stood up.

The Jin Emperor picked up the bowl of porridge again, ready to continue drinking it.

"Your Majesty, you just told me everything like this, aren't you afraid that I will write to my emperor?"

"I'm not afraid."

"Why? I am a Yan person."

"I am still a Jin person, and still the Emperor of Jin, but didn't I also start a war for my throne and let my people of the Three Jin suffer?"

"No, no, no, it's different, I'm more pure."

"Perhaps, General Zheng, I know what you seek in my heart, in the midst of chaos, you and I can support each other.

Don't worry too much about the troops outside, they will disperse two days after surrounding the city.

General Zheng, you can take this great service of escorting me and protecting me, it's just a meeting gift from me to General Zheng."

"No..."

Zheng Fan suddenly felt that something was wrong.

"What else is there, General Zheng?"

Zheng Fan turned around again, looked at the Jin Emperor, and said:

"Your Majesty just said that the army outside the city is Your Majesty's army?"

"Yes."

"Your Majesty, can you accompany me to the city wall?"

"You were the one who asked me to come down and rest earlier."

"Earlier was earlier, now is now, I have to confirm some things before I can rest assured."

The Jin Emperor stood up with a smile, walked to Zheng Fan's side, and said:

"Then I will accompany the general to take a look at the city tower and calm down my beloved Zheng."

"Your Majesty, please."

Zheng Fan and the Jin Emperor walked out together, and the people around them deliberately kept a certain distance.

After coming out, they walked side by side onto the city wall.

Looking at the armored soldiers on the city tower who were still on standby even at night, the Jin Emperor said with some apology:

"It must have been tiring for the elite soldiers under the general's command."

"It doesn't matter, even if the war doesn't start, it's good to just treat it as a military exercise."

The Jin Emperor put his hands on the city wall and looked to the east, and said:

"Does the general know who the commander on the other side is?"

"Please tell me, Your Majesty."

"His surname is Yu, his name is Yu Huacheng, and he is my personal guard general."

"Oh."

Oh, never heard of him.

"He is actually a man of both literary and military talent, but unfortunately, he has been unable to display his talents due to my burden. I will introduce him to you in the future."

"Good, good."

"But his older brother, General Zheng, should have heard of him, his name is Yu Huaping."

"Still no..."

"He is known in the martial world as the Jin Sword Saint."

"Cough cough cough..."

I have indeed heard of that.

"Your Majesty, so the Jin Sword Saint is a member of the royal family?"

"Distant relatives, so distant that they can't be any more distant, but after all, they are all surnamed Yu."

"I see."

Just then, a signal arrow suddenly rose into the air, bringing a whistling sound.

Liang Cheng on the city wall immediately shouted:

"The enemy is attacking at night, prepare to meet the enemy!"

For a time, whether they were on night watch or dozing off, all the armored soldiers were mobilized and began to rush to the city wall.

On the city wall, the Jin Emperor's face was somewhat gloomy, and he looked at Zheng Fan and said:

"What does this mean, General Zheng?"

"The enemy is attacking at night and preparing to attack the city," Zheng Fan replied.

The signal arrow was shot by Xue San. As an assassin, Xue San was hidden below the fortress, so he could discover the enemy's movements early and make a warning.

Others may not believe it, but Zheng Fan has 100% trust in his demon kings in these matters.

"Absurd!"

The Jin Emperor scolded.

Zheng Fan was too lazy to argue with the Jin Emperor and directly pressed down on the Jin Emperor's shoulder, and the two of them squatted down together.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!!"

A burst of arrows shot up from under the city.

Following that,

there was also a dense sound of shouting and killing,

the enemy's troops,

were really attacking the city at night!

The Jin Emperor originally thought that Zheng Fan was fooling him, but the momentum in front of him could not be faked, and he was stunned there for a while.

"How is this possible... how is this possible... how is this possible..."

At this time, A'Ming and Si Niang had already arrived at Zheng Fan's side. This was standard, at any time on the battlefield, there must be at least two demon kings protecting the master.

A'Ming looked at the dazed Jin Emperor over there and asked:

"What's wrong?"

Zheng Fan silently drew his long saber,

and said:

"He messed up."