Chapter 15 Staking a Claim

Seducing away someone's subordinates was a shady business, frowned upon no matter who you were or what industry you were in.

Besides, even if you were going to poach, doing it discreetly would be one thing.

But to do it right in front of their boss…

Even with the North Marquis Li Liangting's easygoing and bold nature, he couldn't help but blush.

The Jingnan Marquis simply stood there quietly.

The scene was, to say the least, extremely awkward.

Especially since the Jingnan Marquis didn't say a word, seemingly intentionally prolonging the awkwardness, making the North Marquis uncomfortable for a while longer.

In the Great Yan, only two people dared to make the North Marquis lose face like this, dared to deliberately leave him hanging for a bit. Unfortunately, the Jingnan Marquis was one of them.

"Wujing, you have good eyes, haha."

The North Marquis reached out and patted Zheng Fan's shoulder, a bit too forcefully. Zheng Fan staggered; keep in mind, Zheng Fan was an initiated martial artist, but in the face of the North Marquis's palm, he truly had the "grace of a swaying willow."

But it was like an elder patting your head; you weren't happy about it, but you didn't dare complain.

In fact, just as the Yan Emperor had said to Wei Zhonghe in the imperial study, the North Marquis favored Zheng Fan not because of his martial talent, nor because Zheng Fan was amusing and knew how to talk.

Rather, it was because the North Marquis, someone standing on the peak of a mountain, was most aware of the importance of overall strategy.

He had no shortage of people skilled in leading troops; to say he had generals as numerous as the clouds was no exaggeration. But someone capable of comprehensively considering the political, economic, cultural, and other factors of two countries was extremely rare.

This was a commander, a true commander in the making.

Although right now he was just a rough stone, who knew if, after ten years of polishing, he could be cut into a mesmerizing jade?

Most importantly, his strategy for attacking Qian was nearly identical to the strategy the three of them had discussed.

Excluding the unreliable possibility that Tian Wujing had leaked the questions in advance to promote him, it meant that this person was already showing a glimmer of brilliance.

Buying him now was simply a question of how much profit you'd make; losing money was impossible.

"Hey, Wujing, don't be silent. Just let me have this guy, alright?"

Seeing that the Jingnan Marquis still wasn't speaking, the North Marquis couldn't help but say it a second time.

The Jingnan Marquis, who had just had his entire family exterminated last night, looked like nothing had happened. You couldn't see a trace of sorrow on his face; it was still the same feeling Zheng Fan had when he first met him.

He was steady, always steady.

Leading the Jingnan Army into Nanwang City was steady, leading the army to confront the Qian army was steady, and saying "leave no one alive" last night was also steady.

"He is a Beifeng County native."

Finally, the Jingnan Marquis spoke.

"Of course, he's from my hometown."

"Your Li Liangting's hometown is Yinlang County."

"Ancestral home, ancestral home. My Li family has been rooted in Beifeng County for a hundred years; we're already Beifeng County people. Besides, not to disrespect His Majesty, you can go out and ask, ask anyone, ask them, does Beifeng County belong to the Li family?"

These words were extremely taboo.

For anyone else, it would be a great disrespect, worthy of having their family exterminated.

But the North Marquis indeed had the confidence to say these words. Also, well, this was the guy who was grilling lamb legs in the imperial garden first thing in the morning; it wasn't surprising that he'd say something like this.

"Doesn't that mean you, Li Liangting, are blind?"

"…" The North Marquis.

The talent from your Beifeng County, the talent from your Li family's territory, was discovered by me, the Jingnan Marquis, in Yinlang County in the south.

If you're not blind, then what are you?

"Fine, I'll admit that I, Li Liangting, misjudged him this once. Tian Wujing, are you letting him go or not?"

"Let him choose for himself."

"Good, let him choose for himself. This Marquis is offering the position of lieutenant general, with a thousand North Army iron cavalry under his command."

The military system of Great Yan also distinguished between substantive and nominal positions. For example, Zheng Fan, who had just become the escort commandant of Tiger Head City, could be joked around with by the guards at the gate; wasn't that because Zheng Fan was just a figurehead commandant?

A thousand North Army iron cavalry…

Zheng Fan subconsciously swallowed.

The North Army was so elite.

His own hundreds of barbarian cavalry were already able to roam the borders of Qian, but you had to know that these barbarians, in the desert, in their home territory, were beaten so badly by the North Army that they called them "father."

With a thousand North Army iron cavalry in hand, Zheng Fan didn't know if he would dare, but Liang Cheng would definitely dare to launch an offensive against three thousand Qian cavalry.

Li Liangting had made his offer. The virtuous bird chooses the tree to perch on; this was an eternal truth. At the same time, it was also a matter of everyone boosting each other up. Even if Zheng Fan didn't choose him, Li Liangting was indirectly raising Zheng Fan's value.

The most delicious food was the food you fought for, the food you snatched; it tasted the best.

He had raised the stakes; no matter what, Tian Wujing would have to add some sincerity.

Ultimately, it was because, in Li Liangting's view, although they belonged to different factions and different military systems, they were all Yan people. He valued Zheng Fan, so he didn't mind giving this kid a push to help him get ahead sooner.

Right now, Great Yan was in need of talent; what was lacking was talent!

With a national war about to begin, it was a time for generals to shine!

However,

The Jingnan Marquis simply said calmly:

"Cuiliu Fort garrison commander of Yinlang County."

The official position remained unchanged, and he didn't say how many Jingnan Army elites would be allocated to him. Just such a simple sentence.

Li Liangting's eyes widened.

If it weren't for the fact that Tian Wujing had just slaughtered his entire family last night and might not be in a good mood,

The North Marquis would really start cursing.

How much confidence did you, Tian Wujing, have to dare not raise the price at all?

Alright,

The prices had been offered.

Now it was your turn to choose.

Zheng Fan suddenly felt that this style was a bit off, really off. He had run a horror-themed manga studio in his previous life; he had never drawn sugary works.

However, Zheng Fan immediately suppressed the slightly uncomfortable emotions in his heart. In fact, he had already thought it through and made his decision long ago.

Immediately, Zheng Fan took two steps forward and bowed to the North Marquis.

"Thank you for the North Marquis's appreciation."

This was gratitude, but in reality, it was a refusal.

The North Marquis raised his hand, stopping Zheng Fan from saying any more flowery nonsense.

He asked directly:

"Give me a reason."

"My Lord, this humble one wants to fight."

The North Marquis's gaze narrowed. He first looked at the Jingnan Marquis, but then realized that Tian Wujing was unlikely to have told this kid about that matter as well. So, this kid had figured it out himself?

The North Marquis suddenly felt like he had suffered a loss.

Zheng Fan walked behind the Jingnan Marquis and stood still.

The Jingnan Marquis continued to stand there, without the joy of a victor, still very calm.

I want to fight, I want to go to the front lines, so I didn't choose you.

Because Zheng Fan knew that the Jingnan Marquis's extermination of the Tian family yesterday was just the beginning. After today's court meeting, the Great Yan Emperor would gather the strength of the three armies to strike a fatal blow against the Great Yan aristocratic families.

Scraping the bone to remove poison required strong medicine; it had to be ruthless, had to be decisive!

Clearly, the North Army would be the knife scraping the bone.

Firstly, the North Army was the most elite and powerful army in the world; using them to trample the aristocratic families would be enough to make them despair.

Secondly, the North Army had always been controlled by the North Marquis's府 (Fu: residence/mansion), with a higher degree of purity. They might not listen to the Yan Emperor, but they would definitely obey the North Marquis's will.

As long as the North Marquis pointed his blade, the North Army iron cavalry wouldn't care whether they were families with centuries of scholarly tradition or large aristocratic clans; they would directly flatten everything.

Thirdly, when cleaning up the house, someone had to guard the front door to prevent neighbors from passing by and taking things. The Jingnan Army was originally built to deal with Qian; letting the Jingnan Marquis continue to confront them in Yinlang County while implementing the first step of the attacking Qian strategy was the most normal thing. As long as the Yan Emperor and the North Marquis didn't have problems in their brains, they would definitely choose this.

Therefore, in the following period, the North Army and Li Liangting were unlikely to appear on the front lines against Qian.

What he had to do was to lead his North Army, like a plow, to till the aristocratic families of Great Yan back and forth several times. Only after this could the North Army be drawn out to the battlefield against Qian.

Originally, according to the plan of Blind Bei and Zheng Fan, they would first cultivate and develop in Cuiliu Fort. When the Yan Emperor decided to attack the aristocratic families, they would immediately go and be the vanguard of the倒 (Dao: to fall/collapse) aristocratic families to engage in speculation.

But plans could never keep up with changes. First of all, the Jingnan Marquis's attitude, having already exterminated his entire family, had ensured the attitude of the Jingnan Army and the entire Yinlang County. At the same time, Zheng Fan had already gained the Jingnan Marquis's attention; there was no need to do any more speculation.

In addition, and most importantly, Zheng Fan didn't want to spend the next six months to a year leading his troops to attack one aristocratic family after another.

Most of the private soldiers of the aristocratic families of Great Yan had been concentrated in Tiancheng County. As long as decisive measures were taken, the difficulty of resolving them was not great, because those farmers on the ground could indeed be armed by the aristocratic families into their own private soldiers. But if you didn't give them time to arm and mobilize, most of them would be like the Tian residence last night.

Clearly a behemoth, but it collapsed so decisively.

It was much more interesting to fight with Qian. Zheng Fan had no hatred for the Qian people, but at least the opponent was the Qian army, so he wouldn't have to experience the scene of the Elegant Garden night banquet again.

The North Marquis didn't speak, just stood there. Qing Shuang, like Zheng Fan, was also standing behind his lord.

Until,

The bell rang, the whip cracked, the palace gate opened, and the officials began to enter.

…

"One lamb leg is indeed not enough to share."

"Your Majesty, the palace gate has already opened." Wei Zhonghe reminded from the side.

The Yan Emperor tore off the last bit of meat left on the lamb leg and put it into his mouth, and also licked the residue on his palm into his mouth.

He muttered to himself:

"But I have to fill my own stomach first, so I have the strength to go out and snatch sheep.

Wei Zhonghe, change clothes."

"As you command."

This dragon robe, Ji Runhao had worn countless times for more than ten years.

In the past, he always felt that this dragon robe didn't fit well and was a bit tight.

But today,

He suddenly felt that this dragon robe was looser, and after putting it on, his breathing was smoother.

"Your Majesty, the imperial carriage is already waiting outside."

"No need, this time, I'll walk there."

Ji Runhao, wearing the dragon robe, walked out of the imperial study.

The light of the morning sun shone on him, not dazzling, but giving a slightly hazy feeling.

Ji Runhao first slowly clenched his ten fingers, and then slowly released them.

Liangting,

Wujing,

That day we have been waiting for,

Has arrived!

…

The court meeting of Yan was different from that of Qian; the time to go to court was not so early. But this time, far from the time when the palace gate was opened, the officials outside had already gathered early.

A dog's nose was essential to being a political animal.

The officials had all smelled the unusualness of today, especially the spokespersons of the major aristocratic families in the capital, and even some family heads who normally didn't need to attend court, had all come today.

This was a storm that had been brewing for a long time; today, it would be completely unveiled!

The pattern of Great Yan for the next twenty years would be set today.

It seemed that the two princes of the North and South were inevitable, because the aristocratic families had already made preparations to force the emperor's hand.

It was just that some people couldn't help but wonder why Tian Bokai, the head of the Tian family, hadn't come today. However, some people wondered while others thought it was natural. The Tian family would be ascending to a royal title today. Tian Bokai was avoiding suspicion by not showing off too much and secretly enjoying himself at home, which was normal.

Alas, one didn't know how many aristocratic family heads were envying Tian Bokai's good fortune in their hearts at this moment!

"Creak…"

The palace gate was opened.

The officials began to enter.

As soon as they entered the palace gate, the officials discovered that there seemed to be more imperial guards in the palace today than usual. Those who were more attentive would notice that these palace guards seemed to be a bit unfamiliar.

However, everyone didn't pay too much attention to this. They thought the Yan Emperor was just trying to put some pressure on everyone in this way, but that was all.

However, just as the officials and the representatives of the aristocratic families had just walked to the Qingshui Bridge and were still some distance away from the main hall where court was held, the ground of the imperial palace suddenly began to tremble.

An earthquake?

This was the officials' first reaction, but soon, they rejected this idea, because as the sound got closer and closer, the sense of rhythm also became stronger and stronger.

………

The palace gate, of course, was not the only one. This place was not far from the imperial study, and behind the imperial study, it led to another royal garden.

The imperial garden was just a place for the emperor to take a walk after dealing with official business. The garden behind it belonged to the auxiliary buildings of the imperial palace. That was the place for the emperor and concubines to play hide-and-seek.

The North Marquis took out a black token. Qing Shuang bowed and stepped forward to take it. Then, Qing Shuang, holding the token, went straight to the back.

Zheng Fan hesitated for a moment and looked at the Jingnan Marquis standing in front of him.

This…

Should he imitate Qing Shuang's actions just now?

But you hadn't rehearsed this; I don't know anything.

If we don't need to do anything, wouldn't it look very foolish to the North Marquis if I went up to ask you for the token?

But if you were also prepared, and I didn't go up to ask for it, but instead wanted you to turn around and hand it to me, wouldn't it be an even bigger problem because it would ruin your image of always being steady?

How awkward…

Taking a deep breath,

Zheng Fan still walked to the Jingnan Marquis's side, bowed, and spread out his hands.

Soon, a cold sensation fell into Zheng Fan's palm. This was a silver token, much heavier than the Crown Prince's pavilion access pass.

Phew…

We also have a token.

Zheng Fan immediately took the token and quickly chased after Qing Shuang in front.

If he didn't chase after him, he wouldn't know the way!

Zheng Fan didn't lose Qing Shuang, but instead followed Qing Shuang to a city gate.

In short, the officials entered from the south gate, while this was the north gate of the imperial palace, leading directly to a garden.

But at this time, thousands of cavalry were hidden in the garden!

Everyone was divided into two rows, all very quiet, but the occasional eye contact between each other seemed to be able to spark flames in the air.

Soldiers, of course, had the pride of soldiers.

The North Army considered themselves the most elite in the world, but the Jingnan Army didn't think they were any worse than the other side. It was just that they hadn't had the opportunity to prove themselves.

At the front of the line, on the east and west sides respectively, three lieutenant generals were sitting upright on horseback.

Qing Shuang walked to the front and took out the North Marquis's token:

"The Marquis has ordered, the North Army, enter the palace!"

Anyway, someone was doing it in front, so he only needed to imitate.

Zheng Fan also took out the token that the Jingnan Marquis had given him,

And said:

"The Marquis has ordered, enter the palace!"

Zheng Fan felt a bit of pity. If he had known there would be this scene, he should have told them some rhyming slogans in advance.

Someone from both armies led out warhorses for Qing Shuang and Zheng Fan.

After getting on the horse,

Qing Shuang spurred his horse forward, and the North Army soldiers behind him also began to spur the warhorses under their crotches to follow his speed.

Zheng Fan then raised his whip,

And the Jingnan Marquis's action at the roast duck restaurant yesterday flashed in his mind.

He pulled the reins,

And the warhorse under his crotch raised its front hooves.

Never mind, first cosplay a bit of the Jingnan Marquis.

Qing Shuang looked at Zheng Fan. He didn't know what this guy, whom he had only met today but who seemed to be particularly appreciated by his lord, was doing.

Then,

Zheng Fan whipped the horse hard,

And the warhorse under his crotch directly charged out. The Jingnan Army cavalry behind him also followed, spurring their warhorses and starting to charge, immediately surpassing the North Army.

"…" Qing Shuang.

Anyone who has been in the army knows that when two troops are competing, who wants to admit defeat?

Immediately,

The North Army cavalry also began to accelerate. The two sides chased each other, and in the end, they completely released their horse speed and began to charge!

The magnificent momentum shocked everyone in the imperial palace.

And at this time,

Ji Runhao, wearing the dragon robe, accompanied by Wei Zhonghe, had already walked to the middle between the Jingnan Marquis and the North Marquis.

Then,

When they saw the scene of thousands of iron cavalry galloping toward them,

The corners of the mouths of the North Marquis and the Jingnan Marquis twitched involuntarily.

"Good!"

Ji Runhao was not angry at all, nor did he feel that the dignity of his imperial palace had been violated. What he wanted was this momentum, this scene!

Today's Yan Emperor was very excited; he had been suppressed for far too long!

The next scene,

Would be imprinted in the hearts of the officials for the rest of their lives, although for many of them, their lives would only last until today.

In the light of the morning sun,

Ji Runhao, wearing the dragon robe, walked in the front, holding the Son of Heaven sword.

Behind Ji Runhao on both sides,

The two most powerful and highest-ranking marquises of Great Yan followed steadily.

Behind them,

Were two torrents of iron cavalry advancing forward.

Today,

The Great Yan Emperor, with the two strongest armies of Great Yan, declared war on the Great Yan aristocratic families!

Zheng Fan, in the cavalry formation, looked at the backs of the three people in front, and a strong sense of oppression suddenly rose in his heart, like a black iron curtain completely enveloping him.

Could it be that he would only be able to be a submissive person under these three great mountains in front of him for the rest of his life?

But the next moment,

Zheng Fan gritted his teeth,

And he suddenly thought of the ancestors of his own people in another era.

The haze and oppression in his heart were instantly swept away for the most part,

And riding on the sound of the galloping horses,

He shouted:

"This is how a true man should be!"