“I say, are you tired of living?”

Si Niang said to the blind man.

Everyone knew what Blind Bei's abilities were; with him around, everyone could sleep more soundly at night. But no one could stand the way this guy would just scan around with his mental energy when he had nothing to do, snooping into everyone's privacy.

"Oh? She really called me 'Daddy'?"

Blind Bei said with some surprise.

"Stop pretending, old woman."

"I'm not pretending, I really guessed," Blind Bei said. "Who hasn't been young before, right?"

Having said that,

The blind man maneuvered his wheelchair to turn back toward his room,

And said at the same time:

"You guys get ready, tomorrow you'll have to accompany the master to Nanwang City."

Xue San looked in the direction where Blind Bei was leaving, and fueled the fire with Si Niang, saying:

"See, he's feeling guilty!"

Si Niang wasn't angry, but instead covered her mouth and smiled, saying:

"He's not lying, we changed the way we call him a long time ago."

Xue San was stunned for a moment,

Then immediately turned the handle of his wheelchair,

While moving away from here, he shouted:

"I'm still a child!"

…………

The story is finished.

Fortunately, the story of Shatuo Queshi was indeed very good, with both tragic elements and the heroic spirit of a great man rising up in anger. It also had no shortage of grand scenes of one man facing a thousand cavalry alone.

Moreover, when it came to telling stories, how to set things up, how to embellish, how to develop the plot, and how to reach a climax, this was Zheng Fan's old profession.

After Chen Daxia finished listening to the story of Shatuo Queshi,

He let out a long sigh,

And said:

"A true man should be like this."

"Indeed."

"I really didn't expect that there would be such heroic figures among the barbarians."

"Yes, indeed."

"May I ask you to fulfill a request?"

"We are friends, and I admire you greatly, Daxia. There's no need to be so polite. Friends should help each other, it's only natural."

"After my injuries heal, I will return to Qian and kill that lieutenant."

"That's only reasonable."

"I was unable to distinguish right from wrong, and almost wrongly killed you. This is my sin;

You didn't hold a grudge, didn't kill me, and even helped me heal my injuries. This is the kindness I owe."

Zheng Fan shook his head very subtly,

But in his heart, he was overjoyed,

Saying,

Keep talking,

I'm waiting,

I'm waiting, you know.

"After I return to my country and take revenge, I will find someone to send my head to Cuiliu Fort."

"…………" Zheng Fan.

Are you kidding me?

"Daxia, I don't want you to…………"

"I understand what Brother Zheng means."

"It's good that you understand."

"Then I won't send my head."

"Yes, it's good that you've come to terms with it."

"I will leave myself a complete corpse and ask someone to send it to Cuiliu Fort. Although Shatuo Queshi was a barbarian, he was a true man of this era, and I am willing to emulate him!"

"…………" Zheng Fan.

"Brother Zheng, are you still not satisfied?"

"I didn't want you to die."

"I have done such a thing to Brother Zheng, I must die to atone for my sins!"

"I don't need you to atone for your sins."

"Even if Brother Zheng is magnanimous and can forgive me, I still cannot forgive myself. I reversed black and white and almost killed the wrong person. How am I any different from those vicious and powerful bullies?"

"But in my opinion, Daxia is righteous and values ​​gratitude and revenge. Besides, no one can live a lifetime without making mistakes?"

"No, no, no, after taking revenge, I will definitely have no face to live in this world."

"Knowing shame and then being brave is the mark of a true man."

"But Brother Zheng, I am a Qian person, and you are a Yan person."

Zheng Fan was stunned for a moment,

Tsk,

This Chen Daxia may be a bit of a fool, but he's definitely not stupid.

It's very likely that he already understood why I didn't kill him but kept him and healed his injuries.

Indeed, my official identity here is that of a Yan person, and also a soldier of the Yan Kingdom. If the Yan Kingdom and Qian Kingdom go to war in the future, I will also have the prefix of firing the first shot of the Yan-Qian war.

Chen Daxia understands my thoughts, and Chen Daxia chooses death.

The great hero serves the country and its people.

Asking Chen Daxia, a "Yan dog" in the eyes of the Qian people, to be his subordinate, to be a Qian traitor, he definitely wouldn't accept it.

Fortunately, Zheng Fan had already prepared a plan for this situation.

Since he couldn't get the most perfect result, the next step was to choose the next best thing and maximize the value of the benefits he could obtain.

After all, Chen Daxia's head or even Chen Daxia's complete corpse were of no use to Zheng Fan. Liang Cheng was not yet able to create zombie puppets, and he didn't have the great sacrificial team of the Barbarian Royal Court to perform sacrifices.

"How about this, Daxia, let's each take a step back. Can you help me kill three people?"

Chen Daxia was just about to speak when Zheng Fan preemptively said:

"These three people are not Qian people, and at the same time, they are targets that you can kill, and most importantly, they must be full of evil and are villains who deserve to be killed!

Daxia, what do you think of this?

After these three people are killed by you, you and I will owe each other nothing."

Chen Daxia shook his head.

Zheng Fan was a little helpless and said:

"You don't agree?"

"Yes."

"Then fine, Daxia, you should stay here and heal your injuries properly. After you recover, leave here and return to Qian to avenge the villagers of Chacha Village.

Meeting is fate, and we can be considered as having made friends without fighting. I also sincerely want to make friends with you, Daxia."

Zheng Fan turned the handle and prepared to leave.

But at this moment, Chen Daxia opened his mouth and said:

"Remove one condition."

"What condition?"

"Within my power."

………

The next morning, Zheng Fan put on his clothes with the help of Si Niang. He didn't wear armor, and he didn't wear a soft gold silk vest inside, because Zheng Fan's current state was such that being able to walk was already very difficult. If he carried any more weight, it would easily affect the wounds that hadn't healed yet.

He didn't ride a horse either. Liang Cheng drove the carriage, and Si Niang and Zheng Fan sat inside the carriage, while Fan Li and A Ming sat outside the carriage with Liang Cheng.

This feeling was a bit like when Emperor Qianlong in *My Fair Princess* took the princesses on a tour.

The winter scenery was all desolate. The so-called silver-clad world was just a tune that the literati and poets of this world liked. Most ordinary people still hated this winter to death.

"Cough cough…………"

Perhaps the carriage was too bumpy, or perhaps he was hit by the cold wind when he went out, Zheng Fan began to cough.

Si Niang immediately patted Zheng Fan on the back, and at the same time used the boiling water on the small charcoal stove in the carriage to make Zheng Fan a cup of something similar to a powder drink in later generations, honeysuckle and wild chrysanthemum with some other Chinese herbal medicines, which had the effect of clearing heat and detoxification.

Zheng Fan held the cup in both hands, using the cup to warm his hands, and sipped it little by little.

As if at this moment, he was already seventy or eighty years old, holding a teacup in the winter afternoon to watch other old partners play chess in the community.

It's not that Zheng Fan's body is weak. After such a major injury, it won't take ten days or half a month to replenish his vitality. Besides, Zheng Fan has only been awake for two days.

Nanwang City has arrived, and the city guards are carrying out inspections as usual. This is not the original Nanwang City garrison, but the Jingnan Army.

Ever since Marquis Jingnan led his troops into the city on the day the assassin appeared at the funeral of the commander, he has never left.

"Inside is Lord Zheng, the garrison officer of Cuiliu Fort, ordered to enter the city to see the Marquis."

Liang Cheng said directly.

The city guards immediately gave up the inspection and signaled that the carriage could enter.

After entering the city, the speed of the carriage naturally slowed down.

A Ming was a little curious and said: "They're not checking anymore?"

"Didn't you see the two people sitting at the table behind the city guards flipping through the books after we said our identities? They should be checking the records. Even the Marquis's orders on who to summon into the city for a meeting today can be passed down to the city guards for verification. What you saw may be this group of city guards directly letting us pass after hearing the master's identity and the Marquis's summons;

But what I saw was that this army, from the Marquis to the lowest-level soldiers, all jointly abide by a certain rule."

A Ming wanted to roll his eyes at Liang Cheng, but he thought about it and decided against it. People saw that scene and were just looking for an opportunity to express a bunch of emotions to show off, who told him to actively build a ladder for them?

Before long, the destination was reached. A Ming lifted the curtain and helped Zheng Fan out of the carriage.

"Then we'll go to the Commander's Mansion," Liang Cheng said.

Zheng Fan nodded.

A Ming was accompanying Zheng Fan to see Marquis Jingnan. Of course, A Ming would probably have to wait at the gatekeeper's place, and only Zheng Fan could go in alone. But no matter what, after the master went in, someone would have to stay outside to wait.

The simple-minded Fan Li wasn't suitable, Si Niang was a female relative, and Liang Cheng had good driving skills, so A Ming was left behind.

Marquis Jingnan didn't occupy the Commander's Mansion, but lived in a residence of the Tian family in Nanwang City.

The gate of the residence was heavily guarded, with elite armored soldiers standing in rows.

After Zheng Fan handed over his identity plate, he waited for a while. A captain came out from inside, cupped his fist at Zheng Fan, and said:

"Lord Zheng, please follow me."

Zheng Fan and A Ming nodded and walked in.

When passing through the back garden, Zheng Fan saw a group of generals in armor walking out. When the two sides passed by each other, these generals were obviously sizing him up.

Since the leading captain didn't stop to introduce them, Zheng Fan didn't presumptuously salute.

In fact, Zheng Fan's position was indeed quite laid-back. Many things were taken care of by Blind Bei, and he didn't have to deal with any social matters.

"Marquis, Garrison Officer Zheng has arrived."

"Let him in."

"Yes."

The captain cupped his fist at Zheng Fan, "Lord Zheng, please come in, this subordinate will take his leave first."

Zheng Fan also cupped his fist at him as a gesture.

Then, he stepped up the steps.

After walking in, Zheng Fan found that Marquis Jingnan was sitting behind a mahogany round table, holding chopsticks in his hand and eating.

On the dining table, there were three stir-fried dishes and a large pot of food.

Marquis Jingnan pointed to the opposite side of the table with his chopsticks,

"If you haven't eaten, sit down and eat together."

"Thank you, Marquis."

Zheng Fan wasn't polite. Because he came by carriage, the speed was naturally slower. By the time he arrived here, it was almost noon.

After sitting down, a woman dressed in black walked over and handed Zheng Fan a bowl of rice and a pair of chopsticks.

Who was this woman if not Du Juan?

At this time, Du Juan was dressed very casually. It seemed that she really wasn't much different from the Marquis's concubine.

Of course, even if it was his own sister-in-law, he couldn't look at her indiscriminately, let alone the Marquis's woman?

"Thank you, Sister Juan."

"Oh, Marquis, did you hear that? Our Lord Zheng has such a sweet mouth."

Du Juan joked.

Marquis Jingnan put a mouthful of rice into his mouth, and while chewing, he said:

"It's the mouth of a treacherous minister."

"…………" Zheng Fan.

The Marquis pointed to the big pot of food with his chopsticks and said:

"Try this, it was sent by Grand Commandant Yang of Qian."

Zheng Fan nodded and wasn't polite. He picked up a piece of something black with his chopsticks, put it in his bowl, and put it in his mouth.

"Is it delicious?" the Marquis asked.

"It's sour with a hint of sweetness, a profound taste, and rich flavor."

"Yes."

The Marquis put his chopsticks into the pot, picked out a piece of white and tender fish, and said at the same time:

"What you just picked up was pickled cabbage."

"…………" Zheng Fan.

So,

Was this a pot of sauerkraut fish?

Zheng Fan really couldn't tell from the appearance that he was eating sauerkraut. It could be said that since he woke up, his daily diet had been improved by Si Niang and the others, and he didn't have much experience with the local food customs of this world.

Was that sauerkraut a little too black?

Zheng Fan immediately picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth,

This taste,

It wasn't river fish, it should be sea fish.

It's just that Zheng Fan was allergic to seafood when he was a child in his previous life, so he wasn't particularly interested in seafood, and therefore, he couldn't tell what kind of seafood the fish was.

"How does it taste?"

"Very good."

"It seems that you don't like it very much."

"This kind of thing should be caught in the morning and cooked at the latest in the evening, then the taste will be the most delicious."

"Yes, the person who sent the gift said that it took a full month to transport this thing from Qian to here, but it has always been chilled with ice. It is said that the south of Qian is a vast ocean, and the people by the sea can make a living by fishing.

Unfortunately, the north of my Great Yan is a desert, and my Yan people can't make a living by eating sand."

"Marquis, I believe that one day, our Yan people will also be able to enjoy this delicacy."

Marquis Jingnan picked up the cup beside him, not knowing whether it was tea or wine inside, took a sip,

And said:

"It is expensive to catch from the sea and transport it here. It is not something that ordinary people can afford."

"What this subordinate means is that at that time, the Qian people who originally caught fish by the sea and ate it will become Yan people."

"Hehehe..."

Marquis Jingnan pointed at Zheng Fan with his finger,

"Your mouth is quite capable of talking. It's a pity to be a garrison officer."

"You flatter me, Marquis."

Was he going to promote him?

"I can write a letter to Wei Zhonghe, and you can go to him. In the future, you may be able to become extremely wealthy."

The three words "Wei Zhonghe" made Zheng Fan involuntarily think of Wei Zhongxian.

Zheng Fan didn't rush to be happy, but instead asked:

"Marquis, this subordinate is ignorant and has little knowledge. I don't know who this Lord Wei Zhonghe is?"

"The Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial of my Great Yan."

"…………" Zheng Fan.

"I'm done eating, you eat yours."

"Yes."

Zheng Fan wasn't polite, poured some sauerkraut fish soup over his rice, and then quickly ate all the rice in his bowl with the other dishes.

Du Juan, who was standing beside him, stepped forward to help Zheng Fan add rice.

"No need, I'm full."

"Soldiers eat rations. No matter what, you have to fill your stomach. With a full stomach, you have substance," Marquis Jingnan said.

"What the Marquis says is true, but this subordinate is really full. This subordinate is injured."

"Oh, that's right, I almost forgot."

"Marquis, the tea is ready," Du Juan said.

Marquis Jingnan got up, "You come with me."

Zheng Fan followed Marquis Jingnan into the inner room, which looked like a study, but there was a clothes rack that made Zheng Fan stunned for a moment.

The clothes hanging on the rack gave people a feeling of extravagance, and the embroidery on them looked like dragons and snakes.

"Grand Commandant Yang not only sent fish, but also sent a royal robe, saying that it was based on the court dress of his Qian king, plus the local customs of my Yan, and also an official document stamped with his seal of the Three-Border Commander, directly calling this Marquis 'His Highness, the Prince of Jingnan'."

"I heard that Grand Commandant Yang is a eunuch?"

Marquis Jingnan nodded, walked behind the desk and sat down, and said:

"He is indeed a eunuch. People usually think that he rose through favor, relying on the three Yang sisters to gain the favor of the Qian Emperor and rise to the top. But that's not the case. To be able to sit in the position of the Three-Border Commander of Qian, not to mention a eunuch, even a pig wouldn't be ordinary."

Zheng Fan suddenly thought of what Liang Cheng said on the front line more than a month ago, that even if a pig was sitting in the command position of the Jingnan Army, the probability of losing to the Qian Border Army was very low.

Hold back, don't laugh.

"Marquis, this castrated thing is sowing discord."

"He is sowing discord, but do you know that he won't be sitting in the position of the Three-Border Commander for much longer, but at this time he is still doing these things. Although he is a eunuch, this Marquis believes that there are not many civil and military officials in the Qian court who can compare to this eunuch."

Why do officials like vanity projects? Because they can quickly produce achievements, while those who diligently work on the basics and silently invest are often unwilling to do it. Once their transfer order is issued, they pat their butts and leave. Why benefit their successors? There are really not many people willing to do things that benefit future generations.

The Marquis picked up the teacup, continued:

"After his words and the inaction on the front line that day were sent back to the Qian capital, the Qian court was in an uproar. The memorials impeaching him for being cowardly, cowardly, and humiliating the country have already filled the Qian Emperor's imperial study.

This Grand Commandant Yang is about to be transferred away."

Zheng Fan was a little unsure of the meaning in Marquis Jingnan's words for a while, but the words he and Blind Bei said that day came to his mind. Blind Bei finally said that what Marquis Jingnan was planning could only depend on the master to gamble.

Taking a deep breath,

Zheng Fan knew that from the moment he entered the room, eating together and showing him this obviously prohibited royal robe without hesitation, this must be an arrangement of Marquis Jingnan.

The opportunity was already in front of him, it just depended on whether he could bet right and get on this train.

"This subordinate congratulates the Marquis!"

"What is there to congratulate?"

"If this Grand Commandant Yang is transferred away, the next Qian Three-Border Commander will definitely not dare to follow in his footsteps. If the Marquis uses troops against him, he will definitely not retreat to the fortresses and cities like Grand Commandant Yang to avoid battle, and may even take the initiative to seek battle. At that time, my Great Yan cavalry will have a chance!"

Marquis Jingnan looked at Zheng Fan deeply,

Didn't comment on Zheng Fan's words just now,

But pointed to Zheng Fan,

And said:

"Hand over the affairs of Cuiliu Fort and choose one of your subordinates to temporarily take over the position of garrison officer.

Seven days later is the Empress's birthday. You will join this Marquis's personal guard,

And follow this Marquis to the capital."