Chapter 1 The Meaning of Life

In his previous life, Zheng Fan had watched countless films and literary works with ancient settings, and one phrase was used so often that he felt nauseous every time he heard it.

That phrase was: "How I hate being born into an imperial family!"

This sentence was usually shouted by female characters, often with a resentful and helpless crying voice while biting their lower lip, and it was usually used in plots where love was uncontrollable.

It was as if not being born into an imperial family meant they could bear being born into a poor family, where they would have to work in the fields early, not have enough to eat or wear, and if there were younger brothers in the family, they would have to be sold off for marriage.

But in the case of the Sixth Prince, Zheng Fan truly understood the meaning of this sentence, or rather... the chill.

Many people have visited the Forbidden City in later generations, and some still find it magnificent, while others are disappointed after seeing it. But regardless of the impression, once the palace is no longer the pinnacle of power, it has lost most of its aura.

The majesty and terror of imperial power, as well as the distortion and bloodshed it brings, can often send a chill down one's spine when touched up close.

"It seems that Marquis Jingnan appreciates you quite a bit. You're doing well, kid."

"Gold shines wherever it is."

"Heh, I actually miss your golden phrases a bit."

"I'll write some for you next time I send a letter."

"You can really wholesale those?"

"They're just worthless things."

The Sixth Prince took a roasted duck from the fireplace, cut it open with a knife, didn't even bother to slice it properly, and handed Zheng Fan a duck leg, taking one for himself.

He said:

"How was the Qian Kingdom? The big shots in the capital all know about your exploits. Several hundred riders fought their way through a hundred *li* in the Qian Kingdom and even broke through Mianzhou City, beheading a bunch of defending officials.

"To be honest, I've also fantasized about that kind of life. When I was a kid, I even dreamed of having that kind of splendor."

"It was just so-so. The Qian people are only good at building houses, everything else is average. The border troops are also rotten. Even the young women in the Qian Kingdom's border regions aren't as lively and pretty as the women of Yan."

Actually, the specific details and process had already been communicated to the Sixth Prince through letters from Cuiliu Fort. After all, he was a major investor. If he invested in your business, you didn't have to make a profit, but you had to make some noise.

In the words of Blind Man Bei, whether you're bragging, making a PowerPoint presentation, or doing a crosstalk performance,

You have to fool the investor into laughing and being willing to keep investing money.

Right now, the Sixth Prince was just casually chatting with Zheng Fan about his trip to the Qian Kingdom, not holding a board meeting.

"That's nothing. The women of Xiahang are the most famous in the Qian Kingdom, and Xiahang is in the Jiangnan region."

"If I have the chance in the future, I'll lead troops to Jiangnan in the Qian Kingdom and capture a few Xiahang women to warm your bed."

"Alright, that's too vulgar, it diminishes my dignity."

"As if being a gigolo doesn't diminish your dignity."

"Earning money and eating through business skills, is that shameful?"

"Robbing people with a knife, is that shameful?"

"The way you put it, it actually makes sense. Really, I've found that what you say is always very interesting. Even though you haven't been around for the past few months, your words often echo in my ears."

"............" Zheng Fan.

"Hehe, Marquis Jingnan's return to the capital this time is by order of Father Emperor, nominally for the Empress's birthday, but because Lord Tian's birthday is earlier, discerning people can see that this is just an excuse."

"Yeah, I see it."

"Currently, of the six garrison armies of the Zhenbei Marquisate, only two remain to guard the desert. The other four have been stationed on the border of Beifeng Commandery. The imperial army has also been mobilized. The situation is quite tense."

"Yes, it's very tense."

"Why don't you have any sense of urgency?"

"Don't you either?"

"Alright, I'll give you another reminder. Many noble families in the court oppose Father Emperor continuing to escalate the conflict and start a war with the Zhenbei Army. At first, they were afraid of Father Emperor's anger and didn't dare to act rashly. They also obediently gathered their private troops from their own lands and converged on the capital.

"They probably originally planned to help Father Emperor put on a show, boost the momentum, and make the Zhenbei Army a little wary. Plus, Marquis Zhenbei himself is still in the capital, which is always a huge bargaining chip.

"But now it's different. Something happened that has made these aristocratic families and many people in my imperial family panic."

"What happened?"

"The young Marquis of the Zhenbei Marquisate, it is said that he has appeared in the Marquisate."

"The young Marquis?"

"Don't be surprised. Don't even mention you, I haven't seen him either. The Zhenbei Marquis lineage has never had many descendants.

"Some say it's because the first Marquis Zhenbei buried hundreds of thousands of Qian soldiers in Yinlang Commandery a hundred years ago, creating too much slaughter and incurring karmic debt; others say it's because the barbarian priests have been cursing the Zhenbei Marquisate to be childless day and night, and it's taken effect.

"This generation of Marquis Zhenbei only has one son and one daughter. The daughter is the Princess, whom you've met. I estimate that it won't be long before she becomes my sister-in-law and then the Crown Princess.

"As for the son, it's said that he was born extremely weak and often sick, almost dying young.

"But after growing up a little, he was sent by the Marquisate to the Zhenbei Army to train. It's been almost ten years since then. Other than the Marquis himself, probably no one knows which garrison or division that young Marquis is in, what rank he currently holds, or that his comrades and superiors know his identity.

"The imperial secret service, plus the spies from various families, have spent a lot of money to find this young Marquis over the years, but they haven't succeeded."

"Hiding a person among 300,000 people is really like finding a needle in a haystack."

"In previous years, there were even rumors that the young Marquis of the Zhenbei family had died, possibly from an illness, or possibly in a conflict with the barbarians.

"This means that the Zhenbei Marquisate is going to die out.

"In addition, my Princess sister-in-law has clearly begun to take charge in recent years, which has only deepened everyone's speculation that the young Marquis is dead. Without a male heir in the family, they can only rely on women to hold up the sky."

"So, this time, that young Marquis has come out?"

"There hasn't been an official announcement, but the informants of various families in the Zhenbei Marquisate have received news that the young Marquis has indeed appeared.

"Do you know what that means?"

"It means that the 300,000 Zhenbei soldiers have a young master, and the Zhenbei Marquisate has an heir."

"Yes, just like the Crown Prince is the foundation of the country, no matter how big the enterprise, if there is no heir, the hearts of the people cannot be united, because following you may not have a future, and everyone will be confused.

"Originally, the aristocratic families thought that Marquis Zhenbei himself was still in the capital, and no matter how much the Zhenbei Army stirred up trouble, it was just putting on a show. Now, they are completely panicked.

"The young Marquis's appearance means that no matter whether Marquis Zhenbei himself lives or dies in the capital, the 300,000 Zhenbei soldiers have a goal to continue to follow. At that time, the young Marquis may give an order to let the Zhenbei Army kill their way into the capital to seize the throne and ascend the throne, right?

"Who knows how excited those hillbillies will be? This is... to follow the dragon, no, to be a founding hero."

"So, how will those aristocratic families respond?"

"A royal title."

The Sixth Prince uttered these two words.

According to the ancestral system of Great Yan, titles of non-imperial surnames peaked at marquis. Only imperial princes could be granted the title of king.

"The aristocratic families are really scared. They are afraid that if the two sides really fight, the entire Yan Kingdom will become a battlefield, and they themselves will have to choose sides. They don't want to gamble, and they don't dare to gamble. Maintaining the stability of the situation is what they want most."

"This title of king, won't it only be granted to one person?"

"Didn't I tell you in my letter that the Jin and Qian Kingdoms have been clamoring that Marquis Jingnan is actually the King of Jingnan? Do you think it's really just hot air from an empty cave?"

"So, it turns out that flies don't bite seamless eggs."

"Tsk, another golden phrase, too cheap, right?"

"You're welcome."

"The meaning of the aristocratic families is to have Father Emperor grant Marquis Zhenbei the title of King of Zhenbei, to continue guarding the northern border for my Great Yan for generations. At the same time, to balance things out, grant Marquis Jingnan the title of King of Jingnan, to guard the southern border.

"At the same time, add 'hereditary and irreplaceable' before the King of Jingnan."

Previously, "Marquis Jingnan" sounded like a title, but it was actually more like an official position, replacing the Yan Emperor in controlling the Jingnan Army in the southern border. If he were granted the title of king and added "hereditary and irreplaceable," it would mean that his identity would be completely solidified, and he could establish his own government.

"Is the Tian family also contributing to this?"

"Although the Tian family is not the largest of the four major aristocratic families in my Great Yan, it is a leader after the four major aristocratic families. It is itself among the large aristocratic families, what do you think?

"Moreover, a hereditary and irreplaceable royal title, the Tian family is currently an in-law of the imperial family, but the respect of an in-law is destined not to last long. At most, they can still jump around for a few more years after my second brother ascends the throne, but what about when my second brother's child ascends the throne?

"A royal title, a hereditary and irreplaceable royal title, to be honest, if I were Lord Tian, I wouldn't be able to resist."

"In this way, the country is equivalent to being divided."

"Your perspective on the problem is really forward-looking."

The Yan Kingdom sits on the most powerful cavalry among the four great Eastern powers. For hundreds of years, it has been suppressing the desert barbarians with the strength of one country, but because of the domestic aristocratic politics, the Yan Emperor is unable to launch a southward unification war against Qian or Jin.

And once a king is really granted in both the north and south, imperial power will undoubtedly be further weakened. The current Yan Emperor has been working to weaken the power of the vassals since he ascended the throne, but the more he weakens them, the more he goes back to the original state.

"How has your Father Emperor been feeling recently?"

"Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"

"Tell me the truth first."

"Very angry. More than a dozen eunuchs and palace maids who made mistakes have been beaten to death in the imperial study, and he has stopped attending court for ten days. He has been staying at night in the residences of several beauties he had never touched before."

Here, "beauties" refers to the official positions in the harem.

"Then, what about the lie?"

"The lie is just my own opinion. Those few beauties were offered to the palace a few years ago. It was said that the Qian Emperor had the three daughters of the Yang family, how could my Great Yan Emperor lag behind?"

"Are they also women from Xiahang?"

"They are indeed women from Xiahang."

"Continue, let me hear your opinion."

"I think Father Emperor has been working hard these days, trying to create a few younger brothers and sisters with half Qian blood in them.

"Hehe, just my own opinion, it's naturally a lie."

After the words fell,

The Sixth Prince and Zheng Fan looked at each other,

Each of them revealed a smile at the corner of their mouths,

Hehe...

"The Tian family has a manor outside the capital, which is extremely luxurious. It is said that half a year ago, Father Emperor promised the Empress that after her birthday, he would allow her to return to her family to visit her relatives. The Tian family specially demolished the old mansion and rebuilt a scenic garden for her to visit.

"There are mountains, water, pavilions, and terraces inside. Even in winter, it is still lush and beautiful, no less than the Western Garden that Marquis Zhenbei is currently living in, which was originally built with the help of people from the Qian Kingdom.

"Following Marquis Jingnan, you will definitely be able to enter and admire it. To be honest, I'm quite envious of you."

"If you want to go, would they not let you in?"

"Heh, the scenery I have to beg to see has no charm."

"But, half a year ago..."

"Right, the external explanation is that this newly built manor is to welcome the Empress to visit her relatives, but around the time it started construction, Marquis Zhenbei was summoned back to the capital by several imperial edicts."

"Is that so."

"So, if the Tian family says they built a villa for the Empress to visit her relatives, then it's a villa for her to visit her relatives. We can't say that they knew this day would come and built the Jingnan King's Mansion in advance, right?"

"I feel like these people are all old foxes."

"None of the heads of the aristocratic families are stupid, but the smarter they are, the more disadvantageous it is to my Great Yan." The Sixth Prince's voice carried a hint of resentment.

Obviously, his position determined his thinking.

His father abused him a thousand times, but he was still named Ji after all, and the blood of the Great Yan imperial family flowed in his veins.

Only in front of Zheng Fan could he freely reveal his true emotions. In front of others, he was just a leisurely prince who muddled along and earned a little money.

Zheng Fan nodded and said:

"Yes, currently the Jin Kingdom is in internal strife, the three major clans are fighting for power, coercing the imperial family; the Qian Kingdom is decaying and falling, no longer has the desire to advance, and seems to have no power to advance; the Chu Kingdom is like a lion locked up and sleeping, although it is vast, it is full of lice. The barbarian royal court is also at its most decadent in history."

The Sixth Prince took a deep breath and nodded, saying:

"Yes, people cannot be without foresight. Currently, my Great Yan relies on these possessions, on these cavalry, to prevent the barbarians and the other three countries from acting rashly.

"But if the barbarian royal court rises again, if the Qian Kingdom produces an iron-fisted prime minister who suddenly begins to rejuvenate, if the internal strife in the Jin Kingdom ends, if a hero suddenly appears in the Chu Kingdom.

"Then where will my Great Yan be placed?"

"Don't get excited, don't get excited." Zheng Fan patted the Sixth Prince on the shoulder and said, "That's why I chose to assist you, because you have the world in your heart, because you can see far ahead."

The Sixth Prince sniffed, seemingly trying to make a very moved look.

But he failed. In the end, he said a little self-deprecatingly:

"Fake."

"The truth is too hurtful."

"Then don't say it, stop."

"But I can't hide anything from you."

"Shut up."

"Only you, this down-on-your-luck prince, who's doing so poorly can look up to me, this former miscellaneous captain. If it were other powerful princes, who would care about me?"

"Bastard!"

............

"Finished talking?"

When Zheng Fan came back, Marquis Jingnan was just wiping his mouth with a handkerchief.

"Finished. I haven't seen you in a long time, so I said a little more."

"Heh."

Marquis Jingnan stood up and walked downstairs.

Zheng Fan naturally followed behind.

When Marquis Jingnan reached the bottom of the stairs, the guards were already ready at the entrance of the Quan De Lou Roasted Duck Restaurant.

Marquis Jingnan's high-blooded Pixiu was dozing there. Sensing Marquis Jingnan's aura, it opened its eyes and slowly stood up.

Marquis Jingnan stood on the threshold, not in a hurry to go out, but suddenly asked:

"Tell me, where should we go next?"

"Your Lordship has the universe in his heart, this humble one dares not presume to guess."

"Alright, then let's go find Wei Zhonghe."

"Your Lordship, I think Your Lordship should enter the palace to meet the Emperor."

Marquis Jingnan shook his head and said:

"Meeting the Emperor is not urgent. His Majesty only summoned this Marquis back to the capital, but did not summon this Marquis to enter the palace."

This meant he guessed wrong.

"Then is Your Lordship going home? I heard that the old master just celebrated his birthday."

"This Marquis has already missed Father's birthday. Whether I go back sooner or later, I will still have missed it."

This meant he guessed wrong again?

Zheng Fan was silent.

Not entering the palace, not going home, where else could you go?

To a nunnery to find your long-awaited lover? And that lover is the older sister of Du Juan?

I could guess all sorts of things, but I don't dare to say it.

Storytelling, it's not like anyone can't make it up.

"Keep guessing."

"Your Lordship, this humble one really can't guess."

Marquis Jingnan turned around, looked at Zheng Fan, and raised his voice, asking:

"Guard Zheng."

"This subordinate is here!"

Zheng Fan immediately knelt on one knee.

"Do you know why this Marquis specially brought you to the capital?"

"This subordinate is ignorant, this subordinate does not know."

Zheng Fan knew that this was a formal Q&A. Marquis Jingnan's return to the capital, especially at such a tense moment, was certainly being watched by all forces.

Any movement here would be immediately transmitted.

This loud Q&A at the door was somewhat similar to the style of the ancient Emperor's daily record or formal exchanges between the monarch and his ministers.

When ancient emperors made this kind of request, the monarch and his ministers would immediately sit upright and answer seriously, because they knew that what they said next would be recorded in the daily record, compiled into history books, and people a hundred or a thousand years later would be able to read their exchanges today.

"Guard Zheng, although you are not from the Jingnan Army, this Marquis asks you, are you this Marquis's soldier!"

"Answering Your Lordship, if not for Your Lordship's leading the army to rescue me that day, this subordinate would have died in the Qian army long ago. Your Lordship has the grace of saving my life to this subordinate.

"This subordinate is Your Lordship's soldier!"

These words were a bit shamelessly flattering, and also very taboo.

Because the content of the words had violated a certain political correctness, such as ancient civil and military officials having to shout before doing anything that this was His Majesty's world, and that they were His Majesty's subjects, and that the people and the country before them were His Majesty's, similar to how everything had to be prefixed with the name of the people in later generations.

Marquis Jingnan actually asked a guard of a local Yan fort if he was his soldier. It was estimated that the censor would submit a memorial to impeach this matter tomorrow.

But since Marquis Jingnan asked this, Zheng Fan simply answered it bluntly.

"Good. The Zhenbei Marquisate once said in the desert that whichever barbarian tribe dared to harass the people of Beifeng Commandery, that tribe would surely be exterminated by the iron cavalry of the Zhenbei Army!

"I, Tian Wujing, I, Marquis Jingnan, I, the Jingnan Army,

"Admit that I do not have the unparalleled feats of suppressing the desert barbarians for centuries like the Zhenbei Marquisate,

"But there is one thing,

"This Marquis can still say one sentence,

"That is,

"Those who dare to harm the soldiers under this Marquis's command in secret behind their backs,

"This Marquis, and all the generals and soldiers of the Jingnan Army,

"Will surely exterminate them!"

As soon as Marquis Jingnan's voice fell,

Hundreds of Jingnan Army soldiers and their personal guards on the street raised their weapons and shouted in unison:

"Tiger!"

"Tiger!"

"Tiger!"

Marquis Jingnan walked to his Pixiu and flipped over to ride it.

The Pixiu stood up on all four hooves, its nostrils spewing out hot white mist.

Marquis Jingnan looked at Zheng Fan, who was still kneeling there,

And said:

"Now do you know where this Marquis is going next?"

Zheng Fan, who was kneeling on one knee on the ground, was a little dazed.

Marquis Jingnan raised the whip in his hand, and the Pixiu raised its front hoof and stomped down, directly shattering the bluestone bricks under its feet.

"Jingnan Army, receive this Marquis's military order!"

"*Shua! Shua!*"

All the soldiers knelt on one knee, their killing aura awe-inspiring!

Marquis Jingnan's face was as deep as water, and he said:

"Revenge!"