Chapter 1 Zheng Fan Didn't Expect

Zheng Fan hadn't expected that the Marquis of Jingnan had already entered Shengle City, and had already walked up to him.

This kind of experience of arranging his immediate superior face to face was really too refreshing;

It's like telling your female boss that she's going through menopause, or telling your male boss that he's no good down there.

The scouts outside the city,

The guards on the city wall,

Seemed to have no reaction at all.

Although the main force of Shengle City had basically been taken into the mountains by Liang Cheng, Gao Yi's Jingnan Army was still responsible for the alert and defense of Shengle City.

Of course, when the Jingnan Army saw the Marquis of Jingnan, it was almost like fans seeing their idol. It was reasonable to abandon Zheng Fan, their current superior, in an instant. It was only natural that they didn't report it.

However, looking at the Marquis of Jingnan's attire,

The Pixiu had been replaced by a horse, and the gilded armor had been replaced by ordinary Jin clothing, and he was also wearing a hat. He must have mixed into the city directly.

Not to mention the Marquis of Jingnan's own martial arts cultivation, just relying on his proficient mysterious cultivation techniques, it wouldn't be difficult to deceive the attention of Shengle City, which was now seriously short of guards, and enter here directly.

Back then, Zheng Fan was able to take Blind and the others to the corner of Mianzhou City, wasn't that also easy?

At the same time, this also explained why Si Niang hadn't sensed anything, because if Tian Wujing wanted to hide his aura, Si Niang wasn't blind, so it was difficult to detect it in advance.

As for the magic pill…

Zheng Fan didn't know if the magic pill really didn't react, or if it determined that Tian Wujing wouldn't pose a threat, so it simply couldn't be bothered to react.

Because Blind had said that since the magic pill was upgraded and awakened, his mental power was no longer allowed to enter his backyard even half an inch.

These things can all be ignored,

The problem now is,

The Marquis of Jingnan appeared in front of him.

Zheng Fan immediately trotted over a few steps, very skillfully helping Tian Wujing lead the horse,

Said:

"Lord Marquis, you didn't even give a heads-up when you came to inspect the work."

"Heads-up?"

"Yes, so I can arrange for the people of Shengle City to line the streets to welcome you, and do some cleaning in advance."

"Heh."

Tian Wujing seemed to be used to Zheng Fan's way of speaking in front of him,

Said:

"Is there food to eat?"

"Yes, there must be."

Si Niang gave Tian Wujing a slight blessing and said:

"I'll go cook."

Zheng Fan then led Tian Wujing into the mansion,

"Lord Marquis, I didn't have the chance before, but this time, I'll let you taste my hometown cuisine."

Zheng Fan still remembered the sauerkraut fish he ate at the Marquis of Jingnan's place. Alas, it could only be said that the people of this world still had a superficial understanding of food.

At any time, being able to cook is a remarkable skill. Not only can it add points during blind dates, but it can also be used as a skill after time-traveling. If Zheng Fan hadn't insisted on a refined quality of life when camping outside, how could he have hooked the big fish that was Sha Tuo Que Shi?

"The cuisine of Beifeng County is not considered delicious."

"You'll know after you've tasted it, Lord Marquis. Come, this way please."

The Marquis of Jingnan didn't enter the house, but sat down on the threshold. Zheng Fan was stunned for a moment, then went in to take out tea sets, and then also sat down side by side on the threshold.

Tian Wujing pointed his finger at the steps in front,

Said:

"Do you remember the first time this Marquis met you, you were kneeling below?"

At that time, there was a problem at the funeral of the general of Nanwang City, and the Jingnan Army took the opportunity to enter Nanwang City. Tian Wujing went straight into the general's mansion.

Tian Wujing sat on the threshold of the mourning hall,

Zheng Fan and Zuo Jiqian knelt below, shivering.

"That's right, when I first saw you, Lord Marquis, to be honest, I was really intimidated by your heroic spirit, and I didn't even dare to raise my head."

"And now?"

"Even more afraid."

At that time, I only thought you were a powerful noble, a general, plus that set of armor was very handsome;

Then you took me to destroy my entire family...

Damn it, I have nightmares at night when I get home, okay!

"But now you dare to sit side by side with this Marquis."

"Lord Marquis has saved this humble one several times, and this humble one owes you too much. I'll pay you back with my life in the future. How can these formalities be worth even a fraction of your kindness to me?"

"This Marquis has always felt that your ability to speak like this is wasted in the military."

"Lord Marquis, this general really has no affinity with Eunuch Wei."

"But Wei Zhonghe is said to have always been very regretful, especially after reading your *Zheng Zi's Military Tactics*, he lamented that he should have kept you in the palace back then, and in the future, the inner palace could also have a eunuch who was a master of military tactics."

"Eunuch Wei just likes to joke, haha, just joking."

"A few days ago, there was a theory in the court that the newly acquired lands should be treated with leniency. In addition to the troops and supplies stationed in the new Jin territory, the remaining taxes and corvée should be reduced in order to win the hearts of the people in the new Jin territory.

What do you think?"

"Lord Marquis, this general thinks it's not possible. The new Jin territory was taken down by our Great Yan with swords and guns, not a voluntary surrender. The people of our Yan country have paid heavy corvée to support the army's food and fodder, so that the soldiers can expand the territory.

If the taxes of the people in the new Jin territory are lower than those in Yan, and the corvée is lighter, then what's the use of taking down this new Jin territory?

For the people of my Great Yan, isn't it hard work to take it down and find half a Jin country's father for themselves?"

"Your statement is interesting. Kings, marquises, generals, and ministers each have their own level, and scholars like to tout themselves as pleading for the people, but they are just using the people as a facade, and they are still saying their own words.

But this Marquis thinks that what you said is what the real people think."

"Lord Marquis, you're too kind. This general comes from the streets, maybe the atmosphere of the common people on my body hasn't dissipated yet."

"It's good that it hasn't dissipated, you continue to speak, and this Marquis will write a memorial here in a moment and you can send it to Yanjing for me."

"Yes, Lord Marquis, this general believes that using preferential treatment and tolerance as a strategy will not only fail to win the hearts of the people of Jin, but will also cause the people of Yan to lose heart.

The foundation of my Great Yan is still the people of Yan. They are the real people of our own. As for this new Jin territory, as long as my Great Yan is strong and well-equipped, and strongly suppresses it for fifty years, after two generations, they will naturally become Yan people."

This is a theory that has been verified countless times in later generations, called ——— simp's get nothing.

"I see, the real purpose of your statement is that you don't want to affect your Zheng city garrison's search of the four fields, right?"

Obviously, when the Marquis of Jingnan came to Shengle City, he saw the "big movement" of Shengle City, and if he wanted to build a new city in Shengle and open workshops, he needed a large population and wealth. Once the Yan court intended to implement a policy of appeasement towards the new Jin territory, then Zheng Fan would naturally have to tie his hands and feet because of this.

"Lord Marquis is joking."

"Then why does your Shengle City, which is just a small city, have to build such a tall city wall?"

"Afraid of death."

Silence,

Silence,

Even Tian Wujing was choked by Zheng Fan's straightforward answer.

"Hehehe."

The Marquis of Jingnan smiled,

Said:

"Your soldiers have already entered the mountains?"

"Yes."

"Pretty fast."

"It's Lord Marquis's military order, this general doesn't dare to slack off in the slightest."

The Marquis of Jingnan got up and finally stopped sitting on the threshold, but entered the house. Zheng Fan personally prepared the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

The memorial was written quickly, and Tian Wujing didn't even use a seal, he just buckled it and gave it to Zheng Fan, saying:

"Send it out."

"This general obeys."

At this time,

Si Niang walked in, bowed slightly, and said:

"Lord Marquis, the food is ready."

The food was very rich, and Si Niang made several of her specialties. Zheng Fan accompanied Tian Wujing to eat together.

It could be seen that Tian Wujing was very satisfied with the meal.

After the bowls and chopsticks were cleared away and sweet soup was served,

Tian Wujing then opened his mouth and said:

"This Marquis received the things you sent to Litian City. She likes them very much, you put a lot of thought into it."

"Sister Juan is like my own sister-in-law to this general, this is what this general should do."

"She is your sister-in-law, then what is this Marquis to you?"

"My own brother."

Tian Wujing's gaze sank slightly,

Said:

"This Marquis's family members don't have good endings."

Zheng Fan's face was embarrassed, and he didn't dare to argue any further.

After a long time,

"You've advanced again?"

"Yes, I'm a Seventh Rank now."

"Not bad."

"I'm far behind you, Lord Marquis. By the way, how's your injury, Lord Marquis?"

"The injury left by the Sword Saint, how can it be so easy to recover, but it's no longer a serious problem."

The Four Great Swordsmen were once the model for martial artists in this era, and their popularity was not much different from the Four Heavenly Kings of later generations.

It's just that recently, due to the pressure of the situation, Bai Li Jian went to Yanjing and accomplished nothing. He was forced to flee by a thousand riders under the capital city. The Chu sword maker waved the flag for the Third Prince of Chu, losing face. The Jin Sword Saint was defeated by the Great Yan Marquis of Jingnan. For a time, the reputation of the Four Great Swordsmen suddenly dimmed.

In the final analysis, in the martial world, being weak is the original sin.

"That, Lord Marquis, there is a hot spring pool in this general's backyard. The prepared soup, combined with some medicinal herbs, can remove hidden injuries for martial artists."

When brothers have a good relationship, they run to the bathhouse as a team;

However, although there are many young women in the mansion, Zheng Fan really didn't dare to actively send women to the Marquis of Jingnan. One is because he felt that it was a bit despicable to do so, and the other is because he didn't want to tarnish the pure relationship between the two of them in this way.

The third is that he was afraid that Tian Wujing would slap him to death directly.

"I won't soak in it."

"Then this general will arrange for Lord Marquis to rest?"

"I won't rest either."

"Uh, then this general will take Lord Marquis around Shengle City again?"

"Your city is only half built, what's there to go around?"

"Uh…"

The Marquis of Jingnan stood up and picked up his hat. He seemed to be leaving.

Zheng Fan hurriedly sent the Marquis of Jingnan out of the courtyard,

"This Marquis has a habit. Before the battle, I must do everything in detail, just as you wrote in that book, know yourself and your enemy, and you will not be defeated in a hundred battles.

This Marquis is going to personally walk through the snowy plains. When I come back, the 30,000 elite riders that this Marquis has transferred should also arrive."

"Lord Marquis uses troops cautiously, you are truly a model for us! Lord Marquis, please wait, I will have someone prepare some dry food, so that…"

"No need, no need for such trouble."

"Then Lord Marquis must be careful. Although this general feels that there are not many people in this world who can hurt Lord Marquis."

"This Marquis knows clearly."

"Lord Marquis, take care. It's a pity, this general wishes he could be by your side day and night, listening to your teachings, this general…"

The Marquis of Jingnan flipped over and got on his horse. Hearing these words, he suddenly turned his head and looked at Zheng Fan,

Said:

"Satisfy you."

"Ah?"

"You are allowed to follow this Marquis into the snowy plains first."

"…" Zheng Fan.