Chapter 768 Standing by the River, Thousands Retreat

"You...are here too?"

Hearing this, Zheng Fan frowned slightly, then relaxed, reached out, and touched Tiantian's face, asking,

"Have you told anyone else about this?"

"No, Father."

"Don't tell anyone else."

"Yes, I understand."

Zheng Fan exhaled a smoke ring. He needed to shelve this matter in his mind for now.

After all, there was a priority to things, and he had to proceed step by step. What he needed to do now was to bring that black-armored man back to Fengxin City and keep him under close guard, while also investigating his life thoroughly.

In the meantime, he might have to create some friction with the Chu Kingdom to get the soldiers and civilians moving.

He didn't want to speculate too much based on one ambiguous sentence. Most importantly, the words might not have been directed at Tiantian at all, and Tiantian had simply overheard them.

Ever since the "Spirit Roaming the Back Mountain," Zheng Fan had increased his resistance to these "supernatural" matters.

Next, the army continued to march towards Xuehai Pass in an orderly manner. When they were about to reach Xuehai Pass, the various barbarian vassal armies dispersed. However, the Marquis's mansion gave them all tokens, so they could enjoy preferential treatment in future Xuehai Pass trade fairs.

The Marquis of Pingxi's mansion was located in Jindong, the hub of the Snow Plains, Jindi, and Chudi, and was remotely connected to the Yan Kingdom. It also had many industries and a thriving commerce.

It was equivalent to being both the producer and the largest distribution channel.

These rewards were equivalent to the Marquis's mansion giving up a portion of its profits. Giving up profits in itself was telling, because it still meant making money, only taking a little less from you, and you still had to be grateful for it.

After entering Xuehai Pass, Zheng Fan signaled Liang Cheng to lead the army to escort that person back to Fengxin City. He himself, with Tiantian and the Sword Saint, led a group of men to Zhennan Pass.

It wasn't to supervise the Sword Saint in repairing Dragon Abyss, but with the attitude of doing more things while he was out, he went to Zhennan Pass to take a look first.

This was also the habit left by Old Tian when he was still around. The greatest taboo for generals and commanders was to strategize on paper.

In short, an expedition that started suddenly, proceeded smoothly, and ended successfully came to a complete end. The people of Fengxin City and even Jindong didn't feel much about it, because the number of main force troops dispatched this time was too small. Even the supplies were provided by the Snow Plains tribes, and apart from the time spent marching, there were only two real battles.

One was when Marquis Zheng led a thousand cavalry to defeat a force from the Dishan tribe.

The other was the annihilation of a barbarian tribe that dared not to pay tribute.

They were both small battles. Originally, there could have been a tough fight, which was against the Dishan tribe, but Di Qiu simply and neatly brought his whole family to admit defeat, so there was really no way to continue the attack.

For the barbarians on the Snow Plains, this didn't even count as an expedition. It was more like the Marquis of Pingxi was bored and took a stroll on the Snow Plains, and when he was done, he went back.

At the Marquis's mansion, the construction of the prison was also underway.

Saying it was construction was more like remodeling, because the Marquis's mansion in Fengxin City had been designed and reserved with extremely thorough underground space from the beginning.

It would be a waste not to make good use of the underground space of such a large Marquis's mansion.

Shata Queshi's coffin was only the uppermost part of the secret room. In addition, Shata Queshi basically didn't have any rampages, and everyone got along very harmoniously. He could also voluntarily come out to protect Tiantian, so the space below the secret room was actually sealed off and not used.

Now, there was finally a proper person to be locked up.

A bronze coffin, coupled with dense iron chains, the mechanism structure that Xue San had planned before he fell unconscious, plus the rune formations that the blind man had tinkered with himself, and didn't even know if they were useful;

In short, under three layers inside and three layers outside, the coffin was finally sunk into the lowest space of the Marquis's mansion.

And the only outward passage here had to pass through the secret room where Shata Queshi was located.

It was equivalent to Shata Queshi having another job in the Marquis's mansion, using a zombie to suppress a zombie, which could be considered a professional match and could also relieve some loneliness.

The blind man personally supervised the entire process. After the coffin was completely "sealed," he ordered someone to send a message to Zhennan Pass, informing the master that everything at home was settled.

The blind man hesitated for a moment about another matter, and didn't mention it in the letter.

...

At this time, Marquis Zheng was riding a Pixiu with Tiantian, galloping on the flat plains of Shanggu County.

Jin Shuke, the general of Zhennan Pass, personally led a cavalry to escort them.

Marquis Zheng and his party traveled south all the way, and only stopped by the Wei River. The ruins of the former Jing City were still there, overgrown with weeds. The Yan people were too lazy to rebuild the city by the river, and the Chu people were even less likely to take the initiative to cross the river to do infrastructure to stimulate the Yan people.

Therefore, Jing City, which used to be a bustling transportation hub on the river, had completely fallen into ruin.

However, the Yan people had built some fortresses not far from the ruins, using beacon towers as early warning points.

Once a real war broke out, if the Chu people were to cross the Wei River from the south to attack, the Yan people would inevitably retreat, and these fortresses were not worth defending.

As long as Zhennan Pass was under the control of the Yan people, then Shanggu County south of Zhennan Pass and the area north of Zhennan Pass were connected, and both were open plains, suitable for large-scale cavalry operations.

It was also impossible for the Chu people to build dense fortresses on the open ground in one day; the Yan army on the Zhennan Pass line were not wooden men.

Therefore, if the Chu Kingdom wanted to launch a northern expedition, it had to be prepared to fight a decisive battle with the Yan army's iron cavalry on this vast plain.

...

"Marquis, your subordinate didn't understand it deeply at first, but in the past year, whenever I stood on the city tower of Zhennan Pass or rode out here, I would sigh in my heart that it was so far-sighted to take Zhennan Pass even at the cost of a national war."

Jin Shuke had become much more "sinicized."

Once, he was born in a barbarian penal tribe. Relying on his talent and hard work, he had become no different from the Xia people in other aspects, except for the barbarian features he retained on his face.

Marquis Zheng would write to him when he had nothing to do, advising him to read more.

Jin Shuke often locked himself in his mansion in Zhennan Pass to study diligently in his spare time.

This matter had already spread.

Marquis Zheng nodded and said, "There were many people who were full of complaints at the beginning, but who knows that whether Zhennan Pass is in my hands or in the hands of Chu is a world of difference.

If Zhennan Pass was still in the hands of the Chu people, even if it wasn't Nian Yao who was in charge, all the troops under my Marquis's mansion would have to be piled up north of Zhennan Pass.

How can we talk about development, how can we talk about recuperation, how can we talk about the current peace and prosperity under Fengxin City.

This majestic pass is worth the advantage of an army of 100,000.

Moreover, it doesn't eat, chew, wear, or use anything, haha."

Jin Shuke also laughed.

Beside him, two deputy generals and three adjutants also laughed along. Being able to accompany the Marquis of Pingxi on an inspection tour and have a picnic together was also something that made them feel extremely honored, but they were still a little restrained. Only Jin Shuke could freely talk to the Marquis of Pingxi. The rest could only smile and nod beside him.

"Marquis, have some soup."

One of Jin Shuke's personal soldiers handed over a bowl of meat soup. Marquis Zheng reached out, took it, and took a sip, saying:

"It's quite delicious, oh, you added chili peppers?"

The guard, Xu An, immediately replied: "Yes, Marquis, I heard that you like spicy food."

"Yes."

Zheng Fan nodded.

Xu An went to serve soup to the other generals present.

Zheng Fan put down the bowl of soup and said, "I just saw it. Did that young guard hunt the deer?"

Earlier, when everyone was riding, a deer darted out, and a young guard drew his bow and shot an arrow, hitting the deer's head directly.

Hunting and killing prey was only considered qualified. A truly excellent hunter would not waste the deer like that, because deer meat was not as valuable as deer skin, and a complete deer skin was even more valuable.

Zheng Fan's own archery was also good, after all, he had practiced with A Ming, but that young man had such skills at such a young age, which was indeed unusual.

Hearing this, Jin Shuke smiled and beckoned outside,

The young guard was in the distance, amusing himself with Tiantian and the rabbit he had caught. Hearing the call, he immediately walked over.

Jin Shuke said:

"Come, the Marquis is praising your archery."

The young guard immediately showed excitement on his face and said:

"Marquis, you flatter me, shooting deer is nothing, shooting people is the real skill."

"Oh, why?"

"People wear armor, you have to shoot the weak points of the armor, otherwise you're just adding to his armor..."

As he spoke, the young guard suddenly realized that the Marquis in front of him was a veteran of many battles, so why would he need him to explain this? He immediately scratched his head embarrassedly.

Young people like to show off, especially in front of their idols, which is normal.

Marquis Zheng smiled,

Said;

"What's your name?"

"Marquis, my name is Chen Xianba."

"Chen Xianba?" Zheng Fan pondered for a moment, "It seems like I have some impression."

"Marquis, I was sent to you by the Marquis's mansion."

"Oh, no wonder." Zheng Fan nodded, "You were the one clamoring to go to the border, right?"

"Yes, Marquis."

Chen Xianba was sent to the Marquis of Pingxi through Li Liangshen's relationship. The blind man had mentioned to Zheng Fan that Chen Xianba and the son of the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion were childhood friends.

However, although Marquis Zheng was under the Prince of Zhenbei and the Prince of Jingnan at the beginning, he was actually considered barely an equal. The so-called childhood friend of the son of the Prince of Zhenbei was not enough to make Zheng Fan care about.

The blind man originally wanted to arrange for this kid to join the Jinyi Guards, but the kid wanted to go to the border, so he simply sent him to Jin Shuke.

"Father, bunny."

Tiantian walked over holding the rabbit.

Tiantian caught the rabbit, but it wasn't really catching it. Tiantian was sitting there, and the rabbit came close to Tiantian on its own.

The little guy had a natural affinity for animals. Marquis Zheng even felt that if the little guy accidentally got lost on the Snow Plains, the snow wolves might not eat him if they found him, but would raise him instead.

"Come, have some soup, let the rabbit go."

"Yes, Father."

Tiantian looked at the meat soup in the pot, and then at the rabbit in his arms. Without much hesitation, he let the rabbit go.

The rabbit originally didn't want to leave, but Jin Shuke glared at it, and with a burst of murderous intent, it ran away.

"It's been almost two years in a blink of an eye." Zheng Fan said with emotion.

"Isn't that so, Marquis? This year has passed so quickly. Sometimes I myself can't quite get my bearings, as if it was just yesterday that I was still rushing and killing with you, Marquis."

"There will be opportunities, and it's not far away."

Jin Shuke and the other generals were immediately delighted, but seeing that Zheng Fan had no intention of continuing, they were all very sensible and didn't ask further.

Tiantian sat obediently next to Zheng Fan and took the meat soup that Xu An handed over and drank it. In the winter wilderness, drinking a bowl of meat soup with chili peppers was really a treat.

At this time, a team of cavalry came out of the fortress in front. Jin Shuke immediately got up to listen to the report. Soon, Jin Shuke came back and reported:

"Marquis, the Chu people on the opposite bank have started setting up rafts in the Wei River."

Setting up rafts was not for attacking.

More of it was a face-off in terms of morale.

If the Chu people wanted to launch a northern expedition, they could just send their navy to control the Wei River. How much could be transported by building rafts?

Today, perhaps seeing the frequent mobilization of the Yan army's various fortresses on the opposite bank, they thought the Yan people were showing off to them, so they also moved around to get their face back.

This kind of thing happened from time to time when the two armies were facing off. You can lose the battle, but you can't lose face. In addition, life in the army was boring, so you had to find something to boost morale.

However, what the Chu people didn't know was that the mobilization of the Yan army's various fortresses on the opposite bank today was entirely because their Marquis of Pingxi had arrived, so they extended the alert to be responsible for security.

"Is it the military village opposite?" Marquis Zheng asked.

"In response to the Marquis's words, it is the Chu people's water village opposite Jing City."

"Yes."

Zheng Fan nodded, reached out, wiped the oil stains from the corners of Tiantian's mouth, and said:

"Son, do you want to know how powerful your real father is?"

Tiantian looked at Zheng Fan and blinked.

Zheng Fan stood up. Over there, the Pixiu, who was crawling there, also got up and came over. Zheng Fan hugged Tiantian and went up together.

"Everyone's had their fill, right? Let's go for a stroll."

The guards and the generals beside Jin Shuke also got on their horses and followed their Marquis, bypassing the ruins of Jing City and coming to the Wei River.

On the side of the Chu people's water village on the opposite bank, there were dense Chu people standing. There were also many rafts, showing off their might on them. Seeing that many people had come to the Yan people's bank, the Chu people's performance became even more exaggerated and unrestrained.

"Father, the opposite bank, are those the Chu people?" Tiantian asked curiously.

"Yes, they are the Chu people."

"Are they the people of Second Mother's homeland?"

Tiantian knew that his Second Mother was a princess of the Chu Kingdom.

"Yes."

"Then, are they also our enemies?" Tiantian asked.

"Yes, they are enemies. Son, remember what Father said, those who are not of our race must have different intentions."

Tiantian understood the meaning of these words, and then, the little guy subconsciously turned his head to look at Jin Shuke, who was riding a horse beside him.

Jin Shuke didn't think there was anything wrong at first, and he wasn't pricked by these words, but the little guy suddenly looked at him,

Himself,

Uh…

Marquis Zheng smiled:

"Race refers to the beliefs of the country's ancestral temples, not skin color and appearance. The Emperor of the Great Xia once said, if the barbarians enter the Xia, they will become Xia." (Xia refers to the Chinese civilization)

"What the Marquis says is true." Jin Shuke said immediately.

Zheng Fan continued to educate the child,

"But the Chu people on the opposite side are different. They and our Yan Kingdom have different dynasties, different totems, and different beliefs. Although the Chu people are also a country of the Xia, between our Yan people and the Chu Kingdom, in the future, only one can survive."

Tiantian nodded.

"Your Second Mother has always missed home very much." Zheng Fan said.

"Yes." Tiantian nodded.

"So, let's try to take your Second Mother home to see it as soon as possible. One trip is not enough, we have to go home often."

"Yes." Tiantian nodded again.

Jin Shuke felt a little excited in his heart. The Marquis had already hinted several times today that he was going to go to war!

How could he not like fighting wars? Even though he was already a general now, his subordinates and confidants, the people who followed and supported him, also longed to make contributions and get promoted.

On the opposite bank, the Chu people's revelry and show of force became more and more enthusiastic. They even sang Chu folk songs.

Some Chu soldiers were even more arrogant and shot arrows towards this side. Although the arrows basically fell into the water, they still enjoyed it.

The Yan people on this side of the shore seemed very restrained.

Their Marquis was here, so it was naturally impossible for them to run over and take off their pants and swing their big luanzi at the Chu people over there like before.

Moreover,

In the Yan-Chu War of that year, the Chu people's capital was burned and they were forced to cede land for peace. As the winning side, when faced with the defeated side's frustration, they could always show restraint more easily.

Restraint itself was a kind of pleasure.

Marquis Zheng reached out and pointed to a garrison in front of him. This person was the garrison general of a nearby military fort, and his position was equivalent to Zheng Fan's position at Cui Liu Fort back then.

"Marquis!"

"Send someone to cross the river and send a message to the water village on the opposite bank. If this village does not retreat fifteen li before sunset, they will bear the consequences!"

"Yes!"

The garrison sent someone to deliver the message.

Soon, a Yan soldier rowed to the opposite side in a small boat. The Chu people did abide by the rules, knowing that messengers were not killed in battle. Moreover, the Marquis of Pingxi's mansion and the Chu Dynasty often did business, and both sides had cooperation in their struggle.

It was noisy, but it hadn't reached the point of completely tearing apart, at least, the Chu people didn't intend to take the initiative to tear it apart. The Yan people, it was hard to say.

This generation of rulers and ministers, in some places, could be said to have completely inherited the characteristics of the previous generation of rulers and ministers.

Before long, the Yan soldier who delivered the message returned in the small boat. The laughter from the Chu people's water village on the opposite bank was even more intense. They all thought that the Yan people's brains were caught in the door, and they actually sent someone over to deliver such inexplicable words.

Zheng Fan didn't care,

And said:

"Raise the flag."

Whenever the Marquis of Pingxi went out with his guards, the guard camp would bring three flags;

One was the Great Yan Black Dragon Flag, and one was the Double-Headed Eagle Flag.

As for this third flag,

At this time,

It was erected on the shore by the Jinyi Guards.

That was, the royal flag of Prince Jingnan of Great Yan.

When this flag was raised, the Chu people's water village on the opposite side suddenly became quiet.

Shortly after,

The garrison general rode over excitedly and said:

"Marquis, the Chu people... have abandoned the village!"