Chapter 850 Fatherly Love, Filial Piety

Liu Dahu brought over a washbasin containing hot water and a dry towel, presenting it to Zheng Fan.

The Sword Saint watched from the side, no longer surprised. Originally, Liu Dahu would serve Zheng Fan first, then attend to his own father in the same manner, but the Sword Saint had refused.

Old Yu wasn't angry. This was no different from serving a master when learning a trade; if you wanted someone to share their skills, you had to be attentive and flattering.

Being proud and aloof was fine too, but you had to have the talent and ability. His son, however, didn't seem to possess either.

He hadn't felt it so strongly before, but lately, compared to that Chen Xianba, his son and that Zheng brute looked like a pair of moving clubs.

Now, his son was still doing chores like heating water, while Chen Xianba already had his own small table in the commander's tent, helping Zheng Fan review military reports.

The Sword Saint wasn't jealous, because he knew that if his son's skills were truly at that level, he would receive the same treatment.

He had been sitting beside the Prince of the Western Pacification for so long, he wasn't a dead man; he had built up layers of relationships. He was just waiting for his son to make something of himself.

This wasn't the martial world; military affairs didn't allow for reckless confidence. One wrong move could lead to significant losses.

Zheng Man was outside preparing breakfast. After Liu Dahu finished his tasks, he hurried to Chen Xianba's side, silently watching him review the reports.

Chen Xianba was very arrogant. He didn't like feigned politeness. Other than his immense admiration for the Prince of the Western Pacification, he looked down on everyone else.

Even sitting here, the Sword Saint hadn't seen much reverence in the young man's eyes.

Firstly, the young man's martial arts skills were advancing rapidly, thanks to his innate talent. Secondly, he seemed convinced that so-called martial heroes were insignificant in the face of a massive army.

The Sword Saint didn't bother arguing with him. He couldn't exactly point to the Prince of the Western Pacification and say, "If a massive army could guarantee success, why does His Highness still ask me to stay by his side every time he goes to war?"

Perhaps the most satisfying thing about his son was that, although he wasn't a genius, he had a good temperament. When reading reports that Chen Xianba had already reviewed, he would ask questions about anything he didn't understand. Chen Xianba would sometimes patiently explain, and sometimes ignore him completely, but the Sword Saint never saw his son get angry or frown.

The Sword Saint, himself a genius among geniuses, had long grown indifferent to so-called "young geniuses."

He also realized that the tempering and solidifying of one's character was the key to a late bloom. If all else failed, then a slow bird could start early.

Chen Xianba, on the other hand, certainly had deep karmic connections and good fortune, but how many people like that had died at the hands of this Zheng fellow?

It was fortunate that this Zheng was a true villain, more tolerant than those so-called gentlemen. Anyone else would have stifled such arrogance long ago.

Genius? Talent?

In the eyes of those in power, they couldn't compare to the words "back of the head reveals rebellious thoughts."

At this moment, Zheng Man brought in the breakfast.

His face had some bruises, a result of mumbling a few words after Chen Xianba ignored his questions when he came to watch him review the reports, just like Liu Dahu had done last time.

Chen Xianba had asked the Prince if they could fight.

The Prince had nodded in agreement.

Then, Zheng Man was unsurprisingly beaten.

However, this wolf cub picked up from the desert had his own methods. After being beaten, he blocked his nosebleed and continued to ask the same questions he had asked before the fight.

Chen Xianba, no matter how arrogant, could only explain it to him.

Everyone shared the breakfast.

In the commander's tent, Zheng Fan had a portion, the Sword Saint had a portion, Chen Xianba had a portion, and Liu Dahu and Zheng Man, as personal guards, could only squat outside the tent to eat.

The Sword Saint took a sip of the noodle soup and asked, "Last time, Third Master came back and said that when the Prince of Fu saw him, he immediately asked if Father was well?"

"Heh, yes."

"You have too many sons."

"Once you reach a certain status, those who want to be dogs will break down your door, let alone become sons."

"True."

The Sword Saint nodded. If he were to start accepting disciples in the martial world, it would certainly cause a great stir, with countless martial talents willing to kneel before his door and beg to be accepted.

But then, the Sword Saint said again, "If he's your son, then the Princess Consort of Fu?"

When Third Master recounted the situation, he described it vividly, detailing how when Zhao Yuannian asked if Father was well, the Princess Consort of Fu displayed a look of three parts bashful, three parts reproachful, three parts longing, and one part awkwardness.

Zheng Fan and the Sword Saint were very close.

If they weren't close,

He wouldn't have asked the Sword Saint to stand guard in the middle courtyard when he first slept with Fourth Sister, would he?

Although the Sword Saint had some doubts at the time, Zheng Fan would never reveal the truth. After all, only the Emperor had eunuchs recording the time when he was doing that sort of thing.

"In my opinion, rather than taking Zhao Yuannian as a son, I'd prefer to be his father."

Chen Xianba, who was eating noodles on the side, couldn't help but blush and choke. When Zheng Fan glanced over, he immediately lowered his head and continued eating.

This young Hegemon King was afraid of Zheng Fan to the core, but of course, this "fear" also meant respect.

As for whether such "vulgar talk" would damage his dignity and image, it was like how a rich person saving money was called frugal, while a poor person saving money was called stingy. The Prince's behavior only added to his approachability.

"The Princess Consort of Fu must be very beautiful."

Zheng Fan nodded and said, "Indeed, she's the first beautiful woman I've seen in this world, besides Fourth Sister."

"Doesn't the Princess count?"

Originally, as Zheng Fan rose to prominence, people always said that the Princess had been blind and missed out on talent.

But after Zheng Fan was enfeoffed as a Prince and the old Prince of the Northern Garrison passed away, causing the Northern Garrison Prince Manor to decline, people's opinions changed again, saying that the Prince of the Western Pacification hadn't been able to see the Princess and didn't want to wrong himself.

"The Princess was just a young girl back then."

Saying that,

Zheng Fan pointed to the armor hanging in the commander's tent and continued:

"No matter how good the figure, once you put on armor, it loses its uniqueness."

"Heh, you can't believe most rumors. But the one about you liking married women seems true to me."

Zheng Fan unhesitatingly pointed to himself and then to the Sword Saint,

And said:

"Who's better, you or me?"

You not only married a widow but also accepted a drag-along son. Who has the heavier taste?

The Sword Saint was speechless for a moment,

Feeling like he had been mocking for so long, only to realize that he was the clown himself.

"Xianba."

"Subordinate is here!"

"Order the Earl of Yishan to ask if he's ready for tonight."

"Subordinate obeys!"

Chen Xianba got up to deliver the order.

Xue San brought a message to the Prince of Fu Manor:

"Same old rules, open a door from the inside, Daddy's coming home to visit."

The last "Daddy," Zheng Fan's original words were "this Prince," but Xue San had changed it on his own initiative after seeing Zhao Yuannian's eagerness.

According to Xue San, he couldn't let Zhao Yuannian be too embarrassed, right?

Zheng Fan put down his chopsticks,

And said:

"I still remember when I led the army to attack Chuzhou City, we happened to catch the Prince of Fu's funeral procession. The large coffin and accompanying funerary items were stuck at the city gate, preventing the defending soldiers from closing it.

Now it seems,

The Prince of Fu was truly a loyal subject of Great Yan."

…

"Mother, Father was a loyal subject of Great Qian;

Not only did he recommend talents to the nation, but he also died for the nation.

Right now, don't think the Yan people are powerful. My Great Qian has trained elite soldiers, and we just annihilated a unit of Yan elites in Liang. That unit was the one that invaded my Chuzhou City back then!

The Prince of the Western Pacification's entry into Qian this time isn't to attack Qian, but to divert the disaster eastward. Clearly, he can't make progress in Zhao and Liang, so he's taking a risk.

He's only planning a hit-and-run. How can my Prince Manor have such good luck as last time, to safely weather this storm again?"

The Princess Consort of Fu looked at her son, pursed her lips, and asked, "What do you want to do?"

"Isn't he thinking that Chuzhou City is already in his grasp? Doesn't he think that my Prince of Fu Manor is his other home? Doesn't he think that Mother is his…"

Zhao Yuannian stopped, took a deep breath,

And continued:

"Then I, this son, will properly welcome him."

The Princess Consort of Fu nodded and said, "My son has grown up. Do what you want to do."

A few days ago, that dwarf suddenly appeared before them, and her son immediately called him Father.

Seemingly flattering to an extreme,

In reality…

When the assassins sent by the other party have already silently appeared before you, you either die, or you completely bow down and admit defeat. There's no other choice.

As Zhao Yuannian got up to leave the room,

The Princess Consort of Fu slowly said, "Son, I'm here for you."

Zhao Yuannian stopped and nodded. He knew what his mother meant.

Although he had never blamed his mother, he didn't want her to serve that Yan person again.

He had grown up, he had really grown up.

Leaving the room,

Outside in the courtyard, soldiers stood densely packed, and guards were on the eaves.

Previously, they had been lax, but when a Prince Manor really mobilized enough guards to protect the inner residence, it was nearly impossible for an assassin to enter.

The dwarf who appeared that day made Zhao Yuannian understand a principle: his seeming maturity still had many areas that were naive.

Fortunately,

He still had time.

What Zhao Yuannian didn't know was that,

After he left,

His mother went to the bedside alone and pulled out a box from under the bed, filled with charming and alluring clothes.

After Chuzhou City was recovered, the Princess Consort of Fu had always appeared in plain clothes, no longer wearing these flamboyant outfits. Now, she took them out again.

In addition,

She also took out a small box.

This small box was sent by that dwarf that day.

His meaning was,

When he returned to his Prince Manor in Chuzhou City, he wanted her to wear this for him to see;

He also said,

Last time was rushed, there were too many people, he didn't have time to appreciate her properly. Now that he was a Prince, with the power to command an army, he could have enough leisure to do some things he wanted to do.

The Princess Consort of Fu opened the small box,

Inside were very thin pants, black, purple, white, and even flesh-colored.

The pants were covered in neat and dense small holes.

The dwarf also brought a message,

He asked her,

He hoped she hadn't lost weight, he liked her fullness.

For this reason,

The Princess Consort of Fu had a good appetite these past few days. Before, she only ate half a bowl per meal and didn't like greasy food. Now, she forced herself to eat two bowls of rice per meal, and it had to be accompanied by meat soup.

In fact, her son was also present when that dwarf handed her this small box.

But Zhao Yuannian didn't choose to take the box away;

Between mother and son,

There was actually a kind of tacit understanding.

In fact,

The Princess Consort of Fu wasn't clear in her heart which outcome she wanted. It wasn't that she was naturally licentious, but the scene of the Yan army invading the Prince Manor had left an indelible mark on her;

After marrying into the Prince Manor, she thought her life would be uneventful, but who knew that it would be changed that one time?

And over the years, news of his victories in the north had constantly been coming;

Any mother would especially value her son, always feeling that her own son was the best;

But no matter how she looked at it, no matter how she thought about it,

The Princess Consort of Fu didn't think her son could compete with that man.

But that's how parents are,

No matter what their children do, whether they succeed or fail,

They have to be prepared to cover their backs.

The Princess Consort of Fu's hand traced along her chest, down her waist, and then along her thigh.

Naturally voluptuous,

She murmured:

"I shouldn't have lost much weight, right…"

Then,

She sighed softly:

"He, should be satisfied, right…"

…

"Your Highness, are you satisfied with this humble general's deployment?"

"This Prince is very satisfied, but this Prince is still a little worried."

"Your Highness, rest assured, the city gate is only so big. Tonight, the city gate will be opened, and the Yan army will enter, but how many can enter at once?

This humble general has already gathered all the core elites from the three camps outside the city and ambushed them inside the city;

When the Yan army rushes in, our army will suppress them with crossbows, infantry will advance with shields, and axemen will kill from both sides.

At the same time, the city walls will provide swift support. No matter how strong the Yan army is, they aren't celestial soldiers and won't be able to withstand the pack. Our plan to close the door and beat the dog will surely succeed.

If the Prince of the Western Pacification really leads the army to break through, hehe, then we'll have the chance to make a great contribution!"

"Will he come in person?" Zhao Yuannian hesitated.

"Your Highness, rest assured, that Yan rogue Prince of the Western Pacification loves to take risks and is best at using unexpected tactics. Looking at his battle record, almost all of them are aggressive battles of direct thrust;

The Prince of the Western Pacification certainly doesn't cherish his life, like that Earl of Tiger Might of Yan who was just killed by Commander Meng, he is extreme in battle and will surely be on the front lines in person!

Tonight,

Since he said he would come,

Then he will probably lead the army in himself."

Beside him,

A masked man had been standing silently. He was the chiliarch of the Silver Armored Guards in Chuzhou City.

"Why isn't Sir Ming speaking?"

"This humble official's words are not timely and should not be said."

"Oh?"

"If Your Highness insists that this humble official speak, then it's about why the Prince of the Western Pacification contacted the Prince of Fu Manor."

"Sir Ming should know that after the Yan army broke through Chuzhou City, my Prince of Fu Manor was preserved."

"Yes."

"Then it was inevitable that we had to be ingratiating. Otherwise, my Prince Manor would have ceased to exist long ago. It's not surprising that the Prince of the Western Pacification thinks he can use this to manipulate this Prince."

"Your Highness is candid. Please rest assured, this humble official understands this."

"Thank you, Sir Ming."

At this moment,

Raindrops fell;

Zhao Yuannian looked up at the darkening sky,

And said;

"It's going to rain."

…

"Rain is good. This Prince likes rainy nights, especially when marching."

Chen Xianba asked, "Your Highness, clearly the rain will cause our army's hooves to sink into the mud, why do you…"

"Because the rainy night will magnify the enemy's fear several times. If you regard yourself as the stronger party, you will also like this kind of rainy night."

"This subordinate understands."

All the troops had gathered.

Except for Chen Yuan and Chen Xiong, who led troops to shield the battlefield and make a show of force to confuse the Qian army's military reports,

The main force entering Qian this time was basically behind Zheng Fan.

Rainwater hit the knights' armor, making a muffled sound.

The men and horses fell silent at this time.

Anxiety belonged to the weak.

Chen Yang's Su Mountain Camp was the elite of the Southern Pacification Army, the core of the former Prince of the Southern Garrison's central army. With the Prince of the Western Pacification's banner standing in front, they were tigers, they were the real wolves.

The time had come,

Xue San led a group of light cavalry back,

Reporting:

"Master, the city gate is open!"

The Sword Saint smiled and said, "It seems your son is really obedient."

Zheng Fan nodded,

His hand,

Flicked forward.

Chen Xianba, Liu Dahu, and Zheng Man, the three personal soldiers, immediately transmitted the order downward, and the military officer in the army immediately continued to issue the Prince's military order.

Then,

The Yan army began to move out.

Chen Yang led one part, going from the west side of Chuzhou City; Fan Li led one part, going from the east side of Chuzhou City.

These two groups nearly divided two-thirds of the army.

The remaining troops continued to stand here with the Prince of the Western Pacification, not moving.

The Sword Saint asked, "Not going to rush the city gate?"

Zheng Fan shook his head and said, "No."

"Then going to?"

"First, destroy the three camps outside Chuzhou City. Old Yu, you know, any army is supported by the elites as the backbone.

For example, when my troops from Eastern Jin go on an expedition, Liang Cheng's unit is the core, and the other units and wildmen vassal troops are supporting roles.

This is still good, because it is an elite unit leading several other units.

But in Qian, it is even more divided. A unit of troops is made up of some elites as the backbone, eating the best armor, eating the best food, and taking the highest salary, while the rest are just there to make up the numbers.

This is why the Qian army collapsed so easily in battle.

I'll bet you,

This time, the elites of the original three camps outside the city should be ambushed in Chuzhou City, waiting for this Prince to personally go over."

The Sword Saint nodded.

"This Prince has always been plagued by rumors, such as this Prince likes married women, which really makes this Prince speechless.

There is also a rumor,

Almost comparing this Prince to another Li Fusheng, or even more Li Fusheng than Li Fusheng.

This Prince clearly cherishes his life, you know."

"Yes."

The Sword Saint looked at Zheng Fan and teased:

"But you ultimately chose not to trust your 'son'."

"Alas."

The Prince of the Western Pacification sighed,

And said with emotion:

"No choice,

Who told me that what I've seen the most in my life is:

Fatherly love, filial piety."