Chapter 847 Under the Banner of the King: The Qian Kingdom!

He twirled the helmet in his hands.

Truth be told, Qian army armor was truly uncomfortable to wear.

Zheng Fan had worn ordinary armor for a long time, even resisting his own general's armor for a while because it was too conspicuous.

It was only in the last couple of years, as his status rose, with the Sword Saint and A'ming by his side, along with the Jinyi personal guard, and without needing to lead the charge himself, that he gradually wore the black armor without fear, becoming a qualified political mascot.

But the Qian armor...

It was a mind-blowing thing. The Qian Kingdom had a reputation as the pinnacle of culture, and it was genuine. Moreover, in many aspects such as fine wine, music, calligraphy, painting, beautiful women, wealth, and population, the Qian Kingdom was undoubtedly number one.

The Qian army's strength had long been criticized, and it wasn't just a matter of "people," but a result of many factors.

It wasn't that the Qian Kingdom lacked brave people, nor did it lack warriors willing to sacrifice themselves for their country.

But the Qian lacked horses. The horse administration was hampered by official corruption, with huge investments yielding little stable output.

Furthermore, the Qian army's armor, comparing war soldiers instead of generals, in both the Yan and Qian armies, the most common main force in combat was the war soldiers. The Yan's armor was clearly better than the Qian's.

It wasn't just that the materials were better; the Yan's forging technology was also superior.

The Qian Kingdom was rich in many ways, but its weakness was also multifaceted. This was clearly evident in its armor.

Both were cavalry armor, but the Yan armor allowed their knights more flexibility on horseback, while the Qian armor seemed rigid.

If it weren't for wanting to launch a surprise attack on Lanyang City and relive the thrill of "storming the gates in youth," Zheng Fan wouldn't have bothered changing into this.

Fortunately,

The Qian people showed him more enthusiasm than expected.

Knowing he was uncomfortable in this armor, they thoughtfully came out of the city to greet him.

Looking at the official robes, the ceremonial guards, and the flags,

Good heavens,

At least seventy percent of Lanyang City's highest-ranking officials were gathered here, like a group of naked white rabbits waiting for his favor.

Since entering Jin territory to fight, it had been a long time since he'd encountered such enthusiastic "compatriots." He missed it greatly.

When Zheng Fan took off his helmet in an extremely unconventional manner and shouted those words, the Qian officials didn't react at first.

They truly didn't expect that the Yan people would appear here, much less that the Yan king would personally appear before them.

And dressed in their own army's armor.

But as the nearly endless black-armored knights pressed in from the distance and those who had already circled around, they finally realized what was happening.

Zheng Fan sat on horseback, patting the neck of his steed.

Unlike with armor, he was a bit particular about his mount. He was more comfortable riding Pixiu. Its back was broad, its base stable, and it didn't shake much when running, making it steady and comfortable.

Yes, he had to hurry and switch back to his beloved treasure.

Finally, among the Qian people who had reacted, there were two figures in armor, presumably Lanyang City military officers, who seemed to be trying to escape with their personal guards. Some others spontaneously wanted to retreat, possibly not to escape but to report back.

But it was too late.

Earlier, when he'd spotted this group, Zheng Fan had ordered his men to control their speed, taking their time. While the Qian people were composing poems, ranking themselves, arranging their clothes, and letting the painters sketch,

Zheng Fan was telling his troops in the rear to quickly surround them.

Now, the encirclement was complete, the retreat cut off. Even without a charge, the scattered attempts to flee could easily be taken care of by simply drawing bows and using them as targets.

After eliminating those who tried to resist, the rest were mostly well-behaved.

Logically, there were quite a few of them, perhaps a thousand including the officials and their guards. But only half of them could actually wield weapons, and they were from different households, so they couldn't coordinate.

Faced with overwhelming odds, it was difficult to fight back. Lying flat was often a person's instinct.

Zheng Fan pointed at the one wearing the brightest official robe.

The Yan and Qian official systems were different, and the distinctions in official robes were even greater. But no matter how the robes changed, the overall direction wouldn't change. You could always tell who was the biggest beast among the crowd of elegantly dressed officials.

The Lanyang City commissioner at least displayed something called composure at this moment. He slowly walked forward, as many officials around him began to dissuade him.

"Lord, you can't go!"

"Lord, please don't go!"

Then, the commissioner stopped.

Immediately, his colleagues who had been advising him looked a bit awkward.

If you don't go, who will?

We were just being polite; don't take it seriously!

This atmosphere didn't last long, because the commissioner started walking forward again.

He walked up to Zheng Fan.

He still straightened his back,

Even though he was standing and Zheng Fan was sitting on his horse,

He naturally radiated a demeanor of not fearing a powerful enemy.

In this regard, Qian officials did have an advantage over Yan officials. For example, Xu Pangpang from Great Yan would absolutely not have this effect here.

Xu Wenzu clearly was fattened by the "fat of the people." His official appearance was truly terrible.

However, Xu Wenzu had once planned a rebellion and personally wielded a blade and charged with the Yan army in Yinlang County. As for the commissioner before him, Zheng Fan noticed that while his back was indeed straight, his lips were trembling uncontrollably, and his knees were bending irregularly.

He was afraid.

He was very afraid.

The instinct to maintain the dignity and composure of an official was still supporting him, but soon, fear would consume him completely.

Those who had fought on the battlefield were very sensitive to this kind of aura. They had a more acute sense than ordinary people when it came to distinguishing between a coward and a true man.

"May I ask, who are you?"

The commissioner asked.

Zheng Fan had referred to himself as "this king" earlier. Whether he hadn't heard clearly, hadn't fully digested it, or was just going through the motions, the commissioner asked again.

Zheng Fan looked at him

and said:

"I am Zheng Fan."

At this moment, the Yan cavalry on the periphery raised Zheng Fan's royal banner.

Because Zheng Fan hadn't brought his own troops this time, the royal banner had been hastily made at South Gate Pass. So, the flag wasn't exquisite, but from a distance, there was no real difference.

The flag represented an identity, not just a piece of cloth.

When the banner of the Prince of the West pacifying was raised,

Many of the officials collapsed on the ground, and many cried out in terror. They had been completely broken.

Although the Prince of the West pacifying had only made a fortune in the Qian Kingdom when he first debuted before going to Jin territory, legends about the Prince of the West pacifying had always circulated in the Qian Kingdom.

Especially after the previous generation of two princes, one died and the other left, the label of the Great Yan military god naturally fell on the Prince of the West pacifying.

When the Prince of the West pacifying was fighting the wildlings, the Qian people would speculate what it would be like if he were fighting them.

When the Prince of the West pacifying was fighting the Chu people, the Qian people would also speculate what it would be like if he were fighting them.

Although it had been many years since the Prince of the West pacifying had come to fight them, sometimes it was better to be actually attacked. Constantly scaring themselves only made it easier to break down.

Most importantly, everyone was completely unprepared. It was like a divine army had descended from the heavens.

You had to know that when Zheng Fan proposed this strategic idea, even Chen Yang, no, even the demon kings at first thought their master was crazy, let alone these Qian people.

The commissioner didn't collapse, but his trembling was even more severe.

Reading the books of sages could indeed cultivate a sense of righteousness, but not all scholars could succeed.

Zheng Fan smiled slightly. It was good that he was just a showpiece. If he were the kind of person who feared no power and dared to sacrifice himself for justice, he would be in trouble.

He dismounted,

Taking the initiative to walk up to the commissioner.

He reached out and grasped the commissioner's pair of small hands, which had nowhere to go.

The commissioner's body tensed up as if he was a startled deer.

The scene was like a tiger licking the neck of a deer.

"May I ask your name, sir?"

"I...I am...This official is the Lanyang commissioner, Zhou Chang. A jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) in the twelfth year of Shangbao..."

Clearly, Commissioner Zhou was having trouble speaking. He even said his year of passing the imperial examination, which was usually said when colleagues greeted each other.

"Oh, so you're Commissioner Zhou."

The Prince of the West pacifying looked admiring.

"I've heard of Commissioner Zhou's name more than once in the Yan Kingdom. They all say Commissioner Zhou loves the people like his own children, that he's a good official, and is loved by the people."

"Is...is that really...so?"

Zheng Fan held Commissioner Zhou's small hands in his right hand, gently patting them with his left hand and said,

"I am tired, and my army is also tired. Please, Commissioner Zhou, for the sake of the well-being and safety of the people of Lanyang, allow me to enter Lanyang City.

I guarantee that my army will not harm the people of Lanyang in the slightest, and the people will surely be grateful for Commissioner Zhou's kindness today."

"No...no..."

Zheng Fan squeezed his hand slightly, forcibly suppressing Commissioner Zhou's words.

"Alas, Commissioner Zhou, you can see, so many officials are here and are already grasshoppers in my hand, unable to escape. Do you think Lanyang City can still be defended?

Rather than bloodshed, it's better to consider the welfare of the people.

I respect Commissioner Zhou's reputation, and I believe the people will remember, even the officials and ministers of the Great Qian will remember."

The implication was,

Look at the current situation,

Even if Lanyang City could be defended, it couldn't be. It's better this way: you make things easy for me, and I'll make things easy for you.

You open the city and let me in. I'll praise your name, minimize your guilt, and even earn you a reputation for loving the people. This is called cutting your losses.

"Otherwise, I can only..."

Zheng Fan said regretfully,

"Send Commissioner Zhou on his way."

The Prince of the West pacifying rarely was so "approachable". Except for political shows for the masses, he was too lazy to be courteous to talented people.

But this time, he was willing to waste a bit of time with this soft-kneed commissioner because this deal was very worthwhile.

Storming the gates could fail.

He currently held so many Lanyang City high officials in his hand, seemingly making Lanyang City almost as flimsy as paper.

But Zheng Fan was afraid that there might be some official or military officer in Lanyang City who, holding righteous beliefs, would still firmly organize the city's people to defend the city to the death, which would be troublesome.

He had led his army here to launch a surprise attack deep into the Qian Kingdom. If he was stuck sieging the city here, how could he go deep?

If Lanyang City could open its gates, his troops could rest and resupply, making the deeper penetration much easier.

And looking at the present,

This group of officials who were following the trend, trying to curry favor, and eager to take credit had mostly come. This meant that among the remaining high officials in Lanyang City who could speak up, the proportion of honest and those not involved in petty intrigues had relatively increased.

If a group of bureaucrats left, the remaining would all be doers, which would be dangerous.

Commissioner Zhou took two steps back.

Zheng Fan continued to smile at him.

He saw Commissioner Zhou bow deeply

and say:

"This official is small, but the people are great. I beg the Prince of the West pacifying to consider the people and not harm them in the slightest. I will bear all the guilt."

The Prince of the West pacifying nodded in satisfaction.

"Earl Yishan."

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Escort Commissioner Zhou back to the city to rest."

"Your subordinate obeys!"

Chen Yang looked at Commissioner Zhou and said, "Commissioner Zhou, please."

"General, please."

At this time, some of the officials in the rear had figured out what was happening. For a moment, many eagerly came forward, shouting that they also wanted to go back to the city to rest.

Often, one couldn't hesitate. If you hesitated, you wouldn't even get the warm part of the shit. The same went for treason.

Chen Yang looked at Zheng Fan.

Zheng Fan nodded

and said:

"Those who are willing to go, go together."

Letting the commissioner lead a group of Lanyang City officials to call out to open the city gates shouldn't be a problem.

If there were still problems, then his luck on this expedition was bad.

Immediately afterward,

Yan soldiers stepped forward,

Raising their bows and crossbows, pressing forward with their blades.

Most of the guards of the various officials chose to disarm.

The Yan army began to collect and detain them, but under the prince's orders, they didn't act rudely.

"Put down your weapons!"

"Put them down!"

Su Rongrong and Wu Xiang ordered their guards to disarm as well.

Su Mingzhe silently pressed down his hand, and his guards also dropped their weapons.

Then,

As the Prince of the West pacifying was about to get back on his horse,

Wu Xiang and Su Rongrong stepped out of the ranks together. They were stopped by Yan soldiers just as they were about to approach the Prince of the West pacifying.

Zheng Fan noticed the situation and looked over.

"Wu Xiang, the young master of the Wu family from the East Sea, has long admired the name of the Prince of the West pacifying, and has come to pay his respects to the Prince of the West pacifying!"

"Su Rongrong, daughter of the Xicai chieftain, has long admired Your Highness. We Tujia women are straightforward. I beg Your Highness to grant me one night of intimate happiness."

The customs of the Tujia people were indeed different from the Qian people's emphasis on etiquette, but they wouldn't just ask for a one-night stand.

They only said it to attract attention.

"Oh?"

Zheng Fan walked over and accepted the bows and salutations of the two.

The man was quite a pretty boy.

The woman was decent-looking, but she had too many ornaments on her body, which could be cumbersome and flatten her hair.

"The Wu family of the East Sea, I've heard of you."

Wu Xiang was overjoyed and immediately said, "My father also respects Your Highness very much, saying that Your Highness is the number one Qilin (auspicious mythical creature) of this generation, and wishes he could be at Your Highness's service."

Behind him, Su Mingzhe heard this and muttered in a low voice:

"Shameless!"

"I'll try to give your father that opportunity soon."

The Wu family was in the sea. If he wanted the Wu family to be his dog, he would have to conquer the entire Qian Kingdom.

What Jindo was currently doing was land trade, but Zheng Fan knew just how much profit there was in maritime trade.

The Blind Man and Si Niang had jokingly said that if they hadn't been born in the Yan Kingdom but in the Qian Kingdom, they wouldn't have touched the limelight of the Princes of the North and South in previous years, as anyone who did would die. Instead, they would have looked for a sea island to be the island lord and develop trade. When they had accumulated enough strength, they would try to counterattack the mainland.

Wu Xiang immediately said, "I await Your Highness's good news!"

The biggest advantage of a local bully was that the imperial court also had difficulty dealing with you, so he could lick without restraint. Most importantly, the elders present were all prisoners. What were they talking about integrity for? If you had integrity, you would go die!

Seeing that the Prince of the West pacifying was ignoring her, Su Rongrong was a little anxious and said, "Your Highness, my mother also admires Your Highness as much as I do, and wishes she could be with me..."

Zheng Fan actually looked over, and then Zheng Fan smiled.

He found the Wu family interesting because they were maritime merchants. As for the Qian Kingdom's southwestern chieftains, Zheng Fan didn't think much of them. It wasn't like he hadn't fought the wolf-earth soldiers before. He could only say that the Qian army's combat power was too poor, which was why the southwestern chieftain rebellions couldn't be quelled. If it were him, those earthlings wouldn't even think about causing trouble.

However, since they were so "enthusiastic", the Prince of the West pacifying nodded slightly and said:

"Maybe there will be an opportunity."

Su Mingzhe muttered again,

"Bah, shameless!"

At this time,

Several Yan soldiers came to take people away, ordering the prisoners to return to the ranks and be detained.

Su Mingzhe broke free from his restraints, and the Yan soldiers immediately raised their swords.

Su Mingzhe immediately shouted,

"Your Highness, I am Su Mingzhe! Su Mingzhe of Su Mingzhe!

Your Highness,

I just had a burst of poetic inspiration and wrote a poem for the royal army. I'll recite it for you!"

Chen Daxia sighed.

He realized he was wrong.

Even without him, these three seemed like they wouldn't die.

The Yan soldier's hand pressed on his shoulder.

Chen Daxia shook his shoulder, and the two Yan soldiers immediately took several steps back.

At this time,

A figure appeared in front of Chen Daxia. The person was holding Longyuan.

"Master."

Chen Daxia respectfully saluted the Sword Saint.

Yes,

Since he had come, his master must be nearby.

The Sword Saint had sensed Chen Daxia early on, but Zheng Fan hadn't really noticed him because Chen Daxia hadn't spoken earlier. But the Sword Saint had been watching him all along.

"Go say hello?" the Sword Saint said. "After saying hello, I'll let you go. You can send a message to the Qian Kingdom, telling them the Yan army is coming."

The Sword Saint was a Jin person and could understand Chen Daxia's position.

They were friends, master and disciple, so there was no need to be so rigid.

As for Chen Daxia's message, when the army moved out, it would have a wide impact. One more or one less message from Chen Daxia made no difference. It was just finding a suitable excuse to let him go.

If he really got stubborn, drew his sword, and knowingly tried to kill the Prince of the West pacifying, it wouldn't look good for anyone.

At this time, Fan Li noticed the situation and came over as well.

Chen Daxia looked at the Sword Saint

and said:

"I felt it before, that you were coming. I've reminded them many times, but they all think I'm joking, think I'm crazy, think I'm an idiot."

Fan Li heard this

and patted Chen Daxia on the shoulder

and said:

"Me too."