Chapter 845 Planting the Flag!

"Yo, who do we have here? Isn't it the great chivalrous hero?"

A middle-aged scholar, holding a paper fan, walked into a noodle shop and spotted the great hero Chen, who was sitting inside, silently eating noodles.

Great Hero Chen raised his head and looked at the scholar before him.

He knew this scholar. After all, he had a very good relationship with Master Yao, so naturally he recognized Su Mingzhe, Master Yao's last disciple from a few years ago, known as Little Su.

Back then, Zheng Fan had borrowed the identity of "Su Mingzhe" to ride in the same carriage as the Regent Prince of Great Chu, participating in the marriage between the princess and the Qu family. Qu Peiluo had even promised Zheng Fan a hefty sum, hoping that this "Little Su" could compose a poem for his wedding to be passed down through the ages.

In the end,

The poem, of course, was never written;

But being remembered for ages shouldn't be a problem;

Similarly,

The reason why Su Mingzhe was unable to attend the wedding of the Qu family and the royal family in place of his master was that he had fallen ill with acclimatization in Dazhou, on the border of Chu.

As a result, the Great Hero Chen, who was accompanying him, delivered his master's letter alone.

Then, the Great Hero Chen met Zheng Fan and cooperated in the performance.

In the end,

Zheng Fan ran away with the princess,

While Su Mingzhe, who was recuperating from his illness in Dazhou on the border of Chu, had just recovered and taken two noble women as concubines thanks to his master's and his own reputation, and was feeling quite pleased with himself when Chu soldiers chasing after "Little Su" directly arrested him and threw him into prison, making him a complete puppet of Zheng Fan.

Even when running away, he managed to attract a group of pursuers, truly maximizing his assist from beginning to end.

Su Mingzhe wasn't actually the image of a graceful young master; on the contrary, he was rather portly.

However, titles like "young master" and "mister" were used so frequently that they easily gave people a fixed image. When people praised him, they often lauded his talent and his master-disciple relationship with Master Yao.

If he had been famous for being "fat," that would have been fine, at least the Prince of Pingxi wouldn't have been able to impersonate him back then.

The Great Hero Chen said, "Are you going to eat?"

"Let's go, I'll take you to eat something good."

With that, Su Mingzhe grabbed the Great Hero Chen's hand.

"I haven't paid yet." The Great Hero Chen broke free, picked up his bowl again, quickly finished the remaining noodles and soup, put down the coins, and called out to the shopkeeper before accompanying Su Mingzhe to the restaurant across the street.

Although he had cooperated with Zheng Fan in acting in the Chu Kingdom, the Great Hero Chen was not "punished" after returning to the Qian Kingdom. At that time, the Yan people had not yet started a war with the Chu people, and the capital of Chu had not been burned down by the Prince of Jingnan. The situation of the Yan Kingdom's power was not as exaggerated and obvious as it is now.

Therefore, people in the Qian Kingdom at that time regarded the "bride snatching" incident as a huge joke;

It was the kind of emotional release that said, "You always humiliate me, this time I'm going to laugh you to death."

And the Great Hero Chen's personal relationship with the Prince of Pingxi was not considered a big deal in the current atmosphere. After all, the Great Hero Chen was a member of the martial world, and Master Yao vouched for him. Most importantly, his talent in swordsmanship was extremely strong, and it was almost certain that he would become a third-rank swordsman in the future.

Even the Silver Armor Guards of the Qian Kingdom wouldn't be so confused as to drive away the next "Hundred Li Sword" of their own country.

As for Su Mingzhe, Zheng Fan wrote a poem "Man Jiang Hong" at that time. The poem was so magnificent and inspiring that it was praised, and as Zheng Fan's status and achievements continued to soar, the poem's position in the literary world was also elevated.

But it should be noted that when this poem was first spread, the line originally written was "With great ambition, I hunger for the flesh of Yan barbarians," and it was signed "Little Su."

Su Mingzhe later repeatedly stated that it was an honor for him, Su Mingzhe, that the Prince of Pingxi could use his name to write this poem.

In this regard, Su Mingzhe can be said to have inherited the true teachings of his master.

Blind Man once said that the Qian Kingdom's literati are good at mutual flattery, which is also known as hype, and the greatest master of this art in the present era is Yao Zizhan.

The restaurant wasn't too high-end. The two went up to a private room on the second floor, where a man and a woman were already seated.

The man was young and handsome, with an air of elegance, and a blue-bottomed sword with a silver hilt was placed beside him.

The woman was charming, with a well-placed beauty mark at the corner of her mouth. What was particularly striking was the rather dense array of rings on her wrists and earlobes.

"Come, let me introduce you. This is Wu Xiang, the young master of the Wu family of Haidong.

This is Xia Mingsu Rongrong, the daughter of the Xicai Tusi.

These two, this is my master's close friend, and also my close friend, the Great Hero Chen."

The Wu family of Haidong were big merchants in the East Sea, but their background was not clean all year round. It is said that the pirate troubles that plagued the Jiangnan coast of the Qian Kingdom back then were fueled by big merchants like the Wu family behind the scenes.

Later, Zu Zhuming trained a new army and quelled the pirate troubles. The Wu family also knew what was good for them and did not resist stubbornly. Instead, they obediently went ashore. Not only did the head of the Wu family personally go to the capital to pay homage to the official family, but they also took out half of their wealth to hand over, and finally received a reward from the official family. At the same time, they were also granted official status and appointed as imperial merchants of the Qian Kingdom.

If the Zu family was a prominent military family in the southeast of the Qian Kingdom, then the Wu family was a complete local snake.

The Xicai Tusi was a relatively large Tusi among the indigenous people of the southwest of the Qian Kingdom. When Master Xun Dao quelled the Tusi rebellion in the southwest, the Xicai Tusi directly defected and surrendered to the government army, and was able to be promoted after the rebellion was quelled.

It is no exaggeration to say that these two were both genuine second-generation members of aristocratic families.

Wu Xiang and Su Rongrong greeted the Great Hero Chen together, and the Great Hero Chen returned the greeting. Everyone sat down.

After sitting down, the Great Hero Chen picked up his chopsticks and began to eat. Obviously, the bowl of noodles earlier couldn't have filled him up. He had originally planned to call the boss to cook another bowl after finishing the first one, but he didn't want to order it too early, fearing the noodles would get mushy.

He couldn't engage in small talk, nor was he good at breaking the ice;

Wu Xiang asked, "Why is Brother Chen in this Lanyang City?"

The Great Hero Chen swallowed the food in his mouth and replied, "I wanted to return to the Prince of Pingxi's manor in Jindong, but I learned that there was fighting ahead, so I stopped."

Back in Shengle City, the Great Hero Chen often came and went. He would stay for a while, then leave, and then come back after a while.

He stayed in Fengxin City for a slightly longer period of time because he had become a disciple of the Sword Saint.

Then, he said goodbye and left Jindi, returning to the Qian Kingdom. This time, he had originally planned to go back again.

The Prince of Pingxi's manor was also long accustomed to this kind of "unrestrainedness" of the Great Hero Chen. In any case, the Prince of Pingxi himself was always very happy to see the Great Hero Chen coming to visit again;

After all, the Great Hero Chen's character was truly impeccable.

Wu Xiang nodded slightly. He noticed that the Great Hero Chen used the word "return";

This meant that in the Great Hero Chen's mind, the infamous Prince of Pingxi's manor in Jindong was like a home.

Wu Xiang smiled and said, "I've long heard that Brother Chen and that Prince of Pingxi of Yan Kingdom are close friends, like brothers. It seems that it's true."

The Great Hero Chen nodded,

and said:

"Yes, one of my legs was crippled by him."

"..." Wu Xiang.

One of the Great Hero Chen's legs was a prosthetic, which was custom-made by Third Master.

Su Rongrong asked curiously, "That Prince of Pingxi has led his army out of the Nanmenguan, why doesn't Brother Chen go find him?"

The Great Hero Chen looked at Su Rongrong with some confusion,

and said:

"He's fighting with the Qian Kingdom."

"So what?"

"If I go to him, am I going to kill him, or help him fight?"

"Oh, I see."

The Great Hero Chen thought that this woman had something wrong with her brain. Such a simple principle actually needed to be asked twice.

If Zheng Fan was fighting in the Chu Kingdom, the Great Hero Chen would help if he was there. He wouldn't care what impact fighting Chu would have on the Qian Kingdom. But if Zheng Fan was fighting the Qian Kingdom, he wouldn't go. His world was that simple and pure.

But this kind of "simple" principle was somewhat complicated for Wu Xiang and Su Rongrong.

The Wu family came from a family of sea merchants, and Su Rongrong's family came from a Tusi family. To put it bluntly, their families were originally outside the system of the Qian Kingdom's imperial court. When the imperial court was powerful and could give them benefits, they would hold their noses and admit that they were one family with the imperial court, and tell the outside world that their people and territory were also part of the Great Qian;

In reality, they didn't recognize themselves as Qian people at all.

They would even deliberately maintain their independence, because once they were completely integrated, there would be no reason to ask for extra preferential treatment.

Master Yao was transferred back to the capital from the position of Three-Border Governor, directly entering the imperial court and becoming the current prime minister, ranking third in order.

A position that doesn't require you to make major decisions, but can grasp the trends of the court when echoing the official family.

With such a teacher, Su Mingzhe's career was naturally not a problem. He is now an official in the Honglu Temple, with a low rank, but a noble status.

The Honglu Temple is in charge of foreign guests, court meetings, and etiquette. This time, he brought Wu Xiang and Su Rongrong to Lanyang City, presumably handling official business in a private capacity.

The Great Hero Chen heard that after the victory in Liangdi, an imperial envoy was originally scheduled to wait for the triumphant return of the royal army in Lanyang City, but because of the Prince of Pingxi's dispatch of troops to the south, the situation there suddenly became complicated again. Therefore, the corresponding preparations on the Lanyang City side would be more low-key.

As for encountering himself on the street by chance, the Great Hero Chen was honest, but not stupid. He didn't believe it. There must be someone in this city who belonged to Su Mingzhe who had discovered him.

In fact, Su Mingzhe was indeed handling official business in a "disguised" manner this time.

The Great Qian had finally won a victory in Liangdi, winning against the fierce and tigerish Yan Kingdom, and the Qian-Chu allied forces in Liangdi, the Chu army was just beating the drums, and the main force was the Great Qian's army.

This face was earned sincerely, without any falsehood.

Although the Qian people have always prided themselves on being the first in culture and disdained to argue with you about military matters, in reality, they are really looking forward to a victory as much as they are looking forward to timely rain.

Su Mingzhe brought two "second-generation" members here this time, actually with the intention of "boasting about their achievements."

In the face of the pressure from the Yan people in previous years, the Qian Kingdom gave too many benefits to these local breakaway factions in order to ensure that there would be no problems within their own country;

Now that the Great Qian's army can fight, you must also come and see for yourselves, so that the rewards given in the future can naturally be reduced.

After all, these two are essentially hostages, and at the same time, they are also spokespersons for their own forces in the capital.

Wu Xiang asked, "Brother Chen, how do you think this war will develop in the future?"

The Great Hero Chen shook his head, picked up a lion's head, took a bite, and said, "I don't understand fighting."

Wu Xiang smiled somewhat awkwardly, reached out and touched the "Qingxuan" beside him, and said, "It's a pity that my sword is only used for decoration. My swordsmanship is really sparse, and I'm not qualified to discuss swordsmanship with Brother Chen."

"Well, the sword energy on your body is scattered and not condensed. You should have taken too many Qi-boosting elixirs, but your own talent is limited and your foundation is mediocre, so you have only broken through the rank but have not truly mastered the sword."

"..." Wu Xiang.

"Hehehe." Su Rongrong covered her mouth and laughed, the rings on her body "jingle-jangle."

Then,

Su Rongrong said, "There are rumors in the martial world that Brother Chen has become a disciple of the Sword Saint of Jindi?"

"Yes."

"Then congratulations to Brother Chen for becoming a member of such a powerful sect."

Like old farmers thinking that the emperor can eat ten fried dough sticks in the morning, people of the aristocratic family class often look at things with their own habitual perspectives;

The Great Hero Chen shook his head and said, "I have a teacher, but I don't have a sect."

In fact, Master Yao was also his teacher, often guiding him in the principles of being a person, and the Sword Saint was also his teacher. Teacher and master are different concepts.

And the Sword Saint had never asked him to perform a formal apprenticeship ceremony or anything, but the Great Hero Chen's respect for the Sword Saint was genuine.

"Then what did Brother Chen do every day when he was in Fengxin City before?"

Su Rongrong asked curiously.

"Carrying water, chopping wood, helping my teacher wash his bedpan; feeding a flock of chickens and a duck."

"..." Su Rongrong.

Su Mingzhe took small sips of wine on the side, smiling without saying a word.

In fact, just like the Prince of Pingxi can wholeheartedly trust the Great Hero Chen, how could Master Yao, who has always had "piercing eyes," not see the essence of the Great Hero Chen?

The Great Hero Chen is a good person, an honest person.

Don't harm him, don't scheme against him, just get along with him well, and at critical moments, you can rely on him.

Su Mingzhe wasn't worried that these two aristocratic children would look down on his friend,

Some people come out to make a name for themselves, relying on their family background;

Some people rely on their own abilities.

Because of the flattery of his master and himself, the Great Hero Chen has been prepared for the position of the next generation of Qian Kingdom's "Hundred Li Sword." This kind of confidence based on his own strength will not be overshadowed even when facing aristocratic children.

Besides, those two aren't fools.

Su Mingzhe got up, poured wine for everyone, and then talked about some of the customs and cultures of Jindi, bringing the topic back.

But as they chatted and ate, a team of auxiliary soldiers and laborers passed by on the street outside the restaurant. The team was quite long.

This topic was inevitably brought back again.

Su Rongrong said, "It is said that the Prince of Pingxi's army has already captured the capital of Zhao."

Wu Xiang smiled and said, "This is actually a good thing, it can allow the Meng Marshal there and our imperial court to make a better determination, right, Little Su?"

Su Mingzhe smiled and nodded, and said, "This battle should be over, and the triumphant return of the army should be soon."

The Qian Kingdom's imperial court has always been divided into pro-war and pro-peace factions.

And all along, the pro-peace faction has prevailed.

However, it is not the literati and scholar-officials who are pro-peace, they are mostly pro-war, and have written a basket of poems that wish they could launch a northern expedition to avenge their shame;

On the contrary, it is the old generals in the army who are pro-peace.

Before Zhong Prime Minister died, he stubbornly refused to allow the northern expedition;

Now, after a victory in Liangdi, both the pro-war and pro-peace factions unanimously agree to quickly transfer their troops back.

It's good to win, it's good to win, but they must not make any more mistakes, this is the consensus of both factions.

The Yan army's capture of the capital of Zhao is like the last straw that broke the camel's back. Since this is the case, then there is no need to continue fighting this battle.

Su Mingzhe continued to say to the two aristocratic children: "After this battle, our three sides will have Grand Marshal Zu in charge, and Marshal Meng can choose a border area to continue training troops.

Zhong Consort, Han Commander, Le Commander, and a group of young generation generals personally selected by the official family will have the opportunity to continue to grow.

Not to mention that Xun Dao Prime Minister is rectifying the Jingying in the capital city.

Give it another three or two years, and the martial spirit of my Great Qian will flourish!"

Wu Xiang and Su Rongrong raised their glasses together to celebrate this sentence!

But in reality, the two also knew in their hearts that once the Great Qian really strengthened its military, then they could only bow their heads and be grandsons.

At this time,

Wu Xiang said to the Great Hero Chen: "Brother Chen, what kind of person do you think that Prince of Pingxi is?"

When there is someone on the wine table who knows a remarkable figure of the world, it is inevitable to discuss him.

The Great Hero Chen still answered quickly:

"A lazy person."

Su Rongrong "pfft" laughed and said, "A rotten person?"

The Great Hero Chen hesitated for a moment, then nodded again, this word was also correct.

"I heard that the Prince of Pingxi is proficient in both literary and martial arts, has extraordinary courage, and is good at taking the heads of enemy generals from among thousands of troops?"

The Great Hero Chen frowned;

To a certain extent, he actually shouldered responsibilities similar to those of the Sword Saint, so no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't connect "Zheng Fan" with "taking the heads of enemy generals from among thousands of troops."

That person,

was actually very cowardly.

Moreover,

that person's habit was that if he wasn't fighting, he would stay at home, surrounded by his wife and children, and basically wouldn't go out. If he did go out, it would probably be to drink mutton soup from the front street or something.

Su Rongrong said: "It is said that the Prince of Pingxi and the princess secretly made a lifelong agreement and were deeply in love. After learning that the princess was going to be married to the Qu family, he entered Chu alone and snatched back his beloved, which is really intoxicating."

The Great Hero Chen said: "No, they didn't know each other at all before, and they hooked up with each other in just a few days."

"..." Su Rongrong.

On this point, the Great Hero Chen had a lot to say;

That's right,

he was there at the time, he was the Great Hero Chen beside the Prince of Pingxi.

Su Rongrong glared at the Great Hero Chen, thinking that he was unromantic.

Wu Xiang sighed and said, "If it weren't for the relationship between enemies, if it weren't for national righteousness, I really wanted to make friends and get to know that Prince of Pingxi.

Poetry, lyrics, and odes, he is proficient in everything;

Leading troops to fight, he has never been defeated;

He is insightful into the martial world and has the spirit of the imperial court;

Tsk tsk..."

Logically speaking, these kinds of words are inconvenient to say, after all, the Prince of Pingxi is the king of the Yan Kingdom, but the Qian Kingdom is popular with this kind of "true literati" atmosphere;

You and I have different circumstances and identities, but you and I are confidants, and we can still be honest with each other and appreciate each other.

Moreover, Su Mingzhe, who represents the official side, has not been reluctant to ride the popularity of the Prince of Pingxi.

And the official family has also publicly expressed its appreciation for that Prince of Pingxi several times.

That's how the Qian people are, people from other countries are like, "I beat you, but you won my respect";

The Qian people are like, "I can't beat you, but it doesn't affect my respect for you."

After Wu Xiang finished sighing, Su Mingzhe also followed suit.

Finally, Su Rongrong even smiled and said, "Yes, if there is a chance in the future, I really want to meet this extraordinary man of the world."

The Great Hero Chen put down the duck leg he was eating,

looked at the three people in the room,

and said:

"Don't plant fu la ge here."

Wu Xiang asked curiously, "Brother Chen, what is fu la ge, and how do you plant it?"

"It's a word that the Prince of Pingxi likes to say on weekdays. It roughly means that sometimes, the more you say something like this, the more likely it is to come true.

The Prince of Pingxi himself is relatively taboo about this, and often tells the people around him not to plant fu la ge randomly."

"Hahahaha."

Wu Xiang laughed loudly,

and said:

"Right now, that prince is fighting in the far east in Liang and Zhao, could it be that he can bring his troops to the Lanyang City area at this time?"