Chapter 886 Lost in a Dream

The army had returned in triumph.

Compared to their swiftness when departing, their return was noticeably laden with more carts, big and small.

For any organizer, there are three major expenses in a war.

First, the departure fee. This is a military tradition: before ordering people to work, one must first bestow rewards to boost morale.

In essence, it’s no different from bandits drinking to embolden themselves before raiding a tough target; they first treat themselves well with good food and drink.

Of course, within the Yan army system, this kind of chronic problem isn't too serious, mainly affecting the local warlords. The other main field armies, such as the Zhenbei Army, Jingnan Army lineage, and now the Jindong Army, have long developed a tendency to rejoice at the prospect of war, thanks to the rise and development of Great Yan.

Second is the supply of money and food during the war. Rewards are to boost morale, but money and food are a constant output, the latter being more important than the former.

Third, is the post-war reward.

Post-war rewards have always been of paramount importance. If the subsequent rewards aren’t in place after a major battle, it can easily trigger a mutiny among the soldiers. The soldiers fresh from the battlefield are the most difficult to manage, after all, they still carry the scent of blood.

And a Liang capital city did indeed solve an urgent need: self-sufficiency through one's own efforts.

To some extent, Zheng Fan had alleviated a lot of pressure on Little Sixth's later rewards.

At the same time, Prince of Pingxi announced:

Brothers wounded in this battle can obtain the status of a registered household in the Jindong Pingxi Royal Manor.

The families of brothers who died in battle can receive compensation from the Pingxi Royal Manor.

This seemingly helped even more, but in reality, as a subject, it was a true act of usurpation.

Is this army the emperor's army, the court's army, or your, Prince of Pingxi's, private army?

It's one thing for you, Prince of Pingxi, to raise your own direct lineage troops in Jindong, but now you want to include other armies of Great Yan into your sequence to win people’s hearts?

However, Zheng Fan didn't pay much attention to these things.

Accepting wounded and disabled soldiers was because these soldiers hadn't completely lost their ability to care for themselves. In fact, those who were truly seriously injured on the battlefield and incurable really had a hard time surviving...

Serious external injuries, such as missing arms and legs, could still be absorbed back, serving as local platoon leaders and squad leaders, which could strengthen the local management class. Moreover, there was no need to question the loyalty of these people.

Compensating the brothers who died in battle was actually a rare, proactive, and significant expenditure for the usually stingy Prince of Pingxi.

He didn't think too much about it.

Mainly, eight thousand iron cavalry died for him during the breakout, and he couldn't bear it if he didn't do something.

As for the Blind,

he was “happy to see it.”

Life never ceases, rebellion never stops. No matter how difficult the process is, people must always harbor some hope.

After entering Nanmen Pass, the Prince of Pingxi directly declined all banquets.

Of course, only a very small group of people were qualified to issue an "invitation;"

And this group of people had long been prepared to be "rejected."

"Dad!"

The Prince stepped forward and hugged Tiantian.

Tiantian didn't look fat, but he was really solid. Every time he returned from an expedition and hugged this godson again, he felt that he had gained a lot of weight.

Xue San once joked that this was called substantial bone mass.

After ordinary martial artists cultivate to the entry level, they have to spend a lot of time repeatedly tempering their muscles and bones to achieve their physique;

People with good talent, such as Tiantian, can directly skip this step, and, with excellent innate roots, their muscles and bones are better than those who have been repeatedly tempered acquired, even without doing anything.

The Prince gave Tiantian a hard kiss on his cute profile.

Being on an expedition, it was already extremely rare to have the opportunity to take a bath, let alone shave his face. Therefore, the stubble on his face pricked Tiantian's tender face painfully.

But Tiantian just smiled;

Putting down Tiantian,

The crown prince stood there,

His little fists were clenched slightly, and he didn't dare to look directly, like a little girl, very shy;

The Prince of Pingxi has always been Ji Chuanye's idol.

In addition, the image contrast between being a loving father at home on weekdays and breaking the capital of an enemy country directly when going out was simply too attractive for a child.

But the crown prince was not Tiantian after all. Tiantian could be unreserved when facing Zheng Fan, but he was still a little shy.

The Prince didn't favor one over the other.

He stepped forward,

Picked up the crown prince,

And tossed him into the air.

"Oh!!!"

"Hahaha!!!"

Huang Gonggong, who had just followed in, had a professional surprise on his face when he saw this scene, but in fact, he was extremely indifferent in his heart.

The Prince doing this kind of thing to the crown prince,

Um,

Is it strange?

The crown prince was put down, with a satisfied smile on his face.

Zheng Fan walked over to the chair and sat down.

Tiantian reached out and touched the iron box from Zheng Fan's pocket, while the crown prince went to bring over a candle.

"Um..."

Tiantian hesitated for a moment. Without a fire starter, it was inconvenient to light a cigarette, so he put one end of the cigarette in his mouth, ready to help light it.

Seeing this scene,

The Prince, who had just sat down not long ago, immediately got up, picked up Tiantian, slapped his butt a few times, then took the cigarette, and said:

"Don't touch this."

"Okay, Dad." Tiantian wasn't wronged either. Together with the crown prince, he held the candle to help Zheng Fan light his cigarette.

Huang Gonggong took out an imperial decree from his pocket and said;

"Your Highness, this is His Majesty's decree."

"Chuanye, read it." The Prince said.

"Okay."

The crown prince took the imperial decree from Huang Gonggong, opened it, and found it was very short, saying:

"Godfather, Father said he has nothing else to reward you with, so he rewarded you with two cucumbers grown in his own garden."

"Where are the cucumbers?"

Tiantian blinked at this time and said, "I took them and ate them."

The crown prince also nodded and said, "I ate them too."

"Oh."

The Prince didn't take it seriously and said to Huang Gonggong, "Gonggong is going back to the capital, right?"

"What Your Highness said is true. After waiting for Your Highness, this servant must immediately prepare to return to the capital to report back."

Zheng Fan pointed to the crown prince,

Said;

"Take my godson back with you?"

Seeing this, the crown prince subconsciously held Tiantian's hand, and Tiantian also held him. The two children had long developed feelings for each other.

"Your Highness, His Majesty's decree did not mention it, so naturally, he will not be taken back."

"Um." Zheng Fan nodded.

Huang Gonggong then said: "Your Highness, this expedition, breaking Shangjing, is truly a great victory. Does Your Highness have any plans to return to the capital for a visit?"

This was naturally not in the imperial decree, it should be an oral order;

Because if it were written down, it would be a golden promise, and it would be too embarrassing if this golden promise were rejected.

"Is this His Majesty's intention?"

"No, it's this servant, this servant boldly asks. After all, Your Highness has made such great achievements, the capital will be cheered up because of it."

"The Princess is about to give birth, this Prince has to go back. Oh right, help me bring a message to His Majesty."

"This servant is listening, Your Highness, please speak."

"In the next few years, Qian Chu shouldn't have the ability to do anything anymore. As for me, I've been fighting in the north and south these past few years, and I don't have much free time at home."

Hearing this, Tiantian and the crown prince looked at each other.

"Seeing that the two children are about to be born, I plan to spend more time at home with my wife and children, and let him quickly sort out his family assets. At most five years, when the great war starts again, I don't want the children under my command to have to fight on an empty stomach."

"Yes, this servant will definitely convey the message."

"In addition, there's also that he sent me two cucumbers, I didn't eat them, but I understand his intention."

"Your Highness and His Majesty's hearts are connected, they are each other's confidants..."

"Don't interrupt me."

"This servant deserves to die."

"From now on, we will use Wangjiang as the boundary. I will be responsible for the development east of Wangjiang, and he will be responsible for the rest of Yan and Jin.

After I go back this time, I will accompany my children while training soldiers, striving to create the Jindong Iron Cavalry in the next few years, and try to achieve self-sufficiency.

As for him, he can continue to take back military power, but don't look for those fools anymore. At most five years, there will still be war, so there's no need to rush to cripple yourself and engage in internal friction."

Hearing these words, Huang Gonggong began to sweat profusely. This was directly stating His Majesty's mistakes, and the meaning of dividing the territory was also very clear.

"Before making any big moves regarding military power, let me know in advance."

"This servant... this servant understands..."

"Alright, it's pretty much like this, don't change the tone or anything, changing it will easily cause problems. Oh, right, add one last sentence;

I have sat on the dragon throne before;

To be honest, it's not very comfortable.

Whether to be emperor or rebel, it doesn't mean anything to me.

My two children are about to be born, both girls, I am happy, and he is relieved, but if there are sons, the affairs of the grandchildren will be left to the grandchildren to handle.

I am willing to unify this Xia with him as soon as possible, I don't want any more disturbances. Neither of us wants to do things that hurt loved ones and gladden enemies, it mainly depends on him.

Early on, in our lifetime, let's destroy that Qian Chu and unify the entire world, then our mission will be completed.

We won't be in charge of what happens in the future.

Of course,

If you have to force me to do it, then I will accept it without any politeness, he understands, in this life, I can't stand being wronged in the slightest."

"This servant... this servant understands."

"Not a single word different, tone unchanged, convey it back."

"Yes, yes."

In fact, these were Zheng Fan's true thoughts now.

The emperor is wary of the princes below who hold heavy troops,

The prince himself is also worried about the superiors;

But now,

What Zheng Fan wants to do most is to be able to send troops as soon as possible and completely destroy Qian Chu.

After all, there are still eight thousand waist tags waiting for him to dig up.

"Alright, this Prince will set off tomorrow to return to Jindong."

"Your Highness, so soon?"

"Originally, I planned to leave tonight."

Zheng Fan looked at the two children and said, "You guys also go pack up, rest early today, your younger brothers and sisters are about to be born."

"Yes, Father."

"Yes, Godfather."

Huang Gonggong left, and the two children also went down to pack their luggage.

When Zheng Fan came out, he happened to see the Sword Saint standing there, leaning against the pillar.

"This tone of speaking to the emperor is the first time I've seen it in this life. I'm afraid even Tian Wujing back then wouldn't have been so rude."

Obviously, the Sword Saint heard the previous conversation inside. He wasn't deliberately listening, but people of this level have hearing that is too sensitive.

"So, Old Tian and I are still different after all. If I were really Old Tian, I wouldn't need to say these words, and the superiors would be more at ease."

"Then how do you think the emperor sees you?"

"When we both reveal our hearts to each other, others will have no chance to stir up trouble. Ji Lao Liu is used to calculating, but what he is best at is not calculating small accounts, but human accounts."

Speaking of this,

Zheng Fan laughed:

"Hehe, it's fortunate that the one above is Ji Lao Liu, if it were someone else, with a Blind in our family, we might have already started a rebellion."

"Are you really not interested in being emperor?" The Sword Saint asked.

Zheng Fan shook his head and said, "How could I not be interested? But I focus more on the present. After I go back, the life I live will be no worse than the emperor's.

It mainly depends on whether he gives me this opportunity."

At this time, A'Ming walked over and asked:

"Master, are we setting off tomorrow morning?"

"Yes, just take a group of people to escort us."

Hearing this, the Sword Saint raised his eyebrows.

Last time, Zheng Fan was assassinated because he was in a hurry to go back to accompany his wife to give birth. This time, it was clear that this Prince would not allow any loopholes in his own safety.

"Leave the Blind here, and hand over the work."

Meeting with various generals, building relationships, political tacit understandings, military tacit understandings, human interactions, etc., still have to be done by the Blind. The Blind also likes to do these things.

"Yes, I will go and inform him. I mainly came to ask for A'Li and Third, they all miss their wives."

"Forget about Third, A'Li's wife... that guy isn't that bestial, right?"

"Who knows." A'Ming joked.

After A'Ming left, the Sword Saint said again: "While saying that you have no intention of seizing the throne, you are letting your most capable subordinates build good relationships with those generals."

Zheng Fan "ummed" and said very naturally:

"I have never denied one thing, and that is that the basis for me to get along with him as a ruler and subject is that when he suspects that you can overthrow his Jiangshan Sheji (realm), you better really have that ability."

"Is this also considered showing each other your hearts?"

"This is called reality."

…

Prince Rui, carrying his family wealth, left his station and came to Shangjing. The Prince's family wealth was used to fill the national treasury, and the Prince's fields were returned to the imperial estates, setting a true example for the royal family;

And Prince Rui himself, after participating in the first sacrifice at the restored Taimiao (Imperial Ancestral Temple) with the official, his body finally couldn't support it anymore and he died of illness.

When the news of Prince Rui's death came,

The Heir of Prince Rui, Zhao Mugou, fell ill.

It should be known that this Heir not only persuaded the self-established crown prince to return to confess his sins, but also cursed that Prince of Pingxi in the Yan barbarian military camp, preserving the integrity of the Qian people, and brought back the captured dignitaries.

In short, this pair of father and son can be said to have performed impeccably in times of national crisis, making people admire them, and the legacy of the Taizu lineage, even if it is still bumpy, is still missed.

In the court, a saying has gradually spread.

This world of Daqian was originally snatched from the Taizu lineage by the Taizong lineage.

First, there was the Northern Expedition of the Taizong a hundred years ago, in which the elite were completely lost; then, there was the fall of Shangjing.

This is because the Taizong lineage did not obtain the position correctly, so the country is constantly in trouble.

…

Zhao Mugou slowly woke up, and when he opened his eyes, he saw Han Sui sitting by his bed.

"You shouldn't have fainted at this time, it's equal to fueling the rumors outside, too much is as bad as too little."

"I wasn't pretending..." Zhao Mugou said helplessly.

Han Sui sighed,

Said;

"Then take good care of your body, the body is the most important thing."

"Yes... Grandpa."

Han Sui nodded, stood up, and reminded, "Pay attention to your tea and diet these days."

"I understand."

Han Sui left.

Zhao Mugou watched Han Sui's figure disappear at the door,

He wanted to call him out, to stop him;

Because in the past two days of coma,

He had a very long dream.

In the dream,

He saw the Yan people's iron cavalry destroy Shangjing;

But this dream was different, it wasn't what had happened before, it wasn't reality…

Because in the dream, what the Yan people captured wasn't just those dignitaries and the empress, but also the official and the crown prince.

Before the Yan people broke the capital, the official immediately passed the throne to the crown prince to avoid disaster, but in the end, both the official and the crown prince were captured by the Yan people.

And him,

He went to the Yan army camp several times, hoping that the Yan people would release the official and the crown prince.

That Yan general seemed to not be that Prince of Pingxi, but another person, in short, his face was very blurry.

The Yan people plundered and returned,

Most of the entire northern territory of Daqian fell;

He alone organized righteous troops, but was defeated by the Yan people and had to escape.

Then, on the premise that the royal family had basically been captured, Han Sui stood up and, in the name of returning the position to the Taizu emperor's lineage and rectifying the country's foundation, called on the exiled officials to establish him as the new official.

He, then, became the new country, and established his own court south of the Qian River.

Right,

In the dream,

There was also a woman in the dream.

The woman was very beautiful, very beautiful;

When his righteous troops were defeated and forced to escape, it was she who saved him from the Yan people's iron hooves.

It was she who accompanied him all the way south, escorting him, this Zhao family bloodline, to Han Sui's side.

He finally made her the empress.

She was good at using a sword, and her sword was very fast and sharp.

Not only were those ravenous Yan people killed one by one under her sword at the beginning, but later, when he faced various assassinations, it was she, this empress, who protected him time and time again.

What was her name...

Zhao Mugou was banging hard his head,

He was angry,

Angry that he had forgotten the name of a woman in a dream.

He didn't know why, but he really wanted to remember her. It seemed that the experience in the dream should have really happened.

Suddenly,

He remembered,

In the dream,

The first time she saved him from the Yan people's pursuit, she said proudly:

"She is the second sword of Qian Country."

He responded foolishly: "Then the first sword of Qian Country, is it Baili Jian?"

She disdained:

"Baili Jian is bullshit, the first sword of Qian Country, is my master's position!"

———

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