Chapter 828 Prince

"Buzz!" "Buzz!" "Buzz!"

"Bullseye, bullseye!"

"Wow!"

Prince Pingxi fired three arrows in succession, all hitting the bullseye. Tiantian and the Crown Prince cheered excitedly from the side, the two children rarely showing the childlike appearance they should have at their age.

The two children both admired Zheng Fan, but Zheng Fan rarely brought them to the training ground. It wasn't because they were too young, but simply because Zheng Fan was too lazy.

Life at home was so comfortable. He would practice his saber for half a day, followed by free time, a soak in the bath, listening to Ru Qing sing, and then checking on his first and second wives' bellies, listening for movement, waiting for the children to be conceived and then born. This kind of life was so fulfilling.

Perhaps outsiders couldn't imagine that Prince Pingxi of Great Yan, regarded as a "formidable threat" and a "jackal" by the nations of Zhuxia, was the one who most hoped for peace in the world for the next six months.

This was the life of a homebody.

Putting down the longbow, Zheng Fan twisted his neck.

His archery had always been good. He had a good foundation from the start. After all, he couldn't waste the effort Ah Ming had put in back then, when he would use himself as a sprinkler to water flowers.

Next,

Tiantian started practicing archery. His bow was a smaller size, while Crown Prince Ji Chuanye's bow was even smaller.

Zheng Fan personally taught the two children the correct way to shoot arrows, and they learned very seriously.

Tiantian was especially good. After shooting several arrows, he clearly found the method. In fact, the bow was curved, but when shooting an arrow, a person's body would become one with the bow. It wasn't the mysterious "unity of man and sword" realm, but rather a resonance, or a completion, between one's body and the bow.

This feeling had to be found, and the best way to find it was to practice.

Archery looked simple, but it was actually very tiring to practice seriously.

Tiantian's build was much sturdier than that of ordinary children, but Zheng Fan didn't dare to let him overexert himself. Although this child was raised in the manor, he didn't have the slightest air of a pampered young master, but rather a stubbornness hidden in his bones.

This kind of obsession reminded Zheng Fan of Old Tian.

After calling a stop,

Zheng Fan called them over to eat barbecue.

Liu Ruqing came over to help, while the princess sat there, looking forward to it. As a pregnant woman, she wasn't afraid of the smoke.

In fact, the reason they came out today was because the princess pestered Zheng Fan, saying she wanted to eat barbecue. Barbecue was more enjoyable when eaten in the open countryside with wide skies.

Zheng Fan also went to call Fourth Mother, no, he personally went to invite her.

But Fourth Mother didn't come. Recently, the manor had begun its "preemptive harvesting" of the Snow Plains economy, and as the manor's chief financial manager, Fourth Mother had a lot on her plate.

In Fourth Mother's words, "Your Lordship, just go ahead. I won't be jealous or disappointed, let alone feel sorry for myself. That would be too cheap."

Zheng Fan didn't call anyone else, not even the Sword Saint. It was just these few people at home. As for safety, besides Ah Ming leaning there, clinking glasses with Kaxier, there were eight hundred guardian cavalry on the periphery and three hundred brocade-clad personal guards nearby. There wouldn't be any problems.

The Prince's barbecue skills were very good, but he himself wasn't very enthusiastic about eating barbecue. He just tasted it, but the two children and two women ate a lot, especially the princess, who had a surprisingly good appetite.

Zheng Fan was only responsible for the barbecue. In the end, all the ingredients that had been marinated in advance and brought over last night were eaten, but the princess still wasn't satisfied. Fortunately, the personal guards hunted a deer and brought the venison after processing it. Zheng Fan sliced the venison with Wuya and grilled some venison chops, which finally satisfied the princess.

But soon, the princess clamored for fruit.

Tiantian took the Crown Prince to wash the fruit. The two children didn't complain at all about serving the pregnant woman, and even felt it was sacred, as if they had become adults doing something very serious.

The princess, on the other hand, enjoyed bossing them around.

One moment she'd call Tiantian to get this,

The next moment she'd call the Crown Prince to get that,

One moment she'd say, "Tiantian, you're a good boy, give me a kiss,"

The next moment she'd say, "Crown Prince, you're a good boy too, give me a kiss."

Then,

She'd have the two children massage her legs, and they both did as they were told, massaging with care and diligence.

The princess chuckled happily.

The Heir of Jingnan and the Crown Prince were massaging her legs, tsk tsk, what a privilege.

But the scene was so harmonious. After all, the princess was an elder, and she was pregnant with Zheng Fan's child, who would be the little brother or sister of these two boys when born.

Moreover, the princess was also a member of the royal family, her older brother being the current Emperor of Chu. Her lineage was undoubtedly noble, so it wouldn't give people a sense of "insubordination" or "lack of respect."

As long as you have them at home, who hasn't ordered their younger siblings around?

Zheng Fan himself couldn't help but smile. She was already showing, but her personality had begun to become extremely girlish.

Of course, there was also the factor that Fourth Mother hadn't come this time.

With Fourth Mother here, Zheng Fan didn't mind, but the children were obviously in awe of Fourth Mother, and the princess and Liu Ruqing also had to restrain themselves.

The children and the princess and Ruqing sat on the grass covered with silk blankets, playing and sunbathing, while Zheng Fan beckoned for his Pixiu to come over.

Ah Ming looked at his lord, and when he saw his lord shaking his head at him, Ah Ming continued drinking with Kaxier.

Zheng Fan rode the Pixiu and began to run in circles around the area.

After being at home for a long time, he didn't feel any boredom this time, but his body had indeed become a bit sluggish, so he took this opportunity to loosen up.

The Pixiu also loosened its legs and ran, venting the energy it had accumulated over these days.

The prince on its back occasionally drew his saber with his eyes closed.

He didn't need to imagine,

Because any segment of his experience was enough to savor for a long time.

Perhaps influenced by the laughter of the princess and the children, the prince was also rarely seized by a youthful impulse.

At this moment, he seemed to be galloping once again on the northern border of the Qian Kingdom, or rushing across the Snow Plains, or roaring in the Chu territory.

It was a pity that there were no eagles in the sky.

...

At the same time, west of Fengxin City, after finishing the first round of fruitless surveys and returning, Xue San and Fan Li received new intelligence, indicating that a mineral deposit seemed to have been discovered in the northwest direction.

With no other choice, Xue San and Fan Li had to set off again.

Third Master had just returned and hadn't had enough time to be affectionate with Hu Bamei, but now he had to go out on official business again, and he felt a bit depressed.

He simply buried his head and closed his eyes, galloping on his horse, occasionally spreading his arms to match the bumps. Those who knew would know he was riding a horse, those who didn't know...

Fan Li, on the other hand, was running on foot as usual, lagging behind a bit. He saw a person not far away with several colorful flags stuck on his back, riding a Pixiu and speeding in the direction they had come from.

Fan Li's eyes widened. After confirming that he wasn't seeing things, he immediately sped up and caught up with Xue San on horseback with his legs. He turned his head and shouted to Xue San:

"Halt your horse!"

Third Master thought that Fan Li, this fool, was mocking him, and directly cursed back:

"Happy your Ma Le Gobi!"

"........" Fan Li.

...

A messenger from Nanmenguan entered Fengxin City and went straight to the Prince's Manor.

After delivering the military report, the messenger collapsed from exhaustion.

Xiao Yibo, who received the military report, felt his heart "thump" upon seeing this.

Having been the head steward for so long, he was well-versed in receiving and transmitting these reports. Sometimes, the urgency of the intelligence didn't depend on what the messenger was riding, nor on how many colorful flags were stuck on his back.

It depended on whether the messenger fainted after delivering the intelligence.

If he fainted,

It must be extremely urgent!

Xiao Yibo didn't dare to delay and ran straight to the signing room. Coincidentally, the Blind Man was holding some files that needed to be discussed with Fourth Mother regarding financial matters. Seeing Xiao Yibo running over in a hurry, he waved his hand, and the military report in Xiao Yibo's hand was drawn into his grasp.

"Mr. Bei, the messenger fainted."

"Understood, take good care of him."

"Yes, sir."

Xiao Yibo pursed his lips and took his leave.

The military report had a seal, indicating where it was sent from. After seeing the three characters "Nanmenguan," the Blind Man smiled.

He took the military report and walked into the signing room. Fourth Mother was inside, sorting through the cargo manifest.

"Something must have happened at Nanmenguan," the Blind Man said.

Fourth Mother didn't even raise her head and continued to go through her manifest, saying, "Isn't this what you were hoping for?"

"It's good to have some trouble. The Chu people have finally learned to be obedient. Why are they fighting us to the death at Zhennanguan? Some trouble at Nanmenguan will create a sense of crisis, highlighting our importance while also being suitable for making a fortune in silence.

Secondly, it can also be used to cut off Jin and strengthen our independence."

"I'm just afraid that those who want to cause trouble over there will be wiped out by the Yan army near Nanmenguan," Fourth Mother teased. "Letting your plans fall through.

By the way, I've always been curious, what exactly did you write in that letter that you sent out and then took back?"

"I wrote to tell him to study hard and make progress every day, and that he could have an orange to peel if he had the chance in the future."

"I don't believe it." Fourth Mother shook her head. "You wouldn't have formulated some plan for them, would you?"

"No."

"Really no?"

"There was originally."

"And then?"

"And then I took it back. If he's one of the Demon Kings, he doesn't need to see it. If he's not a Demon King, he's not worthy to see it."

"Alright, I'm just reminding you to be careful. You know the Lord's temper. It's fine to engage in some minor actions behind his back, but if you deliberately try to screw over the Yan Kingdom, the Lord will definitely be very unhappy."

"I know, I know."

As the Blind Man spoke, he opened the seal and spread out the military report.

He "saw" it very quickly, just a glance.

Then,

The Blind Man stood there, motionless for a long time.

"What exactly happened?" Fourth Mother asked, raising her head.

The Blind Man gently tossed the military report, letting it fall steadily in front of Fourth Mother.

After Fourth Mother scanned the military report,

She was also stunned for a moment,

And said:

"Are you kidding me?"

The Blind Man shook his head and said, "Something big has happened."

"Blind Man, you..."

"Alright!" The Blind Man spread his hands, very seriously and solemnly, and said, "I didn't, and the development and result of the matter are far more serious than I originally expected.

Just put this matter aside, and pretend you don't know, okay?"

"Are you afraid?"

"Li Fusheng is dead." The Blind Man licked his lips. "Even if the Lord knew that I had tried to do something behind his back, I would be in trouble."

"You really didn't?"

"I would deceive the Lord, but would I need to deceive you?"

"That's true."

Fourth Mother stretched out her fingers and gently rubbed her brow, and said:

"The sky over Western Jin is about to collapse."

The Blind Man opened his mouth and said, "No, it's crumbling. The commander-in-chief was killed in battle, and the army was almost completely wiped out. Last time we raided Fancheng, it was also Liang Cheng's town of 30,000 soldiers that served as the main force, combined with troops from other routes.

This town of Li Fusheng, with some additions and complements, and some auxiliary soldiers and servants, could easily pull together a large army and raise the banner of '100,000'."

"This is equivalent to Western Jin losing 100,000 soldiers in combat strength all at once, and it's field combat strength.

In addition, the impact of this matter is far greater than the numbers on paper. Qian and Chu will take a big breath, and the myth of the Yan people being invincible will also be shattered.

Politically, in terms of popular sentiment, morale, and even national fortune, this great defeat will have a huge impact."

The Blind Man actually pointed out the key point in one go. This, in fact, was also the reason why the monarchs of the Qian and Chu countries wanted to fight this battle. In terms of scale, it couldn't be called a national war, it was far from a national war, but they had to win a battle, a hard-hitting victory, and tear off a large piece of flesh from the Yan people.

Otherwise,

When the Yan Kingdom recovered and its army gathered, no matter which country it attacked, the morale of that country's army would be three points lower before the battle even began. The opponent would be full of confidence, firmly believing that they were invincible in the world. This battle would be impossible to fight.

No matter how many soldiers you pile up or how much grain you gather, it would be meaningless. The entire country would turn pale at the mention of Yan, and they would scare themselves half to death at the first sign of the Yan people. How could they fight a war, how could they protect the country and its people?

The Yan Kingdom had always been "poor and arrogant," but after breaking this arrogance, they could enter the rhythm of competing on national strength, population, and various resources, which was what Qian and Chu most wanted to see, especially the Qian Kingdom.

It could even be said that this defeat had a more profound impact than the Wangjiang defeat, because the Wangjiang battle damaged the left-wing army of the Eastern Expeditionary Force, which was mainly composed of local county soldiers and local warlords.

Li Fusheng and his soldiers were not county soldiers, they were genuine, battle-hardened elites!

Fourth Mother exhaled a long breath,

Put down the pen in her hand,

And said:

"Call the Lord back. It's fine if the Yan Kingdom loses, I don't feel much, but Li Fusheng is dead... the Lord will be very sad, right."

"In this world, there are not many people that the Lord cares about, but Li Fusheng is actually one of them."

The Blind Man reached out and patted his forehead,

And cursed:

"He's courting death!"

...

"Old Brother Zheng, I'm begging you for something. Sometimes I just can't control myself from wanting to kill someone. When that time comes, you have to talk me out of it."

"What's the point of shrinking back? I like to be the first to charge. Where is my Assault Battalion! Uh... Old Brother Zheng, you should step back, you don't have to charge with me."

"Oh, Old Brother Zheng, you've been enfeoffed as a Marquis. Come, come, the junior general pays his respects to the Pingxi Marquis of Great Yan, hahaha..."

"Shh, Old Brother Zheng, Princess, you were the one who made this happen, right?"

Originally,

The Wang Manor's evening gatherings were always lively and bustling, with adults and children alike, harmonious and warm.

But tonight, it seemed particularly deserted, and no one dared to disturb.

Prince Pingxi sat at the table,

A plate of beans,

A pot of wine,

And alone,

He drank all night.