Chapter 905 Good Son

In Liuxia Town, an assassination attempt occurred in broad daylight. Tian Rong, the lord of the Wubao (walled village), was stabbed and seriously injured.

Coincidentally,

when the assassin struck, General Jin Shuke of the Zhennan Pass happened to be in a nearby restaurant on an "unofficial tour." The assassin was immediately captured by the general's guards and imprisoned.

General Jin reassured the crowd and even made a speech, saying that as long as people were here, neither the Chu soldiers nor the Fengchao (Phoenix Nest) secret agents of Chu would have the right to be presumptuous.

The commotion caused during the day

seemed to have been calmed by nightfall;

Tonight, the moon and stars were sparse.

Zheng Fan and the Sword Saint were sitting on a tower in the Wubao of Liuxia Town, with a chessboard between them.

The Prince held the white pieces,

the Sword Saint held the black pieces,

After a fierce battle,

the Prince smiled and said:

"Double three."

The Sword Saint nodded, he had lost this game of Gomoku.

Jian Bi and Tian Tian walked up, Jian Bi carrying a teapot, and Tian Tian carrying a fruit platter.

Ji Chuanye didn't come up with them;

Zheng Fan noticed it, but he didn't ask.

If the crown prince of Great Yan was unwilling to see him now because he had lectured him during the day, then this crown prince was too fragile.

The Ji family's lineage has always been good; it shouldn't suddenly collapse in this generation.

Tian Tian spoke first: "Dad, Didi (little brother) went to apologize to General Jin."

Daytime is daytime,

nighttime is nighttime;

One version for the public, one for private;

If it was just to get by superficially, then daytime would be enough, but the problem is that Jin Shuke would be their teacher from now on, so they had to make up for it in private at night.

The imperial family is ruthless,

but the imperial family also values etiquette the most,

it's just that ordinary people aren't qualified to enjoy the imperial family's etiquette.

While reaching out to pick up the chess pieces, the Sword Saint said, "Were you a little too strict during the day?"

Zheng Fan was also picking up the chess pieces, and smiled: "Scared?"

Here, "scared" definitely didn't mean that the Sword Saint was scared. A top Jianghu (martial world) swordsman, while unable to stir up trouble to resist the real tide, could at least take a step back and find a vast expanse;

"Scared" meant that the Sword Saint was worried about him.

The Sword Saint asked in return, "That child has a deep mind and can figure things out. He knows you're doing it for his own good, but he is, after all, an emperor."

How would an emperor feel when he thought back to this scene today?

Zheng Fan shook his head and sighed:

"He and I, and his father, have reached this point. There is still some affection, but we are no longer really looking at affection. I am not that kind of person, but playing this game on this stage means that we have to follow these rules.

If I were really harmless and loyal to the imperial court;

If Great Yan's situation were better, and the loss of my Jidong wouldn't cause chaos, and Qian Chu wouldn't be making trouble;

Ji Lao Liu in the capital,

would probably not hesitate to grant me a dignified end.

Then,

he would come to my tomb,

with a pot of wine, hugging my tombstone, crying and talking to me, pouring out his difficulties."

Hearing this, the Sword Saint seemed to imagine that scene, and then nodded.

Zheng Fan glanced at Tian Tian,

and said;

"We haven't torn apart, so everyone is still cherishing it. Ji Lao Liu and I have long reached a tacit understanding. What we two have to do in this generation is to pacify and destroy Qian Chu, and then to wipe out all those small countries that dare to call themselves 'Orphans,' and recreate a unified Zhuxia (Chinese civilization);

So, deep down, in essence, everyone knows it, but on the surface, we still have to play a scene of tender affection.

It's not to put on a show for the world, but since we know that we can't change each other, and we can't forcibly interfere, we are both being coerced by each other;

Since we can't resist, then let's choose a more comfortable position."

Tian Tian blinked;

Jian Bi's pretty face flushed;

The Prince dropped another piece in the center of the cleared chessboard;

The piece fell on the board, making a crisp sound;

Clearly, they were playing Gomoku, but it felt like they were playing out "Grand Harmony."

The Prince liked this tune very much,

and continued:

"He is, after all, a child of the brother's family, raised here with me. Besides eating and drinking, the rules of conduct must also be taught. At least he's been in front of me for a while, calling me 'godfather,' 'godfather,' although I didn't take it to heart, but at least he's become familiar.

His grandfather used his own son like that back then,

the third son was sent out and I crippled him, just to let the Jingnan Prince vent his anger;

He was locked up in the Lake Heart Pavilion for a few years, and after finally being released, he died honorably.

Don't think that Ji Lao Liu has a stomach full of anger at his father, but after he sits in that position, since he is already like his father, he is probably not far from being like his father.

The difference is that he may not be willing to really treat his son like a chick, slaughtering him for soup or eating his meat whenever he wants, but if this kid has any more 'national righteousness' in his head, if Ji Lao Liu finds out, for the sake of his family's world, for the sake of Great Yan's unification and future, it's almost a lifetime imprisonment."

The Sword Saint smiled: "He's still young."

Zheng Fan shook his head and said:

"He's different, he's the foundation of the country. In this world, the only people who can teach him how to be a person are me and his father.

Besides,

the crown prince,

the future emperor,

When an ordinary child climbs on the roof and removes tiles, it's just that the house leaks on a rainy day and wets two quilts, but he can poke a hole in this sky.

Alas..."

Zheng Fan reached out and waved.

Tian Tian understood and took the initiative to step forward, letting his father touch his head.

"My Tian Tian is still obedient."

Tian Tian showed a simple and honest smile.

Zheng Fan knew that this child had understood things since he was young, but he could hide things.

"Dad, Didi (little brother) is younger than me." Tian Tian was still speaking up for the crown prince.

"From the day his father sat on the Dragon Throne, even if he was still breastfeeding, he would already be older than ninety-nine percent of the people in the world."

Zheng Fan reached out and pinched Tian Tian's cheek,

If he hadn't met himself,

in the prophecy,

such an obedient child as Tian Tian would become a disaster that would subvert Great Yan in the future.

However, Zheng Fan wasn't Hegemon, and wouldn't become anxious and fearful because of prophecies,

In his eyes,

his feeling about the relationship between the prophecy and Tian Tian was probably:

My son is awesome!

"Pa!"

The Sword Saint dropped a piece, completing the line.

Zheng Fan shook his head, only caring about talking and being distracted on the chessboard, and said:

"This chessboard is really like life..."

The Sword Saint glanced at Zheng Fan,

and said;

"Playing Gomoku can also lead to life insights?"

"Hey, you don't believe it?"

"I believe it."

...

"This humble general believes in His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's sincerity."

In the room,

Jin Shuke and the crown prince sat facing each other, both kneeling on futons.

The Chu people liked the etiquette of kneeling and sitting, and there were many Chu people in Liuxia Town, so the decorations here were also in the Chu style.

"It is what Gan Die (Godfather) taught today, Chuanye will repent and reflect on his mistakes."

Chuanye kowtowed again.

Jin Shuke could only follow suit, returning the same etiquette.

The crown prince really wanted to change; Jin Shuke could feel it.

No matter how monstrous a child, he was still just a child after all, and it was difficult to deceive a battle-hardened general for long.

"Your Highness really doesn't need to worry about this matter anymore, actually..."

"Shifu (Master) can speak frankly, Chuanye is listening."

What originally appeared in Jin Shuke's mind was a scene from a long, long time ago,

In that scene,

he had just helped the Prince capture a Qian (Great Yan) people's stronghold,

As a result, the Qian people's fort leader made a red tent, and there were many sisters in it.

Jin Shuke remembered that at that time, he and his barbarian companions looked at these scantily clad Qian women with probably a red light in their eyes.

But in that inadvertent moment,

he looked at the Prince sitting there,

Oh,

The Prince at that time was just a garrison commander, but he held the power of life and death over them;

The Prince also noticed their gazes, and what the Prince showed on his face was... disgust.

At that moment, Jin Shuke was suddenly shocked and immediately put away all his inappropriate thoughts.

In fact, in other words, in the Prince's heart at that time, some thoughts were probably the same as those of the previous Crown Prince.

This scene,

could only be imprinted in his heart and become an eternal secret that could not be told to others.

Therefore, in Jin Shuke's view, the Prince's anger at the Crown Prince was not because of the Crown Prince's thoughts, but because he had these thoughts and revealed them, putting them into action.

Now, he has also become a veritable general, and strictly speaking, he also belongs to the group of territorial officials. After becoming a superior, he can even more understand the principle that inner thoughts are completely different from this person.

"Your Highness, we can start the lesson." Jin Shuke changed the subject.

"Start the lesson?"

The crown prince was a little surprised; would they start the lesson tonight?

Jin Shuke clapped his hands,

Outside,

Several armored soldiers escorted in the purple-clothed woman who had assassinated him during the day.

The woman was shackled, and the armored soldier kicked her knee, forcing her to kneel.

However, the woman still stubbornly raised her head, looking at Jin Shuke sitting in front of her.

Jin Shuke's appearance was easy to recognize: a barbarian's face, coupled with the aura of being in a high position. This type of person was the assassin's favorite target.

"You knew I was here a long time ago." Jin Shuke said, looking at the woman.

She smiled,

and said:

"It's too late for you to know this now."

Jin Shuke shook his head and said:

"It was this general who let you know."

The woman was stunned.

At this time,

the crown prince stood up and walked to Jin Shuke's side. Jin Shuke also changed from kneeling to standing.

"Shifu (Master), who is she?"

"She is an assassin."

"Then why did she have to do it during the day..."

"This humble general doesn't know."

"Uh..." the crown prince.

"This humble general only knows that she, or rather they, came to assassinate this humble general. No matter what happened in the middle, they would do so. Therefore, the process can be ignored.

This is also the first lesson this humble general teaches the Crown Prince in military strategy;

When two armies are facing each other,

in most cases, those dazzling methods are only for the final purpose;

We may not be able to see the other party's methods clearly, or even be confused by them, but as long as we grasp the other party's purpose, the worst case scenario is that we can respond to all changes with constancy.

However, there is a premise here;

That is when the enemy is weak and we are strong."

Ji Chuanye saluted and said:

"This disciple has been taught."

The woman noticed the child, or rather, the clothes on this child.

During the day, Zheng Fan wouldn't wear a python robe or mysterious armor; it was too ostentatious, and so did the crown prince and Tian Tian.

Of course, it was impossible to wear it at night either;

But this sleeping robe, the imperial family's style was also completely different, with gold-threaded borders, and the dragon's embroidery that was clearly visible under the candlelight;

"Who... who is he..."

The woman asked.

Jin Shuke smiled slightly and didn't answer but reached forward.

The crown prince licked his lips excitedly, and the image of his Gan Die (Godfather) involuntarily appeared in his mind;

He saw His Royal Highness the Crown Prince take a step forward,

trying to make himself feel gentle and jade-like,

then slightly raising his jaw,

and said;

"This Palace's surname is Ji."

With the surname Ji, and calling himself This Palace, there was only the crown prince of Great Yan in the world.

It's just that,

the woman's next reaction made His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who finally had this opportunity, very... helpless;

The woman let out an exclamation,

but not an exclamation: Why is the crown prince of Yan here!

But roared in almost terror;

"Is the Prince of Pingxi (Western Pacification) also here?"

...

"Come, raise your head."

Tian Rong, lying on the stretcher, raised his head. He didn't know why he had been carried here and sent to this sentry tower.

Sitting in front of him were two people; they should be playing chess.

A man was playing with a chess piece in his hand, looking at him with great interest.

"Tian Rong, right? Why were you assassinated during the day?"

"Who exactly are you?" Tian Rong didn't answer but asked tentatively.

"I'm the one asking you."

"Are you from General Jin?"

"Let's just say that, can you answer now?"

"I was assassinated by the Phoenix Nest secret agents."

"Why?"

"Because I work for Great Yan, for the Pingxi Prince's Mansion, for General Jin, and am hated by the Phoenix Nest."

"Oh."

Zheng Fan nodded, looked at Tian Tian, and asked:

"Do you believe it?"

"This child... doesn't believe it."

"Why don't you believe it?"

"If that were the case, Dad wouldn't have ordered someone to carry him here."

"This answer is taking a shortcut."

"Yes."

Zheng Fan pointed at Tian Rong and said to Tian Tian:

"He is just a puppet; he is the puppet that Jin... your Shifu (Master) has put on the surface of this Liuxia Town. In fact, he doesn't have much real power.

The Phoenix Nest secret agents must also know this.

It costs a lot to kill someone here; why kill a useless puppet?"

"..." Tian Rong.

Zheng Fan continued:

"Killing someone in broad daylight and wearing such conspicuous clothes, and most importantly, stabbing him with a sword and not being able to kill him, deliberately holding back.

Tian Rong,

do you also have a stone in your chest?"

Tian Rong obviously didn't understand what this sentence meant, but a look of horror had gradually appeared on his face.

"Tian Tian, Dad is telling you what they are doing. They are looking for someone in a very high-profile way. They know that your Shifu (Master) has arrived at Liuxia Town and want to attack your Shifu (Master), but before they do it, they want to confirm it, or rather, to feel around again.

And assassinating the lord of the Wubao (walled village) here in the street is very direct, but also very appropriate."

"This child understands."

"In fact, the trick is not very clever, but that can't be helped. It's hard to do a rush job beautifully. After all, they know that they only have one or two days, so they can't plan for the long term."

"Who exactly are you, who exactly are you!"

Tian Rong shouted.

Zheng Fan smiled,

and said;

"It seems more appropriate for you to say now, 'So that's how it is, then General Jin is likely to be in danger'."

"If I say that, will you believe it? Since you don't believe it, why should I bother to make a fool of myself for you Yan dogs to laugh at?"

"That's right too."

Zheng Fan picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea.

Jin Shuke was about to be transferred away, but Jin Shuke had some plans before, so he wanted to collect the net before being transferred away.

Zhennan Pass was absorbing a large number of Chu refugees, and inevitably, there would be some sand mixed in.

Since he was going to be transferred, he would shake out these sands first.

Tian Rong murmured:

"Who exactly are you, who exactly are you!"

Zheng Fan didn't answer,

but got up,

took Tian Tian's hand, and looked at the Wubao (walled village) from one end of the tower.

"In fact, Dad has always felt that the name Liuxia Town is not good; it's too straightforward." Zheng Fan said.

"This child also thinks so." Tian Tian nodded.

"But it doesn't matter; there is a large city in Beifeng County, which is the county seat, called Tuman City. The Tu is the Tu of blueprint, and Man is the Man of satisfaction. Tuman means that what you want is satisfactory, and the meaning is not bad.

But in the past, it was called Tuman City, the Tu of massacre, and the Man of barbarians.

Maybe the Wubao (walled village) we are standing on now will become a real town in the future, with a prosperous population and developed business. The so-called Liuxia Town will become Liuxia City;

In the poems of the literati,

it will be said that it is a place of outstanding people, and people who come here don't want to leave and want to stay.

Or,

some beautiful stories will be born here, and some operas will be performed, such as love stories, sweethearts;

People come,

and their hearts are left behind, haha."

Tian Tian looked up at his father and then at the Wubao below, as if understanding something but not really understanding.

At this time,

within the Wubao below, an undercurrent had already surfaced.

From the refugee camp,

from the guards of the Wubao,

they awoke from the night, and after drawing their weapons from their hiding places, they began to gather.

From a few, they became a force, and from a few forces, they became a large force. They silently surrounded a residence in the darkness.

And in the backyard of that residence,

Jin Shuke pushed open the door,

Behind him,

stood Ji Chuanye.

Jin Shuke reached out,

and Ji Chuanye put his hand on Jin Shuke's palm.

"Your Highness, are you afraid?"

"Shifu (Master), my surname is Ji."

Jin Shuke, who was a barbarian, nodded,

Yes,

there are really not many cowards among the Ji family's sons.

...

"In fact, there is nothing to be afraid of in these things."

Zheng Fan pointed below and said to Tian Tian,

"The general trend is on our side. Now there is a Zhennan Pass and a Fancheng, which can echo each other. As long as my Jidong army is still there, if the Chu people want to attack any place, they must be prepared to use at least three times the strength to be stable, and I only need to deploy an appropriate amount of troops in these two places.

Son, this is Shi (momentum).

This is why your biological father didn't hesitate to fight a national war and also took Zhennan Pass.

This is why your father didn't hesitate to travel thousands of miles to aid Fancheng.

So,

the Chu people are very uncomfortable, equivalent to having two knives constantly resting on the Chu people's foreheads.

They are powerless,

and they don't dare to gather a real army to reverse the situation;

Right now,

the only thing they can do is to engage in some small-scale assassinations.

Tell me,

are they pitiful?"

Tian Tian shook his head and said: "Dad, it's because the Chu people can't beat you in a head-on fight, so they can only do this. They're not pitiful, because this is what they deserve."

"Good."

Zheng Fan bent down,

picked up Tian Tian,

and let Tian Tian climb onto his shoulders and sit on his shoulders.

After going up,

Zheng Fan pretended to sway his body slightly,

and smiled;

"Son, you're heavy, hahaha."

Tian Tian held Zheng Fan's head with his hands, laughing a little embarrassedly.

At this time,

within the Wubao (walled village) below, that is, in that residence, torches suddenly appeared everywhere.

A large number of armored soldiers, mixed with a large number of the Prince's brocade-clad personal guards, suddenly rushed out;

They were well-equipped, skilled in martial arts, well-trained, and worked together in tacit agreement, and they also had an absolute advantage in numbers. When they pounced on these Chu traitors, the end of this group of Chu traitors was actually already doomed.

The sounds of killing

boiled over for a time,

awakening the entire Wubao.

The father and son on the tower

were like they were appreciating the social opera and fireworks.

Moved by the scene,

Zheng Fan suddenly opened his mouth to his son sitting on his shoulders and said:

"Son, promise Dad one thing."

Zheng Fan was moved by the scene and wanted to say to Tian Tian that he had to live his own life well. When getting along with his little brother the Crown Prince, he could make friends, but he must never really become the kind of iron buddy who would stab his friend in the back later in life.

That is, he had run into a guy like himself, who valued human relationships but didn't talk about principles, so Ji Lao Liu had no temper with him;

But his Lao Ji family had this tradition;

He didn't want Tian Tian to become the next Tian Wujing.

But before Zheng Fan could speak, Tian Tian spoke first:

"Dad, you promise this child one thing first."

"Okay, son, you speak first."

Tian Tian hugged Zheng Fan's neck, bent down, put his face against Zheng Fan's face,

and said:

"Dad, your son is heavy."

"That was Dad joking; your dad is at least a fifth-rank martial artist and a peerless master!"

"Dad, your son has grown up."

"Yes, my Tian Tian has grown up."

"Dad..."

"Dad is here."

"In the future, when Dad wants to eat Sachima (a Chinese pastry),

just tell this child,

and this child

will go get it for Dad."