Chapter 1002 River Water

The palace;

Slaughter is underway.

The strength of the brocade-clad personal guards is beyond doubt. In a corner of the battlefield, they are indestructible. Back then, Tian Tian led them to stand firm against the iron cavalry of Xiong Tingshan's personal guards.

However, what they are better at is actually Jianghu (martial world) fighting, because their primary responsibility is to protect the prince. In most cases, the prince is protected by a large army, so preventing petty assassins is what they need to face most.

The "loyal and righteous people" in the palace are a mixed bag. Some hold knives or swords but are too weak to truss a chicken; their output relies solely on their mouths.

Some have good skills, but there is no chance of any tacit understanding of advancing and retreating together with the people around them.

Therefore,

The brocade-clad personal guards are divided into multiple small military formations, pushing forward from two directions. Anyone who dares to resist will be killed without mercy. The efficiency is as high as that of experienced old farmers harvesting wheat.

However, the one having the most fun is the noble young man wearing the world prince's python robe.

The young man faced his targeted prey one by one,

killing a few with assassin-style sneak attacks,

and then hacking off a few heads with a barbaric Huashan-splitting chop.

During this time, he drew blood from the ground with his palm, condensing a strange rune-like existence, and hit a scholar with it, watching the scholar's face begin to crack rapidly, a smug smile appearing on the young man's face.

He also deliberately lurked behind a person, closed his eyes, and the person began to stagger, with a splitting headache. However, that person was of a higher grade, a steadfast martial artist, who immediately slashed back with his saber.

However, Zheng Lin reacted and dodged in time, shooting out two silver needles from his fingertips during the shift, hitting the opponent's eyeballs, and then gently pulling the silk thread hanging from the back of the silver needles, pulling out both eyeballs.

The martial artist immediately screamed.

But Zheng Lin was not in a hurry to kill him, but stood still, closed his eyes again, and took advantage of the opportunity when the opponent's mind was unguarded to re-penetrate with his mental power.

Finally,

the martial artist couldn't bear the mental torture and cut his own throat.

And when Zheng Lin was doing these things,

the Sword Saint and the Swordsmith stood behind Zheng Lin, preventing any disturbance from the side.

The Swordsmith clicked his tongue and transmitted his voice through his qi and blood:

"Following Wen Mingshan's path, dual cultivation?

No, more than that. His physique is that of a martial artist, but what he used before was a method similar to that of a Qi Refiner; he is also your Yu Huaping's disciple.

Tell me, how much confidence do you, Yu Huaping, have in him that you dare to let this child dabble in so many paths from such a young age?

Aren't you afraid that he will choke on too much?

Furthermore, in terms of swordsmanship, you, Yu Huaping, are the best in the world, I admit that, but in other paths, aren't you worried that he will be a fraud?"

The Sword Saint shook his head

and replied:

"The other paths are probably also among the best."

The Sword Saint knew the signature skills of the gentlemen in the prince's mansion. It was true that they couldn't beat Yu Huaping, but that didn't mean that their "Dao" wasn't proficient.

In fact, from ten years ago, the Sword Saint had noticed that the gentlemen who were not yet very powerful in this world had a level of understanding of "fighting" and "cultivation" that completely surpassed or even transcended their own realm.

Just take the "big fool" that his disciple fancied.

Just by watching his disciple's sword moves, he could use an axe to present the true meaning of his swordsmanship.

Those gentlemen are so excellent. Standing from his disciple's point of view, even the Sword Saint hoped that his disciple could learn more, because these are genuine good things.

Of course, it was also because Zheng Fan's son was too monstrous in terms of cultivation, so monstrous that there seemed to be no problem of choking on too much, because his appetite was really good.

The Swordsmith pursed his lips and said, "Do you know what shocked me the most? I've seen countless geniuses. Of course, this world prince in front of me is indeed the top genius I've ever seen in my life.

But what really surprised me is that

he is not killing for the sake of killing, he is... enjoying it.

Yu Huaping, Yu Huaping, aren't you worried that you will teach a demon?"

"You should point that at Zheng Fan's nose. To put it bluntly, I'm just teaching some Jianghu tricks. Besides, even if he becomes a Jianghu dragon, how much power can he have?

His temperament is here, and his status is also here.

It won't be that he kills fewer people because his cultivation is low, nor will it be that he kills more people because his cultivation is high.

In short,

no matter how much he likes killing people, how many can he kill by himself?

His father was in Shanggu Commandery before. How many Chu people have been lost in battle, one after another, more than a million?"

"You're good at excusing yourself."

"Then don't join in."

"Why not? Finders keepers.

There are obviously multiple paths in this world prince's body; one more me won't make much of a difference."

"One less of you won't make much of a difference either."

"Heh, as long as he acknowledges me as his master, even if he likes eighteen kinds of weapons, I can make eighteen sets for him!"

"If he asks his father to use your Dugushi clan as a threat, dare you not make them for him?"

"Bastard!"

"You're getting anxious."

Why did the Swordsmith appear here?

Isn't it because the situation is stronger than people? Under the major background that the Chu Emperor and the great aristocratic families like the Xieshi had to arrange their retreats in advance, his Dugushi clan could not stay out of it.

Zheng Fan said that he wanted another sword, so this sword came to report with its own sword box.

Back then, Tian Wujing had verbally said to the Sword Saint that Jianghu was not worthy;

but the one who truly put these words into practice was Tian Wujing's successor, the Regent of Great Yan.

After a series of operations,

Zheng Lin finally reviewed all of his previous lessons.

It can be seen that his mastery of the blind man's mental power is his weakness, because the blind man also seems very weak and useless before his grade is high enough.

Furthermore, Zheng Lin's physique is special. Although he can learn the abilities of the Demon Kings, he doesn't have the support of a corresponding bloodline after all. He can learn it, but it is very difficult to become proficient or surpass them all at once.

On the contrary, he learned his own mother's moves very solidly, one is that they are inherited in the same vein, and the other is that he has been "personally trying the law" all the time, so it is difficult not to be solid...

But the most suitable, and also his favorite, is to prioritize his physique, combined with powerful killing moves, taking the path of force.

Therefore, Zheng Lin's baleful aura manifested all over his body. He has lived with his adoptive grandfather for so long, and he didn't swallow so much pure baleful aura for nothing.

Seeing this scene, A Ming, who was also watching from the side, felt a little jealous, and only felt that the wine in the wine bag around his waist had also become astringent.

You, A Cheng with thick eyebrows and big eyes, are really "cunning, ruthless, and accurate."

With baleful aura as protection, combined with his own physique, Zheng Lin rushed into the crowd as if entering an uninhabited land. At the same time, his fingertips released sword qi, beginning to "chop melons and vegetables."

This rich and skilled sword qi release made the Swordsmith who was following behind almost drool.

The Sword Saint just smiled in his heart at this.

In the Swordsmith's view, one more master wouldn't make much of a difference, but in fact, the Sword Saint understood that this world prince even had a kind of... contempt from the bottom of his bones towards his own father;

He has many masters, but which one is ordinary?

Could a swordsman who can be summoned by his father be valued by the world prince?

The Sword Saint had already reminded him before, but the Swordsmith did not understand the deep meaning.

No matter how beautiful the killing,

it will eventually end.

Sending sword qi into the chest of the last person, Zheng Lin stopped and rubbed his hands together.

The Sword Saint's level is swordlessness is better than having a sword; Chen Daxia (big hero) may have just touched the threshold;

For Zheng Lin, it was still a little early.

At this time, the Swordsmith opened the sword box and placed it in front of Zheng Lin, saying:

"These are all made by me in the past few years. The world prince can take whichever one he likes."

Zheng Lin walked past the Swordsmith and directly asked the Sword Saint:

"Master, my meridians are a little torn."

Hearing this, the Sword Saint immediately appeared in front of Zheng Lin, grabbed his wrist to check, and then said:

"It's not a big problem. You use your body to carry the sword qi, so you have to bear the corresponding pressure."

"Using external objects to borrow strength or condensing the sword qi outside the body will reduce the lethality." Zheng Lin replied, "At the same time, it consumes more essence, qi, and spirit. For ordinary swordsmen, their own physique is a weakness, so they naturally have to defend against the enemy outside, but I don't have this worry."

"Yes." The Sword Saint very much agreed with his disciple's idea.

He himself was very clear that if a peak swordsman also had a peak martial artist's physique at the same time, how terrifying that would be.

And his disciple's future should be developing in this direction.

"World prince, look at this sword, it's called..."

"Master, I'm going to change my clothes; don't let my mother see me."

Saying that,

Zheng Lin walked around the Swordsmith and walked to the back.

The Swordsmith was completely ignored, holding the sword box and standing in place.

The scene that the Sword Saint had expected did become a reality.

Zheng Lin walked to Zhao Yuannian, who was barely standing now. Today's enthronement ceremony of the new emperor of Great Qian can be said to be... very exciting.

"Thank you, World Prince, for saving me." Zhao Yuannian said quickly.

Zheng Lin was too lazy to be polite and said directly: "Continue the ceremony."

"Ah, this..."

Zheng Lin looked around and ordered the brocade-clad personal guards:

"Continue."

After giving the order, the world prince went to the back to change his clothes.

And here,

Zhao Yuannian re-sat on the dragon throne.

Below, the Qian people who had not participated in the "rebellion" were asked to continue the process.

When Zheng Lin came out after changing his clothes, it was just in time for everyone to kneel on the ground and shout "Long live the Emperor!" A large group of people were kneeling in the pool of blood under them, next to broken limbs. Some who had been too panicked to react before were now starting to vomit as their senses began to recover with the calming down of the situation.

The blood on the ground was like dipping sauce, and these new dynasty's followers were like fat shrimp that had peeled themselves white and tender, actively jumping into the sauce, constantly smearing themselves, fearing to fall behind.

Zheng Lin returned to his chair and sat down, watching this scene with great interest.

After the process ended,

the new emperor, supported by Eunuch Zhao, left the dragon throne and knelt down facing Zheng Lin's side;

Behind him, a group of "ministers" also knelt down towards the world prince.

This was not a degradation of the new emperor, because, for this newly born puppet court, the only way for them to consolidate their cohesion was to constantly offer flattery to the Prince's Mansion through their emperor.

Conversely, if Zhao Yuannian really had any ideals or ambitions, shouting to work together for the rise of the new Great Qian, these people below would probably just disperse.

The reason why everyone was willing to follow this emperor at this time

wasn't it because this emperor was the son emperor of the Yan prince?

Zheng Lin turned his head to look at A Ming and the Sword Saint standing beside him

and asked:

"What should I do now?"

A Ming and the Sword Saint looked at each other. In fact, they both knew in their hearts that the meaning of this sentence was, if his father were sitting here, what would he do?

There was no denying, and even Zheng Lin admitted, that at specific times, his father could always present the best response.

The Sword Saint said:

"If your father were here, he would do nothing."

……

The chaos in the palace was easily quelled, after all, it was a rabble.

The war outside Jinghai City continued to extend and develop until noon the next day.

The war was not difficult to fight. The three garrison armies initially had the intention of using "feigned surrender" to forcibly create a miracle, but the reason why a miracle is called a miracle is that it is basically impossible to happen.

The wolf-like Yan-Chu Allied Forces beat these three garrison armies to death as soon as they met.

Chen Xianba and Tian Tian adopted the old tactics of the Yan army, and after defeating the opponent, like wolves driving a flock of sheep, they wrapped them up and took the opportunity to break through Menhai Town and Anhai Town.

Nian Yao led his army to besiege Donghai Town. After the news of the fall of the two neighboring towns came, Donghai Town also opened its gates and surrendered at noon the next day.

This war was declared over.

The Qian Kingdom's defensive system facing the three small borders of the Chu region was now completely in Zheng Fan's hands.

This was a very natural but significant victory. It was natural because although the Qian army had made great progress over the years and had also trained many new armies that could fight hard battles, they were basically deployed in Shangjing City and the north. The Jiangnan region could also be called "many soldiers and generals," but their military quality was similar to that of the Qian Kingdom's border army when Zheng Fan attacked Mianzhou City that year.

They showed "courage" and "boldness," such as Du Sheng being surrounded and choosing to commit suicide rather than surrender.

But this could not change the overall situation.

The significance lies in the fact that with these three towns in hand, the gateway between Qian and Chu was completely opened, and everyone could come and go more freely and safely. Whether it was support from the Chu region or plunder from Jiangnan, it could be transferred better and faster.

The Regent, who already had the initiative in the strategic situation, could now truly sit back and relax in this corner of Jiangnan.

Even if the Qian people transferred the northern elites back, he could leave at any time without taking any risks again for the sake of the overall strategy and making a bloody breakthrough again.

However,

what Zheng Fan wanted was not just these.

Now,

he has moved first, and next, it depends on how Shangjing picks it up.

However,

after the war ended, a new branch quickly appeared.

A Qian Dynasty naval fleet sailed along the Qian River and opened up.

However, after some contact, this Qian Dynasty navy did not show any excessive actions, but directly sent messengers.

……

"Blindy, did you contact them in advance?"

Zheng Fan looked at the blind man standing beside him.

The blind man shook his head and said, "My lord, I don't know anything about military affairs. I'm good at playing tricks and schemes, but I don't dare to intervene in military affairs."

The battle of Shanggu Commandery was arranged by Zheng Fan;

This time, the alliance with Chu to enter Qian was also promoted by Zheng Fan's will.

At most, the blind man would sew and repair and do some auxiliary work on the side. How could he secretly reserve any surprises? God knows what kind of scare it would brew at that time.

Xie Yu'an smiled and said, "The Wu family in Haidong was originally a bandit. Later, Zu Zhuming pacified the sea, and the Wu family surrendered to Qian. Their status is a bit like the Tusi (local chieftain) in the southwest region of the Qian Kingdom.

My lord, I think this Wu family may be late."

"I don't think they are late. They should have arrived long ago. Moreover, they should have been the power included in the Qian Kingdom's side of the previous war, but the Wu family chose to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, and sold their teammates.

Now, seeing that we have succeeded, at least in this area, the overall situation has been determined and cannot be determined any more, the Wu family has chosen to jump out and rejoin the team."

"My lord is wise."

"My lord is discerning."

At this time, Liu Dahu walked in and reported, "My lord, Wu Xiang, the head of the Wu family, has disembarked and taken the initiative to request an audience."

When Lanyang City was broken that year, Wu Xiang was captured by Zheng Fan. Now, he is already the head of the Wu family.

However, the momentum of the Wu family has been obviously declining. One reason is that Wu Xiang is not his father after all. In the inheritance of power, the loss is too great. Many bandit forces that originally depended on the Wu family have broken away;

The second reason is that the Qian Kingdom has been "militarily aggressive" in recent years, and the proportion of taxes, especially commercial taxes, has almost doubled compared to previous years, which is equivalent to further squeezing the Wu family's profit margins.

Under the combined effect of internal and external causes, the Wu family has suffered very seriously.

"Who of you will meet him?" The prince asked.

Xie Yu'an did not speak; he had no reason to meet him.

The blind man smiled and said, "I'll go."

"Yes."

The blind man walked out of the commander's tent;

At this time,

Xie Yu'an saw the prince move to the map, as if he was thinking about something again.

Obviously, with the addition of a Wu family fleet, the Qian River can be better utilized.

Xie Yu'an was a little worried, worried that the prince would make a more radical choice.

"Little Xie."

"Present."

"Say, if we go upstream along the Qian River..."

Jinghai goes upstream along the Qian River, and eventually, it can enter the Bian River dug by the Qian people themselves, which is... Shangjing City.

"My lord, our situation is very good now, why take risks?" Xie Yu'an hesitated again and again, but still chose to advise.

"I'm just saying it casually."

"Yes."

Xie Yu'an did not believe it.

Zheng Fan walked back to the commander's seat, sat down,

and said:

"It's almost summer."

"Answering the lord's words, the summer solstice is only ten days away."

The prince nodded

and said:

"Strive to finish this battle within this year."

———

My condition is not very good today. I will adjust as soon as possible and hug everyone tightly!