Chapter 999 City Ablaze with War!

Jinghai City,

Is the easternmost large city in Qian Jiangnan. From here, the Qian River rushes and flows into the sea, occupying a uniquely advantageous location.

Therefore, although it doesn't belong to the traditional heartland of Jiangnan, its prosperity is in no way inferior to other places.

Jin also has a Jade Plate City, which used to be very prosperous. Now, thanks to the rise of eastern Jin, it has regained its former glory. Jin scholars even compare Jade Plate City to a small Jiangnan in Jin. But upon seeing it with your own eyes, Jade Plate City is truly dwarfed by Jinghai City.

This is Jiangnan,

This is... affluence.

Hence the saying, if you don't enter Jiangnan in this lifetime, it's as if you've never been to the human world.

Jinghai City,

Appreciating Flowers House,

Third floor, private room.

Zheng Fan leaned against the railing, watching the dancers below.

Looking around, many scholars' writings hung on the surrounding railings, some describing the scenery, some writing about the songs and dances, some indulging in debauchery…

There were even some expressing loyalty and vowing to launch a northern expedition.

The Prince almost spat out the wine in his hand.

Seeing this, Xie Yu'an laughed and said:

"It's quite interesting, there are even people writing poems about the northern expedition in this place of pleasure."

The Prince shook his head,

Correcting:

"To be able to remain steadfast here, not be blinded by the alluring sights, and still think about national affairs, that is a true talent."

"Hahahaha."

Xie Yu'an laughed.

Having spent these days together, he had more or less figured out some of the Prince's temperament.

How should he put it?

When it doesn't involve national affairs or military matters,

This Prince is actually very easy to talk to.

Moreover, this Prince seems to like having someone by his side to talk to and relieve his boredom, and it has to be someone who doesn't talk about state affairs, but only chats about romantic and interesting things.

Xie Yu'an felt that if the person in front of him wasn't a Prince and they knew each other, he would be very happy to make this friend.

Then,

Xie Yu'an suddenly realized,

Did the Emperor of Yan feel the same way?

Moreover, the Emperor of Yan and the Prince knew each other even earlier. Back then, one was a Prince with nothing to do, and the other was a merchant guard captain. The relationship at that time could only be purer and more sincere.

This is a... discovery that is unlikely to appear on official documents. No matter how powerful the Phoenix Nest Inner Guard is, it is impossible to obtain and analyze the "true feelings" between the Regent Prince of Yan and the Emperor of Yan.

But the longer Xie Yu'an was in contact with them, the more he felt that this possibility must be real.

And because of the increase in their equal strength, it could actually make the feelings of that time even more firm.

It's just that knowing and understanding these things now... is already too late.

Da Chu has already been defeated.

"Master, is it good-looking?" Si Niang walked over and asked.

The Prince immediately shook his head,

Looking at his Princess,

Said:

"Of course, you're far better."

This wasn't just for survival,

Si Niang's dance moves are quite exquisite, and Si Niang knows more types of dances;

It's just that only Zheng Fan in this world can appreciate it.

His崽子 (zai zi - son) is already so old, and he's been awake in this world for more than ten years, but Si Niang's face doesn't show any signs of aging, not even a single crow's foot has appeared.

On the contrary, he himself can't be said to be old, but he's becoming more and more like the characters in ancient paintings he used to see.

In the beginning, Si Niang was like an older sister to him;

Now, she's a beloved wife;

After a few more years, he'll become an old cow eating young grass.

"However, what's refreshing here is this atmosphere."

In eastern Jin, there are also high-end venues, even more high-end than this, and they play even more avant-garde;

But these kinds of things have to rely on a group of "refined" people to bring out this atmosphere. Eastern Jin, no, the entire Jin including Yan, is still mostly filled with rough men who can't appreciate the finer things, so it's impossible to gather this kind of atmosphere.

"Sometimes, even if you don't do anything, just sit here, drink wine, and watch the dance, it's a kind of enjoyment and pastime. It's not very likely in other places."

"Master is right." Si Niang deeply agreed.

Xie Yu'an silently stood on the side, not saying a word.

The Prince was discussing the red tent affair with his Princess. In Xie Yu'an's view, this might also be considered a "couple's secret," so how could he interrupt?

There were quite a few people in the private room.

The Sword Saint sat near the door,

The Swordsmith sat near the window,

The Blind Man sat there, silently peeling oranges, already having peeled a small plate. He occasionally looked up at Xie Yu'an standing next to the Prince.

A Ming sat there drinking wine, ordering twelve different kinds of wine in one go, slowly tasting them.

Xue San was on the roof of Appreciating Flowers House.

Below the building, there were also the Xie family's retainers.

The reason why the Regent Prince of Yan dared to be confident and sneak into this Jinghai City first was because he had made considerable preparations.

This configuration of guards...

Unless the Qian Kingdom's Silver Armor Guards quickly assembled, he really wouldn't be afraid.

Even if there were any assassinations or ambushes, it would be enough to break through.

Unless... the Qian people mobilized troops over.

But then again,

Whose troops are lurking outside Jinghai City at this moment?

Of course,

Zheng Fan didn't sneak in just to admire this "romance" in advance, but because he had to come.

Oh,

There were also three young servants in the room, and Zheng Lin was one of them.

He took the initiative to bring over a pot of tea.

Xie Yu'an reached out to take it. Over these days, he had become accustomed to the service of these young men around Zheng Fan. This method of cultivating people from a young age was not unfamiliar to aristocratic children, because people cultivated in this way were more loyal and reliable.

Zheng Fan also reached out to take a cup.

His son did a very good job.

His temper wasn't good, only towards his own father, but along the way, he had concealed it very well. Xie Yu'an, who was often in the commander's tent, and the Swordsmith, who often stayed, hadn't noticed anything strange about him.

To a certain extent, his son, who was educated by the demon king godfathers, could at least be called extremely excellent in terms of professional skills.

Si Niang took the teacup,

Took a sip,

Frowned slightly,

Said:

"This tea is over-brewed."

…

In the next private room,

Xie Zhuyang, who was sitting in a wheelchair, had just finished talking with Jinghai City Commander Liu Hui.

The Regent Prince of Yan had more than once expressed his anger at the Yan Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Division, saying they were useless. The only thing they had done was when he entered Qian that year, he had been received by the Secret Intelligence Division, but that was just a local fort owner, and he had climbed up by becoming a son-in-law.

On the other hand, the Qian people were able to directly defect the Nanwang City garrison commander ten years ago.

Even earlier, they were able to mix sand into the Secret Intelligence Division; Du Juan was one of them.

The Emperor of Yan was also very dissatisfied with the Secret Intelligence Division. Compared to the invincible Yan iron cavalry on the frontal battlefield, they were far too inferior on the secret intelligence battlefield.

But, there are historical reasons for this.

Back then, the Yan Kingdom was full of powerful families, and the main actions of the Secret Intelligence Division were actually internal. Moreover, in that situation, the power of the Secret Intelligence Division, like the imperial power, was also compressed.

They couldn't even operate domestically, let alone infiltrate foreign countries.

And this kind of secret intelligence system needs time the most.

The Qian people's Silver Armor Guard and the Chu Kingdom's Phoenix Nest Inner Guard took generations to cultivate and develop before they could have such achievements. It was too difficult for the Yan Kingdom to want to reach the sky in one step.

Although the situation had greatly improved at this time, with the continuous rise of the Great Yan, the world belonging to Yan was no longer an inspiring slogan. Under the general trend, there were suddenly more people who were hedging their bets.

There would naturally be no shortage of loyal and good generals, but there would only be more people who attempted to straddle two boats.

Under this general trend, it would be easy for everyone in the world to communicate with Yan to become a reality.

The situation between Qian and Chu was actually similar. Everyone cultivated and developed their forces in the other party's territory. Sometimes, it wasn't used as a hidden stake, but as a way of "making friends."

It's useless at a critical moment, but you can meet and talk when needed;

Some "family relationships" can even be traced back to the grandparents' generation on both sides.

For example, Liu Hui in front of him, his grandmother was actually a collateral Xie clan woman.

When traced back, he and Xie Zhuyang were even considered to be of the same generation. Although they had long been more than five generations removed, but... when needed, they were relatives!

For centuries, aristocratic families, including the emerging scholar-official class of the Qian Kingdom, have maintained the stability of their own power class through marriage and alliances, with you in me and me in you. This is almost an instinct.

They even don't limit themselves to domestic affairs, but also include foreign countries. Everyone understands the principle of having multiple escape routes.

Over the centuries, there have been many examples of one side being defeated and the other side rising again.

For example, back then, didn't the Min family marry their daughter to the Fan family of Chu from afar?

"Lord Xie, you are making it very difficult for me."

Liu Hui closed his eyes and sighed.

Xie Zhuyang smiled slightly,

Said:

"Lord Liu, I am giving you an opportunity."

Liu Hui shook his head and said, "Liu has been reading the books of sages since he was a child, but he really can't do this kind of thing."

Xie Zhuyang reached out and gently stroked the armrest of the wheelchair.

Liu Hui added:

"I am deeply honored that Lord Xie can come to see me. You and I are relatives, you come, and I will entertain you."

"But outside my Jinghai City, there are 200,000 troops hidden. Lord Liu, can you stop them?"

"After the Yan-Chu war that year, the Chu Kingdom was able to have Nian Yao lead troops to attack Qian, because the Chu Kingdom at that time was a centipede that would not fall even after death.

But what about now?

Lord Liu knows how tragic the battle of Shanggu Prefecture was.

Can Da Chu still muster 200,000 elites now?

Even if they really mustered them,

Would they dare to deploy them on the border of my Qian Kingdom?

Even Lord Xie, in the battle of Guyue City, Lord Xie's Xie family army suffered heavy casualties. Of course, Lord Liu knows that the Xie family is big and has a great career, but this Xie family elite is not leeks... no, even if they are leeks, after being cut once, they have to be given time to grow new ones, right?

If the Xie family wants to support them, Liu can facilitate it as much as possible. Smugglers, etc., can also turn a blind eye."

This is smuggling.

"If it really doesn't work, Liu can also help to write to the imperial court. After all, the imperial court understands the principle that if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold."

"That new emperor of the collateral line, do you submit to him?" Xie Zhuyang asked.

"Whether I submit or not, he is the emperor." Liu Hui said.

"Heh."

Xie Zhuyang waved his hand dismissively.

Liu Hui stood up and said, "Lord Xie, please forgive Liu for not being able to stay any longer. There are quite a few Silver Armor Guards in this city."

"Lord Liu, please wait."

"Oh? What else does Lord Xie have to say?"

Liu Hui went to the meeting alone, only bringing a few followers, but he really wasn't worried that Xie Zhuyang would do anything to him, because Xie Zhuyang had no reason to do so.

"I would like to introduce someone to Lord Liu."

"Could it be that the Xie family son is also here? I have long heard of his great name."

Xie Zhuyang chuckled "haha" twice,

Said:

"I dare not have that blessing."

"Oh? Then who is it?"

"You will know when you see him. Please come with me."

Xie Zhuyang was pushed out of the private room by the Shadow, and Liu Hui followed.

Then,

The door to the next private room was opened, and Xie Zhuyang was pushed in.

Liu Hui also followed in.

There were... many people inside, and they looked very mixed.

Liu Hui's gaze first landed on the Swordsmith, or rather, on the sword box that the Swordsmith placed beside him. The Dugu family crest, the sword box...

At this time,

A handsome young man bowed to Liu Hui:

"Nephew Yu'an greets Uncle Liu."

Liu Hui was just about to smile and say, you said it wasn't your son, who else is this if not your son?

After all, Xie Yu'an, the Xie family's prodigy, had a higher official position in the Chu Kingdom than his father. Liu Hui wouldn't really treat him as an ordinary nephew;

But, Liu Hui suddenly froze when he was about to return the greeting,

Because he discovered that

Xie Yu'an's position was wrong.

A middle-aged man was at the railing of the private room, watching the singing and dancing performance below, with a beautiful woman leaning beside him.

And Xie Yu'an was in, standing in... clearly a servant position.

The most important thing for noble families is etiquette;

Being in the officialdom, they are also the most particular about and avoid this.

So,

Who exactly,

Could make the Xie family's prodigy act as a small errand boy?

At this time,

Zheng Fan, holding a teacup in his hand, turned around,

Leaning his waist against the railing,

Looking at Liu Hui with a somewhat lazy and leisurely posture;

He said:

"Liu Hui?"

Liu Hui's mouth instantly began to dry. He tried hard to find saliva, but found it impossible.

He didn't know the identity of the man in front of him, and couldn't guess;

But the problem was,

The Xie family father and son had paved the way in front;

Most importantly,

The aura emanating from this man made the Jinghai City commander feel a desire for his knees to buckle. If he wasn't desperately holding on with his tongue, he might really kneel down.

People,

Have auras;

The auras of those who are truly in high positions are completely different.

Years ago, when Zheng Fan was chatting with the demon kings, he also liked to joke about this "aura of the king";

He always felt that with a shake of the aura of the king, whoever was in front of him would bow down and worship him, which was simply nonsense;

Then,

Zheng Fan met Tian Wujing, met Li Liangting, met the Emperor of Yan...

Zheng Fan finally realized that he was the one talking nonsense.

When you are joking about this "aura of the king," it can only mean one thing, that is, you are shallow, your experience is shallow, you are doing too poorly, and you cannot come into contact with these kinds of people.

Time flies;

Unknowingly,

The merchant guard captain of the past,

Now he has become the kind of person he used to joke about when he was ignorant.

He has commanded the killing of millions of troops in war;

He has sat on this dragon chair;

One thought brings all things to life, one thought brings millions to death. This is not an exaggerated rhetorical technique for the Regent Prince of Yan, but... a fact.

After experiencing so many things, it's not called seeing... but it's called personally stirring up so much wind and rain.

This person,

Is really different.

"You... who are you?"

"Zheng Fan."

Zheng Fan?

Who is Zheng Fan?

Which Zheng Fan is it?

Sounds a little familiar?

Seems like I've heard it somewhere?

Liu Hui began to think,

The more he thought, the more anxious he became, because he seemed to know who this person was, no, he definitely knew, but he just couldn't put his finger on it.

But the more this was the case, the more nervous he became, and the more he forced himself to continue thinking and remembering.

In the private room,

Many people's gazes fell on Liu Hui.

Liu Hui clenched his hands, then released them, then clenched them again, then released them again. His eyes were wide open. Who is it, who is it?!!

He couldn't think of it, he really couldn't think of it.

However, he quickly changed his method, he began to test...

Because even if the Chu Kingdom was defeated, the Chu Kingdom was still there, and the Xie family was still a behemoth in southern Chu. There were really not many people in the world who could make the young master of the Xie family a servant...

After changing this method,

In an instant,

Liu Hui froze, he guessed it!

Zheng Fan... the Regent Prince of Yan!

"Plop!"

Liu Hui knelt down, his body began to tremble.

He passed the imperial examinations, he was well-versed in the books of sages, he responded to the call of the late emperor, he transferred from a civil post to a military post, he had many times submitted letters stating the dilapidated situation in the north, and he had even criticized the Marquis of Pingxi, the Prince of Pingxi, and the Regent Prince of Yan in his memorials countless times;

But all of this,

Didn't prevent him from kneeling down straightforwardly after suddenly seeing the Regent Prince in person.

Xie Zhuyang was here, Xie Yu'an was here, and that... was probably the Swordsmith of the Great Chu, so this person in front of him...

In fact, there was no need to deduce and calculate and analyze,

When this person in front of him directly called out his name,

Liu Hui was almost certain,

This is real!

On the side, Zheng Lin, who was holding the teapot, blinked when he saw this scene.

Xie Zhuyang in the wheelchair next to him sighed helplessly. Yes, the Chu people were not the ones who feared the Yan people the most, but the Qian people.

And what the Qian people feared the most was no longer the legendary Marquis of Zhenbei leading troops south, nor the Prince of Jingnan leading troops to advance;

But this man who repeatedly led troops to really attack,

And the contemporary military god of the Great Yan who broke through the capital city in one fell swoop!

"Liu Hui..."

Hearing his name being called, Liu Hui shivered and subconsciously said:

"Your... your servant... is here."

"I have 200,000 Yan iron cavalry waiting outside the city, you go and help me, open the city gate."

"Your... your servant... your servant..."

"Open the city gate, and I won't slaughter the city;

You Liu Hui, you Liu family, I guarantee your wealth and glory."

The Prince took a sip of water,

Said:

"Alright?"

"Your... your servant obeys the decree."

"Good boy, go."

Liu Hui staggered to his feet. Xie Zhuyang gave a wink, and the Shadow helped Liu Hui out.

Zheng Fan handed the teacup to his son;

Turned around,

Said:

"Come, let's continue to enjoy the singing and dancing."

…

Appreciating Flowers House becomes more lively in the evening.

Zheng Fan even waited for the courtesan to perform in person, singing, surprisingly, "People have joys and sorrows, separations and reunions…"

Xie Yu'an immediately interjected: "Your Highness, she's singing your lyrics."

The Prince smiled. God knows how many "Zheng Lang lyrics" the Blind Man had revealed to that Ji Lao Liu behind his back.

Si Niang smiled brightly and teased: "Master, that courtesan sister has a bit of baby fat on her."

The aesthetics of beauty in this era was not on the skinny side.

And Si Niang knew very well which type her master had always favored.

Then, she reached out and gently touched the Prince's beard,

Blowing air on it,

Said:

"Master, do you regret it? Do you regret not being born in the Qian Kingdom?

At that time, all the courtesans in Jiangnan would consider it an honor to recommend themselves to you."

At this time,

Xue San on the roof hung upside down by the window,

Reporting:

"Master, the signal arrow has been fired."

Zheng Fan reached out,

Grasping Si Niang's hand,

Said:

"My son is here, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Zheng Fan's sentence "My son"

Made Xie Zhuyang, Xie Yu'an, and the Swordsmith in the private room all pause for a moment.

The heir,

Is here?

Now,

Since he had already succeeded in making a start, he was not afraid that the Chu people would betray him again, so there was no need to worry about the Chu people knowing that the Prince's heir was actually with the Prince.

Zheng Fan reached out and put his arm around his son's shoulders;

His son instinctively wanted to resist, but his mother's eyes narrowed slightly;

His son gave up resisting and was wrapped in fatherly love.

"Cigarette."

Zheng Lin took out the big iron box that Tian Tian Ge had passed on to him from his sleeve and opened it.

At the same moment,

What was also opened was the city gate of Jinghai City. Thousands of iron cavalry were entering in a steady stream!

Zheng Lin took out a cigarette and put it to Zheng Fan's mouth. Zheng Fan bit it.

Zheng Lin took out the fire starter.

At the east gate, the Yan soldiers who had entered the city lit torches and began to hack and kill the Qian soldiers who had learned of the situation and dared to stop them.

The shouts of killing,

The screams,

Were gradually coming from the east of the city.

Zheng Lin was just about to pass the fire starter up to help his father light his cigarette,

But he saw his father reach out and take the cigarette down again, clamping it in his hand;

The Prince's other hand,

Gently patted his son's shoulder,

Asked:

"Son, do you know what fire is most suitable for lighting a cigarette?"

At this time,

The vanguard knights led by Tian Tian had already rushed here. They were going to rush to the Prince's location as soon as they entered the city to protect their Prince first.

The entire Appreciating Flowers House was in complete chaos.

Candles and lanterns were overturned, and flames rose with the screams.

The Prince smiled,

Reached out,

Grabbed a lantern hanging under the railing in front of him,

Used the burning candle inside to light his cigarette;

Then, he threw the lantern in his hand down very casually,

Said:

"City Ablaze with War."