Chapter 145 Are We There Yet?

"We've finally arrived."

Si Niang, still on horseback, took out her water skin and took a sip.

Today, she wore a red cloak. Although she had rushed here from Xue Hai Pass, it was no easy feat, but upon arrival, no signs of fatigue could be seen on her.

Well, after being a female accountant for so long, she finally had a chance to take a horse out for a walk, just to stretch her muscles.

The Sword Saint on the side still straightened his back, his eyes carrying a hint of depth.

"Sword Saint, are you concerned about the people downstream of the Wangjiang River?"

The Sword Saint shook his head and said, "I'm not concerned anymore."

Although, the greatest hero serves the country and its people;

But now, he was indifferent to those things.

In the final analysis,

The country is vast, and the court is lofty,

But the martial world,

Is too low.

"I won't say the nonsense that some people die to save more people or to end this war sooner. I can only say that Heaven and Earth are impartial, treating all things like straw dogs.

When the Emperor's edict comes down,

The whole country will attack Chu.

Along the way from Yan to Jin East, there are more than a million laborers traveling right now!

In the end,

You,

My lord,

Even Prince Jingnan,

Cannot stop anything in the face of this general trend.

Even His Majesty the Yan Emperor, who is not in good health, has to forcibly launch some things that should have been postponed in order to plan for his life and afterlife.

Everyone has their own difficulties, and everyone has things beyond their ability;

Fortunately,

At least my lord and you,

Cannot control the general trend of the world for the time being,

But at least you have the ability to protect the peace of the soldiers and civilians of Xue Hai Pass.

What we can see and touch in front of us, we can protect. That's already very good.

There is a saying: 'Everyone sweeps the snow in front of their own door, and doesn't care about the frost on other people's roofs.'

This sounds like satire, but it also makes some sense."

"Then what about those who sacrifice themselves for the country? Aren't they all fools?" the Sword Saint asked.

Si Niang smiled

And said:

"Is the country still there?"

The Sword Saint was silent.

Although he was known as the Jin Kingdom Sword Saint;

But,

The Jin Kingdom was not actually destroyed by the Yan people. A hundred years before the Yan people destroyed Jin, the Jin Kingdom was already in name only.

As Meng Shou said in *The History of Jin*: The Three Families Divide Jin.

Since then, the Situ family, the Helian family, and the Wenren family had already divided the Jin Kingdom's destiny.

If it weren't for the constantly expanding Chu Kingdom in the south and the Yan Kingdom in the west, which was eyeing them covetously, the three families would have claimed the title of Emperor long ago.

The country was gone long ago, so who would they sacrifice themselves for?

If the country had just been destroyed, that would be fine. Stepping on the embers and trying hard, even if they couldn't save the situation, even if they died, they could at least have a good time.

But the real Jin Kingdom had long been just an empty shell.

The Sword Saint, as a member of the Yu clan, had no sense of being a member of the royal family at all, which shows the extent of the Jin Dynasty's decline.

Moreover, Yan belonged to one of the Xia dynasties. In the past, the Marquis of Yan and the Marquis of Jin were both vassals of the Great Xia. Replacing Jin with Yan was similar to a change of dynasty.

In the end, they were actually from the same clan.

If the Wild Men now controlled the Three Jins,

That would never be allowed, and they would have to fight to the end.

Even if the Three Jins were the homeland of the Wild Men thousands of years ago,

But,

A sword has two sides,

People have double standards.

Si Niang took a preserved plum from her pocket and threw it into her mouth,

And said:

"I'm not saying this to shirk responsibility. This matter was indeed not handled properly. The people downstream who were swept away by the flood died unjustly, and the people who were displaced by the flood were also wronged.

But in this world, there are countless unjust things and wronged people.

The sky above is about to change color, and we can only hold an umbrella in advance.

I know my lord, and I believe that my lord does not want this to happen."

"Did Sir Feng say so much just to comfort me?"

"Otherwise?"

"Actually, there's no need for that. Those who wield swords only believe in the three-foot gangfeng in their hands. They don't believe in the heavens or the Dao.

Zheng Fan once said to me,

In the future,

How big his territory is, he will protect.

How many subjects he has, he will protect.

Therefore, I am willing to help him. If only the lucky ones can live and work in peace in this world, then I hope that there can be more people like that.

As for more reasons, I don't want to listen to them or think about them. Reasons, reasons, to put it bluntly, no matter how much you think about them or how much you say them, they are just to make yourself feel more comfortable."

"You are insightful," Si Niang said.

There was another sentence she didn't say,

Ever since the Sword Saint had been with her lord,

The sword,

Had become more and more smooth.

No, not smooth, but more worldly. Worldly didn't seem good either, so let's use what the blind man often said, more down-to-earth.

Being called a Saint and standing on a high platform was cold, tiring, heavy, and exhausting;

After coming down, the sword became more unrestrained.

In front,

A stalwart figure appeared.

To be precise, what was stalwart was a mount. After all, the size of a Pixiu was not comparable to ordinary warhorses.

"Look, my lord is here to pick you up."

The Sword Saint shook his head,

And said:

"He's here to pick you up."

For Zheng Bo, he was picking up both of them.

One was his wife;

The other was his neighbor;

He had been fighting fiercely in Jin East before, and he was already missing Si Niang a little. Next, he would have to enter Chu, and it was not appropriate to not have Si Niang by his side;

As for the Sword Saint,

Zheng Bo had been thinking about him since the day he left the military camp to go home.

Although fighting on the battlefield, even the Sword Saint's role would not be very large, he could allow Zheng Bo to avoid some accidents and petty tricks as much as possible.

If you lose, then lose generously. Even if the family fortune is lost, it is because of your own poor command. You lose the foundation you have accumulated yourself, so at least you enjoy the process;

It would be too depressing to die inexplicably.

After picking up the people, after a brief exchange, Zheng Bo led them into the temporary residence in Yu Pan City.

At the door stood a group of unfamiliar generals.

When Zheng Bo, riding a Pixiu, came over, the generals immediately knelt down:

"Greetings, Earl Pingye, may the Earl be blessed!"

"Greetings, Earl Pingye, may the Earl be blessed!"

Gou Moli introduced from the side:

"Earl, these are the generals of the navy."

Zheng Bo nodded and said:

"Please, Generals, let's talk inside."

The mansion was very simple and a little dilapidated.

Fortunately, the hall was still clean.

Zheng Bo sat in the main seat, and the navy generals sat below.

Among these generals, the leader was named Qin Xin, the General of the Wangjiang Navy of the Great Yan, still a general with a miscellaneous title.

In comparison, Zheng Bo's former title of General Shengle was one rank higher than his.

The military system of Great Yan has always been chaotic at the bottom, but the higher you go, the clearer it becomes.

However, as the person in charge of the first formal navy of Great Yan, he didn't even have the rank of commander-in-chief, which shows that Great Yan didn't pay much attention to the navy.

Even though the Yan army had suffered a loss in front of the Chu navy in the first Wangjiang Battle;

Even though the navy will be indispensable for the next military operations against both Qian and Chu;

But the atmosphere of pride in cavalry since the founding of the country is difficult to change all at once.

"I won't waste any words, Earl. This entry into Chu is related to the victory or defeat of the battle to conquer Chu. I have a heavy burden on my shoulders, and the burden on your shoulders is definitely not light either.

Let's just say something frankly. Don't think that being selected to form the navy is an exile or a squeeze. The navy will inevitably become an indispensable force in my Great Yan army in the future.

I guarantee,

After this victory in conquering Chu,

There will be three commander-in-chief titles for you to divide."

The generals stood up and saluted together:

"Thank you, Earl, for your promotion!"

"Thank you, Earl, for your promotion!"

"When can we set off at the earliest?" Zheng Bo asked.

His troops had already gathered, and Wangjiang had already been breached. Next, the navy must go south as soon as possible, otherwise it would delay the war opportunity or even be noticed by the Chu people.

"In response to the Earl's words, this subordinate has already sent people downstream to check the river channel. It is expected to return tomorrow. If everything is in order, we can set off immediately."

"The sooner the better. Speed is essential in war. Yingdu will immediately send supplies and everything needed.

I will set a tone,

The night after tomorrow, all the soldiers under my command will board the ship and enter Chu!"

"This subordinate obeys!"

……

In the morning, after meeting the navy generals, Zheng Bo didn't stop from afternoon to night, meeting wave after wave of people.

First, it was Gongsun Zhi and Gong Wang.

With the entry into Chu imminent, as the main generals of Zheng Bo's two troops, they should come over and have another meeting for both emotional and rational reasons.

The battlefield is the battlefield, and now is now.

If things and attitudes are clarified now, there will be no infighting on the battlefield.

Zheng Bo had to pay attention to these two.

The journey into Chu was long and dangerous, and it would be overturned if he was careless.

If you want people to risk their lives with you, you must first let them see the rewards after risking their lives.

Zheng Bo unceremoniously used "Prince Jingnan said" as the opening;

Xue Hai Pass, Zhennan Pass, Fengxin City;

In a broad sense, Jin East refers to the area of the original Three Jins that was divided into two, the territory of the original Situ family;

Nowadays, the Jin East that the Yan people call refers to the middle half of the Situ family, almost divided by the Wangjiang River, the area east of the Wangjiang River.

In Zheng Bo's description, Jin East will be his in the future.

After the war,

Rewards will be given according to merit,

People will be given, money will be given, food will be given, and there will be real territory!

Although the land of Jin East has long been sparsely populated due to the war, only Xue Hai Pass is more lively, but this is not a problem, because in Zheng Bo's description, when Zhennan Pass is obtained, it is equivalent to mastering the gateway to the south of Chu;

In the future, the imperial court will continue to send blood to this strategic location, and you can directly go to Chu to rob whatever you lack. These days, don't live too comfortably.

Gong Wang was born in Jin. Although he was a commander-in-chief and commanded an army alone, he was still wary of the Yan people. He hoped to gain a foothold in the Yan-dominated military system through this battle, which was equivalent to... assimilating himself.

After Gongsun Zhi and Li Bao's son separated, it was equivalent to leaving Quhe City with his command, and he had no permanent territory. In the past year, he was sent to fill in the gaps wherever there was a rebellion in Jin, which can be said to have suffered enough from not having a territory.

"In a word!"

Zheng Bo had been blowing for a long time, and when the time was almost right, he began to make a concluding statement:

"I have never been defeated since I joined the army. The Chu Princess, I robbed her, and she is still waiting for me at home to finish fighting the Chu people and help me warm the bed!

The Chu Pillar of State, I killed two of them!"

Qu Tiannan committed suicide, but Zheng Bo's statement can barely be considered, after all, he was the one who issued the order that day;

Qu Peiluo even admits that he is his father's murderer,

This is,

There's nothing to argue about, right?

Zheng Bo walked down and put his hands on Gong Wang and Gongsun Zhi's shoulders,

Saying word by word:

"After this battle, I will be made a Marquis, and you two will be made Earls!"

………

It has to be said that the art of language is really amazing. Gong Wang and Gongsun Zhi, veterans of the battlefield, were flushed and visibly excited when they returned to the military camp from Zheng Bo.

They knew they needed to be calm, steady, and not show their emotions, but they were really ignited.

Of course, language is often a rootless weed, and it also likes to bully others and pretend to be powerful, because the essence of language is still who says it.

Zheng Bo's identity is here,

His experience is here, and his record of running thousands of miles to the rear is not without precedent!

The two commanders also learned further details from their sons about Prince Jingnan's importance to Earl Pingye.

Especially the last sentence that Zheng Bo said before sending them off,

Said very softly, casually, but very intimately:

"Gong Lin and Gongsun Zan, these two children, will be left in Yu Pan City. In case they die in battle, someone has to inherit the title."

There's nothing else to say,

Gamble!

………

"This subordinate admires the Earl's rhetoric just now."

Gou Moli has always felt that the master in front of him is very similar to him in many ways.

For example, they are both good at talking.

The word "talking" was heard from the blind man.

Zheng Bo took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and said:

"They have no choice. They came here to make themselves more open and down-to-earth."

Military orders are like mountains!

Zheng Bo had been directly called upon by Prince Jingnan many times, and he had to bite the bullet many times.

Gong Wang and Gongsun Zhi were actually the same.

When they need to be persuaded, the effect of persuasion is actually the best.

"Next batch."

Zheng Bo took out a mint candy and threw it into his mouth.

The next batch was the representatives of the five thousand elites that Zheng Bo had transferred over.

Previously, in order to keep it secret, Zheng Bo didn't dare to tell the people below the war plan. Now that the expedition was imminent, he had to seize the time to do ideological work.

Because what awaits him and this army will be a long shaking cabin. After getting off the ship, they will find themselves isolated in the Chu land by hundreds of thousands of Chu troops.

If it were the former Xue Hai Army, there would be no need to go through this step at all;

But his main force has suffered a lot in the previous battles, and this time it has been supplemented by more than 10,000 other soldiers. If the morale of the army is not stabilized and sorted out, there will be big problems when they arrive in Chu.

The Qian Kingdom literati write border poems, always praising "loyalty" and "patriotism";

It has to be said that those who control the pen control the right to speak.

But as an Earl who climbed up from the bottom, Zheng Bo knew clearly what the real soldiers wanted in their hearts.

It's military merit, it's rewards,

It's being able to generously book a night in a red tent instead of the embarrassment and awkwardness of hurriedly shooting an arrow and having to leave immediately after pulling up your pants.

"Loyalty to the Emperor and love for the country",

They have it,

But this thing can't be eaten. Before the battle, you can shout it to boost the morale of the soldiers, but you want to keep it fresh for a long time, that's too wishful thinking.

Therefore, how to draw a big cake is very important.

Zheng Bo told them the plan, and at the same time, described a more down-to-earth future for them.

After the victory in conquering Chu,

Those who are willing to join his Xue Hai Pass and become his subordinates, he will open the door for convenience; those who want to return to their original units will be guaranteed promotion.

At the same time, Zheng Bo took out a stack of detailed rules, which were his compensation, that is, the compensation standards of Xue Hai Pass.

Some of them were from poor backgrounds and were very happy to see this;

And some of them were from the Zhenbei Army or the Jingnan Army. Although the treatment was not as high as the current Xue Hai Army, it was not much different. However, the imperial court's compensation was the imperial court's, and this was an additional supplement that Zheng Bo made in his own name, which was equivalent to double the happiness.

These captains will inform the soldiers under their command of this after returning to the military camp.

Similarly, Gongsun Zhi and Gong Wang will also help Zheng Bo appease their subordinates.

When you command more and more troops, your attention will shift from "loving the people like your own children" to controlling the generals.

Zheng Bo is doing this now.

Give silver, give promotion;

Zheng Bo has a great reputation now, so even the IOUs he makes are effective.

In short, after dealing with batches after batches, it was already dark.

"Alas."

Zheng Bo reached out and rubbed his Adam's apple, his throat was about to smoke.

"Earl, you have worked hard. Look how good I am. I have already coaxed my first town of soldiers well."

Gou Moli smiled and offered the newly refilled tea.

Zheng Bo took the teacup, moved the lid, blew on it, and said:

"After all, I still feel a little uneasy in my heart, otherwise I wouldn't have to say so much."

"It's always right to prepare more before the war."

Zheng Bo nodded,

And said:

"It's been many years, and I've been working hard until now. I've felt that I'm getting closer and closer to what I want."

His "origin" was in Beifeng County, and the first thing he came into contact with was the huge Zhenbei Marquis Mansion.

Now, as long as this battle is won, his foundation will be completely established.

Being made a Marquis, being given a fief, he will also have his own Marquis Mansion.

Whether it's a separatist regime or a vassal state, whether it's loyalty to the Emperor or love for the country, whether it's defending the country,

It's all possible,

He can finally breathe a sigh of relief and go see and wander around, and look at this world from another perspective.

Seriously,

Zheng Bo really hopes that the Yan Emperor can hold on for a while longer and strive to create a miracle of life.

Don't really wait until his battle is over, the rewards are given, and he has to go help Ji Lao Liu fight for the throne.

It's too tiring, too compact,

He still wants to enjoy life.

………

Two days later, at night,

Teams of soldiers boarded the ship in an orderly manner,

The wind on the river was a bit strong;

Zheng Bo, wearing golden armor and standing on the deck, opened his arms,

And said softly:

"Great Chu, I, Zheng Fan, am back again."

——————

Recommend my friend Yi Lu's new book *The Left-Handed Martial World*, a tentacle monster author, large and satisfying.

Thank you Dan Zong and fellow student Piaoguo for becoming the new alliance leader of *The Descent of Magic*!

Thank you Dao Hu's silver alliance.

My schedule is still a bit problematic, and I haven't fully adjusted it yet. My mental state is not good, so I don't dare to write the following plot without being in the right state. So today, this is the only update. I will try to write more tomorrow, hug everyone tightly!

Actually, the problem is still in my writing style, which is really too dependent on the state. After writing happily for a while, there will be ups and downs in the state, and I have to adjust my state.