Chapter 1 The Consensus

Although the talks with Ding Liang reached a consensus that satisfied both parties, the specific implementation would still take time.

Hundreds of thousands of Yan soldiers were divided into several parts, and the Chu army was also extremely scattered, along with local militias and volunteer armies. Integrating them, even simply retreating, was no easy task.

However,

Military intelligence was like fire, and everything had to be done quickly.

This was also the basic consensus of both parties.

Zheng Boye wanted to end the war as soon as possible and return home before the Yan Emperor passed away. Before the domestic political power of Great Yan underwent succession and turmoil after the Yan Emperor's death, he wanted to settle his "enfeoffment as a marquis" and "granting of territory."

Regardless of whether it was the Sixth Prince's faction,

To put it realistically,

Once he was enfeoffed in Jindong and controlled and digested this foundational territory,

Even if it wasn't the Sixth Prince who ascended the throne, but the Crown Prince or someone else, it would be impossible to shake his position in a short time.

Even if the one on the Dragon Throne wanted to play the long game,

Zheng Boye wasn't afraid.

Come on,

Let's see who is the ancestor of "gou (enduring/doggedly surviving)."

Furthermore, ending the war early would allow most of the hundreds of thousands of Yan soldiers to return to other parts of Jin, or even be deployed to Yinlang County. And Jindong, which had been ravaged by war, could also begin to recuperate and develop its foundations sooner.

Dragging it out, who knew what other variables might arise.

Although the Regent Prince of Chu verbally stated that he wouldn't rush for immediate gains, it was likely that quickly rectifying the country's war-torn situation and the restless hearts of the people was also what he urgently needed to do.

Therefore,

After the end of the talks,

Zheng Boye personally went to the tent where the Jingnan King was staying.

Currently, in order to seek speed, it was impossible to let the messenger run to Yanjing City to let the Yan Emperor and the court make a decision. After all, the distance was too far, and even if the higher-ups were to handle it as a special case, the delay on the road would be inevitable.

Therefore, at this time, he could only let the Jingnan King make the decision.

Let the Jingnan King represent the imperial court and sign the peace treaty. Next, everyone could do what they needed to do, pack up their things, and take some gifts on their way home.

However, Zheng Fan was stopped by the Jingnan King's personal guard in front of the tent.

"Boye, the King left a message, saying that all matters should be decided by you. The King's command token has also been handed over to you, so there is no need to bother him again."

Zheng Fan nodded, said nothing, and left directly.

Zheng Fan's army waited another seven days in front of Liugong Mountain. When the peace treaty had not taken effect and the dynamics on other fronts were unclear, how could he withdraw the knife that was held against the emperor's neck first?

During these seven days, no regular Chu army came to cause trouble. Even the scouts on both sides maintained a tacit restraint.

However, two groups of local militia forces came to aid the king, one with more than two thousand people, and the other with more than four thousand.

They were all a rabble, and were swept away by a Yan army charge. The Yan soldiers didn't even bother to pursue them, because their heads were worthless.

Slowly, news from the north began to arrive.

First, the army led by Dugu Mu completely closed their stronghold and raised the no-war flag. Luo Ling, according to the military orders conveyed by Zheng Fan, led his troops to disengage from Dugu Mu and began to secure a retreat route after detouring eighty *li*.

The incident in Yupan City not only sounded the alarm for the Chu people, but also made the instigator himself feel uneasy.

After nearly ten more days, the news from Luo Ling was that Nian Yao's army had already begun to leave the city in batches, and the destination was naturally not to the north, but to the south.

This meant that Nian Yao should have been preparing to move out even earlier. It could be said that after the Regent Prince left Yingdu and planned to abandon the imperial city, he had made arrangements for Nian Yao's army.

At the same time, local armies continued to arrive to aid the king, but they did not rush to their deaths like the first two groups. Instead, they set up camps around Liugong Mountain, numbering no less than 150,000.

However, most of these 150,000 local soldiers were from the local establishment of Chu, equivalent to the Yan's *junbing* (county soldiers), and the other half were volunteer soldiers recruited by local officials, gentry, and powerful families themselves.

These soldiers seemed to be crowded with people and fluttering flags, but in reality, their establishments were chaotic, and they could not even achieve the most basic obedience to orders and prohibitions.

Although local armies were constantly rushing to this place to aid the king, Zheng Boye didn't feel any panic in his heart.

To put it bluntly,

In front of elite iron cavalry, well-organized and qualified infantry could still hold on for a while. If commanded properly, and if the numbers were in their favor, and with a bit of luck, they might be able to achieve one or two victories.

But these volunteer armies, a disorganized mob, were vulnerable even with their courage and bloodlust.

Even if his brother-in-law suddenly regretted it and wanted to mobilize the troops from Liugong Mountain and the nearby 100,000-plus volunteer army to surround him, Zheng Boye could immediately divide his troops into 40,000 and confront Liugong Mountain, not seeking to break through, but seeking to stab through.

Then, leading the remaining tens of thousands of cavalry, he would repeatedly charge into the volunteer army. If one charge didn't break them, then two charges, if two didn't work then three, and if three didn't work then four, five, or six.

He didn't believe he couldn't break them. And once they were broken, it would be more than 100,000 routed soldiers scattered everywhere.

However,

Obviously,

His brother-in-law was a very clear-headed person and didn't make any moves.

Instead, he continued to maintain the good tradition of sending food every day, and Zheng Boye accepted it.

When the news from the north came again,

Zheng Boye personally sent his barbarian blade to his brother-in-law on Liugong Mountain.

Anyway, it was his retired equipment, so he just gave it away.

His brother-in-law was also very generous and sent back a cyan bow as a return gift. This bow also had a great background and was made of no ordinary material.

Most importantly, it was very simple and unadorned.

Unlike the brightly colored bow he had seized from the assassin outside Dongshan Fortress, um, that bow was good, but it didn't fit Zheng Boye's aesthetic.

After exchanging gifts,

Zheng Boye sent some chicken cakes to the mountain again, which Si Niang made herself in the military camp. Anyway, there were no battles these days, so she was just idle.

It wasn't for his brother-in-law, but for his mother-in-law, the Chu Empress Dowager.

…

"Empress Dowager, no!"

The close-fitting female official saw that the Empress Dowager really picked up a piece of cake with her chopsticks and was about to eat it, so she hurriedly stopped her.

The Empress Dowager glanced at the female official,

And said plainly:

"I'm just tasting it. Besides, what's the point of poisoning me, this old woman? Li Qing's man is a Yan, but he's not a fool.

If he was a fool, how would we be living here right now?"

The Empress Dowager put the cake in her mouth,

Nodded,

And said:

"Um, it melts in your mouth, it's a delicate food, but it's a pity, I left the palace in a hurry, and I didn't bring anything good."

Saying that,

The Empress Dowager waved her hand to signal that the box placed under her bed be taken out.

She took out a silk garment from inside.

"Well, let's use this one. It's not appropriate to send him jewelry or anything like that, he's still a man after all. This one is okay. The late Emperor wore it every time he left the palace.

He's been fighting for many years, and it's easy to avoid open spears, but difficult to guard against hidden arrows. With it, he can prevent some accidents.

Send someone down,

Don't go through His Majesty,

Just say it's my intention."

"Yes, Empress Dowager."

The female official walked out of the palace gate holding the silk garment, still feeling a little unreal in her heart.

Right now, that Great Yan Boye had already fought his way here, but her own Empress Dowager was worried that he would have an accident on the battlefield and directly sent this treasure out.

She couldn't understand,

She really couldn't understand,

Even if he was really a son-in-law,

But was he an ordinary son-in-law?

…

"Come, Si Niang, take a look, how does this silk garment compare to the golden silk soft armor you made?"

Zheng Boye, who received the gift, unceremoniously threw the garment to Si Niang to look at.

"Replying to Master, the material of this silk garment is much better than what this servant used. The key is that this material is too rare. This servant can help Master modify it to make it fit better, and it will also dissipate heat when worn inside the armor in summer."

"Good."

"It's also interesting that the Chu Empress Dowager actually sent you armor. This servant thinks that she's either senile or too shrewd."

"Then which one do you think it is?"

"The latter. Li Qing is a little silly, but that's only in front of Master and this servant. In fact, that girl is very capable at heart. Plus the Regent Prince, how could the woman who gave birth to this pair of children be stupid?

It's just that this is really interesting. On one hand, they're fighting to the death, wishing that countless lives would be lost to the flames of war every minute. On the other hand, they're engaging in domestic trivialities, living like family members, and exchanging family courtesies."

"For those who engage in politics, this kind of domestic courtesy is like a rag. Usually, they don't bother to look at it, but when they need it, they wipe it more diligently than anyone else."

"Master is always clear-headed."

"After all, I've been tempered. There are really not many people in this world that I can trust."

"Li Qing, this girl, this servant can see that her heart is on our side."

"This is her biggest advantage. She's very realistic. I used to find it a little strange, but now, looking at her brother's appearance, I can only say that it's no wonder."

This pair of siblings were both absolute realists.

But these kinds of people were actually very easy to get along with, because when you were in a position of advantage and you were successful,

They would always know how to cooperate with you to maximize their benefits.

In short,

That girl Xiong Liqing,

If he were to lose in the future,

She would not hesitate to take her children back to Chu to continue being her "Princess Royal."

She wasn't a Princess Royal before,

But now she was,

Because the great fire in Yingdu had killed not only the six princes who were sacrificed at the beginning,

But also a group of members of the royal family and clan.

His brother-in-law was really using the Yan army's *madao* (saber) to relieve his burden like crazy.

"Report!"

A messenger came in and delivered the military intelligence letter.

Zheng Fan opened the envelope. It was written by Liang Cheng and Luo Ling together.

Nian Yao's army was already crossing the Wei River, and the Yan army had already begun to enter Zhennan Pass.

In the eyes of outsiders,

This was a victory for the Great Yan national war,

Although the price was huge,

Far from being compensated by a Zhennan Pass and a barren Shanggu County, the war benefits were a huge loss;

But no matter what, Great Yan had won, and the Chu people had ceded territory and sued for peace.

Furthermore, from a long-term perspective, Zhennan Pass had been taken, no matter what means were used, at least Zhennan Pass was now under the control of the Yan people. With the help of Shanggu County, in the future, the Yan army would be like a sharp sword hanging over the head of Chu, and the strategic initiative would be in their hands.

Zheng Boye stretched,

Then,

He hugged Si Niang's waist,

And said:

"Alright, pack up, it's time for us to go back too. Let's have kids early. It's not good to always be a godfather to other people's kids."

"Yes, Master."

"Hmm? Getting too eunuch-like."

"Master, it's broad daylight, you're really embarrassing this servant."

"Haha, can I still change it?"

"This old lady can't wait any longer!"

"Um… a bit of a tiger-wolf feeling."

Si Niang smiled and snuggled into Zheng Fan's chest,

Zheng Boye's hand wandered over that round area, but unfortunately the tights were too tight and were attached all over with no gaps to sneak in.

"So, I only hope that our Yan Emperor can hold on a little longer, continue for a while longer, so that I can rest more, and don't hand over the burden as soon as I go back."

"Master, don't set a flag for yourself."

"I'm not Liang Cheng, what am I afraid of? However, now that the battle here is over, I'm actually looking forward to the battle in Yanjing. That's the really exciting one."

"Does Master think that Little Sixth can win steadily?"

"The result is not important, the process is exciting. Seeing that I'm about to be enfeoffed as a Marquis when I go back, the feeling is different again.

Hehe,

Tell me,

Which is easier to deal with,

Little Sixth above,

Or the Crown Prince above?"