Chapter 1 Litian City

Litian City,

Here.

Vanguard scouts had arrived in advance to inform the local officials. Regardless of whether they were from Yan or Jin, they were not required to greet him, and even the various garrisons and government offices inside and outside Litian City were not to act rashly.

The Prince of Jingnan was here,

And he, the Marquis of Pingxi,

Didn't want to bother with any grand formalities.

Or rather, he had important people to see, so he couldn't be bothered with social niceties.

So,

Unlike the last time he entered Litian dressed in white mourning clothes,

This time,

The Marquis of Pingxi left most of his guards outside the city. He led a group of Feiyu-uniformed (Flying Fish Guard) personal guards, riding pixiu (mythical wild animal resembling a winged lion), through the east gate of Litian City, heading straight for the old Marquis's residence, which was now the Prince of Jingnan's manor.

Dismounting,

All the soldiers at the gate saluted Zheng Fan.

Zheng Fan raised his hand, then entered the mansion gate directly. No one stopped him, no one questioned him;

Not because he was a marquis, but because everyone in the military knew that he was the Prince of Jingnan's most trusted man.

The eunuch delivering the imperial decree was not allowed in, but the Marquis of Pingxi could come and go freely.

The mansion was still the same.

To a certain extent, Old Tian was indeed a nostalgic person.

Inside the mansion, only the outermost areas had a small number of servants and maids. The core areas were almost deserted.

Because that Prince of Nan of Great Yan,

Didn't like being disturbed.

Zheng Fan walked in,

Saw the desolate garden, and the pond in late autumn,

But when his gaze swept to the threshold,

He didn't see that white-haired figure.

Slightly surprised,

He looked around,

And found Tian Wujing sitting in a pavilion behind the pond.

Tian Wujing had a pot in front of him, steaming hot.

Zheng Fan walked over and saw that the broth in the pot was red, and there were many dishes waiting to be added to the pot.

"Your Highness..."

Tian Wujing stirred the pot slowly with his chopsticks, to prevent sticking;

Then,

He looked up at Zheng Fan.

Tian Wujing didn't have a stubbly beard, his eyes weren't dull, and he didn't have much of the sorrow of late autumn on him.

"What, are you not used to not seeing me sitting there despondently?"

"No, no."

Zheng Fan immediately sat down. A set of chopsticks and a bowl had already been placed for him here.

"This hotpot, I remember you used to like it. I tried to adjust it. See if it suits your taste."

"How could the broth you make be anything less than perfect."

Tian Wujing shook his head and began to add dishes to the pot.

"How is the situation in Jindong?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, the development is going well. We've secured our position. Next, we'll focus on improving the people's livelihood. In short, the most difficult period has passed."

The most difficult period was from last winter to this autumn. It wasn't that he was worried about starving people gathering to rebel, nor was he worried about any other battles, but because last year was the key to laying the foundation. Once the foundation was laid, the entire system would develop in a better and better direction. Otherwise, they would just be stationed in those three places, purely as large military fortresses.

"I've always felt that you're more skilled in people's livelihood than you are in fighting wars. I'm not good at governing a place."

"Actually, once you've conquered the outside, governing the home becomes much easier and more relaxed. To pacify the inside, you must first repel the outside. Jindong can be settled down because of the victories you've won, Your Highness."

"Yes, we must never bow our heads to the outside world. Bowing our heads is too easy. Once you bow your head, there will be two, three, countless times. Great Yan was founded on military strength. War is the backbone of Great Yan;

But in fact, whether it's Qian, Chu, or Jin, they were all founded on military strength. I once read some articles that said that the use of wanghua (benevolent governance) is what made the barbarians submit, and that's how the Xia had today's vast territory;

However, if you don't first use swords, spears, iron cavalry to make the barbarians submit, to scare them, they won't admire your culture."

"You're right."

"It's just that my Yan was founded with difficulty, and it's difficult to maintain. Unlike the other three kingdoms, it doesn't matter if they bow their heads a little. But Great Yan, once it bows its head, is easily ridden on its neck, and then overturned to the ground.

The more territory we conquer, the more military achievements we have, the stronger the morale of the army, the more we can't afford to lose.

Zheng Fan."

"Here."

"Remember these words. Once a person sits in this position, regardless of whether you have it or not, you actually have your own bottom line.

You like to use schemes, you like to take detours, that was the you from before………”

"The me now………”

"The you now has realized the benefits of having strong soldiers and horses?"

"Yes."

"You can be more arrogant."

"I know I was wrong."

"No, I mean, you should be arrogant. If you want to be arrogant in front of others, then behind the scenes, in order to prevent yourself from falling one day, turning the flattery of the crowd into sharp arrows satirizing you, you can't and shouldn't allow yourself to slack off;

This is actually a kind of spur."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Let's set off the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, go with me to Tianhu Mountain to take another look."

"Okay, Your Highness."

"Have you considered the matter of establishing an heir in your heart?"

"Uh..."

Zheng Fan really didn't expect the topic to change so quickly and directly.

"Still haven't considered it?" Tian Wujing asked.

"Actually, when I came this time, what I was thinking about was standing behind you. I'll agree with whatever you say, and I'll lend a hand with whatever you want to do.

So, I didn't bother thinking about it."

Tian Wujing pointed to the broth with his chopsticks,

And said:

"You like spicy food, but if you're really hungry, you'll eat boiled vegetables with clear water."

"You're right. Now I really feel that it doesn't seem important who becomes the crown prince."

Whoever becomes the crown prince, in the short term, the main goal is to stabilize the situation. As long as it's not Zhu Yunwen reborn, they won't rush to weaken the vassal states.

Whether it's Little Sixth or the Crown Prince, they're not fools, nor are they the kind of people who can be easily fooled.

As long as the vassal states aren't weakened, the relationship between the local vassal states and the imperial court will still be passable. It's just a constant back-and-forth pulling and pushing, like a game of tai chi.

This has no direct relationship with who the successor on the dragon throne is.

Because once the Yan Emperor dies, the prestige of that heroic emperor will inevitably be greatly reduced on the successor.

Therefore, Little Sixth's coldness towards Zheng Fan is understandable, and he's not angry. The reason is here.

Because the struggle for the throne is a matter of life and death for him and his family, but for the current Zheng Fan, it's already a side issue.

Just as Old Tian said, you're not hungry anymore.

Zheng Fan picked up a piece of meat and put it in his mouth, chewing as he said:

"To be honest, a long time ago, I was thinking about having this day. You know me, I like being free and easy, I don't like being strangled by the neck."

These words were very rebellious.

But in front of Old Tian, Zheng Fan really didn't dare to say anything.

"People should still find something to revere, otherwise it's easy to become lazy."

"I do, don't worry, I've always wanted to go to Jiangnan to see, but I don't dare to go secretly in plain clothes, for fear that the Silver Armor Guards there will catch me;

But I'm extremely longing for the scenery of Jiangnan,

Don't worry,

One day,

I will definitely lead a large army to visit Jiangnan, and listen to the courtesans sing songs."

Zheng Fan wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand,

And continued:

"Also, I've been in contact with a few Western merchants recently, and I want to go to the West to see their magic and Dou Qi (battle energy), and see how they are different from our Qi refiners and martial artists.

To put……

To put our Great Yan's Black Dragon flag,

On their city walls."

These words were actually sincere, not flattery, but saying them at this time was actually a way of expressing loyalty, not to the monarch, but to the oath he had made under the commander's tent, holding the Black Dragon flag.

"There are still many sceneries I want to see, how can I really be lazy? When I was fighting wars before, after a long time, I would miss home, miss the women at home, miss the hot springs at home;

But after staying at home for a long time, I slowly started to feel itchy, and I wanted to go out and wander around again. The hand that's used to holding a knife is also a bit sore, and I always want to swing it again, not the kind of empty practice, but I want to be able to cut off the head of the enemy general in front when charging.

Being a person is a lifelong thing, it's not easy, so I always want to make trouble. Only by making trouble can I not waste this trip to the world."

Hearing these words, Tian Wujing

Slowly put down his chopsticks,

And said:

"Are you teaching this Prince?"

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare, it's always been you, Your Highness, who has been teaching me."

"Tian Tian, can he walk now?" Tian Wujing changed the subject again.

Fortunately, Zheng Fan was already used to it.

"He can run now. He plays with a few playmates in the backyard every day. The child is very well-behaved, sensible, and obedient. He just likes to eat Sachima (a type of pastry). That thing is sweet, so I don't let him eat too much, for fear of ruining his teeth."

"You've put in the effort."

"I'm his godfather, Your Highness. It's not right for you to say that."

"That's true."

At this moment,

Tian Wujing seemed to have thought of something,

And opened his mouth;

"By the way, that matter I told you about last time, I………”

Zheng Fan's heart suddenly skipped a beat,

And Tian Wujing's words to him in the great fire of Yingdu immediately appeared in his mind,

He said,

If he wanted to be free in the future, he would discuss it with him and choose the most suitable way to be free.

"Clatter!"

The chopsticks in Zheng Fan's hand fell down.

"Your Highness, so soon?"

Tian Wujing looked at Zheng Fan,

And said:

"It's been so long."

The Marquis of Zheng felt like he wanted to cry but had no tears: "Yeah, it's been so long, and you're still thinking about it?"

"I had forgotten it, but when I calculated that you should be coming, I remembered it, and I was thinking of having you help me taste it together."

"I..." Zheng Fan nodded, "You've already thought it through?"

"It's not a difficult thing."

"Yes, it's not a difficult thing, and I promised you, but can you not say it so lightly?"

"Is it difficult?"

"For me, it's difficult."

"Heh, then didn't you do it pretty well last time?"

"I was forced by you, I'm always being forced by you!"

I don't want to die, I've always wanted to live, to farm, to develop, and it's you who keeps pushing me to the front to risk my life!

"Forced?"

"I guess so."

"Oh, this Prince's, it's not forced."

"I know, I know, you've already thought about it, okay, okay, okay, I shouldn't have rushed over, I came to the wrong place."

As the Marquis of Zheng spoke, he reached out and wiped his reddened eyes.

"You can't not come, if you don't come………”

Tian Wujing reached out,

And grabbed to his side,

Outside the pavilion, there was a small stove with a steamer on it.

Immediately,

The steamer was pulled over and placed on the table.

Tian Wujing reached out and took off the lid. Inside were steaming hot buns.

He took a bun,

And handed it to Zheng Fan,

"If you don't come, how would I know if I made these stuffed buns authentically?"