Chapter 61: Those Who Eat Meat Are Base

Zheng Fan sat loosely in the saddle, posture lazy enough that, if his armor were not forcibly holding him upright, he might have melted into a puddle.

Behind him, however, the five Centurions all wore bitter, anxious expressions, like men on their first day after being sold into a brothel—utterly unwilling.

In the Blind Man Bei’s letter of “wisdom after the fact,” he had once written that after their move at Mei Clan Fort, Zheng Fan had to remain sufficiently high-profile in order to secure his position.

He could not lower his head. He could not show weakness.

So long as he remained brazen enough, no one would dare provoke him.

They might not even dare investigate him.

But the moment he showed a guilty conscience and bowed his head, trouble would come one after another.

At the end of the letter, the Blind Man Bei had also said that if matters truly became impossible to salvage, Master should please protect that weak woman Siniang and immediately flee Tiger Head City with her!

For various reasons, Zheng Fan had never seen the Blind Man Bei’s letter beforehand.

Still, his performance before Comrade Deep Sea had effectively cooperated with the plan in advance.

Zheng Fan understood the logic perfectly well.

It was just like those fraudsters in later generations who claimed they had high technology capable of turning water into fuel, yet still flourished domestically and even received strong official backing.

The more high-profile you were, the more people believed you.

The more outrageous your boasting, the safer you became.

The residence of the Marquis of Zhenbei stood too high.

So high that no one dared tug at the tiger’s hide.

The residence of the Marquis of Zhenbei stood too high.

So high that even if someone did borrow its tiger skin, nobody else would know whether it was genuine.

At present, Registrar Chen had been tied with rope by Ding Hao and dragged along the street like a street-cleaning cart.

His flesh had long since been mangled beyond recognition.

He was already dead.

His luck truly had been terrible.

If you wanted to force yourself on a widow and swallow up a household left without a male heir, why not keep a lower profile?

Why not trick her into your own home, or into some private residence outside?

Why insist on going to a crowded restaurant?

And why, of all places, choose the room beside Zheng Fan a man overflowing with civic virtue, justice, incorruptible impartiality, and eagerness to uphold righteousness?

Sigh.

Why make things so difficult for yourself?

Right now, Zheng Fan had forcibly dragged the five newly acquired underlings and the several hundred soldiers beneath them along toward the Chen Clan residence.

This was the only way out of the predicament that Zheng Fan could think of.

Make it big.

Make it enormous.

Make it so enormous that no one dared say a damned word.

Everyone knew the dead could not speak and were best at keeping secrets.

But there was another truth: not many people were willing to speak for the dead, either.

Besides, Zheng Fan had already considered running away.

There was little left he could not bring himself to risk.

He forced himself to perk up a little.

So early in the morning, and already leading men to exterminate an entire clan.

It felt like eating seven or eight heavy meat dishes for breakfast greasy, and difficult to stomach.

Fortunately, the Chen residence really was close to the restaurant.

That shortened the time Zheng Fan had to endure his nausea.

At this moment, he sat upright on horseback.

Around him stood ranks of soldiers.

Zheng Fan tilted his head slightly.

Behind that stone lion, at that corner of the wall, and directly in front of him all of those would be good places to set up cameras.

Right now, he looked exactly like one of those villainous eunuchs in a television drama who had brought troops to confiscate the home of a loyal and righteous family.

If this were a film or television series, his ending would probably involve the righteous protagonists growing up, coming back for revenge, and killing him.

Then, over his corpse and the protagonists’ retreating backs, the credits would roll...

Ding Hao, on the other hand, looked rather excited.

After all, many things had only two possible counts: zero times, or countless times.

He had already exterminated the entire clan of his own immediate superior once.

This was his second visit to prison, so to speak.

As for the soldiers below, excitement and anger were obvious on their faces.

Word of what had happened had already spread.

Their comrade’s bones were not yet cold, yet his widow and orphaned family were already being bullied.

Ordinary grunts did not weigh gains and losses the way those above them did.

They knew only one thing: the family of one of their comrades had been humiliated, and now a Lieutenant Commander surnamed Zheng was leading them to take revenge!

Circles were inherently exclusionary.

When the interests of a circle came under threat, its members instinctively banded together.

And among all groups, an army possessed one of the strongest instincts to close ranks.

Zheng Fan saw many groups of soldiers who clearly did not belong to the five Centurions behind him.

Yet they too had picked up weapons and joined the procession.

Some organized units had originally come to maintain order, mediate, and break up the conflict.

After hearing the full story from the other soldiers, they switched sides on the spot and joined the encirclement of the Chen residence.

Zheng Fan spotted several Lieutenant Commanders from Tiger Head City.

They did not approach.

But neither did they gather and restrain their own troops.

First, they feared Zheng Fan’s background.

Second, if they intervened to stop this, how were they supposed to command their soldiers afterward?

And so, while Zheng Fan hesitated, more and more troops gathered.

Anyone who did not know better might have thought a military exercise was about to begin.

Several times, Zheng Fan’s hand had already started to rise.

He knew that the moment he raised it and brought it down, there would be no need for the five Centurions behind him to issue orders, nor for the Lieutenant Commanders in the distance to do so.

The nearly thousand soldiers already gathered around them would surge forward as one and wash the entire Chen residence in blood.

There were clearly people moving behind the Chen residence’s main gate.

Heads occasionally appeared over the surrounding walls as well.

But dozens of their private soldiers had already gone out earlier.

There should not be many left inside.

The Chen Clan was a hereditary “clerk family” of Tiger Head City.

Generation after generation of its descendants had served as petty functionaries in the Tiger Head City yamen.

They could be considered a clan of local snakes.

This family had one weakness.

Its influence seemed deeply rooted and tangled, but unlike the fortress lords outside the city, their foundation lay here.

Inside the city.

Inside this residence.

Very powerful... and very fragile.

They’re NPCs.

They’re game characters.

They’re trash mobs I’m farming.

They’re drawings I can erase from a comic...

Zheng Fan kept hypnotizing himself.

Yes.

He was still hesitating.

Still struggling.

Back when he drew comics, no matter how horrific, terrifying, or twisted the plot and imagery became, what he felt most strongly was the beauty contained within it.

But when you stood before someone’s gate, with a single sentence capable of deciding the life or death of their entire family, making that decision truly was difficult.

Zheng Fan did not know whether this counted as being a bleeding heart, or simply... human nature.

“Why hasn’t that lord given the order yet?”

A soldier below began wondering aloud.

An older, more experienced soldier explained, “What’s the rush?

“With so many of us outside their gate, the people inside will only grow more terrified and tormented.

“Our lord is breaking in a hawk.

“How could he give them a quick death?

“Wouldn’t that be letting them off too cheaply?”

“Exactly. The Chen Clan has been throwing its weight around for years. Never thought they’d see a day like this.”

“Fuck. When I think that if I die in battle someday, my widow and children might get bullied by scum like this, I want to flay their entire family alive!”

“Right! If we want our own families to be safe in the future, we absolutely cannot let this household go today!”

These ordinary soldiers might not possess lofty awareness.

But they understood one simple and practical principle: the law does not punish the masses.

More and more soldiers were gathering after hearing the news.

What were the authorities supposed to do afterward?

Arrest every last one of them?

Zheng Fan’s palms were slick with sweat.

He knew that in the end, he would give the order.

He had to protect himself.

He had to protect the foundation that he and his seven subordinates had built together.

But he still wanted another moment.

Another moment.

Another moment.

Wait.

Wait a little longer.

Drag it out just a little more...

How the hell did those fantasy dramas come up with characters who casually stomped planets apart or destroyed the Three Realms with one palm?

Why was it that when it came to him, merely exterminating one clan already made it so difficult to act?

Inside Zheng Fan’s mind, it was as though a mob of black Zheng Fans were frantically beating the shit out of a single white Zheng Fan.

Finally, just as Zheng Fan drew a deep breath and prepared to raise his hand and issue the order—

“The Pacification Commissioner has arrived!”

He came.

He came.

He came riding a Pi Beast.

Zheng Fan twisted his neck slightly and looked sideways.

Sure enough, he saw the plump Comrade Deep Sea riding that Pi Beast, surrounded by a group of personal guards as he arrived.

That Pi Beast truly deserved to be called an exotic breed.

Count eighteen generations backward and it still had divine-beast blood.

Otherwise, Comrade Deep Sea would probably have crushed it to death long ago.

The Pacification Commissioner still possessed considerable prestige.

At least within Tiger Head City, there was no second high official who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

Accordingly, the surrounding soldiers began making way.

Under the protection of his guards, Xu Wenzu rode all the way inside until he reached Zheng Fan.

The secretary was mounted beside him.

“Lieutenant Commander Zheng, what tremendous authority you display!”

Zheng Fan felt that Comrade Deep Sea’s lines never seemed to change.

It made things very awkward for him, the Emei Peak...

“You. Come with me.

“This official will personally question why you have acted in this manner.

“Do you understand that privately mobilizing troops and gathering a mob to create disorder are both grave crimes?”

After throwing down those words, Xu Wenzu rode toward the opposite side of the Chen residence.

There stood a teahouse.

It had already closed its doors.

Xu Wenzu’s guards entered first and drove out the proprietor and staff.

Then they stationed themselves outside, isolating the teahouse from the outside world.

Zheng Fan drew a deep breath.

He discarded all the miscellaneous thoughts in his head.

Then, wearing an expression of perfect calm, he turned his horse and slowly rode to the teahouse entrance.

The many soldiers watched Zheng Fan with hopeful eyes.

Naturally, they wanted him to withstand the pressure and lead them in taking revenge and demanding justice.

If Zheng Fan softened, then they probably would too...

For something like this, someone tall enough to shoulder the blame had to stand at the front and lead.

Only then could everyone else truly move.

Zheng Fan dismounted.

Two guards stepped forward to remove his saber.

Zheng Fan gripped the weapon with one hand and refused to surrender it.

Naturally, he did not think Comrade Deep Sea intended to harm him.

But with so many grunts watching, he had to make a little trouble.

He had to look tough.

Xu Wenzu would understand... probably.

Though this time Xu Wenzu might genuinely be furious.

Whatever Zheng Fan’s identity, Xu Wenzu was still the chief official currently responsible for Tiger Head City.

He could not simply allow the city to descend into chaos.

The two guards were proud men.

Seeing Zheng Fan refuse to hand over his saber, they simultaneously reached out to restrain him.

BUZZ!

A dazzling black radiance suddenly erupted from Zheng Fan’s body.

With the luminous powder on his armor, the effect was spectacular.

Caught off guard, the two guards were directly forced backward.

The soldiers who had been staring at this place were first stunned.

Then they erupted into piercing cheers!

The nearby Lieutenant Commanders and the five Centurions already tied to Zheng Fan’s chariot were equally shocked.

They had all seen Ninth Grade Martial Artists before.

But a Ninth Grade Martial Artist this young?

Yes.

Only the household of the Marquis of Zhenbei could possess such foundations!

Zheng Fan narrowed his eyes for a while.

It was not because he was deliberately lingering there to savor the afterglow of showing off.

It was simply because the damned light was too strong.

He had nearly blinded himself.

He needed a moment to recover.

Next time, he had to make the Blind Man craft him a pair of sunglasses.

Otherwise, he should forget about this bargain-bin special effect.

If he blinded himself before a real fight even started, what the fuck would he fight with?

The two guards were caught in an awkward position.

Advance?

They did not dare.

Retreat?

That did not look good either.

At that moment, the secretary—the only person who had accompanied Xu Wenzu into the teahouse—came to the entrance.

He nodded to the guards outside, then made an inviting gesture toward Zheng Fan.

The guards all breathed sighs of relief and withdrew.

Zheng Fan strode into the teahouse.

Inside, Xu Wenzu sat behind a tea table.

Once Zheng Fan entered, the secretary personally shut the door.

The instant the door closed, Xu Wenzu stood.

He hurried toward Zheng Fan, like an enormous ball of flesh rolling straight at him, bringing wind in its wake.

Zheng Fan knew Xu Wenzu should be extremely angry this time.

Regardless of Zheng Fan’s identity, Xu Wenzu could not allow Tiger Head City to fall into disorder.

Xu Wenzu stopped before him.

Just as Zheng Fan prepared himself for the coming rebuke—

“You did very well!”

“Huh?”

Zheng Fan froze.

He stared at Xu Wenzu’s face, trying to determine whether the man was being sarcastic.

“Sigh. The situation is growing worse and worse.

“According to reports, His Lordship the Marquis has already been confined in the capital by His Majesty.

“The memorials impeaching the Marquis from the hundred officials have nearly buried the desk in the imperial study.

“We truly must prepare.

“We must prepare.

“Mm.

“This scheme of yours was designed very well.

“A clan like the Chen Clan, born from petty clerks, may look deeply rooted and interconnected, but at the end of the day it is nothing more than a nest of low-ranking functionaries.

“Perfect for putting to the blade!

“Use the lives of one entire clan to ignite a shared hatred among the city’s soldiers.

“Then have you personally step forward to lead them in taking revenge and demanding justice.

“You’ll also win the hearts of Tiger Head City’s soldiers and earn their devotion.

“When the time comes to cooperate with the Princess in raising the banner, everything will be twice as effective with half the effort!

“You did very well.

“The design of this scheme was ingenious.

“And the target you selected was excellent!

“Sigh.

“Zheng Chenggong truly has a fine son.”

“...” Zheng Fan.

“Go ahead and do what needs to be done.

“Once it’s finished, you’re conveniently responsible for escorting the birthday tribute convoy out of the city tomorrow.

“You can leave this whirlpool behind.

“As for cleaning up the aftermath, let that old county magistrate busy himself with it.

“Heh heh.

“Ah, the last time I saw the Princess, she was still a little girl.

“Now she’s grown into a young woman.

“I truly miss her.

“Right.

“After the convoy leaves the city tomorrow, I’ll come join you.”

After saying this, Xu Wenzu reached out and patted Zheng Fan on the shoulder.

Then he walked to the teahouse entrance and violently shoved the door open.

He stormed outside in a rage, even turning back to point inside and roar:

“Outrageous!

“Utterly outrageous!

“Indulging your soldiers in violence!

“Completely unrestrained!

“Lawless!

“Utterly lawless!

“This official cannot control you!

“I cannot control you!

“Just you wait!

“You wait!

“This official will return immediately and submit a memorial impeaching you!

“This official would like to see— whether Tiger Head City still belongs to The Great Yan Dynasty!”

After cursing, Xu Wenzu mounted his Pi Beast.

“Hyah!”

He truly seemed furious.

He did not even wait for his personal guards before riding away on his own.

Outside, the dense mass of soldiers gazed up at the teahouse with expressions of profound admiration.

The State of Yan might not suppress the military and exalt civil officials as heavily as the State of Qian did.

But after such a long period of peace, the status of scholars and warriors had long since fallen out of balance.

Naturally, the ordinary soldiers wanted their own generals to be tough.

They wanted generals who dared clash head-on with those civil officials!

Inside the teahouse, Zheng Fan was still a little dazed.

If Xu Wenzu had lived in later generations, it would genuinely have been a waste if he had not gone into comics alongside Zheng Fan.

The man’s ability to fill in the blanks himself was incredible!

Zheng Fan had clearly been forced into this situation like a duck driven onto a perch.

Yet in Xu Wenzu’s eyes, every step had been part of Zheng Fan’s design.

I’m not even blind.

Do I really look that sinister?

“Lieutenant Commander Zheng, my master is physically weak.

“On the road, I hope Lieutenant Commander Zheng will take good care of him.”

The secretary bowed deeply to Zheng Fan.

Before Zheng Fan could return the salute, the secretary turned toward the wooden door of the teahouse and shouted outside:

“Kill!”

Zheng Fan’s eyes immediately widened.

Fuck!

Ruthless!

“KILL!!!”

The soldiers outside assumed Zheng Fan had given the order.

They instantly roared and charged toward the Chen residence.

The secretary seemed to think he had done Zheng Fan a favor.

He even gave Zheng Fan a reserved little smile.

He appeared utterly unconcerned that because of that single presumptuous cry of “Kill,” an entire household was about to be slaughtered by more than a thousand enraged grunts.

Inside his heart, Zheng Fan gave a soft, cold laugh.

Suddenly, he remembered something the Blind Man had said that night when the two of them smoked cigarettes and “admired the moon.”

The Blind Man had said:

“Those who eat meat are base.”

The Blind Man had also said:

“The meat those people eat is not pork, beef, mutton, or dog meat.

“It is—human flesh.”

(End of Chapter)