Chapter 77: I Will Fully Fund You!

The Tiger-Subduing Formation had truly lived up to its name now.

It had subdued Li Yuanhu this tiger among men.

Heaven only knew how suffocated Li Yuanhu felt.

The formation had him tangled up so tightly he could not get out, yet he did not dare use his full strength to break through. If he accidentally blasted all the Drunken Immortal’s disciples maintaining the formation to death, that would be a wonderful joke indeed.

Only after the Drunken Immortal personally dismantled the formation did Li Yuanhu release an incomparably furious roar.

Then he hurriedly grabbed the twin hammers he had thrown on the ground earlier.

He did not even have time to mount a horse.

He simply sprinted south on foot.

“Tsk, tsk. He actually got away.”

The Sixth Prince wore the expression of someone delighted to see chaos unfold.

“Yeah.

“He actually got away.”

Zheng Fan sounded much more relaxed.

No matter what happened, he was happy that Shatuo Que Shi had escaped.

At this moment, Zheng Fan—the Master—had no idea whatsoever what role two of his troublemaking subordinates had played in the entire affair.

Nor did he know that Shatuo Que Shi’s corpse abruptly changing direction had an enormous connection to Zheng Fan himself.

That night, Zheng Fan had merely followed the habits of later generations: whatever god it was, kowtow first and ask questions later.

Who would have imagined he had actually kowtowed himself into acquiring a godfather!

“Aiya.

“Looks like dawn is nearly here.”

The Sixth Prince stretched.

Then continued, “Lieutenant Commander Zheng, let’s not rush back to sleep.

“Want to go outside and have another look around?”

The Zhenbei Army’s actions tonight were not limited to what had happened here.

Compared with everything else, this place had only been a small side stage.

The real performance was taking place elsewhere.

“Sure.

“By the time we make a circuit and return, the shops in the market should be open again.”

Four or five in the morning was the most awkward hour.

Not because of one’s sleep schedule, but because when your stomach became hungry, you could not find a single shop open to feed you.

“Exactly.

“We’ll make one circuit outside, come back for a bowl of mutton soup, take a bath, then sleep beautifully until we’re satisfied.”

Zheng Fan went to fetch the horses.

The Sixth Prince took his own reins and mounted.

“Lieutenant Commander Zheng, let’s go.

“We’ll take a stroll north.”

The Sixth Prince was a good horseman.

Far more practiced than Zheng Fan.

Of course, that was also because Yan’s nobles disliked sedan chairs.

Everyone traveled on horseback.

According to them, why were the states of Qian and Jin so useless?

Because sitting in sedan chairs all day had softened their knees.

They rode north from the ceremonial archway.

Before long, they began seeing small patrols of Zhenbei cavalry one after another.

Zheng Fan and the Sixth Prince were stopped for inspection several times as well.

Presumably, after the fighting ended, the army was searching for stragglers who had slipped through the net.

After traveling farther north, a scene straight from an Asura hell appeared before them.

The Naduo Tribe had been exterminated.

No prisoners.

Every last person slaughtered.

Even though the battle of extermination had already ended, the blood covering the ground had not yet dried.

“They really wiped out the whole tribe.”

Zheng Fan sighed.

He remembered how he had once hesitated again and again before ordering the extermination of the Chen residence in Tiger Head City.

Yet here, these genuine great figures issued orders to exterminate entire clans and tribes at the slightest turn.

They did it so decisively that it felt as ordinary as drinking water when thirsty.

The Princess was like this.

Xu Wenzu was like this.

The Old Marchioness was like this.

Those who ate meat all were like this.

Ahead, a cavalry unit appeared.

Behind each horse, a captured member of the Naduo Tribe had been tied and dragged along.

These were the tribesmen who had fled the previous night alongside Naduo Jiayang, the Young Chieftain.

They had all been captured.

Naduo Jiayang himself was among them.

Naturally, the reason they had been taken alive was not because anyone intended to spare them.

It was purely to squeeze out the final scrap of value their lives possessed.

Not long afterward, the chiefs of the other three great tribes arrived as well, bringing their male relatives and younger clansmen.

This was a blood-soaked lesson in ideological education.

Crude.

Bloody.

And extraordinarily effective.

Sitting on horseback, the Sixth Prince watched the scene and calmly remarked, “Barbarians are beasts.

“They fear power and never remember kindness.”

Clearly, the Sixth Prince approved of this method.

When dealing with barbarians, you had to beat them to death.

This was Yan’s overall strategic model.

Indeed, it could almost be called national policy!

Against the northern barbarian tribes, there could be no retreat whatsoever.

Especially while the residence of the Marquis of Zhenbei remained in Beifeng Commandery.

When dealing with the states of Jin and Qian, however, both sides could appear considerably more civilized.

Even during warfare, massacres of entire cities were rare.

Back then, after the first Marquis of Zhenbei shattered five hundred thousand Qian troops with only thirty thousand iron cavalry and then led his forces through three northern Qian commanderies, he had done little more than execute the great households to seize their grain and wealth, while relocating every common family he could back to Yan.

That had indeed left “nine houses empty out of ten.”

But it was not the same kind of “nine houses empty out of ten” that so often appeared in history.

“Killing alone cannot solve the root problem.”

The Sixth Prince turned to Zheng Fan in surprise.

“You disagree?”

Because Zheng Fan’s words were practically contradicting Yan’s political correctness.

“Unless the entire desert turns into oasis overnight, slaughter alone will only create the next slaughter.”

The Sixth Prince frowned slightly.

“Continue.”

“The Great Yan Dynasty cannot completely control the desert.

“The cost would be too high.”

The desert was incomparably vast.

Compared with its full expanse, the territory Yan actually controlled was like the difference between Tiger Head City and Tuman City.

The living environment here was atrocious.

To occupy the entire region and completely exterminate every barbarian tribe was almost impossible.

Yan simply could not afford the cost.

Forget Yan alone.

Even if all four eastern states joined hands, they would still struggle to exterminate the barbarian peoples completely.

The land was unsuitable for farming.

Unsuitable for mass settlement.

Maintaining actual occupation over the entire desert would itself be unrealistic.

If it were truly possible, then after guarding this place for a century, the residence of the Marquis of Zhenbei would have done it long ago.

“There’s nothing we can do about that.

“You don’t know how much pressure the Golden Clan at its height a century ago placed upon our State of Yan.

“There was even an emperor among my imperial ancestors who died in battle at the front, only for the Crown Prince to inherit the throne in the capital and immediately lead a campaign personally.

“Now that we’ve finally beaten the barbarians flat, naturally we cannot allow them a chance to rise again.”

“Your Highness misunderstands this subordinate.”

“Fine.

“You have all the memorable lines.

“Continue.”

“Relying entirely on military force is too expensive.

“As far as this subordinate knows, more than half of Yan’s annual treasury revenue is shipped into Beifeng Commandery, correct?”

Three hundred thousand Zhenbei troops.

The Marquis’s residence alone could never support them.

Nor could Beifeng Commandery by itself.

Only the combined resources of the entire State of Yan could maintain those three hundred thousand iron cavalry that terrified the barbarian tribes!

But Yan’s finances were already strained by the existence of so many powerful clans.

Maintaining such an enormous field army on top of that made matters even worse.

If there were a permanent solution to the barbarian threat...

Think about it.

Forget merely saving the military expense needed to maintain three hundred thousand Zhenbei troops.

If you could transfer all three hundred thousand cavalry from the northern frontier to the south would expanding the borders still be difficult?

“Then what method do you have?”

“Your Highness, this subordinate means that military strength is absolutely necessary.

“At all times, we must guarantee overwhelming military superiority.

“But if we want to solve the barbarian problem at its root, we also require another weapon.”

“What weapon?”

“Culture.”

“Heh.

“I thought you were about to offer some brilliant statecraft.

“So it’s merely the old poetry, books, rites, and propriety routine?

“Let me tell you.

“When Imperial Grandfather ruled, there was a Confucian scholar in court named Di Shan.

“He was one of the few great scholars Yan possessed at the time and had even studied at an academy in the State of Qian.

“He once advised Imperial Grandfather to use Confucian benevolence, righteousness, and morality to transform the barbarians.

“Gradually, they would learn rites and education, and the desert would become peacefully governed.

“Guess how Imperial Grandfather responded to that proposal?”

“Simple.

“Send him to Beifeng Commandery as the officer guarding some fortress.”

“Hmm?

“You’ve heard the story?”

“Guessed.”

“Then you guessed damn accurately.

“Half a year later, a barbarian tribe raided the frontier, broke that very fortress, and carried off Di Shan’s head.”

“Your Highness, this subordinate does not mean using Confucian methods against the barbarians.”

“Then what do you mean?”

“Search nearby.

“Search through Yan.

“Search the other three states.

“Even search the Western Regions and farther west if necessary.

“Find a religion whose beliefs resemble those of the barbarian tribes, but one that also teaches people that this life does not matter, that happiness awaits in the next life, or one that calls upon people to abandon productive labor and devote themselves entirely to serving the gods.”

“I think...

I may have heard of religions like that.”

“Find them.

“Then fund them to preach throughout the desert.

“At the same time, use the deterrence of the residence of the Marquis of Zhenbei to require barbarian chieftains to support those missionaries.

“Anyone who refuses gets beaten.

“Anyone who supports them—and does a particularly good job—can be granted some honorary designation.

“For example:

‘Tribe Exempt from Zhenbei Army Campaigns.’

“Continue like this for two generations and you’ll begin seeing results.

“By then, the barbarians will become...”

“Become what?”

“Warm and hospitable.

“Gifted at singing and dancing.”

As he spoke, Zheng Fan stretched lazily.

“The entire desert will be filled with a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere.

“Even when they starve to death, freeze to death, or are whipped to death by their nobles, everyone will die with sweet smiles on their faces.”

“Lieutenant Commander Zheng.”

“This subordinate is here.”

“After listening to you, my heart suddenly feels cold.”

“That is because Your Highness is physically weak.”

“...”

The Sixth Prince.

The Sixth Prince wiped some sweat from his forehead.

Then smiled.

“Lieutenant Commander Zheng.

“That method of yours digs out the roots.

“It digs out the very foundation upon which the barbarian peoples stand!”

The barbarian tribes worshiped the Barbarian God.

The phrase “Barbarian God above” was equivalent to the most basic identity marker among them.

But if you could make them adopt another faith, you would split them apart.

From that day onward, the desert’s culture and belief system would no longer remain unified.

A barbarian who no longer worshiped the Barbarian God could he still truly be called a barbarian?

At the same time, you could use political methods to corrupt their nobles, while using religion to influence their vast lower classes...

Tsk, tsk.

“Lieutenant Commander Zheng.

“The Great Yan Dynasty’s court is missing a seat for you!”

“Your Highness overpraises me.”

“What a pity.

“I can’t tell Father Emperor about this method.

“I can’t tell the other ministers.

“And I certainly can’t tell Second Brother.

“First, I refuse to hand someone else such an excellent plan and let them earn a reputation for wisdom from it.

“Second, if they discovered that this idle prince actually keeps matters of state inside his heart... aiya.

“My ending would become unpleasant.”

“There will always be an opportunity in the future.”

The Sixth Prince pointed at Zheng Fan.

Smiling, he asked, “How many times has this been?”

“Your Highness.

“It’s already the second day.”

“Hmm.

“That’s true.

“But Lieutenant Commander Zheng, how exactly did you come up with this method?”

“Your Highness, this subordinate is a native of Beifeng Commandery.

“My family has enjoyed imperial grace for generations.

“Not for a single moment have I dared forget my concern for the state—”

“Enough, enough!

“Stop.

“Stop.

“I’m not asking anymore.

“Save those words for whenever you get the chance to stand before the man seated on the dragon throne.”

“Then this subordinate should say them now even more.”

“Second time today.”

“Heh heh.”

Truthfully, this method was not Zheng Fan’s invention.

In the Qing dynasty of his previous world, there had been ready-made examples.

Because the Qing had entered the Central Plains as an ethnic minority regime, its rulers understood the grassland peoples especially well due to their own origins.

And because they understood them, they could prescribe the correct medicine.

For instance, the population-reduction policy used by the residence of the Marquis of Zhenbei against the Four Submission Tribes had also been implemented during the Qing dynasty, artificially controlling the population of the Mongol tribes.

Every year, barring accidents, the Qing emperor would take princes and nobles north to escape the summer heat.

Mongol princes and nobles would gather there too.

Everyone would hold a giant party.

Then they would toss ten or twenty princesses and noblewomen into marriages with one another and hand out another round of dividends and rewards.

At the same time, the imperial court strongly encouraged certain religious institutions to preach throughout the grasslands.

And so, the grassland nightmare that had plagued the Ming dynasty never again became a truly enormous disaster under the Qing.

Occasional rebellions still occurred.

But they never grew into an existential threat.

The Qing court successfully transformed the proud, terrifying wolf that had once fought beside it into a husky.

The Blind Man Bei had actually proposed another method to Zheng Fan as well.

That method was simpler.

More destructive.

And far more vicious.

It perfectly demonstrated just how poisonous a blind old bastard could become.

That method was... opium.

Zheng Fan rejected that proposal immediately!

The Blind Man Bei expressed complete understanding!

“Look.

“It’s starting.”

The Sixth Prince pointed ahead.

Naduo Jiayang was shoved into the front row.

He was forced to personally look at the destroyed Naduo Tribe.

At the mountainous piles of corpses belonging to his own tribesmen.

Naduo Jiayang collapsed.

He began howling at the top of his lungs.

No one knew exactly what he was shouting.

Behind him, dozens of tribesmen who had fled with him only to be captured were crying as well.

Their families had died the previous night.

Around them, the nobles of the other three great tribes stood behind their three chiefs and watched everything happen.

This was the Old Marchioness’s command.

The three tribes did not dare disobey.

At that moment, the Sixth Prince stopped a passing Zhenbei Army Lieutenant Commander and asked him several questions.

Then, like a child showing off some newly discovered treasure, he rode back to Zheng Fan and eagerly said, “That fellow howling in front is called Naduo Jiayang.

“He’s the Young Chieftain of the Naduo Tribe.

“This is the bastard who secretly colluded with the priests of the Royal Court.

“The Royal Court priests performed their ritual inside his tribe last night.

“Do you know what makes it especially funny?

“To make it easier for those priests to act, he deliberately had one of his own concubines go serve his father in bed.

“Then he had the woman drug his father— the chieftain of the Naduo Tribe until he passed out.

“So when the other three tribes attacked last night, everything went unbelievably smoothly.

“His father never woke up.

“Not even when his head was cut off.”

“That’s good.

“At least he left without suffering.”

“Lieutenant Commander Zheng.

“Why is your focus always so strange?”

“Your Highness.

“This subordinate simply possesses a kind heart.

“I cannot bear seeing people suffer or feel pain.”

“I believe you.

“I genuinely believe you.”

Zheng Fan looked toward the wailing Naduo Jiayang.

Then said, “He really is a great filial son.”

“Yes.

“Indeed.

“A great filial son.”

It reminded Zheng Fan of Ma Chao from the Three Kingdoms.

Another famous filial son.

Quite similar to Naduo Jiayang.

Although Naduo Jiayang was simply far too stupid.

Once the ideological lesson concluded, Naduo Jiayang and the others were beheaded one after another by Zhenbei Army soldiers.

Only then could the chiefs of the three great tribes finally close their eyes and lead their nobles away.

Many of those nobles had howled with excitement while leading troops in the slaughter the previous night.

But now, after watching everything to the end, cold sweat covered their bodies and their faces had turned pale.

Clearly, their nervous systems were somewhat slow.

Only now had they begun experiencing the sorrow of the rabbit when the fox dies.

The Old Marchioness was merciful.

She did not order them to return home and each submit an eight-hundred-character reflection essay.

“All right.

“Let’s go back.

“Time for soup.

“I’m freezing to death.”

The Sixth Prince tugged his reins.

Together with Zheng Fan, he returned to the oasis.

The market streets had already become lively again.

The shops were reopening.

Today, mutton was extraordinarily cheap.

Cheap enough to seem absurd.

For that, everyone had the Naduo Tribe—exterminated the previous night—to thank.

The tribe had contributed its entire flock of sheep.

The Zhenbei soldiers could enjoy a considerably more comfortable winter now.

At the very least, there would be no shortage of mutton soup.

The proprietor brought flatbread and mutton soup to the table.

Zheng Fan grabbed some chopped scallions and cilantro and scattered them into both his own bowl and the Sixth Prince’s.

The two raised their bowls together and slowly drank.

Only after more than half the soup was gone did the Sixth Prince put down his bowl first.

He said, “Lieutenant Commander Zheng.

“Seventh Uncle wants to accept you as his disciple.”

“This subordinate knows.”

“But I want you to refuse.”

At those words, Zheng Fan set down his own bowl.

Very seriously, he began, “I have admired Seventh Uncle’s reputation for a very long time.

“I have always respected his character.

“Now such an excellent opportunity has been placed before me—”

“I really am only an idle prince...”

Both men stopped.

Silence lasted roughly ten seconds.

The Sixth Prince asked, “Why did you stop speaking?”

Zheng Fan smiled.

“This subordinate was waiting for Your Highness to continue.”

“Heh.

“I may be an idle prince, but I know how to do business.”

“Your Highness.

“This subordinate does not lack money.

“The perfume was made by this subordinate.”

“I know.

“But I am the hidden owner of the largest merchant house in the entire State of Yan!”

Zheng Fan’s heart tightened.

That meant if this were later generations the man before him was basically “Daddy Six.”

And unlike certain famous tycoons, he did not suffer the same political worries.

Because his surname was Zhao no.

Ji.

“Lieutenant Commander Zheng.

“We’ve known each other for almost three days.

“I’ve heard that in the State of Qian, many husbands and wives may not even meet once before marriage.”

“Your Highness.

“Say what you want to say.

“Don’t wander too far.

“And if you must wander far, at least don’t wander in that direction...”

“Fine.

“I’ll speak directly.”

“Good.

“This subordinate is all ears.”

“The north will see major upheaval within the next few years.

“It is no longer suitable for your development.”

“So?”

“Go south.

“Face Jin.

“Or face Qian.

“They are far gentler than barbarians.

“They’re considerate too.

“And exceptionally warm and hospitable.”

“But Your Highness, this subordinate loves the wind of the north.

“I love the clouds of the north.

“I love northern folk songs.

“I love—”

“I will fully fund you!”

“To serve the country with utmost loyalty— until death!”

“You figured it out?”

“His Majesty treats his ministers with boundless virtue.

“This minister naturally must offer his body to the state.”

“Wait.

“What did you call me?”

“Your Majesty?”

“Hmm?”

“Not appropriate?”

“No.

“Say it another couple of times.

“I like hearing it.”

“Your Majesty is wise.”

“Hahahahahaha!”

The Sixth Prince slapped his thigh.

Then stood and leaned his face toward Zheng Fan.

Their faces were so close their breaths washed across one another’s skin.

“Lieutenant Commander Zheng.

“Can’t you genuinely take a knife to yourself first?

“I truly don’t want to be forced to personally deal with you someday.

“That would hurt our friendship.”

Zheng Fan heard him.

Then replied, “Your Highness could also learn from the divine statues in the temples...”

“What do you mean?”

“Become a puppet.”

The Sixth Prince fell speechless.

He pointed at Zheng Fan.

After a long moment, he said very seriously, “But you are not permitted to usurp!”

“This subordinate can promise not to usurp.

“But I cannot guarantee what my son might do.”

With that the two men looked at one another and burst into laughter.

“Hahahahahahahaha!”

“Hahahahahahahaha!”

The other customers in the mutton-soup shop stared at them like they were two complete idiots.

How could two men become this happy over a bowl of mutton soup?

The Sixth Prince laughed until tears appeared.

At last, he had no choice but to wipe his eyes with his sleeve.

He stood.

Then said, “I’m tired.

“I’m going back to sleep.

“In dreams, everything exists.”

“Your Highness, please wait.”

The Sixth Prince, already leaving the table, stopped and turned toward Zheng Fan.

“What else?”

Zheng Fan spread both hands.

“Your Highness.

“You still need to pay the bill.”

(End of Chapter)