Chapter 148: Courtesy Demands Reciprocity

"This lowly official, Liang Youda, requests an audience with Commander Zhong!"

The newly appointed Prefect of Mianzhou City knelt trembling outside, accompanied by the city's other officials.

The scene looked almost unbelievable.

In the State of Qian, civil officials automatically seemed to rise three ranks whenever they faced military men. Even when dealing with generals whose official Grade stood above their own, they were often dismissive and contemptuous.

But the old Lord Zhong sitting inside the yamen was an exception.

Zhong Wendao was already past sixty. He could practically be called a living fossil of Qian's military establishment, and the Zhong Clan had guarded the southwest for the Great Qian for nearly a hundred years.

Zhong Wendao's influence had long since surpassed anything the simple term "military general" could describe.

Faced with the Mianzhou Prefect's request for an audience, Zhong Wendao merely took a towel from one of his personal guards inside the room and wiped his face.

He paid them no attention.

He disdained doing so.

And he could not be bothered.

"Cough, cough..."

A short while later, Zhong Wendao sat down in a chair and waved for his guards to move the brazier away.

Winter in the north was bitterly cold, unlike the damp heat of the southwest, but Lord Zhong was old and disliked the dry heat of a charcoal brazier.

"Bring him in."

The man brought in was not one of the Mianzhou officials kneeling outside.

It was Meng Gong, entering from the side hall.

Meng Gong's hair was somewhat disheveled, and there was an absent look in his eyes. But the moment he saw Zhong Wendao seated in the place of honor, he immediately dropped to his knees.

"This guilty general, Meng Gong, pays respects to Commander Zhong!"

"Get up. Cough, cough..."

Lord Zhong began coughing again.

He truly hated the northern climate.

But there was nothing to be done.

Before coming here, he had only known that military preparedness along Qian's Three Frontiers had badly decayed. Still, those garrisons swallowed half the imperial court's military budget every year. Zhong Wendao had assumed that no matter how rotten they were, surely they could still maintain some semblance of an army.

Who could have imagined that Grand Commandant Yang's memorials and the reactions of the gentlemen at court would leave even Zhong Wendao astonished?

The Three Frontiers consumed the majority of the annual military budget, yet they had actually deteriorated to this ridiculous extent?

If Yan had transferred the Zhenbei Army from the desert and Qian had failed to stop it, that would at least be understandable.

But the Zhenbei Army had not even marched south yet.

Only the Jingnan Army had moved once.

And that alone had already frightened Grand Commandant Yang out of his wits.

Tch, tch...

It was impossible for Zhong Wendao not to feel angry.

If all that military expenditure had been given to his Western Army instead, his men could have lived more comfortably.

Their attacks against the restless native chieftains could have been fiercer.

Given a few years of careful management, it might even have been possible to wipe out the southwestern chieftains altogether.

Of course, Zhong Wendao could only think such thoughts privately.

The imperial court had already begun trying to dismantle, suppress, and divide the Western Army as a military bloc several years ago.

The Western Army did not belong to the Zhong Clan.

Yet the various military factions within it clustered tightly around the Zhong Clan and followed its lead.

That was why the imperial court's methods had never achieved much real success.

The looming threat of Yan marching south had, in a sense, relieved some of the pressure on the Western Army.

As a son of a military family, Zhong Wendao genuinely preferred facing an enemy's blades, spears, horses, and soldiers to wasting his mind sparring with the gentlemen at court.

"'Guilty general'? What crime have you committed?"

"This..."

Meng Gong did not know how to answer.

"Mianzhou City held. That means you rendered merit."

Meng Gong kowtowed again.

"Thank you for shielding me, Commander Zhong."

At a time like this, Zhong Wendao had the standing to define the matter however he wished.

Of course, when the Western Army arrived, Qian soldiers and Wolf Native Troops had somehow been slaughtering one another inside Mianzhou City.

But in the end, the city had still not fallen to the Yan.

"It was difficult for you," Zhong Wendao said with a sigh.

"This general would not dare say so."

Meng Gong kept his head lowered.

Looking at Meng Gong, Zhong Wendao could not help thinking of Meng Gong's father.

Then he thought of those years long ago, when he and Meng Gong's father had both stood beside the Tattoo-Faced Chancellor.

Unfortunately all of that was gone.

At that moment, a personal guard entered and whispered something into Zhong Wendao's ear.

Zhong Wendao's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Seal the entire city. Search it."

"Understood."

The guard left.

Zhong Wendao sighed.

"Prince Fu is dead."

"............" Meng Gong.

"His body was found in a stable.

"But his head is missing."

"H-how is that possible?"

"It was probably done by a Yan spy who infiltrated the city."

"Prince Fu... Prince Fu was a good Prince."

"Heh."

Zhong Wendao was unimpressed.

"What concerns this Commander is this: if the Yan truly did it, then even though they failed to enter Mianzhou City this time, Prince Fu's head may create an even greater impact than if they had broken into the city again."

Meng Gong lowered his head and said nothing.

"Forget it. Forget it.

"Since Prince Fu is dead, then you, Meng Gong, should die too."

"This general obeys."

As he spoke, Meng Gong stood and prepared to take a sword from one of the guards and cut his own throat.

Zhong Wendao watched the entire scene.

Then he spoke again.

"From now on, call yourself Zhong Gong."

Meng Gong froze.

"I'll take advantage of your father for a while.

"Once this war is over, you'll use your achievements to erase this episode. Then you can go back to calling yourself Meng Gong."

It was the simplest solution.

It avoided a great deal of troublesome wrangling.

"Many thanks, Commander Zhong!"

Meng Gong dropped to his knees again.

"Do you know who led the force that attacked the city this time?"

"This general does not know."

"It's written on the pillar outside.

"Zheng Fan, Garrison Commander of Green Willow Fortress."

"Zheng Fan again?"

"Seems he's addicted to attacking Mianzhou City."

What Garrison Commander Zheng did not know was that when he broke into Mianzhou City last time, beheaded a group of officials, and left his name behind, it had not merely caused him to take the blame for the "Chahe Village" affair.

His actions on that occasion had also been circulated in secret imperial dispatches to the desks of the major figures throughout Qian's military establishment.

One could say... he had become famous in the enemy state.

"This man uses extremely strange methods," Meng Gong could only answer. "And he is very skilled at commanding troops."

"Tell this Commander everything in detail."

"Understood."

Meng Gong began recounting the entire battle, from the Yan troops' sudden attack on the gate to Lady Daxi's inexplicable madness at the end, which had triggered internal fighting between the Wolf Native Troops and Qian soldiers inside the city.

Throughout the account, Zhong Wendao sat motionless with his eyes narrowed, looking almost as though he had fallen asleep.

Only after Meng Gong finished did Zhong Wendao open his eyes.

"Green Willow Fortress—is that a Yan fort?"

"It should be."

"From what you've told me, this Zheng Fan is indeed something of a figure.

"He attacked Mianzhou twice. The first time he succeeded. The second time he nearly succeeded again.

"He understands how to judge circumstances and use troops, and he knows how to combine orthodox and unorthodox methods."

Zhong Wendao turned toward one of his guards.

"Tomorrow, notify the Silver-Armored Guard. I want a complete dossier on this Zheng Fan.

"And send a cavalry detachment to support Tianlang."

Then Zhong Wendao rubbed between his brows.

"I'm tired. I'll rest."

"Commander, the bedchamber has already been prepared."

"Mm.

"Meng Gong."

"This general is here."

"You're exhausted too. Change your clothes.

"From now on, you'll serve as one of my personal guards and help me with planning.

"Later, have someone bring you the deployment maps so you can study them.

"I want to see exactly how much of your father's skill you inherited."

"This general will not disappoint the Commander's expectations."

"Mm."

Supported by his guards, Zhong Wendao walked into the rear bedchamber.

"Commander, I'll have someone erase the writing on that pillar later."

"Why erase it?

"We erased it last time, and didn't he come back anyway?

"Leave it.

"Let every civil and military officer who comes through here see it.

"Know shame, then fight with greater courage."

"This subordinate understands.

"One more thing, Commander. Should we submit a memorial upward before contacting the Silver-Armored Guard?"

"Why?"

Those who served as Zhong Wendao's personal guards were much like the retainers of the Li Clan.

Most were members of the clan itself or descendants of men who had earned merit in the Western Army.

Thus, in private they could speak somewhat freely with Zhong Wendao.

After all, he was effectively their elder.

"Commander, it could violate certain taboos."

"Taboos?

"Did this Commander come here to fight a war, or to flap his lips?

"The Yan Emperor can hand the Secret Intelligence Department of Yinlang Commandery over to Tian Wujing.

"Why can't I make use of the Silver-Armored Guard?"

"The Silver-Armored Guard may refuse to reply."

"Heh heh.

"Then tell them this Commander has always enjoyed sacrificing prisoners beneath the command banner before a campaign.

"This time I came in such a hurry that I forgot to bring any condemned men with me."

"This subordinate obeys."

"Mianzhou's terrain is good.

"Have the Western Army contingents coming behind us establish their camps and defensive lines around Mianzhou City."

"This subordinate obeys.

"Commander, the Mianzhou Prefect is still kneeling outside."

"From now on—

Mianzhou City has no need of a Prefect."

...

By the time Green Willow Fortress's cavalry returned to the fort, the sky was already bright.

They had raided through the entire night and returned with rich spoils.

Naturally everyone was exhausted.

But when they removed their armor and ate their midday meal, the soldiers were still tremendously excited.

"Register and count the heads first. Then load them onto carts.

"Tomorrow I'll personally take them to Nanwang City."

After giving a few simple instructions, Zheng Fan returned to his room.

As usual, by the time the troops came back, the young maids had already heated water for their Master's bath.

Zheng Fan sank into the tub and comfortably narrowed his eyes.

The pleasure of lowering a body exhausted from an entire day into hot water was almost impossible to describe.

At that moment, Little Yun pushed open the door and entered.

"Master, the Fourth Lady says some soldiers have external wounds that need stitching and treatment, so she asked me to come serve you in the bath first."

Zheng Fan nodded.

Little Yun began scrubbing his back.

Zheng Fan remembered that when he first awakened in this world, the first person he had seen was Little Yun.

Nearly a year had passed.

A girl changed greatly as she grew.

Little Yun no longer looked quite as childish as she had before.

Recently, most of Zheng Fan's daily needs had been handled by the Fourth Lady, so he had rarely needed anyone else to serve him.

Naturally, he had not had many opportunities to interact with Little Yun.

Now she was specifically responsible for managing the younger maids.

After his bath, Little Yun helped Zheng Fan put on the leopard-skin sleepwear he had acquired from the Hyena Gang.

He climbed into bed.

Little Yun knelt beside the bed and poured him some water.

Then she looked at Zheng Fan.

"Master, would you like me to stay with you?"

"I'm tired."

"Yes, Master."

Little Yun tactfully withdrew.

A smile appeared at the corner of Zheng Fan's mouth.

He had no intention of eating the little girl.

But having a young girl volunteer herself for his bed still felt rather pleasant.

There were actually plenty of men capable of controlling their lower bodies.

But very few could suppress desire inside their hearts entirely.

The same was true of women.

If they saw a handsome young man or an attractive mature man, they too might feel the urge to lick the screen.

Zheng Fan closed his eyes.

He truly was tired.

Tomorrow he still had to go to Nanwang City and settle the military merit from this expedition.

That would probably require another round of thought and maneuvering.

Better to sleep first.

Somewhere in the haze of sleep, Zheng Fan thought he heard the door open.

Very quickly, a soft, full body slipped beneath his covers.

A familiar fragrance.

Familiar curves.

A familiar feeling.

Zheng Fan had never thought of himself as someone especially attracted to older women.

Yet when he was with the Fourth Lady, he genuinely enjoyed this feeling.

They did nothing.

He merely held her.

It was not exactly innocent.

But it was beautiful.

He slept extremely well.

By the time he woke, the Fourth Lady was already up.

She sat at the edge of the bed knitting clothes.

Zheng Fan opened his eyes and looked at her.

In his previous life, his parents' marriage had broken apart very early.

He had no memories of waking up to find his mother sitting beside him knitting a sweater.

Although imagining the Fourth Lady in the role of his "mother" felt rather strange.

But inside this fortress, mentally normal people were practically endangered animals anyway.

The Fourth Lady saw Zheng Fan wake.

When he did not speak, she did not speak either.

She merely continued working quietly with her hands.

The silent atmosphere seemed to last nearly an hour.

Only then did Zheng Fan stretch and ask, "What time is it, Fourth Lady?"

"I'd guess it's nearly dawn."

"Mm. Then I'll get up and wash."

He got out of bed, dressed, and washed.

By the time he finished, the Fourth Lady had already brought in breakfast.

Plain congee with pickled vegetables.

Simple, yet not lacking refinement.

Zheng Fan picked up a salted duck egg and began peeling it.

"The Blind Man still hasn't woken up?"

"He'll probably remain unconscious for several days," the Fourth Lady said.

"Mm."

The Blind Man's control over Lady Daxi had actually succeeded.

Unfortunately, the timely arrival of that Qian force had prevented Zheng Fan from exploiting the chaos to enter the city.

At that moment, A'Ming came over.

Although A'Ming had taken quite a few arrows the previous day, perhaps because he had drunk plenty of "water," his complexion looked fairly good.

"Master, the heads have been counted and loaded onto the carts."

Counting heads was not a simple matter.

Fear and disgust were not the real issue.

The important parts were verification and distribution.

Some mounted scouts had sacrificed a great deal for the whole force.

A portion of the heads therefore had to be redistributed to compensate them.

"Good work."

"Master, eat slowly. I'm going to rest.

"When you're ready to go to Nanwang City, call me."

"All right."

With a bulging waterskin tied at his waist, A'Ming went back to his room to find his coffin.

Some people liked the feeling of drinking coffee in Starbucks.

A'Ming liked lying in a coffin and being "anemic."

"Master, San still hasn't returned," the Fourth Lady said.

"He should be fine, right?" Zheng Fan replied.

Zheng Fan trusted Xue San's ability to stay alive.

"Even if something happened to him, it probably happened long ago. We should mourn and move on."

"True."

Zheng Fan nodded.

He scraped the last bit of congee from the bottom of his bowl into his mouth and clapped his hands.

"We gained a great deal from this expedition.

"It's about time to squeeze Xu Wenzu again."

The condemned great-clan troops were genuinely useful.

Now that Zheng Fan possessed concrete enemy heads as proof of merit, Xu Wenzu would be able to open back doors for him with much greater confidence.

Zheng Fan hoped he could expand his army again.

Furthermore, Green Willow Fortress would now become even more attractive to condemned soldiers from the great clans.

As for morale and fighting spirit those were no longer things he needed to worry about.

"What is A-Cheng doing now?"

"Master, he seems to be comforting the Huo Clan men."

"Oh, is that so?"

Zheng Fan nodded.

Huo Guang had died in battle.

The Huo Clan men had suddenly lost their leader.

It was only natural for Liang Cheng to go reassure them.

The greatest problem with troops drawn from great clans was that their sense of clan identity remained extremely strong.

Zheng Fan did not particularly like having too many separate factions beneath his command either.

When the sun came up, around nine in the morning, Zheng Fan woke A'Ming.

Xiao Yibo had already gathered his men and prepared a line of cargo carts.

Zheng Fan mounted his horse and took a deep breath.

The sun was shining, but the air still carried the chill of something keeping all people at a respectful distance.

He turned and looked behind himself.

Cart after cart was loaded with heads.

Suddenly, Zheng Fan felt as though he were playing one of those farm-management games from his previous life.

It was almost as though those carts held corn and flowers instead of severed heads.

He was farming.

And now he was hauling his harvested crops to Nanwang City for sale.

The barbarian soldiers wanted Yan household registration.

The great-clan troops wanted freedom for their relatives.

What Zheng Fan himself could harvest was probably official rank and more resources.

Would he one day rule all beneath Heaven?

Would he walk the road toward standing above everyone else?

And if he reached that point, what would he do then?

Zheng Fan had never seriously thought about it.

But he very much enjoyed the feeling of striving and receiving a reward.

The process alone could bring tremendous satisfaction.

"Master, shall we set out?" A'Ming asked.

Zheng Fan nodded.

The morning sunlight fell across his face.

He raised the hand holding his horsewhip.

"Set out!"

...

Outside Mianzhou City, several Western Army contingents had already gathered.

Using the city as their center, they began constructing camps and defensive works.

Everything proceeded in orderly fashion.

It was the bearing of a strong army something Qian's Three Frontiers had not seen for far too long.

Inside the Prefect's yamen, Zhong Wendao was already awake.

Older people naturally slept less.

While he ate breakfast, a personal guard came to report.

Zhong Wendao nodded.

"Reply to Grand Commandant Yang.

"Tomorrow, I'll wait for him here in Mianzhou City."

As more armies arrived, the men who spoke for the various forces naturally needed to meet.

Grand Commandant Yang had chosen Mianzhou City as the meeting place.

In truth, that was him voluntarily lowering his posture and acknowledging Zhong Wendao's leadership among the many Qian armies.

When matters of fundamental importance were involved, that eunuch had always seen things clearly.

Zhong Wendao put down his chopsticks and asked the guard beside him, "Where's Tianlang?"

"Commander, the Young General is probably still resting.

"It was already very late when he returned last night."

"Resting?

"You think he can actually sleep?"

"This..."

"That brat is probably going around to his various uncles right now begging for cavalry. Heh heh.

"Forget it.

"Transfer one thousand cavalry from my Direct Camp to him.

"If he's going to make trouble, he shouldn't do it on such a petty scale.

"The Yan can come here.

"Why can't we Qian go there?

"Courtesy demands reciprocity!"

(End of Chapter)