Chapter 171: Marriage Alliance

All around them—

Qian soldiers fled.

Zhenbei Army riders chased them down.

Some Qian soldiers dropped to their knees and begged to surrender.

What waited for them was a merciless saber stroke.

These were Li Fusheng's troops.

The army of a madman.

They had long since grown accustomed to this utterly unforgiving style of execution.

The blood-red eyes of Li Fusheng were simply the truest reflection of what already lived inside their own hearts.

Zheng Fan no longer cared about any of that.

He had no interest in interfering.

War was cold-blooded and cruel.

And he also understood something else.

For an army that had bypassed enemy defensive lines through a lightning campaign and driven directly into the interior capturing prisoners was an extravagant burden.

They possessed neither the manpower nor the energy to organize and control them.

And tomorrow—

Li Fusheng and his troops would continue south.

Naturally, they could not drag these burdens with them.

Ordinary soldiers were ordinary soldiers.

But enemy generals and nobles?

Those definitely did not belong in the same category.

The strange part was because this force was so peculiar, everyone seemed infected by their Commander's bloodthirst.

Most of them had become killing-mad lunatics.

And that was exactly why Zheng Fan had the chance to pick up such a massive prize.

Zheng Fan reached down and tore the jade pendant from Zu Dongcheng's waist.

In his previous life, Zheng Fan had never cared much for jade.

He knew almost nothing about it.

But after awakening in this world he came across objects like this all the time.

The Fourth Lady understood jade quite well.

After they finished their "needlework," she would sometimes chat about these things.

Even Zheng Fan, still a complete outsider when it came to jade could tell this pendant was extremely valuable.

Tch tch tch.

Zheng Fan rose.

Just then a group of cavalry thundered past.

After they disappeared into the distance one rider turned around and came back.

Who else could it be but Liang Cheng?

Liang Cheng was covered in blood.

Judging by the color it all belonged to Qian soldiers.

His own blood was black.

"Master."

"Have fun?"

Liang Cheng smiled somewhat reservedly.

Zheng Fan noticed several damaged sections across Liang Cheng's armor.

Clearly, charging with the Formation-Breaking Camp had exposed him to no small amount of danger.

Still, Liang Cheng's survival ability on a battlefield could absolutely be trusted.

Even ignoring everything else his zombie bloodline alone was practically a built-in "health-lock" cheat.

"Go catch me someone with a tongue.

"I think this one's a big fish."

Zheng Fan pointed toward the unconscious Zu Dongcheng beside him.

"All right."

Liang Cheng rode away again.

Roughly ten minutes later he returned on horseback.

A bloodied Qian soldier had been thrown across the saddle in front of him.

At this point, catching a fleeing Qian soldier was not much different from catching a wild goat in the countryside.

The only issue was that as the Zhenbei Army's pursuit spread farther and farther finding a live goat required riding slightly farther.

Thud!

Liang Cheng threw the Qian soldier off the horse.

The man crashed onto the ground.

"Don't kill me!

"Please!

"Don't kill me!

"Don't kill me..."

This Qian soldier had already been terrified out of his wits.

He looked fairly young.

Probably his first real battlefield.

Unfortunately there had been no gradual learning process for him.

His first real opponent was the Zhenbei Army.

And not merely the Zhenbei Army one of the maddest commands among its six great commands.

"Don't be afraid.

"I won't kill you.

"Tell me who he is."

Zheng Fan pointed toward Zu Dongcheng.

The Qian soldier raised his head.

Looked at Zu Dongcheng.

Then froze.

Clearly, he recognized him.

And just as clearly he was hesitating over whether to answer.

At that moment, Liang Cheng placed his saber against the man's neck.

The cold edge brought him almost close enough to Death to greet it through a mirror.

"He... he is General Zu."

"General Zu?"

"The Young General of the Zu Clan Army."

"Zu Zhuming's son?" Zheng Fan asked.

Naturally, Zheng Fan knew of the Zu Clan Army.

It was one of the forces previously transferred north.

"Tch tch."

Garrison Commander Zheng felt absolutely delighted.

His luck truly was outrageous.

In his previous life running a comic studio had gotten him constantly shut down and blocked.

In this life wherever he went, military merit practically fell into his arms.

This was how life should be lived.

"The Zu Clan Army—that front formation earlier—was that the Zu Clan Army?"

"Y-yes."

"Oh.

"Fine.

"You can go."

"Huh?"

The Qian soldier looked stunned.

Liang Cheng slapped the man's back with the flat of his saber.

"Get lost."

The Qian soldier immediately scrambled away in excitement.

Watching the man's joyful movement watching the relief and excitement on his face perhaps happiness really could be that simple.

Simple enough that after the man ran no more than several dozen meters a Zhenbei Army rider charged over and cut him down with one saber stroke.

"Master has won another great merit," Liang Cheng congratulated him.

"Not bad."

"The Zu Clan Army does have some substance.

"If the troops attacking them earlier had not been the Zhenbei Army—if you replaced them with some other force—breaking their formation really would have been difficult."

"What do you think of the Zhenbei Army?"

Liang Cheng hesitated.

Then answered, "Like wolves and tigers."

"Yeah."

Zheng Fan sighed.

"But Master may rest easy.

"The army we build in the future—will not be inferior to the Zhenbei Army."

"I have confidence in that."

Zheng Fan patted the unconscious Zu Dongcheng's face.

"Carry him."

Liang Cheng immediately bent down.

He hoisted Zu Dongcheng across his shoulder.

The two men led their horses and began walking back.

Ahead near the place where the charge had broken the formation—

Zhenbei Army soldiers were treating wounded comrades.

Compared with the scale of the victory their losses truly did not count for much.

And there was not even a trace of sorrow hanging over the battlefield.

Everyone wore smiles.

Even the wounded soldiers were laughing and cursing continuously.

The desert winds were harsh.

Harsh enough to grind away almost every unnecessary impurity.

Including the grief of separation between life and death.

A comrade killed in battle had simply taken one step ahead.

Nothing much to mourn.

The longer one spent with this army the more clearly one felt the atmosphere inside it.

They were pure.

Terrifyingly pure.

The Blind Man had once joked once these men conquered the rich and flourishing Great Qian, would they become corrupted along with it?

If they did only then would Zheng Fan possess enough space to carve out an independent road of his own.

It did not necessarily mean he had to rebel no matter what.

But at the very least he needed to seek some degree of independence.

As a transmigrator was fighting for a future where he no longer had to kowtow to anyone really too excessive a desire?

Yet looking at the Zhenbei Army before him—

Zheng Fan suddenly felt another thought rising inside.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if they could remain this pure forever?

Finish fighting Qian.

Then fight Jin.

After Jin, destroy Chu.

Unify the eastern lands.

Then sweep across the desert and destroy the Royal Court.

After that send the army west.

Huu...

No.

Wait.

If things actually went that way wouldn't he have to remain the Yan Emperor's dog forever?

"Master.

"There is another method."

"Hiss.

"Did you learn the Blind Man's skill now?"

"No.

"This subordinate merely happened to sense Master's mood."

"Heh.

"Then tell me.

"What other method?"

"The Marquis of Zhenbei has a Princess."

"I've met her.

"A tigress."

"How does she look?" Liang Cheng asked.

"Beautiful."

"If Master cannot bear to destroy them—then perhaps Master could absorb them instead."

"That's too idealistic.

"No matter how good another family's food tastes—it still isn't as fragrant as food from your own kitchen."

"This subordinate has learned."

At that moment, someone sat ahead of them.

The man was covered entirely in blood.

Layer after layer of red seemed painted across his body.

So thick and greasy-looking it was almost nauseating.

Yet he sat alone in the middle of a pool of blood with complete ease.

Before him rested a plate of peanuts and a plate of dried meat.

No wine.

But with blood dripping from his fingertips he calmly picked up the food and ate piece after piece.

As though the place beneath him was not a battlefield where men had just hacked one another apart but a small teahouse inside the city.

Whatever the surroundings became his inner state remained perfectly calm and comfortable.

Like an old grandfather sitting on a threshold beneath warm sunlight.

"I'm a little nauseous," Zheng Fan said.

"I'm a little nostalgic," Liang Cheng replied.

Li Fusheng seemed to notice Zheng Fan and Liang Cheng.

He called out, "Garrison Commander Zheng.

"I genuinely like this household general of yours."

This was the second confession today.

Zheng Fan genuinely wanted to make the two of them happy.

But he knew Liang Cheng would never leave him.

Without Zheng Fan without remaining close to his side how could Liang Cheng watch the other Demon Kings gradually recover strength while he alone remained stuck where he was?

Even a Demon King could not endure that kind of torment.

Li Fusheng seemed too lazy to keep pressing.

Taking another man's household general was not proper behavior in the first place.

He had already shown his interest.

If Liang Cheng truly felt tempted, he would naturally find a way to contact Li Fusheng privately.

Once that happened—

Li Fusheng could make arrangements and take him away.

"I've already ordered the boys to gather the Qian army's banners and heads.

"We'll bring them back to Chuzhou City later.

"Tell me something.

"It's only one city.

"Sure, it's larger.

"Sure, there are more people.

"Why the hell does Zhao Jiulang care so much about it?"

"Chief Minister Zhao has deep ravines within his heart.

"How could someone like—"

"Speak human."

"Reporting to my lord.

"For a very long time in the future, Great Yan troops will only be able to garrison major cities."

"Why?"

"Because Qian's territory is too large.

"Its population is also too great.

"Even if the Great Yan conquers Qian—for a long time afterward, the places we can truly control will remain limited.

"So naturally, stationing troops in major cities will be the best choice.

"Which means keeping those cities stable is extremely important."

"Enough.

"I shouldn't have asked.

"I don't understand even after listening.

"As long as there are people for me to kill—that's enough."

Li Fusheng pointed toward Zu Dongcheng hanging across Liang Cheng's back.

"Who is he?"

"The Zu Clan Army's Young General."

"The Zu Clan?

"Not bad."

Clearly, battlefield intelligence gathering had already begun.

And Li Fusheng had already received reports.

For him to say "not bad" was obviously real praise.

After all the battle formation built around the Zu Clan Army truly had been the strongest of the three formations.

The Zu Clan Army's fighting strength really was decent.

Of course, that was by Qian standards.

Compared with the barbarians there remained quite a gap.

The barbarians often looked tame and obedient.

But when they truly went mad they genuinely fought to the death without hesitation.

Li Fusheng had personally experienced several examples of entire tribes fighting until the last man.

"Garrison Commander Zheng has earned another great merit," Li Fusheng said with a smile.

With his entire face covered in blood the smile looked far from friendly.

Zheng Fan cupped his fists.

"This subordinate merely did what he should."

"Then I'll trouble Garrison Commander Zheng to keep him under guard.

"His father still has fifty thousand troops in the north.

"Perhaps the boy will prove useful."

"Using him to persuade his father to surrender may be difficult."

In Zheng Fan's view people standing at that level rarely allowed private affection to interfere with matters of state.

Tian Wujing.

The Yan Emperor.

Examples already existed.

Li Fusheng shook his head.

He grabbed another small handful of peanuts and tossed them into his mouth.

"Then we can chop off his son's head in front of his formation.

"Humiliate him a little.

"That sounds entertaining too."

"............" Zheng Fan.

...

Inside Chuzhou City everyone was anxious.

The king's army had arrived.

At this point everyone in the city knew it.

From the nobles and powerful households who had escaped confiscation all the way down to merchants and porters.

Yet when the Yan began distributing grain huge numbers of Chuzhou commoners still rushed forward to receive it.

The nobles and powerful families were much more restrained.

Even the officials inside the yamen were still nervously calculating their own positions.

At this moment, the Blind Man, Bei, walked slowly along Chuzhou City's walls beside an old man.

The walls were lofty and imposing.

As the capital of Chu Commandery—

Chuzhou City could hardly afford to look shabby.

Yet those walls had failed to block the Yan for even a moment on the day they entered.

The Blind Man pointed toward the grain-distribution point below.

"Lord Wen.

"What do you think of this?"

Lord Wen—

Wen Sutong was currently the nominal highest official in Chuzhou City.

The day before, the Blind Man had personally led men to Wen's residence.

He ordered blades placed against the necks of Wen's family.

Then forced the old man to put on the official hat.

Wen Sutong shook his head.

Perhaps he had already let go of restraint.

Perhaps he simply no longer cared.

He answered directly, "The ignorant are the people."

The Blind Man nodded.

He was not offended.

Instead, he agreed.

"Indeed."

"Since Mr. Bei understands that showing favor to commoners gains almost nothing—then you should understand this as well.

"Even if they know the grain came from Yan soldiers—even if they know it was taken from noble households—they still will never truly stand with the Yan.

"All it takes is one influential family or noble household to stir them up.

"Then they will still hate the Yan.

"Still call you Yan dogs."

"I know."

"Then why do this?"

"Too much grain."

"............" Wen Sutong.

"Old Wen.

"I imagine quite a few people inside the yamen are writing memorials defending themselves right now?"

"So what if they are?"

"Nothing.

"I merely think Old Wen might want to look a little farther ahead."

"What do you mean by farther ahead?"

"Old Wen must be suffering badly right now.

"First—you care about how history will judge you.

"Second—you care about the safety of your clan."

"Heh."

"Truthfully—those things do not conflict.

"Not at all.

"Just as Old Wen said earlier—the Qian commoners scrambling to take grain distributed by Great Yan soldiers will not suddenly become loyal to Yan.

"Because—the ignorant are the people."

"Mr. Bei.

"What exactly did you invite this old man out here to say?"

"My meaning is simple.

"Old Wen.

"Of all those future generations reading the histories—how many will not be ignorant?"

"Who can see clearly into the future?"

"Then look backward.

"Your founding Emperor of Qian bullied a widow and orphan.

"He seized the realm through illegitimate means.

"But has that stopped the Zhao Clan from becoming the legitimate ruling house of Qian today?

"No.

"Not at all.

"The Zhao Clan—the Zhao sovereign—remains the ruler and father of you scholars.

"You remain his subjects."

"Mr. Bei's meaning is..."

"If Great Yan can overthrow Qian—if Yan annexes Qian—then tell me.

"Who will still care about Old Wen's decision today?"

"Mr. Bei.

"That is sophistry."

"I have never claimed my words were some great principle.

"I'm merely trying to help Old Wen relieve some boredom.

"The real question is this—when the next army reaches the city—which do you hope it will be?

"Yan troops?

"Or Qian troops?"

Wen Sutong did not answer.

"I admire Old Wen's honesty."

"This old man said nothing."

"Not saying 'Qian troops' is already an attitude.

"Old Wen.

"You're almost ready to enter the earth anyway.

"What you should be thinking about now—is your clan.

"Your grandsons are still very young."

"Mr. Bei is threatening this old man?"

The Blind Man pulled a scroll from his sleeve.

He handed it to Wen Sutong.

Wen Sutong accepted the scroll.

Opened it.

After reading the words his entire body began trembling with rage.

"You...

"You dare...

"You actually..."

It was a proclamation for calming the people.

Issued under Wen Sutong's name as "Military Commissioner."

Most of the proclamation contained ordinary language about calming the city.

But in addition to that it used Wen Sutong's voice to viciously condemn the Qian Emperor and a whole string of other figures.

Every taboo imaginable had been crossed.

It even escalated to the claim that Qian's founding Emperor had seized the realm illegitimately and that the Ji Clan replacing the Zhao Clan to become common sovereign over both Yan and Qian was simply the rightful restoration of order.

"This is framing!

"This is slander!"

Wen Sutong shouted.

"Yes.

"It is framing.

"It is slander.

"I wrote it.

"I can personally testify for Old Wen.

"But—who will believe me?"

The Blind Man smiled.

"Old Wen.

"That hat on your head—once you've put it on—do you really think you can take it off again whenever you wish?

"This proclamation goes out today.

"Not only across Chuzhou City.

"It will be posted throughout the surrounding towns and villages as well.

"Old Wen.

"You no longer have a road back.

"Even if you're willing to take every crime upon yourself—your clan still cannot survive.

"The Zhao sovereign constantly talks about treating scholar-officials kindly.

"But with matters like this—you understand the reality better than I do.

"Would the Wen Clan truly be spared?"

"What exactly... do you want?"

"Nothing new.

"The same old argument.

"Since you no longer have a road backward—then walk forward honestly.

"Given your status, and since you're among the first to submit—our court will naturally make you an example.

"In the future, entering Great Yan's court as a Qian-born official and reaching the rank of Minister would be entirely reasonable.

"You were lucky enough to arrive early.

"If those Chancellors surrender later—their seniority and status are far above yours."

"Heh...

"Hahahaha..."

The Wen Sutong who had been furious only moments earlier suddenly laughed.

The Blind Man stood silently.

He did not speak.

Wen Sutong had been chosen by the Blind Man.

Naturally, there had been a reason for choosing him.

"This old man... has one condition."

"You are not qualified to set conditions."

"You..."

"You may say some fierce words if you like.

"But it means nothing.

"You are unwilling to watch your entire clan be exterminated.

"And I possess the ability to exterminate your entire clan.

"So—you have no qualification to negotiate terms with me.

"Do you understand?"

"Then this old man has one request."

"Speak.

"I will certainly tell my Master.

"Then my Master may memorialize the court."

"My request does not need to reach the court.

"I have always been curious.

"What sort of man could make someone like Mr. Bei acknowledge him as Master?"

"My Master is a hidden dragon lying in the depths."

"Those words are somewhat taboo."

"Mm."

"My request is this.

"I have a legitimate granddaughter.

"She is sixteen."

"My Master does not like—"

The Blind Man had been about to say their Master did not like girls that young.

But Wen Sutong cut him off.

"No.

"I am not trying to climb into a marriage with your Master.

"My granddaughter is not some nation-toppling beauty either."

"Then?"

"With you."

Silence.

A brief silence.

Then, the Blind Man smiled.

He pointed toward his own eyes.

"I'm blind."

Wen Sutong slapped his thigh.

"Wouldn't that make it perfect?"

(End of Chapter)