Chapter 201: Carrying the Coffin into Battle

Yesterday, you were beyond my reach.

Today, you and I heh heh heh.

Fate was truly a marvelous thing.

Zheng Fan understood that the Jin Emperor had his own difficulties.

But no matter how difficult things were, during all those days they had traveled together, there had surely been some way for him to come meet Zheng Fan if he truly wanted to.

He simply had not thought Zheng Fan worth the trouble.

There was no need to waste the Yan Emperor’s tolerance toward him on some minor military officer.

If Li Fusheng or Li Bao had been here instead, the Jin Emperor would absolutely have been able to drink and laugh with those two rough men.

Suspicion?

Wariness?

To hell with all of it.

He could probably have personally played drinking games and talked about women with those crude northern fellows, blending in perfectly.

If an Emperor lacked even that much nerve how could he ever have done something as audacious as opening the gates and inviting an enemy army into his own country?

Fine.

If the man looked down on him, then so be it.

Zheng Fan had always possessed a clear understanding of his own worth.

Aside from feeling somewhat guilty toward Little Sixth he could accept it.

But now things had become interesting.

The Emperor of Jin had been chased by the Situ Clan’s army like a rabbit.

He had run all the way to Zheng Fan’s doorstep and was now begging him to open the gates and shelter him.

The wheel of fortune turns.

So you have days like this too, you bastard?

Where’s your carriage?

Your serving girls?

Your golden spittoon?

Where’s all that imperial dignity?

Truthfully—

Governor Zheng was currently experiencing the same kind of pleasure as a poor man whose ex had dumped him, only to come crawling back after society beat the hell out of her and beg to reconcile.

But pleasure was pleasure.

Smugness was smugness.

This was no time to act purely out of spite.

With the Situ Clan proclaiming an Emperor and raising troops, the situation in Jin, which had only just begun to settle, had suddenly become extraordinarily chaotic.

For Zheng Fan ending this chaos as quickly as possible served his interests best.

Otherwise how was he supposed to serve as Governor of Shengle City?

Surely he could not leave Green Willow Fortress only to run into some nameless fortified manor and continue being a Garrison Commander here?

If that happened and Fatty Xu in Nanwang City heard about it he would probably add eight extra chicken legs to dinner in celebration.

It was the classic the worse your life becomes after leaving me, the happier I am.

“Open the gates.

“Welcome His Majesty, the Emperor of Jin.”

Zheng Fan gave the order.

The gates opened.

The Jin Emperor’s force entered the fortified manor.

Zheng Fan said to Liang Cheng, “Back when we were preparing to have a proper conversation with the Jin Emperor, the Blind Man and Siniang collected plenty of information about him.”

It was the same principle as a swindler preparing a scam.

You had to scout the target in advance and understand his preferences.

Of course, according to the Blind Man, this was also one of the arts practiced by people outside ordinary society.

Fortune-tellers used it all the time.

First, draw information out of the client.

If the man traveled long distances, tell him not to travel too often in the near future.

If he farmed, talk about celestial signs and the weather.

If he served in officialdom, tell him about benefactors and petty villains.

Draw information out first.

Then dig the pit yourself.

A fortune-teller who lacked even this much ability could hardly earn enough to eat.

“This subordinate knows,” Liang Cheng said.

“After all the analysis, do you know what sort of character profile the Blind Man came up with for this Emperor of Jin?”

“Please enlighten me, Master.”

“It’s actually rather interesting.

“He dared open South Gate Pass himself and lead the Yan army inside.

“He could lower himself enough to kneel voluntarily when meeting the two Marquises.

“So he certainly counts as ruthless and decisive.

“But the way he handles things—he pushes too hard.

“On the surface, he keeps kneeling.

“He keeps selling out his country.

“And now he’s become a puppet Emperor.

“But in reality—he’s extraordinarily proud and arrogant.

“Put plainly—he’s also quite opinionated and obstinate.

“The Yan Emperor looks down from a great height and sees the larger pattern.

“I’ve met the Qian Emperor too.

“He might genuinely be hopeless at warfare and got played because of it, but when it comes to handling people and affairs—the man has mastered the art.

“Compared with the Yan and Qian Emperors, this Jin Emperor is much younger.

“Outsiders all think he’s a coward.

“And that only makes him more convinced that he’s actually a wise man enduring humiliation for some grand design, someone with schemes and foresight.

“In a moment, I’ll deliberately use the way he snubbed me before to needle him and stir up his temper.

“Believe it or not—once he learns who I am afterward, he’ll instead decide I’m straightforward and worth befriending.

“He might even think I’m an idiot—someone he can support now and harvest later.”

“This...”

“It’s a script.

“I’m telling you beforehand so I can straighten out my own thoughts.

“Truthfully, I only just realized that drawing comics in my previous life might have been a mistake.

“I should’ve applied to the Shanghai Theatre Academy.”

Not long afterward before Zheng Fan even had to request an audience the Jin Emperor personally came up onto the battlements.

Seeing him from close range, Zheng Fan’s first reaction was Damn, he’s dark.

Even the darkest portrayals of Bao Zheng Zheng Fan remembered from television dramas, despite all the makeup were not as dark as the Jin Emperor.

“General, the Situ Clan’s troops are not far from here.

“Please seal the gates immediately!”

The Jin Emperor’s tone contained a measure of courtesy now.

Zheng Fan shook his head.

“No hurry.”

Sealing the gates did not merely block the enemy.

It also blocked their own chance to break out.

Unless absolutely necessary—

Zheng Fan did not want to make that decision.

People could descend a wall by rope or hanging basket.

But how were you supposed to get the warhorses out?

If you could not get the horses out what kind of breakout were you planning?

Deep down—

Zheng Fan still maintained one final option.

If everything truly went to hell he could simply strip off his official robes, take the Demon Kings with him, and roam the mortal world freely together.

Die for Great Yan?

Die defending some city?

Governor Zheng had not yet developed that level of enlightenment.

“General?”

Yu Ciming clearly intended to continue persuading him.

Zheng Fan interrupted impatiently.

“Your Majesty, this general knows how to fight a battle.”

Yu Ciming froze.

Ever since he opened South Gate Pass and led the Yan army into Jin the two Marquises and even the Yan Emperor had treated him with considerable courtesy.

This was the first time he had encountered such open disdain from a Yan man.

“Your Majesty, hand over your men.

“They will be placed under this general’s command.”

“Of course.”

Yu Ciming did not hesitate in the slightest.

“Mm.

“Then Your Majesty should go below and rest.”

In other words, go find somewhere cool and stay out of the way.

“General, We also understand military affairs.

“We can wield a saber.”

Meaning he could help defend the walls.

Zheng Fan waved his hand.

“Your Majesty’s imperial person is too precious.

“Nothing can be allowed to happen to you.

“For the sake of the greater situation, please go below and rest.”

This time—

Zheng Fan was not deliberately trying to humiliate the Jin Emperor.

If they had refused to let him into the fortified manor, the Situ Clan army would probably have continued chasing him.

Their target was clearly the Jin Emperor.

If Yu Ciming had kept running with his men—

Zheng Fan’s side would naturally have been safe.

But since Zheng Fan had already admitted him if a battle truly broke out, arrows had no eyes.

If the Jin Emperor got his head blown apart by an arrow was Zheng Fan supposed to hold up the Emperor’s severed head toward the enemy and shout:

“The Jin Emperor’s dead!

“Let’s stop fighting!”

Why create that kind of trouble for himself?

“General seems to harbor some prejudice against Us.”

Zheng Fan smiled and asked in return, “Am I supposed to worship you?”

The contempt was unmistakable.

“You...”

“Your Majesty, go down and rest peacefully.

“Do not delay this general’s work.”

“Then I will go down first.

“I leave this place in the General’s hands.”

The Jin Emperor could certainly control his temper.

But after turning and walking two steps he suddenly remembered something and looked back.

“My oversight.

“I have yet to ask the General’s name?”

“Zheng Fan.”

Zheng Fan was too embarrassed to add his title.

Governor of Shengle City?

Shengle City had already fallen.

Adding that title would only be slapping himself in the face.

“Hehehehe.”

The Jin Emperor laughed.

Then said very directly, “General Zheng truly is a man of genuine temperament.”

Clearly, the Jin Emperor knew exactly who this General Zheng Fan was.

Whether he chose to meet him was one matter.

But they had traveled together for half a month.

If he did not even know the man’s name he would truly have been far too stupid.

Viewed that way—

Zheng Fan’s harsh attitude toward him was indeed perfectly understandable.

This General Zheng really was straightforward.

A rather foolish fellow.

The Jin Emperor bowed deeply.

Then said sincerely, “During the previous days, Ciming had difficulties of his own and neglected the General.

“Now the General has disregarded that past slight and offered Ciming protection.

“Ciming is endlessly grateful!”

Zheng Fan’s eyes immediately reddened.

All his previous dissatisfaction and hardness vanished.

He proactively stepped in front of Yu Ciming and seized both of the Emperor’s hands.

His voice choked with emotion.

“Your Majesty need not do this.

“There is no need!

“It was this general who failed to understand Your Majesty’s difficulties.

“This general was too petty!”

The Jin Emperor and Zheng Fan clasped each other’s hands.

Slowly they both straightened.

The Jin Emperor said, “General, once Great Yan’s heavenly army defeats the Situ rebels, Ciming will certainly arrange a banquet and drink joyfully with the General!”

“I’ll host it.

“Let me host.

“I only ask Your Majesty to honor me with your presence.”

“You are too courteous.”

“As I should be.”

“Then We will go below first.

“If the General requires anything—so long as We possess it—simply send someone to inform Us.”

“Your Majesty is wise.”

The two went through another round of reluctant farewells.

Then Yu Ciming finally turned and descended.

This was not exactly the time for leisurely conversation.

As he walked down a glint flashed through his eyes.

He thought to himself:

It seems this man is somewhat domineering, but he is also straightforward.

His vision is limited, yet his desire for advancement is extremely strong.

He may not be impossible to control in the future.

Watching the Jin Emperor leave—

Zheng Fan said to Liang Cheng beside him, “Believe it or not, when he walked away just now, he was definitely thinking I’m a fucking moron.”

“Master, this subordinate really cannot play these games of scheming.”

“It’s not that you can’t.

“Most of the time, you’re simply too lazy.

“By the way—last night while I was lying in bed, something occurred to me.

“The relationship among all of us is a lot like an American election.

“I’m responsible for performing onstage.

“You lot are my think tank.”

“Master is too modest.

“Truthfully, this subordinate did think that way at first.

“But after all these days and everything we have experienced—

“Master’s growth is obvious to everyone.

“This is not flattery.

“Truly.”

“Look at that.

“And you claim you don’t know how to flatter people.

“That last sentence was better than saying nothing at all.

“Not bad.”

Liang Cheng smiled.

Zheng Fan braced both hands on the battlements.

He looked into the distance.

A vast black cloud had already appeared along the horizon.

The Situ Clan’s army had arrived.

Every Yan soldier and laborer inside the fortified manor was mobilized onto the walls.

A number of defensive implements were also hauled up.

There were not enough.

So houses inside the manor were already being dismantled for materials.

At that moment, Xue San and A’Ming arrived with several men.

They were carrying a coffin.

Zheng Fan immediately understood.

He drew his saber and raised it high.

Then he shouted to the defenders around him, “This general has already prepared his own coffin!

“If the fortress stands, we stand!

“If the fortress falls, we die!

“This general will remain here with all of you—and fight to the death!”

The surrounding men whether Zheng Fan’s old subordinates brought from Green Willow Fortress or the able-bodied laborers of this fortified manor who had only just received wealth and rewards were instantly whipped into a frenzy.

They raised their weapons and roared together, “Fight to the death!

“Fight to the death!”

Zheng Fan pursed his lips.

Then muttered, “I feel fucking filthy.”

Liang Cheng nodded as well.

Immediately afterward—

Zheng Fan shouted down again, “Carry this general’s coffin up here!

“This general will defend the walls standing right beside it!”

(End of Chapter)