Chapter 421: Chu Traitors

In earlier years there had never really been any deep hatred between Yan and Chu.

Not because the two sides liked one another.

They simply could not reach each other.

For nearly a century, Yan had remained so powerful that Jin could do little more than stubbornly shout, “The cavalrymen of our Three Jin are not necessarily inferior to the Yan people!”

In truth, Jin had always been uneasy.

Qian was even more extreme.

Not only had it spent enormous manpower and wealth building a continuous fortress system along the Three Frontiers out of fear of Yan it had even forcibly diverted the Qian River, digging out the Bian River by human effort to help shield the capital and block Yan cavalry.

Chu, meanwhile would have its emperors shout a few slogans every so often.

After shouting, they would return home to suppress the Shanyue tribes or swallow a few neighboring small states.

When they grew tired they would come back out and shout a few more slogans to remind everyone they still existed.

But everything changed after Yan destroyed the Wenren and Helian Clans.

Before that, what sat above Chu’s head was the Situ Clan.

And Zhennan Pass.

The two sides might occasionally exchange blows, treat it as military training, stir up a little trouble, then go home.

Chu had never devoted enormous effort toward preparing for a northern campaign.

There was still plenty of undeveloped territory inside Chu itself and along its southern regions.

At the same time, the Situ Clan simply did not possess enough strength to invade Chu southward on its own.

But when Chu suddenly realized the neighbor above its head was about to become Yan panic set in.

The hunger for annexation Yan had displayed was simply too intense.

So intense it was almost suffocating.

The Marquis of Zhenbei the greatest military lord in Yan had directly thrown his support behind the Emperor of Yan.

The Marquis of Jingnan had exterminated his own household to clear obstacles from Great Yan’s path of expansion.

And ever since the current Emperor of Yan ascended the throne, aside from the ruthlessness of his methods, almost every one of his actions seemed taken directly from the template of a brilliant and ambitious ruler.

He did not trust heterodox mystics.

He did not indulge in luxury.

Every traditional flaw and label associated with a foolish monarch you could search his body from head to toe and fail to find one.

One could say being the Emperor of Yan’s son was genuinely miserable.

But in the eyes of outsiders in the eyes of rulers and nobles from other states looking at the Emperor of Yan was almost like looking into a mirror.

Only the version of yourself inside that mirror somehow looked unbearably awkward no matter how you stared at it.

Unfortunately, the previous Emperor of Chu had died too early.

The Fourth Prince had indeed used powerful methods to seize control of the situation quickly.

But he had ultimately missed the Three-State War.

Of course, it was not entirely fair to say he had missed it.

Yan’s maneuver of using Qian’s invasion to strike Jin had simply been too unexpected.

Even the Emperor of Qian himself, who was one of the parties involved, had personally issued orders forbidding the Three Frontiers armies from returning to reinforce the interior.

After that the Zhenbei and Jingnan elites fought across a thousand li in only ten days and swept away the Wenren and Helian Clans in a single offensive.

They gave Chu no time whatsoever to react.

By the time Chu could finally do anything—

Yan had already occupied most of the Three Jin.

So Chu hurriedly reached an agreement with the Savage King and entered Jin together, hoping to resist Yan.

The ruler of the State of Cheng at the time, Situ Lei, had rejected the proposal to submit to Chu.

At the same time—

Chu had already sensed that Situ Lei was considering lowering his own state’s status and becoming a subordinate of Yan.

That forced Chu to seek outside cooperation.

Originally the situation should have been excellent.

During the first Battle of the Wang River, the allied savage-Chu forces inflicted a crushing defeat upon the Yan army.

For a time—

Chu erupted in celebration.

Nobles and commoners alike cheered.

Everyone believed the nightmare of that Black Dragon Banner hanging above their heads might finally be dispersing.

Then the Marquis of Jingnan returned to command.

Count Pingye launched his thousand-li raid.

The savage army was ultimately buried in one stroke.

Even worse what filled the people of Chu with despair and rage was that after a peace agreement had already been concluded, the Yan army broke the accord and massacred forty thousand Chu soldiers who had laid down their weapons.

The massacre of surrendered troops was among the greatest humiliations one state could inflict upon another.

It meant matters had been driven to the absolute end.

There was no thought whatsoever of leaving room for future relations.

More than that it expressed contempt from the bottom of one’s heart.

The boatmen transporting Zheng Fan could be called common people of Chu.

But not entirely.

In any age men willing to engage in smuggling were never truly harmless and honest civilians.

Respectable law-abiding people lacked both the courage and the channels to do this kind of work.

So although these boatmen dressed poorly and looked “honest” their information networks were actually broad.

They had seen and heard plenty.

If anything happened these same boatmen could immediately draw sabers and swords and fight water bandits.

Throughout the entire night—

Zheng Fan sat in a chair on the deck.

His eyes remained half closed.

He watched the boatmen move back and forth before him as they worked.

A water route existed.

But it was hardly smooth.

Traveling by boat at night required caution in many places.

Especially after the flotilla turned south the river narrowed.

The danger increased considerably.

Fortunately, these boatmen were old hands at smuggling.

No matter how difficult the route walk it enough times and it became familiar.

Siniang remained beside Zheng Fan the entire time.

Nobody knew what Count Zheng was thinking.

Whatever it was he thought about it for the entire night.

Only when the first light of dawn appeared did Count Zheng finally rise from the chair.

Siniang brought water.

He washed his face.

Fan Yongxin came down from the second level of the boat.

He did not ask why Zheng Fan had failed to enjoy the three women prepared the previous night.

He merely said with great respect:

“Count.

“Breakfast is ready.

“Authentic Chu-style morning dishes.”

Zheng Fan shook his head.

“You went to trouble.

“But we brought our own food.”

“Count, you are treating us too much like outsiders.

“Could it be...?”

“Yes.

“I’m afraid you’ll poison us.”

“...”

Fan Yongxin.

The embarrassment on Fan Yongxin’s face was obvious.

He was more accustomed to dealing with smiling tigers.

Even if two enemies secretly sent men to kill one another, once they met in public they could still create the impression of old confidants reunited after years apart.

“Don’t take it personally,” Zheng Fan said.

“Count jokes.

“This slave... this slave...”

Zheng Fan reached out and patted Fan Yongxin on the shoulder.

“Do your work properly.

“I see everything you do.”

“Yes, Count.”

Breakfast was simple.

Roasted flour they had brought themselves, mixed with hot water.

It did not taste especially good.

But it filled the stomach.

Near noon the flotilla reached shore.

Everyone began disembarking.

This was a small wharf.

Mountains enclosed three sides.

Water lay on the fourth.

Behind the wharf, built against the slope, stood a waterside stronghold.

This should have been one of the Fan Clan’s hidden bases.

Armed guards could be seen atop the wooden walls.

Some carried bows.

Others held sabers.

Quite a few wore armor.

The equipment was not standardized or uniform but the murderous air around them was absolutely not something ordinary water bandits could possess.

While waiting for his men to disembark, Zheng Fan stood on the shore and looked toward the stronghold.

He said to Siniang beside him:

“Before the Emperor of Yan’s cavalry trampled the great clans, the private troops of Yan’s aristocratic houses were far more organized than this.”

A family like the Fan Clan only dared establish an armed waterside stronghold in remote mountains and badlands like these.

But back in the old days—

Yan’s great clans could directly summon the tenant households dependent upon them, gather them into units, and drill them as soldiers whenever needed.

For a long period of Yan history private clan armies had even formed an important part of the state’s military power.

Fan Yongxin came over.

“Count.

“We can empty the stronghold completely.

“Our people can all withdraw and let the Count’s soldiers take possession for the night.

“Tomorrow—this lowly one will personally accompany the Count into the mountains.”

The Fan Clan had lowered its posture very far.

“No need.

“We are guests.

“How could guests cause their hosts such inconvenience?

“My troops will establish a small camp here and rest.

“There is no need to disturb the brothers inside the stronghold.”

“Then...”

“We’ll do it this way.”

“Yes, Count.”

Zheng Fan’s troops camped directly on the spot.

The stronghold sent out pigs and sheep.

Those were accepted.

The wine they sent was refused entirely.

Ruan San, commander of the waterside stronghold, stood atop a watchtower and watched the Yan troops establishing camp on the riverbank.

His brows tightened slightly.

Fan Yongxin stood beside him.

Ruan San said:

“At first, when the Yan soldiers refused the wine, I thought they were only afraid we might poison it.

“Now I don’t think so anymore.

“None of them brought wine at all.”

In this age wine was nearly indispensable.

Especially to common soldiers.

Fan Yongxin asked:

“Commander Ruan.

“What do you think of the quality of this Yan force?”

“They set camp on the riverbank simply but effectively.

“Steward, look there.

“And over there.

“Those two protruding detachments are guarding the main camp.

“To create a formation this orderly in so little time—this Yan force is clearly an elite unit trained to a high standard.

“Of course—since these are personal troops brought out by that Count, they should naturally be the best of the best.

“So this is not especially surprising.”

“But Commander Ruan should look carefully.

“Among those Yan troops are Jin men.

“Yan men.

“Barbarians.

“I even spotted several savages.”

Ruan San narrowed his eyes.

Then silently nodded.

“Yan soldiers know how to fight,” Fan Yongxin said with emotion.

“So—when we have an opportunity like this—why not leave ourselves an escape route?”

“The Yan people do not keep faith,” Ruan San said.

“Heh.

“Who in this world truly keeps faith?

“In business—you talk business.

“Anyone who genuinely conducts business with perfect honesty gets cheated, skinned, buried, and played to death.

“Whether the Yan people keep faith depends upon one thing only:

“whether we still possess value to them.

“What is the difference between being the Qu Clan’s dog—and being the Yan people’s dog?

“If you are already going to be a dog—then honestly think about how to keep living like one.”

“Steward is lecturing me?”

“I’m afraid you feel unwilling.”

“Steward can rest assured.

“My wife, children, and entire family are all living under the Fan Clan.

“How could I possibly be unwilling?”

“Speaking that way makes us sound distant.

“Later, go down there.

“Lower your posture.

“Talk with Count Pingye.

“Commander Ruan once served in the Imperial Clan Guards, after all.

“You should have something in common.”

Ruan San was surprised.

“We are betting this heavily?”

“If your lips merely touch the edge of the bowl, certainly you won’t be poisoned—but how can you possibly know what the soup tastes like?”

“I understand.”

“Good.

“I’ll immediately send people ahead to contact the forts along tomorrow’s route and make the necessary arrangements.”

“We still need to pay people off after Mengshan?”

“Once we pass Mengshan—the area is no longer managed by the Fan Clan.

“Someone else has to manage it.”

Ruan San pursed his lips.

Then could not help laughing.

“Funny?” Fan Yongxin asked.

Ruan San nodded.

“If we aren’t attentive enough—we won’t even get the chance to become dogs.”

Apparently still feeling the matter was not secure enough—

Fan Yongxin rose onto his toes.

He leaned close to Ruan San’s ear.

Then lowered his voice.

“The Yan people—are building their own navy.”

...

Perhaps because he had spent an entire night being tossed around on the boats, Count Zheng could not truly say he was seasick but his spirits were definitely poor.

After eating something simple, he prepared to enter his tent and sleep.

Unexpectedly someone came requesting an audience.

“Ruan San?”

“Yes.

“This lowly one.”

“Good name.

“I have a subordinate called Xue San too.

“You’re both ‘San.’”

“That is this lowly one’s honor.”

Xue San was not currently on the riverbank.

Perhaps he was ahead.

Perhaps behind.

In any case he would not remain directly beside Zheng Fan.

Whether the Fan Clan was reliable remained unknown.

For safety one never put all the eggs inside one basket.

“You said earlier you once served in Chu’s Imperial Clan Guards?”

“Yes.”

Zheng Fan pointed toward the waterside stronghold ahead.

“Staying here—must feel suffocating.”

“Count speaks too highly of me.

“This is only our first meeting.

“We have exchanged only a few sentences.

“Why does the Count already believe this lowly one’s talents are wasted here?”

“When everyone carries the sedan chair together, it costs nothing to say a few polite words.

“I’ve simply grown accustomed to it.”

“Count is straightforward.”

“Not especially.

“I usually am not very busy.

“I possess plenty of time.

“But I still dislike wasting it.

“Today—this Count gives you face.

“You follow the momentum and agree.

“Then everyone is happy.”

“And if I do not?”

“Then tomorrow—this Count will have Fan Yongxin bring your head to me as his pledge of allegiance.”

Ruan San’s facial muscles twitched.

He had not expected that following orders and coming here to exchange a few empty courtesies could somehow place him in a situation like this.

This Yan Count was overwhelmingly forceful.

They were clearly inside Chu territory.

The stronghold behind him clearly answered to Ruan San.

How did this man dare?

Zheng Fan raised his eyelids.

He glanced at Ruan San.

“Count.

“Could this lowly one be permitted to return and discuss this with Steward Fan first?

“Afterward, I can—”

“The fact you were allowed to come over proves Fan Yongxin—no.

“The Fan Clan—has already decided to give you to this Count as a gift.

“You’re a gift.

“What exactly is the point of acting shy and hesitant now?”

Hearing this—

Ruan San gritted his teeth.

Then knelt before Zheng Fan.

“Ruan San is willing to follow the Count’s lead.

“Only—this lowly one’s family is still with the Fan Clan.”

“I will have them sent over.”

“Many thanks, Count.”

“Get up.

“Go do whatever you need to do.

“This Count is tired.”

“Yes.

“This lowly one takes leave.”

Ruan San departed.

Zheng Fan entered the small tent.

A short while later, Siniang followed him inside.

“Master looked very imposing earlier.”

Zheng Fan smiled.

He did not respond to that.

Truthfully whether Ruan San submitted here or not did not matter much to Zheng Fan.

He did not value the man all that highly.

At least until the Fan Clan actually sent Ruan San’s family over there was no real question of submission.

“Siniang.

“Do you know what I was thinking about all night on the boat?”

“This servant does not.

“I only know Master seemed to think for a very long time.”

Zheng Fan nodded.

“It was a long time.

“Because I realized there was something I had overlooked before.

“More precisely—

“I had been too close to the situation to see it clearly.”

“Why?”

“Yan—is actually very powerful now.

“Yes.

“We ourselves know that after years of war, Yan is showing exhaustion.

“Its territory expanded too quickly.

“Its military forces are dispersed.

“There are all kinds of problems.

“But there is one undeniable fact.

“Great Yan has only just destroyed Jin and absorbed the lands of the Three Jin.

“At least in the eyes of outsiders—

“Yan now looks extraordinarily powerful.

“Chu’s Azure Luan Army was also completely massacred.

“That creates prestige.

“And prestige—turns into fear.”

“Master means...”

“I think this journey into Chu—may not be as tense as we expected.”

As he spoke—

Zheng Fan lay down on the bedding that had just been spread out.

Then continued:

“It may even turn into a countryside inspection tour.”

...

Count Zheng’s guess turned out to be correct.

The next day when the force moved through Mengshan it genuinely became something like a countryside inspection tour.

Chu had concentrated heavy troops around Zhennan Pass.

Ahead stood the fake restored Dacheng established by Xue Rang, former general of the Situ Clan.

Behind it—

Nian Yao personally commanded the Great Chu Imperial Clan Guards.

Their purpose was simple: completely block any possible route for Yan to advance south.

Yet to the west in the Mengshan region—

Count Zheng, the youngest military Count in Yan, followed Fan Clan guides with his men and strolled leisurely along the mountain paths.

They did encounter several forts along the way.

Some could not be bypassed at all.

Avoiding them would have required climbing cliffs and crossing mountains.

Yet every one of those forts remained completely silent.

Not empty.

From below, the Yan troops could clearly see heads moving along the walls.

But not a single beacon fire was lit.

Zheng Fan’s force did not even bother disguising itself.

Everyone wore Snow Sea Pass armor predominantly black.

One glance was enough to tell they did not belong to Chu.

The only thing remotely low-key was that nobody carried a banner.

And yet walking through the Mengshan region like this they moved as though entering uninhabited territory.

That evening, when they made camp—

Fan Yongxin even brought over the garrison officer from a nearby fort to personally pay respects to Zheng Fan.

The man’s surname was Sun.

His name was Sun Lianren.

The fort under his command was a large one.

More than three hundred soldiers were stationed there.

It stood less than ten li ahead.

Sun Lianren’s enthusiasm left even Count Zheng somewhat speechless.

He personally invited Count Zheng to endure a little more travel and spend the night inside the fort instead.

No reason to suffer sleeping outdoors, he said.

Zheng Fan ultimately refused.

Sun Lianren then specifically sent wine and meat to reward the Yan troops.

He also insisted that Count Zheng absolutely honor him by eating lunch inside the fort the next day.

He wanted to properly fulfill the duties of a host.

Count Zheng agreed.

Only after Sun Lianren departed did A’Ming speak.

He looked somewhat listless lately because he had not been able to drink fresh human blood.

“Why are there so many Chu traitors?

“Master.

“I remember when we went south into Qian—there weren’t this many Qian traitors, were there?”

Everyone was being far too friendly.

If nobody fought there was no fresh blood.

A’Ming had brought only one wine pouch when they left.

He had expected to eat and drink without worry throughout the journey.

Apparently he had calculated wrong.

Zheng Fan shook his head.

“When we went south into Qian, we struck too fast and too violently.

“We never gave the Qian people much chance to surrender.

“Besides—plenty of them did surrender.

“Wasn’t the Blind Man’s wife one?”

A’Ming glanced at his empty wine pouch.

A trace of sorrow appeared on his face.

Siniang spoke:

“Master.

“It is a pity the roads here really are difficult.

“But if what we brought this time were not one thousand troops—but ten thousand.

“Twenty thousand.

“Even one hundred thousand—wouldn’t that mean...”

Zheng Fan shook his head.

Then said meaningfully:

“If we had brought that many—they would not be nearly this attentive.”

[End of Chapter 421]