Chapter 435: The Marquis Sends Troops

Before today—

A’Ming genuinely never imagined his advancement would happen in this particular fashion.

After advancing the first thing A’Ming wanted to do was go to the Fan Residence wine cellar and drink one of the three jars of wine Fan Zhengwen supposedly treasured most.

Why only one jar?

Because A’Ming had already drunk the other two.

The second thing was that he desperately wanted to see Xue San.

Wanted the dwarf to greet him.

People—

No.

Even vampires found it difficult to rise forever above lowly pleasures.

Especially when something good happened.

At a time like that, you always wanted one sincere little companion beside you so you could share the joy.

Siniang obeyed every decision Master made unconditionally.

So she merely smiled and nodded.

“I’ll go tell Fan Zhengwen.”

If they wanted to accomplish anything inside Chu they could not avoid relying on the Fan Clan.

Now that they were changing the script, the Fan Clan had to be informed in advance.

That was the foundation of cooperation.

Still—

Siniang was somewhat worried.

“Will Fan Zhengwen agree?”

Zheng Fan’s people were from Yan.

They would return home eventually.

But the Fan Clan was rooted in Xiayong.

So many people lived inside and outside the household.

Forget moving the entire family that was already unrealistic.

Even if they truly tried to leave, avoiding outside notice would be nearly impossible.

They had already captured the Princess.

If they released her and then attempted to seize her again the risk would skyrocket instantly.

And the possibility of the Fan Clan facing complete destruction would rise with it.

“I don’t know why,” Zheng Fan said, “but I feel Fan Zhengwen will agree.”

Because from the very beginning—

Fan Zhengwen had given Zheng Fan a very particular feeling.

This head of the Fan Clan possessed every trait of a ruthless, ambitious hero.

“Actually, Master,” Siniang said, “this servant has another method.

“One that is much safer.”

Zheng Fan looked toward her.

“Speak.”

“This servant can disguise herself as Xiong Liqing and return in her place.”

Zheng Fan shook his head without the slightest hesitation.

“Rejected.”

Then, Count Zheng reached out.

He lifted one strand of Siniang’s hair.

And said:

“Truthfully, even if we send the Princess back and she immediately betrays us—

“I’ve already prepared myself for that possibility.

“At worst, this trip into Chu gains us nothing.

“We’ll treat it as a winter sightseeing tour.

“But if something happens to you here—that loss would hurt me like hell.”

Zheng Fan trusted Siniang’s disguise techniques.

But disguise could only fool people for a short period and create some temporary advantage.

Long-term infiltration carried enormous danger.

Besides the Princess would inevitably be surrounded by experts.

Siniang’s disguises might not fool those people at all.

Count Zheng was not willing to make her take that risk.

“Yes.

“This servant understands.”

Siniang smiled sweetly.

“Good.

“Go prepare some things for the Princess.

“She has already guessed this is the Fan Residence.

“Send her some better food.”

“That girl is actually rather clever.

“If we train her properly—she may be useful in the future.”

Siniang had long been eager to “train” a Princess.

The last time the Commandery Princess failed to stay behind—

Siniang had regretted it for a very long time.

Count Zheng found that particular fascination difficult to understand.

So he decided it would be better to find Fan Zhengwen and discuss matters with someone easier to communicate with.

He left Qingfang Studio and headed toward the Fan Residence’s main garden.

He had only just prepared to enter when he heard footsteps behind him.

Turning around he saw a young man carrying a sword.

The youth wore a green padded robe.

A red hanging sash rested at his waist.

Heroic spirit naturally gathered between his brows.

Zheng Fan needed only one glance to guess who the boy was.

Because he looked far too much like Fan Zhengwen.

In later generations there would have been absolutely no need for a paternity test.

“Who are you?”

Fan Shaoliang frowned at Zheng Fan.

Zheng Fan lowered his head and thought for a moment.

Generational relationships were often calculated however was convenient.

Madam Min might be Little Sixth’s maternal aunt but Zheng Fan still interacted with Fan Zhengwen as an equal.

So by that logic—

Fan Shaoliang should call him Uncle.

Whenever one met a junior a greeting gift was normally appropriate.

Unfortunately, Zheng Fan had bathed and changed before visiting the Princess.

He had not brought along any jade pendant or similar trinket.

“Your greeting gift can wait until next time.

“Good nephew.”

Fan Shaoliang did not become angry.

He knew perfectly well this was the main-garden area where his father lived.

Security here was the strictest in the entire Fan Residence.

Anyone not permitted by his father could never stroll around here so openly.

“Uncle?”

In Fan Shaoliang’s eyes—

Zheng Fan was certainly older.

But not by very much.

Count Zheng could no longer be called a young lad.

Still he remained young.

“Shaoliang.

“Call him Uncle.”

An old man’s voice sounded from behind.

It was Weng Canghai—

Fan Zhengwen’s chief adviser.

“Old Weng.”

Then, Fan Shaoliang cupped one hand over the fist holding his sword and saluted Zheng Fan.

“Greetings, Uncle.”

“Heh.”

Zheng Fan smiled.

Weng Canghai waved.

“Come.

“Let’s go inside and talk.”

The main garden itself was not especially large.

Its layout was square and orderly.

Small enclosures nested inside larger ones.

Larger ones wrapped around the smaller.

They passed through a series of gates and pavilions.

Eventually they reached a central building.

Fan Zhengwen and Madam Min had just come downstairs.

The moment he saw Zheng Fan, Fan Zhengwen smiled.

“What a coincidence.

“I only just learned my unworthy son had returned.

“I was planning to bring him over later to pay respects to the Count.

“And now you have already met.”

Then Fan Zhengwen looked toward Fan Shaoliang.

“Come.

“Shaoliang.

“This is Count Pingye—the man you admire most.”

“Count Pingye?”

The instant Fan Shaoliang heard that title his eyes lit up.

He even cried out in disbelief:

“You really are Count Pingye?”

To Count Zheng—

Fan Shaoliang now looked exactly like a boy meeting his idol.

A young man of Chu worshipping a young general of Yan sounded absurd on the surface.

But after thinking carefully it made perfect sense.

Since Fan Zhengwen dared explain the matter this openly in front of his son, the legitimate eldest son of the Fan Clan clearly knew many secrets already including his mother’s true identity.

On one side he was related by blood to the imperial clan of Yan.

On the other he belonged to a hereditary servant family under the great Qu Clan of Chu.

For a boy born into wealth and comfort, one who never needed to worry about food or clothing and therefore had the leisure to pursue “spiritual identity” which side his heart would lean toward was not difficult to guess.

“Brother Fan.

“Your son truly has an extraordinary bearing.”

Praising another man’s son basic social etiquette.

Seeing how enthusiastic Fan Shaoliang was toward him, Count Zheng added:

“In another two years—he can follow me onto the battlefield and earn achievements.”

Fan Zhengwen immediately turned to his son.

“Kneel and kowtow to the Count.

“Didn’t you hear him?

“The Count has accepted you.”

“...”

Zheng Fan.

“Fan Shaoliang thanks the Count for accepting me!

“I am willing to die in the Count’s service!”

For a young man meeting the idol he admired and being invited directly into that idol’s ranks was the sort of thing one could wake laughing from in a dream.

But Count Zheng was not nearly that innocent.

This entire exchange clearly contained more than a little opportunistic climbing.

“Shaoliang.

“Take your mother and leave first.

“Your father has matters to discuss with the Count.”

“Yes, Father.

“Count, this general—

“No.

“This lowly one—

“No.

“I...

“I’ll take my leave first.”

The boy’s steps were slightly unsteady.

His head seemed almost drunk.

A grin he could not suppress stretched across his face.

He supported his mother by the arm and led her out of the building.

“Count.

“Please.”

Fan Zhengwen invited Zheng Fan upstairs.

Weng Canghai stroked his beard and smiled.

He did not follow.

Instead, he sat cross-legged on the ground floor.

Pulled out a book.

And began reading with great enjoyment.

Like a complete outsider.

The second floor contained an elegant private room.

Fan Zhengwen invited Zheng Fan to sit.

Then began preparing tea.

One could tell—

Fan Zhengwen was extremely skilled in the tea ceremony.

Zheng Fan did not speak.

He simply sat there and waited.

Eventually the tea was placed before him.

Only then did Fan Zhengwen speak.

“Count.

“There is something Fan Zhengwen does not know whether he should say.”

If one of Zheng Fan’s own subordinates dared use a phrase like that Count Zheng would already have kicked him across the room.

But now, since he was preparing to drag the man’s entire family into a pit his attitude naturally became much gentler.

He had eaten the Fan Clan’s food.

Slept in the Fan Clan’s beds.

Admired the Fan Clan’s women.

And now he intended to ruin the Fan Clan on top of it.

Even Count Zheng’s face was not thick enough to feel completely shameless about that.

“Brother Fan may speak freely.”

“Count.

“Fan Zhengwen believes that although we have already captured the Princess—we captured her too quietly.

“So if Count still wants matters to develop the way we first envisioned—if you want your name to truly shake the realm—then now we can...”

“Can what?”

“Release the Princess.”

“Release her?

“How can that possibly be allowed!”

Zheng Fan’s expression turned righteous.

“Release her.

“Then we capture her again.”

Zheng Fan stood.

He faced Fan Zhengwen.

“Would that not place Brother Fan—and the entire Fan Clan—in an even more dangerous position?

“No.

“No.

“Absolutely not.

“This kind of thing—

“I, Zheng Fan—cannot do!”

“Count.

“Count...”

“Ever since I entered Chu, Brother Fan has treated me like a true brother.

“I regard Brother Fan as my own flesh and blood.

“How could I possibly commit such an inhuman act!”

Fan Zhengwen drew in a deep breath.

“Count.

“Please hear me out slowly.”

“No.

“No need to say more.

“Absolutely not.”

“Aiya, Count.

“Sit.

“Sit.

“Sit down first.

“Do not be agitated.

“Count should understand clearly—if we capture this Princess and bring her back now, then although she is genuine—she will inevitably become fake.

“So release her.

“Then on the wedding day—we simply seize her again according to the original plan.”

“The Qu Clan and imperial clan will certainly raise their guard.

“If we try to execute the original plan after that—the difficulty will become several times greater than we first expected.”

“Then we pay several times the price.

“My Fan Clan can mobilize everything it possesses.

“At any cost—we will help Count seize the Princess again.

“We will help Count make your name known beneath Heaven in a single stroke!”

“Everything?”

“Yes.”

“And the Fan Clan?”

“So long as Count achieves what you desire—the Fan Clan can be abandoned.”

If the Fan Clan truly mobilized everything it possessed without making any attempt to conceal itself the force it could unleash would be terrifying.

After all money could make ghosts turn millstones.

“And Brother Fan himself...?”

“Count.

“Fan Zhengwen does not wish to die yet.

“As for my family—after New Year’s Eve, my wife will die.”

“Die?”

“Not truly.

“A false death.

“Shaoliang will enter mourning for his mother and stop appearing outside.

“At that point, a substitute for Shaoliang will remain inside the residence.

“Meanwhile, Shaoliang and my wife will leave early after the New Year.

“They will cross Mengshan.

“Enter Jin.

“And reach safety first.”

Wife and son sent away.

Fan Zhengwen would no longer possess any worries.

As for the many other members of the Fan Clan what would happen to them?

Zheng Fan did not ask.

Because Fan Zhengwen had already given the answer.

He was willing to gamble.

Willing to sacrifice the entire Fan Clan.

He did not care.

A man who controlled enormous wealth yet the moment he reached the gambling table immediately pushed everything all-in.

“Oh, right.

“There is another matter Fan Zhengwen should tell Count.

“General Li Mu of Congzhou, who had been transferred here yesterday—already led his army back this morning.

“A large portion of the Qu Clan’s Azure Luan troops were also withdrawn.

“At present, the forces still searching outside Xiayong County City for the Princess—may total only a little over ten thousand.”

“What happened?” Zheng Fan asked in surprise.

“The Marquis of Jingnan first lured the snake out of its hole—then suddenly deployed troops.

“In the outskirts of Zhennan Pass, he crushed Xue Rang’s army.

“At the same time, the Jingnan Army throughout Jin has begun showing signs of full mobilization.

“It appears they are assembling forces and preparing to storm Zhennan Pass.

“Zhennan Pass is now under threat.

“Naturally, troops from across Chu must continue being transferred there to reinforce the defenses.

“Because the enemy Great Chu faces—is the Marquis of Jingnan, Tian Wujing.”

The Marquis was attacking?

Zheng Fan believed Tian Wujing was definitely not truly planning to assault the pass.

Most likely he was putting on a show for the Chu people.

Increasing their pressure.

Among the Chu leadership, plenty of people probably also believed the Yan army would not truly attack.

But the man commanding that army was Tian Wujing.

And once Zhennan Pass fell—

Yan cavalry under that undefeated Marquis of Jingnan could drive straight into Chu’s heartland.

The Chu people did not dare gamble.

So faced with this situation they had no choice but to pull forces away and respond.

Compared with the survival of Great Chu itself one missing Princess naturally became less important.

At the same time—

Tian Wujing’s move genuinely reduced the pressure on Zheng Fan.

If the Marquis could stir up a few more disturbances then even if Zheng Fan released the Princess and the wedding continued which it almost certainly would, because the imperial clan now had even greater need to bind the Qu Clan through marriage the pressure of armies outside would make the wedding rushed and unsettled.

That chaos would indirectly create better conditions for Zheng Fan to seize the Princess a second time.

It was almost like years earlier when Zheng Fan had led his force deep into enemy territory and launched the surprise attack on Snow Sea Pass.

That act had created the perfect opportunity for Tian Wujing to fight the savage main force beside the Wang River.

The Marquis of Jingnan certainly had no idea what Zheng Fan was doing right now or what he planned to do next.

But that did not prevent the Marquis from helping set the stage for him anyway.

Zheng Fan leaned back against the chair.

He raised one hand.

Covered his face.

Then, drew in a deep breath.

A faint wetness entered his voice.

When he lowered his hand his eyes had already turned slightly red.

“Brother Fan.

“I, Zheng Fan, admit I crave military achievement.

“But I am absolutely not the sort of man who, for selfish profit, pushes his brothers and closest friends into a pit of fire!”

Fan Zhengwen stepped backward two paces.

Then bowed deeply toward Zheng Fan.

His voice was completely sincere.

“Count.

“This is Fan Zhengwen’s own wish.

“A great clan is like grassland.

“Wildfire cannot burn it all away.

“When next year comes—it grows again.

“Fan Zhengwen said before—

“I have eaten until I am stuffed.

“But in this world—how many people live their entire lives without ever receiving one chance to become so stuffed they can finally sit at the gambling table?

“Fan Zhengwen is willing to gamble.

“I only ask Count—please grant me this chance!”

As he spoke—

Fan Zhengwen dropped to his knees before Zheng Fan.

Zheng Fan immediately rose.

He grabbed Fan Zhengwen’s hands and forcibly tried to pull him up.

He sniffed.

Then released a long sigh.

“Brother Fan.

“Why must you force me like this?”

“If Count refuses—

“Fan Zhengwen will kneel here and never rise again.

“I beg Count to show mercy.

“Give my Fan Clan one chance—to remove the servant’s hat we have worn for a hundred years!”

Zheng Fan trembled.

Bit down on his teeth.

Then slowly stepped backward.

Almost dazed he lowered himself into the chair.

His voice trembled as though choked with tears.

“Fine.

“Fine.

“Then... we will do as Brother Fan says.”

————

[End of Chapter 435]