Chapter 848: A Loving Father and a Filial Son

Liu Dahu brought over a washbasin filled with hot water and dry towels and set it before Zheng Fan.

The Sword Saint watched from the side. He had long since grown used to it. Originally, every time Liu Dahu finished attending to Zheng Fan, he would turn around and do the same for his father. Later, the Sword Saint refused.

Old Yu was not angry. This was really no different from apprenticing under a master and learning a craft: if you wanted the master to shake the real tricks out of his sleeves, you naturally had to serve him carefully and keep him pleased.

You could be proud and aloof too, of course, but then you needed the ability and talent to justify it.

And no matter how the Sword Saint looked at his own son, Liu Dahu simply did not resemble someone born with that sort of talent.

The feeling had never been especially strong before, but lately, compared with Chen Xianba, his own son and Zheng Man looked more and more like a matched pair of walking clubs.

His son was still boiling water and handling chores. Chen Xianba, meanwhile, already had a little table of his own inside the command tent and had begun helping Zheng Fan review military reports.

The Sword Saint was not jealous. He knew perfectly well that if his son ever truly reached that level, he would receive the same treatment.

He had sat beside Prince Pingxi all these years. He was not a corpse. Layer after layer of favors and face had already been plastered onto the relationship. All that remained was for his own son to amount to something.

Besides, this was not the jianghu. If you did not possess the diamond drill for military affairs yet insisted on taking porcelain work anyway, one careless mistake could cost thousands of soldiers their lives.

Zheng Man was outside cooking breakfast. Once Liu Dahu finished his chores, he hurried over to Chen Xianba and silently watched him review the reports.

Chen Xianba was extremely proud. He disliked false courtesy. Other than his absolute admiration for Prince Pingxi, he tended to look at everyone else as though they were hardly worth mentioning.

Even toward the Sword Saint sitting nearby, the boy had never shown much fear or reverence.

First, the boy was already advancing rapidly in martial cultivation despite his young age. His body seemed born for martial arts.

Second, he appeared utterly convinced by the theory that so-called jianghu heroes were worthless before tens of thousands of soldiers.

The Sword Saint was not going to lower himself to argue with a child. He could hardly point at Prince Pingxi beside him and say: if tens of thousands of soldiers truly made everything foolproof, why did your Prince beg me to stay beside him every time he went on campaign?

Perhaps the thing the Sword Saint liked most about his own son was this: although Liu Dahu was not some genius of the mind, his temperament was excellent.

When Liu Dahu read through reports Chen Xianba had already reviewed and encountered something he did not understand, he would ask. Sometimes Chen Xianba patiently explained a few words. Sometimes he ignored him completely.

The Sword Saint had never once seen his son grow angry or even frown over it.

As a genius among geniuses himself, the Sword Saint had long since stopped feeling much of anything toward so-called "young geniuses."

By now he had also come to understand that a steady temperament, ground down and tempered over time, was the real key to accumulating strength until it finally burst forth.

And if all else failed, the slow bird could always start flying first.

As for Chen Xianba, his luck and opportunities were indeed extraordinary.

But how many people exactly like that had already died by the hand of this Zheng fellow?

Fortunately, Zheng Fan was a genuine petty villain. Compared with those so-called gentlemen, he actually possessed a far greater capacity to tolerate talented subordinates.

Under anyone else, a boy with Chen Xianba's temperament and bearing would probably have been quietly smothered to death long ago.

Genius?

Talent?

In the eyes of those above, neither could withstand a single sentence:

This man has the bone of rebellion at the back of his head.

At that moment, Zheng Man brought breakfast in.

There were bruises on his face.

Some days ago, after finishing his own work, he had followed Liu Dahu over to watch Chen Xianba review reports. When Chen Xianba ignored one of his questions, Zheng Man had muttered a few words under his breath.

Chen Xianba stood up and asked the Prince for permission to fight him.

The Prince nodded.

Then Zheng Man was beaten without suspense.

But this wolf cub picked up in the desert had his own methods. After the beating, while pinching his bloody nose shut with one hand, he had walked right back over and repeated the question he had asked before the fight.

No matter how arrogant Chen Xianba was, at that point he could only answer him.

Everyone divided up breakfast.

Inside the command tent, there was one portion for Zheng Fan, one for the Sword Saint, and one for Chen Xianba.

Liu Dahu and Zheng Man were personal guards, so they could only squat outside the tent to eat.

The Sword Saint took a sip of noodle broth and asked:

"Last time Third Master Xue came back, he said that the moment Prince Fu saw him, he immediately asked whether Father was in good health?"

"Heh. Yes."

"You have so many sons."

"Once your status gets high enough, dogs line up outside the threshold begging to serve you. Sons are even less surprising."

"True."

The Sword Saint nodded. With his standing in the jianghu, if he ever opened his doors and accepted disciples, the winds and clouds would stir. Heaven knew how many talented young men would kneel outside and beg to enter his lineage.

Then the Sword Saint added:

"But if he's your son, then what does that make the Princess Consort of Prince Fu?"

When Third Master Xue returned and described what had happened, he had done so with remarkable vividness. He even described the Princess Consort's expression when Zhao Yuannian asked whether Father was well: three parts bashfulness, three parts offended coyness, three parts anticipation, and one part not knowing what to do with herself.

Zheng Fan and the Sword Saint were very, very familiar with one another.

If they had not been, then when Zheng Fan first properly slept with Siniang, he could hardly have asked the Sword Saint to stand guard in the central courtyard.

The Sword Saint had suspected something strange about that arrangement at the time, but Zheng Fan would never tell him the truth.

After all, only when an Emperor did that sort of thing would eunuchs stand outside and record the hour.

Zheng Fan said:

"Compared with taking Zhao Yuannian as a son, I much prefer being his father."

Chen Xianba, who was eating noodles to one side, immediately flushed red and choked.

When Zheng Fan's gaze swept over, he hurriedly lowered his head and kept eating.

This young overlord feared Zheng Fan down to the marrow.

Of course, this "fear" also carried the meaning of reverence.

As for whether saying something this vulgar damaged Zheng Fan's majesty or image, it followed the same principle as a rich man saving money being called frugal while a poor man saving money was called miserly.

When the Prince acted this way, people only felt that it gave him a little more human warmth.

"The Princess Consort of Prince Fu must be very beautiful, then."

Zheng Fan nodded.

"She is. In fact, she was the first truly beautiful woman I saw after coming to this world, apart from Siniang."

"The Commandery Princess doesn't count?"

Originally, as Zheng Fan rose through the ranks, people had always said the Commandery Princess had been blind and let a great talent slip through her fingers.

But after Zheng Fan became a Prince, while the old Prince Zhenbei died and Prince Zhenbei Residence declined, public opinion changed again.

People began saying that Prince Pingxi had simply not found the Commandery Princess attractive enough back then and had refused to wrong himself.

"The Commandery Princess was still a young girl at the time."

As he spoke, Zheng Fan pointed toward the armor hanging inside the command tent.

"No matter how good the figure, once armor goes on, there's not much left to distinguish."

"Heh. Most rumors aren't worth believing, but the one saying you like other men's wives? As far as I can tell, that one's true."

Without hesitation, Zheng Fan pointed at himself, then at the Sword Saint.

"You and me. Which one of us likes them more?"

You married a widow and took on her son along with her. Whose tastes were heavier?

The Sword Saint was speechless.

After teasing the man for half the morning, he suddenly discovered that the clown was himself.

"Xianba."

"This subordinate is here!"

"Send word to Count Yishan. Ask whether his preparations for tonight are complete."

"This subordinate obeys!"

Chen Xianba rose and went to pass down the order.

Xue San had carried a message to Prince Fu Residence:

"Same old routine. Open a gate from inside and outside. Dad's coming home for a look."

The final word, "Dad," had originally been "this Prince" when Zheng Fan said it.

But after Xue San saw how accommodating Zhao Yuannian was, he took it upon himself to alter the wording.

In Xue San's words, they could hardly make Zhao Yuannian feel too awkward, could they?

Zheng Fan set down his chopsticks.

"Do you remember back then, when I led troops charging into Chuzhou City, we just happened to catch Prince Fu's funeral procession? That enormous coffin and all the funeral goods were jammed right in the city gate. The defenders couldn't even close it.

"Looking back now...

"Prince Fu truly was a loyal and worthy servant of Great Yan."

...

"Mother, Father was a loyal and worthy servant of Great Qian.

"Not only did he recommend talent for the country, he died for the country as well.

"Now, the Yan may look overwhelming, but Great Qian has already trained elite troops. We just annihilated an elite Yan force in Liang, and that force was the same one that broke into Chuzhou City back then!

"Prince Pingxi did not enter Qian this time because he means to conquer us. He clearly failed to open the situation in Zhao and Liang, so he has resorted to a desperate move to divert the disaster eastward.

"He wants to fight one battle and leave. How could Prince Fu Residence possibly have the same good fortune as last time and pass safely through this storm again?"

The Princess Consort of Prince Fu looked at her son and pursed her lips.

"What do you intend to do?"

"Doesn't he think Chuzhou City is already something in his pocket? Doesn't he think Prince Fu Residence is simply another home of his? Doesn't he think Mother is his..."

Zhao Yuannian cut himself off and drew a deep breath.

"Then I, his 'son,' will welcome him properly."

The Princess Consort nodded.

"My son has grown up. Do what you wish."

A few days earlier, that dwarf had suddenly appeared before mother and son, and Zhao Yuannian had immediately called the man "Father."

It had looked like fawning beyond all measure.

In truth... when an assassin sent by the other side had already appeared silently before you, you had only two choices.

Die.

Or lower your head completely and admit defeat.

There was no third option.

When Zhao Yuannian rose and prepared to leave the room, the Princess Consort said softly:

"My son, you still have your mother."

Zhao Yuannian stopped.

Then he nodded.

He understood what she meant.

But although he had never blamed his mother, he did not want her to serve that Yan man again.

He had grown up.

He truly had.

Outside the room, the courtyard was packed with soldiers. Guards stood along the eaves as well, watching every direction.

Before, security had been lax.

But once a princely residence truly gathered enough guards to protect its inner quarters, an assassin trying to enter became almost impossible.

The dwarf's appearance that day had taught Zhao Yuannian a lesson.

The maturity he thought he possessed still had many childish gaps.

Fortunately... he still had time.

What Zhao Yuannian did not know was that after he left, his mother walked alone to the bed and dragged out a box from underneath.

Inside were all manner of seductive clothes.

After Chuzhou City had been recovered, the Princess Consort had always worn plain garments in public and never again dressed in anything so bright or alluring.

Now she took them out once more.

Then she brought out another small box.

The dwarf had delivered this one that day.

The man's meaning had been simple.

When he returned to his princely residence in Chuzhou City, she was to put these on for him to see.

He had also said that last time had been too hurried and there had been too many people around. He had not gotten a proper look.

Now he was a Prince, and within his army his word was law. He had enough leisure and freedom to do certain things he had wanted to do before.

The Princess Consort opened the small box.

Inside were stockings made from material so thin it seemed almost weightless.

Black.

Purple.

White.

And flesh-colored.

The fabric was covered in neat, densely spaced little holes.

The dwarf had also delivered another message.

He asked that she not have grown thin.

He liked her full.

Because of that, the Princess Consort's appetite had been excellent these past few days.

In the past she ate barely half a bowl at each meal and disliked greasy foods.

Now she forced herself to eat two full bowls every meal, accompanied by meat broth.

In fact, when the dwarf handed her the small box that day, her son had been present.

But Zhao Yuannian had not taken it away.

Between mother and son... there was, in truth, a tacit understanding.

The Princess Consort herself did not truly know which outcome she wanted.

It was not that she was naturally wanton.

Rather, the image of Yan soldiers storming into Prince Fu Residence all those years ago had left a mark on her that could never be erased.

After marrying into the princely household, she had expected her life to continue quietly and without waves.

Then that day changed everything.

And over the years, news kept arriving of his victories in the north.

Every mother looked upon her own son with special favor. Somewhere in every mother's heart lived the belief that her own child was the best.

But no matter how she looked at it, no matter how she thought about it... the Princess Consort did not believe her son could wrestle with that man and win.

Yet that was what parents were like.

No matter what their children did, whether they succeeded or failed, the parents had to be ready to catch them when they fell.

The Princess Consort's hand slid from her chest, along her waist, down across her hip, and finally along her thigh.

Naturally full-figured, she murmured:

"I shouldn't have lost too much weight..."

Then came another quiet sigh.

"He... should be satisfied, shouldn't he..."

...

"Your Highness, are you satisfied with this general's deployment?"

"This Prince is very satisfied. But I'm still somewhat worried."

"Your Highness, rest assured. The city gate is only so wide. Tonight, even if the gate opens and the Yan army comes in, how many can enter at once?

"This general has already gathered every core elite from the three great camps outside the city and hidden them inside.

"When the time comes, as soon as the Yan charge in, our bows and crossbows will hold the line, infantry with shields will press forward, and saber-and-axe men will strike from both sides.

"The walls will reinforce us at once as well.

"No matter how strong the Yan are, they aren't true divine troops from Heaven. Even they cannot withstand a pack of wolves tearing into them from every direction.

"Once we shut the gate and beat the dogs inside, this plan will certainly succeed.

"And if Prince Pingxi personally leads the charge into the city... heh-heh. Then we'll have a chance to win a merit great enough to shake Heaven!"

"Will he really come personally?" Zhao Yuannian was still uncertain about that point.

"Your Highness, don't worry. Prince Pingxi of the Yan barbarians loves dangerous gambles most of all and excels at surprise maneuvers. Look through his battle record and nearly every great victory came from some reckless long-range thrust.

"Prince Pingxi clearly does not treasure his life. He's just like that Count Huwei of Yan who was recently killed by Grand Commander Meng. When they fight, they go to extremes and personally appear at the front.

"Tonight, since he said he would come... then in all likelihood, he really will personally lead troops through the gate."

A masked man had been standing silently nearby the entire time.

He was a Thousand-Man Commander of the Silver-Armored Guard stationed in Chuzhou City.

"Why has Lord Ming said nothing?" Zhao Yuannian asked.

"What this subordinate wishes to say is somewhat inappropriate at this moment. Better left unsaid."

"Oh?"

"If Your Highness insists, then I would ask one question: why did Prince Pingxi choose to send someone to contact Prince Fu Residence?"

"Lord Ming should know that after the Yan army broke into Chuzhou City all those years ago, Prince Fu Residence survived intact."

"Yes."

"Then naturally a certain amount of bending with the wind and false accommodation was unavoidable. Otherwise, this residence would have ceased to exist long ago.

"Prince Pingxi believes he can use that old matter to control this Prince. There is nothing strange about that."

"Your Highness is candid. Rest assured. This subordinate understands."

"Many thanks, Lord Ming."

At that moment, raindrops began to fall.

Zhao Yuannian raised his head and watched the sky darken.

"It's going to rain."

...

"Rain is good. This Prince likes rainy nights, especially while on campaign."

Chen Xianba asked:

"Your Highness, rain makes the horses sink into mud. Why would you..."

"Because a rainy night magnifies the enemy's fear severalfold.

"If you think of yourself as the stronger side, then you too will learn to like nights like this."

"This subordinate understands."

The various forces had already assembled.

Other than Chen Yuan and Chen Xiong, who had led troops around the perimeter to screen the battlefield, make a show of force, and confuse Qian reports, essentially all of the main force that had entered Qian now stood behind Zheng Fan.

Rain struck the riders' armor with dull, muffled taps.

Men and horses alike had fallen silent.

Unease belonged to the weak.

Chen Yang's Sushan Camp was the core elite of the Jingnan Army, once the personal central force of Prince Jingnan.

And now Prince Pingxi's royal banner stood before them.

They were the tigers.

They were the true wolves.

The appointed hour arrived.

Xue San returned with a group of light cavalry and reported:

"Master, the city gate is open!"

The Sword Saint laughed.

"Looks like your son really is obedient."

Zheng Fan nodded.

Then his hand swept forward.

Chen Xianba, Liu Dahu, and Zheng Man immediately relayed the command downward. The army staff officers passed the Prince's orders farther through the ranks.

The Yan army began to move.

Chen Yang led one force toward the western side of Chuzhou City.

Fan Li led another toward the eastern side.

Together, those two forces took almost two-thirds of the entire army with them.

The remaining troops stayed where they were beside Prince Pingxi.

The Sword Saint asked:

"You're not charging the gate?"

Zheng Fan shook his head.

"No."

"Then where are they going?"

"To smash the three great camps outside Chuzhou City first.

"Old Yu, you know how armies work. Any force builds itself around an elite core, with the rest supporting it.

"When my eastern Jin army campaigns, for example, Liang Cheng's formation usually serves as the core while the other formations and Savage auxiliaries provide support.

"That's already the better version, because one full elite formation leads several others.

"In Qian, they break it down even further. It has been like this for a very long time.

"Inside a single force, only one portion consists of true elites. They wear the best armor, eat the best grain, and receive the highest pay.

"The rest are there to make up the numbers.

"That's why Qian armies used to collapse so easily in battle.

"I'll make you a wager.

"This time, the elite troops from all three camps outside the city are probably hidden inside Chuzhou right now, waiting for this Prince to personally go charging in."

The Sword Saint nodded.

"I've suffered from rumors my whole life," Zheng Fan continued. "For instance, the rumor that I like other men's wives. Completely ridiculous.

"There's another rumor too.

"People practically compare me to another Li Fusheng. Some even think I'm more Li Fusheng than Li Fusheng himself.

"But I obviously value my life very much.

"You know that."

"Yes."

The Sword Saint looked at Zheng Fan and teased:

"But in the end, you've still chosen not to trust your 'son.'"

"Ai."

Prince Pingxi sighed.

"What choice do I have?

"All I've seen in this life, over and over again, is... loving fathers and filial sons."

[End of Chapter 848]