The Demon Lords

Chapter 470 1 On Achievements_2

"Stay here with us?" Zheng Fan seemed surprised.

Once these family males entered Yanjing, with the generous Emperor Yan, their descendants would surely be blessed with imperial favor. The adult men of the Wen Family might even be assigned official positions to ensure the Wen Family could establish roots in the Yan State.

However, the old man's intentional decision to leave so many men behind was quite intriguing.

"He said they are to join the army, with us."

Zheng Fan chuckled. "I don't even know where I'm headed next, yet I've been entrusted with these men."

Yes, Zheng Fan had come to Nanwang City this time to be recognized for his meritorious service.

The great war was essentially over, at least for this phase.

The Yan State, having swallowed half of the Jin State's territory, emerged as the greatest victor.

It could be said that ever since the Yan people established their country, their strategic position had always been precarious. In the west, the Barbarians had been warring amongst themselves for centuries. A hundred years ago, the Qian State still dared to occasionally launch northern expeditions, while the Jin State to the east constantly watched them like a tiger eyeing its prey.

This time, it was rumored that a secret edict from the Yan Emperor had prevented the Barbarian King from crossing the border.

The north of the Qian State was devastated. Even if Qian's Jiangnan region was prosperous, it would take considerable time to recover and rebuild its army. The Jin State had lost half its territory, and Emperor Jin was already on his way to Yanjing to pay homage to the Yan Emperor.

The Situ Family controlled the eastern part of Jin State. Witnessing their two rivals, with whom they had schemed against for nearly a century, being eliminated in one fell swoop, sent them into a panic. They hastily tried to ally with their old enemy, the Chu State, for everyone understood the principle: "if the lips are gone, the teeth will feel cold." However, the Chu Emperor passed away at this critical juncture.

So, this fellow wasn't trying to establish his own regime now; his nominal sovereign had already knelt. The Situ Family could only tremble in their homes.

Even though the Yan people had achieved gratifying results after a series of major battles, the cost had also been immense. Not to mention the losses of Li Fusheng's and Li Bao's forces, the Jin people's constant assertion that the Yan cavalry wasn't truly invincible was more than mere boasting. Even when the Yan Army attacked from the rear and crushed two elite Jin units, the Yan Army's own losses were still not small.

Therefore, the three states were exhausted from the fighting, and everyone needed a respite.

In the Chu State, the old emperor had just died, and the various princes were busy vying for the throne.

The situation among the four states had thus calmed down. Barring any unforeseen events, the theme for the foreseeable future would be peace and development.

Nevertheless, defenses could not be neglected anywhere. As weakened as the Qian people were, their elite border troops could not be entirely disregarded. The Situ Family also had to be watched for any desperate moves. The newly annexed Jin land required troops to suppress unrest and maintain stability, and more forces needed to be dispatched to Beifeng Prefecture to reinforce defenses against the Barbarians.

So, after the great war, the usual spectacle of the victorious army entering the capital to be reviewed and rewarded by the Yan Emperor did not occur at this time. However, the process of bestowing rewards for merit was not delayed.

"Alright, it's about time. The banquet at Fatty Hui's place should be over. Let's go."

Zheng Fan, along with A Ming and Siniang, left the teahouse and headed to the General Mansion—oh, no, it should be called the Governor-General's Mansion now.

Fatty Hui had been promoted. He was no longer the General concurrently serving as Prefect; instead, he had earned great merit through his decisive actions in managing pre-war supply logistics and proactively engaging the Qian people's probing attacks during wartime.

It could be said that the entire military defense line against the Qian State in Nanwang City, along with all the troops under it, was now under his portly command.

Today, a banquet was being held at the Governor-General's Mansion. Zheng Fan had deliberately arrived a little late and brought no gifts.

This was Siniang's suggestion.

Sure enough, when the steward led Zheng Fan into the mansion, Hui Wenzu, who seemed to have just been drinking at the banquet and was lying down to rest, heard of Zheng Fan's arrival and rushed out barefoot, not even taking the time to put on his shoes.

Siniang, standing behind Zheng Fan, couldn't help but mutter, "Such accomplished actors, the pair of them."

"Brother Zheng! Brother Zheng! Hahahaha! As the ancients said, 'One who, in a humble position, does not forget righteousness, and in a high position, does not seek special favors.' Brother Zheng truly embodies the spirit of the ancient sages!"

He meant that Zheng Fan, by intentionally coming after the banquet and without gifts, was treating him, Hui Wenzu, as a true friend. Their relationship hadn't changed; it still had that familiar, genuine feel!

"Congratulations on your promotion, Sir!" Zheng Fan offered respectfully.

Fatty Hui was now a genuine feudal lord of the border regions.

"The joy is mutual, the joy is mutual! You have rewards coming too. Come, follow me."

Hui Wenzu led Zheng Fan into a room and dismissed the attendants.

"Brother Zheng, originally, the imperial court's reward for you should have arrived by now. It was supposed to be Guerrilla General, subordinate to Nanwang City, so we could continue to work together."

"To continue serving with you, Sir, is my good fortune!"

Fatty Hui is indeed an excellent superior, Zheng Fan thought. When he considers you one of his own, he shamelessly showers you with benefits.

"Ah, but His Majesty saw the 'Zhengzi Art of War' you submitted and praised you for your great talent and strategy. However, Zhao Jiulang is now making things difficult for you. He still holds a grudge about that incident where you trampled the academy. He said that your 'Zhengzi Art of War,' while appearing well-argued, actually feels overly conventional and risks falling into a rut. After all, for someone so young to have already authored a significant work, it shows a certain premature solemnity, and he fears you might lose your drive to improve. He suggested making you a city defender in the newly acquired Jin land.

Alas, isn't that a trap? The newly-acquired Jin land is unstable. Even though we've taken it, the Situ Family, well, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Plus, there are those settlements of wild people in the Skybreak Mountains, and the hearts of the Jin people are not yet settled. How can being a city defender there be as comfortable as us continuing to work together in Nanwang City? Within three years, brother, I guarantee you a promotion to General! Hmph, Zhao Jiulang, that man, is too much of a scholar at heart, far too petty. In a few days, you and I will submit a joint petition to His Majesty. Don't worry, His Majesty won't let his meritorious officials feel disheartened."

Zheng Fan didn't join Fatty Hui in criticizing the Yan Prime Minister.

Instead, he cursed inwardly, Zhao Jiulang, you're too damn considerate!

「ACHOO!」

"The war is over, yet things are busier than ever. It is I who have wronged you, my dear minister, by working you to the point of illness," the Yan Emperor said.

Zhao Jiulang quickly rose and smiled. "Thank you for Your Majesty's concern. But it wasn't official duties that made me ill. Rather, I indulged in some youthful folly with my concubine last night, overdoing it a bit, and that's how I caught this cold. Alas, it seems a common cold is the fitting remedy for ailments born of pleasure-seeking."

"You're still as shameless as ever!" the Yan Emperor laughed, chiding him.

"Your Majesty, this subject is truly anxious."

"What are you anxious about?"

"Two noble ladies in the palace have recently been diagnosed by the imperial physician as pregnant with royal heirs. This subject feels indignant! I'm a year or two younger than Your Majesty, and I too wish to produce some 'fruit' of my own. Alas, it seems this old body is truly failing me. All I can do is look on with envy."

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha…"

The Yan Emperor burst out laughing.

As a man, no one could refuse to feel proud when praised for such virility, and the Yan Emperor was no exception.

Both Qian women being pregnant and promoted to noble ladies was his, Ji Runhao's, declaration to the world that he, the great Yan Emperor, was still in the prime of his life!

However, as he laughed, the Yan Emperor suddenly began to cough.

A young eunuch serving nearby quickly brought a silk handkerchief. The Yan Emperor took it, covered his mouth, and coughed. Afterward, he saw a smear of blood on the handkerchief.

CLANG!

The young eunuch, startled, knocked over a teacup.

The Yan Emperor silently clutched the handkerchief and looked at Zhao Jiulang. "It seems we, sovereign and subject, are truly one. I've also caught a cold."

"Some ginger water and a good sweat should clear it up," Zhao Jiulang said with a smile.

The Yan Emperor nodded. "Very well. We, sovereign and subject, have scarcely rested these past few months. Let us both take a day off to replenish our vitality. I am tired too. You should return to your residence and sweat it out. If we were to pass this cold to the other officials at court tomorrow, that would indeed be quite an amusement."

"This subject thanks Your Majesty for your profound grace! This subject takes his leave!"

Zhao Jiulang departed, a pleased smile on his face.

In the hall, only the Yan Emperor, Wei Zhonghe—who was assisting with approving documents and affixing the imperial seal—and the young eunuch remained.

The Yan Emperor leaned back slightly, placed the bloodstained handkerchief on the imperial desk, and slowly asked, "Who is left in your family?"

The young eunuch immediately knelt, his voice trembling with fear. "Your Majesty, this servant has an elderly mother and a younger sister at home."

"Is she married?"

"Not yet."

"I shall summon your sister into the palace and confer upon her the rank of Daying. As for you, go and accept your death."

The young eunuch, trembling, kowtowed and sobbed, "Thank you for Your Majesty's grace!"