The Demon Lords

Chapter 521 33 Boom! _1

It wasn't that Zheng Fan was too slow to understand, but more likely that, being at the center of things, he couldn't quite grasp what they were up to.

It's challenging to imagine that in a serious conversation, all these demon lords would suddenly gang up on him and start teasing him relentlessly. The metaphorical wheels of their jokes had run over his face again and again, yet he was still naively insisting, "No speeding! Maintain a safe distance!"

Siniang understood what this group was doing, but she couldn't be bothered to join in.

But in her heart, she began to entertain her own "self-drive tour." If I can manage it, are you all saying you'll need to learn from me? Oho ho ho... just thinking about it makes me feel like my wheels are spinning.

Zheng Fan was about to get up and leave, but then he sat back down, patting his head gently. He said, "The other matters can be discussed later. However, there's one more thing I need to add regarding what you were discussing earlier. It just occurred to me. Sorry, I know you all must be tired, but since we're already on the topic, let's finish it now. It's better to lay everything out comprehensively at the start than to deal with much more trouble patching things up later, wouldn't you agree?"

It truly had just occurred to him. He hadn't paid it much mind before because he assumed the Blind Brother and the others would have it covered. But seeing all the tasks being assigned without any mention of this particular point, Zheng Fan felt something was amiss.

All the demon lords adopted a serious demeanor. Even Siniang inclined her head and said, "Please, My lord, enlighten us."

"Ahem, well, I'll tell you," Zheng Fan began. "To put it bluntly, it's like not knowing the cost of firewood and rice until you're the one managing the household. I understand that maintaining an army isn't cheap, and developing a city isn't easy either. We've just started to spread our operations, and silver needs to be spent everywhere. Even if we manage to smuggle goods from Chuzhou later, and even counting the wealth we've openly and covertly carved out from the capital city region, truth be told, you can never have too much silver; it always finds a way to be spent. But there's something I discussed with you, Blind Brother, back when we were in Hutou City."

Zheng Fan looked at the Blind Brother.

The Blind Brother furrowed his brows slightly, then understanding dawned on him. He said, "The people's livelihood?"

"Yes, livelihood." Zheng Fan sat up straight, holding a thermos flask in his hands, stroking it gently as he continued, "You might say I'm being a bit of a do-gooder, and I don't deny that I can be, at times. I'm different from you all. Sometimes, in certain situations, my heart softens and I act with more compassion."

"That is precisely the quality that makes us trust and admire you, My lord!" Xue Three quickly interjected, seizing the chance to flatter.

Especially now that the Lord has just advanced, the flattery needs to be particularly loud and magnificent.

Fanli chuckled foolishly. Seeing Xue Three start, he instinctively felt he should also say something. He blurted out, "Such a handful!"

"..." Zheng Fan.

"..." The other demon lords.

Zheng Fan smiled, waving his hand to show he didn't mind, and continued, "So, what I mean by 'livelihood,' it's actually quite simple to implement in this era. It boils down to three things: schools, medical officers, and leased farmsteads. And for these three, what we primarily need to provide is just one thing: silver."

As long as there was silver, as long as silver was provided, as long as there was enough silver, maintaining and operating these three pillars wouldn't be a major issue.

The Blind Brother was about to speak, but Zheng Fan preempted him, saying, "I know, you'll probably advise me to take things slowly. You'll say that once we're settled, the silver will flow out like water, and some things can be postponed. But it was you who asked me back then whether I wanted to be a comfortable, wealthy idler or if I wanted to stir things up. We're not playing a single round of a game, nor are we in a situation where we just log off after our characters die, then go off to sing and dance as we please.

"In the schools, we'll teach useful things. Ideological matters can form a guiding principle. Practically, it should be somewhat similar to the Huangpu Military Academy. However, let's not take too large a stride and pull a muscle; it's better to start slowly by focusing on the children from a young age. Blind Brother, this will be your responsibility. It will be hard work."

The Blind Brother sighed, then bowed and said, "Your subordinate understands. I will arrange for people to begin at once."

"No discrimination based on ethnicity; provide education for all. Wild People, Jin people, Yan people—as long as they are children of the appropriate age, teach them all, accept them all. It's alright if they don't learn well, or if their abilities aren't that high. But they must remember clearly who is paying for their schooling, who is paying for their food, and for whom they must be willing to lay down their lives when they grow up."

"Your subordinate understands."

"Good."

That matter was settled. Zheng Fan trusted that with the Blind Brother's experience and insight, he would only do a better job than Zheng Fan himself could imagine.

"As for the medical services, A Ming and Siniang, you two will be responsible for establishing them. I'm not talking about free healthcare, but we can provide some subsidies. Siniang, you can take on some apprentices."

Siniang was very skilled in surgery. In past battles, whenever someone suffered an external wound, Siniang was the one to stitch them up. In ancient times, having the equivalent of a field emergency medical team could greatly increase the survival and recovery rates of the wounded.

A Ming spoke up, "I have to go too?"

Zheng Fan nodded. "You can be the chief anatomy instructor."

"..." A Ming.

"Regarding the leased farmsteads, San'er, you and Fanli will take charge. No unclaimed bodies are to be left lying around near Shengle City. And I certainly don't want to see a whole host of A Cheng's 'relatives' popping up if things are mishandled."

"My lord, San'er and I will handle this," Liang Cheng offered. As a zombie, he naturally appreciated the atmosphere of a leased farmstead.

"Alright."

Fanli immediately asked, "What about me?"

"Ah Li, you can start by building twenty public restrooms in our city."

Fanli instinctively felt something was off but nodded anyway, indicating he understood.

Zheng Fan began his concluding remarks. "When I used to play strategy games, I liked to build up my 'farming' and 'research tech' first. I'd wait until everything was well-prepared and I had a better, more comfortable rear base before starting to expand. Reality is certainly different from games, and we have to analyze specific problems as they arise. But honestly, given our current situation, it seems there's nothing much better to do than to diligently 'farm' and develop.

"In our current spot, the Yan Emperor and the two Lords are still alive and well. Although there are rumors about the Yan Emperor's failing health, he hasn't actually passed away, has he? Even if he did, with Tian Wujing sitting firmly in the Jin land, we wouldn't be in any position to snatch benefits from the ensuing chaos.

"To the east, the Dacheng State has reached a tacit understanding with the Yan State; as long as they are fighting the Wild People, the Yan State won't attack them. So, all quiet on the eastern and western fronts. In the short term, the Yan State is also unlikely to move against the Qian State. We should seize this period of peace and stability to solidify our foundations.

"In the Skybreak Mountains to the north, there are many Wild People. Although some, like Xiong Lie, have been assimilated, aren't there still plenty of 'true' Wild People out there?"

Liang Cheng nodded. "My lord is right. Once the troops are reorganized, I will lead them into the mountains to attack the Wild People settlements. This will serve both to train our soldiers and to plunder some resources."

Farming is one thing, but if there are weaker neighbors nearby to plunder, that's even better. Anyway, the truly formidable Wild People were being held off by the Situ Family. The Wild People in the vicinity of Shengle City had never posed a great threat; they were perfect to use as whetstones.

"Good. This is also a good opportunity to train the infantry. Cavalry is indeed our trump card, but we need an effective method for sieging cities. We can't afford to get a headache every time we face a city wall, like before."

"My lord, your subordinate will consider this for the future."

"Alright, as long as you have it in mind."

With that said, Zheng Fan stood up. "Everyone has worked hard. Rest early."

The demon lords all said in unison, "You've worked hard, My lord."

"Mmm."

Zheng Fan turned and left the hall.

At that moment, the eyes of the remaining demon lords all fell on Siniang.

Siniang snorted dismissively, then unhurriedly picked up her teacup and took a sip.

It was Xue Three, ever the more brazen and image-disregarding one, who spoke directly, "Siniang, give it your all!"

Siniang shot Xue Three a sideways glance. "Why don't you go instead?"

"..." Xue Three.

Seeing this, the others felt too embarrassed to say anything more. After all, some matters, especially those between men and women, become crass and demeaning if one insists on dissecting them in terms of benefits and interests. Besides, they all knew Siniang probably didn't love their lord—at least not in the pure, storybook sense of a romance between a hero and heroine. Siniang was far too proud and haughty for that; she was a 'seasoned driver' audacious enough to 'drift race over graves.'

But Zheng Fan was different; he had often indulged Siniang and given her considerable leeway. So, even if it wasn't romantic love, Siniang genuinely trusted and relied on Zheng Fan. Jia Baoyu once said that women are made of water. In Siniang's eyes, most men were made of mud; only Zheng Fan had the feel of a real man.

Having finished her tea, Siniang rose gracefully. "I'm leaving."

With that, she followed Zheng Fan's departing figure out of the hall.

「」

The rear residence had many rooms, none of them small. However, because they had only been given a cursory cleaning, they weren't quite up to Zheng Fan's standards. But renovations were scheduled to begin in a few days, and soon this place would become as livable as his former residence in Hutou City.

Siniang accompanied Zheng Fan inside, lit the brazier, then came over to help him remove his outer robe, saying, "My lord, you should take a bath first."

"Mmhm."

The hot water in the bathtub was ready. Zheng Fan sank into it, resting his arms on the wooden rim, his eyes narrowed.

His body, after the promotion, felt somewhat ethereal, as if he had become much lighter.

Indeed, there was a significant difference between the Eighth Rank and the Seventh Rank: the control over one's power. One progressed from relying mainly on brute force to achieving effortless and subtle control. In other words, he finally had a touch of the grandmaster aura found in martial arts novels.

Beyond the screen, Zheng Fan saw Siniang's graceful silhouette; she was likely changing her clothes.

Zheng Fan smiled and casually picked up the stone that had been soaking in the tub with him.

Some things, after all, are not suitable for young audiences.

He weighed the stone in his palm a few times, then glanced at the window, which was slightly ajar at a diagonal angle.

"Little guy, why don't you go play outside by yourself for a bit."

Saying this, Zheng Fan tossed the stone directly towards the gap in the window.

Who would have expected the stone to execute a sharp U-turn in mid-air and come spiraling back?

All Zheng Fan had time for was one exclamation:

"FUCK!"

Then, the stone slammed directly onto Zheng Fan's forehead.

WHACK!