The Demon Lords

Chapter 562 65 Rhododendron Blooms_2

As soon as he entered the backyard, Zheng Fan plunged into the bath before the water had even finished filling, as if time was of the essence.

Siniang had also stopped her work to hurriedly serve her lord at his bath.

"My lord, our family's resources have been greatly depleted from supporting the military campaign this time. We've practically used up all the profits we gained from Lord Jingnan's deals in the capital city last time."

Zheng Fan wiped his face with a towel and said, "We have no choice."

As long as you still bear the banner of the 'Yan people,' you must pay the price and fulfill your duty.

Thanks to Siniang's past embezzlements in the capital city and the addition of the Helian Family's treasury, Shengle City was saved from bankruptcy, even amidst such large-scale constructions. Furthermore, the treasures from Prince Fu's tomb in Chuzhou would soon be smuggled here. It was because of this 'dirty' money that their city could be maintained.

Hence, Zheng Fan suddenly found himself somewhat understanding the 'meltage fees' extorted by corrupt officials in ancient times.

This time, the thirty thousand Jingnan Army had only come in 'light equipment.' They brought neither their baggage, provisions, nor their civilian workers.

Every single thing had to be supplied from Shengle City.

I wonder, can we profit from this war, Siniang calculated in her mind.

"Call Liang Cheng in," said Zheng Fan.

Liang Cheng had returned with his troops many days before Zheng Fan and Tian Wujing did.

Siniang, as instructed, got dressed and called Liang Cheng in.

"My lord."

Liang Cheng came in and crouched down next to the pool.

Siniang then went to make tea, as intimate interactions were inappropriate in front of an outsider.

"Lord Jingnan's intention is that Shengle City will put forth three thousand soldiers, including one thousand from his Jingnan Army."

"They would belong to us?"

"We are providing money, provisions, and civilian workers; why would Lord Jingnan even think of taking back this thousand-strong Jingnan Army unit?"

Liang Cheng nodded. "That indeed stands to reason."

"You can make up the remaining two thousand as you see fit. Also, if the main army's campaign in the snowfields goes smoothly, there will be a lot of spoils—horses, slaves, livestock. You should organize the remaining forces to handle them, with Blind Man and Siniang supervising.

By the way, Siniang…"

"My lord, I'm here," Siniang walked over with the tea.

"You and Blind Man should prepare to receive the spoils. This time, we're helping the Situ Family fight the wild people, so we don't need to worry about their nearby garrisons taking any action. A little laxity in our defenses will be fine."

"But what about the nearby forts and local tyrants, my lord? They've been plundered and squeezed harshly by us recently."

Tian Wujing's banner has been very effective. To avoid annihilation, those fort owners and local tyrants reluctantly donated craftsmen and provisions. Many civilian workers were even forcibly conscripted.

They've been squeezed so harshly, there's no guarantee they won't cause trouble. With thirty thousand Jingnan Army soldiers nearby, these fort owners and local tyrants are currently as meek as lambs. But once the main army departs and Shengle City is left relatively empty, who knows who might take a risky chance.

"Tell them they can make a fortune this time too. After the main army marches out, the spoils will need people to receive them. This task is too big for us to handle alone, so everyone should participate.

Call on them to contribute men and resources to maintain the supply line from Shengle to the snowfields. Then, everyone can share the spoils coming from the front."

Upon hearing this, Liang Cheng couldn't help but laugh, "My lord, this plan is brilliant! This way, we can not only win over the local tyrants and forts within a Baili radius of Shengle but also secure the army's rear. If anything goes wrong at the front…"

"Shut up!!!"

I am going to join the campaign this time!

Liang Cheng closed his mouth.

"Based on my speculation, this campaign will primarily involve long-distance raids and blitzkrieg tactics. Large quantities of spoils cannot be transported back slowly, so transshipment will be necessary."

"I understand, my lord. Please rest assured."

Zheng Fan had become accustomed to being frugal. Only after losing Ji Chengjue's support and having to become self-reliant did he truly understand how hard life could be.

After receiving the order, Liang Cheng left.

Siniang started to wash Zheng Fan's back.

Just as she was about to start her routine acupuncture session,

Zheng Fan shook his head,

and uttered words often spoken by long-married couples:

"Let's just call it a night."

「...」

When your boss is a good-for-nothing, it's frustrating. But when your boss is an out-and-out workaholic, obsessed with their career, it's equally painful.

Having enjoyed a good night's sleep for what felt like the first time in days, Zheng Fan had Siniang help him don his armor early in the morning. He then mounted his horse and rode out to meet Liang Cheng and the 3,000 Shengle City soldiers assembled outside the city.

Of these three thousand troops, one thousand were from the Jingnan Army, and the rest were comprised of Tufa Family clan soldiers and Jin soldiers. Zheng Fan's own core forces were kept back in Shengle.

Of course, from Zheng Fan's perspective, this was about conserving strength. But from the viewpoint of the Jin soldiers and the Tufa Family, it seemed as if Chief Zheng was doing them a favor, giving them an opportunity to gain merit.

This was especially true for the Jin soldiers. Having once been routed by the Jingnan Army, they were now incredibly excited to be marching out alongside them, their confidence in the war soaring.

The reasoning was similar to playing a game where you're thoroughly beaten by a master player, only for that master to then invite you to team up, letting you ride their coattails.

A Ming had not yet returned from Yanjing. Heading into battle without him, Chief Zheng felt inexplicably uneasy.

Xue Three and Fanli would accompany the army, while Blind Man and Siniang would remain to manage affairs in Shengle. After all, compared to the battle itself, the continued operation of their home base was paramount.

By morning, the Shengle City troops had arrived and made camp outside the Jingnan Army's main encampment. They dismounted and sat cross-legged to rest.

Although their armor was somewhat irregular, an elite aura emanated from these three thousand troops, spearheaded by the one thousand Jingnan Army soldiers. It was clear that Liang Cheng's training regimen in recent days had yielded impressive results.

Zheng Fan also sat waiting. Beside him were Liang Cheng and Gao Yi, with Tufa Chengji and Tufa Su seated further back.

Just before noon, the main gates of the military camp swung open. The Jingnan Army cavalry began to ride out. When the massive figure of the Pi Beast and its rider in gilded armor appeared, Zheng Fan, sitting within his own army's formation, could feel the waves of fervor and excitement from those around him.

The common people might despise and fear Tian Wujing, and the various powerful factions might be deeply suspicious of him. However, the perspective of the common soldiers was simple: they knew Tian Wujing knew how to win wars. Following him meant victory and a better chance of survival.

Whether he was called a god of slaughter or a butcher of men, these soldiers didn't care in the slightest.

What surprised Zheng Fan was that even his own Jin soldiers showed expressions of undisguised admiration. Had they been thrashed into enjoying it?

Zheng Fan made a mental note: after this campaign, he would have Blind Man step up the ideological work. How could the soldiers he paid for admire someone else?

When the time was ripe, Zheng Fan glanced at Liang Cheng. Liang Cheng raised his saber and roared, "Mount up!"

Three thousand cavalrymen mounted their horses.

At that moment, a Jingnan Army captain galloped over, his gaze falling directly on Zheng Fan. He announced, "The Lord orders Chief Zheng to accompany the central army."

"This general obeys!"

Zheng Fan rode out, bidding farewell to his own troops, and went to join Tian Wujing.

Truthfully, Chief Zheng had grown accustomed to this kind of treatment. No matter who the main general was, they always liked to keep him close. Perhaps it's because I'm such a smooth talker?

"Chief Zheng, where are the laborers and baggage train?" Tian Wujing asked.

The number of laborers and the amount of supplies were clearly insufficient.

"My Lord, I previously dispatched men into the mountains to clear the way for the army and, at the same time, cache provisions along the route. There should be enough for the army's passage through the mountains."

Upon hearing this, Tian Wujing nodded his head, and said, "Well done. This will be recorded as a merit for you."

"Thank you, my lord."

Under the midday sun, with the Shengle City contingent acting as the vanguard, the grand army of over thirty thousand soldiers began its march.

「On this day」

Within the manor in Li Tian City, Dujuan was attempting needlework, trying to emulate Siniang's stitches. Yet, no matter how she tried, she couldn't achieve a result she was satisfied with. She felt her own creations were simply not presentable compared to the masterpiece she had seen.

After a short while, she set down her needle and thread. The midday sun streamed through the window, illuminating her pretty face. Her hand rested on her noticeably swollen abdomen.

Outside the window, the Rhododendron flowers that man had planted with his own hands were in full bloom, filling the garden.