The Demon Lords

Chapter 795 175: The Big Wind_2

"In this world, there is only one Zheng Fan."

...

Under the marshalling of the Colonel, Ran Min's unit returned to the main force.

This time they had brought three hundred cavalry. Upon their return, they discovered that the capital city had dispatched three hundred more cavalry, making a total of six hundred cavalry. They were sent to escort Mao Mingcai, Yan's Secretary of the Ministry of War, and the Chu State diplomatic mission.

Ran Min wasn't fond of the Chu people, but he was more than happy to see them admit defeat and submit.

The news that the Chu people were seeking peace and pursuing an alliance had long since spread. In the commander's tent outside Jade Plate City, Chu envoys were, in fact, relentlessly engaged in all sorts of negotiations and debates. However, when it all came down to it, the real decision-making power still lay with Yanjing.

Seeing the current situation, it seemed the treaty had been agreed upon.

This great war was about to be definitively concluded.

However, Ran Min felt somewhat disappointed. Did this mean they'd have to let the tens of thousands of Chu army soldiers in Jade Plate City return alive?

Although Ran Min understood this wasn't something he could concern himself with, he still felt some resentment.

Even though he was now a soldier, his inherent street habits still made him prefer the concept of repaying kindness and avenging grudges. His creed was an eye for an eye.

The convoy began to move.

Secretary Mao Mingcai was an important contemporary official, but he was quite amiable. During the marches, he would wander around the camp every night to observe. He even took the initiative to sit with Ran Min and the other soldiers, chatting and drinking vegetable soup with them.

Most of the time, he would ask the questions, and Ran Min and his men would answer. The main emphasis was always on the Battle of Wang River.

The Chu envoy, Jingyang, was much more discreet. He usually kept to himself within the Chu State envoy group during the march and rarely left his tent in the evening.

On the other hand, other individuals in the Chu delegation occasionally clashed with the Yan people. Both sides had even fought a few times. Of course, no weapons were drawn, and as long as no one was killed, the higher-ups weren't very concerned.

Marching like this, they eventually arrived outside Ying Capital City, where Prince Cheng, Situ Yu, led a group of officials from his Royal Mansion to personally welcome them.

His main purpose was to greet Mao Mingcai, who was, after all, a truly high-ranking Yan official.

Inside the posthouse, Situ Yu first bowed to Mao Mingcai.

Since Prince Cheng showed such respect, Mao Mingcai wasn't reserved in return. He properly led his entourage to kneel and pay their respects to Prince Cheng.

It could be said that both host and guests were thoroughly pleased.

Situ Yu invited Mao Mingcai to visit Ying Capital City, stating that he had already arranged a banquet, even though he hadn't actually prepared anything at all.

Mao Mingcai politely declined, saying he was on an imperial mission and would impose after completing his sovereign's command.

Then, Situ Yu and his men departed.

Mao Mingcai and his entourage lodged at the posthouse, planning to set off the next day, cross the Wang River, and reach Prince Jingnan's command headquarters.

The messenger carrying the news had, of course, been dispatched much earlier; those at the front lines should have already received the information.

That night, Mao Mingcai once again summoned Ran Min to chat.

There was a good reason the Sixth Prince appreciated Ran Min. Some people, despite their humble status, naturally exude a distinct quality that attracts attention.

The last person to perfectly embody this was, naturally, Lord Pingye.

Ran Min's fortune, in truth, wasn't bad either. Mao Mingcai appreciated his manner of speaking and his bold, unrestrained nature. The two were well on their way to setting aside the barriers of status and addressing each other as brothers.

This was fortune, an unstoppable fortune.

"So, you were originally supposed to go to Shengle?"

"Yes, Your Excellency. Initially, I was assigned to be exiled to garrison Shengle. However, because war broke out at the front and Prince Jingnan went on campaign, our batch of people was transferred to the front lines."

"That's also good fortune, happening to catch this war. Going from a convict to a regular soldier is truly not easy."

"Your Excellency is right."

"However, thinking about it differently, not making it to Shengle City, not being able to follow that Lord Pingye, perhaps that was also a missed opportunity."

"This humble one deeply admires Lord Pingye."

Just a few years ago, he was merely a commoner, one of the conscripted laborers. Soon after, he climbed rapidly, step by step, continuously earning the appreciation of influential figures while also accumulating undeniable military achievements time and again. He was appointed a General and ennobled as an Earl.

Now, legends of Lord Zheng are circulating everywhere in the Yan Army.

After all, regardless of the era, such stories of grassroots individuals rising to prominence are always the most popular and relatable, because the vast majority of people are, themselves, from grassroots.

"Sigh, Lord Pingye... I've always wanted to make his acquaintance, but I've been frustrated by the lack of opportunity. I've read his book, the 'Zheng Zi Art of War,' no less than three times.

To outsiders, it is undoubtedly a great masterpiece of military strategy.

Actually, at first, I thought some of its contents were written too generally, like a framework that appeared complex but was, in reality, rather empty.

But seeing the battle results Lord Zheng achieved leading his troops, I came to understand that he might have just casually written it, specifically for laymen to read."

"I also bought that book this time, at a bookshop in the capital. I'm reading it currently."

"Good. Read it more, learn more. Emulate the virtuous when you see them. I, for one, look forward to our Great Yan producing another renowned general in the future!"

"Thank you for your generous praise, Your Excellency!"

"You are certainly no ordinary man either. Consider this me giving you a bit of a heads-up. Unfortunately, although I am the Secretary of the Ministry of War and all affairs of the Ministry fall under my jurisdiction, when it comes to the Jingnan Army, my hand simply cannot reach that far."

After saying this, Mao Mingcai picked up his teacup and sipped his tea while looking at Ran Min.