The Demon Lords

Chapter 797 175: Strong Wind_4

The fleet docked, and everyone began to disembark.

Zheng Fan, on the other hand, continued to sit on the Pixiu; for the past two days, he had been bonding with the creature.

The results were surprisingly good. This Pixiu was significantly different from the first time they met. Now, it showed particular affection towards him.

General Zheng once wondered if this beast was smart enough to discriminate against the poor and favor the rich? In the past, when he was just General of Shengle, it paid no attention to him. However, now that he was a count, it had become close to him?

Actually, Lord Zheng was mistaken.

Because that night, after being scared by many devils' "true nature," the Pixiu perceived itself as a "slave" under the devils.

Animals indeed have this instinct of domination and submission. Humans do too, but humans are good at concealing it.

So, in its perception, Zheng Fan and itself were slaves under those devils. Fellow sufferers, they should naturally huddle together for warmth, to console each other.

While stroking the Pixiu's mane, Lord Zheng waited for everyone to disembark. Looking at the two different official uniforms and the flags of the arriving party, he concluded they were undoubtedly the team sent to announce the imperial decree and make the alliance.

Prince Jingnan had been calling him for days, but Lord Zheng hadn't seen any of the supposed scenery. He didn't dare to probe Tian Wujing for answers, because important figures often enjoyed playing the silent riddle. Just like when the Bodhi Patriarch knocked Wukong three times on the head, if you asked directly for the answer, they would be disgruntled. Moreover, Tian Wujing always considered him his "student," and without Liang Cheng around, Lord Zheng didn't have anyone to help him solve the mysteries.

At this moment, a remarkably dignified middle-aged man disembarked from the ship. After glancing at his uniform, Lord Zheng immediately realized there was a big fish in this party, so Zheng Fan didn't dare act arrogant and immediately dismounted to welcome him.

Mao Mingcai looked at Zheng Fan, first saluted him, and asked, "Is Your Honor Zheng Fan, Lord Zheng?"

"Indeed it is I. May I ask…"

"This official is Mao Mingcai."

"Oh."

"..." Mao Mingcai.

The scene immediately grew awkward.

Then, Zheng Fan spoke, "A pleasure to meet you, a great pleasure indeed."

Mao Mingcai could only respond with a salute, "A pleasure indeed."

Frankly, Zheng Fan genuinely didn't know that this Mao Mingcai before him was his actual superior in official terms, given that he was the Minister of War. But this kind of "relationship network" was usually handled by the Blind One gathering data, and Zheng Fan would ask the Blind One if he needed to. Ever since General Zheng commenced his military career, he had been following Prince Jingnan and basically didn't need to adhere to any regulations from the Ministry of War. Even when he did have to interact with them, he merely followed normal procedures. The most crucial point was, Mao Mingcai was a newly appointed Minister of War.

At that moment, Jingyang, the envoy from Chu State, stepped forward. After glancing at Zheng Fan and the Pixiu behind him, he announced, "Chu's Envoy Jingyang, greeting Lord Pingye of Yan."

"Greetings to Chu's Envoy."

Mao Mingcai was somewhat depressed, mainly because Zheng Fan didn't seem to be trying to belittle him on purpose; rather, he genuinely didn't know who he was. And those around him, out of fear for Zheng Fan's status, even if they did recognize the misunderstanding, didn't dare to remind him verbally. He certainly couldn't point at Zheng Fan and announce arrogantly like in the dramas, "Hey, boy, do you know who you are standing before!"

In truth, according to protocol, when a commander meets the Minister of War, it is as though he is meeting his direct superior. But Zheng Fan held the title of Lord Pingye, bestowed by the Yan Emperor personally. While Yan valued military merit, they were also quite stringent about granting noble titles. So, based on his title as Lord Pingye, he deserved to be on equal footing with Mao Mingcai.

Reluctantly, Mao Mingcai once again spoke, "Lord Pingye, I am the current Minister of War."

"Ah..." Zheng Fan smiled. Knowing he had gone a bit overboard, he sincerely said, "Please excuse me, Master Mao."

Then, Zheng Fan made a move as if to kneel. Mao Mingcai hurriedly reached out to steady him and, laughing heartily, said, "Lord Pingye, you've contributed to expanding our nation's frontier, conquered the snow plains and captured Snow Sea Pass. Even though I hold this position, I have remained in Yanjing. How could I accept your salute?"

Zheng Fan then straightened up smoothly, causing Mao Mingcai to stumble a bit.

Mao Mingcai didn't say anything about it.

Ran Min, who was standing by, watched this scene and silently gritted his back teeth.

In fact, Zheng Fan was genuinely being himself; he purely didn't recognize him and didn't mean to humiliate anyone on purpose.

But in Ran Min's perspective, such "casualness" was something he earnestly desired. To be so relaxed and calm in the face of a Minister—that was the status and position he yearned for.

Simultaneously, this Squad Leader, who had been in the army for not even a year, sighed a little inwardly. Initially, he was supposed to be assigned to Shengle, under the command of the man now standing before him.

"May I ask where Prince Jingnan is?" asked Mao Mingcai.

"Central Army Commander's Tent."

"Alright."

This awkward introduction finally came to an end. After the rest of the party had crossed the river by ferry, the welcoming team from Prince Jingnan's army finally arrived. It wasn't intentional negligence; the imperial decree team had been a bit rushed that day. According to the message delivered by fast horse the day before, they were expected to cross the river around dusk.