Chapter 234: Chapter 119 Revenge! _3
"Being by Lord Jingnan’s side, you’ll surely be able to go in and see it. Honestly, I’m quite envious of you."
"If you wanted to see it, would they actually stop you?"
"Hmph. Scenery one has to beg to see? What elegance is there in that?"
"However, six months ago..."
"Exactly. The official story is that this newly built manor was for welcoming the Empress on her family visit. But right before construction began, the Earl of North Border was summoned back to the capital by several imperial edicts."
"Is that so."
"So, if the Tian Family says they built a villa for the Empress’s visit, then that’s what it is. We can’t very well say they knew this day was coming and built Prince Jingnan’s Royal Mansion ahead of time, can we?"
"It feels like these people are all cunning old foxes."
"Not a single one of these clan leaders is a fool. But the smarter they are, the worse it is for my Great Yan." The Sixth Prince’s voice carried a hint of resentment.
Clearly, his position dictated his perspective.
His father may have tormented him endlessly, but his surname was Ji, and the blood of the Yan imperial family flowed through his veins.
Only in front of Zheng Fan could he freely reveal his true feelings. To others, he was merely an idle prince, drifting along and earning a bit of pocket money.
Zheng Fan nodded. "Indeed. Currently, Jin State is mired in internal conflict, with the Three Great Clans vying for power and coercing the imperial family. Qian State is decaying, having lost its ambition and, it seems, its ability to advance. Chu State is like a slumbering lion behind closed doors; vast in territory, yet riddled with parasites. The Barbarian Royal Court is also at its most decadent point in history."
The Sixth Prince took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, one must think of the future. For now, our Great Yan, with its current resources and iron cavalry, can still deter the Barbarians and the other three states.
"But what if the Barbarian Royal Court rises again? What if Qian State produces an iron-willed prime minister who suddenly begins a resurgence? What if the internal strife in Jin State ends, or a formidable leader suddenly emerges in Chu State?
"Where, then, will our Great Yan stand?"
"Don’t get worked up, calm down." Zheng Fan patted the Sixth Prince on the shoulder. "This is precisely why I chose to assist you: because you have the entire realm in your heart, because you can see far ahead."
The Sixth Prince sniffled, seemingly trying hard to look deeply moved.
But he failed. In the end, with a hint of self-deprecation, he muttered, "Too fake."
"The truth is too harsh."
"Then don’t say it. Enough."
"But I can’t hide anything from you."
"Shut up."
"Only a down-and-out, struggling prince like yourself would even consider someone like me, a former captain from an unrecognized unit. If it were any of those princes with actual power, who would give me a second glance?"
"You scoundrel!"
...
"Finished talking?"
When Zheng Fan returned, Lord Jingnan was dabbing his mouth with a napkin.
"Yes. It’s been a while, so we chatted a bit longer."
"Hmph."
Lord Jingnan rose and descended the stairs.
Zheng Fan naturally followed.
By the time Lord Jingnan reached the ground floor, the guards at the entrance of the Quande Building Roast Duck Restaurant were already in position.
Lord Jingnan’s Pi Beast, of exceptionally pure lineage, was dozing there. Sensing its master’s approach, it opened its eyes and slowly rose to its feet.
Lord Jingnan stood by the threshold, in no hurry to step out. He suddenly asked, "Where do you think we should go next?"
"Your Lordship’s ambitions are boundless; this humble subordinate wouldn’t dare to speculate."
"Alright. Then we’ll go find Wei Zhonghe."
"My Lord, I believe your next destination should be the palace for an imperial audience."
Lord Jingnan shook his head. "There’s no rush for an audience. His Majesty only summoned me back to the capital; he did not summon me to the palace."
So, I guessed wrong.
"Then, is Your Lordship going home next? I heard the Old Master recently celebrated his grand birthday."
"I’ve already missed my father’s grand birthday. Going back a little earlier or a little later now makes no difference; it’s still missed."
Does that mean I guessed wrong again?
Zheng Fan fell silent.
Not the palace, not home... where else could you possibly go? To a nunnery, to meet a lover who’s been waiting for ages? A lover who also happens to be Dujuan’s elder sister? I could certainly spin some colorful theories for you, damn it, but I wouldn’t dare voice them. Scenarios, ha! As if anyone couldn’t conjure those up.
"Keep guessing."
"My Lord, this humble subordinate... I truly cannot guess anymore."
Lord Jingnan turned, his gaze falling on Zheng Fan. His voice suddenly rose as he called out, "Chief Zheng!"
"Your subordinate is here!" Zheng Fan immediately dropped to one knee.
"Do you know why I specifically brought you to the capital?"
"This subordinate is dull-witted; I do not know."
Zheng Fan understood this was a formal exchange. Lord Jingnan had returned to the capital at such a tense juncture; all factions were undoubtedly watching this place intently. Any stir here would be reported immediately. This loud questioning at the doorway was somewhat akin to the recording of an ancient emperor’s daily activities or a formal dialogue between sovereign and subject. When ancient emperors made such pronouncements, their ministers would immediately sit upright and answer with gravity, knowing their words would be recorded in the imperial annals, incorporated into history books, for people centuries or millennia later to read.
"Chief Zheng, though you did not originate from the Jingnan Army, I ask you: are you my soldier?"
"Replying to Your Lordship! If Your Lordship had not led your forces to rescue me that day, this subordinate would have long perished amidst the Qian State’s treacherous army. Your Lordship saved my life. This subordinate is Your Lordship’s soldier!"
Those words were shamelessly sycophantic and also dangerously taboo. The content had breached a certain political decorum. For instance, ancient civil and military officials, before doing anything, would always proclaim, ’This is His Majesty’s realm; I am His Majesty’s subject; these are His Majesty’s people and lands,’ and so on—much like how in later times, everything had to be prefixed ’in the name of the people.’ For Lord Jingnan to ask a mere Commander of a local Yan State fortress if he was *his* soldier... imperial censors would likely submit memorials to impeach him for this by tomorrow. But since Lord Jingnan had asked so directly, Zheng Fan had replied just as forthrightly.
"Good! The House of the Earl of North Border once proclaimed in the great desert: any barbarian tribe that dares to harass the people of Beifeng Prefecture shall be annihilated by the iron cavalry of the Northern Garrison!
"I, Tian Wujing! I, Lord Jingnan! I, the Jingnan Army!
"We admit we may not possess the world-shaking merits of the House of the Earl of North Border, who suppressed the Desert Barbarians for a century.
"But there is one thing this Lord can still declare:
"Anyone who dares to unjustly and covertly harm the soldiers under my command—
"This Lord, and all the officers and men of the Jingnan Army,
"Shall ensure their utter destruction!"
The moment Lord Jingnan finished speaking, the hundreds of Jingnan Army armored soldiers and his personal guards lining the street raised their weapons in unison, roaring:
"HU!"
"HU!"
"HU!"
Lord Jingnan walked to his Pi Beast and vaulted onto its back.
The Pi Beast rose to its full height, its nostrils snorting plumes of hot, white mist.
Lord Jingnan looked down at Zheng Fan, still kneeling, and asked, "Now do you know where this Lord is going next?"
Zheng Fan, still kneeling on one knee, felt somewhat dazed.
Lord Jingnan raised his riding crop. The Pi Beast lifted a forehoof and stomped down hard, shattering the azure bricks beneath it.
"Jingnan Army! Receive my order!"
SWOOSH! SWOOSH!
All the soldiers dropped to one knee in unison, a chilling, formidable aura of slaughter emanating from them.
Lord Jingnan’s expression was as dark and still as deep water. He declared, "Avenge them!"