The Demon Lords

Mao Mingcai immediately said:

"This is only natural, I will immediately send someone back to open the treasury to reward the soldiers. However, it is better not to trouble two masters for one task. I request Lord Pingye to make a trip and distribute the rewards."

The relationship between Mao Mingcai and Zheng Fan is quite peculiar now;

During the day, they are at odds, with civil and military opposition, but now they seem to be drunk from the winds of Jin land.

Of course, the reason Mao Mingcai said this was not necessarily to deliberately befriend Zheng Fan, or at least not entirely. It was to preemptively shut Situ Yu’s mouth.

After Yan people took over Cheng State, they naturally isolated Prince Cheng’s mansion from the Jin military forces. Prince Cheng could indulge in debauchery within Ying Capital City if he wished, but he absolutely could not touch military power again.

Rewarding soldiers to win their favor is certainly not something that could be given to Situ Yu.

Sure enough,

After Mao Mingcai finished speaking,

Situ Yu also said:

"I will have my people transfer the rewards to Lord Pingye later, so I’ll have to trouble Lord Pingye."

Lord Zheng nodded and said, "Thank you, Master Mao and the Prince, for your trust."

Mao Mingcai then continued to ask:

"Lord Pingye, what about the third point?"

Zheng Fan spoke:

"The third point is penalties, with rewards there must also be punishments. Only with clear distinctions between rewards and punishments can we have long-term peace and stability. This rebellion involved many officials, many were negligent, and quite a few turned a blind eye, and even more did so.

I think heavy punishments are needed to serve as a warning to others."

Situ Yu, hearing this, expressed some concern and said, "But wouldn’t this risk destabilizing people’s hearts?"

Lord Zheng immediately answered, "Therefore, I suggest inviting Grand Tutor Sun to come out of retirement, to cleanse and reorganize the governance of Ying Capital City. Firstly, Grand Tutor Sun is well-respected in Ying Capital City, which can reassure the people; secondly, Grand Tutor Sun is very familiar with Ying Capital City, and during the cleansing, he can take targeted actions.

Of course, all of this must be led by Master Mao."

Mao Mingcai squinted his eyes; he felt things were going too smoothly, but couldn’t figure out where the problem was. After all, Lord Zheng’s suggestion was a reasonable one, and even if he hadn’t suggested it, the court would likely invite Grand Tutor Sun to come out of retirement.

"I think it is feasible,"

Situ Yu quickly expressed his stance. He had previously harbored feelings of distaste for Sun Youdao, but he understood well that it was far better for Sun Youdao to take the lead than for the Yan court to send another harsh official.

Mao Mingcai finally nodded and said, "What Lord Pingye says is very true."

After the discussion was over,

Zheng Fan got up to take his leave,

The trouble has been quelled, and the next thing he has left is rewarding the soldiers, but arranging the rewards will take a bit more time, just enough for him to return to the post station for a bath and to rest a bit.

Moreover, with so much trouble in Ying Capital City today, the princess was alone at the post station, so he had to go back and check on her.

After a brief farewell with Mao Mingcai and Situ Yu,

Lord Zheng led his people back to the post station.

Just as he entered the post station, Lord Zheng took a token from his waist, it was an imperial gift, engraved with the words Lord Pingye.

Lord Zheng presented the token to the Sword Saint,

The Sword Saint was somewhat puzzled, did not take it, and asked:

"What’s the matter?"

"Aside from the City Patrol Office and garrison guards, there are considerable forces called in from outside city camps within the city. Although they are still hunting down the remnants of the rebels, and I have already dispatched Gao Yi to supervise the patrols, I am still worried they might cause some disturbances among the civilians.

This is my command token; you can wander the city, and if you encounter offending soldiers, you can use my token to stop them."

The Sword Saint took the token and smiled,

and said:

"Stop them?"

Lord Zheng responded: "Or you could also see it as, after killing the offending soldiers, when you are besieged, take out the token to extricate yourself."

The Sword Saint nodded and said, "It’s indeed quite strange. It means the same, but saying it in a different way makes it feel completely different."

"Glad you like it."

The Sword Saint shook his head and tossed the token back to Zheng Fan, saying:

"I’m tired, I want to rest for a while, I don’t need to accompany you to the barracks tonight, do I?"

"No need."

"Then I’ll sleep."

"Sweet dreams."

The Sword Saint returned to his room.

Lord Zheng retrieved the token, turned, and walked toward his main room.

The Wild Man King took this opportunity to approach the Blind Man and said, "I did quite well today, didn’t I?"

As a rule, the Wild Man King wouldn’t be so juvenile;

But immaturity depends on who one is with; for example, those in power are invariably imposing in front of subordinates but are much like ordinary people when among their peers.

Evidently, the Wild Man King regarded the Blind Man as a peer.

The Blind Man nodded and said, "I know you wrote a note."

"Oh?"

"And I also know whose name you wrote."

At that time, the Wild Man King was sitting at the table opposite the Blind Man, a very short distance. How could the Blind Man not sense with his spiritual energy?

"Then why didn’t you stop me, or at least ask me?"

"Why should I stop you, why should I ask you?"

"Aren’t you afraid I will mess things up?"

"You’re doing this, surely you have your reasons. I’m just waiting to see; after all, your name is Gou Moli, not Gou Fool."

"Are you complimenting me?"

"What do you think?"

"I’ll take it as a compliment."

"Fine."

"That’s great. Do we have nothing else to do tonight?"

"Apart from a trip to the barracks, there shouldn’t be anything else."

"Then shall we play a few more rounds?"

"Using the word ’kill’ for Gobang seems a bit much."

......

Lord Zheng entered the room, and Xiong Liqing came up to help Lord Zheng remove his armor.

"There was quite a commotion in the city today," the princess said.

"Hmm, you weren’t scared, were you?"

"No, I was just worried about you."

"I’m quite fond of my own life."

"I know."

After removing the armor,

Lord Zheng was about to stretch, but he noticed the princess’s fingers deftly capturing two raised points on his chest and began spiraling.

"Hiss..."

Lord Zheng took half a step back and said:

"I’m all sweaty, don’t let it smell you."

The princess saw this and said:

"Then how about this?"

Saying this, the princess’s hand made a virtual grip, then moved up and down.

Seeing Lord Zheng remained silent, the princess sat on the chair, took off her shoes, and exposed her feet,

"Or like this?"

"Heh heh."

Lord Zheng was amused.

The princess bit her lip, seemingly puzzled, and said, "Elder sister only taught me these three things. She said it should be enough on the way, and by the time we return, I should have them well-practiced."

"Seems you two get along well."

"Yes."

"I still have to go to the barracks later to reward the soldiers. Would you like to come with me for some fresh air?"

"Sure, I’ll go change."

"Just change into casual clothes, disguising as a man is enough."

"That won’t do; I need to wear elegant clothing."

"Not like we’re rewarding our own soldiers, no need to go to such trouble."

"Now we’re not, but in the future, we might be."

"You make a good point."

"Heh heh, right. By the way, there’s a very famous clothing store in Ying Capital City. I heard about it even when I was in Chu State. Not today, but I plan to visit tomorrow if they are open."

Considering the chaos today, it’s normal for shops to be closed tomorrow.

"They will be open."

Lord Zheng was very certain.

"But the clothes inside are very expensive. I want to have a few outfits made with celestial silk; it’s a precious material from the Skybreak Mountain."

Lord Zheng didn’t naively say, "Just take it,"

because he knew women loved the notion; if it were just taken, it would seem worthless.

"Alright, tomorrow I’ll go out incognito and accompany you for a stroll."

"But it’s really expensive," the princess reminded again.

Lord Zheng smiled,

and said:

"A man earns money for women to spend."

————

Thanks to "Braised Tofu Brain" and "Little Cold Hands" for becoming allies of "Demon Arrival"!

Good night.