The Demon Lords

"The blind man’s idea is that the court wishes to use the examination system to select Jin people for government service in Jin land, and to appease the locals, many Jin officials are assigned back to their native places after selection.

If our instructors from the Snow Sea Pass can pass the exams and be assigned back to their hometowns, it would save us trouble and give an account to the court. After all, the previous arrangement of having military leaders also manage the locale to temporarily appease and stabilize the area in response to warfare is no longer desired by the court as the situation in Jin has stabilized."

"Hmm, I understand."

Having donned his armor, Lord Zheng walked out of the hall.

Outside, Zhang Yuanshan and Feng Guan were already waiting there; naturally, they were needed to participate together in this military parade.

Actually, Feng Guan was more accommodating, following the rules at the Snow Sea Pass, enjoying the good food and drink provided, and accepting the gifts. After all, he came all this way to proclaim an edict and gain experience while collecting benefits. Such a person is instead settled and reliable.

In contrast, Zhang Yuanshan, according to Xiao Yibo’s feedback, was mostly outside, either observing the lives of the military and civilians or wandering on the city walls, seldom idle.

You could say he’s curious, but whether this curiosity conceals deeper intentions remains unknown.

Moreover, with the court’s ongoing efforts to shift local governance from the hands of various military leaders, Zhang Yuanshan’s actions become even more intriguing.

"Greetings, Lord."

"Greetings, Lord."

After proclaiming the edict, these two naturally had to lower their stance in front of Lord Zheng.

"Please go ahead, you two."

"Please go ahead, Lord."

The three left the Earl’s Mansion, where a refined carriage was already waiting at the gate, inside sat Xiong Liqing.

For the military parade,

one must naturally present the latest "spoils of war" to consolidate one’s influence among the soldiers.

What Lord Zheng desired was the feeling that, once landed, a mere wave of the hand would cause the army to defect in his favor;

this is a cultivation of personal worship within the military;

and it is indispensable, for if soldiers do not worship you, they will worship something else, such as an imperial edict or the Yan Emperor.

This is a situation Lord Zheng will never allow to occur —how could the troops he painstakingly raised follow others?

Even the princess herself knew that she would inevitably become a tool for Lord Zheng’s boasting in the coming years, yet this is her value. Since she chose to accompany him to Yan State, this process was unavoidable.

She did not indulge in self-pity and took it lightly.

Siniang had once talked with Lord Zheng about the differences between Xiong Liqing and the blind man’s wife Yuexin.

Both women are actually very intelligent,

but Yuexin comes from the Wen Family, inheriting Wen Sutong’s style of managing the household wisely, knowing how to establish herself and settle in;

Xiong Liqing, in contrast, hails from the royal family, and despite not having extensive personal experiences, inherently understands how to perceive things from a superior perspective, naturally avoiding trivialities.

On the contrary, Liu Ruqing lacked much personal insight, drifting more like flotsam on a river’s surface, yet this is precisely where her charm lies.

Sometimes, being purely a vase is a skill that cannot be acquired later, nor can it be challenged—one can only blame their parents.

In the carriage, Xiong Liqing was dressed in fine garments, the embroidery was done by Siniang herself, modeled after a royal robe from Siniang’s imagination. Of course, the attire naturally had many violations, such as the use of gold borders and phoenix embroidery, but Xiong Liqing was a princess, and Chu was a nation comparable to Yan, so none would object to her wearing such.

On the contrary, even if the Yan Emperor were present to see it, he would not be displeased, because only a princess dressed in this manner is a true princess and can elevate the pride of the Yan people to its peak.

While wearing this modified royal robe the day before, Xiong Liqing had humorously asked Siniang:

Sister, has this outfit long been ready?

Siniang answered:

"Hmm, I’ve made three sets of dragon robes already."

"Your Highness, have some water; the sun is bright outside."

Zhao Cheng brought water over.

Xiong Liqing shook her head, saying, "I won’t drink it. By the way, hasn’t Lord Zheng come out yet?"

"Should be soon, Princess."

"Ah."

Xiong Liqing sighed; she had been dressed and waiting for some time, yet Lord Zheng still lingered, leaving her waiting here.

Luckily,

Xiong Liqing had grown accustomed to it, having interacted more frequently recently and realized that even in certain habits, her husband was more particular than herself.

Finally,

Lord Zheng and the others emerged, with Lord Zheng riding a Pixiu at the forefront of the procession.

Feng Guan and Zhang Yuanshan followed on horseback, the procession left through the north gate and entered the snowfield.

The reviewing stand was constructed of wooden frames fortified with clay, adorned with numerous Black Dragon flags of Yan and Zheng Character flags.

When Lord Zheng’s procession arrived, the waiting wild elders and chieftains immediately knelt down, chanting:

"Blessings to Lord."

"Blessings to Lord."

Amidst the gaze of all, Lord Zheng reached out and patted the head of the Pixiu beneath him.

The Pixiu understood,

opened its mouth,

raised its front hoof,

and in the next moment,

a barbarian knife was spat out directly from its mouth.