The Demon Lords

Secondly, if I do this, it’s very likely to provoke Chengjue.

But "discussing the matter as it stands," it is just based on assumptions.

Especially when it involves the court,

an ordinary matter can be spun into countless intrigues.

Rebellion is not an option,

but one must express one’s attitude,

using one’s stance to coerce Lord Jingnan’s stance, and then combine it with the stance of various military doors in Jin land to pressure the court, so that the court is fearful and cautious;

In short, as long as the court continues to tacitly allow the autonomous independence of Xue Hai Guan, even if it retracts the governance rights from other military doors, Lord Zheng will still profit.

Most importantly,

in this matter,

whether intentionally or unintentionally,

I,

am already at a loss,

I,

am already being bullied!

"Relay my orders."

"Subordinate here!"

After finishing two walnuts,

Lord Zheng patted his hands,

blew on his palms a few times,

raised his head slightly,

looked at the blind man,

and said:

"Sharpen the knives."

...

The next morning,

many carriages were parked outside the post station.

The foremost one,

was the carriage of Prince Cheng Situ Yu, with behind it, carriages of various renowned aristocratic families and major powers in Ying Capital City;

Further behind, there was a mixture, after all, there were too many people wanting to recommend themselves to seek an opportunity with Lord Zheng.

By this time, the gate of the post station slowly opened.

But what came out was not the postmaster and his subordinates, but a group of armored soldiers.

The so-called "sharpening the knives" does not mean hastily finding a sharpening stone to sharpen the knives. For seasoned soldiers, the upkeep of weapons and arrows is something that cannot be neglected even in daily life.

This order, in fact, meant to rest well tonight, gather ample energy, adjust one’s condition, and prepare to draw blood tomorrow.

Thus,

when this personal guard unit emerged with their swords, an immediate aura of lethalness permeated the air.

Led by Gao Yi, this town had the least people, only one battalion, but as the personal guard unit ensuring Lord Zheng’s safety, it naturally selected the elite of the entire army.

Three hundred Tiger Guards, at once silenced the entire street outside the post station.

Then,

Lord Zheng, donned in golden armor, rode out on the Pixiu from within the gate.

Siniang had once reminded Lord Zheng that this set of golden armor must not be worn in real battle, which Lord Zheng remembered, but in the present circumstances, this imperial gift was indeed most fitting.

By this moment,

the curtain of the foremost carriage was lifted from inside, revealing the figure of Prince Cheng Situ Yu. When his father perished in battle and was buried, he was but a child. Now, he was a young man.

However, his face did not inherit the prominent sharpness of his father, but rather conveyed an air of scholastic frailness.

This should be attributed to the environment, after all, although Prince Cheng’s mansion remained in Ying Capital and was not relocated to Yanjing like the Jin emperor’s line, Situ Yu lived like a mere figurine.

"Young Prince, greets Lord Pingye."

Situ Yu greeted Zheng Fan.

One is a prince, the other a count, the difference is great, yet the former humbles himself towards the latter, and humbles a lot.

This is the insecurity of a person from a vanquished nation. Perhaps, among the Jin people within and outside Ying Capital, he could maintain some semblance of dignity, but before the true nobility of Yan State, he dared not show any arrogance.

Riding on the Pixiu, Lord Zheng clasped his fist towards Situ Yu,

and said:

"Greetings to Prince Cheng, I wish Prince Cheng well-being."

The words spoke of courtesy, but there was not a bit of sincerity in his demeanor.

Actually, under normal circumstances, Lord Zheng would not fuss over such superficialities. Ordinarily, he would posture respectfully and ceremoniously give a courtesy gesture to the young Prince Cheng willingly; there is no point to find faults in such trivials.

But today, he cannot drop even a slight demeanor.

"Lord Pingye has come to Ying Capital; I have ordered wine and delicacies in the mansion to welcome Lord Pingye and allow me a chance to fulfill the host’s duty."

Lord Zheng smiled,

in his impression,

it seemed that what this little Prince Cheng always did was inviting to meals.

In the past,

when the Eldest Prince led the Eastern Conquest Army here, he held a banquet for the Eldest Prince;

when Lord Jingnan came, he held a banquet for Lord Jingnan;

when the former Minister of War, now Ying Capital Prefect, Mao Mingcai came, he held a banquet for Mao Mingcai.

Everyone from the Yan region who came to Ying Capital, he would extend an invitation for a mansion banquet.

But,

they all declined.

Lord Zheng even believed that perhaps this Prince Cheng never really prepared any wine and dishes in the mansion, but assumed he would also refuse.

Hosting a banquet for welcoming and dusting off has almost become a fixed formality for this prince.

"Prince Cheng is thoughtful, but I, Zheng, am currently occupied with matters and truly inconvenient."

"This... Lord Pingye, for what affair, if it requires my assistance, I would naturally..."

"Personal matter."

Zheng Fan scanned around with his gaze,

and loudly declared:

"I, Pingye, defend the border for the nation, battle with the wild people, engage in bloody combat with the Chu, yet while I and my soldiers fight for the nation, there are those who dare scheme against me from behind.

I truly wish to ask,

do they really think that the tens of thousands of soldiers at Xue Hai Guan have no temper?

Do they truly think I have no temper!"

No matter what, first elevate one’s own stance, meanwhile pin the blame onto those you plan to execute shortly.