Chapter 1452 - 350: Boiling!

Chapter 1452: Chapter 350: Boiling!

"Oh?"

"He said that to you after the great victory over Chu."

"That’s quite a level-headed thing to say."

"Actually, Lord Zheng, you had already mastered the situation, like a clear mirror in your heart, merely testing your subordinates."

Lord Zheng shook his head,

and said:

"Look at you, your old habit is acting up again. I was genuinely moved by him just now. Besides, how could I not know my own worth? What right do I have to put on airs and say I’m testing you?"

Gou Moli quickly took a step back, clasped his hands, and said:

"But, that is precisely what makes you so formidable, Lord Zheng."

......

Crossing the river, racing through the night.

Last time, Lord Zheng led troops into Ying Capital City, this time, there’s no need for such grandiosity and must be deliberately low-key.

Although it is impossible to hide from watchful eyes when an army suddenly withdraws from the front line to the banks of the Wang River.

But seeing an army returning and seeing Lord Pingye himself returning are two entirely different concepts.

And this time, what I brought back includes wild people, part of my own troops, and the rest are soldiers gathered from various other departments, intentionally disguised. Even if Chu State spies want to find out whose troops these are in the short term, it would take considerable effort.

Because of prior arrangements, Lord Zheng led his guards to meet Mao Mingcai’s people outside Ying Capital City, and then went straight into the Governor’s Mansion.

After the last trip to Ying Capital City,

Lord Zheng and Governor Mao formed a deep friendship.

Mao Mingcai’s name has already been listed on the Snow Sea Pass’s festive gift list; after all, no one resents too much courtesy, right?

Although Prince Jingnan doesn’t like Lord Zheng’s way of doing things, Lord Zheng still thinks that beneficial things should be grasped whenever possible.

Outside the Governor’s Mansion, a group of City Patrol Office soldiers guarded, and all the servants within were sent out.

Lord Zheng entered through the back door, came to the back residence’s side hall, and found that Mao Mingcai and Sun Youdao were already waiting for him.

"Hahaha, the cornerstone of the nation returns, old man is overjoyed, hahahahaha."

Mao Mingcai laughed heartily.

He was actually unaware of this military plan beforehand;

But as the governor of Ying Capital City, how could anything related to river work not pass through his hands?

With battles in the front and river repairs in the rear, how could he not be suspicious?

But he dared not ask,

with secret military orders from Prince Jingnan here, along with confidential directives from the Yan Emperor.

Mao Mingcai understood the seriousness of the matter and thus diligently did what needed to be done.

Sun Youdao, serving as the logistics operation overseer in the role of a Grand Tutor for the Jin people, felt similarly in this situation.

However, just a few days ago, a new military command arrived from Prince Jingnan, brief but enough for Mao Mingcai to glimpse the truth.

He is Yan,

being Yan,

naturally thinks about how to win this national war, so he doesn’t care about the aftermath of breaching the dam!

On Sun Youdao’s part, there’s a feeling akin to a Sword Saint’s mindset now. He has done what he should, and now, he wants to tend to his own family’s affairs.

Moreover, weighing the pros and cons, prolonged warfare would further drain the Three Jin lands, resulting in more deaths.

It’s better,

to simply strike with this blow!

However,

the two of them were unaware beforehand which general led the troops into Chu this time, but after receiving Lord Zheng’s messenger a day prior, both of them couldn’t help but feel reassured.

Because,

in Yan, in Jin land,

outsiders actually have more confidence in Lord Pingye than in Zheng Fan himself!

Lord Zheng was utterly exhausted, and the temporary City Patrol Office armor he changed into outside the city was quite ill-fitting, chafing uncomfortably. Upon entering, he loosened the armor and casually tossed it onto the ground beside him.

The armor hit the ground,

emitting a crisp sound:

"Crack..."

......

"Crack..."

A group of City Patrol Office soldiers lined up, running swiftly, their armor constantly rubbing with a sound.

Leading them was Ran Min, with a heavy expression.

Under the night sky,

they didn’t light torches,

just marched quickly in silence.

Not far from their direction,

was a large dike.

"Who goes there?"

"Who goes there?"

On the dike, a river patrol team made of local laborers, one hand holding a torch, the other holding a gong, with water plates for handovers hanging from their waists.

However, before they could clearly see who was coming, two City Patrol Office soldiers emerged from the bushes behind them, choking their necks, then stabbing them with knives.

Ran Min softly commanded the City Patrol Office soldiers behind him:

"Leave no one alive on the dike!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

The City Patrol Office soldiers quickly scattered.

Ran Min moved swiftly, darting in front of a laborer and stabbing him directly in the chest.

"Puff!"

......

"Puff!"

Mao Mingcai stabbed a piece of lamb with his dagger.

Pointing at the copper pot in the center of the table,

he smiled and said:

"I’ve been so busy lately that I’ve been overworked, the doctor advised against certain foods. Grand Tutor Sun has dental issues, but while we two can eat vegetarian, we can’t let Lord Pingye eat like us too.

Eat well to have the strength to kill Chu Slaves, right?

Come, Lord Zheng, slice the meat yourself and cook it."

Grand Tutor Sun nodded with a smile, "For fear of news leaking, the household servants were dispatched early, and though we may not have the audacity to call ourselves gentlemen, we indeed stay away from the kitchen.

So, we merely prepared this pot, cook whatever you like, it suits the time, haha."