Chapter 1458 - 352: Beginnings_2

Chapter 1458: Chapter 352: Beginnings_2

However, the greatest effect is probably giving the soldiers a psychological hint:

Today I drank medicine, I am very healthy!

......

"Hu..."

Lord Zheng, having bathed, walked onto the deck. The ship he was on had two levels, with full rows of soldiers below, and the upper level just for their group.

Lord Zheng indeed had the privilege to enjoy this special treatment.

At this moment, Liang Cheng came over to report:

"My lord, ahead is the Fan Family’s fleet."

"Good."

Lord Zheng nodded.

The person in charge of the Fan Family fleet is Ruan San. He actually is no longer considered part of the Fan Family, since the first time Lord Zheng entered Chu via the water village, he pledged allegiance to Lord Zheng.

This waterway used to be a smuggling route for the Fan Family; this time, it serves as the passage for the Yan Army entering Chu.

Ruan San’s fleet firstly serves as the guide, and secondly has brought copious supplies.

Prince Jingnan’s strategic play was so profound that even his own couldn’t guess it, let alone the Chu people. Yet similarly, the distribution and coordination corresponding to it require extremely high standards.

Firstly, diverting Wang River was no easy task, especially with battles ahead, even if everything was arranged, luck was still needed.

After all, changes in nature are difficult to entirely follow human planning.

Fortunately, the mission succeeded.

Next is the continuous supply to this fleet advancing south.

Before entering Chu, there’s nothing to worry about, but once inside, reliance is on the Fan Family.

Lord Zheng could not stop the vessel to let soldiers hunt or pillage ashore, or it would lose the element of surprise. Truly alerting the Chu, the fleet would be blocked ahead and this surprise attack would become a joke.

Thus, the fleet must maintain maximum speed and efficiency as it proceeds.

This time, the Fan Family must truly "sacrifice family for the national emergency," to support Lord Zheng’s surprise troops.

Lord Zheng didn’t feel guilt or gratitude for this. He had interacted with Fan Zhengwen, who for the sake of family revival would stop at nothing like a madman.

Moreover, as long as this battle is won, the Yans seem only to capture Town South Pass with troops limited to Shanggu County, but the line along Mong Mountain would naturally escape Chu State’s complete control. A Yan army could then be stationed in the Fan lands. Whether to fully overthrow the Qu Clan or assist Fan Family in standing equal against the Qu Clan, would depend entirely on the strategic requirements of the person in charge.

Likely a lot would still be decided by Lord Zheng.

Ruan San boarded the ship Lord Zheng was on.

"Ruan San, pays respects to Lord. May Lord be in health and peace!"

"Rise. Is everything ahead arranged well?"

"Reply to Lord, the master had prepared everything long ago. The water level rose due to the diversion of Wang River, the fleet can pass unhindered."

"Thank you for your hard work."

"Serving Lord is never hard."

"I need you to run another errand, tell Fan Zhengwen to work well, today’s contributions are all noted in my heart.

Ensure our army enters Wei River and advances to Jing City, I guarantee him a hereditary position as Fan Family Governor!"

Hereditary position,

Governor,

Are not decisions Lord Zheng can make.

Even if Lord Zheng is titled a marquis later, becoming Yan’s third actual power, he can’t decide this independently.

But Yan Emperor has the courage for it,

As long as he aids rapid defeat of Chu,

Lord Zheng believes Yan Emperor would be generous with such rewards.

Plus having just invaded another country, high-profile rewarding of guides is essential.

The Qing Dynasty rewarded Wu Sangui and others this way; the invaders awarded Wong Tianhai similarly;

Once inside, allocation can occur, otherwise, it’s all empty talk.

Yan is not like Southern Ming, and the court officials led by Zhao Jiulang are incomparable to Southern Ming incompetents.

What Fan Zhengwen wants is no more than for Fan Clan to shed its servile stature and glorify its sect? Fine, give it to him!

With Ji Chengjue’s connection,

Plus Lord Pingye’s personal guarantee of a hereditary position as governor,

Adequate for Fan Zhengwen to struggle for.

Fight hard,

Everyone must fight hard,

Even Lord Zheng is personally in the battlefield, how can others idly spectate?

Ruan San responded:

"Rest assured, Lord. Our master sees clearly."

"It’s his business to see clearly, how to reward is mine. After this battle, follow me, and I’ll reward you with a general’s rank."

"Thank you, Lord!"

Ruan San left.

The fleet continued forward.

The journey lasted many days.

Throughout these days, Lord Zheng paid close attention to the soldiers’ physical and psychological conditions. With careful precautions despite the rushed nature for maintaining secrecy, the soldiers didn’t experience contagious cold or disease.

Those who initially got seasick slowly adjusted.

Being on a river, not at sea.

The soldiers are hardy, not pampered ladies, their bodies are robust, and adaptability is strong.

Finally,

The fleet entered Fan territory, or more precisely, the canal the Fan Family supervised and excavated.

Here, it’s another round of provisions.

Fan Zhengwen boarded the ship. After receiving Fan Zhengwen’s assurance, and seeing the box of severed heads of local Chu officials and military figures, along with a group of "defectors" from the local Chu military;