Chapter 1459 - 352: Beginning_3

Chapter 1459: Chapter 352: Beginning_3

Lord Zheng ordered,

the fleet to stop here, allowing the soldiers to come ashore and rest.

First, for safety,

second, to boost morale.

If they were truly to be treated like sardines packed tightly all the way to Jing City, ready to disembark and fight immediately, even Lord Zheng wouldn’t have the confidence for that.

The Fan Family was considerate,

having already prepared meats and wines to reward the army at the waterside camp. Lord Zheng ordered the ban on alcohol lifted today, allowing the soldiers to revel freely.

Meanwhile, the Fan Family had gathered women from red tents from ten miles around to commence special services.

The soldiers, long cooped up in the cabins, nearly bending their inclinations, finally found timely relief;

only, their manners of eating were rather unsightly,

shouting incessantly while queuing for others to hurry up, faster, and faster.

In the end, Liang Cheng personally led the Snow Sea soldiers as military police to suppress the chaotic situation.

For this, several of the most unruly soldiers were executed.

Thanks to Lord Zheng’s sufficient reputation, he could suppress all the leaders and keep the soldiers in line, otherwise leading the army this way would be impossible for others.

So, very soon, by the shore;

everyone quietly ate meat and drank wine, queued quietly, a suppressed orderliness pervading;

even the professional cries from the red tents did not dare to be heard.

Aboard the ship,

Lord Zheng hosted a banquet for Fan Zhengwen and others.

First, the local Chu generals knelt down to formally salute Lord Pingye, then introduced themselves.

Money can make the devil turn millstones, this phrase fits the Fan Family best.

In modern terms, when capital expands to a certain extent, it becomes omnipresent and naturally extends its sinful claws to areas it shouldn’t touch.

Most of these local generals were sponsored by the Fan Family.

And this sponsorship started from their fathers’ or even grandfathers’ generation; some of their ancestors were either servants of the Fan Family or had wed a Fan daughter.

The Fan Family, using money as a guide, with efforts over generations, wove an enormous network of relationships.

Without this,

Fan Zhengwen wouldn’t have the confidence to board the ship to Yan.

Of course, this network is not perfect, there are bound to be loopholes, but these loopholes or unstable factors have been preemptively resolved by the Fan Family.

Those heads, can be presented, and can be served today as appetizers;

many others were either poisoned or annihilated.

Lord Zheng knows, those Chu generals and officials kneeling before him now, their hands should all be stained with the blood of their colleagues.

Isolating oneself righteously, how is that possible?

Without offering a pledge, just go and gossip with those Chu "righteous men."

"Gentlemen, please rise, our Great Yan has always been clear about rewards and punishments, and His Majesty is never stingy with honors. You all have rendered great service to our Great Yan; after the Town South Pass battle is settled, bestowing honors will be no question.

Come,

rise,

drink this cup in full,

after this cup,

you can be considered officials in the same court with this Lord."

"Thank you, Lord!"

"Thank you, Lord!"

After rounds of drinks, the atmosphere at the table warmed up.

After receiving Lord Zheng’s promises and comforts, they appropriately disembarked, surprisingly even Fan Zhengwen didn’t stay back intentionally for further conversation.

He had the right to, even Lord Zheng was ready for it.

But Fan Zhengwen disembarked promptly, without hesitation.

Watching them leave shore in small boats,

Gou Moli approached Lord Zheng and spoke:

"Lord, this Fan Zhengwen is indeed a remarkable man."

Lord Zheng nodded.

A madman, terrifying, yet not truly terrifying;

a madman with capability, temperament, and methods, that’s truly terrifying.

"Lord, if you wish to use this person in the future, you must be cautious; this person can be pressured with the situation, but is unsuitable for future cooperation."

"Ha."

Lord Zheng chuckled,

he understood Gou Moli’s meaning.

The wild king hinted that this Fan Zhengwen is Ji Chengjue’s uncle by marriage.

So no matter what, he would stand by Ji Chengjue’s side.

Lord Zheng extended a hand, patting the wild man’s shoulder,

and said;

"There’s still time."

Gou Moli replied, "Lord, success lies in long-term strategies."

"Alright, once the war is over, you and the blind one go plan thoroughly."

With two conspirators at home, Lord Zheng was happy to stay idle.

It’s not that he couldn’t play such games or make such plans, but it’s just too tiring and would impact his quality of life.

Anyway, since Gou Moli and the blind one enjoy fiddling with such matters, he let them be.

As for Ji Chengjue,

if he had to choose who should be the next emperor,

he would undoubtedly choose Ji Chengjue.

Simply,

because he finds that fellow pleasing to the eye;

At this moment, A Cheng arrived on the small boat.

Lord Zheng asked:

"A Cheng, how much longer?"

"My lord, rest assured, from this canal, it leads straight into the Wei River, then from the Wei River into Jing City, all large rivers, so the speed won’t be slow. Additionally, Fan Zhengwen also sent several Qu Clan military flags and some Blue Luan armors, so on the way, we can put up a show."

"But subordinate feels, there’s actually no need for this."

"No, there is this need." Lord Zheng smiled, "When the ships reach Jing City, and we take down the Chu flags to put up the Black Dragon flags, the thrill is even stronger."

Gou Moli questioned: "Thrill for whom?"