Chapter 1 Zheng Fan's Cold

Zheng Fan really had caught a cold, and it dragged on for half a month before he recovered.

But what he said that night wasn't just feverish rambling, because the seven Demon Kings had all further restored their strength.

If Zheng Fan was an eighth-grade martial artist, then the seven Demon Kings were probably around the same eighth-grade level. But they were different; their bloodline, experience, and special abilities gave them bug-like enhancements, making them far more than just seven eighth-grade experts.

Everyone in Tianzhai had enjoyed the benefits of "when one achieves enlightenment, even the chickens and dogs ascend to heaven."

The same was true here at Cui Liu Fort, though it was a bit more acceptable to everyone.

Although his cold had cleared up, Zheng Fan still wasn't wearing armor. Instead, he was bundled up in a cotton-padded coat, a thick cotton coat, and a scarf wrapped around his neck, making himself look like a rice dumpling.

Today was overcast, with rain falling, and the weather had a bitter chill to it. The coldness on the ice crystals felt like it could pierce your skin.

But despite this, training in the fort was still proceeding in an orderly manner.

Among all the fortresses along the border of Yinlang Prefecture, Cui Liu Fort was probably the only one that could afford the luxury of its own independent training ground.

So, whether in modern times or ancient times, money, while not omnipotent, can solve most problems.

On the training ground, Huo Guang was leading seven hundred clansmen in drills. The Great Yan aristocratic families had been around for so long, and under the influence of extravagance, fewer and fewer were willing to put in the effort to continue passing down the "martial" tradition.

People all yearn for comfort and want to make their lives more comfortable, but the Huo family was an exception.

But this exception failed to change the Huo family's fate of being overturned in the wave of the Northern Garrison Army's crushing of the aristocratic families. However, from another perspective, it also provided them with a greater opportunity to rise again.

Battlefield combat requires changing many habits of individual bravery. It doesn't need too many flashy things, but emphasizes cooperation.

This was what Liang Cheng had said, so, for the past half month, the Huo family members who hadn't been broken up had, under Liang Cheng's leadership, begun to gradually wear down the individual heroism of the family's disciples through drills.

Zuo Jiqian was still in charge of the Zuo family. With a great battle imminent, there was no time to divide and dismantle them. Letting family members lead their own was the fastest way to improve cohesion and combat effectiveness.

Future matters could be dealt with later.

Zheng Fan didn't understand the principles of training soldiers, so he didn't interfere.

Oh, not really. Zheng Fan had only one request, and that was to keep that憨憨 (hān hān, simple and artless) Fan Li away from the training grounds. He didn't want his new recruits to learn to shout "Ula."

It was best not to deviate too far from the style, otherwise, as the commander, he wouldn't be able to get enough vanity when needed.

Zheng Fan's attitude had been made very clear that night: I want to play, I want to stir things up, but I don't want to be responsible. It sounded very渣男 (zhā nán, scumbag).

In fact, after that night, the way Zheng Fan interacted with everyone hadn't changed much. The Demon Kings still called him Master, but there was a touch of calmness and composure between them.

Zheng Fan enjoyed this atmosphere; he felt that this was how life should be.

As for whether the Demon Kings really thought so, Zheng Fan didn't know and didn't want to bother thinking about it. He was wholeheartedly playing the ostrich, which looked stupid but was comfortable.

"Ah~"

Zheng Fan yawned. These days, Si Niang's needlework skills had improved again. For her, she was no longer satisfied with using just her hands to use the needle; even her feet were...

His subordinates wanted to develop new skills and practice new techniques, and as their master, Zheng Fan could only offer himself as bait to the tiger and be her training partner.

Alas, if I don't go to hell, who will?

"Master," Blindman Bei walked over. "Someone from the Secret Intelligence Division is here."

...

In front of the brazier, Zheng Fan, wrapped up like a rice dumpling, sat in a chair, warming his hands over the fire while gently rocking back and forth.

The person from the Secret Intelligence Division was familiar.

It was the one Du Juan had sent to the academy to deliver orders when they went to Huaiya Academy last time, the brother who Zheng Fan had speculated might have been assigned a beating mission for peeking at his female superior bathing.

This brother's name was very unique; he was called Shan Ji.

When he first introduced himself,

Zheng Fan had heard it as Shan Ji (山鸡, pheasant),

Fortunately, his cold had cleared up,

Otherwise, Zheng Fan would have laughed so hard he'd blown snot bubbles.

Shan Ji was Du Juan's subordinate, and Du Juan was the head of the Secret Intelligence Division in Yinlang Prefecture, and also the Jingnan Marquis's wife.

"Lord Zheng, you're really too稳 (wěn, stable)."

Shan Ji had come to inquire. After introducing himself, he exchanged pleasantries the whole time, with this sentence as the theme.

Then, he left.

After he left, Blindman Bei came out from behind the hall, dragged over a chair, and sat down next to Zheng Fan.

"Master, whose intention do you think this is?"

"It should be Du Juan's."

Because Blindman Bei hadn't really had contact with the Jingnan Marquis, he couldn't be sure about some judgments.

Zheng Fan continued:

"The Jingnan Marquis wouldn't send someone specifically to ask me this. He should be very busy right now, and these aspects should be Du Juan's responsibility."

"Then Xu Wenzu took it on." Blindman Bei said.

Zheng Fan nodded and said, "It should be."

After all, the Secret Intelligence Division wasn't the staff department. It was clearly against the rules to skip over one's superior and transmit a message directly. But probably because Xu Wenzu unconditionally favored Cui Liu Fort, Du Juan had specially sent Shan Ji to remind him.

In fact, when Zheng Fan was still in Tianzhai helping the Jingnan Marquis's family collect corpses, the various warlords in Yinlang Prefecture had already received orders from the Jingnan Marquis.

The order was simple: Do everything you can to harass Qian!

Nanwang City was the first line of defense, and also the most important town on Yan's southern border against Qian. But at this time, on the Yan-Qian border, there were eight other commanding generals besides Xu Wenzu.

They had been pushed forward from their original defense zones and garrisons, meaning that here, including Xu Wenzu, there were a total of nine commanding generals, and even more warlords under their command.

So, when the Jingnan Marquis's order was issued, these many warlords, like wasps, began to sting into Qian's border defenses.

The war had actually already begun before Zheng Fan returned.

Then, after Zheng Fan led the convicts back, another half month passed, but he still hadn't responded to the Jingnan Marquis's call to arms, and was just holed up in the fort, training, training, and more training.

"This should be the beginning of the first phase of the war," Blindman Bei said.

According to Blindman Bei's calculations, the first phase of Yan's war against Qian was to rely on the strength of the Jingnan Army to eat away at the field elites of Qian's Northern Three Towns. This was also to lay the groundwork for the second phase, when the Northern Garrison Army would participate after it finished sweeping away the aristocratic families.

The current harassment was intended to attract the Qian court to move all the troops it could mobilize from the surrounding areas to the Three Borders, and then force the Qian border army to fight a field battle with the Yan army.

At the same time, because the various warlords below had absorbed a large number of aristocratic family convicts, they also needed to use this intensive military activity to break in their teams. To be a little腹黑 (fù hēi, scheming), it was also to allow those aristocratic family convicts who harbored resentment to be used up a bit.

"Blindman, don't you think that after fighting the barbarians for hundreds of years, even the way Yan fights wars has become very similar to the barbarians?"

"That's true."

When the barbarians went to war, it was mainly the royal court's army, and then they would call on other tribes to send warriors to participate, forming a large army.

On the Yan side, the Jingnan Army was like the royal court's army, and Zheng Fan and the other warlords were like tribes coming to help in the battle.

"The people of Qian are really able to hold their breath," Zheng Fan said with emotion.

Although Cui Liu Fort hadn't gone to war, Zheng Fan knew something about the battles of the other brother units. The Qian people relied on their fort and fortress defense system, and even though they were repeatedly penetrated by small units of Yan cavalry, they still hadn't taken any initiative to attack. The elites of the Three Towns hadn't come out once, seemingly determined to be缩头乌龟 (suō tóu wū guī, shrinking turtles).

"Yes, not many people on that side are gaining any advantage, and some are even suffering losses."

"Hehe."

Zheng Fan smiled.

Honestly, Zheng Fan wasn't in a hurry. After all, he fired the first shot, and that's how he was able to enter the Jingnan Marquis's field of vision. Now, with Xu Wenzu as his backer, he could remain calm.

Although it was indeed a bit boring to stay here and focus on training, he didn't need to rush out and run around like a headless fly.

"Master, news from the Sixth Prince says that Grand Commandant Yang, the governor of the Three Towns of Qian, has submitted a memorial to the Qian court, requesting that the southwest troops of Qian be transferred to the north for defense."

"In recent years, Qian has only fought with the local chieftains in the southwest. The soldiers there are probably capable, but they're not worth worrying about," Zheng Fan said.

"Indeed."

The southwestern region of Qian is mostly mountainous, but Yinlang Prefecture and the Three Border Prefectures of Qian are plains. Even if Qian's southwest soldiers are capable, at most their mountain combat ability is good. On the plains, when faced with an iron cavalry charge, they'll still have to stop.

"That's not the key. The key is the second point."

"Oh, the second point?"

"Yes, Grand Commandant Yang also suggested dismantling all the forts and fortresses on the border of Qian, and withdrawing the troops to the major towns in the Three Prefectures."

Hearing this, Zheng Fan narrowed his eyes.

They were determined to be shrinking turtles.

Don't think that the forts and fortresses on the border of Qian were currently playing a significant defensive role against the harassment of the Yan warlords. That's because the general offensive hadn't started yet; right now, it was just minor skirmishes.

Once the Jingnan Army moved, the warning effect of these forts and fortresses would basically be meaningless. And once Qian contracted its forces and abandoned the wilderness, it would seem like a cowardly act, but guarding a city and fighting in the field were completely different concepts.

You can't expect Yan's proud cavalry to dismount and climb city walls, right?

That would simply be a crime.

"If he really becomes a shrinking turtle, then the problem will be big."

Yan was pursuing a quick victory, preferably by eating away at the northern elites of Qian in two or three major battles, and then advancing straight in. Once they were forcibly dragged into the north of Qian and started playing土木工程 (tǔ mù gōng chéng, construction) ...

Zheng Fan licked his lips. Yan couldn't afford to drag it out. Yan had already been turned into a pot of boiling oil by the Yan Emperor and the three Princes. It needed to be stir-fried quickly; it couldn't afford to simmer slowly over a low flame.

"That eunuch is not simple," Blindman Bei said.

"Yes, the Jingnan Marquis also said something similar. However, he should be transferred away."

"After this memorial goes up, it should speed up the process of him being transferred away, right?"

"Let's not worry about him for now. Let the Yan Emperor and the Jingnan Marquis worry about the eunuch's affairs. I say, since the Secret Intelligence Division has sent someone to urge us, and we've been training our troops for some time, shouldn't we take them out to test their blades?"

"Master wants to play?"

"Yes."

Blindman Bei asked very directly, and Zheng Fan answered very directly.

"It's possible, actually. Whether it's in terms of numbers, equipment, or troop quality, our Cui Liu Fort exceeds the other warlords by too much. However, so many suits of armor, so many warhorses, and such good food supplies every day, to be honest, it's time to let the Sixth Prince see the results of his investment."

"Listening to you, there are conditions?"

"Yes, this time, I have conditions."

"Speak."

"Last time you went to Qian, Master, you only took Ah Cheng with you. This time, we all have to go."

...

The afternoon drills were canceled, and everyone had a rare half-day off. The evening meals were even better than usual, with more meat, so much so that you could eat your fill of pure meat.

In fact, the various units in the Yan border towns weren't short of food at all. The terrifying savings of the aristocratic families were enough to make the Yan court only have the happy trouble of dealing with the grain and fodder issues.

But being able to eat as well as they did at Cui Liu Fort was almost impossible. Zheng Fan was willing to invest in his subordinates. Of course, the most important thing was that he wasn't the one paying for it.

Little Sixth in Yanjing might encounter the same problem as himself, which was迷茫 (mí máng, confusion). Spending more of his money and giving him the goal of working hard to make money in life could also be considered helping him.

The soldiers excitedly went to take their food bowls and get their meals, and after sitting down, began to eat the meat in large bites.

In front of the training ground, several bonfires were lit.

Huo Guang sat there, slowly drinking the meat soup that his clansmen had helped him get.

On the other side, Zuo Jiqian was doing almost the same.

One had experience, and the other had been a garrison commander at Ji Tui Fort. The two men who were still convicts possessed a keenness different from ordinary soldiers.

They guessed that they were going to war.

Although they had been eating very well in the fort these days, and apart from the hard work during drills, there were no other discomforts, what these people desired most now wasn't the quality of the food and lodging; what they wanted was military merit!

They needed to use the heads of Qian soldiers to help their families escape from slavery.

Zheng Fan could wait there as steady as Mount Tai, but these convict soldiers had long been impatiently waiting.

When the evening meal ended and the soldiers began to line up to distribute and receive dry rations and arrows, everyone finally realized what they were going to do.

An eager atmosphere began to permeate the training ground.

And in the courtyard,

A map was spread out,

Seven people were gathered around the map, discussing their battle plan.

"If you ask me, if we're going to play, let's play big. I think Mianzhou City is good."

Zheng Fan poked his finger on the mark of Mianzhou City.

Mianzhou City wasn't one of the Three Great Towns of Qian, but it was considered a not-small city. Most importantly, it's true that people are unlikely to fall into the same pit twice, but they will bend down many times next to a pit where they have picked up money.

Zheng Fan liked this city.

"Actually, anywhere is fine." Blindman Bei didn't care. Launching a surprise attack and learning from the Four Crossings of the Chishui River wasn't impossible.

"But won't they be on guard?" Xue San asked with some concern.

After all, Mianzhou City was the only city of Qian that had fallen since the Yan-Qian frictions began.

"These days, those small warlords have been constantly harassing the border of Qian, which will actually make Qian relax, because those warlords' troops really don't have much combat power," Liang Cheng said.

Among the seven people present, he was the only one with war skills.

"They have few people and poor equipment. At most, they'll cause the forts and fortresses of Qian to light a few more signal fires on the border. This is actually a good cover for us."

Last time, when Liang Cheng and Zheng Fan went to Qian, they only had four hundred barbarian cavalry with them. Although the results were fruitful, they were all dangerous gambles.

This time, it was different. Cui Liu Fort was expected to send out 1,500 cavalry this time. Of course, what gave Liang Cheng even more confidence than the 1,500 cavalry was that,

Everyone was going this time!

As a member of the Demon Kings, Liang Cheng knew very well what kind of terrifying abilities these compatriots had.

The others didn't care where they went or how they fought. They just wanted a place where they could play.

The impatient soldiers on the training ground outside probably wouldn't have guessed what kind of "entertainment" spirit the leaders inside were using to formulate their battle plan.

In the end, Zheng Fan made a concluding speech:

"Let's tentatively set the target as Mianzhou City. We'll take it one step at a time. After we set off, Liang Cheng will be in command and give orders. We'll all listen to you in a while."

No one had any objections,

Liang Cheng also nodded.

"Then we'll... send out troops?" Xue San asked.

Blindman Bei said, "Master, I think this seems a bit rash."

"Hmm." Zheng Fan nodded and said, "I feel the same way. Do you have anything else to add or analyze?"

Blindman Bei said very seriously:

"I think that before we set off, Master should give a speech to the soldiers."

"Is it necessary?"

"It's very necessary."

...

The soldiers waited anxiously, and then they waited for the Cui Liu Fort garrison commander, who was also their current commander.

For the past half month, these convict soldiers were seeing their own garrison commander wearing armor instead of a cotton-padded coat for the first time.

This was almost... a clear indication.

Everyone's breathing on the training ground began to become coarser.

"Really, I can say whatever I want?" Zheng Fan asked Blindman Bei beside him.

"Master, you can say whatever you want."

"Oh."

Zheng Fan nodded and walked forward.

Everyone fell silent. Around them, there were no other noises except for the occasional slight cracking of the firewood in the bonfires.

"Ahem..."

The old-fashioned clearing of his throat to start, which in later generations would be like speaking into a microphone, "Hello, hello."

The soldiers on the training ground were all very cooperative and were staring at Zheng Fan.

Zheng Fan opened his mouth and said:

"Presumably, you all know that the imperial court escorted you here, actually hoping that you would die here, so as to save the imperial court the trouble."

"..." Silence throughout the entire field!