Chapter 131
Zheng Fan rubbed his temples,

And glanced at Jin Shuke, who was kneeling there, looking incredibly exhausted.

Truth be told,

Being able to relay the frontline situation in a timely manner was already a great achievement.

This barbarian soldier really gave him a pleasant surprise.

Even knowing the frontline situation just one day earlier would be extremely important for their side's response.

"Go and rest, I'll remember this contribution."

"I'm willing to die for the General!"

Jin Shuke immediately kowtowed and said:

"This humble subordinate takes his leave."

He was truly exhausted, utterly exhausted.

After Jin Shuke left, Zheng Fan scanned the faces of the various Demon Kings, and said:

"A'Cheng, how many soldiers can we deploy?"

"Ten thousand." Liang Cheng gave the answer directly.

Sheng Le City's location was too "precarious." Although it couldn't be considered a major military town, it allowed passage north through the Tian Duan Mountains into the snow plains. Similarly, tribes from the snow plains could pass through there into Sheng Le, and then into Jin territory.

Although the roads were difficult to travel, and it would take the army half a month, or even longer, to pass through, they had to leave enough troops to guard the home base.

At the same time, the Yan army's defeat on the front lines could easily trigger a chain reaction. When you're at the height of your power, naturally no one dares to act rashly. The newly acquired Jin territory was currently in that situation, but when you suddenly suffer a defeat, some people's minds would naturally become more active.

Just like when the First Emperor of Qin was still alive, all the heroes and brave men behaved themselves as obedient citizens. As soon as the First Emperor died, the world instantly descended into chaos.

The current situation in Jin territory was the same. The Yan people had not yet completely digested this newly occupied territory, so the importance of the home base was even greater. Who knew if some Jin rebel army might pop up near their home while they were deploying troops outward?

"Ten thousand, huh?"

Zheng Fan still felt that the number of troops was a bit low.

He usually had a headache due to the huge expense of supporting the troops, but when he really needed to use them, he still felt that there weren't enough.

"Blindy, conscript five thousand laborers."

The five thousand laborers would be the army's logistical support. However, Zheng Fan didn't plan to transport food from his own territory while on the campaign. First, it would be inconvenient to supply, and second, they were going to relieve the siege of Cheng, so wouldn't it be reasonable for the Cheng people to provide food?

When people help each other in the fields in the countryside, they still have to provide meals.

These five thousand laborers would basically be responsible for taking care of the warhorses, repairing military equipment, building camps, and, when necessary, helping to build siege weapons.

In many other armies, there wasn't much distinction between regular soldiers and auxiliary soldiers, but in Sheng Le City, because they emphasized elite troops, there were currently no auxiliary soldiers.

In a word, General Zheng was generous in supporting his troops!

"Yes, Master." Blindy agreed directly.

Since they were going to fight a war, the workshops and trade routes would have to wait until after the war was over.

"San'er, you take your men and enter Cheng first to scout out the specific situation in Cheng."

"Subordinate obeys."

"Si Niang, double-check the military supplies."

"Yes, I understand."

Zheng Fan sat up straight,

And said solemnly:

"Same as always, Blindy and Si Niang will be in charge of guarding the home, and the rest of you, come with me on the campaign."

"Subordinates obey!"

"Subordinates obey!"

After the meeting, the Demon Kings went down to attend to their respective tasks.

Zheng Fan prepared to practice his saber for a while longer. This was truly "sharpening the saber before battle."

Not long after, Xiao Yibo came over and reported:

"Master, that Lord Xiao from the Secret Intelligence Department has come again."

"Again?"

Zheng Fan put away his saber, feeling instinctively displeased.

No one would be happy to have the head of the secret service coming to their door all the time, unless that person was their wife.

Lord Xiao's real name was Xiao Liang. He came from the Secret Intelligence Department. After Du Juan died, the Yan Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department divided the newly acquired territory into two parts, with leaders in Li Tian City and Qu He City respectively.

And Xiao Liang was the leader in Qu He City.

This was his third time coming. The first time he came, Blindy received him, and Zheng Fan excused himself as being unavailable. The second time he came, Zheng Fan received him.

This was the third time.

Zheng Fan knew very well what his purpose was in coming. It wasn't that he was particularly enthusiastic about him, or that he specifically came to freeload a meal.

The Secret Intelligence Department and the army seemed to complement each other, but in reality, they were two separate departments, so everyone could be friendly on the surface, but if they really wanted to get serious, they could completely ignore each other.

Most importantly, the current Yan Emperor had a magnanimous heart and wasn't interested in engaging in any secret service politics. The monarch's governing policy did indeed prevent the Secret Intelligence Department in Yan from being able to wield as much influence as the Qian Kingdom's Silver Armor Guards, and there was still a big difference between them and the "Jinyiwei" (embroidered uniform guard) and "East Depot" (secret police) that Zheng Fan was familiar with.

However, even the imperial court had tacitly accepted the news that the Jingnan Marquis's wife and child had "died." This Xiao Liang was running to his place again and again, naturally for Xiao Tiantian.

This guy was walking a tightrope.

As a former "king of the tightrope stage,"

General Zheng was actually very clear that Xiao Liang wanted to "seek wealth and honor in danger."

He definitely didn't have any will from the Yan Emperor behind him. As for whether there were any other figures involved, Zheng Fan didn't know, but this guy's repeated visits were really starting to push his luck.

In the front hall, Zheng Fan met Xiao Liang.

Xiao Liang's face was very pale. The Yan people generally had rugged faces, and this guy could be considered a "pretty boy" among the Yan people, but it did suit his profession.

"General Zheng, I've come to bother you again."

Xiao Liang stood up and cupped his fist towards Zheng Fan.

Zheng Fan nodded, not responding very enthusiastically, and instead sat down in a chair. Naturally, a maid came up to serve tea.

"I wonder what brings Lord Xiao to Sheng Le again?"

"General Zheng, let's not beat around the bush. This is the third time I've come to General Zheng's territory. I imagine General Zheng is clear about my purpose.

I want to see someone, just one look, that's all I ask. This is my assignment, and I ask General Zheng to be accommodating.

In the future, if General Zheng has any needs, the Qu He City Secret Intelligence Department will certainly not refuse."

In fact, Xiao Liang was the most helpless one. The first time he came, he was played by a blind scribe with a game of Tai Chi, and he went back feeling dizzy.

The second time he came, he was imitated by this General Zheng, and he was played with another game of Tai Chi, and he returned empty-handed again.

This was the third time. As the saying goes, three strikes are enough. Xiao Liang felt that it was better to be frank, although in this way, everyone would have no room to maneuver, but he really didn't want to be fooled by the other party again.

"Lord Xiao is joking. If you want to see someone, you can choose any of the girls in the red tents in Sheng Le City. I, Zheng, am incompetent, but I can still afford this bit of hospitality."

"Why make things difficult for me, General Zheng? This is already my third time."

"You also know it's the third time. Who exactly is making things difficult for whom?"

"General Zheng, this is my assignment, I..."

Zheng Fan immediately got up, left his seat, and knelt down,

"This humble General Zheng Fan respectfully welcomes the imperial decree, long live the Emperor, long live, long long live!"

"..." Xiao Liang.

Zheng Fan raised his head, looked at Xiao Liang, and said with some doubt:

"Lord Xiao, where is the imperial decree?"

"I, I don't have an imperial decree."

"You don't have an imperial decree?"

Zheng Fan stood up from the ground, the smile on his face turning cold, and said:

"That's strange. If you don't have an imperial decree, what exactly are you trying to do?"

"General Zheng, can some things be expressed in an explicit decree?"

"I am a military general, and I don't understand these convoluted matters. I look at military orders during battles, and I look at imperial decrees on weekdays."

Xiao Liang couldn't bear it any longer and said directly:

"General Zheng, don't think everyone in the world is a fool. Do you really think you can hide the fact that the son of the Jingnan Marquis is in your residence from everyone?"

"What a joke! The Jingnan Marquis's wife and child died of illness halfway through their pilgrimage to Tianhu Mountain to pray for the Marquis. His Majesty and the imperial court even sent people to express their condolences. How could there be such a change in Lord Xiao's mouth?

What are Lord Xiao's intentions?"

"What are my intentions? You should ask General Zheng what your intentions are!"

Zheng Fan shook his head and sat back down in the chair, picked up his tea,

And said:

"Please forgive Zheng for being busy with military affairs."

"Zheng Fan!" Xiao Liang said sternly, "This is the Yan Dynasty's territory!"

"I, Zheng, dare not say anything else, but I believe I am a loyal subject of the Great Yan, and I have a clear conscience.

It's just that I am really busy with military affairs, and I have many things to do."

"Busy with military affairs? General Zheng, do you think I'm that easy to fool? Today, you will let me see that person, whether you want to or not.

If General Zheng has the guts, you can tie me up, so that the world can see the might of you, General Zheng!"

"Lord Xiao, do you know that even if Eunuch Wei himself were here, he wouldn't dare to speak to me like you. Yes, our Marquis is confined within his manor, but do you really think our Marquis can't get out?"

"It is my duty!"

"What's it got to do with you?" Zheng Fan cursed directly, "You little brat must be crazy to want to get ahead. Some pits, do you think you can jump into them?"

"General Zheng, times have changed."

"Yes, times have changed."

Zheng Fan nodded and smashed the teacup in his hand on the ground.

He hadn't actually planned this scene beforehand, but Zheng Fan thought that smashing a teacup should make some noise.

Sure enough, A'Ming rushed in with a group of mansion guards behind him.

Xiao Liang looked around in surprise. He couldn't believe that Zheng Fan would actually dare to attack him.

Zheng Fan pointed at Xiao Liang,

And said:

"Take him down and hang him at the city gate for three days."

A'Ming's eyes narrowed, and he said:

"Take him down."

The guards stepped forward. Xiao Liang hesitated for a moment, but did not resist. Only hanging for three days, not killing him. He knew that if he resisted at this time, he would definitely not be able to leave this general's residence.

"General Zheng, you will pay the price for what you have done today!"

Zheng Fan waved his hand, and the guards escorted Xiao Liang away.

A'Ming then looked at Zheng Fan and asked:

"Master, isn't doing this a bit too radical?"

Zheng Fan shook his head and said:

"He brought it on himself."

"But in this way, we are slapping the Secret Intelligence Department in the face."

"The First Prince has been defeated." Zheng Fan said suddenly.

"Hmm?"

"Who do you think the imperial court will let return to prominence?"

Zheng Fan got up, patted A'Ming on the shoulder, and said:

"You have to suck up early."

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I originally planned to explode with updates, but I seem to have gastroenteritis, and it's been terrible going up and down. I can only write one chapter today. I really can't write anymore.