Chapter 1 The Demise of Whirlwind Fort

The bandit fort called Whirlwind Fort was gone.

It was said to have existed in the Meng Mountains for some years. In the early days, it was a group of boatmen and laborers who, dissatisfied with oppression, killed their supervisors and gathered to set up a fort in the mountains.

They would occasionally commit murder and robbery, and would also be hired by other merchant caravans as escorts, so they could be said to be involved in both legal and illegal activities, and were considered to be abiding by the rules.

After all, forts that didn't abide by the rules would definitely have been wiped out long ago.

But one day, the people of this fort suddenly saw a group of Yan people enter the mountains, and in a moment of recklessness, they came to assassinate the Yan army's commander.

What's more, no other people or forces were directing them from behind.

However, the more spontaneous this kind of action was, the more it lacked a profit motive, the more difficult it was for people to accept. It seemed to violate some commonly agreed-upon rules of behavior.

The state of Chu also had its problems. First of all, it was by no means a situation where civil officials didn't love money, military men didn't fear death, the gentry and commoners were united as one, and everyone was working together. Otherwise, it wouldn't be the Yan Kingdom dominating the north and eyeing the south, but rather the Great Chu launching a northern expedition to expand its territory and awe the world.

As for the specific details, such as whether the old, weak, women, and children in the fort survived, or whether a lucky child would hide and seek revenge many years later, Zheng Fan no longer cared about such tropes.

He didn't even ask the fort leader's name. Jin Shuke found some wine for him, fed it to him, and then sent him on his way. Zheng Fan didn't give him a second glance.

It could only be said that some people and some things were destined to be just scenery in this life.

It hadn't been many years since he woke up in this world, but he had indeed seen a lot of different scenery.

Sometimes, Zheng Fan would even be confused, wondering whether this world was a real existence for him, or whether he was just a passerby.

This was the kind of mood only poets had, using it to express their feelings and sing their aspirations.

Xiao Liuzi once said that so-called poets were just writing out the kind of nagging feeling that everyone had in their hearts. Why was it that only they wrote it, and no one else did?

Because most people in this world were busy with food and clothing, and困顿by mundane affairs, they didn't have as much free time as those poets.

Zheng Bo, himself, liked this sentimental feeling.

Seeing a person,

Encountering an event,

Then sitting on horseback, swaying and leisurely;

Pondering, not for the sake of a goal, but just for fun.

Perhaps this was the true meaning of life: needing both busyness to be fulfilling and sentimentality to cultivate oneself.

The assassination at the horse farm could be considered over.

In the matter of "silencing," the Fan family and the people on its chain of interests would be even more decisive than Zheng Fan.

Zheng Fan only needed to continue moving forward with his men, and the traces of their passage would be carefully erased by others.

Once upon a time, the Northern Sealing Prefecture was also full of warlords and fortified villages everywhere, and the Meng Mountains could be said to be even more so than the Northern Sealing Prefecture back then.

After all, the state of Chu implemented a system of great aristocracy. If the rule of prominent families still needed to maintain a little pretense, then the nobles' power of life and death in their own territories was completely legitimate and legal, like real emperors.

The strengthening of local power inevitably led to the weakening of imperial power there. These were two opposing forces that could never coexist and thrive together.

Therefore, there was the peculiar situation where a large army was stationed at Zhennan Pass to prevent the Yan army from advancing south, while Zheng Bo, himself, was welcomed into Chu with his light cavalry in the Meng Mountains.

Xia Yong was a county town, considered to be the last territory within the Meng Mountains. After passing Xia Yong, one would completely leave the rugged mountain range and barely enter the real inland of Chu.

Xia Yong didn't belong to the Fan family, because the Fan family was a servant family of the Qu clan, earning money for the Qu clan. The Fan family wasn't qualified to own a fiefdom.

But Xia Yong also belonged to the Fan family, because this family, based on the way of merchants, had already deeply penetrated all aspects of Xia Yong, while radiating throughout the entire Meng Mountains.

Zheng Bo, himself’s smooth entry into Chu could be considered an opportunity for the Fan family to demonstrate their family's capabilities to Zheng Bo, himself, showcasing the Fan family's potential.

Xiao Liuzi had considerable connections with the Fan family, and this connection made Zheng Fan vaguely feel that it seemed to go beyond a normal smuggling partnership.

But,

The person,

Was introduced by Xiao Liuzi,

And the deal,

Had to be negotiated by Zheng Bo, himself.

Xiao Liuzi was just acting as an intermediary. Firstly, Xiao Liuzi had to stay in Yanjing, he couldn't leave Yanjing, at least, he couldn't leave Tiancheng County, because there were always rumors that the Yan Emperor's health wasn't good.

Secondly, business matters were often complicated, but once they involved weapons, they were often much simpler.

Zheng Fan’s men didn’t enter the hinterland of Xia Yong, but stopped at a manor near the mountains on the outskirts of Xia Yong. This was the Fan family's outer residence, a summer retreat, very quiet.

Xue San was already waiting there.

After meeting, Xue San immediately knelt down:

"Please punish me, Master!"

As the Master's "eyes" and "ears," he seemed to be busy, but he failed to help the Master avoid the assassination. It was Xue San's dereliction of duty.

Each Demon King actually had his own authority, as well as his own tasks and responsibilities.

Therefore, when the arrows fell that night, Si Niang's first reaction was to scold Xue San for being useless!

As a Demon King, you could do nothing and just lie there enjoying a peaceful life;

But if you were going to do something, you couldn't make mistakes.

However, Zheng Fan didn't make things difficult for Xue San, but said very calmly:

"Get up, it's nothing."

Because no one could be perfectly prescient. What Xue San was watching was the movements of the nearby Chu troops. To put it bluntly, even if the Fan family and those fort soldiers on this line were to attack, as long as Zheng Bo, himself’s men weren't drugged, protecting Zheng Bo, himself's safety wouldn't be a problem, at least, they could escape.

But no one expected that a mountain bandit leader would stand up and fire the first arrow of Chu resistance against the invaders.

Xue San didn't act sentimental, stood up, and said:

"Master, this is the Fan family's outer residence. The Fan family's men have all withdrawn from here. We are now in control. The Fan family members are very observant of etiquette.

The Fan family also told me in advance that later, the Fan family head will bring his family members to pay respects to you, Master."

Very observant of etiquette;

This was Xue San's evaluation of the Fan family.

On the road to becoming Chu traitors, the Fan family could be said to be deeply interpreting what it meant to be high-quality Chu traitors, allowing Zheng Bo, himself, the Great Yan dog under the command of the Jingnan Marquis, to experience a feeling of "being at home."

Withdrawing his own men, the family head personally bringing his family members, this courage;

Wow,

Seriously,

Zheng Fan, himself, couldn't do it anyway.

A group of subordinates entered the residence and began to strengthen the defenses arranged by Xue San. Zheng Fan, himself, also entered the residence. Rice, flour, and oil were prepared inside, and even the bedding was new.

Si Niang opened a tea jar, smelled it, and said:

"Master, it's Great Marsh Fragrant Tongue."

From what Zheng Fan knew, the Great Marsh should be a very large swamp, full of mystery, and said to have妖beasts hidden within.

Chu had also always circulated a legend that when the first Chu Marquis opened up the frontier under the command of the Great Xia Emperor, a fire phoenix appeared in the depths of the Great Marsh, becoming the Chu Marquis's mount and helping him drive away the Yue Mountain barbarians.

Great Marsh Fragrant Tongue was a famous tea produced in the depths of the Great Marsh, growing in the depths of the Great Marsh. Because it was filled with瘴qi miasma, countless tea pickers were killed or injured every year in order to pick this tea.

Therefore, this tea was extremely precious.

The furnishings in the room could only be considered elegant, with no valuable pieces, but not so shabby as to make one feel poor. Only this large jar of tea placed here could be said to reflect the host's true extravagance and importance.

This kind of detail made Zheng Fan very comfortable, or rather, everyone who was entertained would feel very comfortable.

But Zheng Bo, himself, was ultimately a destroyer of清xin小freshness,

The first sentence seemed somewhat inappropriate, directly breaking the atmosphere of tea tasting:

He asked Si Niang:

"Is it poisonous?"

Caution was not cowardice. It was truly frustrating to die without knowing why.

After careful inspection, Si Niang confirmed:

"Master, don't worry, it's not poisonous."

"Okay, then boil a pot."

"A pot?"

"Isn't this tea very expensive?"

"It's said that when the late Chu Emperor was in power, he would only bear to drink a small cup before going to bed each night."

"Okay, if the Fan family wants to show off, we'll accept it. Boil it."

"Yes, Master."

"After boiling it, let it cool and drink it as cold tea."

"Yes, Master."

Si Niang began to boil the tea.

Great Marsh Fragrant Tongue was indeed worthy of its reputation. As soon as the tea began to boil, its fragrance instantly filled the air, refreshing the mind and invigorating the senses.

In the past, Zheng Fan had thought that sandalwood and incense were all messy things, but this time, he particularly enjoyed it.

Unconsciously, he actually sat down on the armchair and fell asleep.

Because why did the late Chu Emperor drink a small cup before going to sleep?

Firstly, the tea was expensive and had a small yield; secondly, this tea had a calming and sleep-aiding effect.

Si Niang didn't fall asleep. She had a built-in vigilance. To put it bluntly, it was really difficult to drug a Demon King with despicable means.

The Demonic Core didn't have a physical body; what poison could it catch without a physical body?

Liang Cheng was immune to all poisons; his own body came with a powerful corpse poison.

A'ming usually only drank blood, he didn't touch anything else;

San, himself, was a master of poisoning, and Fan Li was so big that it wouldn't be easy to drug him with just a small amount.

As for Si Niang,

Heh,

Women who liked to play in clubs and dance halls knew that you should never drink a drink offered by a stranger.

Si Niang continued to brew the tea, taking a large basin as instructed by the Master, and letting the brewed tea cool there.

Afterward,

She took out a blanket and gently covered the sleeping Master.

In the early years, the Master was very tired every time he went on an expedition, but now, he was very attentive to maintaining his health even when fighting.

In the Master's own words, if I was so desperate back then, and I'm still so desperate now, then what was the point of my struggles in the past few years?

This sleep,

Zheng Fan slept very comfortably, without any dreams.

In his perception, it was like closing his eyes and opening them, and voila, it was dark.

He sat up, took a deep breath, and immediately felt refreshed. Most people had experienced this kind of sleep quality, but it was often a matter of chance.

Looking back at the large basin of cold tea placed beside him, Zheng Bo, himself, suddenly felt a little regretful.

At this moment, Si Niang walked in and said:

"Master, you're awake."

"Mm."

"The Fan family head, Fan Zhengwen, and his wife, Madam Wen, have arrived. Because you were resting, Master, they have been waiting for half an hour."

"Call them in."

"Yes, Master."

Not long after,

A middle-aged man's voice came from the courtyard:

"Commoner Fan Zhengwen and his wife pay respects to Earl Pingye. May Earl Pingye enjoy blessings and prosperity."

"Come in and speak."

"Thank you, Earl."

Fan Zhengwen came,

And when he entered,

He caught Zheng Fan’s eye.

It wasn't because of how Madam Wen looked, after all, Si Niang was always by his side, and Zheng Bo, himself’s resistance to women was still quite good. The things that had been rumored outside were actually nonsense.

The key was that Fan Zhengwen, himself, was really handsome, the kind of handsome with a lot of temperament.

Not frivolous, but calm, cultured.

If a man could make another heterosexual man think he was handsome, then that was true handsomeness.

As for Madam Wen, she was okay-looking, demure, and not stunning.

"Earl."

"Sit, drink tea."

"Yes, thank you, Earl."

Si Niang poured tea,

Simple, direct, and crude,

Taking the clean teacups directly from the basin of cold tea, one cup for each person, three cups.

Fan Zhengwen held the cup and smiled:

"Great Marsh Fragrant Tongue, it has a unique flavor when drunk this way."

"Brother Fan is mocking me for being uncultured and wasting good things?"

"The Earl's world and the commoner's world are different. The Earl's world is one that the commoner has never seen, and the commoner's world is one that the Earl disdains to see."

"You know how to talk."

Zheng Fan nodded, took a sip of the cold tea, and it was strange. It was indeed worth the money. This thing hadn't been boiled with other ingredients, and there was no added mint or rock sugar. It had been stored for so long, and it still had a cool sweetness when drunk.

I'm still a bumpkin, ah, really wasting good things.

"I, Earl, have entered Chu, and I am grateful for Brother Fan's hospitality. I, Earl, will remember this favor."

"This commoner is unworthy of the Earl's favor. This commoner only admires the splendor of the Great Yan and is willing to be a vanguard for Yan to show my sincerity."

Zheng Fan put down his teacup,

Smiled,

And said:

"How about this, Brother Fan? I, Earl, have always liked to be direct and don't like to beat around the bush. If Brother Fan has something to say, let's just say it straight.

Let's talk about business first, and then talk about other things."

"This commoner would not dare disobey."

"Stop with the 'commoner, commoner.' I've eaten your food and drunk your tea. I, Earl, am the guest, and you are the host."

"Then Fan will be frank."

"Speak freely."

Zheng Fan crossed his legs and leaned back;

And habitually reached into his arms, took out the big iron box, took out a cigarette, didn't light it, just held it in front of his nose and sniffed it gently.

Si Niang had suggested that Zheng Fan use a snuff bottle, thinking it would be more in line with the eunuch director's style;

But Zheng Bo, himself, really couldn't get used to that thing.

Fan Zhengwen stood up, and said solemnly:

"Earl, my Fan family has been a slave of the Qu clan since a hundred and fifty years ago."

The lord of the lord is not my lord. The subjects of my servants are not my subjects.

This was the current situation in Chu. The territory of Chu was vast, but its system was actually more like a feudal state.

The Qu clan, within their own fiefdom, was like a vassal lord.

"My Fan family's ancestors toiled for the Qu clan for a hundred and fifty years, providing money and food for the Qu clan to maintain its extravagance. In Fan's view, no matter how you calculate it, the favor of being selected back then should have been repaid after so many years.

But in Great Chu, a slave is a slave for generations; a noble is a noble for generations.

Every year, when Fan attends the Qu clan's family banquet, I sit at the same table as the lowest-ranking servants."

Zheng Fan added:

"Unbearable."

Fan Zhengwen smiled and nodded, saying, "Unbearable."

Chu was a society with a strict class system. In fact, the original Yan was the same, with powerful families monopolizing the channels for the poor to rise up; Jin was pretty much the same.

On the other hand, Qian did a good job in this regard, but a little too good.

The Fan family was the Qu clan's slave family, so they would be the Qu clan's slaves for generations. No matter how big the Fan family's business became, they could not break away from the Qu clan.

Even if one day the Fan family became stronger than the Qu clan, the Qu clan could still easily crush the Fan family if they wanted to.

Because even if the Qu clan was failing, there was still the entire Chu, the entire Chu's great nobles, who would not allow a situation where slaves rebelled against their masters to occur.

But Fan Zhengwen was unwilling to accept this.

When people were full, had enough to drink, and didn't have to worry about being cold and hungry, they naturally thought about living with some dignity.

Because of this, he planned to defect to Yan. The reason was reasonable, and the fact that he was doing so well could only mean that the Fan family had a very deep power now, and that Fan Zhengwen, himself, the family head, had a lot of courage.

Zheng Fan opened his mouth and said:

"I can't guarantee splitting the land and enfeoffing you as a marquis."

"Fan wouldn't dare to think about it."

"Everything else is possible. You can see me..."

Zheng Bo, himself, pointed to himself,

"A few years ago, I was still running an inn in Tiger Head Town in the Northern Sealing Prefecture."

When giving examples, saying how my friends were, was too distant; saying how my neighbors were, was more interesting; saying how I, myself, was, was very direct and vivid.

Zheng Bo, himself, was a typical example of a grassroots person rising up and fighting.

"How much Brother Fan is willing to give, the Great Yan will repay you in the future."

"Fan believes it, believes in you, Earl Pingye, also believes in the Jingnan Marquis, and even more believes in His Majesty the Emperor of my Great Yan."

Zheng Fan coughed lightly twice,

And said:

"Are there any other reasons?"

"Does the Earl think that's not enough?"

"It would be even better if there were."

"Fan has always felt that it's best not to involve personal feelings in doing business."

"But the best business is doing personal favors."

"The Earl is right." Fan Zhengwen pointed to his wife, Madam Wen, sitting next to him, and said:

"This is my humble wife."

Zheng Fan nodded and smiled: "I've met Sister-in-law."

Fan Zhengwen smiled and didn't avoid it, nor did he say anything was wrong.

Madam Wen simply got up and bowed lightly to Zheng Fan.

Zheng Fan sensed something subtle,

And quickly asked:

"What is Sister-in-law's background?"

Madam Wen opened her mouth and said:

"Reporting to the Earl, my original surname was Min."

Zheng Fan's eyes immediately narrowed, thinking that the Fan family was connected through Xiao Liuzi,

And quickly asked:

"Is the sixth prince of my Great Yan, Ji Chengjue, your..."

"I am Chengjue's… aunt."

Min,

Min family,

Because the "door" of the family was gone,

Only the "Wen" family remained.