Chapter 1 A Hundred Years

"Hey, Taoist Xuanmen (mystical school) people like to use Jiazi (sexagenary cycle) to commemorate events, but we common folk prefer round numbers like fifty or a hundred;

As the saying goes, a hundred years, a cycle. Thinking about it now, it really isn't wrong.

Listen to this,

A hundred years ago, right here, right here in our Yinlang County, the first Marquis of Zhenbei led thirty thousand iron cavalry to crush five hundred thousand soldiers of the Qian people;

What a feat that was! The first Marquis of Zhenbei deserves the greatest credit for protecting the fate of our great Yan Kingdom.

Who would have thought, hey, this is really strange, fitting this karmic cycle.

A hundred years later, which is today, our current Marquis of Zhenbei led two hundred thousand iron cavalry into the Qian Kingdom, borrowing a road. Our great Yan iron cavalry went straight into the Nanmen Pass, and slaughtered behind the Jin people.

The Jin people over there were still fighting with us at Matishan, when a great army of Yan elites, with fluttering Black Dragon flags, charged out.

Tsk tsk, that battle was so dark and earth-shattering, it was truly a cataclysm!

Hey, haven't the Jin people always been unconvinced, saying that our great Yan iron cavalry's reputation as the best in the world is undeserved, and that the true number one iron cavalry in the world belongs to them, the Jin people?

This is easy. We finally caught the opportunity. Let's pull them out for a stroll, and see the real skill.

This paper tiger is ultimately useless. Under the leadership of the two Marquises, our great Yan iron cavalry traversed a thousand miles in ten days, and the Jin army was chased by our great Yan iron cavalry with their tails between their legs.

The Marquis of Zhenbei personally beheaded the head of the Helian family in front of the formation. It is said that the head of the Helian family had a strange beast beside him, a hundred zhang tall (approximately 333 meters), taller than the city wall of our Nanwang City, whose mouth could swallow the sun and the moon, but it was beheaded by our Marquis of Zhenbei with one strike, and then the head of the Helian family head with the second, and the third strike was inserted into the ground.

Others asked the Marquis, saying, Marquis, why didn't you continue to kill?

The Marquis said: I was afraid that I would accidentally kill them all. I have to leave some heads for my soldiers to share."

"Clap!"

The storyteller opened his folding fan and fanned himself in the middle of winter, deliberately pausing at a critical moment. A girl walked among the audience with a bamboo sieve to ask for tips.

Si Niang took out a handful of copper coins and threw them in, then turned to look at Zheng Fan and said:

"Master, is that Marquis of Zhenbei really that powerful?"

Zheng Fan shook his head and said:

"I heard Li Fusheng say that the Marquis of Zhenbei was seriously injured when he was young, and his qi and blood have long been declining. It was Qing Shuang who killed the head of the Helian family."

"Hoh, no wonder." Si Niang asked again: "Master, something sounds wrong. I heard that the commander who led the army to attack Jin this time was Marquis Jingnan."

Logically speaking, Marquis Jingnan controls the Jingnan Army, and most of the soldiers in the army are locals from Yinlang County. It can be said that they are Yinlang County's own soldiers.

But the storytellers in the teahouses of Nanwang City only talk about how great the Marquis of Zhenbei is, completely forgetting about Marquis Jingnan, and so are the many listeners below.

Although the Zhenbei Marquis Li family were also from Yinlang County a hundred years ago, that was after all a hundred years ago. How can it be more intimate than your own soldiers?

Zheng Fan shook his head and said:

"Marquis Jingnan exterminated his own family. Among the people, he is likened to a fierce demon."

Tian Wujing exterminated his own family and shouted that the overthrow of the Yan Dynasty's noble families would begin with his Tian family.

In fact, he pushed and triggered the wheel of the Yan Dynasty's noble families' destruction, and also created conditions for the Yan Dynasty's war against Qian and Jin this time.

In addition, he is also the commander of this operation into Jin, and his fifty thousand Jingnan troops also participated in it. Logically speaking, he should be given the greatest credit.

But the eyes of the masses are mostly blind. The common people only know that this person is too ruthless, and even exterminated his own family, which is simply inhumane, even worse than a beast.

Storytellers also adjust their stories according to the market, so naturally they will not single out Tian Wujing.

Si Niang silently cracked melon seeds and said:

"That's really aggrieved."

Clearly, he paid the most and sacrificed the most, but in the end, he couldn't even get a good reputation.

"Yes, aggrieved. Therefore, I don't want to be like Tian Wujing."

These were Zheng Fan's heartfelt words. If you can avoid being wronged in life, it's best to avoid being wronged. Anyway, this life was earned for nothing, so naturally you have to live in a more free and unrestrained direction.

At this time, Zheng Fan turned to look at A'Ming and asked:

"Is Blind still busy?"

"The Wen family has a large family, up and down hundreds of people, so he has plenty to do." A'Ming replied.

When the Yan army withdrew, the Qian Kingdom thought that the main force of the Yan people was still waiting for an opportunity, so the Qian army on the three sides did not intercept them, and continued to practice their tortoise-shell tactics.

When they passed through Chuzhou City, at Li Fusheng's suggestion, those in Chuzhou City who were willing to go to the Yan Kingdom with the Yan people were taken away.

Wen Sutong was a staunch Qian traitor, so naturally he wanted to follow. In addition, there were some Qian civil and military officials who had "done all kinds of bad things" during this period, and could only follow the Yan people northward.

It is true that it is difficult to leave one's homeland, but they are clear in their hearts that if they continue to stay, they will inevitably be purged after the Yan people leave, and there will be no escape.

Therefore, the entire Wen family went north together. As the "grandson-in-law" of the Wen family, Blind naturally had to work hard.

After entering the Yan Kingdom, he also had to arrange accommodation and food and drink for such a large group of people.

Fortunately, as the representative of the Qian Kingdom's "surrender faction", Wen Sutong will inevitably receive a high degree of courtesy from the Yan Emperor, so it shouldn't be long before the imperial decree will be issued to summon Wen Sutong to Yanjing, and he will be given a prestigious official position.

"However, I heard that Elder Wen is only taking his family members to Yanjing. All the adult men in the family, from sixteen to forty years old, about thirty of them, will all stay here with us."

"Stay here with us?" Zheng Fan was a little surprised.

After these family men enter Yanjing City, with the generosity of the Yan Emperor, they will definitely be blessed by their descendants. The adult men of the Wen family may also be arranged for some official positions to ensure that the Wen family can take root in the Great Yan.

But the old man deliberately left so many men behind, which is very interesting.

"It is said that they should join the army and follow us."

Zheng Fan smiled,

"I don't even know where I'm going next, and he's actually entrusting these people to me."

Yes,

Zheng Fan came to Nanwang City this time to report his merits.

This great battle has actually ended, at least, this stage has ended.

The Yan Kingdom swallowed half of the Jin Kingdom's territory and is the biggest winner;

It can be said that since the founding of the Yan people, the country's strategic situation has been very bad. To the west, there are barbarians fighting each other for hundreds of years. A hundred years ago, the Qian Kingdom dared to play a Northern Expedition from time to time. The Jin Kingdom in the east has also been eyeing them covetously.

This time, it is said that an imperial edict from the Yan Emperor prevented the Barbarian King from crossing the border.

The northern part of the Qian Kingdom has been ravaged. Even if the Jiangnan region of the Qian Kingdom is rich, it will take a lot of time to recover and train troops. Half of the Jin Kingdom has been cut off, and the Jin Emperor is already on his way to Yanjing to pay homage to the Yan Emperor.

The Sima family occupies the eastern part of the Jin Kingdom, but seeing that the other two, who have been fighting with them for nearly a hundred years, have been wiped out in one fell swoop, they can be said to be panicked. They hurriedly want to form an alliance with their old enemy, the Chu Kingdom, after all, everyone understands the principle of shared ruin, but the Chu Emperor died at this time.

Therefore, this guy is not independent now, but his nominal monarch has already knelt down. The Sima family can only shiver at home now.

That is, after the Yan people's series of battles, although the results are gratifying, the losses are also extremely high. Not to mention the losses of Li Fusheng and Li Bao's troops, the Jin people have always been unconvinced that the Yan people's iron cavalry is unparalleled and not just bragging. Under the premise of attacking from behind, after defeating the two elites, the Yan army's losses are still not small.

Therefore, the three countries are tired of fighting, and everyone needs to slow down.

The old emperor of the Chu Kingdom just died, and the princes are busy playing "fight the landlord" (a card game).

The situation between the four countries has calmed down. If nothing else happens, the theme for a long time to come will be peace and development.

But despite this, the defenses in various places cannot be neglected. The Qian people are useless, but the elites on the three sides cannot be completely ignored. The Sima family must also be wary of a desperate dog jumping over the wall. The newly occupied Jin land also needs troops to suppress and maintain stability, and people must also be transferred to Beifeng County to reinforce the barbarians.

Therefore, after the great battle, the scene of the meritorious army entering the capital to accept the Yan Emperor's review and awarding did not appear at this time. However, the speed of awarding merits has not slowed down.

"Alright, it's about time. Xu Wenzu's banquet should be over. Let's go."

Zheng Fan left the teahouse with A'Ming and Si Niang and went to the Commander-in-Chief's Office. Oh no, it should be called the Governor's Office now.

Xu Pangpang (Fatty Xu) has been promoted. He is no longer the Commander-in-Chief and Prefect, but has made great contributions by relying on the allocation of supplies before the war and his bravery in actively resisting the Qian people's probes during the war.

It can be said that the military deployment of Nanwang City's line against the Qian Kingdom and the various troops below are all under his fat.

Today, the Governor's Office is hosting a banquet. Zheng Fan deliberately delayed his arrival a bit, and didn't bring any gifts.

This was Si Niang's suggestion.

Sure enough, when the butler led Zheng Fan into the mansion,

Xu Wenzu seemed to have just drunk at the banquet and was lying down to rest. When he heard that Zheng Fan had arrived, he ran out barefoot without even having time to put on his shoes.

Si Niang, standing behind Zheng Fan, couldn't help but say: "They're all graduates of the Beijing Film Academy."

"Brother Zheng, Brother Zheng, hahaha, the ancients said, 'Do not forget righteousness when in a low position, and do not seek favor when in a high position.' Brother Zheng truly has the style of an ancient benevolent person!"

The meaning is that Zheng Fan deliberately came after the banquet and didn't bring gifts. This is truly treating him, Xu Wenzu, as a true friend. The relationship between the two has not changed, it's still the same feeling!

"Congratulations, Lord, on your promotion!"

Zheng Fan congratulated him very respectfully.

Xu Pangpang is now a genuine feudal official.

"Congratulations, congratulations, you have one too, come, come with me."

Xu Wenzu led Zheng Fan into the house and dismissed the servants.

"Brother Zheng, originally, the court should have given you your reward long ago. It should have been the Guerrilla General under Nanwang City, so we could continue to work together."

"It is this subordinate's good fortune to be able to continue working with you, Lord!"

Leader Xu Pangpang is really good. When he treats you as his own, he will really shamelessly give you benefits.

"Alas, but your 'Zhengzi's Art of War' (Master Zheng's Art of War) was read by His Majesty, and His Majesty praised you for having great talent.

However, Zhao Jiulang is giving you trouble at this time. He still remembers the incident of you trampling on the academy back then.

He said that your "Zhengzi's Art of War" seems to be well-founded, but it has a sense of following the rules and falling into a rut. After all, writing books and biographies at such a young age is too old-fashioned, and he is afraid that you will not be enterprising.

He said it would be better to let you go to a new city in the Jin Kingdom to serve as a city guard.

Alas, isn't this cheating? The Jin land is newly attached. Don't look at the fact that we have captured it now, but the Sima family is still bigger than a horse, and there are wild people's settlements in the Tianduan Mountains. The people of Jin are also unstable. Going there to be a city guard is not as comfortable as continuing to work with us in Nanwang City?

Within three years, brother, I will guarantee you will be promoted to Commander-in-Chief!

Heh, Zhao Jiulang is, after all, too much of a literary person, and his heart is a little too small. In a few days, you and I will write a letter to His Majesty together. Don't worry, His Majesty will not disappoint meritorious officials."

Zheng Fan didn't cooperate with Xu Pangpang to complain about the Great Yan's prime minister,

But in his heart, he let out a "fuck",

Zhao Jiulang, you are really too considerate!

………

"Achoo!"

"Now that the war is over, you're even busier. It's really My fault, I've made you so busy that you're getting sick."

Zhao Jiulang hurriedly got up and smiled:

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern, but I'm not sick from being busy with official duties. It's just that I suddenly became young and crazy last night and tossed around with my concubine a few times, and that's how I caught a cold.

Alas, this romantic disease can only be cured by a cold."

"That shameless energy of yours hasn't changed at all." The Yan Emperor scolded with a smile.

"Your Majesty, I'm anxious in my heart."

"What are you anxious about?"

"The two nobles in the palace have recently been diagnosed by the imperial physicians as being pregnant and carrying the dragon's seed. I'm not convinced. I think I'm still a year or two younger than Your Majesty, and I also want to toss out some more fruits.

Alas, who would have thought that this body is really useless, and I can only be envious."

"Hahahaha………"

The Yan Emperor laughed out loud,

As a man, no one can refuse to be praised in this regard without being proud, and the Yan Emperor is no exception.

The two Qian women are both pregnant and have been promoted to nobles. This is also a sign that Ji Runhao is announcing to the world that he, the Great Yan Emperor, is still in his prime!

However, as he laughed, the Yan Emperor suddenly coughed.

The little eunuch who was serving nearby hurriedly brought over a silk handkerchief and handed it over. The Yan Emperor took the handkerchief and covered his mouth to cough. After coughing, he found a pool of blood on the handkerchief.

"Clang!"

The little eunuch panicked and knocked over the teacup.

The Yan Emperor silently clenched the handkerchief in his hand, looked at Zhao Jiulang, and said:

"We are truly one as ruler and minister. I've also caught a cold."

"Drinking some ginger soup and sweating it out will be enough." Zhao Jiulang said with a smile.

The Yan Emperor nodded,

And said:

"Forget it, you and I, ruler and minister, have rarely rested in the past few months. Let's both take a day off to replenish our qi and blood. I'm also tired. You should also go back to the mansion and sweat it out. If you and I, ruler and minister, pass this cold air to the other officials at the court meeting the day after tomorrow, that would be a real joke."

"This subject thanks Your Majesty for your kindness. This subject takes his leave!"

Zhao Jiulang retreated with a happy smile on his face.

In the hall, only the Yan Emperor, Wei Zhonghe, who was helping to approve the red seal, and the little eunuch were left.

The Yan Emperor leaned back slightly,

Put the handkerchief in his hand on the imperial table,

And said slowly:

"Who else is in your family?"

The little eunuch immediately knelt down,

And said in fear:

"In reply to Your Majesty, this servant has an old mother and a younger sister at home."

"Is she married?"

"Not yet."

"I will summon your sister to the palace and confer her as a concubine. You can go down and accept your death."

The little eunuch trembled and kowtowed,

And said with a sob:

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"