CHAPTER 128: CHAPTER 82: RETURN FROM RECRUITING TROOPS AND HORSES_1

After three days of rain, the sun, which had been recuperating for three days, finally revealed its round face. Perhaps it knew it had been cooped up for too long, for today’s sky offered not a single cloud to entertain it.

Cloudless skies with brilliant sunshine!

Atop the small city wall of Mei Village, two reclined chairs leaned against each other, facing the proud sun, swinging gently together.

Blind Bei loved sunbathing and was infinitely fascinated by this act. Zheng Fan thought that perhaps the fierce sun gave him the illusion of warming his icy heart.

However, in any era, not having to rush around in the scorching sun, nor having to fret about life, but simply sitting there, feeling the peace and tranquility of time—that is a very enjoyable thing.

"My lord, by my calculations, A Ming and the others should be able to return by tomorrow morning at the latest."

"Mmm, my transfer papers should be coming soon too."

Whether the Sixth Prince had returned to the capital or not, Zheng Fan was not sure. However, the Sixth Prince had once told him that the matter was urgent and couldn’t be delayed; even before Zheng Fan had left the manor, the Prince had already sent people to arrange matters in the capital.

Right now, Zheng Fan felt as if he were waiting for his college acceptance letter.

Although he was fairly certain in his heart that the place he would be transferred to was likely Yinlang County.

Because Yinlang County is the southernmost county of Yan and also marks the border where Yan meets Jin State and Qian State.

Sometimes, the borders of large countries are no different from tectonic plate boundaries. Friction and confrontation are extremely frequent.

What made Zheng Fan somewhat expectant was the thought: After my transfer, my official rank should increase a bit, shouldn’t it?

After all, Yan State had far too many Colonels.

"Lately, the movements of the Earl of North Border’s forces have been frequent," Zheng Fan lamented.

This was also why Zheng Fan wanted to pack his things and go south as soon as possible. The whole of Beifeng Prefecture—no, to be precise, all three Northern Three Prefectures of Yan State—were currently shrouded in the shadow of war.

"My lord need not worry about this. The imperial court and the Earl of North Border’s Manor probably won’t actually fight. The recent actions are more like Xiang Zhuang performing a sword dance as a pretext to kill Liu Bang."

"I believe your judgment."

"My lord overpraises me. Since the Sixth Prince wants to transfer you to the south, it means he has realized that there won’t be any major chaos here in the North. From his perspective, if he truly wants to support your development, my lord, the best scenario here in the North would be for the Earl of North Border’s forces and the imperial government to fight tooth and nail. Heroes emerge from troubled times; troubled times are the real opportunity for those at the bottom to rise and develop."

"I know. I’m just curious, if all this is just a farce, a charade acted out by this generation’s Yan Emperor and the Earl of North Border, then what kind of relationship must they share?"

"Sometimes, it’s unfortunate for a country to have two such titans," Blind Bei said. "But fortunately, Yan State is small; it cannot accommodate two true titans."

"Because beyond Yan State, there’s a wider world?"

The territory of Yan State is the smallest among the four great eastern nations, and also the poorest. But Yan State’s character was like that of a honey badger—poor yet fiercely defiant.

"So, it’s Yan State’s fortune. This generation’s Yan Emperor and the Earl of North Border are both true titans. They can make immense sacrifices for their dreams, for themselves, and for the nation’s hegemony. This ’home’—Yan State—is too small; neither of them probably thinks much of it alone. Better to stand together and carve out a vast legacy for future generations."

"Then what do you think, how will the Yan Emperor deal with these local gentry families in Yan State?"

"The Earl of North Border’s forces have already mobilized. It’s said that Yan State’s Imperial Guards and Tiancheng Prefecture’s garrison have also moved. With so many troops deployed, bloodshed is inevitable; there’s no turning back."

"Is it that drastic?"

"It’s rare for two titans to emerge in the same generation, and they won’t miss this opportunity. Half a year from now at the latest, as this confrontation continues to escalate and heat up, and when the various schemes and arrangements are in place, at least half of the local gentry families in Yan State will be uprooted. Blood will surely flow like rivers within Yan State. It’s like pruning a tree. It may seem as if many branches are cut off, but this tree named Yan will grow better and stronger."

"So, this is the strategy you outlined to me last night?"

"Yes, my lord. Once we’re in the south, if nothing unexpected happens, we’ll most likely be up against Qian State. As long as the Sixth Prince isn’t foolish, he’ll definitely position us to face Qian State. Jin State is mired in internal conflict; applying external pressure would only help them quickly resolve their internal issues and unite against outsiders. Only Qian State, always submissive—if they don’t stir up trouble, we can create some ourselves. In short, we first earn military merits and rapidly develop our own power base. Once our power has grown to a certain extent, the great purge within Yan State will likely be about to begin. At that point, we can take the initiative to become the blade that the Yan Emperor and the imperial court use against the gentry families. This way, we can ride another favorable wind, offering a clear demonstration of our loyalty. After the great purge within Yan State concludes, Yan State will be eager to quickly make up for its internal losses through external plunder, to divert internal contradictions, and because both the current Yan Emperor and the Earl of North Border are getting on in years. Thus, Yan State will undoubtedly dispatch troops southward as soon as its internal cleanup is finished. At that time, those of us with experience in southern campaigns will certainly be heavily relied upon again..."