CHAPTER 294: CHAPTER 7 WINNING HEARTS _3

This... it must have been something My lord asked the Sixth Prince to do. It’s rather interesting that the Sixth Prince actually managed to fulfill such an unreasonable request. It seems the bond between My lord and the Sixth Prince is indeed very strong.

Initially, Blind Bei had thought My lord was going through the letters to consolidate power. However, My lord later explained that he had been questioned by the Sixth Prince in a roast duck shop, who asked, "Have you even read the letters you replied to?" This had made My lord a bit embarrassed, so he found some time to reply properly, and as a bonus, he included some "golden phrases" for the Sixth Prince. As for whether helping with this task would result in the Sixth Prince being blamed for a few more desecrated tombs, that was no longer Zheng Fan’s concern. A scumbag just takes what he wants, lights a cigarette after the deed, then turns his head and asks, "And you are?"

"Our Lord has grown up," Blind Bei mused.

"Oh? I’ll go tattle in a bit," Xue Three said.

"Heh," Blind Bei replied, unconcerned.

"I’m going to tell Mo Wan that you actually want to be his grandpa!"

"..." Blind Bei was speechless.

"We set out in half an hour," Zheng Fan announced. "We either don’t make a move, or if we do, we make it a big one! Perhaps, after we return this time, your military achievements will be enough to free your families from their slave status."

"We are willing to die for you, Sir!"

"We are willing to die for you, Sir!"

His approach was to first be direct and astonishing, then build anticipation, introduce a turn, stir emotions, and finally, make grand promises.

After the speech, Zheng Fan didn’t linger on the sight of his soldiers kneeling before him. He just reached up and rubbed his temples.

Sometimes, when you use a tactic too often, it becomes instinct. You don’t even realize you’re using a tactic anymore. But this feeling of winning people’s hearts... it’s truly wonderful. It brings immense satisfaction.

Siniang stepped forward and draped a black cloak over Zheng Fan’s shoulders.

"No, thanks. I’m not cold."

"My lord, you’ve just recovered from a cold."

"No, I don’t want the cloak," Zheng Fan insisted.

Lord Jingnan’s gilded armor and red cloak are indeed incredibly dashing, perfectly matching the popular image of a Grand Marshal. But Lord Jingnan is a Third Rank Martial Cultivator. What does being a Third Rank Martial Cultivator entail? Back then, Shatuo Queshi, who was also a Third Rank Martial Cultivator, effortlessly danced circles around thousands of Town North Army cavalrymen during their charge. So, Lord Jingnan can afford to be flamboyant and stylish on the battlefield, but I don’t have that luxury. My armor is even the same as that of my soldiers. Zheng Fan was afraid of death, and the battlefield was the easiest place to find it.

"My lord, rest assured. Your servant will be by your side."

Those words could wound a man’s pride—a man needing a woman’s protection. But, you have to admit, if a beautiful, mature woman says she’ll protect you, it actually feels quite nice. Machismo needs to be displayed at the right occasion.

However, Zheng Fan just smiled and said, "When the time truly comes, let Blind Bei and the others die before me. You can die after me."

His attitude towards Siniang was different.

"Heh, My lord, whether I die after you or not doesn’t really matter, does it?" Siniang teased. If you die, I’ll probably die soon after anyway.

"Yeah, that’s true," Zheng Fan also laughed.

Still, Zheng Fan was very much looking forward to this expedition.

Last time, it was just me and Liang Cheng going out for a casual jaunt. But back then, I often thought about how much simpler things would be if Xue Three were around, or if Blind Bei and the others were there to handle such situations. This time, everyone is setting out together. I’m really excited to see what surprises these long-repressed demons will bring me. Other military commanders have been blundering about the Qian State border like headless flies, ultimately making no significant impact. That’s quite good. Their fumbling around sets the stage for me to shine even brighter.

At that moment, Zheng Fan suddenly realized he had grown quite fond of Yan State. Under the strong leadership of the Yan Emperor and its two Lords, Yan is currently an enterprising and ambitious nation—the perfect place for ambitious people to develop and thrive.

「Meanwhile, Xue Three walked over to Xiao Yibo. Xiao Yibo understood the unspoken cue and followed Xue Three into the fortress.」

Xue Three led the way, with Xiao Yibo trailing behind.

I get along extremely well with Xue Three. It’s because the other Lords... well, Lord Feng Siniang is beautiful, truly beautiful, but I don’t even dare to fantasize about her when I’m lying in bed at night. Because it was Siniang who once gave me the most terrifying psychological trauma. The other Lords are all very proud and don’t like to talk much. And every time I talk to Fanli, he just takes me to chop wood... Only Xue Three is witty, happy to chat with me, and doesn’t put on any airs.

"Are you dissatisfied about being left behind to guard the fort?"

"No, this subordinate sees it as a sign of your trust, Sir."

"The truth."

"A little."

"Mm, but someone has to guard our home."

"This subordinate understands."

"Mm, you don’t have much talent for martial arts, but becoming a steward in the future wouldn’t be bad for you."

"This subordinate understands."

"Mm, right. Let me ask you one more thing. If, after we leave, bandits suddenly attack the fortress and you, with the remaining men, definitely can’t hold them off, what will you do?"

Xiao Yibo immediately replied, "This subordinate will immediately destroy the food supplies and armaments in the warehouse..."

Xue Three jumped up and smacked Xiao Yibo on the head.

"HISS... Sir, did this subordinate do something wrong?"

"Do you think it was easy for us to accumulate these provisions? You’d burn them just like that?"

"Ah... Um, then what should this subordinate do?"

Xue Three pointed to a room up ahead.

That room didn’t belong to any of the Lords. Normally, no one was allowed to enter. A few times when I passed by its door, I felt a shiver run down my spine.

"If that situation truly arises," Xue Three said, "you run over here, face this door, and kneel."

"Kneel?"

"That’s right, kneel."

"Sir, and after I kneel?"

"Shout."

"Sir, what should this subordinate shout?"

"Grandpa, save me!"