CHAPTER 338: CHAPTER 21 SHEPHERD BOY POINTING TO THE APRICOT BLOSSOM VILLAGE_1

A cold wind whistled through the sky, while in the courtyard, heads rolled.

It was said that the imperial capital of Qian State was bustling. Especially during the Lantern Festival, the shops selling lamps would often erect seven or eight tiers of shelves, laden with all sorts of exquisite lanterns. Frequently, they would run out of space and have to cordon off a small area in front of the shelves, piling more lanterns there too.

No matter how beautiful a lamp, it will eventually burn out; human heads are much the same.

Though it was winter, flies weren’t so diligent, nor maggots so dutiful. But these bloody human heads had first been rushed around all night, then packed into airtight boxes and jostled along the way. Once opened, the stench that billowed out... UGH...

However, those present were all army old-timers. Even Hui Wenzu was a man who had seen his share of major battles—Zheng Fan himself had witnessed his ruthless, brutal side—so while they were startled, they didn’t panic.

The Commanders standing behind Hui Wenzu were somewhat less composed, but none were so unnerved as to show fear or terror.

Though they were leaders of a "rat army," the Yan Army officers were still of decent quality.

Deng Ziliang’s gaze fell first on the heads, then shifted to Zheng Fan, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

Chief Zheng, however, had never liked this tendency to declare someone a "lifelong enemy" at the slightest provocation. His rapport with Ji Chengjue stemmed from his understanding that Ji Chengjue, despite being an idle Prince, was no ordinary individual at heart. Truly significant people didn’t care for superficial appearances; they valued substance. This General Deng before him... HUMPH. Looking at that suit of red armor, anyone who didn’t know better might think he was planning to go home for a matchmaking session before the New Year. One look told me you weren’t my kind of person.

The attendant beside Zheng Fan, however, was so overwhelmed by fright that he collapsed to the ground. Direct Thief! And I even said earlier these were New Year’s gifts Lord Zheng was bringing for our Ah Lang!

Zheng Fan maintained a reserved and elegant posture as he stood there—a stance he had learned from A Ming. When it came to style, truly few in this world could compare to a vampire; they were, after all, nobility by birth.

Finally, a few Commanders could no longer remain still and stepped forward to inspect the heads.

They knew in their hearts, actually, that to display the heads with such fanfare and still have them be fakes would be an utter insult. Yet, curiosity gnawed at them, making them want to scrutinize them closely.

Ordinary people would instinctively fear upon seeing human heads, but for this band of old soldiers, each of these severed heads was no different from a gold ingot.

Setting aside the rather strong smell, they were still just as appealing.

"Hmm? This head?" a Commander asked, his brow furrowed.

The Commanders who hadn’t come over to look heard his doubtful tone and their interest was immediately piqued. They quickly gathered around; even Deng Ziliang drew a few steps closer.

Could they really... be fakes?

Severed heads had always been the greatest currency and proof when it came to military merit. Consequently, numerous incidents of faking heads had arisen; it could even be called a tradition.

Killing innocents to claim merits was a fundamental tactic. Some went even further, deliberately "beautifying" the heads.

However, those present were all Commanders, seasoned military veterans; if the heads were faked, it certainly wouldn’t escape their eyes.

Hui Wenzu also came over at once. He didn’t believe Zheng Fan would be foolish enough to fake heads so ostentatiously, but upon hearing the previous Commander’s surprised query, a sliver of worry inevitably crept into his heart.

"These are Wolf Land Soldiers, troops of the Tusi chieftains from the Qian State’s Southwest," an experienced and knowledgeable Commander declared.

At such a juncture, they wouldn’t stoop to deception or deliberate slander.

It was true they supported Deng Ziliang, but there was no need to deliberately smear or suppress Zheng Fan. Not to mention Hui Wenzu standing right there, even the faint shadow of Lord Jingnan behind Zheng Fan meant he wasn’t someone they could afford to offend by sullying his name.

"That’s right. It’s the hairstyle of the Wolf Land Soldiers, and these earrings too. Previous military reports did say that the Qian State’s West Army Division had moved north, mobilizing fifty thousand Wolf Land Soldiers to accompany them."

No one would question if the heads of Wolf Land Soldiers were inferior to those of Qian State’s regular border troops. Everyone had heard of the Tusi rebellion in the Qian State’s Southwest a few years prior; the fiercely brave Wolf Land Soldiers, who fought with no fear of death, had caused the Qian forces immense suffering.

Most importantly, with the Qian State’s three elite border garrisons still holed up and refusing to venture out, weren’t the heads Deng Ziliang had taken merely those of garrison soldiers from various fortresses?

Everyone knew full well the actual combat strength of those garrison soldiers. Who would have the gall to claim their heads were of higher quality than these Wolf Land Soldiers?

And the sheer number of them...

Hui Wenzu coughed, then deliberately asked Zheng Fan, "Have they been tallied? How many are there?"

"Two thousand, six hundred and fifty-four. We also captured a female Tusi chieftain alive. She didn’t die, but she suffered a head injury and is still unconscious. I’ll have the Spy Bureau retrieve her from Green Willow Fortress later."

Upon hearing this number, the eyelids of all the Commanders present twitched involuntarily.

Deng Ziliang, for his part, merely pursed his lips.

Hui Wenzu beamed with delight. Direct Thief! Weren’t they saying military merit was the only way to convince everyone? Well then, let’s talk military merit!

Fatty Hui reached out and gave Zheng Fan a thump on the chest, exclaiming, "You brat, you really outdid yourself!"

Immediately after, Hui Wenzu spun around to face the crowd and declared, "What you all said earlier was absolutely right! We in the Great Yan military have always prioritized military merit! The heads of the Qian State’s Wolf Land Soldiers are right here! So many heads! Without a doubt, this is the greatest military achievement for our Yan border forces since the war began! First, the capture of Mianzhou city, and now nearly three thousand heads taken!"