The Demon Lords-Chapter 737 - 158: Middle_1

"Who would dare ask you to vacate your post again?"

Zheng Fan felt as if he was being "seen through" as these words were spoken. The use of the word "dare" here was truly an act of utter rebellion. We are all part of the Yan Army. Although from different factions, we are, in name, subject to the Imperial Edict. Even if some play lip service, they still act within the permitted rules. Even when those staff officers from the Northern Army came to win my loyalty, they only implied it subtly and didn't dare to be so upfront.

Zheng Fan felt a chill run down his spine. For a moment, he wanted to kneel and reaffirm his loyalty to Yan, to His Majesty, and to Lord Jingnan. But then he felt that doing so would be too theatrical. Lord Jingnan has laid his cards on the table; am I still going to play coy with him? Normally, joking around and being a little out of line is harmless, just a bit of fun in life. After all, I'm a trusted aide. Trusted aides should have some privileges, shouldn't they? To act like that now would be truly ungrateful. Most importantly, given our relationship, Lord Jingnan wouldn't try to trick me like this at a time like this. It's not like he'd strike me dead with a single blow if I showed even a hint of disloyalty.

Therefore, the usually eloquent General Zheng found himself at a loss for words.

Tian Wujing stood up, walked to the entrance of the house, and stopped. He said, "There are some matters in the army that need my attention. In Jade Plate City, tens of thousands of Chu army soldiers are still waiting for me. As for you, before the imperial court's appointment arrives, just station yourself here. You can also send someone to Shengle City in advance with the news. That way, you'll avoid the trouble when the appointment comes and Shengle City gets a new Commander. If that happens, it won't be easy for you to move all your belongings."

Zheng Fan cupped his hands in a salute. "Yes, Lord."

After Zheng Fan responded, Tian Wujing remained standing at the door. He didn't leave. A silence fell between them. About thirty seconds later, Zheng Fan took a deep breath and said, "Very healthy, very strong, very active, and quite mischievous."

Upon hearing this, Tian Wujing said nothing and made no expression. He turned and left the courtyard.

Shortly thereafter, General Zheng slumped into his rocking chair. He needed a moment to compose himself.

Not long after Tian Wujing left, Xue Three and A Ming came in. Liang Cheng still had many things to manage and couldn't get away. As for Fanli, his presence or absence made little difference—he might even be counterproductive—so Xue Three had deliberately not called for him.

Zheng Fan briefly explained the situation. A Ming frowned, a touch of melancholy on his face. It seemed he would have to start building another wine cellar.

Xue Three, on the other hand, his eyes lit up. "My lord, this is great! Does this mean we'll be the local chieftains here? Heh heh, truly 'the mountains are high, and the emperor is far away.' In the future, we'll be like An Lushan, like Wu Sangui, heh heh heh."

A Ming glanced at Xue Three. "Can't you name some more auspicious figures?"

"Er..." Xue Three faltered.

Zheng Fan rubbed his face and pointed outside. "We're starting over again. There are still some people in the city, but outside? It's practically a no-man's-land stretching for a Baili."

Xue Three quickly said, "My lord, a no-man's-land isn't bad either! We won't have to pay for demolition or resettlement. We can plan and design everything from scratch. Think of our time in Shengle City as gaining experience."

"Opening workshops is very tiring," A Ming said. Back in Shengle, he had been in charge of the workshop businesses.

"Building some houses, setting up some furnaces, making some tools—what's so damn tiring about that?" Xue Three retorted.

"Those are secondary. What about skilled workers? We'll have to train them all over again," A Ming said.

"Heh, what's the big deal? It's quite simple," Xue Three said, grinning. "According to Yan customs, when a new general is reassigned, he can take his original troops with him. Since we're to be stationed at Snow Sea Pass, we certainly can't have too few soldiers. So, those five thousand troops left in Shengle must be brought over. The imperial court won't obstruct us in this matter.

"Moreover, Lord Jingnan might even supplement our forces. We can't dream of getting Yan Army regulars. The Northern Army and Lord Jingnan's army are certainly desirable, but after successive major battles, they need to replenish their own ranks and are unlikely to send us reinforcements. We can just have some of the original Cheng State troops reassigned here; that would be easier for us to manage.

"As for the craftsmen and skilled workers originally in Shengle City, that's simple: migrate them here."

Hearing this, Zheng Fan looked up and asked, "Migrate them?"

"Yes! We're short of people here, My lord, and this unpopulated area is huge, haha! We can welcome everyone. Once they come, we'll give them land to cultivate and houses to live in. Those villages where nine out of ten houses are empty—their houses can be reclaimed by the state and redistributed. If that's not enough, we can build new ones in batches according to a plan. I really don't believe no one will be tempted.

"Besides, My lord, don't forget: the children in Shengle City attending private schools and the people there receiving medical care—those were all benefits that only came about when you, My lord, were the Commander of Shengle. Now that you've been reassigned, how could those benefits possibly continue? Those pampered commoners... oh, no, I mean those citizens of Shengle, now that they've tasted the sweetness of such a life, how could they be willing to leave you?

"As long as we continue to implement our previous policies here in the Snow Sea Pass area, I guarantee that more than ninety percent of Shengle City's original residents will be willing to migrate. If it's the same people, it's just a matter of building some more houses. Everything will quickly get back on track."

Xue Three analyzed this with great self-satisfaction. A Ming, however, said, "What's there to be so smug about? My lord anticipated this and set up those benefits in Shengle City precisely for this reason."

Hearing this, Xue Three stared wide-eyed at A Ming. How can you be so shameless? his expression seemed to say.

Zheng Fan waved his hand. "Let's do it this way. The war is over, after all. A Ming, take a troop of cavalry and hurry back to Shengle. Tell Blindman and Siniang about the situation here so they can start preparing. Mobilize the populace. Anything that can be moved—be it people or provisions—apart from the city walls, which are hard to pry loose, anything that's mine, bring it all over!"

"Yes, My lord."

Zheng Fan exhaled. "Uncle Liu managed to attract a large group of commoners to follow him in his flight with just a few tears. If our tangible welfare policies can't attract people, then we've really been wasting our time. Also, have Blindman spread rumors in advance. Say that the newly appointed Commander is a butcher, has committed all sorts of atrocities, loves to exploit the common folk, and looks down on Jin people... Actually, never mind. There's no need to remind Blindman about these things. He'll do an even better job than I can imagine."

Blindman is an expert in this field, especially skilled at inciting the masses. With him handling it personally, forget people, they probably wouldn't even leave a single chicken behind. Actually, Lord Jingnan told me about this in advance precisely to give me a grace period to make arrangements without rush. After all, even the Lord residing in Li Tian City knows how sought-after Shengle City's goods are. He also understands that if I need to move house, it will take a considerable amount of time. As for what kind of 'Shengle' the next Commander of Shengle City will face, that's not something I need to worry about. I'll soon be promoted to Garrison Commander of Snow Sea Pass. A mere Commander of Shengle City won't even be qualified to speak to me.

Just then, Fanli ran over. Entering, he said with some surprise, "You're all here."

"What's wrong?" Zheng Fan asked.

"My lord, the Sword Saint has awakened."

「...」

The Sword Saint had awakened. But it seemed he was now paralyzed.

After Xue Three examined him again, he concluded that the Sword Saint wouldn't be able to get out of bed for the time being. His body was severely depleted, in a state teetering on the brink of utter exhaustion but not yet completely extinguished. The most critical period had passed. However, whether he could live independently in the future depended on his recovery and, well, when a miracle might occur.

It was hard to imagine. The Sword Saint, who just days ago had single-handedly slain a thousand cavalry outside Snow Sea Pass and made immense contributions to its defense, was now lying here, looking somewhat dejected.

Zheng Fan squatted down beside the bed. The Sword Saint asked, "Tian Wujing came?"

Zheng Fan nodded. "He came. The wild people who invaded Jin are basically all finished."

The Sword Saint's expression visibly relaxed. This had been his conviction, his greatest hope for the past six months. Now, it was finally fulfilled.

"I'm a cripple now."

"You have rendered meritorious service for Zhuxia and shed blood for Yan. Don't worry, I will take care of you."

"Hmph." The Sword Saint, unconcerned, continued, "The reward money for the heads of a thousand wild people."

"It will be calculated and given to your paramour... to that lady."

The Sword Saint closed his eyes, seemingly having found peace of mind. Zheng Fan had genuinely worried that once the Sword Saint had no lingering attachments, like those elderly folk who pass away immediately after fulfilling their lifelong wishes, he too would just... expire. But fortunately, even though paralyzed, the Sword Saint remained resilient.

"I don't need you to take care of me. I've said it before: my sword would only help you kill wild people. Now that the wild people have been expelled, even if I am a cripple, I will no longer heed your commands or wield my sword for you."

"Tsk, that's not for you to decide anymore."

"Heh, now that you see I'm crippled, you think you can use force?"

"Do I seem like that kind of person, from the way I speak?"

"You don't just seem like it; you are."

"Look, just focus on recuperating here and slowly nurse your body back to health. If it stays this bad, I'll select some promising young swordsmen for you to train. You can teach them and, in doing so, put your remaining strength to good use. If your body recovers, well, that would be even more wonderful."

"The wild people are gone. I won't do anything more for you."

"Just hear me out. In the future, there will be plenty of places for you to exert yourself. Barring any surprises, I'll be stationed at Snow Sea Pass from now on."

"Stationed at Snow Sea Pass?"

"Mmhmm."

The Sword Saint smiled. Although his smile was strained, it was evident he was quite gratified.

"You're so unscrupulous. With you guarding this place, I can rest much easier."

... Zheng Fan was speechless.

The Sword Saint pressed his lips together and said, "But I'm crippled."

"Rest well and recover. You should be able to get out of bed."

"Even if I can get out of bed, I'll still be a cripple."

"You can at least be a gate guard, right? Just for show. All you have to do is stand there."

"That... does offer some hope."

"Then you must recover well."

"Alright. But I have one condition."

"Name it."

"I will only guard the North Gate."

"Done."