The Demon Lords-Chapter 778 - 170: Drunk_3

He understood one thing: Zheng Fan wasn't interested in playing games with him. The newly appointed Yan Lord before him preferred a more direct approach.

Understanding the other party's preferred style was the key to getting what he wanted.

The King of the wild people immediately said, "Lord, do you wish to have the Snowy Plains at your disposal?"

Zheng Fan nodded, saying, "I do."

There was nothing wrong with admitting it, nor anything to be ashamed of. Everyone here was loyal to Zheng Fan. Even if he told the King of the wild people he wanted to be emperor, it wouldn't matter at all.

Hearing this, the King of the wild people immediately replied, "In that case, Your Lordship, you can make use of Little Dog. Little Dog is left with nothing now and doesn't need to return to the Snowy Plains. Little Dog knows that the tribes that originally supported me are now suffering from attacks and annexation by other tribes.

However, Little Dog knows the Snowy Plains like the back of his hand. Who has grudges against whom, who are generational enemies, which tribes can be exploited, which can be suppressed, and which can be supported—Little Dog knows all of it.

If Your Lordship wants to consolidate the Snowy Plains into your own backyard, Little Dog can definitely help you.

Little Dog will be your most loyal hound, helping you guard your home."

Zheng Fan took out a file he had once borrowed from A Ming but never returned. He began to file his nails, blowing on them from time to time.

After the King of the wild people had finished speaking and a long silence had passed, Zheng Fan, while admiring his nails, finally said, "I ordered the Situ Yi and Situ Jiong brothers to be executed by being drowned in filth."

Back then, those two clowns, deluded by your words, acknowledged you as their 'godfather' and acted as your spies. But after you entered the pass, how did you treat them? Like a spittoon, once used, you found them disgusting and tossed them far aside, leaving them to their fate.

"They were just a couple of fools. How could Your Lordship be like them?"

"Perhaps, in a few years, when you're sitting at a table, dining with someone else, you'll call me a fool too."

Lord Zheng's greatest strength was that he was very self-aware. That is, he had a good sense of... his own limits.

You think being idle every day with nothing to do is a blessing? To a certain extent, it is. But in this environment, in this position, restraining oneself from actually doing things is even more agonizing.

Zheng Fan had no intention of accepting the flattery the King of the wild people was offering.

So-called negotiations were often just like this: it all came down to supply and demand. Lord Zheng was clearly the dominant party. You state your terms; I drive down the price.

"Your Lordship, Little Dog has been here with you for some time and has realized that this place, and your army, are different from other Yan Army units."

"Oh? How so?"

"Firstly, Your Lordship, there are few Yan people in your army; most are Jin people, followed by barbarians. Secondly, many details are vastly different. Your Lordship, let's speak frankly. You've added too many personal touches to this army of yours."

Laymen can only see the surface, but professionals like them could often discern the true nature of things at a glance.

Throughout history, in every dynasty, many warlords, once their power grew immense, began to transform their armies into private forces. Because a warlord knew he had become a force too powerful for the court to control, he would inevitably be targeted. Whether driven by burgeoning ambition or merely self-preservation, privatizing one's army was almost an instinct.

But it was different here. This Shengle Army, or the Snow Sea Army as it was now called, was blatantly built as a private army from the very start! To put it bluntly, it was as if this army was intent on rebellion from its very conception!

Zheng Fan wasn't surprised by this. He merely glanced at his nails again.

Ah, today, I suddenly discovered my nails are quite beautiful. No wonder that fellow A Ming enjoys filing his nails when he has nothing to do. He wasn't just filing his nails; he was clearly savoring that feeling of self-important posturing.

"Your Lordship, you need me. I can turn the Snowy Plains into the most loyal hound at your feet, for you to command. I too am a hound. Although I have my own fangs, Your Lordship, how can a man destined for greatness fear that the hound at his feet is a fierce biter?"

Zheng Fan continued to admire his nails and said, "Without you, subduing the Snowy Plains wouldn't be difficult for me."

"Your Lordship, the Snowy Plains are much vaster than you imagine."

"No matter how vast, it's still just a heap of loose sand."

Zheng Fan lowered his hand and looked at the King of the wild people. "And I should thank you. Your little escapade has thoroughly squandered the vitality the Snowy Plains had accumulated over decades."

"Your Lordship, Little Dog is useful! Even if you look down on the meager resources of the Snowy Plains, Little Dog's abilities can surely create value for you!"

"Unfortunately, our roles are redundant."

The King of the wild people didn't immediately grasp the meaning of this sentence.

But it was true. What was the King of the wild people best at? Manipulating hearts. He wasn't of noble birth, yet he managed to gather the various formidable chieftains of the Snowy Plains under his banner, persuading them to fight for a dream, nearly achieving a grand enterprise.

And what was Lord Zheng good at? Wasn't it precisely the same thing?

I myself am an expert in 'winning people over.' Why would I bring you in to do the same? An army can, and must, have only one guiding philosophy! If you come and take my rice bowl, what's left for me to do? I'm already so damn idle!

The King of the wild people felt a pang of distress.